– in the House of Commons at on 17 April 1929.
Mr Thomas Johnston
, Dundee
asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of William Young Todd, lately employed as a ploughman instructor on the Government training farm at Lampits, Lanarkshire; whether he is aware that this man died at St. Mary's Hospital, Lanark, on 21st February, as a result of an accident which befell him while threshing corn at Lampits Farm; that since his death his widow and three young children have received no compensation of any kind, but have been compelled to seek poor relief; and, seeing that the widow and her family have been ordered to vacate their house on the Government farm by 15th May, he will, under the circumstances, take steps to prevent their eviction?
Mr Arthur Steel-Maitland
, Birmingham Erdington
The facts as to the regrettable death of the late Mr. Todd are as stated in the first two parts of the question. A public inquiry under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry (Scotland) Acts was held on the 21st March, 1929, when the jury found that no fault was attributable to the Ministry of Labour or to anyone in their employment. The maximum amount which would have been payable under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, if they had been applicable, has been paid into Court for the benefit of the dependants of the deceased workman. The house which he occupied is urgently required for another employé, but, naturally, I will see that Mrs. Todd is treated with as much consideration as possible.
Mr Thomas Johnston
, Dundee
May we take it that the right hon. Gentleman will see that this poor woman will not be evicted?
Mr Arthur Steel-Maitland
, Birmingham Erdington
There is no question of eviction. There is a question of arranging that she does not need to remain there. It is not in her interest to remain there, and the house is wanted for another person. I am trying to arrange not only that she will be able to vacate the house, but that proper provision shall be made for her, which will be good for her and at the same time leave the house empty.
Mr Thomas Johnston
, Dundee
I appreciate the spirit of the answer, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this poor woman has no means of living except parish relief?
Mr Arthur Steel-Maitland
, Birmingham Erdington
I can only tell the hon. Member that the maximum compensation has actually been paid; That is about £600.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
