§ Mr. CHARLES EDWARDS (by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the representatives of the several hundred unemployed workers who arrived in London last week-end from various parts of the country a request to receive a deputation desirous of putting before him certain grievances relating to unemployment insurance administration and Poor Law administration affecting able-bodied workers, and what action he proposes to take?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)My right hon. Friend is always ready to consider 1957 representations from recognised representative bodies and, when desirable, to arrange that deputations from them should be received by the appropriate Minister. But he has already made it clear that no useful purpose would be served by receiving the deputation in question.
§ Mr. CLYNESHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the figures published today, indicating the enormous increase in the number of unemployed; and, inasmuch as the Prime Minister is unable to receive a deputation, will he not, in the special circumstances, suggest that representatives of these men should be received by the Ministry of Labour, and that that Department should consider the men's position?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think that the exceptional weather through which we have been passing is a not inadequate explanation of these new figures which appear to-day. Indeed, I think it shows how very unreliable are these figures, from week to week, as any guide to the real condition of the country. As to the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, I think it is fully covered by the answer which I have already given.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the fact, that these men are here, and that they have grievances which they think the gentlemen in charge of these Departments ought to hear, will the right hon. Gentleman not consider the suggestion that, at least, the heads of the Departments concerned should receive a deputation of the men and consider their grievance?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. I think it Would be a bad precedent altogether if we were to depart from the regular constitutional methods, which are very numerous and very ample, for discussing these matters and bringing them to the notice of the appropriate Departments.
§ Mr. SHINWELLAre we to understand from that reply that no Minister ever receives a deputation unless it is officially inspired? Do they never receive deputations from groups of persons who have no special official connection with any organisation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, that may be so, but this case has been carefully considered 1958 on its merits, and the answer is what I have given.
§ Mr. SPEAKERReally, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has said that he has nothing more to say.
§ Mr. JAMES HUDSONOn a point of Order. The Chancellor of the Exchequer suggested that deputations from certain recognised bodies might be received by the Government. Would it not be in order, therefore, to ask what recognised body would be regarded as acceptable by the Government in this case for the purposes of a deputation?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not seem to me to be a point of Order. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has given a very full answer to the original question.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a precedent for this, and that Mr. Bonar Law, when Prime Minister, did receive a deputation from an exactly similar body of men?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAfter full and careful consideration, we have decided in this ease that we cannot do so.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODSeeing that these men have travelled hundreds of miles in the most severe weather—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Chancellor of the Exchequer has given his answer. He said that he has taken all these things into consideration. He has answered the question, and that is all there is to be said.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODOn a point of Order. I have not had an opportunity of expressing another point of view, which I was in the midst of doing when you rose. I would ask you to allow me to put this point to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. My point is this, that here you have hundreds of men—
§ Mr. SPEAKERrose—
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should resume his seat when I am on my feet. He was not putting a point of Order.