§ 45. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement as to what plans the Government have prepared to meet the serious unemployment problem that will emerge on the falling off of the armaments programme?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 28th October last.
§ Mr. GibsonMay I ask the Prime Minister, if he recalls that this matter has been the subject of repeated questions to him and other Ministers since July, and that I myself have asked him on 28th July—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. and learned Member cannot give a résumé of the case.
§ Mr. GibsonI was not going to give a résumé of the whole position, but in view of what the Prime Minister has said, I think I ought to have an opportunity to ask him another question. The Prime Minister said on a former occasion that 1601 the matter has been under the consideration of the officials of the Departments mainly concerned. May I ask whether those officials are still considering the matter or whether they have stopped considering it?
§ The Prime MinisterThey are still considering it.
§ Mr. GibsonCan the right hon. Gentle-man say when we may hope to get a result?