§ MR. G. OSBORNE MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)I wish to ask whether the Government have come to any definite conclusion with regard to the Industrial Insurance Bill? The Committee to which the Bill has been referred have no desire to shirk work, but they would like to have some reasonable assurance that their labours will not be thrown away.
§ MR. ADDISON (Ashton-under-Lyne)The Committee met on Monday, and as a great many gentlemen in the North and other parts of England are deeply interested in the Bill, it would be a saving of trouble and expense if the First Lord of the Treasury can give a decided answer.
§ *THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, WestminsterThe right hon. Gentleman had the courtesy to communicate his question to me, and I have taken steps to ascertain what is the probability of our being able to pass this Bill in the present Session if the Standing Committee should complete its labours soon. Having regard to the variety of questions involved in the measure, to its 906 intricacy, and to the interests which it affects, I have been obliged to come to the conclusion that it would not be possible to pass the measure in the course of the present Session, and probably it would not be desirable to pass it, seeing that it is a measure which has been introduced for the first time this year, and that it is one that ought to be considered very carefully in the country before it is adopted by Parliament. Under these circumstances, I think the right hon. Gentleman is more than justified in making the appeal which he has made, and if it should be in order I shall be prepared to move that the Order relating to the Bill be read and discharged.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe Order for the reference to the Grand Committee might be discharged.
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHThen I will move that.