§ SIR C. DILKEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether power will be given to the Select Committee on Old Age Pensions to call witnesses to represent for example the interests of working women?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)Yes, Sir. The Committee will have it in their discretion to call women, but, having regard to what has reached me as to the universal desire that the Committee should report this Session, I venture to entertain the hope that the evidence will be restricted to the narrowest possible limits. I think we are now well acquainted with all the facts, and what are now wanted are practical recommendations.
§ SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston)I beg to ask if it has been decided to refer all the Bills dealing with Old Age Pensions now before the House to the Select Committee?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESNo, Sir; the terms of reference have not yet been settled.