HC Deb 26 July 1905 vol 150 cc354-7
MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister a Question of which I have given him private notice, namely, why the Committee stage of the Unemployed Bill has not been set down for this day, as the right hon. Gentleman stated last week would probably be the case.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not remember the anticipation of business to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but I think it is very likely that he is quite accurate in his memory. But it seems to me that the Bill which is down first on the Paper is one which has a prior claim to any other, and that is the reason why I placed it first on the Paper.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

Is it because of a statement to the effect that the Labour Members were opposed to the Unemployed Bill that it was not set down for to-day?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir. My light hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board was carrying on negotiations last week with various sections of the House interested in this Bill; but, as far as I am aware, the reason I have given was the only reason, certainly it was the principal reason, why the Scottish Churches Bill was put down first.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Committee stage will be taken?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir. But I cannot take it any day this week.

MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)

asked on what date the Committee stage would be reached. Since it was alleged that the Labour Members were responsible for the delay, he would ask whether it was not a new order of things for four or five Labour Members in that House to dictate the policy of the Government, and to say what Bills should be introduced?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. Member has fallen into an error, not uncommon in this House, in attributing to me statements which I have never made, but which appear to have been made on my behalf by other people. I have never made a single statement as to the so-called obstruction of the Labour Members.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)

Could not the Unemployed Bill be put down as the second order on Friday, in case the Naval Works Bill does not occupy the whole sitting.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am bound, of course, to consider any arrangement about business which may conduce to the rapid and peaceful termination of the session; but I have been assailed by so many threats and suggestions of difficulty with regard to legislation that the House will recognise that my primary duty is to get through the Bills which must be passed, in the hope that there will still be time left for Bills which, however desirable, are not in the same administrative category as those to which I refer.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask whether this Bill, which deals with the life of the poor, does not come within the category of those that must pass.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I think the hon. Member is under a mistake. There are a certain number of Bills which must absolutely be passed, whoever is in power.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

Is the Churches (Scotland) Bill one of these?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There are particular crises, like that which has made the Scottish Bill necessary, which also bring Bills into the category of absolutely necessary Bills. The question of the unemployed, and the suffering which want of employment gives to certain classes of the population, is one which must exercise the anxiety of every man in this House, and of those responsible for the government of the country. But it is not a phenomenon which began in 1905; the difficulties connected with employment are of very old standing, they have been considered by this House for many generations; and, though I am the last man to underrate the importance either of the Government proposals or any other proposals which may be submitted dealing with this question, it is really a travesty of facts to say that this is a new phenomenon suddenly sprung on the world which absolutely requires in this session to be dealt with. There are much less important matters—relatively insignificant matters—which everybody knows must be passed.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

If a crisis is necessary, I can promise the right hon. Gentleman that there will be one on this question in the winter.