HC Deb 10 May 1906 vol 156 cc1497-9
Mr. O'GRADY

asked the President of the Local Government beard whether he had received an application to meet, on Monday next, a deputation from London unemployed men and women with reference to promised Amendments in the Unemployed Workmen Act of 1905; and whether he had replied to the request, and, if not, why not; whether a similar application had been made on behalf of a conference of London Distress Committees held two weeks ago at St. Pancras Town Hall.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) Battersea

The Prime Minister and myself have received a request from the conference of distress committees suggesting that a deputation should be allowed to wait on us. A similar request has reached us from the Right to Work Council. The Prime Minister has replied that no useful purpose will be served by receiving such deputations, as, with respect to London, the Government are waiting for the report of the London Central Unemployed Body, and, with respect to the whole country, the Question is under consideration.

Mr. O'GRADY

asked whether the request did not come from unemployed workmen and women.

Mr. JOHN BURNS

said he had received no application from unemployed men and women.

MB. O'GRADY

Was not the request signed by my hon. friend the Member for the Blackfriars Division of Glasgow and Mr. Frank Smith, on behalf of the unemployed men and women, and not on behalf of the Right to Work Society?

Mr. JOHN BURNS

These gentlemen signed the request on behalf of the Right to Work Council.

MR. KE1R HARDIE

What was the request made in the letter?

Mr. JOHN BURNS

The request was to receive a deputation from the Right to Work Council, to consider a number of proposals. I shall be glad to send the hon. Member a copy of the request.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Will my right hon. friend receive a deputation from the unemployed men and women who are to meet on Monday to appoint a deputation?

Mr. JOHN BURNS

I can add nothing to my original Answer. The Prime Minister and myself replied promptly and courteously in answer to the requests from the two bedies.

MR. O'GRADY

rose to put another Question, when Mr. Lonsdale, on a point of order, asked whether it was in accordance with the rules of the House that Questions of this sort should be asked after 3.45.

* MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member submitted his Question to me, and I thought it was of an urgent character. But some of the Questions which have arisen out of it can hardly be called urgent.

Mr. O'GRADY

said the Answer of the right hon. Gentleman was very unsatisfactory. When might the House expect the Government's proposals for the Amendment of the Unemployed Workmen Act?

* MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must give notice of that.