HC Deb 24 May 1906 vol 157 cc1417-8
MR. CLYNES (Manchester, N.E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the advancement of the session, and the extent of Parliamentary business to be dealt with, he can now inform the House that proposals will be placed before it sufficiently early to assure legislation which will this year make better provision for dealing with the distress and difficulties due to the unemployment still prevailing.

MR. JOHN BURNS

The Prime Minister has already intimated that this Bill cannot be introduced before Whitsuntide, and I do not think that I can at present add anything to that statement.

MR. CLYNES

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that legislation in fulfilment of the Government's promises will be introduced to deal with what is a serious and urgent matter of public importance, namely, the starvation and distress of thousands of men and women?

MR. JOHN BURNS

I have nothing to add to the statements I have previously made on this subject.

MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures published in the May issue of the Labour Gazette as to the building trade show that what I stated yesterday was correct?

MR. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question.

MR. JOHN BURNS

I am not answering yesterday's questions.