§ MR. ARTHUR HENDERSON (Durham, Barnard Castle)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the amount of suffering caused by the present state of unemployment, he can state when the Government will be in a position to inform the House what it proposes to do to alleviate the distress, and when a day can be given to discuss the subject.
§ MR. ASQUITHI am not as yet in a position to make any statement; but I hope to be able to do so next week.
§ MR. ARTHUR HENDERSONCannot the right hon. Gentleman give me a little more definite assurance, seeing that this question is becoming most acute. I had hoped for an assurance that we should have a statement by Monday.
§ MR. ASQUITHI cannot say more than I have. I am quite as much alive as the hon. Gentleman to the importance of the question. That is all the more reason for careful deliberation.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he would give the House time to discuss his statement on the same day.
§ MR. ASQUITHNo, Sir; I shall make my statement in answer to a Question in the ordinary way.
§ MR. ARTHUR HENDERSONsaid he had asked for a day to discuss the proposals.
§ MR. ASQUITHI think the hon. Gentleman had bettor wait to hear what my statement is. I am not at all without hope that it may satisfy him without the necessity of a discussion. If not, we may be able to meet his natural wish.
§ MR. CURRAN (Durham, Jarrow)Considering the urgency of the matter, cannot the right hon. Gentleman make his statement this week?
§ MR. ASQUITHNo, Sir; I cannot.