§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether he intends to appoint a Parliamentary Insurance Minister; and, if not, who will be responsible to Parliament for the administration of the Government's insurance scheme?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The Treasury will be responsible for Part I. of the insurance scheme. It may be convenient that I should state that the Joint Committee to be set up under Clause 83 of the Bill will consist of a Chairman, the four Chairmen of the Commissions, Mr. Bradbury, Dr. Smith Whitaker, and the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies. The present Under-Secretary for the Home Office will be Chairman and will reply in this House in respect of the work of the Joint Committee, and of the four Commissions, and Sir Robert Morant will be Vice-Chairman. The President of the Board of Trade will be responsible for Part II. of the Insurance Bill.
§ Mr. NEWMANSupposing we wish to recommend any gentlemen for appointments under the Insurance Bill, to whom ought we address them?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope to no one.
§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLHow many will form a quorum?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot answer that without notice.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will consider the appointment of an actuary on this Commission?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think the appointments are all now made.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say what appointments he will make for Scotland?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will do so in a day or two.