§ Mr. COOPERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he anticipates introducing his Budget of 1911–12 in April, the usual month; and if he proposes to pass it through all its stages before the Autumn Recess?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt would manifestly be premature to make any statement on this subject at the present time.
§ Mr. BOOTHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received deputations from the friendly orders, the collecting societies, and the industrial assurance companies to discuss proposed legislation for State insurance; and whether the agents and collectors of those institutions were represented along with their employers?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEMy right hon. Friend has received a number of deputations from bodies such as those named, whose interests might be affected by the proposed legislation. The agents and collectors were not separately represented.
§ Mr. BOOTHIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive representations from the agents in the matter?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI see no objection at all to doing that.
§ Mr. BOOTHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to state that his proposals for State insurance will not interfere with existing agencies for providing death and accident benefits?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEMy right hon. Friend cannot anticipate the statement which will be made to the House when the proposed legislation is introduced. He has, however, already stated publicly that it is not his intention to include payments on death, and that, so far as he can judge, the proposals of the Government are not likely to 216 interfere in any way with the business now carried on by industrial life assurance companies or societies.
§ Mr. BOOTHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the announcement that his State insurance schemes will become operative in January next and will entail a provision in the new Budget was authorised by him?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo, Sir.