§ Mr. HOAREasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will, without delay, publish a Report of the deputations that he has received with reference to the National Insurance Bill (Part II., Unemployment)?
Mr. BUXTONIn nearly all cases the proceedings at the interviews in question were of a private nature, and a report of the proceedings cannot, therefore, be published. I am, however, having printed 1255 with the Votes a list of the names of the principal associations' deputations from which were received at the Board of Trade on the subject of Part II. of the National Insurance Bill. This list does not include deputations which were received conjointly with the Treasury on the Bill in general. Besides these deputations there have been, of course, communications from and interviews with other bodies or persons interested in the Bill. [See Written Answers, this date.]
§ Mr. HOAREDeputations are received by the President of the Board of Trade with reference to Part II. of the Bill, while deputations are received by the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to Part I. May I ask why there is publication in the one case and not in the other?
Mr. BUXTONThe proceedings in connection with every one of these deputations were of a confidential character, and no report can now be given.
§ Mr. HOAREIs there any reason why the deputations in regard to Part II. should be private and those in regard to Part I. public?
Mr. BUXTONI really do not know. I was not present at the deputations in regard to Part I. As to Part II. it was generally agreed that the deputations should be private on the ground that you can discuss the questions at issue in a much more free and practical way in private than in public.
§ Mr. HOAREIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a White Paper has been published with reference to the deputations received in regard to Part I., and, if so, is not that a reason why a similar Paper should be published in regard to Part II.?