HC Deb 16 June 1913 vol 54 cc19-20
45 and 46. Mr. GODFREY LOCKERLAMPSON

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Government have consulted the National Conference of Friendly Societies and the Joint Committee of Approved Societies as to the allocation of time for the National Insurance Act Amending Bill; and (2) whether, in view of the importance to the friendly society world that there should' be full and unrestricted opportunity for full discussion by hon. Members of the National Insurance Act Amending Bill and the Amendments thereto desired by the friendly societies, he will reconsider his decision to withdraw that Bill from the Whole House and to send it to a Committee upstairs?

49. CASSEL

asked whether, in the event of the National Insurance Amending Bill being sent to a Standing Committee, the Government will support an increase in the numbers of the Committee?

50. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any representations from the approved societies in support of referring the proposed Bill to amend the National Insurance Act to a Committee of the Whole House, in view of its extreme importance to all insured persons?

51. Viscount WOLMER

asked whether the National Insurance Act Amendment Bill promised by the Government will be so drafted as to enable private Members to propose by Amendments alterations to any part of the National Insurance Act?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

Representations have been received from certain societies and will be duly considered. I can answer no further questions in regard to this Bill until it has been introduced.

Mr. MALCOLM

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of having a full report of the proceedings of this Committee taken, as he did in the case of the Unemployment Part of the Insurance Act?

The PRIME MINISTER

Until the Bill has been introduced, I propose to make no statement.

Viscount WOLMER

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman even say it will cover the whole ground of the Insurance Act?

The PRIME MINISTER

No, Sir, certainly not: I cannot say anything whatever about it.