29. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state what further provision, by means of legislation or otherwise, the Government proposes to make for the unemployed whose total period of benefit, including the extension of six weeks contemplated by the Act of 1921, will become exhausted from 5th April onwards?
31. Mr. L. MALONEasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the unemployment benefit of large numbers of persons will expire within the next few weeks, he can now inform the House of what measures he proposes to take to deal with the situation?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe situation which will arise when the present extension of benefit begins to be exhausted for those who have drawn it without intermission has, of course, received my most careful and anxious consideration, and is now under consideration of the Government. The volume of unemployment, though steadily and slowly declining, still remains very great, and I am afraid I see no immediate break on a wide front. Legislation will be necessary to make any provision beyond that 1257 sanctioned by the House last July. My hon. Friends will, therefore, have full opportunity for examining whatever proposals we may feel it necessary to make in this direction.
Mr. THOMSONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that, just because legislation will be necessary, time is so short, and cannot he expedite the decision to which he is coming on this matter in view of the grave foreboding in many trades?
§ Dr. MACNAMARACertainly there will be no loss of time.
Mr. MALONEIs there any truth in the statement which has been circulated that the right hon. Gentleman is going to reduce unemployment benefit?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe hon. Member must wait until he sees the proposal. It will be submitted to this House, and no doubt, with other hon. Members, he will have a full opportunity of discussing it.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCannot the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is true that he is advocating a reduction in these benefits?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI can only repeat what I have just said.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhen will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a statement on this matter, which is very urgent?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe 5th April is the first date on which those who have drawn the extension without intermission will be out of benefit. Of course, we must make a statement before that date, and as early as possible before it.