HC Deb 19 February 1924 vol 169 cc1543-94
The CHAIRMAN

There is a new Clause on the Paper—[Increase of benefit for children of insured person] in the name of the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken-worthy) which I must rule out of order, as it is outside the scope of the Bill. The Bill seeks to repeal Proviso 2 of Section 2 of the Act of 1923, and the Amendment deals with another matter altogether, namely, Section 4. The same decision applies to the Amendment of the hon. Member for the Garbles Division of Glasgow (Mr. Buchanan).

Sir K. WOOD

Is it correct that the Bill has been so drafted that it is impossible to proceed with this Amendment of my hon. Friend, and that there can be no enlargement of the scope of the Bill?

The CHAIRMAN

The Bill as drawn, and as passed on Second Reading, precludes any extension of its purpose as laid down. Therefore it cannot now be amended in the way suggested.

Bill reported, without Amendment.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."—(Mr. T. Shaw.)

Lieut. -Commander KENWORTHY

May I take the opportunity of asking my right hon. Friend when he proposes to introduce the further Bill 1 I made an attempt to introduce an Amendment to this Bill, but it was pointed out by the Chairman that the title of the Bill was so drafted that no Amendment was possible on the lines sugggested. It is extremely important that something further should he done for unemployed workmen with large families of children. I am sure that my right hon. Friend was one of those who voted in the last Parliament for an increase of 1s. per week for an unemployed workman's child. It is an altogether inadequate amount, and I know that he proposes to rectify the matter in a larger Bill. Can he say when he will bring in that Bill? It would have been better if we could have had this slight addition put into this Bill. Apparently, there is going to be a good deal of obstruction from the other side of the House. Heading the OFFICIAL REPORT, I think it is evident that quite unnecessary obstruction was introduced last night, and it may not be so easy to get the next Bill through. This Bill has gone through very easily. We ought to be informed how soon the right hon. Gentleman is going to introduce that further Bill. I am sure that my right hon. friend is prepared to bring it in at the earliest possible moment.

Mr. SPEAKER

I must remind the hon. and gallant Member and the Minister that on the Third Reading we must discuss only what is in the Bill.

Mr. SHAW

I believe the House is unanimous as to this Bill and I simply leave it at that.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read the Third time, and passed.