CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS BILL.

HC Deb 16 June 1925 vol 185 cc278-9

45. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON

asked the Prime Minister whether he will be in a position to indicate to the House in what way the Government propose to afford some temporary relief to industry of the burdens imposed by the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill before the House is asked to pass this Bill through all its stages?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir.

Mr. THOMSON

Will the announcement be made before the Finance Bill leaves the House?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, Sir; we are pressing forward the Finance Bill, and it will, possibly, be next week.

Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

If it is necessary to find the money to assist the pensions scheme, ought we not to know something before we finish the provisions of the financial year?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I thought it was one of the oft-repeated arguments of the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the pensions scheme had nothing to do with the Budget.

Captain BENN

Apart from that debating point made by the right hon. Gentleman, where, may I ask, is he going to get the money to assist the scheme. Ought we not to know before the end of the Finance Debate?