§ 47. Mr. BATEYasked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Industrial Transference Board will be ready for Members of this House; and whether it will be accompanied by any Government proposals or recommendations?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.
§ Mr. BATEYIs not the statement correct, which appears in the North-country Press this morning, that the Government have received this report?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have not seen the statement.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it the intention of the Government to hold up this report until the end of the Session, so that we shall not have an opportunity of discussing it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid I cannot hold out any such hope.
§ Mr. SHINWELLMay I ask to what hope the right hon. Gentleman refers? I asked whether it is the intention of the Government to hold up the report of this important Board until the end of the Session, and preclude the opportunity of discussing it in this House?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINVery unfair!
§ Mr. PALINGIs it the fact that the Ministry of Labour is already acting on recommendations made in this report?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the Prime Minister give us any idea as to when he expects this report of the Industrial Transference Board, since the majority of Members believe that the recommendations of the Board are being acted upon?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid I can say no more than that I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Prime Minister has already said that he is not in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. BATEYOn a point of Order. I was not clear as to the Prime Minister's answer. In my supplementary question I asked whether it was correct, as stated in the North-country papers this morning, that the Government had received this report, and I was not clear whether the right hon. Gentleman said that he had not seen the statement or that he had not seen the report. I want to ask the Prime Minister: Has he got this report, and when can we expect to have it before us?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Prime Minister has already answered that question.
§ Mr. BATEYI was not clear whether the Prime Minister meant that he had not seen the Press report, or that he had not seen this report, and, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, I want to ask him whether he has received this report, and when we may expect to have it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member misunderstood what the Prime Minister said, no doubt the right hon. Gentleman will repeat it.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think I can answer both the hon. Member's questions. I have the report, and am studying it at present. I have not seen the Press report to which the hon. Member refers.