§ 66. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has refused 550 to sanction the request of the Govan Parish Council that the allowance paid for children of unemployed persons might be raised to 3s. 6d. weekly from 2s.; and, in view of the need, will he reconsider his decision?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)I would refer the hon. Member to the terms of my reply to him on 13th November last for the explanation asked for in this question and the grounds on which I am not prepared to reconsider the decision.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question which I asked had no relation to the Govan Parish Council's request, because they did not ask until a date subsequent to November, and will he please answer the question as to why he has refused the request of the Govan Parish Council?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have told the hon. Member that, if any other body in the Division can bring me particular cases of hardship, I will have them investigated.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the reason why he has refused the Govan Parsh Council's request for an increase to the children of 1s. 6d. per head?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, I have given the hon. Member the reason. If he or any other responsible body brings me any particular cases of hardship, I will investigate them.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the right hon. Gentleman state clearly and definitely if he thinks that 3s. 6d. is a reasonable amount to pay each week for a child?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a question which does not arise out of the question which the hon. Member put upon the Paper.
§ Mr. MAXTON rose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has asked a question which is not down on the Paper and which does not arise out of the original question. He has asked the Minister his opinion.
§ Mr. BUCHANANNo, may I respectfully suggest to you that I am asking the right hon. Gentleman's reason for refusing to allow the parish council to increase the amount from 2s. to 3s. 6d.? I 551 cannot get an answer to that question. He will not state why he refuses. Is his reason for refusing because he thinks that 3s. 6d. is too much for a child? That is my supplementary question, and will the right hon. Gentleman answer it?
§ Mr. MAXTONI really think the right hon. Gentleman is not treating the House fairly. It is reducing questions to a mockery. I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has made up his mind that no parish council in Scotland is to be allowed to increase the allowance paid to poor people?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of this question.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether his reason for refusing the request of the Govan Parish Council is because they have applied for the payment of 3s. 6d. in respect of all children of unemployed persons, and will he consent to this payment if they only ask for it to be applied to certain numbers of children?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs I have already informed the hon. Gentleman, if he will bring any specific cases—
§ Mr. MAXTONThat is not good enough. The right hon. Gentleman must not ask us to be his examiners and inspectors. He must do his own job.
§ Sir J. GILMOURThis matter can only be settled by an investigation of the particular circumstances. If the hon. Gentleman, or those who are interested in this matter, will bring before my Department any particular cases they will be investigated.
§ Mr. MACLEANArising out of the original reply, will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what reply he gave to the Govan Parish Council when he refused his consent to an increase of this allowance?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question has already been answered.
§ Mr. MACLEANOn a point of Order.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Scotland referred the hon. Member to a reply which he had given previously.
§ Mr. MACLEANThe reply to which he referred has nothing whatever to do with the question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERAny further question must be put on the Paper.
§ Mr. MACLEANI asked a simple question, and I cannot get it answered.
§ Mr. HARDIE rose—
§ Mr. BUCHANANI beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment at the earliest moment.