§ 46. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the number of workpeople that will immediately be thrown out of employment as a result of disarmament and rationalisation of industry, he will state in detail what steps the Government are taking to see that these men are maintained in comfort when they are discharged?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend will, I am sure, realise that it would not be practicable to identify among the general body of unemployed those whose unemployment is attributable to disarmament and rationalisation, even if it were desirable to differentiate in the treatment to be given to them. I would 1893 point out that disarmament and rationalisation are both calculated ultimately to improve the economic position of the country and, therefore, to add materially to the volume of employment generally available. The incomparable system of social services which this country possesses is designed to meet the needs of those whose employment may be affected by such action.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes that mean that, as far as disarmament is concerned, the firms where work is stopped are compensated and the workers are not? The same applies now in the Coal Mines Bill, where the colliery owners are going to be compensated for loss of profits and the workers are not.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe whole question of the treatment of unemployment by insurance and otherwise is an offset to the circumstances and facts stated by my hon. Friend. The one is treated one way and the other the other.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE rose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt will only give rise to controversy.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEOn a point of Order. On this very important question of the provision of employment in these areas that are going to be so hard hit by armament reduction, am I not entitled to put a supplementary question to the Prime Minister?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe have only reached No. 46, and the time is twenty minutes to four. That is a sufficient answer to the hon. Member's point of Order.