§ 72. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of the Government to appoint a commission of independent persons to take evidence, not only from insurance companies but from working-class insurers, as to the whole question of industrial endowment and life policies for the working class?
Mr. SNOWDENOwing to urgent preoccupations I have not yet been able to find time to look into this matter, which will require careful consideration.
§ Sir B. PETOMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he remembers that in 1928 he wrote an article for "John Bull," in which he strongly advocated the course indicated in the question, and urged all members of the working-class to heckle their Members of Parliament, so as to bring pressure to bear upon the Government?
Mr. SNOWDENYes, I have a very vivid recollection of that article. My recollection also extends to the fact that I think it was a very good article. There is nothing in the reply that I have given to the hon. Member that is inconsistent with anything I said in the article. I have said that I have not had time to consider this report. It is a very important matter and will require very careful consideration, and that consideration will be given to it.
§ Sir B. PETOAm I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that he will give sympathetic consideration to the question, and that the Government, with an open mind, will consider the question of appointing such committee as I have asked for?
§ Sir K. WOODDocs not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be much better for him to try to forget the article in question?