HC Deb 02 February 1931 vol 247 cc1429-30
50. Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

asked the Prime Minister whether be proposes to introduce without delay suitable legislation in view of the fact that the debt of the Unemployment Fund is increasing at the rate of £1,000,000 a week, and that in order that this rate of increase should be greatly reduced so as to restore solvency to the Fund?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am not in a position at present to make any statement on the matter; but there will be an opportunity for discussion by the House in the near future in view of the fact that it will be necessary to ask Parliament to consider the question of providing further borrowing powers before the end of February.

Mr. SAMUEL

Do we understand that the right hon. Gentleman is not going to take immediate action in view of the warning of disaster by the Government Actuary and the Treasury experts?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have said that the House will have to discuss it before the end of this month.

Mr. SAMUEL

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the Commission witnesses have been Government witnesses, and that the information about this growing debt which is necessary for action has been available for the last six months in the Government offices?

The PRIME MINISTER

All the evidence that has been presented is not all the evidence that is going to be presented.

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