HC Deb 22 January 1931 vol 247 cc337-8
22. Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent, on the basis of 2,600,000 unemployed, does the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930, increase expenditure of the Exchequer and the Unemployment Fund, respectively

Miss BONDFIELD

Any estimate of the corresponding cost under the conditions prior to the 1930 Act must necessarily be so hypothetical that I do not think any useful estimate of the kind desired can be made.

Mr. WILLIAMS

When the right hon. Lady continuously declines to give the total additional cost to the Exchequer, is there an[...] reason for her desiring that the country shall not know the additional cost to the Exchequer?

Miss BONDFIELD

I think that the House will exonerate me from any intention to hide any information from it.

Mr. WILLIAMS

On a point of Order. As the right hon. Lady would like another chance of giving a full explanation on this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question, and try to extract the full figures and the total, on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House on the first available day next week.