HC Deb 15 July 1931 vol 255 c735
The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN

There is an Amendment in the name of the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan)—in page 3, line 42, to leave out the words "or loan or otherwise "—but I am not sure as to the power of the Minister concerning this matter or what would be the precise effect if these Amendments were called and accepted.

Miss BONDFIELD

I think there is some misapprehension in the minds of those hon. Members who have put this Amendment down. The only effect it has is in relation to the book-keeping, which we pledged ourselves to the Public Accounts Committee to reform. That means that we regularise grant expenditure, but that does not interfere with the practice of advancing fares to workpeople. It only regularises the matter according to the wishes of the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Do I understand that if we carry the Amendment it will do as I intend, that is, abolish loans and make it compulsory to do it by grant? As far as I gather, the Minister says that, even if we did carry the Amendment, it would still be a loan, or could be made a loan.

Miss BONDFIELD

The point is that, until we get Clause 3 of this Bill, the money is arranged through what is called the Appropriation Account. The Public Accounts Committee object to that, and say that we must make it part of the Act and so regularise it.

Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.

Clause 4 (Expenses of Minister of Labour) ordered to stand part of the Bill.