64. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Labour whether she will consider introducing legislation at once to amend the existing law governing the grant of unemployment pay so as to deal with those legal abuses of the present system which are known to exist, and as to the desirability of remedying which there may be substantial agreement without waiting for the conclusion of the investigations which are now being carried out by the Royal Commission?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)The hon. and gallant Gentleman is apparently in favour of judgment first and inquiry afterwards, where claimants to unemployment benefit are concerned. As was made clear in the recent Debates on the Unemployment Insurance Bill, the Government do not propose to introduce legislation on these subjects until the Royal Commission has heard evidence from organisations of employers and workers and from local authorities and has made its recommendations.
Sir F. HALLDoes the right hon. Lady not think, knowing that these abuses do exist, that it is quite time they should be taken cognisance of?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter of opinion.
§ Captain P. MACDONALDOn a point of Order. Is the right hon. Lady justified in making allegations in reply to a question by an hon. Member, and attributing something to him that is not contained in the question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is best not to do so.