HC Deb 05 March 1931 vol 249 cc561-2
19. Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND

asked the Minister of Labour whether any reasons have been assigned to the Government by the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance for their inability to proceed more quickly with the inquiry?

Miss BONDFIELD

I would refer the right hon. Baronet to the statements I made on the Second Reading of the Unemployment Insurance Bill on 18th February.

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Has the Minister no more recent information to give to the House with regard to the Speed of the inquiry or the probability of there being an interim report?

Miss BONDFIELD

I said before that we were doing everything we could, and that the Commission were doing everything they could to expedite matters.

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Has nothing been done to expedite it since then?

20. Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state when the National Confederation of Employers and the Trade Union Council, respectively, were first approached by the Government with the object of their giving evidence before the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance?

Miss BONDFIELD

The Government have not approached either of the bodies named for the purpose stated, but I am informed that invitations were sent to them by the Royal Commission on 9th January.

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Can the Minister give any reason why an invitation was not issued at an earlier date, seeing that the Commission was instituted early in December?

Miss BONDFIELD

They met on the 19th December, and I think what I have said shows that there cannot have been very much delay.

Sir K. WOOD

Is not the real complaint that this body has been such a long time presenting its evidence?

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