HC Deb 26 November 1931 vol 260 cc496-7
47. Mr. MAXTON

asked the Prime Minister whether the Lord Privy Seal will continue to perform the duties in connection with unemployment attached to that office by the Labour Government?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

The answer is in the negative. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 16th November in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North-East Bethnal Green (Major Nathan).

Mr. MAXTON

Who is going to carry out such duties as there are in connection with unemployment?

The PRIME MINISTER

The answer to which I refer stated that the Lord Privy Seal at the moment would not do it, and that no one for the moment has been told off to do it, but that the whole matter is under consideration.

Major MILNER

Cannot the Lord Privy Seal's services be made available in connection with the Land Values Tax?

Mr. MAXTON

Will questions now have to be addressed to the Minister of Labour dealing with unemployment?

The PRIME MINISTER

If the hon. Member looks at my answer he will see a direction on that point.

Mr. McGOVERN

Are we to take it that this is simply a £1,800 a year pension that the Lord Privy Seal is going to receive?