HC Deb 01 October 1931 vol 257 cc512-3
26. Mr. RAYNES

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that an organised and well conducted demonstration of unemployed people attended the Labour Exchange at Derby, on Monday last, and presented a written protest against the cuts in unemployed benefit, and that the manager of the Exchange declined to forward that protest to the Ministry; and whether he will give instructions that such protests are to be forwarded?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I am having inquiries made in this matter and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

50. Mr. R. A. TAYLOR

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to use the powers conferred upon the Minister of Labour by the National Economy Bill to meet any increase in the cost of living by increasing Unemployment Insurance benefits without delay?

The PRIME MINISTER

(Mr. Ramsay MacDonald): No, Sir. The powers under the Act would not enable such action to be taken.

Mr. TAYLOR

In view of the great stress which is being laid upon the argument that the unemployed would be 1 per cent. better off after the cuts than they were in 1929, what steps does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take to ensure that they shall not be worse off than in 1929; and what is the machinery for that purpose?

The PRIME MINISTER

That point was fully answered in a recent Debate on the subject.

Mr. SHINWELL

May I ask whether, in the event of a substantial increase in the cost of living affecting unemployed persons, the Government will be prepared to consider the position?

The PRIME MINISTER

That is a purely hypothetical question.

Mr. TAYLOR

In view of recent developments, cannot the right hon. Gentleman now make some concession in the direction of restoring unemployment benefit to the old figure?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Following the right hon. Gentleman's reply regarding the cost of living, may I ask if he is aware that rents, which enter largely into the budgets of working-class housewives, have in many cases increased by 100 per cent.; and what provision is he going to make to change that state of affairs so as to fit in with his own statement about 1½ per cent.?