HC Deb 21 September 1931 vol 256 cc1268-9
46. Mr. BOWEN

asked the Prime Minister the categories of cases in the Government's scheme of economy to which paragraph (d) in the Economy Bill, with respect to the modification or termination of statutory or contractual rights, applies?

The PRIME MINISTER

The cases for which power to modify existing rights is sought in the Economy Bill are set out in Part II of the White Paper (Cmd. 3952) recently presented.

Mr. MALONE

May I ask whether it is now proposed to proceed with the Economy Bill?

Mr. BOWEN

May I ask the Prime Minister to say whether the definition covers the sentence in paragraph (1), Clause 1, of the Bill, where it refers to the remuneration of persons in His Majesty's Service?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am afraid I do not quite gather the purport of the hon. Member's question.

Mr. W. J. BROWN

Do the terms of the Economy Bill permit, or do they not permit, any modification of the present superannuation arrangements in the Civil Service? May I ask, further, whether, since the whole purpose of the Economy Bill was to save the pound, and the pound has "gone west," the Government now propose to withdraw the Economy Bill? May I have a reply—

HON. MEMBERS

Sit down!

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member cannot always have a reply.

Mr. BROWN

Answer!

Mr. HAYES

May I ask whether the policy indicated is to apply to contracts that were made under Act of Parliament previous to the Economy Bill?

The PRIME MINISTER

Such questions, including the one just put by the hon. Member for West Wolverhampton (Mr. W. J. Brown) ought to be put on the Paper, as they do not arise out of the original question.