§ Order for Third Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."
§ 10.30 p.m.
§ Mr. TINKERThis Bill is for the purpose of continuing the transitional period. We cannot object to its passing, but I should like to draw the attention of the House to the fact that the Bill is being brought in because we are not able to solve the unemployment problem. The Government have had five months of office without displaying any revelation of their ability to remove the unemployment question. Therefore, we have to carry on the transitional period and to bear with the unemployment problem for a further period of 14 to 15 months. I do not want the Government to think that because we agree to the Bill we accept the position for the whole of that time. We hope that the Government will consider some- 786 thing before the expiration of the 14 months. If we allowed the Bill to go without some protest it might be taken for granted that no further effort would be made by hon. Members on these benches. It would be wrong on our part to allow that feeling to prevail. On the question of the examination for transitional benefit, hon. Members opposite seem to feel a certain amount of gratification that the means of people are to be examined, in order to find out what they are.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot discuss the means test on the Third Reading.
§ Mr. TINKERLast night, on the Committee stage, we were held up on a particular Clause, and I took it for granted that the Third Reading of the Bill would give us an opportunity of expressing our dissatisfaction, or otherwise, with the position. I regarded the Third Reading as giving a wider scope than the Committee stage.
§ Mr. SPEAKEROn the Third Reading of any Bill the only subject that can be discussed is what is actually in the Bill. Nothing outside the Bill can be discussed on the Third Reading.
§ Mr. TINKERIn that case, I cannot continue my speech.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read the Third time, and passed.