§ 10. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the improved state of the national finances, he will take steps to restore the cuts in unemployment benefit?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. The position would not justify such a proposal.
§ Mr. MAXTONMay I ask if the answer that the right hon. Gentleman has given is not in anticipation of the Budget statement?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThat is a matter on which the hon. Member must draw his own conclusions.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI put this question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and he turned it over to the Minister of Labour. I know perfectly well that the Minister of Labour has not the power—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must not debate the matter.
§ Mr. DEVLINWere not definite promises given that as soon as the finances of the country were satisfactorily adjusted this question would be considered by His Majesty's Government?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONYes, Sir, and when the finances of the country permit it, the matter will be answered, but I would point out that the fund is already paying out something like £200,000 per week more than the income, and, further, there is an overdraft, a deficit on borrowing, amounting to something like £115,000,000.
§ Mr. MAXTONAre we to understand that, in spite of the very drastic step taken by the National Government, the country's finances are not yet on a sound footing?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe hon. Member must draw his own conclusions, but I would point out as I pointed out the other day, that the need for the most drastic economy is still imperative.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWe have to take it that all the activities of the Government have utterly failed to foot the bill.