§ 5. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Minister of Labour the number of protests which have been made by local councils and public bodies against the application of the means test?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe position is not substantially different from what it was when I replied to the hon. Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks) on 25th February. I have received in all rather more than 200 resolutions from local authorities out of the many thousands of such authorities in the country.
§ Mr. McGOVERNHas any consideration been given to these protests by the Government?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONYes, every consideration is always given to every protest.
§ Mr. McGOVERNHas any conclusion been arrived at?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe answer to that question will be found in the speeches which I have made to the House on this subject.
§ 8. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the demonstrations and protest meetings being held throughout the country protesting against the means test, and the fact that in many of the industrial centres the workers have come into collision with the authorities, with the result that many members of the working class are in gaol, he will take steps to abolish the means test?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. I have repeatedly explained in the House the justification for the means test.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe right hon. Gentleman says that he is not aware of protests, demonstrations and meetings being held throughout the country; is he not aware that every Member of the House is being petitioned against the means test?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODTime will tell whether I am telling the truth—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe really cannot have speeches at Question Time.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI am not making a speech. I want to ask a supplementary question. Immediately I put a supplementary question hon. Members shout "Speech!" yet some of them put questions five minutes long, and if I ask a question for a couple of minutes— [Interruption.] Is the right hon. Gentleman not prepared to take any action to mitigate the terrible strain on poor people who are "up against it" as a result of the means test?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI have already explained in answer to the question that I have stated in the House the justification of the means test, and I have on many occasions stated such action as I can take to ensure that it is worked fairly.