HC Deb 26 April 1934 vol 288 cc1855-6
45. Mr. WHITE

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now state if the Government is prepared to recommit the Unemployment Bill with respect to Clauses 18 and 37, dealing with the debt to be borne by the Unemployment Fund and the means test, which were not discussed on the Committee stage?

46. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Prime Minister whether, arising out of the operation of the time-table on the Committee stage of the Unemployment Bill, he can now indicate the intentions of the Government regarding the conduct of the further proceedings on that measure?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

I shall be obliged if hon. Members will be good enough to await my statement on Business.

52. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the financial clauses of the Unemployment Bill are to take effect; and if he can indicate approximately the date on which the Government will take over from the local authorities in Scotland the financial responsibility for the administration of transitional benefit and the payment of able-bodied relief to the unemployed excluded from standard and transitional benefit?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)

It is not yet possible to make any statement as regards the appointed days under Part II of the Unemployment Bill.

53. Mr. YOUNG

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many local authorities are unable to frame their budgets until they have definite information as to when the Government propose to bring into force Part II of the Unemployment Bill; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the matter?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

It is not yet possible to make any statement which will enable local authorities to estimate the amount of relief which they will receive in the current year under Part II of the Unemployment Bill, but I do not understand that local authorities generally have been unable to frame their budgets.

Mr. YOUNG

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the circular sent out yesterday to Employment Exchanges stating that the board will take over responsibility on 28th July, it means that the board will actually function on that day, or whether they will simply make a further advance to the public assistance committee to enable them to carry on until a later date?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I think the hon. Gentleman has misunderstood the purport of the circular to which he refers. It has reference only to the ratio rule.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will confer with the representatives of the local authorities with regard to the financial results, if the coming into operation of the Bill is delayed longer than is expected, say, after 1st October?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I will look into that matter.