§ 26. Major PROCTERasked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of the Unemployment Insurance Committee administering Part I of the Unemployment Insurance Act to raise the allowances for children to a level commensurate with that contained in the regulations governing the administration of Part II of the Unemployment Insurance Act?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY OF LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)The committee are required by statute to make a report on the financial condition of the Unemployment Fund in the early part of next year, and I cannot at present forecast the conclusion which they may reach as to whether there is an available surplus, or the manner in which it should be dealt with.
§ Major PROCTERAm I to understand that the position of the children of those on transitional payments is going to be more favourable than that of the children of those who are insured?
§ Mr. HUDSONThat depends upon the composition of the family.
§ Mr. ANEURIN BEVANHave not the Government power to ask the committee to consider a matter of this description, and, if so, do they propose to do that?
§ Mr. HUDSONThe committee was only recently set up, and it would not be fair to them to ask them to submit a report before they have had a reasonable time to see how the finances of the unemployment fund—with the care of which they are charged—are likely to run.
§ Mr. BEVANIn the event of the committee itself not making any proposals in the future, will the hon. Gentleman give a guarantee that the Government will ask them for a report on this matter?
§ Mr. HUDSONThat is a purely hypothetical question.
§ Mr. THORNEHas the hon. Member any objection to sending a copy of this question to them?
§ Mr. HUDSONI have no doubt that the chairman of the committee follows the proceedings in Parliament quite closely.