§ Mr. ATTLEE (by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister whether, in the interval since the Committee on the Unemployment Bill last sat, the Government have considered afresh any of the provisions of the Bill which have given special concern to this House and to the country, and upon which representations have been made privately by Members of this House; and, if so, whether before the Committee stage is resumed he can indicate any substantial modifications the Government intend to propose?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs has been repeatedly announced, the Government have been giving the closest consideration to the Unemployment Bill in the light of the Debates that have already taken place. There would, however, be no advantage in anticipating the further discussions on the Bill.
§ Mr. GREENWOODIs the Prime Minister really aware of the serious feeling there is in the country on very substantial points that have been raised, and that if no announcement is made to-day, we shall have to wait at least another fortnight before any statement is made by the Government; and, in view of the time that has already elapsed, cannot some statement be made now?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government are very well aware that a great deal of misrepresentation is about regarding both the provisions of the Bill and the intentions of the Government, but this House ought to know perfectly well how the situation is. I am certain that we ought to continue our work during the Committee stage, and then the Government will make their announcement regarding the further progress of the Bill.
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am not dealing with misrepresentations, unless they are misrepresentations by the majority of Members of this House. I am dealing with questions that are alarming the country, on which the Government have had about three weeks to consider their attitude. The House will not consider the Bill again for a fortnight, and surely the public are entitled to know before the House meets again whether there will be any alteration in the programme 1639 of the Government. Seeing that under the time-table we cannot move the Closure, will the Minister of Labour move the Closure, or move to report Progress, so that this matter can be further discussed?
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELThe Prime Minister has said that the Government have taken into consideration the Debates that have taken place; will they also consider that on the two most important provisions of the Bill no Debates have taken place, on account of the Guillotine? Will the Government now say whether they propose to recommit the Bill in respect of those two Clauses?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have answered that question at least half-a-dozen times, and I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. MAXTONWill not the Prime Minister consider that there is in this House, apart from the Opposition, a huge body of opinion that is interested in these matters; and, apart from things misrepresented, does he not think it will be treating the House with something like fairness, if the Government have come to a decision on vital points as a result of their discussion, to tell us now what it is, as I am sure we should be told if the Opposition numbers were of somewhat greater importance?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe last statement made by my hon. Friend is erroneous. We have a way of doing business in this House, and that way will be pursued. It is a very reasonable and proper way. I can assure my hon. Friend, as I have already done, that the opinion of all sections of the House is being considered by the Government in making up their minds as to what is to happen after the Committee stage is concluded.
§ Mr. GREENWOODIn order to help the Government to make up their minds, will the Prime Minister advise the Minister of Labour to move to report Progress to enable a discussion to take place on the further stages of the Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTER indicated dissent.
§ Mr. BUCHANANDoes the Prime Minister think it good business on an important Bill to throw it aside for several weeks, then suddenly to take it 1640 up for one day, to throw it aside again for an indefinite period, and then to take it up once more? Would it not be much better for the Government, if they intend to proceed with the Bill, to make a definite announcement to-day of their intentions in regard to its future progress? The present method is misleading the country, and it would be much better if the proceedings to-day were delayed until after the Budget so that the financial parts of the Bill could be reconsidered.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government are anxious to proceed with the Bill. The House well knows that at this period of the year it is necessary to complete a certain amount of financial business before the end of the financial year, whatever other business is before the House; and we have taken the first opportunity of proceeding with this Bill again.