§ 4. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Minister of Labour if the list of provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, amendment of which may be recommended by the statutory committee in Part II of the Third Schedule of the Unemployment Bill, includes the provision of the 1929 Act which fixed the Exchequer contribution at a rate equal to one-half of the aggregate amount of the contribution paid in respect of the employed person by himself and his employer?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. WHITEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if I am right in assuming from his reply that the Statutory Committee would be debarred, under the Bill as now drafted, from making any recommendations varying the rates of contribution between the contributors, and will he give that matter further consideration?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. We fully considered this when the Bill was before the House, and I am satisfied 334 with the position in the Bill as it left the House.
§ Mr. WHITEIs the right hon. Gentleman seized of the fact that this prevents any variation between the three partners of the scheme; and was that matter before the House?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONCertainly; that is a matter which could have been relevantly raised when the Bill was before the Committee. I cannot accept any alteration now.