§ 8. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Minister of Labour whether this House may expect the early introduction of the Bill to extend unemployment insurance to agricultural workers?
Mr. BROWNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the considerable increase of unemployment in the hosiery industry, and do the Government intend to do anything to prevent the importation into this country of cheap hosiery made by sweated labour?
Mr. STANLEYMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will be glad to note a new accession to the ranks of his supporters.
Mr. WESTDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Brown) asks for prohibition, not an increase of tariff?
§ Mr. CAPORNCan my right hon. Friend induce British ladies to wear English made stockings and so help to find employment for a large number of people?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Burnett.
§ Following is the statement:
Mr. STANLEYI cannot at present add anything to the answer I gave the hon. Member on this subject on 28th January.
§ Mr. SMITHCan we have an assurance, in view of the number of agricul- 1273 tural workers out of employment, that this Bill will be before the House before Easter?
Mr. STANLEYI can add nothing to my statement at present. The hon. Gentleman will realise that since the 28th January there have been certain events, the reactions of which have to be considered.
§ Mr. OSWALD LEWISWill my right hon. Friend, in introducing any legislation of this kind, consider the advantage of starting operations in the spring rather than in the autumn in order to give the men six months in which they can qualify for benefit?