HC Deb 26 May 1936 vol 312 cc1823-4
45. Mr. MAXTON

asked the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House as to the reasons for the delay in the introduction of the new Regulations for the administration of unemployment assistance; and whether he is now in a position to indicate the date when they will be presented to Parliament?

The PRIME MINISTER

I regret that it has not yet been possible to introduce the new Regulations. The Government have felt it necessary to make a very exhaustive examination of the possible effects of any changes. The variety of conditions existing in different parts of the country has rendered this examination much more protracted than was expected. I am not able to indicate the precise date when the new Regulations will be presented to Parliament, but I do not anticipate that final decisions will now be long delayed.

Mr. MAXTON

Could the Prime Minister tell the House whether the difficulties are with the Unemployment Assistance Board in preparing the Regulations, or with the Cabinet in accepting the Regulations?

The PRIME MINISTER

Much as I should like to oblige the hon. Member, I am very much afraid that my Privy Councillor's oath would prevent me from replying in full.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that all these difficulties were known to the Government, as they were known to the Members of the House, at the last General Election, and that they are largely due to the operation of the means test and the difficulty of framing regulations to operate it, and why does he not end the whole thing?

The PRIME MINISTER

I would not say particularly to what the difficulties are due, but the hon. Member knows and has indicated, as I know, that it is an extremely intricate and difficult subject.

Mr. G. HALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless the new Regulations are very much more generous than the old ones we do not want to see them introduced?

Mr. GRAHAM WHITE

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is of the utmost consequence that these Regulations when they are introduced should receive the most dispassionate and cool consideration, and that these continued procrastinations and delays are creating an atmosphere which is very unfavourable to their proper consideration?

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