§ 48. Mr. E. Smithasked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange for time to be given for a Debate on the Motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, and other hon. Members, relative to the Ministry of Pensions?
§ [That a Select Committee be appointed to investigate the administration of the Ministry of Pensions with particular reference to war pensions and applications for war service pensions; that the Committee have power to receive evidence from ex-service men, widows of ex-service men, and to send for persons, papers, and records.]
§ The Prime MinisterI am afraid in the present state of public business I cannot afford a special opportunity for the discussion of this Motion.
§ Mr. SmithIs the Prime Minister aware of the deep feeling of suffering that exists throughout the country; and, in view of that, does he not think that the time has arrived when Parliament should be given the opportunity of considering this question?
§ The Prime MinisterThe answer which I have just given is on all fours with one I gave yesterday. It is impossible in the next few weeks to find any time, but I would remind the hon. Member that this matter can be most suitably raised at any time when the Ministry of Pensions Vote is brought before the House. The case can then be put and answered, and I think that that would be much the best way to deal with it.