§ 45. Mr. Bateyasked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the position of aged people who have to exist on 10s. per week, where a man reaches 65 years of age and his wife has not reached that age?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)I am not prepared to recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission, as suggested, as I do not think it would serve any useful purpose.
§ Mr. BateyIs the Prime Minister not aware that there are still 250,000 of these cases in England and Wales, and is it his intention to do anything for them?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member asked whether I would appoint or recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission, and I said "No," because I do not think it would serve any useful purpose. All the facts are known already.
§ Mr. ShinwellIf the right hon. Gentleman will not appoint a Royal Commission will he take steps to remove the anomalies to which the question refers?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is another point altogether.
§ Mr. G. GriffithsWill the Prime Minister give consideration to the men who have been insured for 25 years without a break and who are now unemployed?