§ 21. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the approximate saving to the Exchequer by the administration of the means test since its operation?
§ Mr. E. BrownNo, Sir. I dealt fully with this question in a reply to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) on 16th July, 1936, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. DaltonHas not the right hon. Gentleman looked into this matter again, and is he able to give an answer to this very simple question?
§ Mr. BrownI have not only looked into it but have seen it at work for two 554 years, and the result is that everything I have said to the hon. Member has proved in practice to have been accurate.
§ Mr. E. SmithIn view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has said he is pleased to give information, will he also consider a reply to this question?
§ Mr. BrownIf the hon. Member will read the answer he will find that it is very long, with a lot of information in it.
§ Mr. LawsonHow is it that in the first year's working of the means test the right hon. Gentleman was able to give an answer, and is not able to do so now?
§ Mr. BrownThe hon. Member is wrong, I have given an answer and a very long one. What is wanted is a very precise answer to a question which it is not possible to answer in this form. I have given an answer which covered the whole considerations, which are many and weighty.