HC Deb 17 February 1943 vol 386 cc1729-30
45. Mr. Silverman

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to appoint, under the chairmanship of Sir William Beveridge, or another, a committee to report upon how the various assumptions upon which the Beveridge Report rests may be realised, and in particular how mass unemployment may be eliminated?

The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 27th January last.

Mr. Silverman

In view of the fact that the country as a whole has quite plainly made up its mind that the recommendations of the Beveridge Report ought to be implemented forthwith, will it not be desirable to start at once on this task?

Mr. Attlee

That is a task that is being examined all the time.

Sir H. Williams

As Sir William Beveridge served in the Ministry of Labour during the last period of mass unemployment and completely failed to produce any useful ideas on the subject, why ask him to preside over another committee?

Captain Sir William Brass

Is it not very important that this mass unemploy- ment question should be examined very carefully? Sir William Beveridge said he did not know how to solve it himself so he ought not to be the chairman anyway.