§ 1. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government intend to invite the International Labour Office and the Allied Governments in London to consider the Beveridge Report with a view to securing the adoption of plans for social security or social insurance in all countries friendly to the United Nations?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)As my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister without Portfolio made it clear in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 19th January, the Beveridge Report is still under consideration by His Majesty's Government. In these circumstances it would be premature to consider the proposal of my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. SmithWhen matters of this kind are to be considered, is it the intention of the Government to use the machinery which has been set up by the International Labour Office, and, if so, is it the intention of the Government to encourage all the countries that come within the United Nations to join the International Labour Office?
§ Mr. EdenI think that is a rather wider question, but on this particular question I think we ought to make up our own minds first.
§ Mr. MolsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that in the Republic of Czechoslovakia there was a social security scheme before the war?