HC Deb 21 September 1943 vol 392 cc24-6
65. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister without Portfolio what progress has been made with the preparation of the arrangements for putting into operation the Beveridge Report?

68. Mr. Graham White

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he is now in a position to publish the findings of the official experts who have been considering for the last eight months the technical and administrative aspects of the Beveridge proposals for social security; and whether he will publish these findings in a White Paper for the information of Parliament in preparation for the promised legislation?

The Minister without Portfolio (Sir William Jowitt)

Good progress has been made in developing in detail various parts of the outline scheme contained in the Beveridge Report. The subject is, however, too big and complicated to be tackled or disposed of as a single problem, and it has been necessary to take specific blocks of the work and reach provisional conclusions on them, before attempting to bring them together into a single comprehensive scheme. The Government hope to be able to publish a White Paper within the next few months showing the progress which has been made on the major problems and, in respect of some matters, setting out considerations on which further consultations and the development of an informed public opinion will be desirable before conclusions can be reached. It is the intention of the Government to present shortly a separate White Paper, which is now in course of preparation, dealing with the comprehensive medical service.

Mr. Mander

Cannot my right hon. and learned Friend reply rather more exactly to the phrase "during the next few months"? Does that mean, before the end of the present year, at the latest?

Sir W. Jowitt

I certainly hope so, but I am not in a position to make a definite promise.

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand that all the progress that has been made on this very important social topic is that the Government intend to publish a White Paper within the next few months? Is that the final reply?

Sir W. Jowitt

No, Sir, such a conclusion would be entirely erroneous.

Mr. White

Will my right hon. and learned Friend give further consideration to this matter with a view to seeing whether he can make a further statement with regard to some of the technical and administrative material which must now be available and which would be a great help to the development of public discussion?

Sir W. Jowitt

All the material relating to the health services—which is an immense topic—will, I hope, be ready shortly, and as for the rest, as I have just indicated, I hope to make my few months as short a time as possible.

Mr. Shinwell

Does it follow from what the Minister has said that no definite proposals are to come before the House in the next few months and that all we are promised is a White Paper? Is it to be a discussion on the White Paper, and are we to have another White Paper following that?

Sir W. Jowitt

The White Paper will contain many proposals, and we hope to have a full discussion.

Mr. Cocks

Have the Government drawn up the order of the funeral service?