HC Deb 23 November 1953 vol 521 c111

Considered in Committee under Standing Order No. 84 (Money Committees).—[Queen's Recommendation signified.]

[Mr. Hopkin Morris in the Chair]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to amend the Pneumoconiosis and Byssinosis Benefit Act, 1951, by applying it to diseases in respect of which compensation was payable under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925, and by making provision for the payment of benefit for partial disablement, and for purposes incidental thereto, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of any increase in the expenses of the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance or any other Government department which are so payable under section sixty of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1946, as applied by virtue of subsection (1) of section four of the said Act of 1951.—[Mr. Peake.]

Mr. Tom Brown (Ince)

Might I be told whether the way the Money Resolution is worded will prevent our putting down Amendments to the Bill relating to its financial aspect? Shall we be told that we are debarred from doing so by the Money Resolution?

The Deputy-Chairman

That is possible. It will certainly be limited by the terms of the Financial Resolution.

Dr. Edith Summerskill (Fulham, West)

Perhaps the Minister would reassure my hon. Friend. We have lived through such moments as these on other occasions. After having allowed the Money Resolution to go through in respect of other Bills, we have put down Amendments and nothing has been said. I should not like to think that my hon. Friend will not be able to sleep when he goes to bed tonight.

The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. Osbert Peake)

The hon. Member for Ince (Mr. T. Brown) did not address his question to me and so I did not answer it. I am sure that nothing in the Money Resolution will prohibit the hon. Gentleman from moving an Amendment dealing, at any rate, with the flat rate of benefit under the Bill.

Mr. Brown

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolution to be reported Tomorrow.