§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
VISCOUNT GAGEMy Lords, the object of this Bill is to extend up to March 31 next the operation of a measure passed in this House in May last, the object of which was to make a temporary readjustment due to the postponement of the second appointed day. As I explained to your Lordships when that Bill was introduced, it was decided to transfer to the responsibility of the Board not only the unemployed who were in insurable occupations, but also the able-bodied unemployed who were not in insurable occupations. Owing to the postponement of the second appointed day, the transfer of this second category has never actually taken place. In consequence, had the Bill not been passed, full financial responsibility for the maintenance of this category of unemployed would have been thrown on the local authorities.
As these local authorities were led to believe that after March 31 last year they would be relieved of a considerable proportion of their liability for this class of unemployed, the Bill was introduced to put them into the same position as they would have been in had the second appointed day not been postponed. In order to arrive at an appropriate sum a formula was employed, and by the working of this formula the local authorities have actually received £425,000 from the Treasury more than they have paid out. Therefore, as might be expected, local authorities are showing little objection to the scheme. I should explain, however, that the operation of this part of the scheme is not yet complete, and that the balance may have to be used in this coming period up to 487 March 31. As this Bill has been certified as a Money Bill, and as it passed through another place without a Division, I think this explanation will probably be sufficient. I accordingly move that it be now read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a. (Viscount Gage.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.