HOUSE OF COMMONS

Evening Star, Issue 19713, 14 November 1927, Page 2

HOUSE OF COMMONS

UNEMPLOYED INSURANCE BILL A REMARKABLE INCIDENT. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, November 11. A remarkable incident occurred when Mr Beckett, a Laborito, speaking on the Unemployed Insurance Bill, took a letter and small parcel from his pocket, and declared; “This is a letter from an unemployed man, the conditions of whose life I know, enclosing his Mons and other medals. He is unable to get employment, or any unemployment benefit, though he has tramped ins boots off seeking work. He tells me the pawnshops will not take the medals, and asks me to hand them to Mr Baldwin, who will know what to do with them. I do not know what the man means by that, but when I sit down I will hand them to Sir Steel Maitland, who can present them to his chief. I suggest that they be framed and hung in the Carlton Club as a trophy of what Toqjjsm has done for the' people who fought in the Great War.”

Mr Beckett then walked round the Speaker’s chair and left the medals on the Treasury bench beside Sir Steel Maitland, who later notified Mr Beckett that if ho wanted Mr Baldwin to see the medals he had better send. them himself. Mr Beckett sent the medals with a covering letter to Mr Baldwin. Mr Wheatley said that the only reason for the Bill was to reduce the unemployment payments to youths of IS to 21 years of age, and force them to .accept work below trade union ratesMr Betterton, replying on behalf of the Government, pointed out that the Blanesburgh Commission made a unanimous report, and the Government was bound to act in accordance therewith. The Bill was read a second time by 296 to 143, and was referred to a committee of the whole House.—A. and N.Z. and ‘ Sun 5 Cable.