(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/65
Image Reference:0014
jJOCUMENT I S THE PROPERTY OP HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GGWHEMENT)
.f. CJR E T.
.. Copy Ho.
C A B I N E T
65 (50) .
M e e t i n g of t h e C a b i n e t t o be h e l d a t N o . 1 0 ,
Downing S t r e e t , S . W . I . , on FRIDAY,
OCTOEER 2 4 t h , 1 9 5 0 , a t 1 0 . 5 0 a . m .
AGENDA.
THE KING'S SPEECH ON THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.
(Reference Cabinet 60(30), Conclusion
and 6 2 ( 5 0 ) , C o n c l u s i o n 5 ) .
2
Note by t h e S e c r e t a r y cowering r e v i s e d Speech.
( C P . 348(50) (Second r e v i s e )
t o be c i r c u l a t e d )
HOUSE OF COMMONS PROGRAMME, 1 9 5 0 - 5 1 .
' "
Memorandum b y t h e P a r l i a m e n t a r y S e c r e t a r y t o
Treasury..
( C P . 557(30)
-. - a l r e a d y c i r c u l a t e d ) .
5.
the
. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.
(Reference
(i)
Cabinet 62(50),
Tiae P r o p o s e d
Conclusion
6).
Bill.
Memorandum by t h e M i n i s t e r o f L a b o u r .
( C P . 518(50)
already circulated).
R e p o r t b y t h e P a n e l of M i n i s t e r s
Unemployment. .
(G.P. 554(30)
(ii)
already
circulated).
R e p o r t o f Mr. BED. H e n d e r s o n ' s M i s s i o n t o
(CP.
4*
-
on
358(50)
-
circulated
Germany.
herewith).
IMPERIAL CONFERENCE,. 1 9 3 0 .
C o m m i t t e e on E c o n o m i c C o - o p e r a t i o n - The Wheat Q u o t a
and o t h e r p r o p o s a l s .
( Q u e s t i o n . t o b e r a i s e d b y t h e P r e s i d e n t of
t h e B o a r d of T r a d e ) .
5
-
DYES TUFFS (IMPORT REGULATION) ACT, 1 9 2 0 .
( R e f e r e n c e Cabinet 4 1 ( 3 0 ) , Conclusion 7 and
53(30), Conclusion 1 ( c ) ) .
Memorandum b y t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of
( C P . 541(50)
- already circulated).
Cabinet
Trade.
6.
MINING ROYALTIES BILL.
-(Reference
Cabinet 53(30),
Conclusion
1(b)).
Memorandum b y t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of
( C P . 346(30)
- already circulated).
7.
Trade.
C0NCLUSI01E OP HOME APE A IBS COMMITTEE.
( R e f e r e n c e C a b i n e t 5 3 ( 3 0 ) , C o n c l u s i o n s 1 and 2 ,
6 2 ( 3 0 ) , C o n c l u s i o n s 7 and 1 0 , a n d H . A . C . 1 4 t h
Conclusions (30)).
(i)
Consumers' Council B i l l .
(H.A. 3 2 ( 3 0 )
already
(ii)
8.
circulated).
E x p i r i n g Laws C o n t i n u a n c e B i l l , 1 9 3 0 .
(H.A. 3 6 ( 3 0 )
already circulated).
.EWCATIiQN (SCHOOL ATTENDANCE) BILL,
1930.
$Reference C a b i n e t 6 3 ( 3 0 ) , C o n c l u s i o n 8 and
H . A . C 1 4 t h C o n c l u s i o n s (30) p a r a g r a p h 3 ) .
N o t e by t h e S e c r e t a r y c o v e r i n g r e v i s e d d r a f t
of B i l l .
( C P . 359(30)
- t o be c i r c u l a t e d
H.A. 2 8 ( 3 0 )
- already circulated).
9.
INDIAN ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE: PROPOSED PUBLICATION
OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA'S DESPATCH ON THE SIMON
REPORT.
(Reference Cabinet 62(30),
Conclusion 15).
N o t e by t h e S e c r e t a r y c o v e r i n g e x t r a c t f r o m
1 s t C o n c l u s i o n s of t h e B r i t i s h D e l e g a t i o n
(Government M e m b e r s ) , and Memorandum by t h e
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r I n d i a .
( C P . 355(30)
- already circulated).
10.
ALLEGED PROPAGANDA ACTIVITIES OF TEE THIRD INTEHLITIONAL
AND THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT.
(Reference Cabinet 28(30),
Conclusion
l).
R e p o r t of C a b i n e t C o m m i t t e e .
( C P . 349(30)
- already circulated).
(Signed)
M . P . A . BANKET,
Secretary to the
toUtehall
Gardens,
23rd O c t o b e r ,
S.W.I.
1930.
Cabinet.
(TWITS DOCUMENT I S THE PROPERTY OP HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)
a ry c R E T .
Copy Nd.
C A B I N E T
6^(50).
CONCLUSIONS of a M e e t i n g of t h e C a b i n e t
a t 10j Downing S t r e e t , S . W . 1 . , on
FRIDAY, O c t o b e r 2 4 - t h , 1 9 ^ 0 , a t
10.^0 a.m.
held
PRESENT:The R i g h t Hon. J . Ramsay MacDonald,
Prime M i n i s t e r .
( i n the C h a i r ) .
' 1
The R i g h t Hon.
P h i l i p Snowden, M . P . ,
C h a n c e l l o r of t h e
Exchequer.
The R i g h t Hon.
J . H . Thomas, M,P. ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
Dominion A f f a i r s .
The R i g h t Hon.
J.R. C l y n e s , M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
f o r Home A f f a i r s .
The R i g h t Hon.
W. Wedgwood B e n n , D . S . O . ,
D.F.C.;M.P., Secretary
of S t a t e f o r I n d i a .
The R i g h t Hon.
Tom Shaw, C . B . E . , M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
War.
The R i g h t Hon.
L o r d A m u l r e e , G.B.E . , . K . C ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
for Air.
The R i g h t Hon.
Vernon H a r t s h o r n , O . B . E . ,
M.
Lord P r i v y S e a l .
The R i g h t Hon.
A r t h u r Greenwood, M . P . ,
M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h .
The R i g h t H o n .
Margaret B o n d f i e l d , M . P . ,
Minister of Labour.
The R i g h t Hon.
Christopher Addison, M.P.,
M i n i s t e r of A g r i c u l t u r e
and F i s h e r i e s .
iThe R i g h t Hon.
Sir Charles Trevelyan,
Bt. , M . P . , - P r e s i d e n t of
Koard of E d u c a t i o n .
Jfoe R i g h t Hon.
A.V. A l e x a n d e r , M . R . ,
F i r s t L o r d of t h e
Admiralty.
the
for
The R i g h t Hon.
W. Graham, M . P . ,
P r e s i d e n t of t h e
B o a r d of T r a d e ,
The R i g h t Hon.
W i l l i a m Adamson, M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
Scotland.
The R i g h t Hon.
George L a n s b u r y , M . P . ,
F i r s t C o m m i s s i o n e r of
Works.
Obi o n e l S i r M . i . A . Hankey,- G. C . B . , G. C M . G.
J
Secretary.
13 SPEECH
1.
draft
The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e
t h e m a n amended
of t h e K i n g ' s Speech i n which were
incorporated
c e r t a i n amendments p r o v i s i o n a l l y a g r e e d a t t h e
of t h e C a b i n e t r e f e r r e d
et 62(30)
usion 3 ) .
(Revise))
(Appendix
to in the margin.
meeting
(Paper
I).
The f o l l o w i n g m o d i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e
d r a f t were adopted
CP,348(30)
printed
:­
( i ) N i n t h P a r a g r a p h d e a l i n g w i t h Unemployment.
I n t h e s e c o n d l i n e , ...
the words
"Measures f o r i t s a l l e v i a t i o n a r e
r e c e i v i n g the c o n s t a n t a t t e n t i o n of
My M i n i s t e r s " t o b e d e l e t e d a n d t h e
r e m a i n d e r of t h e p a r a g r a p h t o form
a separate paragraph to follow
i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r t h e w o r d s "My L o r d s
a n d Members o f t h e House of Commons".
(ii)
(iii)
The f o l l o w i n g new p a r a g r a p h t o b e i n s e r t e d
after paragraph 8 :
"My G-overnment w i l l p e r s i s t i n i t s
e f f o r t s t o d e v e l o p and e x t e n d b o t h
home and f o r e i g n t r a d e a n d t o h e l p
in measures which w i l l l e a d to
greater efficiency in industry".
T h i r t e e n t h paragraph d e a l i n g v/ith A g r i c u l t u r a l
Pcli cy.
To b e amended b y t h e i n s e r t i o n of
t h e word " a n d " a f t e r t h e word " r e c o n d i t i o n i n g "
i n l i n e 3 , a n d t h e d e l e t i o n o f t h e la*st
s e n t e n c e , v i d e l i c e t " a n d f o r t h e s e t t i n g up
of a C o n s u m e r s ' C o u n c i l " .
The p a r a g r a p h a s
s o amended t o f o l l o w i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r t h e
new p a r a g r a p h i n ( i i ) a b o v e .
( i v ) The f o l l o w i n g new p a r a g r a p h r e l a t i n g t o
Unemployment I n s u r a n c e t o f o l l o w i m m e d i a t e l y
a f t e r t h e p a r a g r a p h named i n ( i l l ) a b o v e s
" I p r o p o s e i m m e d i a t e l y t o s e t up a
Commission t o e n q u i r e i n t o t h e whole
q u e s t i o n of Unemployment I n s u r a n c e a n d
i n p a r t i c u l a r i n t o t h e a l l e g a t i o n s of
a b u s e of i t s p r o v i s i o n s .
The C o m m i s s i o n
w i l l be a s k e d to p r e s e n t I n t e r i m R e p o r t s
on t h e m o s t p r e s s i n g q u e s t i o n s a n d , i f
r e q u i r e d , l e g i s l a t i o n b a s e d on t h e m w i l l
be introduced.
I n t h e meantime a measure
t o make f u r t h e r f i n a n c i a l p r o v i s i o n f o r t h e
Unemployment F u n d w i l l b e l a i d b e f o r e y o u " .
inter alia
( )
E l e v e n t h p a r a g r a p h , d e a l i n g / w i t h t h e Age o f
C o m p u l s o r y S c h o o l A t t e n d a n c e : T o b e amended
b y t h e d e l e t i o n of t h e word " a n d " a f t e r t h e
word " A t t e n d a n c e " and t h e a d d i t i o n a f t e r t h e
words "Trades Union", f o r the words
"audd f o r t h e s e t t i n g . - u p o f a C o n s u m e r s '
Council"..
v
1.
(vi)
T h i r t e e n t h p a r a g r a p h d e a l i n g w i t h tovm p l a n n i n g
t o h e amended b y t h e i n s e r t i o n b e f o r e t h e w o r d
" p r e s e r v a t i o n " i n l i n e 2 of t h e w o r d s " t o t h e " .
( v i i ) F o u r t e e n t h p a r a g r a p h d e a l i n g , w i t h E l e c t o r a l Reform.
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d t h e wealing o f t h i s p a r a g r a p h
v i d e l i c e t "A M e a s u r e of E l e c t o r a l R e f o r m w i l l b e
s u b m i t t e d to you" and d i r e c t e d t h a t t h e b r a c k e t s
a t t h e b e g i n n i n g a n d end of t h a t p a r a g r a p h s h o u l d
a c c o r d i n g l y be d e l e t e d .
(viii)
Last paragraph:
The p a r a g r a p h t o r e a d "I p r a y
t h a t , u n d e r t h e b l e s s i n g o f God? t h e o u t c o m e
o f y o u r d e l i b e r a t i o n s may a d v a n c e t h e h a p p i n e s s
a n d w e l l - b e i n g of My p e o p l e " .
The Home S e c r e t a r y was i n f o r m e d t h a t
the draft
the omission
o f t h e K i n g ' s S p e e c h of a r e f e r e n c e
B i l l was d u e t o t h e f a c t
to the
Children's
t h a t t h a t B i l l wcftld n o t b e
f o r some t i m e , b u t t h a t t h i s c i r c u m s t a n c e w o u l d n o t
t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n of t h e B i l l a t a l a t e r
ready
preclude
stage of the
Session.
The S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r S c o t l a n d Has a s s u r e d
the expression in the paragraph dealing with
P o l i c y " A g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d i n n e e d of
covered land
from
that
Agricultural
re-conditioning"
reclamation.
S u b j e c t t o t h e amendments i n d i c a t e d above t h e
approved t h e ICing s Speech,
!
a final
approved i s a t t a c h e d in Appendix
II.
draft,
Cabinet
i n t h e form
so
2 . I n t h e course- of t h e d i s c u s s i o n r e f e r r e d
ELECTORAL
REFORM.
i n t h e p r e c e d i n g M i n u t e , t h e C h a n c e l l o r of
(Previous
Reference:
C a b i n e t 62
( 5 0 ) , Con­
elusion 5 )
B
Exchequer Informed h i s
of f u r t h e r
colleagues
conversations
as t o t h e
on t h e s u b j e c t
of
the
results
Electoral
Reform, which had b e e n a d j o u r n e d i n o r d e r t h a t
matters
discussed might be f u r t h e r
the parties
concerned.
to
the
c o n s i d e r e d by
3 . The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e ^ t h e m a Memorandum by
the Parliamentary
(CP.-357
(30)),
Prime M i n i s t e r ,
Secretary to the
Treasury
c i r c u l a t e d by d i r e c t i o n o f
containing the draft
Parliamentary business
the
programme o f
f o r . t h e p e r i o d O c t o b e r £8 -
December 19 .
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r i n f o r m e d h i s
that
the Parliamentary
colleagues
Secretary to the
h a d made r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s
Treasury
t o him i n r e g a r d t o
d e c i s i o n of t h e C a b i n e t t o t a k e a l l
P r i v a t e Members u p t o C h r i s t m a s ,
t h e t i m e of
He was w i l l i n g
t a k e t i m e on W e d n e s d a y s , b u t made a s t r o n g
that
Fridays might be l e f t
the
to
appeal
for consideration
of
P r i v a t e Members'' B i l l s .
I n t h e c o u r s e of t h e d i s c u s s i o n i t was
out t h a t votes
subjects,
pointed
o f c e n s u r e m i g h t be moved on s e v e r a l
s u c h as Unemployment P o l i c y ,
Palestine,
and t h e I m p e r i a l Conference, which could not
be
refus ed.
The h o p e was e x p r e s s e d t h a t
for
i t might be
possible
t h e Trades D i s p u t e s B i l l t o be t a k e n i n Committee
upstairs .
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d
—
That t h e Prime M i n i s t e r should
move a R e s o l u t i o n f o r t a k i n g t h e
t i m e of P r i v a t e Members on
Wednesdays up t o C h r i s t m a s , b u t
not beyond t h a t d a t e at t h e
p r e s e n t t i m e , and h e s h o u l d
e x p l a i n t o t h e H o u s e o f Commons
t h a t t h i s s t e p was b e i n g t a k e n
i n o r d e r t o e n a b l e t h e Government
to concentrate in the present
e m e r g e n c y on u n e m p l o y m e n t l e g i s l a ­
t i o n and m o r e p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e A g r i ­
cultural Bill.
I f t h e H o u s e of
Commons i n s i s t e d on d e v o t i n g any
c o n s i d e r a b l e time t o v o t e s of c e n s u r e ,
as s u g g e s t e d a b o v e , I t might be
n e c e s s a r y f o r him a t a l a t e r s t a g e
t o move a s e c o n d R e s o l u t i o n t a k i n g
P r i v a t e M e m b e r s ' t i m e on F r i d a y s
also.
The q u e s t i o n o f t a k i n g P r i v a t e
Members' t i m e a f t e r C h r i s t m a s was
left for consideration, if necessary,
a f t e r the Christmas Recess.
^rpLOYMENT
"[SJRANOTI.
previous
4 . The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e t h e m t h e
documents
(i)
i n r e g a r d t o Unemployment
following
Insurance:­
As r e g a r d s t h e p r o p o s e d B i l l , a
Memorandum by t h e M i n i s t e r o f
L a b o u r ( C . p J - 3 1 8 ( 3 0 ) ) and a
R e p o r t by t h e P a n e l of M i n i s t e r s
on Unemployment ( 0 . P . - 3 5 4 ( 3 0 ) ) ,
b o t h of w h i c h h a d a l r e a d y b e e n
before the Cabinet:
REFERENCE:
'ghinst 62
(?0)v O O N -
,lus'ion 6 . )
T h e S e c o n d I n t e r i m R e p o r t of t h e
P a n e l of M i n i s t e r s on Unemployment
( C P . - 3 6 0 ( 3 0 ) ) s t a t i n g t h a t on t h e
a c c e p t a n c e by t h e C a b i n e t o f t h e i r
F i r s t Interim Report a f u r t h e r
m e e t i n g had b e e n held, to c o n s i d e r
w h e t h e r i t was d e s i r a b l e t o i n i t i a t e ,
i n a d v a n c e of a R e p o r t from t h e R o y a l
Commission t o b e s e t u p , l e g i s l a t i o n
t o d e a l w i t h r e p o r t e d a b u s e s of t h e
Unemployment I n s u r a n c e Fund*
In t h e
l i g h t of f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n s u p p l i e d
by t h e M i n i s t e r o f L a b o u r t h e P a n e l
w e r e u n a n i m o u s l y of o p i n i o n t h a t i t
w o u l d b e b e s t t o d e f e r t a k i n g any
a c t i o n t o remedy a l l e g e d a b u s e s
pending t h e Report o t h e Royal
C o m m i s s i o n . The R e p o r t a l s o c o n ­
t a i n e d a suggested paragraph,.for
i n s e r t i o n i n t h e S p e e c h from t h e
Throne, relating to l e g i s l a t i o n to
i n c r e a s e t h e b o r r o w i n g p o w e r s of
t h e Unemployment I n s u r a n c e F u n d .
(ii)
T h e R e p o r t of a M i s s i o n s e n t u n d e r
t h e a u s p i c e s of t h e Economic Advis ory
C o u n c i l t o G e r m a n y , on u n e m p l o y m e n t
and p u b l i c works i n t h a t c o u n t r y ( C . P . ­
356
( 30)).
A t t e n t i o n was a l s o d r a w n t o t h e f o l l o w i n g
i n a Memorandum by t h e P a r l i a m e n t a r y
the Treasury
(0.P.-357
passage
Secretary
on t h e House of Commons Programme
(30)):­
" I t is understood that the question
o f t h e s c o p e of t h e B i l l t o b e t a k e n
before Christmas w i l l be considered
b y t h e C a b i n e t on W e d n e s d a y , t h e 3 2 n d .
I n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n a c c o u n t w i l l no
d o u b t b e t a k e n o f t h e R e p o r t of t h e
P u b l i c Accounts Committee
published
l a s t n i g h t , i n which t h e Committee
recommend t h a t a p p r o p r i a t e l e g i s l a ­
t i o n l e g a l i s i n g e x p e n d i t u r e of t h e
M i n i s t r y o f L a b o u r on v a r i o u s s c h e m e s
o u t s i d e t h e p r e s e n t powers of t h e
M i n i s t r y should be i n t r o d u c e d f o r t h ­
with.
I t is understood t h a t the
P.A.C. Report is under c o n s i d e r a t i o n
by t h e M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r and t h e
T r e a s u r y ."
to
I n t h e c o u r s e of t h e d i s c u s s i o n s t r o n g
w e r e a d d u c e d by members of t h e P a n e l of
in regard to the great
amending
technical
c e r t a i n abuses a f f e c t i n g
numbers of workers
reasons
Ministers
difficulty
in
relatively
and w h i c h w o u l d r e q u i r e
small
legisla­
t i o n without a comprehensive i n v e s t i g a t i o n
of
whole q u e s t i o n .
furnished
The I n t e r i m R e p o r t s t o b e
by t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n w o u l d r e i n f o r c e
against
immediate
the
the
arguments
action.
At t h e end of t h e d i s c u s s i o n t h e M i n i s t e r
L a b o u r r e p o r t e d on t h e m e e t i n g h e l d on t h e
day b e t w e e n r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
in Parliament
of t h e t h r e e
i n r e g a r d t o Unemployment
The r e s u l t h a d b e e n t h a t
to
previous
Parties
Insurance.
the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
each Party were,-prepare t h e i r
of
own Memoranda
of
and
e x c h a n g e them w i t h t h e o t h e r two P a r t i e s .
The Cabinet a g r e e d —
( a ) To a p p r o v e t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n o f
t h e P a n e l of M i n i s t e r s t h a t a c t i o n
t o remedy a l l e g e d a b u s e s of t h e
Unemployment I n s u r a n c e -Sets s h o u l d
b e p o s t p o n e d p e n d i n g t h e Report of
t h e Royal Commission:
( b ) To amend t h e d r a f t p a r a g r a p h f o r t h e
K i n g ' s S p e e c h on Unemployment I n s u r ­
ance.
The p a r a g r a p h a s a p p r o v e d
i s c o n t a i n e d i n t h e copy o f t h e
K i n g ' s Speecjh a t t a c h e d a s
Appendix I I t o t h e s e M i n u t e s :
(o) That t h e M i n i s t e r of Labour s h o u l d
c o n t i n u e t h e p o l i c y of i n v e s t i g a t i n g
t h e a l l e g e d abuses t h a t appear i n
t h e P r e s s , and s h o u l d t a k e a l l
p o s s i b l e s t e p s t o make p u b l i c t h e
t r u e f a c t s i n r e g a r d t o t h e many
a l l e g a t i o n s t h a t a r e not s u b s t a n ­
tiated.
In p a r t i c u l a r , an a l l e g a ­
t i o n i n a r e c e n t i s s u e of t h e
"Manchester Guardian", r e l a t i n g
t o a s o l d i e r p e n s i o n e r , was b r o u g h t
to the M i n i s t e r ' s notice for i n v e s t i ­
gation:
( d ) As r e g a r d s t h e p a s s a g e i n t h e
Memorandum by t h e P a r l i a m e n t a r y
Secretary to the Treasury ( C P . ­
357 ( 3 0 ) ) , ejuoted a b o v e , t h a t t h e
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r s h o u l d b e
a u t h o r i s e d to s t a t e t h a t the
m a t t e r would be d e a l t w i t h i n
the B i l l relating to the
t r a n s i t i o n a l p e r i o d which w i l l
be introduced a f t e r Christmas:
Unemployment
Insurance in
Germany.
(e) That t h e Prime M i n i s t e r should
take steps to ascertain if the
Economic A d v i s o r y C o u n c i l w i l l
c o n s e n t t o t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of
t h e R e p o r t o f t h e M i s s i o n on
Unemployment I n s u r a n c e a n d
P u b l i c Works i n Germany ( C . P . ­
358 ( 3 0 ) ) and s h o u l d h a v e
a u t h o r i t y , with t h e i r assent,
t o p u b l i s h the Report .
-7­
5.
T h e ' PrGBid.cn t of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e
his colleagues
ricy­
JO) C o n lusion f ) .
that
t h e C o m m i t t e e of t h e
C o n f e r e n c e on Economic C o - o p e r a t i o n ,
informed
Imperial
of which he
was C h a i r m a n , h a d r e a c h e d a p o i n t a t which i t
was
n e c e s s a r y f o r him t o a s k f o r d e c i s i o n s by t h e
Cabinet
on t h e f o l l o w i n g f i v e
(i)
points
In r e g a r d to the Canadian Prime
M i n i s t e r ' s proposals, are the Cabinet
p r e p a r e d t o adlow t h e P r e s i d e n t t o
make a s t a t e m e n t r e a f f i r m i n g t h e
i n t e n t i o n of h i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t
i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom t o a d h e r e t o
t h e i r f i s c a l p o l i c y , but agreeing
t o a n a l y s e and r e v i e w t h e C a n a d i a n
Prime M i n i s t e r ' s p r o p o s a l d u r i n g the
n e x t s i x months?
T h i s was an e x p e d i e n t , t h e
P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d o f T r a d e
explained, for easing the s i t u a t i o n
f o r the. Prime M i n i s t e r of Canada,
- a n d i t was s u g g e s t e d t h a t a s p e c i a l
Conference shoulc, be h e l d a t Ottawa
in six months' time.
(ii)
Could h e be a l l o w e d t o make some
s t a t e m e n t In which, while m a i n t a i n i n g
t h e f i s c a l p o l i c y of t h e G o v e r n m e n t ,
i t c o u l d be made c l e a r t h a t i n
p r a c t i c e t h e t a r i f f s on w h i c h
e x i s t i n g p r e f e r e n c e s a r e given
would n o t b e removed f o r some
fixed period?
'.
The P r e s i d e n t e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e
D o m i n i o n s s a i d t h a t t h e v a l u e of
t h e s e p r e f e r e n c e s t o t h e Dominions
was g r e a t l y d i m i n i s h e d by t h e f a c t t h a t
t h e y w e r e l i a b l e t o b e removed a t a
moment's notice..
If, for revenue
p u r p o s e s , t h e d u t i e s would h a v e t o
b e . r e t a i n e d , h e s u g g e s t e d t h a t wc*
m i g h t make a v i r t u e of n e c e s s i t y
by m a k i n g some s u c h a n n o u n c e m e n t .
(iii)
C o u l d h e be p e r m i t t e d t o a n n o u n c e
t h e a d o p t i o n of a p o l i c y of a
Wheat Q u o t a f o r D o m i n i o n w h e a t ,
w h i c h could, b e e f f e c t e d w i t h o u t
p r e j u d i c e t o che q u e s t i o n of a
- - w h e a t ^uota. f o r home p r o d u c e ?
No q u e s t i o n o f g u a r a n t e e d p r i c e
. was. i n v o l v e d .
( i v ) As r e g a r d s I m p o r t B o a r d s and B u l k
P u r c h a s e , o r g a n i s a t i o n of t h e
c h a n n e l s of t r a d e and an e x t e n s i o n
o f t h e work o f t h e E m p i r e M a r k e t i n g
B o a r d , coulc. he a g r e e t o the p r i n c i p l e
-o­
of a d e t a i l e d e x a m i n a t i o n o f t h e s e
methods, i n v o l v i n g c o n s i d e r a t i o n
of t h e v a r i o u s c o m m o d i t i e s a r t i c l e
by a r t i c l e , and i n f u l l c o n s u l t a ­
tion with the p a r t i c u l a r trades
concerned?
T h i s I n q u i r y t o be
u n d e r t a k e n a f t e r t h e c l o s e of t h e
I m p e r i a l C o n f e r e n c e , and by t h e
suggested permanent machinery.
(v)
C o u l d he a g r e e t o t h e e l a b o r a t i o n
of i n t c r - I m p e r i a l m a c h i n e r y f o r
p u r s u i n g t h e above i n q u i r i e s
on t h e l i n o s of h i s r e c e n t
Memorandum, ( C P . 313 ( 3 0 ) ) .
The P r e s i d e n t
of
t h e B o a r d of T r a d e s a i d t h a t h e h a d
a l w a y s made c l e a r
t h a t t h e Government
remained
u n c o m m i t t e d on t h e q u e s t i o n of p r i n c i p l e .
pointed out,
however,
that
I t was
the q u e s t i o n had
first
b e e n b r o u g h t up a s a s u b j e c t f o r d i s c u s s i o n b y
British Delegation,
regarded i t
and t h e o t h e r
as a B r i t i s h
the
Delegations
proposal.
The c o u r s e o f e v e n t s w h i c h h a d l e d up t o
the
p r e s e n t p o s i t i o n was d e s c r i b e d by t h e M i n i s t e r s who
are Delegates at
the Imperial
Conference.
The a b o v e p r o p o s a l s w e r e c r i t i c i s e d
p o i n t o f v i e w b o t h of m e r i t s a n d of
I t was a g r e e d t h a t
very large questions
procedure
of p o l i c y w h i c h c o u l d o n l y b e
i n f o r m a t i o n as
intention.
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d —
( a ) To h o l d a S p e c i a l M e e t i n g o n
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2 8 , i n t h e
PRIME MINISTElP^ROOM, HOUSE
OP COMMONS , a t 8 "p . m. , f o r
f u r t h e r e x a m i n a t i o n of t h e s e
ques t i o n s ;
(b)
the
t h e s e p r o p o s a l s o p e n e d up
decided i n the l i g h t of f u l l e r
t h e i r scope and
from
That in the meantime t h e P r e s i d e n t
of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e , i n h i s
Committee, should adopt a s t r i c t l y
non-committal a t t i t u d e in regard
to t h e p o l i c y , and should i n v i t e
t h e Committee to e x p l o r e f u r t h e r
t h e q u e s t i o n of i n t e r - I m p e r i a l
machinery.
to
THE EOTOATTON
(SOHOOL ATTEND­
0 0 E ) BILL,
1030.
(Previous
Reference:
C a b i n e t 62
(50), Con­
clusion 8.)
6 .. The O a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e them a N o t e by
Secretary
C C . P . - 3 5 9 (SO))
the Education
which,
covering
(School Attendance)
on t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s
the
a re^draft
Bill,
of
19 3 0 ,
of t h e P r e s i d e n t
of
t h e Board of E d u c a t i o n , had been r e v i s e d i n acco:
a n c e w i t h t h e v i e w s e x p r e s s e d by t h e C a b i n e t
t h e i r Meeting r e f e r r e d
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d
to in the
margin.
—
To a p p r o v e t h e r e - d r a f t of t h e
Education (School Attendance)
Bill
19 3 0 , a t t a c h e d t o C .P . ­
359 ( 3 0 ) .
at
THE EDUCATION
(SCOTLAND) B I L L .
7 , The C a b i n e t a g r e e d
(Pr e v i o u s
Reference:
C a b i n e t 62
( 3 0 ) , Con­
c l u s i o n 9 .)
That t h e Education ( S c o t l a n d )
B i l l s h o u l d be i n t r o d u c e d as
soon as p o s s i b l e a f t e r t h e
English Bill .
2, Whitehall Gardens, S
O c t o b e r 2 4 , 19 3 0 .
—
:rs DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OH" HIS BRITAWLIIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT) .
'S (30) .
Copy No-
i F i n a l Copy.
^
C A B I N E T .
'
The K i n g ' s S p e e c h on t h e O p e n i n g off
Parliament.
The a c c o m p a n y i n g copy of The K i n g ' s S p e e c h
t h e O p e n i n g of P a r l i a m e n t ,
i n t h e form i n w h i c h i t
b e e n r e a d by H i s M a j e s t y t o - d a y ,
is circulated
o
n
has
for
record.
This version differs
yesterday
after
f r o m t h e one
circulated
i n t h a t t h e word " I m p e r i a l " h a s b e e n
"home" i n l i n e
13 from t h e b o t t o m of t h e f i r s t
(Signed)
2, Whitehall Gardens,
1930.
S.W.1.
page..
M . P . A . HANKEY.
Secretary to the
October 28th
inserted
Cabinet.
aor;
1
T h e King's Speech on t h e O p e n i n g of P a r l i a m e n t .
,
October 28, 1 9 3 0 .
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons :
IT has given Me much pleasure to receive My Ministers from the Dominions
and the Representatives of India who are attending the Imperial Conference.
I
watch with deep interest the progress of their labours, the satisfactory result of
which I shairconfidently await.
I hope soon to welcome the Representatives of the Princes and Peoples of India
who are about to join with members of all Parties in both Houses of Parliament to
consider the future £onstitutional position of India.
j
My intention is to inaugurate this Conference, and I earnestly trust that in the
conclusion of its proceedings may be found agreed and wise solutions of those
important questions upon which it will be called to deliberate.
My relations with Foreign Powers continue to be friendly.
I was very glad to entrust My Son, the Duke of Gloucester, with the duty of
representing Me at the coronation of the Emperor of Ethiopia.
My Government took an active part in the proceedings of the Assembly of the
League of Nations in September last.
General agreement was reached upon the
Treaty of Financial Assistance to States Victims of Aggression which was recently
signed at Geneva. The application of this Treaty is conditional upon the coming into
force of a General Disarmament Convention, which I trust will shortly be concluded.
Members of the House of Commons :
Estimates for the Public Service will be laid before you.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons :
I follow with grave concern and sympathy the continuance of heavy unemploy­
ment among so many of My People.
Economic depression unfortunately continues to dominate the markets of the
world and the accompanying restriction of international trade is felt with particular
severity in those industries which are especially dependent on export.
My Government will persist in its efforts to develop and extend home, Imperial
and foreign trade and to help in measures which will lead to greater efficiency in
industry.
Proposals will be laid before you for the promotion of increased settlement and
employment on the land, and of large-scale farming operations, and for the
acquisition and improvement of agricultural land in need of re-conditioning; and for
the organisation of producers for marketing purposes.
I propose immediately to set up a Commission to enquire into the whole question
of Unemployment Insurance and in particular into the allegations of abuse of its
provisions. The Commission will be asked to present interim Reports on the most
pressing questions and, if required, legislation based upon them will be introduced.
In the meantime a measure to make further financial provision for the
Unemployment Fund will be laid before you.
o
My Ministers propose to introduce legislation to secure for the community ^
share in the site value of land.
. Measures will,be submitted, to you for raising the Age of Compulsory School
Attendance; for -amending the law relating -' to" Trade''- Disputes * aitd Trade Uniom
and for the setting up of a Consumers' Council.
My Ministers propose to introduce legislation for the modification and extensi
of the Law relating to town planning and to the preservation of rural amenities
and for the amendment and consolidation of the Factory Acts.
A Measure of Electoral Reform will be submitted to you.
Bills will also be laid before you to enable the ratification of the Washing
Hours Convention and of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at S&
and for the establishment of a new statutory authority to deal with passenger tral
in London.
. ^
I pray that, under the blessing of God, the outcome of your deliberations na
-advance the happiness and well-being of My people.