Orders of the Day — Contributory Pensions Bill.

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 15 Gorffennaf 1925.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Dennis Herbert Mr Dennis Herbert , Watford

I only want to add my plea to the Minister to accept this Amendment. I endorse most thoroughly every word which has just been said by my hon. and learned Friend that this is a most unusual thing, and it offends against, I will not say the Conservative principle, but against that great principle of civilised human nature, that husband and wife are one, and to make it compulsory for one to give evidence against the other, particularly in cases of this kind dealing with pensions, on which the family have to rely, is, to my mind, almost beyond comprehension, and I cannot really imagine how my hon. Friend has ventured to defend this Clause, as he has done, and I hope He will reconsider it. Unfortunately, when these comparatively small points, but still points of great importance, arise in the Committee stage of a Bill, it is impossible to get any very considerable number of Members present who know really what is going on, and who vote otherwise in accordance with the Whip's directions; but this is a matter of principle, and I very much regret to say that I shall be obliged—it is the first time it has happened in this Parliament —to vote against the Government if they do not give in on this point. Even if we do not succeed, I hope the Conservative Members who have heard this discussion will take the same course. I would, however, make a further appeal to the Minister in charge to see if he cannot accept a slight Amendment to which we attach enormous importance, and which could make no difference whatever to the successful working of the Clause as a whole.