Clause 17. — (Interpretation.)

Part of Orders of the Day — Statistics of Trade Bill – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 25 Gorffennaf 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr William Shepherd Mr William Shepherd , Bucklow 12:00, 25 Gorffennaf 1947

Like my hon. and learned Friend, I am rather doubtful why this list should include the Minister of National Insurance. It seems to me that all the information which the Minister of National Insurance might require could be obtained from the figures which are produced by the Ministry of Labour or those which come into the hands of the Board of Trade or the Registrar of births and deaths. I cannot see what kind of statistics it is expected that the Minister of National Insurance may require, and I imagine that the Parliamentary Secretary was unable to see either; otherwise he would have given the House some instances. He has not done so, and I would like him now to tell us what exact set of statistics will be produced by including this Minister in the Bill which would not be available from the Ministry of Labour or the Registrar of births and deaths. If the hon. Gentleman does this I feel sure that we shall be much happier about it than we are at the present time.