The Week in Parliament Our Parliamentary Correspondent writes : The
chief interest of the week has been discussions in the lobbies rather than in the Chamber. These discussions have naturally concentrated chiefly on Budget prospects, and have revealed every variety of opinion among members. There is, however, no doubt that most members want a politically good Budget, and will press hard for it. Definite suggestions which have gained currency are the use of the 1933-34 surplus to pay off a large slice of the debt on the Unemployment Insurance Fund. That would make the task of restoring the cuts to the insured unemployed easier. For 1934-35, the strongest feeling is in favour of increasing allowances to the children of the unemployed. This would not be a restoration of a cut, but the better appor- tionment of insurance benefit to need. Since the contri- bution is at a flat rate, this proposal is not really sound insurance, but the feeling must be recorded. * * * *
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