The Unemployment Insurance Bill The most important Bill of the
week is the Unem- ployment Insurance Bill, the text of which was issued last Saturday. The debate on the second reading is, due for Thursday after we have gone to press. The Prime Minister, addressing a party meeting on Tuesday, explained that the Bill promised all that could be given in the present state of the national finances, but that it did not exclude the full redemption of the Govern: ment's promises later. After the meeting it was said that the irreconcilables who intended to vote against the Government did not number, after all, more than about 13 or 14. The Bill provides for an increase of 2s. a week for adult dependents, but otherwise all the increases are for persons under 20 years of age, as we mentioned last week. The cost of benefits to persons who have ceased to be qualified under the Unemployment Insurance Fund will be borne by the Treasury.
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