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The

their introduction and the Second Reading

negotiations which were proceeding with the Local

Authorities showed that they would probably unite

in asking for further financial assistance and

that they would offer no insuperable opposition to

the Poor Law provisions. But, in his opinion, it

would be most undesirable to proceed with Part I

of the Bill and allow the General Election to

intervene before the passing of the remainder of

the Pill.

In the course of the discussion which followed,

various opinions were expressed on the advantages

and disadvantages of having an Election at dates

falling between May and October.

The Cabinet were reminded of the importance

of passing the following Bills, among others,

before Easter:-

LAND PURCHASE BILL (NORTHERN IRELAND) UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (NORTHERN IRELAND) EXPORT CREDITS BILL

INDIAN HIGH COURTS BILL.

The Cabinet agreed

(a) That the Parliamentary Secretary to

the Treasury should circulate to the Cabinet his views on the most advan- tageous period between May and October, 1929, inclusive, for holding the General Election.

(b) That the Prime Minister should obtain the views of the Unionist Central Office on the same question.

(e) That the Chancellor of the Exchequer

should circulate the views of the Treasury on the consequences of delaying the Budget pending the holding of a General Election early in the

Summer.

(d) That the programme of Government

Business should be further considered at the next Meeting of the Cabinet.

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