Written Answers
Exports
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish a statement of the exports of articles wholly or partly manufactured from France, Germany, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom (including the Irish Free State) in 1880, 1913, and 1929; or, if the figures for 1929 are not complete, for 3928 the exports of such articles per head of the population in 1913 and for the last completed year; and what is the increase per head of population for each of the four countries in this latter period?
The following statement shows, for the countries specified in the question, the values of the domestic exports of goods, classed as wholly or partly manufactured, in 1880, 1913 and 1929; the values of such exports per head of the population in the years 1913 and 1929; and the increases per head of the population in 1929 compared with 1913.The classes of goods included are described in the trade returns of the respective countries as follows:United Kingdom: "Articles wholly or mainly manufactured, together with manufactured tobacco."France: "Objets fabriqués."
Germany: "Fabrikate"—old classification (1880 and 1913); and "Fertige Waren"—later classification (1929).
United States: "Manufactures ready for consumption" and "Manufactures for further use in manufacturing."
Manufactured foodstuffs are excluded throughout.
2. The values have been converted into sterling at the par rate of exchange.
3. The figures for the United Kingdom in respect of 1880 do not include the value of new ships and boats exported, particulars of which were not recorded in that year. The value of new ships and boats exported from the United Kingdom was in 1913£11.0 million.
4. In the case of Germany, the figures for 1880 exclude, while those for 1913 and 1929 include, the value of ships exported and also the value of the "Improvement Trade" for Home Account. The figures for 1929 represent a classification of goods differing in certain respects from those covered in 1880 and 1913. The value of deliveries on account of Reparations has been included in 1929. If Reparations are excluded, the value of the exports of manufactured goods would be£460.7 million and the value per head of the population£7 4s. 8d., an increase in 1929 over 1913 of£2 7s. 1d. per capita or 48.2 per cent.
5. In the case of France and of Germany, the territories covered by the statistics for 1929 differ from those to which the figures for 1880 and 1913 relate.
6. The figures for 1929 are provisional throughout,
Post Office
Rural Telephones
asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to include Melverley Green, Llanymynech, Shropshire, among those rural post offices to which the telephone is to be extended?
I regret that, owing to the large amount of engineering work required to provide the service, I am unable to install a call office at Melverley Green except under guarantee.
Staff, Isle Of Man
asked the Postmaster-General the number of men and women engaged in the Isle of Man on postal and telegraphic work and how they are recruited?
The number of staff of all grades employed by the Post Office in the Isle of Man is about 260. Members of the various grades in the island are recruited, either by selection or by competition, on the lines applicable to the Post Office staff throughout the country generally.
Cheques (Cashing)
asked the Post-master-General what are the regulations in force with regard to the cashing of cheques at post offices?
The present practice with regard to the acceptance by Postmasters of cheques without guarantee or similar safeguard depends on various circumstances which could only be explained at considerable length. If the hon. Member has experienced any particular difficulty in the matter, I should be happy if he would let me know the circumstances, when I will inquire into them.
Egypt (Treaty Negotiations)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the publication in a Cairo newspaper of a confidential Egyptian green book describing the negotiations between the late Egyptian Prime Minister and the British Government with regard to the proposed new treaty last summer; and whether he will arrange for a similar publication in this country?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As the result of the conversations has already been laid before Parliament, I see no reason for any further publication in this country.
Toll Collector's Hut, Woolwich
asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the erection of a new toll collector's hut in Beresford Square, Woolwich, and the complaints made by members of the public that it is dangerous to pedestrians and motorists using the Square approaches, and delay to the tramway traffic on the Eltham route; and whether he will approach the Woolwich Borough Council, or take other action to deal with the matter?
My attention had not previously been drawn to the point raised in the hon. Member's question, but I am having inquiries made, and will acquaint him with the result in due course.
School-Leaving Age Scotland
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the estimated total annual cost, for the five years commencing 1st April, 1931, to the Exchequer and local education authorities, stating the percentage each will contribute, of providing maintenance allowances in connection with the raising of the school-leaving age?
It is too early to give any precise estimate of the total cost of maintenance allowances, since the conditions governing their award have not yet been settled. It is anticipated, however, that it will be in the neighbourhood of£500,000 in the year ending 31st March, 1932, and that it may rise to£700,000 in the year ending 31st March, 1934, after which it will decline. To this cost the Exchequer will contribute a sum equal to eleven-eightieths of the corresponding grants to the local education authorities in England and Wales.
Public Health
Diet
asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that right food is one of the most important factors for maintaining health, he can make any statement on the relative food values and costs of the principal foods now in daily use?
The subject is discussed in a pamphlet entitled "Diet in Relation to Normal Nutrition," which was published by my Department a few years ago, and of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.
Mental Defectives
asked the Minister of Health how far negotiations have gone with the appropriate authorities for the accommodation and maintenance of mentally deficient persons and lunatics in cottage homes in rural areas,; and will he give an assurance that nothing of this kind will be done until an opportunity has been given for a discussion in this House?
Local authorities already have power to board out mental defectives and persons of unsound mind. Mental defectives have been boarded out with their guardians since the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, came into operation, and no change of practice as regards defectives is contemplated. The boarding-out by visiting committees of persons of unsound mind is provided for under Section 57 of the Lunacy Act, 1890. For various reasons it has not been possible to make much use of this provision; and the only question under consideration is whether greater use could be made of the existing powers, in view of the experience of the system in Scotland and in France.
Maternal Mortality
asked the Minister of Health when it is anticipated that the departmental committee on Maternal Mortality will present its Report; and whether the Government contemplates any action for the establishment of a national maternity service?
I understand that I may expect an interim report from this Committee during the next few weeks. As regards the last part of the question, this matter is still under consideration and I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject.
Housing
Statistics
asked the Minister of Health if he will furnish a Return showing annually, from 1919 to 1929, the number of local authorities in England and Wales who erected houses by direct labour, and the number erected?
Particulars as to direct labour schemes in the form desired by my hon. Friend are not available, but the following statement shows the number of State assisted houses included in direct labour schemes of local authorities in England and Wales which have been approved since 1st January, 1919:
Under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act 1919: | |||||
1919 to 1927 | … | … | … | … | 8,160 |
Under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, and the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924: | ||
8 months ended 31st March, 1924 | … | 1,522 |
Year ended 31st March, 1925 | … | 3,344 |
Year ended 31st March, 1926 | … | 4,667 |
Year ended 31st March, 1927 | … | 5,921 |
Year ended 31st March, 1928 | … | 5,948 |
Year ended 31st March, 1929 | … | 4,481 |
9 months ended 31st December, 1929 | … | 4,558 |
Total under Acts of 1923 and 1924 | … | 30,441 |
Subsidy
asked the Minister of Health the total sum already paid from public funds as subsidies to those building houses since the Armistice; and the total sum agreed to be paid from public funds to those building houses since the Armistice?
The total sum paid to 15th February, 1930, on account of Exchequer subsidy in respect of houses built since the Armistice has been£82,832,993. The Exchequer subsidy in respect of houses already built is payable for varying periods of from 20 to 60 years under the relative provisions of the Housing Acts, 1919 to 1926. The present annual Exchequer liability is about£11,000,000 and, apart from increased provision necessary in respect of further houses, will be first reduced about the year 1940.