asked the Minister of Labour the estimated number of juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18 now unemployed?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of boys and girls unemployed at the latest available date and the comparable figures for the previous year?

At 24th September, 1934, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 65,339 unemployed boys and 51,446 unemployed girls, of 14 and under 18 years of age, on the registers of Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux in Great Britain. At 25th September, 1933, the corresponding figures were 57,076 and 39,830 respectively. The comparability of these figures is affected by the large increase in the numbers of children reaching the school-leaving age during the year, and by the lowering of the insurance age at the beginning of September, 1934.

Is the right hon. Gentleman consulting his colleague the President of the Board of Education in regard to these appalling figures, in order to do something to keep these children longer at school?

I am always consulting my colleagues, but I do not agree with the hon. Member's description of the figures as appalling. In view of the large increase in the number of children leaving school, their absorption into industry is rather remarkable.

Do the figures include boys and girls of the working-class only, or do they include all those unemployed between the ages of 14 and 18 years?

It depends entirely on whether they are on the unemployment register at the Exchange, or at the Juvenile Unemployment Bureau.

Arising from that reply—

We have 133 questions on the Order Paper to-day.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee have examined the question of bringing the black-coated workers within the scope of unemployment insurance?

No, Sir. This question will be brought before the committee as soon as possible, but for the present the committee is fully occupied with the question of unemployment insurance for agriculture which the Act required them to consider immediately.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee has examined the question of the insurance of agricultural workers against unemployment; and. if so, with what result?

The Statutory Committee is examing this question, and has not yet made a report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to receive the report?

I am afraid I cannot. They have held several meetings and have been hearing evidence.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of aliens, giving the country of origin and type of employment, that have been allowed to enter this country to take up employment during the present year?

As the reply includes detailed statistical tables, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, have the information circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the totals?

In view of the way some of the tables are set out, it would be rather misleading.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of insured persons, classified in trade groups, unemployed in the building industry in Great Britain on the latest available date, and comparable figures for 1933.

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest available figures for unemployment?

At 24th September, 1934, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 2,081,987 unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists in the industrial part of Lancashire owing to the fact that unemployed workers with good insurance records are unable to profit by the provisions of Part I of the Unemployment Act to get extra benefits if their benefit years happen to end before 26th July, 1934, the date of the coming into operation of the Act, unless they are able to qualify for another benefit year by getting 10 stamps on their cards, an extremely difficult thing to do with the present depressed state of the cotton trade; and whether, in order to remove this grievance, he will consider introducing legislation at an early date?

Part I of the Unemployment Act granted additional days of benefit to claimants who had been eligible for benefit at some time during their benefit years which were current when the Act began to operate. This was generally recognised as a generous provision, and I cannot hold out any hopes of further legislation on the point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the intention of Parliament was that these persons should not suffer as a result of the passing of the Act. Is it not hard that, owing to the present depression in Lancashire, it is quite possible that they may never be able to profit by the passing of the Act?

I must assume that the intention of Parliament is set out in the Act which Parliament passed. I recognise that there are unfortunate cases; that is always the case when new legislation of this kind takes effect from a particular date.

Is it not a flaw in the Act?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the anxiety of disabled ex-service men to have those parts of the Unemployment Act put into force which affect the manner in which their pensions shall be taken into account in calculating need; and whether he can give any indication as to when the Act will be put into force in this respect

It is my desire to bring these provisions into force as soon as possible and according to present proposals the First Appointed Day as my hon. Friend knows, is to be 7th January. I regret that it is not possible to propose an earlier date.

asked the Minister of Labour how many local education authorities have made arrangements for juvenile instruction centres under the Unemployment Act and which authorities have so far failed to do so?

77 education authorities are now conducting junior instruction centres or classes or have submitted formal proposals for that purpose. A number of other authorities have proposals under active consideration, while in many areas there will be no need for centres or classes. Considerable delay is inevitable in many areas particularly owing to the difficulty of acquiring sites and accommodation, but I have received no information which suggests that any authority does not intend to carry out its obligation under the Act.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many centres were in existence before, and how many are new centres?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I shall be glad to give him the information.

Are these centres being provided in places where juvenile unemployment is highest?

I have given the number of authorities in which they are actually operating, and I have indicated that in other areas arrangements are proceeding.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state if the fixing of the dates when Part II of the Unemployment Act comes into operation was made by the Government or his Department; and whether any consideration was given to the expenditure already incurred by industrial areas?

Under Section 63 of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, the appointed days are to be fixed by the Minister of Labour, subject to the consent of the Treasury. The desire of all concerned is to fix them at the earliest practicable date and as already stated it is proposed that they shall be the 7th January and 1st March respectively.

As the Treasury have some say in the fixing of the date will the right hon. Gentleman give further consideration to the large expenditure entailed upon local authorities throughout the country in providing this additional benefit, which should be borne by the Treasury, arid reconsider the matter with them?

A desire to relieve local authorities of expenditure was of course one of the reasons why we were anxious to make the date as early as possible, but the overriding consideration must be the practicability of having the machinery working. We came to the conclusion that the machinery of the Board could not be in operation before the dates which have been provisionally fixed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered representations from local authorities protesting at the postponement of the appointed day, under Part II of the Unemployment Insurance Act, to next year; and whether it is proposed to make any offer of financial assistance to meet the increased cost to the authorities adversely affected?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that representations are being made by various Scottish municipalities against the decision of the Government to fix 1st March, 1935, as the date upon which Part II of the Unemployment Act, 1934, comes into operation; and whether, in view of the fact that a much earlier date was generally expected, he will consider the question of granting to local authorities financial assistance towards able-bodied unemployed relief equivalent to what they would have received had the appointed day been fixed as from 1st July, 1934?

I have received a number of representations from local authorities on the subject of the appointed days which, subject to approval by Parliament of the necessary regulations, it is proposed to fix for the purposes of Part II of the Unemployment Act. As regards the second part of each of the questions, I am not in a position to add anything to the answer given on the 18th May last to one of the Members for Dundee (Mr. Dingle Foot), namely, that it is not possible to anticipate the relief which local authorities will receive when the Act is in full operation.

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to receive a deputation from Scottish local authorities on this matter, and is he aware that that would be regarded as a very friendly gesture on his part and would clear up some unfortunate misunderstandings which have arisen about the fixing of the appointed day?

I think my hon.. Friend had best communicate with me on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have received a letter this morning from Dumbarton and Clydebank intimating the fact to me that they are sending a deputation to meet the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this question, and I want to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, here in the House of Commons, if he is prepared to receive that deputation?

Can my right hon. Friend say why people who voted against this Bill are so anxious to have it brought into operation?

If my right hon. Friend accedes to the request of Scotland on a communication being addressed to him, will he also accede to the request of England?

My hon. Friend has pointed out the dangers of acceding to any such request.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in consequence of the delay in bringing the Bill into operation, great hardship has been inflicted on many of the distressed areas, and that, so far as West Ham is concerned, it makes a difference of £28,000?

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women clerks, respectively, have received promotion to the general clerical class in his Department during the past 12 months; and whether in future promotions he will bear in mind the long experience and qualifications of the ex-service men in the "S" class?

During the 12 months ended 31st October, 1934, 89 male clerks and 87 women clerks were promoted to the general clerical class in the Ministry of Labour. In the selection of these officers for promotion due regard was paid to the experience and qualifications of "S" class clerks and the members of this class will be given similar consideration when the question of further promotions to the general clerical class arises.

Are ex-service men being treated as they should be?

Yes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the identifiable and continued net saving per annum during each of the last five financial years resulting to the Stationery Office and other Government Departments from the performance within the Stationery Office by duplicating processes of work which would otherwise be given to outside printing and/or duplicating firms?

The economy due to the centralisation of certain duplicating work in the Stationery Office and to the use, for suitable work, of modern duplicating processes in lieu of printing can be ascertained in individual cases, and is undoubtedly substantial in the aggregate. I regret, however, that it is not possible without undue labour to identify the net annual saving in the aggregate in the manner desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary OF State for the Home Department (1) the number of licences issued to Germans for employment in the various German textile firms that have received permission to open factories in this country, and their duration;

(2) the number of German textile firms that have been granted permission to establish factories in Great Britain during the past six months, the numbers of British and foreigners employed, respectively, and where the factories are situated?

As I explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Bolton (Mr. Entwistle) on the 30th July last, there has been no case during the current year in which permission has been granted to German nationals to establish textile factories in this country. In 29 cases during this period permission has been granted for the establishment of making-up factories by Germans. The number of permits issued for the employment of Germans by these firms is 23, in each case for a period of 12 months. I have no precise information as to the number of British subjects employed at present and it must be remembered that many of these enterprises have not yet, or have only recently, started, but I have no reason to doubt that they will ultimately give employment to a substantial number of British subjects. As regards the situation of the factories, I regret that, as explained in my answer on the 30th July, this information cannot be furnished.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that machinery is being removed from idle cotton mills in order to escape the payment of rates, with the result that there is little likelihood of such mills ever being restarted; and whether he will consider the remission of rates on idle cotton mills in order to assist attempts which are now being made to restart these idle mills?

The remission of rates as suggested, and any alteration of the basis of rating an assessment, would require legislation, and I am not in a posi- tion to promise legislation altering the position established by the Local Government Act, 1929, at the present time.

Will the Minister consider introducing the necessary legislation to bring about some obviation of this state of affairs which is causing great distress in Lancashire Can he not see his way to introduce a Measure to make it possible for us to restart these mills instead of allowing the machinery to be removed?

The general aspects of the matter are, of course, under consideration. With regard to the particular suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend, I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer which I have just given.

Would the Minister consider introducing a short Measure to allow rates to be removed where the machinery is not actually working, in order that the machinery may be left in the mills?

If the Minister does consider any further relief from rates of factories of this kind, will he bear in mind that it only means an increase in the rates on other property, including small cottage property?

Does this not show that high taxation causes permanent unemployment?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take on the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee of 16th May relative to duties on silk and artificial silk?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to Command Paper 4633 in which he will find the position fully explained.

Is it not a fact that since that Command Paper was issued, several months have elapsed; and is my right hon. Friend aware that during those months the imports of artificial silk in competition with Midland towns has increased tremendously, and is now some 100 per cent. both in value and in volume above that of 1932; and what is he going to do about it?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the evidence of the professor of pharmacology at Birmingham University and the remarks of the Birmingham coroner at a recent inquest as to the effects of the drug atophan, he will consider the scheduling of this drug as a poison?

I am bringing the case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the notice of the Lord President of the Council and the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society, who are the authorities at present responsible for additions to the Schedule of Poisons.

asked the Minister of Health the number of applications for grants for rural water schemes; the amount allocated; and the number of schemes still awaiting approval?

Applications for grants have been received from 210 rural district councils, for 1,189 parishes, and from 12 urban district councils, in respect of schemes estimated to cost £3,270,000. Grants totalling £295,000 have been provisionally allocated in respect of schemes for 712 parishes estimated to cost £2,013,000. Schemes in respect of 219 parishes estimated to cost £621,000 are under consideration.

Is the Minister satisfied with the progress that is being made in this respect?

Yes, Sir, I think the very rapid progress which is being made shows how great is the utility of this grant.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the nuisance and danger to health caused by the new Westminster dust chute in the Grosvenor basin; whether he is aware that there is a persistent offensive odour in the neighbourhood, ceaseless noise at night, making sleep difficult if not impossible, arid frequently the atmosphere is polluted with dust; and whether, in view of this menace to the health of the residents in the neighbourhood, he will have inquiries made and make representations to the Westminster City Council on the matter?

My attention has been drawn to this matter and I have communicated with the Westminster City Council. The council state that the City Medical Officer of Health is satisfied that there is no substance in the complaints. I am informed that the plant which has been put down is the most up-to-date that could be obtained. Further inquiries will, however, be made.

Can the Minister give us any information as to when he is likely to get a reply to the inquiry?

Perhaps I may communicate with the hon. Member when I have further information.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of maternity and child welfare authorities; and how many of these authorities exercise their powers under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, to provide milk and food for mothers during the last three months of pregnancy and during lactation?

There are 422 maternity and child welfare authorities in England and Wales. The great majority of them exercise the powers referred to in the question, but the actual number is not available. In the circular addressed to local authorities on the 10th October on the subject of maternal mortality, I took the opportunity of stressing the importance of using these powers in appropriate cases.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider taking steps to ascertain the exact figures?

I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state what steps have been taken by the colliery company to deal with the burning colliery refuse tips at Gin Pits, Astley, near Tyldesley, in view of the complaints by residents living near to them that their health is being affected by the fumes coming from them?

One of my inspectors has twice visited the tip. He reported that the company have discontinued the tipping of any kind of material upon the tip, except lime refuse and earth for the purpose of smothering the fire. My inspector will continue to watch the matter closely.

Will the right hon. Gentleman press for a further report immediately? I went there myself on Friday last, and the fumes are almost as bad as ever, and the complaints are just the same, so that I shall be glad if he will press the matter again.

I think that can only be because the putting of earth on the lire has not yet had its full effect.

Will the right hon. Gentleman press for a further report?

As I mentioned in my answer to his question, I am watching the matter through my inspector.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause investigation to be made into the health of the animals producing the milk and into the cleanliness of the manufacture of the milk products imported from foreign countries?

I do not consider that such an investigation is needed at the present time. The interests of public health are protected by the facts that imported milk is subject to special bacteriological conditions which do not apply to home produced milk and that all milk products are subject to examination at the port of entry to ensure that they are fit for human consumption.

Can milk drawn from a diseased cow and made up into butter in a dirty condition be considered to be fit for human consumption?

That inquiry begs the question. The state of affairs is that we have a very effective safeguard in the inspections to which I have referred at the port of entry.

But does the inspection of my right hon. Friend enable him to detect whether the milk comes from diseased cows?

There is a very substantial measure of practical control.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the annual report of the chief medical officer of the Ministry for 1933 showed that the councils of eight counties, seven county boroughs, and five metropolitan boroughs have sent no confidential reports on maternal deaths to his Department; whether he has taken any steps to obtain such reports from these local authorities; and what action, if any, he has taken in regard to authorities which have furnished reports which do not include any comment or interpretation and show no evidence of careful investigation such as is regarded as essential by the chief medical officer?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have no power to require the submission of such reports, but every opportunity is taken of urging upon the local authorities the importance of co-operating in the desired inquiries. With regard to the last part of the question, I am informed that even in cases where the reporting medical officer does not feel justified in furnishing any comment on, or interpretation of, the facts disclosed, the reports do not necessarily lack evidence of careful investigation. I may add that the medical officers of my Department who examine the reports have the advantage of the advice of two consultant obstetricians whose services have been retained for the purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to raise the school-leaving age?

My Noble Friend has nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) on the 16th of July last, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

In view of the figures given earlier in the day by the Minister of Labour, that there are about 126,000 children between 14 and 18 years of age out of work, will the hon. Gentleman ask his Noble Friend to reconsider this matter?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour said that the absorption rate was very satisfactory, and, as regards areas where unemployment is heavy, the hon. Member has to bear in mind certain provisions of the recent Unemployment Act.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider it satisfactory when 126,000 children are considered to be permanently out of work?

Is it not the case that the bulk of those children have been out of work only a few days?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the names of the local authorities that have submitted schemes for the raising of the school-leaving age to 15, giving the number of schemes sanctioned by his Department and where situated?

Prior to 1931 five local education authorities, Caernarvonshire, East Suffolk, Plymouth, Cornwall and Bath, had, with the sanction of the Board of Education, raised the school-leaving age in their areas by byelaw to 15 years. Since that date similar byelaws have been sanctioned for Chesterfield, Lowestoft and Cheltenham; and, with the Board's concurrence, the authorities of Gloucester City and of Penzance have published their intention to make such a byelaw. Definite proposals for similar byelaws have been received by the Board from the authorities of Barrow-in-Furness, Winchester and Denbighshire. There is also a proposal from Barnsley to raise the age to 14½ instead of 15. These proposals are still under consideration. Proposals were also made by the authorities of Burnley and Huddersfield, but were refused.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the reasons why those last two are being refused?

Partly because the education arrangements proposed were not satisfactory, and partly because the areas are not sufficiently self-contained to prevent difficulties of employment arising with neighbouring areas.

When will a decision be reached in the case of Barnsley?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can state the number of children who left the public elementary schools during the year ended 31st March, 1934, and, for comparison, the number who left during the previous 12 months; and if he has had any reports as to the effects on the employment market of the increased number of children leaving school during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1934?

The number of children who left the public elementary schools for employment during the year ended 31st March, 1934, was 533,140. The corresponding figure for the year ended 31st March, 1933, was 371,026. With regard to the second part of the Question, my Noble Friend is informed by the Minister of Labour that reports received by him indicate that the additional number of children who left school during the year ended the 31st March, 1934, have been readily absorbed into employment in many parts of the country, notably in most of the industrial centres of the south-eastern and midland areas. In a number of these areas, despite the additional numbers available, it has not been possible to meet all demands for juvenile labour. On the other hand, in some parts of South Wales and on the north-east coast, and in certain other areas, the larger number of children leaving school has increased the volume of juvenile labour surplus to local requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can report on the negotiations which have been taking place between the Board of Education and the representatives of the teachers relative to the question of the pensions of teachers who retire during the operation of the economy cuts?

My Noble Friend has informed the National Union of Teachers of the conditions which would need to be attached to any arrangement for securing that the pensions of teachers retiring during the currency of the economy cuts should not be reduced by reason of those cuts, and has inquired whether, on the assumption that time could be found for the introduction of the necessary legislation, and that there was general agreement on the part of the other parties concerned, the Executive of the Union would desire the introduction of legislation on the lines indicated by him. My Noble Friend has not yet been informed of the wishes of the Executive in the matter.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the conditions offered imply that sacrifices will be called for from other teachers?

The matter is rather complicated. The conditions of the Government's offer are indicated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Fairfield (Mr. Brocklebank), on 12th July last, of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

Will my hon. Friend press upon his colleague the fact that this matter is causing considerable concern?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he has any record of accidents in primary or secondary schools which have been caused by cinematograph displays?

No case of an accident caused by a cinematograph display has been brought to the notice of the Board.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to include in his housing legislation provisions to enable local authorities to control ribbon development?

No, Sir. I do not think provisions of this kind could conveniently be included in housing legislation.

Has my right hon. Friend any other proposals in mind which will meet the great feeling that there is in the country at the present time?

The matter is under consideration. The answer I have given applies only to housing.

asked the Minister of Health whether his atten- tion has been drawn to the order for demolition of certain cottages at Withy-pool, Somerset; and, in view of the age of the occupants and of their long family association with these cottages, and of the heavy loss involved, will he make such arrangements as will obviate their demolition?

Yes, Sir. My attention has been drawn to this matter, and I am making inquiries, but my hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the appeal provided by Statute in cases of this kind from the Order of the local authority lies to the County Court, and I have no direct jurisdiction.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the cost of the appeal is quite beyond the means of the inhabitants? In view of the urgency of the matter and of his unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that he will not confirm any order by a local authority seeking to include in a clearance area, under the Housing Act, 1930, a building fit for habitation, merely by reason of its bad arrangement in relation to its neighbours or on account of the narrowness or bad arrangement of the streets?

Yes, Sir. As I have previously stated, the policy of the Government is on the lines referred to in this question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there will be very general satisfaction with that reply, and will he include a provision of this nature in the legislation which he contemplates bringing before the House?

I must not anticipate legislation that is to be presented, but I would again emphasise the fact that the actual administration has been in accordance with this practice throughout.