asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that numbers of men have at times to stand outside in the rain while attending at the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange, he will consider whether some shelter can be afforded them during this waiting period in inclement weather?

Applicants at the Borough Exchange are timed to attend at quarter hourly intervals, and, apart from quite exceptional circumstances, it should not be necessary for them to wait outside provided they attend at the time previously given to them. Perhaps the hon. Member will speak to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider having a canopy erected outside the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange to protect those waiting during inclement weather?

I shall be pleased if the hon. Member will speak to me about this so that we can discuss it.

asked the Minister of Labour what action the Commissioner for the special areas has taken, or proposes to take, upon the report submitted to him by a joint committee of the northeast sections of the Institute of Chemistry, the Chemical Society, and the Society of Chemical Industry?

The report covered a wide range of subjects, and, I am informed, the Commissioner is still engaged in examining them in conjunction with the many interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour how much of the £296,000 disbursed to date by the Commissioners of special areas has been spent in Wales; and what amount out of the £2,800,000 commitments is confined to Wales?

The answers to the two parts of the question are £110,000 and £720,000 respectively.

How does this compare with what the local authorities usually spend?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will be glad to answer it after the Recess.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the amount and purpose of any grants, made by the Commissioner for the special areas to assist the unemployed in the county borough of Sunderland;

(2) whether in view of the fact that 9,564 applicants for insurance benefit and unemployment assistance, or 39 per cent. of the unemployed or over 16 per cent. of the insured workers registered on 22nd July, 1935, at the Sunderland, Pallion, and Southwick-on-Wear employment exchanges, had been unemployed for periods of from one to five years and over and that over 5,000 of them had been unemployed for three years and over, he will ask the Commissioner for the special areas to prepare a scheme or schemes to deal specifically with unemployment in Sunderland?

As has been pointed out on previous occasions, the purpose of the Commissioners for the special areas is to promote the social improvement and industrial development of those areas. It is not part of their duty to formulate schemes designed primarily to provide employment. I am having inquiries made as to the grants from the Special Areas Fund directly attributable to the Commissioner's work in Sunderland and will send the hon. Member particulars. There are, however, other grants made by the Commissioner to national organisations, e.g., for social service or land settlement, which benefit residents in Sunderland as well as other special areas; the amount of these affecting Sunderland cannot be stated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that large numbers of the unemployed in Liverpool will not be able to receive their unemployment pay for Christmas week until the holidays are over; and will he take steps to adjust this position?

The arrangements in this connection were explained in my reply of 12th December to the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Woods) and will be the same at Liverpool as elsewhere.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the men who are due for payment on Thursday will be paid on Tuesday, and could not the men who are due for payment on Friday be paid also on Tuesday?

This is the arrangement which, after most careful consideration, was adopted on the last occasion when Christmas fell on a Wednesday. The hon. Member will see that what he is asking means that there might be a gap between the Tuesday and the Friday.

Does this arrangement not mean that a great many of these people will have no Christmas dinner at all?

Certainly not. It is the best arrangement, and worked well last time.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the need of taking steps to improve the condition of the unemployed during the winter months to prevent the additional hardships resulting from cold and lack of warm clothes; and whether there are any concessions that he proposes to make with regard to a special Christmas allowance?

I cannot add to the statements which have already been made to the House on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider amending the present Unemployment Insurance Acts with a view to making eligible to draw benefit on their return all persons who leave the United Kingdom for any part of the British Empire with a view either to taking or seeking employment, provided that the number of stamps to their credit prior to leaving the country fulfil the usual statutory conditions governing payment of benefit had they stayed in the United Kingdom?

Section 3 (3) (c) of the Unemployment Insurance Act and Regulations made thereunder already deal with a certain class of persons who work abroad, and I am not aware of sufficient justification for extending these provisions to cases of the kind mentioned by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman giving consideration particularly to the case that has been placed before him?

I am giving consideration to that case, but the answer, as the hon. Member will see, deals with the general situation as asked by him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. W. Ainscough, of 23, Queen Street, Orrell, near Wigan, is in receipt of unemployment benefit for himself and dependant's benefit for his wife, but that, owing to the deputy umpire's decision, payment of dependants' benefit to his four children, all of whom are under 14 years of age and living with him, has been stopped; and whether he will take such legislative action as may be necessary to safeguard dependants' benefits in this and similar cases?

I am aware of the decision to which the hon. Member refers. I can give no undertaking with regard to legislative action.

Since this is a means test for unemployed on standard benefit, will the right hon. Gentleman not consider rearranging this kind of test?

I have gone into the case. As the hon. Member knows, the umpire decided that they were not the applicants' dependants, and that, of course, renders the position a difficult one.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that in 1934 female contributors to unemployment insurance drew benefits to the value of only two-fifths of the contributions paid by female contributors, whereas males drew benefits to the value of nearly three-fourths of the value of their contributions, he will ask the unemployment insurance statutory committee to report as to the advisability of increasing the scale of female benefits to the same level as that of male benefits; and further, what would be the cost of the said increase?

Representations on this matter have already been made to the committee by certain organisations, and I have no doubt that the committee will take them into consideration and in doing so will prepare estimates of the cost of any proposals that seem worthy of examination.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply to this question and to my previous question concerning the Anomalies Act, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise both questions at the earliest opportunity after the Christmas Recess.

asked the Minister of Labour whether special arrangements are made to supervise the welfare of juveniles who are transferred under the juvenile transference scheme?

Yes, Sir. The greatest care is taken to ensure that the welfare of transferred juveniles is adequately supervised. The Department is assisted in many areas by special after-care committees and by voluntary organisations. Hostels are being established in certain districts where there is difficulty in obtaining suitable lodgings. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a memorandum issued to juvenile committees on the subjects concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls were transferred to employment other than seasonal work under the juvenile transference scheme, in the period of the nine months ended 30th September, 1935; and how many returned home during that period on the ground that they were unsuitable for the vacancy?

During the period of nine months ended September, 1935, 3,059 boys and 2,894 girls were transferred to employment other than seasonal work. During the same period, 81 boys and 119 girls returned home on the ground that they were unsuitable for the vacancy.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles who have been transferred under his auspices during this year from distressed areas to work in Birmingham; and whether the applicants for transfer exceed the facilities he has available for their accommodation?

During the current year 393 juveniles have been transferred from areas scheduled under the Ministry's juvenile transference scheme to employment in Birmingham. These transferences have taken place under the auspices of the local education authority which exercises choice of employment powers under Section 81 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935, in Birmingham. No difficulty has been hitherto experienced in obtaining suitable accommodation for these juveniles. It is proposed, however, shortly to establish a small hostel where boys can be accommodated for a short period until arrangements are made to place them in approved lodgings.

In view of the great need for additional juvenile labour in Birmingham, will my right hon. Friend do all he can to bring in more juveniles from the distressed areas?

I have those facts in mind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the application of the means test to parents who wish to follow their children militates against the transfer of large numbers of young persons?

The hon. Member is mistaken there.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to institute work schemes for Liverpool; and would he be prepared financially to assist the Liverpool Corporation in the construction of an underground electric passenger service for that city?

My Department has no powers or funds for this purpose. The particular scheme referred to is one for consideration in the first instance by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, but I am informed that it has not yet been placed before him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he intends to establish a trading estate in the special area of the city of Liverpool?

No, Sir, I have no power to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider further the policy in regard to this matter?

It is a matter of law. The hon. Member will understand that this is not a special area under the special Act.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, in relation to the city of Liverpool, the number of appeals dealt with by the appeals tribunal under the Unemployment Assistance Board during the three months ended 30th September, 1935; and the number of such appeals in which increases were granted?

In the three months ended 30th September last, the three appeal tribunals concerned dealt with 142 appeals against determinations by applicants from the city of Liverpool. In 83 of these cases the determinations were increased by the tribunals.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the question of unemployment insurance for share fishermen has been referred to the statutory committee; and, if so, when he expects to receive the recommendations of the committee?

I have submitted this matter to the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee for their advice. I am informed that the committee will take the matter up as soon as they have completed their consideration of other important matters already before them including the finance of the Unemployment Fund and the question of raising the salary limit for non-manual workers. I cannot, of course, say when I shall get the committee's recommendations.

Will my right hon. Friend press the matter in the interests of these share fishermen?

I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be no avoidable delay in dealing with the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to cause a fresh inquiry to be made into the subject of family budgets, in order that the information obtained through the investigation made in 1904 may be brought up to date?

This matter is under consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make a definite statement.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet been able to send an inspector to view the overcrowding at the new Jarrow-Hebburn Employment Exchange; and whether, in view of the present bad weather, some new arrangements can be made for the shelter of the men?

An inspector attended the exchange on two successive signing days during the week when the hon. Member put her previous question on this matter, and saw no sign of queueing in the street or congestion inside the building. There was some congestion in the week ending 30th November for special and temporary reasons arising out of the change in the benefit rate for children and this may have given rise to the complaints which the hon. Member has in mind. I am informed that queues rarely occur, but if the hon. Member has evidence to the contrary I will gladly make further inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the representations from the Bolton and District Local Employment Committee suggesting that, in order to remove what is regarded as a stigma by the applicants, the administration of the Unemployment Assistance Board be merged into the Employment Exchange Department; and, if so, what reply has been returned?

This question was raised at a meeting of the Bolton and District Local Employment Committee on 12th December. The committee were then informed that since the machinery for the administration of unemployment assistance is prescribed by Statute it is not possible to adopt their suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the men who are drawing benefit from the Unemployment Assistance Board regard it as a stigma upon them to be drawing benefit from this board as they would not be doing if they were drawing statutory unemployment benefit?

My hon. Friend will understand that this arises under the law which puts the able-bodied unemployed under the care of a special national board.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount paid in unemployment assistance under the Order in Council and the present Unemployment Assistance Board from 1931 up to the most recent date?

The total expenditure (excluding the cost of administration) out of the Unemployment Fund to 30th November, 1935, on transitional payments under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance (National Economy) (No. 2) Order, 1931, and on unemployment allowances is approximately £185,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people receiving unemployment assistance in the county of Durham for each year since the operation of the needs test; and the total amount paid in each year?

I am having the available particulars extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

Will the figures show separately the numbers in the administrative county boroughs in the county of Durham?

That is not asked in the question, but I will see whether it can be done.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed receiving allowances under the Unemployment Assistance Board; and what number of these are new cases since the operation of the standstill arrangement?

On 25th November last, 697,766 persons had current applications for unemployment assistance authorised for payment. No record has been kept as to the proportion of these which are new cases since February last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the complaints he has received of the regulations under the Anomalies Act from bodies representing the women and the trade unions affected by the Act, he will now refer the question of the working of the Act to the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee?

The Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee have already given me advice regarding the Seasonal Workers (Anomalies) Regulations, and as at present advised I do not think that there is ground for asking them to examine the working of the other Anomalies Regulations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that owing to the closing of works in certain areas workers have to seek employment outside the district, and if they secure work it means travelling long distances to and from it; and will he consider making arrangements for the Employment Exchanges to issue free travelling vouchers if the place of employment is over a specified distance?

The travelling expenses of workers proceeding to employment at a distance may be advanced on loan by Employment Exchanges, subject to the repayment, under certain conditions, of a proportion only of the cost. Workers from the depressed areas may receive a free grant for the same purpose. In both cases the facilities apply to the provision of the outward fare of workers entering employment, and I am afraid I could not consider issuing travelling warrants for free daily travelling to workpeople going to and from their work.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a full statement on this question, because there is some doubt in the minds of these people about daily travelling?

If the hon. Member has any particular point in mind, I shall be glad to have it from him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether all the advisory committees are now working under the Unemployment Assistance Board; and at what intervals such committees meet?

asked the Minister of Labour how many advisory committees under the Unemployment Act are working in Northumberland; what is the number of members of each committee, respectively; and how many meetings have been held in each case?

No advisory committees have yet been set up. The functions to be exercised by the advisory committees are a part of the whole problem of the future arrangements for the administration of unemployment assistance which is now receiving the anxious consideration of the board and myself. As indicated in reply to the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White) on 24th October, I have suggested to the board that in present circumstances it would be premature to constitute them formally.

Why have not these advisory committees been set up, as they are the only shred of representation that the public has in respect of the administration of unemployment assistance?

It is for the reason stated in the answer.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the Hoyland urban district area on the last available date, and the number on standard benefit and unemployment assistance benefit, respectively?

The available statistics relate to employment exchange areas and not to local government areas. At 25th November, 1935, there were 2,313 unemployed persons on the registers of the Hoyland Employment Exchange, of whom 1,239 were persons with claims admitted for insurance benefit and 850 were persons with applications authorised for unemployment allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage increase per shift in miners' wages over 1913 now being paid, and the percentage increase in the index figure for the cost of living for the same period, with similar figures for railway employés?

According to statistics published by the Mines Department, the average earnings (exclusive of allowances in kind) per man-shift worked in the quarter ended 30th June, 1935, was 9s. 2.85d., as compared with 6s. 5¾d. in June, 1914, an increase of about 42 per cent. The average weekly payments (including payments for overtime, Sunday duty, night duty, etc.) to male adults in railway conciliation grades in the week ended 9th March, 1935, according to statistics published by the Ministry of Transport, was 63s. 1d. According to statements made to the Railway National Wages Board by the Railway Companies in 1932, the corresponding figure in 1914 was 28s. 5d. The increase in average weekly wages, calculated from these figures, is thus 122 per cent. The cost of living index number showed an increase, as compared with July, 1914, of 41 per cent. at 1st March, 1935, and of 40 per cent. at 1st June, 1935.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that colliery workers have long distances to travel to their work and that the travelling expenses for that purpose reduce the wages; and will he say whether this has been considered by his Department so that such fares may be met by the issuing of railway or motor vouchers to those who travel beyond a specified distance?

I am, of course, aware that many colliery workers have to travel considerable distances to their work, as also have many other workers, but I am not clear how the hon. Member suggests that the cost of the proposed vouchers should be met. If it is suggested that it should come out of the funds available within the industry for wages purposes, it appears to be a question for discussion between owners and workmen within the industry.

The question was put down to the Minister of Labour and passed on to the Minister of Mines.

asked the Secretary for Mines, in view of his assurance that he intends to see that a fair pit-head price is taken as a basis for the wages ascertainment, what form of investigation is intended to detect and prevent the concealment of the true pithead price by the method of forming intermediary selling companies?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave yesterday to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams).

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the question deals only with subsidiary companies of the collieries, and that the ascertainment price is equally concealed by the common interests of directors in the collieries and in the selling companies. Could I have an answer?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the disparities of the figures of costs, wages, prices, etc., issued by coal-owners' and coalminers' organisations, respectively, and the necessity of giving the public accurate statistics upon which to base their judgment on the present dispute, he will consider appointing a small accountants' committee of inquiry to examine and report quickly upon the facts in question?

No, Sir, and perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to refer to the answer which I gave on 17th December to the hon. and gallant Member for Islington, North (Colonel Goodman), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of days during the month of November, 1935, on which overtime was worked by the underground employés of the Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Company, Limited, at the Glapwell Collieries, Derbyshire; how many man-shifts were involved; and the reasons for the overtime worked?

Two pits were drawing coal at Glapwell during November, No. 1 for 22 days and No. 3 for 17 days. Some overtime below-ground was worked on each of these days. The total number of man-shifts affected during the five weeks ending 3rd December, was 43,488; the number of overtime shifts was 1,403. 30 per cent. of the overtime was due to mechanical and electrical breakdowns or to faulty ground, and the remainder to a shortage of railway wagons which kept the pit standing for considerable periods and might have involved closing the pit entirely for the following day. I am informed that the circumstances during this period were quite abnormal.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the overtime worked at this colliery is contrary to the wishes of the men, who have to walk three or four miles owing to the very limited transport facilities?

Is it not a fact that the deputies on some of these shifts told the men they must bring extra snap to-morrow because they were going to work extra time, and that is not emergency time?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether in view of the large surplus of men in the coal-mining industry, the regulations are still in force under which would-be new entrants are dissuaded or barred; and whether he can give, for the latest 12 months for which figures are available, the new entrants into the coal-mining industry, indicating whether these workers are young or older men?

I have been asked to reply. The undertaking given by the Mining Association in 1927 restricting entry of persons over 18 years of age into certain coal-mining occupations, remains in force. During the insurance year July, 1933, to July, 1934, there were 5,874 entrants from other industries, many of whom, however, had been previously employed in coal mining. Corresponding figures for a later period are not yet available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the inability of certain electricity companies to obtain the supplies of coal for which they have contracted and that, in consequence, their stocks are dangerously depleted; and whether he will take steps, either by temporarily removing the quota or otherwise, to ensure that they are able to obtain the coal necessary for them to produce the current required?

I am aware of the difficulty experienced by some electricity supply companies in obtaining supplies of coal, in particular by an undertaking in the constituency which my hon. and gallant Friend represents, and I am in touch with the chairman of the undertaking on the subject. On the general question of supplies, I would emphasise that the Central Council of Colliery Owners are freely issuing such allocations as are required to meet the requirements of consumers, and that at last week's meeting of the council all applications from the districts for supplementary allocations were granted in full.

asked the Home Secretary whether a London resident, who hears a burglar in his house, gets police aid quicker on the average by telephoning to the nearest police station, or by telephoning to the new information room at Scotland Yard which is in wireless contact with police cars?

Circumstances, such as distance from the nearest police station, vary a good deal, but generally speaking quicker results will be obtained by telephoning direct to the Information Room at New Scotland Yard.

asked the Home Secretary the number of policewomen in the Metropolitan Police Force; and what increase, if any, has occurred since 1931?

The strength of women police in the Metropolitan Police district has increased, in the period referred to, from 47 to 66. I have now sanctioned a revised total establishment of 142, and the necessary steps are being taken to give effect by stages to this decision.

asked the Home Secretary how many university-trained men are now in the Metropolitan Police Force and in what capacity are they employed?

This information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will issue instructions that free milk shall be given to all children of school age whose parents are unemployed persons on the means test, in view of the desirability of the maximum number of children getting milk at school and of the fact that unemployed persons on the means test cannot in most cases afford to pay for milk for their children?

The conditions under which local education authorities may provide free milk for children attending public elementary schools are governed by the terms of Section 84 of the Education Act, 1921, and under that Section I have no power to issue the instructions which my hon. Friend desires. I would invite the attention of the hon. Member to the board's Circular 1443 issued on Monday last, which sets out the board's policy on the selection of children for provision of meals, and of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the children of the people who stint themselves in order to feed their children adequately are penalised as compared with those of the people who neglect their children?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will look at the Circular I have issued.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of elementary schools in Liverpool which have been black-listed; and what steps are being taken to place such schools in a satisfactory state either by reconstruction or replacement?

The number of public elementary schools in Liverpool which are still on the list of schools with defective premises is 34. The problem which these schools present cannot be satisfactorily solved by their treatment in isolation from one another or without due regard to housing difficulties. The board are in consultation with the local education authority, and the authorities of the non-provided schools with a view to assisting them to formulate a comprehensive plan for dealing with the problem.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many schools are now black-listed; and how many of these are non-provided schools?

The number of schools on the list of schools with defective premises is now 1,104, of which 772 are non-provided schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will take early steps to obtain information with regard to the number of elementary schools in Great Britain which are provided with playing fields with a view to evolving a scheme to accelerate the provision of fields for those schools which do not already possess them?

I am proposing to ask local education authorities to survey the needs of their areas in regard to playing-fields for school children, with a view to supplementing wherever practicable the existing provision if this is inadequate.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any specific suggestions have been issued by his Department to local education authorities in regard to the encouragement of instruction relating to the humane treatment of animals and birds in all elementary and secondary schools; and whether he will consider the issuing of a special suitable publication with this end in view?

The Board of Education do not, prescribe the subjects to be included in the curriculum of schools but their "Handbook of Suggestions for Teachers" calls attention to the desirability of inculcating kindness to animals, and I am confident that teachers are fully alive to the importance of this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children left school at the age of 14 years, and how many went from the elementary to higher schools at the age of 11 years, from Midsummer, 1931, to Midsummer, 1935?

As the answer contains a tabular statement of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Education what percentage of children obtained exemption from school attendance in Plymouth and other areas where the school age has been raised to 15?

As the answer contains a considerable number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the present approximate annual contribution made by way of Government grant to assist the provision of gymnasia, playing fields, and physical training organisers at elementary and secondary schools in Great Britain; and whether he is satisfied that progress in the provision of such necessary amenities is proceeding satisfactorily?

It is estimated that during the current financial year a grant of approximately £35,000 will be paid for the organisation of physical training in public elementary schools. The corresponding figure for secondary schools cannot be ascertained. As the expenditure on gymnasia and playing fields is not returned as a separate item in the local education authorities' accounts, I regret that I am unable to answer the hon. Member's question on this point. As regards the second part of the question, the Government are anxious to accelerate progress with the provision of facilities for physical training, and I am proposing to issue a circular to local education authorities on the matter in the near future.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the statement of the responsible medical officers that malnutrition among Lancashire schoolchildren has seriously increased; and what steps, if any, he is prepared to take to remedy this state of affairs?

In his annual report for the year, 1934, the school medical officer for Lancashire gives particulars of an increase in malnutrition from 1.75 per cent., in 1933, to 2.19 per cent. in 1934, amongst routine cases. In 1930 the percentage was 2.16. As regards the second part of the question, the school medical officer explains in his report that the provision of free meals and milk is more than keeping pace with the malnutrition discovered at medical inspections.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now prepared to advise the Government to bring to an end once for all this policy of public economy by the starvation of babies?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether there has been any increase in the number of private schools offering themselves for inspection by the Board since the publication of the report of the Departmental Committee on private schools; and whether he can state the numbers of private schools which have invited inspection and the number that have been inspected?

228 private schools have offered themselves for inspection by the Board since the issue of the report. There are 1,105 private schools open to the Board's inspection, of which 1,013 have been inspected.