asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of directing that Section 5 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, shall apply to Dundee; and whether he will refer any representations made to this effect to the advisory committee appointed in pursuance of the said Section?

In order to take advantage of Section 5 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, it is necessary to form a site company, by means of which assistance could be given in accordance with the provisions of the Section. This is a matter for local initiative, and, as soon as there is a reasonable prospect of a formation of a site company, formal representations should be made to me in accordance with Section 5 (2) of the Act for reference to the advisory committee.

If such representations are made to the right hon. Gentleman, will he, in considering them, bear in mind the fact that the setting up of trading estates in Special Areas, while no doubt an admirable measure in itself, greatly diminishes the chance of attracting new industries to other areas where there is higher unemployment?

I pointed that out at the time of the passing of the Act.

Would it not be better to protect the jute industry, rather than seek to introduce other industries?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in the industrial parts of Scotland it is very desirable that there should be a greater variety of industries?

There is no doubt about that.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that tariffs have almost taken the unemployment out of Dundee? The senior Member has told us that repeatedly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered a copy of a resolution adopted by the County Councils' Association calling upon the Government to increase the rates of unemployment benefit and of unemployment assistance so as to enable unemployed persons to maintain themselves and their families in a condition of physical efficiency; and what steps are being taken to give effect to the terms of the resolution?

I have considered a resolution upon this subject from the County Councils' Association. As regards benefit, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) last Thursday. As regards unemployment assistance, the hon. Member will be aware that since November last all cases have been specially reviewed in the light of the rise in price of certain commodities together with the coming of the winter months, and that increases have been granted in a very large number of cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the cost of living has been more than twice as much as the increase in benefit?

I could not accept that general statement without a good deal of qualification.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the cost of living has been greater than the increase in benefit?

I am also aware that the rate of benefit is now higher than it was when the cost of living was higher at the time when the Labour Government was in office.

Is not the Minister aware that unemployed persons on statutory benefit and those coming under the Unemployment Assistance Board are worse off now than they were then?

I do not agree. I should say that they are better treated than has ever been the case in this country.

asked the Minister of Labour particulars of insured persons classified as belonging to the entertainment and sports group recorded as unemployed during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The average number of insured persons, aged 14–64 years, in the entertainments, sport, etc., industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at dates from March, 1937, to February, 1938, was 23,421.

Could the Minister separate those engaged in the cinema industry from the general classification?

I could not do that without an analysis of every single case.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that cases have occurred in the Western Isles of unemployed men being cut off benefit or unemployment assistance benefit allowance because, though they were open for local work, they refused to go to the mainland owing to their having to attend to aged relatives and a croft, and of poor wages offered with broken time for bad weather, and extra living deductions from wages through having to maintain their island homes as well as pay board and lodging where working; whether local officials have his approval in dealing in this way with these cases; and what action he now proposes to take to end demands of this kind upon the unemployed persons in the islands?

The hon. Member has sent me one or two cases, and I shall be happy to inquire into any others if he will give me particulars. But I ought to point out that, both for unemployment benefit and for unemployment assistance, an applicant must be available for work. Whether he is and whether a particular employment is suitable are matters for the statutory authorities under the Unemployment Insurance Acts or for the Unemployment Assistance Board, as the case may be, and I cannot intervene.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers and percentages of persons in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry unemployed in the country generally and in each of the shipbuilding centres, respectively, as at 13th December, 1937, and 17th January, 1938, respectively, or other convenient dates?

I am having this information extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it is available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the percentages for Greenock and for the country generally?

I will answer the question precisely, and, if the hon. Member wishes for further particulars, I will see what I can do to give him supplementary information.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether the Government or the Commissioners for Special Areas have come to any decision in regard to financial help for the reconditioning of the Maryport harbour and dock;

The question of a grant from the Special Areas Fund is under consideration, and I expect that a decision will be reached very shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed persons in Great Britain defined as seasonal workers, in 1936 and 1937, respectively?

The unemployment statistics compiled by my Department do not distinguish separately persons classified as seasonal workers. During the year 1936, 12,759 claims to benefit made at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain were considered by Courts of Referees under the Anomalies (Seasonal Workers) Order; of these, 2,176 were allowed and 10,583 disallowed. During the year 1937, 12,772 claims were considered, of which 1,810 were allowed and 10,962 disallowed.

In view of the very large proportion of disallowed cases in this category, and of the very healthy state of the Fund, would the Minister reconsider the whole position of these people who are described as seasonal workers, with a view to modifying the percentage of 75 demanded in the regulations?

The information in my possession does not lead me to take that view now. The hon. Member will recollect that two years ago I asked the committee to consider this case, and they did so. They recommended a modification, and the House made that modification, with the result that this proportion is one-third less than it was before.

Is a person classed as a seasonal worker according to the work done by that person, or according to the place at which the person works?

I should prefer to see that question in precise terms on the Paper, as it is a matter of legal definition.

May I take a specific case, and ask whether a waitress is a seasonal worker because she is a waitress, or because she works in a particular place?

It depends upon where she works?

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons in Glasgow who have been continuously unemployed for a period of three years or more?

At 14th February, 1938, there were 7,468 persons who had been continuously on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Glasgow as applicants for unemployment benefit or allowances for three years or more. A proportion of these persons had one or more short spells of employment, lasting not more than three days each, during that period. Corresponding figures are not available for persons registered as unemployed who were not applying for benefit or allowances.

With regard to the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, would he ask employers of labour to extend some sympathy to people who have suffered such long periods of unemployment should they find themselves in difficulty during the first few weeks after they have again obtained employment?

That point has been made before, and I have considered it in conjunction with some of my local committees.

What are the Government going to do about these people who have had long periods of unemployment? Is it the view of the Government that a person who has been unemployed for three years has finished with industry?

Not at all.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit and unemployment assistance, respectively, at the latest date available at Normanton, Castleford and Pontefract; and the comparative figures for the last two years?

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

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these figures show that unemployment is any less?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the arrangements which are being made for the Army vocational training schemes to be transferred to his Department, an assurance can be given that the existing staff will be taken over and not thrown out of work?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to a question on the same subject to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on Monday last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the inadequate provision for private soldiers proceeding to and returning from the East; and what steps he is taking to ensure that in future adequate provision is made?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the provision of accommodation on transports. During the 1937–38 trooping season the numbers of troops carried in the older transports were reduced by about 13 per cent. in order to give the men as much troop deck space as that provided in the two new transports "Dilwara" and "Dunera." Two further transports are under construction, one of which will be taken into commission during next trooping season. A number of improvements is being embodied in these new ships, including the provision of a writing and

Yes, they show a considerable reduction.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these improvements are the best aid to recruitment that this country could have?

Is provision being made for improved accommodation for the sick?

asked the Home Secretary the number, situation, and sizes of police sports grounds in the Metropolitan police area; and whether such grounds, or any of them, are used by persons other than members of the police force or those playing matches with them?

As the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary the area of the police sports ground at Hendon; the price paid for the land; what amount of money has since been spent on the ground and the purposes for which it was spent; and will he give similar information in regard to the Imber Court sports ground, giving separately the cost of the sports pavilion?

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

asked the Home Secretary the cost, including the equipment thereof, of the police wireless station at West Wickham?

The cost is estimated at about £43,000. This includes site building and equipment.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the comment made by a London coroner recently on the unsatisfactory nature of the present type of van used for the conveyance of prisoners; and whether he will take steps to see that when new vans are provided they are of a more commodious type?

The main objection arises from the provision of separate compartments for each prisoner, and the scheme of separate compartments was adopted because of the obvious risk of association. Any increase in the space provided for each person, consistently with reasonable economy, would involve technical difficulties, but the matter will be borne in mind when any vans are due for replacement. Meanwhile, steps are being taken to improve the lighting and ventilation of the present vans.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if any man is slightly over average height he cannot sit down in the van, except in a very cramped position?

No, Sir. I think that is an exaggeration. I am informed that the knee space is somewhat bigger in these vans than in a London bus.

Will the right hon. Gentleman invite his colleague, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, to sit in one of these vans?

asked the Home Secretary the average cost of training a student at the Metropolitan Police training school?

I understand that the hon. Member refers to the cost of the training of a candidate for appointment as a constable in the Metropolitan Police Force. The average cost is about £21.

asked the Home Secretary why, out of 3,628 students trained at the Metropolitan Police training college during the five years ended 31st March, 1937, only 2,883 are now serving in the Metropolitan Police Force?

About 14 per cent. of the wastage is due to discharges during the probationary period or retirements on ill health or on disciplinary grounds. As regards voluntary resignations, a man is not obliged to assign any reason, but, so far as records are available, 232 men resigned to take up other employment (including the Defence Forces), 157 to join or apply to join other police forces at home or overseas, 24 because police work proved uncongenial, and 23 because they were dissatisfied with their prospects.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it very unsatisfactory that, after a considerable sum has been spent on training these men, such a large proportion leave the service?

I am informed that the numbers are not abnormal, and do not compare unfavourably with statistics for other services.

Is the whole cost of training these men borne by the Metropolitan Police Fund, or is part of it paid by the locality to which a man ultimately goes?

There is another question on that subject on the Paper to-day.

asked the Home Secretary particulars of any decision that has been taken with regard to the scheme of admitting to the Police College persons desiring to serve in the Colonial police service?

Arrangements have been made with the Colonial Office to admit annually to the Metropolitan Police College, for a one-year course of training, not more than 10 candidates who have been definitely selected by the Secretary of State for the Colonies for appointment to the Colonial Police Service. The first Colonial police candidates (nine in number) were admitted for the course which began in September, 1937.

Have these men to pay their own expenses?

The Colonial Office pays expenses.

asked the Home Secretary the number of men trained by the Metropolitan Police during the last five years who have been transferred, resigned, or been discharged from the Metropolitan Police Force and are now serving with another police force; and what steps are being taken, or does he propose to take, to reimburse the Metropolitan Police Fund in respect of the training of these men?

Figures are available only for the period 1934 to 1937, during which 157 men resigned from the Metropolitan Police Force to join, or to apply to join, other police forces at home or overseas. It is not known how many of them are now so serving. No claim is made for reimbursement of the cost of training.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is rather hard on the London rates that a special contribution should have to be made to the Police Fund, and would he consider if some arrangement should be made with other police authorities to prevent this deliberate recruitment of London-trained police?

I think that if there were any widespread recruitment of these men the position might have to be reconsidered, but I think that the number at present would not justify that reconsideration.

Is the Minister aware that this means another £13,000 on the Police Fund?

Where are the Liberal party to-day?

At the B.B.C.

asked the Home Secretary the number of police officers who have been trained by the Metropolitan Police during each of the last five years, and how many of these men are still serving with the Metropolitan Police?

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

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is prepared now to make a statement in regard to the position of the non-provided schools in Liverpool; what action have the Liverpool education authorities taken to implement the 1936 Education Act; and will he give an assurance to the House to the effect that grants are still to be made to non-provided schools?

As regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 10th February. My Noble Friend understands that the Liverpool local education authority have not yet reached a decision on the question of making grants to voluntary schools under the Education Act, 1936, and I am not, therefore, in a position to answer the last part of the question.

Am I to understand that, despite the Act of Parliament, when a local authority refuse to do their duty, the Minister is not prepared to implement the Act or to use the power he can exercise?

My Noble Friend understands that the matter is to be considered by the education committee on 21st March, and that the recommendation of that committee would normally be considered by the city council on 6th April.

If I put a question down on that date, will the hon. Member be prepared to let me know what action, if any, he intends to take?

I will certainly give what information I have.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many local education authorities still make no provision for the supply of free solid meals to children?

One hundred and seventy-two local education authorities make no provision for the supply of free solid meals.

What is being done to encourage them to make this provision?

I think that those figures need careful examination. For example, there are only three county boroughs where the authorities supply neither free milk nor free solid meals. In regard to the counties, there are obvious difficulties to be overcome, which are being negotiated by the extension of senior schools with canteens. In addition, the Board is encouraging local education authorities to conduct nutrition surveys, with good results.

Are these places which refuse to operate the Act mostly Cathedral cities?

On the whole they are residential, watering places and market towns.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary remind these education authorities of the words of the Chief Medical Officer of the Board, who says that to expect an under-nourished child to derive benefit from physical exercises—[Interruption.]

Is the Minister aware that there are under two per cent. of the child population of the schools in receipt of school meals on any one day?

We might be told that that is a good sign.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of persons awarded State scholarships who have declined them during the three years ended to the last convenient date; and what reasons have been put forward to his Department for such refusals?

Thirty-eight persons who were awarded State scholarships in the years 1935, 1936 and 1937 declined them. Of these, four decided to take up Royal scholarships which they had also been offered, four preferred grants for training as teachers, four wished to follow professional or industrial courses, and 14 had obtained Civil Service appointments. One hoped to enter the Royal Navy. Two declined on financial grounds, one of them assuming that the amount of his father's income would preclude the possibility of grant. In the remaining nine cases no reasons were given.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say the average amount it is necessary to find by the persons who are awarded these scholarships?

The State gives up to £100 maintenance, excluding fees, and the rest is made up in a variety of ways, partly by scholarships and partly from authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any arrangements are being made to give more than the 50 per cent. grant to education authorities, especially to those in the Special Areas where rates are high, with a view to helping them to provide new school buildings to replace those condemned by the Board and also to assist them to provide the buildings necessary to meet the requirements of the Board when the new Education Act comes into operation next year?

The grant to local education authorities for elementary education is not a flat 50 per cent., but is based on a formula of which I am sending the hon. Member particulars. Provision is already made in the Elementary Education Grant Regulations for the payment of additional grant to necessitous areas. The effect of this grant for 1936–37 is to bring the total amount paid to those areas considerably above 50 per cent. of their total expenditure; for example, in the hon. Member's own area of County Durham the additional necessitous areas grant will be about £37,000, bringing up the total grant paid to over 60 per cent. of the authority's expenditure.

Can my hon. Friend say whether it is intended to prolong the period during which the 50 per cent. grant is available?

I could not say that without notice.

What will the position of a municipality be which does not implement the provisions of the Act?

Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider giving a 60 per cent. grant to all local authorities if they put their schools right within, say, 10 years?

I could not give such an undertaking.