asked the Minister of Labour if he will investigate the circumstances attending the refusal of unemployment insurance benefit to Mr. W. H. E. Adams (31519 D), of Amwell Terrace, Ware; and, as this man has been an employed and insured person since 1917, will he state why benefit is not being extended to him?

Mr. Adams has, I understand, been out of employment since January, 1924, and has drawn 310 days' benefit. His claim for extended benefit has been considered more than once by the local Employment Committee, who, after careful examination of all the facts, declined to recommend further benefit, since they were not satisfied that he fulfilled the statutory condition

"that he proves that in normal times insurable employment suited to his capacities would be likely to be available for him."

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, whilst during the first quarter of 1923, 1,138,000 miners, in 1924, 1,186,000 miners, in 1925, 1,134,000 miners, were employed in British coal mines, the number of unemployed miners for the same period in 1923 was 43,000, in 1924 was 26,000, in 1925 was 147,000; whether his attention has been called to the fact that the increase of about 100,000 of unemployed miners in 1925 has occurred in the older areas of our coalfields, whilst a corresponding number of skilled men have been employed in the newer and developing mining areas, drawn largely from the adjoining agricultural districts; and will he state what steps the Government are taking to arrange that mine labour in the developing mining areas can be recruited from the skilled miners now unemployed in the older areas of our coalfields?

I have been asked to reply. Although the figures mentioned in the first part of the question are not strictly comparable, substantially the position is as represented by the hon. Member, but the increase in unemployment is not confined to the older and less favourably situated areas. I have no power to limit the sources from which any employer may recruit labour, but my Department is continuously trying, in co-operation with the various miners' associations, to transfer coalmining labour from areas where unemployment has been continuously heavy to expanding areas requiring additional workpeople. Considerable success has been achieved, but there are substantial difficulties in the way of housing accommodation and otherwise to be faced in transferring men, particularly older married men.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the yield of a penny in the pound on the Income Tax in each year since 1895–96?

The following table gives the desired information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the serious effects of foreign competition on the home growing of strawberries; and whether he will institute an inquiry to see whether any and, if so, what remedial action can be taken?

An investigation into the marketing and distribution of strawberries is at present in hand as part of the series of investigations now being conducted by my Department into produce marketing in general. Special attention is being given, in the course of this investigation, to the incidence of imports and their effect on the marketing of the home crop. I propose to await the results of this investigation which will be issued in report form in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in many districts farmers are losing their best hands owing to the high wages paid for road work in the district; and what steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that this shortage of labour on the land, particularly at the present time, is being met?

I am aware of the facts as stated in my hon. Friend's question. In the case of road-men directly employed by local authorities in rural areas for the ordinary work of road maintenance, I understand that the wages are, generally speaking, not materially higher than the current agricultural wages of the district. In the case of contract work, however, it is, as my hon. Friend will be aware, a condition of all grants from Government funds, that the Fair Wages Clause shall apply, with the result that in many cases the wages are, no doubt, above the agricultural rates. With regard to any temporary shortage of labour on the land, farmers' requirements can in many cases be met from the Employment Exchanges, and a Press notice has recently been issued urging farmers to take advantage of the facilities provided.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has seen the Report of the medical men who are Members of this House who have been investigating the Spahlinger treatment and its effects; and whether, seeing that it is so favourable to that treatment, he will take steps to ensure that it shall be made available for sufferers in this country?

I have not yet seen this Report, but I understand that the conclusion reached is that a prima facie case has been made out for the Spahlinger treatment, and that the Report recommends that an exhaustive trial of the remedy should be made. As regards the second part of the question, I may point out that I have repeatedly stated that I am anxious to arrange for a scientific investigation of this method of treatment in this country as soon as the materials are made available. I have been waiting for three years for these materials but I am still without information as to when they are likely to be forthcoming, and I understand that the Report referred to contains no assurance that the treatment is or can soon be available in this country. Some weeks ago, however, I arranged for two of the medical officers of my Department to pay a further visit to Geneva for the purpose of conferring with M. Spahlinger on this and other questions.

asked the Minister of Health whether be has received a reply from the Shropshire County Council with regard to certain suggestions arising out of the Report of his inspector as to the high infant mortality of Market Drayton, which was communicated to that council; and, if so, whether he will now publish the Report, in order to assist in a movement to save the infants in the district in question?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Jarrow City Council has built 34 houses at a price of £686 as compared with £964 per house built by private contractors for the same council; and whether, in view of the saving of £278 per house, he will consider the recommendation to city councils to extend the principle of direct labour in the building of houses?

I do not think that a general conclusion can be based on the results of a particular case, but, as I have previously stated, I am quite prepared to authorise local authorities to undertake building by direct labour if satisfied that the authority can make efficient arrangements for the supervision

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the 2nd July.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of chicken-pox were notified in the Borough of Chesterfield during the years 1923 and 1924 and the first quarter of 1925; how many of such cases were treated in hospital; and, if any record of the vaccinal condition of the latter cases was made, will he supply a summary of the figures?

The notifications of chicken-pox for the respective quarters since the December quarter, 1923, as received by the Registrar-General, are as follow:of the work, and that the method is likely to prove financially advantageous to the ratepayers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the handicap in obtaining housing accommodation placed upon many poor people with families because of their inability to put down any lump sum towards the purchase of a house and the disinclination of many landlords to let apartments to tenants with families; and will he consider meeting this difficulty by an amendment of the law that would permit local authorities to lend the whole of the purchase price of a house instead of 90 per cent., as at present?

The question of the maximum amount of loan which local authorities should advance under the Housing Acts and the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act was fully discussed during the passing of the 1923 Housing Bill, and it was felt that the extension of the amount which could be advanced to 90 per cent. of the value was as far as it was possible prudently to go. I would point out, however, that one of the special conditions of the letting of houses erected by local authorities under the Housing Act of 1924 is that reasonable preference shall be given to large families.

asked the Minister of Health the number of insured persons who were unable to claim the extension of National Health Insurance membership under the Prolongation of Insurance Act, 1921, owing to the fact that they had not paid the necessary contributions in the two contribution years ending July, 1920, or in any other respects had not complied with the statutory conditions of the Act; and if such persons will be disqualified from claiming the benefits in accordance with the provisions of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill?

Cessation of insurance, otherwise than by death, may be due to a variety of causes, and particulars are not available at headquarters to show, with regard to the members of between 8,000 and 9,000 approved societies and registered branches, how far cessation may have been due to a particular cause such as that to which the hon. Member refers. With regard to the second part of the question, it will not be possible under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill for a claim to benefits in respect of his own insurance to be made by a person who is out of insurance at the time of the claim.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that boy settlers are most popular in the Dominions, and that not 1 per cent. of prospective employers are at present suited, he is taking steps to bring to the notice of all the boards of guardians the types required and the careful provision made for their welfare by the Governments of the Dominions concerned?

This is primarily a matter for the Oversea Settlement Committee, but my Department works in close co-operation with the Committee and has furnished all boards of guardians with particulars of the various schemes for the settlement of juveniles in the Oversea Dominions and of the financial assistance available.

asked the Secretary of State for War what accounts of the Royal Military Tournament are published and, if the amounts given to the various charities are shown, giving the names of the charities concerned?

I am informed that a statement of the gross receipts of the Royal Tournament and of the total amount handed over for distribution among the Service charities is communicated annually to the Press by the Committee. The amounts allocated by the Army Council to individual charities are not published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to ascertain when he may receive the Malta Trades Union (Constitution) Bill; and whether he can give an assurance that imperial officers in Malta will be instructed not to pledge assent thereto before reference is made to the Secretary of State and time has been given for Members of this House to obtain further information with reference thereto?

I expect to receive the Bill referred to from the Governor shortly. I am unable to give the assurance asked for in the second part of the question, but if the Bill in its final form is one to which the Governor under the Constitution cannot properly assent he will either send it back to the Legislature for amendment or reserve it for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many local pensions committees and how many local authorities, respectively, have made representations to him asking for a committee of inquiry into the pensions administration; and how many have asked for the abolition of the seven years' limit for claiming a pension?

I understand that 23 War Pensions Committees out of 170 have made representations on the first of the two matters referred to in the question, and six committees in regard to the second point. Fourteen local authorities have passed resolutions on the second of the two points, and none on the first.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the refusal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to abolish the levying of Income Tax upon the pensions of war widows, he will make representations that these pensions should be increased to such an extent as approximately may make up to the pensioner for the deduction of Income Tax?

I regret that I do not see my way to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether in future he will utilise the services locally in rural areas of qualified masseurs and masseuses for the treatment of disabled men, and thus save the time of the men and unnecessary suffering to the disabled?

It is the experience of the Ministry that massage is most effectively administered in the interests of patients when carried on at a clinic under proper medical supervision. Where, however this treatment can be efficiently administered otherwise, and attendance at a clinic would involve serious inconvenience and hardship to the patient, alternative arrangements are allowed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the number of ships built to British order in non-British yards during 1923, 1924, and till the end of June 1925, respectively; and the number and tonnage of ships at present under construction in such yards to the order of British firms?

The number of new ships built in non-British yards, and registered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland as British ships was in 1923 nine; in 1924, 29; and in 1925 up to the end of June, 19. I regret that information is not available as to the number of ships at present under construction in foreign yards to the order of British firms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether ho can give the number of ships built to British order in Continental countries during the past three years; and if he has any information as to the number of ships at present under construction in Continental yards to the order of British firms?

The number of new ships built on the Continent and registered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland as British ships during the three years ended 30th June, 1925, is 71. I regret that information is not available as to the number of ships at present under construction in Continental yards to the order of British firms.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Report of the Commissioners of Prisons states that the Governors' Reports draw attention to the conviction of you the who unable to find regular employment after leaving school, have had their characters sapped by passing several years in a state of idleness; and will he state whether he contemplates taking further steps with a view to training children in elementary schools for industry?

My attention has been called to the Report in question. As regards the second part of the question. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by me an the 19th February last to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Robert Wilson), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the is aware that the temporary additional office accommodation provided in April last for the inspector of taxes, Blackpool district, consists of a back room on the second floor of shop premises, that the nine persons working there are overcrowded, that the lavatory accommodation consists of one water closet for the use of eight males and one female of the office staff and is also used by the female staff of a business establishment on the next floor, and that the door to this lavatory is closely adjacent to the one and only entrance to this office; and whether, seeing that these conditions are merely an extension of those obtaining in the main Carter Street premises, he will say when improved accommodation can be provided?

The temporary additional office accommodation provided for the inspector of taxes at Blackpool is not unreasonably crowded, but the lavatory accommodation is poor. It is hoped that the extension of the main premises will be completed in six months' time, and it is regretted that, in the meantime, shortage of office accommodation in Blackpool has prevented the provision of more satisfactory temporary arrangements.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received the Report of the Committee which he appointed to consider the question of licensing two-seater taxi-cabs to ply for hire in London; whether he can make any statement on the recommendations of the Committee; and what action, if any, he proposes to take?

I have the Report under consideration, but am not at present in a position to make any statement. The Report is being printed, and will, I hope, be available for Members next week.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been directed to the action of the Doncaster magistrates in fining a boy for plucking dog daisies from a field to place on the grave of his recently deceased father; and if he will remit the fine?

I have made inquiry, and am informed that two boys were recently brought before the Court for doing wilful damage to growing grass. They were not fined, but ordered to pay a small nominal sum for the damage. The boys did not say they were picking daisies, nor was any evidence in support of such a statement submitted to the Court. I cannot take any action in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether all possible steps are being taken in the way of bail being granted to persons charged with minor offences; and, in view of the stigma of committal to prison and the danger of such persons becoming known by sight to old offenders, will he recommend that police authorities extend the privilege of granting bail whenever possible?

I have no reason to think that magistrates are not at present alive to the desirability of granting bail to prisoners in proper cases. If the hon. Member has knowledge of cases in which bail has been unreasonably refused, I shall be glad if he will send me particulars.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that several local authorities are using the discretionary power contained in Section 9. Subsection (2), of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, to deprive police officers of the right to count previous service in another force towards pension without substantial reasons; and will he consider the advisability of making representations to local authorities on this matter or the introduction of amending legislation in due course?

In the cases covered by Section 9 (2) of the Act I think the counting of the previous service should be at the discretion of the police authority, as the Act provides, and I see no occasion for any action such as the hon. Member suggests in the last part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary the number of Metropolitan Police pensioners on 31st July, 1914, 31st August, 1918, and 31st March, 1919, respectively; and the number of deaths for each year from 1914 to 1924, inclusive?

The particulars are as follow:

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that adult elementary classes are now being held in the evening for adult persons in His Majesty's prisons at all save four of the local prisons; whether this part of prison reform will be extended to the four local prisons not at present covered; and how such teachers and advisers are being paid and, if from public funds, what is the amount of remuneration they receive?

The information available on this subject will be found on pages 18 and 19 of the Commissioners' Annual Report for 1922–23, and on pages 17 and 18 of that for 1923–24. Extension of the adult education scheme to the remaining prisons depends on finding educational advisers and teachers. The whole work is on a voluntary basis. Neither educational advisers nor teachers under the adult education scheme receive any remuneration from prison funds.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that many debtors, when committed to prison, often have to serve their sentences in distant towns; and will he, in view of the difficult and expensive matter of their return home, recommend that such committals should, in all cases, be to prisons near the debtor's home?

So far as debtors committed by Courts of Summary Jurisdiction are concerned, provision was made by a Summary Jurisdiction Rule of 31st January, 1922, for their being taken to the prison nearest to the place where they are arrested and serving their sentence there, but if the hon. Member will give; me particulars of the cases he has in mind, I can have inquiry made in regard to them.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the alleged high silicosis mortality among the workmen employed on the Mersey railway tunnel some years ago, he will consider arrangements being made to prevent, as far as possible, the contraction of this disease in connection with the proposed new Mersey tunnel?

I am informed by the Ministry of Transport that detailed specifications of the proposed new road tunnel have not yet been prepared, but that these specifications, which will be subject to the approval of the Ministry, will include the most approved methods of safeguarding the men employed on the work, and special attention will be paid to the point raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the diversion of traffic from Elgin Crescent to Cromwell Road and St. Mark's Road and Lancaster Road, to the danger of children attending the Lancaster Road schools; and whether, seeing that the traffic could easily continue along Cromwell Road to Clarendon Road, he will arrange for the traffic to be diverted via Clarendon Road?

The diversion of traffic to which the hon. Member refers has been rendered necessary owing to road repairs in Ladbroke Grove. The suggestion contained in the second part of the hon. Member's question was found to be impracticable, as the head-room under the railway bridge in St. Mark's Road is insufficient for omnibus traffic. The question of the safety of the children attending the Lancaster Road schools has been engaging the attention of my Department, in consultation with the police authorities, and arrangements have been made whereby the schoolchildren can use the exits in St. Mark's Road. The police have, in addition, been instructed to safeguard, as far as possible, those children who have to cross Lancaster Road.

asked the Minister of Transport what percentage of the annual proceeds of the Road Fund is spent on maintenance of roads; what percentage is spent on the construction of new main roads, such as the Great West Road; and what steps are taken to secure that the statutory apportionment of the Fund is observed?

During the last financial year (1924–25), 28·5 per cent. of the receipts of the Road Fund, after deducting statutory charges, were applied to grants towards the construction of new roads and the acquisition of land for the purpose, while 71·5 per cent. of the receipts of the Fund were applied to grants towards the maintenance and improvement of existing roads. With regard to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, a careful watch is kept throughout the year, so as to ensure that the statutory limit laid down in Section 3 (4) of the Roads Act is not exceeded.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the rapid deterioration of the surface of certain portions of Victoria Street, Westmister, recently relaid; whether, in view of the expenditure incurred on this work, he is satisfied that it was satisfactorily carried out; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to have defects made good without further cost to the ratepayers?

I cannot agree with the suggestion contained in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. Should any defects develop, they will be made good by the contractors under the terms of their contract.