asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that operative painters to the number of 12 have recently been discharged from His Majesty's dockyard at Devonport on the grounds of a, shortage of work and that, notwithstanding this plea, a number of naval ratings were instructed, on 27th February last, to distemper the ceiling and walls and paint the woodwork in D block dining-room at the Devonport dockyard; and will he reconsider this policy of the employment of naval ratings?

I am aware of the discharges referred to, and I regret that they were inevitable because no money was available for wages of the men in question. If we had the money we have work for many more men. The particular work to which the hon. Member refers was done in the naval barracks by naval ratings for the benefit of naval ratings. Had naval ratings not have been employed the work would not have been done. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the discharges that are taking place at Chatham now, and for precisely the same reason, that naval ratings are doing the work hitherto done by building trade operatives?

That is not the reason for the discharges. I tried to point out in my answer that the reason is that there is not sufficient work going on all the time to enable us to keep on these men. The only reason why we are discharging men is that there is not sufficient work. It may happen that some little piece of work may arise, for which naval ratings can be utilised. That is the only reason why they are being utilised.

Does it not follow that, had naval ratings not been employed in the doing of this work, money would have been forthcoming in the Estimates for doing the work by the ordinary operatives in the dockyards?

No, this work would not have been done at all.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give the latest available figures, and a comparison with 1922, to show the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis on the officers of His Majesty's Navy and on the following classes of ratings: seamen, signal, telegraphist, engine-room artificer, stoker, shipwright, sick berth, writer, supply, officers' steward and cook, and Royal Marines?

I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the dispensing of medicines for men in the Army by dispensers who undergo a short period of training is, in the opinion of the Army authorities, performed adequately and economically; and will he, in the interests or economy, introduce the same system into the Navy, and not engage any more fully trained pharmacists?

I am unable to accept the suggestion of the hon. Member that the replacement of fully trained Pharmacists in the Naval Service by dispensers trained in the manner proposed would make for economy, nor do I think that the conditions in the two Services are so analogous as to make such a change practicable. Fully trained Pharmacists are employed only in Naval Hospitals and in the Naval Medical Store Depot. Pharmacists carry out their duties besides those of dispensing. They are responsible, in addition, for the supply of medical stores to the Fleet and for medical store duties in hospitals. Sick Berth ratings are instructed in dispensing duties only so far as they relate to the stores in the service afloat scales, and they perform such duties under the supervision of the medical officer of the ship, who is personally responsible for the correct issue and use of all drugs.

Am I to understand that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is taking up the position that there is a difference between dispensing for men in the Navy, and dispensing for men in the Army?

I cannot answer for the Army. I can only tell the hon. Member what I believe to be in the best interests of the Navy.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of ex-service men trained for the teaching profession under the Ministry of Labour training scheme and the number that have passed into employment in the profession as certificated teachers?

1,026 ex-service men were trained as elementary school teachers under the special scheme of the Ministry of Labour. Of these, approximately 1,000 obtained the elementary school teachers certificate and 22 were recognised as uncertificated teachers, 982 are known to have obtained posts as teachers in this country or overseas. 11 are known to have abandoned the teaching profession. Information as to the remaining 33 is not available.

In view of the comparatively small number of these teachers, compared with the total number of the teaching profession, will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the President of the Board of Education the necessity for paying the same rates to these teachers as those paid to the others engaged in the profession?

That question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, have informed the Industrial Transference Board that, having regard to the distress among coal miners, they are prepared to give sympathetic consideration to the employment within their organisation of as many ex-miners as possible, as and when opportunity occurs; and whether he will circulate information of this offer among other industrial concerns which could employ ex-miners, with a view to inviting similar action on their part?

The Industrial Transference Board has already approached a number of big employers of whom Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, were one, asking them to give sympathetic consideration as and when opportunities occur to unemployed work-people in the hard hit areas when they are filling vacancies. I hope that employers generally will feel able to follow this policy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate the information? Will he endeavour to increase the circle of those who have this information?

We do everything possible to increase the circle, but the mere circulation of information in print is not necessarily the best way of persuading employers to follow this example.

What way does the right hon. Gentleman propose?

Personal interview, very largely.

Is the Transference Board in a position to assist financially miners in distressed areas to go to these trades?

I do not think that point arises from the question. If the hon. Member puts down a question, I shall endeavour to answer it.

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners were unemployed in the County of Durham for each month of the year 1927 and for January and February of the present year; and if he is taking any measures to find work for those so unemployed?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Every effort is being made with the assistance of the Industrial Transference Board to find opportunities of employment for as many of these men as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

Yes, Sir. Every effort is being made with the assistance of the Transference Board to find opportunities for employment for as many of the men as possible, and, as I stated in reply to a previous question, numbers of employers are being approached, personally and otherwise, in order that such opportunities may he given.

Has the Minister succeeded in finding work for any men yet?

Yes, certainly, a considerable number.

In the County of Durham?

In the County of Durham. If the hon. Member reads the reply which is being circulated, he will see that the total number of unemployed has gone down from 44,000 or 45,000 in one month, and 43,600 in the next month, to 34,000.

In reference to the work of the Transference Board, may I ask if at some early date we may have a report of its work?

I will consider whether any report can be made, which will be illuminating to the House. I have explained on more than one occasion—I do not think the right hon. Gentleman was in his place—and I wish to try again to make it clear, that the Board itself has no executive power. What it does is to try to use the existing executive departments in order to speed up the work and bring it more prominently before the notice of those by whom employment can be given.

Does the right hon. Gentleman state that the reduction of the unemployment register in Durham means that men have got work?

As far as I am aware that is an inference which can reasonably be drawn.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that the Transference Board has got these men work?

asked the Minister of Labour what classes of schemes for the relief of unemployment are still eligible for grants by the Unemployment Grants Committee?

Details of the schemes which have been the subject of grant by the Unemployment Grants Committee in the past are given in the Appendix to the Sixth (Interim) Report of the Committee published in January of this year. With the exception of road works, which are now dealt with by the

I say that during the latter weeks in which they have been functioning, they have been among the agencies which have helped. What they have done, has been to co-operate with the existing administrative agencies for doing the work and to get extra pressure brought to bear. The Ministry of Labour and the other Departments with which we are associated, have been trying, right through these last months, to find openings wherever possible.

rose—

We have spent a long time on this question. This is now becoming a Debate.

Is the Report available in the Vote Office?

I think so.

asked the Minister of Labour if instructions have been issued to the Unemployment Grants Committee not to consider any schemes of road construction or road maintenance for grants in aid as schemes for relief of unemployment?

As stated in the Sixth (Interim) Report of the Unemployment Grants Committee the Government decided in June, 1926, that grants to local authorities for purposes of road construction and repair should in future be administered only by the Ministry of Transport. Since that date applications for grants in aid of such schemes have been referred by the Committee to that Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that such schemes as flagging footpaths have been turned down by the Committee as not suitable because they come under the head of road work; and to which Department should application be made in such cases?

As to whether a footpath is a road, or part of a road, is a matter which I should have to consider from that point of view. Perhaps the hon. Member will put the question down again.

As this seems to be a difficulty as between two Departments, could not something be done to prevent any loss of time and labour being involved?

I do not assume that there is any difficulty. This is the first time that I have heard of it.

Is not the real trouble that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is holding up these schemes?

That is not the case at all.

Do the Government intend to hold back the schemes until the near approach of a General Election?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of altering the arrangement by which unemployed seamen residing in Jarrow-on-Tyne and Hebburn are asked to register at South Shieds Employment Exchange three times per week, involving a journey of three and a-half miles and five miles, respectively?

In order to seek employment as seamen it is necessary for these men to visit South Shields, and I do not think it is unreasonable to require them to attend at the South Shields Exchange on alternate days, such attendance being the ordinary requirement for men residing from two to four miles away, as is the case here.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mrs. Elsie Todman, of 6, Astor Street, Turnbridge, Huddersfield, and Mrs. Florrie Golden, of 15, Violet Street, Turn-bridge, Huddersfield, were, after drawing only four weeks benefit from the Employment Exchange, suspended in February from the receipt of further benefit; and whether, as both these workers had by their past contributions fully qualified themselves to draw standard benefit from the insurance fund and were also prepared to take any temporary employment during their temporary stoppage of work, he will state the grounds for the suspension of their benefits?

In both cases the insurance officer disallowed benefit on the ground that the applicants were not genuinely seeking work. The court of referees, to whom they appealed, agreed with the insurance officer, as the evidence showed that they were making no real efforts to obtain work but were merely awaiting re-engagement, at an indefinite date, by their former employer.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that these two women workers made no effort to take up any temporary employment in place of that which they had hitherto held?

I am giving no decision. These are cases which are judged by the statutory authority and this was the decision given by the two grades of statutory authorities—first by the insurance officer and then by the court. I have no power to intervene in regard to their decision or the grounds on which it is given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to make this the general rule with regard to workers who are fully qualified for benefit, that in a short period of unemployment, because they cannot get a new job entirely, they shall became ineligible for benefit?

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the test case in Derby County Court, where Mr. Fred Relf claimed wages from Victoria Films, Limited, for one day's employment; and whether he is taking steps to see that the other 210 men supplied through the Employment Exchange will receive their wages?

A number of men were supplied to the Victoria Films, Limited, through the local Employment. Exchanges, but the question of the recovery of any wages due is a matter for settlement between the workpeople and the employers, and is not one in which the Ministry have any power to intervene.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that if some 200 persons are given employment through a local Employment Exchange with a private company, and this company defrauds those men of a day's wages, the local Exchange have no responsibility for seeing that they get paid, when their claim for wages has been established in a Court of law?

I cannot be responsible, speaking for the local Exchanges, provided that every ordinary and proper care is taken, either for the employers or for the workmen. I take proper care, and beyond that I cannot undertake responsibility.

Do I understand then that the Minister has no responsibility for seeing, as these men drew unemployment pay on that day from the Exchange, that the wages for that day were on the shoulders of the person who employed them and not on the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

I do not know what the hon. Member understands, but I have just given the hon. Member my answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that over 200 of these men drew unemployment benefit for that day, that a test case has been fought, and that the employer has had a decree against him to pay wages, and is not the right hon. Gentleman's Department by law required to take up the question in order to safeguard the Insurance Fund from having to pay out benefit when wages ought to have been paid?

Not that I am aware of, and I am not aware that I either have the power or the duty to do that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the Unemployment Insurance Act no workman is entitled to receive unemployment benefit when wages are due; and is it not his function to see that these wages are paid, and not unemployment benefit?

It is not my function to see that wages are paid. I take every ordinary and proper care to see that employment offered is proper employment, and from both points of view, that the person is suitable and the employment proper, but beyond that my responsibility does not and ought not to go.

Is it not the right hon. Gentleman's duty, if he does not take that point of view, to see at least that the Fund is protected?

Is it not the right hon. Gentleman's duty to see that the Fund is not used for subsidising the wage bills of employers?

Does the right hon. Gentleman protect the Fund against the workers and not against the employers?

Does the right hon. Gentleman know the facts connected with this case, that these men were representing soldiers of the British Army, and that this Victory Films Company deliberately tried to defraud these men, and—

rose—

I beg to give notice that at the earliest possible moment will call attention to this question on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received from the Barnsley Board of Guardians a protest against the Unemployment Insurance Act reducing benefit for young women 18 to 21 years of age, deeming it totally in- adequate to meet the necessities of life; and whether he proposes to introduce an amending Bill at an early date?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated number of insured persons at the end of June each year from 1921 to 1927, respectively, age 65 and over?

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

asked the Minister of Labour if he has yet appointed the chairmen of the courts of referees for Glasgow, and the members, both employers and workpeople; if so, can he state the names; and, if not, when he will be in a position to do so?

As the hen. Member is no doubt aware, the Glasgow Court of Referees has at present two chairmen, together with panels of representatives of employers and workers. The necessary additions for the purposes of the new Act are in process of being made, and I anticipate that they will be complete in a few weeks' time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to reappoint people regardless of how they have been carrying out their duties in the past?

It is not at all necessarily the case. It is my wish to have people, both as chairmen of referees and on the panels from whom other members are taken, who can and do fulfil their duties as adequately as possible.

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in his answer he states that he is reappointing the present men, and making additions, and has he made inquiries to see that the present men have intelligently attended to their work?

I have, as a matter of fact, been making inquiries on that particular point, and I have asked for it to be taken into consideration in the new courts that are being set up.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the need for appointing these people earlier than a few weeks hence, as the Act will be in operation in a few weeks' time, and that it needs some study?

The hon. Member has already got a question on the Paper dealing with that point, and perhaps he will postpone that aspect of it until that question is reached.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has generally appointed the new chairmen of courts of referees throughout the country, together with lay members; the numbers appointed and the numbers to be appointed; and if he intends to institute any training class for them to study and be trained fully under the new Act?

The necessary arrangements for setting up courts of referees are in hand. It is not yet possible to say what the number of additional chairmen and members will be. I propose to give all members of courts the summary of the Acts recently published as well as other explanatory papers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House how he proposes to recruit the chairmen of these courts? Is it to be by competition or by patronage?

It is by neither, in the ordinary acceptation of those words. It is by suitability for the post.

Will the other explanatory papers, in addition to the one already issued, be available to Members of this House?

If the hon. Member will communicate with me, I will see if they can be made available for those who wish to read them.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has yet appointed a Committee to advise him on the question of juvenile unemployment in Scotland; if so, the names of the members; and, if not, when he will be in a position to do so?

The appointment of members of the Scottish Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment is proceeding, and I hope before Easter to be in a position to announce the names of the members.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what channels he has consulted as to the appointment of these persons?

A large number of channels, and, I imagine, practically all those that are appropriate for this purpose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only persons whom he has consulted in this matter are people concerned with his own party and not with anybody else?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many persons applied for extended benefit at

Will the right hon. Gentleman—

Order!

Other hon. Members must have an opportunity to ask questions. There have been 20 supplementary questions on the last few questions.

On a point of Order. I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that the suggestion that I take an undue share of the Question Time of this House is not founded in fact. This is the first time that I have risen with a supplementary question on this particular question, and I suggest to you that I am not overstepping my rights as a private Member.

I was not referring to the hon. Member in particular, but to the series of supplementary questions which have been addressed to the Minister. I must have regard to the questions as a whole.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners recorded as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges at Doncaster, Wakefield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Pontefract for each of the last four months, respectively?

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

During the two months ended 13th February, 1928, 419 applications for extended benefit were considered by the Mexborough Local Employment Committee, of which 332 were recommended for allowance and 87 for disallowance. Of this number 36 applications were recommended for disallowance on the ground that the applicants were not making every reasonable effort to obtain suitable employment.

Is it not a fact that unemployment in that district is constantly on the increase; and that these applicants arc not only being deprived of that to which they are legitimately entitled, but are being grossly insulted by the suggestion that they are not attempting to find work?

The answer to both supplementary questions, as far as I know, is in the negative. I have no reason to believe that the disallowance was contrary to the merits, and I do not believe for a single moment that any insult was either intended or given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that within the last three weeks I have given two cases where workmen have been employed continuously for over 56 weeks, and, when they have sought unemployment pay have had their applications rejected on the ground that they were not genuinely seeking work? Does he think that fair administration?

We cannot argue that question.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people who were registered as unemployed at the Mexborough Employment Exchange in the last week of January and the last week of February, or the latest date for which figures are available?

The number of persons on the registers of the Mexborough Employment Exchange at 30th January, 1928, was 828, including 254 temporarily stopped, as compared with 3,081, including 2,316 temporarily stopped, at 5th March, 1928.

In view of these figures, which show a 400 per cent increase in that period, does the right hon. Gentleman think that these decisions of the Mexborough Employment Exchange are consistent with the known facts of unemployment?

I have no reason to believe that they are not. It is a question of the temporary stoppage of a certain number of persons, and the duty of all Exchanges, whether by the insurance officers for standard benefit, or the committees for extended benefit, are to look into the whole facts of the case. I will review any case that is brought to me.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware that persons called upon to serve on grand juries at Assizes have to pay a fee when they attend; that such fee is a hardship to some people who have no objection otherwise to serving; will he say for what purposes the fee is used; and will he see to its abolition?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of any such practice, and if the hon. Member will communicate particulars to me, I will look into the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of Stave for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is now in a position to state what steps will be taken to improve the accommodation in the Preston Tax Office (No. 2)?

Steps have already been taken to improve the lighting and ventilation of these offices, and arrangements have been made to place the accommodation now occupied by the Ministry of Pensions Area Office at the disposal of the Inland Revenue to relieve the congestion in the tax offices.

asked the Home Secretary whether the duties assigned to factory inspectors' assistants differ from those of inspectors; whether the present arrangement permits of two or more officers visiting factories and workshops situate within the same locality or the same block of buildings; whether assistants are appointed for their practical acquaintance with industrial processes; and, if so, what are the reasons for restricting their inspections to particular classes of workplaces?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The main duty of the assistants is to inspect workshops and thus leave the inspectors more time for the inspection of the more important works. Practical experience of some branch of industrial work has been a necessary qualification for the appointment and assistants who have shown special ability have been promoted to the rank of inspector from time to time. Eleven have been so promoted since the War.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he gave permission for 16 loud speakers to be suspended from trees in Hyde Park in order to relay a political speech given by the Prime Minister in the Albert Hall on 10th March last; and whether permission is to be given similarly, whenever asked for, for any political meeting, entertainment, concert, boxing match, or other happening in the Albert Hall?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The First Commissioner is not prepared to undertake to give permission, whenever asked, for the relaying in Hyde Park of any happening in the Albert Hall, but, subject to there being no conflict with the Regulations of the Park, he is ready to consider other applications for permission to relay speeches delivered in the Hall.

Is there to be any limit placed on this nuisance against the amenities of the Park? Is every political speech in future to be relayed, and the amenities of the Park interfered with accordingly?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman did not listen to my reply.

Is not Hyde Park for the enjoyment of all persons of all parties and all ages; and is not this relaying of political speeches in a public park a nuisance?

Will the First Commissioner consider putting some silencers in this House?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has received representations from the colliery owners in the Swansea districts whose properties are being threatened by the rising water in the old workings formerly pumped from Collards pit; and whether his Department will bring all the interested parties together in a joint pumping scheme to save the neighbouring collieries?

I assume the hon. Member refers to the cessation of pumping at Callands Pit in July, 1926. His Majesty's Divisional Inspector of Mines has watched the situation continuously from the standpoint of safety, but I have received no request from the owners for the formulation of a joint pumping scheme, and I am not hopeful that such a proposal would be practicable.

Is not this precisely one of the schemes for amalgamation which was recommended by the Commission; and, if the owners will not do anything in order to bring this about, is the Mines Department watching the matter with a view to compelling them to do it in order to keep the pits going?

I understand the complaint is that they are not amalgamating at once.

But is that not more reason why the Department should compel them to do something in view of the fact that the pits are closing?

No; I have said that it is not practicable.

Is there not a grave source of danger to the miners if the mines should be subsequently opened; and does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not think that it is his duty, from the point of view of human life, to take some steps?

I understand that there is no danger.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not know that the only practical way of doing this is by amalgamation?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information to the effect that Polish coal is subsidised in order to compete with British coal in foreign markets: and, if so, the form, conditions and amount of such subsidy?

I am not aware of any subsidy given to Polish coal in order that it may compete with British coal in foreign markets. Polish coal for export gets preferential railway rates, particulars of which were given on the 6th March in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall).

Is my hon. and gallant Friend not aware that the effect of this Polish subsidy is that, in the case of the Scottish, and the Northumberland and Durham coalfields, a few colliery undertakings are competing with the resources of a whole nation, and that some steps should be taken by the Government to deal with this situation?

I do not think that my hon. Friend listened to the reply.

Am I not right in saying that the railway rates are subsidised, and that that is equivalent to placing the f.o.b. price of coal on a much reduced basis?

I said that preferential railway rates are given.

Then may I ask if that is not equivalent to a cheaper f.o.b. price?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the lack of improvement in the maternal mortality rate, he will, with a view to creating a more efficient maternity service, consider the advisability of modifying the present maternity benefit in such a way as to provide medical and nursing services in addition to a cash payment and of linking up such services with maternity and child welfare work of local authorities?

The question of the advisability of modifying the present arrangements for maternity benefit under the National Health Insurance Scheme in the direction indicated by the hon. Member was raised at a recent meeting of the Approved Societies Consultative Council and was referred by them to a special sub-committee. As soon as my right hon. Friend receives the Report of the Council on the subject it will have his most careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now received the Reports of the medical officers of health for Houghton-le-Spring and Chester-le-Street; and whether they show that there has been any increase in the infant mortality rate due to want of proper food and nourishment of mothers and children?

My right hon. Friend has received Reports from the medical officers of health of the districts mentioned. The infant mortality figures for these districts during 1927 have just reached me and show a small increase in each district as compared with 1926, though the rates are lower than for the years 1924 and 1925. Only the Report of the medical officer of health for Houghton-le-Spring suggests under- nourishment as one of the causes of the increase, and his Report was not written until the 22nd February. My right hon. Friend is advised that other medical authorities in Durham attribute the temporary increase in infant mortality in that county during the last few months of 1927 to the exceptional prevalence of bronchitis and pneumonia.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the infantile mortality rate in Houghton-le-Spring for the quarter ending December last was 206.5, for October over 300, and for January 210; and is he aware that the medical officer himself said that that is mainly due to under-nourishment?

I have already stated in my reply what the position is.

Has not the medical officer of health for Chester-le-Street repeatedly made a statement to the effect that there is want of proper nourishment and food on the part of children and mothers; and is it the doctrine of the Ministry of Health that there is proof of destitution only when there is death from starvation?

No, Sir.

Does not the fact that the Report states that deaths have been due to bronchitis show that there is a lack of clothing as well as of food?

No, I am not aware of that.

Seeing that the medical officer of health for Houghton-le-Spring said that the high infantile mortality was due to under-nourishment, what steps is the Ministry of Health prepared to take?

I have already stated that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health takes the view adopted by the majority of medical officers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Wiltshire County Council has refused various applications in regard to the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, and that it has declined to give any reasons for these refusals; and whether he is contemplating introducing legislation to compel county councils to carry out this Act?