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Written Answers

Volume 216: debated on Wednesday 18 April 1928

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Written Answers

Metropolitan Casual Wards (Stone-Breaking)

asked the Minister of Health on what date the Metropolitan Asylum Board first imposed stone-breaking as a task of work to be performed by casuals and the weight of stone the men are expected to break; and whether he wilt consider the abolition of this task, as he has done in the case of oakum picking

Stone-breaking was one of the tasks imposed in the Metropolitan Casual Wards when the Metropolitan Asylum Board took over the administration of these wards in 1912. The amount of stone to be broken varied from 7 to 10 cwt.; the amount of stone to be broken under the arrangements which the Board now have in contemplation will be 6 cwt.; with regard to the latter part of the question, my right hon. Friend has already considered the matter and is not prepared to abolish this task.

Importation Of Plumage (Prohibition)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give a tabulated list of the plumage, giving the names of the birds, of which the importation into this country is forbidden by the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act, 1921, which was seized by the Customs Department during each of the half-years from 1st January, 1925, to 31st December, 1927, together with the approximate quantity of plumage involved in each case?

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 4th April, 1928; Col.

The following is a List of Birds the plumage of which has been illegally imported and confiscated by the Customs Authorities under the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act, 1921, for each half-year from the 1st January, 1925, to 31st December, 1927, together with the approximate quantity of plumage involved in each case.
Name of Bird.Type of Plumage.1925.1926.1927.
1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.
AlbatrossSkin1
AvocetSkin11
Bird of ParadiseSkins321193
Millinery mounts24856107
Single feathers12
Heads11
Tails1
BitternSkin1
Blue BirdSkin1
Bo'sun BirdSingle feathers1220
BudgerigarSkins2
Bustard (other than exempt kind).Skin1
Bundles of feathers7
Bee EaterStuffed bird1
CassowaryHead, mounted1
Single feathers40
CockatooWings1
Crests1
Fans1
CondorQuills6
Coot (Yellow-billed).Skin1
CormorantLadies' stoles2
Caps1
Collars1
CowbirdWing feathers17
CraneSingle feathers24
Millinery mounts2
Skins2
Crane (African-crowned).Piece of skin1
Heads2
Crone (Crested)Crest1
Cuckoo, EmeraldSkin1
Diver (Buck Throated).Necklets13
Diver (Red Throated).Dress, etc., trimmings5
EagleQuills5462
Skin1
Wings2
Eagle HawkWings4
Eagle OwlMade-up birds24
EgretWings2242
Millinery mounts242186178
Single feathers3632661682,780(a)93162 (g)
Bundles of feathers14335(b)626
Skins60(c)2
Fans52
EmuBundles of feathers1
Tails1
Skins360
Millinery mounts11
Single feathers20

1978, Vol. 215], supplied the following statement:

Name of Bird.Type of Plumage.1925.1926.1927.
1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.
FinchSkin1
FloricanPiece of skin1
FlamingoWings18

Skins2
Goose (Pigmy)Skin1
Goshaw (S. African).Wings2
GouraMillinery mounts2
GrebeSkins259(d)311
Necklets614
Ladies' stoles1
Dress, etc., trimmings2012
Millinery mounts1
Packet of plumage1
GreenfinchSkins1
Guinea Fowl (Vulturine)Skins2
HawkSingle feathers12
Skins3
Wings2
HeronMillinery mounts501811734
Wings22-
Tufts6
Bundles of feathers212
Skin1
Single feathers12140
Heads1
Tail1
Heron (White)Skins2
HornbillSkin1
Humming BirdSkins43
Imitation made-up birds.2
Millinery mounts2
HoopoeStuffed bird1
Ibis ScarletWing1
"Indian Jay"Wings2
Indian Love Bird.Wings2
Indian Mango Bird.Skins2
Indian BoilerWings2104214
Tails1
Skins21
Single feathers558
Feather fan1
Feather work picture1
Jay, BlueSkins11
Wings53
Tails2
Single feathers12
Jungle Cock and Jungle Fowl.Skins11
Tails1
Millinery mounts44
Single feathers1224
Bundles of feathers3
Feather handbag1
KeaWings51
KingfisherArticles containing small pieces of feather.4071281193
Millinery mounts12
Fans1

Name of Bird.Type of Plumage.1925.1926.1927.
1 Jan.-30 June1 July-31 Dec.1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.
Kingfisher—cont.Wings2
Skin1
Lyre BirdTails2
Love BirdSkins2
LoryWings10
Tails4
Head3
"Native Turkey"Single feathers20
Oyster CatcherSkin1
OwlHead1
Tails1
Skins1531
Wings22
Parakeet (Yellow)Skin1
ParakeetSingle feathers12
Skin1
ParrotSkins1411
Wings7491922419
Bundles of feathers2
Millinery mounts3131
Tails21
Single feathers12427629
Artificial flowers4
PeacockFans341430821145(h)
Single feathers14120478316282101
Articles containing a piece of feather.1324
Millinery mounts576 (e)211816
Made-up birds12
Skin1
Tails22
Wings1
Feather whisks2
Bundle of feathers1
PelicanHead1
Wings2
Single feathers242
Skins1
PenguinSkins1
Pigeon (Bronze Wing).Wings24
Pigeon (Burma)Wings22
Tails11
Pheasant (Argus)Millinery mounts1421
Fans1
Skins1
Single feathers65120622
Pheasant (Blood)Skin1
Pheasant (Chinese).Millinery mounts5
Wings2
Pheasant (Copper).Fans451122
Featherwork picture1
Pheasant (Koklas).Single feathers3
Pheasant (Lady Amherst).Millinery mounts1576(e)1
Dress, etc., trimmings1
Skins2
Pheasant (Moonal).Skins21
Heads2
Tails1
Pheasant (Reeves)Fans11212
Single feathers150
Millinery mounts2

Name of Bird.Type of Plumage1925.1926.1927.
1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.1 Jan.-30 June.1 July-31 Dec.
Pheasant (Reeves and Copper)."Menu," etc., cards, each ornamented with a few feathers of these birds.200
QuetzalMillinery mounts1
Rhea AmericanaSample packet1
Rhea DarwiniSample packet1
Single feathers128484
RookSingle feathers5
Featherwork picture1
SparrowSkin1
Sparrow HawkWings4
Starling, GlossyMillinery mounts22
Stork, AdjutantSingle feathers12
Fan1
Stork, LeptoptilusBundles of feathers18(f)6
Wings3
Fans1241
Single feathers382845472
Packets of feathers3
Millinery mounts1
Sun BirdMillinery mounts2
Skins2
SwanSingle feathers44
Fans4
Necklets1
Sand LarkStuffed bird1
Teal (Falcated)Millinery mounts1
Teal (Baikal)Single feathers400
ThrushSkins1
VultureMillinery mounts2
Water HenSkin1
WaxwingSkin1
Wood SnipeSkin1
Wigeon (Chiloe)Skin1
Wattle BirdWing1
WoodpeckerSkins2
Woodpecker (Golden).Single feathers12
MiscellaneousPackets containing plumage not identified but within the prohibition.191187114
(a) includes about 2,000 single feathers produced by a passenger to the Customs Officers on importation.
(b) 325 of the bundles formed the subject of legal proceedings against the importer, who was fined &£50 in London.
(c) These skins were included in a consignment of goods sent from Khartum and marked "for British Empire Exhibition, 1925." The consignee disclaimed all responsibility for the inclusion of the plumage in the consignment and asked to be allowed to divert it to Amsterdam. The request was refused and the plumage confiscated.
(d) 200 of these skins represent a consignment sent to this country from Germany without being ordered by the importer for sale on commission.
(e) One consignment of sports hat mounts containing only a small portion of this prohibited plumage in each mount.
(f) These included 10 bundles, which proved the subject of legal proceedings against the passenger, who was fined &£5 at Plymouth.
(g) The importer of 51 of these feathers was convicted and fined &£5 and &£2 2s. 0d. costs at the Thames Police Court.
(h) Largely presents sent to friends in this country by the troops in China. The troops have been informed that the practice is illegal.

Prison Officers, Swansea

asked the Home Secretary the number of officers of all ranks retired from Swansea prison during the four years ended 31st December last who applied for and were refused the award of the Imperial Service medal?

The medal of the Imperial Service Order is a distinction for which Civil Servants who are not members of the clerical or administrative classes are eligible on retirement after 25 years' meritorious service. During the four years ended 31st December last seven officers with 25 years' service retired from Swansea Prison, and of these three were selected for the distinction.

Surplus War Stores (South Africa)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will pre-

STATEMENT of the nature and value of the gifts which were made by His Majesty's Government in Great Britain to His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa after the close of the Great War.
Item.Date.Gift.Value.Remarks.
11919A small number of used guns and mountings which had already been made available for disposal by Ministry of Munitions were given to South Africa (among other Dominions and Colonies) for use as War Memorials.Say £100No exact date available.
21921On the handing over of the Military defences of the Union of South Africa to the Union Authorities, the buildings, lands, fortifications, armament and technical stores, ammunition and electrical installations required for defence purposes wore handed over free. This was part of a comprehensive arrangement with the Union Government as to the disposal of War Department properties in the Union.See Remarks.The estimated sale value of the land and buildings handed over free under this arrangement may be taken at about £125,000.
Exact data are not available for the computation of the value of war-like stores handed over. The major articles were six 9.2", eight 6" and two 4.7" guns with movable armament, machine guns and ammunition. Certain mess furniture of inconsiderable value was included in this transfer and in addition further surplus stores of an original value of about £500 were given to the Union Government. These latter stores were, however, not new and their local disposal value would have been small.
The consideration was the taking over by the Government of the Union of responsibility for the military defences of the Union.

pare a statement, for the information of the House, of the nature and value of the gifts which were made by His Majesty's Government to the Government of the Union of South Africa following upon the close of the Great War, and which will set forth the details of the value of such gifts in relation to defence endowment lands, defence endowment buildings, aircraft and stores, barrack stores, engineer stores, and artillery and stores; if any consideration has been given for these gifts by the Union of South Africa; and what has been the net burden upon the taxpayers of Great Britain consequent upon these concessions?

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 22nd March, 1928; Col. 555, Vol. 215], supplied the following statement:

Item.Date.Gift.Value.Remarks.
3192412 million rounds of rifle ammunition were given to the Union Government to replace a similar quantity ordered for South Africa during the war by the Ministry of Munitions. Similar ammunition ordered for British Service use was condemned and withdrawn from the British Army after the war and the Union Government represented that as their ammunition was of equally unsatisfactory type and had been procured by the British Government, it should be replaced free by the British Government. The proposal to make this gift was submitted to the House of Commons in a Treasury Minute dated 19th June, 1924, which was laid on the Table of the House (Command Paper No. 2177).£80,000
41920125 aircraft with certain subsidiary equipment.See RemarksThis gift was made from the large stocks of aircraft which were on hand at the end of the war and which it was not necessary to retain. The book value of the aircraft presented was about, £500,000. Their commercial value at the time however was about £50,000.
The gift was made in consideration of the desirability of assisting in the development of Air Forces in the Dominions.
51919Rails and railway material which had been used in France.£500,000In consideration of services rendered by the Union Government during the war of at least an equal value, particularly in connexion with the use of the South African Railways for the transport of troops and material dur-the African campaigns.
619264 Prize Ships: the "Apolda," "Bangor," "Frisia," and "Seeadler."£85,000In consideration of the fact that the net value of the Droits of Admiralty condemned in the Prize Courts of the Union of South Africa amounted to at least £85,000. This gift was submitted to the House of Commons by Treasury Minute of 21st June, 1926 (Command Paper No. 2685).
In view of the considerations for which these gifts were made, it cannot he said that any net burden has been imposed on the taxpayers of this country by reason of these concessions, with the exception of Item 3, which stands in a special category.

Parkhurst Convict Prison

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements have been made or are contemplated for the Easter week-end from Good Friday to Easter Monday, both days inclusive, at His Majesty's convict prison, Parkhurst; for how many hours the men will be con- fined to their cells on each of these four days; and what special services, concerts, or lectures will be provided?

On each of the four days from Good Friday to Easter Monday inclusive reduced staffs will be on duty at Parkhurst Convict Prison; the usual associated labour will therefore be possible only in the mornings on Saturday and Monday. Convicts will also be out of their cells for periods of exercise covering 2¼ hours on Good Friday, one hour on Saturday, 2¼ hours on Easter Sunday, and one hour on Easter Monday. On Good Friday, Divine Service for all convicts will be held in the morning, and in the afternoon s choral and instrumental class for all convicts will be conducted by the Church Army. On Saturday morning there will be a reading of current news lasting about half-an-hour. On Easter Sunday Holy Communion will be celebrated. Some convicts will take part in this service, and in the morning there will be Divine Service for all. In the afternoon there will be a special choral service for all. On Easter Monday there will be a concert, and there will also be a concert on the Thursday before Easter which could not be arranged to be given during the week-end. The ordinary convict will therefore be out of his cell for about five hours on Friday and Sunday and about six hours on Saturday and Monday, while convicts entitled to stage privileges will be out for two hours longer than that on each day.

Washington Hours Convention

asked the Minister of Labour whether any negotiations are in progress towards international agreement upon the eight-hour day Washington Convention; and, if so, between which countries?

As my hon. Friend is probably aware, a proposal was made on behalf of the British Government at the meeting of the Governing Body of the International Labour Office last January that the revision of the Washington Convention should be placed on the agenda of the 1929 Conference. This matter is still before the Governing Body, and will be further considered by them in due course.

Unemployment

Iron And Steel Industries

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of insured work-people unemployed in the industry of iron and steel manufacture at the end of the month of March in the present year and at the corresponding dates in 1914, 1920, 1924 and 1927?

The percentage of insured workpeople in Great Britain classified as belonging to the iron and steel industries recorded as unemployed was 19.7 at 26th March, 1928, as compared with 15.2 at 21st March, 1927, and 16.1 at 24th March, 1924. Comparable figures for 1914 and 1920 are not available.

Shipbuilding, Scotland

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry in Scotland registered as unemployed in March, 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928, respectively?

The number of insured persons in Scotland classified as belonging to the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry recorded as unemployed was 10,510 at 26th March, 1928, as compared with 17,988 at 21st March, 1927, 25,697 at 22nd March, 1926, and 20,545 at 23rd March, 1925.

Building Trades, Scotland

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons in the various branches of the building trade in Scotland were registered as unemployed on a similar date in March, 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928, respectively; and how many of these workers were temporarily stopped?

The following statement gives the particulars for which the hon. Member asks:

NUMBER of INSURED PERSONS in Scotland classified as belonging to the Building Trades recorded as Unemployed.
23rd March, 1925.22nd March, 1926.21st March, 1927.26th March, 1928.*
Wholly Unemployed.Temporarily Stopped.Total.Wholly Unemployed.Temporarily Stopped.Total.Wholly Unemployed.Temporarily Stopped.Total.Wholly Unemployed.Temporarily Stopped.Total.
CarpentersNot availableNot available31592029949681307111,023261,049
Bricklayers8815811169106611212614140
Masons275473124855161553142135456
Slaters951257132293321106116
Plasterers29274314814986692
Painters5657991281174897527194723
Plumbers26035173584431246643620456
Labourers to above2,1952,215562,2712,026372,0632,215822,297
All other occupations2,6952,691472,7382,203522,2552,431522,483
Total Building6,5177,7591857,9446,7951656,9607,5672467,812
* Exclusive of persons aged 65 3 ears and upwards.

Engineering Trades, Scotland

asked the Minister of Labour how many insured persons in the various branches of the engineering industry in Scotland were unemployed

NUMBER of INSURED PERSONS in Scotland classified as belonging to the Engineering Trades recorded as unemployed.
Date.Engineering. Engineers, Iron and Steel Founding.Electrical Engineering.Marine Engineering etc.Constructional Engineering.Construction and Repair of Motor Vehicles, Cycles and Aircraft.Total.
Wholly Unemployed.
24th March, 1924Not available.
23rd March, 1925Not available.
22nd March, 192614,4113874,0761,10970320,686
21st March, 192710,5742392,79692084715,376
26th March, 1928*7,3771871,45668355610,259
Temporarily Stopped.
24th March, 1924Not available.
23rd March, 1925Not available.
22nd March, 19267815493131191,078
21st March, 1927534231005028735
26th March, 1928*1,093337751261,280
Total.
24th March, 192419,7171732,76595666424,276
23rd March, 192515,9172542,8841,12184821,024
22nd March, 192615,1924414,1691,24072221,764
21st March, 192711,1082622,89697087516,111
26th March, 1928*8,4702201,53373458211,539
* Exclusive of persons aged 65 years and upwards.

Building Trades, London

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of building trade workers at present unemployed in

on a convenient date in March, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928, respectively?

The following statement gives the particulars for which the hon. Member asks.the London area giving particulars of the various trades with the numbers of each trade and showing comparable figures for 1926 and 1927?

The following table shows the number of insured persons in the area of Greater London

Occupations.22nd March, 1926.21st March, 1927.26th March, 1928.*
Carpenters602735815
Bricklayers130266278
Masons7315094
Slaters404962
Plasterers32122241
Painters2,8863,6681,979
Plumbers358426345
Labourers to above4,9376,3165,005
All other occupations3,4633,5183,982
Total: Building12,52115,25012 801
* Exclusive of persons aged 65 years and upwards.

Persia

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the negotiations that have been taking place between His Majesty's

classified as belonging to the building trades recorded as unemployed in March, 1926, 1927 and 1928, respectively:—

Government and the Government of Persia?

The answer is in the negative, for the reasons given in reply to the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Malone) on the 28th March.