Written Answers to Questions
Friday, July 27, 1928
Questions
Dog Racing Bill
asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that many local authorities are anxious that the powers sought in the Dog Racing Bill should be granted this Session; and whether, in view of the importance of this matter in local government, he will give facilities for the Bill to be passed into law this Session.
In view of the fact that the Bill has not been reported, I regret that I see no prospect of finding time for the remaining stages.
Catering Trades Employment Society
asked the Minister of Labour whether the Catering Trades Employment Society, of 67, Dean Street, London, W., is an association for the purposes of the Unemployment Insurance Acts?
The Society referred to has not an arrangement with the Minister under Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920.
League of Nations (Hungary and Rumania)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether application has at any time been received by the Council of the League of Nations from Hungary asking for intervention under Article 11 of the Covenant of the League in the matter of her dispute with Rumania on the question of the Hungarian optants who have been dispossessed of their lands by that State?
Hungary brought this dispute to the notice of the Council of the League of Nations in virtue of paragraph 2 of Article 11 of the Covenant in the Note from the Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs to the President of the Council of the 15th March, 1923. That appeal was disposed of by the Council on the 5th of July of the same year.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a communication made to the Council of the League of Nations by M. Titulesco on behalf of the Rumanian Government as to the settlement of the claims of the Hungarian nationals has been communicated to the Hungarian Government?
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware if any proposals have been made by Hungary or Rumania to the Council of the League of Nations for the amicable settlement of the dispute between such nations relating to the case of the Hungarian optants?
Monsieur Titulesco read to the Council on the 8th of June last the terms of a proposal for an amicable settlement of the dispute which he announced that the Rumanian Government intended to make to the Hungarian Government. I believe that the Hungarian Government also contemplate making a further proposal to the Rumanian Government. But, as far as I know, neither proposal has yet been officially communicated.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he will state the reasons why the Council of the League of Nations has omitted to fill up, as provided by the Treaty of Trianon, the vacancy on the Hungarian-Rumanian mixed arbitral tribunal caused by the withdrawal of the Rumanian representative?
I would invite the hon. and gallant Member's attention to my report on the work of the 47th session of the Council of the League of Nations in September, 1927 (Command Paper No. 3009), where, on page 11, he will find set forth in paragraph 10 the considerations which precluded the Committee of the Council, which were dealing with the question, from advising the Council to proceed to elect two persons from whom the vacancy on the Hungaro-Rumanian Mixed Arbitral Tribunal might be filled.
Rating Relief, London
asked the Minister of Health for figures showing the estimated effect on the rates of each of the Metropolitan borough councils of the Government grant proposals based on the years 1926–27?
The modifications of the financial scheme proposals which are required to meet the special circumstances of London have not yet been discussed with the London County Council and the Metropolitan Borough Councils, and I am not yet in a position to give the figures for which the hon. Member asks.
Housing (Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire)
asked the Minister of Health what is the total number of subsidy houses completed and the number authorised to be completed by each local housing authority in the county of Glamorgan and in Monmouthshire, and by private enterprise in the housing areas in the two counties, under the 1923 and the 1924 Housing Acts, respectively, up to the latest available date, and the average price in each case?
The statement attached gives the information for which the hon. Member asks:
Housing, etc., Act, 1923, and Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924. 1924. STATEMENT showing for the Counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire (i) the number of houses authorised to be erected and the number completed under the above Acts up to 1st July, 1928; and (ii) the average prices of the houses included in contracts let by, or in direct labour schemes of, Local Authorities between August, 1923, and 1st July, 1928. Name of Borough or District. Local Authorities Schemes. Range of prices of houses included in contracts let by, or in direct labour schemes of, Local Authorities between August, 1923, and 1st July 1928. ( a )) Private Enterprise Schemes. No. of houses authorised under the— No. of houses completed under the— No. of houses authorised under the— No. of houses completed under the— Act of 1923. Act of 1924. Act of 1923. Act of 1924. Non-parlour houses. Parlour houses. Act of 1923. Act of 1924. Act of 1923. Act of 1924. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Glamorgan. £ £ Cardiff C.B 250 1,776 250 1,758 284–457 375–508 1,000 — 812 — Merthyr Tydfil C.B. — 206 — 206 375–500 522 10 — 5 — Swansea C.B. 121 1,070 121 893 395–503 526–609 1,910 142 1,677 115 Cowbridge M.B. — — — — — — — — — — Neath M.B. 270 — 230 — 459 342–496 350 — 290 — Port Talbot M.B. — 62 — 62 — 402–423 487 — 436 — Aberdare U.D. — — — — — — 125 — 93 — Barry U.D. 194 116 194 116 310–545 547–638 364 108 304 108 Bridgend U.D. — 26 — 26 384 — 306 — 264 — Caerphilly U.D. — 352 — 352 275–399 413 310 60 233 58 Gelligaer U.D. — 210 — 210 402–477 452–526 212 — 203 — Glyncorwg U.D. — — — — — — 4 — 3 — Maesteg U.D. — 52 — 26 — 384 80 — 68 — Mountain Ash U.D. — 146 — 146 440–455 527–535 60 — 51 — Ogmore and Garw U.D — 82 — 82 — 430–465 120 — 80 — Penarth U.D. 34 65 34 65 342–500 428–499 234 — 229 — Pontypridd U.D — 300 — 276 415–452 455–492 95 — 80 — Porthcawl U.D. — — — — — — 16 2 10 2 Rhondda U.D. 20 110 20 110 450–509 556 84 — 55 — Cardiff R.D. — 121 — 121 392–475 449–494 525 — 375 — Cowbridge R.D. 50 100 50 100 355–462 405–462 93 — 80 — Gower R.D. — — — — — — 90 — 76 — Llantrisant and Llantwit-Fardre R.D. — 192 — 192 378–435 419–495 359 — 219 — Neath R.D. 12 — 12 — — 526–548 675 — 599 — Penybont R.D. 222 — 222 — 325–420 385–480 460 2 397 — Pontardawe R.D. — 597 — 477 435–526 450–580 440 — 395 — Swansea R.D. — 278 — 100 — 411–505 400 — 296 —
Name of Borough or District. Local Authorities' Schemes. Range of prices of houses included in contracts let by, or in direct labour schemes of Local Authorities between August, 1923, and 1st July 1928. ( a )) Private Enterprise Schemes. No. of houses authorised under the— No. of houses completed under the— No. of houses authorised under the— No. of houses completed under the— Act of 1923. Act of 1924. Act of 1923. Act of 1924. Non-parlour houses. Parlour houses. Act of 1923. Act of 1924. Act of 1923. Act of 1924. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Monmouthshire. £ £ Newport C.B. — 346 — 114 323 — 2,190 — 1,983 — Abergavenny M.B. 60 — 40 — — 396–545 80 — 65 — Monmouth M.B. — — — — — — 16 — 10 — Abercarn U.D. — — — — — — 538 — 530 — Abersychan U.D. 74 216 74 212 — 400–534 240 — 148 — Abertillery U. D. 14 40 14 40 433–440 — — — — — Bedwas and Machen U.D. — 184 — 164 385 480–515 21 — 13 — Bedwellty U.D. — 508 — 440 385–460 477–530 17 — — — Blaenavon U.D. — — — — — — 5 — 5 — Caerleon U.D. — — — — — — 16 — 2 — Chepstow U.D. — — — — — — 12 — 9 — Ebbw Vale U. D. — — — — — — 4 — 3 — Llanfrechfa Upper R.D. 2 — 2 — — 473 47 — 39 — Llantarnam U.D. — 78 — 58 355–400 452–575 40 — 29 — Mynyddislwyn U.D. — 174 — 174 482–533 500–575 153 — 95 — Nantyglo and Blaina U.D. — 20 — 20 357 — — — — — Panteg U.D. 50 20 50 20 — 360–529 249 — 212 — Pontypool U.D. — 99 99 335–442 482 30 — 23 — Rhymney U.D. — — — — — — — — — — Risca U.D. 116 — 104 — — 451–468 347 — 295 — Tredegar U.D. — 98 — 50 364–473 499 32 — 32 — Usk U.D. — — — — — — — — — — Abergavenny R.D. — — — — — — 14 — 14 — Chepstow R.D. — — — — — — 82 30 69 30 Magor R.D. — — — — — — 37 — 23 — Monmouth R.D. — — — — — — 4 — 1 — Pontypool R.D. — — — — — — 30 — 13 — Saint Mellons R.D. 46 — 46 — — 462–528 730 — 433 — Particulars as to the average prices of houses erected by private enterprise are not available. ( a ) Excluding the cost of land and development.) Excluding the cost of land and development.
Empire Marketing Board (Advertisement Designs)
asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Empire Marketing Board is now engaged in preparing a list of animals and birds representative of each Dominion and Colony for the purpose of standardised advertising; and whether he is in a position to give the names of representative animals and birds already selected for the purpose?
The Empire Marketing Board are preparing, for use in the form especially of shop-window bills, a series of designs based on the representation of the different countries of the Empire by appropriate animals or birds. The animals so far selected for this purpose, in consultation with the authorities concerned, are as follow:
Canada—(Buffalo).
Australia—(Kangaroo).
New Zealand—(Kiwi).
South Africa—(Springbok).
Irish Free State—(Wolfhound).
Newfoundland—(Caribou).
India—(Elephant).
Southern Rhodesia—(Rhinoceros).
West Indies—(Turtle).
East Africa—(Hippopotamus).
Malaya—(Tiger).
Wireless Telephony, Scotland
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what result has attended the experiments which have been made in the establishment of communication by wireless telephony between the Island of Fouls. and the mainland of Zetland and between any other islands in Scotland and the mainland; and whether, in view of the need, particularly on the ground of public health, for the improvement of communication, between the Island of Stroma and the mainland, the Government will consider experimenting with the installation of low-power wireless on the duplex system or on any other system?
A proposal by the Scottish Board of Health to have wireless telephone apparatus provided for communication between Foula and the mainland of Zetland for medical purposes is not being proceeded with at present owing to the expense involved in installing and operating suitable apparatus for that limited object. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General that he has installed experimental short-range wireless telephone apparatus between islands in the Channel Island group for the purpose of testing its efficiency for Post Office purposes, and it is obviously desirable to await the result of the experiment.
Textile Goods (Imports, Dominions and India)
asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the quantity of textile goods of British manufacture exported to the Dominions in the six months to the last convenient date and their value, and the imports from various foreign countries into the Dominions during the same period, with the countries of origin?
Particulars of the quantities of textile manufactures imported are not recorded in certain of the British Self-Governing Dominions, and the division of imports by the countries furnishing them cannot be given for uniform periods. The following statements show exports from this country to the Self-Governing Dominions and India in 1927 of piece-goods of the various textile materials and of stocking and hose, both by quantity and value, imports of goods of similar categories into Canada, the Irish Free State, and British India, quantities and values being shown, and imports, by value only, into Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa, particulars of quantities not being recorded in the published accounts of these Dominions. The precise comparability of the categories of imports de- scribed as piece-goods in the various official accounts from which the particulars have been derived, with the classes of exports from this country to which the first statement relates, appears to be subject to some doubt in certain cases, and the units of measurement are not the same throughout those statements for which particulars of quantity are available. In the statement relating to Canada the figures shown relating to imports from this country are inclusive of some small quantities of goods imported from, but not manufactured in, the United Kingdom.
The following Table shows the quantities and declared values of the undermentioned textile goods manufactured in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and exported therefrom, registered as consigned to certain British Dominions and to British India during the year 1927. Articles. Exports of United Kingdom manufactures consigned to:— Canada. Australia. New Zealand. Union of South Africa Irish (excluding South-West Africa Protectorate). Irish Free State. British India. cotton piece goods— Thousand square yards 46,318 187,513 35,112 67,237 28,913 1,652,514 " £ 1,651 7,767 1,376 2,397 1,109 31,130 Woollen and worsted tissues, including damasks, tapestry, wool and mohair plushes, flannels and delaines, &c.— Thousand square yards 28,367 12,947 3,839 5,839 5,689 9,334 " £ 4,198 2,276 700 1,091 955 1,335 Silk piece goods, pure and mixed— Thousand square yards 575 1,352 175 385 116 594 " £ 124 267 33 63 20 53 Artificial silk tissues— Thousand lbs. 1,435 992 220 536 158 2,288 " £ 685 576 132 279 89 779 Linen piece goods— Thousand square yards 5,636 8,931 1,558 1,150 1,614 2,645 " £ 336 624 120 94 82 251 Jute piece goods— Thousand square yards 25,777 5,467 2,672 1,018 1,091 389 " £ 448 138 54 35 19 14 Stockings and hose( a )—)— Thousand dozen pairs 560 1,162 380 528 579 146 " £ 481 810 326 383 395 108 Total value of above—Thousand £ 7,923 12,458 2,741 4,352 2,669 33,670
( a ) The exports of cotton stockings and hose consigned to British India amounted to 15 thousand dozen pairs, valued at £10,000.
Note. —The above figures are provisional.
The following table shows the imports of textile piece goods and of socks and stockings into the undermentioned British Dominions and British India during the periods indicated, distinguishing principal countries from which imported. (1) Dominion of Canada. (Year ended 31st March, 1927.) (Year ended 31st March, 1927.) Articles. Total Imports. Of which from— United Imports France. Switzerland. Italy. Japan. United States. Piece goods— Cotton ( a )—)— Thousand yds. 93,539 45,152 848 289 210 1,237 45,065 " £ 3,572 1,855 107 25 20 23 1,474 Woollen— Thousand yds. 17,968 15,651 1,581 38 152 ( c )) 122 " sq. yds. ( d ) 5,231) 5,231 3,172 2,041 8 — — — " £ 4,573 3,797 587 12 24 ( c )) 40 Silk Thousand £ 4,039 334 707 1,016 48 1,239 521 Artificial silk " £ 823 478 74 118 13 — 97 Linen " £ 497 463 3 ( c )) 6 ( c )) 9 Jute " yds. ( b ) 89,357) 89,357 14,016 129 — 267 — 15,500 Jute " £ 1,420 320 3 — 5 — 250 Socks and stockings— Thousand doz. prs. 1,264 586 2 1 7 5 630 " £ 888 531 5 ( c )) 3 1 327 Total value Thousand £ 15,812 7,778 1,486 1,171 119 1,263 2,718
( a ) In addition, Bookbinders' Cloth, valued at £57,000, and Damask. valued at £87,000, were imported; the corresponding yardages are not available.
( b ) Of which from British India—57,975 thousand yards, valued at £828,000,
( c ) Less than 500.
( d ) Women's and children's dress goods, etc., for which linear yardage is not available.
(2) Commonwealth of Australia. (Year ended 30th June, 1927.) (Year ended 30th June, 1927.) Articles. Total Imports. Of which from— United Kingdom. Germany. Belgium. France. Japan. United States. Piece goods— Cotton Thousand £ 9,615 8,464 9 61 70 596 341 Cotton and linen, for manufacture of handkerchiefs, serviettes. etc— Thousand £ 173 170 2 ( c )) — ( c )) ( c )) Woollen " £ 2,422 2,099 49 12 206 1 3 Silk ( a )) " £ 7,445 1,260 181 23 1,350 3,169 126 Artificial silk ( a )) Linen " £ 287 275 ( c )) 8 1 — 1 Jute " £ ( b ) 1,570) 1,570 912 ( c )) 6 ( c )) 4 34 Socks and stockings— Thousand £ 1,660 1,072 85 ( c )) 8 25 455 Total value " £ 23,172 14,252 326 110 1,635 3,795 960
NOTE.—In addition to the piece goods shown above, the Australian Trade Returns record Imports of Piece Goods, such as Leather Cloth, Oil baize, Lace, etc., valued at £1,474,000.
( a ) Inclusive of Velvets, Velveteens, Plushes, etc., not stated to be wholly of silk or artificial silk, valued at £559,000.
( b ) Of which, from British India, £611,000.
( c ) Less than £500.
(3) Dominion of New Zealand. (Year 1927.) (Year 1927.) Articles. Total Imports. Of which from— United Kingdom. France. Switzerland. Japan. United States. British India. Piece Goods— Cotton Thousand £ 1,821 1,615 12 3 62 75 5 Woollen " £ 788 724 35 4 ( a )) 1 ( a )) Silk " £ 832 130 124 114 378 8 ( a )) Artificial Silk Linen " £ 27 26 ( a )) ( a )) — ( a )) — Jute " £ 136 59 — — — ( a )) 78 Socks and Stockings " £ 467 322 1 1 1 97 — Total " £ 4,071 2,876 172 122 441 181 83
Note. —In addition to the Piece Goods shown above, the New Zealand Trade Returns record imports of Piece Goods such as Felt, Leathercloth, etc., valued at £88,000.
( a ) Less than £500.
(4) Union of South Africa. (Year 1927). (Year 1927). Articles. Total Imports. Of which from— United Kingdom. Germany. France. Italy. Japan. United States. Piece Goods:— Cotton Thousand £ 3,694 2,493 110 33 90 215 440 Woollen " £ 1,318 1,105 25 98 23 — ( b )) Silk " £ 1,098 290 16 164 37 503 2 Artificial Silk " £ 56 32 3 8 2 ( b )) 1 Linen " £ 44 35 ( b )) 1 ( b )) — ( b )) Jute " £ ( a ) 273) 273 166 3 1 ( b )) 1 9 Socks and Stockings " £ 732 442 64 3 18 5 171 Total Value " £ 7,215 4,563 221 308 170 724 623
Note. —The particulars are exclusive of imports of Government Stores.
( a ) Of which from British India—£84,000.
( b ) Less than £500.
(5) Irish Free State ( Year 1927). 1927). Articles. Total Imports. Of which from United Kingdom. Piece Goods:— Cotton Thousand Yards 29,708 29,608 " £ 1,232 1,225 Wollen " Yards 5,859 5,785 " £ 1,031 1,021 Silk ( a )) " £ 99 92 Artificial Silk ( b )) " £ 159 147 Linen " Yards 1,457 1,452 " £ 73 73 Jute " Yards 882 881 " £ 16 16 Socks and Stockings Thousand Dozen Pairs 726 717 Thousand £ 460 452 Total Value Thousand £ 3,070 3,026
( a ) Silk manufactures of all kinds (except Apparel).
( b ) Artificial Silk manufactures of all kinds (except Apparel).
(6) British, India (by Sea). (Year ended 31st March, 1927.) (Year ended 31st March, 1927.) Articles. Total Imports. Of which from:— United Kingdom. Netherlands. Switzerland. Italy. China. Japan. Piece Goods— Cotton— Thousand yards 1,787,944 1,466,874 19,713 11,868 17,256 1,899 243,587 " £ 41,105 33,426 75 510 584 34 4,913 Woollen— Thousand yards ( a ) 15,425) 15,425 5,983 173 42 3,575 4 1,230 " £ ( a ) 2,073) 2,073 1,065 47 4 264 ( c )) 75 Silk— Thousand yards 21,048 333 22 67 252 8,582 10,355 " £ 2,046 47 3 13 21 814 964 Artificial Silk— Thousand yards 41,978 16,079 85 6,698 13,901 ( c )) 40 " £ 2,307 876 6 438 604 ( c )) 2 Linen— Thousand yards 575 561 3 — 4 — — " £ 29 28 ( c )) — ( c )) — — Jute— Thousand yards 13,767 2,161 973 — 1,486 49 5,143 " £ 147 44 12 — 17 1 31 Socks & Stockings (Cotton)— Thousand dozen pairs ( b ) 1,077) 1,077 56 — — 6 88 384 " £ ( b ) 180) 180 12 — — 2 12 50 Total value thousand £ 47,887 35,498 143 965 1,492 861 6,035
Note. —The particulars are exclusive of imports of Government Stores.
( a ) Of which from France:—2,237 thousand yards, valued at £275,000; and from Germany:— 1,393 thousand yards, valued at £224,000.
( b ) Of which from Hong Kong:—456 thousand dozen pairs, valued at £59,000.
( c ) Less than 500.
Ministry of Health ("P" Class Clerks)
asked the Minister of Health whether any further promotions of P (probationary) clerks to established clerical grade under Clause 5 of the Government Memorandum, dated 12th January, 1925, are to be made in his Department; and, if so, the number and on what date?
A periodic survey is made in my Department of the claims and qualifications of P class clerks for the exceptional promotion to the Established clerical grade referred to in the Memorandum of 12th January, 1925. The last survey was made in May, and eight promotions were made. A further survey will be made during the next two months. Pending the result of this it is not possible for me to say how many promotions can properly be made.
Electric Fans
asked the Under-Secretary for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether an indent has been received for the installation of electric fans in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Leonard Street; and, if so, when such fans will be installed, in view of the unsatisfactory conditions under which the staff are at present working in that office owing to the lack of proper ventilation?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, the means of ventilation in this building are regarded as normal and the necessity for the provision of electric fans cannot be admitted. I may add that similar requests from other Departments, which have been prompted by the abnormally high temperatures at present prevailing, have been refused.