asked the President of the Board of Education what is the number of schools in Wales which have a dental service; how many dentists are employed; the number of children who had their teeth inspected during the last school year; the number who received treatment; and the estimated total cost?

I am unable to state the number of schools in Wales which have a dental service, but the number of education authorities undertaking dental treatment is 27 out of a total of 30. The number of dentists employed is 45. The number of children dentally inspected during 1927 was 162,605, and the number treated 68,345. The total cost of the salaries of the school dentists was, approximately, £18,000, and additional expenditure was incurred for travelling expenses, premises, equipment, dental attendants, etc.

asked the President of tae Board of Education what is the number of secondary and elementary schools built or improved from the beginning of 1925 up to the latest date for which figures are available; in how many instances have classes been made smaller in elementary schools; and how many free places have been added in secondary schools during the same period?

Plans have been approved for the erection of 494 new elementary schools and of 51 new secondary schools since the beginning of 1925. In the same period plans for the improvement or replacement of 3,200 elementary schools and of 717 secondary schools have been approved. These figures do not take account of minor improvements for which plans are not required. On the 31st March, 1925, there were 21,332 classes in elementary schools which had more than 50 children on the registers. By the 31st March, 1928, this number had been reduced to 16,686. The number of free places in secondary schools has increased from 128,758 on the 1st October, 1924, to, approximately, 157,000 on the 1st October, 1928.

Does not that indicate a very substantial advance in the development of public education in this country in that period?

I think so—yes.

That is a matter for debate.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the 40–48 scheme approved by the Board for the London area permits as many as 53 pupils on the roll in infant schools and 44 on the roll in senior departments; and for how long do the Board propose to sanction schemes where the size of classes exceed the limit laid down in the Circular issued to local authorities, namely, 50 on the roll 11 junior departments and 40 on the roll in senior departments?

I am aware that the 40–48 scheme allows a slightly larger number of children to be carried on the register without the class being normally in excess of those figures. As I informed the hon. Member on 22nd November last, I think it would be undesirable for the Board to disturb the agreement made with the London County Council in 1912 and renewed in 1924.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring pressure to bear on the London County Council to get down to those figures?

That is the same question. I think, when you are engaged on a particular piece of administration for the improvement of the schools on certain lines, you had better attain your end along those lines before starting to do something further.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the lack of elementary school accommodation in the Galpins Road and Sherwood Park districts of Mitcham; and whether, seeing that the provision of additional accommodation is being held up by delay on the part of his Department in approving the plans, he will see that the cause of the delay is removed?

There has been no delay on the part of my Department in dealing with this case. My attention was first drawn to the shortage of school accommodation on the 19th September last, and I at once communicated with the local education authority. The final plans for the new school were received on the 6th instant, and they have already been approved.

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the number of school children suffering from venereal disease in the county of Carnarvon in 1927 and the number now under treatment?

I have been asked to reply. I have no means of obtaining information as to the number of school children suffering from venereal disease; but I am informed that the number of children between the ages of 5 and 14 who are now attending the treatment centre in this county is three.

Is not the average for England and Wales considerably higher?

I should have to have notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the horrible charges which are being made against the school children of this county in a weekly paper, "John Bull," with a very large circulation, and the editor of that paper has actually refused to publish any refutation of those horrible lies against these little children?

Can my right hon. Friend find out if the cases of venereal disease are hereditary or acquired, and state specifically what kind of venereal disease?

I should require notice of that question also.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals under his control are now fitted with wireless?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the waste of medicines due to doses being prescribed in drams and shown on the bottle as tablespoonfuls; and, seeing that the average tablespoon holds 50 per cent. more medicine than four drams, the usual dose, and that on a conservative estimate the resulting waste amounts to over 4,000,000 bottles of medicine if only 10 per cent. of the bottles of medicine supplied under the National Health insurance are used in tablespoon doses, will he consider a regulation requiring all doses to be shown on the bottle in drams or ounces and the use of graduated bottles, or the issue of a cheap medicine glass?

I am advised that the graduated markings on medicine bottles usually indicate half-ounces, that is, four drams, and that the reference on the bottles to tablespoonfuls is intended merely to assist patients in finding a convenient household measure of approximately half an ounce. My investigation of the prescribing of insurance practitioners does not suggest to me that medicines are often repeated before the proper time, which would be the result of the consumption of over-large doses; and as at present advised, I do not think the matter is one in which I am called upon to intervene.

asked the Minister of Health what was the amount of the grants given last year for maternity and child welfare?

The amount of the grants for maternity and child welfare paid in the last financial year out of the Vote for the Ministry of Health was approximately £1,040,000 including about £16,000 in respect of the training of midwives and health visitors.

Would my right hon. Friend welcome the receipt of further money from the Treasury for these purposes?

Yes, I. should always welcome money from the Treasury for these grants.

Has the right hon. Gentleman given notice to any of these maternity and child welfare centres to reduce the amount they are now allowed for expectant mothers?

No distinction is drawn.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the death of an ex-service man who arrived at the Newhaven institution on 18th August last at 6.0 p.m. and died shortly after 6.30 p.m.; whether he is aware that the death was stated by the coroner and the medical officer to have been due to a cardiac attack brought on by over-exertion; that the over-exertion was due to the man walking 14 miles over a hilly road from the Eastbourne casual ward to Newhaven and helping his wife to push a perambulator; that he was seen near the Newhaven institution to be staggering and ill; what food was given him while in the Eastbourne casual ward, and what food was given him, his wife, and child for the journey; whether on the journey there were any and, if so, how many relieving officers or other Poor Law officers whose duty it would have been to have relieved him if he had applied; how many parishes lie between Eastbourne and Newhaven; whether any report on this death has been made to the Ministry by the guardians or the inspector; and whether he will supply more opportunities between Eastbourne and Newhaven and wherever casual wards are more than 10 miles apart for persons in sudden and urgent necessity to obtain relief?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this case and I am reminding the medical officer of the institution of his duty to report to me any sudden or accidental death occurring in the institution. No inquest was held, the coroner being satisfied on the statements made to him and the certificate of the medical officer, that there was a history of malaria which had brought on cardiac degeneration and that the deceased died of angina pectoris, and that he had no ground to suspect neglect on the part of any official. The heart attack followed the exertion of walking from Eastbourne to Newhaven, but I have no information as to his pushing a perambulator or being seen in the condition suggested outside the Newhaven institution. The man was seen by a medical officer at Eastbourne and would have beer advised to remain there if he had shown any signs of disease. He received the usual dietary and on discharge the usual allowance of lunch. He passed through the districts of two relieving officers. There are six parishes between Eastbourne and Newhaven. I do not see any necessity for such action on my part as is suggested in the last part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these people do not know where the relieving officers are to be found and that if there had been some other ward at a less distance than 14 miles this life might have been saved?

I do not think that there is any evidence to show that that would have been so.

As this was an ex-service man who apparently died owing to an attack of malaria, was he in receipt of a service pension?

I do not know.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to call for a report of their administration by the appointed guardians of Chesterle-Street for the six months ending June, 1928; and when the report will be published?

I do not propose to call for a further report in this matter. If the guardians submit such a report I will then consider the question of its publication.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the reluctance of the guardians to report upon this area, in view of the fact that they were in such a hurry to report upon the necessitous areas?

It is not part of the regular duty of guardians to report.

These are not regular guardians.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Chesterle-Street guardians have appointed a medical officer for Birtley without advertising the vacancy; that the application for the post of the temporary medical officer was never acknowledged; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to deal with this matter?

I am aware of this appointment but have not been previously informed of any failure to acknowledge the application of the practitioner temporarily employed during the vacancy. I am aware, however, that this doctor had an interview with the chairman of the guardians on the subject. As I have already informed the hon. Member, I see no reason for action on my part.

asked the Minister of Health how many able-bodied single men and able-bodied married men have been paid out-door relief by the Bridgend and Pontypridd guardians, respectively, for each week from 1st October, 1928, and the scale of relief paid to each person per week; and what available room is there at these institutions for additional inmates?

I regret that the exact information for which the hon. Member asks is not available. During the month of October, 1928, the average number of men ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation who were in receipt of out-relief in the Bridgend and Cowbridge and Pontypridd Unions was 597 and 2,924 respectively, and the average weekly amount of relief per person in money and kind afforded to these men and to their dependants was 5s. 1½d., and 4s. 4¾d. respectively. On the night of the 11th February, 1928—the latest date for which figures are available—there were 83 vacant beds in the Bridgend and Cowbridge general institution, and 184 vacant beds in the Pontypridd general institution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the guardians at their meeting on the 8th December admitted that there was no room available for the present inmates of the institution; and, if that be so, how are they going to accept the 3,000 men or more who are not in receipt of unemployment benefit and who live in the neighbourhood of the institution?

I am not aware that at the present time any difficulty is being found in finding accommodation for those in receipt of relief.

Is it not the case that there are some thousands of able-bodied men who are refused Poor Law relief under instructions from the Ministry of Health; and is the Minister aware that if they make application for indoor relief, there is no accommodation available?

I am not aware that what is indicated in the hon. Member's last statement is the case.

It is a matter of fact. There are over 3,000, and it is a well-known fact that the building cannot accommodate one-tenth of them.

They have not applied for it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the inspector, at the meeting on the 8th December, complained that the scale provided by the Bridgend Board of Guardians was too high—that the 5s. a week that they were giving was too high, or rather excessive—and does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the inspector that 5s. a week is excessive for outdoor relief?

I do not think that that is what the inspector said. I think be said that it was higher than in other comparable unions.

Did not the inspector say that in his opinion, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health, their scale was altogether too high?

That may be so, but I cannot remember what all the inspectors say on all these occasions.

Is task work imposed in all these cases?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Bridgend Board of Guardians, at their meeting on 8th December, were reprimanded by the Ministry's inspector for granting outdoor relief to able-bodied men; that the scale of relief was on too generous a basis; that only institutional relief is to be given in future; and that test work is to be a condition of relief; whether the inspector was acting under the Minister's instructions; and, if not, will he take steps to counteract the inspector's orders?

I have not yet received any report of this meeting, but am making inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state, in each class, the counties, county boroughs, non-county boroughs, urban districts, rural districts, and parish councils, respectively, in England and Wales, with the highest and lowest estimated loss of rates through de-rating, the estimated amount of the losses per annum in each case, together with the estimated loss of yield of a penny rate in each case?

I will have a statement prepared giving such information as is available, and forwarded to the Eon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health when he will publish the figures relating to the county of Flint in connection with the proposals for reform in local government and as set out for other counties in Cmd. 3227?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for Cardigan (Mr. Morris) and Merioneth (Mr. Haydn Jones) on 6th December.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the rateable value of England and Wales and the estimated rateable value on 1st April next; and whether he has any reason to anticipate that a number of local authorities will be unable to complete the revaluation of property in their districts before, the end of this financial year?

The rateable value, according to the Valuation Lists in force in April last, was £267,639,000. I am unable to furnish an estimate of the rateable value as at 1st April next, on which date new valuation lists will come into force in the majority of rating areas. I have no reason to anticipate that any rating authorities will be unable to complete the revaluation of property in their districts before the end of this financial year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to issue a White Paper showing the increase or decrease in the assessments of all local authorities affected by the de-rating Clause in the Local Government Bill?

I would refer the hon. Member to the very full particulars published in the series of eleven Papers issued in the early part of the year and entitled "Rates levied by Local Authorities (England and Wales)."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated cost of de-rating each of the three classes of industry; breweries, whisky distilleries, and tobacco factories?

I have been asked to reply. The only information available regarding the rating relief of separate industries is contained in my replies of 14th May and 21st June to the hon. Members for Rochdale, Leith and Dewsbury, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of evading this cost—[HON. MEMBERS: "Avoiding."] — avoiding, or evading, which you will—so that he can thereby be able to meet the desires of the Minister of Health?

asked the Minister of Health whether cases have been brought to his notice in which hardship has been caused to persons acquiring houses with the aid of loans from local authorities under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts through their being unaware of liability for road charges; and whether he will bring to the notice of local authorities the desirability of warning applicants for loans for the purchase of houses of their liability for road charges?

One such case has been brought to my notice by my hon. Friend but I am not aware of any other cases. I have no reason to think that local authorities normally do not satisfy themselves that applicants for loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts are aware of all the relevant facts affecting the property on which the advance is to be made and this question will no doubt bring the matter to the notice of local authorities generally.

asked the Minister of Health if he will supply the number of houses upon which a State subsidy has been paid under the various Housing Acts of 1919 and subsequently?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Forrest) on 23rd November, 1928, of which I will scud the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Prime Minister for what reason the Government has decided to attach a salary of £1,500 to the office of His Majesty's Paymaster-General?

A salary of £1,500 has been attached to the office of Paymaster-General while the holder of the office is performing specific duties in connection with the Local Government Bill.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any precedent for this office having a salary of £1,500 a year attached to it?

Yes, Sir. In 1916, when the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Burnley (Mr. A. Henderson) held this office, a salary of £2,000 a year was attached to it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Labour Government this office was carried out without any charge at all, and that it only occupied a few minutes per week?

Yes, Sir; that is quite true. Normally this is an unpaid office, but there is no reason why, when specific duties which would be performed by another office are attached to it, those duties should not be remunerated now, as they were in 1916.

Was not the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Burnley (Mr. A. Henderson) a Member of the War Cabinet when he received that salary?

I do not remember whether he was or was not, but that has nothing to do with it. He was performing duties, and those duties were, very properly, remunerated. The Noble Lord who is performing these functions during the next few months will, similarly, be performing duties, and he will be, very properly, remunerated.

Is there any reason for taking legislative work in these Chambers and paying for it at piecework prices?

Is there any comparison between the work of a Member of the War Cabinet during the War and the piloting of a Bill through the Upper House?

It is not for me to compare values of work done.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what reductions, if any, in the higher posts of the Civil Service are contemplated?

The extent to which it may prove possible to reduce the number of the higher posts of the Civil Service will depend on the future course of legislation and policy. The necessity for such post, as of all other posts, is under constant scrutiny with a view to economies wherever practicable.

Is it the hon. Gentleman's intention to consider a reduction in the higher ranks in the Civil Service, as opposed to the continued reductions of the lower ranks?

We take everything into consideration. There is no favouritism about the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will recommend the adoption of a different title for his Department with a view to the better indication of its duties?

I am not in favour of such a change. It would, I am advised, involve legislation, and the duties of the War Office are sufficiently well known to make such a change unnecessary.

Does my right hon. Friend not think that the title is a trifle bellicose in these Lugano days?

I hope not, and I hope that not many people think so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the gross assessment for Income Tax, Schedule A, and the yield of the tax on agricultural land for the years 1913–14, 1921–22 and 1927–28?

The statistics collected in respect of the Income Tax (Schedule A) do not distinguish agricultural land. The only information available is the gross assessment to Income Tax (Schedule A) on all lands, whether used for agricultural purposes or not, and my hon. Friend will find this information for years up to 1925 in the Annual Reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. I regret that under the present system of graduation and differentiation of the Income Tax the total yield of the tax cannot he divided between the respective Schedules.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to publish a memorandum with regard to the liability to British Income Tax of Dominion and foreign visitors to this country; and, if so, when?

I am unable at the moment to add anything to the replies to my hon. and gallant Friend's questions of 15th November and previous dates.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be likely to be able to give an answer after the Christmas holidays?

I do not know.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the yield of the Betting Duty for the year ending 31st October, 1928, on the amount of racecourse betting at 2 per cent. and on starting-price betting at 3½ per cent., and the total turnover on which the duty has been paid in each ease?

For figures of the yield of the duty on bets at the different rates, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Central Division of Southwark (Mr. Day) on 19th November, and I would remind him that as from 1st October, 1928, the rates of duty were reduced from 3½ per cent. and 2 per cent. to 2 per cent. and 1 per cent. respectively. The net turnover corresponding to the yield at the different rates is as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the objections taken by the Colwyn Committee and others to the issue of stock at a substantial discount whereby the face value of the debt is considerably increased, whether when further conversions become necessary, he will explore the possibility of issuing a 4½ per cent. security, not short dated, at a price in the neighbourhood of par?

The opinion of the Colwyn Committee is entitled to great respect but there is not, I think, general agreement on this point. Their use of the words "substantially below par" appears to indicate that they did not intend to press their opinion too far. All possibilities, including that to which the hon. Member refers, will, of course, be carefully explored before future conversion operations are decided on.