asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the largely increased electorate and the consequent necessity for more presiding officers and poll clerks, many of whom have never had previous experience, any special steps are to be taken in instructing them in their duties?

This is a matter for the returning officers, who, I am sure, can be relied on to take the necessary steps to ensure that the officials are conversant with their duties.

asked the Home Secretary what action is to be taken to make it possible for men transferred from mining areas to employment elsewhere to use their vote in the parliamentary division in which they are registered as voters at the general election this year?

I can only refer to the replies given to similar questions on the 22nd November and on the 7th February.

In view of the fact that the policy of the Government in regard to unemployment is transference, and that that is the only policy, and that men are being transferred, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of issuing an Order which will make it possble for men who have been transferred to claim their votes up to Whitsuntide?

I cannot be taken for a moment as assenting to the suggestion that transference is the only policy—[An HON. MEMBER: "We know of no other Government policy."]—The hon. Member should read a little more. But I must confess that I cannot see my way to accede to the request. The difficulties would be enormous. Men are transferred from these districts to places all over the country, and there is no reason at all, to my mind, why a man who is transferred in this way should have privileges over and above the ordinary working man who travels about the country in the exercise of his vocation.

As men are being transferred from Durham to the South of England, are they not likely, indeed almost certain, to be disfranchised in the event of a General Election?

Of course, there is that possibility, but the same consideration applies to other people. We have now the shortest period of residence qualification that there is, I think, in any country in the world, and I cannot see my way to amend it. It would need an Act of Parliament to do it. There is no power vested in the Home Secretary to do it.

Does the Home Secretary not realise that thousands of miners, in particular, are being disfranchised in consequence of this state of affairs? Would it not be a simple matter to issue an Order extending to the end of March the period in which these people can apply to become absent voters, so that they can vote in their home towns, although working south of London? Unless he will do something of that kind, I think the Government are deliberately keeping these men—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

Are we to understand from these questions that thousands of miners have already benefited under the Government transference scheme?

asked the Home Secretary what medical examinations are made of women and girls entering British ports from France; under what regulations these examinations are made, and in what cases; if he is aware that there has been indignation in France over the alleged humiliating nature of these examinations in certain cases; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made?

The Aliens Order, 1920, provides that leave to land in the United Kingdom shall not be given to an alien if a medical inspector certifies that for medical reasons it is undesirable that the alien should be permitted to land; and for the purposes of the Order, medical inspectors are appointed by and act under instructions issued by the Minister of Health, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State. Legally, every alien, whether arriving from France or elsewhere, is liable to medical examination, but in the absence of special reasons it is the practice only to examine those who propose to stay for a considerable period, and in the case of women and girls, the examination, at which a nurse or female attendant is present, is usually of a superficial character. As soon as the complaints appeared in the public Press, I caused the fullest inquiries to be made into the matter, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. Responsible officers of the two Departments visited the ports, and as the result of their investigation they reported that they could find no foundation for the allegation that the examination of women and girls was of a kind that could be regarded as humiliating. I may, perhaps, add that there is no examination of women for venereal disease. I am anxious to remove any possible source of friction, and I am considering with my right hon. Friend what, if any, modification of the existing instructions might usefully be made.

May we take it that the reports, which have received wide publicity on the Continent, to the effect that young girls have been examined in this way are quite devoid of foundation?

Absolutely. I made the very fullest inquiry.

Do the examinations to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred apply to the first-class passengers, or only to the third class?

To all passengers.

Will my right hon. Friend take great care that any such modifications as he threatens to make in response to the inquiries will not in any way restrict the carefulness with which we are enabled in this way to keep infectious disease from coming into the country?

I am sure my hon. and gallant Friend may be satisfied that the Ministry of Health, which is primarily responsible for the investigation, will see, in conjunction with my own Department, that no undue laxity which could possibly allow the incursion of infectious diseases will be allowed, but we want to remove any reasonable cause of grievance.

Are Englishwomen subject to a similar medical examination on entering France?

I believe there is one, but for particular accuracy the hon. Member ought to address that question to the Foreign Office.

Did my right hon. Friend state that women are in no cases examined for venereal disease, and, if not, why not?

The fact is as I stated, that men are examined for that particular disease, but women are not.

Does this apply to all women and girls arriving from the Continent?

Yes—aliens, of course.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give any information as to the date of publication of the second section of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Mental Deficiency?

I have been asked to reply. I am not at present prepared to give any undertaking as to any portions of this Report other than those referred to by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Tottenham, North (Mr. R. Morrison) on the 21st February.

May I ask when the right hon. Gentleman will be able to give authority for the publication of this Report, which is extraordinarily important?

I have not yet had time to consider it properly.

asked the Minister of Health whether any communication has passed between his Department and the Kent local authorities with reference to the sanitary conditions that exist during the hop-picking season; and will he give particulars of replies that have been received and of the improvements that are suggested for this coming year?

Yes, Sir. In three instances last year these communications led to the adoption of an improved code of bylaws. In other cases the object of the correspondence was to draw the attention of the authorities to matters observed in the course of inspection. The terms of a further general communication to the authorities are receiving my consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the authorities have replied to this communication?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will give him an answer.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any requests from organisations in the Metropolitan area representing taximeter cab owners or drivers asking him whether, in view of the recent increase in the price of petrol, he will appoint a departmental committee to consider an increase in taximeter fares in the Metropolitan Police district; and what reply he has returned?

The answer is in the negative.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that, owing to the increase in the price of petrol, taxi-cab owners' and drivers' earnings will greatly diminish, and will he receive a deputation on the subject?

Really, the increase is infinitesimal compared with the rate per mile. If the hon. Member has any information to show that the recent increase is likely to cause or could cause serious hardship to the taxicab proprietors, I shall be glad to look into it.

Is it not a fact that it will cost at least between 1s. 6d. and 2s. 6d. a day to these men, which is a great deal of money to the ordinary taxicab driver?

I doubt it, with great respect, on an increase of 2½d. a gallon.

On top of the tax.

This is a question relating to the recent increase, and I am only dealing with that, and I think that if the hon. Member works it out, he will find it is not so much as he suggests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many ox these men are shown to do nearly 200 miles a day, and, if he needs information on the subject, will he consult them?

If they are doing anything like 200 miles a day, they must be making a very fair income.

And earning it too!

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of a recent inquiry into an accident at Queen Street Station, Glasgow; that the inquiry was held in the offices of the company concerned, namely, the London and North Eastern Railway Company; that the room was ill-adapted for this purpose; that it was well-nigh impossible for any member of the public to follow the evidence and the questions put by the chairman could not be heard at the Press table; and if he will take steps to see in future that an inquiry is held in a proper building for the purpose and free from any railway company influence?

The inquiry to which the hon. Member appears to refer was held on 18th October last. The inspecting officer who held the inquiry informs me that, so far as he can recollect, the room provided was adequate for the purpose, and I cannot find that any previous representations in the matter have been received. It is usually found convenient to hold railway accident inquiries on the premises of the railway company concerned when suitable accommodation is available there.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the room was entirely inadequate for the purpose, that no member of the public could hear questions or answers, and that the Press complained bitterly of the inadequacy of the accommodation?

The opinion of the inspector, who is a very experienced man, is that the room was quite adequate, and, as to the Press not hearing, a very full report appeared in the Glasgow evening papers the same day.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was not a full report and that the Press complained about the accommodation, and will he make personal inquiries?

If the hon. Member presses me, I will make further inquiries, but I am sure that if the Press had made complaints to the inspector they would have been attended to.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, although a Canadian Government emigration agency has for some time been established in Cardiff, it had not up to 15th January last succeeded in recruiting a single youth for migration to Canada; and whether he will take steps to have fuller instructions given in schools regarding those Dominions and Colonies in which there are openings for settlement?

I am informed that the number of youths from South Wales applying for settlement in Canada is not sufficient to fill the available openings. On the other hand, the Boys' Training Hostel, which was opened on 26th February under the auspices of the Welsh Council of Empire Settlement, already has its full complement of boys, i.e., 40. The Board do not prescribe the subjects of instruction in the elementary schools; but they have called attention in their "Suggestions for Teachers" and elsewhere to the importance of giving the children a knowledge of the geography and resources of the Dominions and Colonies. I have no reason to think that the teachers are neglectful of their opportunities in this matter. The Oversea Settlement Committee are in direct touch with the headmasters and headmistresses and supply them with full information as to oversea settlement opportunities and facilities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether he is prepared to teach the toys in the Welsh schools, and any other schools, the history of how the land in this country was taken away from them, with the resulting necessity for migrating?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any additional reasons to explain why it is that so few boys have taken advantage of these opportunities?

I do not think there are educational reasons.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give a list of the black-listed schools in Wales and Monmouthshire which he proposes entirely or partly to rebuild during 1929?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the schools in Wales and Monmouthshire in respect of which proposals have been received, or promised, for remedying the defects in the premises during the year 1929–30.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the action of the Glamorgan Education Committee in placing a ban on any of their students becoming trainees for the Royal Air Force or any other arm of the fighting services; and, if so, whether he can take steps to preserve for the students the liberty to choose their own careers?

I understand that on 26th February the Glamorgan Education Committee passed a resolution

"that they will not in future nominate youths for apprenticeship in connection with any branch of the fighting Forces."

The effect of this resolution appears to be that, though scholars in the secondary schools and evening classes of the Glamorganshire Education Authority will still be able to enter for the examination for the Air Force conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners, they will no longer have the opportunity of taking the examination in the schools, and will consequently usually have to find money for travelling expenses and examination fees. I do not think that the Committee perhaps realised that the effect of their resolution was to place children of poor parents attending public secondary schools at a disadvantage as compared with the children of better-to-do parents attending private schools, and to withdraw from poor scholars an exceptionally good educational opportunity for a thorough apprenticeship training for skilled trades. Last year the Glamorganshire authority nominated 61 candates for aircraft apprentices, of whom 45 passed.

Can the Noble Lord tell us whether the education authority have any right to enforce this ban?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will read the answer he will see that it is not a ban, but that it is a question of not giving certain facilities for examinations in their schools. They have a right to take that action, though, as I say, I think their decision was probably a mistake.

Has the Noble Lord no power to intervene in a case like this where an education authority imposes disabilities on one secton of its pupils?

Is the Noble Lord aware that certain education authorities are putting great pressure on students to join the Officers' Training Corps? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] Will he pay attention to that matter also?

That question does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of elementary schools in the London area that have been closed or converted to other purposes during the last three years; and what reduction, if any, there has been in the number of head teachers in the same category?

The number of departments closed during the three years ending 31st March, 1928, was 27; during the same period there was a decrease of 23 head teachers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the closing of Warminster and other secondary schools under reorganisation schemes of local education authorities has his approval; and, if not, whether he will take steps to secure that areas shall not be deprived of the benefit of secondary education which they now enjoy?

In the special circumstances of the ease, I have approved the closure of Warminster County Secondary School, but no other proposals of this kind have reached me and, in the absence of quite exceptional circumstances, I should deprecate such proposals. The problem of reorganising schools so as to provide adequate opportunities for education both of the "Modern School" type and of the existing secondary school type is admittedly difficult, especially in rural areas; but the problem will, I believe, find a natural and easy solution when both types are recognised, by law and regulation, as coming with the general description of higher education and, pending a solution on these lines, which I hope will be realised before long, local authorities will, I think, be well advised, as a general rule, to avoid changes in the status of their secondary schools.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the meantime 70 out of the 100 children who were attending the Warminster school will no longer get the benefit of secondary education, and will have to attend a school working under elementary conditions both as regards the staff and the size of the classes?

So far as these 70 children are concerned, it will be remembered that the vast majority of the pupils at this particular school stay at the school beyond the age at which they would be eligible for a secondary school, and that was one of the exceptional circumstances of this case.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the policy of his Department to instruct boards of guardians not to allow out-door relief to any unmarried couples with children, or whether boards of guardians are permitted to grant relief to such couples with children when the association has been of long standing?

The Regulations in force prohibit the grant of outdoor relief to single women and to widows having an illegitimate child born after the commencement of widowhood, but the guardians are empowered, upon consideration of the special circumstances of any particular case, to depart from this Regulation and due weight would be given to such long association as is referred to in the last part of the question when the making or approving of such a departure is under consideration.

Would the Minister consider 10 years a reasonable period?

I should not like to lay down a hard and fast rule; but that point will certainly be taken into consideration.

asked the Minister of Health how far boards of guardians are restricted by his Department in the amount of relief they can give to single men, and how far they are allowed to take into account relations that are dependent on them when calculating the scale of relief?

The Regulations in force prohibit any general practice of granting unconditional out-door relief to single able-bodied men. If, having regard to the special circumstances of a particular case, a departure from the Regulations is made, it is for the guardians to determine the amount necessary to relieve the destitution of the applicant and his dependants. They have no authority to grant more than is necessary for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has refused to sanction the request of the Govan Parish Council that the allowance paid for children of unemployed persons might be raised to 3s. 6d. weekly from 2s.; and, in view of the need, will he reconsider his decision?

I would refer the hon. Member to the terms of my reply to him on 13th November last for the explanation asked for in this question and the grounds on which I am not prepared to reconsider the decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question which I asked had no relation to the Govan Parish Council's request, because they did not ask until a date subsequent to November, and will he please answer the question as to why he has refused the request of the Govan Parish Council?

I have told the hon. Member that, if any other body in the Division can bring me particular cases of hardship, I will have them investigated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the reason why he has refused the Govan Parsh Council's request for an increase to the children of 1s. 6d. per head?

Yes, I have given the hon. Member the reason. If he or any other responsible body brings me any particular cases of hardship, I will investigate them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state clearly and definitely if he thinks that 3s. 6d. is a reasonable amount to pay each week for a child?

That is a question which does not arise out of the question which the hon. Member put upon the Paper.

rose—

The hon. Member has asked a question which is not down on the Paper and which does not arise out of the original question. He has asked the Minister his opinion.

No, may I respectfully suggest to you that I am asking the right hon. Gentleman's reason for refusing to allow the parish council to increase the amount from 2s. to 3s. 6d.? I cannot get an answer to that question. He will not state why he refuses. Is his reason for refusing because he thinks that 3s. 6d. is too much for a child? That is my supplementary question, and will the right hon. Gentleman answer it?

I really think the right hon. Gentleman is not treating the House fairly. It is reducing questions to a mockery. I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has made up his mind that no parish council in Scotland is to be allowed to increase the allowance paid to poor people?

That does not arise out of this question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether his reason for refusing the request of the Govan Parish Council is because they have applied for the payment of 3s. 6d. in respect of all children of unemployed persons, and will he consent to this payment if they only ask for it to be applied to certain numbers of children?

As I have already informed the hon. Gentleman, if he will bring any specific cases—

That is not good enough. The right hon. Gentleman must not ask us to be his examiners and inspectors. He must do his own job.

This matter can only be settled by an investigation of the particular circumstances. If the hon. Gentleman, or those who are interested in this matter, will bring before my Department any particular cases they will be investigated.

Arising out of the original reply, will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what reply he gave to the Govan Parish Council when he refused his consent to an increase of this allowance?

That question has already been answered.

No, it has not.

On a point of Order.

The right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Scotland referred the hon. Member to a reply which he had given previously.

The reply to which he referred has nothing whatever to do with the question.

Any further question must be put on the Paper.

I asked a simple question, and I cannot get it answered.

rose—

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment at the earliest moment.

asked the Minister of Health the number of house? built by the Camberwell Borough Council and the Chelsea Borough Council under the Wheatley and Chamberlain Acts; and whether he has information as to the hardship created by overcrowding in the two boroughs?

No houses have been built under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924 by the borough councils mentioned, though under the Act of 1919 the borough council of Camberwell built 444 houses and Chelsea built 56. I am aware that overcrowding still exists in these boroughs. The activities of the local authorities in co-operation with the London County Council have, however, been effectual in providing accommodation on the estates of the county council for a considerable number of families living in overcrowded conditions.

In view of what is certainly a terrible state of overcrowding, may I take it that the Ministry of Health will use its influence to encourage more building in those districts?

Several new schemes are being carried out at the present time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are some of the worst slums in London in Chelsea, and would it not be better to teach the Chelsea Borough Council their job instead of sending commissioners to take over the duties of boards of guardians?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to the number of working-class houses converted into factories and workshops in the County of London during the last four years; and if so, whether he can state the numbers?

No statistics are available on the point to which the hon. Member refers.

Will the Minister of Health try to get some information under this heading? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as a result of the wholesale erection of factories and workshops the number of which is continually increasing, overcrowding remains as bad as ever?

The problem will require a very great deal of investigation.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses under construction at the end of each month from June, 1928, to date by local authorities under the 1924 Act.

As the answer involves a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's consent, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health, with regard to the fact that he has refused permission to the Maid-stone Borough Council to remit to the tenants of its houses a surplus arising from the fixing of rents at a higher figure than the cost of the houses was subsequently found to require, if he will say under what authority he has acted; and whether he will reconsider the matter?

My action in the matter referred to was taken under Sub-section 4 of Section 3 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924. The subject which has recently been discussed with representatives of the council is still under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount advanced on mortgage by building societies in 1928 or for the latest available year and, for comparison, the amount so advanced in the year 1924?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies informs me that the amount advanced in 1927 was £55,886,903, as compared with £40,584,606 in 1924. The figures for 1928 are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of revenue derived from the taxation of sugar, tea, coffee and cocoa for the financial years 1927 and 1928; and what increase would have to be put on the Income Tax if the articles mentioned were relieved of taxation and the same borne by the Income Tax?

The total net revenue derived from the taxation of sugar, tea, coffee and cocoa for the financial years ended 31st March, 1927 and 1928, was as follows:

	£
1927	23,697,000
1928	23,424,000

These compare with a figure of £27,384,000 for 1924–25.

The estimated produce per 1d. of the Income Tax is about £4,800,000. An increase of between 5d. and 6d. in the Income Tax would, therefore, be required to make good the loss of revenue if the duties on sugar, tea, coffee and cocoa were repealed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman considering the question of taking off these taxes and getting the money by means of direct taxation?

I am considering all questions connected with both putting on and taking off taxes.

Is it not the fact that in recent years the amount of revenue derived from direct taxation has increased enormously, at the expense of the amount derived by indirect taxation?

Might not an increase in the Income Tax lead ultimately to a decrease in the revenue?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the opening of the flat-racing season on the l8th March, he will consider some readjustment of the Betting Duty?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on the 19th February last to my hon. Friend the Member for Deritend (Mr. Crooke) in which I said that the various aspects of the Betting Duty were receiving my close attention, but that I was unable at present to make any statement on the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he authorised the issue recently of a circular by the Inland Revenue Department regarding the liability to Income Tax of regular visitors to this country; and whether, in view of the effect upon regular visitors to England, he will reconsider the existing practice in this matter?

Yes, Sir, the issue of this circular was authorised by me in deference to suggestions from many quarters that visitors should be made aware of the legal position, and it will, I hope, remove some misapprehensions which have tended to deter intending visitors from coming to this country. I have no statement to make about changes in taxation at the present time.