asked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage of unemployment in the Borough of Islington; and how many people have been refused benefit on the grounds of not genuinely seeking work?

At 11th November, persons resident in the Metropolitan Borough of Islington who were on the registers of Employment Exchanges represented 4.8 per cent. of the insured population in the borough. Statistics on the same basis are not available as regards the disallowance of claims to benefit made by all persons resident in Islington, but 30 claims for benefit made at the Holloway Employment Exchange were disallowed during the four weeks ended 11th November, on the ground "not genuinely seeking work." In addition, Courts of Referees recommended for disallowance 11 cases on the same ground on review after payment of 78 days' benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been drawn to the fact that permission for several famous British bands to perform in the United States of America has been refused by the American authorities; and will she consider restricting the permits for American bands to perform in this country?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the refusal of the authorities to allow British bands to enter the United States and of the prevailing unemployment among British band musicians, she will reconsider the policy of permitting bands from the United States to come into this country?

I am not aware of any cases in which the United States authorities have refused permission to British bands to perform in that country. As I have recently stated in reply to questions by the hon. Members for Ilford and for Salford, I am satisfied that the entry into this country of foreign musicians is being limited to the fullest extent which is justifiable.

Will the right hon. Lady make inquiries with regard to the refusal of a permit to Mr. Jack Hylton's orchestra?

I have made full inquiries. If the hon. Member wishes to consult me, I will go into the matter.

Why should it be the policy of the Government to restrict music coming into this country when they are in favour of the unrestricted import of American goods?

May I ask the right hon. Lady whether she made inquiries previous to giving the reply to the hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. Day). Has she made inquiries with regard to Mr. Hylton's band?

Yes, Sir. I have.

asked the Minister of Labour how many alien bands are now performing in this country; how many have received permission to enter since the present Government came into office; and how many members of the musicians' union are employed?

Seven alien bands at present have permission to give performances in this country, the permits in two cases having been granted for stage performances only. Permits to enter the country have been issued to 11 alien bands since 1st June last, four permits being in respect of stage performances only. I have no information in regard to the last part of the question.

How many musicians are concerned?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for benefit made and the number disallowed at the Employment Exchange, Quality Street, Leith, with the reasons for such disallowances, during the first 10 months of the years 1926 and 1929, respectively?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT of such figures as are available.

Following is the statement:

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons resident at Grangetown who are now compelled to sign the unemployed register at South Bank, owing to the closing down of the branch office at Grangetown?

The number of unemployed persons using the South Bank Exchange who live in Grangetown is 311.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can make any statement with reference to the provision of a new Employment Exchange in Macclesfield, as promised by her predecessor.

This matter is under active consideration.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that for the last five years this matter has been under consideration and that the late Minister of Labour promised that it would be done during the present summer?

I only draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that I used the words "active consideration."

Is the right hon. Lady aware that, at the present Employment Exchange, people have to remain out in the open, in a very exposed place, and will she see to it that a new Exchange is available before the bad weather comes along?

I assure the hon. Member that I am giving the greatest attention to the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will publish the evidence placed before the Morris Committee on Unemployment Insurance; and, if so, if a copy will be placed in the Library for the use of Members?

This evidence has now been published and a copy is available in the Library.

Seeing that this volume costs 12s. 6d. and that there is only one copy in the Library, and as there will be a great demand for it on the part of Members of Parliament in the next day or two, would not the right hon. Lady see that two or three extra copies are made available?

This is a Stationery Office publication, and Members of Parliament can obtain copies by application in the usual way.

asked the Minister of Labour how many more unemployed there are to-day than when the present Government took office?

At 11th November, 1929, there were 146,342 more persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain than at 10th June, 1929.

Does the right hon. Lady realise that this figure is 44,000 more than when I asked a similar question about a fortnight ago; and when are the Government going to reduce unemployment?

I would only point out that it is 50,000 less than it was this time last year.

But does not the Minister realise that it was the Socialists who made promises during the General Election?

Can the right hon. Lady give figures for the same period last year?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of applications for unemployment benefit granted and refused, respectively, during each of the last six months;

(2) the number of insured persons aged 16 to 24 years in employment in the following industries on 1st July, 1929, and, for comparison, also on 1st July, 1925: motor vehicles, silk and artificial silk, lace, and musical instruments;

(3) if the count of unemployment insurance cards for last July is now complete; if so, can she state the number of insured persons, aged 16 to 64, on 1st July, 1929, and the number of these who were estimated to be in employment; and if, for comparison, she can furnish the corresponding figures estimated for the same age limits during each of the last five years?

As the replies to these questions involve tabular statements, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply to Question No. 16:

Statistics are not available regarding the number of fresh and renewal claims made over a given period which are

Following is the reply to Question No. 17:

granted and refused respectively, and the statistics of disallowances within any period include a number of claims which were not made within that period. In a number of cases a disallowance arises during the period of currency of the claim and after benefit has been paid thereon. The following table gives the number of applications for unemployment benefit made during each of the last six months together with the number of claims disallowed during the same period, and for the whole period the average number of claimants on the register and the number whose claims had been admitted or were under consideration.

The following table gives figures in respect of the age group 16–64 for the end of June in 1925 and 1929.

Following is the reply to Question No. 18:

asked the Minister of Labour what is the usual procedure taken to determine whether workmen looked out by any body of employers are entitled to unemployment insurance benefit?

The usual machinery of the insurance officer, court of referees and Umpire operates. The facts relating to the stoppage are reported to the chief insurance officer in the first instance, and upon them he gives his decision. If he allows the claim no further action is necessary. If he disallows the claim appeal may be made to the court of referees and normally to the Umpire. Where large numbers are concerned it is usual to take test claims which are typical of the grades of workers concerned in the dispute.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons deprived of benefit by the Sheffield Employment Exchange for not genuinely seeking work for the months of August, September, and October, 1928 and 1929?

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

Following is the statement:

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed people registered in Liverpool for any particular week-end in November?

At 11th November, 1929, there were 57,784 persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Liverpool.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of workers have been transferred under the industrial transference scheme during the last five months; and what was the total for the same period last year?

During the five months June to October, 1929, approximately 13,350 persons have been transferred from depressed areas under the industrial transference scheme. I regret that comparable statistics for the corresponding period of 1928 are not available.

Could the Minister give figures for the period—say from August—after the industrial transference scheme came into full operation last year?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of dependants of each of the following classes: female person not residing with a beneficiary but employed by him in the care of his dependent children; father or stepfather who is mentally or physically incapacitated; and dependent child aged 14 to 16 and unable by reason of infirmity to attend school, who are likely to be brought within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts?

I regret that statistics giving the desired information are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what is her estimate of the numbers of boys and girls, respectively, who will be brought within the scope of unemployment insurance on the raising of the school age to 15?

If the school-leaving age is raised to 15 plus on the 1st April, 1931, it is estimated that 300,000 boys and girls (180,000 boys and 120,000 girls) will be brought within the scope of Unemployment Insurance under the terms of Clause 1 of the Unemployment Insurance Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has any information to show the number of unemployed juveniles between 14 and 16 years of age at the present time; and the percentage it is of the total number of juveniles of those ages available for employment?

I regret that I have no accurate information about the number of unemployed boys and girls under the age of 16.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the data upon which the estimate of £3,250,000, put forward in paragraph 8 of the memorandum which precedes the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill, is based can be made available to Members?

The principal data are the figures as to disallowances contained in pp. 113/115 of the Ministry of Labour Report for 1928 (Cmd. 3333) and other statistics published monthly in the Labour Gazette. A table of disallowances was also appended to the Report of the Committee over which Sir Harold Morris, K.C., presided recently. I would point out that the Memorandum to which the hon. Member refers and the Government Actuary's Report (Cmd. 3437) indicate that the data available are not such as to lead to a close estimate.

asked the Minister of Labour if she can give any estimate the amount of saving likely to result to local rates in respect of poor relief if the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill is passed in its present form?

While some relief to local rates will no doubt be given owing to some persons being allowed unemployment benefit who are not at present receiving it, I am not able to given an estimate of the amount.

What is the difference between relieving the local rates and putting the burden on the taxpayers?

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will give the items of the sum of £12,000,000 which it is estimated represents the total additional benefits provided annually by the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill?

The items making up the sum of £12,000,000 are given in paragraph 7 of the Report by the Government Actuary on the Financial Provisions of the Bill (Cmd. 3437).

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is prepared to approve work on the Thurso-Glengolly-Halkirk-Hoy road for the employment of transferred men; and, if not, on what grounds her refusal is based?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The remote situation of this work and the few opportunities for industrial employment in the area do not make it suitable for the absorption of men from the depressed mining areas.

Why is it that it is proper to employ men from distressed mining areas on trunk roads in the same part of the country, but improper to employ them on roads which are used by ordinary country people going about their ordinary business?

The purpose of transference is that men may be absorbed in the district to which they are transferred or in relation to the work in that district, but when we get to John o' Greats it is difficult to see how they could be permanently absorbed up there.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will seek to establish at Middleham-in-Teesdale, Stanhope, and Lanchester courts of referees in order to save men and women having to walk or travel long distances, thus avoiding waste of time and money, and appointing at each suggested court men and women resident in the district?

A considerable extension of the organisation of courts of referees will be necessary when the Unemployment Insurance Bill becomes law, and I will bear my hon. Friend's request in mind in that connection.

asked the Minister of Labour, (1) whether she is now in a position to give the particulars in the case of J. McGuire, of 80, Hamilton Street, Govan, which were asked for on 21st October, 1929;

(2) how many cases sent from the Govan Employment Exchange to the court of referees were turned down but given leave to appeal to the umpire; in how many of these cases the insurance officer has cancelled such leave on the U I, 182 A; and under what statute or regulation such powers are exercised by the insurance officer?

(3) whether she is aware that James McCarroll, care of Thomson, 115, Elder-park Street, Govan, was before a court of referees at Glasgow on 28th October, 1929, on the ground that he was not normally employed in an insurable occupa- tion; that he was refused benefit but given leave to appeal to the Umpire; whether she is aware that, on the U.I. 182A, he is recorded as being disallowed 7 (1) (1) and leave to appeal to the Umpire cancelled by the insurance officer; whether she can state the reason for the alteration of cause of disallowance; and why the insurance officer cancelled the leave to appeal to the Umpire?

I wrote fully yesterday to my hon. Friend regarding the case of J. McGuire. As regards the matters raised in Question No. 34, I am unable to give the numbers asked for in the first part of the question. In regard to the remainder of the question, inquiries in connection with the question put by my hon. Friend on the 31st October brought to light clerical errors in a certain number of cases. Corrective action was at once taken, and I should like to make it clear to my hon. Friend that the insurance officer had no intention whatever of interfering with the decision of the court of referees to grant leave to appeal to the Umpire. This matter is entirely within the discretion of the court itself. I am making inquiries into the case of James McCarroll, and will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that when I reported these matters to the local officer, I was informed by him that the insurance officer had the right to cancel leave given by the chief insurance officer and that she herself in October also stated, in reply to a supplementary question, that he had statutory right to cancel the leave given by a court of referees?

I think there must be some confusion between the local officer and the chief insurance officer.

No. I would ask my right hon. Friend to consider the reply which she made to the supplementary question I addressed to her on 31st October.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now prepared definitely to invite representatives from the two Opposition parties with a view to the immediate constitution of an all-party committee for dealing with the problem of unemployment; and, if not, on what conditions and when he will be prepared to do so?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on Monday last in reply to questions on this subject, there being no change in the situation since then.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the responsibility for the initiative in a matter of this kind rests upon the Government and not upon the Opposition?

So far as the Government are responsible for initiative, I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the end of my answer last Monday.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insurance officers employed throughout the country and at the Chief Insurance Officers' Department at Kew, respectively, for the year 1925 and at the latest available date?

According to the latest return the number of officers acting as insurance officers at the local offices of the Department was 1,758 at the end of September last. The number of insurance officers at Kew is at present 56. No accurate figures are available for 1925, but as there was then, as now, at least one local insurance officer at each Employment Exchange and Branch Employment Office, the present position does not materially differ from the position at that date.

asked the Minister of Labour the cost to employers if employed persons were given a week's holiday annually at full wages?

I regret that the information available as to the numbers and wages of employed persons who at present do not receive payment for holidays, the extent to which the engagement of substitutes would be necessary, and the effects on output and efficiency of the grant of a week's holiday, with pay, is insufficient to provide a satisfactory basis for an estimate of the probable cost to employers of this proposal.

Is it not the intention of the Government to allow facilities for the Annual Holiday Bill?

I think it was made perfectly clear that the Government would not allow facilities.

Has the right hon. Lady any evidence to show that it would cost the employers anything, and that they would not gain in the improvement of the workers?

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the fact that the number of employed persons affected at present by profit-sharing or co-partnership schemes is only in the neighbourhood of 1 per cent. of the employed population, what steps the Government propose to take to substantially increase this percentage and so promote an industrial order based on partnership and co-operation?

In my view, schemes of this character can only be put into successful operation as the result of voluntary action by the parties directly concerned I agree with the views on this matter expressed by the Balfour Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any further instructions have been issued by his Department to the Metropolitan police during the last three months with reference to any future prosecutions of the promoters of whist drives for prizes; and whether he proposes to abide by the instructions issued by his predecessor?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The answer to the second part, after full consideration, is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary the cost during the year 1928 of the Borstal camps; how much of the amount was provided by public funds; how much by private funds; and whether he proposes this current year to ask the Treasury to meet the whole cost of these camps from public funds?

The Exchequer has only contributed to the camp fund a sum equivalent to what the Borstal Institution save in maintenance expenses while the inmates are away in camp. All the additional cost—which in 1928 amounted to £491—has been met from the fund raised by the Borstal Association. For the current year the money for this additional cost has already been raised by the Borstal Association and the cost defrayed.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, as this is only such a small amount, it should come out of public funds, not private funds?

If that small amount can be met out of private funds, I see no reason why it should not be done.

asked the Home Secretary with regard to the old convict prison at Portland, which is now used as a Borstal Institution, whether any structural alterations have been made to alter the penal character of the interior and exterior; and whether, in view of the number of attempted escapes, he will take steps to bring it into line with the spirit and practice of the institution at Aylesbury?

One of the best pieces of work done by Borstal inmates has been the transformation of the old convict halls at Portland which were merely blocks of cells into self-contained Borstal houses with well-lit dining rooms, recreation rooms and class rooms. Three of the five halls have been reconstructed and work is in progress on the others. The spirit underlying the treatment of the boys at Portland is similar to that underlying the treatment of the girls at Aylesbury, but the methods of training are necessarily different.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases in which the inmates of Borstal homes have run away during the last 12 months, and the nature of the inquiry which ensues?

Amongst a Borstal population of about 1,400 there have been in the last 12 months 60 cases of running away. This figure includes those who were recovered immediately after escaping. In each case a full report of the facts is required and if there is any matter calling for investigation, an inquiry is held.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these boys have returned?

No, I cannot.

asked the Home Secretary the nature of the permit he recently gave to two Russians, Ossifor and Stoutsky, to enter this country; what was its duration; and what information he has in his possession concerning their activities in this country?

Before this question is answered, may I call attention to the fact that there are no initials and no prefix attached to these names? Is it not customary either for initials or some prefix to be put to names of this kind, and is it in order for such an unmannerly question to be put on the Order Paper?

No point of Order arises.

I may say, Mr. Speaker, that the names in the question are not correctly spelled. Messrs. Ossipov and Slutsky were, with my full knowledge, given leave to land on the 28th September for seven days and this period was subsequently extended to two weeks. It would be quite contrary to the established practice to answer the last part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the strong complaint which has been made by the Miners' Federation of Great Britain against the activities of these men in this country, and that they state that they went to Scotland and made trouble and mischief there?

The representatives of the Scottish miners raised no objection to the incoming of the two persons referred to, though I believe that some complaint was afterwards made in respect to their activities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be more careful another time?

No more careful than I have been though I think greater care might be exercised in putting down these questions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the second of these aliens is a well-known traveller for Messrs. Guinness?

asked the Home Secretary what is the number of undesirable Russians at present in this country who have been recommended for deportation upon conviction for committing criminal offences or for other reasons, and who have remained here owing to the refusal of the Soviet authorities to admit them to Russia; and if he will state whether under the Lewes agreement the deportation of these persons will be facilitated?

I am informed that since the 1st January, 1924, there have been some 70 cases in which it has not been possible to secure the deportation of undesirable aliens of Russian origin. It is the practice to take all possible steps to limit the activities of such persons so long as they remain in this country. The recent agreement does not deal with this subject, but the presence in this country of an Ambassador from the U.S.S.R., will no doubt facilitate the investigation of claims to Soviet nationality.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that persons who are proved to be of Russian nationality and have been recommended for deportation, will not be deported when the Soviet Agreement is announced?

What I mean is that there are many cases which can be considered after the agreement.

Why are these men not deported?

You were in office.

The answer has already been given. During the greater part of the period covered by my reply, the late Government were in power.

Is it not a fact that the Russian Government refuse to take these people back owing to the fact that there was no diplomatic recognition; now that there is diplomatic recognition, will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Russian Government do take their undesirable citizens home?

That is covered by the latter part of my reply.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases in which the "cat" has been administered in British prisons during each of the last three years, as part of the original sentence and/or for offences against prison discipline, respectively?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The figures are:

These figures do not include birchings.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any estimate of the cost per day of the Royal Commission on Licensing?

It is not possible to furnish any useful estimate of the kind suggested.

Will the Commission have to obtain authority from this House or from the Home Secretary if they propose to leave this country and make inquiries abroad?

The conditions so far as expenditure are concerned, will be followed according to the usual practice, but I think there is a point for inquiry in the question put by the right hon. Gentleman.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think this Commission will be worth the money whatever it costs?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the inadequate tramcar and omnibus accommodation during the rush hours in London causes a dangerous and exhausting scramble among intending passengers; and whether he will, arrange for the police to institute a queue wherever necessary at tramcar and omnibuse termini or stopping places?

I am aware of the facts and the problem that they present has already been carefully examined by the appropriate authorities. Their conclusion, from which I fear there is no escape, is that the organisation of queues would not, for a variety of reasons, be a practicable remedy in present circumstances.

Is it not a fact that in certain parts of London queues are already in operation?

That is so, but I think that it is almost always in connection with tramcars.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that at least they are arranged in connection with tramcars?

I will look into that point.

Would not the provision of underground railways have been expedited if the present Government had not stopped the Bills?

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to take action to see that accused persons who are known to have suffered from encephalitis lethargica receive appropriate medical treatment and are not treated as criminals?

As regards accused persons sent to prison on remand or awaiting trial, if the medical officer has reason to believe that they have suffered from encephalitis lethargica a report on their medical history and present condition is made to the Court, and the decision as to the action to be taken rests with the Court.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any figures with which to acquaint the House of the number of these unfortunates who are in prison at the present time?

I think that the figures will be found in the preceding reply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter of the amount of institutional treatment available for children over 14 years of age?

That is a very different question.

Are any steps taken to inquire into the previous medical history of these people, or do the authorities wait for some evidence to be given to them that the case is encephalitis lethargica before making inquiries?

I think that my answer implies that something in the nature of a medical history is brought into the Court.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to deal with the serious shortage of water in many localities during the drought of last summer?

I have already issued a memorandum urging water authorities to examine their position, in view of the drought and possible difficulty in the future, and indicating the measures to be taken. In my opinion, the most practicable procedure is the formation of Advisory Regional Water Committees, who will systematiclly survey the needs of their districts and recommend the best and most economical means of meeting them, and I am constantly urging the formation of such committees.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be so good as to publish the results of the Regional Water Committee's findings from time to time, for the general information?

There is now before the Advisory Committee of the Department a report which I hope to make available as soon as it is through the Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what his reply has to do with the question on the Paper, which asks what he proposes to do with regard to the drought of last summer?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Middlesex County Council at its meeting on 7th November with regard to the dumping of London refuse; and whether he is prepared to consider the introduction of legislation to carry into effect the proposals contained in that resolution?

I have received a copy of the resolution. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply to questions by the hon. Members for the St. Albans (Lieut.-Colonel Fremantle) and Dartford Divisions (Mr. Mills) on the 7th instant.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to see that these unpleasant dumps are covered over at any rate at the end of each day; and has he power to do that in the interests of a large number of people who live in the vicinity?

I regret to say that I have no power to compel the local authorities to do that. As the hon. Member knows, there is now a Committee sitting which is dealing with this question in the whole of the London area.

When will the Committee report?

. Will the right hon. Gentleman give us any kind of undertaking that in the meantime no fresh dumps will be allowed to develop along the river side?

I have no power to prevent fresh dumps if they are in accordance with the local regulations.

Has the Minister of Health succeeded in obtaining a chairman of the Departmental Committee in succession to the late Sir John Gatti?

That point is referred to in another question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of carcases of imported meat during the year which were condemned as unfit for human consumption; and whether he considers the present regulations sufficient to protect the public against the importation of diseased meat?

I regret that the figures asked for in the first part of the question are not available. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of deaths recorded for pulmonary tuberculosis, with the number of these deaths not notified under regulations during life, for each county council and each county borough council in England and Wales for the last three years?

The numbers of deaths in each year from pulmonary tuberculosis for counties and county boroughs are published in the Registrar-General's Statistical Review, Part I, Table 20. As regards the second part of the question, I have no information relating to the year 1926, but I will send the hon. Member a summary of the relevant returns made to my Department in respect of the two subsequent years.

Is the Minister of Health prepared to see, that these statistics are published either in the report of the medical officer or that of the Department, because they provide a test of the efficiency of the work with regard to tuberculosis in each county and county borough?

I have already replied to a similar question. The difficulty is to keep the annual report within reasonable dimensions. It is desirable, of course, to publish the maximum information in a minimum space. If the hon. Member's wishes can be met without unduly lengthening the report, I shall be happy to meet his request.

asked the Minister of Health what grants, if any, are paid by his Department to local authorities for the investigation or treatment of rheumatic diseases, especially among children?

Grants are available under the Maternity and Child Welfare Regulations for the experimental investigation and treatment of acute rheumatism in children under school age, but I am advised that this condition is rare amongst very young children. I understand that the Board of Education pay grants for similar purposes in the case of children of school age, and that the Medical Research Council make grants for researches into rheumatism.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the best way to deal with delicate children is to establish nursery schools?

Have the efforts of these three Departments been co-ordinated in any way?

They are within the knowledge of the three Ministers concerned.

Cannot the three Ministers co-operate?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the large number of deaths of infants from bovine tuberculosis, traceable to milk, recorded annually in medical reports, he is satisfied that the powers of supervision and control vested in local councils are duly exercised by them; and, if not, whether he will consider measures for their stricter application?

I am satisfied that local authorities generally are exercising their powers of supervision and control in an efficient manner, having regard to such difficulties as are caused by the mixing of milk and the delays necessarily involved in obtaining reports on bacteriological examinations. The matter will, however, continue to receive my careful attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the bacteriological examination of milk for tubercle is hopelessly inadequate in this country?

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to make a statement as to the policy of the Government with regard to East Africa; and if the House will have an opportunity of debating the Government proposals?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative, but I cannot promise that the proposals will be laid before the House before Christmas.

Major Nathan.

rose —

We cannot go back.

I wanted to ask a supplementary question on question No. 46.

asked the Prime Minister how many committees and commissions of inquiry have been set up by the present Government, giving the subjects into which they are to inquire and the total estimated cost to the public; whether it is proposed to set up any further committees or commissions in the near future; and, if so, for what objects?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on Friday last to the hon. Member for Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece). No estimate of cost is possible. As regards the last two parts of the question, I am not in a position to make a definite statement as to what further investigations the Government may deem it advisable to make. The Government will always seek the very best advice and guidance it can get on any of the great national problems which it has to face.

How much will it cost?

I say that no estimate of cost is possible.

asked the Home Secretary on what grounds he reduced the sentence passed during August last on a young miner who was convicted at the Dover quarter sessions and sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment for stealing a shillingsworth of apples?

I advised the remission of the remainder of this sentence, because I thought it was a proper case for the exercise of clemency.

Is it the fact that in that district there has be en a perfect epidemic of petty larceny, and that the individual charged and convicted did not have time to steal more than a shillingsworth of apples?

I think that it is a fact that there were other thefts in the district by other persons; I also think that this youth ought not to be punished for those offences.

asked the Home Secretary when he proposes to introduce or circulate the Factory Bill?

I hope to introduce this Bill shortly, but I am afraid I am not able at present to fix any date.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a communication from the Wolverhampton Education Committee with reference to the excessive hours during which certain juveniles are employed; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I received in August last a copy of a resolution passed by the Wolverhampton Education Committee on this subject. I am well aware of the importance of this question and proposals for legislation have been under my consideration; but I cannot say at present when time can be found for a Bill—possibly after the Factories Bill has been disposed of.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the ignorance which prevails regarding the real nature of certain political organisations, he will carry out a thorough investigation of Communist activities in this country and in the Empire, and publish the result of his inquiry?

I am not sure what particular organisations the hon. Member has in mind. As regards the Communist party, I see no reason for any special investigation such as he suggests. Its aims and activities may, I think, be sufficiently gathered from its publications.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to the last Report of the Trade Union Congress, many prominent members of the Labour movement had associated themselves with the Communist organisation? [ Interruption. ]

asked the Home Secretary if he can now make any statement as to the intentions of the Home Office in regard to the case of ex-Inspector Syme; and, if not, whether he can say when he anticipates being in a position to make a statement on the matter?

This is not by any means merely a Departmental matter, and if anything further can be said I will make a statement 'as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any estimate as to when he will be in a position to make that statement?

My reply is that if it is possible to make a statement, it will be made as soon as possible.