asked the Minister of Labour whether she has issued any fresh or amending regulations during the previous three months with reference to the work carried out by the local boards of assessors; and can she give particulars?

The regulations relating to Boards of Assessors are the Unemployment Insurance (Boards of Assessors) Regulations, 1929, made on 17th August, 1929. No other regulations have been made in this matter.

Is the right hon. Lady contemplating sending out any fresh regulations?

After this Bill there probably will be.

Has the right hon. Lady in contemplation any regulation providing for the case where only one assessor turns up, when some kind of question is put to the claimant as to whether he will accept the decision or not, which is very awkward for him?

That is in the interests of the claimant himself. If he prefers to oppose it, he is entitled to do so.

asked the Minister of Labour if she can supply in more detailed trade form than that appearing in the Ministry of Labour Gazette the number of men and women who are insured contributors employed in the distributive trades?

The material on which these statistics are based relates to the distributive trades as a whole, and does not enable any sub-division to be made. Owing to the extent to which the same employer in these trades is engaged in more than one branch, and the consequent difficulty of classifying the workpeople correctly under the various branches, I do not think it would be advisable to attempt to sub-divide these figures for the future.

asked the Minister of Labour how many cases of disagreement with the referees under the Unemployment Insurance Acts have been referred by the insurance officers to the umpire in the year ended May, 1929, and from June, 1929, to October, 1929, inclusive; and in how many cases in each period the umpire differed from the insurance officers?

During the year ended 13th May, 1929, 3,184 cases were referred to the umpire in which insurance officers disagreed with the recommendation of the court of referees, and the number of such cases in which benefit was allowed by the umpire was 1,245. Corresponding figures for the period 14th May, 1929, to 14th October, 1929, are 1,359 cases referred to the umpire, of which 550 were allowed.

Could the right hon. Lady give us any indication of the increase in number in both cases that will result from the Bill which is at present before Parliament'?

indicated dissent.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest number of unemployed boys of 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 years of age, respectively, in any month during 1929?

The only separate statistics for these ages relate to persons under 18, and persons aged 18 to 20, respectively. The figures for Great Britain for numbers registered at 21st October, 1929, are:

Has the right hon. Lady formed any estimate of what will be the increased number as a result of the introduction of the Government's Bill?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can state the number of persons placed in employment by the Employment Exchanges each week since 1st June, 1929, distinguishing the placings which were for unskilled employment and of a temporary character, respectively?

I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as the information desired can be obtained.

asked the Minister of Labour if she has any information as to the amount of overtime that is being worked in the various industries of the country?

For the wool textile, boot and shoe, pottery and brick industries, information as to the amount of overtime worked is regularly obtained from certain employers who furnish monthly returns as to the state of employment, and is summarised in the articles in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" dealing with employment in those industries. Particulars for October will be found on pages 411 to 413 of the November issue of the "Gazette." No statistics are available as to the amount of overtime now being worked in other industries.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of transfers effected by her Department under the industrial transference scheme for the last three months, as compared with the figure for the same period for 1928?

During the period 18th August to 11th November, 1929, approximately 7,420 persons have been transferred from depressed areas under the industrial transference scheme, as compared with 6,660 in the corresponding period last year.

Is the right hon. Lady quite satisfied that the 7,000 people who have been transferred have not displaced people who would ordinarily have been at work if they had not been transferred?

I am satisfied that the greatest possible care is taken to prevent displacements of that kind, but it is perfectly obvious, on the face of it, that these 7,000 jobs have been taken by one set of men, and, if those men had not taken them, they would have been taken by someone else.

Is it not the case that the transference scheme has entirely broken down?

Certainly not.

Is the right hon. Lady satisfied with a scheme under which 7,000 persons in various localities have been kept out of a job, and does she propose to continue that scheme?

I disagree with the inference of the question. I am satisfied that a system of transference from the waterlogged areas is the only possible way. I am equally satisfied that we have not a perfect scheme, but we have got as near perfection as we can.

Does the right hon. Lady agree that the transference scheme for Lanarkshire has proved a complete failure, and that the men have returned?

I think the hon. Lady is aware that we are taking special steps to deal with Lanarkshire.

May I ask how long the right hon. Lady has been satisfied that this transference scheme, which was brought in by the Conservative Government, is so good?

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been transferred from Durham county through the Employment Exchanges, and how many returned within three months because the work was only temporary; and whether any financial assistance was given to them to enable them to return to Durham county?

I am obtaining this information so far as it is available, and will send it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will consider the re-opening of the Employment Exchange at Grangetown in order to relieve the hardship imposed upon the unemployed persons resident in Grangetown, who are now compelled to walk to South Bank to sign the unemployed register, and to receive their benefit, owing to the closing down of the branch office at Grangetown?

The office at Grangetown was closed in June, 1928, in consequence of the opening of new premises at South Bank, which provided adequate accommodation for all claimants in the area. Nearly all the Grangetown claimants live within two miles of the South Bank Exchange, and in the circumstances I am not satisfied that I should be justified in incurring the expense of re-opening the Grangetown office.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government will consider making the notification of vacancies, but not necessarily the filling thereof, to Employment Exchanges compulsory on all employers, with a view to the more effective administration of the Unemployment Insurance Acts?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 12th November to the hon. Members for Dudley (Mr. O. Baldwin) and Berwick and Haddingtonshire (Mr. Sinkinson), of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the right hon. Lady prepared to consider an appropriate Amendment to the Unemployment Insurance Act on this subject?

I must see that question on paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the proposed lowering of the age for unemployment insurance she can state what steps are being taken to increase and enlarge the special departments for juveniles at Employment Exchanges?

All necessary steps will be taken to deal with any requirements which will arise when this new provision comes into force.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will lay upon the Table of the House draft Regulations to show the manner in which it is proposed to give effect to Clause 10 of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill in the event of it becoming law?

These Regulations will be laid before Parliament in due course, when made. I do not think there would be any advantage in attempting to stereotype them by framing them in detail now, but I shall be prepared to explain in Committee the lines on which I propose to proceed.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons at present registered as unemployed in the Eastern Division of Fifeshire, giving the figures for each district?

I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as the information can be tabulated.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of unemployed persons, women, men and juveniles, respectively, registered in the Plymouth area on 14th November, 1929, and on the corresponding date in November, 1928; and the number of persons disqualified from receiving benefit under the not genuinely seeking work Clause in the same area for the three months prior to those dates in each year?

I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as the information desired can be tabulated.

asked the Minister of Labour what authorities have organised training centres for young persons unemployed; how many of such centres are now operating; and how many persons are attending them at the latest available date?

I presume the hon. Member refers to junior instruction centres administered by education authorities with the aid of grants from the Ministry of Labour and open to unemployed boys and girls under the age of 18. There are 87 such centres now open, administered by 35 education authorities. The average daily attendance is about 5,000 boys and 1,300 girls.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of State contribution to the Unemployment Fund last year and the total amount paid since the inception of the scheme?

The Exchequer contribution paid to the Unemployment Fund during the financial year ended 31st March, 1929, is approximately £11,758,000. The total Exchequer contribution paid since the inception of the scheme in July, 1912, until 31st March, 1929, is approximately £102,100,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to set up a committee of industrialists and business men to advise the Government on the problem of unemployment?

Under existing arrange- ments advice of the kind referred to by the hon. and gallant Member is already-fully available. My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal has sought and received the advice of many different industrial interests, including Trade Union interests, and he is in close consultation with representatives of a number of the larger and more important industries. We have in addition established two special committees to examine the cotton and iron and steel trades, while the advisory committees set up under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act and under the Colonial Development Act also include industrialists and business men. The procedure suggested by the hon. and gallant Member is less suited to the widely different problems of the various industries than separate examination in consultation with the leaders of the industry concerned in each case. This matter is, however, being constantly watched.

Has my right hon. Friend considered the setting up of a permanent committee not only on the question of unemployment but on economic questions and trade questions generally for the advice of Parliament?

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to introduce any Measure to Parliament that relief due to unemployment should be borne nationally?

I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to make any Parliamentary proposals at the moment; has he thought this matter over and come to any conclusions about it?

I have replied to the question before and said: "Not at this stage."

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage increase or fall in the cost-of-living figures to-day as compared with the end of December, 1927?

The latest cost-of-living figure, that for 1st November, was 67 per cent, above that of July, 1914; the corresponding percentage for 31st December, 1927, was 68.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in continuance of the answer given by her predecessor on 14th November, 1928, she can state the number of persons between the ages of 16 and 64 actually at work at the end of June, 1925, and 1929, respectively, in the following industries: silk and artificial silk, lace, motor vehicles, musical instruments, and scientific instruments?

asked the Minister of Labour the total reduction or increase in wages in each of the insured trades since the beginning of 1928 until the present time?

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement summarising, by industry groups, the available statistics of changes in wages during 1928 and 1929.

Following is the statement:

The following table shows the number of workpeople affected by the changes in rates of wages reported to the Ministry of Labour during 1928 and the 10 completed months of 1929, together with the net amount of increase or decrease in

As regards the first four industries, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 21st November to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power). I will, if I may, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving similar figures for scientific instrument manufacture.

Will the right hon. Lady also circulate the number of persons employed in the artificial silk industry and in the motor industry in 1905?

That is included in the reply to which I have referred.

In 1905?

I will look into that point.

Following is the statement:

each of the industry groups. It should be observed that the changes reported consist mainly of those arranged by organisations of employers and workpeople and that some changes do not come to the notice of the Department, especially those affecting unorganised groups of workpeople and employés of individual firms. Moreover, the statistics exclude changes in the wages of agricultural labourers, Government employés, domestic servants, shop assistants and clerks.

It is also to be noted that in some cases the same workers were affected by changes in wages both in 1928 and in 1929, and the aggregate number of separate individuals cannot, therefore, be obtained by adding together the figures shown in the table as to the number affected in each period.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps the Government propose to take to make the recognition of trade unions compulsory in industry?

It is generally recognised to be in the interests of all concerned in industry that matters affecting conditions of employment should be the subject of discussion between representative organisations of employers and employed. This is essentially a matter for voluntary arrangement, and I am not aware of any suggestion that any form of compulsion by statutory enactment should be applied.

Do I understand that the Government are prepared to allow an employer to say that he will not employ certain men simply because they are members of a trade union?

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can state the number of officials on the staff of the Ministry of Labour who have been affected by the Treasury circular relating to conscientious objectors in the Civil Service; and whether the position of any ex-service men on the staff of the Ministry has been affected as the result?

As regards the first part of the question, one officer is immediately affected, and there are two others who may possibly be affected later on in respect of the number of years of service ranking for retirement pension. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour what increase in the number of officials on the staff of Employment Exchanges will be required in the event of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill becoming law; and whether, in recruiting the new staff, she will give preference to unemployed ex-service men?

As regards the first part of the question, I cannot say more than that I do not anticipate that any large increase will be necessary on account of changes proposed by the Un- employment Insurance Bill. In recruitment of any additional staff which may be necessary, the usual rules will be followed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will furnish the number of deaths from silicosis in Sheffield for the years 1928 and 1929, respectively, and the number of cases in which compensation has been paid under Statutory Rules and Orders during the same period?

As the answer is rather long, I will circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

I have no accurate information in regard to the first part of this question, but it is estimated that the number of deaths from silicosis or silicosis accompanied by tuberculosis was 28 in 1928 and 35 in 1929. Compensation was paid under the Refractories Industries Scheme in 12 cases, including one fatal case, in 1928, and in 10 cases, including three fatal cases, in 1929. Under the Metal Grinding Scheme there were 12 cases, including one fatal case, in 1928. Figures for 1929 are not available yet for the Metal Grinding Industries nor for the Sandstone and Various Industries Schemes, which only came into force in the early part of this year.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons have been committed to prison for debt during the 12 months ending 30th September, 1929; how many of these had previously been committed for debt; and how many of these had been committed more than five times, more than 10 times, and more than 20 times, respectively?

The latest statistics available are those for 1928, and these give the number of committals, and not the number of persons committed, which would be smaller, as some persons are committed more than once in a year. The number of committals to prison in 1928 was 13,340.

In view of the large increase in the number of this type of prisoner, due to the condition of unemployment, will the right hon. Member consider some other method of dealing with this offence?

This is scarcely a moment for an answer to such a question.

asked the Home Secretary how many Russians have been recommended for deportation from this country during the present year; in how many cases these aliens could not be deported owing to the Soviet Government refusing to admit their Russian nationality; and what has become of them?

As the answer is a detailed one, I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

I am informed that during the present year some 26 cases have occurred where reputed Russians have been recommended for deportation. In one of these cases the conviction was quashed on appeal; in another the man was found to be a British subject; in another the man was found to be a Pole and was sent out of the United Kingdom en route to Poland; in eight cases the sentence is still un-expired; in four cases the question of deportation is still under consideration or it has been decided after inquiry into all the circumstances not to give effect to the recommendation of the Court. These figures leave 11 cases in which the nationality could not be established; in two of these cases it was thought, after consideration, that no useful purpose' would be served by placing the alien under restrictions; in nine of the cases the aliens were placed, on release from prison, under restrictions intended to secure, so far as possible, that their offences should not be repeated.

asked the Home Secretary how many nationals of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics have received permits to enter this country since 1st June, 1929; for what purpose and for what period permits were granted; and whether in all cases the nationals have left this country on the expiration of their permits?

I am informed that some 170 visas for the nationals in question have been granted since the 1st June last. I think it may be said that they all, except perhaps nine which were for scientific research or for attendance at trades union conferences, related directly to trade. The time conditions imposed varied with the circumstances of every case. So far as I am aware, none of these persons remained in the United Kingdom without proper authorisation.

Is it not a fact that the whereabouts of some of these people are unknown to your Department?

In that case they will not be included in the number given.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases during the past three years in which, owing to the effect upon the prisoner, the prison doctor has intervened to postpone the completion of the infliction of the cat in order that the prisoner might recover sufficiently to stand the completion of the flogging; and the number of cases in which more than one postponement has been necessary?

There has been no such case in the last three years, and, from inquiries made, it has been ascertained that officers with over 30 years' experience of the prison service have never heard of such cases. If a medical officer stops corporal punishment, his intervention is final, and there is no further corporal punishment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the practice of transferring prisoners from police court to prison by rail involves their exposure to the public gaze on railway stations, handcuffed together or to a chain; and whether he will take steps to have them transferred by road in order to prevent this unnecessary exposure?

I am in full sympathy with the view that every effort should be made to avoid exposing prisoners to public humiliation. Road transport is used in many cases, and the possibility of making a still more extended use of this method is being explored.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this method of transporting prisoners even occurs when a man is on remand and before he has been found guilty; and does he not think that this indignity to the British race is one that ought to be avoided at all costs?

The terms of my answer have shown that I am in agreement with the question.

asked the Home Secretary the number of inspectors of vivisection experiments; whether any or all of them are men who have had a medical training; whether he will consider the appointment in future of men known to be primarily interested in the welfare of animals; and whether he will appoint some women inspectors?

There are two inspectors, both of whom have had a medical training. There are no vacancies at present and no further appointments are in contemplation. Should a vacancy arise, the candidate with the best qualifications, irrespective of sex, will be appointed.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the statement made in the Report of the last Royal Commission on Vivisection (page 118), that the representations made to them for the complete exemption of any class of animals from all experiments under the Act had been strongest in the case of dogs, he will cause a record to be kept of dogs experimented upon and publish the figures in future annual Reports?

No, Sir; I do not think any useful purpose would be served by the publication of figures in addition to those already given in the Annual Return

asked the Home Secretary whether there are any women medical officers in women's prisons or sections of prisons; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of appointing them?

There are two women medical officers at Holloway Prison and there is a woman medical officer at Aylesbury Borstal Institution. At other prisons where the women form only a small proportion of the prisoners, the difficulty hitherto has been that the appointment of a woman medical officer would mean adding to the staff and paying two officers to do work which can be done by one.

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the fact that Holloway Prison is used exclusively for women and that the daily average of women prisoners in that prison throughout the year 1927 was 318, he will consider the desirability of appointing a woman governor?

When a vacancy next occurs in the governorship of Holloway Prison, there will be various questions requiring consideration, and I cannot pledge myself at this date as to the action to be taken; but the hon. Member may be sure that full weight will be given to the consideration he mentions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the only censorship of films is exercised by a private organisation; and, in view of the importance of a censorship, if he will consider the question of introducing legislation to provide for a censor of films responsible to this House?

The assumption in the first part of the question is not accurate. An effective power of censorship for preventing the display of objectionable films rests by law with the local licensing authorities. Most of these authorities have found that they can rely on the systematic examination of films made by the Board of Film Censors. Although this Board, as my hon. Friend points out, is not an official body, its judgments are independent and impartial, and I see no occasion to consider any change in the law or practice in this matter.

In the light of the fact that plays have to be censored for the stage before they are produced, can the right hon. Gentleman see any real difference between the 100 per cent, spoken films and the 100 per cent, spoken plays on the stage, and if one has to be censored before production, why should not the other also?

That is rather a point of argument with which at the moment I am not able to deal.

Is it not a fact that the present system has given great satisfaction?

I think, on the whole, that it has?

Is it not a fact that there are at present many exceedingly objectionable films being displayed, and is not not desirable that there should be an entirely independent censorship of films without any reference to trade interests?

I am not aware of the fact that the hon. Member states. If he will give me information, I shall be glad to have it.

asked the Home Secretary how many local authorities having bylaws regulating or prohibiting street trading by young persons and children make no distinctions with regard to the sex of the juvenile street trader; and how many have by-laws in which the stringency of the by-laws varies with the sex of the juvenile street trader.

All the local authorities who have made by-laws on the subject of street trading distinguish between boys and girls as regards the age of prohibition. The usual practice is to prohibit street trading by girls under 16 and to require that boys between 14 and 16 shall not be so employed without the issue of a licence.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to introduce legislation laying it down that in future the rules to be observed in any factories shall be jointly agreed to by management and workpeople and shall not be imposed solely by the employer as under the present law?

I should naturally welcome greater co-operation between employers and workers in arranging matters of common concern and interest, but, as I said in reply to a previous question of the hon. Member on the subject of works councils, it is better that this should come about by mutual consent than by legislation.

Is there, in fact, the slightest difference on this matter between the policy of the present Government and that of their predecessors?

I am speaking from experience, and not from the standpoint of any party.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received any applications from any local authorities whose areas lie wholly or partly within the Metropolitan Police District for sanction to a by-law prohibiting the littering of public places and open spaces with waste paper; and whether, within the Metropolitan Police District, he is prepared to authorise the detection of offenders against the by-law being regarded as one of the standard duties of the Metropolitan Police Force?

There are several bylaws relating to the deposit of litter in public places in force in different areas of the Metropolitan Police district, but I presume my hon. Friend refers to the new form which has recently been prepared. Applications for this by-law have been received from a few authorities in the Metropolitan Police district, and in any case where this by-law is adopted, the police will undertake to report to the by-law-making authority such offences as come to their notice in the course of their ordinary duties. There is no power to arrest or detain anyone for breach of such by-law, and the main responsibility for enforcing the by-law and instituting proceedings when necessary will remain with the authority who made the by-law.

asked the Home Secretary when the sentence upon Ronald True, the ex-airman who was convicted for the murder of Gertrude Yates at a Fulham flat in 1922, was last reviewed; and whether this person is still under detention?

The man in question is detained in Broadmoor as a criminal lunatic and his case, like that of others sO detained, is reviewed at frequent intervals.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that this man continues in this state of mind?

That is my information.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state what was the total number of cases which were dealt with in each police court within the administrative County of Durham during the year 1928; and the number and percentage of these cases, respectively, where the defendant was sent to prison without the option of a fine?

This information is not in my possession and, as at present advised, I do not see my way to requiring the expenditure of the time and trouble that would be involved in collecting and tabulating it specially.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I cannot get this information in the Library, and that therefore, I have to put a question?

If the hon. Member cannot get it, Ministers cannot get it.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the increasing congestion of the Parliamentary timetable and business; and, if so, whether he is considering any proposals for the reform of our procedure in order that the legislation now ready for introduction may be expedited and/or this House be enabled to function as a Council of State?

I am fully aware of the circumstances to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer him to the reply which I gave on Monday last.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in my previous question I put forward certain proposals myself? Will he tell us if he has any proposals to meet this difficult situation?

The reply I gave covered the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman fully satisfied that he has given these proposals of his hon. and gallant Friend the consideration that they deserve?

asked the Prime Minister on what date the discovery was made that an illegality had been committed in regard to having seven Under-Secretaries of State in the House of Commons?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to him yesterday, to which I have nothing to add.

Surely we are entitled to an answer, unless the right hon. Gentleman can plead the public interest, as to what date they discovered this serious breach of the Act of Parliament? He must know.

What I said to the hon. and gallant Member yesterday was that the matter would await the Debate on the Bill on Tuesday.

Is it not rather treating this House with scant courtesy when it is known that there has been this irregularity and that nothing has been done to rectify it?

asked the Prime Minister whether any communication has been received from the Australian Commonwealth Government as to whether they are satisfied that the protection of the Suez Canal is assured in the draft treaty with Egypt; and whether he will assure this House that the treaty will not be signed without the expressed assent of the Commonwealth Government?

As regards the first part of the question, I am unable to add anything to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the hon. and gallant Member on the 6th November. As regard the second part of the question, the procedure of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom with regard to the projected treaty will certainly be in accord with the recommendations of the Imperial Conference of 1926 with regard to the negotiation of treaties.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Bruce, who was the previous Prime Minister, definitely stated in the Australian Parliament that there was not a sufficient guarantee; and can he tell us whether his successor agrees with that view or not?

That matter is covered in the second part of the reply to the question.

Is the Prime Minister aware that on a previous occasion the Commonwealth Government strongly protested against the conduct of the Imperial Government in confronting them with a fait accompli in respect of an important change in Anglo-Egyptian relations; and is he also aware that at a subsequent Imperial Conference the then Prime Minister of Great Britain gave a definite undertaking that such a thing would never happen again?

May I refer the hon. Member to paragraphs in the report of the proceedings of the Imperial Conference of 1926 dealing with that point? As far as we are concerned, the provisions of those paragraphs will be carried out.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the promised Bill on the raising of the school-leaving age will also contain any proposals for maintenance; and, if so, whether he proposes to institute a preliminary inquiry into such aspects of the question as the source of payment and differentiation by districts?

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the general statement on the subject of maintenance allowances which I have promised to make before Christmas.

asked the President of the Board of Education what instances of sanitary defects or of such conditions of damp or dilapidation as would render premises unfit for human habitation have been reported during the last two years in respect of schools in receipt of grant; and what measures have been taken to remedy the defect?

The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the Board, in 1924 and 1925, scheduled certain schools the premises of which appeared to them to be defective; but I am afraid that, owing to difficulties of classification, I cannot give the hon. Member a statistical statement of the cases to which he refers. If he has any particular instance in mind I shall be happy to investigate it.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the cost of educating a pupil at an elementary and a secondary school, respectively?

The net cost per child in the elementary schools, in 1928–29, was £12 10s. 5d. In secondary schools maintained by the local education authorities the net expenditure per pupil in 1927–28 was £19 7s.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the entrance examinations to secon- dary schools show that certain private venture schools for children of less than secondary school age are much below the standard expected in public elementary schools; and is he prepared to promote legislation to enable the Board of Education or the local education authorities to deal effectively with such private venture schools?

I am aware of the inferior character of the education given in some of the private venture schools and that without legislation they cannot be effectively dealt with; but at present there is no time for such legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has yet received a report from the Doncaster County Borough Council concerning the collapse of a new school which was in course of erection on the Intake site; and, if so, will he state the nature of the report?

I have now received a report from the Board's inspector. The steel framework and roof of this school collapsed suddenly, fortunately in the absence of the workmen. The circumstance is so serious and disquieting that I should hope the most rigorous inquiry will be made into the responsibility for it by the local authority. I intend to ask the local authority for a report from an independent expert on the stability of the new structure before the school is opened for the use of children.

Was the result of this collapse due to the use of foreign steel?

Answer!

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the contractor for this school is a member of the opposite political party who is in business there?

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to repeal or amend the Relief Regulation Order, 1911?

As the right hon. Member is aware, the functions of the guardians under the Order in question are being transferred to counties and county boroughs as from 1st April next. I shall naturally consider, in due course, what modifications the experience of the new authorities may show to be necessary or desirable.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that he has recently informed the Gateshead Guardians that it is desirable that an adequate labour test should be required as a condition of the grant of outdoor relief to able-bodied men, and that he will withhold approval of such relief unless it is made clear to him that at least discrimination has been used, and that he could not but assume that unconditional relief is being afforded in a number of cases in which that form of relief is inappropriate and demoralising, he will make a communication to this effect to all boards of guardians?

The regulations governing out-door relief are well known to boards of guardians and in view of the statements which I have made in reply to questions by the right hon. Member and others on the subject of test work, I do not consider that any further general communication to Poor Law authorities is at present necessary.

Does the statement made to the Gateshead Board of Guardians fairly represent the opinions of the right hon. Gentleman?

Obviously, I should not make a public statement if it did not.

Does the first answer of the right hon. Gentleman mean that he intends to continue a policy of which he complained when he was in Opposition?

There are other questions on the Order Paper dealing with this question.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the demoralising effect of stone-breaking and stone-shifting work to which men on relief are put, he will make representations to boards of guardians that this form of test work should be abolished?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware (1) that the Hellesdon test ground, Norwich, is nearly four miles from the centre of the city; that consequently a tramp of nine miles or more is necessitated in many cases; that the exposure of the test workers in wet weather has led to physical deterioration in many cases; and whether he will send an inspector to report on the conditions on the Norwich test grounds;

(2) whether, in view of the fact that his Department is not informed as to the conditions of test work imposed by local boards of guardians, he will immediately request information on this subject?

I have given instructions for a special inquiry into the various forms of test work and the conditions in which they are carried on in different parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the extent to which the Local Government Act has deprived women of taking part in Poor Law administration; and whether he will introduce legislation to remedy this mischief?

I am not aware that the Local Government Act, which I assume my hon. Friend has in mind, imposes any disability on women and, indeed, it contains certain special provisions for their representation on committees appointed under the Act. I do not think, therefore, that there is any occasion for further legislation on this point.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the policy of the Government to pay all guardians as in the case of West Ham, Bedwellty, and Chester-le-Street?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state, for any convenient date in each of the months of July, August, September, October, and November, 1929, the number of persons in receipt of outdoor relief in Bethnal Green, distinguishing those persons who are normally in employment and the ordinary outdoor poor?

As the reply contains a number of figures in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take with reference to the recent decision of the Bermondsey Board of Guardians to appoint a number of temporary officers to the permanent staff; whether, in view of the transfer of Poor Law administration to the county councils and county borough councils on 1st April next, he contemplates withholding his approval to the making of permanent appointments of the nature above alluded to; and whether persons appointed to permanent posts between now and 1st April next will be entitled to compensation should their services be dispensed with owing to their not being required under the new organisation of public assistance?

I am at present in communication with the guardians in regard to their proposal. I am not prepared to give any approval to avoidable additions at the present time to the Poor Law staff. Claims for compensation under the Act of 1929 depend upon membership of the Poor Law service on the two dates 12th November, 1928, and 1st April, 1930. The present proposal of the guardians is therefore not one which would give rise to additional claims of this kind.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by local authorities with respect to caravans and other similar dwellings in their districts; and whether, having regard to the permanent nature of these dwellings, he will introduce legislation granting local authorities power to deal with them in a more satisfactory manner than at present?

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the difficulties which are being experienced by local authorities with respect to caravans and other similar dwellings and the permanent nature of many of these dwellings, he will introduce legislation granting local authorities more extended powers to deal with such structures?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by local authorities with respect to caravans and other similar dwellings; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation with the object of granting local authorities additional powers of dealing with such matters?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received resolutions from various local authorities calling his attention to the difficulties they experience in connection with caravans and other similar temporary dwellings; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to assist them to overcome these difficulties?

My attention has been drawn to this matter, and I have received resolutions from a number of local authorities. I am advised that most at any rate of the trouble could be met if local authorities exercised more thoroughly and vigorously the powers which they now possess and I am not satisfied that further legislation is needed. I am always pleased to give local authorities what assistance I can if they consult me on their particular difficulties.

What are the powers to which the right hon. Gentleman refers under the Act?

I must at Question Time have notice of such a question.

Would the right hon. Gentleman point out to the local authorities the powers to which he refers?

I must assume that the local authorities know the powers which they can exercise.

May I point out to the right hon. Gentleman—

No!

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that serious overcrowding under insanitary conditions exists at Teignmouth; and whether he can state how many houses have been built by the Teignmouth Urban District Council under the Housing Acts and how many subsidies they gave under the 1923 Act?

I have not recently received any reports of overcrowding at Teignmouth; the number of houses built by the urban district council is 28; no subsidies were given by the council under the Housing etc. Act, 1923: since 1923 some 300 houses of a rateable value of £26 or less have been built by private enterprise without assistance.

asked the Minister of Health the average area of parlour and non-parlour houses, respectively, erected by local authorities during each month since May last?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with my hon. Friend's consent, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Particulars as to the average area of houses erected during the months in question are not available, but the following statement shows the average area of parlour and non-parlour houses, respectively (excluding flats), in contracts let by, or in direct labour schemes of, local authorities during each of these months: