asked the Minister of Labour the number of hours overtime worked at the Walworth Road (Borough) Exchange during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The total number of hours overtime worked at the Borough Exchange during the 12 months ended the 25th October, 1929, was 677—an average of approximately 13 hours a week over the whole staff, which averaged 59 for that period. About one-third of this overtime was worked during the four weeks ended the 19th July on account of the work involved by the Exchange of unemployment books, to help in which 10 additional temporary clerks were employed at the Exchange.

Would the Minister say whether any overtime is worked on the hon. Member's questions?

asked the Minister of Labour if she will consider holding an inquiry into the conditions created at Grangetown owing to the closing of the branch office with a view to this office being reopened, seeing that in addition to the number of unemployed resident in Grangetown there is also a number of short-time workers and other persons who reside in the villages adjacent to Grangetown who are compelled to travel to South Bank to sign on and to receive benefit, and who are suffering hardship in consequence of this Exchange being closed?

I am making enquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that Mr. F. W. Tomkins, of 4, Prospect Place, Cwmbran, is at present at Abersychan secondary schools for six months teaching practice in handicrafts, that he is an unemployed steel worker, and that his unemployment benefit has been stopped because he is not genuinely seeking work while receiving this instruction; and whether she will investigate the case?

I understand that Mr. Tomkins at some time prior to entering upon this course of training inquired at the Employment Exchange whether benefit would be payable while he was taking the course, and was told that it was doubtful whether the statutory authorities would regard the conditions for the receipt of benefit as satisfied. He ceased to attend at the Exchange on 23rd October, without pursuing any further the question of his entitlement to benefit, and payment of benefit ceased from that date. There was, in fact, no disallowance of benefit.

Is the Minister aware that when the Department sends some of the unemployed away to train, there is a stoppage of the allowance? Under what statutory authority does the "not genuinely seeking work" condition apply?

It is not a question of "not genuinely seeking work." This is a whole-time course at the college. Probably, if benefit was disallowed, it was on the ground of the man not being available for employment, because it was a whole-time course.

Is it not a very laudable desire on the part of a man to wish to get employment, and why should he be penalised?

I only regret that he did not take it further and test it out.

rose —

The hon. Member had better put any further question in writing.

On a point of Order. It will save a lot of writing if the Minister will just reply now. This is very important.

All questions are important in the eyes of those who ask them.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Employment Exchanges there are under her control and how many courts of referees?

There are 417 Employment Exchanges and 741 branch employment offices. For court of referee purposes Great Britain is divided into 143 areas.

Is the Minister satisfied that the courts of referees are situated in the most convenient place for an appellant?

The question is what is the place of residence of an appellant.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is now in a position to make any statement with reference to the Macclesfield Employment Exchange?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to my previous reply.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the advice given by assessors and referees to appellants to seek employment over a wider area, she will consider the reduction of the signing days from five to three to enable the unemployed to comply with the suggestion?

The ordinary rules for attendance at a local office are appropriate in normal circumstances. If an applicant wishes to go further afield to look for work, arrangements are made to obtain alternative proof of unemployment.

Will the Minister say what power and authority the assessors and referees have to advise applicants to search over a wider area when the umpire has already laid down a ruling upon that matter?

I require notice of that particular question.

asked the Minister of Labour in how many of the Employment Exchanges under her control there are separate departments with separate entrances and exits for juveniles?

Apart from the juvenile employment bureaux, which are in separate premises provided by the education authority, there are 253 Employment Exchanges which deal with juveniles. Of these 65 are either in separate buildings or are in separate departments with separate entrances and exits. In 60 other cases separate accommodation is provided, but owing to the structure of the building it is not possible to provide separate entrances. Where separate rooms are not available juveniles are usually dealt with by means of a timing system separately from adults.

Does the Minister propose to give any new facilities to young persons who may 'be drawing unemployment benefit as a result of the present Bill?

I shall do anything I can to improve separate juvenile centres and separate facilities for dealing with juveniles.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who are drawing pensions from the unemployment fund and the amount of such pensions per year?

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to Section (6) of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1924, under which a charge is made against the fund annually in respect of the accruing liability under the Superannuation Acts for civil servants who before retirement were engaged in the administration of unemployment insurance. The estimated charge for the current financial year is about £280,000. As this represents the accruing liability calculated on an actuarial basis over a number of years, I am unable to state the number of individuals concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state how many more persons are in employment to-day than there were in 1914?

I regret that there are no statistics available regarding the numbers of persons employed in industry in 1914 comparable with those derived from the working of the Unemployment Insurance Acts at the present time.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the Lord Privy Seal has given the number as being something like 800,000; and does she confirm that figure?

I have given an answer to the specific question on the Paper.

Will the right hon. Lady inquire from the Lord Privy Seal as to where he got his figures?

Put a question to the Lord Privy Seal yourself.

asked the Minister of Labour how the present numbers of unemployed compare with those at the time when the Government took office?

The number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain on 25th November was 172,666 more than on 10th June. The corresponding increase last year between 11th June and 26th November was 245,562.

In view of the fact that this figure is some 26,000 more than the figure given to me a fortnight ago, may I ask her if this is not a sad commentary on the attitude taken up by the right hon. Lady when she was on this side?

Is it not the case that the figures have gone up in consequence of the fact that it has been made easier for a man to sign and get unemployment pay?

Will the right hon. Lady give the corresponding figures in 1927?

On a point of Order. Is it in order for a Minister to add to her answer to a perfectly simple question information for which she was not asked, designed to soften the effect of her reply?

A Minister who gives an answer covering points other than those contained in the question, cannot be surprised if there are supplementary questions.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Employment Exchanges are housed in temporary buildings; and what steps are being taken to replace them by permanent offices?

42 Employment Exchanges are housed in temporary buildings at the present time. Arrangements are in hand for permanent buildings to be erected in 25 cases, and the remaining 17 will be dealt with in due course, having regard to the relative urgency of the needs of other Employment Exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that women fish workers who have returned to Scotland after the East Anglian herring fishing and are unemployed are refused unemployment benefit; and whether she can arrange that these women should either receive unemployment benefit or be exempted as a class from the scope of the unemployment insurance scheme?

The Unemployment Insurance Acts enable seasonal fish-workers to obtain exemption from unemployment insurance if they so desire. I am not aware that any of the workers referred to in the question who have not obtained exemption have been refused benefit while unemployed, and if the hon. and gallant Member will give me particulars. I will make inquiry.

Does the right hon. Lady not understand that it is quite impossible for these women to go through the formality of getting exemption, and will she look into the whole question to see how unfair it is that a class of this kind should have to pay contributions while never in any circumstances getting benefit?

May I point out that large numbers are actually getting benefit, and it is not a very difficult thing to get exemption.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that there is a very strong feeling on this point in all the fishing districts of Scotland?

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the number of insurance officers engaged in her Department and the total sum paid in salaries?

The only staff engaged wholly on work as insurance officers consists of 56 officers at the Claims and Record Office, Kew, with a total annual salary of £20,882 exclusive of bonus. There are in addition 1,758 officers at the various local offices with authority to act as insurance officers, but this function is only a small part of their work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether officers of the Employment Exchanges who deal with juvenile employment have special qualifications for that work; and, if so, whether she can state what is the nature of those qualifications?

Certain personal qualities and standards of education are desirable for juvenile employment work, and this consideration is taken carefully into account in selecting officers from the Employment Exchange service for employment in juvenile branches. The staff of juvenile employment bureaux is appointed by the local education authority.

Will the Minister say what qualifications they have?

I have said that certain personal qualities and standards of education are taken into account in choosing the officers of the Exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will state the nature of the usual rules observed in recruiting additional staff for the Employment Exchanges; and whether a preference is given to ex-service men?

In the engagement of male temporary staff preference is given to ex-service men, recourse being had in the first place to the lists of such men maintained by the Joint Substitution Board. Direct entry into established posts is by open competitive examinations, subject to the assurance in regard to the position of "P" class clerks and ex-service temporary clerks given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in his reply to the hon. Member for Ealing on 31st October. Temporary clerks are eligible in certain circumstances for appointment to permanent posts in the "P" class and "P" class clerks for appointment to established clerical posts.

Is the right hon. Lady in favour of the transfer of men of the "P" class to the established class, if they do their work in a satisfactory manner?

I think that is a matter to be decided by the Commissioners.

asked the Minister of Health how many inspectors are employed by his Department in inspection of dairy farms; and how many of the inspectors are qualified veterinary surgeons?

Two inspectors are employed by my Department in the inspection of dairy farms, and neither of them is a qualified veterinary surgeon. I may add that the only farms inspected by officers of my Department are those producing certified and Grade A (Tuberculin Tested) milk, and that the examination and testing of cattle on these farms are carried out by qualified veterinary surgeons approved by the Department.

Is it not the main object of this inspection to help farmers to eliminate tuberculosis from herds, and would it not be a greater help to them if these were qualified veterinary inspectors, whatever other experience they may have had?

They have other duties to perform, but, if the hon. and gallant Member likes to discuss the question with me, I shall be very glad to meet him.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House without inconvenience and in a general way whether the quantity of Grade A and T.T. milk is growing?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the reasons that have induced the Government to adopt Treasury Circular E, restoring all the privileges to conscientious objectors in the Civil Service; and, seeing that preference is given to ex-service men as against conscientious objectors by other Departments in such matters as the provision of employment, what is the reason for this differential treatment in the two cases?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Tuesday last to a similar question from the hon. and gallant Member for Buckingham (Sir G. Bowyer), a copy of which I am sending him. As regards the second part, the hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The circular applies to all Departments, but it does not affect the preference given to ex-service men. It allows conscientious objectors to be included among other non-service men for consideration for appointment to posts in the Civil Service.

Does the Minister consider this matter fair to the ex-service men, of whom there are thousands out of work to-day?

As I have repeatedly said in this House in answer to similar questions, I do not consider that the position of the ex-service men is appreciably altered by this regulation.

Then the rest of the country does not hold the same opinion as the Minister.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government, in view of the pledge given in this House on 9th July, 1918, and confirmed by a Treasury letter, that conscientious objectors who are employed in the Civil Service, and who have refused to serve in the Army shall not be pro- moted over the heads of civil servants who have served, will withdraw Circular E of 10th September?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of Tuesday to the hon. and gallant Member for Southport (Sir G. Dalrymple-White).

Is this another instance of the Government repudiating—[ Interruption. ]

Did not the hon. Gentleman say in his reply that no harm had been done to the ex-service men, and how does he reconcile that with the fact that the Government have broken a pledge which they made to these ex-service men, and are even going to supersede them by men who did not come to the rescue of their country?

I do not think there is any question of repudiation of a pledge at all. After a number of years, the matter has been reviewed in the light—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] The matter had to be reviewed after a time; obviously, it could not go on for ever.

On a point of Order. May I ask, is it in alignment with the best traditions of this House—[ Interruption. ]

No point of Order arises.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any Government Departments and, if so, which employ boys or girls under 16; and the numbers of such employés in each case?

I regret that information in the form desired by the hon. Member is not available. It is estimated, however, that there are approximately 3,500 employés under the age of 16 in the Government service as a whole, of whom approximately 90 per cent. are employed under the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Labour if she can inform the House on the measures taken by the International Labour Office to carry out the proposal for an inquiry regarding the purchasing power of wages in certain centres in Europe; and if the amount subscribed is adequate for the purposes of this inquiry?

I have no information as to the scheme proposed for the conduct of this inquiry, but the Director of the International Labour Office has stated that the money available should prove sufficient for the purpose.

Does the Minister not know that a proposition was put to the International Bureau at the last meeting of the League of Nations that certain inquiries should be made throughout Europe as to the cost of production of certain manufactured products, and that certain returns were to be made in order to enable a great American firm to enter European competition? Has any step been taken in the matter? [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] May I respectfully ask for an answer?

It is common knowledge that this inquiry has been asked for, but I have no knowledge of the scheme on which the International Labour Office proposes to work.

Will the right hon. Lady make inquiries at the International Labour Office as to what steps are being taken?

If the figures are available, will the Minister publish them as a White Paper?

asked the Minister of Labour if there are in the Birmingham area any firms contracting to the Ministry of Labour who are not in compliance with the King's National Roll scheme for disabled ex-service men?

I will make inquiry and communicate with my hon. Friend.

Is it not a fact that more manufacturers have complied with the conditions of the King's Roll in Birmingham than in any other centre in the country?

asked the Minister of Labour when the Grocery Trade Board last met; when the next meeting is expected; and when the Board will be functioning normally in accordance with the Act?

The Grocery Trade Board for England and Wales last met on 31st July, 1924, and the corresponding Board for Scotland on 19th November of the same year. Both Boards were dissolved in April, 1926, by formal orders made under the Regulations by which they were constituted. The Boards are, therefore, no longer in existence and the last two parts of the question do not arise.

Will the Minister set up the board again, or is it thought that the grocery trade is so satisfactory that a board is not necessary?

I propose to pay close attention to any evidence that is brought to my notice as to the desirability of such a board.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has received any representations from the National Union of Railwaymen respecting the effect of the Washington Hours Convention on the railway agreement; whether she proposes to take any action in the matter; and, if so, whether she can state the suggestions she intends to make?

I have discussed the position with representatives of the railway companies and the Unions and further discussions will take place. In the meantime, I am not in a position to make any statement on the matter.

Has the right hon. Lady had any consultation with the Lord Privy Seal on this matter?

The Lord Privy Seal was with me when I received this very important deputation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is considering the question of making the findings of joint industrial councils binding on all employers in the industry concerned; and whether she intends to introduce legislation on this subject?

Representations have been made to me on this subject by the Association of Joint Industrial Councils. I am not aware, however, that there is such a degree of agreement on this subject either among the joint industrial councils or among employers' organisations or trade unions as would justify me in introducing legislation.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives and the representatives of employers in the boot and shoe trade are in favour of the findings of the joint industrial council being made binding on the industry?

That is so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of cases in which the cat has been inflicted in British prisons during each of the past 10 years as part of the original sentence and/or for offences against prison discipline, respectively.

As the answer contains a number of figures I shall circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPOET.

Following is the answer:

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to a motor fatality at Parr Brow, Tyldesley, near Manchester, on 22nd June, when two children, aged seven and two years, were killed; that the case was taken to Court to recover damages for the loss of the children and the defendants admitted negligence, but the Judge held there was no liability for damages because of the present state of the law; and will he consider amending the law so that in similar cases damages can be recovered?

The facts are as stated. I will see that my hon. Friend's suggestion is considered in the right quarters, but he will appreciate that what is involved is an alteration in the existing principle of the law by which the right to compensation is confined to cases in which pecuniary loss can be shown.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to listen to representations as to why some alteration should be made in the law in this respect?

I shall be glad to have any information or opinions on the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a recent case at the Middlesex Sessions and the remarks of the presiding Judge when, on the prisoner being charged before the jury and the indictment read to them, previous convictions were thereby disclosed against him before his trial was proceeded with; and whether he proposes to take any action to amend the law?

I have seen Press reports of this case, in which the proceedings were taken under Section 7 of the Prevention of Crimes Act. To comply with the terms of that Section it was necessary to prove that the defendant was a person who had within the previous seven years been convicted of a crime and that upon that occasion a previous conviction had been proved against him I am advised that a previous conviction is not proved within the meaning of this Section unless it is alleged in the indictment, and, further, is either admitted by the defendant or is found by the jury. I do not propose to suggest any alteration of the law relating to this special class of offences.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the observations of the Judge who tried this case; and does not he think that it is really unfair that a man's trial should begin with a long list of previous convictions?

The procedure followed was substantially in accordance with the law, and I can offer no comment on the observations of the Judge.

May I direct the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the last part of my question and ask if he will not look into this matter; and does he not think it time that the law was altered in this respect?

I answered that point in the last part of my reply.

Is it not the fact that there are certain offences of which a substantial part is a previous conviction?

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to initiate legislation which will permit newspapers to run football competitions?

There would be serious difficulties in the way of the Government proposing preferential legislation for newspaper proprietors authorising them, and them only, to carry on competitions of a kind which Courts have declared to be illegal. If, however, the responsible representatives of the newspaper interests of this country were to put forward reasoned representations in favour of such legislation, I would certainly give them my most careful attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a public demand—not a newspaper demand—that these competitions should be allowed under restricted conditions?

The terms of the question asked me what I can do in respect of the newspapers, and not the public?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind when these representations are being made to him, that it has been considered by this House to be against the public interest that people should receive large sums of money for which they have never laboured?

I have announced no decision. I have expressed no opinion. I have simply said that I would consider these representations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that newspapers of character and repute want nothing whatever to do with football competitions?

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends introducing legislation to extend the principle of the Children Act to offenders up to the age of 21, in accordance with the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Young Offenders of 1927?

As I have already stated, the Government intends to introduce a, Bill to amend the Children Act, 1908, as soon as opportunity offers, and the recommendations of the Young Offenders Committee will then be borne in mind. I would point out, however, that although this Committee considered questions relating to offenders up to the age of 21, it did not suggest that all its proposals could be brought within the scope of the Children Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman introduce a Bill in the course of the present Session?

I would not like to give an answer to that question without notice.

asked the Home Secretary how many road accidents have taken place in Hyde Park during the years ended 31st October, 1928 and 1929; the nature of such accidents; how many, if any, were fatal; and how many of these accidents took place after dark?

A return has been prepared giving such particulars as are available. The return will be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the return:

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the comments of the magistrate at Marlborough Street Police Court, on 27th November, in permitting the withdrawal of a charge against Mrs. Margaret Frances Chamberlayne who had been charged with obtaining goods under false pretences; and whether it is proposed to hold an inquiry into the circumstances under which this lady was charged?

I am given to understand that Mrs. Chamberlayne has taken, or is about to take, certain proceedings, and in these circumstances I do not wish to say more than is necessary. I have received a full report, and after considering it, I am of opinion that the police did no more than it was their duty to do when called upon to assist in preparing material for a private prosecution.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the watch committee of the city of Nottingham in appointing as chief constable Captain A. N. Popkess, Assistant Provost Marshal of the Aldershot Command, in view of the fact that the appointment appears to be in contravention of the Secretary of State's Statutory Police Regulation No. 9, which requires that a candidate shall have had previous police experience unless he has some exceptional qualification specially fitting him for the post; and whether, seeing that there were three selected candidates from the police service, he will withhold his approval of the appointment?

The watch committee's application for my approval to Captain Popkess' appointment is at present under consideration, and as the particulars furnished regarding his qualifications and experience are inadequate, I have asked for further information.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that this question is not intended to cast any reflection whatever on the qualities of Captain Popkess, and can he give a declaration of the policy of the Government with regard to promotions in the Police Force?

That will require another question being put down.

On a point of Order. Is not the whole point of this question whether I can have a declaration with regard to the statutory rule, and whether it is the policy of the Government to approve appointments out-side the Police Force?

The whole point of the question seems to refer to one particular individual.

No, to a statutory regulation. The whole point of this question is to ask for the view of the Government with regard to a statutory regulation. The right hon. Gentleman is quite willing to give an answer, and may I have it?

I seem to have misunderstood it in the same way as the Home Secretary has.

asked the Home Secretary the authorised increase in the number of women police in the Metropolitan Police Area; whether it is proposed to extend the scope of the duties performed by the women police; and, if so, in what way?

Yes, Sir. The increase in immediate contemplation is from 50 to 100. The scope of the functions of a police woman as an attested constable is in law the same as in the case of a man, but in practice the police women will conform to a special scheme of duties which will be subject to variation in detail in the light of experience. Certain questions of organisation are still under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary why the Home Office require rural district councils in Devon to insure their employés engaged in quarry- ing and breaking stones with the sandstone industry compensation fund; and whether, as the risk of silicosis in such an open-air industry is infinitesimal, such insurance may be covered through the ordinary companies with which the councils' employés are insured?

The scheme made for this industry is based on the principle, which is expressly sanctioned by the Act, of a general compensation fund to which all employers in the industry are required to contribute. Although the industry is an open air one, the cases of silicosis found among quarrymen and others engaged in it show that the risk is by no means slight, and I see no reason at present why the local authorities in question should be allowed to contract out. Provision is made in the scheme for differential rates of levy and if experience shows that the risk in their case is exceptionally low, they may be entitled to a special rate.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a single case of silicosis among the quarry workers of North Devon?

Not without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will see that these men are insured wherever necessary in their own protection?

I have replied to that in my answer.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there are 468 courts of summary jurisdiction where no women probation officers have been appointed; and if he can say how many women and girls have appeared before those courts and how many of those have been placed upon probation?

I am informed that the number quoted by my hon. Friend is approximately correct. I cannot give the particulars asked for in the second part of the question, but I am well aware that women and girls are placed on probation by Courts having no women probation officers. The matter was recently considered by the Probation Advisory Committee, and it is hoped shortly to issue to Magistrates a circular letter drawing their attention to the need for women probation officers.

In cases where local authorities have made excellent arrangements outside the appointment of probation officers, will the right hon. Gentleman not interfere with the local arrangements?

I will keep that point in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of schools having milk clubs, together with the number of schoolchildren receiving milk under the National Milk Publicity Council's scheme for milk service in schools?

I regret that I am unable to give the Noble Lord the particulars for which he asks, but I understand that, partly as a result of the activities of the National Milk Publicity Council, there has, in the past few yeans, been a considerable extension of these arrangements for supplying milk to children in the schools. Among other places, comprehensive arrangements are in operation at Birmingham and Leeds.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider, in view of its importance to health, the collaboration of the Empire Marketing Board with the propaganda of the Milk Publicity Council?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many teachers in elementary schools in England and Wales are recognised as certificated by virtue of having a university degree and the diploma in education of a university?

Figures are not available as to the number of teachers who hold university diplomas in education. The number of graduates recog- nised as certificated teachers in the elementary schools on 31st March, 1928, was 4,731.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of local education authorities who desire to acquire land for educational purposes but who cannot trace the owner of the land; and, inasmuch as the Board hold that in such cases they have no power to confirm a compulsory Order of which notice has been served by affixing it to the land, he will consider promoting legislation whereby the practice of serving the notice on the land may be sufficient notice in such circumstances?

Only two instances of this difficulty have been brought to the notice of my Department since 1918, when local education authorities obtained their present powers of compulsory purchase, and I hardly think that the facts would justify me in proposing a revision of the law.

asked the President of the Board of Education if He has yet received a report from the North Riding Education Committee respecting the provision of a secondary school at Eston; and if he is now in a position to give a decision respecting this matter?

For reasons which I have explained to the authority, I should prefer not to express an opinion upon this proposal before I have had an opportunity of considering the authority's programme for the next three years, which has not yet been received.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of Richard Arthur Colman, aged 13, of Swansea, who was caned so severely that several weals were left on his back, in many oases with the skin broken; will he state what inquiry was made prior to the infliction of the punishment; and whether he will institute a public inquiry with a view to the abolition of corporal punishment in schools?

I have seen the report of the proceedings in court in this case. Corporal punishment in the schools is a matter which has always been left to the discretion of the school authorities, and I am not satisfied that there is need for any general inquiry into the subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it desirable that a child should be denied the ordinary procedure of justice that there should be an inquiry before punishment is inflicted?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that you can spare the rod and spoil the child?

May I have an answer to my question?

I could not hear what it was—

I asked if it is fair and reasonable that a child should be denied the ordinary common procedure of justice that an impartial inquiry should precede any punishment?

I am afraid that that would mean an entirely different system in the schools.

Is it not thought a desirable case for inquiry?

Is it not the fact that in this case it was quashed on appeal, and is it not also advisable that we should have much smaller classes—[ Interruption. ]

asked the President of the Board of Education the percentage of educational districts in this country which will not be able to meet the requirements entailed by the raising of the school-leaving age without an extensive building programme?

As I have previously explained, I must wait for the local education authorities' programmes before I can form an estimate of the additional building entailed by the raising of the school-leaving age.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can now say when he expects to receive these programmes?

I am receiving them every day.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received representations from the Norwich Corporation or the Board of Guardians as to the usefulness of the work imposed on test-workers on the test grounds?

I have received no representations from either authority criticising the particular types of test work in operation in Norwich.

asked the Minister of Health the nature of the proposed inquiry into the conditions of test work; and when it will be started?

asked the Minister of Health what is the nature of the special inquiry he has constituted into the various forms of test work and the conditions in which they are carried out in different parts of the country; how the inquiry is composed; what are its terms of reference; and when it is expected that it will report?

The inquiry will be made by the officers of my Department, and will extend to all unions in which the performance of work is required as a condition of the grant of out-relief. The officers will survey the various forms of test work and the conditions under which they are carried out. The inquiry is being started forthwith and will, I hope, be completed early in the New Year.

I thank the Minister of Health for the consideration that he has shown on this point; and may I ask him whether he will make this inquiry as informal as possible, so that, when the inspectors go down there, they can ascertain not only the opinions of the guardians but of the men who are suffering?

That is intended.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the overcrowded conditions and inadequate accommodation that exist at the Newington institution; whether he can state what action his Department has taken with reference to the shortage of hospital beds; if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding that has taken place at that institution for several years past; and can he state what suggestions are being made to meet the immediate needs of the institution during this coming winter?

I am aware of the circumstances existing at the institution in question and the needs of the area in regard to accommodation have not been lost sight of. The institution is not at the moment overcrowded, but consultations are taking place between my officers and the officers of the guardians on the subject of meeting the needs of the coming winter.

Is it not a fact that this matter has been under consideration by the Ministry for several years, and that it has been proved in the past that there have been at least 50 beds short for the poor people every winter? Will he not consider the scheme put forward by the authorities?

As I have said, the institution is not at the moment over-crowded; but I am hoping that we shall be able to make provision for more accommodation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now sanctioned the remuneration of the recently-appointed guardians at Chester-le-Street; what has been the reason for the delay in fixing such remuneration; and what amount has been suggested by the guardians themselves for payment for their services?

The guardians applied to me on the 2nd instant for approval to the remuneration of the Chairman being fixed at the rate of £500 per annum, and of the other two members of the board at (the rate of £364 per annum, in both cases inclusive of travelling expenses. I am proposing to sanction a payment at the rate of £364 per annum inclusive of travelling allowances for each of the three guardians as in the case of the Bedwellty Guardians.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to pay arrears, or is he going to pay from the date of settlement?

The salary will, of course, be paid from the date of their appointment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how those figures compare with the salaries paid to the previous Commissioners?

In the case of Chester-le-Street, the salaries were at the rate of £500 a year.