asked the Minister off Labour how many miners who were transferred to the Borough of Southwark under the Transference Scheme are still in employment; and whether they are in the original positions to which they were sent?

Special efforts, which I think are generally successful, are made by the Exchanges to find other employment for transferred persons who become unemployed, but detailed records are not kept and I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to supply the statistics desired by my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of these positions which have been taken up by transferred workers are only temporary, and that the workers are now unemployed?

I am not aware of that fact.

asked the Minister of Labour what will be the debt on 1st April of the Unemployment Insurance Fund if the index figure remains substantially the same as at present?

Assuming that the number on the Live Register remains substantially the same as at present, namely, £1,563,800 it is estimated that the debt of the Unemployment Fund on the 1st April, will be about £39,000,000. The abnormally high level of unemployment which has prevailed since the beginning of January caused a serious drain on the resources of the fund. The borrowing powers of the fund are at present limited to £40,000,000 and proposals for increasing this limit will be laid before Parliament at an early date.

Will these proposals be laid before Parliament before Easter, as we are now within £1,000,000 of our borrowing powers, and we may run short before Easter?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is taking any steps to develop the training side of the work of the Ministry of Labour; and, if so, if she will state the nature of them?

The training schemes administered by my Department are under constant review and every opportunity is being taken to extend them. Steps are being taken to open two new centres, providing additional accommodation for approximately 2,000 men per annum, for the training of men for employment in this country. As regards women, the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment have recently opened a residential centre at Leamington for the training of women in domestic service, and they have also under consideration plans to provide opportunities for women for whom training in domestic service is inappropriate. This is exclusive of the provision made for boys and girls.

Has the right hon. Lady found these methods satisfactory?

Satisfactory as far as they go. I would willingly hasten them if I could.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that there is a great shortage of domestic servants, and will she take steps to carry out the necessary training?

The matter is constantly receiving my attention.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of waterproof garment machinists who are now unemployed; and whether she is aware that in many districts it is very difficult to fill the requirements of manufacturers?

I regret that separate statistics are not available in respect of unemployment among waterproof garment machinists; but I am having inquiries made as to the alleged shortage of workers.

If applicants for certain posts give excuses, such as that an hour is not enough for lunch, and that eight o'clock is too early to start in the morning, do they still remain on the unemployment benefit?

I imagine that both those excuses would disqualify them from benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour the policy adopted by Employment Exchanges in respect of supplying labour to non-union works; whether workers are obliged to take up such employment if offered; and, if not, whether such employés are still regarded as genuinely seeking work?

Any stipulations made by the employer in this matter are brought to the notice of any workman to whom the employment is offered, and if he then refuses it the question whether he remains entitled to unemployment benefit is one for decision by the statutory authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons in Bethnal Green at any convenient date in February and March, 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively?

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

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed work- people on the register of the Stirling and Falkirk Employment Exchanges of the following classes: miners, bricklayers, masons, and general labourers, for the years 1927 to 1929?

I am obtaining these figures, and will send them to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour how many training centres have been established in the county of London for unemployed insured juveniles; where are they located; what is the average attendance at them since January last; and whether she is satisfied that the centres are within reasonable distance of those required to attend?

There are two Junior Instruction Centres for unemployed boys and girls in the county of London. These centres are conducted by the London County Council in conjunction with day continuation schools at Turin Street, Bethnal Green Road, and at Herold's Institution, Bermondsey. The average daily attendance since the centres opened on 6th January has been 222 boys and 126 girls. Only those juveniles who live within a reasonable distance of these centres are required to attend. Fares are paid in certain cases.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that some of the young persons in the technical institute have to come from as far away as St. Pancras—this is rather a long way—and will she try to see if one or two more centres can be opened?

Is the curriculum of these training centres preliminary, or is it in a completed stage?

I am afraid that I do not quite understand what the hon. Member means. The curriculum is organised by the education authority of the London County Council.

Is not the Turin Street centre a great success, and greatly appreciated by those in training?

I understand that both are.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there are any areas in the country where there are a considerable number of unemployed juveniles where there are no facilities in the way of training centres; if so, how many; and where are they located?

In 48 areas, a list of which I am sending to the hon. Member, junior instruction centres or classes are being maintained by the education authorities with the assistance of an Exchequer grant. These include most of the distressed mining areas and certain other areas in which unemployment among juveniles is both considerable and prolonged. As regards other areas, the Ministry is in negotiation with the local education authorities, whose co-operation, as the hon. Member knows, is essential. Owing to the way in which in many cases the figures vary within short periods, I cannot very well state how many areas are concerned, but I can assure the hon. Member that the matter is being actively pursued, in consultation with the National Advisory Councils for Juvenile Employment.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that a large number of girls and boys from the north-eastern area have been placed in situations in the south of England through the special agency created for this purpose in Durham, and that the Labour Ministry has discontinued support to this agency; and if she can state the reason for this change of policy?

I have no official statistics with regard to the agency to which I presume the hon. and gallant Member refers. An officer of the Department was lent to assist the agency on a temporary basis from the 20th March, 1929, to the 2nd August, 1929, having regard to the special circumstances then existing: it was not considered justifiable to continue indefinitely an arrangement which involved the loan of a public official to a voluntary agency.

In view of the fact that nearly 3,000 untrained persons have been found situations through this agency in the south, is it not a pity to refuse assistance merely on account of red tape?

No. I think that, while I am not responsible for those statistics—which I accept from the hon. and gallant Gentleman—there are a number of voluntary agencies that have never yet applied for, or received public assistance.

asked the Minister of Labour if she can supply any information as to what has been the effect up to date of derating in lessening unemployment?

I regret that statistics are not available from which it would be possible to make an estimate on this point.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed in the City of Coventry on 11th March last; and what was the number on the corresponding date last year?

At 10th March, 1930, there were 5,516 persons on the register of the Coventry Employment Exchange including 3,167 wholly unemployed and 2,349 temporarily stopped. At 11th March, 1929, the corresponding total was 2,241, including 1,618 wholly unemployed and 623 temporarily stopped.

Is it a fact that the figures which the right hon. Lady has just given are the worst ever recorded for the month of March in the history of the City of Coventry, and has she drawn the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to his share of the responsibility for them?

asked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been called to the case of a Luton contractor who has been summoned for the non-stamping of six Sheffield workmen's unemployment insurance cards; and if she can state whether the workmen have suffered loss of benefit in consequence,

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am inquiring whether delay has been caused in the payment of unemployment benefit to any of the men concerned and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received any communications from the Association of Education Committees stating that certain education authorities find it impossible to find the additional accommodation necessary by 1st April, 1931, if the school age is raised on that date; and what action he proposes to take in such cases?

The Association have not sent me any such communication, and in any case, as I have already informed the hon. Member, the fact that a few authorities may not have completed their arrangements in time does not appear to me to be a sufficient reason for postponing the date proposed for the raising of the school-leaving age.

Would not the best remedy be to pass this Bill into an Act of Parliament, which would remove all excuse for avoiding those responsibilities?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received from the Haxey Parish Council a resolution protesting against the proposed raising of the school age; and whether he has received any other similar resolutions from parish councils in rural areas?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

Is it not true that there is a growing dissatisfaction in the rural areas about the raising of the school age?

I receive about 30 resolutions in favour to one against.

Is it not the case that under the present regime it is extremely improbable that the school age will be raised and that this, like other things, will not be done?

asked the President of the Board of Education if there are any local authorities that are not making the necessary preparations in anticipation of the raising of the school age in 1931; if so, how many; and which are the principal authorities that are failing in this respect?

Two authorities, Wolverhampton and the Isle of Ely, have informed me that they do not propose to proceed with their preparations for the raising of the school leaving age until the Education (School Attendance) Bill becomes law, and I have reason to think that the failure of some other authorities to submit proposals may be due to the same reason.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to a Report of the London School Attendance Sub-Committee in which they point out that the Education (School Attendance) Bill will allow children between 14 and 15 years of age to be employed outside school hours, as the Education Act, 1921, definitely limits the age to which by-laws regulating the employment of children may be made to apply to 14 years; and what action, if any, does he propose to take?

I have seen the report in question. I may, however, point out that the restrictions on the employment of children contained in Sections 94 and 95 of the Education Act, 1921, will apply to children between the ages of 14 and 15 when the school age is raised.

Does the President of the Board of Education consider that the members of the London School Attendance Sub-Committee are wrong in their conclusion?

There is no reason, if the hon. Member is keen about it, why he should not raise that matter on the Bill.

Are we to understand that, as usual, the right hon. Gentleman is doing nothing in this matter?

asked the President of the Board of Education the estimated cost of teachers per child for elementary education in 1930 and how this compares with that for 1913?

The cost of teachers' salaries for elementary education, in England and Wales, is estimated at £8 12s. 2d. per child for 1930, as compared with £3 1s. in 1913.

asked the President of the Board of Education the estimated cost per pupil for elementary education in 1930 as compared with 1913?

The cost of elementary education in England and Wales is estimated at £13 0s. 6d. per pupil for 1930, as compared with £4 15s. 2d. for 1913.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received from the Lindsey County Council any representations regarding the present cost of teachers' salaries; and, if so, what action he preposes to take?

I have received the representations referred to. Teachers' salary scales are in the first instance a matter for the Burnham Committee, and I have accordingly suggested to the authority that any representations that they wish to make should be addressed to the County Councils Association, which is one of the associations represented on that committee.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will recommend to local authorities the preparation in schools of regional survey maps similar to the land utilisation map of the County of Northampton, prepared in the schools of that county and recently published?

I am aware that valuable work on these lines has been carried out in some areas, but I should prefer to leave full discretion in the matter to the individual authorities, who are already alive to the importance of encouraging in the rural schools the study of local history and conditions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a scheme for a complete map, covering the entire county, has been planned by the Geographical Association, which would be materially helped by the assistance of the Board of Education?

I will note that fact.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Chief Medical Officer of the Board has asked the school medical officers throughout the country to submit to him a Report upon the teaching of hygiene in public elementary schools; and will he give directions that in future the local education authority and not its officers shall be requested to furnish such Reports?

There has been some misunderstanding in regard to the Circular referred to. It has, however, been made clear by a subsequent communication to the school medical officers that the inquiry was concerned with the medical effect of the teaching of hygiene in the schools. It has been a practice of many years' standing for the Chief Medical Officer to communicate directly with his colleagues in the school medical service in regard to questions on which their professional opinion is desired.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) in how many cases in each of the last three years persons taking up State scholarships were also awarded a college or university scholarship tenable at the place where they are holding their State scholarship;

(2) in how many cases in each of the last three years persons taking up State scholarships also received financial assistance from a local education authority towards the expenses of their course; and how many such persons also had a college or university scholarship;

(3) in how many cases in each of the last three years persons awarded State scholarships have declined them; and in how many such cases in each year were the scholarships declined because of the students' inability to bear the remainder of the cost of the desired university course?

I shall be glad to send my hon. Friend the information for which he asks as soon as it is available.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that rural areas having to provide transport for school children suffer a disadvantage when compared with urban areas which have no transport to provide; that the fact that in these rural areas the transport service will rank for grant in the usual way still means an increased expenditure for these areas and thus places them in a less advantageous position than the urban areas; and will he see that the whole cost of such transport is defrayed by the State?

I am not at present satisfied that the percentage rate of grant in respect of this expenditure should be increased.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these rural areas are very concerned about the additional expense which will be thrown upon them, and think that they have been unfairly treated as compared with urban areas?

I am considering this question, and representations have been made to me on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a commission, or other suitable body, for the pur- pose of making an exhaustive inquiry into the organisation of the corn trade and the present position of our wheat supplies?

The examination which is at present being conducted by the Government into the proposal to establish a board for the bulk purchase of grain also involves examination into the subjects referred to by the hon. Member, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of a special commission, as he suggests.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea when the conclusions of this body are likely to be laid before the House?

I cannot say.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the agricultural policy of the Government will be announced?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Granville) on the 16th December.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is not aware that his oyster-like attitude on this matter is causing dismay in the country districts, and that his silence on this matter is doing his party a great deal of harm all over the country?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take in the County of Carmarthen to meet the position in the milk trade next summer and autumn in view of the almost certain glut of surplus milk which will be produced?

I understand that at the instance of the Carmarthenshire Branch of the National Farmers' Union a committee representing producers in the Counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke and Cardigan has recently investigated the problem of the marketing of milk and dairy produce in that area. The committee sent deputations to England, Scotland and Ireland and has thoroughly explored systems of selling milk and of handling milk for butter making and other purposes. I am advised that a report has been prepared which contains agreed plans and suggestions for dealing with the local situation. When the report is available, I shall be glad to consider whether I can be of any assistance, though it is likely that proposals for local action in regard to surplus milk must, in part at least, await a national scheme of organisation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the rules defining select beef and prime beef under the national meat-marking scheme are similar both for England and Scotland; and, if so, why an English side of beef marked select, or first grade, invariably sells for less on Smithfield Market than a Scottish side marked prime, or second grade, seeing that both are supposed to be graded to an equal rule of quality?

Similar grading standards for "select" and "prime" beef have been adopted by my Department and by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. It is not possible to define the reasons which determine variations in prices actually realised.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now satisfied that there is no attempt on the part of butchers in any part of the country to boycott beef that bears either the English or the Scottish national mark; and, if this is not the case, whether he will state the districts from which such a tendency has been reported?

There is now no evidence of any organised boycott of national mark beef in the London or Birmingham areas where the scheme is in operation; on the contrary, it is now freely sold by the great majority of butchers who deal in home-killed beef, as is shown by the fact that between 80 and 90 per cent. of the gradable beef on Smithfield Market is now marked and the quantity of beef marked in Birmingham has increased by 50 per cent. This recent striking improvement may be attributed very largely to the publicity campaigns undertaken in the two centres by my Department in conjunction with the Empire Marketing Board.

asked the Prime Minister if he will refer to the Committee considering the relationship of different forms of social insurance the question of the economy and public convenience to be derived from a policy directed to housing the local administration of all forms of public assistance in one building?

No, Sir. It would, I think, be premature to deal with the question of accommodation until the larger issues of policy involved in the inquiry referred to have been decided.

asked the Minister of Health if he will introduce a short indemnifying Bill to exempt present sitting medical members of county and county borough councils from their disabilities to act as from 1st April next during the remainder of their present period of office, pending the reconsideration or reorganisation of the methods of payment to medical practitioners for minor medical services rendered on behalf of local authorities in the course of their private practice?

I regret that I am not able to comply with the suggestion, and would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 6th ultimo to the hon. Member for Banff (Major Wood).

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in rural parts of the country generally, and particularly in such rural counties as the county of Huntingdon, all practising medical practitioners are rendered ineligible for service as members of county councils by the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1929, and that, therefore, such councils as desire to have medical members, whether co-opted or elected, for their public health, maternity and child welfare, and Midwives Acts, mental deficiency and other committees are unable to obtain them; and will he take this question into consideration?

Legislation would be required to deal with the matter raised by the hon. and gallant Member, and I am afraid that I can give no undertaking as to 6uch legislation.

If a one Clause Bill is introduced to "remove any inconvenience temporarily and enable these officers to carry out their duties during the remainder of their term of office, which is obviously desired by the electorate, will the right hon. Gentleman try to give facilities?

There are only 11 days to go before the new Act comes into operation, and the local authorities have already made their arrangements.

A great deal can be done in that time.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the Government to repeal the Audit (Local Authorities) Act, 1927; and, if so, when the necessary legislation is likely to be introduced?

I cannot undertake at the present time to introduce legislation on this subject in view of the pressure of Parliamentary business.

If the right hon. Gentleman had the time, would he do it?

I should be delighted to have the opportunity.