asked the Minister of Labour whether she has any records and can state if any of the persons transferred to the Borough of Southwark under the Industrial Transference Scheme have returned to their homes on account of not being employed or through any other reason; and will she give particulars?

Detailed records are not kept of the industrial history of men subsequent to transfer. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to supply the information required by my hon. Friend.

Can the right hon. Lady say whether the fares of these men are paid when they are transferred?

It depends upon circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware of the complaints regarding the accommodation at the Employment Exchanges in Leeds and their inconvenient distribution; whether the matter is having attention as being one of urgency; and how soon an alteration may he anticipated?

I am aware of the unsuitability of the accommodation at the Leeds Employment Exchanges. The provision of new premises is regarded as a matter of urgency, but I am not yet able to say how soon they can be provided.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed in Hull on the 2nd April, 1930; and the number on the corresponding date last year?

asked the Minister of Labour the increase or decrease in the number of persons unemployed in the Bolton district for last week as compared with the same week of last year?

asked the Minister of Labour the increase or decrease in the number of persons unemployed in the Blackburn district for last week as compared with the same week of last year?

asked the Minister of Labour the increase or decrease in the number of persons unemployed in the Sheffield district for last week as compared with the same week of last year?

asked the Minister of Labour the increase or decrease in the number of persons unemployed in the Manchester district for last meek as compared with the same week of last year?

asked the Minister of Labour the increase or decrease in the number of persons unemployed in the Bradford district for last week as compared with the same week of last year?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the city of Coventry at the most recent date for which figures are available and the number at the corresponding date last year?

At 31st March, 1930, there were 16,716 persons on the registers of the Hull Employment Exchange, as compared with 13,114 at 25th March, 1929.

Similar information with regard to other areas is asked for in Questions Nos. 9, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 21, and, as they involve a series of figures, I propose, if I may, to circulate the replies to them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the very serious increase of the unemployment figures in Hull, will the right hon. Lady use her influence with the Lord Privy Seal to grant a somewhat more generous contribution towards the schemes which have been put forward by those localities?

I will certainly pass on that suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

Do the figures for which I ask in my question No. 22 show an increase, and, if so, of how much?

Yes, in each case they show an increase.

With regard to the answer as it relates to Question No. 12, which refers to the Sheffield district, did not the petition which was presented just now show that there was less unemployment in that district?

Is the right hon. Lady aware that one of the main reasons for the increased unemployment in all these districts is the presence of a Socialist Government in this country?

I beg to ask the right hon. Lady question number 18.

That question was answered in the group.

On a point of Order. ft is usual, when there is a mass of figures in reply to one question, for the Minister to say that they will be circulated. In this case they are separate, and there is only one figure in each case. I submit that the right hon. Lady ought to have replied to each question.

The right hon. Lady may reply to questions in the way she thinks fit; it is not for me to dictate to her in that matter.

I did not understand that my question was included, and I have had no answer.

The Minister usually says, "With the consent of the hon. Member, I will answer so-and-so." Supposing that the hon. Member does not give his consent and wishes to have a separate answer, is he not entitled to his rights?

In that case, if the hon. Member is not satisfied, he can put the question down again.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of intimations of vacancies have been received at Employment Exchanges in the present year; and what number have been filled by persons sent on from the Exchanges?

During the 13 weeks ended 31st March, 1930, 452,428 vacancies were notified to, and 401,991 were filled by, Employment Exchanges in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the staffs of the Employment Exchanges have been augmented during the past three months; and to what extent?

The number of staff at Employment Exchanges necessarily fluctuates with the number on the registers, and has increased from 10,325 on the 30th December, 1929, to 11,749 on the 31st March. 1930.

Is this the only increase in employment that the present Government have made?

asked the Minister of Labour if there are any statistics available to show the net gain or loss to individual industries arising from unemployment insurance?

Precise figures are not available, but rough estimates, subject to a wide margin of error, can be made for large groups of industries showing the relative amounts of contributions paid and benefits drawn. Those industries in which the contributions exceeded the benefits drawn have, of course, had the advantage of cover for the risk of heavy unemployment from which, in the light of past experience, no industry can safely regard itself as exempt. It is important to note that, for the purpose of such estimate, the unemployed have to be allocated, broadly speaking, to the industry in which they were last employed. If this allocation were to be made the basis of separate financial responsibility it would certainly be contested in many instances, particuarly in the case of those who have been unemployed for long periods.

Could the Minister furnish, perhaps in a, White Paper or return, particulars showing in these broad categories for different periods what the results have been in regard either to individual industries or groups or industries, according to the categories which may be most convenient?

I shall be glad to do so. I am working towards that end. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put that question again later; I do not think that I am in a position to answer it at once.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps, if any, are under consideration to utilise the training centres situate in South-West Norfolk for the purpose of developing land settlement and development schemes here in the Home country?

Consideration is being given to the use which can be made of the centres to which my hon. Friend refers in so far as they may not be required for training men for employment on the land in the Dominions, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Will the Minister sympathetically consider proposals with regard to this point before considering any further statement in regard to these centres?

I am giving the closest consideration to these training centres.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that, apart from the men attending the Slough training centre, the number of adult males unemployed in Slough and district has increased by over five times in the last nine months, she will discontinue transfers to this district?

Although there has been an increase in the unemployment in this district, the percentage of men unemployed in March was not more than about 7 per cent. and the average over the past 12 months, which is the basis normally adopted in administering the transfer policy, was below 4 per cent. I will keep a careful watch on the position, but at present I do not think this district should be excluded from the transfer arrangements.

In view of the fact that the district of Slough has absorbed no fewer than a thousand men in the last few months in transfers from depressed areas, will the right hon. Lady give it a rest and allow the local unemployed to be absorbed?

I am watching that, but Slough is a new industrial district—a new town growing up.

Will fie right hon. Lady remember that, after all, Slough now has worse unemployment lit than it has ever had?

The aspect will be carefully watched.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether, in view of the steady increase in unemployment, she will consider the giving of powers to local authorities to employ on works of public utility which would not be otherwise undertaken persons on the unemployed register and pay them the difference between unemployment pay and their normal wages;

(2) whether she has studied the system of unemployment insurance relief in Germany where there is a strict line of de- marcation between insurance benefit and welfare relief; whether she is aware that local authorities are responsible for this welfare relief, and that they supplement this welfare relief by the provision of work upon undertakings of common utility, paying the difference between the welfare relief and the standard rate for navvy labour, and that six months of this welfare employment is recognised as re-qualifying for insurance benefit; and whether, in view of the many advantages of this system, she will consider its application on similar lines in this country?

I have under consideration the German scheme with a view to seeing whether it has any lessons for us. The question of using unemployment benefit in part-paying of the wages of persons in employment has been most carefully considered on many occasions in the past, but there are very serious difficulties and dangers inherent in proposals of this kind, and these have hitherto been thought to be conclusive against their adoption. I would add that it is the policy of the present Government to promote, with the aid of State grants, useful works of economic development on which the unemployed can be engaged. The hon. and gallant Member will find an account of those works in the White Paper recently issued by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that there is a much greater chance of getting these men employed under some such scheme as this, which will help municipalities to get work of value done?

I am rather endeavouring to press that side.

Has the right hon. Lady considered the practice that obtains in the German Employment Exchanges of taking on the repair of boots and clothing?

asked the Minister of Labour if her attention has been drawn to the out-of-work single man with a dependent mother and his position in respect of grant-aided schemes; and what steps she intends to take to alter the existing Regulations so that they may be placed in a different category with a better opportunity of getting work on such schemes?

Subject to industrial suitability, single men with a dependent mother already share the general preference accorded to men, married or single, with dependants, for engagement on State-aided works in relief of unemployment, but I am afraid they must come lower in the list than men with a larger number of dependants.

Will the right hon. Lady make that known to the Exchanges?

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that there is no Employment Exchange within the area of the borough of Bethnal Green; and whether, in view of the fact that unemployment in Bethnal Green has increased during the past 10 months by approximately 50 per cent., she will take steps to establish an Exployment Exchange in Bethnal Green?

I am having inquiry made in this matter and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that Shoreditch would be glad if Bethnal Green could be separated from it?

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has now discussed with the Plymouth local education authority the transfer of the Juvenile Employment Bureau at Devon-port to Plymouth; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused and the anticipated increase of administrative work owing to juveniles becoming insurable on attaining the age of 15 years, the decision will be altered and the Juvenile Employment Bureau be retained in Devonport?

After consultation with the local education authority at Plymouth, I have agreed to their proposal to close the Juvenile Employment Bureau at Devonport and to centralise the services connected with juvenile employment at the Bureau in Plymouth for an experi- mental period of six months. The authority do not anticipate that this will cause any serious inconvenience to boys and girls living in Devonport, especially as the junior instruction centres for unemployed juveniles, both in Devonport and Plymouth are situated in Plymouth. I have, however, asked the education authority to review the situation at the end of six months in the light of experience gained, in order to make sure that their anticipations have, in fact, been realised.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the British Government intends to support the proposal for an international convention on the hours of salaried workers?

asked the Minister of Labour whether a reply has been sent on behalf of His Majesty's Government to the questionnaire of the International Labour Office regarding a convention limiting the hours of labour of salaried employés; and, if so, whether the Government has declared itself in favour of or in opposition to such a convention?

I would refer to the detailed reply on this subject given yesterday to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mander), of which I am sending a copy to the right hon. Member and to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will have inquiries made into the hours, wages and working conditions generally of employés engaged in cinemas in London and the provinces?

I will give consideration to the possibility of making an inquiry such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give the date on which he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Various Industries (Silicosis) Order; and whether it is his intention to include, within the amending Order, provision for the payment of compensation for partial incapacity due to silicosis?

Amendment of the Various Industries (Silicosis) Order to include cases of partial incapacity is dependent on the passage of the Bill which she Government have introduced to amend the provisions of the Act which relate to medical arrangements for examination and diagnosis. The Bill has already been read a Second time in the other House, and it is my intention, as soon as it has passed, to take up the question of the amendment of the Order.

asked the Home Secretary what further steps have been taken to schedule the disease of fibrosis of the lungs under the Workmen's Compensation Act?

As I stated in reply to a similar question by my hon. Friend on the 30th January last, this is a big question on which much further research is necessary, and at my request the Medical Research Council have set up an expert Committee to institute and co-ordinate research into the subject. This Committee is already at work and will, I feel sure, proceed as expeditiously as the nature of the task permits, but I am afraid that no early results are to be expected. I may add that I am writing to my hon. Friend a letter explaining the position more fully than is possible within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that numbers of tickets for the Calcutta Sweepstake on the Derby are being procured for the public through various sources; is he prepared to instruct the Metropolitan Police to take action in the matter; and will he give the House particulars?

I have seen various statements in the Press. I cannot say beforehand what action is being taken with regard to a particular lottery. I can only say that, if facts come to the notice of the authorities, action, so far as I am concerned, will be on the lines indicated in the answer I gave on 20th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington (Mr. Dukes).

Does that apply to the numbers of tickets as well as to the tickets themselves?

Is there any objection whatever to people buying tickets in the Calcutta Sweep?

The objection has been stated in a previous long answer.

Do we understand that it is illegal for members of the public to buy tickets in the Calcutta Sweep?

Yes, and it is for that reason that I announced what the law was.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the titles and the number of literary publications which he has prohibited from circulation in Great Britain for the two years ended to the last convenient date; and whether he will consider appointing a Departmental Committee to inquire into the whole subject of literary censorship as it at present exists?

During the two years ending 31st March, 1930, five books and 17 periodicals have on account of their obscene or indecent character been prohibited from circulation in this country by means of a warrant addressed by me or by my predecessor to the Postmaster-General. I do not think it would be in the public interest to give their names. As regards the last part of the question, the answer is in the negative.

In that five, are there also included the publications prohibited by the Customs authorities under the Inland Revenue Regulations?

The whole of the publications that are prohibited, as far as I know, are included.

Is it a fact that the hon. Member wanted to read these books?

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to reconsider the censorship on certain books banned in this country which have since been published and circulated, apparently without any ill-effects, in America?

I will, of course, consider any representations that are made to me.

asked the Home Secretary how many members of the women police force in the metropolitan area are habitually employed on duty in plain clothes; and whether, in such cases, they are authorised to arrest suspects without the assistance of a uniformed constable?

Two women police officers are employed in plain clothes permanently, and others on occasions when deemed desirable. When so employed, they are authorised to arrest suspects without the assistance of a uniformed officer, but in using their power of arrest they are expected to exercise discretion and to obtain the assistance of a male officer if thought necessary or desirable.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the recent arrest of a man suspected of street bookmaking by two members of the women police force in plain clothes and to his conviction at Bow Street on 3rd April for assult whilst endeavouring to escape; and whether he will give instructions that in future women police in plain clothes shall not be called on to perform a duty which puts an unfair strain upon the man arrested and which may become dangerous to themselves?

I have seen a report on the incident referred to. The police women were employed with a male constable and it was not anticipated that they would have any occasion to make an arrest. It is impossible, however police women are employed, to avoid their having to act in unexpected con- tingencies, with perhaps some risk to themselves. The police women acted quite properly in the case in question.

Can we have some assurance that women police will not be employed on these duties, except in case of very urgent necessity?

Cases might arise as a matter of urgency, and they cannot be provided for.

Do these women police carry a warrant card and show it to the person whom they are attempting to arrest?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Betting Control Board is paying a discount or commission to agents to collect bets away from the course for investment with the totalisators under the control of the Board on racecourses; and whether he proposes, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent the continuance of the practice?

I understand that the Board is paying a commission to certain firms engaged in the betting business on bets placed by them on the course with the Board's totalisator and it is advised that such payment is in order. I do not propose to introduce legislation on the subject.

In view of the decision of the Home Secretary not to take any action in this matter of collecting bets for totalisators all over the country, how does he propose to enforce that part of the Racecourse Betting Act which prohibits betting with young persons under 17 years of age, and how can he control the matter if these bets are taken in all parts of the country?

The first part of the supplementary question requires me to repeat that I have only announced what the law is. The second part of the question is one of which I should have notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the Debates in this House proceeded on the assumption that it only dealt with betting on the course, and will he again refer to the Act of Parliament and consider if the collecting of bets away from the course is within the terms of the Measure?

That may be so, but Parliamentary assumption is not always reconcilable with Court decisions.

asked the Home Secretary the number of prosecutions which have arisen since the passing of the Racecourse Betting Act in respect of breaches of the prohibition of betting transactions with persons under 17 years of age?

I regret that at separate figures for prosecutions under Section 4 of the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928, are not available, and that therefore I cannot furnish the desired information.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this information will be given in the annual report which is many months overdue?

It may be, but the point is covered in succeeding questions.

asked the Home Secretary the number of racecourses which have now been approved under Section 3 of the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the Racecourse Betting Control Board's report which I have not yet received, but which I hope to be able to present on the re-assembly of the House after the Easter recess.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the trouble last week in Hull with unemployed seamen, in which the police had to intervene, owing to the signing on of Arabs as firemen in the steamship "Hesleyside"; if he is aware that the British able seamen in this ship refused to sail with the Arab firemen an d eventually British firemen were engaged; and whether he is satisfied that the existing law regulating the registration of alien Arab seamen is being observed?

I have obtained a police report of the incident referred to. From it I understand that there was no disturbance calling for police intervention. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it was only the good temper and good behaviour of the men which avoided a disturbance, and, with regard to the last part of the question, will he inquire into the very successful system in force at Antwerp with regard to registration of these men which prevents trouble?

asked the Home Secretary who is the final authority to sanction birching in Borstal institutions?

The Home Secretary. Cases are very rare, only one since 1928; and when I replied to my hon. Friend's supplementary question on 31st March I was under the impression that such an order would not require my confirmation.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to an order issued by the Soviet Consul-General in London to a number of Russian subjects domiciled here ordering them to return to Moscow, where they are liable to execution; and what action he proposes to take with regard to their continued residence in this country?

I have only seen newspaper reports; no representations have reached me from any of the persons who are supposed to be concerned. As the House knows I am now engaged in inquiring into the position of certain former employés of Soviet organisations in this country, and I have no doubt that all relevant considerations will come to light in the course of those inquiries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this was also in the "Daily Herald" yesterday morning, and in view—

Order!

asked the Home Secretary the number of accidents resulting in death or personal injury which were caused by vehicles and horses in the streets and public places of Great Britain during the year 1929, together with the number of persons killed or injured in these accidents?

As the answer contains a number of figures I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, although the town of Weston-super-Mare pays one-seventh of the total county rates, it has only three elected county councillors out of a total of over 60; and whether in these circumstances, any steps will be taken to secure a redistribution of county council seats in Somerset?

The question of redistribution will come up for consideration under Section 50 of the Local Government Act, 1929, which requires the county council to review the electoral divisions of the county and to report to me before the 1st January, 1933, as to the alterations which are needed in the boundaries of electoral divisions or in the number of county councillors and electoral divisions. As regards the considerations which have to be taken into account in forming the electoral divisions, I would refer the Noble Lord to Section 51 of the Local Government Act of 1888.

Does the Home Secretary agree that this town is under-represented?

To express an opinion would be to take sides.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give facilities for the early passing into law of the Playing Fields (Exemption from Rating) Bill?

I can only refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on Tuesday last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Willesden East (Mr. D. G. Somerville).

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has any record of the number of prosecutions of parents for failing to send their children to school during the last three years for which statistics are available; and how many of these cases were due to the objection of the parents to sending a child to an overcrowded school on account of the danger to the health of the child?

I regret that I have no information as to the number of prosecutions of parents in connection with the enforcement of school attendance.

asked the President of the Board of Education what action he is taking with those local education authorities who refuse to produce any scheme until they are satisfied that there are reliable indications that the Education (School Attendance) Bill will be placed on the Statute Book?

I have not considered it necessary to take any special action in these cases.

Would it not be better for the right hon. Gentleman, when he moves the Second Reading of his Bill, to deal with the subject so as to stop local authorities from shirking their responsibilities?

That does not arise out of the question.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that his answer to-day will act as a direct encouragement to those authorities who are suspicious to wait until the Bill has been drafted?

There are very few authorities concerned, awl there are no signs of others following their example.

Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to make a definite statement that it is still the intention of the Government to apply this Act in April of next year?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education if school medical officers are allowed to communicate direct with the chief medical officer of his Department; and, is so, will he bring this fact to the notice of directors of education in the country?

I have already stated, in reply to a previous question, that it is a practice of many years' standing for the Board's chief medical officer to communicate directly with school medical officers regarding questions on which he desires their professional opinion; and it is equally their practice to communicate directly with him on such questions. Both the local authorities and the directors are quite well aware of this practice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in certain districts in the country directors of education have taken an unreasonable attitude that, these communications should pass through their hands first, and will he call the attention of directors of education to the answer which he has now given?

I have no doubt that they will see the answer to the question which the hon. Member has asked.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has any information showing what is the school-leaving age in Canada and South Africa?

The school-leaving age varies from 12 to 16 in the different provinces of Canada, and from 15 to 16 for children of European descent in the different provinces of South Africa. In both cases there are varying provisions as to exemption in special circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the contributions of local education authorities to superannuation funds established under the Local Government Officers' Superannuation Act rank for grant when they are made in respect of officers on the administrative staff, school medical officers, school attendance officers, and school caretakers; and, if so, why similar expenditure in respect of supplementary teachers would not similarly rank?

The contributions of local education authorities to superannuation funds established under the Local Government Officers' Superannuation Act, 1922, do not rank for grant, and the second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Health the number of occasions since

None, Sir.

aked the Minister of Health what is the number of dwelling-houses in England and Wales now in course of erection, or for which contracts have been let, under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924, respectively?

No houses are being built under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923. Under the Act of 1924, 26,290 houses were in course of erection on the 1st ultimo in England and Wales and a further 16,528 were included in contracts let in direct labour schemes or had been the subject of a promise of financial assistance through a, local authority, but had not been commenced.

asked the Minister of Health the number of dwelling-houses built in England and Wales during 1929 and the number built since 1st January, 1930; and how many in each case were built under the 1923 and the 1924 Housing Acts, respectively?

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

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the intentions of the Government in relation to the Rent Restrictions Acts?

No, Sir. I have already indicated that there is no possibility of introducing legislation for the amendment of the Rent Restrictions Acts in the near future.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to put into a Bill all the undertakings that he has given during the last few months?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman admit that the Rent Restrictions Act—[Interruption.]

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the slum-clearance areas of Greenwich selected by the local authority?

So far as I am aware five areas have been made the subject of representations by the medical officer of health of this borough. These are known as the Eastney Street, East Street Charlton, Roan Street, Thames Street and Watergate Street areas.

asked the Minister of Health what schemes for the provision of houses have been submitted to the Ministry by the council of the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark since the medical officer of health of that borough reported that in 1927 the number of dwelling houses found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation was 10,499; Whether any such schemes have been approved by the Minister; and, if so, how many houses are to be demolished, how many people are to be rehoused, and the names of the streets that are included within the proposals?

No scheme for the provision of houses has been submitted by the Metropolitan Borough Council of Southwark since 1927. As I explained in reply to a recent question, owing to the absence of vacant sites in the borough it is necessary to rely primarily on the provision for new houses made by the county council. That authoity is carrying out a large programme of building which includes a number of schemes for providing housing accommodation in the inner parts of London. The county council have also undertaken schemes for dealing with unhealthy areas in the borough.

asked the Minister of Health if he still considers a further measure of town-planning essential to proper housing development: and whether, and when, he proposes to introduce legislation for the purposes?

It is still my intention to introduce amending town-planning legislation as soon as opportunity permits.

is it not essential to introduce this Measure at, the same time as the Bill dealing with slums: otherwise, these developments must go on under the old town-planning Acts on wrong principles. Are we not perpetuating wrong principles?

I am glad of the hon. and gallant Member's haste in this matter. If he could assure me that these two Bills would get through the House at the same time, I should be glad to consider the matter.

Is not this putting the cart before the horse?

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses built by the Alsager Urban District Council under State-aided housing schemes since 1920; whether he has received any application or communication from such local authority asking for the endorsement of or affecting any proposed housing scheme; and whether he will urge the council concerned to make adequate provision to meet the needs and requirements of their district?

Sixty-three houses have been built since 1920 with the aid of subsidies in this district; these houses were all built by private enterprise. I have not received any communication from the council in the matter or any complaint from other sources of a deficiency in the supply of houses in the district.

asked the Minister of Health the number of officials in receipt of salaries or wages from local authorities in proportion to the population of this country; what the proportion is in comparison with the electorate; and whether recent legislation will increase the number during the coming financial year?

The hon. Member will find certain figures bearing on this subject in the Industry Tables of the 1921 Census, but I have no figures of recent date nor can I express any opinion on the last part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman desirous of emulating Russia as regards the number of officials?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of salaried Civil Service officials employed in this country; and what proportion the number bears to the total population?

The returns of Civil Service staffs do not distinguish salaried officers from other civil servants, but the following figures may give the hon. Member the information which he desires. The total number of civilian employés of Government, established and unestablished, whole time and part time (including 121,813 industrial and 179,311 manipulative staff in the arsenals, dockyards, postal service and elsewhere), was 434,368 on the 1st January last. Of this number, after excluding industrial, manipulative, messengerial and other staffs on weekly wages, and part time staffs, it is estimated that there were about 74,000 salaried civil servants, representing 0.17 per cent. Of 44,504,000, the estimated population of Great Britain in 1929, or one to six hundred.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in issuing fresh regulations regarding the administration of national health insurance through the approved societies, he will stipulate that spectacle frames dispensed under the scheme should be of British origin?

I will consider what steps I can take to encourage the use of spectacle frames of British origin in connection with ophthalmic benefit under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that statement with the Free Trade principles of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a statement as to the results of the recent investigation by the Government actuary into the claims experience of a representative group of insured persons; and what action he is taking as a result of such report?

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether his attention has been called to the statement by the controller of the Insurance Department of the Ministry of Health to the effect that the growth of sickness claims is out of all proportion to the increase in the burden of unemployment, and that a complete explanation will have to be sought elsewhere; whether such explanation is being sought; and on what lines;

(2) if his attention has been called to the warning of his Controller against malingering on the part of persons drawing benefits under the National Health Insurance scheme; and whether he is satisfied that the standard of administration by every society concerned is sufficiently high to ensure that additional benefits are not sacrificed by laxity?

I am aware of the position with regard to the increase in expenditure on sickness and disablement benefits, which has been a matter of concern to me for some time past. The Report of the Government Actuary on the subject will be laid on the Table of the House within the next few days. The causes of the increase are under investigation by the Departments concerned, and steps are being taken to deal with any laxity which is brought to light.

Having regard to the grave anxiety among the approved societies of this country, can the right hon. Gentleman take any steps, for instance, in connection with medical certification under the Act? Is there any possibility of improving that? Can he do anything in that direction?

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to ask his staff, when they are inquiring further into this problem, to find out whether there is not a definite decline in the claims for the first quarter of this year, compared with any previous period?

I cannot carry the figures in my head. I have only seen the results of the actuarial investigation in the last six days, and I have not had time to examine them.

Before the right hon. Gentleman takes any action in this matter, will he consult the House, because the insured persons have rights equally with the approved societies?

The approved societies represent the members.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case the approved societies intend, or some of them intend, to deprive the insured persons of certain of their rights?

Will the right hon. Gentleman have the figures examined to see how far this benefit is paid to disabled men who ought to come under the Ministry of Pensions?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is here a definite charge of malingering and—

This question, with its supplementaries, is getting like the house that Jack built.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows registered in this country at the last Census?

At the 1921 Census there were enumerated in England and Wales 1,621,758 females who were described as widowed.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows receiving benefit under the Widows', Orphans' and Contributory Pensions Act, 1929?

16,079 widows have been granted widows' pensions as from 2nd January, 1930, as a result of the provisions of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1929. I would, however, remind the hon. and gallant Member that the majority of the widows who will benefit by the provisions of that Act will not become entitled to pensions before 1st July next.

Does not that show that the performances of the Socialist party in this matter are not on all-fours with their promises at the last election?

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is going to be done for all the other widows in need?

I will say what we tried to do, and what was opposed by the right hon. Gentleman and his friends.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the suggestion of the advisory committee on the welfare of the blind that the reduction of the age limit from 50 to 40 years for the receipt of a blind pension would be fully justified; and whether he proposes, in the near future, to take any action on the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, this matter is under consideration in connection with others affecting the welfare of the blind, but I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject at present.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are any local authorities whose tuberculosis figures show little or no decline during the past 10 years; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

There are a few areas in England and Wales in which there has been little or no decline in the death rate from tuberculosis during the past 10 years. The factors which may bear upon this matter are receiving special study in my Department.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information, and, if not, will he try to get information, as to the extent that these figures have not declined owing to tuberculous milk?

That is a matter which is being investigated now.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make special inquiries on the subject?

asked the Minister of Health in reference to Burntwood lunatic asylum, what was the number of patients; the number of admissions; the number of deaths during each of the last 10 years; and the number of patients per doctor in that institution?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of statistics in regard to the first three points raised