asked the Minister of Labour the number of adult males that have been transferred from distressed areas through the Employment Exchanges to the Greater London area for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and whether any investigations are made previous to the tranfer of these persons as to the possibility of affording adequate housing accommodation at an economic rental in the districts to which they are transferred?

During the 12 months ended 26th May, 1930, 5,374 men were transferred from the depressed areas to the areas of Employment Exchanges in Greater London. As regards the second part of the question, the transfer of married men is strictly related to the housing position, which is constantly watched. Lists of lodgings available at reasonable rates for single men are kept at all receiving Exchanges.

Can the right hon. Lady say whether the employment of these transferees shows any prospect of being regular?

Yes, Sir.

Are inquiries made to see that the men are in somewhat in the same position when they are transferred as they were before?

Up to a certain point, yes.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the large number of unemployed persons in the district of Whittle-le-Woods who at present have to proceed to the Chorley Employment Exchange to sign on and to draw their unemployment benefit, she will see her way to have opened a branch Exchange at Whittle-le-Woods?

I am afraid that owing to the great pressure on the staff at present it is not practicable to open another branch office for this area. Arrangements are, however, being made for short-time workers to be dealt with at their employers' premises, and this will cover the great majority of those concerned.

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

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

asked the Minister of Labour the weekly total of the unemployed on the live register at the Hackney Employment Exchange at the latest available date as compared with 3rd June, 1929?

At 26th May, 1930, there were 7,090 persons on the registers of the Hackney Employment Exchange as compared with 4,682 at 3rd June, 1929.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of Birmingham's fresh claimants for the unemployment benefit during April and May of this year; and the number who were disqualified under transitional conditions?

During the period 13th March to 12th May, 1930, 39,238 fresh and renewal claims to unemployment benefit were made at Employment Exchanges in the Birmingham area and 1,355 were disallowed under transitional conditions.

How does that number compare with the similar period for the previous year?

I cannot say without notice.

Can the right hon. Lady say at what point of unemployment the Government will resign?

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners were transferred from the County of Durham during the 12 months ending 30th April, 1930?

The statistics obtained in respect of the transference of men from depressed areas show the total numbers placed in employment in the areas to which they go, but do not distinguish separately the areas from which they have been transferred. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to give the number of miners transferred from the County of Durham.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for unemployment benefit disallowed, under each cause of disqualification, and the percentage in each case to total claims, for each month of the year ending on the 31st May, 1930?

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

Can the Minister of Labour give me two figures; first, how far the figure for those who were disqualified as not normally insurable compares with the figure a year ago?

I shall be obliged if the right hon. Member will await the publication of the statement.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the relationship, if any, between the Manchester Municipal Employment Bureau and the Ministry of Labour?

This bureau has been established by the Manchester Corporation on its own responsibility, and there is no special relationship between it and the local Employment Exchange.

Does not the right hon. Lady rather look to municipal authorities to set an example to other employers by co-operating with the Employment Exchange?

It is as far as I know within the discretion of municipal corporations to set up such a tribunal, and I do not want to discourage anything a locality may do in dealing with their local problems, but, as far as I can see, this particular form of activity is more likely to lead to confusion and dislocation of effort.

Does the right hon. Lady approve of this duplication?

I have already replied to that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether all the schemes of public work on which 115,000 people are now engaged were started or sanctioned by the present Government; and, if not, how much of the employment of the 115,000 persons mentioned is given by schemes started or sanctioned under the late Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Full information as to the second part of the question is not readily available, but of the men employed on schemes approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee about 14 per cent. are employed on work sanctioned by the late Government.

Can the right hon. Lady prepare any figures giving an accurate estimate with regard to the whole?

I will do my best, but the right hon. Gentleman knows that it is very difficult.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons over 50 years of age it is estimated are among the 115,000 persons officially stated to be employed on the schemes of public works started by or sanctioned by the Government?

In general, in selecting men for employment on the various schemes of public works, a preference is given wherever practicable, and subject to industrial suitability, to married men or men with dependants; but I have no statistics as to the number of men thus employed who are over 50 years of age.

Can the right hon. Lady obtain for us within a short time, say within the next fortnight, in regard to those persons to whom employment has been given, details with regard to their age groups, their sex, and their previous occupation, as that alone can be of any value as to unemployment?

I think that is impossible within a fortnight.

If I put a question to the right hon. Lady, will she be able to give me an answer within the next fortnight? I think it can be done easily from the administrative point of view.

I will do my best.

asked the Minister of Labour what advantage has been taken of the provision of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1929, whereby the Acts can, in certain circumstances, be applied to employment abroad?

I presume the hon. Member refers to Section 13 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930. Regulations under this Section have been drafted and are under discussion with the interests concerned.

Does the right hon. Lady think, in view of the increasingly congested state of the labour market here, that some acceleration in the direction she has mentioned might take place?

I am afraid that under this Section it can never apply.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the average weekly extra payment of unemployment benefit as the result of the increase of dependants' allowances to 9s.?

On the information available, it is estimated that the average weekly extra payment of unemployment benefit as the result of the increase of dependants' allowances to 9s. under Section 2 (2, a) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930, is approximately £44,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she proposes to take any steps to ascertain the number of aliens in Great Britain who are at present in receipt of unemployment benefit?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total amount of the Government grant to the River Tees Conservancy Commissioners for improvement works on the north bank of the Tees; what is the estimated total cost; and what number of men will be employed?

The Unemployment Grants Committee have approved a grant of an estimated capitalised value of £90,000 in respect of improvement works on the north bank of the river Tees which are being undertaken by the Rives Tees Conservancy Commission for the relief of unemployment. The works are estimated to cost £300,856, and to provide direct employment amounting to 16,308 man months.

asked the Prime Minister which Minister will in future answer for the Government in respect of unemployment policy?

After Whitsuntide we shall revert to the old practice of putting questions on unemployment to the Departments concerned; when Government policy is involved the questions should be addressed to me.

What is the reason for that change?

Is this not a proof of the utter failure of the Government.

Do I rightly understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that if we want, at any time, a general discussion on the question of unemployment the Vote that we should ask for is that of the salary of the First Lord of the Treasury?

It all depends upon whether the general discussion is going to be mainly Departmental or not, but we shall always accommodate the Opposition, and, if they tell us what they want and the time they want it, we shall put down the appropriate Vote.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the latest estimate of the number of agricultural labourers out of employment in England and Wales?

My right hon. Friend has no detailed information on the subject subsequent to that contained in his speech on the Ministry's Estimates on the 12th May, when he stated that reports obtained from the Ministry's crop reporters in February last indicated that a total of between 30,000 and 40,000 agricultural workers were unemployed in that month. This estimate included both casual and regular workers, though the bulk of the unemployment was among casual workers.

Is it a fact that most of these unemployed men are found in the arable districts?

Yes.

Have the Government any policy for dealing with this problem?

asked the Home Secretary whether, and to what extent, the medical inspectorate of the factory department has been able to assist in the investigation at present being carried out by the London Cancer Hospital into the incidence of the disease of cancer of the bladder among workers in aniline factories; and whether, and to what extent, the Registrar-General has been able to supply the statistical information required for the investigation?

The precise manner in which the Factory Department could best assist in this investigation has been explored, and it was decided that they should co-operate more particularly in tracing, so far as is necessary and practicable, the exact occupations of persons who have died of cancer of the bladder. For this purpose, the Registrar-General is extracting information from his records, and the first return is, I understand, practically ready. As I have warned the hon. Member, the research is a complex and difficult one, and I am afraid it is impossible to forecast when we may expect any conclusive results.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the late Thomas Davies, of Gorslas, Carmarthen-shire, was certified in June, 1929, by his family doctor to be suffering from silicosis and was a few weeks later declared by the medical referee not to be suffering from silicosis; that in April, 1930, the post-mortem examination showed that he died from silicosis; and that at the inquest the verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence, namely, that Thomas Davies died from silicosis; and if he is now prepared to change Order 975 so as to obviate the effects of such mistakes to the miner or his dependants?

I have received reports on this case, and the facts appear to be as stated in the question. I am advised that, owing to the presence of the condition known as anthracosis, the diagnosis of the disease in this case would, during the workman's lifetime, be one of peculiar difficulty, and the case affords a very good illustration of the need for improved medical arrangements by the setting up of an expert medical board for the whole country, as recommended by the Departmental Committee. I am seeking to obtain the necessary powers for this purpose in the Workmen's Compensation (Silicosis) Bill which is now before this House, and which I hope will be proceeded with immediately after the Recess, and I can assure my hon. Friend that as soon as the Bill becomes law steps will be taken to establish the new medical organisation with the least possible delay.

In the meantime, is it possible to alter Order 975, so that these men and their dependants may have some kind of compensation?

I am afraid it is not in my power, but that is an important point of detail into which I shall inquire.

Will my right hon. Friend include in the Bill the industrial complaint known as anthracosis?

That again is a detail of which I require notice.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that an effective and inexpensive silencer has been invented for adaptation to pneumatic road-drills; and whether, in the interests of the workmen using the drills and the convenience of the public, he will consider the desirability of making the use of silencers compulsory?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the existence of a device for reducing the noise of pneumatic road-drills, and I understand that experiments are being conducted for the purpose of improving it. I have no power to make the use of any such device compulsory.

Will the Minister take steps also to silence other instruments of torture?

asked the Home Secretary whether any steps have yet been taken to instruct the police as to what constitutes dangerous and reckless driving of motor vehicles, respectively; and whether he will insist upon an adequate interval being allowed for such instruction before the Road Traffic Bill becomes law and the speed limit is removed for private motor vehicles?

I have already informed the hon. Member that I do not contemplate the issue of any circular to the police until the Bill has assumed final form, and, having regard to the publicity which the provisions in question have received, and to the experience which the police already possess in dealing with motor car offences, I see no necessity on that account alone for delaying the coming into force of these particular provisions beyond such date as general considerations of administrative requirements may indicate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the proposed new main road to Eastbourne is designed to cut through the village of Willingdon, destroying the oldest and most beautiful part of it, and involving the compulsory acquisition of church land at present used as a school playground; that the residents are opposed to the scheme, which they claim could be modified to provide a by-pass round the village; and whether he is prepared to consider representations on the matter?

I am aware of the circumstances connected with the proposed Willingdon by-pass and of the alternative proposals which have been put forward. My approval of the county council's proposals followed upon a local inquiry held last February. I am not aware that any fresh considerations have arisen, and I should deprecate any further delay in proceeding with the work. In the circumstances, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by my hearing further representations in the matter, but I must not be taken to admit my hon. Friend's description of the effect of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any map is kept in his Department showing the areas where the largest number of motor accidents occur, with a view to special steps being taken to render those areas less dangerous in the future?

A map relating to the central portion of the London Traffic area, and showing the sites of all fatal street accidents during the years 1920 to 1928 inclusive, is included as an appendix to the second report of the London Traffic Advisory Committee on Street Accidents in Greater London, issued in July, 1929, as a Stationery Office publication.

Would the Minister of Transport consider the advisability of having such a map not only of the London area, but of the whole country?

I will consider that, but I am afraid it would involve an increase in the staff of the Ministry of Transport, and I think this work would be better done and ought to be done by the local authority.

Would such a map not give the right hon. Gentleman an indication of the black spots and the danger spots in the country?

I quite agree, but, on the other hand, if we increase the staff for that purpose, I imagine we should be severely criticised by hon. Members opposite.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has now considered the report of the North Riding Education Committee respecting the provision of a secondary school for the Eston area; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have considered this proposal and have informed the local education authority that it is approved in principle by the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of schools and scholars who are receiving a daily ration of milk during school hours in the administrative county of Somerset?

I understand that, under the auspices of the National Milk Publicity Council, arrangements have been made for a daily supply of milk to about 60 children attending the Christ Church Infants' School at Frome. I hope that similar arrangements will shortly be made in other schools in the county.

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to call for a report as to the effect upon the health and lives of the school children?

I have not intended in this particular instance to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider that point?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a selection of the agreed syllabuses of religious instruction used respectively in provided and non-provided schools?

The Board do not inspect or otherwise supervise religious instruction, and syllabuses of such instruction are not submitted to them. I regret, therefore, that I am not in a position to do as the hon. Member suggests. I should perhaps explain that the so-called agreed syllabuses are prepared for use in non-provided schools, and any use that may be made of them in non-provided schools is a matter entirely within the discretion of individual bodies of managers.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman indicate what measure of agreement, if any, has been arrived at? Can he give the House that information?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education to what extent troops of boy scouts, wolf cubs, and companies of girl guides are being formed in connection with schools in different parts of the country; and whether this development will be definitely encouraged by his Department so far as possible?

I am aware that there has been a considerable growth in the number of boy scout troops, wolf cub packs, and girl guide companies in the schools, but I have no statistical information on the matter. I shall continue to watch this development with interest, but the hon. Member will appreciate that the Board of Education have no responsibility for such voluntary activities carried on outside school hours.

Do I understand that, in so far as the Board of Education have any interest in this matter, they are favourable to this development?

I have said that I am watching this development with interest.

Will the right hon. Gentleman watch this development and take particularly good care that these organisations do not become militaristic, like the poor cadets?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also encourage the extension of similar organisations in connection with the co-operative movement.

I do not think that that question arises.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities divide their school years in elementary schools into three terms, four terms, and a higher number than four, respectively?

I regret that I have not sufficient information to enable me to give the numbers for which my hon. Friend asks. It is, however, the general practice of local education authorities, with very few exceptions, to divide the school year into either three or four terms.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local authorities have by-laws purporting to allow children to be exempted from school upon passing a labour examination; and whether, seing that power to operate such a by-law was withdrawn by Section 8 (1) of the Education Act, 1918, now embodied in the Education Act, 1921, he will call on such authorities to submit new by-laws from which this exemption is omitted?

Upwards of 200 local education authorities have school attendance by-laws containing obsolete provisions for exemption upon a certificate from His Majesty's Inspector which, however, are very generally known to have been repealed by the Education Act, 1918. I have no power to call upon authorities to submit new by-laws merely for the purpose of omitting these obsolete provisions, which do not, in fact, cause any misapprehension.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now state the date when the report of the committee of inquiry into the cotton trade will be completed and the approximate date of its submission to the representatives of the trade?

The committee completed their report yesterday. As I explained yesterday in connection with a question put to me by the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Miller), about another Committee of the Economic Advisory Council, the question of publishing the report cannot be decided until His Majesty's Government have had an opportunity of considering the Committee's recommendations.

Have any new facts emerged as a result of this inquiry, and has any increased employment resulted therefrom?

I cannot answer the first part of the question until I have read the report, which has not yet reached my hands.

Is not the one great fact that emerges against Free Trade?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state, and, if not, if he will ascertain, the approximate amount of shipbuilding orders placed in British yards on Canadian account and the amount of Canadian money thus made available for British wages during the past year and five years, respectively?

The precise information desired by the hon. Member is not available, but it may assist him to know that, according to particulars furnished to the Customs authorities, the declared value of new ships built in the United Kingdom and exported to Canada was £8,773,988 in the five years 1925 to 1929, of which £3,845,752 related to the year 1928, and £3,883,040 to 1929. The figures for the three years 1925–27 are incomplete, since prior to 1928 vessels registered at a port in the United Kingdom merely for the purpose of delivery or transfer abroad were not normally recorded as exports.

Does that not indicate a substantial contribution on the part of Canada?

There is no need for my hon. Friend to impress that upon me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the proposal that the Government of the Union of South Africa shall place a duty of not less than 4s. per pair on imported footwear, he will say what steps he will recommend to the Geneva Tariff Conference to prevent this increase of tariff?

I understand that His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa have approved a proposal to impose a minimum specific duty of 3s. 6d. per pair on women's shoes, other than rubber shoes and other than shoes whose uppers are wholly or mainly of leather or canvas. The Union Government did not participate in the Geneva negotiations.

May I ask whether these very important questions are going to be discussed at the Imperial Economic Conference?

I could not make any statement about that at this stage.

May I ask whether any preference is to be given to the Mother Country?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's answer indicate the futility of his proposals at Geneva in regard to a Tariff Truce?

Not at all; I do not take that view of the Geneva Protocol.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether Czechoslovakia and Poland have ratified the Prohibitions Abolition Convention;

(2) whether this country is now bound by the Prohibitions Abolition Convention; and, if so, what is the earliest date by which it can be relieved of its obligations under that Convention?

Neither Czechoslovakia nor Poland has ratified the Convention, but both Governments have asked the other signatories to consent to the prolongation till 20th June, 1930, of the period during which their ratifications may be deposited. If general agreement on this matter is reached, and if both States ratify, the Convention will continue in force, subject to certain conditions, until 1st January, 1935. Otherwise, it will be open to this country to withdraw on 30th June, 1931.

Do the Government propose to agree to extending the time for ratification?

I do not reply to the question in that form, because everything depends upon what happens in the extended period, which will be approximately three weeks—to the 20th June.