Written Answers
Public Assistance (Expenditure)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount paid in subsidies under the Housing Acts for each financial year since 1920–21, including the estimated figures for 1930–31, and the amount in grants made by the Exchequer for work contributing to the relief of unemployment carried out by private enterprise, and the total expenditure of the Exchequer on schemes for the relief of unemployment during the same period?
The amounts paid in subsidies under the Housing Acts in each year since 1920–21 inclusive and the estimated figure for 1930–31 are as follow:
| £ | |
| 1920–21 | 3,238,093 |
| 1921–22 | 9,768,478 |
| 1922–23 | 10,486,187 |
| 1923–24 | 8,773,467 |
| 1924–25 | 9,045,588 |
| 1925–26 | 8,877,824 |
| 1926–27 | 9,448,253 |
| 1927–28 | 10,780,050 |
| 1928–29 | 12,067,927 |
| 1929–30 | 12,727,320 |
| 1930–31 (estimated) | 13,591,982 |
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of Exchequer contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Acts; the amount of uncovenanted benefit paid under the Unemployment Insurance Acts; the cost to the Exchequer and local authorities of schemes carried out by public bodies for the relief of unemployment; and the amount of grants made by the Exchequer towards work for the relief of unemployment carried out by private enterprise for each financial year since 1920–21, including the estimated figures for 1930–31?
The total amount of Exchequer contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Acts from 1920–21 to 1929–30 has been as follows:
| Financial Year. | Amount. |
| £ | |
| 1920–21 | 2,169,000 |
| 1921–22 | 8,123,000 |
| 1922–23 | 12,001,000 |
| 1923–24 | 12,811,000 |
| 1924–25 | 13,145,000 |
| 1925–26 | 13,504,000 |
| 1926–27 | 10,838,000 |
| 1927–28 | 12,025,000 |
| 1928–29 | 11,758,000 |
| 1929–30 | 19,498,000 |
| 115,872,000 |
I. Grants to local authorities.—
| — | (a) Grants by the Ministry of Transport in respect of road schemes. | (b) Grants by the Unemployment Grants Committee. | |
| (i) Borne on the Road Fund. | (ii) Borne on the Exchequer. | ||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| 1920–21 | 395,000 | 119,000 | 26,636 |
| 1921–22 | 1,306,000 | 387,000 | 1,698,310 |
| 1922–23 | 2,042,000 | 539,000 | 570,046 |
| 1923–24 | 2,909,000 | 90,000 | 1,034,336 |
| 1924–25 | 3,804,000 | — | 1,732,415 |
| 1925–26 | 4,927,000 | — | 2,105,552 |
| 1926–27 | 5,741,000 | — | 1,473,272 |
| 1927–28 | 5,275,000 | — | 1,642,649 |
| 1928–29 | 3,227,000 | — | 1,709,194 |
| 1929–30 | 3,443,000 | — | 1,876,849 |
| 1930–31 (estimated). | 6,158,000 | — | 2,201,000 |
| 39,227,000 | 1,135,000 | 16,070,259 | |
Information is not available as to the cost of these schemes to the local authorities concerned.
II. Grants (1) by the Unemployment Grants Committee and (2) under Part I of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act in respect of schemes carried out by private enterprise.
| Financial Year. | Grants by the Unemployment Grants Committee. | Grants under Part I of the Development Act. |
| £ | £ | |
| 1920–21 | — | — |
| 1921–22 | — | — |
| 1922–23 | — | — |
| 1923–24 | — | — |
| 1924–25 | 17,687 | — |
| 1925–26 | 29,284 | — |
| 1926–27 | 50,734 | — |
| 1927–28 | 50,724 | — |
| 1928–29 | 53,914 | — |
| 1929–30 | 53,669 | — |
| 1930–31 (Estimated) | 49,000 | 200,000 |
| £305,012 | £200,000 |
In addition to the foregoing, £750,000 is being provided in the Estimate for the Colonial Development Fund 1930–31 as a grant in aid of the Fund from which advances will be made under Section (1) of the Colonial Development Act, 1929.
asked the Minister of Health for each financial year since 1920–21, including the estimated figures for 1930–31, the subsidies paid under the Housing Acts and the cost to the Exchequer and to local authorities, respectively, of schemes carried out by public bodies for the relief of unemployment?
I have been asked to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply, circulated to-day, to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Finchley (Mr. Cadogan).
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for each financial year since 1920–21, including the estimated figures for 1930–31, the amount of grants made by the Exchequer towards schemes carried out by private enterprise for the relief of unemployment?
I would refer the hon. Member to my reply, circulated today, to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Finchley.
Petrol Duty
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amount received from the tax on petrol for the 12 months ended to 31st December last; and the estimates of the amount to be received up to the end of the present financial year?
The total amount of revenue derived from the tax on hydrocarbon oils during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1929, was £14,569,000. The estimated amount to be received during the present financial year is £15,200,000.
Fishing Industry (Wrecks, Removal)
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, of the numerous wrecks between the Outer Dowsing light vessal and Lowestoft, 21 have caused considerable loss to the Lowestoft fishermen owing to their nets fouling the masts of these wrecks; and whether he will arrange for these masts to be destroyed before the October herring fishing season opens?
Under the Merchant Shipping Acts, a wreck off the coasts of the United Kingdom can be removed by a general lighthouse authority only if, in the opinion of the authority, it is or is likely to become an obstruction or danger to navigation or to lifeboats engaged in the Lifeboat Service, and there is no power to remove a wreck which may be detrimental to fishing operations but which is not at the same time a danger to navigation. I am informed by the Corporation of Trinity House, who are the general lighthouse authority for England and Wales, that they have no knowledge of any wreck in the locality named which is dangerous to navigation, and that any remains of a wreck not dangerous to navigation but an obstruction to fishing could be dealt with by them only as a repayment service.
Trade And Commerce
Contracts, Colonial Governments
asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any eases have been brought to his notice in the last 12 months in which contracts for manufactured goods of any kind have been awarded by any Colonial Governments or their agents to foreign manufacturers as against British tenderers; and, if so, whether he will state their nature?
Since information concerning contracts awarded by Colonial Governments or their agents is a matter primarily for the Colonial Office, perhaps the hon. Member would address his question to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Overseas Trade Development Council
asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many persons sit on the Overseas Trade Development Committee; and how many of them are Labour representatives?
I am sending my hon. Friend the names of the members of the Overseas Trade Development Council, from which he will see that my hon. Friend the Member for the Kennington Division of Lambeth (Mr. Matters) is a member of the Council. Of the remainder, five are officials and six are representative of commerce and industry.
West Indies (Sugar Industry)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the purport of the latest reports received from the British Colonies in the Caribbean as to the present and prospective distress among the labouring classes resulting from the crisis in the sugar industry; and what measures of relief are being applied?
I regret to state that my information is that some increase of unemployment among the labouring classes is anticipated in the near future in some of the Colonies concerned. My Noble Friend is in telegraphic communication with the local Governments and has had the advantage of consulting representatives of the Colonies concerned who have ben attending the Colonial Office Conference. It is not desirable, in the interests of the people mainly affected, that I should enter into precise details of the projects now under discussion by way of relief works, but I may say in general that, so far as can be seen at present, it will be possible to cope with the situation.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what requests for assistance and loans from the Colonial Development Fund have been received in connection with sugar; and which of them have been granted, with the amounts involved?
Several applications for assistance from the Colonial Development Fund have been received from the Colonies which are mainly dependent on the export of sugar, but I should hesitate to describe more than a few minor applications as received in connection with sugar, as they are mainly intended to promote the general development of the Colonies concerned and have been considered by the committee from that point of view.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the proposal for the establishment of a trade commissioner in London for the British Colonies in the Caribbean?
My Noble Friend has been in communication with the West Indian Colonies on this matter, and favourable replies have been received from the Governors of the Bahamas, Leeward Islands, Bermuda, Trinidad and the Windward Islands. He is still in correspondence with the Governments of Jamaica, Barbados, and British Guiana, as their attitude is not yet finally decided.
Royal Air Force (Workmen, Sealand)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that men were some time ago sent from the South of England to the Sealand aerodrome in Cheshire, he will say whether such work is permanent or temporary; and will he make an announcement on this point, since the men are at present keeping up two homes and have no assurance as to their future?
While I am not in a position to give any guarantee in regard to permanency of employment, I can say that, so far as can at present be foreseen and provided no change of policy of a major character becomes necessary, there is no likelihood of the number of workmen at the Sealand packing depot being reduced.
Royal Navy
Engine-Room Artificer Fitters
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether orders have been issued recently modifying in any way the qualifications necessary for candidates entering His Majesty's Navy as engine-room artificers; and, if so, in what way do they alter or amend the orders in Appendix 17, Volume 2, of King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions?
Instructions have recently been given that in entering engine-room artificer fitters, lack of experience as turner need not disqualify. No alteration to Appendix 17 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions appears to be involved.
Police, Chatham Dockyard
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of police officials at present employed in Chatham Dockyard?
The number is 97.
Unestablished Dockyardmen (Wages And Pensions)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether he will consider the desirability of appointing a Departmental Committee to inquire into and report on the remuneration of unestablished men employed in His Majesty's naval dockyards and the desirability of making such employés pensionable on retirement after a given number of years' service;(2) whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to so amend the Superannuation Acts as to enable him to grant retiring pensions to those unestablished men in His Majesty's naval dockyards who have been continuously employed there for a large number of years?
The Shipbuilding Trade Joint Council for Government Departments and the Industrial Court already provide adequate machinery for the adjustment of the wages of unestablished and established workpeople in His Majesty's dockyards. I am not in a position, at the Admiralty, to initiate legislation for the amendment of the Superannuation Acts, which apply to all Government employés.
Photographers (Badge)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a distinctive non-substantive badge for ratings holding the non-substantive rating of photographer has been approved; and, if so, when the badge will be ready for issue by purchase to the ratings concerned?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, steps are being taken to obtain supplies for issue in due course.
Canal Boats (Children)
asked the Minister of Health if the inspector of canal boats has received any reports in the last three years from officials acting under local authorities, commenting unfavourably on the education of children residing on canal boats or on other conditions affecting them adversely; and, if so, if he will make them accessible to Members?
So far as the Ministry of Health is concerned, the answer to the first question is in the negative. Reports on the working of the Education Acts with respect to canalboat children are, as the Noble Lady will be aware, made not to me but to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education.
Catering Trade
asked the Minister of Labour if it is proposed to institute an inquiry into the hours worked in the catering trade; and, if so, on what lines?
The forthcoming report of the investigation which has been made in this trade in connection with the question of applying the Trade Boards Acts will include information upon this point.
Unemployment
Juvenile Advisory Committees, Scotland
asked the Minister of Labour the names of the 37 Scottish towns and 15 Scottish educational areas, exclusive of Edinburgh, in which there are advisory committees for juvenile employment?
The following list gives the names of the local education authority areas in Scotland in which a juvenile advisory committee is working, and the name of the committee in each of the areas concerned:
Scotland
LIST of local education authority areas in which juvenile advisory committees are working:
Name of local education authority and name of juvenile advisory committee(s) in the area of the authority.
- Aberdeen (City): Aberdeen.
- Ayrshire: Ayr, Kilmarnock.
- Caithness-shire: Wick.
- Dumbartonshire: Clydebank, Dumbarton and Alexandria, Kirkintilloch.
- Dumfries-shire (with the Stewartry of Kircudbright): Dumfries.
- Dundee (City): Dundee.
- Edinburgh (City): Edinburgh.
- Fifeshire: Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy.
- Forfarshire: Arbroath (including Brechin, Forfar and Montrose).
- Glasgow (City): Glasgow Advisory Council, Bridgeton, Central, Finnieston, Govan, Kinning Park, Maryhill, Parkhead, Partick, South Side, and Springburn.
- Inverness-shire: Inverness.
- Lanarkshire: Airdrie, Coatbridge, Hamilton, Motherwell, Rutherglen and Cambuslang, and Wishaw.
- Perthshire: Perth.
- Renfrewshire: Greenock and Port Glasgow, Johnstone, and Paisley.
- Stirlingshire: Falkirk and Stirling.
- Wigtownshire: Dumfries.
Statistics
asked the Minister of Labour whether she can give an analysis of the number of the registered unemployed, for the most recent convenient date, analysed as to trades, sex and age groups?
A detailed analysis by industry and sex of insured persons recorded as unemployed is published each month in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" and I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the issue for the current month, which will include figures for 23rd June, as soon as it is ready. I regret that a detailed analysis by age groups for a recent date is not available, but some figures in respect of 16th September, 1929, were published on pages 6 to 8 of the "Gazette" for January last, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.
Benefit Disallowed, Birkenhead
asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims disallowed at the Birkenhead Employment Exchange on the ground that applicants were not normally in insurable employment in the following periods: 1st January to 1st June, 1927, 1st January to 1st June, 1928, 1st January to 1st June, 1929, and 1st January to 1st June, 1930?
, pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 10th July, 1930, cols. 591–2, Vol. 241], supplied the following statement:Statistics of the disallowance of claims to benefit made at individual Employment Exchanges are not available in respect of dates prior to 19th April, 1928. The figures for the periods in question since that date, so far as available, are as follow:Disallowances on the ground "not normally insurable and will not normally seek to obtain a livelihood by means of insurable employment" in respect of claims to benefit made at Birkenhead Employment Exchange.Period and Number of Claims Disallowed.19th April, 1928, to 11th June, 1928–19.15th January, 1929, to 10th June, 1929–37.14th January, 1930, to 12th March, 1930—Separate figures not available.
*
13th March, 1930, to 9th June, 1930–93.
* The total number of disallowances on the grounds "not normally insurable" and "not a reasonable period of insurable employment during the previous two years" was 165.
During the period 15th January, 1929, to 12th March, 1930, there were on the registers an average of 406 persons whose claims had been disallowed under transitional conditions, as compared with an average of 57 in the period 13th March, to 9th June, 1930.
Electricity Supply, London
asked the Minister of Transport by what date it is anticipated the electricity supply of the London area will be co-ordinated; and whether any calculations have been made as to the price at which it will be possible to supply electric current in this area after such co-ordination has been carried through?
The London area is included in the area under the South-East England Electricity Scheme and the comprehensive co-ordination of the generation of electricity in the London area is dependent upon the completion of that scheme as a whole. It is anticipated that the scheme will be completed in 1933. Partial co-ordination of generation in the area covered by this scheme will, however, be in operation before that time. Calculations of the price at which it will be possible for authorised undertakers to obtain supplies of electricity in bulk from the Central Board after the scheme has been completed were made by the Electricity Commissioners when framing the scheme, and were embodied in a volume of Supplementary Particulars published with the draft scheme in October, 1927. The hon. Member will appreciate that the relation between those prices and the prices to be charged to consumers cannot at present be calculated.