Written Answers
Takoradi Harbour (Contract)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the remedial work to make good the defects in the contract for the Takoradi Harbour has now been completed; and whether any recent defects have been discovered?
Yes, Sir. I understand that the remedial work to be carried out by the contractors has been completed, and that no further defects have been discovered. Discussions are at present proceeding between the Government and the contractors with a view to arriving at a final settlement of accounts as from the end of last year.
West Indies (Communications)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been made with Imperial and International Communications for the provision of daily telegraphic news bulletins for Jamaica and the rest of the British West Indian Colonies, respectively; what is the cost of telegraphic news services chargeable to the various Colonies in the group; and what payments were made or charged against the various West Indian Colonies for telegraphic news services, either direct or by way of increasing the deficits of the company for which they were responsible from 1924 when the new cables were laid and wireless systems were installed under the management of the Pacific Cable Board until the sale of the system to the Communications Company in 1929?
Under the agreement for the purchase of the Pacific Cable Board's undertaking in the West Indies, Imperial and International Communications, Limited, are under an obligation to provide free of charge a news service, not less extensive than that previously supplied by the Direct West India Company and the Pacific Cable Board, to the West Indies (excluding Jamaica) and British Guiana. Under a separate agreement annual payments of £2,000 and £120, respectively, are made for a news service by Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands. In the case of Bermuda a payment of £400 per annum is made to the company by a local newspaper, which distributes the news. Imperial and International Communications, Limited, have submitted proposals with regard to their services which are under consideration. During the period 1924–1929 the arrangement was that the Pacific Cable Board, as managers of the West Indian Cable, distributed a news service supplied by the Direct West India Company. For this service the Direct West India Company received from the Pacific Cable Board a payment of about £2,400 per annum. As the West Indian service was worked at a loss, this sum formed part of the deficit, to which the following West Indian Governments contributed, in the proportions laid down in the schedule to the West Indian Islands (Telegraph) Act, 1924: Trinidad, British Guiana, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Kitts-Nevis, Antigua and Dominica. In the case of Jamaica, Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda, the existing arrangements were in force.
Royal Navy
Retiring Allowances, Dockyardmen
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amounts of the retiring allowances given to established men in Admiralty dockyards?
The amounts of these retiring allowances are governed by the Superannuation Acts, and vary in accordance with a man's length of reckonable service and emoluments. The average amount of pension awarded to established artificers who were discharged on attaining the age limit from the Royal dockyards during the 12 months ended 30th June, 1930, was approximately £55 per annum. They were also awarded additional allowances (lump sums) averaging, approximately, £140.
Tuberculosis (Stokers)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, in view of the number of stokers invalided yearly out of the Service with tuberculosis, the will set up a Departmental Committee to investigate the cause?
The question of tuberculosis in the Services was examined in 1928 by a Joint Medical Services Committee and no useful purpose would be served by appointing a further committee. Methods of combating the disease are constantly under consideration. I may add that the incidence of tuberculosis among this branch of the engine-room ratings is not considered to compare unfavourably with the incidence in the Navy as a whole or with that of the urban civil population of England and Wales.
Admiralty Staff
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state, separately, the number of naval officers and/or civil officers comprised in the reduction of staff at the Admiralty within the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?
As stated in the reply of the 3rd July (OFFICIAL REPORT, col. 2161) to the hon. Member, the net reduction in the total staff borne during the 12 months ending 31st March, 1930, amounted to 32. In that period there was a decrease of 33 in the number of civilian officers and an increase of one naval officer.
"Almirante Lattore"
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the work on the "Almirante Lattore" will be completed; and if any dockyard employés will receive notice of discharge in consequence?
The date for completion of the work on the "Almirante Lattore" cannot be stated. It is hoped that the programme of work can be arranged so that her completion will not necessitate any reduction in the numbers employed in the yard, but I cannot promise that no discharges will take place.
Ancient Monuments (Legislation)
asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is now in a position to state what further steps he proposes to take to prevent quarrying operations from damaging Hadrian's Wall or interfering with the amenities of the immediate surroundings thereof?
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject on the 2nd of this month. To that reply I may add that I have under preparation a Bill to give my Department adequate powers to protect the surroundings of ancient monuments, including those of Hadrian's Wall.
Woolwich County Court
asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can make a statement as to the reconstruction and alterations of the Woolwich County Court?
The improvements and alterations to the Woolwich County Court will be carried out by the borough council, the owners of the premises, during the forthcoming Long Vacation.
Prison Service (Promotions)
asked the Home Secretary the number of promotions of men made from the subordinate staff to the ranks of the superior staff in the prison service for the two years ended 30th June last; the number of men during the same period appointed from outside the prison service to the superior ranks; and the percentage of promotions from the ranks of the total of superior appointments for the past five years ended 30th June last?
During the two years ended 30th June last, nine governors or deputy-governors were appointed. Four were entrants from outside the prison service and five were promoted housemasters or assistant housemasters. In these two years five housemasters were appointed. All of them were promoted assistant housemasters and two of them had previously been in still lower ranks. During the five years ended 30th June, 18 governors or deputy-governors were appointed. Eight were entrants from outside, nine were promoted housemasters or assistant housemasters, and one had been of lower rank. In these five years nine housemasters were appointed. All of these were promoted assistant housemasters and three of them had served earlier in lower ranks.
Foreshore, Sea View, Isle Of Wight (Litigation)
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of public money spent in the different law suits in connection with the Sea View, Isle of Wight, case; and what was the ultimate result?
I have been asked to answer this question. My hon. Friend presumably refers to certain foreshore at Sea View, which was the subject of an action, Attorney-General versus Oglander and Glynn, and was declared by an Order of the High Court, dated 13th July, 1920, to be Crown property. The approximate amount of the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Crown in connection with this case was £563 16s. 11d.
Government Printing Works (Compositors)
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is a condition of employment as a compositor in works controlled by the Stationery Office that employés must be members of the London Society of Compositors?
The present arrangement is as stated in the question.
Wireless Exchanges
asked the Postmaster-General how many wireless exchanges there are in this country, the towns where they exist, the number of subscribers to them, and the advantages these receive?
On 30th June last there were 56 systems with a total of 12,172 subscribers. The principal towns concerned are: Blackpool, Bradford, Braintree, Brighton, Burnley, Clacton-on-Sea, Ely, Frinton-on-Sea, Hull, Hythe (Hants), Luton, Lytham St. Annes, Portsmouth, Ramsgate, Swindon and Thetford. For relatively small weekly payments the subscribers obtain reception of wireless programmes at loudspeaker strength and are saved the expense and trouble attaching to the purchase and upkeep of separate wireless receiving sets.
International Labour Organisation
asked the Minister of Labour what has been the cost of the attendance of Government delegates at meetings of the International Labour Organisation during the past 12 months?
The cost of the attendance of Government delegates and their advisers at meetings of the International Labour Organisation during the year ended 31st May, 1930, including secretarial and other expenses, was £2,742 4s. 5d. In addition, the Government paid the expenses of employers' and workers' delegates and their advisers attending sessions of the International Labour Conference, amounting to £1,557 10s. 4d. The expenditure covers the cost of attendance at four meetings of the governing body of the International Labour Office at the 12th and 13th sessions of the International Labour Conference and at a special conference on conditions of labour in the coal mining industry.