asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the total quantities and values of British re-exports to Russia subdivided into their different classes, for 1928, 1929, and the first quarter of 1930, or such period of 1930 for which figures are available;(2) the total quantities and values of British produce and manufactures exported from this country to Russia in 1928, 1929, and the first nine months of 1930, or such period of 1930 for which figures are available, subdivided into, their different classes:(3) the total quantities and values of Russian produce and manufactures imported into this country in 1928, 1929, and the first nine months of 1930, or such period of 1930 as figures are available, subdivided into their different classes?

The following table shows the total quantities and declared values of merchandise imported into and exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the years 1928 and 1929 and the first nine months of 1930, consigned from and to the Soviet

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many tons of Russian wheat have been purchased during the month of October by importers in this country?

As the figures for imports of Russian wheat during October are not yet available, I should be obliged if the hon. Member would repeat his question on Thursday next (13th November).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a resolution from the Council of Agriculture for England urging that immediate and active steps be taken to prevent further dumping of Russian and other foreign bounty-fed cereals and other food products; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on behalf of the President of the Board of Trade on 30th October to the hon. Member for Forfar (Sir H. Hope).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of wheat imported into this country during September and October from Canada, Russia and America?

The total quantity of wheat (grain) imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during September, 1930, as consigned from Canada was 2,908,000 cwts., from the Soviet Union (Russia), 2,251,000 cwts., and from the United States of America, 3,048,000 cwts. I will send the hon. Member similar particulars in respect of the month of October as soon as they are available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking in response to the request of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce that the Government should find a remedy to meet the inadequate yearly increase in the production of gold; and whether he has received from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce any concrete proposals to meet the failure, to which that body has drawn his attention, of the gold standard to work internationally?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on this matter on 30th October in reply to questions by the hon. Members for Portsmouth North (Sir B. Falle) and Twickenham (Sir J. Ferguson).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many persons are employed by the Commissioners at the present time; and what is the maximum number that have been employed at any one time during the last 12 months?

The number of persons now employed by the Forestry Commissioners (excluding 62 forest officers and 105 office staff) is 3,199; the maximum number employed at any one time during the last 12 months was 3,835.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now able to announce any scheme for the provision of agricultural credits in Scotland?

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies of the 4th instant to similar questions by the right hon. and learned Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Macpherson) and the hon. and learned Member for East Fife (Mr. Millar).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the committee inquiring into agricultural cooperation in Scotland?

I have already received this report. It was presented to Parliament on 16th May last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the grants made to the various Scottish education authorities in the year 1929–30, and the sums that would be payable under the proposed grant formula for the current year?

The information, required by the Noble Lady is shown in. the following statement:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to survey the ground on the north side of May Island, in the Firth of Forth, with a view to the erection of an additional foghorn; and when it is intended to instal the new foghorn?

The Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses, who are responsible for the provision of seamarks for general navigation in Scotland, report that, after careful consideration, they are not satisfied that an additional fog signal at the north end of May Island is necessary, as the proper course in fog or doubtful weather is by the south channel, using the lead and keeping outside the 20 fathom line.

asked the President of the Board of Education which local education authorities have submitted schemes providing for the completion of schemes of reorganisation of their schools by 1st April, 1931; and how many have submitted schemes providing for the reorganisation of a majority of the schools for which such reorganisation is desirable by that date?

I will send the hon. and gallant Member the list of authorities for which he asks. I may, however, remind him that the full effect of raising the school leaving age, as from 1st April next, will not be felt until the summer of 1932, by which time, as I have already stated, it seems likely that at least 142 local authorities will have substantially reorganised most of their areas.

asked the President of the Board of Education what number of children who will be affected by the raising of the school-leaving age are receiving instruction in rural and urban schools, respectively?

When the raising of the school-leaving age has become fully effective, approximately 400,000 additional children will be retained in the schools in England and Wales, divided roughly as follows: 80,000 in schools in rural districts and 320,000 in schools in urban districts.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the names and ranks of members serving on the committee of inquiry into the mate scheme; what are the terms of reference; what procedure is being adopted for obtaining the views of ex-mate and flag and commanding officers; and whether an Admiralty fleet order has been issued?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 30th October [OFFICIAL REPORT, columns 216–8] to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Portsmouth (Captain W. G. Hall).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number and ages of the commanders and lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate) now serving who held warrant rank prior to being commissioned; what is the age limit for the selection of lieutenant-commander (ex-mate) for promotion to commander; and whether age causes the majority of ex-warrant officers to be ruled out of the half-yearly promotion list?

Of the five commanders (ex-mate) now on the active list, three held warrant rank before being commissioned, and of the 49 lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate) 25 held warrant rank before being commissioned. The ages of the three commanders are approximately 43 years 10 months, 39 years 10 months and 37 years 11 months. The ages of the 25 lieutenant-commanders mentioned above range from 43 years one month to 36 years four months. There is no prescribed age Limit for selection to promotion for commander. Age is only one of the various points which are taken into consideration when selecting officers for promotion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Reinold Committee has finished its inquiries into the officers' stewards and cooks branch of the Royal Navy; and whether the recommendations of the committee will be published?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Board decisions arising out of the report of the committee will be notified to the Fleet as they are made. One of them, namely, that the officers' stewards and cooks are henceforth to be part of the accountant branch, has been promulgated in Admiralty Fleet Order 2552/1930.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of boy ratings of all branches of the Royal Navy who were invalided during the financial year, 1st April, 1929, to 31st March, 1930; and the number in the same period who were invalided with tuberculosis and heart complaints?

I regret that the figures for the financial year are not readily available. During the calendar year 1929 the number of boys invalided was 88. The number of boys invalided in the same period with tuberculosis was three and with heart complaints, 19.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether another naval cook rating can be sent to the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, observing that the cook rating taken in September for His Majesty's Ship "Suffolk" has not been replaced, and there are now only a chief petty officer and a cook, and the chief petty officer is required to work watch and watch with a rating, and neither can have a long week-end?

Another cook will be lent to Haslar Hospital as soon as one becomes available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the value of Admiralty orders placed with private shipbuilding firms and the value of similar work undertaken in the Royal Dockyard on the instructions of the Admiralty during 1929 and to the last date to which figures are available during 1930; and does he take note, when placing such orders, of the unemployment of men engaged on such work in dockyard towns and in towns in which private shipbuilding yards have been established and equipped for undertaking Admiralty work?

The value of Admiralty orders placed with private shipbuilding firms and with Royal Dockyards during the year 1929 is estimated to be £2,800,000 and £940,300 respectively. The corresponding amounts for ships ordered during the year 1930 up to the present date are £1,650,000 and £1,014,400. Included in the dockyard figures is, of course, the cost of materials purchased by contract. All relevant factors, including the considerations referred to by my hon. Friend and the desirability of stabilising, so far as practicable, the number of men employed in the Royal Dockyards, are taken into account when deciding on the allocation of work.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the attention of the Government has been called to the fact that the general circumstances of employment of temporary clerks in the Ministry of Labour has changed in the last 12 to 18 months owing to the accretion of new recruits; whether he is aware that whereas 18 months ago most tem-

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when it is expected that the investiga-

The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. Neither in London nor elsewhere is the minimum rate for the normal week worked by adult temporary clerks in the Ministry of Labour below 47s. for men and 35s. for women. The rates for Grade III male temporary clerks employed by the Ministry, which are governed by agreement and award of the Industrial Court, and those for Grade III women temporary clerks, governed by award of the court, are as shown in. the following table:tions now being made by a Royal Commission into the conditions of service in the Civil Service will be completed and their report published?

I understand that the Royal Commission are making satisfactory progress with the hearing of evidence, but it is too early yet to ask them to forecast the date of the completion of their labours.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of

Following is the information desired:promotions to executive and higher clerical posts, respectively, from among Lytton and Southborough entrants from the time of the introduction of these groups to 31st March, 19301

The numbers of officers promoted from the general clerical class to the junior executive class and to the higher clerical class during the period in question were 521 and 985 respectively. No statistics are available showing how many of these officers were Lytton or Southborough entrants.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what were the numbers of civil servant employés in all Government Departments for the year ended 31st March, 1930; and what was the total cost to the Exchequer of their salaries and pensions, distinguishing the Post Office staff from the aggregate of other Government Departments?

Following are the number and salaries of whole-time and part-time civil employés in all Departments, including staffs employed in Government industrial establishments and the amount paid in respect of super-

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the members of the advisory committee appointed in Scotland to assist in dealing with unemployment relief scheme; whether any representatives of the Scottish local authorities have been invited to serve on the

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of civil servants now employed; and the total annual amount paid in salaries during the latest financial year for which these are available, distinguishing between industrials and non-industrials, and between those engaged in revenue and non-revenue departments

The information desired is as follows:committee; and what are the functions and powers of the committee?

In consultation with my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Transport, I have appointed a small advisory committee to sit in Edinburgh for the purpose of giving assistance and advice to Scottish local authorities regarding any difficulties they may experience in the preparation of schemes for the relief of unemployment and submission of applications for grant in respect thereof. The Divisional Controller of the Ministry of Labour will act as chairman of this committee which will also include the Ministry of Transport's divisional road engineer for Scotland and representatives of the Departments of Health and Agriculture for Scotland. The hon. Member will see that the functions of the committee are such that representatives of local authorities could not usefully be included. I may mention that Sir William E. Whyte, whose experience and knowledge of Scottish Local Government are wellknown, has been added to the Unemployment Grants Committee, the committee which deals with these applications when made.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women for whom work has been provided since October, 1929, through schemes financially assisted by the Unemployed Grants Committee?

I feel sure that my hon. Friend knows that direct employment provided in relief of unemployment necessarily consists in the main of labouring work for which women cannot be engaged. Indirect employment is undoubtedly provided for women at their own trades, but statistics of this cannot be given. Apart from such indirect employment, the practical way of helping

asked the Minister of Labour whether in the last six months the grants by the Unemployment Grants Committee have been extended to any public works which have not hitherto benefited; whether she can indicate what assistance and, if so, how much, has been given to any municipalities in the country who are erecting

asked the Minister of Labour if she can give an estimate of the additional cost to the Exchequer that would be incurred by the inclusion of domestic service among the insurable occupations?

No precise information is available, but it is estimated that the inclusion of domestic service among the insurable occupations would, at present rates of contribution, increase the ordinary Exchequer contribution to the Unemployment Fund by about £1,500,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest available figures of unemployment for the borough of Colchester; what percentage these represent of registered workers; and if these figures and this percentage show a decline or otherwise on the corresponding period of last year?

The total register on lath October, 1930, was 1,178, or 9.9 per cent. of the insured population, as compared with 795 and 6.7 per cent. on 14th October, 1929. Further details are contained in the following table:new civic buildings; and whether she can state the principles which have actuated the change of policy hitherto adopted in matters of this nature by the Unemployment Grants Committee?

While the terms of grant have been materially improved during the past six months, the only class of work hitherto excluded for which grants can now be made are certain types of administrative buildings for local authorities. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the special conditions for grants for this type of work. Sixteen schemes have been approved for grant at an estimated total cost of £1,400,000. As regards the last part of the question, all schemes are examined on their merits and the committee have considered, with my approval and that of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that expenditure on certain types of administrative buildings satisfies the test of economic development laid down in ale Act.

asked the Minister of Labour how many seasonal workers have drawn benefit since the introduction of the Unemployment (No. 2) Act?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workers who are drawing benefit under the continuity rule?

If, as I assume, the hon. Member refers to claimants to benefit who have intermittent short spells of employment and unemployment, I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed who have paid less than 30 contributions during the past two years have received benefit since the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act came into force; and how many are now receiving it?

Statistics are not available regarding the total number of persons who have received benefit under the transitional conditions since the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930, came into force. At 22nd September, 1930, out of 1,967,000 claimants on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain, there were 342,000 in whose cases it had been ascertained that 30 contributions had not been paid in the preceding two years. I am unable to give the precise number who were actually in receipt of benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour how many British seamen, including all sea-going persons other than fishermen, are unemployed at the present time or on the nearest convenient date?

At 22nd September, 1930, there were 24,548 men, wholly unemployed, classified as seamen, of all nationalities, on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. Separate statistics are not available in respect of seamen of British nationality.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether, having regard to the number of unemployed in the Chatham and Gillingham area, Kent, she will see that no further unemployed persons are transferred to that district from distressed areas until work has been found for the local unemployed;(2) what number of persons, if any, have been transferred from distressed areas to the area of Gillingham and Chatham, Kent, during the past four months?

During the four months July to October the only transfers from depressed areas to the area of the Chatham Exchange were six men brought forward to fill vacancies on a State-aided road scheme sanctioned on condition that a proportion of men from depressed areas should be employed.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of relief schemes approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee in respect of Woolwich since June, 1929, up to the last convenient date, with the number of persons employed on such schemes; and the estimated duration of their employment?

Since 1st June, 1929, five schemes of work submitted by Woolwich Borough Council to the Unemployment Grants Committee have been approved for grant from Exchequer funds. They are estimated to cost £147,000 and to have an employment value equivalent to 27,090 man months. At 27th September, 1930, 124 men were employed on the one scheme which had then been started.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government have ratified the minimum wage-fixing machinery convention of the League of Nations; if not, whether it proposes to do so; whether this House will be consulted on the matter before ratification; whether, as a result of such ratification, it is intended to fix minimum rates in this country on an equal basis for both men and women; and whether, if this implication is not clear, the Government will propose to submit the interpretation of the convention on this point for the decision of the Permanent Court of International Justice

This convention was ratified on 14th June, 1929, in accordance with the proposals laid before the House in Command Paper 3337. Each State that ratifies it remains free to determine for itself both the nature of the wage-fixing machinery to be set up and the minimum rates to be fixed for workers of both sexes. In this country the obligations under the convention are met by the Trade Boards Acts. The convention contains no obligation to fix minimum rates on an equal basis for men and women.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated deficiency of the wheat crops in France and Italy for this year in relation to 1929; and the estimated surplus available for export this year from Russia?

The latest official estimates indicate that the wheat crops in France and Italy this year are smaller than those of 1929 by 47,500,000 and 25,000,000 cwts. respectively. No official estimate is available of the exportable surplus from this year's wheat crop in Russia, but trade estimates of the surplus range from 30,000,000 to 60,000,000 cwts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of new holdings provided by the Somerset County Council during the last five years, respectively?

The figures supplied by the county council are as follow:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of smallholders now occupied under the Somerset County Council, together with the number now on the waiting list?

On 31st December, 1929, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 1,090 tenants in occupation of holdings provided by the Somerset County Council. The number of applicants on the waiting list was 70.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average acreage per holding and the average price per acre of the holdings under the Somerset County Council?

The last annual return received from the Somerset County Council shows that the average size of the smallholdings provided by the council was 19¾ acres, and the average rent, including equipment, £2 13s. 9d. per acre.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the House any information about the present state of the negotiations between the representatives of the growers and the representatives of the beet-sugar factories; and whether he proposes to take any steps to assist those negotiations towards a satisfactory conclusion?

It has always been the policy of my Department to refrain from intervention in the negotiations between growers and manufacturers of beet-sugar, and I am not in a position at the present moment to make any statement about the state of the negotiations which are still in progress.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received the communication addressed to him by the president of the National Farmers' Union to the effect that he and his colleagues will not be willing to attend meetings of the scrub bull advisory committee; and what steps he proposes to take in consequence?

I have received the communication to which the hon. Member refers, and much regret the attitude of the National Farmers' Union. I have replied expressing the hope that I may continue to have the advantage of their co-operation for the benefit of the industry. My remarks on the subject of scrub bull legislation to which exception is taken by the union were made by way of good humoured interchange in the course of debate, and could not reasonably be interpreted as indicating any desire on my part to adopt a policy of non-cooperation with the union. The contrary of course is the case.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the ineffectiveness of the road controls established where road repairs are in progress; and what steps he will take to deal with these dangers on main roads?

Highway authorities are under a statutory obligation to erect barriers, and light and guard repair works at night. While I am not aware that they are under any statutory obligation to provide controls, it is the practice of the highway authorities to provide controls, where necessary, if they are carrying out the works themselves, and to require the provisions of such controls from contractors. I have not received any complaints in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps have recently been taken, or are contemplated with Government assistance, to extend and develop the canal systems of this country and modern methods of traffic thereon

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to a question on this subject asked by the hon. and gallant Member for King's Norton (Major Thomas), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government have given any undertaking to the motor car industry to the effect that they would consider an alteration in the present system of taxing motor cars?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on this matter to the hon. Member for Birkenhead East (Mr. White) on 4th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was laid down in the original invitation for subscriptions to the Five Per Cent. War Loan that repayment would only be made of the loan as a whole, or whether it is open to the Government to make offers of repayment in part by drawings or otherwise?

I can only refer the hon. Member to the terms of the prospectus of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Death Duties outstanding to the Treasury up to the most convenient date?

The assessment of the Death Duties on the estates of deceased persons is a progressive process, and it is not possible to say at any particular time how much duty remains to be collected.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the judgment of the Court of Appeal with respect to the taxation of unemployment grants in the case of the Seaham Harbour Dock Company; whether he has any statement to make; and, if so, whether the Commissioners of Income Tax will repay sums exacted on other unemployment grants from various local authorities?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the judgment of the Court of Appeal on 28th October last in the case of the Seaham Harbour Dock Company v. Crook (Inspector of Taxes), he is prepared to issue instructions that no claims shall be made in future by the Inland Revenue Department for payment of income tax on unemployment relief grants calculated on the basis of payment of interest charges on loans; and whether he will undertake to repay the amount of the tax deducted from such grants made prior to the judgment in question?

I am considering the position created by this judgment, and am not prepared to make any statement at the moment beyond this: that no further assessments will, of course, be made in this or similar cases, and that, as hon. Members are no doubt aware, it is settled law that assessments to Income Tax which have become final and conclusive cannot be re-opened in consequence of subsequent judicial decisions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the estimated cost of removing the means test in respect of old age pensions for persons attaining the age of 70?

Subject to the results of the census to be taken early in 1931, the cost of removing the means limit, on the assumption that all persons over 70 claim the old age pension, is now estimated at approximately £11,000,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any complaints about delay in granting old age pensions; whether he is aware that considerable inconvenience is caused to guardians committees by this delay; and whether he can take any steps to accelerate the granting of pensions after the recipients have reached the statutory age?

I am not aware that there is any general complaint regarding delay in granting old age pensions although there may be unavoidable delay in individual cases of exceptional difficulty. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the third part, if claimants in general would take advantage of the widely advertised provision which allows applications to be made four months in advance, there would be a material reduction in the number of cases in which pension is not granted until after pension age is reached.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities support their blind persons directly from the rates, and the names of the authorities that do so?

I have no complete information on this subject, but at least 80 of the local authorities provide financial assistance for the unemployable blind under the Blind Persons Act, 1920. Thirty-two of these authorities and 11 other authorities have made declarations under the Local Government Act, 1929, which provide that all domiciliary assistance for the blind shall be given under the Blind Persons Act. I will send my hon. Friend a list of these authorities.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in England and Wales have now voluntarily adopted model clause 9 B for the humane slaughter of animals?

The number is 388.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate cost of providing a national maternity service covering the services of a doctor, midwife and anaesthetic administration?

I regret that I can add nothing to the answers previously given to my hon. Friend on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether the sub-committee of the Ministry's advisory committee on water, to which the question of the liability for the maintenance of service pipes under streets has been referred, has yet reported; and if so, what action it is proposed to take?

The report of the sub-committee on this and other questions was published in September, 1929. I have the report under consideration, and I hope to deal with it when a favourable opportunity occurs.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are taken to make sure that the fruit imported into this country from abroad is gathered under circumstances which would prevent the germs of contagious diseases coming into this country?

I am advised that investigations which have been made from time to time on this subject afford no evidence of the conveyance of contagious disease by imported fruit, and that no specific measures accordingly are necessary for the purpose indicated in the question.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the growing practice of indiscriminate dumping of refuse by certain London boroughs; whether he is aware that the Woolwich Borough Council have operated with success a method of refuse destruction; and if he will seek statutory powers to make destruction compulsory?

I am aware of the practice of dumping and of the method of disposal at Woolwich. To act on the suggestion in the last part of the question would be a retrograde step, for there are several satisfactory ways of disposing of refuse, the best in any particular area depending on local conditions.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make any report on the deaths of 67 child: en at Lübeck early this year following the Calmette treatment of the Pasteur Institute; and whether the inquiries of the represenatives of the Medical Research Council on this matter have now been published?

I have received a copy of a confidential report made to the Medical Research Council by the two representatives who visited Germany. This report deals with technical matters which are of interest only to research workers, and does not traverse the ground of the official German inquiry, which is being made by the Imperial Board of Health. By the courtesy of the German authorities, I have received copies of two statements on the subject made by the Ministry of the Interior. Mention is made in the first of these statements of the neglect of certain precautions which should have been observed in the administration of the treatment; but the investigation into the cause of the deaths, which involves difficult problems of bacteriology, is not complete and, according to the latest information in my possession, may not be completed for some time.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken by the Nantwich Rural District and Urban District Councils with a view to dealing with the sewage problem at Birchin Lane and Broad Lane, in the areas of these authorities, following the report of the department's inspector; and whether he can now give some indication of the date at which the necessary sewerage scheme will be completed?

I am informed that the urban district council are prepared to accept the sewage from these areas, and that the engineers of the two councils have agreed on definite recommendations for this purpose, which are shortly to be considered by a joint committee of the councils. I regret that I cannot at present indicate a date at which a scheme can be completed.

asked the Minister of Health whether his consent has been sought and obtained to the terms of the recent advertisement issued by the Paddington Borough Council for a fully qualified whole-time sanitary inspector at a salary of £240 per annum, rising by increments of £10 to a maximum of £370 per annum; whether he is aware that the salary offered is considerably below the scale recommended by the London District Whitley Council; that the salaries paid to the sanitary inspectors in the service of the Paddington Borough Council are the lowest in London; and whether he will make representations to the local authority as to the advantage of paying a salary more in harmony with the recommendations of the London District Whitley Council?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second and third parts in the affirmative. I was informed of the intention of the borough council to issue the advertisement to which my hon. Friend refers, and I drew the attention of the borough council to the recommendation of the London District Council in the matter. The borough council informed me that this recommendation will be considered when the annual revision of salaries is under consideration, and in the circumstances I do not propose to make any further representations at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health if any inquiry is made by the medical officer of health or any other person into registered deaths with which pregnancy is associated; and, if not, whether he will cause such inquiry to be made?

Yes, Sir; such inquiries are being carried out by medical officers of health under the auspices of the Maternal Mortality Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the allegations in his current Departmental report that the practice of wrapping cheeses in tinfoil is a potential danger to the health of the consumer; whether this assertion was thoroughly substantiated before being made; and, if not, whether he proposes to insert a qualification of it in the next issue of his annual publication?

The passage to which the hon. Member refers is an extract from a report of the analyst of a local authority quoted in the recent annual report of my Department. I am advised that the analyst's comments are well founded and that tin is an objectionable constituent of articles of food. I do not propose, therefore, to publish any qualification of those comments.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the amount of condensed skimmed milk imported into this country; if he has any information as to the conditions under which it is prepared; what food value it has; and if he is prepared to prohibit its importation?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the imports of condensed skimmed milk. The conditions of production have been investigated by a Commission sent out by my Department, and are described in a report which was presented to Parliament in December, 1927. Although the commodity in question is inferior to whole milk in consequence of the removal of fat, it has substantial nutritive value by reason of the residuary milk solids and the added sugar, and I am not prepared to take any steps to prohibit its importation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give particulars of any proposals which have recently been adopted in the inner areas of London for the erection of dwellings for persons who must reside near their place of employment; and has his attention been drawn to any cases where restrictions are placed on the application form to the effect that persons with children are not accepted?

Proposals of the London County Council for the erection of 2,741 dwellings on sites in central areas of London for persons obliged to reside in reasonable proximity to their place of employment have been approved by my Department. In addition 594 houses are being built by Metropolitan borough councils, and 110 by subsidised private enterprise. I am not aware that any restriction to the effect mentioned in the latter part of the question is imposed.

asked the Minister of Health the number of vacant dwellings of rateable value up to £35 in the County of London and £26 outside according to the last returns available?

I am not aware of any return which gives the information desired by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Health what reply he has returned to the communication from the Town Clerk of Blackburn in reference to the insanitary conditions and high rents charged for houses let in lodgings; and will he consider the desirability of introducing legislation giving local authorities control over houses divided up into furnished rooms?

The Town Clerk of Blackburn has been informed that his communication will be brought to the notice of the Inter-Departmental Committee recently appointed to consider the working of the Rent Restrictions Acts. The facts stated are obviously such as to require full and careful consideration by the committee.

asked the Minister of Health when the departmental committee which is to inquire into the workng of the Rent Restrictions Act is to commence its work; the composition of the committee and the name and address of the secretary to whom communications should be made; and whether it is proposed to hear evidence from individual owners of small house property required for their own occupation as to the hardships suffered under the Act?

No date has yet been fixed for the first meeting of this

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the recently published annual report of the Ministry of Health only 12 pages out of

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take to secure the fulfilment by housing authorities of their obligation, under the Housing Act, 1930, to submit to him by the end of this year a housing programme for the next five years, having regard to the request of representative municipal authorities for an extension of time for the submission of such a programme?

I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of a circular letter which I have caused to be addressed to the local authorities concerned on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give full particulars of the houses built by local authorities in rural areas and referred to on page 79 of the annual report of the Ministry of Health as being let at rents as low as 2s. 6d. or 3s. 6d. a week; and whether he will give the cost and the floor area of such houses?

The appended statement gives the information asked" for by the hon. Member.276 are devoted to the whole subject of housing and slum clearance; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of this report, he will publish a special supplementary report on housing, showing what progress is being made in the country as a whole to meet the need for the housing of the working classes, what types of houses are being built, with typical costs and rents, and other information necessary to enable the public to appreciate how far the housing needs of the country are being met?

I am prepared to consider the hon. Member's suggestion, while dissociating myself from the strictures which he passes on my annual report for the present year.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the announcement that thousands of house doors from Russia are about to be offered for sale in this country; and whether, considering the number of carpenters and joiners now unemployed, he will suggest to the local authorities building houses with the aid of a subsidy that they should give preference to British-made doors?

I have seen reports to this effect in the public Press. I have already issued a circular, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member, urging local authorities to make use, to the utmost extent practicable, of goods and materials of home production or manufacture.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount paid on housing subsidies since 1918, the amount included therein and paid since 30th June, 1929, and the present annual Exchequer liability?

The total amount paid in housing subsidies in England and Wales since 1918 is £91.614,488, of which £15,608,326 has been paid since the 30th June, 1929. The amount estimated to be expended during the current financial years £11,855,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why no direct representative f the organised tied-house occupiers has Teen appointed to the committee dealing with rural housing conditions?

The Departmental Committee recently appointed to inquire into the conditions of occupation of agricultural cottages comprises no direct representative of any organisation of the various interests concerned, but the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Dallas), who is on the committee, is an officer of one of the trade unions which represents agricultural workers including, of course, those who occupy tied cottages.

asked the Minister of Health the number of certified mental deficients in Great Britain and the number for whom accommodation and treatment are being provided?

The number of certified mental defectives in England and Wales on 1st January, 1930, was 25,076. Of these 1,591 were under guardianship outside institutions. The number of beds available in institutions is approximately 24,000. As regards the position in Scotland, the question should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health what consultative councils were established in England and Wales respectively, in pursuance of Section 4 of the Ministry of Health Act, 1919; which, if any, of these councils still continue to function; and whether, having regard to the fact that the status of the Welsh Board of Health has now been restored by the appointment of a chairman, he will consider the advisability of re-establishing the consultative council for Wales?

The answer to the first question is four for England and one for Wales and, to the second, that the English Council on Approved Societies Work continues to meet regularly. As regards the third question, so far as I am aware, the matter has only been raised of late in connection with approved societies work in Wales. A special Welsh Council for that purpose could not be established under the Orders as they stand, and I do not think in fact it is needed as there are on the English Council many representatives of approved societies operating in Wales and a member directly concerned with the administration of National Health Insurance in that country. The Council is thus always able to ascertain and have regard to the views of Welsh societies.

asked the Minister of Health how many approved societies contribute towards the cost of dental treatment for their members and the number of insured members in these approved societies, and how many societies are not in a position to give dental benefit and the number of members in these societies; and whether he is in a position to give any indication as to whether the third valuation is likely to result in a curtailing of provision of dental benefit?

About 6.000 approved societies and branches in England and Wales, whose total membership at the date of the second valuation was approximately 12,700,000, contribute towards the cost of dental treatment for their members, and about 500 societies and branches, whose total membership at the same date was about 1,000,000, do not provide dental benefit. The third valuation of societies has not yet been completed, but the results thus far known do not show any reduction in the amount allocated for the provision of dental benefit.

asked the Minister of Health why it is proposed to vary the regulations under the National Health Insurance scheme covering the provision of additional dental benefit for voluntary contributors; whether the representatives of approved societies have agreed to such a variation; and will he state the reasons for suggesting any alteration in the present practice in this connection?

Under the Regulations governing the provision of dental benefit no distinction is made between employed and voluntary contributors. Before varying the Regulations in this respect, I should require to be satisfied that there were sufficient reasons to justify the variation, and such reasons have not yet been put before me.

asked the Minister of Health whether any children under the care of any public assistance committee are at the Boys' Home and Phillipson Farm Colony, near Stannington, Northumberland, or at any other institution run by the Poor Children's Homes Association; and, if so, whether, in view of the recent conviction of the headmaster of the Phillipson Farm Colony for cruelty, he can take any steps to see that they are removed?

This farm colony is not certified by my Department, but I find that six public assistance authorities have boys there. The Girls' Training Home, Shotley Bridge, run by the same association is certified. I understand that the Home Secretary has recently had the colony inspected, and I propose to await the result of that inspection before deciding whether action on my part is necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to announce the date on which it is proposed to take the Census in 1931; and whether any changes are contemplated in the statistical Returns to be made?

The date proposed for the Census Day, 1931, is 26th April next. With regard to the programme of census inquiries, I would refer the hon. Member to the Draft Census Order in Council which has been laid before the House.

asked the Minister of Health if he is in a position to say how many public assistance committees refuse to admit the Press to their meetings?

I regret that this information is not in my possession.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the report of the committee inquiring into the administration of the laws relating to the relief of the casual poor?

The Report (Cmd. 3640) was presented to Parliament last July.

asked the Minister of Health whether, since the issue to local authorities of the report on test work, he has received any representations from any authority; and whether he is yet in a position to state what action, if any, he proposes to take in regard to the conditions revealed by that report?

I am not aware of any representations arising directly from the report on test work. That report dealt with conditions existing under the Relief Regulation Order, 1911. The Order of 1930 which has superseded it was made after full consideration of the material provided by the report, and I am in correspondence with several local authorities as to their arrangements for setting to work, training and instructing men under the present Order.

asked the Minister of Health how many appeals against negative decisions have been made under the Pensions Acts, during 1930 to date, by widows and would-be old age pensioners; and how many of these appeals have been successful?

The number of appeals received during the present year against decisions given under the Contributory Pensions Acts is 13,934, of which 424 have been allowed up to date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the proposal to use Lambourne Down, Berkshire, as a bombing practice ground will be proceeded with; and, if not, whether, and in what locality, an alternative area suitable for this purpose will be acquired?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Abingdon (Major Glyn). As regards the second part, an alternative area. will be necessary, but no definite selection has yet been made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware of growing dissatisfaction being felt by members of the British section of the Palestine police constabulary as regards the conditions imposed upon them in comparison with those stipulated under their contracts; and whether, seeing that such conditions are accountable for a number of the men returning to Britain after doing only one year's service, he will say what steps, if any, are being taken to improve the situation?

My Noble Friend has received no such intimation from the High Commissioner for Palestine, but he will ask him for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the British representatives to the Preparatory Commission on World Disarmament at Geneva; and whether it is intended to add to the delegation as the negotiations proceed?

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle), on Monday last, Lord Cecil of Chelwood represents His Majesty's Government on the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference. My right hon. Friend does not contemplate any addition to the British Delegation in the course of the negotiations.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal and nonfatal accidents, respectively, which have occurred to horses and ponies employed in the coal mines in this country during the last six months; and how that number compares with that of similar accidents in other European countries, respectively?

During the year ended 30th June, 1930, the latest period for which information is available, the number of horses and ponies killed or destroyed in consequence of injury by accident was 1,793. The number injured by accident was 6,116. I regret that similar information in respect of other European countries is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, having regard to the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents to horses and ponies employed in coal mines in this country, he will consider the desirability of instructing the haulage committee of the Safety in Mines Research Board to give special consideration to the matter of what effective steps should be taken to prevent such accidents happening in the future; and if he will publish the recommendations made by that committee as a special Paper?

The prevention of accidents to horses and ponies in mines is a matter which is already being dealt with by the inspectors of mines. The special investigations of the Safety in Mines Research Board are to be directed to the prevention of the very large number of haulage accidents to men and boys—a serious and difficult problem requiring new and separate study. Facts may emerge in the course of the Board's investigations which will prove of value in connection with the prevention of accidents to horses in mines. I will bear this point in mind when considering whether recommendations shall be published.