asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the hours and conditions of domestic service are quite different from those of industrial work, she will discontinue the policy of refusing unemployment benefit to women who have been insured in industrial occupations and are unwilling to engage in domestic service?

This is not within my discretion. The questions that arise in such cases must be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Acts, and no decision to withhold, benefit in any particular case is given except by the court of referees or by the Umpire.

Is it not a fact that, if girls who have been brought up in industrial centres, and have never been in domestic service, refuse to go into domestic service, they are cut off from the Employment Exchange?

No, Sir, that is not the fact. It depends upon each particular case, and the circumstances of each case.

Is it not a fact that in cases where girls who have never been in domestic service before, but have been working in the factories refuse to go to into domestic service their benefit is cut off?

No, Sir.

Does the Minister assure the House that she has no power whatever in regard to the question of the suitability of the alternative employment, and the condition of the individuals arising from previous training?

No, Sir, none whatever.

Would it not be easier for those girls if some people in the country did not go about saying that domestic service is—

On a point of Order. May I say that I think that her Ladyship should get rid of that question because there is an innuendo in it to which I should like to reply. Nobody goes about the country saying such things.

asked the Minister of Labour if, when positions as domestic servants are notified to women by Employment Exchanges, they are advised of the wages and working conditions attached to the post?

Yes, Sir.

Is the Ministry of Labour prepared to issue instructions to the Exchanges not to fill vacancies where the wages and working conditions are unreasonable?

No, Sir. That is not within my province. The adjudicating machinery has to take that into consideration in relation to the question whether the work is suitable.

The right hon. Lady told us previously this afternoon that the Employment Exchange did not fill the position of a boy who was wanted because the wages were too low. If they can do that with a boy, why cannot they do it with a girl?

There seems to be a very great deal of misunderstanding about this matter. The Employment Exchanges must offer the vacancies that are to be offered, but the question of refusing benefit, if an applicant refuses a situa- tion, depends upon the circumstances of each case.

Are these girls perfectly free—

Tell the rich women to go and clean their own houses, and then they will see how the lasses of the working-classes have to work.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the wages and working conditions of the positions as general servants in Blackpool boarding houses which were offered to Elizabeth Sharpies, Mary Caulfield, Alice Bamber, and Elizabeth Beckett, whose claims for benefit have been declined by the umpire?

The vacancies in question were for "generals" in boarding houses, company houses, etc. The duties were mainly general duties, including washing, and previous experience was not essential. In some cases the girls would be required to assist in plain cooking. Board and lodging was provided and wages varying from 10s. to 15s. per week, with tips in addition. Outings were to be arranged.

Can the right hon. Lady tell me the hours that these girls are expected to work in those positions?

I will make inquiries on that point.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women whose claims to unemployment benefit have been rejected because of their refusal to accept positions as domestic servants and service at service canteens, respectively?

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

Can the right hon. Lady tell us the number of protests that she has received against this action?

I think they amount to three resolutions.

Cannot the specific figures be given?

I am going into this matter very carefully, and will see what statistics it is possible to extract without giving too much additional work to a very overworked staff.

If I put down a question to-day asking for a return for three months, will the right hon. Lady be able to give me an answer next week?

I am afraid I cannot say.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the manager of the Employment Exchange, 60, Great Marlborough Street, in a letter dated 28th November, 1930, regretted that he was not able to find anyone to fill the post of messenger, she will make inquiries as to whether on that date, there was no unemployed person available for the work; and will she give the reasons?

On the date mentioned, 28th November last, there were eight boys on the register of the Great Marlborough Street Exchange and 110 vacancies. In the case to which I understand the hon. Member refers the wages offered were below those normally obtainable by boys living in the area, and they would of course be even less attractive to boys who would have to incur travelling expenses.

Are we to assume that the position is not filled because the wages offered were not so good as the benefit offered by the Exchange?

Not at all. It was because the wage was not as good as the wage offered in that area to other boys.

These names have been given since I put this question on the Paper, but may I ask the right hon. Lady whether the Royal Commission will sit in public?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workers in the mining industry in Great Britain in receipt of unemployment benefits for part-time employment, giving the figures for each district separately?

Precise statistics of the numbers in receipt of benefit who are in part-time employment are not available. Such persons would in most cases be included in the numbers unemployed who are temporarily stopped from the service of employers, and I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving figures on this basis.

Following is the statement:

Insured persons classified as belonging to the coal mining industry in Great Britain recorded as temporarily stopped from the service of employers at 24th November, 1930.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the proportion of the numbers on the registers of the Employment Exchanges whose claims have been admitted for the three months to the latest convenient date and for the corresponding three months in 1927, 1928, and 1929;

(2) the proportion of the numbers on the registers of the Edinburgh Employment Exchange whose claims have been admitted for three months to the latest convenient date and for the corresponding three months in 1927, 1928, and 1929?

I am having the information asked for in these questions extracted and as soon as it has been tabulated, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour if a decision has been arrived at by the Unemployment Grants Committee regarding the scheme for the utilisation of Jarrow slake to improve the shipping facilities on the Tyne?

The committee have been requested to consider this proposal in principle; no formal application for a grant has in fact been made. They are in consultation with the Ministry of Transport regarding the project and that Department is awaiting an expression of opinion from the Chamber of Shipping.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of persons now employed on public works which have been initiated for the purpose of dealing with unemployment by the central Government and local authorities; and how many of these men have been drawn from the unemployed in skilled industries?

It is estimated that on 31st October the number of men directly employed on schemes assisted by various grant-making Departments was approximately 89,000. The information asked for in the second part of the question is not available.

Can the right hon. Lady give a little more information than that which is given in the answer? Does the number of 89,000 include persons Other than those employed on the schemes originally set up to give employment to the unemployed?

These persons are directly employed on the schemes assisted by grants.

Do those figures include the number of men who have been put on road schemes?

No, not normally.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has reconsidered her previous policy of refusing her sanction to grants to be made by the Unemployment Grants Committee for the construction or extension of public libraries; and how many applications concerning such buildings have been received and rejected?

Since 1st June, 1929, 12 formal applications for grant in respect of public libraries have been submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee. In addition, certain comprehensive schemes for the extension of municipal buildings have included provision for public libraries. These form only a small proportion of the total number of schemes submitted, most of which comply with the conditions laid down for grant, and in view of the terms of the Act I do not feel justified in altering the conditions in this respect.

Do I understand from the answer given by the right hon. Lady that all future applications for grants for the extension of public libraries will be refused on the ground of policy?

Yes, at the present time.

Would it not be a very great mistake to consider any applications such as these unless it was a necessity?

Does the right hon. Lady not consider that public libraries are a necessity?

asked the Minister of Labour if she can give an estimate of the number of insured workmen who are employed for three days or less per week and drawing the unemployment insurance for the remainder of the week?

I am unable to make such an estimate.

Since this is a growing practice which was not intended by the Unemployment Insurance Act, will the right hon. Lady look into the matter, seeing that the Royal Commission cannot report for many months?

I am certainly having it watched very carefully. At the present time the classification, as I stated in a previous reply, is of those temporarily stopped from the service of their employers. There are a lot of variations in that classification, but they are all lumped under one heading.

Seeing that it is an abuse can the right hon. Lady not go into the matter?

asked the Minister of Labour with regard to the fact that the Singer sewing machine works at Clydebank are to be closed from 18th December until 5th January, whether the same arrangements as to those promised in her reply to a question of the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) on 10th July, 1930, will be adopted, in order to decide the question whether the workers laid off will receive unemployment benefit during the period the works are closed, as New Year's Day is the only official holiday at the period recognised by Statute?

The arrangements made last July for facilitating the making of claims by workers at this establishment will be available for the same purpose this month.

Does the same position apply to workers who are likely to receive at least 10 days' holiday at Christmas without a penny piece of wages?

That question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the women who are to make the inspections of canteens; and if the report they make will be made public?

If my hon. Friend will repeat his question next week, I hope to be able to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the extra cost to the Exchequer of the Unemploy- ment Fund based on the present numbers of unemployed made by the change in the contribution to the transitional benefit, making the Exchequer contribution one-third, payments of benefit to persons who would have been previously disallowed, benefit paid to married women, and increased rates of benefit, respectively, and the total cost of these changes?

I would refer the hon. Member to the figures which I gave during the debate in the Committee stage of the Money Resolution on 1st December.

Could the right hon. Lady give the House the total of these figures?

They will be found in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends to take any action to keep in insurance those persons whose insurance lapses at the end of the present year as a result of prolonged unemployment?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to make any statement with regard to the case of genuinely unemployed persons in health insurance who, through long continued unemployment, will be in danger of losing health insurance and pension rights on 31st December next; and whether he can state what steps can be taken to safeguard the funds of approved societies while, at the same time, preventing these persons from losing their rights?

Following yesterday's conferences with the Approved Societies' Consultative Councils the Government has decided to introduce early legislation with the object of safeguarding, during the coming year, the health and pensions insurance rights of the persons referred to. Payment of the appropriate health insurance contributions will be made by the Exchequer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what will be the ap- proximate cost of these proposals to the national Exchequer?

I cannot say offhand. There are two sides to the question, and I am not certain yet whether, as regards pension rights, it is going to be equalised now or left until the following year, but before the Bill is brought before the House a financial statement will be submitted.

Am I to take it that it will involve a very considerable sum?

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by the pension rights of those whose rights are already exhausted?

I should like to put a question to the right hon. Gentleman which I asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, namely: If he can state definitely—seeing that before legislation can be introduced and passed, it will be the month of February and there will be a month uncovered—or make some statement as to what is to happen in the particular month which is uncovered or which cannot be covered by legislation?

It is very difficult in reply to questions to deal with the terms of the Bill, but, as I understand my hon. Friend, his question yesterday was as regards those people who were actually drawing benefit at the end of the year. Those people will go on and will be covered for medical benefit for a further month after the end of the time that they cease to draw their benefit.

Are we to understand that the Government have decided to introduce this legislation without having formed any estimate of the cost at all?

This is a very important matter—

Sir George Penny!

I should like, with regard to the point which I have raised, to give notice that I wish to raise the matter, if possible, on the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to ensure that as many as possible of the unemployed are engaged to assist in dealing with the pressure of work during the Christmas season?

Yes, Sir. That is the policy of my Department.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can give any explanation as to the supply of men for the purpose of strike breaking from Springburn Training Centre, on 18th August, 1930, to Messrs. J. Mcllwraith and Company, Limited, Broomloan Road, Govan, Glasgow, and the refusal of unemployment benefit to these men by a court of referees because they refused employment of this nature?

The matter is now before the umpire, and it would not be proper for me to make any statement. After the umpire has given his decision I will, if necessary, review the circumstances of the case.

Apart from the question of benefit coming before the umpire, are any steps being taken to see that there is no strike-breaking activity in this centre?

Quite.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that the Celta artificial silk works at Peterborough have closed down; and whether she has had any negotiations with representatives of the artificial silk industry with a view to keeping these workpeople in employment?

So far as I am aware, it is not intended to close these works permanently, but I have no information as to when they will be reopened. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will consider, at an early date, bringing within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts proprietors of businesses and enterprises in which only the proprietor or members of his family are engaged?

I am afraid it would not be practicable to bring persons of this type within the scope of a National Unemployment Insurance Scheme, as they are not working under a contract of service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there has been established at Leamington a training school for domestic servants; and, if so, what are the general conditions and the length of the course?

A residential home training centre with accommodation for 40 women and girls of 16 years and upwards has been in operation since January last at Leamington. It is conducted on behalf of my Department by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment. The course lasts from eight to 10 weeks. Trainees receive instruction in cookery, laundry, housewifery, needlework^ general knowledge and health talks, etc. No fees are charged; free travelling expenses from home to the hostel are granted and while in residence trainees receive an allowance of 2s. 6d. per week in addition to board and lodging and are given the materials from which to make an outfit for themselves. I am sending my hon. Friend an illustrated leaflet giving further particulars of the centre and will place further copies in the Library.

May I ask if this is the only school of its kind in operation?

Yes, at present; but I hope to open another at Warrington quite shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour if she can give the idex number, based on food, fuel, light, and soap, of comparative real wages in Soviet Russia, taking this country as 100?

I have no information which would enable me to give the index number asked for. I would refer the hon. Member, however, to the calculations made by the International Labour Office, which are contained in the International Labour Review, October-November, 1928.

Does that calculation include Russia or is Russia excluded?

These are the calculations about Russia.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps she is taking with regard to the recommendations from joint industrial councils advocating the establishment of such councils in every industry where a council is not already in existence?

It is the policy of the Government to give assistance in the formation of joint industrial councils when employers' and workers' organisations so desire. It is necessary, however, to allow employers' and workers' organisations in each industry to adopt the form of joint machinery which seems to them to be best fitted to their own circumstances.

Will the Minister of Labour say how many joint industrial councils have been formed since the Government took office?

The hon. Member might give me notice of that question.

Are there none?

How many of these councils have ceased to function during the last two years?

I should like to have notice of that question also.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is in a position to report the result of the inquiry into wages, hours, and working conditions in cinemas in London and the provinces?

The inquiry is in progress, but it will be some time before the results are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report of of the Royal Commission on Licensing?

asked the Home Secretary when he expects a report from the Royal Commission on Licensing; and whether he can give any estimate of the daily cost of the Commission?

I am afraid I cannot give any date by which the report of the Licensing Commission may be expected. I can only say that I understand that the Commission have completed the public evidence which they desire to take. As regards the cost of the Commission, I would refer the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Devonport Division of Plymouth (Mr. Hore-Belisha) on the 27th November, by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of the total cost of the Commission to date?

The amount mentioned in the answer to which I have referred is £10,000.

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect to have this report by the time that the House meets in January?

I cannot say, but I will consult the Chairman at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the present condition of the law on the subject of sweepstakes, lotteries and raffles, he will consider the appointment of a committee for the purpose of recommending legislation with a view to clarifying the position?

Under the existing law, public lotteries of whatever form, and whether promoted in this country or not, are illegal in this country, and, while that is the case, the authorities have no alternative but to carry out the law. Under the Customs Acts, advertisements or notices of lotteries are contraband, and upon importation, by whatever means, can be dealt with accordingly. The sending of lottery tickets or advertisements through the post is also prohibited, and letters suspected of containing correspondence relating to lotteries may be opened. The Statute provides heavy penalties for breaches of the law. If I were satisfied of the existence of any general demand that I should look into the question of setting up a Committee to consider, as a practical question, the conditions and safeguards which would be necessary and appropriate if lotteries were to be permitted as a method of raising money for approved public purposes, I should be prepared to consider what would be the best method of giving effect to such a demand.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that raffles held in bazaars for the raising of funds for religious or charitable purposes come under the Act?

I have tried to cover the general aspects of the question embodied in the Question on the Paper, and I hope my hon. Friend will consider that that is sufficient for the day.

In view of the fact that a Bill to remedy the absurd position of the law at the present time would be practically non-contentious in this 'House, why cannot the right hon. Gentleman introduce it?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the failure of the Betting Act?

The two last supplementary questions appear to indicate that there is a difference of opinion.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that there is a considerable body of evidence in the country in favour of the action that he has already taken in this matter; and what grounds, therefore, will there be for any considerable change?

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that he can enforce the present law?

We can only begin to enforce the law when the facts are revealed to us. I admit that there is some difficulty, but, once the facts are before us, we have no alternative but to do our best to enforce the law.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the present position of the proceedings relating to the prosecution of Mr. Gialdini?

The further evidence which I mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member's question on the 6th November last has been taken in this country and forwarded to the Italian Government.

Has there not been very considerable delay in this matter, and can nothing be done so far as this country is concerned?

Numerous questions have had to be investigated, and it must be remembered that this is a prosecution by the Italian Government of an Italian subject.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether, in view of the inconsistency of the present law with reference to the Sunday opening of cinemas, he will consider the appointment of a Departmental Committee to advise him as to the introduction of legislation which will regularise Sunday cinema performances;

(2) whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend the Sunday Observance Act of 1781?

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether, in view of the anomalies of the present law with regard to the Sunday opening of different places of amusement, both theatres and cinemas, he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation at an early date to regularise the position of all enterainments on the day in question;

(2) whether he has considered the position created by the decision in the case Rev the London County Council, ex-parte the Entertainments Protection Association, Limited; if so, whether he can make any statement thereon in view of the large numbers of people who are directly affected; and what action he proposes to take?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the position in which local authorities are placed in deciding the hours of opening, and particularly of Sunday opening of cinemas, he will consider the advisability of promoting legislation whereby the hours of opening for cinemas may be uniform over the whole country?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the state of the law in respect of Sunday performances, he proposes to introduce regulating legislation?

The whole subject is engaging my attention in view of the recent proceedings, but I am informed that the London County Council have decided to appeal against the judgment of the High Court, and, pending the hearing of the appeal, it would not be proper for me to make any public statement on this question.

Has the right hon. Gentleman been asked to receive a deputation from the London County Council members on this subject?

I have no information on that point.

In any inquiries that the right hon. Gentleman makes, will he bear in mind the invidious position of the local authorities—

The right hon. Gentleman has said that he cannot give any further answer pending the result of the inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the number of citizens of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics now permitted to remain in Great Britain solely on account of their unwillingness to return to their native land, he will give permission to such persons to continue to reside in this country conditional upon their being able to prove that they have not at any time carried on, or assisted in carrying on, Communist propaganda in Great Britain or any other part of the British Empire?

Every case is carefully investigated, and the applicant's connection or otherwise with Communist propaganda is one of the factors which is taken into consideration on any application for extension of conditions.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are taken to ensure that citizens of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics who are permitted to remain in Great Britain on account of their unwillingness to return to their native land do not enter gainful employment in this country to the detriment of British workers?

Every application is carefully investigated, and the alien's proposed occupation is one of the matters which is taken into consideration. So far as I am aware, none of the persons concerned is in employment.

Are they entitled to live in this country if they are not employed?

I conclude that they must be, as many others do without earning their own living here.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the opinion expressed by coroners, he will consider a revision of the regulations controlling the sale of arsenic to the public so that, if this poison is indispensable to agriculture, the licensed vendors, such as corn merchants, ironmongers, etc., will be made to comply with the same regulations as registered chemists?

I hope that a Bill for the purpose of simplifying and strengthening the law relating to poisons may shortly be introduced into Parliament. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that the existing provisions of the law relating to the sale of arsenic and of poisons generally apply equally to registered chemists and the licensed vendors to whom he refers. The licensed vendors are, in addition, subject to the regula- tions made by Order in Council under Section 2 of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908.

asked the Home Secretary if he is now prepared to make an inquiry into the question of film censorship?

I have given careful consideration to this matter. It is not always recognised that a power of censoring films is vested in the local authorities. The local authorities rely for the most part on the systematic examination of all films by the Board of Film Censors; but their power of censorship remains in reserve. I am well aware that there are signs of growing uneasiness in the public mind as to the tone of many films now exhibited and I welcome this evidence of public concern because I believe that the pressure of public opinion can alone bring about an improvement. There is, however, I think, some confusion of thought in the idea that a change of the system of censorship would provide a remedy. I doubt if an inquiry by a commission representative of different interests and points of view would be of much assistance. I have no reason to believe that any alternative system so far proposed would produce better results or command general support, or that the standard of censorship in this country is not at least as high as that in any other. The public exhibition of certain films would give rise to difficulty under any form of censorship, and it is doubtful whether any better system could be devised than one which leaves the local authority free to allow or to prohibit the exhibition of such films in their own area according to the circumstances. While I am not prepared to appoint a Committee of Inquiry, I am considering whether any steps can be taken to secure a more continuous contact between the board and representative local opinion.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any complaints from local authorities on the subject?

I am not aware that any local authorities have complained.

asked the Home Secretary why deductions are made from ex-Royal Irish Constabulary pensions on the grounds that the pensioner is receiving a pension in respect of disability arising out of his war service as a soldier or sailor?

No such deductions are made. The statutory provisions contemplated, as in the case of police in Great Britain, the supplementing of the military pension of a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary who was prevented by war service disability from returning to the force so as to bring it up to what he would have received if he had been injured on police duty. If the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any cases he has in mind I will look into them and communicate with him.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to give him some cases which conflict with what he has said?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can make arrangements whereby cadet corps can be supplied with suitable tentage on loan?

I have nothing to add to the answer on this subject which I gave the hon. and gallant Member a week ago.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, during the period which will elapse before the school-leaving age is raised to 15, he will make arrangements for the absorption into the teaching profession of persons not less than 25 years of age with at least five years' experience of some gainful employment other than teaching, for the purpose of giving suitable vocational training to the older pupils?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave the hon. Member on 6th November in regard to the employment of teachers with industrial or commercial experience.

Has the right hon. Baronet considered the question and given some attention to it?

In my last answer I said that I was giving attention to it.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware of the financial burden placed upon the Staffordshire local education authorities in the conveyance of school children and its prospective increase in future; and whether he will reconsider his refusal to make an increased grant towards this cost?

I have not received any representations on this matter from the local education authorities in Staffordshire. I am not at present satisfied that the percentage rate of grant in respect of expenditure on the conveyance of children should be increased.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to listen to any representations that may be made to him by the Staffordshire County Council on the subject?

Has the right hon. Baronet received similar representations from every county council in England?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has appointed or intends to appoint a committee of economists, in addition to the Economic Advisory Council, to advise them on industrial and fiscal questions?

In addition to investigations which have been publicly announced, committees have been appointed from time to time to study certain questions. No information can be given in regard to the latter class of inquiry.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a report in one of the daily papers stating that a secret committee of this kind has been set up and giving the names of the members, and does he not think a statement ought to be made?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman, like myself, has been sufficiently long in politics to have learnt to attach very little importance to the political gossip that appears in the newspapers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the following day a letter appeared in the same paper from a professor who is supposed to be a member, who seemed to say that the forecast was correct?

I saw the first report, but I did not see the second letter. In any case, the matter is covered by what I said in the first part of my reply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate what is his conception of an economist as suggested in this question?

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows who have been refused their application for a pension since June, 1929?

The number of applications for widows' pensions which have been rejected in England, Scotland and Wales since June, 1929, is 46,783.

Has the right hon. Gentleman reflected on these figures and on his pledge to all widows in need?

I have reflected on the fact that 350,000 pensions have been given under the Act of 1929.

Are we to assume that an additional 200,000 would have been deprived of their pensions if the Conservative Government had remained in office?

I do not like assumptions.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows who had their application for a pension refused under the Widows', Orphans and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, who have qualified under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1929?

I regret that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not available, and could only be obtained by a special scrutiny of every case in which a widow's pension has been awarded under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1929.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of widows who have been granted a pension since June, 1929?

The number of widows' pensions in England, Scotland and Wales granted since June, 1929, is 357,313.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give an estimate of the number of widows in England who are now in a position of some disadvantage compared with those Scottish widows who have received pensions as a result of the decision of the Court of Session in the case of Kerr v. Scottish Department of Health; and what would be the estimated additional expenditure if the English widows were given the benefit of this decision?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the information desired by my hon. Friend. I should point out, however, that while some applicants for widows' pensions have benefited as a result of the Scottish decision, others have been placed in a worse position.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the financial losses suffered by county councils because certain types of sporting rights are not rated; and if he will call for a return from them showing how they are thus affected and otherwise inquire into this matter?

Such sporting rights as are not rateable are not separately valued, and reliable figures for the purposes of a Return would not, therefore, be available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the County of Norfolk alone loses £36,000 £r year which is equivalent to 1s. rate, and does he not think some action on his part is called for?

I was not responsible for the legislation.

Do we under stand that the right hon. Gentleman is unable to call for such a return?

The point is that it is really not possible to get a complete return.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the proposal to allow the amount of old age pension which is withdrawn from a pensioner by his or her being an inmate of a Poor Law institution to be transferred and paid over to the public assistance committee governing that institution towards the cost of his or her maintenance therein; and whether he will sanction this proposal?

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take in view of the request he has received from local authorities that, when old age pensioners are inmates of Poor Law institutions, the amount of pension withdrawn should be handed over to the public assistance committee governing the institution towards the cost of his or her maintenance?

I would refer to the reply given on 13th November to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Shepherd) on the same subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give instructions to pay out to old age pensioners before the Christmas holidays any balance found to be due to them out of their arrears of pension which have been retained by his Department to meet claims for payments made by the public assistance committees?

All possible steps have been and will continue to be taken to secure that, in the cases to which may hon. Friend refers, any arrears of pension due shall be paid to the pensioners as soon as possible after receipt of the Public Assistance Committee's claims against the arrears.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many local authorities have undertaken the purchase of land for purposes of clearance, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1930;

(2) how many local authorities have actually embarked upon the demolition of clearance areas in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 (3) of the Housing Act, 1930; which these authorities are; and how many persons are affected by the operations in progress;

(3) how many local authorities have so far by resolution declared unhealthy areas within their control to be clearance areas, in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of the Housing Act, 1930; which these authorities are; and the number of persons of the working classes stated in each case to be occupying buildings within the clearance area on the day specified in the statement?

I have received resolutions from 18 local authorities declaring 50 areas to be clearance areas. I am having a statement prepared showing their names and the other particulars desired as regards those areas, and will send a copy to the hon. Member.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of the total purchase price paid?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will try to obtain the information.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a number of local authorities are in doubt as to their right to include in their programme to meet ordinary housing needs small houses for aged persons; and whether he will issue a circular making it clear that the provision of such houses need not be part of a scheme in connection with a clearance area or an improvement area?

The position as regards houses for aged persons has already been fully explained in a circular issued on the 19th August last, and I am not aware of the existence of any such misapprehension as is suggested. If there should be any uncertainty in the minds of any authority I have no doubt that my hon. Friend's question will serve to dispel it.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the housing conditions in North Kensington, he will hold an inquiry into the matter?