asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed women in the cotton industry in Lancashire, the number that are married, and the number that are receiving part-time benefit?

asked the Minister of Labour, with regard to the representations she has received as to the present inadequate accommodation for unemployed persons registering at the Deptford Employment Exchange, whether consideration is being given to the matter and any indication can be given as to when the remedy is to be provided?

A scheme of alterations to the existing building has been approved. Work will be commenced in January, and should take about two months to complete.

asked the Minister of Labour what remuneration is paid to chairmen of Courts of Referees under the Unemployment Insurance Acts; how many such paid chairmen there are; and what was the total amount received by them during the financial year 1929–30?

At 24th November, 1930, there were 129,578 insured women, aged 18 to 64, classified as belonging to the cotton industry recorded as unemployed in Lancashire, of whom 45,054 were temporarily stopped. The number of married women included in these totals is not available. Separate figures of the numbers receiving benefit for part only of each week are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as unemployed in the Deptford area at the last convenient date, as compared with the two preceding periods?

As the reply is in the form of a table, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the table:

Chairmen of Courts of Referees are paid a fee of 2½ guineas for each sitting of approximately three hours; the number of chairmen provided for under present arrangements is 380, of whom 116 are reserve chairmen. The total amount received by chairmen as remuneration during the financial year 1929–1930 was £60,724.

Is the Minister satisfied that she is getting value for this, compared with the old rota?

On the whole, I should say, yes.

Is the chairman included in the figure that the Minister gave just now in answer to Question No. 4 as to the paid staff?

No.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons under the age of 17 were receiving unemployment insurance benefit on 1st December last or the last convenient date?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available. There were on 24th November 46,540 juveniles aged 16 or 17 with claims to benefit admitted or under consideration; most of them would be aged 17.

Can the Minister say why the numbers are so very large; and whether they are increasing?

They suffer in proportion to the general depression.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases that have been before the court of referees in Uddingston; and how many have been admitted, and how many refused, up to the latest date?

The number of cases dealt with by the Uddingston Court of Referees during the period of six months ended 11th December, 1930, was 229, of which 80 were decided in favour of the claimant and 149 against the claimant.

Does the Minister not think that this is a very large proportion?

Yes, I do. I can imagine that it is a very large proportion of the claims.

Will the Minister promise to make some inquiry into the matter?

I shall certainly do so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision has been reached as to the maximum limit to which she will at any time ask the House to increase the borrowing powers of the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

The only decision reached on this matter is with regard to the amount which the House has already been asked to sanction.

In view of the progressive increase in those amounts, can the Minister give me some idea as to how long they will continue and to what extent?

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are directly employed on relief of unemployment works in the county of Midlothian?

755 men were employed at the end of October on various State-aided schemes in the county of Midlothian. In addition 772 men were employed on the Glasgow-Edinburgh Road, a section of which passes through Midlothian.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that Irish labourers are employed on the north orbital road through Hertfordshire to the exclusion of the local unemployed; whether local unemployed navvies and other labourers registered at the St. Albans Employment Exchange have been offered work on this road; and, if not, why?

I understand that 16 out of 199 men employed on this scheme are Irishmen, all of whom have been previously employed on similar work in this country. Suitable local men on the unemployed register at the St. Albans Exchange have always received preference and will continue to be offered vacancies as they arise.

Is the Minister aware that when men were asked for at the Exchange, out of 60 not one would go? What is the reason?

I think the hon. Member is misinformed. My information is that a very large number on the register are quite incapable of doing the heavy work involved.

Are we to understand that the Minister is actually taking steps to discourage the employment of Irishmen? Is that also the policy of the War Office? Are they aliens?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in Devonshire, including Exeter and Plymouth, at the latest available date and the corresponding period of last year,

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Labour Exchanges have ever received applications from the racecourse authorities at York for men to be temporarily employed during race weeks?

Forty-two vacancies with the Racecourse Betting Control Board were filled through the York Employment Exchange in connection with the race meetings held in May, August and September.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any schemes of work submitted by the Goole Urban District Council are under consideration by the Unemployment Grants Committee; and, if so, when a decision is expected?

Applications for grant in respect of three schemes of work submitted by Goole Urban District Council on 24th November last are at present under consideration by the Un-

specifying the areas where the Largest amount of unemployment exists?

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

Following is the statement:

employment Grants Committee. I understand that the Advising Departments are in consultation with the local authority regarding the technical details. Every effort will be made to reach an early decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the reason for the strength of the police force which outnumbered the unemployed by over two to one at their demonstration held near Temple station at noon on 16th December; and whether he can state the result of his interview with the unemployed deputation that followed?

The police arrangements in connection with a demonstration have to be made in advance according to the numbers likely to be taking part, and the number of police who may be required to prevent undue interference with traffic and to preserve order. In this case the demonstration seems to have been much smaller than was anticipated. As regards the last part of the question, I have not received any deputation and, in case there is some misunderstanding, perhaps my hon. Friend will consult with me.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can give an estimate of the cost to be borne by the Exchequer for the year ending 31st March, 1931, of the charges involved in respect of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, the Colonial Development Act, 1929, and any Exchequer contributions which may have to be made to the Ministry of Transport in respect of unemployment works or as advances to the Road Fund?

The estimated cost to the Exchequer for the year ending 31st March, 1931, of the services mentioned by the hon. Member is as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour what increase in staff has taken place in her Department since June, 1929; and what is the increased cost in wages and salaries?

The total staff of the Ministry of Labour (excluding branch managers) was 16,904 on 1st June, 1929, and 23,125 on 1st December, 1930, an increase of 6,221. The cost of wages and salaries of the staff (exclud- ing branch managers) for the financial year 1929–1930 was £3,777,612 as compared with an estimate of £4,518,120 for the financial year 1930–31, an increase of £740,508.

Having regard to the large increase in the staff, could not the Minister engage some accountant to see whether it is not possible to co-ordinate the duties so as to reduce the cost?

As I explained on the occasion of the last debate, the proportionate increase in staff is very much less because of the magnitude of the live register.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of P-class clerks in the Ministry of Labour whose names have been submitted by their supervisors for consideration for promotion to the established clerical classes; and the total number of P-class clerks who have been warned to appear before the promotion panel?

The names of 720 "P" Class Clerks were submitted by the officers responsible for making recommendations for consideration for promotion to the established clerical classes. All of these have been seen by a promotions panel, with the exception of one absent on sick leave.

Can the Minister say whether any conscientious objectors have been promoted over these ex-service men?

Why not?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the additional cost per annum to the Exchequer of paying to those single pre-War Civil Service pensioners who are in receipt of pensions from £150 per annum the same rate of bonus as was granted in 1920 to married pre-War Civil Service pensioners in the same category?

I regret that this information is not available and could not be obtained without undue labour. Any estimate of cost would be of a speculative nature in the absence of information as to the private means of the pensioners in question. Nor can it be assumed that all those in receipt of pensions between £150 and £200 a year who have not applied for increases under the Pensions (Increase) Acts are unmarried.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Establishments Department of the Treasury will examine the arrangements by which files are stored at Bromyard Avenue, Acton, in rooms suitable for occupation by the clerical staff.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) if he will, in the interests of economy, have an examination made of the papers stored in offices at Bromyard Avenue, Acton; whether out-of-date files are destroyed at the earliest possible moment to prevent unnecessary accumulations; and whether it will be possible to erect inexpensive and suitable outhouse buildings for the storage of papers and files to avoid storing them in offices suitable for clerical staff occupation?

(2) whether he is aware that fresh expenditure is to be incurred for the erection of new Government offices at a time when office space at Bromyard Avenue, Acton, is being used for the storage of papers and files; and will he request a complete overhaul of the housing of staff at Bromyard Avenue, Acton, to ascertain whether office space there is being used for the clerical staffs to its fullest extent without injury to health?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will arrange for the office buildings at Bromyard Avenue, Acton, to be inspected with a view to putting them to the most economical use, either for the storage of papers or for occupation by the clerical staff?

The matter is under constant review, and a further concentration is in progress with a view to providing additional accommodation for staff required in connection with the 1931 census. The available office space will then be fully utilised. Files no longer in frequent use are automatically transferred to other accommo- dation, whilst a large part of the records still kept at Acton are already stored in temporary huts.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when it will be possible to make a definite statement on this important matter?

The matter is continually under review, and, as I have said, the accommodation will be fully occupied in connection with the Census.

Is the hon. Member aware that even at the present time files are being stored in office accommodation at Bromyard Avenue, and is not that a very unbusinesslike and uneconomical way of carrying on an office?

As I say, this matter is under review, but it is not correct to suppose that large masses of files which are not being directly used are stored in office accommodation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the grades of the 13,639 non-ex-service male temporary whole-time staff employed in the Civil Service on the 1st July, 1930, as shown in Command Paper 3681?

The answer involves a number of figures and, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell me why ex-service men are not employed?

When the hon. and gallant Member sees the answer, I think he will appreciate why.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the same regulation is in operation as was in force under the late Government, that preference should be given to ex-service men?

There has been no change so far as that is concerned.

Then is the hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of ex-service men are out of employment and that a large number of non-service men have been taken on instead of ex-service men?

This question does not really arise out of the answer. When the hon. and gallant Member sees the answer I think he will realise the position.

Following is the answer:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the nature of the additional work in the Inland Revenue offices, which necessitates the increase of 503 officials, as set out in Command Paper 3736; and whether he will state the increased annual cost to the Treasury of their salaries?

The increase in staff is attributable chiefly to the revaluation of property for the purposes of the Income Tax (Schedule A) which was imposed by the Finance Act, 1930, and is additional to the normal work of the year. Some provision has also had to be made to meet seasonal pressure of work which occurs in the autumn and some long-standing vacancies have been filled in the Estate Duty office. On the assumption that the increase of staff is maintained throughout a year, the cost is estimated at £62,000.

As the work is only seasonal in character why is it necessary permanently to increase the establishment?

That was only part of my answer. Perhaps I did not make it clear that the increase is chiefly due to the revaluation of property.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of days lost in all the industries in Great Britain owing to industrial disputes during each of the three years ended 30th September, 1930?

The numbers of working days lost owing to disputes occurring in Great Britain in the three years ended 30th September, 1928, 1929 and 1930, were approximately 1,400,000, 7,700,000 and 4,000,000, respectively.

Is there any distinction made between those who are locked out and those who are on strike?

No; they could be divided. Of the 1929 figures, 6,600,000 days are due to the cotton dispute and of the 1930 figures 3,260,000 days are due to the wool textile dispute.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of joint industrial councils that have been formed since the Government took office; and the number that have ceased to function?

Since May last year one new joint industrial council has been constituted and no joint industrial council has been dissolved.

What is the name of the new industrial council?

The Printing Ink and Roller-Making Industry.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to grant the request of Dr. Rabinovitch and Mr. Terakopoff to be permitted to remain in this country; and if he proposes to grant the application for visas for two persons who desire to come to this country to join the board of Russian Oil Products Limited?

Dr. Rabinovitch has been in this country since August, 1914, and his stay is not subject to any special conditions. Mr. Terakopoff is subject to a condition under which he would be re- quired to leave the United Kingdom not later than the 20th June, 1931, and, as at present advised, I do not propose to make any change in this condition. If the latter part of the question refers to the two visas mentioned in the answer which I gave to the right hon. Gentleman on the 24th November, the answer is that they have already been authorised.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of prosecutions that have been taken place for exceeding the speed limit for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date either in Constitution Hill or the approaches of the park near Buckingham Palace?

During 12 months ended 30th November, the number of prosecutions for exceeding the speed limit on Constitution Hill was 306, and for exceeding it on the Mall 286.

Will the Minister say whether the timing of these vehicles was undertaken by the Metropolitan Police?

I should imagine so, but I will make inquiries and find out.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is still the custom to transport prisoners by train chained together, alter and during their trial, to various prisons in Great Britain; whether any prison motor vans are used for this purpose in the provinces; and will he give particulars?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange that prisoners being conveyed from Darlington to Durham shall travel by road, in view of the fact that the distance is but 17 miles and that road transport facilities are available?

I sympathise with the objects which my hon. Friends have in mind. I have made inquiries, but I have not all the material necessary to enable me to form an opinion. I will make further inquiries and will write to my hon. Friends as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Has this matter been considered by the Prison Commissioners?

Oh, yes. The general question of transport has frequently been before them, and I can assure the hon. Member that we very largely share the feeling on this subject; but there are many difficulties to be overcome.

asked the Home Secretary when it is proposed to introduce the Factories Bill?

I regret I am not in a position to make any statement on this point.

Does that mean that the position will be about the same as it was last Session?

I hope not.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say [ Interruption. ]

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember what his party said?

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that great dissatisfaction has been caused by the cancellation under instructions of a large number of sweepstakes and Christmas draws hitherto organised every year in the County of Lindsey; whether any instructions have recently been issued on this subject by his Department; and, if so, what;

(2) whether, in view of the cancellation under the instructions of his Department of various Christmas draws in Gainsborough and other parts of the County of Lindsey, he has taken any steps similarly to cancel the Christmas draw of the Transport and General Workers' Union (Nunhead Omnibus Branch), of which the result is due to be advertised on 18th December; and, if not, will he explain the reason for differentiation?

So far as I know, no proceedings have been taken in Lindsey. No instructions have been issued by the Home Office nor is there any question of the Home Office cancelling Christmas draws. What has happened is that, having had my attention called to a draw promoted by the Rutland and Stamford Divisional Labour Party at Bourne, I followed the course uniformly adopted by myself and my predecessors of forwarding the information to the authority responsible for enforcing the law, namely, the police. The police, in pursuance of what I think the House will regard as the only fair policy, took steps not only concerning that draw, but concerning other similar draws in the same locality, and I am informed that many were abandoned, but proceedings were taken in respect of the Labour draw at Bourne, and also in respect of a Conservative draw at Stamford, and a Labour draw in the parts of Holland. On these facts I see no ground for any suggestion of differentiation. As regards the draw at Nunhead, I may say that attention was not drawn to it, and there was therefore no occasion for any action on my part.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state exactly what he means by "having attention drawn" to it. For example, in to-day's "Daily Herald" there are accounts of no fewer than 67 different draws. Is that "drawing attention" to them, or is it necessary that a common informer should act?

I have not seen the information referred to, but it may well be that that is the first intimation which the Home Office can get of any such proceedings. As I have said, the Home Office does not cancel; it simply passes on the information to the police authorities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his attitude in this matter and introduce legislation in order to do away with all these absurdities?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will accede to the request from the County Council Association that the decision to establish a police college should be postponed, as the time is inopportune for embarking on increased expenditure?

The object of the scheme was to secure improvements in police work at a cost which would be quite small in comparison with the anticipated gain in efficiency. I hope before long to summon a meeting of the Police Council to review the conclusions of all concerned, including the County Police Authorities, and until that has been done I cannot say what action I may take on the proposals which are before me.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has submitted draft regulations for policewomen to the police council; and what action was taken upon them?

No draft regulations have been submitted to the Police Council, but at the last meeting the whole question was raised with a view to eliciting the opinion of the Council on the subject. The views expressed were definitely against the framing of any specific regulations. I do not contemplate reopening the matter as regards county and borough police forces until further experience has been gained in regard to the employment of policewomen in the Metropolitan Police District.

Does the issue of statutory regulations depend entirely upon the decision of the police council?

They would, at any rate, be the body in the first instance to take action.

Is it in the power of the right hon. Gentleman to appoint a suitable woman to the Police Council?

There is not one!

What was the Home Office view put before the Police Council; do the statutory regulations depend on the decision of the Police Council, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is about time that he had a woman on the Police Council!

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, prior to the decision given in the King's Bench on the question of Sunday opening of cinemas, the West Ham Corporation inserted a clause in the licence for opening on Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday, making it a condition that all employés have one clear day off in seven; and whether the Government will give consideration to the question of providing, in any legislation they may introduce, for the insertion of a similar clause in the licences?

I need not say that I sympathise with the principle referred to by my hon. Friend relating to employés, but I regret I am unable to make any public statement at present pending the hearing of the appeal.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be advisable to try to get an agreed Bill, so as to give the cinemas a chance of opening on Sundays and with a view to preventing the London County Council wasting money in going to the House of Lords?

I cannot give a definite answer to a question of that kind on a matter in which a decision is pending.

Are we to understand that in view of the confusion arising out of the recent decision, the Government are contemplating any action to straighten out the law on the subject?

The matter certainly is before us, but even a Government is not above the Courts.

asked the Home Secretary what action he proposes to take in connection with the Report from the Select Committee on Capital Punishment?

Before I can make any statement on a subject of such vital importance I must have time to consider the report in all its bearings and all the issues involved.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the report appears to contain the unanimous recommendation of the Committee, and will he make it quite clear that such is far from being the case?

I would rather express no opinion as to what the report appears to carry on its face, but I know that popular opinion is to the effect stated.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman will agree, if he has seen the report, that there is nothing in it which would give the impression that the report was not absolutely unanimous.

Is it not the case that the report is issued in the usual form, according to custom, and that, when the evidence appears in a week or two, it will contain the minutes which will show what transpired as well as a divided report?

The Home Office cannot be expected to accept responsibility for the form of the report. I am more concerned with its substance, but I must defer, for the present, any announcement upon it.

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the resolution sent to him by the Associated Chambers of Commerce urging the Government to introduce legislation with a view to giving similar rights of local government franchise to nominees of mercantile companies and corporations, so that the latter may have similar franchise facilities as are enjoyed by private firms and individuals, he will consider introducing legislation granting such facilities?

I am afraid I can make no promise to introduce such legislation.

Is it the intention of the Government to deal with the matter in the proposed Electoral Reform Bill, and, if so, upon what lines?

I would prefer to have notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has recently examined the question of the advisability of the use of the cinema as a method of education in our schools; and can he say what decision he has arrived at?

The use of the cinema in schools of various types is, of course, under the continuous observation of His Majesty's inspectors of schools. Arrangements have recently been made to carry out a special survey of the subject in the course of the coming year, and I must await the results of that investigation before I am able to express any general conclusion on the matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the cinema is generally in use for this purpose?

Are American machines being tried as well as British-made machines in these experiments?

I could not say.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps have been taken to alter the differential rating system in Carmarthenshire; if the Minister is prepared to make a grant for the transition period; what the amount of this grant is; and what steps he proposes to take?

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to differential rating for purposes of education. It is for the local education authority for Carmarthenshire to decide whether this should be altered in their area. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that he would have no power to make any addition, temporary or otherwise, to the amount of the grants under the Local Government Act, 1929, consequent upon the alteration of this differential rating; nor would any such alteration affect the amount of the grant payable by the Board of Education to the authority.

Is it not impossible to have reorganisation as long as you have this differential rating system?

I am afraid it is not for me to say, but for the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now any new proposals to make to further assist the necessitous areas of the country?

I would refer the right hon. Member to my reply to his question on this subject of 27th November. Although no proposals for further financial assistance to the more heavily burdened areas have been made, the position of these areas is being closely watched.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the recent public appeal that is being made for assistance by the mayor and other public officials in the Merthyr Tydvil area?

asked the Minister of Health what has been the effect of the de-rating legislation in distressed areas, and if it has resulted in relieving the burden of local rates in these areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Freeman) on 17th November.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send me a copy of that answer?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Health if he will institute an inquiry into the financial position of local authorities where the rates levied exceed 20s. in the £?

I am in constant touch with the financial position of local authorities, and do not think that any useful purpose would be served by such an inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of additional sickness and disablement benefits paid to readmitted members of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Insurance Fund during the last six months or the last convenient period, and the amount paid during the same period for dental benefit including dentures?

The amount of additional sickness and disablement benefits paid to readmitted members of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Insurance Fund during the six months ended 30th November, 1930, was £6,012 5s. 8d. The amount paid for dental benefit (including dentures) over the same period was £2,914 7s. 2d.

Does the right hon. Gentleman desire to correct any previous statements that he has made on this subject?

No.

asked the Minister of Health the number of days lost in all the industries in Great Britain owing to sickness during each of the three years ended 30th September, 1930?

I can only give particulars with regard to persons insured under the National Health Insurance Acts and in respect of calendar years. The approximate number of days for which sickness and disablement benefits were paid under the National Health Insurance Acts in Great Britain during each of the years 1927, 1928 and 1929 is as follows:

Does not the Minister think that if we had open air schools in slum areas, it would prevent a great deal of this sickness, and therefore mean a saving to industry, and will he get on with it?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to a special investigation, made by the medical officer of health to the Lambeth Borough Council, into the possibilities of tin poisoning from cheese wrapped in tinfoil, the analyst reporting that the result of his investigation indicated that such cheese as is so prepared in this country can be regarded as perfectly safe for human consumption; and whether he will take all steps in his power to relieve public anxiety on the matter?

I have received a communication from the Lambeth Borough Council enclosing a report in which the Medical Officer of Health makes the statement referred to. Some samples of cheese prepared in this country have been found to be unduly contaminated by the tinfoil in which they were wrapped, but I understand that the industry is aware of the importance of reducing the extent of the contamination to the lowest possible limit and is making efforts to achieve this end. In the meantime I am keeping the matter under observation, but I do not think it necessary at present to make any further statement.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the danger arising from this same commodity being used in relation to cats' meat on the Front Bench opposite?

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the names of the mental hospitals, county or borough, with inmates of 1,000 or over where only part-time chaplains are appointed; and what duties are involved in such appointments?

I regret that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not available. The duties involved in these appointments are prescribed by Section 277 of the Lunacy Act, 1890?

Will my right hon. Friend call for a report in relation to this question?

I am very reluctant to call for reports from local authorities. We are always doing it, and, unless there is a very good reason why we should, I should really prefer not to do it. If, however, my hon. Friend will give me his reasons, I will consider them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that considerable concern, amounting to what is regarded as a scandal in certain areas, is engaging the minds of certain religious representatives, and will he, if I give him data, call for special reports of these particular institutions?

I will certainly consider any representations that my hon. Friend may make to me.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is intended to introduce legislation making provision for a national maternity service?

I am sending the Noble Lady a copy of a circular and memorandum which I have recently issued to local authorities on the subject of maternal mortality. As stated in the circular, the Government have decided to undertake negotiations with the various authorities concerned with a view to formulating a scheme on a national basis for the care of maternity. Such negotiations are a necessary preliminary to the introduction of legislation for this purpose.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think he is a little late in doing this? The Committee had already reported on it, and he could have done it a year and a half ago.

I would remind the Noble Lady that the reports were published long before I took office.

Is not that all the more reason why the right hon. Gentleman should have acted at once?

asked the Minister of Health if, before any scheme for a national maternity service is formulated, he will confer with the midwives through the Incorporated Mid-wives' Institute and the Queen's Institute of District Nursing, as the respective bodies mainly representing and em- ploying them, as well as with bodies representing the medical profession and other interests concerned?

I will consider the suggestions made by the hon. and gallant Member.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman say that he will only consider asking representative bodies, when he has already considered the other professions concerned and does not mention these people in the circular which he has just issued? Will he not undertake to consult the professional bodies concerned?

I am always in the habit of considering before I undertake.

Is it not essential, in dealing with the subject of maternity, that the midwives' profession should be considered and included in the circular which is issued? After 18 months dealing with the subject, he makes no mention of any such consultation.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that the circular was addressed to local authorities, and not to bodies.

Why does it say that the right hon. Gentleman has consulted other professions, when he has not consulted the profession of mid-wives?

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of small-pox have been notified in the Metropolitan area since the 1st December; whether the cases notified are of a mild or virulent type; and whether the origin of the fresh outbreak of this illness has been traced?

During the two weeks ended 13th December, 75 cases of small-pox were notified in the county of London. These figures are provisional. The cases notified were all of the mild type. As regards the last part of the question, there has been no fresh outbreak in London, the disease having been prevalent in the Metropolitan area for some considerable time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the cases notified were vaccinated, and how many not?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken by the committee of the mental hospital, Carmarthen, for receiving patients under the Mental Treatment Act?

The Board of Control are in communication with the Visiting Committee on this matter, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the accommodation for the patients at the mental hospital, Carmarthen; is he aware that certain of the patients have to sleep on the floors of the dormitories; and, in view of the insufficiency of the staff for night duty, will he inquire into the matter?

The Commissioners of the Board of Control who recently visited this hospital drew attention to the need for additional accommodation. The Board of Control are making further inquiries into this matter and into the adequacy of the nursing staff, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health what happens to the calves after the lymph has been extracted from the vesicles raised for the purpose of securing vaccine, and how the carcases of the animals are disposed of?

After the production of lymph, the calves used at the Government lymph establishment are killed and examined by a veterinary expert. The carcases are at the disposal of the person who supplied the calves, and those sold for food are subject to further examination by officers of the local sanitary authorities.

Are these carcases eventually found to be fit for human consumption?

Certainly; if they were not, they would not be sold and exposed for public sale.

asked the Minister of Health the number of carcases of mutton imported from South American countries and landed at the ports of London, Liverpool and Southampton for the months of September, October and November; and what percentage were found to be suffering from caseous lymphadenitis on examination at each of the ports?

I am obtaining this information, and will communicate it to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that considerable quantities of imported mutton and lamb from the Argentine Republic and Chili are infected with caseous lymphadenitis and are escaping inspection at the ports and reaching butchers' shops, and that in order to evade inspection quantities of legs, shoulders, sides, saddles and other parts, cut from diseased carcases, are being imported; and if he will take steps to prohibit the importation of mutton from these countries other than in carcase, and order a more rigid examination of all imports and insist that the work of cutting the glands is carried out by skilled butchers?

I am aware that caseous lymphadenitis is found in a certain proportion of carcases of mutton and lamb imported from the countries referred to. The normal practice is to make a preliminary examination at the port of 10 per cent. of each consignment of whole carcases, and to examine the remaining 90 per cent. either at the port or elsewhere if the result of the preliminary examination shows this to be desirable. I do not think it necessary to recommend any modification of this practice.

At a conference recently held between medical officers of the ports principally concerned and officers of my Department, it was decided that imports of mutton and lamb from South American countries should receive special attention, and that severed parts of carcases should in all cases be given complete examination. I am considering whether any further conditions should be laid down in connection with the importation of severed parts of carcases. I understand that the work of cutting the glands is at all ports entrusted to persons who have experience of the work, and I do not think it necessary to make any special recommendation on this point.

Is it right that this diseased meat should get into people's hands at all?

I never said that diseased meat got into people's hands.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that at certain ports it has been a practice of the inspectors to inspect only a Very small percentage of this meat, and that that percentage has been previously selected by other people?

If the hon. Member can give me cases like that, I shall be very glad to have them, but we try to get a fair sample of 10 per cent.

Is this disease found also in mutton and lamb from other parts of the world?

Yes, all the imported mutton and lamb is examined, but the trouble at the moment is particularly in the imports from South American countries.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the best solution is to buy British mutton?

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to sanction the Wandle Valley hospital construction, Surrey?