asked the Minister of Labour to what extent use is being made of the facilities provided by the special Employment Exchange for the hotel and catering trades?

A special Employment Exchange for the hotel and catering trades was opened in London on the 25th November last. Since its opening 7,035 placings have been effected and the number of placings per week is increasing. The number of establishments using the Exchange is over 1,000.

Is the Exchange entirely free?

Entirely free both to employers and workers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she proposes to take any steps to ensure that where a woman worker has regular week-end employment she shall not be granted unemployment benefit for those days in the week on which she has not normally been in the habit of working?

The conditions for the receipt of benefit are laid down by Statute, and I have no power to alter them.

Is this question of part-time employment one of the questions now being considered by the Royal Commission?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is still taking steps to promote industrial transference by placing persons from the depressed areas in employment elsewhere; and how many persons were transferred in the last four weeks for which figures are available?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. During the four weeks ended. 13th April last, 1,582 persons were transferred from the depressed areas either direct or after a course at a centre.

Can the Minister say how it comes about that this important work is almost the only work for which there is a reduced Estimate in the current Estimates?

The answer is that the number of opportunities for transferring are less generally.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the latest figures of unemployment in Germany as published from official sources; and what percentage those figures bear to the industrial population and the total population of Germany, respectively?

On 31st March, 1931, the latest date for which figures are available, the total number of per-, sons recorded as unemployed by the official Employment Exchanges in Germany was 4,756,000. This total includes manual and non-manual workers normally employed in agriculture, forestry, fishery, commerce, entertainment and domestic service as well as manual and non-manual workers normally employed in industry and transport. The total of 4,756,000 unemployed represents about 7 per cent. of the total population, and is equal to about 22 or 23 per cent. of the total employé population.

Does that include partly as well as wholly unemployed in Germany?

It includes the official figures. Our part-time area is wider than that of Germany, but some part-time is in these figures.

In view of the constant quotation by Members of the Government and others of these figures, could the Minister in future from time to time publish these figures of unemployment, together with the percentages, as asked for in the question?

Certainly, but I think they are published monthly in the Ministry of Labour Gazette.

Would the Minister give the figures in regard to England, corresponding to the 7 per cent. and the 23 per cent.?

I am afraid that the 23 per cent. is parallel to the 21 per cent. in this country.

Will the Minister give the figures showing the percentage of unemployment in the industrial population of Germany and this country respectively, excluding the agricultural population?

Yes. I understand there are 25 per cent. if you exclude those categories.

With regard to the original reply, is it not true also that there is a considerable number receiving national relief as distinct from unemployment benefit, who are not included in the figures at all?

The figure given here is the official figure of the total number of unemployed, whether they are receiving relief from insurance or in any other form.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total amount contributed by the German Government towards unemployment insurance during the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

Will the Minister of Labour inquire at the same time whether there is any increase in debt in addition to the contributions?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Labour if she can state the number of men at present employed on the work begun in connection with the Shrewsbury by-pass road, together with the number of local unemployed who have been found work in the same connection?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour for what reasons permission is being granted to 140 Russian dancers and singers to enter the country for the purpose of accepting employment for six weeks from the 18th May at the Lyceum Theatre, London, under Sir Thomas Beecham; and whether consideration has been given to the effect on the unemployment problem?

An application for permits in these cases is at present under consideration.

How long will it be before the Minister of Labour comes to a decision in this matter, and is she aware that, if permission is refused, it will deprive 150 English people of their occupation this summer?

This is a very complicated position, and I am making the fullest inquiries in order that justice may be done.

asked the Minister of Labour what decision has now been reached with regard to the amalgamation of the Devon-port and Plymouth juvenile employment bureaux?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on this subject on 10th April. I should add that I was satisfied that the arrangement therein referred to was successful. I therefore approved its continuance, reserving the right to re-open the question if special arrangements for boys and girls living at a distance from the central bureau appear to be needed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is yet able to announce the name of the individual who is to fill the vacancy at present existing at the head of the Metropolitan Police Force?

The right hon. Gentleman may be assured that when I am in a position to make an announcement I shall lose no time in doing so.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the practice for information as to arrests which have been made, and as to impending criminal trials, to be issued to the Press from Scotland Yard; and whether he proposes, in view of the observations of the Court of Criminal Appeal in the recent cases of R. v. the "Surrey Comet" and R. v. the Editor of the "Daily Mail," to put an end to this procedure?

It is the practice of the Commissioner of Police to authorise the making to the Press of such communications as may properly be published, because such communications tend to accuracy in news and often assist the ends of justice. It is not the practice of the Commissioner to communicate information, for instance as to antecedents, which would prejudice the legitimate interests of persons accused. He informs me that the details published in the "Surrey Comet" were not even known to any person in the department at New Scotland Yard that is the medium of communications to the Press. As regards the information published in the "Daily Mail," he states that it is an absolute rule not to give the Press information as to the criminal records of persons accused. I do not know what grounds, if any, exist for the allegation that the details in the "Surrey Comet" in the other case emanated from the Department at Scotland Yard. On the facts of these cases, therefore, no ground at present appears for any change of practice: but I need hardly say that, if ground did exist, the Commissioner would take action at once, with my full approval.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that defending counsel, who happens to be a Law Officer of the Crown, said, in regard to the "Surrey Comet" case, that the material had emanated from the Press Bureau at Scotland Yard?

Yes, and it was because of that knowledge that my answer was framed in the terms in which I have given it.

Are any steps taken to ensure that material is not issued from Scotland Yard which, if published, would constitute contempt of court?

I think that the terms of my reply will emphasise that.

Is it not a fact that, in this case, the defendants were dealt with by the judge on the very same information which was received from the Press Bureau at Scotland Yard?

I cannot say what was in the mind of the court, or how far it might have been influenced by that fact.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the risk of impropriety which might occur in connection with this bureau, would not lead him to consider its suppression?

No, Sir, it is a very useful section of Scotland Yard, and I do not think that any isolated instance of this kind justifies that suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state which police authorities in England and Wales have not yet availed themselves of his offer of a grant-in-aid for the purchase of motor cars and motor cycles for the formation of motor patrol sections?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot give full particulars, as the returns from the forces which were asked for by the 20th instant in connection with the claims for grants have not all been received. Returns have been received from 107 forces where motor patrols have been instituted, and it is known that they have been instituted in most of the other forces—excepting 15 of the smallest forces to which the scheme was not extended.

asked the President of the Board of Education, in regard to the county of Staffordshire and the county borough of Walsall, respectively, the total number of secondary school scholarships, excluding central schools, awarded during each of the last five years; and the ratio of these scholarships per 1,000 of the elementary school children on the registers?

As the reply includes a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether, in respect of Staffordshire, for last year, there was any marked increase in the number of scholarships?

There was an increase last year, but, on the whole, Staffordshire is practically stationary.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps he proposes to take to ensure that English is correctly spoken in all talking cinematograph films used in schools?

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Willesden East (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on 16th April, the Board are watching with interest experiments which are being made in the use of talking cinematograph films in schools and I can assure my hon. Friend that neither the Board nor local education authorities are likely to lose sight of the very important aspect of the matter to which he refers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these films are manufactured in Great Britain?

I do not know as much about the industry as my hon. Friend, but I believe that all talking films are, in fact, manufactured by a company which is situated in America, but is a member of the Federation of British Industries.

Does this arrangement apply to schools where the Welsh language is taught; and will the right hon. Gentleman see that correct Welsh is spoken?

Is it not a fact that the majority of these films are manufactured in Great Britain and that the authorities could get them if they required them?

I do not know the technique of the film industry, but I understand that the talking film industry is centred in the United States.

What will the accent be—will it be a sort of B.B.C. accent or the Oxford and Cambridge accent?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that talking films are being produced in two different areas in Hertfordshire by Instructional Films, and International Films?

asked the President of the Board of Education how many new junior technical and junior commercial schools, respectively, were sanctioned in each of the years 1928, 1929, and 1930?

For the years in question the number of new junior technical schools recognised was seven, 10 and five, respectively. Five new junior commercial schools were recognised in 1928 and three in 1929.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the National Union of Women Teachers will be represented on the Standing Joint Committee on teachers' salaries?

I understand that the Standing Joint Committee on the salaries of teachers in public elementary schools will have before them, at their meeting to-morrow, an application from the National Union of Women Teachers for representation on the committee.

If there is any other body representing a substantial number of school teachers, will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to consider an application for representation?

I presume that they themselves would apply to the Standing Joint Committee.

Is their application likely to be accepted?

The committee meets to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that the importation or sale of milk preparations not containing prescribed minima of milk fats is prohibited in 24 countries in the British Empire and in 20 foreign countries: and whether he will consider the desirability of promoting similar legislation in the interests of public health in this country?

I am aware of the fact stated, but I do not think it is necessary in the interests of the public health to introduce legislation for this country similar to that referred to.

Why should we be satisfied with a lower standard in this country?

I am not satisfied that there is a lower standard.

If a minimum of butter fat is prescribed for fresh milk, should there not be a minimum for preserved milk?

The point of the question related to public health, and I understand that there is no reason, on that account, for altering the law.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, from October, 1929 to September, 1930, 66,717 men offered themselves for service in the Army and 52 per cent. were rejected on physical grounds; and will he say if his Department have done anything to find out what were the physical disabilities, so that steps could be taken to advise the House of Commons on adopting measures to improve the physical standard of our people?

I understand that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, my Department has obtained full information on this subject from the War Office and it will receive my careful consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a manifesto issued by a number of doctors stating, as one of the reasons for this deplorable physical condition and these deficiencies as to health and teeth, that they are due to the artificial foods eaten in this over-industrialised country; and will the right hon. Gentleman have that report considered by the appropriate experts in his Department?

indicated assent.

asked the Minister of Health what is the approximate estimated cost of the services rendered by voluntary hospitals to members of approved societies; and what contributions are made by approved societies to the funds of voluntary hospitals in return for such services?

No material is available to enable any estimate to be made of the cost of the services rendered by voluntary hospitals to members of approved societies. The total amount allocated by societies in England in payments to hospitals under schemes consequent upon the second valuation was at the rate of about £300,000 per annum. Schemes based on the third valuation are at present in operation in societies covering only about one-quarter of the total insured population, but under those schemes the annual amount allocated to hospital benefit has been increased by about 14 per cent. above that previously allocated.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that last year University College Hospital treated over 2,000 members of approved societies at a cost of £22,000, towards which the societies contributed only a little more than £3,000, and that of 124 of these societies whose members were admitted to the hospital 44 contributed part of the cost and 80 contributed nothing, he will take steps to bring the claims of the voluntary hospitals to the notice of approved societies in connection with the allocation of their disposable surpluses?

The attention of all approved societies has already been directed to the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act, under which they are empowered to allocate part of any disposable surplus disclosed on valuation to the making of payments to hospitals in respect of the maintenance and treatment of their members therein.

Is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to draw the attention of the societies to the fact, which they probably do not realise, that they are getting very much more from the voluntary hospitals than is covered by the small contributions which they make? I am sure they wish to pay their own way.

I am prepared to do what I can, but I have no power to enforce it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the great bulk of the workpeople who are compulsorily insured, are contributing week by week to the Hospital Saturday Fund?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has been informed of a recent discovery of radium supplies in Canada; and whether he has yet opened negotiations with the Canadian Government with a view to securing supplies of radium at reasonable prices to British hospitals?

The duty of taking the necessary steps to purchase supplies of radium with the assistance given from public funds in 1929 rests with the National Radium Trust, and not with me. I understand that the trust will take into consideration the reported source of supply to which the hon. and gallant Member refers.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the new efforts being made to combat the evils arising from rheumatic diseases, he will now consider the advisability of setting up an advisory committee on rheumatism on the same lines as the advisory committee on cancer?

I have given careful consideration to this suggestion and have come to the conclusion that I should not be justified at the present time in setting up such a committee as is mentioned in the question.

asked the Minister of Health if he will invite suggestions from the associations representative of county councils and rural district councils as to the best means, by conferences, photographic exhibits, or otherwise, of informing housing authorities generally and owners of the advantages of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act and of the exact methods by which in certain areas, e.g., Devonshire and the rural district of Atcham, Salop, it has been used successfully to provide rural workers with houses at rents which they can pay?

I am already taking steps to obtain information on the lines suggested by the hon. Member of the exact methods adopted in the areas he mentions, and will consider what further steps can best and most conveniently be taken to secure the purpose desired by the hon. Member and by myself.

asked the Minister of Health how many occupied houses in South Shields are regarded as suitable for demolition under slum clearance schemes; how many of these are houses let in tenements: how many persons they house; and what proposals he has received for dealing with such property,

I regret the information sought in the first three parts of this question is not immediately available, but I will make inquiries and communicate with my hon. Friend. As regards the last part, the corporation propose to demolish in five years 1,737 houses in slum clearance areas, and have already declared one area, containing 101 houses or blocks of tenements, to be a clearance area.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now say what is the position with regard to his representations to the Plymouth City Council in respect of their five years housing programme; and whether he is satisfied that the most effective steps are being taken to provide suitable accommodation for the number of persons in Devonport and Plymouth who are compelled to live in overcrowded or otherwise unsatisfactory conditions?

I have now received the further communication which I was expecting from the corporation. The reply to the second part of the question is, on the information at present before me, in the negative.