Written Answers
Coal Industry (Hours Of Labour)
asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government propose to introduce legislation dealing with the hours of labour in coal mines prior to the expiry of the hours Clauses of the Coal Mines Act, 1930?
I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this subject.
asked the Secretary for Mines what action he proposes to take with regard to the recent decision as to the illegality of the hours agreement in North Staffordshire and its effect upon agreements in other districts?
The hon. Member presumably refers to a recent decision of the umpire on a claim for unemployment benefit preferred on behalf of miners in North Staffordshire in respect of a period in December last. The decision was based upon the particular conditions obtaining in that district at the material date, and is limited to that extent in its application. The matter is not one which calls for any action on my part.
| — | 1929. | 1930. | ||||
| £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | |
| In respect of the Secretariat and special organisations, the Permanent Court of International Justice, and Buildings at Geneva. | 71,197 | 1 | 11 | 79,163 | 14 | 3 |
| In respect of the International Labour Organisation | 36,573 | 12 | 3 | 36,227 | 14 | 8 |
| Total | £107,770 | 14 | 2 | £115,391 | 8 | 11 |
Surtax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated number of person and the estimated total
Afforestation (Sitka Spruce, Wales)
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, in which counties of Wales and the acreage in each that it has been arranged to plant with Sitka spruce during the next 12 months; and what is the approximate number of men who will be employed in each area?
The Forestry Commissioners' planting programme for the next 12 months includes the following areas in Wales which have been found to be suitable for Sitka spruce—Brecon, 115 acres; Carmarthen, 315; Glamorgan, 360; Monmouth, 60; Carnarvon, 130; Montgomery, 90; Merioneth, 130; Cardigan, 120; Denbigh, 100; and Radnor, 30. The approximate number of persons who will be employed in connection with this work during the 12 months will be on the average one for each 10 acres (total, 144).
League Of Nations (British Government Contributions)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount in sterling of the British Government contributions to the League of Nations and to the International Labour Office, respectively, for the years 1929 and 1930?
The following were the amounts of the British Government contributions to the League of Nations and to the International Labour Office, respectively, for the years 1929 and 1930.income chargeable for Surtax for the years 1929–30 and 1930–31?
I regret I am unable to furnish the estimates de- sired by the hon. Member. The Surtax chargeable for the year 1929–30, which is payable on 1st January, 1931, is still in process of assessment. The assessment of the Surtax chargeable for the year 1930–31 is due to take place during the current financial year.
Education
Scholarships
asked the President of the Board of Education whether any maintenance scholarships are provided by his Department to secure for children from the secondary schools training for the medical and dental professions?
No scholarships provided by the Board of Education are specifically earmarked for students proposing to be trained for the medical and dental professions; but 300 State scholarships are offered annually to pupils from grant-aided secondary schools to enable them to take up courses at universities for Honours Degrees, including those in medicine and dentistry, or preliminary science courses.
Teachers' Salaries (Standing Joint Committee)
asked the President of the Board of Education if he has made provision for the National Union of Women Teachers to be represented on the Standing Joint Committee on Teachers' Salaries; and, if not, will he arrange for this organisation to be represented thereon?
asked the President of the Board of Education whether the National Union of Women Teachers is to be represented on the Standing Joint Committee on Teachers' Salaries?
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?
asked the President of the Board of Education if, in view of the representations made to him by the National Union of Women Teachers and the National Association of Schoolmasters regarding the constitution of the Standing Joint Committee on Teachers' Salaries, he proposes to include representatives of these bodies on that committee?
asked the President of the Board of Education what societies will be represented on the Standing Joint Committee on Teachers' Salaries?
asked the President of the Board of Education whether be will ensure that proper representation on the Standing Joint Committee on Teachers' Salaries is given to the National Union of Women Teachers?
The following bodies are now represented on the Standing Joint Committee on the Salaries of Teachers in Public Elementary Schools:
- County Councils' Association.
- London County Council.
- Association of Municipal Corporations.
- Association of Education Committees.
- National Union of Teachers.
National Expenditure
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of extra financial commitments incurred by the present Government since its accession to office, showing under separate headings the expenditure in 1929 and the estimated expenditure in the current and forthcoming financial years?
The main item of expenditure arising since the present Government took office is the payment of transitional benefit under the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1929, and the amount of the expenditure varies with the state of employment. The expenditure was in 1929–30, £3,980,000; in 1930–31, £22,000,000 (estimated); and in 1931–32, £30,000,000 (estimated). The principal other items of expenditure falling in the Budget due to commitments entered into by the present Government are:—
| TABLE OF COMMITMENTS. | ||||
| (Excluding items under £100,000.) | ||||
| — | Expenditure, 1929. | Estimate, 1930. | Estimate, 1931. | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| 1. | Under provisions of Unemployment Insurance Act, 1929. | 3,500,000 | 3,500,000 | 3,500,000 |
| 2. | Under provisions in Widows', etc., Contributory Pensions Act, 1929. | 40,000 | 5,300,000 | 6,300,000 |
| 3. | Agriculture and Fisheries miscellaneous new services and extensions.* | 41,000 | 612,000 | 693,000 |
| 4. | Forestry Commission: expansion of development programme for relief of unemployment. | 100,000 | 283,000 | 110,000 |
| 5. | Housing (Revision of Contributions) Act, 1929 | 13,000 | 112,000 | 220,000 |
| 6. | Civil Service bonus, under concessions announced in July, 1929, and August, 1930. | 800,000 | 800,000 | — |
| 7. | Paid holidays to Civil Service Industrial Staffs | 100,000 | 200,000 | 200,000 |
| 8. | Concessions in respect of standard pay and retired pay of officers of Navy, Army and Air Force for period 1st July. 1930, to 30th June, 1931. | — | 103,000 | 34,000 |
| 9. | Commitments under Part I Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929. | — | 200,000 | 450,000 |
| 10. | Do. Part II | 100,000 | 350,000 | 1,050,000 |
| 11. | Colonial Development Act, 1929 | — | 750,000 | 750,000 |
| 12. | Coal Mines Act, 1930 | — | 12,000 | 217,000 |
| 13. | Palestine Development Loan (£2½ millions maximum). | — | — | 100,000 |
| 14. | Housing Act, 1930 | — | — | 220,000 |
| 15. | Prolongation of Insurance Act, 1930 | — | — | 117,000 |
| 16. | Grants in respect of employment schemes (necessitous areas). | — | 315,000 | 125,000 |
| £4,694,000 | £12,537,000 | £14,086,000 | ||
* Excluding provision for expenditure under the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill. | ||||
Electricity Supply, Kintbury
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the neighbourhood of Kintbury, Berkshire, with the charges of, and services provided by, the Wessex Electricity Company, and their refusal to carry out their obligations with regard to compensation to owners and occupiers of land for damage done by the erection and maintenance of posts, etc.; and if he will inquire into the matter?
No complaints of the kind referred to from the neighbourhood of Kintbury have been brought to my notice, but I have asked the Electricity Commissioners to inquire into the matter.
National Health Insurance
asked the Minister of Health whether arrangements can be made for the unemployed agricultural workers living at Ridgewell, Essex, to have their health insurance cards franked at that post office instead of their being obliged to walk to Clare, a distance of eight miles for the return journey?
Although agricultural workers who are unemployed should, where possible, have their contribution cards franked at an Employment Exchange, it is not essential in all cases that they should do so, as alternative evidence of unemployment may, in suitable cases, be submitted for the consideration of the approved society. Where the worker resides at a considerable distance from the nearest Exchange, he should ask his society what form of evidence they will require. It would not be practicable to arrange for cards to be franked at Post Offices, as the necessary evidence is not available there.
Milk (Sale)
asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take action to implement the findings of the Standing Committee on the Laws relating to the Sale of Milk, published in May of last year?
I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a report made by the Standing Committee of the Council of Agriculture for England. I have this matter at present under consideration in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Widows' Pensions
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mrs. Emma Sharp, of 10, Albert Terrace, Towcester, Northants, applied for a widow's pension over a year ago; that her application was acknowledged on 5th March, 1930; that she was informed on 2nd October, 1930, that the matter would be submitted to the High Court; that she has been informed since that a ruling of the High Court has been obtained but that difficulties have arisen in regard to its application to individual cases; and whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Sharp is in great need and in failing health, he will put an end to the delay and secure an immediate settlement in this case?
This is one of the cases for which the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill, which was read a Second time on the 21st instant, is designed to provide widows' pensions. My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not possible for Mrs. Sharp's claim to receive further consideration until such time as the new Bill becomes law.
India (Conference)
asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can yet give the House details of the arrangements for renewing the sittings of the Round Table Conference on the proposals for a new Indian constitution?
No, Sir. I am not yet, able to make any statement on, this matter.
Murder Charge (Solicitor's Action)
asked the Borne Secretary whether he has any Information as to the circumstances in which William Gordon Baldwin, charged with murder, was approached while in custody by a solicitor without having asked for legal assistance and not knowing by whom the solicitor was instructed?
I have seen allusion in the Press, and I am informed that the course taken was as suggested in the question. I hesitate to say more while a case of such gravity as that of the defendant is pending; and if it is the professional propriety of the solicitor's action that is questioned, it is hardly for me as Home Secretary, but rather for another authority, to consider that point.