asked the Minister of Labour the results of the conference between the representatives of the quarrying industry and the Government Departments concerned with regard to the training of kerb-stone dressers?

The question of the supply of, and demand for, granite kerb has been referred to a small joint committee representative of producers and users. Further consideration of the training question must await the outcome of this committee, which will, I understand, hold its first meeting on 14th May.

How long does the right hon. Lady expect these conversations to go on?

That is a matter for the parties who are conducting them.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that all this time Norwegian granite, aided by a Government grant, is being imported into this country?

The granite producers are largely responsible.

Seeing that this granite is aided by a Government grant—

That is a different question.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of workers in the coal mining industry registered as unemployed on 1st June, 1929, and at the latest available date;

(2) the number of workers in the iron and steel industry registered as unemployed on 1st June, 1929, and at the latest available date?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will

asked the Minister of Labour the number of foreign waiters employed in this country; and how this number compares with the number of English waiters employed by foreign countries under reciprocal arrangements between those countries and Great Britain?

There are no available statistics of foreign waiters employed in this country, nor of British waiters employed in foreign countries. The number of permits issued for the admission of foreigners to take up employment in this country as waiters (mostly of the student employé type), was 319 for the 12 months ended 30th April, 1931. The number of British subjects who were enabled to take employment abroad as waiters under reciprocal arrangements with foreign countries, was approximately 228 during the same period.

Is it the policy of the Government that only

Can the right hon. Lady say in regard to both these industries whether there is any district in the United Kingdom where employment has improved since the Government took office?

I should like to have notice of that question.

No, I would not say that it is entirely reciprocal.

Can the Minister of Labour tell us the conditions under which these waiters are allowed to come into this country?

It is for a limited period of time, and for the purpose of acquiring the language.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of vacant jobs of which the Employment Exchanges in Great Britain had particulars on 31st January, 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively; and what were the total numbers of registered unemployed on the same dates?

I am having a table prepared, and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the total contributions to the unemployment insurance fund for the year ending 31st March, 1931, of the Exchequer, employers, and employed, respectively; and, assuming the live register remains the same and no changes are made in rates of contribution or benefit, what will be the contributions of the Exchequer, employers, and employed, respectively, for the year ending 31st March, 1932?

As the reply is somewhat long, and contains a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she anticipates receiving the report of the Royal Commission on Unemployment before the Whitsuntide Recess?

I cannot add anything at the moment to the replies I have already given on this subject.

Does the right hon. Lady still expect to have an interim report by the end of May?

I do.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the bases on which it is estimated that the work schemes of the Government provide, approximately, 2,000 man-years of employment directly and 2,000 indirectly for every £1,000,000 of money expended?

I would refer the hon. Member to the speech made by the late Lord Privy Seal in the Debate on 12th February last, in which the basis of this calculation is explained in considerable detail?

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has received the German proposals for dealing with unemployment; and, if so, will she place a translation of them in the Library?

I have received a copy of the first report of the German Advisory Commission on Unemployment. A translation is being prepared and will be placed in the Library of the House.

Is it true that in the view of the German Ministry of Labour, the chief measure for reducing unemployment in Germany was bringing the country into a sound financial condition?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people at present directly employed in Liverpool upon new schemes that have been sanctioned for grant for the relief of unemployment?

Returns received in respect of State-aided schemes in operation in the Liverpool area show that 3,061 men were directly employed on 27th March last. The figures exclude schemes carried out by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of the schemes that have been submitted by the Liverpool Corporation for grant for the relief of unemployment since 1st January, 1931, and the number of schemes that have been approved since the 1st January, 1931?

I am having these particulars extracted, and will send them to the hon. Member as early as possible.

Is any unnecessary delay being experienced in connection with these schemes in Liverpool; and, if so, will the Minister urge the authorities to remove the obstacle?

I am having a statement prepared, and I could not answer that question until I have seen the statement.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are at present being trained at the various training centres for the unemployed; how many are being trained for overseas settlement and how many for industrial or other occupation in Great Britain; and what is the rate at which the latter are being absorbed into their own occupations?

During the week ending 28th April, 6,662 persons were in attendance at centres conducted by, or on behalf of, my Department; all were in training for employment in this country. The majority are placed in employment on, or shortly after, the completion of their course, the average percentage of placings for 1930 being 89.4.

Will the right hon. Lady answer the part of the question which refers to oversea settlement?

I have said that all these are being trained for this country. There is no training now for oversea settlement.

asked the Minister of Labour what assistance has been given by her Department to applicants in Newcastle-on-Tyne for allotments under the special scheme for the unemployed?

Local officers of the Ministry of Labour are co-operating in the scheme by bringing to the notice of unemployed or partly employed persons the facilities available. Posters are exhibited on Exchange premises, forms of application for plots, which are returnable to the local authority, are issued to applicants, and applicants for supplies of seeds, etc., are directed to the appropriate channel for obtaining them.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women promoted to the departmental clerical class of the Ministry of Labour in the years 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively, and for the first quarter of the current year?

The number of women promoted to the departmental clerical class of the Ministry of Labour was as follows:

Year.			Number.
1928	…	…	8
1929	…	…	10
1930	…	…	58
1931 (1st quarter)	…	…	38

The total of 114 includes four cases in which the appointments were made by competitive examination limited to members of the minor and manipulative grades. The remainder were promotions of shorthand-typists, typists and writing assistants.

Were any ex-service men taken on in connection with these jobs?

There are no men displaced.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many additional civil servants will be required to carry out the new land valuation scheme?

The necessity of completing the valuation within a limited time must involve a considerable addition to the existing staff of the Inland Revenue Department, the bulk of which will of course be engaged on a temporary footing. It is not possible to state with any precision what the total addition will amount to; but it is not anticipated that it will at any time exceed 2,000.

Have preparations already been made for engaging the additional staff to meet the extra work?

Full preparations will necessarily be delayed until Parliament has given its consent.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if any provision has been made in this year's estimate for this purpose?

No, I have already answered that in the negative.

Is it proposed to engage an entirely new staff, or to utilise the services of the valuers at present engaged?

I have already explained that the existing staff which is available will be utilised as far as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the names of the associations recognised by the Treasury as competent to represent the grade of unestablished messengers and paper and record keepers in the Civil Service; what is the membership of those grades in the recognised associations; whether he has received any representations from any other organisation on behalf of those grades; and, if so, whether recognition will be extended to that organisation?

The representative capacity of the Government Minor Grades Association has been recognised in respect of unestablished messengers outside the London area, and of that association jointly with the Workers' Union in respect of unestablished messengers within the London area and of unestablished paper and record keepers generally. An application has been received from the Association of Ex-service Civil Servants to be recognised jointly with the above organisations as representative of this staff, and, in view of this application, the membership of all these organisations amongst the grades concerned is now being examined.

Will the Financial Secretary to the Treasury reply to the last part of my question as to whether recognition will be extended to that organisation?

That is a point which is being examined.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what sums have been contributed by Scottish quarry masters to the Workmen's Compensation (Silicosis) Fund; and what claims, if any, have been made on the fund from quarrymen in Scotland;

(2) whether he is aware that after a medical examination by the medical board appointed under the Sandstone Industry Silicosis Scheme, 1929, no case of silicosis has been found among the quarry workers in Scotland; and whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any steps to implement his promise to the Scottish quarry masters that, following on the medical examination, the question of their liability for levies under the scheme would be reviewed?

The levies paid by the Scottish quarry masters to the Sand- stone Silicosis Fund between 1st April, 1929, and 31st March last, amounted to £3,931. Claims have been made in Scotland on the fund in one case of death, where the workman left dependants, and in two cases of partial incapacity. The promise given to review the rates of levy on completion of the first periodic medical examinations will be duly observed, but the examinations will not he completed for some time yet.

Is it true that it is taking twice as much to administer this fund as to pay compensation?

That information is not asked for in the question, and I could not give it off-hand.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will now give a statement showing such details as are available regarding the incidence and collection of cess in Scotland?

I am sending the hon. Member such information as I have been able to obtain in this matter.

Have the Government taken into consideration any steps to simplify the method and incidence of collection with regard to wiping out the anomaly of the cess tax?

That is a separate question, and if the hon. Member will put it down I will certainly endeavour to give him an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses in Duntocher, Dumbartonshire, have been condemned by the county medical authority as being unfit for human habitation?

According to the general statement submitted by the county council in terms of Sub-section 2 of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, the number of houses estimated to be required to replace houses unfit for human habitation at Duntocher (including Hardgate) is 24. The Department of Health for Scotland are not aware whether any of these houses have yet been condemned by the county medical officer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses the county council of Dumbartonshire propose to build in Duntocher during the next five years in accordance with the provisions of the Housing Act, 1930?

The number of houses which the county council propose to build at Duntocher during the next three years (the period mentioned in Sub-section (2) of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930) is 40, of which 20 are to replace houses that are unfit for human habitation.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied with the number of houses being built?

We are certainly asking Dumbartonshire to do its very best to meet the requirements under the Housing Act, 1930, and will bring all influence to bear on the respective authorities to carry out their programme.

Are they also being urged to carry out the Housing (Rural Workers) Act?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total acreage owned in Linlithgowshire by the owners of the land required for the proposed road along the foreshore between Bo'ness and South Queensferry; and the rateable value on the valuation roll and the amount of rates paid in respect of it?

I regret that I do not have the information which would enable me to answer this question, and it is doubtful whether the information can be obtained, but I am making inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary the number of taximeter cabs that were licensed by the Metropolitan Police during the year 1930; and the number that were rejected on presentation of various defects or failure to pass the necessary efficiency test?

8,167 taximeter cabs were licensed by the Metropolitan Police during the year 1930. 2,245 were rejected on presentation for licensing on account of various defects or of failure to pass the necessary efficiency tests. All of these were subsequently licensed after the defects had been remedied.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider suggesting to the authorities that old taxi-cabs, without four-wheeled brakes, should not De licensed in future?

I have come to the conclusion that those who have this matter in hand exercise very great care before licensing cabs, but I will draw attention to that point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of ex-servicemen, many of whom own taxi-cabs?

asked the Minister of Transport the reasons for the delay in making a Government grant for the £2,000,000 Liverpool - Everton tunnel scheme; and if he can give an assurance that it will be granted at the earliest opportunity?

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Everton tunnel scheme has been submitted to him in proper order; and if it has been passed for grant?

My right hon. Friend is considering the particulars submitted by the Liverpool Corporation relative to the proposed Everton Tunnel, and hopes to be able to make a definite statement thereon at an early date.

Can we get to know from the Minister of Transport whether the grant of 60 per cent. is going to be allowed?

I think that my hon. Friend had better wait until the Minister makes his statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to have a geophysical survey of the suggested route of the proposal Forth and Clyde ship canal with a view to ascertaining the cost of such an undertaking?

My right hon. Friend is unable to give any promise as to undertaking such a survey.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding of vehicles provided for the purpose of conveying children in rural areas to and from school; and whether he will have the matter investigated and take the necessary steps to see that county authorities provide adequate accommodation in this respect for the future?

No representations have been made to me to suggest that local education authorities do not provide adequate accommodation for the purpose of conveying children to and from school. But if the hon. and gallant Member will give me particulars of any case in which overcrowding is alleged, I will have it investigated.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to refund part of the superannuation contributions to those head teachers whose schools have been down-graded through circumstances outside their own control, and who have hitherto been paying superannuation contributions on the salary of a higher grade?

Under the Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1925, contributions are payable on the salary of the teacher for the time being, and there is no power to refund any part of the contributions on the occurrence of a reduction in salary.

asked the President of the Board of Education the extent of the response of the local education authorities to Administrative Memorandum 82, urging increase in establishments?

As a large number of authorities have not yet submitted their proposals, I regret that I cannot yet say what the total establishment of teachers for the country as a whole will amount to for the current year.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of classes with 40 to 50, and 50 to 60 children on the roll in elementary schools, senior and junior, in April, 1930, and the corresponding figures for April, 1931?

Information for April. 1931, is not yet available. As the answer in regard to April, 1930, involves a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there has been a reduction in the large classes in the year?

I cannot say for certain, but I think that there has been a substantial reduction in the year.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps he is taking with a view to securing that every child in school shall receive a daily supply of fresh milk?

I am encouraging the provision of milk for school children both directly by local education authorities and under the scheme of the National Milk Publicity Council. There has been a very considerable increase during the past year in the number of children receiving milk. My hon. Friend is, of course, aware that I have no power to exercise any compulsion in this matter, either on local education authorities or on the parents.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use what powers he has to see that the milk supply is free from tuberculosis?

asked the Minister of Health whether the committee which is examining the reports of the regional planning committees has yet reported?

An interim report has been made by the committee, and is now being considered.

Will the report be available for Members of the House?

That is under consideration, and I will give an answer if the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question later.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built under the Housing Acts, 1923 and 1924, during the years 1928, 1929, and 1930, by the urban districts of Frome, Midsomer Norton, and Radstock, respectively?

No houses were built by these district councils except in the case of Frome, which has built 31.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built under the Housing Acts, 1923 and 1924, during the years 1928, 1929 and 1930 by the rural districts of Clutton, Bath, Frome and Keynsham, respectively?

The numbers are eight, none, six and 92, respectively.

Will the Minister now use the big stick?

If the hon. Gentleman had listened to the answer, he would have seen that last year we have done all we can.

asked the Minister of Health (1) the number of houses built during 1929 and 1930 by the county councils of Middlesex, Suffolk, Kent and Essex, respectively;

(2) the number of houses proposed to be built by the county councils of Middlesex, Suffolk, Kent and Essex during 1931 and 1932?

The borough and district councils and not the county councils are the authorities for the general provision of houses in counties outside London. Action by the county councils has been limited to the building of houses for their own employés. Of the county councils named, Middlesex built six houses and East Euffolk 18 houses during the past two years. No further proposals are at present before me.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses in the borough of Southwark which are regarded as suitable for demolition under the slum clearance schemes; whether he has any statistics of the number of persons that are housed in these properties; and can he give particulars of any existing schemes either by the London County Council or the Southwark Borough Council for dealing with the housing conditions in certain portions of this borough?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. No specific proposals are yet before me, but the London County Council propose in the next five years to clear areas comprising 321 houses, and the borough council to clear areas comprising 46 houses and to demolish 67 further houses. The estimated total number of persons to be displaced is 3,150.

Are these people being rehoused on the new estate in Southwark?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Minister of Health if he has now given further consideration to the proposal for the institution of a national housing board which would have jurisdiction in relation to State-aided house building; and if he has come to any conclusion upon this proposal?

As was stated in the Debate of 16th April last, careful consideration is being given to proposals which have been made with a view to meeting the special difficulties of rural housing.

Has the right hon. Gentleman in view any such proposal as the institution of a national housing board in order to remove the matter from his own jurisdiction?

The right hon. Gentleman had better wait and see.

asked the Minister of Health if the housing survey undertaken by the medical officer of health for Islington, on behalf of the joint committee, has yet commenced; what are the areas to be surveyed; and by what date is the report to be presented?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The areas to be surveyed are areas selected by the joint committee to which my hon. Friend refers and, though no date can be fixed, it is hoped the report of the survey will be presented in the near future.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the bread now sold in London is inferior in quality to that sold as first-quality bread prior to the War: and whether he is pre pared to set up an inquiry into the practices of the baking trade in the preparation of bread for sale with a view to inroducing legislation to compel bakers to mark bread as being of either first or second quality?

I am not aware of the inferiority to which my hon. Friend refers, and as at present advised, I do not see any necessity for such an inquiry as is suggested.

Does not the Minister think that as bread is the staple food of the poorest people, steps should be taken to consider the possibility?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Minister of Health whether any investigation has been made by his Department into the use of chemical substances, known as improvers, in the treatment of flour used for bread-making?

Yes, Sir. The addition of certain so-called "improvers" to flour was discussed in a report made to the Local Government Board in 1911. More recently the whole question of the treatment of flour with chemical substances was the subject of an inquiry by a Departmental Committee which reported to my Department in 1927.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since 1927 several improvers have been put on the market, and that there is expert opinion which suggests that they are absolutely destructive of the nutritive value of the bread?

If my hon. Friend will give me evidence of that, I will ro-consider the whole question.

asked the Minister of Health the reasons for the delay in sanctioning the raising of a loan by the Belper Urban District Council for the proposed sewerage scheme for their district?

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to my answer to his question of 5th March. The receipt of the revised plans and estimates from the local authority is still awaited, and until these are received it is not possible to take any action in the matter.