asked the Minister of Labour if she has any information about any cases other than the flour milling industry where arrangements are being made to provide workmen displaced as the result of rationalisation with assistance and the means of resettling in new careers or businesses?

As the hon. Member doubtless knows, provision for compensation is made in legislation dealing with cer- tain industries, for example, in the Electricity Supply Acts. Apart from such cases, I understand that there have been a certain number of voluntary arrangements of the kind referred to, but I am not in possession of information in a form in which it would be officially published.

Can the right hon. Lady say whether the Government are taking any action to assist those who will be thrown out of work through rationalisation?

That is a matter for the, employers.

Does the right hon. Lady mean that she thinks that the Government are not responsible?

No.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, with regard to situations offered to unemployed women at seaside boarding-houses, she has yet issued any instructions to her officers requesting that the hours to be worked and the wages to be paid shall be stated on paper; and whether, in the absence of information as to hours, no such situation shall be offered?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question on the 2nd June to which I have nothing to add.

In reply to that question, the right hon. Lady said that the applicant had the opportunity of justifying herself before the court of referees, and, as it is impossible for her to do so in respect of hours, which are a vital factor, how is it possible at all for the lady concerned to refuse a situation and at the same time justify herself before the court of referees?

I do not admit the statement that it is impossible to raise the question of hours.

How is it possible for the claimant to raise the question of hours, when, as a matter of fact, she does not know what the hours are, and it is notorious that they are overworked at the seaside?

If the claimant is referred by the insurance officer to the court of referees, all those are relevant facts to be brought before the court of referees.

I cannot allow questions to develop into an argument.

Is not the right hon. Lady aware that the girls who are sent to seaside boarding houses are compelled to sleep four in a bed when there is only room for one?

Not at all.

If a fact of that kind——

The question refers to wages and hours.

Are any inquiries made into the sleeping conditions and whether they are taken into account in fixing the wages?

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will consider taking steps to extend the period of time from six weeks to 12 before a person classified as temporarily unemployed is transferred to the wholly unemployed register?

This classification is adopted for statistical purposes and has no effect on the worker's claim to benefit. If its basis were altered, as suggested, the continuity of future statistics with those collected during the past five years would be destroyed. Such a change ought not therefore to be made without some good reason, and at present I know of none.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will again consider the advisability of legislation to abolish the practice under which a worker's representative on a court of referees is disqualified from continuing to serve in this capacity in the event of becoming unemployed?

No, Sir. I am not in favour of altering this practice.

Is the Minister aware that on account of a breakdown of machinery in tinplate mills, steel works and collieries, men who are fully employed have to draw unemployment benefit, but on the particular week they draw benefit they are not allowed to sit on the court of referees?

This is a point to which I have given very great thought indeed, and I am satisfied that in the interests of the unemployed insured person it would be a mistake to vary the present practice.

Is this not a great disadvantage to the unemployed, because the chairman is invariably a lawyer and does not understand anything about these particular trades?

asked the Minister of Labour if she is prepared to make better provision at the Parkhead Employment Exchange for unemployed men, to prevent them from standing in the rain and snow during bad weather?

Accommodation was provided on 16th June for men claimants, at the Congregational Church Hall in Westmuir Street, Parkhead, in addition to the premises in Sorby Street, and there should be no occasion for applicants, who observe the timing arrangements, to wait in the open.

Did the right hon. Lady say the 16th June, this year?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will call for a report as to the suitability or otherwise of the premises now being used as an Employment Exchange at Keynsham, and consider whether any alteration should be made to protect the unemployed on wet days when signing on in large numbers?

The premises of the branch employment office at Keynsham are provided, under the terms of this contract, by the branch manager, who is a part-time official. They have been in use since June, 1916, and are adequate for dealing with the normal work which falls to the office. The number of persons attending at the office at present is approximately 100. They are given times at which to attend in small batches and, provided they adhere to their allotted times, there need be no delay in dealing with them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is insufficient accommodation for those who attend the Exchange on wet days?

I am given to understand that there is sufficient accommodation.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether her attention has been directed to the state of the accommodation provided at the Boston Employment Exchange; whether she is aware that a part of the staff are housed in a passage-way, that congestion occurs in both the men's and women's departments, and that the building is dark and damp and unsuited for the purposes of an Employment Exchange; and will she, as a matter of urgency take steps to improve the accommodation at once?

(2) When the Boston Employment Exchange was scheduled for new premises; whether plans for the new building were passed by her Department; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of the present building, she will at once proceed with the proposed new building?

I am aware that the existing accommodation for this Exchange is unsatisfactory. It was scheduled for new premises as the result of a general survey made in 1929. Final plans of the proposed new building were passed by the Department in November, 1930, but, owing to lack of funds, it has been necessary to postpone the scheme.

In view of the statement of the right hon. Lady that she is aware that the building is quite unsatisfactory, and in view of the fact that prospective employers are now refusing to attend the premises to interview people whom they might employ, on account of the nature of the building, cannot she take exceptional steps, as a matter of urgency, to find suitable accommodation?

I will give the matter further consideration.

Would it not be better if the right hon. Lady took adequate steps to provide work for the unemployed?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that an unemployed man who seeks a situation in one of His Majesty's Dominions rather than remain unemployed in Britiain thereby ceases to be regarded as insured, she is prepared to introduce legislation to remedy this position?

I am not sure whether my hon. Friend is referring to the position of such a man in this country or in the Dominions. As regards this country, I should point out that he would not necessarily be ineligible for unemployment benefit. Whilst abroad he pays no unemployment insurance contributions, but if, when he returns to this country, he no longer satisfies the full contribution qualification, he may nevertheless qualify for benefit if he can show that he fulfils the lower contribution qualification and other conditions for transitional benefit. If, however, my hon. Friend means to suggest that legislation should be introduced entitling a man to draw benefit in the Dominions, I am afraid I cannot undertake this.

Is it not a fact that the man, who sooner that remain unemployed here, goes abroad, say to the Dominions, for any length of time and finds himself out of work there, and returns, is, by his virtue, penalised on returning and not able to get unemployment benefit; and will she assure the House that such a case will be dealt with under the Anomalies Bill?

I can give no such undertaking.

Is the right hon. Lady aware of the very large number of such cases, and, if any Rill is to be introduced dealing with anomalies, surely anomalies of this character ought to be included in such a Bill?

asked the Minister of Labour if unemployment insurance schemes are in operation in New Zealand, West Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland; and, if so, what allowances are made and contributions paid?

As the reply is rather long and contains a table of figures, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REROBT.

asked the Minister of Labour what is estimated to be the amount of the anomalies of each of the four classes of workers whose total anomalies are estimated by the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance to amount in all to £5,500,000 at existing rates?

The Royal Commission Report does not give separate figures for the four classes. The data necessary for a close estimate are not available, but I am advised that it may be, roughly speaking, estimated that out of the estimated total of £5,500,000 the classes comprising casual and short-time workers and married women would each account for between £2,000,000 and £2,500,000, and intermittent and seasonal workers together for between £750,000 and £1,000,000.

I could not follow the figures given by the right hon.

No, we cannot divide them up into each category. We have to take them in a lump. Casual and short-time workers would account for £2,000,000, and, in respect of married women, it is estimated that it might be £2,500,000. It is estimated that of intermittent and seasonal workers it would be something like £750,000.

Can the right hon. Lady give me the approximate figures as well as the total amount of money, or shall I put down a question?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can state the number of applicants who have applied for, and been refused, benefit at the Employment Exchanges of Ruther-glen, Cambuslang, and Blantyre, respectively, in the last three months or nearest date?

I regret that I cannot give figures of disallowances, as the disallowances of claims made at these offices are included in the statistics among those imposed by the Glasgow South Side court of referees. The number of fresh and renewal claims during the period 10th March, 1931, to 8th June, 1931, was 2,422 at the Cambuslang Exchange and 3,486 at the Ruther-glen Exchange. There is no Employment Exchange at Blantyre.

If the right hon. Lady cannot give us the figures for Rutherglen, perhaps she can give us the figures of the number of votes lost by the Labour party there?

asked the Minister of Labour the position with regard to schemes of work submitted by the Goole Urban District Council for consideration by the Unemployment Grants Committee?

Since 1st June, 1929, Goole Urban District Council have submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee eight schemes of work for the relief of unemployment, estimated to cost £39,350. All the schemes have been approved for grant from Exchequer funds.

Can the right hon. Lady say whether the building of the Humber Bridge has been taken into account in formulating these schemes?

That does not arise out of the question.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether the Unemployment Grants Committee are authorised to accept applications for schemes of work for next winter which are submitted after 30th June?

Local authorities were notified in March last that the Committee were authorised to entertain applications submitted before 30th June, provided that the work could be started on the schemes not later than 31st October. I do not think that any general postponement of these dates is either necessary or desirable. I am, however, informing the Committee that they may in exceptional circumstances entertain applications made after 30th June in respect of work to begin before 31st December, provided that good reason is shown why earlier application could not be made.

Is the Minister aware that neither my own local authority nor neighbouring authorities heard of this circular at the time, and, if on inquiry it is found that such circular was not sent to them, will the time limit be extended proportionately?

I find it difficult to understand why they did not get that circular, because the usual method of circularising local authorities was adopted, but certainly that would be one reason which would weigh with the others for taking the course I have indicated in my answer.

In view of the probable duration of the existing state of unemployment, will the Minister be prepared to re-issue this memorandum and to extend the date by one month?

I will consider that course.

Does the right hon. Lady consider that three months was sufficient notice to give?

To make application for a scheme to be considered?—certainly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that British dance bands are forbidden entry into the United States and France, she will take steps to enforce similar restrictions on the entry into this country of American and French dance bands?

The admission into this country of foreign dance bands is closely restricted. Permits are granted only where I am satisfied that good cause exists, and that the grant would not be prejudicial to the general interests of British workers.

Seeing that there are so many British musicians out of work, cannot the right hon. Lady prohibit the entry of dance bands from those countries that prohibit ours from going there.

There have been very few visas issued since January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total number of visas authorised for Soviet citizens to come of this country to study methods of production of goods since the present Government took office; and what are the maximum and minimum periods authorised for their stay in this country?

I regret that it would not be possible, without an exhaustive examination of all the applications received, to distinguish the particular cases of visas referred to in the question. The period of authorised visits varies from one week to six months.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of any Englishman having gone to Russia to study their methods?

asked the Home Secretary what number of visas have been granted since the present Government came into office for the purpose of bringing over Soviet citizens connected with the Russian trade delegation or the associated 18 companies that carry on trade for Soviet Russia?

243 visas have been granted for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is satisfied with the present student-teachership system as a preparation for the teaching profession or whether, in view of the criticisms frequently made against it, he will institute an inquiry into this system as to whether it is productive of the best results for education?

In 1926 the Board announced their agreement with the view of the Departmental Committee for the Training of Teachers that intending teachers should, as far as practicable, receive continuous full-time education in secondary schools up to the age of 18. Since that date a large number of local authorities have discontinued their systems of student-teachership, and the number of student teachers has decreased from 4,615 in 1926 to 1,301 in 1903. In the circumstances, I do not think that it is necessary to institute a further inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while the old pupil teacher system was bad because it gave too much teaching practice and killed any desire for study, the present system does not give an adequate amount of teaching practice to enable the authorities to discover whether the student is suitable or otherwise for the teaching profession before he or she goes to the training college?

Yes, Sir, and it was on that account that the Board has discouraged the student-teachership system with the very remarkable results that I have indicated.

Is it not true that the policy is preventing any effective teaching practice and that it should be increased before they go to college?

asked the President of the Board of Education in how many cases during the last complete 12 months for which figures are available his Department drew the attention of local education authorities to an insufficiency of staff in individual elementary schools; and in how many such cases was the insufficiency removed?

Questions as to the staffing of schools are under the constant consideration of the Board of Education and of His Majesty's inspectors, but there are not figures available which show in how many individual cases the attention of local education authorities has been drawn to an insufficiency of staff, or in how many cases there have been increases of staff as a result of the representations made.

May I ask whether, in spite of the fact that the staff is now mainly calculated on the area, adequate attention is given to the question of staffing individual schools in each area?

My information is that the estimate of the staff in the area as a while, is based on the consideration of the staff necessary for each school in the area.

Will the President of the Board of Education give his attention to the practice of some authorities of over-staffing some schools in comparison with others in order to get specimen and show schools?

asked the President of the Board of Education, if he is now in a position to state the response of local education authorities to administrative memorandum 82, urging increase in establishments?

The proposals submitted by local education authorities for the current year provide for the employment of some 1,900 additional teachers in excess of the establishments approved for last year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the increase in establishments will find employment for those additional teachers who were trained in anticipation of the raising of the school-leaving age?

asked the President of the Board of Education in view of the fact that his Department is co-operating with the advisory committee of the land utilisation survey of Great Britain in using the services of scholars and teachers in completing the Ordnance Survey maps showing the distribution of cultivated pasture, woodland, and waste land in the country, if he will say whether this work is being carried on in every county; what is the reason for the employment of these teachers and senior scholars; whether they are qualified to do the work; whether this causes their abstention from classes during school hours; and whether this policy of employing school children on Government work is to be followed in other similar cases?

The Land Utilisation Survey Advisory Committee is a voluntary organisation which is not engaged on the official Ordnance Survey or upon Government work of any kind. It has secured the co-operation of some local education authorities and schools, but its work is not being carried on in every county. The board are of opinion that the simple map-reading and home geography required by this work can be of great educational value to the children concerned, and such absences from the classroom as may be necessary for the work are only approved by His Majesty's inspector where he is satisfied, on educational grounds, that the time will be profitably used.

Could not this work be given to unemployed in preference to school children?

This is work of an educational character. It is not work which could be given to the unemployed.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many and which of the local education authorities for elementary education in England and Wales have not received approval to the current triennial programme?

Thirty-nine local education authorities have not yet received approval of their programmes for the current three-year period. With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time that severe pressure was put on these authorities to complete their programmes since nearly half the time for carrying them out has elapsed?

And will the President of the Board of Education point to the success that has been attained in Plymouth?

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities for elementary education have availed themselves of the recent permission to make payments out of the marginal pool to handicraft instructors in respect of workshop experience?

The Board have no statistical information showing the distribution of payments made from the marginal pool according to the several purposes for which it may be used. I therefore regret that I am unable to supply the information desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the representations made to him by the Manchester and Salford Better Housing Council upon the profiteering in the letting of furnished rooms, which has been revealed in local housing surveys; and whether he is prepared to take legislative action in the matter, especially in the direction of setting up machinery to enable poor tenants to submit their cases in simple form and without unnecessary expense where injustice on the part of landlords is experienced or suspected?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question put last week by the hon. and learned Member for Moss Side (Sir G. Hurst).

Is it the intention of the Government to cover this point in any proposed legislation?

That I cannot say; but clearly legislation must await the result of this investigation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to make any announcement on the intentions of His Majesty's Government further to accelerate the building of cottages and small houses in rural districts?

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to announce the Government's policy with regard to the rural housing question?

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to announce to the House the Government policy with respect to rural housing; and, if so, can he state the character of the machinery they propose for expediting such policy?

The Government's proposals in this matter are set out in the Financial Resolution which appears on the Paper to-day,

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to publish a Financial Memorandum in connection with these proposals?

Yes.

Are these the Government's proposals about rural housing, or are they the proposals of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Sir T. Walters)?

I think that, if the Noble Lady will look at the Resolution, she will find that they are the Government's proposals.

Is not the best way to expedite rural housing to drop the land tax proposals?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in relation to the housing proposals which have been the subject of conversations between the Government and the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Sir T. Walters) he proposes to consult the local authorities; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement on the matter?

The associations of local authorities concerned will be consulted as regards the Government proposals in connection with rural housing.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any estimate of the extent to which the new proposals for rural housing will increase employment in rural areas?

I am not at present in a position to make any precise estimate of this kind.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in Essex have made by-Jaws regulating the dumping of house and trade refuse in their respective areas; whether ho is aware that the Metropolitan borough councils still dump their refuse in large quantities in South Horn-church; and when he proposes to introduce legislation for the disposal of London's refuse on lines consonant with public health and amenity?

By-laws on this subject were made by Barking Urban District Council some years ago and confirmed by the Department. Orsett Rural District Council have made bylaws but these have rot yet been confirmed. Other authorities in Essex are preparing by-laws. I am aware that large quantities of refuse are still being dumped in South Hornchurch. As regards legislation, I am not at present in a position to state when legislation will be introduced.

Is the Minister of Health aware of the fact that a report made by an inspector of his Department in Fubruary, 1929, recommended as follows:—[Interruption.]—that there should he no avoidable delay in stopping the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in these localities?

asked the Minister of Health if he will expedite a decision in relation to the purchase of land needed for the Tirnsbury sewerage scheme in the Glutton rural district?

A public inquiry into this proposal has boon arranged for 14th July, and I will see that the matter is decided with despatch.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to encourage the sale of fresh English milk in this country by restricting the sale of tinned milk, marked unfit for babies, on the grounds of health?

The tinned milk marked "unfit for babies" is so marked because it is lacking in milk fat which is essential for babies. I am advised that it is not otherwise objectionable on grounds of health and I could not therefore take any special steps to restrict its sale.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a glut of fresh English milk?

Is he also aware that a large number of people because of their inadequate wages cannot afford to buy it?

asked the Minister of Health if he will give figures to show the progress of the graded-milk movement during the past few years; if he is satisfied with this progress; and, if not, what further means he proposes to encourage public confidence in the purity of milk supplies?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the numbers of producers of Certified, Grade A (Tuberculin Tested), and Grade A milk in England and Wales in each of the last five years. The figures show that there has been a steady increase in each grade but that the number of producers of graded milk is still very small compared with the total number of milk producers in the country. I am considering the last part of the question in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Does the right hon. Gentleman set an example himself?

I do.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to make use of talking films for the pur- pose of giving instruction in hygiene, mothercraft, etc.?

Cinematograph films are frequently used by local authorities and voluntary bodies for the purpose of giving instruction to the public on matters connected with health and mothercraft, but I understand that very little use has so far been made of talking films for this purpose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to carry out experiments in this direction?

I shall be glad to consult the hon. Member as to its possibilities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the President of the Board of Education, who is sitting next to him, in order to get his co-operation?

Is it not a fact that various health authorities are showing these films as produced and exhibited by insurance companies free of charge?

I believe that films have been produced by both voluntary bodies and private firms.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue regulations requiring that all animals "tuberculin-tested for the purpose of the Milk (Special Designation) Order of 1923, and which react to that test, should be branded before sale in order that persons who may subsequently purchase the animals may become aware of this fact?

The adoption of this suggestion has been considered on previous occasions and has been held to be undesirable. In any case, I do not consider that it would be expedient to make any such requirement in regard to the limited number of animals comprised in herds to which the Special Designations Order applies.

If it is to be a question of destroying these cattle, will it not affect at least 40 per cent. of the beasts producing milk in this country?

I think, if you applied this test to all cattle, there would be enormous slaughter.