asked the Minister of Labour whether any schemes are under consideration by the Unemployment Grants Committee for the purpose of providing work for the unemployed of Gateshead-on-Tyne?

The Unemployment Grants Committee have at present under consideration three schemes of a total cost of £3,149 submitted by the Gateshead Town Council.

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate volume of unemployment, at the latest available date, in France, Germany, the United States, Italy, Austria, Hungary and Russia?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will circulate it, if I may, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were found employment by the officers of the Dundee Employment Exchange during the 12 months ended 31st December. 1929, and the 12 months ended 31st December, 1930?

During the 12 months ended 30th December, 1929, 6,110 vacancies were filled by the Dundee Employment Exchange. The corresponding figure for the 12 months ended 29th December, 1930, was 6,924.

asked the Minister of Labour when the last survey of Employment Exchanges was carried out in Scotland; how many Exchanges were found to be unsatisfactory and on what grounds; and what work it is proposed to carry through, and at what cost, to remedy the defects?

The last comprehensive survey of Employment Exchange premises was made in 1929. Twenty-six Exchanges in Scotland were then thought to require attention as soon as might be practicable, mainly on account of the inadequacy of the accommodation; 12 others were also thought to be unsatisfactory though in a less degree. Work is proceeding in 11 cases, at an estimated cost shown in the Estimates, Class VII, with the exception of the proposed extension to the Dundee Employment Exchange, where a more economical scheme has been adopted for the time being at a cost of £1,360 instead of the permanent extension proposed at a cost of £15,850. I regret that within the limits of the available expenditure it is not possible to proceed more rapidly with the rehousing programme.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of money that has been promised through her Department towards the cost of building a new town hall in the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark, also the date upon which the application and plans were received, the date upon which the borough council was notified that a grant would be made, and the total cost of the scheme?

No application in respect of the construction of municipal offices has been received by the Unemployment Grants Committee from Southwark Borough Council.

Is it untrue that a promise has been made that a certain sum of money would be granted?

Quite untrue.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that Employment Exchange managers at present find work for unemployed men who are in receipt of disability pensions, in addition to drawing unemployment benefit, to the exclusion of the pensionless unemployed man whose only income is the amount of his unemployment benefit; and if she will issue instructions for this practice to cease and preference to be given in all cases to unemployed men who have no other income?

It has been the policy of successive Governments ever since an early period of the War to make special efforts to find employment for disabled ex-Service men, particularly those suffering from severe disabilities who are nevertheless capable of undertaking some employment. I am not prepared to depart from this policy.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that in many cases these men have suffered a reduction of income from 6s. to 10s. a week?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated number of disabled ex-service men and the number who are in employment?

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions, that the number of disabled ex-service men at present in receipt of Great War pensions in Great Britain is approximately 400,000. The number known to be disabled ex-service men who were registered as unemployed on 1st June, 1931, was 41,420. It is not possible to give a figure for those in employment.

(for Sir BASIL PETO)asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that men who served throughout the War, and have since the War been in the employment of the Imperial War Graves Commission, are refused unemployment benefit when returning to this country if unable to find employment; and whether she proposes to take any steps to remedy this?

I understand from the hon. Member that he has a particular case in mind. I am making inquiries regarding it, and will let him know the result.

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

At 27th May, 1929, there were 199,163 insured persons in the coal-mining industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain. The corresponding figure at 22nd June, 1931, was 378,633.

In view of the very grave increase in the unemployment figures in the coal-mining industry since the present Government took office, will the right hon. Lady assure us that she will use her influence to see that the miners of Scotland are not stopped working at the present time?

asked the Prime Minister when the final report of the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance will be available?

My information is that the Commission hope to be able to report by the end of the year, but the hon. and gallant Member will understand that I can give no guarantee on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Royal Commission as to the great importance of expediting their work, as he did in regard to their interim report?

That has been done.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that more than 60 per cent. of the miners of Maesteg and district are unemployed; and whether he is prepared to designate the district as one in which 100 per cent. grant should apply to public utility schemes promoted by the local authority?

The allocation of grants on the 100 per cent. basis has been completed, and further money is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that Mr. W. Myers and Mr. F. W. Parker, employed as stokers at Spitalgate Aerodrome, Grantham, were dismissed from work in May last; that they were informed that owing to their employment having been ruled as non-insurable their unemployment insurance contributions for the past four years would be refunded to them; that as yet no refund has been made to them; and whether she will take steps to expedite this payment?

I was not aware that these stokers had been dismissed. An application for the refund of contributions paid in respect of their uninsurable employment was received at the end of May. Claims of this kind necessarily take some time to settle, but I understand that payment will be made in the two cases in question during the next few clays.

asked the President of the Board of Education the present position arising from the conversations that have taken place in relation to the question of special grants to non-provided schools?

Conversations are continuing on this matter, but I am not yet in a position to make any further statement.

Will the hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement before the Recess?

I do not think so.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of Doreen Fowler, aged 11, of Pengam, South Wales, who was given corporal punishment recently by her teacher, who was summoned for assault and the case dismissed although he admitted having struck the child with a cane for hanging about after school hours; and whether he will consider the desirability of prohibiting the administration of corporal punishment by men teachers on young girls?

I have this morning seen a short newspaper account of the case referred to by my hon. Friend. The administration of corporal punishment in the schools is a matter which has always been left to the discretion of the school authorities, and I am not satisfied that there is any occasion for me to intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is prepared to grant power to the local education authority with regard to the provision of boots, etc., for necessitous school children?

Local authorities have the power when destitution exists to provide relief in kind, which might include the provision of boots, through their public assistance committees. I have no statutory authority to grant this power to local education authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local authorities were refused permission to build special schools for mentally-defective children in each of the years 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 1931?

In the years in question the numbers of local authorities who approached the Board regarding the provision of special schools for men- tally defective children and were advised not to proceed, were as follow:

Were these refusals made out of a sense of sympathy with the local education authorities; I think that that was the answer which the hon. Gentleman gave me last week?

The refusals to which I am referring were made under a previous Administration, and I understand that the reason was that the report on mental deficiency was being prepared.

(for Mr. DUNCAN MILLAR) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he can state the instructions issued by the Department for Education to the education committees in Scotland as to the teaching of temperance in the public schools in Scotland and the number of lessons on this subject included each year in the school curriculum?

Copies of the syllabus entitled "The Hygiene of Food and Drink," issued by the Board of Education, were sent by the Department to education authorities in Scotland on 20th September, 1920, together with a circular (No. 29) in which it was stated that it was desirable that the instruction in temperance in Scottish schools should be based on the information contained in the syllabus. I am sending the hon. Member copies of these papers. Opportunity for such instruction in temperance as the education authorities may think desirable is afforded under the subject of "Morals and Citizenship," which is part of the prescribed work of the older scholars. I am aware that a number of education authorities make contributions under Section 9 (4) of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, to temperance organisations in recognition of the work of their lecturers in the schools. The information asked for in the last part of the question is not available in the Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether any statement showing the number of men, women and children living in houses scheduled as being insanitary within the county borough of Gateshead has been furnished by that local authority; and, if so, whether he will communicate these details to the House?

No such statement has been furnished to me, but I may say that the council have decided to clear, under the Housing Act, 1930, areas containing 2,983 persons.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been built by the Repton Rural District Council in the parish of Mickleover, Derbyshire, during the years 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930?

No houses were built in this parish in the years mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been declared unfit for human habitation in the parish of Mickleover, Derbyshire; and if the Repton Rural District Council are arranging to build any houses to replace them?

I understand that one demolition Order has been made. The council propose to erect 12 houses in the parish.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is overcrowding in unfit houses in that area, and would it not be well to send an inspector down to inspect the houses?

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars, I will consider them.

asked the Minister of Health the agricultural parishes in the county of Northampton which will be eligible for the additional financial grants under the Housing (Rural Authorities) Bill?

The special assistance proposed to be given under the Bill will be given to rural district councils, and most of the district councils in this county are apparently eligible for assistance for houses in their agricultural parishes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now been able to collect the data for framing an approximate estimate of the cost of providing a national maternity service, covering the services of doctor, midwife and anaesthetic administration?

No, Sir. I regret to say that these data are not yet available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when they are likely to be available?

I am afraid that I cannot.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to a treatment for tuberculosis called umckaloabo; and whether his Department has examined it, and with what results?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative. I am advised that the claims made in regard to this alleged form of treatment for tuberculosis do not appear to differ in character or degree from those made for many other so-called "remedies" which have been advertised from time to time and afterwards found to be valueless. I do not consider that there is sufficient ground for instituting a clinical investigation into its value.

In view of the extraordinary success that is claimed for this treatment, will not the right hon. Gentleman at least ask his medical officer to look into it and report on it?

Information in my Department goes to show that the claim made cannot be sustained.

In view of the extraordinary shape of the word, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to pronounce it?

I think that the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) had better do that; it is his question.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give particulars of the expenditure incurred by his Department and by local authorities, respectively, on surgical instruments and appliances during the last financial year, or the latest year for which such information is available; how much of this expenditure is in respect of purchases of foreign instruments; and whether he is prepared to give instructions that British-made instruments are to be purchased whenever they can be obtained in this country at a competitive price and of a comparable quality?

The expenditure on surgical instruments and appliances by my Department for the last financial year amounted to £337 2s. 4d., of which £62 8s. 6d. was in respect of the purchase of foreign instruments. It is the policy of the Department to purchase British-made instruments whenever they can be obtained in this country at a competitive price and of a comparable quality. I have no information as to the expenditure incurred by local authorities for this purpose, but I have already by circular requested local authorities to make use to the utmost extent practicable of goods and materials of home production.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the British-made instruments of this character are not just as good as any instruments made in any other part of the world?

I cannot say that without knowledge of the particular instrument that the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Health whether the recent by-law with regard to sanitation passed by the London County Council and approved by the Ministry of Health, and which is in force in the area of the London County Council and the Metropolitan borough councils, is yet in force in the City of London?

I am not sure to what by-law my hon. Friend refers. If it is to the by-laws with respect to water closets made by the London County Council last year, these do not apply to the City of London, but I have urged the City Corporation to allow the same facilities and they have promised to consider the suggestion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what arrangements are being made to house the extra staff required for the land taxes; and how many of such staff will be employed in the London area?

Additional office accommodation is being hired, where necessary. The number of additional officers to be employed in the London area may be ultimately between 200 and 300.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will reconsider his decision and receive a deputation from the Association of Ex-service Civil Servants to discuss the question of the cost-of-living bonus that applies to post-War ex-service entrants to the Civil Service, especially in view of the fact that no representative of the staff side of the National Whitley Council represents the post-War ex-service point of view?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the request made by this association to ray right hon. Friend. He is not prepared to alter his decision.

As this association comprises such a very large number of post-War entrants, they would feel greatly indebted to the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he would see them. It is an important matter so far as they are concerned.

Is it not the case that the organisation referred to represents less than 8 per cent. of the total number of ex-service men in the Civil Service, and a small minority of even the post-War entrants?

Why should not a minority receive representation?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there was an increase in the sale of National Mark eggs in 1930 as compared with 1929; and, if so, in what parts of the country the increase mainly occurred?

The Ministry has not the figures showing the output of National Mark eggs for the whole of the year 1929, but figures for the period August to December, 1929 and 1930 respectively, show that there was an increase of 16½ millions in the output of National Mark eggs in the latter period, being 42 per cent. greater than in the corresponding period of 1929. The increase of the output of National Mark eggs was most marked in the Eastern Counties (Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex) and in Cornwall, Dorset, Wilts, Sussex, Lancashire, and West Shropshire.

Can the hon. Member tell me whether there has been any increase in Shropshire?

I am afraid I could not.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the resolutions passed and sent to him by the National Agricultural Labourers' and Rural Workers' Union, the National Farmers' Union, and the Workers' Union, asking for a statement of the Government's policy on the wheat quota; and whether he can state his reply to these organisations?

My right hon. Friend has received copies of resolutions passed by various branches of the unions concerned with agricultural workers, urging the Government to adopt the principle of a wheat quota. These resolutions have been acknowledged, but my right hon. Friend is not in a position to make any announcement on the subject at present.

Has the Minister of Agriculture already made a statement to a meeting of the Liberal party in this House?

It is obvious that I could not reply to that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the House any information as to the sugar-beet acreage contracted by those factories which have not taken advantage of the special advance recently offered by the Government?

The factories which have not accepted the special advance have contracted for 80,000 acres representing a decline of 44 per cent. from the acreage contracted for by them in the 1930 growing season. As a measure of the value of the Government's offer, I would add that 152,000 acres have been contracted for by the other factories, representing, in their case, a decline of only 18 per cent. from last year's figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any defaults have yet occurred in any payments under the Exports Credits Scheme; and, if so, in what countries?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to defaults in payment by acceptors of bills guaranteed under the Export Credits Scheme. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I regret that it is undesirable to state the names of the countries concerned; some default has, however, occurred in most of the countries to which goods have been shipped under the scheme since its inception in July, 1926.

I would like to ask the President of the Board of Trade if Russia has defaulted in any case?

As I have previously stated in the House there has been no default so far as Russia is concerned.

Have there been any applications for Russia from Members of the Independent Labour party?

Has any other country defaulted more than Russia? [Interruption.] No other country has defaulted more than Russia.

These are the defaults of individual traders.

In view of the fact that there have been no defaults on the part of Russia, is that not a reason for the lowering of the insurance premiums?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there has been any increase in British exports in the Argentine since the holding of the British Industries Exhibition?

The domestic exports of a number of commodities registered as consigned from the United Kingdom to the Argentine Republic during the quarter ended the 30th June, 1931, showed an increase over the exports during the quarter ended the 31st March, 1931, and five items showed an increase in the June quarter of 1931 compared with the corresponding quarter of last year. The period which has elapsed since the exhibition was held is too short to enable any reliable conclusion to be drawn from the published trade figures.

Does the increase in exports to the Argentine do credit to the good that was done by that wonderful traveller for the Empire, the Prince of Wales?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if the British Industries Fair in the Argentine has resulted in a loss or a profit?

The Committee responsible for the organisation of the recent British Empire Trade Exhibition at Buenos Ayres have informed the Department of Overseas Trade that the final accounts will not be available for some weeks yet, but that no loss is anticipated on the running of the exhibition, and that, should a loss eventuate, it would be trifling.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the statement made in the Carnegie Foundation, an American publication, that there is an estimated loss of £6,000,000 on this exhibition, which was organised to save British capitalism from tottering to its grave?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the increased 10 per cent. rate in Australia on goods not covered by the first and second classifications will nullify the portion of preference given to Great Britain; and whether he will suggest to the Commonwealth Government the desirability of pari passu measures against competing foreign imports?

The primage duty, which is a tax designed to raise additional revenue, is levied at a uniform rate on United Kingdom and foreign goods and does not therefore affect the actual amount of tariff preference granted to the United Kingdom. The question whether a differential rate should be imposed on foreign as against United Kingdom goods is one which must be left to the discretion of His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia.