asked the Minister of Labour if she will consider the advisability of providing a scheme for the encouragement of the existing apprenticeship system to supersede the present system of training centres?

I shall be glad to do anything in my power to encourage suitable systems of recruiting boys for skilled trades, but they do not fulfil the same function as the training scheme for adults.

Will the right hon. Lady consult with the Board of Education on this matter, in order to see if something could not be done between the two Departments?

We constantly consult about these matters, but the training scheme is for adults.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the total number of women disallowed benefit during the three months ended 1st June last for refusal to accept situations under the Army, Navy, and Air Force Institutes;

(2) the total number of vacancies notified to the Employment Exchanges by the Army, Navy, and Air Force Institutes during the three months ended 1st June last?

The number of disallowances by courts of referees in respect of refusal of employment with the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes during the three months ended 1st June was 440. Information regarding the number of vacancies notified is not available, but the number of placings effected during the same period was 246.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the position of share fishermen in relation to the Unemployment Insurance Acts is to be considered by the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance?

I understand that this matter is being considered by the Commission.

Will the views of the Scottish Fishermen's Association be considered?

I think they would have to apply to be heard.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in offering employment to women at the seaside, consideration is given to the cases of daughters who have mothers wholly dependent upon them for household duties?

Domestic circumstances known to the Employment Exchange, are taken into account in offering women employment at the seaside.

Do I understand that daughters in such circumstances would be in much the same position as married women?

That raises a very large question—the question of availability for employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has now received in reply to her circular any application from the Woolwich Borough Council submitting any unemployment schemes for the autumn and winter?

The Woolwich Borough Council have now submitted for consideration by the Unemployment Grants Committee one scheme, estimated to cost £8,500, and to provide employment for 50 men for nine months. The scheme is under consideration.

Does the right hon. Lady know the reason for the delay, as I think she issued the circular on the 30th of the month. Will she keep in close touch with this council, having regard to the delay which has already taken place.

asked the Minister of Labour when the White Paper will be issued dealing with the sums paid to chairmen of courts of referees, giving the amounts paid to each individual chairman?

The necessary information has been collected, and the paper will be issued as soon as it can be printed.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that plasterers in Edinburgh are denied unemployment benefit because of their refusal, on the instructions of their trade union, to work for a contractor who, although paying wages over the district rate, is declared to be forcing his employés to put inferior work on houses being built for the city corporation; and what action she proposes to take?

The allegation that inferior work is being put into these houses is a matter outside my province. So far as unemployment benefit is concerned, the umpire has given his decision which is final.

Is not that primarily a matter for the Edinburgh corporation—a charge of inferior work against a contractor?

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the petition he has received from Hereford regarding public dissatisfaction with the administration of the police services of that city ho proposes to withhold payment of the State grant until he is satisfied that such payment is warranted?

My hon. Friend may be assured that grant will not be paid in this or any other case until I am satisfied that the conditions upon which the payment of grant depends have been fulfilled.

If I can satisfy the Home Secretary that there is very genuine concern in the city of Hereford about the administration of the police, will he promise that there shall be a public inquiry into it?

I appreciate the point of the question. Probably the hon. Member knows that certain disciplinary proceedings have either been taken or are in abeyance, and I cannot therefore at this stage give a definite pledge, but I shall keep in mind the point of the question.

asked the Home Secretary how many years a superintendent of the Metropolitan Police must serve in that rank before he can retire on a full pension as a superintendent; how many superintendents have been retired on pension since Lord Byng became Commissioner in October, 1928; how many of these retired officers had reached their maximum pensionable scale in the rank of superintendent; and what was the average period of service of these men in that rank?

In order to reach the maximum pay of his rank a superintendent must have served in the rank for six years, and in order to qualify for the maximum pension on that rate of pay he must have had 26 years' approved service. Nineteen superintendents have retired on pension since the date mentioned, 12 of them had reached the maximum pay of the rank and their average service in the rank was seven years.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know whether any of these superintendents were told to retire?

These are points to which I could not give a satisfactory answer without notice.

asked the Home Secretary if police service in India is treated by his Department as approved police service within the meaning of the regulations, in respect of the appointment in England of chief constables of police?

Yes, Sir, but service in a police force in India does not, of course, count as approved service for purposes of pension in this country.

In view of recent appointments by standing joint committees, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that ordinary police officers who spend their lives in police work get a fair chance of promotion to the higher posts on their merits?

That hardly arises out of the question.

asked the Home Secretary the present position of the inquiry into charges of bribery against members of the Metropolitan Police Force; and why decisions have not yet been reached?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the inquiry is still proceeding and is likely to take a considerable time for the reason that there are a large number of cases and many witnesses to be heard. Every endeavour is being made to press it to a conclusion.

asked the Minister of Health if he can arrange that the annual reports of medical officers of health, giving the vital statistics for the year under review, shall always give also the corresponding figures for the previous year and for the previous decades for which the figures are available?

It is open to a medical officer of health to include in his annual report any information which he considers it desirable to give. I do not, however, consider it necessary to require medical officers of health to include in their annual reports comparative figures on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member, as a comparison year by year of the vital statistics for any administrative area can readily be obtained from an examination of the annual reports of the medical officer of health for that area or from the Statistical Review issued annually by the Registrar-General.

Does not the Minister recognise that the whole value of statistics is that they should be comparative in order to show whether there is progress, and that therefore it is essential to have the previous figures?

The hon. and gallant Member said last night that we must have economy in social services, and this is one of the economies that can be undertaken.

There will be no lack of economy in carrying out the suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health why Circular 1296, as to the contents of the annual reports of medical officers of health, does not ask for any report as to venereal diseases or vaccination under the vaccination laws; and whether he will take steps to include these matters to be dealt with in future?

As regards venereal diseases, annual returns of the work done at the treatment centres are already furnished to my Department by the medical officers in charge of the centres, but I will consider whether in future medical officers of health should be requested to deal specially with this subject in their annual reports. As regards vaccination, this work has only recently been transferred to the local authorities, and the question whether medical officers of health should be asked to deal in future with this subject in their annual reports will be considered.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the testimonials that have been sent to him as to the efficacy of the treatment for tuberculosis called Umckaloabo and in view of the importance of finding a cure for tuberculosis, he will reconsider his decision and instruct his experts to reexamine this method of treatment and to use every means at his disposal to make this treatment known to the public?

The testimonials sent to me by the hon. Member have been considered by my advisers, and I find no reason to reconsider my view that there is not sufficient ground for instituting a clinical investigation into the value of this alleged remedy for tuberculosis.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the name?

I am afraid that I cannot pronounce it.

In view of the numerous testimonials which prove the efficiency of this treatment, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision and have more inquiries made?

The hon. Member is much in the same position as I am. We are both laymen, and I must rely on my advisers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask his advisers to reconsider this matter, and go into it again in view of these testimonials?

Since the hon. Gentleman has shown such interest in it, I have done so, and their advice is the same as it was before.

Why could not the right hon. Gentleman say so before?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the recent investigations of Dr. Bendien, of Holland, into the possibility, by means of blood tests, of making the diagnosis of cancer in its early stages certain; and whether he will secure a report from the Medical Research Council upon this method?

My attention has been drawn to this matter and, in common with all other investigations with regard to this disease which come to notice, it will be considered by the Departmental Committee on Cancer on which the Medical Research Council is represented.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that his Department gives sufficient support and encouragement to the investigators of the highest eminence in regard to the investigations that they are carrying out?

I shall be glad if the hon. Gentleman will give me information in regard to any cases where it does not.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Dr. Bendien is in London, and will his advisers come into contact with this distinguished gentleman?

If he will make representations, I have no doubt that that will be arranged.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman refuse to take notice of these experiments?

I think that I have shown that I have not refused to take notice of them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of recent successful attempts at the diagnosis of cancer by means of blood tests; and whether any special financial assistance is being given by his Department to further this particular line of research under hospital conditions in Great Britain?

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the investigations which are being undertaken by Dr. Bendien in Holland. This matter will receive the attention of the Departmental Committee on Cancer, and any recommendations of that Committee as to the desirability of further investigations will receive my careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Health the number of private nursing homes in London and the provinces; how many inspections of these establishments have been carried out during the last 12 months; and what were the general findings of such inspections?

The administration of the Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927, including the registration of homes and the inspection of premises, is in the hands of the local supervising authorities established under the Act, usually the councils of counties and county boroughs, and I am afraid that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not in my possession.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received the report of the public inquiry regarding the proposed sewage works at Timsbury, in Clutton rural district and when sanction may be expected to the scheme?

The inspector's report has been received and considered. The scheme has been approved in principle and the local authority are now preparing revised plans embodying certain suggestions which have been made to them. As soon as the plans are received formal sanction will be given.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the difficulty about the site has been overcome?

I understand all difficulties have been overcome now.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to give financial assistance in aid of the installation of telephones in the residences of qualified nurses and midwives in rural districts and villages?

I have no funds at my disposal out of which assistance of this kind could be given, but the county councils have power to make the necessary arrangements so far as midwives are concerned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do all that he can to get the county councils to use their powers?

I have already done that.

asked the Minister of Health whether, pending his decision on the proposal of the Surrey County Council to add part of the parish of Chessington to the urban district of Epsom, he will decline to sanction any arrangement whereby Chessington would be placed in the area of any water undertaker other than the urban district council of Epsom?

The parish of Chessington is already wholly within the statutory limits of supply of the Metropolitan Water Board, and my sanction is not required to any arrangements for the supply of water in the parish by the Board.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now able to announce the composition of the Advisory Committee under the Housing (Rural Authorities) Bill?

The composition of the committee will be as follows:

My right hon. Friend the Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Sir J. Tudor Walters), Chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to announce the names of the persons whom it is proposed to appoint as members of the Scottish Committee to be set up under the Housing (Rural Authorities) Bill?

The names of the persons whom it is proposed to appoint as members of the committee referred to are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health if he will arrange for an annual return to be published on the subject of housing, detailing in each local government area the number of houses in occupation, the number of new houses erected during the year under the several Housing Acts, the number of houses reconditioned under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, and the number of houses included and dealt with during the year in clearance and improvement areas under the 1930 Act, in addition to the number of houses dealt with, as commonly reported in the reports of medical officers of health?

While I agree that such a return as the hon. and gallant Member suggests would offer certain advantages if it could be issued very shortly after the close of the period to which it relates, I fear that it would not be practicable to secure that early issue, and in these circumstances I do not think the value of the return would be a reasonable compensation for the expenditure of the time, labour and money involved.

Will the Minister, then, consider some way of amalgamating the innumerable different statements and returns that are compiled so as to save a great number of questions which overlap each other in this House?

I will certainly consider that and discuss it with the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the increasing practice on the part of public assistance committees to require unemployed applicants for relief to perform, as a condition of receiving such relief, work which should be done in the normal way at trade union rates of wages, he will take steps to bring this practice to an end?

I am not aware of any general tendency on the part of public assistance authorities to displace paid labour in the manner suggested, nor would I give my approval to schemes involving substitution of test labour for ordinary employment. I should be glad to make inquiries into any case in which there is evidence of such substitution.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue a regulation making better arrangements for those who are performing task work, seeing that they are at a disadvantage in not being available to go in search of work and to be interviewed by prospective employers during many hours of the working day?

I understand that the hours of work are usually arranged by public assistance authorities so as not to interfere with such regular opportunities for work-seeking as are customary in the locality, and that arrangements are also made for special leave of absence to be granted to any man who has the definite offer of a job. I do not think, therefore, that there is occasion for any further regulations in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the matter is entirely within the discretion of the local authority and, if it is, would he issue a general recommendation so as to make the practice of giving facilities uniform?

The matter is one for the local authority. I have already made representations, and I am prepared to do so again in any case brought to my notice.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered a communication dated 4th March, 1931, sent to him by the Herne Bay Urban District Council, asking him to use his influence with the Kent County Council to bring about such adjustments as would prevent the proposed removal of the sick and aged inmates from the Blean Poor Law Institution at Herne to make room for insane patients from Chatham; whether he has considered similar communications from the Herne Bay branches of the National Citizens' Union and the Ratepayers' Association; whether he has considered the petition signed by ratepayers and residents of Herne Bay on the same question; and what action has been, or is proposed to be, taken by the Minister on the foregoing communications and petition?

I have received the communications referred to in regard to the proposed removal of the sick and aged inmates from the Blean Poor Law Institution and am in communication with the county council in regard to the future use of the institution.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that single men involved in the coal dispute at Whitehaven have been refused assistance from the Cumberland Public Assistance Committee; and whether he will make representations to this body with a view to the granting of assistance in such cases?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have, in a circular to public assistance authorities, given what assistance I could in the interpretation of the Judgment in the case of Attorney-General v. Merthyr Tydvil, but I have no power to require or even to authorise the grant of relief to persons who are, on the facts before the authority, precluded from receiving relief by the terms of that Judgment as being involved in a dispute.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very serious distress in the coalfields as a result of this decision, and can ho see his way to do something in the matter?

The decision is not mine; it is a decision of the Law Courts.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has given further consideration to the position of unemployed persons who are members of approved societies in December next; and whether he will be in a position after the Summer Recess to make proposals to the House for the purpose of dealing with this problem?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I hope to be in a position to make a statement shortly after the Recess.

Will the hon. Gentleman observe the latter part of my question?

A statement usually contains proposals or something approaching them.

It may very well contain nothing at all.

asked the Minister of Health the regulations whereby panel doctors are forbidden to give certain medical treatment to panel patients which would be given to private paying patients and which treatments are in general use in private medical practice; and what are the reasons for this prohibition?

I am not aware of any such regulations as my hon. and gallant Friend mentions. Insurance practitioners are required in all ordinary cases to give to their patients all proper and necessary medical services other than those involving the application of such special skill and experience as is not to be expected of general practitioners as a class and to order or supply such drugs and prescribed appliances as are requisite for the treatment of any patient.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate amount of national health benefit paid in any recent years in respect of sickness arising from rheumatic diseases?

The information desired by the hon. Member is not available and could only be obtained as the result of a special investigation and return by every one of about 7,000 approved societies and branches. It has, however, been estimated on good authority that one-seventh of the total invalidity amongst insured persons is due to rheumatic diseases, and on this basis the cost involved for the year 1930 would have been about £2,500,000.

asked the Minister of Health the total surpluses disclosed by approved societies as the result of the second and third valuations, respectively?

The total of the surplus funds of approved societies and branches as ascertained at the second valuation amounted to £42,413,319, from which amounts totalling £26,619,161 were certified for distribution in additional benefits in the ensuing quinquennium. The summarised results of the third valuation are not yet available but will be embodied in the report of the Government Actuary, which I understand will be issued shortly after the Recess.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state, in connection with the control of expenditure on sickness and disablement benefits among approved societies, what action he proposes to take in regard to medical practitioners undertaking insurance work, in view of the statement made in Circular A.S. 278, issued by his Department, that many insured persons claim benefit who, on reference to an independent medical referee, would be found capable of work?

I have already addressed to all insurance medical practitioners a memorandum (Memo. 329 /IC) on this subject, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy for his information. Provision has also been made by an amendment of the Medical Benefit Regulations for dealing with cases where medical practitioners are found after due inquiry to have failed to exercise reasonable care in the issue of certificates.

asked the Minister of Health if he will lay upon the Table a statement of the expenditure of the Regional Dental Service and the Dental Benefit Council, showing the cost of establishing the organisation, the number of cases dealt with, and the running expenses?

I will bring my hon. Friend's request to the notice of the Dental Benefit Council.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not the power to issue these statements for which I ask?

We have always taken the advice of our advisory council, and I think we should do so in this case.

Would it be possible for me to receive the statement during the Adjournment?

I will consider that point with my hon. Friend if he will see me afterwards.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that eases have occurred where panel doctors have desired to give treatment by injections of asthmalysin for the cure of panel patients of asthma, but the doctors have been prevented from doing so by the regulations or have been surcharged for giving the treatment; and if he will inquire into the matter with a view to enabling this treatment to be given?

No, Sir. No regulations have been made under the National Health Insurance Act which would preclude an insurance doctor from administering the drug in question when necessary for his treatment of an insured patient, nor am I aware of any case in which a surcharge has been made.

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, but would he mind telling me this: Could a doctor who prescribed this drug be called upon to justify its prescription and be surcharged if he were not able to make out his case?

The regulations against extravagant prescribing might operate in certain cases, but I will discuss the matter with ray hon. and gallant Friend if he wishes it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if figures are now available showing the decrease or in- crease of the number of male workers employed on agricultural holdings of above one acre during the year ending 4th June last?

A preliminary statement will shortly be published by my Department, and I will send the hon. Member a copy.

But could not the right hon. Gentleman tell us the numbers now?

No. The information is being prepared.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the present position with regard to the recent serious outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease?

No outbreak of disease has been confirmed since the 15th July, and the only districts in Great Britain which are now subject to restrictions are small areas in Buckinghamshire, Lancashire and Fifeshire. Providing no further outbreaks are confirmed, I propose to withdraw all movement restrictions by the middle of August. I should like to take this opportunity of paying tribute not only to the work of the Ministry's staff, at Headquarters and in the field, who applied themselves unremittingly to the task of suppressing the outbreaks, but also to the willing co-operation of local authorities and their officials, backed by the active support of farmers' organisations and of farmers individually, without which the outbreaks could not have been prevented from disastrous extension.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is his intention to improve the roads in the Fen districts which are so badly adapted to modern conditions as to be both impracticable and dangerous?

The responsibility for the initiation and execution of road improvement schemes rests with the highway authorities concerned. My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider such applications as may be submitted to him by the responsible authority for assistance from the Road Fund in respect of the improvement of important roads in the Fen districts.

In view of the dangerous condition of the roads to many farmers in the Fen lands could not the. Minister take the initiative in the matter?

I cannot take the initiative, because the local authorities are responsible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the meeting of the Road Traffic Commissioners of the Northern area held at Stockton on the 21st instant; whether he is aware that witnesses were subjected by members of the Commission to methods of cross-examination and comments of an unusual character; and whether he will have the matter fully inquired into?

My right hon. Friend has received a letter of complaint on the subject and has replied that, whilst he regretted it if anything occurred at the particular hearing which left the Mayor with a sense of grievance, he felt sure that it was the desire of the Traffic Commissioners to show proper consideration to all parties appearing before them. The Commissioners occupy an independent position and my right hon. Friend has no desire to interfere with their discretion.

Is the Minister aware that the witness referred to is practically charged with giving false evidence?

I do not think that my right hon. Friend has any other information except that which has been published in the Press, and he has already addressed a letter to the Mayor of the Borough.

Is the Minister aware that the witness referred to has, within the last three days, furnished the Minister with a typescript of the whole of the evidence?

I am not aware of that fact, but I know that cuttings from the newspapers have been supplied to the Minister, and, in reply, my right hon. Friend has sent a letter to the Mayor explaining the position. I think that when the Mayor receives that letter, he will be perfectly satisfied that the Department has done all it can do.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has anything to report regarding the reorganisation of the cotton industry; and whether the information on production and potential capacity in the various sections of the industry has been forthcoming on a voluntary basis?

I understand that there has been a satisfactory response on the part of the firms in the industry to the request of the Joint Committee of Cotton Trade Organisations for information as to production and capacity, and that a report prepared by the Executive of the Committee on the basis of the information received is being considered by a full meeting of the Committee to-day.

Does the right hon. Gentleman still hold the view that the inquiries of the Government will have served any useful purpose?

Oh, yes. We have to take this matter in stages. I wish they were faster, but we are making progress.

Is it not a fact that the industry itself is carrying out the reorganisation of the industry, and not the Government?

We undertook the investigations and we are securing the cooperation of both sides of the industry in this process.

Could the President say whether he has any plan as to what is going to take place when the inquiry is completed and the information has been obtained?

Oh, yes. There are many proposals in view, but I could not enlarge upon them in reply to a supplementary question.

Will they be as successful as all the other efforts of the right hon. Gentleman?

Are we to adjourn for 2½ months without any information upon this question?

The hon. Member on that point has really no case. I have challenged debate but could not get it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of machines for the manufacture of hosiery imported into this country from Germany during the years 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 respectively?

The number of complete hosiery making machines imported into the United Kingdom is not separately recorded, but the total weight of hosiery and knitting machines and parts thereof imported into the United Kingdom from Germany for the years 1926 to 1930 was 355, 582, 1,286, 1,536 and 854 tons respectively.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hosiery manu facturers, who are benefiting by this subsidy, are increasingly installing this machinery, and can he explain the peculiar mentality of these protected hosiery manufacturers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many flour mills have ceased to operate in the United Kingdom since 1st January, 1926; and will he state the total capacity of the closed mills and whether he is prepared to consider legislation prohibiting the import of flour from foreign countries as a remedy?

I am informed that between 1st January, 1926, and 1st June, 1931, flour mills of an estimated aggregate capacity of 735 sacks per hour have been closed in the United Kingdom. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.