Written Ansers
Road Improvements (Grants)
asked the Minister of Transport the principle which will govern grants to be made in future to roads, bridge building, tunnel construction, and similar public works?
In allocating to road improvements such funds as may be available regard must, of course, be had among other considerations to the most urgent traffic needs and public safety, and also to the amount of employment as distinct from expenditure upon property which a particular scheme will provide, but I do not think that at this stage it is necessary or advisable for me to lay down any rigid principles.
India
Civil Pensions
asked the Secretary of State for India the number of persons in this country drawing pensions from each of the gazetted Indian services in the year ended 31st March, 1931; and the cost of these pensions to the Indian revenues?
The number of pensions issued in this country to retired members of the Indian Services (Civil), and the net amounts paid in the year ended 31st March, 1931, in respect of these pensions, were as follow:
| — | Number. | Amount. |
| £ | ||
| Indian Civil Service | 769 | 670,880 |
| Judges of the High Courts | 41 | 46,815 |
| Bengal Pilot Service | 34 | 11,942 |
| Bishops of Madras and Bombay. | 2 | 1,600 |
| Uncovenanted Services | 2,527 | 973,620 |
| Total | 3,373 | £1,704,857 |
Military Pensions
asked the Secretary of State for India the number of military officers in this country drawing pensions from Indian revenues in the year ended 31st March, 1931; and the amount of these pensions charged to Indian revenues?
The numbers of military officers, including departmental and warrant officers, officers of the Indian Medical Service, of the Royal Indian Marine, and of the late Indian Navy, who drew pensions through the India Office chargeable to Indian revenues during the year ended 31st March, 1931, and the amounts paid during the year in respect of these pensions, were as follow:
| — | Numbers. | Amounts. |
| £ | ||
| Military officers (including departmental and warrant officers). | 3,727 | 1,775,589 |
| Officers of the Indian Medical Service. | 573 | 323,565 |
| Officers of the Royal Indian Marine. | 150 | 55,398 |
| Officers of the late Indian Navy. | 1 | 40 |
| Total | 4,451 | £2,154,592 |
National Health Insurance
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in Newcastle-on-Tyne payment of maternity benefit is often not paid until a fortnight after the date of claim; and whether he can take any measures to avoid delay in payment?
I am not aware of the delay in payment of maternity benefit to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will supply me with particulars of any cases of which he has knowledge I will have them investigated.
Allotments
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the decision to abandon the scheme whereby unemployed men were encouraged to become allotment holders by providing special facilities for the purchase of seeds, implements, etc., it is proposed to adopt any alternative method of stimulating the allotment movement during the coming season either by the formation of further voluntary societies or by other means?
The decision that it will not be possible in the ensuing season to allocate State funds for the provision of allotments and for the assist- ance of 'allotment holders will not prevent local authorities from continuing to provide allotments or voluntary organisations from continuing the work of stimulating the allotment movement. My hon. Friend may rest assured that, in so far as may be practicable, the Ministry will continue to encourage such activties.