asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of police staff of all ranks in the Edinburgh Corporation area and the total amount of their emoluments for the year ended 31st March, 1931?

On 31st March, 1931, the Edinburgh City Police Force numbered 802 members, inclusive of 51 additional police employed at the expense of the Leith Dock Commission, and two policewomen. During the year ended 31st March, 1931, the total pay of the members of the Force was £192,580 18s. 7d. In addition, various allowances amounting to approximately £25,507 were paid, while the cost of quarters provided in lieu of rent allowances, of providing free medical and dental treatment and medicines, and of providing uniforms, was approximately £8,046 2s.1d.

May I assume that the cuts will only he applied to the actual salaries and wages?

That question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of civil servants of all grades employed in the various Departments in Edinburgh and the total amount of their emoluments for a year?

The latest figures readily available relate to 1st April, 1930, when the number of Civil Service staffs serving in Edinburgh—both of Scottish Departments and of Departments whose jurisdiction extends throughout Great Britain, but excluding industrial employés—was 6,355 and the total amount of their emoluments (including overtime and allowances) for a year was £1,643,000. The corresponding figures at the present time are estimated at 6,500 and £1,500,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the quantity of Scottish coal imported in the Bristol Channel ports during the last 10 weeks, stating each week separately?

Weekly particulars of coal shipped as cargo from Scottish ports to Bristol Channel ports are not available, but the quantities so shipped during June, July and August were 3,725 tons, 2,590 tons and 3,430 tons, respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mine workers in Lancashire at the present time, the figures for 12 months ago, and the number for 19217

On 19th September, 1931, 69,200 wage-earners were employed at coal mines in Lancashire and Cheshire, as compared with 72,300 and 106,100 respectively at the corresponding date in 1930 and 1921.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of complaints sent in to the mines inspectors in respect of overtime being worked in the mines since the passing into law of the seven and a half hours Act; and if any prosecutions have been taken to court?

The number of complaints of this nature received by His Majesty's divisional inspectors of mines since 1st December, 1930, is 94. All these cases were investigated, and whenever necessary administrative action was taken. There has been no prosecution during the period in question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at the machine cut faces overtime is being worked in many cases, and will he instruct his inspectors to pay close attention to it?

I am fully aware that the difficulty arises with machine cutting. I believe my predecessor sought to have the matter dealt with by a conference between employers and workpeople. It was discussed in Scotland and afterwards brought before the Yorkshire coalfield for their consideration, and I believe it is still under consideration.

Did the inspectors make inspection of the time books when they made inspection of the mines?

I assume so, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that exporters of coal in Yorkshire are complaining that contracts are being lost to the Yorkshire coalfield owing to lack of supplies of suitable coal; and whether he has any information on the matter?

I have made inquiries and I am assured, on behalf of the Yorkshire coalowners, that there is no shortage of suitable supplies of Yorkshire coal for the export market.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have seen correspondence from the Yorkshire collieries to exporters stating that they would not supply coal, and shipowners at Hull are complaining that orders are being lost to this country?

The hon. Member's information is contrary to that which I have received from the coalowners. If he will give me specific instances, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

I am quite willing to do that. Have the executive board of the amalgamated districts applied to the central council for a bigger allocation of coal on account of the changed circumstances?

It would be perfectly open to them to make that application, but I understand no application has been made.

Is it not a fact that the allocation for Yorkshire and other districts is entirely in the hands of the central council of coalowners and it has nothing whatever to do with the Department?

What the hon. Gentleman has said is correct. If there is any complaint as to allocation, they can make direct application to the central council.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that Aldridge Colliery near Walsall is closing down for one week thus throwing out of work 800 men while at the same time about 70 men at Messrs. Lambert Brothers, Tube Works, Green Lane, Walsall, are said to be thrown out of work for lack of coal supply; and if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have made inquiries this morning, and I am informed that the Aldridge Colliery is closed down, but that it will re-open on Thursday next, 1st October, when the new allocation period commences. I am also informed that immediately it was known that Messrs. Lambert Brothers were short of coal as a result of the closing down of Aldridge Colliery, another colliery in the district offered them supplies of other coal of the class to which they were accustomed. This offer was not accepted.

While thanking the Minister for the trouble that he is taking, I would ask him whether, in cases like this, it would not be possible, where the quota has been run out and where firms are getting coal from collieries like that, an arrangement could not be come to whereby a week or two in advance the colliery concerned would inform the firm so that ample time would be given them to go elsewhere for a supply?

It is very largely a question of arrangement between one colliery and another. In this case I assume that the colliery concerned produced more coal than it was allowed, and that it had this difficulty at the end of the quota period.

Does my hon. Friend not think that it is time to repeal these notional ideas?

Would the Secretary for Mines state what the actual facts of the situation are, and whether it is not the case that the question of allocation to the various collieries is entirely a matter for the colliery owners themselves and does not come within the purview of the Mines Department?

I do not think I indicated anything to the contrary. I gave the information that was obtained for me in answer to the question. It is open, of course, for any adjustment to be made in the district itself, or as between the district and the central committee, by the coalowners themselves.

Is the Minister aware that there is a shortage of domestic coal in the Midlands and that the price is going up to the domestic consumer?

Do we understand from the answer of the Minister that the tube works concerned could, if they cared, have obtained sufficient coal in order to open yesterday instead of closing down?

The information I have received is that coal of a quality to which they were accustomed was immediately offered to them, but that the offer was not accepted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his statistical department can draw up a rough estimate of the annual amount spent oversea by British subjects holiday-making on the Continent; and will he consider means of discouraging the expenditure involved so that the adverse pull upon our oversea balance may be reduced?

I regret that, owing to insufficient information, no such estimate can be made. This element has always been included in a general miscellaneous heading in the estimated trade balance. As regards the latter part of the question, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his speech broadcast on 21st September appealed to British nationals to refrain from taking holidays abroad, an appeal which I am sure all Members of the House will reinforce.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give details of the special conditions of borrowing to which the credit of £80,000,000 was subject?

The hon. and gallant Member misunderstands the position. There were no conditions such as those imputed by him. No Government is in a position to insist on foreign countries lending large sums to this country, and therefore we had to consider what steps on our part were best calculated to secure the subscription abroad of a loan on the necessary scale.

Are we to understand that the offer was made that unemployment cuts would be made if a loan was given to this country? Is that the position?

The hon. and gallant Member must understand nothing of the sort.

What other interpretation can the House and the country place on the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer? [interruption.]

rose—

We really cannot have a debate on this question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of capital of War Debt owing by France to Great Britain on the 1st September, 1931; the rate of interest payable on that Debt at the same date; the amount of interest which had been paid by France up to that date: and the amount of capital, if any, which had been repaid by that date?

The amount of the net War Debt of France to Great Britain as at the date of the Funding Agreement of 16th July, 1926 (Command Paper 2692), was £600 millions. The annuities fixed by the agreement do not distinguish between repayment of capital and interest. The total amount paid under the agreement to date is 243,625,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount in English sterling of the transactions between English and German bankers affected by the stand-still agreement, signed by representatives of the Bank of England and other bankers on the 14th September, and operating as between the 1st September, 1931, and 29th February, 1932?

Approximately £70,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider taking steps to make it possible for recorders and other minor judicial officials to agree voluntarily to surrender a part of their emoluments during the present crisis on the terms that no Income Tax or Sur-tax is assessed upon the part so voluntarily surrendered to the national Exchequer?

The necessary arrangements have already been made, or are now in train, for a reduction of the emoluments of all such judicial officers as are in receipt of remuneration chargeable to the Exchequer. But, as regards the judicial officials referred to, I am not sure that I understand exactly the purport of the question, particularly as recorders are not in general paid out of the Exchequer. As my hon. and learned Friend is no doubt aware there is no provision in the Income Tax law for giving relief from Income Tax in respect of any voluntary gift which a taxpayer may make out of his income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the total actual income assessed for income Tax and Surtax in 1922–23 and 1929–30; and the net produce of those taxes and the effective rate per £;

(2) the amount of revenue he expects from Income Tax and Surtax during the current year; and what, approximately, will be the effective rate per £ of the actual incomes assessed;

(3) what were the total incomes assessed for Surtax, and the net tax paid thereon, in 192e4–25 and 1929–30 or the last available period?

The latest statistical information regarding the incomes assessed to Income Tax and Surtax for past years will be found in the Income Tax and Surtax sections of the 73rd Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper No. 3802). As regards the current year I cannot at present add anything to my Budget statement.

Is it not a fact that the actual income assessed during this period has increased by £200,000,000, while the effective rate per pound has decreased from 2s. 6d.to 1s. 10d.?

If the hon. Member will look at the publications to which I have referred him, he will find the facts and figures.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the purchase some time ago by a co-operative society of a chain of 100 prosperous shops in and around Liverpool upon whose profits Income Tax used to be paid; and can he give an estimate of the resultant loss to the Exchequer?

I have no information as to the transaction in question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether arrangements have been made with the Government of any foreign State with a view to the granting of relief from double taxation as mentioned in Section 17 of the Finance Act, 1930; and whether any such declaration as is referred to in that Section has been made or is intended?

Arrangements under Section 17 of the Finance Act, 1930, for relief from double taxation on certain profits arising through an agency, have been. made with the Government of Sweden in an Agreement dated 6th July, 1931 (printed as Treaty Series No. 31 (1931), Command Paper 3923). The necessary Declaration will be submitted for the approval of His Majesty in Council in due course. An agreement with another foreign Government is practically settled, and negotiations with other countries are proceeding or will shortly be commenced.

May we have the name of the other Government; or is it to be kept a secret?

There is no reason for secrecy in this matter, except that agreement has not yet been concluded. An agreement with Switzerland is on the point of being settled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate amount of annual Budget expenditure on stores, material, and foodstuffs that would be affected by an increase in commodity prices?

The amount provided in this year's Estimates for direct expenditure on stores, material and foodstuffs is approximately £30,000,000.

May I ask what additional taxation will be necessary to meet the increase in the price of these commodities which might arise from the imposition of a tariff?

That is a hypothetical question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any penalty is imposed against breaches of the orders already issued by the Treasury under the Gold Standard (Amendment) Act; if so, what is the penalty; and whether any cases have yet occurred in which penalties have been incurred?

Breaches of the Orders in question constitute a misdemeanour punishable on indictment by fine or imprisonment. In reply to the last part of the question I am not aware of any cases.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer say whose responsibility it is to enforce these orders? Is it the responsibility of the police, of the Attorney-General, or of whom? What steps are being taken to see that the orders are being observed?

If any case comes to the notice of the Treasury, proper action will be taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount the capital value in pounds of the National Debt has been diminished in the last seven years ended March, 1931, and by what amount it has been increased by the recent borrowing undertaken to maintain the gold value of the pound, assuming dollars and francs at their average exchange value in London on 25th September, 1931?

The answer to the first part of the question is £228 millions. With regard to the second part, as I stated in reply to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on the 24th September, there is no question of any real loss since the liabilities in gold currencies are covered by holdings in actual gold.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer say by what amount national indebtedness has been increased? What were the gold reserves before the credits were obtained?

That is no part of the question on the Paper. My reply to that is covered in the reply to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood).

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain this: When we borrow pounds sterling and have to repay when there is a deterioration in the pound, how can there be no loss? [Interruption.]

In view of the importance and the uncertainty of the details of these transactions, is the Chancellor prepared to lay papers setting out exactly the contracts and correspondence in which the Government have engaged?

Certainly not.

In view of the extremely unsatisfactory nature of the replies given, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again on the earliest possible occasion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give the most recent figures regarding the gold reserves held by the United States of America and France; what proportion these holdings are of the total gold reserve of the world; and by what amount the holdings of France and the United States have been augmented during the last three months?

The total monetary gold in the United States on the 9th September was $5,000,000,000, including some $350,000,000 estimated to be in active circulation. The increase since the 10th June was $197,000,000. The French gold reserve on the 18th September was 58,575 millions of francs, an increase of 2,050 millions since the 19th June. The total gold held by the two countries is thus $7,295,000,000 (21,499,000,000 at par), and has increased in three months by $277,000,000 (257,000,000). The total monetary gold in the world may be estimated at nearly $12,000,000,000, so that these two countries hold just over 60 per cent. of it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether reports have been received from the two committees that were set up to deal with the draft convention for a tariff truce; and whether he will make a statement as to the further progress that has been made?

I am not sure what committees the hon. Member has in mind, but, as the House has already been informed, the second conference summoned to deal with the matter were unable to agree upon a date for putting the Convention into force.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any liquid milk is being imported into this country and, if so, the quantity so imported to the nearest convenient date?

The only fresh liquid milk imported into the United Kingdom is from the Irish Free State and mainly over the land boundary into Northern Ireland. During the first eight months of this year 30,484 cwts. of fresh milk was so imported. In addition, a small quantity, 2,396 cwts., of unsweetened preserved milk, other than condensed and powdered milk, was imported into the United Kingdom.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have a campaign in England to drink more milk?

If the Noble Lady would lend her assistance to a campaign in favour of drinking anything, I am sure it would succeed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in the national emergency, he will consider making an order for all retailers to mark clearly on the outside any foreign goods stating that they are imported, and the date of their importation, in order to encourage the buying of home-produced goods by the public?

There is no power under existing legislation to make a general order of this nature. Under the Merchandise Marks Acts numerous classes and descriptions of imported goods, including many articles in common use already have to bear an indication of their origin on sale or exposure for sale and this together with the widespread practice of marking British products as such, as for example, in the case of foodstuffs, with the national mark, must assist purchasers in exercising their preference for them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that foreign goods are often marked in the most obscure places, and the public cannot possibly determine by looking at things in a shop window whether they are of British or foreign extraction? Can he not make some revision of it so that people can see what they are buying?

I am not sure that I can accept that. The Act lays down that goods have to be marked in a way that is clear. Every order that has been made has been carefully considered by the Committee in order to see that the marking is clear, and all these orders have, in fact, been before the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these goods are only marked on the boxes that bring them in and, in view of the absolute necessity that election eggs should be fresh, will he see that they are properly stamped?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that is is very difficult to get convictions under the Act? I am thinking particularly of the words "or otherwise acted innocently."

I do not think so. After all, the great thing is that you should get the marking done under the order and most people, once the law is in force, if it command common assent, abide by it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that an order for 6,250 tons of steel sleepers was offered for tender by the South African railways in August last, and that the order was secured by a German firm; and whether any steps are contemplated by the Government to improve the competitive power of British steel manufacturers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government will do everything in their power to assist the export trades of this country.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any likelihood of assisting this important industry in the near future by means of a tariff?

Will the right hon. Gentleman investigate the circumstances with regard to this contract and see whether British money was used to finance the German manufacturers?

I certainly should decline to give an answer across the Floor of the House to that supplementary question, but I presume that the hon. Member who has put it has grounds for saying what he has said.

I am asking whether the right hon. Gentleman will investigate the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the declaration of the Austin Motor Company of a dividend of 100 per cent. on their ordinary shares for the year ended 31st July, 1931; and whether this company has made an appeal for an extension of the protection already given to the motor industry?

I am aware of the declaration of the dividend in question, but have no knowledge of any such appeal for an increase in duty as the hon. Member refers to.

:Has the right hon. Gentleman received any appeal for an increase in the protective duties from the workers of this firm, who suffered a reduction of wages during the same period?

I do not know what happened when my predecessor was at the Board of Trade, but I have not received any appeals for any increase.

On a point of Order.

There clearly is no point of Order.

I wish to ask you, Sir, whether the hon. Gentleman, who has referred to a reduction of wages, makes himself responsible for the question?

It is signed by the firm.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total existing tonnage of British sailing and mechanically-propelled vessels, respectively, built up to 31st December, 1921, and since that date, respectively; and what steps he proposes to take to secure the scrapping of obsolescent vessels and their replacement by new vessels?

According to Lloyd's Register of Shipping the total tonnage of steam and motor vessels of 100 tons gross and over owned in Great Britain and Ireland on the 30th June,4 1931, was 20,193,677 tons gross; of this total 11,183,182 tons were built before July, 1921. Comparative figures for sailing vessels are not available. As regards the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the report of the committee appointed by my predecessor to inquire into the economic factors involved in the disposal of old ships and their replacement by new. In view of this report I do not propose to take any action in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is now proposed to publish the evidence given before the Macmillan Committee?

This evidence is in the Press and will be published very shortly.

Does the Chancellor of the Exchequer think that even if the evidence is published-the hon. and gallant Member who asked the question will understand it?

Real Virginian courtesy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to issue any special instructions to the Food Council with a view to preventing profiteering: and whether it is intended to add to the powers of this body?

No such instructions are necessary. I am keeping in closest touch with the position as to food prices and I should not, of course, hesitate to use the services of the Food Council if it was found expedient to do so. It will, however, be appreciated that what is required at present is day to day review by officers specially assigned for the purpose of keeping the Government fully informed as to the current trend of prices rather than the investigations into particular problems which are undertaken by the Food Council. In this review, as the Prime Minister stated yesterday, the Government is receiving valuable assistance and co-operation from representatives of the trades concerned. As re- gards the question of powers, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Southampton (Mr. Morley) of which I am sending him a copy.

With regard to the answer to the last part of the question, are we to understand—it was not quite clear yesterday—that the powers under the Gold Standard (Amendment) Act can be used in this case?

I should like that question to be put down specifically. I think the answer is "No" Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put it down specifically.

In cases where it is proved that profiteering is taking place, what are the actual steps which are to be taken?

That is a very hypothetical case. [Interruption.] Certainly it is. Do let us be fair in this matter. I ought to say that the Government of the country have had the most consistent co-operation hitherto from the trade of this country, and I have no evidence of exploitation.

Do I understand from the reply which the right hon. Gentleman has just given that according to the information in his possession there has been no increase at all in food prices?

No, I did not say that. I was particularly careful. I am going to answer a question about that in a moment. What I said was that there was no evidence of any sort or kind of exploitation. On the contrary, prices have been kept down in many cases considerably below replacement value.

In view of the anxiety that is being felt at the moment in thousands of working class homes regarding the rise in the price of food, and if that should happen, what action is the Minister prepared to take to stop profiteering at once?

Mr. Perry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage of increase in the wholesale prices since 19th September, 1931, of wheat, flour, butter, bacon and tinned goods?

I am informed that imported wheat has risen by about 20 per cent. since 19th September. The standard quotation of flour has not increased but the tendency has been to make the standard quotation more effective than previously. All grades of butter showed a percentage increase of about 5 per cent., bacon prices were unchanged, and some brands of imported canned goods showed varying advances in price.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is now admitted that the advance of 2s. 3d. a sack in the cost of flour took place last Tuesday, and, further, has his attention been drawn to the North of England Wholesale Grocers' Association, who have already advanced prices and issued instructions to retailers that they are justified in advancing prices from 7½ per cent. to 25 per cent. on certain goods?

With regard to the first part of the question—the price of flour—I have seen the representative of the millers this morning, and the answer which I have given is the answer which covers the whole of the trade. It is exactly what I have stated. The price of flour—the official quotation —was 20s. There has been no advance in the price of flour, although that price has become more effective over all.

May I have an answer to the second part of my question; and has the right hon. Gentleman seen the representative of the firm whose name was quoted in the Press last Friday on the details I gave him?

Really, if the hon. Gentleman has a complaint against any particular firm I think the least he could do would be to send it to me. I have secured the co-operation, not only of wholesalers, but of the retail organisations, including the co-operatives throughout the country, and, if there is a complaint that a particular firm is not carrying out the general policy, I sincerely hope the hon. Gentleman, if he knows of it, will send it to me and enable the associations concerned to take it up in the first instance.

May I have an answer with regard to the North of England Wholesale Grocers' Association?

I have just answered the question. I have absolutely no knowledge of it. My information is that retail prices have not been affected, except in one commodity, broadly speaking, anywhere, and, if the hon. Gentleman has any particular case in mind, I hope he will send me particulars.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will read this document.

In the event of the price of the necessaries of life going up—

It is of no use, after a, question of this kind has been put down, the hon. Member asking what may happen in the future.

On a point of Order. The Prime Minister yesterday said that if prices rose he would take certain steps.

The hon. Member has got the answer he wanted.

He has not told us the steps.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the annual cost to the nation of the ceremonial uniform worn on occasions by certain regiments of His Majesty's Army?

The extra annual cost of providing ceremonial uniform for the Household Cavalry and the Brigade of Guards is approximately £33,000.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that the money could be better spent at the present time?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a decision has now been reached regarding the appointment of a Chief of the Imperial General Staff when (Sir George Milne's tenure of this position ends?

Yes, Sir. The late Government decided that, in view of the forthcoming Disarmament Conference, it

I always try to do better than try predecessor.

asked the Home Secretary whether any decision has been arrived at with regard to the suggestions that have been made by various county and borough authorities that a national criminal investigation department under the direction of Scotland Yard should be inaugurated; and can he make a statement?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that any such suggestions have been made by county and borough police authorities.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the appointment of a departmental committee to inquire into it?

No.

asked the Home Secretary the total cost in respect of women police; whether it is proposed to increase their number; and what will be the cost of the increase?

The pay of the police women in the forces in England and Wales amounted to £29,760 in 1929–30. My right hon. Friend regrets he is not in a position to give the cost of rent allowances, uniform, or other incidental charges. A beginning has been made with the increase of the Metropolitan police women from 50 to 100, which was decided upon some considerable time ago. He cannot yet say whether this plan will be modified, and, if so, to what extent, as part of the measures of economy now under consideration.

Can my hon. Friend not say whether in these days of economy this new and dainty luxury is quite unnecessary?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Home Secretary the total cost in respect of the motor police and the necessary cars and motor-cycles; and whether it is proposed to continue or to increase the existing motor police and at what cost?

The amount of grant paid from the Road Fund in respect of the provision and maintenance of the vehicles in 1931 is about £54,000. A further payment will be made later in the year in respect of vehicles provided since 1st April last, but this is not likely to be of large amount. The grant for the year will ultimately be adjusted according to the mileages run in the year, but the effect on the grant cannot, of course, be estimated until the actual mileages have been ascertained. The necessary personnel has been found for the most part without additions to the establishments of the forces, and the charges for, garage accommodation and other incidentals are not expected to be heavy. My right hon. Friend cannot, however, give any estimate at present. The whole scheme will be subject to review when it has been in operation a little longer, but, as at present advised, my right hon. Friend contemplates its continuance without any very material alteration.

In view of the need for economy, would it not be far better to employ these police catching burglars than in joy riding?

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the staff of the Public Trustee's office have for some time been pressing for the appointment of a joint committee to review the classification of certain posts in that Department; and whether he will now take steps to ensure that the local Whitley machinery will be enabled to function on this matter?

The further consideration of the classification of a limited number of posts in the Office of the Public Trustee is awaiting the decision of the Government on certain recommendations made by the Royal Commission. There would therefore be no advantage in the appointment of a joint committee at the present moment, and the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council have already been so informed.

Is not the hon. and gallant Member aware that the report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service does not modify the main structure of the service, and that, therefore, whatever happens to the report, this issue will still remain? In these circumstances, why cannot we get on with the job?

I cannot add anything to the answer that I have given.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give the House an assurance that he will give favourable consideration to the establishment recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, so as to ease the burdens of the temporary women staff forced at present to face increased unemployment benefit contributions in addition to Income Tax payments and wage reductions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer on this subject which I gave on the 17th September to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton West (Mr. W. J. Brown).

A week or so has elapsed since then, and in the meantime discharges are taking place. I ask whether the Financial Secretary can give some indication as to when the Government will be in a position to make up their minds on this recommendation?

That is a question which it is beyond the competence of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to answer.

May we know to whom we may address a question upon the matter if we cannot address it to the hon. and gallant Gentleman?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men, women and juveniles in Bethnal Green at any convenient date in July, August and September, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931, respectively?

As the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the large number of unemployed in this district and the large proportion of them who are capable of doing this skilled work and the work in tidal waters, will the Minister of Labour see if overtime cannot be entirely stopped on this scheme?

In the answer sent to the hon. Member it is stated that instructions have been issued to watch this matter closely and to report at once if there is any real need for the engagement of any man over the normal hours. I will see that the point put by the hon. Member is borne carefully in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons now drawing unemployment benefit in Sunderland will come under the proposed provisions for transitional benefit, separating them into men, women, boys and girls?

At 21st September, 1931, there were on the registers of the Employment Exchanges at Sunderland, Pallion and Southwick-on-Wear 5,599 persons (including 544 women) with claims authorised for transitional benefit. In addition there were at 14th September, 1931, 6,474 persons (including 336 women) in receipt of benefit other than transitional benefit who had received 156 days or more in their current benefit year. Juveniles under 18 are not entitled to transitional benefit.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many women have been employed in Sunderland since the hon. Lady has represented that constituency?