Written Answers
Unemployment
asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in Scotland, and the percentage, compared with the number of unemployed in London and the South of England?
The following table shows, for the divisions in question, at 25th April, 1932, the number of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges, and these numbers expressed as percentages of the number of insured persons:—
| Division. | Number. | Number of Unemployed persons on the registers, a percentage of the insured population. |
| Scotland | 367,376 | 27·2 |
| London | 306,404 | 13·1 |
| South Eastern | 143,233 | 14·7 |
| South Western | 151,163 | 16·9 |
Housing, Lancashire
asked the Minister of Health the number of houses in course of construction in Lancashire, giving separate figures for the rural areas?
The number of State-assisted houses under construction in Lancashire at 30th April, 1932, was 5,553, of which six were in rural districts. No figures are available as to the number of houses in course of construction without State assistance.
asked the Minister of Health the number of houses completed in Lancashire during the latest 12 months for which figures are available, giving separate figures for the rural areas?
The number of State-assisted houses completed in Lancashire during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1932, was 8,255, of which 190 were in rural districts. Daring the year ended 31st March, 1932, the number of houses, with a rateable value not exceeding £78, erected without State assistance, in that county was 11,462, of which 2,288 were in rural districts.
Caterham Urban District Boundaries)
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the inhabitants of the parish of Woldingham, in Surrey, have shown their hostility to inclusion within the urban district of Caterham by a unanimous resolution passed at a public meeting, by a poll of electors at which 420 voted against, and only 26 in favour of, absorption, and by a petition signed by nearly all adults in the parish; whether he is aware that the parish is separated from Caterham by hills and valleys in three other parishes; whether he has received any complaint in regard to the past local government of the parish; and whether he is prepared to consider any representation which may be made to him under Section 46 (5) of the Local Government Act, 1929?
The facts and figures quoted by the hon. Member were before me together with other relevant facts when I was deciding upon the matter. The provisions of the Sub-section referred to are not applicable in the circumstances of this case, and I could not consider any representations under it.
Royal Air Force
New Routes (Exploration And Development)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the recent survey work undertaken by Royal Air Force flying-boats in the East Indies is to be utilised in connection with the promotion of a civil air-line from this country to Australia or whether such survey work is being reserved entirely for military purposes?
I am not clear what precisely my hon. Friend has in mind in his reference to recent survey work, but I can assure him that any data of this nature which may be obtained in the course of exploration or development of new air routes by service aircraft are always available for the assistance of civil aviation.
Repair Depot, Harlescolt
asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the disposal of the land and buildings of the recently closed mechanical transport repair depot at Harlescolt, Shrewsbury; and, if not, whether the Ministry is prepared to dispose of the land and buildings on preferential terms to any applicant who will undertake to convert them for industrial purposes?
The question of the disposal of this depot is still under consideration. I can assure my hon. Friend that any offer to purchase which may be received will be carefully considered from every point of view.