asked the Minister of Labour when it is anticipated the Report of the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance will be available?

I cannot add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) on 20th October.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the total number of unemployed building-trade workers on 1st October, 1932?

The number of insured persons in the building industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at 26th September, 1932, was 239,358. This is the latest date for which figures are available.

In view of the tremendous increase in the last 12 months or so, would it not be advisable for the Minister seriously to take up the question of extensive building operations in this country so as to absorb unemployed labour?

The hon. Gentleman knows that that raises a very large question of policy, as to which I cannot give him an answer.

Will the Minister consider calling the attention of the Minister of Health to these figures so that he can get into touch with local authorities and get them to renew their activities in building?

I will see that the information is conveyed to my right hon. Friend.

I do not think it is very much good making representations. Will the right hon. Gentleman bring the matter before the Cabinet and get a Cabinet decision, so that local authorities can get on with the work they want to do?

All these and similar questions are constantly before the Government.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the total number of persons disqualified from benefit on 10th October, 1932, as a result of the operation of the Anomalies Act?

The statistics give the number of disallowances under the Anomalies Regulations for monthly periods, and the figure for the month ending 30th September was 5,275.

Can the Minister give us the total figures, not the monthly figures, of those now disqualified?

The hon. Gentleman did not ask that. He asked

"the total number of persons disqualified from benefit on 10th October, 1932."

Is it the case, as has been frequently stated, that the Minister is acting entirely outside the intention or the spirit of the Act and acting more brutally than was intended; and is it the case that the Trades Union Congress have made representations to him to be more lenient with the people under that Act?

I ought to add to my previous answer that the figure I gave relates to cases, not separate individuals. With regard to the other point, as the hon. Gentleman knows and as I have often stated, the question of these regulations is constantly under my own consideration, but I am guided, and have to be guided, by the recommendations of the committee set up under the Act.

Is it the case that the Trades Union Congress, which previously endorsed the Act, have now made a request that it be modified?

I am not quite sure of that without looking into it, but I will look into it and see what their recommendations are.

Is it not the case that the first and major recommendation of this joint committee was not wholly followed by the Minister of Labour?

Oh, no; the recommendations of the committee have been followed.

rose——

We cannot debate the mater by question and answer.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the number of classes for physical training for the unemployed in receipt of financial assistance from the Ministry of Labour; and the numbers taking advantage of the facilities?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the experiment of arranging physical training classes for the unemployed at Pontypridd has proved successful; and whether arrangements are being made for its extension to any other parts of the country for the coming winter?

My Department is at present conducting four physical training centres the cost of which as borne by the Exchequer. So far they have proved very successful; 959 men are enrolled as members of classes and the average attendance has been 86 per cent. Arrangements for the future are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the Burgess Hill urban district, containing a population of 5,975, unemployment insurance cards are now being issued to approximately 500 men; whether he is aware, moreover, that, under the conditions on which public grants for road reconstruction are made, the East Sussex County Council, in remaking and widening the great arterial road from Brighton to London, are being compelled to obtain 50 per cent. of the men employed from mining or other distressed areas to the exclusion of the unemployed of Burgess Hill, through or near which the road runs; and whether he will take steps to remedy this?

According to the Department's records, the number of men at present registered as unemployed at Burgess Hill is 252. The road scheme to which my hon. Friend refers was approved early in 1931, under an arrangement in accordance with which a higher rate of grant than the normal is paid in return for the employment of a proportion of labour drawn from depressed areas, the remainder being drawn from local sources. In view of the fact that the average percentage of unemployment among men at Burgess Hill during the last 12 months was 11.1 per cent. compared with percentages of over 50 per cent. in the depressed areas, I see no ground for disturbing the present arrangements.

Would the right hon. Gentleman inform the House how this distressed area can get any share of the employment that is provided by public funds to which this area contributes? How are we to get any share for our unemployed people?

Is my hon. and learned Friend referring to Burgess Hill?

Yes, and other areas.

The answer is that under an arrangement made by my predecessor, which I do not propose to disturb, a higher rate of grant was paid to this area, and as a condition of that higher rate of grant the area was re- quired to take a certain proportion of people from areas which were more distressed than their own.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the London County Council, in assessing the means of applicants for transitional benefit, take into account the value of meals given at school to children; whether this is the usual practice of public assistance authorities; and, if so, whether this practice is approved by his Department?

I understand that regard is had to the value of these meals in the London County Council area and that this is commonly, though not universally, the practice elsewhere. As the same practice is followed by the London authority in dealing with applications for public assistance their procedure is in conformity with the requirements of the Order in Council governing transitional payments.

Does the Minister not regard such a measure as being particularly vicious and spiteful?

The hon. Gentleman really must not ask me to give him an opinion as to the practice of public assistance committees.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Cabinet, in bringing up the Bill to deal with the means test, to make this one of the considerations, about not taking into account meals given to children in the schools?

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the Bill. I cannot anticipate it.

You can make representations surely?

The right hon. Gentleman gave an opinion about Rotherham. Why cannot he give an opinion in this case?

The reason I gave an opinion about Rotherham was that Rotherham was quite clearly infringing an Act passed by this House.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that transitional payment is on a lower scale to people living in common lodging-houses than to those living in other lodgings; and on what grounds this distinction is made?

The practice of authorities in this matter depends on their practice in public assistance, and I would ask my hon. Friend to await the reply to a similar question which he has addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of those undergoing training at the labour industrial training centres; and whether there is a waiting list for admission or if there are any vacancies?

1,984 men were in attendance at Government training centres on 17th October, and there is a waiting list of approximately 500 men who have been accepted for training. These men will be allocated to a centre as and when vacancies in the various classes arise.

Is the right hon. Gentlemen aware that several voluntary training classes for unemployed have been organised in London, and can he give such classes some encouragement and assistance?

I will give every encouragement I can.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the training of these men for industries which already have large numbers of unemployed is wasting time?

asked the Minister of Labour why a comparable figure to that of 170,000 at 22nd August given in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for September, 1932, as the reduction of registered unemployed owing to legislative and administrative changes does not appear in the October Gazette; and if he will give this figure for 26th September?

As the hon. Member will see from the explanatory article published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for last April it is not possible to continue these estimates indefinitely. As was stated in that article "the estimates can be valid only for the period immediately following the dates from which the legislative and administrative changes took effect. As those dates recede, other influences have a bearing upon the figures and it becomes practically impossible to distinguish the effects of the various factors at work." It was for this reason that no estimate was published in the October Gazette, but there is no ground for thinking that the figures for the end of September would differ materially from the previous estimate of 170,000.

Is it intended that this change should continue permanently?

If the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to look at the article to which I have referred, he will see that it is really misleading to continue these figures beyond a certain date. I may add that similar questions were constantly put to my predecessor with regard to other changes, and he was compelled to give the same answer as I am giving.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the opportunity offered at the present time for obtaining cheap credit facilities, the Government will consider utilising this credit so as to give financial assistance for increased shipbuilding, the electrification of the railways, and the provision of houses at a rent within the means of the working classes, on a basis that would show an adequate return on the capital invested and at the same time provide work for the unemployed and give a stimulus to the depressed industries?

The cheapening of credit facilities has had some effect and will, I hope, have a still greater effect as time goes on in encouraging the undertaking of capital works. My hon. Friend's suggestion, however, appears to contemplate direct financial assistance by the Government in favour of particular forms of development. This is a highly controversial matter which could not be dealt with within the limits of the answer to a Parliamentary question.

How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that answer and the policy indicated with the attitude adopted by the Government towards the new Cunarders?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in the event of his Department increasing the fees for evening classes, he will see that consideration is given to the case of those students whose parents find it difficult to pay the existing fees, particularly in the distressed areas?

The Board have made no specific requirements for the revision by local education authorities of fees for evening classes. They have suggested that, authorities should review their arrangements with a view to making increases in appropriate cases, but they are fully alive to the inability of many part-time students to make increased payments, and they have no doubt, that local authorities will continue to discriminate between the various types of students and will make provision for the total or partial remission of fees where necessary.

Have the local authorities power to revise these fees in the event of their being increased?

The local authorities have such discretion as they have had in the past to discriminate between the various types of students.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the total number of elementary and secondary school teachers who are county, city, or rural district councillors; the number of teaching hours lost by their attendance at meetings in connection with their work as councillors; and if substitutes are provided during their absence and at what cost?

I regret that no information is available as to the number of teachers who are members of county councils or other local authorities, or as to the number of teaching hours lost by their attendance at meetings. I understand that where teachers are members of local public bodies it will generally be found that their meetings are held in the evenings, but if any cases arise in which teachers apply for leave of absence to attend meetings during school hours, it is for the local education authorities or governing bodies, whose servants they are, to deal with their applications, and I think that they can be relied upon to see that they are not granted unreasonably.

Is my hon. Friend aware that while the council meeting itself is probably held in the evening, a large majority of these committees are held from 2 o'clock onwards, and that does necessitate the leaving of school in order to attend the meetings of the committees? Will he issue new instructions which will prohibit their leaving during school teaching hours?

In view of the plain insinuation involved in this question, can the hon. Gentleman say whether any sort of information in the possession of the Board of Education would indicate any conflict between the discharge of the professional duties of teachers and the discharge of their civic obligations?

Will my hon. Friend also state whether it is his opinion that this is a matter of professional conflict? Is it not a matter rather of national duty?

Does my hon. Friend really think that it is right in the public interest that teachers, as employés of the local authorities, should serve on local authorities?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if he is aware that school teachers, employed under the West Riding of Yorkshire Education Authority, are seeking election and re-election to the Sheffield City Council; whether permission will be sanctioned in the event of their election to absent themselves from school during teaching hours to attend council meetings; and, if so, will he assure the House that comparable deductions will be made from the salaries for all teaching time lost whilst engaged in council business?

As regards the first part of the question, I regret that I have no information. As regards the second part, if any teachers were elected and, as a result, applied for leave of absence from school duties to attend council meetings, it would be for the West Riding authority to consider their applications, and I cannot say what their decision would be. I understand, however, that it has not been the general practice of this authority in the past to grant such applications.

Will the Minister recommend, in the event of such applications being granted, that comparable reductions will be made from their salaries while attending meetings?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the Government propose to introduce legislation prohibiting the attendance of school-teaching councillors at council meetings during school hours?

It is not proposed to introduce legislation to interfere with the discretion on this matter of local authorities, whose servants the teachers are.

Does the hon. Gentleman think it decent on the part of the hon. Member to canvass—[Interruption.]

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to release for useful purposes the sites of vacant land in Manchester which the city council have been prevented from using owing to the high values placed upon the sites by the valuation department?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the land acquired by the Manchester City Council under the City of Manchester (Medlock Street) Improvement Scheme, 1923. The question of the user of this site has been discussed between my officers and representatives of the city council, and after consultation with the valuation department the land has been placed in the hands of agents. In the event of a sale not being effected within, say, the next three months, the matter will be further considered.

Is this plot for the purpose of slum clearance, and does it mean that the slums are to remain?

No such implication would be justified.

Is it not a fact that the site involved is one that was cleared under a slum clearance scheme but has not been used?

I think that my hon. Friend is accurate.

asked the Minister of Health what decision he has reached regarding the Manchester City Council's proposal to demolish 1,100 houses in Hulme and disperse 4,000 inhabitants?

No such proposals have yet been submitted to me by the city council. I understand that the council is awaiting a report on the general policy to be adopted in connection with slum clearance in Manchester and on the practicability of dealing with this area as an improvement area.

Have the Government under consideration the proposal to guarantee building societies who are prepared to make abnormal advances to working-class tenants who will be displaced in this or any other slum clearance area to enable them to become owners of their new homes?

I do not think that that arises out of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will request all local authorities who have had assistance from public funds for their housing schemes to furnish a report which will give the number of houses occupied by tenants who are known to be in a financial position which enables them to pay an economic rental?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the management of houses belonging to local authorities is vested in the local authorities themselves. The preparation of such a return as he suggests house by house would be so difficult and expensive and the resulting information would be subject to so many sources of error, that I do not think the expenditure would be justified by its results.

Will the Minister give instructions to local authorities that any houses which are provided by State funds should be occupied only by those whose wage level justifies the rent subsidy?

It is undoubtedly desirable that subsidised houses should be occupied only by those who are in need of the assistance, but it is not within my power to give instructions to the local authorities to that effect.

Is it not a fact that many local authorities have issued notices privately to occupants of these houses suggesting that they should find accommodation elsewhere and is it not a fact that that gentle pressure is taking effect?

It is a fact that many local authorities are quite alive to the necessity for an effort in this direction.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the information in his possession as to the number of tenants in occupation of council houses subsidised by the State who at the same time are owning motor cars?

No such information is in my possession.

In view of the fact that in some districts people of small means are unable to obtain subsidised houses owing to their being occupied by people whose means would allow them to pay a greater rent, will my right hon. Friend cause a careful investigation to be made into this matter?

It is, of course, most desirable that local authorities should secure that subsidised houses are made available to those who need the assistance of the subsidy, but, as I have said, this is a matter within the discretion of the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health when legislation will be introduced for the extension of rent control to decontrolled houses; and whether in such legislation he will consider provisions for rent reduction commensurate with the reduction in wages and purchasing power of the working class?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statement made by the Lord President of the Council on the 2nd June last regarding the proposed legislation to amend to Rent Restrictions Acts.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that over 3,000 houses are being decontrolled each month, and that the rent of these houses are going up as wages and unemployment allowances are going down; and do the Government seriously intend to tackle this question at the earliest moment in view of the promises repeatedly to deal with it?

I am well aware of the problem to which the hon. Member refers, and of the necessity for attention to the problem and for action of the sort that has already been indicated. I do not think, as a matter of fact, that the figures are accurate.

Why is it that the Cabinet, after over 12 months, are unable to come to a common decision on this

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction over the allocation of council houses in the Brownhills urban matter? Is there any danger of any serious split in the Cabinet and resignations over this issue?

The answer is, none whatever.

Would not the effective way of dealing with increased rents be to supply a very large number of houses?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any figures showing the fall in the prices of building materials since 1920 as compared with the fall in the index figure for wholesale prices?

I am sending my hon. Friend a statement of the cost particulars which are available.

May I ask whether that statement will appear in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

If it is desired that it should.

I have recently received one complaint in the matter, and I am making inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay down more definite instructions for local authorities, whereby people with small means and big families who are now living in overcrowded conditions are given priority in these council houses?

As I have already said in answer to previous questions, it is a desirable object that these houses should be available for the persons who need them, but it is not within my power to issue such instructions.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fall in the prices of building materials and the recent fall in the interest rate on municipal loans, working-class dwellings can now be built without any Government subsidy at an economic rent within the means of the working classes?

In view of the fall in building costs and rates of interest, working-class houses can be built at the present time by a number of local authorities at an all-in cost of about £350, inclusive of about £70 for land, roads and sewers, etc.; such houses could, without Exchequer subsidy or rate contribution, be let at rents of about 8s. a week (exclusive of rates).

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what hope there is that the subsidy will be done away with?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many districts 8s. constitutes one-third of the average weekly wage of the working-class, who ought not to have to pay so much in rent?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the cost of house building now is down as low as it has been since the War, and that this is a particularly favourable opportunity to go on with building?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not also agree that the cost is about double what it was before the War, and that 80 per cent. is the cost of labour?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the average superficial area of A-type non-parlour houses, excluding small houses for aged persons constructed under Section 46 of the Housing Act, 1930, and non-parlour flats, included in direct labour schemes and in contracts let by local authorities in England and Wales during the period January-August, 1932?

The average area of these houses is 733 square feet.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of Reuben Gilbert, an inmate of the Leicester Poor Law Institution, who died as the result of slipping on the polished floor, and to the fact that, although there had been several other fatalities previously from the same cause, the floors of the institu- tion are still polished, in compliance with the orders of the Ministry of Health; and whether, in view of these facts, he will inquire into the matter generally and do all that is possible to remove such a danger, especially to the aged and infirm inmates?

This inmate was an old man, unable to get about by himself, and was at the time of the accident being assisted by an officer. The inmate did not, as I understand, blame the officer or make any complaint to the authority of the state of the floor, and it is questionable whether the accident was due to that cause. On the general question, I have not made any order on the subject, but I am advised that polished floors have advantages, on medical grounds. A dangerously high polish should obviously be avoided and I am instructing my inspectors to bring this point as occasion offers to the notice of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that it is the general practice of public assistance authorities to pay to people living in common lodging-houses a lower scale of relief than is granted to those in other lodgings; and on what grounds this distinction is made?

I am not aware of any general and explicit discrimination of the kind suggested. A local authority may, however, possibly act on the view that the cost of maintenance of a person living in a common lodging house is less than if he were living in private lodgings.

If I bring some information on this point to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman will he give it his consideration?

I shall certainly be interested to see any information which the hon. Member will be kind enough to supply to me, but I must point out that this is a function of the local authorities.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that this regulation has affected the overcrowding of smaller houses, where people live under less hygenic conditions?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that during the Recess his Department issued instructions to the West Ham Borough Council that the scales of assistance granted by the public assistance committees were to be amended and reduced; whether he will state whether these overtures were made with his consent and approval; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction caused by these reductions, he will issue instructions to his Department to collaborate with the West Ham Council in order that the original scales of assistance be again introduced?

The high scale on which relief is afforded was the subject of discussion between the council and myself through my officers, and I understand that as the result of these discussions certain reductions, not of a very substantial kind, were made by the corporation. I do not contemplate action of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the discussion to which he referred took the form of an ultimatum by his Department giving the West Ham Council six weeks in which to make certain changes, and how can he fit that into the word "discussion"?