Written Answers
Sudan Political Service
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the alterations recently made in the regulations of the Sudan Political Service as regards the rights of political officers to marry after 2½ years' service and for their wives to accompany them back to their stations?
Up to June, 1932, the regulation was that political officers could not get married during their probationary period of two years. In June, 1932, a circular was issued by the Sudan Government which, while maintaining the previous regulation, prohibited officials in the Sudan Political Service from bringing their wives to the Sudan until they had served for five years or attained the age of 28, whichever happened first. This regulation was recently extended to the rest of the service.
Brazil (British Subjects' Interests)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request His Majesty's Minister in Rio de Janeiro to ascertain and report whether a settlement has been arrived at with the Brazilian authorities satisfactory to the British subjects interested in the tramway and ferry fares in the Leopoldina Terminal Company's area?
A report has been received from His Majesty's Ambassador at Rio de Janeiro that, during the course of interviews between the competent authorities of the State of Rio de Janeiro and representatives of this company, the former announced that, in principle, the State Government recognised the injustice of the company being obliged to operate public services at a loss. It was, however, necessary to have detailed proof that those losses had been incurred, and to that end a commission was being appointed to examine the company's books. I am not yet aware whether these investigations have been completed.
Exchequer Grants, Wales And Monmouthshire
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amounts of the grants made by the Exchequer through Government Departments to authorities and institutions in Wales and Monmouthshire during each of the last five completed years?
The grants made by the Exchequer through Government Departments to local authorities and institutions in Wales and Monmouthshire during each of the last five completed years are as follow:
| Year ending 31st March. | Total Grants.£ | |||
| 31st March. | £ | |||
| 1929 | … | … | … | 7,336,000 |
| 1930 | … | … | … | 9,394,000 |
| 1931 | … | … | … | 12,339,000 |
| 1932 | … | … | … | 11,159,000 |
| 1933 | … | … | … | 10,516,000 |
Beer (Wholesale Price)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that some brewers have only reduced the price of beer by 20s. per barrel instead of 24s.; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?
I have been informed that in some cases the wholesale price has been reduced to the extent stated in the question. The undertaking given by the Brewers' Society had reference solely to the price to the consumer, and the question of the relations between the brewers and the retailers is not one in which I could intervene.
Aviation (Aerodrome Facilities, London)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he can make any further statement with regard to the possibility of establishing at an early date a central airport in London?
No Sir, there is at present nothing which I can usefully add to the reply which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on 30th November last.
India (Advisory Educational Board)
asked the Secretary of State for India what steps the Government of India are taking with a view to carrying into effect the recommendation of the Hartog Committee (Statutory Commission) for the establishment of an all-India Advisory Educational Board?
I have no information, but I will inquire.
Post Office (New Stamps)
asked the Postmaster-General if he can now state what are the minor changes in design, and possibly in colour, which it is intended to introduce in the issue of new stamps for Great Britain next year?
I regret that I cannot say more than that the matter to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is now under consideration.
Housing
Radlett
asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the action of the Watford Rural District Council in making the approval of plans for certain working-class houses at Radlett conditional upon the free gift of land to the highway authority as and when required for road widening; and what action, if any, does he intend to take on the matter?
My attention has not been drawn to this matter, but if the hon. Member or his correspondents will send me full particulars, I will see whether the matter is one which I can properly take up with the local authority.
Liverpool
asked the Minister of Health what reply, if any, has been sent to the town clerk of Liverpool in regard to plans submitted in January, 1933, for the building of 4,000 houses?
The proposals of the Liverpool Corporation fall to be considered under the proviso to Section 1 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933. No reply has yet been sent to the town clerk, but the matter is under consideration at the present moment, and I hope to be able to send a reply at a very early date.
Royal Navy
Fleet Orders
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what Admiralty industrial employes' organisations copies of Admiralty Fleet Orders are regularly distributed?
Admiralty Fleet Orders are issued for official use only, and the issues are not distributed to any persons except those who require them for official purposes. Authority has been given for copies of particular orders which affect Admiralty workpeople to be supplied from time to time to the Secre- taries of the following bodies: the employes' sides of the Admiralty Industrial Whitley Council, the Shipbuilding Trade Joint Whitley Council and the local Yard Whitley Committees, and for copies of such orders which concern its members to be supplied to the secretary of any properly constituted association of Admiralty workpeople. It is also the practice to affix copies of orders affecting Admiralty workpeople to notice boards in Admiralty establishments for general information.
Cartage Contracts
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a firm of cartage contractors holding a contract with his Department has recently been convicted of serious breaches of Clause 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930; and if he will take this matter into account when inviting tenders for new cartage contracts or renewing existing contracts?
No, Sir. This information has not come to my knowledge. If, however, the hon. Member will be good enough to furnish me with the name of the firm and details of the breach, I shall be glad to inquire into the matter.
Dockyard Employés' Pay
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the reason for the reduction of 2s. per week in the pay of Admiralty dockyard employés on their being placed upon the established list?
In those classes of Admiralty industrial employés in which some of the men are established and the others unestablished, the rates of wages of the established men are generally lower than those of the unestablished by amounts ranging from 1s. to 5s. a week according to a scale; for the majority of the established men the difference is 2s. a week or less. On transfer to the established list the employ is transferred to the appropriate established rate of wages. The difference between the rate of wages of established and unestablished men is accounted for by the fact that the conditions of employment of the two classes are materially different in certain respects; for example, in the much greater prospect of regular and permanent employment acquired on establishment.
Road Scheme, Haverfordwest (Ancient Crypt)
asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that it is proposed to destroy the thirteenth century crypt adjoining St. Mary's Church, Haverfordwest, in order to facilitate motor traffic; that the people of Haverfordwest, including the borough surveyor, hold that the demolition is unnecessary and are opposed to it; and that the scheme is being forced on the town by the Pembrokeshire County Council; and whether he will take steps to prevent the destruction of the crypt?
I am in communication with both the Ministry of Transport and the Pembrokeshire County Council with regard to the road widening scheme, with a view to examining all possible means for the preservation of the crypt.