Written Answers
Prison Service (Pay)
asked the Home Secretary whether, before steps are taken to consolidate the pay and War bonus of the Civil Service generally, the Prison Officers' Representative Board will be given an opportunity of making representations to the Home Office for the prison staffs before final decisions are made?
The answer is in the affirmative.
National Income And Taxation
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the ratio of direct and indirect national taxation to the total national income for the years 1913 and 1932?
I regret that no official estimates of the national income are available.
Bechuanaland
asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has discussed, or proposes to discuss, with the South African representatives now in this country the proposal that Bechuanaland should be taken over by the Union of South Africa; and whether it is still the policy of His Majesty's Government to retain the responsibility for the welfare of the natives of this country?
The matter has not been discussed with the Union representatives now in this country, nor has there been any change in the policy of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom with regard to the Bechuanaland Protectorate.
Transport
Road Works, Westminster
asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the disturbances now being caused to residents in the West Central area by road-repair work carried on during the night; and whether he will make representations to the council of the city of Westminster to cease such operations during the night that involve the use of the pneumatic drill and heavy hammers in densely inhabited areas?
I am advised that the Westminster City Council prohibit the use of pneumatic drills on all their road works between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. I can only conclude that my hon. Friend's representations relate to operations of gas, water or electricity undertakings. Neither my Department nor the city council have any control over the hours during which such works are carried out, but if he will give me particulars of the streets concerned, I will bring his complaints to the notice of the parties concerned.
Road Fund Grants, Wales And Monmouthshire
asked the Minister of Transport the aggregate of grants paid out of the Road Fund to local authorities in Wales and Monmouthshire in each of the years 1928 to 1932?
The aggregate grants made out of the Road Fund in each of the years 1928 to 1932 to local authorities in Wales and Monmouthshire were:
| £ | ||||
| 1928–29 | … | … | … | 1,019,151 |
| 1929–30 | … | … | … | 1,513,457 |
| 1930–31 | … | … | … | 2,181,884 |
| 1931–32 | … | … | … | 1,210,406 |
| 1932–33 | … | … | … | 965,995 |
Road Accidents
asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any statement on the investigations of his Department into the causes and circumstances of fatal road accidents?
I intend to have this investigation continued up to the end of the present year. A preliminary analysis of the accidents which occurred up to the end of June will probably be issued, but the reports on these accidents are not yet complete.
Vagrancy (Juveniles)
asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to whether there has been any increase during recent months in the number of young vagrants; and whether any special action is being taken to treat these individuals as a special class?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the Departmental Committee on the Relief of the Casual Poor, while endorsing the desirability of segregating young casuals from habitual vagrants during their stay in a casual ward, recognised the practical difficulties, which my right hon. Friend is afraid must often be insuperable. Apart from any action of this kind, the vagrancy authorities, and a number of philanthropic agencies, are fully aware of the problem presented by these young vagrants, and are doing their best to persuade or assist them. to abandon vagrancy.
Water Supply, Sherburn Hill, County Durham
asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the grave shortage of the water supply to the district of Sherburn Hill, in the county of Durham, resulting, in one instance, in 400 school children being unable to obtain water for drinking or washing; and whether, in view of the possibility of sickness being caused thereby, apart from the inconvenience to the inhabitants, he will take steps to ensure a more adequate supply?
I have made inquiries, and I am informed that the period of water shortage has now passed. I am in communication with the Durham Rural District Council, the responsible local authority, as to the steps to be taken to prevent a recurrence of the shortage.
Poor Law Relief (Wales And Monmouthshire)
asked the Minister of Health the aggregate amounts paid in outdoor relief and/or public assistance in Wales and Monmouthshire during each of the years 1928 to 1932?
The following statement gives the desired particulars:
| Statement showing the amounts expended on poor relief during the years ending 31st March, 1928 to 1932, in Wales and Monmouthshire. | |||
| Year ending 31st March | Total expenditure on all forms of poor relief (other than out of loans for capital purposes, or, from 1st April, 1930, other than out of capital receipts). | Expenditure on out-relief in money and kind (included in column 2). | |
| 1. | 2. | 3. | |
| £ | £ | ||
| 1928 | … | 2,587,928 | 1,417,478 |
| 1929 | … | 2,520,167 | 1,354,785 |
| 1930 | … | 2,614,966 | 1,373,006 |
| 1931 | … | 2,639,092 | 1,479,168 |
| 1932 | … | 2,612,656 | 1,462,286 |