Written Answers
Teachers (Board Of Education Warning)
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the promised investigation into the activities of certain school teachers has taken place; and if the results of the investigation will be made public?
In accordance with their regulations, the Board of Education informed the teachers in question of the charges against them, and gave them an opportunity for explanation. After careful examination of all the facts the teachers were informed that the Board took a very serious view of their conduct, and they were warned that if, in the future, any charge against them which might call for action on their part were substantiated, the Board would feel at liberty to have regard to the circumstances now in question in arriving at their decision.
Transport
Arterial Roads (Bridge Crossings)
asked the Minister of Transport the number of cases where the crossing of an arterial or by-pass road by a subsidiary road is effected by means of a bridge?
The figure could only be ascertained by the preparation of a return, the usefulness of which would not, I think, justify the cost and labour involved. I hope, therefore, that my hon. Friend will not press for it.
Highways (Expenditure)
asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make Circular No. 383 (Road) more widely available to members of local authorities and others, in view of the importance of its recommendations with regard to highway expenditure?
Three copies of the circular were supplied to each highway authority in Scotland. I have no reason to suppose that the number supplied is inadequate. If for special reasons, additional copies are required by any local authority, they will be forwarded on application.
Main Road Construction
asked the Minister of Transport (1) the amount contributed from the Exchequer each year since 1918 towards the expenses of main road construction;(2) the total mileage of main roads constructed in Great Britain with assistance from the Treasury since 1st January, 1919; the total acreage of land purchased for this purpose and the cost thereof, distinguishing purchases which included buildings from those representing land only, and the average cost per acre in each case; the total acreage of such land which has since been disposed of by sale or lease, and the average price or ground rent per acre obtained therefore and any information in his possession showing the value per acre at the present time of land immediately adjoining such roads;(3) the total cost of construction, and the average cost per mile, of main roads constructed with Treasury assistance since 1st January, 1919, distinguishing those constructed before 1st December, 1922, those constructed between 31st December, 1922, and 31st December, 1928, and those constructed since 31st December, 1928, and distinguishing in each case sums paid in wages to men directly employed in the work from other items of expense?
I would refer the hon. Member to Appendix 15 to the Reports on the Administration of the Road Fund for the years 1927–28 to 1930–31. I regret that I am unable to supplement the information contained in the appendix or to give the information for other years. The appendix was compiled from reports first furnished in the year 1927–28. For reasons of economy, the reports were discontinued after 1930–31.
Yugoslavia (Macedonian Minority)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent petitions addressed to the League of Nations by members of the Macedonian minority in Yugoslavia, he will take steps to obtain a discussion at the next League of Nations Council on this question and, if necessary, will ask for an advisory opinion from the Permanent Court of International Justice regarding the question of the Macedonians' status as a minority?
As far as I am aware, no petition relating to the Macedonians in Yugoslavia is at present under examination by the League in accordance with the usual procedure. The questions put by the hon. Member do not, therefore, arise.
Unemployment (Seasonal Workers)
asked the Minister of Labour the number of seasonal workers who, according to his latest returns, are still unemployed; and whether he can give the centres of population where such unemployment is most prevalent?
I regret that separate statistics of the number of seasonal workers unemployed are not available.
Royal Parks (Roads)
asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has had under consideration any scheme for the creation of new roads in any of the royal parks within the last two years; and what has been the nature of such proposals?
I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I have had no such scheme under consideration at any time.
Slum Clearance Schemes, Lancashire
asked the Minister of Health how many slum clearance schemes under the recent legislation he has hitherto received from local authorities in Lancashire, giving the details in each case?
I have received from 29 local authorities in Lancashire resolutions declaring 121 areas to be clearance areas under the Housing Act, 1930. I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the names of the local authorities and the number of houses dealt with or proposed to be dealt with by each authority.
Old Age And Widows' Pensions (Wales And Monmouthshire)
asked the Minister of Health the aggregate of old age and widows' pensions paid to residents in Wales and Monmouthshire in each of the years 1928 to 1932?
The aggregate sums paid between 1st April, 1928, and 31st March, 1933, to residents in Wales (including Monmouthshire) by way of pensions under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts, 1925 to 1931, and the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 to 1924, were approximately as follow:
| Year ended 31st March. | £ | |||
| 1929 | … | … | … | 2,805,000 |
| 1930 | … | … | … | 2,868,000 |
| 1931 | … | … | … | 3,271,000 |
| 1932 | … | … | … | 3,492,000 |
| 1933 | … | … | … | 3,514,000 |