House Of Commons
Thursday, 16th November, 1933.
The House met at a Quarter before Three of the Clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.
Private Business
Standing Orders—(Private Business)
Resolved,
"That the Amendments to Standing Orders relating to Private Business as set out in the Schedule attached hereto be approved by this House:
Schedule
Standing Order 10, line 70, leave out "more than one county," and insert "one or more counties other than the county in which the principal office of the promoters is situate."
Standing Order 10, line 79, leave out "referred to in Standing Order 10."
Standing Order 12, line 6, leave out "not later than the Twentieth day of November."
Standing Order 12, line 8, after "Days." insert "commencing not later than the Twentieth day of November."
Standing Order 12, line 17, after "deposited," insert "for public inspection."
Standing Order 29, line 2, after "or," insert "sanctioning a."
Standing Order 36, line 11, after "deposited," insert "for public inspection."
Standing Order 39, line 35, leave out "marked 'Tidal Waters.'"
Standing Order 41, line 6, leave out "deposited at," and insert "delivered at or sent by registered post to."
Standing Order 73, line 25, leave out "introduced or proposed to be introduced into this House," and insert "brought from the House of Lords."
Standing Order 73, at end, add—
Provided always that if such an approval as is mentioned in Standing Order 71 has been given to the Bill as introduced or proposed to be introduced into the House of Lords and by the terms of such approval the Bill shall have been approved subject to such additions, alterations, and variations as Parliament may think fit to make therein, then it shall not be necessary for the purposes of this Order to obtain any further approval in respect of any provisions inserted in the Bill in the House of Lords.
Provided nevertheless that it shall be competent for the Committee on the Bill if they think fit, having regard to the nature and effect of such provisions, to require any further evidence of the approval of such provisions on the part of the proprietors of the Company.
Standing Order 74, line 27, leave out "introduced or proposed to be introduced into this House," and insert "brought from the House of Lords."
Standing Order 74, line 34, leave out "introduced or proposed to be introduced into this House," and insert "brought from the House of Lords."
Standing Order 74, line 48, leave out "by the terms of."
Standing Order 74, line 49, after "such," insert "a."
Standing Order 74, line 49, after "consent," insert "as is mentioned in Standing Order 72 has been given to."
Standing Order 74, line 51, after "Lords," insert "and by the terms of the resolution or consent the Bill."
Standing Order 211, line 3, leave out "and ordered to be read a Second time."
Standing Order 211, line 5, after "laid," insert "and ordered to be read a Second time."
Standing Order 211, line 6, at end, add "the first time."
Standing Order 220, line 3, leave out from the first "Bill," to "and," in line 5.
Standing Order 220, line 7, leave out from "Bills," to "which," in line 9.
Standing Order 223, line 6, leave out from "postponed," to "as," in line 7, and insert "either until some future day at the time at which private business is usually taken or until half-past seven of the clock on any day not being a Friday."
Standing Order 243, line 11, after "Reading," insert "Provided that business not set down by order of the House shall have precedence of business 60 set down."
Standing Order 243, line 12, leave out "and."
Standing Order 269, line 4, after "1899," insert "as amended by any subsequent enactment."
Standing Order 278, line 5, leave out "33," and insert "37."
Appendix A, line 11, after "taken," insert "[or used]."
Appendix A, line 11, leave out "for the purposes of the said undertaking," and insert "under the powers of the said Act."
Appendix A, line 17, leave out "and Section of the said undertaking," and insert" [and Section] relating to the purposes of the said Act."—[ The Chairman of Ways and Means.]
Business Of The House
Return ordered,
"showing with reference to Session 1932–33, (1) the total number of days on which the House sat; and (2) the days on which Business of Supply was considered."—[The Deputy-Chairman.]
| 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. |
| Date when Closure moved, and by whom. | Question before House or Committee when moved. | Whether in House or Committee. | Whether assent given to Motion or withheld by Speaker or Chairman. | Assent withheld because, in the opinion of the (hair, decision would shortly be arrived at without that Motion. | Result of Motion and, it a Division, Numbers for and against. |
and (2) in the Standing Committees under the following heads—
| 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. |
| Date when Closure moved, and by whom. | Question before Committee when moved. | Whether assent given to Motion or withheld by Chairman. | Assent withheld because, in the option of the Chair, a decision would shortly be arrived at without that Motion. | Result of Motion, and if a Division, Numbers for and against. |
[ The Deputy-Chairman].
Private Bills And Private Business
Return ordered,
"of the number of Private Bills, Hybrid Bills, Bills for confirming Provisional Orders, and Bills for confirming Schemes under the Public Works Facilities Act, 1930, introduced into the House of Commons and brought from the House of Lords, and of Acts passed in Session 1932–33:
Of all the Private Bills, Hybrid Bills, and Bills for confirming Provisional Orders which in Session 1932–33 have been reported on "by Committees on Opposed Private Bills or by Committees nominated partly by the House and partly by the Committee of Selection, together with the names of the selected Members who served on each Committee; the first and also the last day of the sitting of each Committee; the number of days on which each Committee sat; the number of days on which each selected Member has served; the number of days occupied by each Bill in Committee; the Bills the Preambles of which were reported to have been proved; the Bills the Preambles of which were reported to have been not proved; and, in the case of Bills for confirming Provisional Orders, whether the Provisional Orders ought or ought not to be confirmed:
Of all Private Bills and Bills for confirming Provisional Orders which, in Session, 1932–33, have been referred by the Committee of Selection to the Committee on Unopposed Bills, together with the names of the Members who served on the Committee; the number of days on which the Committee
Closure Of Debate (Standing Order No 26)
Return ordered,
"respecting application of Standing Order No. 26 (Closure of Debate) during Session 1932–33, (1) in the House and in Committee of the Whole House, under the following heads:—
sat; and the number of days on which each Member was summoned and on which each Member attended:
And, of the number of Private Bills, Hybrid Bills, Bills for confirming Provisional Orders, and Bills for confirming Schemes under the Public Works Facilities Act, 1930, withdrawn or not proceeded with by the parties, those Bills being specified which have been referred to Committees and dropped during the sittings of the Committee."—[ The Deputy-Chairman.]
Public Bills
Return ordered,
"of the number of Public Bills, distinguishing Government from other Bills, introduced into this House, or brought from the House of Lords, during Session 1932–33; showing the number which received the Royal Assent; the number which were passed by this House, bin not by the House of Lords; the number passed by the House of Lords, but not by this House; and distinguishing the stages at which such Bills as did not receive the Royal Assent were dropped or postponed and rejected in either House of Parliament."—[The Deputy-Chairman.]
Public Petitions
Return ordered,
"of the number of Public Petitions presented and printed in Session 1932–33, with the total number of signatures in that Session."—[The Deputy-Chairman.]
Select Committees
Return ordered,
"of the number of Select Committees appointed in Session 1932–33 and the Court of Referees; the subjects of inquiry; the names of the Members appointed to serve on each, and of the Chairman of each; the number of days each Committee met, and the number of days each Member attended; the total expense of the attendance of witnesses at each Select Committee, and the name of the Member who moved for such Select Committee; also the total number of Members who served on Select Committees."—[The Deputy-Chairman.]
Sittings Of The House
Return ordered,
"of the days on which the House sat in Session 1932–33, stating for each day the date of the month and day of the week, the hour of the meeting, and the hour of adjournment; and the total number of hours occupied in the Sittings of the House, and the average time; and showing the number of hours on which the House sat each day, and the number of hours after 11 p.m.; and the number of entries in each day's Votes and Proceedings."—[The Deputy-Chairman.]
Standing Committees
Return ordered,
"for Session 1932–33 of (1) the total number and the names of all Members (including and distinguishing Chairmen) who have been appointed to serve on one or more of the five Standing Committees appointed under Standing Order No. 47, showing, with regard to each of such Members, the number of sittings to which he was summoned and at which he was present; (2) the number of Bills considered by all and by each of the Standing Committees, the number of days on which each Committee sat, and the names of all Bills considered by a Standing Committee, distinguishing where a Bill was a Government Bill or was brought from the House of Lords, and showing, in the case of each Bill, the particular Standing Committee by whom it was considered, the number of days on which it was considered by the Committee, and the number of Members present on each of those days,"—[The Deputy-Chairman.]
Oral Answers To Questions
Juvenile Employment
2.
asked the Minister of Labour the total number of juveniles aged 14 to 16 in employment in Great Britain; how many juveniles aged 14 to 16 work without legal limits of hours; and how many work for hours so long or at such periods that it is impossible for them to attend evening classes?
Statistics are not available showing the total numbers of juveniles aged 14 to 16 in employment in Great Britain. As regards the second and third parts of the question, complete statistics are not available but some information is given in the fourth report of the National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment for England and Wales and the sixth report of the corresponding council for Scotland, copies of which I am sending my hon. Friend.
Unemployment
Benefit Disallowed
3.
asked the Minister of Labour on whose authority courts of referees are disallowing claims for unemployment benefit on the ground that the applicant has failed to apply for work at certain industrial establishments outside their own area; and whether any special instructions have been given to courts of referees during the last three months?
The courts of referees are independent statutory authorities whose decisions cannot be questioned except on appeal to the umpire. No instructions are given to the courts but copies of important decisions by the umpire are sent to them.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Doncaster mine workers are being called before the court of referees because they have failed to apply for work at Sheffield, 15 miles away, where there are already 15,000 unemployed?
The hon. Member did not give me any particulars in his question, but I have made some inquiries of the cases in his district, and I find that in some the decision of the court of referees was unanimous; in others, it was not. Those cases in which the decision was not unanimous should be taken to the umpire.
May I ask on whose authority courts of referees are suspending benefit on the ground that persons have not made application for jobs in districts other than their own where there are already thousands of unemployed?
They do so on their own authority. I have no authority over courts of referees.
May I ask whether in such cases he will make representations to the courts of referees not to apply the not-genuinely-seeking-work provision?
Is the right hon. Gentleman's interpretation of the law the proper one?
The hon. Member must not ask me for my opinion on a point of law, certainly not across the Table of the House. As I have pointed out, the proper course is to go to the Umpire, over whom I have no authority.
4.
asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who have been denied unemployment benefit by reason that they were not likely to obtain insurable employment, that they were seasonal workers, or that they had reached the age limit, respectively, during the two years preceding 31st October?
As the reply is somewhat long, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the reply:
During the period 13th October, 1931, to 31st October, 1933, 278,291 claims were disallowed by courts of referees in Great Britain on the ground that the applicants had not proved that they were normally insurable and would normally seek to obtain a livelihood by means of insurable employment. The number of claims disallowed during the same period under Anomaly Regulation (B) relating to seasonal workers was 54,087. Statistics showing the number of persons who ceased to be entitled to benefit upon reaching the age of 65 are not available. These figures relate to claims and the number of separate individuals concerned is not available.
Insurance Fund
5.
asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated annual deficiency in the Unemployment Fund, based on income and expenditure, with the latest figures of employed and unemployed insured persons?
During the current financial year to date there has not been a deficiency but a surplus in the insurance account of the Unemployment Fund amounting to about £5,470,000.
Will the right hon. Gentleman supply figures showing the details of income and expenditure?
I will consider that point. I can tell the hon. Member that the surplus amounts to £5,470,000.
Benefit (Reductions)
6.
asked the Minister of Labour the approximate amount of saving in payments of unemployment benefit effected by the operation of the cuts in unemployment benefit and the means test in the period 1931 to the latest convenient date?
In the period of about two years up to the end of October, 1933, the reduction in payments due to the lower rates of benefit introduced in October, 1931, is estimated to have been about £26,750,000 and that due to the needs test at about £27,750,000.
Transitional Payments
7.
asked the Minister of Labour whether it is in accordance with the recommendations of his Department that public assistance committees should ascertain the rent paid by applicants for unemployment transitional payments, and recommend them to get cheaper housing accommodation?
This is a matter within the discretion of local authorities and one upon which I have no power to issue directions to them.
Is it not desirable to have a general standard of housing below which people should be regarded as being not properly housed, and, therefore, is it not desirable that a public assistance committee should not use their position for the purpose of telling applicants that they ought to move into a smaller house or let some part of their own house?
I am of course conversant with the point put by the hon. Member, but I have no power to issue instructions as the matter is entirely in the hands of local authorities.
Uninsured Workers
9.
asked the Minister of Labour the principal trades and occupations not covered by the existing Unemployment Insurance Acts, and the estimated number of persons employed in these trades?
An analysis of the classes of employment outside the scope of unemployment insurance, and the approximate numbers of persons involved, so far as figures are available, are given in paragraph 93 on pages 56 and 57 of the final report of the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance, a copy of which is in the Library.
Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that he will at an early opportunity review the whole question with a view to the possibility of including certain trades which are not within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts?
This question and many others have been considered in the preparation of the Bill.
Unemployment Bill
12.
asked the Minister of Labour the estimated increase in the personnel of his Department, and in the administrative costs, involved by the new Unemployment Bill?
10.
asked the Minister of Labour the estimate of the number of additional Civil Service staff which will be created under the new Unemployment Bill?
The proposals in Part II of the Unemployment Bill will necessarily lead to some increase in administrative costs borne by the Exchequer. I am not at present in a position to give particulars but I will include a statement on the subject in the revised memorandum which I have undertaken to issue before the Second Heading of the Bill.
Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the President of the Board of Trade that the Civil Service is too large now and that we could do with a much smaller Civil Service?
It is a matter of opinion, but I am inclined to think that I agree with what the President of the Board of Trade said.
Will the right hon. Gentleman enable us to have the figures and estimates of the Government Actuary as to the cost of the Bill?
I will consider that suggestion. There will be a statement in the revised memorandum on the face of the Bill.
Is that all the information that Members are to have—the revised memorandum as printed on the Bill I Will there be no White Paper?
Oh, yes; there will be a White Paper.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, when a new Bill deals with National Health Insurance, as a rule we get a copy of the report of the Government Actuary on the Bill?
I am not very conversant with what happens in the case of a National Health Insurance Bill, but I will consider the point which has been raised.
75.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the negotiations are yet concluded with local authorities with respect to future financial responsibility for the unemployed; and whether he can now inform the House of the agreed conditions?
76.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any agreement has been made with the local authorities in connection with the contribution of 60 per cent, towards the cost of relief of able-bodied unemployed under the Unemployment Bill?
The financial arrangements under Part II of the Unemployment Bill so far as they concern local authorities are still under discussion with them.
As a settlement of this matter affects a great part of the Bill now before the House, what is the reason for the delay in a settlement?
I cannot lay down an ultimatum and say that negotiations shall be concluded by a particulars time, but I have no reason to suppose that we shall not finish negotiations in time to give the House information when the Second Reading of the Bill is before us.
Are we to understand that local authorities are hostile to the second part of the Unemployment Insurance Bill?
I cannot help what the hon. Member understands, but it is not correct.
Is it not almost without precedent to have a section of a Bill so dependent as is this new Bill upon a settlement of this matter laid before the House 1 Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us a guarantee of an early settlement of this matter, so that the local authorities will know where they stand?
No, I cannot give any such guarantee.
Building Industry
13.
asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the building industry at the latest convenient date?
At 23rd October, 1933, there were 169,243 insured persons in the building industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain.
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government will take the necessary steps to set this army of unemployed building operatives to work again? Surely that would be a more practical step than leaving them to draw unemployment insurance benefit?
I am very glad to be able to inform the hon. Gentleman that the number reported as unemployed on 24th October, 1932, was 248,047, and that now the figure is down to 169,243.
Poor Law Relief
44.
asked the Minister of Health if he will state, as on any recent convenient date, the number of cases in which unemployment benefit has been supplemented by grants from public assistance authorities?
The figures given to the hon. Member on 23rd February last were derived from s, special not a periodical return. I have no later information.
50.
asked the Minister of Health if he will state for the latest available date the number of persons, exclusive of dependants, who were in receipt of Poor relief on grounds of unemployment; and how many of these were persons insured under the Unemployment Insurance Act and registered at an Employment Exchange, not so insured but registered at an Employment Exchange, and neither insured nor registered at an Employment Exchange?
As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Does the statement show that the bulk of the people receiving assistance on the ground of unemployment are registered in Employment Exchanges?
It would be possible to make such a deduction, but I think it would be better for the House to see the tables before coming to a conclusion.
Following is the answer:
The latest complete return of the number of men and women in receipt of out-relief on account of unemployment relates to the 1st January, 1933, and does not give particulars of their condition in respect of insurance or registration. The number then was 122,298 men and 8,273 women. The following table gives the weekly averages of persons in receipt of outdoor relief and registered at an Employment Exchange during September, 1933. The relief to an unknown number of these persons may have been due primarily to sickness and not to unemployment.
| Insured. | Uninsured. | ||
| Men | … | 74,875 | 33,926 |
| Women | … | 2,927 | 5,191 |
| Total | … | 77,802 | 39,117 |
I am unable to say how many persons in receipt of outdoor relief on account of unemployment are not registered at an Employment Exchange, but the number cannot be large.
Armament Factories (Employment)
8.
asked the Minister of Labour what increase there has been during recent months in the number of persons employed in armament factories?
I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.
Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to obtain this information, as it would be of considerable interest to the country?
The hon. Member will see that there are no separate details, because one firm may manufacture bicycles and rifles and another firm motor cars and warships.
Is paint used to make battleships?
Will the right hon. Gentleman give further consideration to the matter and see if it is possible to obtain this information?
Transport
Street Accidents, London
15.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the recently published figures of London street accidents; and whether he proposes to take any action in London to prevent a further increase?
I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Mr. Hammersley) on the 8th instant. For the present I can only add that the whole subject is receiving my close consideration in consultation with the Minister of Transport.
Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the introduction of one-way circuses has decreased the number of accidents occurring at such places as Trafalgar Square and Parliament Street?
I prefer not to go into details. I am dealing with the whole problem.
Horse-Drawn Vehicles
88.
asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation restricting the use of horse-drawn vehicles in the main London and provincial thoroughfares?
Powers already exist for the restriction where necessary of the use of any class of vehicular traffic upon particular roads whether in London or elsewhere.
Aliens (German)
17.
asked the Home Secretary the number of German citizens admitted to Great Britain during the last six months for which figures are available, and the number who have left?
During the six months ended the 30th September last, the number of Germans coming to this country from all parts of the world, including tourists, business visitors, students and others was 33,140 and the number of those who embarked was 29,768. The corresponding figures for 1932 were 25,471 landings and 23,645 embarkations. There is normally an excess of landings over embarkations during this period of the year, but the balance tends to correct itself in the last quarter when the holiday season has come to an end. The excess of landings on the 30th September was 1,826 last year and 3,372 this year—a difference of only 1,546.
Is the right hon. Gentleman putting any difficulties in the way of Germans landing here—difficulties that would not apply to the nationals of any other country?
No, Sir. Every case is considered on its merits.
Is particular nationality one of the merits considered at the present time?
Oh, no, Sir.
37.
asked the Home Secretary if he will state the conditions under which political refugees from Germany are permitted to take up employment in this country; and whether he is satisfied that no British professional men or skilled workers are being deprived of their livelihood through the competition of such refugees?
I have explained in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Sir P. Dawson) the position with regard to aliens seeking employment in this country. A cardinal feature of the Government's policy is to secure the object which my noble Friend has in view.
Police
College
18.
asked the Home Secretary if he can now make a statement with regard to the present position of the proposal to establish a police college?
An officer, the present Chief Constable of Lincolnshire, has been selected to take charge of the college and the preliminary work incidental to its establishment is well in hand. I should prefer to postpone any detailed statement until this work is further advanced but I may say that it is hoped to open the college next spring or in the early summer.
Where is the college located?
I have already given that information to the House. I cannot now remember the exact description.
Uniforms
28.
asked the Home Secretary if he will consider the advisability of arranging for the adoption of a similar type of uniform for all the various police forces in the country, with a view to greater economy?
This matter is under consideration by a representative Committee and I hope that the result will be to secure a substantial measure of uniformity in the dress of the various forces and some saving in cost.
Army, Navy And Air Force Pensioners
35.
asked the Home Secretary if he will give particulars of the officers of the higher ranks of the Metropolitan Police who are in receipt of half or other pay from Army, Navy or Air Force services?
With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following are the particulars:
Lord Trenchard, Commissioner—Half pay as Marshal of the R.A.F., £l,602 per annum.
Colonel Laurie, Assistant Commissioner—Army pension, £140 per annum.
Colonel Drummond, Deputy Assistant Commissioner —Army pension, £707 10s. per annum.
Major Conyers-Baker, Chief Constable—Army pension, £230 10s. per annum.
Major Ferguson, Chief Constable—Army pension, £200 per annum (was £235; £35 commuted).
Major De Chair, Chief Constable—Army pension, £235 per annum.
French Lotteries
19.
asked the Home Secretary if he can give any information upon the action of the French authorities in declining to accept the postal application of British citizens for tickets in the recent French public lotteries; and whether such action was the result of any representations made from this country?
I have no information on this subject other than statements which I have seen in the Press to the effect that applications by post from persons in this country for tickets in this lottery were not entertained by the French authorities. No representations on this subject have been made to the French Government by His Majesty's Government.
If it is found upon inquiry that such action was taken by the French authorities, can that example be passed on to the authorities of the Irish Free State?
Irish Sweepstakes
20.
asked the Home Secretary if he can give approximate figures showing the amount subscribed from Great Britain to the Irish sweep stakes since 11th July last and the estimated amounts spent, respectively, on sellers' commission, expenses, and prizes, on grants to hospitals and other public purposes, on payment of duties levied by the Irish. Free State, and on prizes distributed in Great Britain?
There have so far been 10 sweepstakes promoted in Dublin by the Hospitals Trust Limited. In previous answers I have given information regarding the first nine up to and including the sweepstake promoted in connection with this year's Derby. The figures relating to the tenth sweepstake in connection with this year's Cambridge-shire have been calculated on the same assumption that the amount subscribed in Great Britain is proportionate to the prizes known to have been won in this country. As the answer involves a number of figures I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:
On the basis that the amount subscribed in Great Britain is proportionate to the prizes known to have been won in this country, and that the contributions from that amount towards expenses, Irish Free State Hospitals, and Irish Free State Stamp Duty may be calculated on the same basis, the figures relating to the Cambridgeshire sweepstake are as follow:—
| £ | |
| Total subscriptions from Great Britain (including sellers' commission) | 1,852,000 |
| Sellers' commission | 308,650 |
| Expenses (in addition to sellers' commission) | 176,450 |
| Available surplus for hospitals, etc. | 285,750 |
| Irish Free State Stamp Duty | 95,250 |
| Prizes won in Great Britain | 926,000 |
| Sellers' prizes received in Great Britain | 17,250 |
It will be noticed that the disbursements fall short of the amount estimated to have been subscribed from Great Britain by £42,650. This balance may be taken as representing that part of the subscription from Great Britain which was expended in the award of prizes to subscribers in other countries.
Totalisators (Greyhound Racing Tracks)
21.
asked the Home Secretary whether, before any decision is reached on the question of legalizing totalisators on greyhound racing tracks, he will consult representative bodies and persons who are opposed to such legislation?
I am ready to consider any communications that may be sent to me on the subject, but I believe that the Government are fully seized of the different points of view which are held on this subject and to which the most careful consideration will be given before a decision is reached.
Have personal representations been made to the right hon. Gentleman by any bodies other than those directly interested in totalisators?
Yes, I received this morning a deputation representing all the churches.
Is there any justification for prohibiting the mechanical bookmaker when human bookmakers are allowed?
Fires (Seaside Piers)
23.
asked the Home Secretary whether he has investigated the recent series of fires on seaside piers; and if he will make a statement on the matter?
These fires were not investigated by my Department and I regret I can make no statement regarding their cause.
Theatres Act (University Censorship)
26.
asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the disapproval aroused by a recent use by the Vice Chancellor of Oxford University of the powers of censorship conferred under Section 10 of the Theatres Act, 1843, upon the Vice Chancellors of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, but withdrawn from the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University by the Cambridge University and Corporation Act, 1894; and if he will consider introducing legislation to repeal so much of Section 10 of the Theatres Act, 1843, as is still in force?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As at present advised, I do not propose to introduce legislation such as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests.
Prosecution And Conviction, Bakewell
36.
asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that on Saturday last at Bakewell a man was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for stealing a nut, valued at 2d., from another man's bicycle; and whether he intends to take any action to get the sentence reduced?
My attention has not previously been drawn to the case to which the hon. Member refers, but I am making inquiry and will communicate with him as soon as I am in a position to do so.
Education (Teachers' Salaries)
38.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the present composition of the Burnham Committee on the salaries of secondary school teachers; what was the date of their last meeting; and whether a new chairman has been appointed in the room of the late Lord Burnham?
The Standing Joint Committee on Scales of Salaries for Teachers in Secondary Schools consists of two panels, each containing 26 members, representing respectively associations of local education authorities and of teachers. The local education authorities' panel contains nine representatives appointed by the County Councils Association, seven appointed by the Association of Municipal Corporations, seven appointed by the Association of Education Committees, and three appointed by the London County Council. The teachers' panel consists of five representatives appointed by the Incorporated Association of Headmasters, five appointed by the Incorporated Association of Headmistresses, six appointed by the Incorporated Association of Assistant Masters, five appointed by the Incorporated Association of Assistant Mistresses, and five appointed by the National Union of Teachers. The Committee last met on the 16tJh March last. As regards the last part of the question, my Noble Friend would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. R. T. Evans) last week of which he is sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.
When is the first meeting under the new chairman likely to take place?
According to present arrangements, on 29th November.
Housing
Statistics
40.
asked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected, respectively, with and without public financial assistance, during the year ended 30th September, 1933; the corresponding numbers for 1932; and the average cost of such houses of four-roomed non-parlour type?
50,433 houses were provided with State assistance and 167,880 without State assistance in England and Wales during the year ended the 30th September, 1933, making a total of 218,313. The corresponding numbers for the year ended the 30th September, 1932, were 69,090 and 132,886 respectively, making a total of 201,976. (These numbers exclude houses of a rateable value exceeding £78 (£105 in the Metropolitan area)). The average cost of four-roomed houses cannot be separately stated, but the average cost of all non-parlour houses in contracts let by local authorities, other than the London County Council, or in approved direct labour schemes in England and Wales during the year ended 30th September, 1933, was £292. The corresponding figure for the year ended 30th September, 1932, was £312. These average costs include the cost of paths, drains and fences, but exclude the cost of land, roads, sewers and architects' fees.
41.
asked the Minister of Health the number of cottages erected in agricultural parishes during the years ended 30th September, 1932 and 1933, respectively; and the average rental at which such cottages are let?
The numbers of houses completed with State assistance in agricultural parishes in England and Wales during the years ended the 30th September, 1932 and 1933, were 4,392 and 3,103, respectively. I have no information as to the average rental of such houses.
Does the right hon. Gentleman regard this as a fairly satisfactory return, or does he consider that more could be done in gingering up the general policy of authorities in agricultural districts?
The hon. Gentleman may rest assured that all that is possible in the administration of these Acts is being done.
Are all these houses adequately supplied with a proper water service, or is that being left to chance?
I do not think that question arises out of the question on the Paper.
Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many agricultural labourers have become the tenants of the new houses; and what special steps the Ministry have taken to inspire rural district councils to build more houses for rural workers?
These are, generally, typical agricultural labourers' houses.
42.
asked the Minister of Health the number of houses reconditioned under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, 1926 to 1931, during the years ended 30th September, 1932 and 1933, respectively?
The numbers of houses reconditioned in England and Wales under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, 1926 and 1931, during the years ended 30th September, 1932 and 1933, were 1,286 and 869 respectively.
Is 869 the 1933 figure or the 1932 figure?
The 1933 figure.
In view of that extremely unsatisfactory result, cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to move rural authorities to act in this matter, which has now been hanging over for a long time?
The hon. Gentleman is aware that I recently addressed a circular on the subject to the local authorities, and it is undoubtedly bearing good fruit.
Will the Minister point to the example of Devon in that matter?
63.
asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the total number of private families occupying one and two rooms, respectively, in the administrative county of London at a recent date?
The most recent figures available are those for the 1931 Census. These are given in full in Table 11 of the London County Report volume, to which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member.
Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that adequate steps are being taken in the towns to provide suitable housing accommodation for these unfortunate people?
The answer is in the affirmative.
Working-Class Houses (Departmental Committee)
43.
asked the Minister of Health if it is his intention to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Moyne report?
46.
asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to state what action the Government intends to take in connection with the report of the Moyne Committee?
The recommendations of this committee are receiving consideration in the light of the observations now received from the associations of local authorities concerned.
Direct Labour
49.
asked the Minister of Health if he will give a list of the names of the local authorities which have built houses by direct labour under the Housing Acts within the last two years, and the number of houses so built in each case?
I am sending the hon. Member the detailed information for which he has asked.
Slum Clearance
51.
asked the Minister of Health the total estimated number of slum-dwellers in England and Wales; the estimated percentage of this number which will be affected by the various slum clearance schemes submitted to him by the local authorities in response to his recent circular; and the total estimated cost of such schemes?
The best estimate which I can give is that the five-year programmes now being submitted by local authorities, which deal with the existing slums in those areas, will involve the rehousing or more than 1,000,000 persons. The estimated cost of carrying out the programmes is £95,000,000.
Maintenance And Repair
54.
asked the Minister of Health what public provision is being made by local authorities to ensure the proper maintenance and repair of houses purchased through the building societies by working-class tenants?
Local authorities have powers under the Housing Acts and Public Health Acts to ensure the repair of working-class houses by their owners and these powers are widely exercised.
Slum Children
55.
asked the Minister of Health whether other public medical officers in addition to Dr. G. C. M. McGonigle, of Stockton-on-Tees, have reported signs of malnutrition and physical deterioration in children who have been removed from the slums into new housing estates?
No further report of the kind referred to by the hon. Member is known to me.
56.
asked the Minister of Health if he will state what reports he has received from public medical officers and other medical authorities as to the extent of the physical, mental, and moral deterioration of children and adolescents occasioned by five years' up to ten years' residence in the slums, or during the period allotted by the slum-clearance programmes for completion?
No report has come to my notice dealing with the particular point referred to by the hon. Member. I do not regard the injurious effects to children and adolescents of residence in slums as being in doubt.
Rents
57.
asked the Minister of Health whether any houses built by private enterprise are being let at rentals of from 15s. or less in the London area and 10s. or less in other parts of the country, and how many?
I regret that no statistics are available to enable me to reply to the hon. Member.
Unoccupied Dwellings
58.
asked the Minister of Health whether the Government will consider legislation in respect to taxing or rating empty house property, much of which is now in evidence in the suburbs, so as to ensure that it is occupied at reasonable rents?
So far as the question relates to rating the answer is in the negative. So far as it relates to taxation it should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Does the Minister not think that if some such steps were taken, it would assist considerably in putting into use property which is now idle?
No, I do not think that that deduction can be made.
Building Society Mortgages (Foreclosures)
59.
asked the Minister of Health whether the building societies supply information in regard to the number of house purchasers whose mortgages they have foreclosed; and what are the figures for each of the past five years?
The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, and I am therefore unable to give the figures asked for in the second part.
Town Planning (London)
64.
asked the Minister of Health how many resolutions have been passed by the London County Council under Section 6 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, in respect of land already built upon within the administrative county of London; and whether he can give particulars as to the areas covered by any such resolutions?
The London County Council have notified me that they have passed a resolution under Section 6 of the Act in respect of an area within the Metropolitan boroughs of Finsbury, Holborn and St. Pancras. They have not yes, however, submitted the resolution, with particulars of the area, to me for approval.
Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the Ministry have so far given no approval in these cases?
None have yet been submitted for approval.
But does not the right hon. Gentleman think that a full and comprehensive planning scheme for London is a necessary condition precedent to any adequate programme of housing?
Re-Housing Accommodation
65.
asked the Minister of Health whether he intends to issue any manual with respect to the planning, design, and construction of the rehousing accommodation to be provided by local authorities for families displaced as a result of clearance operations under the Housing Act, 1930?
Yes, Sir, a manual on the subject is about to be issued.
State Insurance And Public Assistance (Administration)
45.
asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of setting up a Ministry of Insurance to take over the whole of the financial administration of pensions, unemployment benefit, health insurance, and public assistance expenditure in order both to save administration expenses and provide a nucleus for a comprehensive system of contributory all-in insurance?
Consideration has been given from time to time to proposals on the lines of that of the hon. Member, but the conclusion has been that the financial and practical difficulties in concentrating the existing schemes in one administration and replacing them ultimately by such a scheme as the hon. Member has in mind are so serious as to outweigh any possible advantages. I do not think that a further review would be likely to lead to any different conclusion.
Is it not the fact that the insurance scheme originated in a single Measure in 1911, and that experience showed that the different branches had to be separated after a time, in administration?
That is so.
Water Supplies
47.
asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the scarcity of water which prevailed in many parts of the country consequent upon the recent drought, his Department has taken any special measures to press upon local authorities the desirability of providing a clean and adequate water supply for the future; and, if so, what are those steps?
The towns generally met the drought in a successful manner, the difficulties being mainly in rural areas. I have in a special circular urged upon Rural District Councils and County Council's the desirability of carrying out a thorough survey of the conditions of existing supplies and the availability of new supplies, and of liberally exercising their powers to make contributions, in order to effect improvements.
Insured Persons (Workmen's Compensation)
48.
asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the unsatisfactory position of health insured persons who are in receipt of workmen's compensation for total incapacity, referred by their approved societies to regional medical officers, certified by those officers as capable of following some but not their usual occupation; that the approved societies; on the information of the regional medical officers then refer such insured persons to the Employment Exchanges on instructions that they will not be excused arrears for the purposes of health insuance and old age pensions benefits unless they secure franks on their health insurance cards; and will he take steps to remedy this position?
I am not aware of any special difficulty having arisen in connection with the matter referred to by the hon. Member. If, as a result of the report of a regional medical officer, an approved society decides that a member is not incapable of work within the meaning of the National Health Insurance Acts, excusal of arrears of contributions can be given only on the ground of proved unemployment. If a member is not able to obtain franks for this purpose, it is open to him to submit to his society other evidence that he was in fact unemployed.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have already called the attention of his Department to this anomaly by which a doctor, for the purposes of workmen's compensation, certifies an injured workman to be totally incapacited, while the regional medical officer for the purposes of health insurance, certifies him not to be totally incapacitated; and will he look into the question again?
Yes, Sir. I will certainly look into the matter, but I must remind the hon. Member that the standards for the two Acts are different. They cover different conditions. He will find, I think, that the fact of the obtaining of a frank is not the only evidence of unemployment but merely one form of evidence and that on application to the approved society, other evidence can be given which would deal with the cases to which he refers.
Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that, when the approved society sends the injured man to the Employment Exchange, the insurance company which is paying the workmen's compensation becomes suspicious at once that the man is not totally incapacitated from following his own employment?
Mental Treatment
69.
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists at the manner in which the powers of the Board of Control are being used in cases where those dealt with are alleged to be subnormal; and whether he will set up a committee to investigate the operations of the powers granted to the Board of Control?
The Board of Control have no power to certify mental defectives or to grant leave of absence. I assume, therefore, that the hon. Member refers to their power of discharge, and if he will furnish me with any specific case which is the subject of complaint, I will have inquiry made. I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction, and I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.
Marriages With Foreigners (Certificates)
70.
asked the Minister of Health if he will consider amending the law so that the proper official of the register office shall require the production of a certificate from a foreign consul if an English person is to marry a foreigner at the register office exactly as is required when similar parties are married in British churches or chapels?
Provision is already made in the Marriage with Foreigners Act, 1906, enabling regulations to be made forbidding any person to solemnize a marriage of the class in question without the production of such a certificate. It has not, however, yet been found possible to make the necessary arrangements with foreign countries for the provision of a satisfactory form of certificate. But in the meantime, no further amendment of the law is required for this purpose.
In view of the difficulties that are arising, in London particularly, will my right hon. Friend consider, in collaboration with the Law Officers of the Crown, a method whereby the foreigner may not invade our home life in this country?
I will certainly consider any suggestion of my hon. Friend, but the difficulties are not in the powers, which are adequate, but in getting the necessary information or satisfactorily dealing with the situation by foreign countries.
Public Expenditure (Economy)
72.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any statement as to recent steps to secure economy in public expenditure; and whether he will indicate his future policy?
It is, and will continue to be, the policy of His Majesty's Government to pay the strictest regard in its day to day administration to the possibility of securing all practicable reductions of expenditure.
Dog Licences
74.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to arrange that the issue of dog licences should fall in line with wireless licences, so that permission to keep dogs shall run for 12 months from the date of issue instead of, as now, from 1st January?
The dog licence duty in England and Wales is not an Imperial but a local taxation duty. The conditions affecting dog licences and wire less licences are materially different, and I doubt whether my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal would be practicable or desirable, but in any case I could not consider legislation to give effect to it unless it were supported by the various local authorities concerned.
Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making these licences attach to the animal and not to the person? Is it not the case that in a change of ownership a distinct hardship is very often experienced in a dog already being licensed and a further licence having to be taken out?
Industrial And Provident Societies Act, 1893
77.
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether further consideration has been given to the question of amending the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, so as to prevent a repetition of what happened in connection with the United Women's Homes Association?
I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on the 18th July to a question asked by the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Summersby).
Government Departments
Paper Keepers And Messengers
78.
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether His Majesty's Government have now considered the position of 2,500 non-pension able ex-service paper keepers and messengers in the Civil Service, whose weekly wage in London is 52s. 2d. and 51s., and for messengers in the provinces 40s. 3d. (less weekly insurance contributions), after having served for an average of 14 years; and whether he is now prepared to review this salary, and also give full establishment, with pension rights, to the maximum possible number?
The pay of these employés consists of a basic rate fixed by agreement, supplemented in the manner provided under the general Civil Service stabilisation agreement dated 1st July, 1932, of which my hon. Friend will find a copy in Appendix 1 to the Civil Estimates. As regards the latter part of the question, the classes concerned are ordinarily organised in two grades of which the higher is established, the members of the lower grade being eligible for promotion to this grade. It is regretted that it is not possible to modify these arrangements.
Women (Pay)
79.
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the cost of giving equal pay to the women now employed in those grades of the Civil Service which men and women enter by common examination?
I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the approximate estimate of £3,000,000 a year quoted in paragraph 455 of the report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, 1929–1931, as the cost of the grant of "equal pay" in the Civil Service when in full operation. Figures are not available showing what proportion of this total estimate is applicable to those grades which men and women enter by common examination. Nor would it appear to be possible to confine such an arrangement to these grades.
Tithe Rentcharge
81.
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has been in communication with the National Farmers' Union and the Central Landowners' Association upon the subject of tithe; what representations have been made to him; and if it is the intention of the Government to lay any proposals before the House in relation to this matter?
82.
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as the result of representations made to him during the Parliamentary Recess on the subject of the present hardships of tithe payers, he has been able to advise tithe owners to meet the position, and will therefore be bringing fresh proposals be fore Parliament?
I have been asked to reply. At the request of the National Farmers' Union and the Central Landowners' Association, my right hon. Friend recently received deputations who represented to him the difficulties which agricultural landowners are experiencing at the present time in meeting their liabilities in regard to tithe rentcharge. They put forward requests for the introduction of amending legislation increasing the statutory remission obtainable under the Tithe Act, 1891, and for an inquiry into the whole question of tithe rentcharge. My right hon. Friend has also received a deputation from representatives of tithe owners who placed their views before him, and while, as indicated in the reply given on 13th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne), he is keeping the whole matter under consideration, he is not in a position to make any further statement on the subject at present.
Can representations be made to the right hon. Gentleman, having regard to the disturbance and anxiety that exist throughout the agricultural parts of this country, that some decision or proposal should be made early in the new Session?
I will convey to my right hon. Friend what the hon. Member says.
Land Drainage Rates
83.
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the severity of the incidence of rates under the Land Drainage Act, 1930; and whether he will take steps to put the rating under this Act on a fairer basis?
It is assumed that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the fact that annual value for Income Tax (Schedule A) purposes has, under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, been fixed as the basis of assessment to drainage rates. My right hon. Friend is aware that the change to this basis from that of acreage, which was generally but not invariably adopted before the passing of the 1930 Act, has caused some difficulties, but he cannot hold out any hope of amending the Act in this direction.
Ts the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are cases of people with only a few shillings a week who have been summoned to pay rates of 8s. or 9s. at 10 days' notice?
84.
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, the tenant is made responsible for the payment of the landlord's rate, and of the difficulties and hardships caused thereby; and if he will consider taking steps to alter this procedure?
Drainage rates under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, may be of two kinds—owners' rates if raised for the purpose of defraying capital expenditure or charges in respect of contributions to a catchment board; or occupiers' rates if raised for any other purpose. All such drainage rates are, however, by Statute assessed upon occupiers, but the occupiers are entitled to recover from the owners any amounts paid by them on account of owners' drainage rates. My right hon. Friend is not aware of any difficulties or hardships arising from this procedure, but he will be happy to look into any specific cases which my hon. Friend may desire to bring to his notice.
Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman inform the Minister of Agriculture that there are dozens of cases similar to the one quoted in the question in the Don Valley and Doneaster area, and will he look into the possibility of amending the law so that the landlord is rated instead of the tenant?
I wilt certainly convey that to my right hon. Friend.
Electricity Supplies
86.
asked the Minister of Transport if he will confer with the Electricity Commissioners as to the steps to be taken to press local distributing companies to be ready to take supplies of electricity in bulk from the grid system as soon as it is available, and to pass it on to would-be consumers at a reasonable price?
I am informed by the Commissioners that they are not aware of any reluctance on the part of local distributing undertakers to make arrangements with the Board for obtaining supplies of electricity as soon as they are available.
Imperial Institute
89.
asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, if he can make any statement as to the future of the Imperial Institute?
The financial position of the Imperial Institue is giving cause for anxiety, and the whole question is receiving active con
| Statement showing the total quantity and declared value of Granite Setts and Pavement Curbs imported into the United Kingdom, as registered during the months May to August, 1932 and 1933, respectively. | ||||
| Countries whence consigned. | Quantity. | Declared Value. | ||
| May to August, 1932. | May to August, 1933. | May to August, 1932. | May to August, 1933. | |
| Tons. | Tons. | £ | £ | |
| Norway | 8,628 | 13,064 | 22,383 | 29,122 |
| Other foreign countries | 3,854 | 4,731 | 9,693 | 10,588 |
| Total from foreign countries | 12,482 | 17,796 | 32,076 | 39,710 |
| British India | 418 | 5,184 | 1,227 | 16,530 |
| Other British countries | 2,966 | 2,643 | 5,582 | 5,738 |
| Total from British countries | 3,384 | 7,827 | 6,809 | 22,268 |
| Total imports | 15,866 | 25,622 | 38,885 | 61,978 |
Is my hon. Friend aware that if block grants to local authorities were made conditional on their taking only British materials, this increase of imports would not have occurred at all?
sideration by the Departments concerned, but I am not in a position at present to make any statement as to the future.
Trade And Commerce
Norwegian Granite Setts And Curbs (Imports)
93.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will say to what he attributes the increase in the importation of granite setts and curbs from Norway during the four months, May to August, of 1933 in comparison with 1932; and whether he can give the comparable figures of importations from other sources of supply?
The cause of the increase in imports of granite setts and curbs to which the question refers must be a matter for conjecture; but I would point out that imports during 1932 were abnormally low. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement of imports from Norway and other sources during the periods under review.
Following is the statement:
Cream Imports
91.
asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports of cream in quantity from foreign countries and British countries, respectively, during the first 10 months of the present year and for the corresponding period of last year; and, if the information is available, the quantities which were imported in the natural state and tinned, respectively?
During the first ten months of 1933 the imports of cream into the United Kingdom consigned from foreign countries and British countries amounted to 56,753 cwts. and 43,604 cwts., respectively. During the corresponding period of 1932 the imports were 58,160 cwts. and 67,902 cwts., respectively. Separate particulars of the imports of cream in the natural state and tinned, respectively, are not available.
Anglo-Norwegian Agreement
95.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the agreement made in the Anglo-Norwegian trade treaty is operating satisfactorily; and whether any modifications of the agreement are undo-consideration?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No modifications are under consideration.
Russia
98.
asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of goods imported into this country from Russia during the last three months and the value of goods exported from this country to Russia during the same period?
Particulars for October are not yet available. During the preceding three months the total declared value of the imports into the United Kingdom of merchandise consigned from the Soviet Union amounted to £6,003,000, while exports to the Soviet Union amounted to £1,028,000, including re-exports valued at £426,000.
Is my hon. Friend not aware that so long as the balance of trade is so heavily in favour of Russia there is no incentive to that country to come to an agreement, and is it not a fact that this is one of the primary causes of the delay in the negotiations?
The answer to the second part of the supplementary question is in the negative.
Is it not a fact that the balances of other countries are worse than that of Russia?
100.
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will set a time limit within which negotiations with the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics for a trade agreement must be completed; and whether, if such negotiations are not completed within such a time limit, he will consider the imposition of an additional import tax on Russian goods?
His Majesty's Government have not overlooked the considerations which my hon. and gallant Friend appears to have in mind, but I do not think that the progress of the negotiations would be improved by the action suggested.
Are these negotiations still proceeding, and when will they be completed?
That is another question, and perhaps my hon. Friend will put it down.
Naval And Military Pensioners (Tuberculosis)
101.
asked the Minister of Pensions the number of pensioners suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, with tubercle bacilli present in the sputum, and, of this number, how many are assessed at 100 per cent, pension and how many at a rate less than 100 per cent.?
As no separate medical record is kept of the numbers of this particular section of the pensioners suffering from tuberculosis, I regret that I am not able to give the information desired by the hon. Member.
Coal Industry
Coke Exports (Finland)
102.
asked the Secretary for Mines what progress has been made in the discussions between producers of coke in the United Kingdom and the Finnish coke importers?
A British coke trade delegation visited Finland last month and discussed with the coke importers the measures that are necessary to maintain and increase our share in the Finnish coke market as provided in the Protocol to the Anglo-Finnish Agreement. I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that those discussions were satisfactory to both sides and that no serious difficulty now stands in the way of securing the desired increase.
Coal Exports (Norway And Belgium)
103.
asked the Secretary for Mines if he is satisfied that the expected advantages to the British coal trade resulting from the Anglo-Norwegian trade treaty have been realized?
The obligation in the agreement is to take from this country a specified proportion of the coal imports into Norway during each 12-monthly period, and I have no reason to believe that the provisions of the agreement will not be satisfactorily carried out.
Is my hon. Friend aware that during each of the last three months the imports of British coal into Norway were only 35 per cent, of the total instead of 70 per cent., and does he think that that situation will be remedied?
My hon. Friend will remember that it was anticipated, when the agreement was being negotiated, that owing to the running of existing contracts and other possible causes the Norwegians might experience some difficulty in reaching the agreed percentage during the first few months. I have no reason to believe that over the full period the agreement will not be carried out.
Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the extra quantity that will be exported?
104.
asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is taking any steps in respect to the recent limitation of licences for coal imports to Belgium from this country?
There has been no further limitation of licences for coal imports into Belgium since I replied to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend on 20th July last.
Is anything being done about the exports to Belgium as the trade is disappearing?
My hon. Friend knows that our complaint was against the basis of the quota. We are losing no opportunity of making representations on the matter.
Divorce Law
105.
asked the Attorney-General if he will consider amending the law so that any married woman who has been deserted by her husband and has been living apart from him for a period of at last two years may take proceedings for a divorce provided that immediately prior to such desertion the husband was domiciled in some British territory, on similar lines to the Divorce Jurisdiction Act, 1930 (Canada), and also in cases of wives deserted by husbands and unable to petition, the husband being domiciled in some country abroad?
I am not in a position to introduce legislation on the lines suggested.
Will my hon. and learned Friend ascertain the advantageous results which obtain in the Dominions as a result of the proposed Measures?
League Of Nations (German Refugees)
107.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken by the High Commissioner appointed by the Council of the League of Nations to deal with the refugees of German nationality; who are the members of the governing body; and what contribution is to be made by the British Government?
I understand that the High Commissioner appointed by the Council of the League to organise international assistance for the refugees from Germany has now arrived at Geneva and that it is his intention to convoke a meeting of the Governing Body at Lausanne on or about the 25th November. The invitations to serve on the Governing Body which were sent to the Governments of the Netherlands, France, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, the United States of America, the Argentine, Brazil and Uruguay have all been accepted, but I am not yet in a position to give the names of the representatives appointed by the above-mentioned Governments. As regards the third part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that according to the resolution adopted by the Assembly of the League on the 11th October, 1933, the expenses of the international collaboration necessary for the solution of the economic, financial and social problem presented by the presence in several countries of a large number of persons, Jewish and other, coming from Germany, and having taken refuge in those countries, as well as the expenses of the High Commissioner's office, should fee defrayed by funds contributed voluntarily from private or other sources.
Can the hon. Gentleman say who is to represent this country on the governing body of the League?
I cannot say yet.
Is any British representative there to meet the High Commissioner when he arrives?
Like every other country which has accepted the invitation, we are appointing delegates to represent us.
Broadcasting (International Affairs)
108.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what answer he has given to the representations he has received from Foreign Governments on the broadcasting of contentious explanatory matter on international affairs?
No representations have been received from any foreign government regarding any matter broadcast from this country since those mentioned in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Tottenham (Mr. Doran) on the 16th February last.
Will my hon. Friend consider the taking of steps to eliminate the broadcasting of contentious explanatory matter on foreign affairs, in view of the fact that a number of foreign countries regard the British Broadcasting Corporation as a semi-official body?
That is not a matter for the Foreign Office.
Territorial Waters (Norway)
110.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can define the limit of territorial waters off the Norwegian coast?
In their reply to the questionnaire issued by the Preparatory Committee prior to the meeting of the Conference for the Codification of International Law in 1930, the Norwegian Government stated that the breadth of the Norwegian territorial water zone is one geographical league, measured from the coast or from the furthest island, islet or rock which is not constantly submerged. His Majesty's Government are, however, unable to accept this view as they have always maintained that the limit of territorial waters is three miles from low water mark at mean spring tide.
Am I to understand that His Majesty's Government are taking steps to impress their view upon the Norwegian Government?
Is it not time that this matter was referred to an international commission, so that we might have some definite international standard?
I understand that the Norwegian Government are being pressed to express their claims more accurately.
China (British Loans)
111.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the British loans which are secured upon the revenue from Chinese customs; and whether, in view of the fact that the full amount of customs revenue is no longer obtainable by the Chinese Government from Manchuria, he is satisfied that the British shareholders are properly protected?
My hon. Friend's question raises a number of points on some of which further information has just reached the Foreign Office. There has not yet been time to examine this information, and I should, therefore, be grateful if my hon. Friend would repeat his question next week when I shall be in a position to give him a reply.
Naval Personnel
112.
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the approximate decreases or increases in the personnel of the naval forces of Great Britain, the United States of America, and Japan, respectively, at the present time as compared with 1914?
In round figures United States of America 39,700 increase, Japan 40,000 increase (estimated), Great Britain 55,400 decrease.
Seeing that these very large gestures of disarmament have not met with any response on the part of foreign Powers, will the First Lord assure the House that early steps will be taken to make good these heavy reductions in the personnel of the Navy?
Since last March, Vote A has been on the up grade.
May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bring these figures to the notice of the hon. and learned Member for East Bristol (Sir S. Cripps)?
Will the right hon. Gentleman also give us the figures for France and Italy?
If my hon. and gallant Friend win put down a question I will do so.
Is it not a fact that any addition to the American naval forces is considered as an addition to the strength of this country?
Poor Law (Scotland) Bill
"to make permanent certain temporary enactments relating to the relief of the poor in Scotland and to make further provision with regard to such relief," presented by Sir Godfrey Collins, supported by the Lord Advocate, the Solicitor-General for Scotland, and Mr. Skelton; to be read a Second time upon Monday next, and to be printed. [Bill 175.]
Public Petitions
Fourth Report from the Committee on Public Petitions brought up, and read;
Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed.
Indian Constitutional Reform
Special Report from the Joint Committee [Inquiry not completed], with Minutes of Evidence, Appendices, and Records, brought up, and read;
Special Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed.
Orders Of The Day
Road And Rail Traffic Bill
Order for Consideration of Lords Amendments read.
Motion made and Question, "That the Lords Amendments be now considered," put, and agreed to.
Lords Amendments considered accordingly.
Title
Lords Amendment: In line 4, leave out the first "the" and insert "certain".
Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."—[ Mr. Oliver Stanley.]
3.46 p.m.
I think this would be a convenient opportunity to make one mild protest about the way in which we have been treated on this Bill. I am not blaming the Minister or anybody else under the circumstances, which arise from the fact that the Prorogation of Parliament is to take place to-morrow, but this document of 25 pages of Amendments reached us only this morning, and it must be very difficult for hon. Members to appreciate the significance of these Amendments. I have received communications on the subject from one or two people. What I would suggest to the Minister is that on this Motion he might make a brief statement to explain to us the substance of the bulk of the Amendments. If he were to do that I think it would save the time of everybody later.
3.47 p.m.
I am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman. I realise that the House has been put into a considerable difficulty by receiving these Amendments only this morning, but hon. Members will realise that if the Bill is to receive the Royal Assent there is no alternative to considering it to—day. I did take what steps I could to make the position easier by making available, through the usual channels, a brief analysis of the more important of the Amendments which have been made in another place, and I think hon. Members opposite have had it. I do not think that on this Amendment it would be possible to deal with all the Amendments on the Paper, but I can tell hon. Members that the vast majority of those Amendments are either of a drafting or of a machinery character. The number of substantial Amendments is small, and nearly all of them either carry out a pledge which I gave at an earlier stage or move in a direction which the House showed that it approved in the earlier stages of the Bill. There are three new Clauses about which it may be necessary to give more detailed explanations. One deals with the Southern Traffic Area, the second deals with the position of weak bridges, and the third is a Clause which was inserted at the instance of a Noble Lord in another place concerning payments to be made to hospitals under certain circumstances in the case of accidents. I think my hon. Friends will find that, with the exception of these three Amendments, all the others are either drafting or machinery Amendments, or are inserted to meet the wishes of the House. Of course, I will, as occasion arises, give further explanations about them.
Could the hon. Gentleman say where the memorandum to which he referred is to be found?
Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 1, line 12, agreed to.
Clause 1—(Licensing Of Goods Vehicles)
Lords Amendment: In page 2, line 11, at the end, insert:
"(3) When a goods vehicle is being used on a road for the carriage of goods, the driver of the vehicle, if it belongs to him or is in his possession under an agreement for hire, hire purchase or loan, and in any other case the person whose agent or servant the driver is, shall, for the purposes of this Part of this Act, be deemed to be the person by whom the vehicle is being used.
(4) Where at any time goods are carried in a goods vehicle being a vehicle which has been let on hire by the person who at the time of the carriage of the goods is within the meaning of this Part of this Act the user of the vehicle, the goods shall be deemed to be carried by that person for hire or reward."
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This Amendment is designed to make quite clear upon whom the responsibility will lie for the observance of the conditions under the Bill. It defines the user of the vehicle. It is provided that the driver, if he is the owner of the vehicle, shall be deemed to be the user, otherwise it shall be the person who employs the driver. Hon. Members will realise that it is important that there should be no ambiguity, and that it should be impossible for anyone to escape from the responsibility.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 2, line 33, agreed to.
Lords Amendment: In page 3, line 37, at the end insert:
("(f) to the use of a vehicle for the purposes of funerals").
3.52 p.m.
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
Hon. Members will recollect that during the passage of the Bill through this House there was considerable controversy as to the position of funeral vehicles. The general sentiment of the House was in favour of their exclusion, but at the time there was considerable difference of opinion in the undertaking profession itself. Since then, a referendum has been taken of the members of the association, and although there is still a substantial minority against exclusion, there is a large majority in favour of it, and in those circumstances I carry out the pledge that I gave at an earlier stage.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendments, to page 5, line 1, agreed to.
Clause 2—(Classes Of Licences)
Lords Amendment: In page 5, line 9, at the end, insert:
"Notwithstanding anything in this Part of this Act, the licensing authority may, in a case of emergency and subject to such conditions as he thinks fit to impose, authorise the holder of a C licence to use an authorised vehicle for the carriage of goods for any person to whom be lets the vehicle if the authority is satisfied that the needs of that person cannot conveniently be met from other sources."
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This provision is inserted to meet the convenience of the "C" licence holders in the case of emergency. In the Bill, as it stood before amendment, it would be possible for a "C" licence holder to hire a vehicle from another "C" licence holder, but not a vehicle and driver, as such living out was to be the province of the "A" and "B" licence holders. With this Amendment, it will be possible, with the permission of the licensing authority and in the case of an emergency, for authorisation to be granted to a "C" licence holder to let out a vehicle with the driver.3.54 p.m.
May I ask whether these vehicles will be licensed under the "C" licence, or under an "A" or "B" licence? That is rather important, because the Fair Wages Clause will not apply to the holders of "C" licences, and if a vehicle is hired by a "C" licence holder from someone else, that really ought not to be treated as a vehicle which will come under the "C" licence. I would like the Minister to explain whether the owner or hirer of such a vehicle will hold a "C" or an "A" licence.
3.55 p.m.
This position only arises from the fact that the person holds a "C" licence, and is operating under a "C" licence. The hon. Member will realise that this is only to meet an emergency, and will be subject to the permission of the licensing authority. We do not wish to do away with the principle that this sort of thing should be done only under the "A" or the "B" licence.
Question put, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 5, line 35, agreed to.
Clause 3—(Duration Of Licences)
Lords Amendment: In page 6, line 28, leave out sub-paragraph ( c).
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
The Amendments on page 6 are machinery Amendments, the object of which is to prevent all licences from becoming current on a particular day and, therefore, becoming obsolete on the same day. They will enable a licensing authority at the first application to give short-term licences, and so to spread out the work of licensing. The rights of the applicant will be fully safeguarded.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 9, line 14, agreed to.
Clause 6—(Discretion Of Licensing Authority As To Grant Or Refusal Of Licences)
Lords Amendment: In page 9, line 38, at the end, insert:
"(d) in determining the number of vehicles to be authorised, to the need for providing for occasions when vehicles are withdrawn for service for overhaul or repair:
(e) to the extent to which the vehicles to be authorised will be in substitution for horse-drawn vehicles previously used by the applicant for the purposes of his business as a carrier;"
I beg to move, "That this House doth agreed with the Lords in the said Amendment."
These two paragraphs add two instructions to those to which the licensing authority must have regard, when an application is submitted to them. The first is to enable them to take into account, when they license a number of vehicles, not only the number of vehicles that a man actually requires for his service, but also the possibility that some vehicles may be out of running when in need of repair. The second is intended to meet in some way a consideration that was urged upon me at various stages of the Bill, in the case of a carrier who has been using horse-drawn vehicles and wishes to change over to motor vehicles. The Amendment will create some sort of bias in his favour, owing to the fact that he has already been engaged in this traffic.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendment to page 10, line 5, agreed to.
Clause 7—(Special Provisions As To Certain Applications)
Lords Amendment: In page 10, line 26, leave out from the word "than" to the word "the" in line 27, and insert:
"the first day of April, nineteen hundred and thirty-four, or such later date as the Minister may appoint."
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This Amendment, and another to line 39, place definitely in the Bill the provision that application for an "A" or "B" licence has to be made by the 1st April next year in so far as authorisation is claimed in respect of vehicles of an aggregate weight unladen equal to that of the vehicles used by the applicant in the year beginning April 1932. I have taken the precaution of being able to put in a later date.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 15, line 8, agreed to.
Lords Amendment: After Clause 10 insert:
New Clause B—(Provisions As To Holding And Subsidiary Companies)
"(1) Where a holding company on an application for a licence signifies to the licensing authority its desire that the provisions of this section should have effect as respects a subsidiary company specified in the application, then, in relation to the application and to any licence granted thereon to the holding company and to the use of the authorised vehicles, this Part of this Act shall have effect—
(2) The provisions of this section shall cease to have effect as respects any subsidiary company—
(3) In this section the expression 'holding company' means a company which is the beneficial owner of not less than ninety per cent, of the issued share capital of another company, and the expression 'subsidiary company,' in relation to a holding company, means a company not less than ninety per cent, of the issued share capital of which is in the beneficial ownership of the holding company.
Where a subsidiary company (as hereinbefore defined) is the beneficial owner of any shares of another company, those shares shall be treated for the purposes of the foregoing definitions as if they were in the beneficial ownership of the holding company."
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
Hon. Members will remember that we had considerable discussion both in Committee and on Report with regard to the position of subsidiary companies, and it was pointed out that some of the new rationalised amalgamations might be badly prejudiced by the provisions of this Bill. Cases were instanced where a group of companies had pooled the whole of their transport in one company, and it was pointed out that they would be prevented from running under a "C" licence, whereas their competitors who were not rationalised would be able to do it. I promised then I would look into the matter and meet the point if I could do it in a way which would give no loophole for evasion by other people. I think if hon. Members study this Clause they will see that it meets the point. The definition of "subsidiary company" is the definition which was adopted in the Finance Act, 1930, and it provides that the holding company must be the beneficial owner of not less than 90 per cent. of the issued share capital of the subsidiary company. I think hon. Members will agree that that provision is quite enough to prevent this Clause from being used as a means of evading the obligations in the Bill. On the other hand, it will meet certain cases which have been brought to my notice which otherwise would be prejudiced.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 15, line 18, agreed to.
Clause 11—(Power To Revoke Or Suspend Licences)
Lords Amendment: In page 15, line 25, at the end, insert:
"(3) The licensing authority may, in lieu of revoking or suspending a licence, direct that any one or more of the vehicles specified therein shall be removed therefrom or that the maximum number of motor vehicles or of trailers specified in the licence in pursuance of paragraphs (6) and (c) respectively of subsection (6) of section two of this Act shall be reduced, and references in this or any other section of this Act to the revocation or suspension of a licence shall be construed as including a reference to the giving of a direction under this subsection"
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
The object of this Amendment is to give the licensing authority power to revoke the licence in whole or in part. It was pointed out to me that if it were necessary to revoke the whole of the licence, the penalty might be so severe that in many cases it would put the operator out of business, and that therefore it was better to leave it to the discretion of the licensing authority to revoke the licence in whole or in part.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendment in page 16, line 4, agreed to.
Clause 13—(Appeals To Appeal Tribunal In Connection With Licences)
Lords Amendment: In page 16, line 42, at the end, insert:
"If any person being a member or deputy member of the Tribunal acquires any financial interest in any undertaking which provides facilities for the transport of goods he shall within four weeks after so doing give notice thereof in writing to the Minister specifying the interest 60 acquired and the Minister after taking the matter into consideration may, if he thinks fit, declare that such person has vacated his office"
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This Amendment deals with the members of the Appeal Tribunal, and I think explains itself. Hon. Members will agree that if a member of the Tribunal acquires some financial interest in the transport business, he should give notice of the fact to the Minister.
Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 18, line 38, agreed to.
Clause 16—(Further Powers Of Examiners And Powers Of Police Constables)
Lords Amendment: In page 22, line 11, at the end, insert:
"(3) An examiner may at any time, on production if so required of his authority, exercise, in the ease of goods vehicles all such powers as are under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, exerciseable by a police constable, with respect to the production of documents and the giving of information by persons driving motor vehicles."
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
The object of this Amendment is, that the examiners appointed under this Bill shall be in a position to exercise the same power of asking for the production of a driving licence or certificate of insurance, as is given to police constables under the Road Traffic Act, 1930.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendment in page 25, line 8, agreed to.
Lords Amendment: After Clause 24, insert:
New Clause C—(Variation Of Traffic Areas)
"(1) Whereas it is expedient that the existing traffic areas under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, in England should be varied—
Now therefore, as from the first day of January, nineteen hundred and thirty-four in this section referred to as 'the said date')—
(2) The Minister may by Order make such consequential and incidental provisions as appear to him to be necessary or expedient in consequence of the variations of traffic areas effected by this section and, in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing words, provision may be made in the Order with respect to—
(3) Any Order made by the Minister under section sixty-two of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, for varying the number or limits of traffic areas may contain such consequential and incidental provisions, including provisions with respect to any of the matters mentioned in the last preceding sub-section, as appear to him to be necessary or expedient in consequence of the variations of areas to be effected by the Order.
(4) For sub-section (3) of the said section sixty-two, there shall be substituted the following sub-section:—
'(3) An Order made under this section shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament, and shall be of no effect unless and until it has been approved by a resolution passed by each House of Parliament.'"
4.11 p.m.
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
Under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, England and Scotland are divided into 13 traffic areas. The main object of this Clause is to provide for the abolition of the Southern Area, the headquarters of which are at Reading, and the distribution of this area among the adjacent areas. This course is being adopted for reasons of economy and more convenient administration. The Clause at the same time provides for a readjustment of the boundary between the Eastern Area and the East Midland Area. Section 62 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, provides that the Minister may from time to time by Order vary the provisions of the Schedule, either by altering the limits of any existing traffic area or by increasing or reducing the number of traffic areas. The Section goes on to provide, however, that every Order shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament, and shall not have effect until it has laid upon the Table of each House for a period of not less than 28 days during which the House has sat. Although the decision to do away with the Southern Traffic Area as from 1st January, 1934, was reached in July last, it would not have been possible to conform with the procedure laid down in the Act of 1930, as the other place would not have sat for the necessary 28 days before 1st January, 1934. This last date cannot be altered as it is proposed that on that date the scheme for the licensing of goods vehicles provided for in the present Bill shall come into effect, and it is essential that the redistribution of the areas should take place at the same time. It has, therefore, proved necessary to provide for the abolition of the Southern Area in the present Bill. This course has the advantage of setting out the new areas in a complete Schedule which can readily be referred to. Sub-section (4) of the Clause substitutes the procedure of an affirmative Resolution on the part of each House of Parliament for the more cumbersome procedure laid down in the Act of 1930, to which I have already alluded, with regard to any future Orders made by the Minister for varying the number or limits of traffic areas. Sub-section (2) provides that the Minister may by Order make consequential and incidental provisions with regard to such matters, for example, as the effect of licences granted by the existing Commissioners for the Southern Area, and indeed all matters which the Southern Area Commissioners have already begun.4.14 p.m.
That this proposal is creating feeling in the Southern Area is shown by the following telegram Bent to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition:
That is sent on behalf of 85 operators. The abolition of the Southern Area is proposed for two reasons—first, economy; and, secondly, more convenient administration. The question of economy has reference to money. To many people, of course, economy means the saving of money, but I think economy means getting more efficient administration for the amount of money spent in any direction. I should like to ask the Minister how this change will affect the operators, and what will be their position in view of the fact that the central meeting place is now to be taken away and three others are to be substituted for it? Will it not be more expensive and inconvenient for the operators in that area? Moreover, in view of the statement that this alteration is in the interests of economy, I should like to ask the Minister how much money he is going to save by the abolition of the Southern Area 1 The abolition of this area will mean that a number of people will be discharged; are they going to be found other jobs, or are they going to be added to the unemployed? That is certainly something which the National Government ought not to do. Is it worth while to break up the present areas for the sake of economy before the present arrangement has been given a fair trial under the new conditions? It appears to me that the operators ought to have an opportunity of putting their case before the Minister, but, owing to the hurry, no real opportunity has been given them. The Southern Area covers five whole counties, the Isle of Wight and a part of Buckinghamshire, and I believe it has been found to be very convenient for the operators under the present administration. I am sure, from the information I have received, that this reallocation will cause confusion, inconvenience and expense to the operators, and will also entail much more work, because I understand that in future, when they make application for a licence, they will have to sign three forms instead of one, and probably, unless the Commissioner is prepared to move his court from one district to another in order to help them, the change will also cause dislocation. I suggest that it is not reasonable to introduce so great a change by adding this Clause to the Bill at the end of its progress, and also that the absorption of this area by the other areas will place an additional burden of labour on the other Commissioners. I should like to ask the Minister whether he has consulted the local authorities in the area, and whether they have had any voice as to the action which it is now proposed to take. In my view the change is too hurried and drastic, and needs further consideration. I understand that all these matters have been brought to the notice of the Minister on behalf of the operators, who take great exception to this change on the grounds I have already mentioned, and their views, and those of the omnibus proprietors, ought to be taken into consideration. If the Minister has done that, I should like to ask him what has been the result? I have already mentioned that the operators will have to make application on three forms instead of one, and I understand also that the offices of the Southern area are already placarded as being to let. I do not know whether they are going to be dispensed with before the specified time, but it rather looks as though no further reconsideration was going to be given to the matter. I understand that over 17,000 licences of various kinds were granted in this area during the year ending on the 31st March last, and that fees amounting to £16,000 have already been paid. This change means reducing one area and increasing the size of another. What means have we of knowing that the new area will not be so overcrowded as to make it impossible for the work to be done as efficiently as it ought to be done, and what equivalent is to be offered to the operators in the area in order to make matters more convenient and less expensive for them than appears likely under this proposed change?"Earnestly appeal to you to oppose Lords Amendment to Road and Rail Bill abolishing Southern traffic area. Petitions against sent by all operators and municipal authorities in area ignored by Minister."
4.23 p.m.
I have received so many protests against the proposed abolition of the Southern area that I feel that I must ask the Minister, even at this eleventh hour, if it is possible for him in any way to reconsider this Amendment. The Southern area has worked extremely well, and its abolition will vastly increase the size of the South Eastern area, and will make the administration more difficult rather than easier. The people in the Southern area will have to go very much greater distances. They have become used to going to Reading, and those who have administered the area have got used to the various problems of the people there. I know that it is the eleventh hour, and that it is a rather hopeless thing to ask the Minister, but I have been urged to do so, and, therefore, I would ask him if he cannot reconsider his decision on this matter.
4.25 p.m.
I desire to support what my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Dr. Howitt) has said. It has been urged that this change is to be made in the interests of economy, but, so far as one can make out, the interests of economy lie in favour of maintaining the present arrangement. One would like to hear from the Minister the real reason for the change. Undoubtedly it will cause very considerable additional inconvenience and expense to a large number of authorities, and the associations of transport owners in the area are unanimously against it. I doubt whether the general public have yet realised what the change involves, but it seems to me that we have not had sufficient reasons to justify it, and I would urge the Minister, if he cannot fully justify the change, to give the matter further consideration.
4.26 p.m.
I should like to deal first of all with the point made by the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Parkinson), that insufficient notice has been given of this change, and that there has been no real opportunity for discussing it. I would point out that the procedure laid down in the Act of 1930 was put into force as far back as the 25th July last, and from that moment all those affected by the proposal have had full notice of what it was intended to do.
The period of 28 days was not given, and the matter has been precipitated without any notice being given to the operators at all.
I communicated with the people connected with the area, and let them know how I intended to proceed in this matter, so that they have had full notice. As far as the House of Commons is concerned, by proceeding in this way a fairer chance was given for discussion than was given by the old procedure. By adding this provision to, the Bill it was possible to discuss it through all the stages of the Bill in another place, and the House is now given an opportunity of either negativing or affirming it. With regard to the actual proposal, some change was inevitable after the passage of the London Passenger Transport Bill. Under that Bill, the Metropolitan area was very largely extended at the expense of the South Eastern area, and the South Eastern area is now left of a size that would be quite uneconomic to work. It was, therefore, inevitable that some redistribution should take place, and it has been decided that the most convenient and economical arrangement would be the abolition of the Southern area and the incorporation of parts of it in the three adjoining areas.
Hon. Members will see that, prima facie, any move of this kind must be in the direction of economy. I understand that the actual saving to the Road Fund from the abolition of the Southern area will be something in the neighbourhood of £5,000 a year. As to the staff, we shall, of course, make arrangements to absorb them elsewhere, and the term of the commissioner was coming to an end in any case. That, however, is not the only consideration. From the point of view of the operators as a whole—not in any one particular area, but over the country as a whole—the fewer areas that there are, provided that they can be economically and efficiently worked, the beter, Hon. Members will realise that every licensing authority has complete jurisdiction within his own district, and it is necessary for any operator who wishes to run through a number of districts not only to get a licence in the one in which he applies, but to get what is called a backing in every area through which he proposes to run; and many complaints have been made that this imposes upon the operators considerable expense and delay. Obviously, the fewer areas there are, the less will be the necessity for this backing, and, therefore, the more expeditious and economical will the arrangement be from the point of view of the operator. I submit that, these two considerations in favour of the change could only be set aside if it could be shown that, as regards the operators in the area concerned, it would lead to difficulties and expense, and I do not believe that in this case that can be shown. I do not think the hon. Gentleman quite realises what the effect of this is upon the operators. It is quite true, and here I sympathise with my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Dr. Howitt), that Reading will cease to be the place where the office of 'the commissioner happens to be situated, but my hon. Friend must not think that all the hearings of the commissioners are held in their offices, that it has been necessary hitherto for operators all over the Southern area to go to Reading, and that henceforth it will be necessary for them to go to London, Bristol, or Nottingham. That is not the case. The commissioners are peripatetic, holding their sittings in various parts of these areas as may be most convenient to the applicants, and the abolition of this area will make no difference in that regard; the sittings will still be held wherever in the various areas the amount of work appears to make it desirable. I can assure my hon. Friend that, from the point of view of the sittings of the Commissioners, the operators will suffer nothing. In certain cases they may suffer in that they may be farther away from the central office of the Commissioner than before, but in soma cases they will be nearer; and, after all, my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General does provide an excellent telephone and postal service. You can communicate with almost equal facility with London as with Reading. I cannot really believe that the operators in the Southern area find it necessary to make personal journeys every time to the offices of the Commissioners, and they will not, therefore, be inconvenienced. The business that they have to transact with the officials can be and is normally transacted by post or telephone. I have given the utmost consideration to the representations that were made to me, and, as a result of the change, I promise that operators will not be put to extra expense or delay. There is nothing which will outweigh the obvious advantages which are to be gained by a reduction in the number of licensing areas.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Lords Amendment: After Clause 24 insert:
New Clause D—(Extension Of S 63 (7) Of The Road Traffic Act, 1930)
(1) The power of the Minister under sub-section (7) of section sixty-three of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to appoint a person to act as deputy to the chairman of the traffic commissioners for any traffic area in the case of the illness, incapacity or absence of the chairman may be exercised also if the Minister considers that, owing to the number of applications under Part IV of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and under this Part of this Act, the duties to be performed by the chairman (or any deputy appointed by reason of the illness, incapacity or absence of the chairman) cannot conveniently or efficiently be performed by one person.
(2) A person appointed under this section shall be appointed upon such terms and conditions, including conditions as to the time which he is to devote to the duties of his office, as the Minister may determine, and shall act for the chairman in such matters, whether arising under this Act or under the said Act of 1930, as the chairman (or any deputy appointed by reason of the illness, incapacity or absence of the chairman) may from time to time direct, or as the Minister may from time to time by general directions require, and for that purpose shall exercise and perform all the powers and duties of the chairman.
(3) This section shall have effect with respect to the Metropolitan traffic area with the substitution of a reference to the traffic commissioner for that area for any reference to a chairman of traffic commissioners.
I must point out that this Clause raises a question of privilege. If the Minister should make use of the powers that are given him under this Clause, a charge would be created. The House can, of course, waive the privilege if it thinks fit.
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This new Clause is really a matter of machinery. The House has already inserted in the Bill a provision by which I could appoint a deputy to the Chairman of the Traffic Commissioners to act as licensing authority in case of absence or illness of the Chairman. I have since been convinced that it might be necessary in certain circumstances for both the Chairman and the deputy to sit at the same time, especially in the Metropolitan area. There may be an exceedingly large number of applications, and they could be more expeditiously dealt with if I had the power to allow the Chairman and the deputy both to sit at the same time.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment." put, and agreed to.
I will have a record made in the journals of the House.
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 27, line 16, agreed to.
Lords Amendment: After Clause 25, insert:
New Clause E—(Power To Prohibit Or Restrict Use Of Vehicles On Certain Bridges)
(1) Where the bridge authority of any bridge over which a road passes is satisfied that the bridge is insufficient to carry vehicles of which the weights or axle weights, as hereinafter defined, exceed certain limits, the authority may by a conspicuous notice in the prescribed form placed in a proper position at each end of the bridge prohibit the use of the bridge either—
and any such notice may, as regards both weight of vehicle and axle weight, specify different maximum weights in relation to a vehicle travelling at a speed less than a speed specified in the notice, and in relation to a vehicle travelling at that speed or any greater speed:
Provided that the weight specified in any such notice as the maximum weight of a vehicle shall not be less than five tons, and the weight so specified as a maximum axle weight shall not be less than three tons.
(2) The highway authority of any road leading to a bridge shall give to the bridge authority reasonable facilities for placing on the road any such notice as aforesaid and if the highway authority so require, the bridge authority shall erect warning notices in the prescribed form at the principal junctions of roads leading to the bridge.
(3) Before placing a restriction or prohibition under this section on the use of a bridge, the bridge authority shall give to the Minister twenty-eight days' notice of its intention so to do with particulars of the restriction or prohibition, and the Minister shall cause a list to be kept of all restrictions or prohibitions which have been placed on the use of bridges under this section and the list shall be open to inspection by any person.
(4) For the purposes of this section—
(5) If, without the consent of the bridge authority, a vehicle is driven across a bridge in contravention of a notice so placed as aforesaid, any person who so drives it, or causes or permits it to be so driven, shall, without prejudice to any civil liability incurred by him in the case of damage being caused to the bridge, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
If in any proceedings under this subsection the prosecutor satisfies the Court that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the weight of the vehicle exceeded the maximum weight specified in the notice, or that any axle weight of the vehicle exceeded the maximum axle weight so specified, it shall lie on the defendant to prove that the weight of the vehicle or every axle weight of the vehicle, as the case may be, did not exceed such maximum weight or maximum axle weight.
(6) Any person or body of persons aggrieved by a restriction or prohibition placed on the use of a bridge under this section, and any highway authority in whose area the bridge is situate, may at any time apply to the Minister for an order modifying or removing the restriction or prohibition.
(7) On receiving any such application as aforesaid, the Minister may cause the bridge to be inspected, and may require the bridge authority to give to his inspector such information as to its structure and condition, and such other facilities for his investigation of the circumstances as the bridge authority may be able to give and, after considering the report of his inspector and any representations made to him by the bridge authority, may, if he thinks proper, make an order modifying or removing the restriction or prohibition, or imposing different restrictions, and the bridge authority shall, within such time as may be specified in the order, cause notices to be erected complying with the order, and if the bridge authority fails to do so, the Minister may cause the notice complained of to be removed or varied or new notices to be erected so as to comply with his order, and may recover summarily as a civil debt from the budge authority the expenses incurred by him in so doing.
(8) The provisions of this Act as to costs incurred by the Minister in connection with inquiries shall apply in relation to costs incurred by him in connection with inspections and investigations under this section, as if any such inspection or investigation were an inquiry to which the applicants and the bridge authority were parties.
(9) The Minister may at any time on an application made to him by the bridge authority, or on his own initiative, vary or revoke any order made by him under this section, if he is satisfied that it is proper so to do.
4.34 p.m.
I beg to move, as an Amendment to the Lords Amendment, in line 43, after the word "breadth," to insert the words:
I have had representations from two quarters as to the serious effect that this Clause may have unless it is modified in the way that I desire. On page 13 of the Lords Amendments, in Sub-section 4 (b), there is this definition:"or such other breadth as the Minister may, by order from time to time, prescribe."
In another place Lord Howe explained at some length the difficulties of the situation, and the Secretary of State for Air, who was in charge, found himself unable to accept an Amendment that five feet should be reduced to three feet six. The position is, I understand, that these six-wheeled vehicles are so constructed that the centres of each pair of double wheels are separated by less than five feet, accordingly each pair of double wheels is, for the purposes of this Clause, treated as one wheel. In other words, a six-wheeled vehicle is supposed to have exactly the same effect on a bridge as a four-wheeled vehicle. The effect of a vehicle on any bridge depends on three factors. There is the actual crushing weight on the surface, which depends upon the concentration, of weight at a particular point. Whatever the tyres are made of, they are compressed to some extent, and it is not a line of contact but a small area of contact, and the crushing effect depends on the intensity of the load on the immediate surface with which the wheel is in contact. That is one way in which a bridge may fail. There are two other ways. It may fail at either end because the supports are sheared, and the shearing effect is naturally at the maximum at the end of the bridge at which the vehicle is at the moment. Part of the load is borne on the piers on that side and part on the piers on the other. The fact that the load is in fact more distributed in a six-wheeled vehicle than in a four-wheeled vehicle will, to some small extent, minimise the shearing stress. The last effect is through the bridge collapsing in the centre. A distributed load has nothing like the same effect as a concentrated load in causing the bridge to collapse at the centre, and accordingly the distributed load of a six-wheeled vehicle, instead of four, materially modifies the situation from that point of view. The technical experts are disagreed on the matter. Those who advise the Ministry take one view and those who, I understand, according to the speech of Earl Howe in another place, were advising others, take a contrary view, and there is this dispute. I do not think either this House or another place is competent to settle such a purely technical dispute as to the right distance to be prescribed as the breadth of the transverse strip, and, in order that the Minister or his successor may have an opportunity in the future of modifying this, if circumstances call for modification, I want to confer on him the power to prescribe by Order another width if the technical information satisfies him or his successor that another width is in fact quite safe. We are running the risk of closing a number of bridges to six-wheeled vehicles by leaving the Clause in its present rigid form. I want to confer on the Minister this power of modifying the passage in such a way that if a mistake has been made he may correct it when he finds it necessary to do so."The weight transmitted by a vehicle, to any transverse strip of the road surface five feet in breadth shall be taken as being an 'axle weight' of that vehicle."
I beg to second the Amendment to the Lords Amendment.
4.40 p.m.
The House will now have the advantage of seeing the almost unique spectacle of a Minister modestly refusing a power sought to be conferred on him. The object of the Amendment is to take this precise definition which is included in the Clause and to leave me powers at any subsequent time either to increase or decrease the width. I feel that it would not be fair to the various interests with whom this matter has been discussed and who watched its passage. through another place if at the last moment I were to take this power to myself in this way. The limit of five feet which has been put into the Bill has been subjected to criticism, and it has stood the test of that criticism, arid I feel that, if at any subsequent time I or my successors should wish to change that figure, it would only be fair to come back and allow the new figure to be subjected to the same criticism which this has met. In the circumstances I cannot accept the Amendment.
Amendment to the Lords Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
4.42 p.m.
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
The Clause was fully considered in another place, and the Government accepted certain Amendments which were moved by the Noble Lord to whom reference has been made, and my hon. Friend will at once take action to inform motoring organisations as suggested of any preliminary notice that he may receive from bridge authorities. The new Clause is intended to take the place of Section 25 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, which deals with restrictive notices which can be placed on a bridge by a bridge authority in cases whore, in the opinion of that authority, the bridge is not strong enough to carry weights in excess of the limits specified in the notice. Traffic over a large number of bridges maintained by railway companies, canal companies, and other authorities has been restricted in the past in this manner under the provisions of the earlier Locomotive Acts, the Motor Car Act, 1903, and Orders made under those Acts. Generally speaking, the provisions of these earlier Acts were done away with by Section 25 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. That Section, however, has proved unworkable, and it has never been possible for the Minister to bring it into operation. Negotiations from time to time have taken place between officers of the Ministry of Transport, representatives of the railway companies' associations and the canal association, and representatives of local authorities with a view to framing suitable notices under the provisions of the Section. These negotiations proved abortive, largely because it was impossible to secure agreement between the interests concerned as to a form of notice which could readily be understood by road users. In the meantime the large majority of the notices placed on bridges under preceding enactments have become inoperative, and bridge authorities have been unable to restrict the weight of traffic crossing weak bridges for the maintenance of which they are responsible. Powers to this end have been exercised in the past under these old Acts. Section 25 of the Act of 1930 cannot be worked, and, therefore, it has to be altered. The Minister has proposed to Parliament the provisions contained in the Clause, which appear to him to be equitable as between the interests of bridge authorities on the one hand and road users on the other. One of the main difficulties of framing suitable restrictive notices arises from the comparatively recent development of the six-wheeled vehicle, of which the two rear axles lie close together and form a sort of bogey on which the major portion of the load is carried. I cannot pretend to be an expert like my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. Williams), and, therefore, I must ask the House to allow me to read out what the difficulty of the situation is with regard to these vehicles. It is obvious that from the point of view of the effect on the structure of a weak bridge it is necessary to regard the weight carried by these two axles as a single "axle-weight." A definition of axle-weight is therefore included in the Clause as being the "weight transmitted by a vehicle to any transverse strip of the road surface five feet in breadth." The Clause preserves the right of bridge authorities to erect notices restricting the weight and "axle-weight," as defined in the Clause, of vehicles on weak bridges. One of the provisions of the Motor Car Act, 1903, and the Orders made there-under provide for an appeal by any aggrieved party against a restriction placed on a bridge, on the ground that the bridge was capable of carrying greater weights than those specified in the notice. My hon. Friend the Minister has been impressed by the fact that this provision with regard to an appeal has been a dead letter. Indeed, I do not think that in the records of the Department there is any record of an appeal having been lodged. This, we take it, is largely due to the fact that the onus was upon the appellant to produce reasons for his complaint, and, obviously, not being in a position to secure the necessary information from the owners of a bridge he was not in a position to bring forward an appeal. The Clause remedies this defect by providing that the Minister, on receiving an application by an aggrieved party, may cause the bridge to be inspected, and if he is satisfied, after considering the representations of the bridge authority and any information supplied by them, that the bridge is capable of carrying greater weights than those specified in the notice, he may make an order varying the maximum limits of weights accordingly. It seems to us that the Clause is eminently desirable, and I therefore move that the House should agree with the Lords in the Amendment.Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman be good enough to explain how a bridge authority can be a "conspicuous notice" as this Sub-section states. It says, dealing with the bridge authority, in line 5:
Will he explain how that arises?"The authority may be a conspicuous notice."
I think that my hon. and learned Friend has been unhappy in his copy of the Bill. My copy says "by."
I am dealing with the Lords Amendment.
Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Clause 26—(Amendment Of 20 And 21, Geo 5, C 43, S 19)
Lords Amendment: In page 27, line 17, at the beginning, insert:
"(1) For the purposes of those provisions of Sub-section (1) of Section nineteen of the Road Traffic Act, 1930 (as varied or amended by any order or subsequent enactment) which relate to the number of consecutive hours for rest which a driver is to have in any specified period, time during which the driver is hound by the terms of his employment to obey the directions of his employer, or to remain on or near the vehicle, or during which the vehicle is at a place where no reasonable facilities exist for the driver to rest away from the vehicle, shall be deemed not to be time which the driver has for rest."
4.50 p.m.
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This Amendment has been made to meet a point raised by the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) and relates to the periods of rest which are already prescribed by law for the drivers of these vehicles. The hon. Member complained that in many cases the rest afforded was of such a kind that a man was really unable to benefit from it, and, particularly, he drew attention to the grave abuse of the bunk system whereby a driver is supposed to take his rest on the vehicle while motoring. The Amendment will now provide that the statutory hours of rest which the driver is to take must not be taken during the time that a driver is bound to obey the directions of his employer, nor can it be taken in any case where there are no reasonable facilities for the driver to rest. This will make it impossible for the practice to continue of allowing drivers to stop seven or eight hours by the side of the road where there are no facilities for proper rest provided.4.51 p.m.
May I express our thanks to the Minister for meeting us on this point. I think that he has met us in the way we desired, and that there is no doubt now as to how the Amendment is to apply. It will serve a useful purpose and we are indeed indebted to him for it.
I also wish to add a few words of thanks to the Minister on my own behalf and on behalf of other Members of the House who have been interested in this matter. We are glad to see from the form of the words in the Amendment that it will be possible, not only to secure the safety of the public through the drivers of these heavy road vehicles having reasonable opportunity for rest, but that it will also be possible for them to lead the life to which they are entitled as human beings.
Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 27, line 22, agreed to.
Lords Amendment: After Clause 27, insert:
New Clause F—(Amendment Of 20 & 21 Geo, 5 C 43, S 36)
(1) Section thirty-six of the Road Traffic Act, 1930 (which relates to requirements in respect of policies of insurance) small be amended by substituting for subsection (2) thereof the following subsection:
"(2) Whether any payment is made (whether or not with an admission of liability) by—(a) an authorised insurer under or in consequence of a policy issued under this Part of this Act; or (b) the owner of a vehicle in relation to the user of which a security under this Part of this Act is in force; or (c) the owner of a vehicle who has made a deposit under this Part of this Act; in respect of the death of or bodily injury to any person arising out of the use of a motor vehicle on a road or in a place to which the public have a right of access, and the person who has so died or been bodily insured has to the knowledge of the authorised injurer or such owner as the case may be received treatment at a hospital whether as an in-patient or as an out-patient in respect of the injury so arising there shall also be paid by the authorised insurer or such owner to such hospital the expenses reasonably incurred by the hospital in affording such treatment after deducting from such expenses any moneys actually received by the hospital in payment of a specific charge for such treatment not being moneys received under any contributory scheme:
Provided that the amount to be paid by the authorised insurer or such owner shall not exceed fifty pounds for each person so treated as an in-patient or five pounds for each person so treated as an out-patient.
For the purposes of this subsection the expression 'hospital' means an institution (not being an institution carried on for profit) which provides medical or surgical treatment for in-patients and the expression 'expenses reasonably incurred' means—
4.53 p.m.
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
It is a little unfortunate that the decision of the House has to be asked in these circumstances on a Clause which actually formed part of a Bill which has already been discussed in another place and gone through the normal stages of Parliamentary discussion. But as the position is before the House now I feel that I must ask it to agree with the Lords. The changes which are made in this matter, as compared with the 1930 Act, are as follows: The provisions in that Act did not extend to outpatients. The hospitals will now be able to recover up to the sum of £5 for outpatients. The maximum sum in the 1930 Act in respect of an in-patient was £25, and it is now increased to £50. Under this provision they will be able to recover up to the maximum, but they will have to deduct from it anything which they receive from the patient. In case my hon. and learned Friend has been pursuing his typographical researches, I would point out that in page 16 the words in the first paragraph do not mean the licensed motor driver but the insurance company.4.54 p.m.
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for assuring us that we are hot creating a new precedent at the invitation of another place. I wish to raise a substantial point by asking when it is proposed that the provisions of the Clause should come into operation. I understand that the Clause adds to the liabilities of insurance companies and drivers, and presumably it is a risk which is not contemplated in the premium charged on existing policies. The Minister has power to bring the Bill into operation at such time as he may wish, and to bring different parts into operation at different times. It seems to be reasonable that a certain time should be given before this provision comes into operation, so that policies which run for a year may not have this new liability thrust upon them without some reasonable time being given to the insurance companies to adjust their rates.
4.55 p.m.
I also want to add a word of thanks to the Minister. I always felt that the Section in the 1930 Act was insufficient. I spoke against it on Committee and on Report, and on the latter occasion I told the hospitals that I thought they would get little out of it, and that they were compromising a claim which the generosity of the House had already recognised. I was told by the representatives of the hospitals to mind my own business and that they knew their own interests best, and would I kindly allow them to arrange their affairs in their own way. Therefore, seeing that I was justified in giving that warning and that the hospitals were not receiving sufficient, I am very glad that the Minister has now increased the amount payable and added certain extra advantages also. I understand that the cost to the insured person will not be more than about 2s. or 2s. 6d. on his premium, which is a small cost for the very great charge on the hospitals due to motor accidents.
4.56 p.m.
On behalf of Members of the Opposition I desire to offer thanks to the Minister for this concession. We all know of the very great hardships placed upon the hospitals of the country owing to road accidents. It is very unfair for hospitals to have had to bear the heavy burden and to have not been able to get any return from the people who have been injured. I do not think that there is any need to quibble about the cost of the premium of insurance, as I am satisfied that there is no one in this country who runs a motor car who would object for a moment to pay the increased charge upon his insurance policy in order to meet the obligations which might fall upon him arising out of an accident on the road. I am sure that it will be a boon to hospitals throughout the country, and that the motorists will welcome it as much as anyone.
4.57 p.m.
I would say in reply to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Central Leeds (Mr. Denman) that when he knows that under the original proposals the hospitals would only receive something like £30,000 a year, he will see that the cost of this extended proposal must be considerably less, something in the nature of £15,000 a year. Although I do not know the premiums of insurance companies in respect of motor cars, it must be substantially in excess of that sum.
Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Amendments made:
Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 29, line 1, agreed to.
The Lords Amendments from page 29 down to page 45, inclusive, are, I fancy, drafting Amendments, and if it is the desire of the House, I will put them en bloc.
The Amendments are drafting down to page 41.
With the approval of the House, I will put the Amendments en bloc from page 29 to page 41, inclusive.
Subsequent Lords Amendments, to page 41, line 38, agreed to.
Lords Amendment: After Clause 40, insert
New Clause G—(Inquiries By Minister)
"(1) The Minister of Transport (in this section referred to as 'the Minister') may hold inquiries for the purposes of this Act or of the Road Traffic Act, 1930 (including appeals to him under either of those Acts) as if those purposes were purposes of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, and section twenty of that Act shall apply accordingly.
(2) Where any such inquiry is held, the Minister may make such order as to the payment of the costs incurred by him in connection with the inquiry (including such reasonable sum not exceeding five guineas a day as he may determine for the services of any officer engaged in the inquiry) by such party to the inquiry as he thinks fit, and the Minister may certify the amount or the costs so incurred, and any amount so certified and directed by the Minister to be paid by any person thall be recoverable from him either as a debt due to the Crown or by the Minister summarily as a civil debt.
(3) Section one hundred and fourteen of the Traffic Act, 1930, shall cease to have effect."
5 p.m.
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
The Amendment is intended to give me the same powers that I have under the Road Traffic Act to hold an inquiry, and if I hold an inquiry through an officer of my Department, such officer may make a charge for his expenses.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendment, in page 45, line 1, agreed to.
First Schedule—(Representative Members Of Transport Advisory Council)
Lords Amendment: In page 45, line 14, leave out "2," and insert "3."
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
This Amendment was inserted in another place in order to increase the representation of the railway companies on the advisory council from two to three. It was felt that it would put too great a strain on their representatives if only two were appointed.Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to,
Lords Amendment: In page 45, line 17, leave out "1," and insert "2."
I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
The Amendment will increase the representation of coastwise shipping on the advisory council. It has been pointed out that coastwise shipping is of two different types. There are the regular services from port to port and the tramp services, which are available to go to any destination. On many occasions their interests may be completely in conflict; therefore, both points of view ought to be represented. On that ground the representation is proposed to be increased from one to two.Has the hon. Member considered the case of the road tramp representation?
I think that would come under the head of "Pedestrians."
Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.
Subsequent Lords Amendment, in page 47, line 6, agreed to.
The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.
Adjournment
Resolved, "That this House do now adjourn."—[ Dr. Morris-Jones.]
Adjourned accordingly at Four Minutes after Five o'clock.