asked the Minister of Labour if he will give a comparative statement showing the increase or decrease of unemployment in Shoreditch during the last four years?

As the reply includes a Table of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people unemployed in the cotton industry on 31st October, 1931, and 31st October, 1933, men and women, respectively; and how many have been unemployed for more than one year?

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of mills which have been closed in the cotton industry in Lancashire since October, 1931, to October, 1933, and the number of workpeople who have been discharged?

I understand that during the period October, 1931, to October, 1933, the number of cotton mills that closed down in the North Western Division of the country was 128, of which 116 were in Lancashire. During the same period 47 cotton mills, of which 44 were in Lancashire, have been re-opened. I have no information regarding the number of workpeople discharged during this period; but the hon. Member will be glad to know that whereas the estimated number of insured persons in employment in the cotton industry in the North-Western Division at the end of June, 1931, was approximately 285,000 the estimated number in employment at the end of June, 1933, was approximately 328,500.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cotton operatives unemployed; the number in receipt of statutory benefits; the number on transitional payments; and the number disqualified from transitional payments owing to the means test at the latest date on which figures are available?

The number of insured persons in the cotton industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at 20th November, 1933, was 101,740. I regret that the remainder of the information desired is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed in the cotton industry in 1920 and at the latest date on which figures are available, specifying the number under 16 years of age and the number of men and women?

As the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour what facilities will be given by the Ministry of Labour for the removal of those workers and their families who may be transferred from Messrs. Stewart and Lloyd's works at Mossend to Corby, Northampton?

The normal facilities of this kind are limited to the advance of fares of workpeople finding employment at a distance and, in the case of those entitled to unemployment benefit, repayment of one-half of the advance in excess of 4s. out of the Un- employment Fund. There are also certain special facilities under the Industrial Transference Scheme applying to unemployed married men and their families transferred from depressed areas. I shall be prepared to consider how far these facilities can be made available in cases where I am satisfied that a charge on public funds can properly be authorised.

Are we to understand that Mossend is regarded as a distressed area or not, and has the right hon. Gentleman power to transfer workpeople if it is not?

I cannot answer that. I am aware that a great many people are moving from Mossend to Corby where these new works are. I am certain that a firm of this importance and high reputation will do their utmost to remove as many people as they can. With regard to those whom they are not proposing to remove, I will, in consultation with them, see whether we are justified in giving assistance for this purpose.

I imagine the right hon. Gentleman will not give a preference in this case which he will not give in every other case?

Certainly not. It is part of our policy where we can, and where we think we are justified to assist in. removing people from one area to another.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the change in the number of insured coal miners at work since the Coal Mines Act, 1930, came into operation; and also the change in the number of insured workers at work in all other industries since the same date?

As the reply is long and includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

When circulating the reply, will the right hon. Gentleman state how mnay coal-cutting and other machines have been introduced in mines since 1930?

That is the subject matter of another question.

Do the figures show greater progress in other industries than that shown by coal mining?

I think my hon. Friend had better look at the figures.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the total number of insured persons under the Unemployment Acts for the year 1927 and each year since up to 1933, inclusive;

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of insured persons under the Unemployment Insurance Acts for the year 1927 and each year since up to 1933, inclusive, giving females and males separately?

As the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may,

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed adults in receipt of benefit from the Insurance Fund for the years 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1933 to date, respectively, together with the number of wives and adult dependants in receipt of benefit for the same periods?

As the reply includes a number of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men employed temporarily by the Middlesbrough Corporation for grass-mowing in the corporation cemeteries have had to be classed as agricultural workers; that the corporation has been debarred from franking their insurance cards; that, in consequence, the men have been disentitled to receive benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, which had they not accepted the work they would have continued to enjoy; and whether he is prepared to compensate the men concerned and to include provisions in the forthcoming legislation to prevent a continuance of such inequalities?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these men are engaged to cut the grass by the roadside, and that others with similar records are engaged to cut grass on the roads inside the cemetery? The work is identical, yet one is disqualified and the other is not.

It is because I am not aware of any of these things that I am making the inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the answer to the whole House, as it is rather important?

Certainly. When I have the answer to it, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will circularise public assistance authorities with a view to securing that, when dealing with transitional payment cases, they should not consider any sums received as maternity benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in reply to a question on 13th November upon the powers and duties of local authorities in this matter in relation to public assistance. This statement applies equally to transitional payments. It is not a matter upon which I have power to issue directions to authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of children in receipt of dependants' benefit from the Unemployment Insurance Fund for the years 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933 to date?

The only dates in the period named, for which separate figures are available showing the number of children in respect of whom dependants' benefit was authorised on applications for insurance benefit, are 2nd February, 1931, and 28th November, 1932, when it is estimated that the numbers were approximately 1,194,000 and 847,000 respectively. These figures are not, however, strictly comparable in view of the changes in the conditions for the receipt of insurance benefit introduced in November, 1931.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the name and rank of the person appointed to take charge of the physical training centre at Cardiff; and whether attendance at it will be necessary to entitle able-bodied unemployed to unemployment benefit or transitional payments?

The instructor at the Physical Training Class for Unemployed Men, which it is proposed to open very shortly at Cardiff, will be a Mr. A. Brooks, a qualified physical training instructor who was appointed to the Ministry of Labour a year ago. He was previously employed as a physical training instructor by a Local Education Authority. Before that he was in the Army. Attendance of unemployed men at this and similar Centres organised by the Department in different parts of the country, is entirely voluntary and unwillingness to attend in no way affects receipt of unemployment insurance benefit, or transitional payments.

Was it not possible to get an instructor without having to apply to the Army?

Is it not far better to employ someone who has been used to handling men?

Was this gentleman's experience entirely derived from his Army experience? Has he had any other experience?

I have said in my answer that he is a qualified physical training instructor who was appointed by the Ministry of Labour a year ago. He was previously employed by the local education authority as a physical training instructor.

Has this gentleman been trained at a physical training college?

I have stated that he is a qualified instructor. He satisfied the requirements.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements are contemplated with a view to absorbing in employment under the proposed unemployment assistance board those persons now in the regular or temporary service of local public assistance committees?

asked the Minister of Labour whether persons now employed in making transitional payments will be preferentially treated as a result of their experience in the formation of the staff of the unemployment assistance board?

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave on this subject on 28th November to the hon. Member for Deritend (Mr. Smedley Crooke), of which I am sending the hon. Members a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give an assurance that the large number of candidates declared successful at the recent open competition for the clerical grade will not adversely affect the promotion prospects of writing assistants and typists employed in the large headquarter offices in London and Edinburgh?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 11th December to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies), of which I am sending her a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the number of sites in Great Britain owned by the War Office but not actually used at the present time for any object connected with War Office matters or with any industrial or other undertaking, giving the localities in each case and the acreage concerned?

There are a number of properties owned by the War Office which are not in use and are for disposal. I should be pleased to show a list of them to my hon. and gallant Friend.

While accepting the hon. Gentleman's offer with thanks, may I ask whether he will consult his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade with a view of ensuring, if possible, that new industries are made aware of the possibilities of War Department land that is for disposal?

Yes. Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the conviction at Bow Street, on 9th December, of a motor driver who pleaded guilty to being drunk and driving dangerously in New Oxford Street, for which he was fined £14 3s. and disqualified from holding a licence for 12 months; and whether he will circularise magistrates generally suggesting that persons convicted of such offences should be permanently deprived of driving licences?

The case to which the hon. Baronet refers had not come to my notice. I could not suggest to magistrates that in dealing with such cases they should refrain from exercising any discretion, and that disqualification for life, or indeed for any other period, should be ordered without regard to the circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make himself acquainted with the facts in the case—a very scandalous one?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the issue of Circular 282A (Roads), of 1929, has failed to induce highway authorities to make extensive use of non-slipping road-surface materials; and if he will now take steps to enforce the use of such materials with a view to minimising the risk of accidents?

My Divisional Road Engineers report that the method of surface treatment suggested in Circular No. 282 (Roads) is being generally followed by highway authorities and that there has been a marked improvement in the provision of non-skid road surfaces. We are, however, reviewing this matter in connection with the investigation of the circumstances and causes of road accidents. If my hon. Friend can draw my attention to particular cases, I will have inquiry made.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary send a copy of that circular to the City of Westminster, the most perilous part of the United Kingdom?

Is it not the case that when granite chips are used these slips do not occur?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if he will have inquiries made into the case of the dismissal of four ex-service men, masters of the Haverfordwest Grammar School, with a view to their reinstatement, having regard to the fact that this action is not in accordance with the advice of the local education authority and will result in loss of pensions to these ex-service men?

My Noble Friend understands that in the result of a recent discussion between the governors of the Haverfordwest Grammar School and the local education authority, the matter referred to in the question will be further considered by the governors at a meeting which will take place shortly. In the meantime my Noble Friend is of opinion that any action on his part would be inexpedient.

(for Sir JOHN HASLAM) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if his Department are prepared to make a monetary grant to religious denominations who, on their part, are prepared to build and equip non-provided schools in the newly populated areas on the outskirts of our towns caused by re-housing and abolition of slum areas?

Under existing enactments the Board of Education have no power to make any such grants as my hon. Friend suggests.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of taking some power, in view of the heavy losses which will devolve on religious demominations because of the housing schemes, and especially having regard to the new houses which will be required in the new housing areas?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps in his slum-clearance scheme to include power to inspect, and if necessary to condemn, worn-out dwelling-houses which have been converted into medical nursing homes?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chatham (Sir P. Goff) on Tuesday.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that at Ditchling, East Sussex, the water supply is completely cut off from 2 p.m. each day; whether, as difficulties will be increased by the continued development of this area, he will take immediate steps to help this locality; and if he will com- plete as soon as possible the survey of the water resources and requirements of the country which was begun in 1923?

I am aware of the difficulties in this area. A private Bill is being promoted this Session authorising works and arrangements whereby the responsible water undertakers, the Burgess Hill Water Company, may obtain an adequate supply of water. In the meantime, the company are taking steps to obtain temporary supplies. As regards the second part of the question, the survey to which my hon. Friend refers is the regular accumulation of information by my officers in the course of their duties. This work is proceeding.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the Bill relating to water supplies may be expected to be introduced and printed?

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause to be made a hydrogeological survey of the country to determine the supplies of water available in order that, in any proposals for the supply of rural districts, proper regard may be taken of the requirements of other areas and of the ultimate linking up of undertakings?

Most difficulties of rural supplies can be resolved only by making use of local resources, and I have, in a special circular, urged county councils and rural district councils to carry out a thorough survey of existing supplies and the availability of new supplies for their districts. The needs of other areas and the advantages of combined schemes are considered in deciding on proposals put before me.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not seen the various recommendations of Royal Commissions, that a central hydrogeological survey should be made of the water capacity of the country, and does he not think that to carry on in the way we are now doing is only tinkering with the question?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Minister of Agriculture so that when water is supplied there may be a supply available for animal husbandry?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that there will be full consultation with the Minister of Agriculture in developing this question.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a scheme in the Black Country under which the poorer residents of the middle-class who just escape coming under national health insurance are arranging a system of medical attendance by weekly payments whether well or ill; and whether he will investigate the possibilities of such a scheme with the object of assisting its extension in other districts?

My attention has not been called to the particular scheme referred to, but I am aware that in certain parts of the country the medical profession have organised public medical service schemes for the medical treatment of persons for whom provision is not made under the National Health Insurance Acts. Such schemes, however, are matters of voluntary arrangement and I have no power to take steps with a view to their extension.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the Milk Commission as to the condition of some of the smaller pasteurisation plants in the country; whether these plants are periodically inspected; and what steps he is taking to see that safe milk is produced by the pasteurisation processes in use.

I am aware of the remarks in the report respecting pasteurisation. Under the law there is no control of the process except in the case of milk which is sold under licence as "pasteurised milk." Establishments so licensed are subject to inspection by the officers of the local authority granting the licence, and it is one of the conditions for a licence that the type of apparatus and the methods employed shall be satisfactory to the authority. An officer of my Department is making general inquiries into the efficiency of plants and I propose to issue a memorandum for the guidance of local authorities and their officers in their inspection of such plants.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he does not think that the report is right when it says that no milk should be allowed to be sold unless it has been treated by officially controlled processes, does he think that there is any control, and, if there is no control, will he seek to impose some control of these various processes, which in many cases are not safe?

I should have notice of a question which obviously requires a considered answer.

Will my right hon. Friend include in his memorandum a suggestion that the veterinary surgeons to be appointed should include this as part of their training and responsibilities, so as to have only one inspector instead of two?

I shall be happy to consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that a number of these firms cannot obtain certificates and licences for their milk because of the insufficiency of water for cooling purposes?

asked the Minister of Health how many cases have been brought to his notice during the present year in which death certificates issued by doctors have had subsequently to be withdrawn; and whether, to avoid the possibility of premature burials, he will take steps to amend the existing law under which a doctor is not obliged to see the body of the person concerned on the day when he issues the certificate?

No such case has come to my notice other than that which formed the subject of my reply of the 27th November last to a question by the hon. Member for Dorset, East (Mr. Hall-Caine). I would refer my hon. Friend to that reply.

Is it certain that nobody is ever buried alive?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of children in London County Council institutions who have no parents, immunisation against diphtheria is performed on the direction of the Public Health Committee of the London County Council; and, if not, what is the position of such children in relation to this immunisation?

I am informed that this form of preventive treatment is not applied to children in these institutions without the written consent of a parent or guardian, and that authority to give such consent on the part of the County Council, when they are in the position of parent or guardian, is delegated to the Education Officer.

asked the Minister of Health whether the consent of all the parents of children immunised against measles in London County Council hospitals was obtained before such immunisation was performed?

It is generally recognised that the parents' consent must be obtained whenever practicable, but I am informed that this course is not always feasible. It will be understood that if this form of preventive treatment (which is used only in emergencies) is to be efficacious, it must be applied promptly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that children in open-air nursery schools seldom get measles, and, if they do, they never die?

(for Mr. POTTER) asked the Home Secretary if a recent inquest on a woman who died after an operation for sterilisation has been brought to his attention; and if he will give instructions that a record of any such happenings shall be kept in the Home Office?

I have seen a newspaper report of the inquest in this case. I have no means of securing a record of such occurrences unless death results in circumstances which require a report to be made to the coroner; and I do not think that any public interest would be served by my asking coroners to tabulate separately such cases as may be reported to them.

(for Mr. POTTER) asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent inquest on a woman after an operation for sterilisation; and if he will take steps to obtain statistics of the frequency with which such operations are performed in hospitals subject to his inspection?

Yes, Sir, I have seen a newspaper report on the inquest referred to, in which the verdict recorded that sterilisation had been medically advised owing to the physical incapacity of the patient to withstand the risks she would incur in undergoing confinement. I do not think it would be useful to attempt to collect statistics of such cases.

(for Major MILNER) asked the Minister of Health whether, before approving the proposal of the urban district council of Sandown-Shanklin (Isle of Wight) to appoint a fully qualified whole-time sanitary inspector at a commencing salary of £175 per annum, rising by two annual increments of £12 10s. to a maximum of £200 per annum, he will intimate that the salary offered is insufficient remuneration for the services of an experienced and properly qualified sanitary inspector, seeing that the lowest salary at present paid for qualified whole-time sanitary inspectors in the Isle of Wight is £295 per annum?

I have already approved the proposal to which the hon. Member refers, the terms of which are more favourable to the officer than those originally contemplated by the Council. Before approving the proposal consideration was given to the question whether the salary offered was sufficient to secure and retain the services of an efficient officer.

Is this small salary for an experienced and efficient officer representative of salaries paid for similar duties throughout Great Britain?

In order to give a full reply, I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health when the actual work in connection with slum clearance in Shore-ditch will be started; how many new homes will be supplied; and what rents will be charged?

I am about to confirm an Order made by the London County Council under the Act of 1930 for the compulsory purchase of the Drysdale Street area. The Council have already agreed terms for the purchase of some of the properties in the area and preparatory work on a rehousing site has been begun. In connection with this and other clearances to be undertaken in Shoreditch the Borough Council will provide rehousing accommodation for 400 persons and the County Council about 2,000 new dwellings. The weekly rents which must comply with the statute will, it is understood, be from 6s. upwards, exclusive of rates, according to the number of rooms, the type and the location of the dwellings. The Ware Street area in this Borough is being cleared under legislation preceding the Act of 1930. The rehousing accommodation for this area is on the point of completion.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses now in course of construction compared with the number at the same time last year and in 1931?

The number of State-assisted houses in course of construction in England and Wales at the 31st October, 1933, was 33,325. The corresponding figures for the same dates in 1932 and 1931 were 29,420 and 45,897 respectively. Similar information is not available as to houses under construction without State assistance, but the number of such houses completed during the year ended 30th September last was greatly in excess of that in either of the two previous years.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the general result of the conferences between the local authorities and local builders to explain to them the facilities available under the Housing Act in accordance with the suggestion contained in his recent circular; and whether in the case of Dudley there was any practical outcome?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bethnal Green North-East (Major Nathan) on the 23rd November. With regard to the second part of the question, the reply is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has called for a report in connection with the assault on a casual labourer by the labour master and his assistant at the Warren Road casual ward, Guildford; and what action he intends to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. I cannot state what action on my part may be necessary until I have considered the report.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the advisability of issuing a circular to public assistance committees suggesting that the question of making an extra allowance to children at Christmas time should be considered by them?

Public assistance authorities are aware of their powers, under Article 19 of the Public Assistance Order, 1930, to incur reasonable expenditure on special allowances at Christmas time, and I do not think there is any need for a Circular.

In view of the admitted inadequacy of the allowances to these children, does the right hon. Gentleman not think this would be a very appropriate Christmas present? Can he not take some action in the matter?

Why not have open-air nursery schools?

I have no doubt that the question and answer will secure the attention which the hon. Member desires.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons within the county borough of West Ham in receipt of public assistance for the periods ended September, 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1933, giving men and women separately; and whether he will give the corresponding figures for the same periods for domiciliary treatment?

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any information as to how many theatres, within a 20-miles radius of London, were in existence before the imposition of the Entertainments Duty; how many are paying Entertainments Duty now; and how much this taxation amounted to in each year since its inception?

I have made inquiries about this matter but I regret that the information which my hon. and gallant Friend desires is not available.

May I ask for an answer to the last part of the question, or shall I put it again?

I cannot answer the last part because the returns of the duty in the earlier years have been destroyed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give sympathetic attention to the representations which have been made by the industry affected as to the results of this tax?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I note the information given by my hon. Friend and I can assure him that when the incidence of the Entertainments Duty, in common with other duties, is brought under review in connection with the forthcoming Budget the considerations to which he has drawn attention will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the expected surplus of liquid milk in the spring, he will take steps to make part of this surplus available for schools and welfare centres instead of allowing it to endanger the success of the milk-marketing scheme by passing milk into manufacture at prices unremunerative to the producer?

As my hon. Friend will be aware, the National Milk Publicity Council already does much useful work in the direction of extending the consumption of milk in schools. I am not clear what further steps my hon. Friend has in mind.

Has the right hon. Gentleman a fund which would assist a further extension of this excellent method?

I am afraid that I have no fund.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get in touch with the Board of Education so that if there is a surplus local education authorities may get hold of this milk and give it to the children in the schools?

I will take note of the suggestion.

May I ask whether, in order to deal with the expected surplus of milk in the spring, the right hon. Gentleman will ask the board to start a scheme for the sale of 18 per cent. cream as recommended in the Milk Council's report and by other dairy manufacturers at the present time?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the state of emergency now existing with regard to the inadequate prices for livestock in this country, he will make arrangements to call an early conference of producers in this country and the marketing Dominions with the object of deciding what further steps are necessary to deal with the situation?