asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to cases of suicide in Walsall and South London stated to be in consequence of transitional benefit being disallowed; and whether he will make inquiries into the circumstances which led to benefit being stopped?

In the case in South London which I think the hon. Member has in mind, a claim for transitional payments was disallowed unanimously by a fully constituted court of referees on the ground of failure to satisfy the condition requiring the claimant to prove "that he is normally employed in, and will normally seek to obtain his livelihood by means of, insurable employment." I have no knowledge of any such case at Walsall, but I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour what amount is being deducted from the sale of produce from allotments held by registered unemployed men at Marlborough, Wiltshire, by the local means test committee; and what amount per diem is allowed per person which is non-assessable?

This is a matter within the discretion of local authorities, and the particulars asked for are not in my possession.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest available figures showing the number of mine workers at present unemployed?

At 18th December, 1933, there were 210,371 insured persons in the coal mining industry classification in Great Britain recorded as wholly unemployed, and 53,254 temporarily stopped.

What proportion of these men does the hon. Gentleman think are actually qualified for coal mining?

I think the overwhelming majority.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the number of people who are likely to be employed, directly or indirectly, as a result of the orders placed by the Eagle Oil and Shipping Company for six 11,000-ton new oil tankers?

I regret that I have no information on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet considered the arrangements to be made for the registration of agricultural workers under the Unemployment Bill; and whether he will give an assurance that they will not be expected to attend at Employment Exchanges far distant from their homes, but that there will be some simplified form of machinery to enable them to conform in this respect with the regulations?

I am not sure whether my hon. Friend is referring to the provisions of Part I or those of Part II of the Bill, the latter of which will be under the control of the proposed Unemployment Assistance Board. While no definite arrangements have yet been made, I can assure him that the point he mentions will be carefully kept in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the practice adopted at Northern Ireland courts of referees, when an insured person out of work removes there from Great Britain, of refusing him unemployed benefit on the ground that he has rendered himself unavailable for work by leaving the country where he was employed; if a similar course is adopted by the courts of referees in Great Britain in the case of the transfer of an insured unemployed person from Northern Ireland; if there is a reciprocity agreement in the matter between the Northern Ireland and the imperial Governments; and, if so, will he see that it is carried out?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. The reciprocal agreement with the Ministry of Labour for Northern Ireland is to the effect that contributions and benefit paid in either country shall be taken into account in the other country, and this agreement is fully observed.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries through his officials as to the decisions of the courts of referees in Northern Ireland?

If the hon. Gentleman will be kind enough to give me particulars of any cases which he has specially in mind, I shall be very glad to go into them.

I will do that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the improved financial position of the country and the increase in the number of employed, with consequent reduction in the cost to the State in unemployment benefit, he will consider the advisability of restoring the cuts in unemployment benefit which were made as a measure of economy in 1931?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that the unemployed will have preference when any restoration of the economy cuts is made?

I cannot add anything to the full statements I made during the Debates on the Second Reading of the Unemployment Bill and on the Financial Resolution in connection with that Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour if wages in the building trade are to be increased this month; and, if so, what percentage the rate of wages, respectively, of a builder's labourer, a bricklayer, and a painter in the London area will bear to the rates in 1914?

The rates of wages in the building trade are regulated by agreement between the employers' and workers' organisations, and, so far as I am aware, there is no increase of wages this month.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what are the present rates, which was what I asked him for?

I can give them, but the hon. Member asked whether the rate of wages had been raised. The second part of the question does not arise.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure me that my own information is incorrect and that there is no increase in wages this month?

So far as I am aware there is no increase.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of prosecutions that have taken place during 1933 with regard to noisy road vehicles; and whether, in view of the increasing noise of certain types of vehicles, it is proposed to issue any new orders to secure an abatement of this nuisance?

Preliminary figures show that during 1933 in England and Wales, 9,653 noise offences of all classes in connection with motor vehicles were dealt with by prosecution. My hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has already consulted me on the matter and is, I understand, taking it up with the manufacturers.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken by the authorities to protect pedestrians crossing the street at those points where one-way continuous traffic has been established?

Protection is provided by means of warnings intended to draw pedestrians' attention to the fact that the street is a one-way working. These warnings take the form of "Look left" and "Look right" signs on the carriage-way and of prominent signs bearing the words "One Way Street" affixed to lamp standards and refuges.

Does the Minister regard the present warning signs as adequate, in view of the large number of accidents that occur at these points?

The whole of this problem is under consideration by the Government.

Is it not time to take strong action against motorists who pay no attention to traffic lights? This morning in Oxford Street the state of affairs was disgraceful.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to introduce during the present Session a Bill for the consolidation and amendment of the laws relating to factories?

I regret that I see no prospect of such legislation this Session.

In view of the great necessity for consolidating these Acts of Parliament, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision, at any rate so far as consolidation is concerned?

The Department's point of view no doubt is that they would be very glad to have such a Bill, but Parliamentary time is fully occupied.

asked the Home Secretary when it is proposed to introduce a Bill to deal with betting and gambling?

Soon, I hope, but I am not in a position to be more precise than that.

If I put a question down in about a fortnight's time, could the right hon. Gentleman be a little more precise then?

The hon. Gentleman had better put it down.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether totalisators on dog-racing tracks will be dealt with in the Bill?

I could not anticipate the provisions of the Bill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman likely to bring the Bill in during this Session, and before the Summer Recess?

Oh, yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on 18th January of this year a Scots Guardsman was charged at the Croydon Children's Court for desertion, and whether he will give the House an undertaking that in future serving soldiers, whatever age they may be, shall not be charged in children's courts?

I am informed that a youth of 16 was charged at the Croydon Juvenile Court as stated. As my hon. Friend will be aware, Section 45 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, provides that, subject to certain exceptions not applicable to this case, no charge against a person under 17 shall be heard by a court of summary jurisdiction which is not a juvenile court. I have no power to vary this provision of the law.

Is not this a significant commentary upon the recent raising of the age of the children's court; and would the Government consider establishing children's courts-martial, so as to keep the licentious soldiery separate from the other children?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Parliament fully discussed this question?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the arrest on Boxing Day of Sidney Alfred Baker, an Ilford baker's roundsman, for non-payment of rates amounting to £3 15s., and his detention in the holiday week, although his two young children were dying, and in fact did die during his detention; whether warrants for arrest are executed on public holidays; and whether he proposes to investigate the facts of the case to stop in future any similar hardship to private citizens?

I have already made inquiries into this case. I am informed that the commitment warrant was received by the police on the 23rd November, and the police officer charged with its execution visited Mr. Baker's address on more than 10 occasions during the following month, but was unable to see him. The purpose of the visit was explained to Mrs. Baker soon after the receipt of the warrant, but no communication from Mr. Baker was received by the police, and it was not until the 26th December that the officer succeeded in finding him at home. The officer bad no knowledge that the children were ill, and I am assured that if these circumstances had been brought to his notice he would have taken further instructions before executing the warrant. In view of the difficulties sometimes experienced in tracing persons who may seek to evade arrest, it would be impracticable to lay down any general rule against executing such warrants on public holidays; but I am satisfied that the police do their best to avoid inflicting undue hardship in cases of this kind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider amending the law with regard to the imprisonment of these small debtors?

As the House knows, a Parliamentary Committee is sitting to consider the whole of this problem.

When can we hope to get a report?

I cannot say.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to introduce legislation on the lines of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Shop Assistants, or of that unanimous part of their recommendations relating to the limitation of hours of work of young persons?

The Bill promised in the King's Speech to regulate the hours of employment of young persons in the distributive trades is now being finally considered, and I hope that it will be possible to introduce it at an early date.

Thank you.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of the Government to bring before Parliament at an early date a resolution authorising local authorities to make by laws relating to the hours and conditions of employment of juveniles?

As I have informed the Noble Lady on previous occasions, it is not the intention of the Government to take any steps to bring into operation Section 19 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933.

The Government promised upstairs, in the Committee on the Children Bill, that they would bring in a Bill to regulate the hours of work of children in unregulated trades. They gave us a definite promise.

That promise was no doubt given, but was qualified with the statement "when the industrial situation improves."

Does the right hon. Gentleman really think that this House, of all Houses, wants children penalised by long hours because of the industrial situation? Does not he realise that if the Government would take the lead there are hundreds—I could guarantee 200—of hon. Members who would follow them into the Lobby in order to protect the hours of juveniles in unregistered trades?

Does the right hon. Gentleman contend that the industrial situation has not improved?

asked the Home Secretary what action, if any, he proposes to take in regard to the death of William McDonald, of Lime-house, due to asphyxia after being in charge of operations with an oxyacetylene super-warmer on the "Dunbar Castle"; and if any other cases of a similar nature have been brought to his notice?

The operation was of a very unusual character, and no similar case appears to have come to the notice of the Home Office. It is proposed to publish in the series of notes on industrial accidents, which has a wide circulation among firms likely to be affected, an account of this case, drawing attention to the danger now revealed and the necessary precautions. I will consider whether any other action is called for.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the new blood-test system for alcoholism; and whether the Home Office will consider its adoption?

I am aware of the test to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I presume that he has in mind its adoption in cases where drunkenness is an element in a criminal charge; but I doubt its value for such a purpose, and I have no power to require any person to submit to it.

asked the Home Secretary whether any inquiry is being held as to the causes of the collapse of a warehouse in Tower Street, Hull, on the 18th January, whereby a number of persons were killed and others seriously injured; and whether any compensation will be given to dependants who are now destitute?

Yes, Sir, the Factory Department are actively investigating the matter and keeping in close touch with the operations of removing the debris. I am advised that it is unlikely that any definite conclusions can be reached till the debris has been cleared, and the coroner has, I understand, adjourned the inquest pending further progress of these operations. I have no information on the point raised in the latter part of the question.

Is there normally any annual inspection of factory buildings of this kind, where large numbers of men are employed?

I should have to have notice as to whether this particular factory was inspected, but I imagine that all factories are inspected from time to time by the factory inspectors.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the public anxiety regarding precautions against possible gas attack, he will state whether a satisfactory gas mask has been approved for defensive purposes and, if so, where can these be obtained; and whether the Government have considered any plan for the utilisation of underground shelters as a defensive precaution against gas attacks?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 23rd November last to questions by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for East Hull (Brigadier-General Nation) and by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), and to the answer given by the Prime Minister on the 18th December to the hon. and gallant Member for the Ardwick Division of Manchester (Captain Fuller).

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the past experience of disorder created on a similar occasion, he will, in the interest of the public and of the unemployed themselves, take steps to prevent the large-scale demonstration of unemployed from all parts of the country, organised by the National Unemployed Workers' Movement, to take place in London on 25th February?

I am not aware of any provisions in the existing law by which processions can be prevented from marching to London provided that they are orderly and well behaved. The right of holding peaceful meetings and processions is one of the most cherished rights, but, if this right were to be abused in such a way as to lead inevitably to grave disorder or public disturbance, the Government would have to ask Parliament for such further powers as experience might show to be necessary to deal with such demonstrations.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this march is a cruel exploitation of the unemployed by the Communist party for their own purposes?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the retail sale of drugs of the barbituric group is permitted without restriction; whether he has made inquiries as to the situation; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

These drugs are included in Part I of the present Poisons Schedule, and are, therefore, subject to the full restrictions imposed by the Pharmacy Act, 1868, upon the sale of poisons. The question whether any further restrictions are desirable will be considered by the Poisons Board recently established under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933.

Is there any system of inspection? Has the Department any officers to see that these Acts are properly administered; and is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are wholesale complaints against the easy way in which these drugs can be obtained?

The law makes certain provisions. As I have said, the new advisory body which has been set up will investigate whether further steps are required.

Can my right hon. Friend say how soon we shall get some report from the Poisons Board? Shall we have to wait for an annual report, say 15 months hence, or shall we have an early report on this, which is a very disturbing feature of the present situation?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered complaints with regard to boxed beef imported into this country to the effect that the absence of bones or glands makes effective veterinary inspection impossible; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have not received any such complaints as the hon. Member refers to. The importation of boneless meat which affords insufficient means of identification with definite parts of a carcase is prohibited by the Imported Food Regulations, and under the amending Regulations of last year official certificates of inspection at the time of slaughter are now required, subject to certain exceptions, with any imported meat less than the whole carcase.

asked the Minister of Health whether provision will be made in the Bill, shortly to be introduced, dealing with grants for water supply in rural areas, to enable local authorities and statutory water companies who have a surplus of water within their areas, to supply water in bulk to other areas beyond their authorised limits of supply, with the approval of the Ministry of Health?

No, Sir. It is considered desirable to limit the scope of the proposed Bill to the authorisation of grant, and not to deal therein with amendments of the general law. A local authority has power now to purchase water from an adjoining local authority.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a number of local authorities and water companies with surplus water, but that, owing to the law at the present time, they are unable to supply adjoining water undertakings which are short of water? Surely there would be no objection in this House to the insertion of a single Clause to deal with that matter?

Does not this emphasise the need for regional area control, and is not mal-distribution one of the causes of shortage of water in various areas?

The law is substantially as stated by my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison), but this is a different aspect of the question from that which will be dealt with by the promised legislation. I would call my hon. Friend's attention to the fact that it is covered by a specific Bill which is now being introduced in another place.

May I have an answer to my supplementary question?

asked the Minister of Health the number of rural local authorities which have submitted requests for financial assistance to provide local water supplies; and whether he has estimated the aggregate cost of regional or local schemes to provide an adequate supply for every local authority in England and Wales?

Seventy rural local authorities have made inquiries as to the availability of grant. As regards the second part of the question, such an estimate could not be made except in presence of full information as to the cost of schemes.

Is there not sufficient evidence to warrant the Minister giving much more substantial encouragement, so that, if necessary, a large instalment of the programme can be put into effect this year?

No, Sir. I have good reason to suppose that the proposed grants will enable us to get useful work done.

asked the Minister of Health (1) the names of the farms complained of in the report of the Staffordshire County Council's Education Committee on the conditions obtaining in the hopfields in Herefordshire and Worcestershire;

(2) what steps he proposes to take to render conditions in the hopfields of Worcestershire and Herefordshire such that the Staffordshire Education Committee may make the school holiday period coincide with the hop-picking season so that children from South Staffordshire may, without injury to their health and morals, be allowed to take their holidays in the hopfields;

(3) whether his attention has been drawn to a report of the education committee of the Staffordshire County Council with reference to the living conditions of hop-pickers from South Staffordshire while working in the hop-fields in Worcestershire and Herefordshire; and what steps he proposes to take whereby conditions in these hop-fields may be made suitable for hop-pickers and their families?

I have seen the report in question, and I am communicating with the Staffordshire County Council in regard to the names of the farms complained of which have not yet been disclosed. The responsibility for supervising the accommodation provided for hop-pickers rests with the local sanitary authorities, but my officers inspect the more important hop-growing areas from time to time, and any serious defect in the arrangements made for hop-pickers is brought to the attention of the local authority responsible for the matter.

Will the Minister press the Staffordshire County Council to divulge the names of these farms, in view of the particularly bad report which they have issued?

Undoubtedly, a report having been made on the farms under the names of A, B and C, if any effective steps are to be taken, the names of the farms must be disclosed to me.

Will my right hon. Friend make it quite clear that these are not farms in Staffordshire, but are in surrounding counties where our people go?

It is very desirable that the locality of the farms should be cleared up.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to a recent prosecution at Ramsgate in which it was held that the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1909, did not apply to a performance given before 70 children in a room 12 feet by 13 feet lined with matchboard because the film itself was non-inflammable; and whether he proposes legislation to strengthen the Cinematograph Act so as to cover cinematograph performances for which money is taken?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have under consideration the question of introducing amending legislation to deal with the matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief on the last available date, giving separate figures for men, women and children, and comparable figures for the same period last year?

The total number of persons, men, women and children, in receipt of poor relief in England and Wales, excluding rate-aided patients in mental hospitals, persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only and casuals, on Saturday, the 13th January, 1934, was 1,406,076, and on Saturday, the 14th January, 1933, 1,391,185. The weekly returns from which these figures have been obtained do not distinguish the numbers of men, women and children, but I will, if he desires, send the hon. Member a statement showing separately the numbers of men, women and children in receipt of poor relief on 1st January of the two years when the detailed returns relating to this year are available.

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. May I ask him if he will confer with the Minister of Labour, with a view to the publication of these figures side by side with the figures of the Ministry of Labour for unemployment?

asked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation at an early date to deal with the question of adequate compensation for small shop-keepers dispossessed and losing goodwill in any slum clearance area?

No, Sir. Section 41 of the Housing Act, 1930, confers on local authorities the power of paying allowances in the circumstances mentioned, and I understand this power to be generally used to meet any substantial case of hardship.

Is no action at all being taken? Is any question of compensation to be left entirely to the local authorities?

The present state of the law is that it is within the power of the local authority to make special grants for compensation in these circumstances, and as a matter of fact, as my hon. Friend is probably aware, wide use is made of those powers.

Is it not a fact that these powers are only optional, and that ill-disposed councils do not make proper use of them?

Those would be Tory councils.

Oh!

asked the Minister of Health whether, in response to his Circular 1331, dated 6th April, 1933, he has now received from the London County Council detailed particulars as to the unhealthy areas to be cleared or improved by the London County Council and the Metropolitan borough councils under the Housing Act, 1930, during the next five years?

The detailed particulars of the areas to be dealt with by the London County Council and the Metropolitan borough councils are now in preparation but have not yet been received.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the activities of the London County Council are commensurate with the urgency of the problem?

I am certainly satisfied that the matter is receiving the serious and adequate consideration of the County Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the overcrowding in the Black Country and the long waiting lists for houses in Wednesbury and Dudley; and whether, in view of the failure to build houses under the 1933 Act, he will introduce a Bill to give financial assistance to town councils desirous of building houses to be let at rents which the working classes can afford to pay?

I am aware that there is overcrowding at Wednesbury and Dudley. In reply to the second part of the question, any local authority, the needs of whose area are not, being met by private enterprise, are free to build any houses required, and at the present time they can do so at very low cost.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give particulars of cases where private enterprise has failed to provide houses and, in consequence, the local authority has exercised its duty to provide the houses required?

Since May last, when the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, became law, approval has been given to the erection of houses without subsidy to 53 local authorities. These proposals comprise 1,698 houses, and, before approval was given, the authorities concerned satisfied me that there was no likelihood of the houses being provided by private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the number of arrangements which have been made by corporations with private building firms for the erection of working-class houses to be let and not sold; and the numbers of such houses which are being constructed under these arrangements?

The number of arrangements made under Section 2 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, was at 31st December last 18. They covered 1,033 houses. The total number of houses contemplated for inclusion in arrangements by local authorities at that date was 16,100, and I understand that arrangements covering 3,780 houses are in course of negotiation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the working of private enterprise under the 1933 Act?

This question relates only to the use of the guarantee to the building authorities. It is a new scheme with many novel provisions and, as they become better known, fuller use will, no doubt, be made of the scheme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress he is making to do away with slums after being in office for 2½ years?

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the continuing low rate of interest prevailing, he will consider making such arrangements as may lead to a reduction in the rate of interest on loans obtained under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act when interest rates were much higher?

The rate of interest for advances under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts was reduced to 4 per cent. by order dated 11th May last as regards advances on and after 1st June, 1933. Orders fixing the rate of interest cannot apply to advances already made. The rates applying to such advances were fixed in relation to the rates at which the local authorities were themselves able to borrow at the time the advances were made, and cannot now be reduced.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Order simply means that the local authority must provide 90 per cent. of the value of the house?

The 90 per cent. is not the figure in question.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number, average cost per house, and average cost per superficial foot, respectively, of A-type non-parlour houses (excluding small houses erected for aged persons under the Housing Act, 1930, and non-parlour flats) included in direct labour schemes, and in contracts let by local authorities in England and Wales, during the months of December, 1932, November, 1933, and December, 1933, respectively?

Since the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health the latest average price of an unsubsidised three-bedroomed parlour house, respectively, in London, in the provinces, and in rural areas; and the economic rental in each case?

The total cost of such a house as my hon. Friend describes should not exceed £450 near London or £420 in provincial districts, whether urban or rural. The economic rental, excluding rates, of such houses depends upon the actual cost, including the cost of borrowing, but on the basis of a loan at 3½ per cent. for 60 years, should be approximately 9s. and 8s. 7d. per week respectively.

As the right hon. Gentleman said that the prices do not exceed these sums—I asked for the average price—may we take it, therefore, that the average price is lower than the prices which he has given?

Yes, I imagine that would be so.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the cost of a house is due to building labour; whether he is in communication with the Minister of Labour on the subject of rates of wages; and whether he will consult those concerned in the building industry with a view to avoiding, so far as justice lies, any increase in the cost of house-building for the working classes?

I am advised that approximately 40 per cent. of the building cost may be taken to be the proportion spent in labour on the site. Expenditure on land, roads, sewers and fees has not been taken into account in this calculation. Building costs are constantly under the consideration of a committee appointed by the President of the Board of Trade and myself which includes representatives of the building industry. As regards rates of wages, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply already given by the Minister of Labour.

Is it not the case that the costs being inquired into by the committee do not include the cost of wages; and will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question as to whether he will consult the building industry on the subject of wages?

Wages in the first place are matters for the Ministry of Labour, and, whatever aspect requires to be taken into consideration, I can assure my hon. Friend that the necessary consultation will take place.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of his predecessors in office stated in this House that two-thirds of the rent of a house went in paying interest on loans, and will he turn his attention to that aspect of the case before touching wages?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now obtained any particulars as to the number of underground rooms habitually used as sleeping places in the administrative county of London that are unfit for human habitation within the meaning of Section 18 of the Housing Act, 1925?

No full estimate of the present position is available, but I am asking the London County Council to make inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as practicable.

In view of the large number of children who undoubtedly live in these rooms, will the right hon. Gentleman encourage the foundation of open-air nursery schools in these districts?

That question should be addressed to the President of the Board of Education.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the successful summons by Eleanor Peters, of Peel Street, Crewe, against Whitfields, Limited, ladies' tailors, of Wolverhampton, for an amount which she claimed was due to her under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts, in view of their failure to stamp her late husband's health insurance cards; and whether, in view of the importance of this case to many similar persons, he will himself carry a test case to the higher courts?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I gather from a published report of the case that the employers are themselves proposing to appeal to the High Court.

asked the Minister of Health what answer has been returned to representations from any section of the medical profession for the restoration of the 1s. per insured patient per annum taken from panel doctors in the autumn of 1931?

My answer has been that the 10 per cent. deduction made from the remuneration of insurance practitioners in 1931 was part of the Government's general scheme of economy covering the whole field of public expenditure; and that any question of restoring the cuts must be considered as a whole. I may also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 29th November last to the hon. Member for Portsmouth North.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the approximate date by which he hopes to conclude his inquiry in connection with the boundaries within the County of Durham as well as the date by which he expects to be able to announce his awards; and whether, in view of the fact that the forthcoming elections may be rendered abortive by the alterations of the boundaries, he intends to take any steps to postpone the elections in order to save avoidable expense?

The inquiry was adjourned to enable me to give a ruling on important submissions made by the county council. The time of the conclusion of the inquiry and the announcement of decisions must depend on the length of the proceedings, which should not take much more time. The prolongation of the proceedings has not affected the elections, because any alterations of areas could not be brought into effect this year.

asked the Prime Minister if he is able to make a statement with reference to the duties to be performed by the Lord Privy Seal?

My hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal will continue to assist my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, particularly so far as concerns the representation of His Majesty's Government at Geneva.

Will the Lord Privy Seal be a member of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Disarmament?

It is not customary to mention the names of Cabinet Sub-Committees, but I can assure the hon. Member that we are very well aware of the importance of having on Cabinet Sub-Committees those who are experts and most acquainted at first hand with the problems we are discussing.

The right hon. Gentleman says the Lord Privy Seal will assist the Foreign Secretary at Geneva. Does that mean that before he was Lord Privy Seal he was not assisting him?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think, seeing that they have not a woman in the Cabinet——

That is quite another question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he now intends to set up an inter-imperial trade committee such as was envisaged by the High Commissioner for Australia a few months ago?

The position remains as indicated in the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend in reply to a question which he addressed to me on 12th December last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the increase in imports to this country of general earthenware from Japan; and if he will state what steps are being taken to protect British industry and pottery workers against this competition made possible by a low standard of wages and a depreciated currency?

The imports of earthenware from Japan are small in comparison with the amount produced in this country and since the imposition of the specific duty of 25s. per cwt. in 1933 they have been steadily diminishing. The position is, however, being carefully watched.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that foreign flour is being imported into this country and sold at between 5s. and 6s. below the cost of production of similar quality flour produced in Great Britain, and that in consequence of this employers must consider the stoppage of their mills in order to allow stocks to liquidate, which would throw out of employment a large number of persons in addition to many being placed on halftime work; and, in view of this, what steps the Government propose to take to deal with this competition?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to deal with importations of flour from foreign countries, assisted by indirect subsidies, which is being sold at a price level below that obtaining in the countries of origin; and whether he is aware of the injury caused to the home milling industry by such importations, in consequence of which flour mills in the north-west area have been compelled to close down owing to accumulation of stocks?

I am aware of the facts to which my hon. and gallant Friends have called attention. The whole question is receiving careful consideration.

May I ask whether such subsidised dumping as is going on in the case of flour comes within the terms of the treaties with the countries concerned? Is there anything in the treaties by which such dumping can be stopped; and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that there is a revision of the treaties in order to prevent further dumping?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have any reliable data on the subject, I will take it into consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the imports of French flour for each of the last three months for which figures are available, and the respective total flour imports in those periods?

The desired information will be found on page 9 of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for those months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any investigation has been made into the legality of the recent 10 per cent. tax per ton imposed by Belgium on imported coal; and whether any protests have been made against the imposition of this tax so far as it affects British coal imports into Belgium?

I understand that Belgian coal importers have consulted counsel as to the legality of the tax. As regards the second part of the question, the tax applies to imports from all countries without discrimination and there is no ground for an official protest on the part of His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now able to make a statement with regard to the grant by the Spanish Government of a 35 per cent. rebate in customs duties on imported British motor cars; from what date the rebate will operate; whether the Spanish Government have granted the rebate in consequence of Article 5 of the Anglo-Spanish Treaty of 1922 and Article 6 of the Anglo-Spanish Treaty of 1927; and whether a similar rebate in Customs duties is being granted by the Spanish Government in respect of motor cars imported from Canada?

As has already been stated in this House, the rebate has been extended to United Kingdom cars as from 1st October last. The claim made by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom was based upon the Treaty provisions referred to in the question; and, while the attitude of the Spanish Government in this matter has not been made altogether clear, the Treaty rights of this country and of Canada have been fully reserved. I regret that I am not in a position to answer the last part of the question.

Would not the Treaty rights allow us to have a rebate from the 14th June, the date when a rebate was allowed to France?

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has placed any time-limit on their offer to contribute to the purchase price of the Sinai Codex Bible to a total of £50,000; and if, in the event of the public subscriptions not equalling half of the purchase price, any further contribution towards such deficiency will be contemplated by the Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part is at present hypothetical and I need only say that the authorities of the British Museum are confident that the sum required will be subscribed by the public.

Will it be necessary to lay a Supplementary Estimate before the House so that the matter can be debated?

I believe that will be so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state the amount of the voluntary contribution which has already been made?

The Government are not responsible for that. That is in the hands of the authorities of the British Museum, and I understand they advertise it almost from day to day in the newspapers.

Will there be a free vote on the Supplementary Estimate?

Who paid the £100,000 which has been handed over to the Russian authorities?

Certainly not the Government.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Grimsby Health Committee have been presented with a bill for £12 10s. alleged to have been incurred as hotel expenses by him while visiting Grimsby recently; and whether this expenditure is to be a charge on the local rates?

The hon. Member has been misinformed. The facts are stated as follows in a letter from the Town Clerk of Grimsby which, with the permission of the House, I will read:

"With regard to the question which I understand Mr. Thomas Smith intends to raise, respecting the payment of the expenses of the Minister of Health on his visit to Grimsby, I beg to state that Sir Hilton Young and Sir Arthur Robinson (the Permanent Secretary), at the invitation of the corporation, stayed at the Royal Hotel, Grimsby.

The account to which reference is made was for the sum of £12 10s. 2d., and not only included the charge for accommodation, but also for a dinner which the corporation arranged in order to give the Minister an opportunity of meeting the mayor, the chairmen of the various committees, and the chief officials, prior to the inspection of the health services of this borough.

At the end of the visit, Sir Arthur Robinson was desirous of discharging the hotel bill, but, acting on the instructions of my committee, I refused to allow him to do so.

The account has since been paid by the corporation, in accordance with the express wish of the council."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the protest with regard to this bill was made in the first place by councillors in Grimsby? [An HON. MEMBER: "One councillor!"] Also, is he aware that the Press gave publicity to that protest? Seeing that the right hon. Gentleman states in his answer that I have been misinformed on this matter, is he aware—and I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, to have to say this—that the information now given is different from the information which was given to me on Tuesday of this week when I was pressed not to put the question. [HON. MEMBERS: "By whom?"] By people connected with the Minister of Health. As a matter of fact, now that the right hon. Gentleman says that I was misinformed, is the Minister aware that the information given to me, which I did not intend to disclose except for the first part of the answer, was given to me by his own Parliamentary Secretary? Further than that, is he intending to take steps to correct the impression which has now been created in Grimsby and district as a result of the protest made by local councillors, who stated that they hoped that the right hon. Gentleman would never visit the town again in such circumstances?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the feeling which has been aroused, both in Grimsby and throughout Lincolnshire, is one of great disgust at the affront which has been made to their hospitable feelings by a question of this kind, hospitable feelings which they have freely shown to Ministers of whatever political complexion and, in the past, sometimes to their Parliamentary Private Secretaries?

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether at this dinner he had in mind the Ministry of Health standard as to the amount of proteins?

May I ask how this bill of expenses compares with the bill of expenses of the average trade union delegate?

This is becoming a Debate, and might now properly be raised on the Estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to abolish the male servants licence duty of 15s. per head in the case of male servants whose nationality is British, so as to promote their employment; and if he will consider how far he could recoup the consequent loss of revenue by increasing the licence duty on foreign male servants and by extending the liability to include foreign female servants?

In reply to the first part of the question, as has been explained on a number of previous occasions, the male servant licence duty in England and Wales is not an Imperial but a local taxation duty, and its administration rests with the county and county borough councils which receive the proceeds, and I could not undertake to introduce legislation which would deprive the authorities of this part of their revenue unless I was sure of their concurrence and that a demand would not be made on the Exchequer to replace the revenue surrendered. As regards the second part of the question, while I have no actual statistics to show how many non-British male servants are employed in a taxable capacity, it may be accepted that their number is very small and that the abolition of the tax on British male servants, even if the tax on non-British servants were substantially increased and extended to include female servants, would result in reducing the proceeds of the duty to a small fraction of the present yield.

As there has been considerable feeling about this matter for several years past, will the right hon. Gentleman consult with local authorities, and ask them if they will be willing to surrender this small amount of taxation, which, if surrendered, will result in giving employment to more men for domestic service?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that local authorities have already been consulted by another association, and that a large majority of them do not wish to give up this source of revenue?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to discouraging the extension of the activities of chain stores and co-operative societies, he will look into the possibility of imposing some special tax upon such businesses graduated according to the number of premises occupied by them?

I doubt whether multiplicity of branches affords any ground for the special taxation of business.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that such taxation is working with great advantage in another very large and important country?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the approximate amount contributed in taxation during the past financial year by co-operative societies and by private firms and individuals engaged in the wholesale and retail business; and whether a co-operative society pays on the same scale of profits tax as a private trader?

Co-operative societies no longer enjoy any privileged position in relation to the Income Tax. The Finance Act of 1933 has placed the societies in precisely the same position as any ordinary trading company, and the societies bear exactly the same Income Tax on the profits arising from their trading operations as would be borne by any company carrying on the same trade. As regards the tax paid by the societies before the alteration in the law made in 1933, I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 38 of the Minutes of Evidence of the Committee of Enquiry into the position of the co-operative societies in relation to the Income Tax (Command Paper No. 4260). The statistics collected in relation to the Income Tax do not distinguish the Income Tax payable by private firms and individuals engaged in wholesale and retail business.

Does the hon. Member appreciate that there is very strong feeling among the traders of the country that they are paying a higher rate of taxation on their net profits than the co-operative societies, and that if the co-operative societies paid at the same rate as the private traders the Chancellor of the Exchequer would be able to restore the cuts?

With regard to any feeling that may exist, I hope that my answer will allay it.

Will the Treasury not take Lord Beaverbrook into consultation on this matter?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can indicate the total value of Irish Land Stock issued under the Land Acts, 1903 to 1909; the total value of the stock since redeemed out of the Sinking Fund and the price paid therefor, as well as the value of the stock outstanding taken at the current market value?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the farmers in Northern Ireland who have purchased their holdings under the Land Acts, 1903 to 1909, may now be given the benefit of the higher rate of interest on the Sinking Fund than that assumed and the heavy fall in the market value of the stock, instead of waiting for years, as their present circumstances do not enable them to continue to pay the annuities at the existing rates?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on the 25th July last. As stated in that reply, there is no power to adopt the course of action suggested in the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not give the farmers the benefit?

I have said that there is no power.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the importance of money as a commodity and the substantial dependence of British trade upon the monetary policy of the country, he will consider taking steps to impose a measure of Government control upon the operations of the Bank of England?

No, Sir. The Government have no such intention. In practice there is consultation as necessary between the Bank of England and the Treasury.