asked the Minister of Labour the present amount of the indebtedness of the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

The debt of the unemployment fund at present outstanding is £107, 780,000.

In view of the fact that the answer shows that there has been a considerable reduction in the debt, and of the fact that the reduction in the debt is being paid for as to two-thirds by industry, would my right hon. Friend consider dealing with it rather more on the lines of the Royal Commission report?

I have no power whatever to do so.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has considered the copy sent to him of the resolution of 5th March, passed by a meeting of the County and Burghs of Fifeshire Transitional Payments Officers Association; and whether, and how, he proposes to meet the request contained therein for safeguarding the position and employment of the staffs now working under public assistance departments?

I have received a copy of this resolution, the subject of which—as I said on 15th February in reply to the hon. Member for Deritend (Mr. Smedley Crooke)—is a matter on which I hope to have an opportunity of making a statement at the appropriate stage in the consideration of Part II of the Unemployment Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an assurance that, when the new Unemployment Bill becomes law, consideration will be given to the engagement for work in connection with the Unemployment Assistance Board of those available persons who have been for the past three years exclusively engaged in the administration of transitional payments?

The engagement of staff will rest with the Unemployment Assistance Board, but I have no doubt that full consideration will be given by them to the claims of the persons to whom my hon. Friend refers.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is prepared to make any recommendations to the new board?

That is entirely a matter for the board.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the appointed day for payment of the 40 per cent. relief to local authorities has yet been fixed; if not, whether the 1st April, 1934, can be selected, in view of the fact that local authorities close the financial year on 31st March; and if he will state whether, in the event of a later date being selected, financial assistance will be afforded to distressed areas to cover the period from 1st April to the appointed day?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 1st March to a similar question by the hon. Member for Birkenhead East (Mr. White), of which I am sending him a copy.

May I ask the Minister of Labour when he will be in a position to state when the appointed day is to be fixed, because he must know that many local authorities have been framing their budgets accordingly, and the result will be that they will lose a lot of money if they do not know the date?

Obviously, I am not in a position to give any indication when the date will be fixed, because I do not know when the Bill will become law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the hunger marchers still remain in London; and how their lodging and maintenance is being assured?

My information is that all the hunger marchers have now left London.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the practice of all public assistance committees to give assistance to unemployed households when the benefit drawn is not sufficient for the full needs of the household; and whether this is done with the authority of his Department?

It is the duty of public assistance authorities to consider all applications for relief and to grant assistance in supplementation of existing resources where they find this necessary. This duty is statutory, and its discharge requires no authorisation by me.

In view of the misunderstandings, and in some cases misrepresentations, of the public and the unemployed, and even among the higher ranks of the clergy, on this very important question, will the right hon. Gentleman do all he can to make that point abundantly clear to everybody concerned?

I think that the state of affairs is very well known to the persons most concerned—the local authorities. As to publicity on the matter, no doubt my hon. Friend's question will promote it.

asked the Home Secretary if, in order to assist in fire prevention, he will take steps to bring to the notice of the public generally the regulations in force that fire-extinguishing equipment should be provided in garages, public or private, and the penalties which are incurred by the infringement of such regulations?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the Regulations under the Petroleum Act, 1928, which govern the keeping of petroleum spirit, in quantities of not more than 60 gallons, for private use for the purpose of motor vehicles, etc. These Regulations require inter alia the provision of suitable fire-extinguishing apparatus, or, alternatively, a supply of sand or other effective means of extinguishing petrol fires. I have no reason to think that this requirement is not sufficiently well known. The Regulations do not apply to the keeping of petroleum spirit in any other circumstances, whether in public garages or elsewhere, for which a licence from the local authority must be Obtained. It is, I believe, the general practice for such licences to contain a condition requiring the provision of adequate fire-extinguishing apparatus.

asked the Home Secretary what fee is paid by his Department to the British Broadcasting Corporation in respect of each police message broadcast; and if he will state the number of police messages broadcast since the beginning of the year?

Thirty-six messages originated by the police for police purposes were broadcast from the various stations of the British Broadcasting Corporation during January and February. No fee is paid in respect of these messages.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether there will be any limit to the number of such messages which are broadcast, and whether, in view of the fact that they are largely local in character, he will request that they should be broadcast at the conclusion of the General News instead of at the commencement.

I think that that must be a matter for the British Broadcasting Corporation to decide.

asked the Minister of Health in how many instances the land comprised in clearance areas has been utilised by local authorities for the building of new houses; and in how many cases is it proposed to so utilise such land within six months of the demolition of the property thereon?

Information as to instances where the land comprised in clearance areas has been so utilised by local authorities is in my possession only as regards areas in repect of which compulsory purchase orders have been made. I am aware of 67 such areas and it may generally be assumed that rebuilding commences immediately after the clearance of the sites.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if in those cases where the whole of the land of the area is not required he does not think that it is much better to concentrate upon new houses rather than upon the destruction of old ones?

I think that the hon. Member should give me notice of that question, because his question referred to places where the land is so required.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases objections to the demolition of dwelling-houses scheduled under clearance orders have been lodged on the ground that such dwelling-houses belong to old-age pensioners; in how many cases has it been represented that the dwelling-houses comprise the only possession of the old-age pensioners; in how many cases have old-age pensioners proposed to be displaced submitted that they would be unable to pay the rents of council houses; and in how many cases has compensation been offered to such old-age pensioners?

I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider specific cases if particulars are given to him, and, generally, in view of the very grievous injury which is being inflicted upon many people by reason of the confiscation of their property without compensation, will he consider whether any steps can be taken to mitigate hardship in exceptional cases?

I am not aware that any such general injury is being inflicted, but I will certain consider any case which the hon. Member brings to my attention.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases he is assured that the slum-clearance programmes adopted by local authorities in accordance with Circular 1331 will be completed within five years?

With the exception of a few instances in which I am negotiating with the authorities concerned with a view to securing acceleration, and of London, the programmes adopted by local authorities are for completion within five years.

asked the Minister of Health whether, to facilitate the reconditioning of old-fashioned houses, he will suggest to local authorities the possibility of converting two unsatisfactory houses into one habitable dwelling, seeing that this policy would improve dwellings, minimise public outlay, and enable available funds to be expended in other housing directions?

The conversion of two houses into one is undoubtedly advantageous in suitable cases, but it is seldom practicable unless both houses are in the same ownership and care must be taken not to reduce unnecessarily the available housing accommodation. I do not think it is necessary to bring the matter specially to the attention of local authorities; my hon. Friend's question will be of assistance.

asked the Minister of Health the names and the number of towns which are adopting a means test in connection with the actual tenants of grant-aided houses under their control?

Any inquiries which a local authority may make for the purpose of fixing the rents of individual houses or granting rebates to tenants is a matter within their discretion, and as to which no returns have to be made to my Department. I am not, therefore, in a position to supply the information required.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state for the latest available date the number of houses in England and Wales per 1,000 of the population and, for comparison, the corresponding numbers at the dates of the Censuses of 1911 and 1921?

The estimated number in September, 1933, was 245.8. The corresponding numbers at the Censuses of 1911 and 1921 were 214.9 and 211.9 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any part of the Exchequer contribution is being utilised by the Government of Ulster, either directly or indirectly, in assisting the Belfast shipbuilding industry, whether by way of subsidy or other direct facilities to the shipbuilders concerned or by the granting of loans at low rates of interest to shipping firms proposing to place orders in Belfast?

I have been asked to reply. The revenues of the Northern Ireland Government are derived from the proceeds of taxes levied in Northern Ireland and the only grants made are for specific purposes, such as the equalisation of the unemployment charge between the two countries. There is no general Exchequer contribution which could be used in the manner suggested in the question. As regards shipbuilding I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward) on the 5th February from which he will see that the only facilities are those afforded to shipowners under the Loan Guarantee Acts in the form of the guarantee, but not the grant, of certain loans for capital construction.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that in answer to a question in the Ulster Senate on Tuesday of this week a statement was made by a member of the Northern Ireland Govern- ment to the effect that over £12,000,000 is guaranteed for shipbuilding purposes in Northern Ireland on the understanding that orders are placed in the Belfast shipyards; and whether he does not consider this a discrimination in favour of the Belfast shipyards as against such shipyards as are situated on the Tyne and the Clyde and elsewhere in this country?

Is it not a fact that all that the Northern Government do is to guarantee to the banks who advance money to shipbuilders such money as is necessary to go on with the contract; and is it not a fact that having built the ships they have a lien on them?

Is not this a form of indirect subsidy, and, therefore, may I ask what form of protection can be given to English and Scottish shipbuilding for the same sort of constructional work?

I have seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers, and in the answer there is a recital of the true facts of the case.

Arising out of the reply—

We cannot have a Debate on this question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of malt, unmalted grain, rice, and molasses used in distilling in the year ended 30th September, 1933, and also the output in proof gallons?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will with my hon. Friend's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give the amount realised by the duties on foreign films during last year; and whether he will consider raising the import duty to 8d. per negative foot which is the duty imposed by Australia?

As regards the first part of the question, the revenue derived from the duty on exposed cinematograph films imported from foreign countries during the year ended 31st December, 1933, was approximately £94,000; as regards the second part, the relevant considerations in regard to this duty, in common with other Customs duties, are brought under review in connection with the Budget.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the amount of film which was imported during the last year from the United States of America and the amount imported from other countries, also the amount produced in Great Britain; and the amount paid for the hire of films to the United States of America and other foreign countries during the year?

Such figures as are available regarding imports of films and production in this country would furnish no basis for comparison. The only comparable figures relate to registrations of British and foreign films under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927, and the footages of such films registered in 1933 are as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent resolution passed by the Japanese textile organisations concerning the unacceptability of the British proposals regarding the countries to be included in the negotiations of the Anglo-Japanese conference in London, he is now in a position to make a statement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make a statement on the Lancashire-Japan textile negotiations?

The discussions between the representatives of the United Kingdom and Japanese cotton and rayon industries are still proceeding, and I cannot in these circumstances appropriately make any statement on the matter.

Seeing that these negotiations are being stretched out to a very great length, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that notice should now be given to terminate the 1911 Anglo-Japanese Treaty, including the most-favoured- nation clause?

That does not arise on the question to which the hon. Member has had an answer.

May we take it that the Board of Trade are in close contact with these negotiations and are giving all the help that they can?

Yes.

May the House be assured that the Government are watching these negotiations and affording the textile delegation the fullest assistance which lies in their power, and that they are endorsing—

Speech.

May I have a reply to my question?

Exactly the same question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) has already been answered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories have been built since the inception of the National Government; the number of workers they employ; and the number of factories in course of construction?

According to a survey made by the Board of Trade of industrial development in 1932, 646 new factories were established in that year. The number of workers employed in these factories at the end of April, 1933, was 44,750. A similar survey for the year 1933 is in course of preparation but is not yet complete. I have no information as to the number of new factories established between the inception of the National Government and the end of 1931, nor as to the number of factories now in course of construction.

Can my right hon. Friend state how many of these new enterprises are controlled by foreign capital?

Can my right hon. Friend tell the House that he is considering the appointment of additional factory inspectors in view of the increased number of factories?

In making surveys of this kind, will the right hon. Gentleman see that we also get figures and facts relating to the factories that have been closed?

If the same question is put down with regard to factories that have been closed as with regard to factories that have been opened, I shall be glad to get the information.

How do the two figures compare? Are we up or down on the exchange?

We are going up in every direction.

May I have an answer to my question, as to whether my right hon. Friend can explain how many of these new enterprises are controlled by foreign capital?

I am afraid I could not do that without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his offer to co-operate with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce in an ex- amination of the most-favoured-nation clause has yet resulted in any practical action?

I have not yet received any further proposals on this subject from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, as a result of the Government's restrictions on bacon imports, the price of bacon has risen 3d. per pound; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am aware that the price of bacon is now higher than it was before measures were taken to regulate imports. I would remind the hon. Member that, as has frequently been explained to the House, those measures were expressly designed to secure an improvement in wholesale prices.

Is the price of bacon one of the things that is going up in all directions?

Is it not a fact that the cost of living is actually going down?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the communication from the Wolverhampton Chamber of Commerce, amongst other chambers, urging the appointment of a special committee to investigate the best method of dealing with Japanese competition; and whether he will treat this question as a matter of urgency?

I have replied to the Wolverhampton Chamber of Commerce explaining why, in my view, the appointment of a special committee in relation to Japanese competition is not likely to serve any useful purpose. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that letter. I have since received another letter from the chamber which I am considering.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is more than one method of dealing with this competition, and in view of the very strong feeling on the subject, will he not re- consider the question of appointing a neutral and impartial committee?

I have always kept in mind the fact that import duties are one way of dealing with it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is the combined total of oats imported from Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics between 13th January, when the new rates of duty became effective, and the end of February; and how does this figure compare with the corresponding one for 1933;

(2) what is the combined total of oat-meal imported from Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics between 13th January and the end of February; and how does this figure compare with the corresponding one for 1933?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the desired information, since statistics of trade are not compiled for periods of less than a calendar month and the particulars for February are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total imports of barley from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the first two months of this year; and how does this figure compare with that for the corresponding period of 1933?

The required particulars will not be available until the 14th March, on which date they will be published in the issue for February of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom."

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of barrels of herring from the autumn 1933 catch that have been purchased by the Russian authorities as a result of the Russian Trade Agreement?

So far as I am aware, Soviet buyers have not yet purchased any herring since the conclusion of the Trade Agreement, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the state- ment I made on the subject of herring purchases in the Debate on 1st March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Import Duties Advisory Committee has yet resumed its inquiry into the future of the Silk Duties?

The position remains as stated in the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons) on the 5th December last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state, as at a recent convenient date, the aggregate sum of money deposited with the Customs Department by importers pending decisions as to the amount of customs duties leviable on the articles imported?

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer of restoring the full cuts imposed by the second Budget of 1931, including full restoration to the unemployed, based on the figures prevailing on 1st January this year or at the most convenient date?

In a reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Keighley (Captain Watt) on the 23rd November the total cost of restoring the cuts to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was stated as about £23,000,000. A revision of this calculation at the present time would show a slightly lower figure and some part of the total cost would fall on the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

May I ask whether that figure includes or excludes the reduction in the pay of civil servants fixed on the cost-of-living basis?

I have answered the question on the Paper as to what will be the cost to the Exchequer to restore the cuts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total net receipts for Customs and Excise during the calendar year 1933 in respect of beer (home-made and imported), spirits (home-made and imported), wine, and sweets (including British wines)?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange to continue permanently the embargo upon the issue of foreign loans to 58 foreign States now in default; and whether he is aware that British export trade created by the former loans to those States has not benefited the country, in view of the fact that the goods exported have been paid for by British money subscribed to foreign loans now worthless?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Norfolk, South-Western (Sir A. McLean), on the 20th February.

Is the hon. Member aware that for several years past a portion of the British export trade which appears in the Board of Trade Returns is really a national loss and not a gain owing to the default of foreigners?

My hon. Friend can be reassured that before any fresh decision is taken in regard to the embargo the matter will be examined in the light of all the relevant circumstances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that under the provisions of the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919, ex-Service men in Ireland who had served in the Great War were promised a cottage free of rent and two statute acres of land, and that by a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the Irish Free State ex-Service men in the Irish Free State have been confirmed in possession; will he state why ex-Service men in Northern Ireland have been, and are being, evicted; and will he take steps, by Regulations or otherwise, to ensure that no less favourable treatment will be given to ex-Service men in Northern Ireland than obtains in the Irish Free State?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, as the Act mentioned does not contain any promise of the kind suggested. The Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust is being administered in Northern Ireland in accordance with the relevant Statutes, the interpretation of which, so far as Northern Ireland is concerned, is not affected by the recent decision of the Supreme Court of the Irish Free State.

May I ask whether the Irish Free State Supreme Court has not decided that these cottages and land should be given rent free to ex-Service men to whom they were promised during the War?

That may be so.

If that is so, is there any reason why there should be a discrimination against ex-Service men in Northern Ireland?

I answered that question when I said that what happens in Northern Ireland is not affected by any decision of the Supreme Court of the Irish Free State. I am informed that certain tenants in Northern Ireland are bringing actions against the Trust in this matter, and it is therefore sub judice.

Is it not rather peculiar that an Act of Parliament of this House to give land to ex-Service men in Ireland should be interpreted in one sense in one part of Ireland, and operated in that sense, and interpreted in a different sense in another part of Ireland, and acted upon in that sense? Cannot something be done by the Parliament which passed the Act to see that it is interpreted in the spirit in which it was passed by this House?

If the hon. Member desires me to reply, there are, of course, many contrasts in this world about which we have our own opinion. As it is a question of the facts, I have stated them.

But facts which are laid down by an Act of Parliament cannot operate in one direction in one part of the country and in an entirely different direction in another part of the country?

Is not the real position this, that the Irish Free State has defaulted; and is that any reason why Ulster should default as well?

Is it not the case that the Ulster Government have defaulted to ex-Service men?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the serious position of the poultry industry in the country since prices for eggs, for the corresponding time of year, are lower than at any similar period since 1914; and whether he will consider adopting a drastic cut in foreign imports?

The report of the market supply committee on the question whether any, and if so what, additional steps should be taken by way of regulation of imports to assist the home egg industry, was submitted to the Ministers concerned yesterday. It is being taken into immediate consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether it is possible to stop eggs being sold as new laid when they are imported from the other side of the equator?

I do not think that question arises.

Is not the ultimate aim of the Minister of Agriculture to increase the production of eggs in this country sufficient to meet the consumption?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that many pig curers at the present time are unable to obtain any pigs for the purpose of carrying out their contracts as a consequence of the marketing scheme; and what action he proposes to take?

The last contract period expired on 28th February, and it was found necessary owing to the new principles embodied in the contracts for the current period to extend the closing date for the registration of these contracts to 12th March. The Pigs Marketing Board are taking all possible steps to overcome any difficulty which may have arisen owing to this extension and to ensure that curers receive immediate supplies of pigs under the new contracts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that pig curers to-day, this week, and next week, cannot get any pigs at all?

Is it not a fact that a certain clause in the contract is causing a great deal of delay in contracts being made?

That scarcely arises out of the question on the Paper, but I can assure the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mander) that the Pig Board is taking all steps to secure a supply of pigs for the curers.

Is it not notorious that this Socialist scheme has broken down altogether?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the approximate difference between the maximum number of pigs which could be used for bacon purposes by existing British bacon factories during the past year and the number of pigs which were actually available for such purpose; and how such maximum capacity of existing British bacon factories compares with the present average annual consumption by the British public of bacon?

The maximum capacity of the bacon factories in Great Britain is estimated at between 3,500,000 and 4,000,000 pigs per annum. I have no information as to the number of pigs which were actually available at the factories for curing during 1933, but the number of pigs which registered pig producers contracted to supply during the four months November, 1933, to February, 1934, was approximately 588,000. The capacity of the factories in 1933 was about 40 per cent. of the present average annual consumption of bacon in Great Britain.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a shortage of bacon factories in the country, and will he give this matter consideration?

It is essential first to get full supplies for the factories that are operating.

Is the right hon. Gentleman still complaining of his likeness to the Pied Piper of Hamelin?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, if his attention has been drawn to the action of a London newspaper in awarding a so-called V.C. collar to dogs; and whether he will take steps to prevent any action that may detract from the dignity of the Victoria Cross?

The newspaper scheme mentioned by my hon. Friend has been going on for over three years. The initials V.C. are normally quoted in inverted commas in this connection by the newspaper in question, and while I deprecate the practice as a matter of taste, I cannot think that in the mind of the public it detracts from the dignity of the Victoria Cross.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will ascertain and inform the House of the number of employés of the Suez Canal Company other than pilots or directors who are of British, French, and other foreign nationalities?

I am endeavouring to obtain this information and shall be glad to let my hon. Friend know the result of the inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour the nature of the obligations imposed upon member States of the League of Nations in regard to their representation at the International Labour Office of the League of Nations; and whether there is any means of ensuring that the workmen's representatives on any of the commissions of the International Labour Office shall be given facilities by their respective Governments for attending at Geneva when their presence is necessary in the interest of the workmen they are authorised to represent?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT copies of Articles 389 and 390 of the Treaty of Versailles, which deal with the composition of the International Labour Conference, and of Article 393, which deals with the appointment and constitution of the Governing Body.

The Treaty contains no provisions regarding the attendance of particular individuals at meetings held under the auspices of the International Labour Organisation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will direct the attention of local education authorities to the memorandum on Bovine Tuberculosis in Man, issued by the Ministry of Health, with a recommendation that milk provided for school children should be certified Grade A (tuberculin tested) or efficiently pasteurised?

Attention was called to the Ministry of Health memorandum on Bovine Tuberculosis in Man, which was issued in 1931, on page 54 of the report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Board of Education on the Health of the School Child, for 1930. It is the practice of the board, in approving proposals by local education authorities for the provision of milk to school children, to urge the authority to make every effort to secure a supply of pasteurised or tuberculin tested milk.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is very difficult to obtain Grade A tuberculin tested milk any more, in view of the fact that the medical profession have a preference for dirty milk pasteurised, and that that preference has nearly killed the production of clean milk in this country?

asked the Minister of Health whether the conditions governing the distribution of the grants-in-aid of rural water supplies will make it compulsory for provision to be made in every case, except where this is shown to be impracticable, for a piped supply of drinking water to any schools in an aided area which is not now provided with a satisfactory water service?

Rural district councils have no power to compel school authorities to take a supply from their mains. The Ministry in dealing with applications for approval of rural water schemes take steps to secure that the proposed water supply will be available to schools, where necessary and practicable, and this practice will be continued in dealing with grant applications.

Where it is necessary, surely it is practicable that school children should get a decent clean water supply.

asked the Minister of Health the decline in mortality from tuberculosis since 1851 and since 1911; and whether any European country can show a comparable decline in mortality from the same cause since 1911?

On the basis of the standardised death rates for all forms of tuberculosis annually published in the Registrar-General's Statistical Review, the 1932 mortality in England and Wales was approximately 56 per cent. of that in 1911 and 22½ per cent. only of the corresponding mortality of the quinquennium 1851–5. Comparable figures for other European countries are not completely available; but it would appear that no less improvement has been experienced in certain other countries.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Norris Green Housing Estate, Liverpool, with a population of 30,000, of which 10,000 are scholars attending the schools in the area, are not provided with swimming-baths facilities and the children are deprived of swimming instruction and recreation; and will he confer with the local authority concerned with a view to facilitating this work?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the provision of a swimming bath is a matter within the discretion of the city council, but I am communicating with them to ascertain the present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health what answer he has given to the representations made to him by the National Conference of Friendly Societies regarding the maladministration by the public assistance committee of the London County Council of Section 48 of the Poor Law Act, 1930, resulting in members of friendly societies having their sickness benefit wholly included in error when incomes were being assessed or the needs test being applied; and whether, in view of what has happened in London, he will issue a special instruction on the subject to all public assistance committees?

The legal issues raised in these representations are now under consideration.

Is it proposed to take any steps to make payments to members of these friendly societies of the money of which they have been deprived by this action on the part of the public assistance committees concerned?

If the hon. Member will consider my answer he will see that I can add nothing to-day, but perhaps he will put the question down again.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that a number of local authorities in Scotland are ignoring Section 105 (1) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, which provides that public assistance committees, in granting out-door relief to a person entitled to receive benefit under the National Health Insurance Act shall not take into consideration the first 7s. 6d. of health insurance benefit in assessing incomes for relief; what action he intends to take to compel local authorities to conform to the law; how many local authorities have been communicated with by the Department of Health; and how many have given effect to the Act of 1924?

The Department of Health for Scotland have communicated with 21 local authorities regarding their failure to observe the requirements of Section 105 (1) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924. In the case of 14 the failure related to particular cases which have now been satisfactorily adjusted. Of the remainder five have formally agreed to observe the requirements of the section and with two the Department are still in correspondence.

What steps are the Government taking to get local authorities to carry out the law; and why should all these negotiations, extending over years, be carried on with local authorities to get them to observe the ordinary law?

The facts as I stated in the answer are that almost without exception local authorities are carrying out the law. My hon. Friend is aware that one of the difficulties was that this particular provision was not in the Poor Law of Scotland but was in the Insurance Act. We are remedying that by including it in the new Poor Law Bill.

What steps are being taken to see that the authorities which are not carrying out the law are compelled to do so; and is there any redress for anyone who has been refused this money over a period of time because the authorities have not carried out the law?

With regard to the individual case, any person who is aggrieved may appeal against inadequate relief; but where the authority, on the other hand, passes a formal resolution that they will not have regard to the law, that is dealt with first by negotiations, and, if there is resistance, it will be dealt with by the necessary legal steps. So far we have settled all the outstanding cases.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that authorities have no right under Section 105 (1) to make this deduction of 7s. 6d., and that if a person does not state the amount of his income he can be imprisoned for giving false information?

The hon. Gentleman is dealing with the Poor Law of England. I am dealing with Scotland.

Am I not right in saying that the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, applied to Scotland as well as to England?

That is so, but not the proceedings to which the hon. Gentleman referred.

May we take it that in future these local authorities will be told to inform themselves of the National Health Insurance scheme, and that if they do not carry out their duties will the Secretary of State appoint a Commission to see that they do?

Under the law of Scotland that is not possible, nor is it in my opinion necessary. If the hon. Gentleman will read my answer, he will see how satisfactorily the matter has been dealt with.

I give notice that on the first available opportunity I will raise this matter, and also the question of subsidies on housing.

asked the Minister of Health on how many occasions the panel doctors have had reductions made in their remuneration since 1921; what was the percentage of each such reduction; and the estimated saving to the Exchequer on each?

As the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons in receipt of pension under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, in England and Wales, and whether it is intended to introduce legislation to grant them the old age pension in addition on reaching 70 years of age?

The number of persons in England and Wales in receipt of a pension under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, at the end of 1933 was 22,167. I am unable to hold out any hope of legislation.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to expedite the work of Standing Committees, he will propose to this House the adoption of the recommendation made by the Select Committee on Procedure in 1932 that power to select amendments should be given to all chairmen of Standing Committees?

I can only refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on the 29th January last in reply to a question on this subject by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank).

May I ask the Prime Minister what the business will be next week?

Monday: It is proposed to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on going into Committee of Supply on the Navy Estimates, and to consider Votes A, 1, 10 and 2 in Committee.

Tuesday: The remaining stages of the Mining Industry (Welfare Fund) Bill, the Rural Water Supplies Bill, and Indian Pay (Temporary Abatements) Bill; Committee stage of the North Atlantic Shipping Bill, and the Second Reading of the British Sugar (Subsidy) Bill.

Wednesday: Civil and Revenue Departments, Vote on Account, Report stage (2nd allotted day). The Debate of which notice has been given will be on foreign affairs.

Thursday: It is proposed to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on Army Estimates, and to consider Votes A, 1, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 in Committee of Supply.

Friday: Private Members' Bills.

During the week it is hoped to conclude the remaining stages of the North Atlantic Shipping Bill.

On any day when time permits other Orders may be taken.

May I ask the Prime Minister to look again at Tuesday's business? It is a very large amount of business for one day. The Indian Pay (Temporary Abatements) Bill has caused a good deal of unsuspected debate. It kept the House very late last night.

That was on the Supplementary Estimate.

But the Prime Minister will realise that as the Bill deals with India it is likely to cause sudden interventions and unexpected debate. It is a very large programme of business for that day. Further, I would ask the Prime Minister for what reason the suspension of the Eleven o'clock Rule is being moved, whether only for the purpose of getting Vote A?

Before the Prime Minister answers, may I reinforce what has been said with regard to Tuesday's business. There are several Bills which will take some time. There is the North Atlantic Shipping Bill to be considered in Committee, and the British Sugar (Subsidy) Bill has been put down for Second Reading as the fifth Order, Seeing that this Bill raises very important matters, which have attracted a good deal of attention in various quarters inside the House and outside, does the Prime Minister think that its Second Reading, which provides the chief occasion on which the whole policy can be discussed, should be the fifth Order? Might it not be put down as first Order on that day, or put down as first Order on some subsequent day?

The Mining Industry (Welfare Fund) Bill is likely to take some considerable time, and we on this side do not wish to be urged to get over certain business in order to get on with other Bills.

I think my hon. Friend the Member for Limehouse (Mr. Attlee) fell into something of an error about the Indian Pay (Temporary Abatements) Bill. That Bill went through previously in about 20 minutes. We shall certainly take all these representations into account, as we always do when announcing a fairly full programme for any one day, but we would like to get on with these Bills, and we hope the House will co-operate with us in getting the programme through.

May we take it from that that the particular Bill to which I referred will not be taken at a late hour of the evening?

Is it not a fact that we have often heard the right hon. Gentleman's sugar bounty speech?

It is not the intention of the Government to enter upon the Debate on that Bill at an unusually late hour. With reference to the suspension of the Eleven o'clock Rule to-day, we should like to get items 1 and 2 on the Order Paper, and also No. 3. No. 3, however, is an exempted Order, so that the suspension of the Eleven o'clock Rule applies only to items 1 and 2.

May I call attention to the fact that the last discussion on Air Estimates did not finish until 1 o'clock in the morning, and that other business had to be taken at an extremely late hour? The House is being worked extremely hard.

I think the House will remember that when Items 2 and 3 were before us at an earlier stage the House rose early. I think it will be possible to get these three Orders at a reasonably early hour.

I did not hear any mention of a day next week for the further stages of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, and as nothing has been done this week, I would like to ask if the Government have abandoned the Bill?

I am very happy to say that the answer to that question is in the negative.