Written Answers
Cyprus (Late M Triantaffilides)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the investigations into the murder of M. Triantaffilides during January last have now been completed; whether the Governor of Cyprus has reported further on this matter; and if there was any reason to believe that this crime was political in its nature?
The Governor of Cyprus has reported that police investigations are still incomplete. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that in these circumstances it would still be improper to express any opinion as to the motives of the crime.
India (Silver Agreement)
asked the Secretary of State for India whether India has agreed to ratify the silver agreement drawn up at the London Economic Conference; and how many Powers interested have ratified this agreement?
The agreement has been ratified on behalf of the Government of India. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Foreign and Dominion Affairs.
Vaccination
asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability, when he is next promoting legislation or issuing orders dealing with vaccination, of abolishing the fee system of payment for services rendered by public vaccination officers?
The suggestion made by the hon. Member will be borne in mind, but on the question of legislation I would refer him to the reply given on the 1st instant to the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Summersby).
Slaughter-Houses (Licences, Farmers)
asked the Minister of Health whether there is any restriction upon the issue of slaughter-house licences to farmers who desire to market their produce direct to consumers, provided their premises and appliances comply with the requirements of the law?
The licensing of slaughter-houses is a matter within the discretion of the local authority, and there is no statutory restriction upon the issue of licences to farmers, provided that the conditions are regarded as satisfactory.
Royal Air Force ("Fury" Aircraft)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if it is proposed to erect machines of the "Super-Fury" type?
A number of methods of improving the performance of "Fury" aircraft are under investigation, and some modified aircraft of this type with increased performance should be in service in the early future.
Anglo-French Commercial Relations
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as the French Government has denounced the Anglo-French Commercial Convention of 1882, negotiations have been entered into for the preparation of any commercial convention in substitution; whether he will, in the course of such negotiations, bear in mind that France committed a breach of the Convention of 1882 by the imposition, in 1922, of an embargo upon the export of steel scrap to this country whereby the contractors concerned lost £5,000,000 and the British Government £3,000,000; and will he endeavour to obtain some compensation from the French Government?
Negotiations are being opened with the French Government for the adjustment of commercial relations between the two countries. I do not consider, however, that the matter referred to in the second part of the question could usefully be reopened.
Ex-Prison Officer (Compensation)
asked the Home Secretary with regard to the case of ex-Prison Officer A.M. Graham, late of Wands-worth prison, who has been awarded 10s. 6d. per week under the Workmen's Compensation Act in respect of injuries received by having been stabbed in the back by a prisoner with a shoemaker's knife, under what statutory authority the compensation was granted?
The Workmen's Compensation Act is itself the statutory authority for this grant, which is supplementary to a pension under the Superannuation Acts.
Scotland
Housing
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses under construction with the assistance of a State subsidy in each month from October, 1933, to the present date; the number approved for subsidy in each of the same months but not begun; the number constructed with the help of a State guarantee under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1933; the number approved for guarantee but not begun in each month since the Act came into operation; and at what rents these houses are to be let?
The numbers of State-assisted houses under construction by local authorities and private enterprise in Scotland at the end of last October, November, December and January (the latest month for which statistics are available) were 20,238, 19,259, 18,856 and 18,694 respectively. The numbers of houses approved for subsidy but not begun at the same dates were 5,008, 4,794, 4,609, and 3,441 respectively. As regards the last three parts of the question, only one guarantee scheme under Section 3 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1933, has been submitted, and this is now under consideration.
Prison Sevice
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Scottish Prison Officers' Representative Board has made representations to the Prisons Department to be supplied with waterproof coats similar to those issued to prison officers in England and Wales; whether the Scottish prison officers' pay and conditions of service were assimilated with those obtaining in England and Wales; and, if so, why this discrimination has been made in the case of the Scottish warders?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The pay and conditions of service in Scotland are generally assimilated to those obtaining in England; but differences in circumstances in certain respects require to be taken into account. Every discipline officer in Scotland is provided with a uniform greatcoat, and an adequate number of waterproof cloaks is maintained for general issue to officers when required; but having in view that practically every officer is provided with official quarters adjacent to the prison, a routine issue of waterproof cloaks in every case would not appear to be necessary. I shall, however, be glad to look into any particular case where the existing provision may be represented as falling short of reasonable requirements.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of boot allowance paid per annum to each Scottish warder in 1914; the amount paid immediately preceding the issue of boots in 1923; the cost per officer under the present arrangements of providing a pair of boots including the sum allowed for repairs; and is he aware of the complaints made by the Prison Officers' Representative Board regarding an inferior kind of boot supplied and that the repair allowance is inadequate?
The amount of boot allowance paid per annum to each Scottish warder in 1914 was 26s., and in 1922, 52s. In 1923 the supply of boots in kind was undertaken, and arrangements were subsequently made for uniform boots to be made at Polmont Institution. The cost per officer under present arrangements of providing boots, including the sum allowed for repair, is 21s. 6d. per annum. No complaint has been received from the Prison Officers' Representative Board that an inferior kind of boot has been supplied, and I have no reason to believe that the repair allowance, which was fixed after full inquiry, is inadequate.
Broadcasting (Peace Propaganda)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received from the Council of the League of Nations the draft agreement with regard to the use of broadcasting in the cause of peace; and, if so, what reply has been sent thereto?
A draft international agreement for the use of broadcasting in the cause of peace has recently been received from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations, and is now under consideration by His Majesty's Government.
New Employment Exchange, Bristol
asked the Minister of Labour what was the total cost of the new Employment Exchange at Nelson Street, Bristol; how this compares with the estimate for the scheme rejected by his predecessor; and whether there were any substantial differences between the two schemes?
I have been asked to reply. The comparative estimated costs required are as follow:Nelson Street:Site, £5,250.Building, £26,880.Victoria Street:Site, rent charge of £750 per annum.Building, £20,685.Space for other Government Departments has been provided at Nelson Street, at an estimated cost of £2,000. This is included in the above estimate. At present it is necessary, owing to the volume of work, to use this space for exchange purposes. The accommodation for the Employment Exchange is similar in both schemes, but, owing to difficult levels and the consequent need for building a retaining wall and basement, the cost of building in Nelson Street is greater. Also prices have fallen since the estimate for Victoria Street was prepared.