Written Answers
Steam Tractors (Duty)
asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the representations made to him in regard to the high taxation on steam tractors used in connection with saw-mills and its effect on unemployment in country districts; and whether he will consider alterations in the incidence of this tax?
Representations have been received from time to time about the taxation of steam tractors used for timber haulage, but consideration of them has not led me to the conclusion that any case for alteration of duty has been made out in respect of these vehicles, which throw considerable strain upon the roads.
India (Fazal Ellahi Qurban)
asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Fazal Ellahi Qurban was arrested under Regulation III of 1818, in August, 1930, after he had paid a visit to the Meerut conspiracy case prisoners for the purpose of assisting them in their defence; that Fazal Ellahi has now been for three years and eight months in prison without a trial; in what part of India is he in prison; what is the state of his health; and whether he will consider his release from gaol, seeing the length of time which he has already served without trial?
This man was arrested in Meerut on information being received that he was engaged in revolutionary activities, but was released when it was ascertained that he had come to visit the Meerut prisoners. He was subsequently arrested in the Punjab and detained under Regulation III of 1818, as a result of activities in that Province. The Government of India have recently decided to release him from gaol, but to restrict his movements to a definite area. I have no recent information as to his state of health.
Scotland
Wife Assaults
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of proceedings for assault of husbands upon wives in Scotland from 1931 to 1932, inclusive?
The numbers of persons proceeded against in Scotland for wife assault in recent years have been as follow:
| Year. | No. of persons proceeded against. | ||
| 1921 | … | … | 1769 |
| 1922 | … | … | 1434 |
| 1923 | … | … | 1536 |
| 1924 | … | … | 1520 |
| 1925 | … | … | Figures not available. |
| 1926 | … | … | 1382 |
| 1927 | … | … | 1393 |
| 1928 | … | … | 1429 |
| 1929 | … | … | 1498 |
| 1930 | … | … | 1569 |
| 1931 | … | … | 1492 |
| 1932 | … | … | 1347 |
Milk Marketing Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what points in regard to the Scottish milk marketing scheme are being examined by the Investigation Committee; and when does he expect the Committee will be able to issue a Report?
The Committee of Investigation for Scotland have reported on complaints regarding the charge of 1s. 5d. per gallon for milk sold by registered producers to distributors whose total daily sales do not exceed 50 gallons. The Committee, after taking account of the relevant factors, including the consideration that the present scale of prices will lapse on 1st April, 1934, when a new contract period will commence, have come to the conclusion that it would be premature and would serve no useful purpose at this stage to investigate the complaints fully by hearing formal evidence from the Scottish Milk Marketing Board or from the complainants. The Committee propose, therefore, to take no further action in the meantime. In the interval the grievances of the complainants have been remedied in part by the new scale of prices fixed by the Board for the new contract period. No other matters are at present under consideration by the Committee.
Unemployment Bill
asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that persons receiving transitional benefits and, in addition, assistance from certain local authorities are being advised that under the new Unemployment Bill such additional assistance will be lost to them; and will he state what the exact position is?
Under the Unemployment Bill transitional payments will cease, but persons to whom Part II of the Bill applies may be assisted by the unemployment assistance board who will have power to grant allowances. Such allowances may not be supplemented by a public assistance authority, but since the amount of an allowance will be determined by reference to the applicant's needs and will not be subject to the maximum of the unemployment benefit rate, there will be no occasion to supplement it.