asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the total number of persons on the means test in Lancashire at the latest date on which figures are available; the number in receipt of full payments; the number in receipt of part payments; and the number disallowed payment?

At 19th March, 1934, there were 164,338 applicants for transitional payments on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Lancashire. The available statistics do not enable me to analyse this total according to the rate of payment, but I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving such an analysis in respect of the cases dealt with by the public assistance committees in the three months ended 3rd March, 1934.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the total amount saved by the administration of the means test in Lancashire up to the latest date for which figures are available?

I very much doubt whether it is possible to make such an estimate for any county separately but I am looking into the matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, separately, the number of young persons, women, and men who were continuously unemployed for the 12 months ended 31st March last and for the previous 12 months?

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

Does the statement indicate any serious continuance of long unemployment among juveniles?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the advisability of circularising public assistance committees calling their attention to the amendments adopted in the Unemployment Bill with regard to allowances for War pensions and other matters, suggesting that they should give consideration to the question of putting these into operation forthwith?

No, Sir. In so far as the Unemployment Bill changes the law it would be illegal for the authorities to bring its provisions into force before it becomes an Act, and it would be most improper for me to invite them to do so.

Will it be within the discretion of the public assistance committees to adjust what they have been doing to the changes that are now taking place?

That is a matter for the public assistance committees. To my mind it would be wholly wrong for me to attempt to give directions before the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

The public assistance committees can exercise their free discretion in the matter?

Their discretion is not affected.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total number of foreign artistes who received permits to take part in theatres, music halls, and film studios during the last 12 months, with the average duration of stay in this country?

Figures for the past 12 months are not immediately available. The number of permits issued in respect of theatrical, variety hall and film artistes during 1933 was 1,634. I am unable to state the average duration of stay of these artistes; the period would be from one week upwards according to the nature of the engagement.

Has a maximum duration of stay been laid down?

I am not quite sure about that. I will let the hon. Gentleman know.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of permits that have been granted to foreign artistes who are to take part in the Covent Garden opera in the coming season; and whether the number is greater or less than those granted a year ago?

The number of permits issued in respect of foreign artistes for the Covent Garden opera last year was 37. The number so far issued for the forthcoming season is 32.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has given consideration to the distress existing in the county of Durham; and what steps the Government propose to provide employment in that district?

The conditions created by the heavy unemployment in the depressed areas of county Durham and elsewhere are the constant concern of the Government. The policy which we have followed has aimed at restoring confidence and creating employment in the country as a whole, and I have every hope that the trade improvement which the Government has done so much to secure will continue and extend to many of the places now counted as depressed. The initiative for providing employment in particular areas cannot, however, rest with the Government, though any practical measures to this end which are proposed to it will receive most sympathetic consideration and, wherever possible, active support.

Will the Prime Minister tell us whether the Government are taking steps to find employment in the county of Durham? Did he read the three articles in the "Times" some weeks ago? If so, did they make any impression upon him? Will he say whether the Government will or will not take steps?

If the hon. Member will remember Durham as it was when we came into office and examine its prospects then and now, he will find that the Government have contributed substantially towards helping Durham.

Will the Prime Minister tell me what the Government have done to contribute substantially to the finding of work in Durham? Is he aware that Durham is worse to-day than when the Government came into office?

Can the Prime Minister say whether these derelict communities are to be regarded as a national responsibility or a local responsibility?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that whatever improvement there may be in employment in the country generally it has not touched such areas as Durham, and that things are getting worse, comparing them over a number of years? Is he aware that all the proposals that are put to the Government are simply put into cold storage and no notice taken of them? Will he not give some attention to these depressed areas?

The remark of the hon. Member about cold storage is, if he will believe me, quite untrue. The problem of Durham is a very grave problem indeed. It concerns historical changes in the industry of the country, the use of coal and so on, and nobody knows better than the hon. Member that, had the Government not made arrangements with certain foreign countries for the use of coal, Durham would be in a worse condition than it now is.

roses—

We cannot have a Debate on this matter.

May I have an answer to my question? Can the Prime Minister say where the responsibility lies for the treatment of the people in these derelict communities? The Government have done well in the county of Durham.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the resignation en bloc of the Tyneside Development Board and the delay which must occur before the Unemployment Assistance Board functions, he will consider the immediate appointment of an officer charged with preparing plans for the development of the North-East coast, and particularly for dealing with the derelict areas therein?

The subject of the so-called derelict areas is constantly receiving the close attention of my Department, and at the present time I am considering whether any steps can usefully be taken to obtain further information than is now in my possession as to the position in these areas. I should add that any such action is only likely to be valuable if it can count on the co-operation and assistance of local effort.

Is it not the case that a solid core of unemployment is concentrated in these areas, and could not the Minister consider the possibility of adopting drastic and comprehensive schemes of resettlement?

I do not accept the premises upon which the hon. Member bases his question.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any power to prepare plans for industrial development?

That is not a question which should be addressed to me, but to the President of the Board of Trade, or some other Department. The powers of the Minister of Labour are very limited in this matter.

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

The present amount of debt of the Unemployment Fund is £106,580,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the case of Gaskell and St. Helens Colliery Company, where the court of appeal have given a decision that a person injured at the pit-head baths is not entitled to compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act; and will he consider amending the law so as to bring within the Workmen's Compensation Act those who use pit-head baths?

I have seen no details of this case, but I will consider the position in the light of the full report, when available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get into communication with the coalowners and see if they will agree to pit-head baths being included? Unless workmen can be assured that they are protected against injury, it is likely to have a deterring effect on the use of the baths.

I hope to have a very full report, and I will consider it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a large number of miners employed at the Llewellyn collieries, Mountain Ash and Penrhiwceiber, and the Bwllfa collieries, Aberdare, have received 14 days' notice to terminate their employment, the reason being the falling off of the export of dry steam coal to France; can he make any statement as to the progress made in the negotiation of a trade agreement with France; and whether consideration is given to the position of the coal export trade to that country?

I am aware that notices have been given to about 850 men working at this group of pits. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the discussions with the French Government, which began in London on 14th March, were concerned with the question of quotas, including that applied to coal, and with the preparation of drafts intended to replace the Conventions of 1826 and 1882 which were recently denounced. The discussions are suspended for the present, the French delegation having been obliged to return to Paris owing to other negotiations on which they were engaged.

Are the negotiations likely to be resumed in the future?

I hope so.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has yet had any negotiations with the Central Council of the Mining Association of such a nature as to warrant the withdrawal of the Coal Mines Bill designed to amend Part I of the Act of 1930?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is intended to proceed further with the Coal Mines Bill?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government intends to proceed with the amendments to Part I of the Coal Mines Act, 1930; and, if not, can he state what opportunities the House will have to discuss necessary amendments to the 1930 Act?

I understand that agreement has been reached by the Central Council of Coalowners, but until I have received assurances from that Council, and from all the districts, that the respective schemes will be amended in a manner considered satisfactory by the Government, there can be no question of delaying or withdrawing the Coal Mines Bill.

May I ask when the hon. Member is likely to be able to make a statement?

I think that the districts will complete their discussions in about a week's time.

Are we to take it that the hon. Member will make a statement with regard to this matter?

If a question is put down.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of coal in stock at the pithead, on sidings, and the dock-side in South Wales on the last available date?

At the end of January, 1934, the quantity of coal in stock at the pithead in South Wales and Monmouthshire was 1,900,000 tons. I regret that particulars of stocks on sidings and the dock-side are not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines the position with regard to the suggested regulation for the compulsory provision of firedamp detectors underground?

A preliminary draft of regulations to deal comprehensively with the provision of means for the detection of firedamp by underground workmen has been communicated to the representative Associations of the industry for consideration, with an intimation that I shall be glad to discuss the draft with them. I am awaiting their replies.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied with the result of the discretion given to chief constables to warn motorists reported by the police for minor infringements of the law instead of issuing summonses against them; whether he can give any statistics showing the extent to which this discretion has been utilised; and whether it has resulted in any noticeable reduction in police court motoring cases?

During the years 1929 to 1932 out of a total of 1,294,062 offences relating to motor vehicles, 940,628 cases were dealt with by prosecution while 353,434 were dealt with by police caution. It may be assumed that in at any rate a large percentage of the cases dealt with by police caution, a prosecution would otherwise have been necessary. I have no reason to be dissatisfied with the present procedure in this respect.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can furnish the number of fatal and non-fatal road accidents in the borough of Hammersmith in the year 1933, showing separately the figures for Uxbridge Road?

The number of street accidents known to the police to have occurred in the Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith in the year 1933 was 2,438. Of these, 28 were fatal, 984 resulted in personal injury and 1,426 involved damage to property. I regret that, without considerable expenditure of time and labour, the number of accidents which occurred in the Uxbridge Road cannot be given.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the advisability of introducing compulsory lighting of side streets with coloured lamps to indicate to motorists a speed limit at which they should travel in those streets; and what is the attitude of his Department on this subject?

There will no doubt be an opportunity for discussion of my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal in the course of the proceedings on the Bill which is now before the House.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (1) what was the number of blind children of school age in England and Wales, separately, in 1920, 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1933, giving the number having elementary training and the number having secondary school training;

(2) if he will state what number of deaf and dumb children of school age there are in England and what number in Wales, separately; what number of schools and where situated; what number under local education authorities and what number under voluntary associations; and what is the grant paid and the average attendance for 1920, 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1933?

As the replies to these questions involve a large amount of detail, I am sending the hon. Member the information for which he asks.

Will the replies be included in the answers in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

They are at very great length and too voluminous. I will send them to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps are being taken to teach children road-sense and the rudiments of the highway code?

Memoranda have been issued by the Board to local education authorities from time to time on the subject of traffic dangers, and much

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if he will furnish a list showing those authorities which, under Sections 82 to 84 of the Education Act, 1921, provide meals, respectively, only on days when the school meets, on days when the school meets and Saturdays and Sundays, and on school days, Saturdays and Sundays, and during holidays?

As the answer involves a considerable amount of detail, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the importance of this instruction, will my hon. Friend consider having it included in the regular weekly curriculum of the schools?

I am afraid that I cannot do that, but I can assure the hon. Member that a great deal of attention is given to training in this subject in the schools.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that the teaching of temperance in the schools would do great deal towards helping to reduce road accidents?

asked the Minister of Health when the inquiry into the slum-clearance area in Collyhurst, Manchester, will take place; and what steps are being taken to ensure the maximum of rehousing on site?

The inquiry will be held on the 30th May. The Order submitted by the local authority provides that the greater part of the site is to be used for re-housing.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any evidence at present that men in the building industry are unemployed owing to shortage of bricks or that building operatives are anywhere delayed by shortage of materials?

I have received no such evidence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in 1847, 1857, 1866, 1914, and 1931 the Government had to come to the rescue of banks and relieve them of their obligations under their contracts with the public; and, in view of this, will he assure the House that this country will not return to the gold standard system?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. At the outbreak of the World War in 1914 the banks, along with the rest of the community, were accorded the benefit of a temporary moratorium, but on no other occasion has even temporary relief been granted to the banks from their obligations under their contracts with the public.

With regard to the prospects of a return to the gold standard, I have nothing to add to the statements on the subject already made on behalf of the Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the liability of the Post Office to the public in respect of deposits amounting to £331,000,000, he will say if there are sufficient paper notes in existence to enable them to repay without interfering with the requirements of industry; and, if not, what arrangements the Government has made for enabling the printing of sufficient notes for this purpose?

My hon. Friend may be assured that the Post Office Savings Bank is fully able to meet all its commitments without interference with the requirements of industry.

From what source could this be done?

Has there been any time in the history of this country when the Post Office could not meet its commitments?

There is certainly no risk, at any rate, as long as the present Government remain in office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that it is the practice of the Inland Revenue authorities in Scotland to charge executors of deceased persons in residuary accounts interest on the balance of estate from the date of the death of the deceased persons, while in England on similar accounts interest is charged only from one year after the death of the deceased; and whether, as there are no grounds for such discrimination against Scottish interests, he will take the necessary steps to assimilate the practice in Scotland to the practice in England?

I am not aware that there is any divergence of practice, as between Scotland and England, in regard to the charging of interest on legacy duty, to which I understand the hon. Member refers. If, however, he cares to furnish me with particulars of any case he has in mind, I will cause inquiry to be made into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any part of the new Three per Cent. Loan will be used to pay off loans on which a lower rate of interest is now being paid?

The cost of the new loan is about £3 1s. 3d. per cent. The debt replaced consists of £105 millions of 4 per cent. Treasury bonds and £11 millions of 3 per cent. Treasury bonds, both due for repayment this month. The balance of the new money is available to reduce floating debt. It is not of course practicable to estimate what would have been the average cost of such floating debt over the period of 25 years to 35 years over which the life of the new loan extends.

May I take it that the statements in certain newspapers that this loan is going to cost the country nearly £3,000,000 more in interest is not true?

Yes, Sir. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that the Government have acted with prudence, discretion, and wisdom.

Can the hon. Gentleman say the amount of the balance available from the new money to reduce the Floating Debt?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the introduction of a simplified form of Income Tax return in order that the taxpayer may be enabled to submit his return direct and not, as in many cases occurs, have to consult professional advice before doing so?

The present form of return is based upon the recommendations of the committee, presided over by Mr. Justice Rowlatt, which was set up for the purpose of considering the simplification of Income Tax forms. I do not know that it can be materially improved, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has any suggestions to make I shall be very glad to consider them.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether it is customary to ask for the assessment before this House has sanctioned the tax for the current year, as has been done this year?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the extent to which daily individual work returns for clerical officers are used in the Civil Service; the annual cost of such returns; and the purpose for which they are designed?

No general instructions have been issued on this matter and I have therefore no detailed knowledge of the extent to which individual work returns are used for clerical officers. The question is essentially a departmental one and I regret that, owing to the disproportionate amount of time and labour that would be involved, comprehensive information of the kind asked for cannot be made available.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that this is a very irritating practice, and that it is possible that irritation caused to the staff in this way does not produce the best results?

I am not aware what irritation it is to which the hon. Gentleman refers?

I will tell the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the desire of members of the staff employed at the Grimsby Employment Exchange to have the floor of the Exchange treated periodically with some dust-allaying compound; whether it is within his knowledge that the dust which at present rises is proving detrimental to the health and well-being of the staff; and for what reason the Department has declined to accede to this request?

I have made inquiries and find that one of the clerks at this Exchange is suffering from chest trouble which is alleged to be aggravated by dust from the floor. There is no evidence that this office is unusually dusty, but in the circumstances I am arranging for the floor to be treated with a dust-allaying compound.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a well-known floor covering which may prevent further complaints?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet in possession of the information required by him from the shipping industry to enable the Government to decide upon a policy which will protect shipping from the competition of foreign shipping subsidies?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make any statement as to Government assistance to the British Mercantile Marine?

I have received a great deal of information from the shipping industry, but I cannot at present add to the answer which I gave on this subject on the 6th March.

Is the right hon. Gentleman contemplating the use of the tariff weapon on goods coming from countries which indulge in shipping subsidies?

Every aspect of the shipping problem is under consideration.

When the right hon. Gentleman is considering a subsidy to the shipping industry, will he bear in mind the Lancashire cotton textile industry?

Are we likely to have any legislation in regard to this urgent question before Parliament adjourns for the Summer Recess?

I cannot say at this stage whether it will be necessary to have any legislation. There are other ways of dealing with these problems. The problems have so many aspects that I am afraid I cannot give any indication in regard to legislation at this moment.

If the Government are not prepared to introduce legislation, when do they propose to do some of the other things that the President of the Board of Trade knows about?

They are doing something now.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what they are doing?

If the hon. Member cares to put down a question, I shall be delighted to answer it.

Why waste time? Why cannot the right hon. Gentleman tell us now?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the United States Customs authorities intend to impose a condition that goods exported from Scotland to America shall, after 9th June next, be described as made in Great Britain instead of made in Scotland as hitherto; and whether, as this alteration would prejudice Scottish manufac- turing interests, he will make representations on the subject to the appropriate Department of the United States Government?

I am informed that the United States authorities will be prepared to recognise the following markings for merchandise imported on and after 9th May, 1934, as acceptable: "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland," or "United Kingdom," "Great Britain," "Northern Ireland," "Ireland," "England," "Scotland," "Wales."

Am I to understand that the change I suggest in the question is not contemplated and that the mark known hitherto as "Made in Scotland" will not be abolished?

I hope my hon. Friend will find that he will be well satisfied when he considers the answer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what particular commodities the distinction between Great Britain and Scotland is most important?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the great increase of Japanese cotton imports into British India, Africa, and Australia during January of this year; and if he is now in a position to state what steps he proposes to take in order to regain these markets for Lancashire?

The Japanese official trade statistics do not record any increase in exports of cotton piece goods to Australia or South Africa in January last compared either with January or December, 1933. No official figures are yet available for the African Colonies. As regards India, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that an agreement has been arrived at between India and Japan for the limitation of Japanese imports into India.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time has come when the Government should take bold, constructive measures?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of import supplies of hams and cooked hams into Scotland for processing purposes which has arisen under the bacon marketing scheme and the inadequacy of the present quota to meet the demands of consumers in Scotland, he will state what action he proposes to take in view of the fact that unless the import quota is increased unemployment may arise in the ham-curing and processing industry?

The Market Supply Committee have been asked to examine the circumstances affecting the supply of hams, particularly in Scotland, with a view to advising His Majesty's Government in the matter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a very important matter for Scotland, that at the present time the quota of hams is absolutely inadequate, that as far as home supplies are concerned they are not forthcoming, and that this is having a serious effect in Scotland from the industrial point of view?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the position is urgent in Scotland, and can he say whether he contemplates any immediate action?

I cannot add to the answer I have given.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider this matter as urgent?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to secure the appointment of the Pig Industry Development Board?

I have been asked to reply. A bacon development scheme has recently been submitted by the Pigs Marketing Board and the Bacon Marketing Board, and notice of submission was published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes on Tuesday of this week. Copies of the Scheme, price 2d. post free, can be obtained from the Pigs Marketing Board or the Bacon Marketing Board, at Thames House, Millbank, S.W.1, or from the Scottish offices of the Boards, at 124, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, C2., and 105, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, C.2, respectively.

Why does it all start from Glasgow when there are far more pigs in England than there are in Scotland?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what complaints he has received with regard to the decision of the arbitrators as to milk prices for the current season which would justify him in referring the matter to a committee of investigation under sub-section 3b of Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931; and from what body such complaints have been received?

A number of expressions of dissatisfaction with the award of the appointed persons have been received both from organisations and from individuals, but they are not being referred to the committee of investigation because even upon the receipt of a report from that committee my right hon. Friend would have no power to vary the award.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Minister in a reply to me stated that persons aggrieved by the award should apply to have their cases placed before the committee of investigation and that he could take no action until this had been done?

I am informed that my hon. and gallant Friend is quite wrong. Presuming that a scheme exists, the arbitration having taken place and the award having been given, neither the Minister nor the committee can interfere in any way with the award.

Is it intended by the Government to vary the method of fixing the contract price in the next contract for 1st October?

Obviously, I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give an estimate of the number of persons employed full time and part time, respectively, on greyhound tracks or in connection therewith in Scotland at the present time?

I regret that the information desired is not available.

As this information will be of importance when the Betting Bill is before the House will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to obtain it?

I have made inquiries this morning, and I find that it will put a very laborious task upon a large number of authorities, but I will consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the present public auditors were appointed and approved by him in the case of Greenock Town Council; and what is the amount paid each year to the auditors?

The appointment of an auditor to audit the accounts of the town council of Greenock is an annual appointment. The present auditor was first appointed on 21st May, 1931, and he was re-appointed on 12th May, 1932, and on l2th May, 1933. The fee for auditing the accounts for the year 1932–33 as approved by me is £750 4s.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total sum involved in the alleged overpayment by Greenock Public Assistance Committee to people on relief and reported to him by public auditors; and if any exception has been taken to the amount paid to a child and, if so, what is the amount so taken exception to?

The interim report lodged by the auditor relates to payments of relief to the able-bodied poor for the two weeks commencing the 3rd and 10th January, 1934. The amount of expenditure during these two weeks which the auditor has reported as being in his opinion contrary to law is £78 15s. 2d. As regards the second part of the question, the auditor's report does not state the family circumstances of each case and I am unable to give the information asked for. The question raised by the interim report will be fully inquired into.

Will the right hon. Gentleman himself give a decision in this matter, and, if so, can he give any indication when it will be made?

Until I have received representations from the parties concerned I am not in a position to give any decision on the matter.

As the hon. Member for the division concerned will the right hon. Gentleman see that they are treated fairly?