asked the Minister of Labour the increase in the number of persons employed in the greater London area during the last five years; and how many of them approximately have come from places outside the area?

At the end of June, 1933, the estimated number of insured persons aged 16 to 64 in the London division (which corresponds approximately with the greater London area) was 2,398,840, of whom 270,510 were recorded as unemployed; at the end of June, 1928, the number of insured persons was 2,147,530, of whom 108,755 were recorded as unemployed. On this basis, there would appear to have been an increase of nearly 90,000 in the number of insured persons in employment in the London division between June, 1928 and June, 1933. I regret that information is not available as to how many of these had come from places outside the London area. Later statistics as to the numbers insured will not become available until after the annual exchange of books in July of this year, but the number recorded as unemployed in the London division at 19th March, 1934, was 239,150.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that there is a general impression in London that the greater part of the additional people who are employed come from the north of England, Wales and other parts of the country; that the people normally employed in London are very much the same in character and personnel as was the case three or four years ago; and that this is not helping the actual London portion of the unemployed?

I hope that the hon. Member will not adopt the attitude that we must do nothing for these other areas.

Is it not the fact that those people who come from the North and from Wales are much harder-working people than the people of London?

Could my hon. Friend give any idea of the number of people who have drifted into London from other areas and have failed to find work?

I have said in my original answer that information is not available as to the numbers coming from other areas.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that there is an impression—it may be wrong—that preference is given by Employment Exchanges, especially in the West of London, to people from the North and West over London-born people?

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed men registered at the Shoreditch and Stepney Employment Exchanges; and what percentage of unemployment is represented by these figures?

At 19th March, 1934, there were 7,030 unemployed men, aged 18 and over, on the registers of the Shoreditch Employment Exchange and 6,600 on the registers of the Stepney Employment Exchange. I am unable to say precisely what percentages of unemployment are represented by these figures, which include all men registered at those two exchanges, irrespective of their place of residence; but it is estimated that the numbers of men resident in the Metropolitan Boroughs of Shoreditch and Stepney who were registered as unemployed at 19th March, represented approximately 17.3 per cent. and 14.4 per cent., respectively, of the total numbers of insured men resident in those areas at July, 1933.

Do not these figures show that there is a very large percentage who are unemployed in the East End of London, while in other parts of Greater London there is a comparatively small percentage of unemployment; and will he bring it to the notice of his officials at the Employment Exchanges that they should try and give to these men in East London at least as much chance of getting jobs as people from outside?

That is what obtains at present.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed

asked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange for the separate entry at the Employment Exchanges of persons from the Ardwick Division of Manchester, so that unemployment figures could be readily ascertain-able?

My right hon. Friend regrets that, having regard to the heavy expense which would be involved in the collection and compilation of statistics of unemployment classified on the basis of Parliamentary Divisions, he is unable to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

Could not this be done by administrative action, without any expense whatever? There are 10 Divisions in Manchester; would it not be possible to find out what is the state of unemployment in each of them?

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

The practice is that men register at the Exchanges which are most convenient to them from the point of view of their place of employment, and not their place of residence. It would involve enormous expense to trace the residences of all the men registered at any particular Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the desperate economic position of the town of Haltwhistle, Northumberland; and if it is proposed to make inquiries to see what can be done to improve matters?

My hon. and gallant Friend has previously drawn attention to the position at Haltwhistle, and I can assure him that it will not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount paid into the Unemployment Fund from the increase of contributions made in October, 1931; will he give each item separately, employers' contribution, employés' contribution, and the Treasury contribution; and will he say what reduction it would mean to the Unemployment Fund per annum if the contributions were lowered to the pre-October, 1931, figures?

It is estimated that, from 5th October, 1931, to 31st March, 1934, the increase in contribution income from the increased rates of contributions enacted in October, 1931, amounted to approximately £37,000,000, of which employers contributed £9,850,000, employed persons £14,800,000, and the Exchequer £12,350,000. The particulars asked for in the second part of the question are contained in the reply given to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Mallalieu) on 23rd April, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour (1), whether it is within the terms of the regulations for a determination committee, when assessing the needs of a claimant for transitional benefit who has been intermittently employed, to assess those needs after a period of employment in such a manner as to absorb the balance of the wages earned over his assessed needs;

(2), whether he is aware that in Aberdeen, when anyone on transitional benefit finds employment for a few weeks and again claims transitional benefit, the public assistance committee is taking into consideration three-quarters of the applicant's wages while at work, and where this proportion exceeds the amount of transitional benefit he had been receiving previous to his finding employment refuses to pay him any benefit until the excess of wages over the rate of transitional benefit is absorbed; and, seeing that this means that for several weeks claimants who have obtained a short period of work have to go without benefit for several weeks, and that such a method of assessment does not hold out any inducement to anyone in receipt of benefit to accept employment as his income while employed is reduced by three-fourths owing to this method, will he say what reply he has sent to the complaints he has received against this rule of the Aberdeen public assistance committee?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on the 13th July last to a question by him on this subject, in which he stated that he had no reason to believe that authorities do not fully appreciate the importance of not discouraging men from finding employment. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply given to the representations made about the practice of the public assistance committee of Aberdeen.

Has nothing been done since July of last year until now to stop this practice of the Aberdeen Public Assistance Committee?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a letter which was sent to Mr. Hill, of the Boilermakers and Iron and Steel Shipbuilders' Society.

As the reply is absolutely unsatisfactory, in view of the long continuance of this practice and the inaction of the Minister of Labour in regard to stopping it, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the first opportunity on the Motion of the Adjournment of the House.

The hon. Member will recollect that my right hon. Friend, in his reply of the 13th July, pointed out specifically that the matter was one within the discretion of the local authorities, and not one in which we have any power to issue instructions. My right hon. Friend, therefore, can take no effective action.

If the reply which the Parliamentary Secretary has just given is meant to suggest that I should withdraw my notice to raise this matter on the Adjournment Motion, I must insist upon raising it, because I consider that the Ministry of Labour have the power to stop this practice.

asked the Minister of Health what it is intended that the posi- tion will be of unemployed persons deprived of their right to medical treatment by the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act, 1932, when the Unemployment Bill becomes law?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Rhondda, West (Mr. John) of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now state if the Government is prepared to recommit the Unemployment Bill with respect to Clauses 18 and 37, dealing with the debt to be borne by the Unemployment Fund and the means test, which were not discussed on the Committee stage?

asked the Prime Minister whether, arising out of the operation of the time-table on the Committee stage of the Unemployment Bill, he can now indicate the intentions of the Government regarding the conduct of the further proceedings on that measure?

I shall be obliged if hon. Members will be good enough to await my statement on Business.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the financial clauses of the Unemployment Bill are to take effect; and if he can indicate approximately the date on which the Government will take over from the local authorities in Scotland the financial responsibility for the administration of transitional benefit and the payment of able-bodied relief to the unemployed excluded from standard and transitional benefit?

It is not yet possible to make any statement as regards the appointed days under Part II of the Unemployment Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many local authorities are unable to frame their budgets until they have definite information as to when the Government propose to bring into force Part II of the Unemployment Bill; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the matter?

It is not yet possible to make any statement which will enable local authorities to estimate the amount of relief which they will receive in the current year under Part II of the Unemployment Bill, but I do not understand that local authorities generally have been unable to frame their budgets.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the circular sent out yesterday to Employment Exchanges stating that the board will take over responsibility on 28th July, it means that the board will actually function on that day, or whether they will simply make a further advance to the public assistance committee to enable them to carry on until a later date?

I think the hon. Gentleman has misunderstood the purport of the circular to which he refers. It has reference only to the ratio rule.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will confer with the representatives of the local authorities with regard to the financial results, if the coming into operation of the Bill is delayed longer than is expected, say, after 1st October?

I will look into that matter.

asked the Home Secretary if he will consider the amendment of the Royal Warrant governing the award of the bar to medals granted to special constables, so that the bar may be granted after the expiration of 19 years' service, and not be governed as at present by the date of the award of the medal?

Under the terms of the existing Royal Warrant, additional Long Service Bars may be awarded to holders of the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal who have continued to serve for a further period of 10 years after the award of the medal. The recommendation of the Chief Officer of Police concerned is necessary before either the medal or the additional Long Service Bar can be awarded. I have no evidence before me that these conditions are inappropriate, but if my hon. Friend will submit particulars indicating reasons for the change suggested, I will be glad to consider the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether a member of the Metropolitan police who is injured in connection with sporting events is placed on the sick list as injured on duty; and, in the event of his being returned medically unfit for police duty, under what particular category is he treated under the Police Pensions Acts?

A member of the Metropolitan Police Force who is injured while taking part in sports is not regarded as having been injured on duty: and if he has to retire following such an injury he is entitled not to a special pension but to an ordinary pension or a gratuity under Section 2 (1) (b) or (d) of the Police Pensions Act, the amount of course depending upon his pay and his length of service at the time of his retirement.

Is it not a fact that they are expected to take part in these sports as part of their duties and, if that be so, should they not be entitled to ordinary compensation?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of men at present on the sick list as a consequence of injuries received or sickness resulting from participation in police sports?

At the present time 32 members of the Metropolitan Police Force are on the sick list for the reason stated—one sergeant and 31 constables.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the result of the investigations into the question of continuing or closing the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage; and whether it is proposed to publish the report to the Police Forces concerned?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that these investigations are still proceeding and no report has yet been made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown regarding the property rights of the Central Canteen Committee of the Metropolitan Police vested in the receiver or the Central Canteen Committee, having regard to the views expressed in the report of March, 1927, by a committee of which the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hacking) was president and the receiver of the Metropolitan Police a member, that the showrooms and headquarters of the canteen service in the Borough High Street were the private property of the Central Canteen Committee and had no connection whatever with the Police Fund?

No, Sir. Since December, 1928, the freehold and leasehold property in question has been held not by the receiver or the Central Canteen Committee but by Trustees on behalf of the force generally, and it will continue to be so held.

asked the Home Secretary whether there are any regulations of a statutory or other character which would preclude the members of the Metropolitan Police or other forces from establishing a form of mutual trading entirely independent of the police authorities and operated apart from police premises or control?

Yes, Sir. I think this would come within the regulation which prohibits members of a police force carrying on any business for gain.

Assuming that the proposed trading was not for gain but was in the nature of a co-operative society among the policemen, would that come under the regulations?

Yes, Sir, I think it would.

asked the Minister of Health whether any form of inquiry is being made by his Department as to the effects on the general health of motor transport drivers and the general public from the inhaling of petrol and oil fumes?

I have been asked to reply; I do not think I can add anything to the answer given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. McEntee) on 11th December. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this reply.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received a report from his inspectors in connection with the breach of the hours regulations under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, that was committed by the Gresham Motor Transport Company, Limited, of High Street, Homerton, for having worked one of their employés for more than 11 hours continuously in 24 and without allowing him 10 hours consecutive rest; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I have no information on this subject beyond that contained in a recent statement in the Press to the effect that the company was convicted and fined £40 for offences against Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether his attention has been called to the results of an investigation conducted by the Automobile Association into the provision of footpath accommodation beside main roads, showing particularly in the western counties and in Sussex a neglect of such accommodation for pedestrians; and whether, for their greater safety, he will cause representations to be made to the responsible authorities with a view to securing a more adequate provision of footpaths besides such class of roads in these areas?

I have seen the recent particulars to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and, being aware of the need for footpaths in various parts of the country my hon. Friend the Minister of Transport laid stress on the importance of adequate provision for pedestrians in a circular addressed to highway authorities in February last. I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of this circular.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary able to say to what extent he is prepared to make grants from the Road Fund for the express purpose mentioned in this question?

These are not matters which I can discuss in detail here, but we are prepared to help in that respect.

Would my hon. and gallant Friend use his influence with the pedestrians, so that when these footpaths are provided pedestrians will utilise them?

We want to make it possible for pedestrians to have footpaths on which they will be willing to walk.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has had any representations from structural engineers with respect to the need for strengthening the many weak bridges in the country; and whether, in view of the serious depression in the steel industry, his Department will take any action in support of such representations?

I have received such representations and I had previously urged, and am continuing to urge, highway authorities to take advantage of the grants offered from the Road Fund for the strengthening and reconstruction of weak bridges.

asked the Minister of Health the number of councils which, at the present time, are considering schemes for the equalisation of rents under which it is proposed to pool the subsidies and to see that the poorest people get the full benefit and the tenants who can afford it pay economic rents?

Local authorities are not required to report action of this kind, or their consideration of its possibility, to me, but under the existing law a general pooling of the subsidies given under two or more separate Acts is not permissible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable number of these local authorities are pooling a part of the subsidy for the relief of poor tenants, and that the Leeds Corporation is the only municipality which is pooling the whole subsidy, and requiring tenants who can afford it to pay the full economic rents as recommended by his own circular.

I am certainly aware that the development in Leeds goes very much further than anywhere else.

Is it not a fact that in Leeds hundreds of corporation houses are being vacated and are empty?

I am aware that the experiment being conducted in Leeds is not wholly without friction?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in point of fact it is a great success, and that there is a surplus in the rent pool of some thousands of pounds?

asked the Minister of Health if he has now received the report of the committee on the prices of building materials with regard to the price of baths?

Yes, Sir. The report will be issued in the course of the next few days.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Customs revenue and Excise revenue obtained in the financial year 1933–34 from the duties on heavy hydrocarbon oils, specifying separately the amount obtained in respect of kerosene, lubricating oil, gas oil, and fuel oil?

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

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many additional revenue officers have been posted upon the frontier between Ulster and the Irish Free State since the imposition of special duties on Irish Free State produce entering Great Britain; and whether he is satisfied that their number is now sufficient to prevent smuggling over this particular border?

The number of officials employed on Customs work on the land boundary has been increased by 67 since the imposition of special duties under the Irish Free State (Special Duties) Act, 1932. I am satisfied that all possible steps have been taken, and will be taken as experience suggests, for the prevention of smuggling.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the wholesale smuggling is still going on over the border with great suffering to the Irish farmers and loss of revenue, and will he get into touch with the authorities?

I appreciate the concern of my hon. Friend, and I hope that my answer covers the point.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the special steps referred to in his reply are those being taken by the cattle while illegally coming across the frontier?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total sum for remissions, composition settlements, and claims abandoned by the Board of Inland Revenue for the year ended the last Saturday in October, 1933?

I regret that this information is not available. As my hon. Friend is aware, certain information for the year to October, 1932, is to be found in the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on the Revenue Departments Appropriation Accounts for the year 1932. These accounts are examined by the Comptroller and Auditor-General and details of the type to which my hon. Friend refers are only published in so far as the Comptroller and Auditor-General thinks fit to refer to them in his reports or they may occur in the evidence taken by the Public Accounts Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture at what price dried beet pulp is being offered by the sugar-beet factories to dealers for sale in this country, and at what price it is being offered for sale abroad?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that the information asked for is not available. There is no market quotation for pulp sold to dealers either at home or abroad.

If I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to a case in which a beet sugar factory recently offered to merchants sugar-beet pulp at a price for export 33 per cent. higher than the price for home consumption, will he look into the matter?

I will gladly pass it on to my right hon. Friend, but I would point out that only three per cent. of beet pulp produced in this country is exported.

Is not a shipping discount of 33 per cent. given on practically all kinds of export?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any agreement exists between the English and Aberdeen Milk Marketing Boards covering the sale of sweet milk from Aberdeenshire farms to distributors in England, and the conditions covering such transactions?

I understand that no agreement has been made between the Milk Marketing Board and the Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Board of the nature indicated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if any agreement exists between the English and Scottish milk marketing boards covering the sale of sweet milk from Scottish farms to distributors in England, and the conditions covering such transactions?

I understand that the terms of an agreement dealing with the sale of Scottish milk in England are at present under consideration by the English and Scottish Milk Marketing Boards, but that no formal agreement has yet been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that representations are made to the boards concerned with a view to having a more comprehensive and inclusive set of agreements.

I will convey the hon. Member's question to the Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there are, approximately, 500,000 persons in England and Wales, and 50,000 in Scotland, who are connected with the egg-producing industry, the livelihood of many of whom is in jeopardy on account of the increase in imports of foreign eggs to this country; and whether he will consider the matter of taking further steps to restrict such imports as one of urgency, pending the receipt by him of the report of the reorganisation committee?

The importance of the poultry industry in Great Britain is fully appreciated by my fight hon. Friend. Pending the receipt of the Reorganisation Commission's report, it is not proposed to take further steps to regulate imports of eggs.

May I ask whether steps are being taken to get an interim report on eggs and poultry?

I must have notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been an exceptional importation of eggs?

No, and I think the fact is that in recent weeks there has been a fall.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that while we are waiting for the report poultry keepers have to feed their hens?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the report will be ready?

asked the Minister of Agriculture to which foreign Governments he sent his request that they should limit their exports of eggs to this market as from 15th March; if replies have been received from any such Gov- ernments or from the Government of the Irish Free State, respectively, to such request, and to what effect; and if there has been any reduction in imports as from 15th March, and to what extent?

An invitation to limit exports of eggs to the United Kingdom market from 15th March to 14th September was extended to all foreign countries whose interest in the United Kingdom egg market during that period is material. Assurances of co-operation have been received from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Hungary and Japan, and in regard to supplies from China. A similar assurance has been received from the Irish Free State. Further representations are being made to the Governments of those countries which have not yet agreed. Imports from all the important suppliers of eggs to the United Kingdom have been appreciably less since the 15th March than in the corresponding period last year. Total recorded imports from all sources into the principal ports in Great Britain were about 929,000 great hundreds in the four weeks ended 14th April as compared with 1,411,000 great hundreds in same weeks in 1933, a decrease of 34 per cent.

Can my right hon. Friend say which of the foreign countries concerned have an export bounty on eggs so as to reduce the price in this country below the price in their own country?

I cannot say without notice.

The Irish Free State is mentioned. Do I understand that an invitation was extended to the British Dominions or to some of them in this matter?

I am not aware that the British Dominions are large importers of eggs into this country at this time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when it is anticipated that the report of the commission to consider the reorganisation of the poultry industry will be received by him; and if he will represent to the commission the desirability of expediting the preparation and delivery of such report to him?

My right hon. Friend does not expect to receive the Report of the Reorganisation Commission for Eggs and Poultry for some months. The commission have an important and difficult task and he is satisfied that they appreciate the need to make as rapid progress as is possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to receive this report; and will he consider asking for an interim report on eggs only?

That point has been raised in a previous supplementary question, and I will convey it to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has received any report from the Banbury market inspector in connection with the conditions prevailing in the cattle market at Banbury; whether he has any information on the matters reported on by one of the inspectors of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to the effect that the market is being used as a dumping ground for diseased and useless cattle; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has not received any such report from the Banbury market inspector, who is an official of the local authority. The Department has been informed that the majority of the consignment of cattle concerned in the recent proceedings at the West Ham Police Court at which, it is reported, an inspector of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals criticised the condition of Banbury market, were not exposed in either of the two Banbury markets but passed through the railway loading docks. All cattle offered for sale at these markets are inspected by the veterinary inspector of the local authority.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as every diminution in our adverse visible balance of trade means a reduction in interest payments on investments abroad due to us, he will state to what extent this factor is preventing the further exclusion of foreign agricultural produce now entering this country to the detriment of our own agriculture and that of the Dominions?

As I am unable to accept the premiss advanced by my hon. and gallant Friend, it is not possible for me to suggest an answer to his question.

Would the hon. Gentleman state where the payments on our overseas investments are to be found, if not in the adverse visible trade balance?

That is quite another point. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will have a word with me afterwards.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of chilled and frozen pork from foreign countries have increased from 28,997 cwts. in the first three months of 1932 to 135,746 cwts. in the first three months of 1934; and, as the bulk of this pork is imported from countries with which we have not made a recent trade agreement, will be take steps to denounce with those countries any treaties containing the most-favoured-nation clause, so that this importation can be reduced by duties or quotas?

I am aware of the figures quoted by my hon. Friend. The general question of United Kingdom policy in regard to pork will have to be considered before taking into account the subsidiary question of any treaty engagements which may affect this matter.

As the most-favoured-nation aspect is being considered, what are they going to do about pork?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of canned beef increased from 106,375 cwts. in the first three months of 1932 to 203,968 cwts. in the corresponding period of 1934; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this growing competition to the products of our livestock industry?