Written Answers
Naval And Military Pensions And Grants
asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the circumstances of Mrs. Elizabeth Motion, of 17, Gibbins Road, Stratford, E.15, previously in receipt of pension No. DNM. 2,495, and who is now in great need?
Mrs. Motton's pension was discontinued about five years ago as her circumstances at that time did not entitle her to further payment. No application for renewal of the pension has since been made and therefore none has been refused, but if an application is so made it will be considered without delay.
asked the Minister of Pensions whether any ex-service men who have been drawing pensions since 1919 are to-day not in receipt of final awards, and how many?
The records of my Department do not enable me to state the number of cases, but I understand that there are comparatively few, and these would consist only of those cases in which it has been found after repeated medical review that the men's conditions did not admit of final settlement.
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the late Captain James Nealon, Royal Marines and Royal West Kent Regiment, drew his previously earned pension during the War concurrently with his pay as an officer?
The answer is in the affirmative.
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the late Lieutenant Horace Wright, Royal Marines, drew his earned non-commissioned pension during the War concurrently with his pay as an officer; and whether this officer's widow is entitled to and draws pension or compassionate allowance in respect of her late husband's services as an officer?
Lieutenant Wright completed the period of service required to qualify for a pension as a non-commissioned officer early in 1915, but the pension was not actually awarded until 1918, when he received the whole of the arrears due. The pension continued until he ceased to serve as an officer in 1919, when he was awarded retired pay on the officers' scale in lieu. The widow is in receipt of a pension of £35 a year in respect of Lieutenant Wright's service as an officer.
Contributory Pensions
asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the circumstance attending the refusal of pension to Mrs. C. Farley, No. 27,541,103; and whether he will review the whole case?
Mrs. Farley's claim to widow's pension, under the Contributory Pensions Acts, failed because fewer than 104 contributions (the minimum qualifying number, specified by Statute) had been paid during her husband's insurance. The circumstances were fully investigated, but, in the absence of the statutory qualification, I have no power to award a pension to Mrs. Farley.
asked the Minister of Health if he will expedite inquiries into the pension claim of Miss Emily Beatrice Snewin, of 68, Devonshire Road, Stratford, E.15?
The inquiries will be expedited and decision on her claim communicated to Miss Snewin as soon as possible. Difficulty has arisen from the fact that when she claimed a contributory old age pension she gave a different year of birth from that which she indicated when she became a member of an approved society in 1920.
Housing (Improvement Areas)
asked the Minister of Health how many applications have been made by local authorities since December, 1931, for confirmation orders in respect of improvement areas under the Housing Act, 1930?
Since 1st January, 1932, 30 local authorities have passed resolutions declaring 47 areas to be improvement areas under the Housing Act, 1930. No confirming order is required in respect of such declarations.
State Medical Service
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the movement both in the medical profession and also among friendly societies and national health insurance organisations in support of the setting up of a complete medical service for the whole of the population of the country; and whether he will favourably consider the appointment either of a parliamentary or of a departmental committee to explore the situation and to report as to the desirability of introducing legislation for the creation of such a service?
Proposals on this subject have been brought to my notice and are being examined, but I am not at present in a position to indicate what action, if any, the Government may decide to take in relation to them.
Women Wage-Earners
asked the Minister of Health what is the percentage of women in England at the ages 14 to 15, 18 to 20, 21 to 124, 25 to 29, and 35 to 44 who are wage-earners?
The best information available is that relating to women employés, with respect to whom the particulars asked for are contained in the following table:England and Wales.Proportion of women "employés" to all women at ages—
| 1931. | |||||
| percentage. | |||||
| 14–15 | … | … | … | … | 50.8 |
| 16–17 | … | … | … | … | 75.3 |
| 18–20 | … | … | … | … | 78.3 |
| 21–24 | … | … | … | … | 63.7 |
| 25–29 | … | … | … | … | 41.0 |
| 30–34 | … | … | … | … | 27.5 |
| 35–44 | … | … | … | … | 21.3 |
Transport
Road Accidents (St John Ambulance Brigade)
asked the Minister of Health whether having regard to the increase in road accidents and to the services voluntarily given to injured persons by members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, he will consider the desirability of issuing a circular to local authorities asking them favourably to consider appli- cations received from branches of the brigade in their respective areas for the use of sites for casualty stations and generally to render such help to the brigade as may be within their powers?
I will send my hon. Friend a copy of a circular issued to local authorities last November on the general question of the ambulance service. This circular is being followed up by local investigations into the adequacy of the service in certain parts of the country, and when I receive the report on these investigations, I will consider the suggestion made in the question.
Traffic Lanes
asked the Minister of Transport if the traffic lanes now being marked on certain main roads are so marked under his instructions; and if he will prepare and circulate to all road users exact instructions for the use of these traffic lanes?
Traffic lanes have been marked on various main routes by the highway authorities at my predecessor's request, as an indication that drivers should keep within the nearside lane, except when overtaking another vehicle. Notices to this effect are displayed on some of the routes, and the intention of the lanes seems to be generally understood, so that the action suggested by my hon. Friend would appear to be unnecessary.
Traffic Signals
asked the Minister of Transport if he will prepare and have circulated definite instructions regarding the meaning of the amber light in traffic signals?
The meaning of the amber light in traffic signals is given in paragraph 28 of the Traffic Signs Regulations, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I intend to include in the Highway Code, which is at present under revision, a statement as to the significance of the lights shown by traffic signals.
Unigar Clothing Factory, Edmonton
asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a number of men engaged at the Unigar clothing factory at Edmonton were dismissed from their employment on account of having taken steps to join a trade union and that, on 6th June, 140 girls, also employed at this factory, came out on strike, partly in sympathy with the men and partly to insist upon their own right to organise; and, in view of these and many similar instances, can he take steps to protect the workers' right to join trade unions?
I am informed that this dispute arose in connection with the discharge of certain workpeople consequent upon the reorganisation of the factory. Arising out of negotiations between the firm and the union, I understand that the firm have made an offer which is to be submitted to a ballot vote of the workers concerned. In these circumstances, I do not think it desirable to make any further statement.
Unemployment (Statistics)
asked the Minister of Labour (1) what was the percentage of unemployment in England and "Wales on the last week of June in each of the years 1929, 1931, 1933 and 1934; and how many additional persons have become registered as in employment since October, 1931;(2) what were the percentages of unemployment in Scotland on the last week in June in each of the years 1929, 1931, 1933 and 1934; and how many additional persons have become registered as in employment since October, 1931?
The following table shows, for England and Wales, and for Scotland, the percentage of insured persons recorded as unemployed in June, 1929, June, 1931, June, 1933, and May, 1934 (the latest date for which figures can at present be given):
| England and | |||
| Wales. | Scotland. | ||
| 24th June, 1929 | … | 9.4 | 11.0 |
| 22nd June, 1931 | … | 20.5 | 25.4 |
| 26th June, 1933 | … | 18.6 | 24.7 |
| 14th May, 1934 | … | 15.3 | 22.9 |
Egypt (Capitulations)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the demand made at a recent sitting of the Egyptian Parliament for the abolition of the capitulations; and whether His Majesty's Government are prepared to take steps for the calling of a conference representative of the capitulary powers for the reconsideration of the whole system of capitulations?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affrmative. As regards the second part, the Egyptian Government are known to be anxious to secure the modification in certain respects of the regime of the mixed courts. His Majesty's Government do not believe that any useful purpose would be served by enlarging, at the present time, the scope of such discussions on this subject as may be expected to take place between Egypt and the other States concerned.
Universal Furniture Products' Factory, Wembley
asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the working conditions obtaining at the factory of Universal Furniture Products at Wembley, in which employés are working in overcrowded and badly-ventilated conditions; that regulations governing the use of masks as protection against fumes are being ignored and other necessary working conditions and facili- ties are either partly or wholly ignored; and whether he will institute inquiries with a view to having these conditions remedied?
I have received a report showing that these works have been repeatedly and carefully inspected and the allegations in the question are not borne out. I may add that masks are not required, and I am advised that such a requirement would not be desirable.
Manchuria (Mr Lenox Simpson's Claim)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received authority to deal on behalf of Mr. Lenox Simpson with his representative in this country; and if a decision has now been arrived at and been communicated to his representative?
A letter has been received from Mr. E. Lenox Simpson nominating a representative to act for him in this country in connection with his claim against the Manchurian Government. A decision has been reached in regard to the case and has been communicated to this representative. No further statement can be made until I am acquainted with Mr. Lenox Simpson's views in the matter.
Tithe Rentcharge (Royal Commission)
asked the Minister of Agriculture how soon he hopes to be in a position to state the composition of the proposed Royal Commission on Tithes?
I am not yet in a position to state the composition of the proposed Royal Commission on Tithe Rent-charge, but I hope to be able to do so at an early date.