Written Answers
Unemployment
Aged Workers
asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed persons would be absorbed into industry by the withdrawal of all who reach the age of 60 years?
No, Sir. All that it is possible to say with any certainty is, the number absorbed would be considerably less than the number so withdrawn.
Draft Assistance Regulations
asked the Minister of Labour the date upon which the draft Unemployment Assistance (Determination of Need and Assessment of Needs) Regulations, 1934, were submitted by the Unemployment Assistance Board to him in pursuance of Section 52 (2) of the Unemployment Act?
The draft Regulations prepared by the board, in accordance with Section 52 (2) were submitted to me on 26th October last.
Transport
Speed Limit (Conviction)
asked the Home Secretary the reasons why the driving licence of George Moore, No. 17,483, was endorsed on 3rd December, 1934, at Thames Police Court, notwithstanding the fact that the presiding magistrate imposed only a nominal fine as it was the man's first offence and did not order endorsement of the licence?
I understand that the defendant in question was convicted of exceeding a speed limit. Sub-section (1) of Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, requires that particulars of such a conviction are to be endorsed on the defendant's licence unless for special reasons the Court thinks fit to order otherwise.
Pedestrian Crossing Places
asked the Minister of Transport how many cases of accidents have occurred at the beacon crossings since their introduction; and whether he will give in each case the action which was taken against the person responsible, whether motorist or pedestrian?
Between 11th June, 1934, and 1st December, 1934, inclusive, the numbers of accidents which occurred on pedestrian crossing-places in the Metropolitan Police District and the City of London and which involved injuries either to pedestrians or to other persons were 499, of which 213 were on controlled crossings and 286 on uncontrolled crossings. I am informed by the Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis and the City of London that during the period proceedings in relation to the driving of vehicles at pedestrian crossings have been authorised in 190 cases. No proceedings against pedestrians have been authorised. In addition, I am informed that some thousands of drivers have been warned by the police for infringements of the regulations and large numbers of pedestrians have been reminded of the need for compliance and the desirability of using the crossings.
Appeal Tribunal
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the cost of appeals made by road hauliers against the commissioners' decision of refusal of licences is excessive; and what steps will the Minister take to investigate this situation?
I have not previously received any representations regarding the cost of appeals to the special appeal tribunal set up under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933. The fees payable are fixed by an Order made by the tribunal and approved by the Treasury in accordance with the Act.
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, owing to the decisions given by the appeal tribunal, a trader no longer has the right to choose whether his goods should be sent by road or by rail; and if he will be prepared to receive direct representation on this question?
I am not aware of any decision by the appeal tribunal established under the Road and Rail Traffic Act to this effect.
Ribbon Development
asked the Minister of Transport whether the Government propose to introduce legislation this Session to control ribbon development in rural districts?
The Government are giving active and sympathetic consideration to the whole subject with a view to the early introduction of legislation.
Electricity Supply, Minchinhampton
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that for over three years the question of supplying electricity to the town of Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, has been under consideration; and whether there is a possibility of some immediate decision being taken?
The West Gloucestershire Power Company have decided to proceed with a further extension of their high tension system which, when completed, will bring the supply within a short distance of Minchin-hampton, and have intimated their intention to canvass that town to ascertain whether the demand is likely to warrant further capital expenditure on low tension mains in the locality. The Electricity Commissioners are in communication with the company as to the results of the canvass, and are pressing the company for an early decision on the matter.
National Health Insurance
asked the Minister of Health what consultative councils were originally established in England under Section 4 of the Ministry of Health Act, 1919; which of these councils still continue to function; how many members there are on each of the existing councils; and how many meeting of each of the councils have been held in each of the years 1932, 1933 and 1934, respectively?
The answer to the first question is four, and, to the second, the Consultative Council on National Health Insurance (Approved Societies' Work). This council has 39 members and met twice in 1932, and once in each of the years 1933 and 1934.
Kenya (Defence Force)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that over 200 British settlers have refused to be conscripted for military training in the Kenya Defence Force; and whether there is any clause in the Ordinance establishing the force providing for conscientious objectors to military service; and if so, what is it?
My attention was recently drawn to statements in some sections of the public Press to the effect that 210 young settlers had been arrested and transferred to a special concentration camp in Kenya. I inquired of the Governor by telegram, and have been informed that there is no foundation for the report. Some members of the Defence Force had not completed their annual training, and letters had been addressed to them asking for an explanation. With regard to the second part of the question, there is no Clause in the Kenya Defence Force Ordinance providing for the exemption of conscientious objectors as such, but under Section 13 (2) the Governor in Council has power to exempt any person or class of persons from any or all of the obligations imposed by the Ordinance or by regulations made thereunder. This power has been used by the Governor to exempt individuals who have applied on conscientious grounds, and it seems to be sufficient for its purpose.
Malaya (Vaccination Law)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there has been any alteration in the vaccination laws of Malaya; and, if so, in what way these laws have altered?
So far as I am aware, there has been no recent change in the law. For the future it is proposed in the Federated Malay States to substitute State legislation for the present Federal Enactment, but this will not, I understand, entail any substantial change in the provisions of the law.
Uganda (Military Training)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether compulsory military training has been established in Uganda on the same basis and for the same reasons as in Kenya?
No, Sir.
Afforestation (South Wales Areas)
asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what schemes of afforestation are being contemplated for the current season in South Wales, including Monmouthshire?
The Forestry Commissioners' programme for the current season includes the following afforestation in their South Wales areas:—
| County. | Forest. | Acres. | |
| Brecknock | Brecon | … | 100 |
| Glasfynydd | … | 14 | |
| Brecknock and Monmouth. | Mynydd-ddu | … | 100 |
| Cardigan | Brynmawr | … | 53 |
| Cwmeinion | … | 15 | |
| Myherin | … | 300 | |
| Cardigan and Montgomery. | Tarenig | … | 40 |
| Carmarthen | Brechfa | … | 500 |
| Caio | … | 150 | |
| Crychan | … | 150 | |
| Pembrey | … | 100 | |
| Glamorgan | Llantrisant | … | 7 |
| Margam | … | 53 | |
| Rheola | … | 400 | |
| Monmouth | Llanover | … | 80 |
| Tintern | … | 147 | |
| Radnor | Radnor | … | 63 |
| 2,272 | |||
India (Cotton Import Duties)
asked the Secretary of State for India the amount of the import duties on cotton piece goods and yams entering India in 1919; what the increases have been since then; and the dates of these increases?
In 1919 the rate of import duty on cotton piece-goods was 7½ per cent. ad valorem. With effect from 1st March, 1921, it was raised to 11 per cent. ad valorem and remained at that rate until 1930, when the rates
| With effect from. | On goods of British manufacture. | On goods manufactured elsewhere. | ||
| Plain greys. | Others. | Plain greys. | Others. | |
| 4th April, 1930 | 15 per cent. ad valorem or 3½ annas per lb.* | 15 per cent. ad valorem. | 20 per cent. ad valorem or 3½ annas per lb.* | 20 per cent. ad valorem. |
| 1st March, 1931 | 20 per cent. ad valorem or 3½ annas per lb.* | 20 per cent. ad valorem. | 25 per cent. ad valorem or 3½ annas per lb.* | 25 per cent. ad valorem. |
| 30th September, 1931. | 25 per cent. ad valorem or 4⅜ annas per lb.* | 25 per cent. ad valorem. | 31¼ per cent. ad valorem or 4⅜ annas per lb.* | 31¼ per cent. ad valorem. |
| 27th August, 1932 | No change | No change | 50 per cent. ad valorem or 5¼ annas per lb.* | 50 per cent. ad valorem. |
| 7th June, 1933 | No change | No change | 75 per cent. ad valorem or 6¾ annas per lb.* | 75 per cent. ad valorem. |
| 1st May, 1934 | No change | No change | 50 per cent. ad valorem or 5¼ annas per lb.* | 50 per cent. ad valorem. |
| * Whichever is higher. | ||||
* Whichever is higher.
were revised and differential duties on British cotton goods were introduced. The rates of duty fixed in that year and the changes since made, together with the dates from which they took effect, are shown below:
asked the Secretary of State for India the amount of the revenue derived from import duties on cotton piece-goods and yarns from the year 1919 to the year 1924?
The following is the information asked for:Gross amounts of duties collected on Cotton Piece-Goods, and Cotton Twist and Yarn, imported into British India.
| Twelve months 1st April to 31st March. | Piece-goods. | Cotton twist and cotton sewing or darning thread. | |
| Rupees. | Rupees. | ||
| 1924–25 | … | 7,73,76,050 | 51,40,985 |
| 1923–24 | … | 6,16,12,206 | 42,74,321 |
| 1922–23 | … | 6,38,81,309 | 48,86,583 |
| 1921–22 | … | 4,66,60,190 | 5,92,943 |
| 1920–21 | … | 6,41,19,084 | —* |
| 1919–20 | … | 3,92,08,418 | —* |
| 1918–19 | … | 3,67,48,199 | —* |
| * There was no import duty on cotton yarn during the three years 1918–19 to 1920–21. | |||