Written Answers
Australian And South African Wine
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average alcoholic strength of wines imported in cask from Australia and South Africa, respectively, during each of the calendar years 1926 and 1933?
The calculated average alcoholic strength of the total quantity of wine imported in casks (including both natural and fortified wines), which was consigned from Australia and British South Africa, respectively, during each of the calendar years 1926 and 1933, was as follows:
| 1926. | 1933. | |
| Degrees of proof spirit. | Degrees of proof spirit. | |
| Australia | 32 | 34 |
| British South Africa | 26 | 36 |
Beer
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average original gravity of beer produced in England and Northern Ireland and Scotland, respectively, during the, calendar years 1933 and 1934, and also the average original gravity of beer imported into the United Kingdom during the same years?
The average original gravity of beer produced in England and Northern Ireland and in Scotland during the calendar years 1933 and 1934 was as follows:
| 1933. | 1934. | |
| England and Northern Ireland | 1,040.59° | 1,041.03° |
| Scotland | 1,041.19° | 1,041.88° |
National Health Insurance
asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the attempt of the workmen's medical committee at Llanelly to introduce medical practitioners with the object of reducing salaries; and whether this policy affects the arrangements for local National Health Insurance?
I have seen references in the Press to this matter. It has no relation to the arrangements for National Health Insurance.
Corporal Punishment
asked the Home Secretary the number of cases of robbery with violence which have occurred in England and Wales in the years 1933 and 1934, respectively; the number of sentences of flogging passed by the courts for robbery with violence and for other offences during 1933 and 1934, respectively; and the number of sentences of flogging for offences against prison discipline during 1933 and 1934, respectively?
Statistics relating to convictions and sentences in the courts are not yet available for 1934. During 1933 the number of persons convicted at courts of quarter sessions or assize of robbery with violence or assaults with intent to rob was 66 and the number of persons ordered to undergo corporal punishment for such offences was 42. In addition two persons were ordered to undergo similar punishment for other offences. The number of awards of corporal punishment for offences against prison discipline was five in 1933 and five in 1934.
Taximeters
asked the Home Secretary how many new types of taximeters have been submitted to the National Physical Laboratory for test and approval since 1914; and how many of these have been of British manufacture?
I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that since 1914 he has submitted six new types of taximeters for test to the National Physical Laboratory. Without direct inquiry of the firms concerned, it is not possible to state how many of these have been of British manufacture.
asked the Home Secretary the number of taximeters which have been licensed and approved by the National Physical Laboratory for the last five years, showing their country of origin and average date of manufacture?
The National Physical Laboratory does not license or approve taximeters. It only tests them. During the past five years 56,138 tests of taximeters have been carried out by the National Physical Laboratory. This number includes the annual tests to which all taximeters are subjected, and also tests carried out as a result of failure of the mechanism. No information is available as to the country of origin or the average date of manufacture of the taximeters in question.
Unemployment
Assistance Regulations
asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the administration of the new unemployment assistance regulations, he has received any complaints in relation to the disregarding of disability pensions, compensation payments, or sick pay, or whether this section of the regulations is working smoothly?
I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that they have no reason to doubt that the regulations are working smoothly in regard to the matters referred to.
Statistics
asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed for each week commencing with the first week in October and ending with the last week of December, 1934; the total number of those receiving transitional benefit; and the amount of that benefit during each of those periods?
The numbers of persons registering for employment at Employment Exchanges are ascertained only for one date towards the end of each month. The total numbers of persons (insured and uninsured) on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at the dates for which particulars are available were as shown below:
| Date. | Total numbers on registers. |
| 22nd October, 1934 | 2,119,635 |
| 26th November, 1934 | 2,120,785 |
| 17th December, 1934 | 2,085,815 |
| Week ended. | Number of payments. | Amount paid. |
| £ | ||
| 6th October | 725,098 | 787,951 |
| 13th October | 725,216 | 791,700 |
| 20th October | 723,235 | 790,533 |
| 27th October | 727,512 | 790,140 |
| 3rd November | 723,945 | 791,820 |
| 10th November | 726,603 | 790,482 |
| 17th November | 723,861 | 792,039 |
| 24th November | 723,440 | 790,147 |
| 1st December | 721,521 | 789,856 |
| 8th December | 719,218 | 788,209 |
| 15th December | 720,034 | 789,221 |
| 2 weeks ended 29th December | 1,425,776 | 1,551,383 |
Naval And Military Pensions And Grants
asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Evelyn Maud Wilkes, daughter of the late sergeant No. R/24,248, King's Royal Rifle Corps, who died in May, 1920, as a result of War service, is a confirmed invalid, having suffered since birth from infantile paralysis and epilepsy; and whether, having regard to this fact, he will look into the case, with a view to the reissue of war orphan's allowance, which ceased on the 7th December, 1933?
I have no authority to grant a further extension of the allowance which ceased when the young person referred to reached the age of 21 years for the reasons which I explained in my reply on 5th February to the hon. Members for Deritend (Mr. Smedley Crooke) and Rhondda, East (Mr. Mainwaring) of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.
Royal Navy (Vaccination, Recruits)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of Navy recruits during the last 20 years showed no marks of vaccination when accepted for service?
Complete records are not available in this Department prior to 1922. During the last 13 years the proportion of recruits accepted for service who showed no marks of vaccination was 18.65 per cent.
Education
Unemployed Teachers, Lancashire
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many certified teachers there are out of employment in Lancashire; and will he give separate figures of males and females?
According to returns received from the training colleges and University training departments in Lancashire, of the 265 men and 1,027 women who left these colleges in 1933 and 1934, 180 men and 903 women had secured employment as teachers by 31st December last, and 37 men and 79 women had failed to secure such employment; 16 men and 18 women had not attempted to obtain teaching posts. No information is available regarding the remaining 32 men and 27 women, nor have I any further information regarding the number of certificated teachers who are out of employment in Lancashire.
Infants, Lancashire
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many children under five years of age are attending school in Lancashire; and will he give the figures for St. Helens, Wigan, and Leigh?
On 31st March, 1934, there were 29,681 children under five years of age attending public elementary schools in Lancashire. Of these, 1,287 were in schools in St. Helens, 357 in schools in Wigan and 308 in schools in Leigh.
Agricultural Workers And Small Holders (Wales)
asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of farm labourers employed in each of the counties of Wales in January of each year from 1921 to 1935; and the number of tenants occupying on the same dates smallholdings established by county councils?
Returns of the number of workers on agricultural holdings are
| A.—The number of Workers* employed on agricultural holdings above one acre in extent as returned in June in the undermentioned years in each county of Wales was:— | ||||||||||||||
| Counties:—Workers.* | 1921. | 1923. | 1924. | 1925. | 1926. | 1927. | 1928. | 1929. | 1930. | 1931. | 1932. | 1933. | 1934. | |
| Anglesey: | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | |
| Regular | … | 2,895 | 2,652 | 2,727 | 2,782 | 2,803 | 2,882 | 3,029 | 2,904 | 2,888 | 2,911 | 2,752 | 2,500 | 2,329 |
| Casual | … | 1,032 | 866 | 899 | 863 | 795 | 770 | 819 | 761 | 569 | 548 | 514 | 494 | 436 |
| Total | … | 3,927 | 3,518 | 3,626 | 3,645 | 3,598 | 3,652 | 3,848 | 3,665 | 3,457 | 3,459 | 3,266 | 2,994 | 2,765 |
| Brecon: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 3,007 | 2,621 | 2,858 | 2,767 | 2,968 | 3,060 | 3,146 | 3,105 | 2,891 | 3,071 | 3,036 | 2,811 | 2,604 |
| Casual | … | 639 | 498 | 577 | 563 | 554 | 500 | 439 | 462 | 341 | 360 | 327 | 346 | 289 |
| Total | … | 3,646 | 3,119 | 3,435 | 3,330 | 3,522 | 3,560 | 3,585 | 3,567 | 3,232 | 3,431 | 3,363 | 3,160 | 2,893 |
| Cardigan: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 4,884 | 4,363 | 4,772 | 4,152 | 4,242 | 4,807 | 5,062 | 5,084 | 5,966 | 5,075 | 5,466 | 4,560 | 4,194 |
| Casual | … | 1,234 | 930 | 998 | 862 | 919 | 897 | 752 | 727 | 839 | 651 | 623 | 613 | 575 |
| Total | … | 6,118 | 5,293 | 5,770 | 5,014 | 5,161 | 5,704 | 6,814 | 5,811 | 6,850 | 5,726 | 6,089 | 5,173 | 4,769 |
| Carmarthen: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 6,328 | 5,637 | 6,078 | 5,694 | 6,232 | 6,704 | 7,449 | 7,496 | 7,511 | 7,550 | 7,353 | 5,892 | 6,191 |
| Casual | … | 1,601 | 1,223 | 1,373 | 1,307 | 1,359 | 1,355 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 985 | 968 | 1,054 | 997 | 944 |
| Total | … | 7,929 | 6,860 | 7,451 | 7,001 | 7,591 | 8,059 | 8,542 | 8,565 | 8,496 | 8,518 | 8,407 | 6,889 | 7,135 |
| Carnarvon: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 3,785 | 3,240 | 3,498 | 3,203 | 3,229 | 3,285 | 3,354 | 3,364 | 3,357 | 3,428 | 3,215 | 3,185 | 3,017 |
| Casual | … | 1,078 | 848 | 935 | 899 | 735 | 731 | 720 | 736 | 608 | 552 | 505 | 505 | 483 |
| Total | … | 4,863 | 4,088 | 4,433 | 4,102 | 3,964 | 4,016 | 4,074 | 4,100 | 3,965 | 3,980 | 3,720 | 3,690 | 3,500 |
| Denbigh: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 5,322 | 4,809 | 5,087 | 5,082 | 5,186 | 5,404 | 5,539 | 5,606 | 5,341 | 5,315 | 5,280 | 5,073 | 4,667 |
| Casual | … | 1,905 | 1,132 | 1,478 | 1,409 | 1,268 | 1,278 | 1,201 | 1,106 | 894 | 947 | 881 | 840 | 756 |
| Total | … | 7,227 | 5,941 | 6,565 | 6,491 | 6,454 | 6,682 | 6,740 | 6,712 | 6,235 | 6,262 | 6,161 | 5,913 | 5,423 |
| Flint: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 3,051 | 2,664 | 2,727 | 2,836 | 2,875 | 2,906 | 2,966 | 3,021 | 2,907 | 2,945 | 2,865 | 2,704 | 2,592 |
| Casual | … | 765 | 556 | 661 | 653 | 580 | 494 | 468 | 441 | 431 | 411 | 412 | 432 | 367 |
| Total | … | 3,816 | 3,220 | 3,388 | 3,489 | 3,455 | 3,400 | 3,434 | 3,462 | 3,338 | 3,356 | 3,277 | 3,136 | 2,959 |
| Glamorgan: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 4,773 | 3,957 | 4,498 | 4,396 | 4,768 | 4,719 | 4,735 | 4,855 | 4,753 | 4,967 | 4,704 | 4,703 | 4,235 |
| Casual | … | 1,601 | 1,011 | 1,132 | 1,137 | 1,072 | 877 | 932 | 843 | 945 | 898 | 1,037 | 833 | 754 |
| Total | … | 6,374 | 4,968 | 5,630 | 5,533 | 5,840 | 5,596 | 5,667 | 5,698 | 5,698 | 5,865 | 5,741 | 5,536 | 4,989 |
collected only on 4th June in each year. Statement "A" hereunder gives the information for each county in Wales on that date, with the exception of 1922, when no return of workers was included in the annual schedule. Returns relating to smallholdings provided by county councils are normally collected on 31st December in each year, and as regards the second part of the question, Statement "B" hereunder gives all the information available in respect of the Welsh counties.
| Counties:—Workers.* | 1921. | 1923. | 1924 | 1925. | 1926. | 1927. | 1928. | 1929. | 1930. | 1931. | 1932. | 1933. | 1934. | |
| No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | ||
| Merioneth: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 2,284 | 2,017 | 2,207 | 2,173 | 2,254 | 2,371 | 2,404 | 2,445 | 2,391 | 2,421 | 2,293 | 2,286 | 2,150 |
| Casual | … | 654 | 556 | 570 | 605 | 546 | 518 | 500 | 473 | 426 | 391 | 385 | 331 | 294 |
| Total | … | 2,938 | 2,573 | 2,777 | 2,778 | 2,800 | 2,889 | 2,904 | 2,918 | 2,817 | 2,812 | 2,678 | 2,617 | 2,444 |
| Monmouth: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 4,402 | 3,987 | 4,061 | 3,937 | 4,104 | 3,956 | 4,152 | 4,128 | 3,853 | 4,042 | 3,912 | 3,735 | 3,530 |
| Casual | … | 1,302 | 1,160 | 1,154 | 1,256 | 1,036 | 907 | 862 | 892 | 747 | 660 | 698 | 661 | 654 |
| Total | … | 5,704 | 5,147 | 5,215 | 5,193 | 5,140 | 4,863 | 5,014 | 5,020 | 4,600 | 4,702 | 4,610 | 4,396 | 4,184 |
| Montgomery: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 4,705 | 4,479 | 4,463 | 4,556 | 4,583 | 4,475 | 4,473 | 4,734 | 4,534 | 4,730 | 4,614 | 4,584 | 3,998 |
| Casual | … | 1,084 | 938 | 1,053 | 1,052 | 932 | 860 | 798 | 793 | 663 | 600 | 587 | 547 | 576 |
| Total | … | 5,789 | 5,417 | 5,516 | 5,608 | 5,515 | 5,335 | 5,271 | 5,527 | 5,197 | 5,330 | 5,201 | 5,131 | 4,574 |
| Pembroke: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 5,832 | 5,579 | 5,666 | 5,384 | 5,841 | 5,808 | 5,818 | 6,167 | 6,003 | 6,070 | 5,710 | 5,617 | 4,958 |
| Casual | … | 1,395 | 1,086 | 1,207 | 1,147 | 1,061 | 986 | 941 | 960 | 946 | 776 | 802 | 845 | 984 |
| Total | … | 7,227 | 6,665 | 6,873 | 6,531 | 6,902 | 6,794 | 6,759 | 7,127 | 6,949 | 6,846 | 6,512 | 6,462 | 5,942 |
| Radnor: | ||||||||||||||
| Regular | … | 2,202 | 2,029 | 1,988 | 2,041 | 2,071 | 2,022 | 2,026 | 2,070 | 2,032 | 2,008 | 1,928 | 1,808 | 1,743 |
| Casual | … | 379 | 420 | 423 | 426 | 351 | 273 | 283 | 279 | 234 | 192 | 167 | 185 | 206 |
| Total | … | 2,581 | 2,449 | 2,411 | 2,467 | 2,422 | 2,295 | 2,309 | 2,349 | 2,266 | 2,200 | 2,095 | 1,993 | 1,949 |
* Excluding the occupier, his wife and domestic servants. | ||||||||||||||
| B.—Numbers of tenants occupying Smallholdings provided by County Councils under the Small Holdings Acts, 1908–1926, in each County in Wales on the dates shown. | ||||||||||||
| — | 31st Dec, 1924. | 31st March, 1926.* | 31st Dec. 1927. | 31st Dec, 1928. | 31st Dec, 1929. | 31st Dec, 1930. | 31st Dec, 1931. | 31st Dec, 1932. | 31st Dec, 1933. | 31st Dec, 1934. | ||
| Anglesey | … | … | 251 | 242 | 242 | 246 | 246 | 259 | 274 | 270 | 278 | 268 |
| Brecon | … | … | 57 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 57 | 55 | 56 | 60 | 60 |
| Caernarvon | … | … | 93 | 105 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 90 | 89 | 88 |
| Cardigan | … | … | 61 | 58 | 58 | 57 | 57 | 52 | 53 | 53 | 52 | 50 |
| Carmarthen | … | … | 194 | 185 | 185 | 179 | 179 | 180 | 180 | 181 | 182 | 196 |
| Denbigh | … | … | 280 | 268 | 268 | 268 | 268 | 270 | 273 | 284 | 295 | 283 |
| Flint | … | … | 155 | 150 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 157 | 161 | 174 | 174 | 184 |
| Glamorgan | … | … | 203 | 235 | 215 | 212 | 214 | 218 | 218 | 218 | 232 | 229 |
| Merioneth | … | … | 130 | 130 | 130 | 130 | 129 | 133 | 133 | 133 | 133 | 134 |
| Monmouth | … | … | 180 | 197 | 181 | 186 | 185 | 192 | 192 | 195 | 195 | 194 |
| Montgomery | … | … | 244 | 284 | 261 | 259 | 264 | 264 | 282 | 282 | 289 | 286 |
| Pembroke | … | … | 166 | 178 | 178 | 177 | 189 | 195 | 195 | 186 | 186 | 186 |
| Radnor | … | … | 93 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 89 |
| 2,107 | 2,185* | 2,118 | 2,114 | 2,131 | 2,158 | 2,197 | 2,211 | 2,254 | 2,247 | |||
* (i) Numbers of Smallholdings on 31st March, 1926. | ||||||||||||
| (ii) Figures for 31st December 1926 | ||||||||||||
| are not available. | ||||||||||||
India (Civil Disobedience Prisoners)
asked the Secretary of State for India the total number of persons who are imprisoned as a result of various national demands for Indian freedom where either sedition or rioting was alleged?
The question is in such general terms that I am afraid it is impossible to give figures in reply, beyond saying that the total number of civil disobedience prisoners has now fallen to 76.