asked the Minister of Labour whether any substantial progress has been made with employers' organisations as to the possibility of reducing hours of work in industry

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for King's Norton (Major Thomas) on the 21st February, of which I am sending her a copy.

Can my right hon. Friend give us any information as to the branches of industries represented by owners which he has consulted, so that we may have a little more information of the lines he is taking?

I am afraid that I cannot for the moment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say which is the first industry which will be dealt with?

If my hon. Friend will look at the reply to which I have referred the hon. Lady, he will see that I mentioned certain communications and until I have received answers to them I prefer not to add anything.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of young persons attending juvenile instruction centres on the latest convenient date?

During the week ended 6th February, 32,704 boys and girls attended junior instruction centres and classes. The average daily attendance was 27,027. In addition during the month ended 23rd January, 1935, there was an average daily attendance of 2,689 boys and girls at authorised courses other than juvenile instruction centres and classes.

Will my right hon. Friend do all he can to refute the charge which is being made in certain quarters that the Government are not going ahead very successfully with juvenile centres?

I am glad to be able to say that we are pressing on with the utmost speed. There are, of course, many technical difficulties in the way, but the figures I have read show a marked increase on a year ago.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can protect other people from misrepresentation?

Could not the right hon. Gentleman analyse the figures of the numbers of juveniles to show what a high proportion of available juveniles are in instructional centres?

I will consider that suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men at each of the Exchanges, Ferndale, Porth, Tonypandy and Treorchy, that have passed out of insurance on attaining the age of 65 years, separately for each year from 1926 to 1934, inclusive; and how many did so after, respectively, one or more years of continuous unemployment?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the smallest number of persons registered for employment in the glove industry recorded as unemployed during any part of 1934, and the average monthly number so recorded during the said year?

I regret that as the glove industry is not separately classified in the statistics of insured persons, I am unable to give the information desired.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the notices giving the decision of the court of referees in Birmingham are not signed by the chairman, but that a rubber stamp is used and whether, seeing that this practice is liable to abuse, he will issue instructions that, in future, decisions of the court shall bear the signature of the chairman adjudicating?

The original record of the proceedings of a court of referees is, or should be, signed or initialled by the chairman and a copy is sent in due course to the claimant. I think, however, that my hon. Friend may be referring to a preliminary notice of the decision which is usually handed to the claimant immediately after the hearing; it is the common practice for these to be stamped with a facsimile signature and I do not think this is open to serious objection.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of unemployed hosiery workers in Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield in January, 1933, 1934, and 1935, respectively, giving separate figures for men and women?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether this House may expect the early introduction of the Bill to extend unemployment insurance to agricultural workers?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the considerable increase of unemployment in the hosiery industry, and do the Government intend to do anything to prevent the importation into this country of cheap hosiery made by sweated labour?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will be glad to note a new accession to the ranks of his supporters.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Brown) asks for prohibition, not an increase of tariff?

I realise now that the accession is an even more important one.

Can my right hon. Friend induce British ladies to wear English made stockings and so help to find employment for a large number of people?

The hon. Gentleman might start by persuading the Noble Lady in front of him.

May I—

Mr. Burnett.

My honour is at stake. How does he know?

I cannot at present add anything to the answer I gave the hon. Member on this subject on 28th January.

Can we have an assurance, in view of the number of agricul- tural workers out of employment, that this Bill will be before the House before Easter?

I can add nothing to my statement at present. The hon. Gentleman will realise that since the 28th January there have been certain events, the reactions of which have to be considered.

Will my right hon. Friend, in introducing any legislation of this kind, consider the advantage of starting operations in the spring rather than in the autumn in order to give the men six months in which they can qualify for benefit?

I quite agree with that point.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Kidsgrove Public Assistance Committee make a practice of refusing relief to single men and that men in that district who have been struck off unemployment benefit have no recourse except to the Poor Law; and whether he will communicate with the Stafford County Council in order that such persons shall not suffer unduly owing to the postponing of the Unemployment Assistance Act?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the right hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider placing in the Library of the House the public assistance scales of relief for the able-bodied unemployed which were adopted by the 20 largest towns of the country just prior to the work being taken over by the Unemployment Assistance Board, so that it may be possible to draw comparisons between what is being done now and what was superseded?

Though public assistance authorities are not required to report their scales of relief to me, I have of course considerable information available as to actual scales in force. I fear, however, that publication of such scales would be calculated rather to mislead than to inform since, to obtain a correct view of the situation, the method of administration of a scale needs to be ascertained as well as the scale itself.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the supplementary grants that he intends paying to the various local authorities, and as to the amount that each local authority will receive, in consequence of the Unemployment Assistance Board not being able to take over the able-bodied unemployed on 1st March, 1935?

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 25th February.

If I put a similar question down for one of the days next week, does the right hon. Gentleman think that he will be in a position to make a definite statement?

Yes, Sir, I should think so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to inform the House of the estimated cost to local authorities of public assistance from 1st October to 31st March to those persons who will come under Part II of the Unemployment Insurance Act on the appointed day, the figure to relate to the whole country, the North-East coast, and the Northumberland County Council, respectively?

I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is quite a logical step to—

I am afraid the hon. Lady must not discuss logic.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to make provision for the payment of unemployment insurance benefit in the case of part-time workers who will be affected by the cessation of work on Jubilee Day; and whether he is now in a position to state the amount of additional payment to be made to all unemployed persons?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) on the 21st February, to the hon. Member for the Scotland Division (Mr. Logan) and the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) on the 26th February.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of British shorthand typists employed in a temporary capacity at the International Labour Office, Geneva, and the scale of salary paid.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that £440 a year for a shorthand typist with a speed of 140 words a minute, as advertised in the Press, is a considerable sum?

The hon. Gentleman seems to be anticipating my inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the prosecution of Mr. Joseph Cooper at Otley on the 26th of November for driving a motor van without clue care, and fatally injuring a cyclist who was using both a reflector and white enamelled mud-guards; whether he is aware that, despite police evidence of negligence and driving without a licence, only fines totalling 30s. 6d. were imposed; and whether, in view of the repeated occurrence of such cases, he will consider the desirability of increasing the penalties for that class of offence?

My attention had already been drawn to this case and I have obtained particulars. After hearing the evidence the magistrates decided that they would not be justified in recording a conviction against Mr. Cooper for driving without due care and attention and they dismissed this charge on payment by him of the costs of the proceedings. I have no reason to think that the powers of the courts are inadequate to deal with such offences. The manner in which these powers are exercised is a matter for the court concerned, having regard to the circumstances of the individual ease before them.

Does not the Home Secretary realise that more than 20 cyclists are being killed per week in Great Britain, and that a large number of these deaths are caused by a minority of motor speed merchants who callously drive to the danger of these people; and does the right hon. Gentleman consider that in this case, where speed has been proved, a fine is adequate punishment for killing a cyclist?

In view of the fact that there was the imposition of a fine in the form of costs, how could the magistrates have considered there was innocence in this matter? If the matter justified the imposition of a fine, how could such a fine be considered adequate?

The attention of magistrates has been drawn to the necessity of dealing with this kind of case effectively, and we have circularised them on two occasions. I am not prepared at the moment to take further action in that regard, and I think the kind of questions we have had to-day may call their attention to this matter.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the time is now ripe when lay magistrates should be legally guided and in some way educated to administer the law?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a case where the Ealing magistrates bound over for two years and disqualified from driving for five years a motorist who had borrowed a car without permission and without a licence, and killed a cyclist; whether he is aware that negligence was proved; and whether, in view of the frequency of such occurrences, he will consider taking steps to ensure that imprisonment follows in all such cases?

I have made enquiries and am informed that the defendant in this case was only 17 years old and that in view of his youth and good character and the fact that he was in custody for 14 days on remand, the justices thought it inadvisable to pass a sentence of imprisonment. In cases of this kind disqualification is often the most effective penalty and the justices decided to disqualify this defendant from driving for a period of five years. It is of great importance that when serious road traffic offences are proved, adequately deterrent measures shall be taken by the courts, but I could not agree to any amendment of the law which would deprive the courts of their discretion to impose penalties appropriate to the circumstances of individual cases.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider, in view of the fact that there is case after case of these innocent people being killed owing to the negligence of some other person, that there ought to be, not a fine, but imprisonment in every case?

Does not my right lion. Friend think that this and similar cases prove that some other offence should be laid down by the law so that where the killing of some person is involved there should be a greater penalty than the law now provides?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that streets near Bryanston Street, Oxford Street, W.1, are blocked by being used as storage places for motor cars and vans, and that motor vehicles are frequently parked on both sides of the one-way street, Old Quebec Street, leading into Oxford Street; the reason why the police authorities allow this area to be thus obstructed; and whether he will request the police to abate this nuisance and restore Old Quebec Street as a public highway for vehicular and pedestrian moving traffic?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that police are specially posted to the 'streets in question in order to deal with the traffic and to prevent obstruction. During the last six months no less than 490 cases of obstruction were dealt with in Old Quebec Street, Bryanston Street and Great Cumberland Place alone. It is difficult, however, to keep this congested area entirely free from obstruction by standing vehicles, since the buildings in the vicinity include a large stores, a large hotel, and a large block of flats, at all of which vehicles are continually loading and unloading goods, while a number of visitors arrive by car.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will ascertain from the traffic commissioners if they are satisfied that the numbers of motor omnibuses in circulation on sanctioned routes in the rural districts of Essex are adequate; and whether he is aware that on occasions people have to walk many miles home, because the last omnibus of the day is crowded and cannot under the regulations carry any more passengers?

The Traffic Commissioners are directed in weighing the various matters, to which they are required to have regard, to give particular consideration to the convenience of the travelling public in the rural areas and to the provision of services in those areas where transport facilities are at present wanting or inadequate. I am sure that they would consider any representations made to them. I will send a copy of my hon. Friend's question and this answer to the Traffic Commissioners concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the introduction of the 30 miles per hour speed limit in built-up areas next month, he proposes to issue for the information of motorists a statement as to how this speed limit will be enforced?

I have been asked to reply. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis proposes, in good time before the coming into operation of the speed limit, to issue a notice to the public through the Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation explaining the methods of enforcement which the police intend to adopt with a view to securing compliance with the law. I am suggesting to chief officers of police outside London that they should take similar steps to inform the public in their respective police districts. I am at present in consultation with my hon. Friend the Minister of Transport on the question whether any further measure of publicity is desirable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the present position as to the improvement of travelling facilities from Liverpool Street, via Bethnal Green, to Romford and beyond?

I am informed by the London and North Eastern Railway Company that full particulars of the schemes recently under their consideration have been submitted to the Standing Joint Committee of the London Transport Board and the four main line companies. They have not yet come to any decision. The railway company assure me that in the meantime they are doing all that is in their power to maintain an efficient and punctual service. The stock is being progressively renewed and the new stock provided is of the most modern type.

Will the hon. Gentleman remember that the same position has been taken up by the railway company for the last seven years?

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements have been made to have the pedestrian crossing beacons painted at regular intervals of time; what is the estimated total cost of maintenance of those beacons now in position; and whether he is aware that many of them already are in such condition as to be almost invisible to motorists?

Local authorities are responsible for maintaining the beacons and have been asked to see that they are kept clean. The posts will be repainted periodically at a cost of a few 'shillings each per annum.

Is the hon. Gentleman 'aware that many of these standards have not been cleaned since they were put up?

If my hon. Friend requires my assistance in the matter, I shall be only too glad to give it, if he will indicate the particular area which he has in mind.

When all these beacons and these various signs are in position, will there be sufficient room left for the pedestrians?

asked the Minister of Transport. whether he has now inquired into the difficulty caused by the fact that particles of mud thrown long distances by the rear wheels of motor cars cause bad visibility and danger to motor cars following by fouling their wind-screens; and will he remove the danger by requiring the use of flaps to rear wings of motor cars to act as mud screens?

The manufacturers informed my predecessor that flaps had been tried but found ineffective. I am to-day addressing a further communication to them asking them whether they can report progress in their search for a means to abate this inconvenience and danger.

Will that also apply to the editors and proprietors of certain organs of the popular Press.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of private cars on the road with various mechanical and other defects; and whether it is proposed to introduce legislation for the inspection of private cars?

In 1933 the police dealt with 21,572 offences in connection with the equipment and maintenance of brakes on motor vehicles of all kinds. I am not at the moment proposing to introduce further legislation, but I am endeavouring to devise a scheme under which my present powers may be more effectively exercised.

asked the Minister of Transport what stage has been reached in his communications with the British Medical Association as to the connection between the consumption of alcoholic liquor by motor drivers and public safety an the roads; and whether his communications with the association have taken the form of specific questions?

I have asked the British Medical Association to let me have any observations that they may be able to make on this subject in the light of the existing knowledge and experience of the medical profession and have had their assurance that the matter will be dealt with with the least possible delay. In fact a special Sub-Committee of the British Medical Association is holding its first meeting to-day. I am also in communication with the Medical Research Council.

Do I understand that the meeting to which the hon. Gentleman refers is a meeting relating to this matter.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the scheme published some years ago for the provision of a through north-to-west traffic way by the prolongation of Conduit Street to Berkeley Square; and whether the forthcoming opening of the extension of Curzon Street into Berkeley Square provides an opportunity for creating such a thoroughfare at a reasonable cost in anticipation of the erection of new buildings on the site?

My attention has not been drawn to the particular scheme to which the hon. Member refers, but I am prepared to give immediate consideration to any such scheme if it be submitted to me by the responsible highway authority.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the resentment felt by the large body of pedal cyclists, numbering some 10 millions, against the restrictions imposed upon their use of the roads by recent regulations; and whether he will give an assurance that there is no intention of making the use of cycle paths compulsory upon pedal cyclists or further restricting the exercises of this law-abiding section of the community?

I have to inform the House that nearly a fifth of those killed on the roads are pedal cyclists and a quarter of those injured on the roads are pedal cyclists. I have also to inform the House that the increase in the number of pedal cyclists killed in 1933 as compared with 1928 was 96 per cent., and the increase in the number of pedal cyclists injured 100 per cent., whereas the corresponding figures for pedestrains were only 8 per cent. and 16 per cent. respectively. Indeed, of the total in- crease in the number of persons killed in the last year as compared with the first, the deaths of pedal cyclists accounted for 62 per cent. and the injuries for 54 per cent. The House will therefore appreciate that pedal cyclists constitute a major part of the problem of road accidents, and I am confident, in view of the facts, that the House will sustain me in taking all measures that may be practicable to circumscribe the present perils, particularly when such measures add to the convenience of the pedal cyclists themselves.

Does not my hon. Friend think that until it is made compulsory for cyclists to carry rear lights these enormous fatalities must continue, as motorists cannot see the cyclists before they pass them at night?

Is the Minister aware that in thousands of cases when cyclists have been killed they have had rear lights, and does not he also consider that it would be far more useful to segregate the speed merchants than the harmless cyclists on the road?

This question, of course, has nothing to do with rear lights, but, if cyclists were provided with their own tracks, it would have the effect of segregating motorists also.

Have not these cycling paths been very satisfactory in many countries, including Denmark, Sweden and Holland?

indicated assent.

Will not the Minister point out that it is not a question of speed merchants and that sometimes cars are going quite slowly when they kill these cyclists?

Will my hon. Friend take knowledge of the specialists who have organised the cyclists of this country and have a greater knowledge of the application of the wheel than any Department in his own office or even the Minister himself?

asked the Home Secretary how many cases in 1933 and in 1934 were submitted to the medical referees under Section 19 of the Workmen's Compensation Act; and how many of them belonged to the mining industry?

There were 4,334 such cases altogether for Great Britain in 1933. I regret that the number for 1934 is not yet available, and that no separate figures can be given for the mining industry.

Would it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman; to get separate figures for the mining industry, because I believe they are the largest?

I am prepared to look into it, but I cannot say whether that will be possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of suicides in Great Britain for the years 1932, 1933 and 1934 respectively?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on the 4th February.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of taking steps to prevent the publication in the Press of the details of cases of suicide, and last letters left by suicides, except in cases where a coroner thinks it would be in the public interest that such details should be published?

All I can say is that we are having an inquiry into the whole question of coroners' courts, and I think this aspect of the matter might be dealt with then.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some increase in the number of suicides is due to the harsh administration of the means test?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to give the names of the persons who will constitute the committee of inquiry into the subject of coroners' inquests and also the terms of reference?

Yes, Sir. The Right Honourable Lord Wright has consented to act as chairman of the committee and the remaining members are:

• Sir Archibald Bodkin, K.C.B.,
• Sir E. Farquhar Buzzard, Bt., K.C.V.O.,
• Mr. Digby Cotes-Preedy, K.C.,
• Sir Arthur Hazlerigg, Bt.,
• Mr. George A. Isaacs,
• Mr. W. Rutley Mowll, and
• Mrs. Margaret Wintringham.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can give the approximate number of those who left school at Christmas who are now attending juvenile education centres?

I presume that by the phrase "juvenile education centres" the hon. Member means junior evening institutes. I regret that there is no information available which would enable me to answer this question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education to what extent children who would normally have left school at Christmas on attaining the age of 14 have remained at school?

I regret that the board's statistics are not compiled in a form which would enable me to answer this question.

In the absence of definite figures, could my hon. Friend say whether the tendency for children to remain at school beyond the age of 14 is increasing?

I must have notice of that question.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the question of instructing local authorities to send out a circular to the parents of children who reach the school-leaving age pointing out the advantage of allowing them to continue their education and the facilities which are available?

I think it is a fairly common practice for local authorities to do so.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House the difference made to juvenile unemployment when local authorities have raised the school-leaving age?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the school-leaving age in the State schools of Germany, France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and Denmark?

Attendance at school is compulsory until 13 in France, until 14 in Germany, Belgium Sweden and Denmark, and until 15 in Norway.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will give an assurance that money spent by the Glamorgan Education Authority in supplying a pair of boots to every necessitous child in the elementary schools on the King's Jubilee, will rank for grant purposes, or whether the Board will make a grant for any other purpose that would assist necessitous children to join in the celebrations?

If reasonable expenditure of the kind proposed is incurred by local education authorities in connection with the celebrations of the King's Jubiliee and is passed by the district auditor, the board will be prepared to recognise it for grant under Article 2 (b) of their Grant Regulations No. 1. It should, however, be understood that such recognition would be given in pursuance of the general sanction of the Minister of Health to expenditure by local authorities on the. Jubilee celebrations and would not affect the board's view that the provision of boots for necessitous children is in normal circumstances outside the powers of local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the provisions of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, as applying to reservoirs, result in financial hardship to urban district councils, and that the Saddle-worth Urban District Council, at a meeting on 4th February, have refused to pay the West Riding County Council precept due under Section 9 (2c) of the Rating and Valuation Act; and whether he is prepared to call a conference of all urban district councils who have reservoirs in their areas?

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Mallalieu) on the 14th February, the position could not be altered without legislation, and on this I can make no promise at the present time. I have already been in communication with the Associations of Urban District Councils and Rural District Councils, both of whom are concerned, and who hold different views.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has considered the desirability of establishing a compulsory legal standard for ice cream; and, if so, with what result?

This matter could not be dealt with without further legislation. The general question of standards for articles of food has been under consideration in connection with the report of the Departmental Committee on the composition and description of food, but I cannot make any statement at present as to the introduction of legislation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that as ice cream is eaten by so many children it really is important, from the State point of view, that it should have a certain degree of purity?

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the introduction of a compulsory legal standard for cream would help to relieve the surplus milk market?

That is a matter for the Ministry of Agriculture.

asked the Minister of Health what is the rate of infant mortality per 1,000 births in each county in Wales for the years 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934, giving each county separately; and what is the average for the whole country, England and Wales?

As regards the figures for 1933 and previous years, I would refer the hon. Member to Tables 10 and 17 of the Registrar-General's Annual Statistical Review—Tables, Part I. The county figures for 1934 are not as yet available, but the provisional rate for England and Wales in that year is 59 per 1,000 live births.

May I ask whether, if there is abnormal infant mortality in any area, it is the practice of the Department to take action in the matter?

The hon. Member may be assured that this is so.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements are being made under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act for the supply of free milk in Monmouthshire; and whether it is possible for all necessitous women to obtain milk for themselves during pregnancy or lactation, or for their infants if this is needed on medical grounds?

According to my latest information the arrangements made by the county council are such that milk required on medical grounds can be obtained free for all necessitous women during pregnancy and lactation and for their children under five years of age.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken by the Manchester Corporation on the report of the commissioners on the inquiry into the death of Mrs. Molly Taylor and its surrounding circumstances?

I have not yet received this information from the city council. I will inform my hon. Friend of the result of communication with them.

asked the Minister of Health whether the investigators whom he is sending into the areas where the rate of maternal mortality is abnormally high have started their investigations; and how soon some information will be available on the results of the investigations into the death rates in these particular areas?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that these investigations are concerned with problems that are both difficult and complicated and will of necessity occupy some time. I am unable at present to say when the reports will be available.

asked the Minister of Health what powers of oversight he exercises in connection with voluntary hospitals?

I have no general statutory power of supervision and inspection in relation to voluntary hospitals.

Is it the practice to make an inquiry when the circumstances seem to require it?

The hon. Member will see from my answer that I have no such general powers of inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Medical Practitioners' Union is circularising local authorities. requesting them to consider the recognition of the union and the insertion of advertisements for vacant medical appointments in the official weekly publication of the union; and whether he will circularise local authorities pointing out to them that the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act, 1927, forbids any local or public authority to make it a condition of the employment of any person that he shall, or shall not, be a member of a trade union, or to impose any conditions putting employés who are, or who are not, members of a trade union in any respect under any disadvantage as compared with other employés?

I have seen statements in the Press to the effect of the first part of the question. As regards the second part, local authorities are well aware of the statutory provisions to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers and I do not think it is necessary to circularise them specially on this matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that a large sum will shortly be spent on drainage and possibly a large sum also on water supply, he is arranging that these two questions should be considered together, since it is possible that some form of water storage will provide the solution of both problems and save a double expenditure?

I will consider the matter further with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of unmarried women over the age of 55 who are insured under the National Insurance Acts as at the last convenient date?

I assume that the question refers to spinsters. If so, the number is approximately 175,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet received the report of the Government actuary on the financial operations of the Contributory Pensions Act?

The answer is in the negative.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me when he is likely to receive the report?

I am afraid I am not in a position to make any statement about it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the condition of the herring-fishing industry, he will consider reducing the high rate of duty at present imposed upon cork floats coming into this country which are used in the manufacture of fishing nets, and which is increasing the cost of deep-sea fishing equipment?

The Import Duties Advisory Committee have already considered an application for reducing the duty on these goods, and announced in August last that they had decided not to make any recommendation. It is, of course, open to the industry to make further representations to the committee from the point of view of the fishing industry, if they so desire.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to acquire by compulsory purchase the share capital of the co-operative societies upon which dividends at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum are now allowed to be paid in exchange for bonds bearing a fixed interest of 3½per cent. per annum, for the purpose of creating a new source of revenue and at the same time controlling profiteering and price levels?

My hon. Friend's proposal would require legislation, which I do not see my way to propose to the House.

May I ask whether the Government take that view because the majority of the accounts and balance sheets of trading or commercial services conducted by the Government show losses?

asked the Chancellor, of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the high price of gold bullion, indicating a continuous fall in the value of the paper pound; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps to arrest a further fall?

I am aware of recent movements in the external or gold value of sterling, which is, of course, a different thing from its internal purchasing power. In reply to the last part of the question, I cannot undertake to publish such information for reasons of public policy, which I have explained on several occasions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of an early stabilisation of the pound?

No, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman mention any time when he can give the House of Commons an account of the operations of this fund?

I do not see any prospect of my doing so in the near future.

Am I to understand from that that the £350,000,000 made available will not be accounted for to Parliament at all?

That is a matter which has already been decided by this House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the gravity of the movements in the rate of exchange?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, without anticipating the Budget statement, he can give an assurance that the reinstatement of children's allowances to the figure at which they stood in 1931 will not be overlooked?

My right hon. Friend may rest assured that the subject of his question will be taken into consideration together with all other relevant matters before the Budget statement is made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Brazilian Government is desirous of obtaining a loan; and will he make 't clear to the Brazilian trade delegation now in England that, apart from the embargo upon the public flotation of foreign loans in London, the placing here with loan houses at the present time of Brazilian obligations which could afterwards be negotiated privately among British investors would not be regarded with favour by His Majesty's Government?

I have no reason to suppose that the Brazilian Government are desirous of obtaining a loan in this country. Accordingly the second part of the question does not arise. If my hon. Friend's question has relation to any credit operation which may be agreed to in connection with the liquidation of outstanding trade debts due to the United Kingdom, I would add that discussions in regard to the liquidation of trade debts are still proceeding and I am not therefore in a position to make any statement on that subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cause inquiry to be made from the brewers as to what quantity of homegrown barley was purchased by them for the manufacture of British beer for the years June, 1932, to June, 1933, and June, 1933, to June, 1934, respectively?

I have no power to require the production of the information desired, but I will inquire of the Brewers' Society whether they would be prepared voluntarily to supply me with such statistics as they have of the purchases of British barley by brewers in the years mentioned.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to abandon the present system of quotas and restrictions upon imports of foodstuffs into the United Kingdom and to substitute for it a system of tariffs upon agricultural produce with a preference to the Dominions, as foreshadowed in a speech made by the Secretary of State on Monday last in the presence of the High Commissioners for the Dominions?

The Government have often stated that in their view quantitative regulation is not necessarily in all cases the most appropriate method of assisting the home agricultural industry. For example, the method adopted in the case of fruit and horticultural products has from the outset been that of import duties. As the House has already been informed, the Government would prefer, in the case of meat, to follow broadly the precedent of the Wheat Act, and proceed on the lines indicated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the House of Commons on 18th February. It is not possible to lay down a general rule, as the circumstances of each case are different.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the speech of his colleague the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs did in fact purport to lay down a general rule and a general policy for the protection of agricultural produce, not merely for milk, fruit or butter, but a general line of agricultural policy?

I read my right hon. Friend's after-luncheon speech, and I remember very well that he said he was going to get down to brass tacks. Brass tacks, in my view, in this case were meat.

Is it to be assumed from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that in future no reliance is to be placed upon general statements of policy by the Secretary of State for the Dominions after lunch?

I do not think that would be quite a fair inference from what I said.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the desirability of issuing an explanatory memorandum with regard to the present agricultural policy of the Government as it affects particular products, and setting out as clearly as possible the nature of existing marketing schemes?

I shall be happy to bear in mind my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion. Statements of the Government's policy regarding milk and livestock respectively were made in two White Papers (Cmd. 4519 and 4651) presented to Parliament last year, copies of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend. A comprehensive statement of the nature of the existing marketing schemes will be found in the annual report under Section 10 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I hope to lay before Parliament shortly.

Will the Minister, in giving this information to the House, append to it a statement of the financial commitments and the effect on the price of the product?

All the requirements which were laid down in the Act of 1931, which was passed by a Government supported by hon. Members on the other side of the House, will be scrupulously fulfilled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the anxiety among breeders of Ayrshire cattle with regard to the continued importation into this country of cattle which are not subjected on landing to either the tuberculin test or the agglutination test for contagious abortion, and, without any guarantee that they are free from contagious mammitis; and whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with this matter?

I have received representations, to the effect stated in the first part of the question, from the Ayrshire Cattle Herd Book Society and other Scottish societies, and I understand that the Scottish Agricultural Advisory Committee are now considering the whole matter. As at present advised, however, I doubt whether any useful purpose would be served by requiring the tests or guarantee suggested. Apart from the point that the absence of reaction to a single test would not necessarily indicate freedom from disease, there is no reason to believe that the diseases mentioned are more prevalent among imported cattle than in native stock in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the nature of the steps to be taken by the Milk Marketing Board during the current year to increase the consumption of liquid milk in this country?

The main step taken by the Milk Marketing Board to increase the consumption of liquid milk in this country is the milk-in-schools scheme, details of which were laid before the House in September last. A further step is the initiation of a scientifically controlled experiment in selected schools and approved centres designed to demonstrate the nutritional value of milk. I hope shortly to be in a position to give the House particulars of this interesting development. A third step which the Milk Marketing Board are contemplating is a general publicity campaign in favour of liquid milk consumption, which will take place in the early spring. Particulars of this campaign will also be laid before the House in due course.

As regards milk for schools, is the Minister aware that, instead of Grade A T.T. liquid milk being provided, what is provided at the present time is pasteurised milk, in most cases old milk, manufactured by dairies, and is not the liquid milk which the children are supposed to get?

Any milk for schools is supplied under the authority and responsibility of the medical officers of health concerned, and it would be quite wrong for me to cast any aspersions on the competence of those officers.

Is the Minister aware that the circulars which the Ministry of Health and the Board of Education have issued to schools have asked them to 'use pasteurised milk without inspecting it; and is he aware that pasteurised milk is often milk that has been kept for several months and is not fresh milk, whereas the farmers are prepared to provide fresh milk for these schools?

It is clear that such representations should be addressed to the county authorities and the education authorities concerned. It would, as I have said, be quite wrong for me to reflect upon the professional competence of the medical officers in question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to carry out the recommendations appearing on pages 85 and 86 of the report of the reorganisation commission for fat stock, and page 150 of the report of the reorganisation commission for eggs and poultry, that immediate investigation should be made of the mechanism of distribution, including a scientific analysis of demand for both product and service in selected food trades?

In so far as the recommendations referred to by my hon. Friend relate to a census of distribution, I would refer him to the reply given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones). On the broader question, I would add that the orange books on marketing which are being issued by the Ministry from time to time contain useful data with regard to the mechanism of distribution. The marketing boards are giving close attention to the demand side of their problem, while the field of distribution has been expressly brought within the purview of the recently appointed Milk Reorganisation Commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the report of the Committee on Industrial Insurance?

There is no possibility of time being found for legislation on this subject in the present Session of Parliament.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that nearly a year ago the Financial Secretary to the Treasury said that legislation on this subject was under the most active consideration of the Government at that time, and does he not consider that the situation revealed by the report shows the urgency of doing something to check it?

Yes, Sir, it is quite true that the subject was under active consideration, but I very much regret that it is not possible, in consideration of the time at our disposal, to deal with the matter in the present Session.

Could not this matter be dealt with as a non-controversial issue and sent to a Standing Committee?

I am not sure that the matter would be considered non-controversial.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage increase in the imports of foreign-manufactured private motor cars as between the years 1932, 1933 and 1934; what percentage increase there has been in those cars in the month of January, 1935, over January, 1932 and 1933; and whether he proposes to take any fresh steps to deal with this loss of potential employment to British workers?

The percentage increase in the numbers of private motor cars imported from foreign countries during the year 1933, as compared with the corresponding imports in 1932, was 19 per cent., and the corresponding increase in 1934 as compared with 1933 was 256 per cent. The percentage increases in the imports of these goods during the month of January, 1935, as compared with imports during January, 1932, and January, 1933, were 1,798 per cent. and 463 per cent. respectively. Though these figures appear large when expressed as percentages, it must be remembered that total imports are very small when compared with British production. In the year ended the 30th September, 1934, for instance, the total number of cars imported was 9,145, whereas the number of cars and chassis produced in the United Kingdom was 256,866. As regards the last part of the question, the import duty on motor cars, in common with other Budget duties, will come up for review before the Budget, but I would point out that this duty is already at the rate of 33½ per cent. ad valorem.

Is the Chancellor satisfied that every step has been taken by the Government to meet this menace to the motor car trade, which is growing month by month and is throwing out of work a lot of people who might be engaged in the industry?

I do not think it can be said that the import of foreign motor cars has yet reached a point where it is a menace to the production of British cars.

Does not the Chancellor of the Exchequer consider that this question and answer are a good illustration of the great danger of the use of percentage figures in this controversy?

My answer is designed to bring out that point.

Is it not a fact that the majority of these 9,000 foreign motor cars were bought by miners?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Tramp Shipping Committee responsible for the distribution of subsidies will have instructions only to give subsidies in respect of those ships on which wages are paid in accordance with the standard of the National Maritime Board and where a reasonable proportion of British officers and men are borne?

The duties of the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Committee are defined in the British Shipping (Assistance) Act, 1935. The position as regards the specific matters to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was fully explained during the debates on the Bill.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that there are scores of shipowners who, under this Clause, will be given a subsidy although they are employing 20 per cent. and more of cheap coloured sailors?

Is it not a fact that, in the ships which are particularly interested in this subsidy, the percentage of British officers and men is very high indeed; and would the Parliamentary Secretary now give the figures for the benefit of the House?