asked the Minister of Labour what progress he has made with his discussions with the employers of labour on the question of the reduction of hours?

I am meeting representatives of employers in the engineering and the iron and steel trades this week, and propose to have similar meetings with other industries at an early date.

When can we expect a more reasoned reply about these discussions? Shall we put down a question or will the right hon. Gentleman make a statement?

I think we had better wait and see.

Is my right hon. Friend considering the question of the mines?

That is more a question for the Mines Department. The mines do not come under the Ministry of Labour.

Has the right hon. Gentleman met the mineowners?

As I have said, the mines are a matter more for the Mines Department than for the Ministry of Labour.

Has the right hon. Gentleman met the representatives of the trade unions?

I am constantly in touch with the Trades Union Council.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to inform the House what action the special commissioner intends to take with regard to the building of houses?

I am informed by the commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales) that he is proposing to render assistance in the establishment of a public utility society with the object of undertaking, in co-operation with local authorities, the building of houses in Durham and Tyneside.

Does that mean that this society will get special assistance over and above the societies which will be set up under the Bill now going through Parliament?

The details are not yet settled. The idea is to give assistance in cases where building cannot be carried on without something of this kind.

When the society is established, will it be a permanent thing, bearing in mind that the Bill to deal with overcrowding will soon be on the Statute Book?

That was the object of adopting this means of working through a public utility society.

In the event of the public utility society being set up and house building forming part of their activities, will the right hon. Gentleman report to the House the conditions under which the houses will be constructed—whether they will be erected in accordance with the generally recognised conditions, or whether it will be regarded as relief work?

The hon. Member had better wait until the utility society is set up.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that at Stanningly Exchange, on or about 10th January, 1935, a claimant to standard benefit named Simpson, who claimed through the Patternmakers' Association, was questioned as to what he contributed to his home when working and what were the earnings of two members of the family, and these were put in order to determine the applicant's right to benefit for his wife; and whether he will take steps to see that no test as to means is applied to persons on standard benefit;

In both cases the inquiries to which the hon. Member refers were put in connection with a claim for dependants' benefit in respect of the claimant's children; and the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that the inquiries in Mr. Simpson's case related to the claim for his wife. A claimant for dependants' benefit in respect of his children has always been re- quired by the terms of the Acts to show that he wholly or mainly maintains them, and there are numerous decisions by the Umpire governing the existing practice which I have no power to vary. I may add that the purpose of the inquiries is not to ascertain the earnings of members of the household but only the amount which they contribute from their earnings to the support of the family.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Leeds man was definitely questioned as to his wife and that he has submitted a sworn statement to that effect? Is he also aware that if the children reside with their father and mother no other person's income has ever been taken into account and that automatically the father is paid for the children if he is on standard benefit?

That is not the case. There is no change whatever in the practice which has grown up as a consequence of umpires' decisions. There are umpires' decisions of many years standing on the exact point which the hon. Gentleman has raised.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, in spite of what he has said, that on a claim for standard benefit, if a man resides with his wife and family, he is automatically taken as maintaining his child apart from any other income in the house; and, if that be so, will he take steps to see that the practice is stopped?

No change whatever has been made in the practice that has persisted for some years, including the time when my position was occupied by a Member of the party opposite. All I do is to obtain the information which the umpire has laid down as essential to decide the facts of the case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of any case where the father and mother and child were residing together and where the child's benefit was stopped because some other member of the family had an income?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Is not a person entitled under the law without qualification, both for himself and his dependants to standard benefit for 36 weeks, and has that not been emphasised by the policy of the Government in the 1934 Act?

The practice under employment insurance has always been that a man can only receive dependants' benefit in respect of children who are wholly or mainly maintained by him, and the hon. Gentleman himself was responsible for a form of application which included this question: "Have you any other children living at home who earn wages? If so, state names and amount paid towards household expenses."

As this is an entirely new point, will the Minister give us an opportunity of discussing the matter?

I beg to give notice that I shall ask leave to move the adjournment of the House at the end of Questions, as this is a complete departure and is against the law.

asked the Minister of Labour the present average

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the employment exchange at Partick, Glasgow, sent Francis Leahy, of 657, Dumbarton Road, to employment as a shipyard labourer for which the accepted remuneration in the district is 41s. per week, and that on receiving 20s. after a full week's work this man terminated his employment, for which action he has been refused benefit, also the right of appeal to the umpire by the chairman of the court of referees who alone constituted weekly expenditure of the Unemployment Assistance Board; and by what amount, if any, this exceeds the anticipated average?

The present expenditure on unemployment assistance allowances is at the rate of about £44,000,000 a year. This accords substantially with the anticipated expenditure, as stated in the Financial Memorandum to the Unemployment Assistance (Temporary Provisions) Act.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as unemployed, at the latest available date, at Barnsley, Wakefield, and South Kirkby, and the corresponding figures for the same date during the past five years?

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

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers on the staff of the unemployment assistance board in West Ham, the number of cases which have been dealt with, and the number where determinations have been reduced?

West Ham is no longer administered as one area, and I regret that exact information of the kind requested is not available.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in cases where one party in a road accident has sustained injuries so that he is unable to collect information himself, he will arrange that such information shall be given free by the police on application by the individual concerned?

I do not think the fact that a person has been injured is in itself a sufficient ground for waiving the usual charge for furnishing abstracts from the police reports, but the charge can be waived in any case where the chief constable considers it would involve any hardship on the person concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will ascertain from the police whether the unconditional enforcement of the 30-mile-per-hour speed limit in the centre of London has caused any congestion in London traffic?

Yes, Sir; I have been in consultation with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who informs me that inquiries made by him show that there has been no increase in traffic congestion. One of the most noticeable results of the introduction of the speed limit has been the decrease in the dangerous habit of "cutting in" and "cutting out" and the increased orderliness of the general stream of traffic, which in places is definitely helping to reduce congestion.

asked the Home Secretary how many summonses have been issued in the Metropolitan police district up to Saturday last for exceeding the speed limit of 30 miles per hour?

The number of cases reported for summonses up to and including Saturday, the 23rd March, was 1,274. Only 84 summonses had actually been issued, but application for summonses in the remaining cases is being made.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that the police are acting as agents provocateurs in the speed-limit areas by proceeding in cars at slow speeds and accelerating to 30 miles per hour or more when other vehicles attempt to overtake them; and what action is being taken by Scotland Yard in view of the complaints made on this matter?

No, Sir; I have no reason to believe that the police are acting in the manner described. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for West Birkenhead (Lieut.-Colonel Sandeman Allen) on the 26th instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether sympathetic consideration will be given to applications for extended hours of sale of intoxicants in the Metropolitan area in connection with the forthcoming Jubilee celebrations?

As I have made clear on previous occasions, every application for special extension of hours must be considered individually and on its merits. So far as the Metropolitan Police District is concerned, the Commissioner will give full and sympathetic consideration to every application made to him for extension of hours in the evenings during Jubilee week, or for extension during the afternoon in the areas covered by the Royal Procession on 6th May and the afternoon drives which have been arranged for subsequent dates.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in view of the active part school teachers will be obliged to play in arranging Jubilee celebrations for school children, an additional day's holiday can be granted to school teachers to compensate them for their inability to participate in the general holiday on 6th May?

I do not doubt that in cases where teachers are unable to avail themselves of the holiday on 6th May the question of giving them a day's holiday on some other date will be sympathetically considered by the authorities of the schools.

Does not the Minister think that teachers already have enough holidays in the course of a year?

Have they as many as you have?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of medals in commemoration of His Majesty's Silver Jubilee have been shipped into this country from foreign countries; and whether he is prepared to issue a circular advising local authorities who may be contemplating the purchase of medals for distribution to school children to assure themselves so far as is possible that the medals are of British manufacture?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but my Noble Friend has no information that local education authorities have purchased medals of foreign manufacture. He is strongly of opinion that, where the celebration of the Silver Jubilee takes the form of the distribution of medals or other mementoes to school children, they should be of British manufacture, but, as local education authorities generally have by this date already ordered their supplies, he doubts whether the issue of a circular on the lines suggested would serve any useful purpose.

asked the right hon. Member for Petersfield, as Chairman of the Committee of Selection, whether, in order to meet the convenience of the members and officials of local authorities in connection with local celebrations of His Majesty's Silver Jubilee, he will endeavour, during the period of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, to avoid setting up Committees on Private Bills appointed to meet for the first time that week?

The hon. Member may rest assured that not only the Chairman of the Committee of Selection but also the chairmen of the different Private Bill committees are always prepared to study the convenience of those who attend these committees.

asked the Home Secretary what percentage of police pensions is paid by the State to local police authorities; what percentage is paid by the local authority out of rates; and what is the percentage of the contribution made by the police force in England and Wales towards the pensions?

Under the Police Pensions Acts every member of a police force has 5 per cent. of his pay deducted in respect of pension. The balance of the cost of pensions falls in equal proportions on the Exchequer and the local rates.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what was the percentage of men rejected on medical grounds who applied to join the police forces in England and Wales for the years, 1932, 1933, and 1934;

I will circulate figures relating to the Metropolitan police in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I regret that I have not got corresponding information for the county and borough forces.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will draw the attention of medical officers of health to the statement in the report of the cattle diseases committee that the available evidence as to the importance of milk in the spread of infectious disease is not conclusive, and that the number of cases of scarlet fever traced to milk in the last 20 years is only 2,500 to 3,000 out of some 2,000,000 cases?

No, Sir. Even if it were established that only 2,500 to 3,000 cases of scarlet fever in the last 20 years were attributable to milk, I should still consider it important that milk should be pasteurised in order to prevent such cases in the future. But, in fact, the Committee on Cattle Diseases considered that infection through milk may be more extensive than appears at first sight, the reason being that it is only where a large number of cases occur that the milk supply is likely to be suspected. Also, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, scarlet fever is not the only milk-borne disease which can be prevented by pasteurisation.

Do not the actual figures prove the value of the great attention which medical officers have given to milk during the past 20 years?

Undoubtedly so.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will draw the attention of medical officers of health to the statement, at page 28 of the report of the Cattle Diseases Committee, that the most serious outbreak of disease brought to their notice, involving over 500 deaths, was traced to pasteurised milk infected by a human carrier?

The outbreak in question occurred in Canada, and I understand that, while it was not found possible to determine exactly how the milk became infected, the weight of evidence was to the effect that the infection was introduced before the milk reached the pasteurising depot, and that much of the milk was distributed without having been submitted to the pasteurising process. I see no reason to call the special attention of medical officers of health to the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether, arising out of the Manchester case of Mollie Taylor, in which it was found that the porter of the hospital took all bookings for maternity cases, and that these bookings bore no relation to the number of beds available, he will inquire in how many cases this practice of employing a porter obtains, and require that some qualified person, such as a lady almoner, should book the cases in relation to the number of beds available?

Many maternity hospitals are outside my jurisdiction; but I am advised that the method of booking referred to in the first part of the question is quite unusual. My medical officers inquire into the matter at the hospitals which they visit. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the published report on Mrs. Taylor's case contained a recommendation that the system of booking at the hospital concerned should be placed under the charge of a responsible officer.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a further statement regarding the recent outbreaks of scarlet fever at Denham and Iver, Bucks, the number of cases and deaths involved, the origin of infection, and the administrative conclusions involved, with a view to the prevention of such outbreaks in future?

Up to the present, 90 cases have been reported in which the signs and symptoms were sufficiently well defined to justify a diagnosis of scarlet fever, but there have been, in addition, a large number of mild cases in which the only clinical symptoms were sore throat, vomiting, or slight fever. There have been two deaths. As regards the origin of the infection, I have nothing to add to the answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for Plaistow, on the 21st instant. The outbreak confirms the conclusion that it is practically impossible to avoid similar occurrences otherwise than by efficient pasteurisation, or some equally effective form of heat treatment, of the milk supply.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the necessity of special local study of the causal factors of the continuing maternal mortality; and what action he has taken or proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. Such special study has been continuously in progress in the Ministry of Health. It was the main object of the special committee on maternal mortality appointed by one of my predecessors in 1928. I have myself recently carried the matter further as regards the local aspect by calling for special reports from the Medical Officers of Health in the areas where the incidence is or has been most marked. I have further arranged for thorough local investigation of the problem in those areas and, for purposes of comparison, in other areas, by officers of the Ministry carefully selected for the purpose. I have secured the services of an eminent obstetrician to advise on the reports of those officers. Where immediate specific steps are recommended, I bring the matter to the notice of the authority for action accordingly. When all the reports are available I propose to consider the position as a whole and to lay a White Paper on the subject before the House.

May I ask when that White Paper may be expected—will it be in two or three months, and before the summer?

I am afraid I am not able to give a date, because it depends on the completion of intensive local investigations.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has taken into consideration the possibility of making compulsory a confidential notification of maternal deaths in all areas, as is now done in some areas?

Certainly, that point has been under consideration, but at present the purpose is effectively served by the voluntary information which I get in response to my appeal to the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to ensure an adequate supply of water in the northern, Horsenden, district of Greenford, Middlesex, in view of the repeated complaints made by the residents of the inadequate facilities provided by the Rick-mansworth and Uxbridge Valley Water Company?

I am informed that a new trunk main has recently been brought into use, and that there is now a satisfactory supply to the Greenford area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that a contract has been secured by the Red Star Line with General Motors, Limited, for the carriage of over 60,000 motor vehicles to Europe from the United States of America during the current year; whether he is aware that a large proportion of this export to the value of over £10,000,000 will be despatched for sale in this country; and whether he is satisfied that the existing rate of duty on foreign motor cars is adequate to protect the home industry?

I have no information as to the contract mentioned, but I have seen reports in the Press that 2,000 motor cars are to be imported from the United States of America into this country during the next six months on the ships of the Red Star Line. As regards the last part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Coventry (Captain Strickland) on the 28th February.

Is this not evidence that the right hon. Gentleman was unwise in stopping the transfer of these boats to the English flag, which would have saved a good deal of money in freights to English shippers?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider reimposing on all these foreign ears the full tax of £1 per horse-power?

I should be glad to consider anything in connection with the Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the substantial increased importation of foreign lager beer into this country; and whether he is prepared to take steps with a view to preventing this?

I am aware that there has been some increase in the small total imports of foreign beer, which mainly consist of lager. As regards the second part of the question, my hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate the Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a number of foreign companies are being formed by Surtax payers for the purpose of avoiding the tax; whether the practice of forming such companies is a growing one; and whether any computation has been made of the loss caused to the revenue thereby, either by the Treasury or by the special commissioners of Income Tax?

I am aware of the growth of the practice to which my hon. Friend refers. I cannot give precise figures of the loss of revenue caused by methods of tax avoidance which develop at different times, but, as my hon. Friend will be aware from the past history of this matter, the situation is always closely watched and such appropriate measures as are practicable are taken from time to time as circumstances require.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to introduce an amendment to the Finance Bill which will put a stop to this practice?

Is anyone allowed to escape his legitimate taxes? If such a company is formed for the purpose of advising people, not what they should pay, but what they should not pay, is it not perfectly legitimate to give such advice?

As I understood the supplementary question, it did not relate to illegitimate practices but to practices at present within the law.

In dealing with this matter will the right hon. Gentleman consider reducing the general level of taxation, so that people shall not be tempted?

My hon. Friend must not ask me to anticipate the Budget statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is within his knowledge that some of the cheapest grades of foreign butter, including Siberian, are being sold to the public in the North of England as best Kiel butter; and, since this name suggests an origin other than the country of production, if he will ascertain whether such misdescription comes within the scope of the Merchandise Marks Acts, and particularly of the Butter Marking Order, with a view to taking the requisite action?

I have seen reports to the effect that "Kiel" is being used in connection with butter from various sources. Under the Butter Marking Order, all imported butter when sold or exposed for sale must bear an indication of origin. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases where the requirements of the Order are not being complied with, I will look into the matter.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his Department has put forward any requests for an increase in the annual grant now devoted to popularising tourist travel in this country; and, if so, whether he can state the date on which such request was made and the Government decision?

I have been asked to reply. The amount of the grant to the Travel and Industrial Development Association of Great Britain and Ireland for 1935 was fixed at £4,000, after due discussion between the departments concerned. It is not the practice to disclose details of consultations which take place between departments before Governmental decisions are arrived at.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Danish Government are refusing licences for the import of British goods by certain Danish importers and, as a result, the interests of British firms, notably Lincoln firms, and their workpeople are being prejudiced; and whether he will make representations protesting against this action of the Danish Government as a breach of either the spirit or the letter of the Danish Trade Agreement?

This matter has been engaging my attention for some time and a number of individual cases have been taken up with the Danish authorities. I am having inquiry made into the case to which my hon. Friend has drawn my attention and if he will furnish me with particulars of any similar cases which he has in mind, I will see that appropriate action is taken immediately.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that objection has been taken by certain authorities to a Welsh site for the Arsenal on the grounds that difficulties might arise in connection with the supply of labour in West and South Wales, and that the project is likely to be abandoned and a site chosen near Maryport, in Cumberland, in preference; and whether he will define the difficulties which are anticipated in South Wales but not in Cumberland?

I am not aware of the objections and preferences suggested in the question.

Am I to gather from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that the statement which appeared in the "Daily Herald" and which is set out in the question is an absolutely unnecessary insult to the working people in South Wales and that there is not the slightest truth in the statement made?

I saw the statement. I understand it said that authorities had taken objection, but it did not say what the authorities were so that we could get no further.

In view of the conflict of opinion as to the wisdom of putting the Arsenal in any one part of Great Britain, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the necessity for it remaining in Woolwich?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can give the House any information respecting the provision of accommodation for troops at Singapore?

The barracks for the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineer personnel will be completed in the autumn of this year in time to accomodate the additional personnel to be despatched next trooping season. Barracks for the second British infantry battalion will not be ready for occupation until April, 1936. The battalion selected for this station is the 1st Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment, from Egypt, which it is proposed to replace by the 2nd Battalion, the Grenadier Guards.

asked the Minister of Health the numbers of municipal areas which have introduced schemes of financial assistance to the blind persons in their area under the provisions of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and the number of areas where no such scheme is applied?

According to my latest information, all but 12 of the 146 local authorities under the Blind Persons Act have made arrangements to provide financial assistance for blind persons under the provisions of that Act, In 61 of these areas such assistance is provided exclusively under the Act.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the London County Council scheme for the provision of domiciliary assistance to necessitous blind persons within its area is provided exclusively by virtue of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and not by way of relief; and whether he will be prepared to circularise all municipal authorities that such principle and method is the desire of his Department and urge its adoption?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A number of other local authorities have made similar provision, and I have taken, and will continue to take, every opportunity to encourage the remaining authorities under the Blind Persons Act to take the same course, which, indeed, has been recommended to local authorities as being in accordance with the intention of Parliament as expressed in Section 5 of the Local Government Act, 1929.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the feeling shown at the attempted auction mart at Tranent last week of cows that had been poinded for payment of the milk levy, he will urge the committee of inquiry into the milk marketing scheme to lose no time in presenting a report?

The Milk Reorganisation Commission have already made a. preliminary examination of the working of the Scottish milk marketing scheme as it affects producers in the East of Scotland, and discussions have taken place in Edinburgh this week with representatives of both the board and producers. The Commission will report as soon as they are in a position to come to conclusions on the questions remitted to them.

Could my hon. and learned Friend say whether the Commission will first of all produce a report in relation to the East of Scotland, or whether they will wait and produce only one report for the whole country?

They will produce a report as soon as they reach the conclusion on which they are to report.

Could not the hon. and learned Gentleman in the meantime, pending the report, stop any actions for the poinding and selling up of these, in many cases, comparatively good farmers?

I will convey to my right hon. Friend what the hon. Member has said.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that on the occasion in question it was the Minister of Agriculture who was burned in effigy, and that it will be his turn next?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will represent to the Scottish Milk Marketing Board that, in view of the fact that many owners of dairy herds, in order to keep milk records and for other reasons, feed calves from milk in pails, such milk should be exempted from the levy charged to producer-retailers; and whether he can ensure that the milk required for the household and staff of the producer-retailers should also be exempted from payment of the levy?

My right hon. Friend understands that there would be considerable difficulty in giving effect to the Noble Lady's suggestions, but he has brought them to the notice of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, and will communicate further with her.