asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed men have been provided with employment by the Commissioner of the depressed areas?

The duty of the Commissioner is to promote the economic development and social improvement of the special areas, and in the expenditure of the grants which he is now making for that purpose to local authorities and others it is obvious that employment both direct and indirect on a considerable scale will be afforded. From the mere facts of the case it follows that no estimate can usefully be given at this moment of the success, in terms of the numbers employed, which has attended the Commissioner's efforts.

Does the Minister anticipate that he will be in a position later to give an estimate of the number of men employed?

The hon. Member will realise that a great deal of the expenditure of the Commissioner will be in respect of grants to local authorities and that another large amount will be in respect of agricultural experiments. It is not anticipated that the Commissioner himself will give any substantial amount of direct employment.

Was not the chief object to find employment for unemployed men, and could the Minister tell us as soon as possible how many unemployed men have been found work?

I would like to repeat the warning, which I gave to the House at the time of the passage of the Bill, that the success of the Commissioner is not to be measured merely by the amount of temporary employment on work schemes that he gives to individual applicants.

Can the Minister give us later on a statement upon the work of the Commissioner?

I am in communication with the Commissioner about the issuing of periodic statements on the progress made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Unemployment Assistance Board in the county of Durham have issued an instruction that where an ex-service man receives a quarterly pension one-half will be treated as income and set against the needs of the household, thereby paying no benefit for one week; and can he state what steps he proposes to take to remedy this?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to quarterly payments of Army reserve pay. The instructions given by the board for the treatment of this resource are set out in the Appendix to the White Paper of January, 1935 (Cmd. 4791). I may add, however, that under the Unemployment Assistance (Temporary Provisions) Act, the transitional payments rate will be applied if in any week it would be more favourable to the applicant. I have no power to vary either the regulations or the Temporary Provisions Act.

If the Minister has not already the power, will he consider taking power to do it? Is he not aware that this man was for 18 years on foreign service, and that his pension is preventing him from receiving unemployment pay?

I will certainly be glad to hear from the hon. Member any information he has on that or upon any other point in connection with the future of the regulations.

Is it not a fact that the single man had no pay for three weeks, that he only got 3s. for the fourth week and that he had to live on the air for three weeks? Is not that the instruction in the memorandum?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether, in view of the recent announcement that all reserve men are under service of contract, he will give instructions to all authorities dealing with transitional benefit to treat reserve pay as earned income and not as a pension; and

(2) how many authorities ignore a reservist's pay, and how many take it into consideration when assessing a man's needs under transitional benefit?

Transitional benefit and transitional payments are no longer paid. If my hon. Friend's inquiry has reference to allowances granted by the Unemployment Assistance Board, the reply is that reserve pay is treated more favourably than earned income. If my hon. Friend wishes to know what practice is followed by local authorities in dealing with applications for out-door relief, his question should be addressed to the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is still his intention to accept from Members of the House representations respecting treatment or determinations made by the Unemployment Assistance Board; whether he will state what period of time is expected to elapse before replies to queries may be expected from the London area; whether he is aware that the queries submitted by the Member for the Stratford Division (Mr. Groves) four weeks ago are still not dealt with; and will he give an explanation for this delay?

I am always prepared to do everything I can to assist hon. Members in this matter. The hon. Member will realise, however, that during the past few weeks there has been an exceptional pressure of work. As regards the cases which the hon. Member gave me, I have received a reply from the board which I am sending to the hon. Member.

Thank you very much.

asked the Minister of Labour on what average number of applicants throughout the year is based the estimate (Class V, 9) of £50,000,000 for unemployment assistance allowances for the financial year 1935–36?

I assume my hon. Friend refers to the estimate of £50,000,000 for unemployment assistance allowances (Class V, 9). After allowing for the appropriate cost of administration this estimate would provide for the payment of about 790,000 claimants at the present average weekly rate of payment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the reason why all the women cleaners at the employment exchanges who work less than 48 hours per week have been refused an advance in wages; whether he is aware that those working 42 and 44 hours per week are not deemed to be full-time employés; and whether his Department are taking the case before the industrial court for a ruling?

No change in the rates of pay or conditions of service of women cleaners in employment exchanges is under consideration. There have been certain changes in connection with male cleaners, and if that is what the hon. Member has in mind perhaps he will communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of those registered as unemployed on the last available date are borne by the Unemployment Fund under the terms of Part I of the Unemployment Act, 1934?

At 25th March, 1935, there were 1,042,524 insured persons on the register with claims admitted for benefit, or with claims under consideration under Part I of the Unemployment Act, 1934.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the figures for unemployment in the hosiery and underwear trades for the first quarter of 1935 as compared with a similar period in 1934, as applied to the whole country and as applied to Leicester only, and the figures for unemployment in these trades for 1933 and 1934, respectively?

I am having the information extracted and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as the figures are available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the House any account of the interviews he has recently had with various groups of industrialists in the engineering, iron and steel, and other industries relating to the shortening of hours?

A useful and friendly preliminary discussion took place with both trades, in the course of which it was agreed that the matters in discussion should be studied further by the. trades and the Ministry of Labour, in close consultation.

Are conversations proceeding with any other branches of industry?

Yes, I recently issued an invitation to some other industries to meet me.

Has not the policy of shortening hours been a grotesque failure in the United States of America?

I would make plain that I am not only dealing with the possibility of shortening hours in those industries but with the possibility of their absorbing into their trade, by any means whatsoever, many of those who are now unemployed.

Can the Minister say when he will be in a position to make a statement on this matter to the House?

No.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to discuss at his industrial conferences the question of giving statutory authority to wages' agreements on the lines of recent legislation in the cotton industry?

No, Sir.

Does my right hon. Friend mean that he would refuse to allow this to be discussed if brought forward by any industry?

It is not of course germane to the particular subjects that are under discussion. If any industry wishes to raise the matter, I shall be only too glad to discuss it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the inquest at Chertsey where the jury decided that the killing of one cyclist and the serious injury of another was caused by the negligent driving of a motorist; and whether he can explain why no action has been taken by the police against the motorist concerned?

The hon. Member no doubt refers to the case of James Bispham. I have obtained a report from the chief constable of Surrey from which it appears that at the inquest into this death, which was held at Windsor, the coroner's jury returned a verdict of "accidental death" and added a rider that the driver of the motor car involved was guilty of negligence, not however amounting to criminal negligence. The chief constable informs me that this accident was not witnessed by the police, but the chief constable has carefully considered all the circumstances and has come to the conclusion that the available evidence is not sufficiently strong to justify the police in instituting criminal proceedings against the driver of the car concerned. The question whether or not the circumstances of a particular case are such as to justify police proceedings is one for the responsible chief officer of police to decide.

Does not the Minister consider that in all cases where there is evidence of negligent driving resulting in the death of some person on the road a prosecution ought to be instituted by the police?

Of course, it is easy to express a general opinion if each case is not to be dealt with individually. As I have said, this case was considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that 238,946 persons were killed or injured on our roads in 1934; and whether he will take steps to ensure that more severe penalties shall be inflicted on all those convicted of driving to the danger of the public or in charge of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor?

I am, of course, aware of the total to which the hon. Member refers, but it must not be inferred that all the deaths and injuries on the roads were attributable to persons driving motor vehicles dangerously or when under the influence of intoxicating liquor. As regards the second part of the question, the law provides substantial penalties for the offences in question, and it is for the court to decide what is the appropriate penalty to impose having regard to the circumstances of the individual case.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is necessary to take more drastic powers to deal with these offenders, on account of the ghastly slaughter which is taking place on our roads?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a number of cases recently people have been killed by motorists who have been convicted of driving dangerously or under the influence of drink, and the penalties have been fines of two guineas, suspension of the licence for six months, and so on?

Will the Home Secretary make an investigation, through the insurance companies, with regard to accident-prone drivers? There are only about 10 or 15 per cent of them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that of the total of 238,946 persons killed or injured on the roads in 1934 65,629 were concerning private cars and 8,615 public service vehicles; and whether there are any means which can be instituted by him to see that drivers of private cars shall be not less careful than drivers of public service vehicles?

While it is true that there was one accident for every 20 private cars as compared with one for every five public service vehicles, it must be borne in mind that a true comparison would necessitate an estimate of the accident incidence per car mile and that there are other considerations which have to be taken into account. The standard of driving of public service vehicles has progressively improved as a result of the special test which drivers of these vehicles have to undergo, and I am hopeful that a similar result will ultimately follow from the imposition of the driving tests for drivers of all motor vehicles. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that driving is an art in which those who engage should, in the interest of their own and of the public safety, take the greatest pains to make themselves proficient.

Am I to take it that the hon. Gentleman does not dispute the fact that there is a higher standard of efficiency, and that greater care is taken by drivers of public service vehicles than is taken by drivers of private cars?

Has the hon. Gentleman taken into account, in arriving at these ratios, the increased mileage of the public service vehicle, and, if he has taken that fact into account, does it not show from the figures published that service drivers are much more careful than private drivers?

I have stated the considerations which should be borne in mind, and I do not think that I can say anything further than that.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is necessary for a person undergoing a driving test to use his or her own car; and what arrangements have been made for those persons who have no car of their own and who, having taken out a driving licence after 1st April, 1934, wish to renew their licence for 1935?

A candidate is required to bring a motor vehicle in proper condition, but there is no requirement that it shall be his own.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the case of the unemployed lorry driver or chauffeur who obviously cannot afford to hire a car, and yet cannot get employment unless he renews his licence? I think that the hon. Gentleman is agreed that there is a definite ease of hardship in these cases.

I have not anticipated that there will be any cases of hardship. Anybody applying for a test which takes only a very short space of time can bring his own car or somebody else's car.

If it is to be agreed that any person can pick up a car and drive it along the road, why not agree to increasing the number of accidents from what is the large number to-day.

Are we to understand from the reply that the owners of cars when they want to obtain a certificate are not compelled to bring their own cars for the test? Is it because they are ashamed to bring their own cars?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has given his consent, under Paragraph (a) of Sub-section (4) of Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, in every case where the local authority has given a direction that for the purposes of the 30-miles-per-hour speed-limit certain roads shall be deemed to be roads in a built-up area notwithstanding that a system of lighting is not provided thereon, or whether his consent has only been given in certain cases?

No, Sir: I have refused my consent in a number of cases to orders applying the 30-mile per hour speed limit to unlit roads.

Am I to understand from the reply of the hon. Gentleman that certain roads are restricted at the moment without the consent of the Minister and that it is not legal?

Are we to understand from the reply that, in all cases where there are speed limit signs on roads which have no lighting upon them, they have already had the express consent of the Minister for signs to be put upon them?

That is the general assumption, but I prefer to have notice of the question.

Surely, if. the restriction sign is on, the Minister must have given his consent?

Yes, that should be so.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the growing practice to exhibit and sell meat on Sundays; and whether, as the consequences of the limitation of such practices during 1914–18 were beneficial to all concerned, he will consider steps to make such practices punishable?

I have no recent information as to the practice of opening butchers' shops on Sunday. As I have stated in reply to previous questions, I cannot hold out any present prospect, so far as the Government are concerned, of the introduction of legislation to amend the law relating to Sunday trading.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that my question does not state that the shops are open but that meat is exposed for sale? Is he aware that it is a growing practice in London, sometimes in the streets and not necessarily in the shops?

Perhaps the hon. Member would discuss the matter with me.

In view of the importance of the question of week-end trade on Sunday, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to take steps to have an inquiry, in order that we may know the facts?

asked the Home Secretary the number of political refugees in this country; and whether any condition is imposed and enforced that they shall take no part in political activities of any sort while accepting the asylum of this country?

It is impossible to ascertain how many of the foreign visitors who come here for varying periods and give various reasons for their coming may have been influenced to a greater or lesser degree by political considerations, and it is not the practice to ask such visitors to abstain from political activities. If, however, an alien abuses the hospitality of this country by engaging in subversive or other undesirable activities, I should certainly consider the question of his removal from the country.

Would it not be a reasonable condition to impose on visitors whom the right hon. Gentleman thought might be liable to take part in subversive activities?

asked the Home Secretary how many foreign political organisations, or organisations supporting foreign political systems, are known to exist in this country; and whether he will take immediate steps to close them down?

In this free country there are no doubt many organisations of the kind referred to by my hon. and learned Friend, though it is not certain whether all, or any, of them would describe themselves in these terms. The activities of such organisations are kept under review by the responsible authorities, and appropriate action would be taken should occasion arise.

Is not Toryism itself of foreign origin?

asked the Home Secretary whether Dr. Dora Fabian was threatened by the police with deportation?

No, Sir. Dr. Fabian came to this country in September, 1933, for a visit, and was first granted an extension of her stay till November, 1933. She then applied for and was granted a six-months prolongation to the 31st May. No communication was subsequently received from her or on her behalf up to the time of her death, and at no time was she asked to leave the country or threatened with deportation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make as to the attitude of his Department with regard to the operations in this country of C. Artner and P. Lewinsky, as a result of the investigations conducted by his Department?

The result of the investigations made by the Home Office in this case, and the action which has been taken, have been explained to the hon. Member in the letter which has been written to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.

Can the Home Secretary say whether there are any special reasons for allowing these aliens to work in this country? Owing to the nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements have been made for enabling life-saving services such as lifeboat men, coastguard men, firemen, and others to take part in the Jubilee celebrations?

The celebrations are on a local basis and the members of the organisations mentioned by the hon. Member will no doubt have an opportunity of taking part in the celebrations in their own localities.

Yes, but apart from the local arrangements, are any national arrangements being made?

No, Sir.

Is not life-saving as important as life taking?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is taking any steps to ensure that all private stands erected for the Jubilee celebrations in the Metropolis are safe, so as to prevent any possibility of the period of national rejoicing being marred by any fatality occasioned by the collapse of a stand?

I have no jurisdiction in the matter. Responsibility for private stands is shared between the London County Council, the City of London and the Metropolitan Borough Councils, according to the nature of the construction of the stand. I have no doubt that these authorities have borne in mind the necessity for guarding against any risk of accident through the collapse of a stand.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether arrangements can be made for school children to receive milk when they are attending celebrations in connection with His Majesty's Silver Jubilee, having regard to the fact that the children will not assemble in their schools on those days?

Yes, Sir. Where the necessary arrangements can be made locally for milk which would normally be consumed in the schools to be supplied to children assembled under proper supervision in connection with Jubilee celebrations, such an arrangement will be regarded by the Milk Marketing Board and the Ministry as coming within the scope of the milk in schools scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether arrangements can be made for school children to receive milk when they are attending the celebrations in connection with His Majesty's Silver Jubilee, having regard to the fact that the children will not assemble in their schools on those days?

Yes, Sir. Where the necessary arrangements can be made locally for milk which would normally be consumed in the schools to be supplied to children assembled under proper supervision in connection with the Jubilee celebrations such arrangements will be regarded as coming within the scope of the milk in schools schemes in Scotland.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a report from the factory inspector in connection with the lift accident at the Calico Printers' Association, Oxford Street, Manchester, when the lift crashed from the first floor to the basement and eight persons were injured; whether he can state the cause of the accident; and whether automatic safety devices were attached to the lift?

I have obtained a report on this accident. It was due apparently to the failure of a forged steel strap which formed part of the gear carrying the cage of the hoist. The cause of this failure has not yet been ascertained. The lift was fitted with automatic safety gear, but the circumstances of the accident were such that the gear did not come into action.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any steps are being taken to compensate in some way those non-provided schools which, owing to a serious fall in attendance, will suffer hardship from the reduction of grant from the movement of the population due to slum clearance?

The managers of non-provided schools receive no grant from the Board of Education. The cost of maintenance of these schools falls upon the local education authorities, and the grant payable to any authority in respect of elementary education is based upon the whole of the authority's service, and is not calcuated separately for each school.

Does not the amount paid to the local authority reach the non-provided schools in the end?

I understood that the hon. Member's question referred to grants paid to local authorities in respect of maintenance—for instance, for salaries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the inhabitants of Writtle, Essex, are gravely concerned by a proposal to establish a knacker's yard, for the slaughter of tubercular animals, within 400 yards of the village and the decision of the rural district council to sell two acres of land for, the purpose; and can the inhabitants be assured that he will not approve the sale without first giving the representatives of the parish an opportunity of personally pleading their case?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health what active steps are being taken by his officers to deal with the black spots of maternal mortality?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Blackburn (Captain Elliston), on the 28th March, of which I am sending him a copy. The answer there given describes the special steps which are being taken in the areas where the rate of maternal mortality has been persistently high.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is conducting further bacteriological examinations into Chinese eggs not in shell as imported into this country; whether such inquiries include both disease producing micro-organisms and those causing putrefaction; and whether he is prepared to publish the results in due course?

My right hon. Friend proposes to have certain further examinations made; the investigations have been directed both to disease-producing micro-organisms and also to other non-pathogenic organisms, among which putrefactive organisms are included. My right hon. Friend does not at present see any need to publish the results, but he will be happy to furnish my hon. Friend with further details if he desires them.

While thanking my hon. Friend for his comprehensive reply, may I ask him if he will ask the Minister, in view of the very considerable quantity of these imports, seriously to consider making known the investigation which he is conducting?

Can my hon. Friend say when this information is likely to be available?

I cannot say. I will take note of the suggestion of my hon. Friend the Member for Horncastle (Mr. Haslam).

asked the Minister of Health how many rejections took place of applications for old age contributory pensions at 65 owing to their unemployment record during 1932, 1933, and 1934?

No person who had been insured for four years and had paid 160 contributions lost his right to an old age pension during the years specified by reason of prolonged unemployment. The number of persons whose claims failed because they did not possess these qualifications is not known, but must have been very small.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the officers of his Department are impressing upon the West Ham County Borough Council, in connection with the construction of 30 working-class houses for the re-housing of families whose dwellings have to be demolished in connection with the widening of Stratford High Street, a reduction of cubic space about 10 per cent. upon the submitted plans; and, as the type of house submitted is identical with those previously erected in connection with other sections of the High Street widening, whether he will reconsider the matter with a view of the acceptance of the West Ham proposals?

Certain informal communications on this matter have passed between officers of the borough council and officers of any right hon. Friend's Department, but no proposals of the council have as yet been submitted to him for consideration.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a reply was received by the county borough of West Ham, and that I am chairman of the committee which received the formal letter; and that, therefore, the negotiations were not informal? Is he aware that the proposal with regard to the reduction of cubic space came from his Department, and that West Ham objects?

I understand. that there has been an informal discussion, and we are awaiting the final proposals of the council.

asked the Minister of Health if he will, in the near future, address a letter to the authorities in the South Lancashire and adjoining districts industrial area, calling them to a conference with the object of considering the formation of a regional planning council to advise on the better co-ordinated working of all the public utilities of the area?

In view of the arrangements made by the Manchester and District Joint Town Planning Committee, which was communicated to my hon. Friend in reply to his question of 14th February last, my right hon. Friend does not as at present advised see any ground for intervention of this kind on his part.

If no progress is made with this correlation of districts, will my hon. Friend see that something is done in the way of writing a letter of that kind later on?.

I think we must wait and see, and let this committee come to a conclusion before we can go on any further.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of hydrocarbon-oil duty which is raised in respect of oil of turpentine?

My hon. Friend will find the information he requires on page 114 of the last Annual Report of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise (Command Paper 4740).

Do these statistics relate to the financial year ending on the 31st March, 1935, or do they relate to the previous year, 1933–34?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any return has been made of the amount of unclaimed dividends on goods sold by the co-operatives since 1914, and of the profits on sales to non-members which have not been distributed to members?

No, Sir. The returns made by co-operative societies to the Registrar of Friendly Societies do not contain the particulars referred to in the question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the increasing depression of the trawl-fishing industry of Lowestoft leading to the laying-up of many boats and the consequent increase of unemployment, he will now consider requesting the Sea-fish Commission to expedite the completion and issue of their report upon the white fish industry?

I understand that the main cause of the recent depression in the trawl-fishing industry at Lowestoft is shortage of fish on their usual fishing grounds. I hope, however, that this condition may be only temporary. The Sea-Fish Commission have a very wide field of inquiry, and I think we must leave the completion and issue of their Report to their discretion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the requests made to the Herring Board to consider increasing the number of trade representatives, he will, if any such increase is made, ensure adequate representation for the English herring industry, which is now represented by only one member out of the five trade representatives?

Pursuant to representation made by the Herring Industry Board, an Order has been made by the appropriate Ministers to vary the composition of the Board by the addition of one member having a special knowledge of the industry, and this Order has been laid before Parliament in accordance with Section 1, Sub-section (5) of the Herring Industry Act. The intention is to add to the Board a practical fisherman whose experience it is thought may be of service to the Board. Any further representation from the Board with a view to the variation of its composition will, of course, receive the serious consideration of the Ministers concerned, but my colleagues and I are confident that the trade members of the Board are endeavouring, and will continue to endeavour, to serve the interests of the herring industry as a whole, and will not regard themselves as representatives of divergent and competing sectional or local interests.

Is it not a fact that at a conference held last October at which the right hon. Gentleman was present the English trade representatives asked for adequate English representation and were assured that they would have it; and does the right hon. Gentleman consider that one trade representative out of six is adequate, in view of the fact that the English fleet comprises more than one-third of the total?

I cannot accept the suggestion that there is only one English representative out of six, and my hon. Friend must take into account the independent members who number two English members out of three.

In order that a fisherman may really be a practical fisherman, will my right hon. Friend guarantee that he is an Englishman.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that Scottish fishermen think that the English fishermen are over represented on this Board?

In view of the profound dissatisfaction with the representation of the great herring industry in England, will my right hon. Friend say whether he is now precluded from recommending to the new Board further representation? Will he answer that point, and, if the answer is in the affirmative, will he, in view of the very great dissatisfaction with such representation, consider the matter further with a view to giving increased representation for that industry.

I hope very much that the Board will not divide itself on the lines of England against Scotland or vice versa. The provisions of the scheme now being examined by the Board will have to come before the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself before submission to Parliament. My hon. Friend may rest assured that every consideration will be given to ensuring the equitable working of the scheme for the industry as a whole.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of claims allowed to herring drifters under the fitting-out allowance authorised in 1934, and the the total and average grants paid or authorised for the English and Scottish fleets, respectively?

Sixty-three grants, amounting to £1,890, have been paid in respect of English steam drifters, the average amount of the grant being £30. I am informed that in Scotland 309 grants have been paid in respect of steam drifters, the total amount being £11,683, and the average £37 16s. In addition, 50 Scottish motor drifters have received grants amounting to £925, an average of £18 10s. No English motor drifters of the prescribed size took part in the fishing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the wording, or the exact terms, of the resolution or resolutions passed by the Herring Board with reference to the appointment of an additional number of members?

The resolution in question, which was passed by the Herring Industry Board on 4th April, reads as follows:—

1. That on the case presented by the Scottish Producers' Association the Board are not satisfied that any variation in the constitution of the Board is justified.

2. That, however, in view of the representations made to the Board by the Ministers, and having regard to the importance to the industry as a whole of bringing the scheme into operation at the earliest possible moment, the Board are prepared to represent to the appropriate Ministers that the composition of the Board should be varied by the addition of one Member having a special knowledge of the industry.

3. That the Ministers be informed accordingly and that at the same time it be pointed out to them that in the opinion of the Board this decision may well lead to similar applications from other sections of the trade which it might be difficult to resist and which, if acceded to, would produce an impossible position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give an estimate of the respective home production of beef and of mutton and lamb in the year 1934?

The latest figures available relate to the year ended 31st May, 1934, for which production in Great Britain of beef and of mutton and lamb was estimated at 10,592,000 and 5,632,000 cwts., respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what amount, if any, of the cost of the milk supplied to school children is paid by the milk producer by deduction in arriving at the pool price, and what amount has been paid out of Government subsidy?

In respect of the first 18 million gallons consumed in the year ending 30th September next, one-half of the loss incurred in supplying milk to school children under the Milk in Schools Scheme is borne by the Exchequer under Section 11 of the Milk Act; the other half is borne, through the Milk Marketing Board, by the whole body of producers through the pool price for milk sales. Up to the end of February, 1935, 10,159,000 gallons had been consumed, and the total loss incurred by the sale of this gallonage at 1s. per gallon was £448,000, of which one-half is borne by the Milk Marketing Board. This figure, however, represents the actual cost of the scheme on the supposition that all the milk consumed by the children would otherwise have fetched the highest liquid price. In fact, but for the scheme some of the increased sales of milk to the children would have gone into low-price category manufacture for cheese and butter, realising with the Government grant under Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Milk Act only 6d. a gallon. To this extent, therefore, sales of milk under the Scheme have represented an increment to rather than a deduction from producers' returns.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will, as a temporary or permanent measure, authorise such rural and urban district councils within the administrative county of Southampton as apply to him to grant licences to sell Grade A milk under the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923, in order to avoid unequal treatment of milk producers who desire to qualify for the bonus under the accredited milk scheme, in view of the fact that the Hampshire County Council does not at present exercise its powers under the above Order and has no meeting at which it can decide to do so until 13th May, and that at present only a small proportion of the district councils in the county can grant these licences?

My right hon. Friend is in communication with the county council upon this matter and, pending their decision, he does not think it desirable to authorise any further district councils to grant licences to producers of Grade A milk.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, owing to the restrictions of the Royal Warrant, the pension allowance that was in issue to Thomas Davis, son of the late Private Charles Davis, No. 9,802, South Stafford-shire Regiment, who was killed on the 25th September, 1915, ceased at the age of 21, although the orphan is suffering from the effects of encephalitis and is consequently unable to contribute in any way to his self-support; and whether, in view of this fact, he will consider amending the Royal Warrant with the object of ensuring that allowances are continued to totally incapacitated war orphans for so long as such incapacity exists?

The facts of the case referred to are as stated. On the more general issue raised I would say that the Government are not prepared to amend the Royal Pension Warrants in the manner proposed. A series of practically identical questions on this subject have recently been addressed to me in this House. The Warrant provisions in question involve an important principle which has been maintained by all successive Governments since the War. This principle is that, in the case of children with living parents being pensioned ex-service men or widows, the additional allowance or pension for the child cannot be extended beyond the date when the child attains its majority. A departure from this principle would involve serious reactions in many directions. It would mean the grant of life pensions to men and women on the score of infirmities which are in no way connected with war service and which consequently would not be pensionable in the case of their fathers, the ex-service men. Morover, they are already provided for, under statutory powers, by the public social services of this country. It would involve, in fact, the creation of a second generation of adult war pensioners, a development which I do not think the House would view with favour. I may add that the issue raised in these questions is not a new one. Pensions in similar cases have been going out of payment for many years past and the proposal, if adopted, would mean the revival of cases which have been off the Pension List for 12 years or more.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean by his reference to "identical questions," that these questions have been organised?

Yes, Sir. An ex-service organisation has to my knowledge during the last two months taken steps from London to secure the putting of a series of identical questions at arranged intervals in this House. I am always happy to give any information that hon. Members desire on pensions questions.

Does not what the Minister has just told us show that there is great dissatisfaction about pensions administration?

No, Sir. If there were general dissatisfaction, this House would have shown it long ago. This pension went out of payment under the late Government. If there were general dissatisfaction, it would not be necessary for any organisation from an office in London to get questions put down at definite dates by Members of Parliament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take to prevent foreign textile goods imported for finishing purpose being re-exported as British made?

Consideration of this question is proceeding, but I regret I am unable at present to add to the answer on the subject which my right hon. Friend gave my hon. and gal-land Friend on 14th March.

If I put down a question next week, will the hon. and gallant Member be able to reply then?

I cannot say definitely, but I hope to be able to state something soon.

When he is making inquiries, will the hon. and gallant Member try to find out whether some of these finishing processes are actually carried on in Lancashire, where this protest comes from?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the scrap iron sellers have to get a permit for the purpose of selling scrap iron to Germany or any other country; whether he can state the amount of scrap iron; and the price per ton that has been sold to Germany for the year ending 1934 to the nearest available date?

No export permit is required from His Majesty's Government for the sale of scrap iron to foreign countries. Purchasers in Germany of scrap iron must, however, obtain a buying permit from the control authorities in that country. During the year 1934 the exports from this country of iron and steel scrap and waste consigned to Germany amounted to 12,976 tons, of an average declared value of 51s. 6d. per ton free on board.

Has the hon. Member in mind the price of scrap iron sold in this country and what the Germans are paying, and can he say whether there has been a big increase in the scrap iron sold to Germany?

Perhaps that question will be put on the Order Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give particulars of the imports of beef, including meat from imported fat stock, during the year 1934, distinguishing between imports from Empire and foreign sources?

During the year 1934 the imports of beef into this country consigned from British countries amounted to 2,888,000 cwts., valued at £3,880,000, and from foreign countries to 9,791,000 cwts., valued at £18,178,000. The imports of fat bulls, bullocks and cows for food, which were all consigned from British countries, numbered 104,000 valued at £1,199,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give particulars of the imports of mutton and lamb during the year 1934, distinguishing between imports from Empire and foreign sources?

During the year 1934 the imports of mutton and lamb into this country consigned from British countries amounted to 5,307,000 cwts., valued at £14,649,000, and from foreign countries to 1,386,000 cwts., valued at £3,483,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the fact that Government Departments abstain from making application to the Import Duties Advisory Committee is on grounds of constitutional practice or because the Departments regard themselves as debarred by statute from so doing?

The Import Duties Act requires the Import Duties Advisory Committee to make recommendations regarding import duties and allied matters for consideration by the Treasury and through them by the other Government Departments interested in the subject. In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for a Government Department to make representa tions to the Committee regarding the advice they should give.

Can the hon. Member tell me whether the Import Duties Advisory Committee has exercised that power on its own initiative or whether in every case it waits until an industry comes to it because of the dire distress in which it finds itself?

The Import Duties Advisory Committee has power, as has been said time after time, to act on its own initiative and to make recommendations to His Majesty's Government whenever it thinks fit to do so.

While thanking my hon. Friend for what he has said, will he answer my question and say whether they have ever exercised the powers which he says they possess?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down. The answer is not the sort of answer that one carries in one's head.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information as to the intention of the South Wales coal owners with regard to the celebration of the Royal Jubilee?

I have been in touch with Mr. Evan Williams who informs me that the following letter was sent yesterday to the South Wales Miners' Federation.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this announcement will give general satisfaction on account of the new principle which has been introduced in connection with the relationship between workpeople and employers? Did I understand the hon. Member to say that details of the scheme are to be negotiated between representatives of the South Wales miners and the coalowners, and that this is a minimum sum?

It is a minimum sum to be negotiated on the terms laid down in the letter, and I am sure that the House will agree that it is a very fine precedent.

May I ask whether this admirable precedent is to be carried out in any other coalfield?

I should want notice of that question.

May I ask whether the Secretary for Mines will pass this on as a recommendation to the coalfields in the north of England?

I am sure that attention will be given to this scheme all over the country.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the number of inspections made by His Majesty's inspectors and workmen's examiners at the International Colliery, Blaengarw, Glamorganshire; the nature of the reports; and what action he proposes to take to make the management ensure safe conditions of employment to miners and horses at the colliery;

(2) the cause of the stoppage of work at the International Colliery., Blaengarw, Glamorganshire; whether he will make inquiries into the miners' refusal to work in conditions reported unsafe by His Majesty's inspectors; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?

On the 27th March two workmen's inspectors reported adversely on the state of the ventilation of the straight district in the lower new seam. On the 1st April, the whole of the mine was stopped and work was resumed after further inspections made on the 3rd and 4th April by His Majesty's inspectors, accompanied by the workmen's inspectors. Soon after this district was originally opened up the divisional inspector had impressed on the management the necessity for improved means to ventilate it, and as a result the return airway has been improved. A hard heading is being driven to provide a more direct return airway. During the past 12 months there have been made at this colliery 33 underground inspections by His Majesty's inspectors, including three inspections by an inspector of horses, and there have been 10 inspections on behalf of the workmen. These figures show that very close attention has been paid to the safety of the conditions at this colliery, and that attention must be continued by all concerned until the necessary improvements have been completed.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed in the mining industry, and also the number unemployed over the age of 60?

At the 30th March, the, number of wage-earners on colliery books was 769,900. I regret that information as to the number unemployed over the age of 60 is not available.

Will the hon. Member try to get these figures because in the light of the new pension scheme which he has just announced in connection with South Wales they would be very valueable?

I think it very doubtful whether I can get them because unemployment insurance figures cover only those between the ages of 16 and 64.

Has the hon. Member any idea of the discrepancy between those registered as unemployed in the mining industry and those who no longer have any hope of being employed in that industry?

indicated dissent.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information concerning the provision of pensions for miners under schemes operated either by employers or trade unions: what are the total sums distributed; and how many persons are affected?

I regret that I have no information.

Is it possible for the hon. Member to get some information, because it does exist, and, in view of the important pronouncement he has made with regard to South Wales, it would be very valuable. Will he communicate this to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Labour as further evidence in favour of a departmental committee to inquire into the whole question?

I think that the difficulty arises from the word "schemes." I know that there are certain cases where this practice obtains, but it is not in terms of a scheme.

Is it not possible for the hon. Member to get his inspectors to give this information as there are many schemes in operation in the mining industry?

I will look into the matter, but I am not sure that I can get what the hon. Member wants.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many regular lieutenant-colonels it is intended to appoint to territorial lieutenant-colonel commands; and whether it is proposed that they should have regular Army adjutants?

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend's question arises out of the report on promotion of officers of the Royal Artillery, details of which were given to the House last week. At the present time there are no serving regular lieutenant-colonels commanding Territorial Army units, but the terms of the report provide for an increase in the establishment of lieutenant-colonels in the regular Royal Artillery up to a maxium of 10, and of these according to present intention nine may be employed in command of Territorial Army artillery brigades as suitable vacancies occur, e.g., if new Territorial Army artillery brigades are formed or if suitable Territorial Army officers are not available in the existing brigades. As a general rule all Territorial Army units have regular officers appointed to them as adjutants, but where a regular lieutenant-colonel is appointed to command a Territorial Army artillery brigade the intention is that a Territorial Army officer or retired officer should be appointed as his adjutant.

May I ask whether the salaries of these officers will be a charge on Territorial Army funds or on Regular Army funds?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the action of his department in purchasing 798 remounts from Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State in 1934 as against 662 in 1933, whilst reducing the number purchased in England and Wales from 806 to 761, was due to the inability of the purchasing officers to find sufficient horses of the right quality in Great Britain; and, if so, whether he is satisfied that the existing grant provided by the War Office to improve light-horse breeding in this country is sufficient to enable the proportion of these remounts purchased in England and Wales to be substantially increased during the next few years?

The Irish market provides an especially suitable remount of the light draught type; but, consistently with keeping in touch with that market and obtaining the best value for money, it is the policy of the Department to purchase as many as possible of its horses in the United Kingdom. As regards the grant, it is too early to enable any reliable conclusions to be drawn as to its adequacy, but it is hoped that it will prove satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that many milk producer retailers have been obliged to sell their cows in order to pay the levy under the Scottish milk marketing scheme; and will he urge the committee of inquiry to work with the utmost despatch in order to be able to make recommendations for the amendment of a scheme which is depriving of their livelihood many persons engaged for years past in milk production?

I am satisfied that the Reorganisation Commission are fully aware of the urgency of the problems with which they have to deal and have already met representatives of the milk industry with a view to ascertaining the facts of the situation as affecting the Scottish milk marketing scheme. I have, however, drawn the attention of the Commission to the terms of the Noble Lady's question.

Am I to take it that the Reorganisation Commission have met the representatives of the levy producers in Scotland, as it is these producers who have been experiencing the great difficulties to which the question refers?

Yes. The members of the Reorganisation Commission have paid a visit to Scotland and have met the representatives of the levy producers in that area.