asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to unemployment insurance for agricultural workers?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state when he will introduce legislation to include agricultural workers within the unemployment insurance scheme; and whether the scheme will propose benefits higher than those suggested by the Unemployment Statutory Committee?

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision has yet been reached as to the insurance of agricultural workers against unemployment?

The Government have given careful consideration to the report of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee, and have decided to accept the principle of unemployment insurance for agriculture, but without necessarily committing themselves to the level of contributions and benefit proposed in the report. There are still a number of important matters to be settled, and I am not at present in a position to indicate when it may be possible to introduce legislation on the subject.

While appreciating that His Majesty's Government have accepted the principle, may I ask my right hon. Friend to bear in mind that practice is more important than principle, and that the scheme, to be effective, will need to be in operation before January?

Now that the principle has been accepted, will there be a chance of the Bill being introduced this Session? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that at least 26 contributions will be required before the scheme can actually commence, and that, unless the Bill passes fairly rapidly, it will be of no use to agricultural labourers during the coming winter?

If the hon. Member will read the second part of my answer, he will see that I said that I am not at present in a position to say when legislation will be introduced.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when we might expect it?

No, Sir.

Will gardeners be included?

I could not give any details of that nature.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can furnish an estimate of the number of juveniles under the age of 16 now in employment; and whether, for comparison, he can state the corresponding numbers at the times of the censuses of 1931 and 1911, respectively?

Precise statistics on this point are not available, but it is estimated that the total number of juveniles under the age of 16 years in employment at the middle of April, 1935, exceeded the corresponding total at the date of the 1931 Census of Population by nearly 150,000. The information which would be required to enable a similar comparison to be made between the years 1931 and 1911 is not available, but the total numbers of juveniles aged under 16 years returned as gainfully occupied (including those unemployed) at the 1931 Population Census was 806,983, and at the 1911 Census was 1,083,214. The figure for 1911 included 148,023 juveniles aged under 14 years, whereas those for 1931 relate to juveniles of 14 and 15 years of age.

Is it true that in many industrial areas there is a very grave shortage of juvenile labour; and can the right hon. Gentleman say what effect raising the school-leaving age to 16 will have on this problem?

That matter hardly arises on this question.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present approximate weekly cost of unemployment in Great Britain, including the charge upon the Unemployment Insurance Fund, the cost of unemployment assistance allowances, of Poor Law relief to the able-bodied, and of administration, but excluding interest on past debt, together with the corresponding total per annum?

The present expenditure on unemployment benefit, unemployment assistance allowances and Poor Law relief to the able-bodied within the scope of Part II of the Unemployment Act, 1934, for whom the Unemployment Assistance Board have not already become responsible, including cost of administration, is at the rate of about £107,000,000 a year, or approximately £2,050,000 a week.

On what figures for unemployment are those calculations based?

On the present weekly rate.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit and allowances from the unemployment assistance board at Wakefield, South Kirkby, Hemsworth, and Barnsley, respectively, at the latest available date?

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 the total number of unemployed in the North-east, North-west, Scotland and Wales divisions, respectively?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether it meets with the approval of his Department that the Unemployment Assistance Board should take into calculation a disability pension in determining the amount of assistance to be granted to unemployed persons, as typified in the case of Mr. G. E. Lewes, of Adare Street, Ogmore Vale, who sustained a reduction of 3s. 6d. per week in his disability pension?

I am informed that disability pensions are treated by the Unemployment Assistance Board in accordance with the terms of the Act, which are repeated in the Regulations. If in any case it appears to an applicant that a determination has not been given in accordance with the Regulations, it is open to him to exercise the right of appeal which is given by the Act.

Does not that violate the undertaking that was given that these pensions would not be taken into consideration?

If there has been any case of violation of something that is included in an Act of Parliament, it is clear that, if the applicant takes his case to appeal, he will win it.

We understood that the first 20s. of pension would be entirely excluded. This man is in receipt of a pension of 11s. 6d., and has suffered a deduction of 3s. 6d.

I think that the best course for the hon. Member to follow would be to apply to the Board and learn the exact facts of this particular case.

I have the facts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to discuss, or has discussed, at his industrial conferences the restriction of overtime with a view to providing more employment?

The question of overtime has formed, and will continue to form, one of the points of discussion in the meetings that I am holding with the principal industries in the country on the subject of the increase of employment.

Would the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the employers, when he is discussing this matter with them, to the fact that in Scotland there are large numbers of mines which are drawing coal all day on Sundays, and therefore the men in those mines must be employed for more than the normal weekly period?

The hon. Member will, of course, be aware that the coalmining industry is not one of the industries that I am interviewing in this connection. As he knows, it comes under my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough, in order to give a lead in this matter, to see that there is no undue overtime worked in Government Departments in the first place?

Would the hon. Member include Ministers?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the system of appointed commissioners has completely failed to deal with the heavy unemployment in the special areas; and whether the Government propose to make any proposals in the near future to deal with this problem?

No, Sir. I cannot accept the assumption on which the hon. Member's question is based. As I have frequently stated, the success of the Commissioners' appointments is not to be measured by the amount of employment immediately provided. The end in view is to promote the economic development and social improvement of the special areas, so that additional employment for the inhabitants may follow. I have already informed the House that the Commissioner for England and Wales will in due course submit a report on his work up to the end of June next.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the Commissioners were appointed there has been no change in the amount of unemployment in these areas; and does not that point to the fact that the Commissioners are really doing nothing substantial?

No, Sir; it does not point to that fact at all. I have pointed out on many occasions that a large amount of the Commissioners' work must be experimental, and that its results can only be expected to show themselves after a period of time.

Is not the policy of the National Government likely to be much more effective in dealing with unemployment than the policy of the Labour Government?

asked the Minister of Health when he is likely to introduce legislation to safeguard the position of those whose pension rights and medical benefits are being affected by prolonged unemployment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward) yesterday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to tell us whether the Bill which is to be introduced will cover the case where members have already lapsed from membership of approved societies as well as those whose rights are likely to be affected by prolonged unemployment?

The hon. Gentleman will recognise that I must not make a partial statement as to the contents of a Bill before it is introduced.

asked the Minister of Labour whether agricultural workers will be brought under a special scheme of unemployment insurance at an early date; and whether he is aware that thousands of these workers will be thrown out of employment if the majority report of the Sugar Beet Commission is adopted?

I have dealt with the first part of the question in reply to earlier questions to-day. As regards the second part I am aware that the sugar beet industry gives employment to some thousands of workers in this country. I can assure my hon. Friend that this and all other relevant considerations will be borne in mind by the Government in deciding upon the question of future sugar beet policy.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is any shortage of bricklayers or bricks in connection with any of the housing operations now in progress; and, if there be such a shortage, whether any steps are being taken to make it good?

I am not aware of any general shortage in the supply of bricks. I have received reports of some difficulty in obtaining bricklayers in a few districts. The matter is receiving my consideration in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether, in view of the disclosures in regard to the use by building speculators of inferior materials in house building and the victimisation of house purchasers consequent thereon, the Government is proposing to appoint a committee of inquiry into the matter;

(2) whether, in view of the complaints now being made in all parts of the country by persons who have been led to purchase houses built of bad and unsuitable materials, under what amounts to false pretences, he is considering how to meet these complaints and to redress the wrong done to these persons?

I am not at present aware of the disclosures to which the hon. Member refers or of any general complaints such as those he mentions. As I informed him in reply to a previous question, I am prepared to make inquiry into any cases brought to my notice in which the nature of the defects in houses purchased affords prima facie evidence that by-laws are not being enforced. I am not satisfied of the utility for any other action.

What steps does the right hon. Gentleman consider it would be proper to take in order to invite him to make the necessary inquiry? Would representations from tenants who have been victims of this sort of thing, or from municipal councillors who have had experience of it, made to the Department be considered adequate for the Minister to make the inquiry?

The hon. Member knows that in the future, as in the past, I should be most willing and eager to listen to any information which he could bring to my attention on the subject.

Do I understand that, if the information is brought, the Minister is willing to take the necessary steps to have an inquiry? In view of the disclosures which have taken place in the Press and in the country, is he willing to consider the setting up of a committee of inquiry in order to verify the facts?

If the hon. Gentleman will call my attention to any information he has at his disposal on the subject, I will certainly discuss it with him and consider what steps will be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the adoption of such measures and regulations as will ensure that before building societies loan money for house purchase the house or houses will be surveyed in question upon the basis of a minimum standard as regards materials, durability, and suitability?

No, Sir, it is not in my power to regulate the operations of building societies in the manner suggested.

Is it not within the power of the Minister to guide the building societies, and is he willing so far as the purchase of houses is concerned, to take steps under the Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Act, that is to say, that before money is advanced under the Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Act the Minister shall be satisfied that the houses are to be built of the standard commonly approved as being ordinarily durable for the purpose for which they are erected?

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether he is of the opinion that building societies do not do what is asked in the question?

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the building societies of this country are scrupulously careful in respect of the conditions and methods under which moneys are loaned and that the houses built are suitable for the working people of this country?

The supplementary question asked by the hon. Gentleman the Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks) is another question of which I should have had notice, and, in reply to the second and third supplementary questions, undoubtedly it is in the interests of the building society to consider the value of the security. It would be very foolish of it indeed if it did not.

asked the Minister of Health the number of the separate housing authorities; for how many does he approve building regulations or by-laws; and how many have their individual Building Acts?

The number of separate housing authorities is 1,554. All those outside London are also local authorities for the purposes of the Public Health Acts and therefore empowered to make by-laws requiring my confirmation. As my hon. Friend is aware, building in the County of London is mainly governed by the London Building Act: out side London there are six local authorities in whose areas building is governed by Building Acts instead of by the normal procedure of by-laws under the Public Health Acts.

Is there any uniformity in the building regulations and by-laws, and does the Minister not think that it is time to have model building by-laws and to insist upon the local authorities carrying them out?

The hon. Member is no doubt acquainted with the model by-laws issued by my Department, but he will also no doubt recognise that local conditions vary.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the housing authorities have their housing work designed and the construction supervised by the local borough surveyor or borough engineer, and how many employ registered architects for that purpose?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the demolition of 16 houses situate in George Street, Hanley, owned by one Elijah Jones, on which there was an existing mortgage of £1,128; and whether he will say what compensation can be made, having regard to the fact that the property was in good tenantable repair before the order for demolition was made?

Yes, Sir. These houses were included in a Clearance Order submitted to me under the Housing Act, 1930, by the Stoke-on-Trent City Council and confirmed by me with certain modifications in February, 1934. The properties were unfit for habitation. There is no legal authority for the payment of compensation to the owner for the demolition of these properties.

But, does not my right hon. Friend agree that this man spent everything necessary upon this property to put it into good order, that his whole life's savings disappeared in a night, and that the security on which the money was advanced has now disappeared, and he is left with this intolerable debt for the rest of his life?

My hon. Friend will recognise that I cannot give a full account of a particular case in reply to a supplementary question, but it was the case that, in this particular instance, the premises were totally unfit for human habitation.

When they took over the houses should not they have taken over the debt?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the interests of British industries, he will take steps to ensure that the Import Duties Advisory Committee shall communicate to applicants their reasons for refusing are commendation for an increased duty?

The Import Duties Act lays no such requirement upon the Advisory Committee, and I should not feel justified in seeking to interfere with the discretion of that body, which within the terms of the Act is responsible for settling its own procedure.

Are there no means by which a Member of this House can ascertain the reason why the applications are being refused?

One might ask the Import Duties Advisory Committee, but I rather doubt whether they would answer the question.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can make any statement as to the amount of business which has been transacted at the British Pavilion in the International Exhibition at Brussels?

The International Exhibition at Brussels was inaugurated by His Majesty King Leopold on 27th April and will remain open for six months. The British Pavilion was formally opened on 10th May. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that warm appreciation of the British Pavilion has been expressed and that many thousands have visited it each day since the opening.

Are there no results so far as orders are concerned?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is a little premature. The Pavilion has only been open six days. There is a difference between an exhibition and a trade fair where it is possible to give an estimate of the business done. Having visited the exhibition I have little doubt of its value for British prestige and British trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the exports of British products and of re-exports for the following years: 1929, 1931, and 1934, the figures for 1934 being calculated on a gold basis?

As the answer includes a number of figures I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but as regards the figures for 1934 I am giving the recorded values, since no accurate calculation on a gold basis is practicable and any estimate made would have no significance in relation to the figures for the earlier years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in the cases where trade agreements have been made, on how many specific articles the duties now levied on British exports to these countries are lower than in 1930 and in how many cases the duties are higher than in that year?

The headings and sub-headings in the tariffs of the countries with which trade agreements have been made run into thousands. The labour involved in making the comparisons of the rates of duty in 1930 and at present on particular articles could not be justified, especially as no useful conclusions could be drawn from such comparisons, which would ignore the volume of trade covered by each heading.

Would not the figures show whether trade agreements have been successful in reducing duties?

Yes, I think they would almost certainly do that.

Would not that be useful?

If the future policy of the Government to increase world trade is to be one of tariff bargaining, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of throwing out some warning to those industries which are likely to be made the bargaining counters in this policy?

That is a different question to the one on the Order Paper, and I should like to have notice of it.

Is not agriculture always used as a bargaining counter, and has it not suffered in conseqence?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of cases of intentional under-invoicing of imported goods which have been recorded by the Customs and Excise during the past year?

The total number of cases of under-declarations of value of imported goods in respect of which legal proceedings, were taken or compromise-penalties imposed by the Customs and Excise Department during the year ended 31st December, 1934, was 167.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of small holdings over one acre which have been created in each of the last three years; and what is the present aggregate total acreage of such small holdings in the United Kingdom according to the latest statistics in his possession?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the number of agricultural holdings over one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in Great Britain in each of the last three years, and also the number of statutory small holdings provided in each of those years. I regret I am unable to give particulars of the total number of small holdings of all kinds created in these years. With regard to the last part of the question, the acreage of agricultural land comprised in the various size groups of holdings is not available in respect of the years 1932–34, but the aggregate total acreage of statutory small holdings in Great Britain on 31st December, 1934, was approximately 1,100,000 acres. Corresponding figures for Northern Ireland are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Oxfordshire and Berkshire have suffered severely from the operation of the flat-rate riddle in relation to potato riddle regulations; whether, as an undertaking has been given that the riddle should be raised according to the size of the potatoes grown in any district, he will say what is the reason it has not been possible to put this undertaking into operation this year; and when the necessary action will be taken?

During the period 6th December, 1934, to 6th March, 1935, the riddle regulations prescribed by the Potato Marketing Board provided for a smaller minimum mesh for some varieties in the case of certain districts (including Oxfordshire and Berkshire) than in other parts of the country. In March last, after a very careful examination of the supply position, the board prescribed uniform riddle regulations for the whole country. Any representations producers may wish to make for a variation of these regulations can, I think, best be considered by the Marketing Board which itself represents producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many producers have been enrolled in the accredited herd grade A scheme of the Milk Board; and how many have qualified for the Government attested herd scheme

The answer to the first part of the question is 3,300; and, to the second, that 20 herds belonging to 16 producers have been attested.

As very few people are using the Government scheme would it not be better to give the money to the Milk Board to encourage the scheme which is going to do well?

As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, the two schemes are not entirely comparable. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland are considering an alteration of the scheme to make it more attractive.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any indication of the amount of deductions charged against milk producers now as compared with similar deductions when the Milk Marketing Board took over?

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Are not there a large number of small milk producers in Scotland who have been ruined and put on public assistance?

My hon. and learned Friend had better put that question to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what additional percentage of milk is being handled by the Milk Marketing Board compared with the amount handled when it started its operations?

The average daily quantity of milk sold under wholesale contracts during the six months ended 31st March, 1935, showed an increase of 17¾ per cent. on the average daily quantity in the corresponding period of the previous year. The quantity sold under wholesale contracts in April, 1935, was 23 per cent. more than that sold in April, 1934. The information is not available which would permit a comparison between the volume of sales by producer-retailers in the six months ended 31st March, 1934 and 1935, respectively, and therefore I am unable to give a figure representing the percentage increase in the total supplies of milk coming under the Milk Marketing Scheme then and now.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the increase is caused by the disastrous state of the meat market?

I have no information as to that. Some of it undoubtedly is caused by the increased consumption of milk in schools.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the steps that are now being taken to increase the consumption of liquid milk are comparable and adequate in view of the colossal increase in the output of milk?

I think there is a considerable increase in the consumption of liquid milk, but I should not like to be taken as saying that it is adequate.

Is not a considerable amount of milk being destroyed because it cannot be used and it is not allowed to be given away?

No, Sir. Not a single gallon of milk.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the consumption of beef and veal per head of the population of the United Kingdom in 1924, 1929, and 1934?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the figures desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the report by one of his inspectors of a lost detonator at Ocean Colliery, Nanty-moel; and whether he will make inquiries into the accuracy of the report and make a statement upon this serious matter?

Full inquiries have been made but unfortunately it is not possible to discover with absolute certainty whether a detonator was lost or not. The whole question turns on whether the case which a certain fireman, on the evening of 20th March, took belowground contained five detonators, as he assumed, or only four. He certainly fired only three shots and brought only one detonator back, but he had not checked the number of detonators in the case and the storeman is unable to say definitely that he put in five. The road in which the fifth detonator must have been dropped, if in fact there was a fifth, has been most carefully searched on several occasions without result, and I understand that the workmen in the district are now satisfied in that respect. The fireman himself was temporarily suspended for not checking the number of detonators he received, and arrangements have since been made by which each fireman authorised to fire shots will sign after checking at the store. I am, however, making further inquiries into the system adopted at this colliery for the issues of detonators and explosives.

Will it be possible for the Secretary for Mines to introduce some better method, through his inspectorate, to check the detonators and the amount of powder that is issued from time to time to the miners? A number of cases of this kind have come to my notice in which there have been prosecutions and fines have been paid. Could not the inspectorate tighten up the by-law machinery and have these matters checked?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will consult me and put another question down when we see the result of the inquiries.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give any information about the accident which happened on Monday at the West Cannock Colliery, in which three mine workers lost their lives?

asked the Secretary for Mines, in relation to the accident at the No. 3 Pit, West Cannock Colliery, Staffs, involving the deaths of three men, what system of packing or roof control was in operation at the conveyor face in question; and is he satisfied with the precautions taken?

I deeply regret that falls of roof, which occurred on Monday morning at West Cannock No. 3 Colliery, resulted in the loss of three lives. The falls occurred in a longwall conveyor face in a seam 3 feet 9 inches thick having a strong rock roof, supported by six-yard packs, six yards apart, and by posts and lids set at intervals of 3½ to 4 feet. Bars were used where considered necessary and were in use on the rise side of a fault which crossed the face. A slight fall occurred at that point, pinning two men by the legs. Rescue work was immediately started and was nearly completed, one of the men having actually been released, when a much heavier fall buried both men and one of the rescue party. The general system of support had been in force for a number of years, and had been considered to be satisfactory, but in view of the accident this aspect of the matter is being further investigated.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information regarding the flooding at Woodhall Colliery, Calderbank, Lanarkshire, the result of which caused the death of two men?

I have had a preliminary report on the inrush of water which occurred in the South Lower Drumgray section of the Woodhall No. 3 Colliery, on 29th April, and I deeply regret that it resulted in the loss of two lives, in spite of gallant efforts on the part of the undermanager and others to rescue the men concerned. The workings in the section affected were advancing between wastes on either side; the rise side of the workings was keeping in touch with the waste, and water released there by means of a bore hole was being carried away as the workings progressed. The cause of the sudden inrush cannot yet be determined. The water has been pumped out and the work of clearing the debris is proceeding; I shall receive a full report on the occurrence when that work is complete.

Can the Minister say whether they were carrying out regulations of the Coal Mines Act with bore holes when the accident occurred?

I cannot say yet.

asked the Minister of Transport the list of street improvements for which the city council of Manchester have applied for grants in assistance; and how much the total amount comes to?

With the permission of my hon. Friend the information which he desires will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet given his final assent to the plans for the removal of the dangerous railway bridge at Miles Platting Station; and, if so, when can the work commence?

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend is to-day informing the high way authority that he is prepared, subject to the usual conditions, to make a grant of 75 per cent. towards the cost of the reconstruction of this bridge. He understands that the work can be commenced within four months of the date upon which the scheme is finally approved.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the London Passenger Transport Board is restricting the privilege of cheap travel to certain selected schools; what were the principles upon which this selection was carried out; and whether it is intended to permit this public utility company thus to distinguish between different types of educational institutions?

My hon. Friend is informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that, in consultation with the education authorities, they have standardised the terms and conditions of special facilities for scholars, which previously varied widely in different areas, but were never applicable to scholars attending all schools. He understands that under the existing arrangements the general scope of the facilities which existed prior to the formation of the board has been widened and that they are applicable to scholars attending any elementary or secondary school recognised by the Board of Education. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a memorandum describing the arrangements in detail.