asked the Minister of Labour whether the Commissioner for the special areas is now prepared to make grants to the governing bodies of voluntary hospitals in the special areas towards the cost of the provision of new or the extension or alteration of existing hospitals or out-patient departments in the same way as he is prepared to make such grants to local authorities?

Yes, Sir. The Commissioner is prepared to consider applications of this kind and to make grants on certain conditions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey to the Commissioner the thanks of the voluntary hospitals in the special areas for the opportunity he is affording them to improve their facilities?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that about 50 per cent. of the working population are unemployed in the urban districts of Aspull, Blackrod, Hindley, and Westhoughton; and can he make arrangements for these areas to be brought under the purview of the special Commissioners;

(2) whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to whether industrial and economic conditions in parts of the county of Lancashire have deteriorated so much during the last few years as to warrant their falling into the same special category as the county of Durham, parts of South Wales, and portions of Scotland, so that all such depressed areas may receive similar treatment and financial aid from the Government and local authorities?

As regards Hindley and Westhoughton, the only areas out of the four specified by the hon. Member for which separate figures are available, the unemployment percentages in November were 34.1 at Hindley and 29.5 at Westhoughton. More generally, however, I may say that there are districts outside the special areas in which the unemployment percentage is as high as in certain parts of the special areas; but there is this important distinction that those districts represent pockets of unemployment among surroundings of diversified industries rather than the widespread and prolonged depression associated with dependence on a very small number of industries which is the characteristic of the special areas. While the Government naturally will not close the door to any development which further experience may suggest, they remain of opinion that the special areas were properly selected for exceptional treatment of an experimental nature.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman really think that the whole of these areas ought to come under review once again, because there are patches of Lancashire as big as Durham and Glamorganshire which have been made derelict by the depressions as anything in the special areas?

The hon. Gentleman will gather from my answer that that is appreciated. The door is not closed to any developments that further experience may suggest.

Could any arrangements be made, where people have to travel outside the district to work, to meet travelling expenses?

That is another point. The hon. Member had better put it on the Paper.

Cannot these depressed areas if they make application, somehow be got inside and be called depressed special areas?

That would require legislation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is yet in a position to make any statement with regard to the proposal to bring share fishermen within the scope of the unemployment insurance scheme?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 9th December to the hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Loftus), of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large numbers of these men are in receipt of public assistance in circumstances which make for physical and moral deterioration?

The answer says that the problem will go before the committee at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour how much money has been actually spent to date by way of Government grants or schemes for the relief of unemployment in the special area of West Cumberland, and how much further has been promised or it is proposed to spend; and whether the Government are now willing to promote legislation enabling them to establish new industries in this area?

It would be a laborious task to compile figures of all Government grants made to this area. In common with other areas of heavy unemployment it has received and continues to receive a large amount of financial assistance, the extent of which may be illustrated from the fact that in 1933–34 the amount of Government grants to the county of Cumberland was more than twice as much as the amount raised in local rates. The Commissioner for special areas in England and Wales has spent up to the present approximately £13,000 in the West Cumberland area, and he estimates his commitments in that area at present as £200,000. The Commissioner is doing his utmost to secure the setting up of new industries in this and the other parts of the special area for which he is concerned.

When is the report likely to be received, and will it have special reference to West Cumberland?

Early in the New Year, I believe.

Are the Government now willing to promote legislation enabling them to establish new industries?

Not at the moment.

Are there likely to be suggestions for increased power for wider use of the fund?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman had better wait for the introduction of the report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the need for the provision of Employment Exchanges in suitable buildings at Fenton and Longton; and what steps will be taken to meet this need?

I agree that there is need for more accommodation at the Longton Employment Exchange and arrangements have been made to extend the existing building. Applicants from Fenton can use either the Longton or the Stoke Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in industrial villages where branches of the area Employment Exchange are open one day in the week no vacancy list appears except on the day for signing on; and will he consider having a daily vacancy list posted in all such branches?

I am looking into this matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of the unemployed registered at the Sunderland, Pallion, and Southwick-on-Wear Employment Exchanges and the Sunderland Juvenile Employment Bureau on 22nd July, 1935; and how many of them had been unemployed for the following periods: one year but less than two years, two years but less than three years, three years but less than four years, four years but less than five years, and five years and over?

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

What is the total in these five categories?

My hon. Friend can make the addition.

asked the Minister of Labour how much money has actually been disbursed to date by the Commissioners of special areas in England, South Wales and Monmouthshire, and Scotland, respectively; what proportion of these amounts has been expended in the form of salaries to officials appointed by the Commissioners or by the Government; and whether he can indicate the nature of the undertakings for which grants have actually been made?

As the reply is somewhat long I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. If the hon. Member desires further information perhaps he will communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of appeals dealt with by the appeals tribunals, under the Unemployment Assistance Board, since 7th January; and the number in which increases have been granted?

During the period 7th January to 30th November this year 11,486 appeals from determinations made by officers of the Board were dealt with by appeals tribunals. In 3,496 cases increased determinations were granted.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will ensure that, in future, the documents by which the Unemployment Assistance Board communicates its decision to applicants bear clearly upon the face of them a statement of the applicant's right to appeal and how that right may be exercised?

Every person applying for an allowance is given a leaflet, B.L.18, which includes a paragraph about appeals. The form B.3z, by means of which the applicant is informed of the amount of the allowance granted by the Board, now contains on the back a notice that information with regard to facilities for appeal is given in a leaflet B.L.2z, which is obtainable at any employment exchange or area office of the Board. The same or a similar notice appears on certain other forms and it is proposed as soon as possible to include it in all cases in which it is relevant. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the form B.3z and of the leaflets.

While I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the copies of documents that have been sent to me, is he aware that forms are still being issued all over the country which contain no reference to any right of appeal at all, and that the statement on the back of the form to which he refers in his answer gives no information at all as to the right of appeal, but merely states that such information may be obtained elsewhere?

If the hon. Member has any leaflets which do not compare with the ones now being issued, perhaps he will let me see them?

That is not quite what I asked.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of inviting the local advisory committees of the Ministry of Labour to give special consideration to the cases of all those in their areas who have been continuously unemployed for periods of six months and longer and to make recommendations with a view to their re-employment?

All local employment committees were asked earlier this year to consider and advise on the problem, as it affected their areas, of those who had been long unemployed and in view of the attention which they are giving to the matter, I do not think it necessary to refer the matter to them again at present. I should like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the valuable work on this problem in Birkenhead which has been done by the committee of which my hon. Friend is chairman.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the statutory committee under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1934, has yet arrived at any decision on the question of insurance of professional workers?

I understand that the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee have practically completed the taking of evidence on this matter, and are at present considering their report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish the report of the Unemployment Assistance Board in order that Members may be fully informed as to the operation of the means test regulations?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a question upon this subject by the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White) on 5th December.

Yes. But the answer referred to tells us nothing. Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to publish this report which is so necessary to a proper consideration of future regulations?

If the hon. Gentleman studies the answer, he will see that it is quite definite. I propose to supply hon. Members with all relevant information with regard to the working of the present regulations.

Does that mean that the particular report on the investigation into the working of this business is to be published?

It means precisely what it says.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House as to the extent of the departure from the standstill agreement and in how many cases have reductions in benefit taken place since the standstill agreement was put in operation?

That is a special question on another subject.

Members of the House were all deceived as to the working of these regulations, and both Members and Ministers were very much surprised. Everyone is in the dark. Could not the right hon. Gentleman make the report accessible to all Members of the House?

There will be a report by the Board, of course.

Will the Minister please answer the hon. Member's ques- tion? Will he make all the information available to the Members of the House—not merely this report, but every report he has received, in order that we may know exactly the working of the Act?

I have nothing to add to my previous answer on that point.

Why not?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state that attendants at pit-head baths are to be treated as insurable under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1934?

The draft Regulation on this subject has been submitted to the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee, and is, I understand, at present under active consideration by that committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is a report on this matter, as there was a very definite promise given on the matter in the middle of last year, and he issued a circular too; and is it not time this matter was proceeded with?

The hon. Member knows that this committee has had an immense amount of work to do, and I understand that the decision is not likely to be long delayed.

Is the position of the right hon. Gentleman that he is afraid to issue the regulation?

The hon. Member must understand that copies of the draft regulations can be had on application to the secretary of the Statutory Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to establish a trading factory in the special area of West Cumberland?

I understand that the hon. Member has in mind a trading estate. The Commissioner has this matter under his consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons, male and female separately, were receiving unemployment insurance benefit and receiving transitional benefit, respectively, on 30th November last in the areas covered by the Whitehaven Borough Council, Ennerdale Rural District Council, and Milldom

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will issue orders to discontinue the taking of the height and weight of the unemployed as a necessary qualification for benefit?

There is no such qualification for benefit. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me know what cases he has in mind.

Is the Minister aware that applicants to the public assistance committee have been asked very often to give their height and weight?

I do not understand the question, but if the hon. Member will let me know what he has in mind, I will have the matter investigated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are 57,336 cases of unemployed in Liverpool denied extra grant at Christmas and the New Year; and whether he has made, or will make, recommendations to the Unemployment Assistance Board to make grants equal to those given by the Liverpool assistance committee?

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

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) last Monday, of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bow and Bromley did not contain the information for which I am asking, and that he said that it would receive consideration? Three or four days have since elapsed, and I should like to know what consideration has been given to the matter? May I have an answer to that question?

The answer is combined with the previous question. As the hon. Member knows, it is a matter of two things. First of all local practice, and, secondly, a report as to whether in certain cases the allowances under the board exceed the rate of transitional payments.

In view of the ambiguity of the reply that has been given, may I have a definite statement as to whether it is the intention to do anything or nothing in regard to this case?

The hon. Member must understand that the answer was quite clear.

I beg to give notice that owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements he is making for the payment of the unemployed during Christmas week; and can he give an assurance that all the unemployed will receive their pay before Christmas day?

The Employment Exchanges will be closed on Boxing Day, Thursday, 26th December, and open on Friday, 27th December. Payments ordinarily made on Thursday will in Christmas week be made on Tuesday, 24th December; payments ordinarily made on Friday will be made on Friday, 27th December.

Can the Minister say what difficulties there are in the way of making the whole of the Christmas week payments before Christmas Day? Is he aware that the whole country would desire that no child of an unemployed person should spend a blank Christmas because there is no money before Christmas Day?

The answer is that that has been the previous practice, and it has been approved. The hon. Member will understand that if payment were made on the Tuesday instead of the Friday, it would be a very long time from the Tuesday to the Friday week.

While I appreciate the fact that it has been the practice in the past, is the Minister aware that when that practice has been adopted it has caused unhappiness and dissatisfaction in thousands of homes?

That is not my information.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the working of the recent modification of the regulations dealing with seasonal employment?

The new seasonal workers' Order came into force on 29th August. At that date 630 claims were under disallowance owing to the operation of the former Regulation, and the new Order enabled 296 of them to be allowed. In the months of September, October and November, 1935, 7,085 claims were disallowed by courts of referees under the seasonal workers' Order as compared with 11,875 claims which were disallowed under the previous Regulation in the corresponding period of 1934.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether any steps were taken to review the claims disallowed, and do not the regulations make it possible for such claims to be allowed?

More than 600 were claims for disallowances to be reviewed, and of these 296 were allowed.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is in a position to state how many insured persons in Shoreditch are at present being dealt with by the Unemployment Assistance Board;

(2) the total number of unemployed men and women, respectively, in the Shoreditch area at the end of November or at the nearest date for which the figures are available?

The total numbers of unemployed men and women, aged 18 and over, resident in the Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch, on the registers of Employment Exchanges at 25th November, 1935, were 2,976 and 908 respectively. Statistics showing the numbers of these persons who were applying for unemployment allowances are not available, but of the total of 5,306 men and 1,505 women registered at the Shoreditch Employment Exchange as unemployed at 25th November, 1,961 men and 142 women were applying for unemployment allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men, women, and young people registered as unemployed from the cotton trade?

As the reply includes a nures I will, if I may, cit in the OFFICIAL

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that dock workers in Liverpool when unemployed have to sign 11 times a week; and can he now take steps to reduce the number of signings?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 25th July. The investigation by the National Joint Council for Dock Labour is still proceeding.

Can the Minister say how long these proceedings are to go on, and when he expects a reply?

I cannot say, but I will make special inquiry and let the hon. Member know the result.

Is it possible for these people who have to sign on 11 times a week to get a special grant for shoe leather?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause to have published all the papers and proposals made before the three-party conference held in 1931 at the request of the Government of that date, in connection with unemployment insurance and the means test, in view of recent discussions that have taken place as to what occurred?

The Committee to which I presume the hon. Member refers was an Advisory Committee to the Government was announced at the time that ings would be confidentipared to depart

But since that time the Prime Minister must realise that statements have been made purporting to be reports of the proceedings of that Committee, and is it not desirable, in view of the conflicting reports of the proceedings of that Committee, that a full statement should be made so that we may know precisely what took place?

No, I do not agree with the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present Minister of Labour was a member of that Committee, and that he has intimated that he would like the reports published, I suppose because they will be very favourable to him. In view of the fact that all sorts of rumours and statements have been circulated, will not the right hon. Gentleman have the reports published and put an end to these rumours once and for all?

I have considered the matter, and I am not disposed to go back on the decision which was taken by my predecessor.

asked the Minister of Labour, arising out of the representations made to him by the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks, what steps he proposes to take to persuade the Home and Colonial Stores, Limited, the Meadow Dairy Company, Limited, and Pearks Dairies, Limited, to fall into line with the established practice throughout trade and commerce, namely, the practice of regulating wages by collective agreements between the trade unions and the employers?

Officers of my Department have been in touch with the companies and the union, and, as a result, arrangements have been made whereby a joint meeting between the parties will be held in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the present attitude of the Government with regard to the enforcement of the recommendations of the Select Committee for the establishment of a 48-hour working week for all shop assistants?

The recommendation of the Select Committee referred to was not unanimous but represented the view of six only out of the 11 members of the Committee. Legislation to the effect indicated is not in contemplation.

In view of the fact that the distributing trade is better able to reduce the number of hours of their assistants than any other industry in the country, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to reconsider his attitude towards this problem?

The programme of contemplated legislation is a matter for the Government as a whole and the Prime Minister in particular.

asked the Home Secretary with regard to the representations made by various police forces in England and Wales asking that a central examining board be appointed to deal with the question of police promotions, whether he will give particulars of any decision he has arrived at?

This question has been considered more than once and the decision has been against setting up any central examining board for police examinations in England and Wales. No recent representations have been made to me on the subject.

Is it a fact that the system is operating in Scotland? Does the right hon. Gentleman desire this country to be behind Scotland?

There are two views as to which is the more advanced country. Perhaps a system of examination suits Scotsmen better than Englishmen or Welshmen.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the motorcars used by the Metropolitan Police are all-British motor-cars of British design, and how many are vehicles manufactured under licence from a foreign country or foreign company?

All the motor vehicles used by the Metropolitan Police are British built.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a number of complaints made in the recent Parliamentary Election with regard to our present method of the recording and counting of votes in Parliamentary Elections; and what steps, if any, he intends to take to have the present procedure improved upon?

I am not aware that there have been any complaints with regard to the method of recording votes unless the reference is to the failure to stamp certain ballot papers. On that point I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for the Springburn Division on the 5th instant. As regards the counting of votes, the method of counting used in each constituency is a matter for the decision of the Returning Officer, who selects the method which he considers best suited to meet the circumstances.

Has the Home Secretary considered the possibility of putting a machine on the table which would perforate the paper, so that the voter could see that his paper was really stamped?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on Wednesday evening, 4th December, traffic endeavouring to cross Grosvenor Place at Lower Grosvenor Place was unable to do so for a considerable time, even though the automatic traffic lights signalled from time to time they should do so; and what special steps, if any, are taken to provide police officers to take over control of traffic when automatic light signals cause a blockage of traffic?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that traffic was very congested in the vicinity of Victoria Station on the occasion mentioned. The possibility of congestion had been foreseen and a police officer was specially posted to this junction; despite these efforts, however, a certain amount of delay was unfortunately unavoidable. The police have standing instructions, in the event of emergency or in exceptional traffic conditions, to assume control at points normally controlled by automatic signals.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it is dangerous for light signalling to go on when there is traffic immediately in front?

Yes. That is the reason why we have police stationed there.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that in the recent figures published in connection with the examination of applicants for driving tests 13 per cent. failed to pass, he will consider in future making known to the applicants who have failed to pass the test in what manner their failures err, in order that learner-drivers may receive special instructions in that connection?

My right hon. Friend has already given instructions that examiners are to inform unsuccessful candidates whether they have failed because of defective eyesight or on other grounds, and to indicate, if so requested, the points to which they would be well advised to devote special attention.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider having those replies also sent in writing to the candidates—those who do not know?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now received replies to the questionnaire which he issued to horse-using firms in London in regard to his proposals to reduce further the facilities for such transport; and how many of these replies indicated hostility to his restriction scheme?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in consequence of the protests which he has received, it is still intended to introduce in the near future any regulations putting further difficulties in the way of users of horse transport in London; and, if so, when he intends to submit such regulations to the London Traffic Advisory Board?

The replies to the questionnaire are not yet complete. My right hon. Friend has already given an assurance that before coming to any conclusion he will give the closest consideration to any representations which are received.

In considering the representations, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman have consideration for the large number of men who are employed as drivers of horses and who are suffering at present from a large amount of unemployment?

That is one of the considerations.

asked the Minister of Transport how many fatal and other road accidents have taken place in the borough of West Ham during the years 1933, 1934, and up to the nearest available date; and in which streets and roads the greatest number of accidents occurred?

The numbers of street accidents in the county borough of West Ham involving personal injury over the periods in question are as follow:

Period.	Fatal Accidents.	Other accidents involving personal injury.
1933	27	1,297
1934	32	1,313
1935 (10 months)	24	1,004

The roads in West Ham on which accidents involving personal injury appear most frequently to occur are Barking Road (between Silvertown Way and Balaam Street), Stratford High Street, and Romford Road.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to report on the official communication received from Liverpool in July last as regards the suggested Everton tunnel; and whether he is prepared to give a grant towards its completion?

On the information at present before them as to the volume of traffic likely to use the tunnel, the Government would not feel justified in approving, for the purpose of a grant from the Road Fund, the heavy expenditure which the scheme will involve, but my right hon. Friend will, of course, consider any further information which may become available if conditions change.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many school books under the control of the Cumberland Education Committee have been in constant use for one year, two years, three years, and over three years, respectively; and whether his Department have any particulars of the effect of the continuous use of old school books upon the spread of infectious diseases in schools?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he has no information on the first part of the hon. Member's question. As regards the second part, while the continued use of old and soiled books in public elementary schools is to be deplored, my right hon. Friend has no grounds for suspecting that infectious diseases have spread by that means.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the crowding of working-class children in the elementary schools in Glasgow; and will he take immediate steps to place education on a non-class basis?

I am informed there is a certain number of large classes in the Possilpark District of Glasgow, but in no case is the Code limit exceeded. The education authority have given close attention to the question of accommodation and staffing. A year ago there were 915 classes in Glasgow with a roll of over 50. The number is now reduced to 481. A new regulation reducing the maximum to 50 will come into force next August. Since 1926 Glasgow has built 27 new schools, and plans for a further 10 are already prepared. With regard to the last part of the question, there is no class distinction in the provision of public education in Scotland.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware of the fact that there are still many classes in the working class districts of Glasgow of more than 50 pupils, and that in the secondary schools and universities the distinction is laid down that the number of pupils are to be educated in classes much less in number. Is not that class distinction?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many houses throughout the country are becoming uninhabitable through the neglect of the owners to put them in reasonable repair; and will he consider the introduction of legislation which will compel owners of house property to spend in repairs the percentage of rents they are allowed to charge?

The Rent Restrictions Acts contain provisions enabling a tenant to withhold so much of his rent as represents the permitted increase if his premises are not in a reasonable state of repair, and in these circumstances I do not consider that further legislation is necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many of these houses the tenants have complained of this increased rent, especially in view of the fact that rats run all over the houses? Will he not take some action?

I have pointed out the remedy which is to their hand.

Is not the bad state of many of these houses due to want of destruction or to the negligence of the tenants living in them?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that tenants are not familiar with this extremely useful remedy, and will he advise local authorities who inspect these premises to acquaint them with this remedy?

That is another matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask sanitary officers to convey this information to them?

I have no authority over sanitary officers.

Is it not a fact that the remedy to which the Minister of Health referred in his answer can be exercised by the sanitary authority in the district concerned, and will he not therefore draw the attention of the sanitary authorities to their statutory powers with a view to the exercise of these powers by the authorities where the tenants are not aware of the remedy?

I think that the sanitary authorities are aware of their powers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Barnsley county borough housing necessity requires 2,600 houses immediately; and what steps he proposes to take to build houses to let at rents which the working classes are able to pay?

I am not aware on what basis the figure mentioned by the hon. Member is estimated: the programme of the council for slum clearance provides for the erection of 1,215 new houses in the five-year period of which 451 have already been approved. The extent to which this programme will have to be implemented to meet the need from overcrowding will be determined by the survey now in progress.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the committee of the corporation has already a list of over 2,000 names of people who want houses?

As far as I am aware the programme which has been submitted to the Department is as I have said.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give a list of the names of the local authorities which have built houses by direct labour under the. Housing Acts from 1st October, 1933, to date, and the number of houses so built in each case?

I am sending the hon. Member the detailed information for which he has asked.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is now a condition inserted by his Department, in the specifications for municipal houses, that wall plates and the bridging of joists be excluded?

In the rare case when a local authority propose to specify timber wall plates embedded in structural walls, my Department discourage it as not being in accordance with the best building practice. The bridging of floor joists where some stiffening is necessary, is not discouraged.