asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the figures showing the amount of opium exported by the Government of India for the period ended the last 12 months, and the total revenue received by the Government of India on that account?

The quantity of opium exported from India during the year ended 30th September, 1935, was 322 chests and the sale proceeds at the contract price of Rs.4,000 a chest was Rs.12,88,000.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how much a chest contains?

The contents of a chest is 140 lbs.?

Is that an increase on the previous year?

Will the hon. Member put that question down?

Is not India working through the League of Nations as on other drug schemes, and has she not this year ratified a further Convention?

Yes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what recognition has been given to the rover scouts, most of whom are of high social status and caste, who undertook the sole responsibility in Quetta of removing dead bodies from the ruins and burying them or cremating them during the summer, work which is usually considered unclean and only to be done by those of the lowest caste; and, if none has been given, will he bring their services and their moral courage to the notice of the proper authorities?

The work of the rover scouts was spoken of in terms of the highest appreciation in the reports on the earthquake published by the Government of India, and by the Home Member of the Governor-General's Council in the Legislative Assembly. My Noble Friend associates himself with these tributes and is causing a copy of my hon. Friend's question and this reply to be sent to the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the repudiation by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru of allegations made against him in the Bengal Government's administration report for 1934–35; and whether he will ask the Bengal Government for an explanation?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the charges made in the report of the Government of Bengal that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress leader, has used the moneys raised for the campaign again untouchability for the purpose of seditious propaganda; and whether, in view of the fact that Pandit Nehru has denied this charge, he will ask the Government of Bengal for a report of the circumstances on which this charge has been made?

My Noble Friend is asking for a report from the Government of Bengal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government will suggest to the Government of India that they should, as a friendly gesture to organised political opinion in India, mark the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Indian National Congress by granting an amnesty to political prisoners whose cases appear suitable for such action?

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to the reply given to a similar question by the Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on 9th December.

Are not the Government interested in creating a better atmosphere in India?

The Government are interested in creating a better atmosphere. This matter is in the discretion of the Viceroy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will cause inquiries to be made concerning the health of Messrs. J. M. Adhikari and R. Adhikari, both interned at Bijapur under Section 4 of the Bombay (Special) Emergency Powers Act; also concerning the health of Amir Hyder Khan, at present in Madras penitentiary, and Mr. Muzaffer Ahmad, who was released after serving a sentence in the Meerut conspiracy and re-arrested under special enactments; and what steps has the Government taken to ensure that they receive adequate medical and dietetic treatment?

If the hon. Member will supply me with any information which he may have indicating that the persons in question are suffering in health by reason of the restrictions placed on them, I will certainly look into the matter.

Are we to understand that the hon. Gentleman has no information?

I have information, but I have no information that they are suffering in health. If the hon. Member will give me any information I will look into the matter.

Has the hon. Member any information about the condition of prisoners in Russian gaols?

Does the Government periodically examine these people with a view to discovering whether they are affected in their health?

If the hon. Member will read the question he will see that it does not apply to these particular people. We have a limited amount of information about them. If the hon. Member will provide me with any information about their health, I will inquire.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Holland, and Poland are definitely participating in, and that Rumania, Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Greece, the United States of America, and Turkey are interesting themselves in various sections of, the forthcoming Levant Fair at Tel-Aviv, Palestine; and whether he can now give an assurance that British participation in this fair will be on such a scale as to ensure the advancement of British trade interests?

I am unable to confirm my hon. and gallant Friend's statement as to the countries which are participating or interesting themselves in the forthcoming Levant Fair at Tel-Aviv, but I am making inquiries. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Coventry (Captain Strickland) on 11th December.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department on what principle space is allocated to firms desiring to exhibit at the British Industries Fair; whether he is aware that firms in the North of England complain that they cannot secure adequate accommodation as compared with firms in London and the South; and what action he proposes to take?

Allotments of space are made by the Department with a view to meeting the particular requirements of individual firms and, at the same time, utilising available space to the best advantage. Preference is given as far as possible to firms who have exhibited the largest number of times. I am aware of only one instance of a firm in the North of England complaining that preferential treatment is given to London firms about which the hon. Member wrote to me a few days ago. I am satisfied that the allegations made in this case are not justified by the facts, and I addressed a full reply to the hon. Gentleman on the subject last Saturday.

Are the Government considering increasing the amount of space available for the exhibition, in view of the demand for more space?

If we find that more people want space and we are able to secure it, we shall be glad to increase the space available.

In view of the fact that firms in the North, and particularly in Lancashire, are making laudable efforts to extend their trade, will the hon. and gallant Member see that every encouragement is given to them?

If the hon. Member will read the letter which I sent to him on Saturday he will see that we are dealing with the situation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the large increase of imports of leather from the Empire countries of Australia, Canada and India into the United Kingdom under the terms of the Ottawa Agreement free of duty; and whether it is proposed to continue the present arrangements after the termination of the present agreement in 1937?

I am aware that imports from the countries referred to in the question of some classes of leather have increased in recent years, but I am unable to make any statement as to the position on the termination of the Ottawa Agreements.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the tanning industry there is discontent owing to this large increase of imports?

If the hon. Gentleman will send me details, I will take them into consideration.

Has not my right hon. Friend already had representations from the interests concerned?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of schemes that have been submitted to his Department in keeping with the recent Budget provision for the elimination of redundant works, plant, machinery, or ships?

Applications for certificates under Section 25 of the Finance Act, 1935, have been submitted to the Board of Trade in respect of five schemes. Certificates have been granted in respect of two of them; the others are under consideration.

In the schemes for which certificates have been granted, is there power to close the works for a long term of years?

If my hon. Friend will put down that question, I will try to get him an answer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the pig population of Yorkshire on 4th June, 1935; and how many bacon factories there are at present in Yorkshire?

The number of pigs on agricultural holdings of over one acre in Yorkshire on 4th June, 1935, was approximately 422,000. I am informed by the Bacon Development Board that the number of premises in Yorkshire in which bacon curing is being carried on, excluding the premises of curers who are not registered under the Bacon Marketing Scheme, is 51.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many members of the Bacon Development Board own or control bacon factories; how many factories are owned or controlled by these members of the board; and how many of these factories have an average throughput of more than 1,000 pigs per week and less than 250 pigs per week, respectively?

The Bacon Development Board was set up in accordance with the recommendations of the Lane Fox Reorganisation Commission with equal representation of the Pigs Marketing Board and the Bacon Marketing Board and three members nominated by the Government, including the chairman, Lord Portal. None of the Government representatives own or control any bacon factories. As to the remaining members, I understand that none of the four Pigs Board representatives own or control any factories, while the four Bacon Board representatives naturally are associated with bacon factories, though clearly I could not give the detailed information asked for.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider delegating the function of licensing to an impartial judicial tribunal instead of to a board a great part of whom have vested interests in the industry?

If the hon. Member had done me the honour of listening to my reply, he would see that seven of the representatives, that is a clear majority, have no vested interests in the industry.

Is there any parallel for a licensing tribunal having four representatives out of eleven who are interested in the industry?

Surely three impartial members holding a balance between four members on either side is not unusual.

Is it not the case that on all these marketing boards there is always a majority who have vested interests in the matter?

The hon. Member has not followed the discussion. We are talking of a Development Board not a Marketing Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that contracts for 30,000 pigs were obtained for the Sherburn factory on the assumption that a branch of the Sherburn factory would be permitted to open at Norton and that, by reason of the refusal of the Bacon Development Board to grant a licence to the proposed factory at Norton, it will not be possible to carry out these contracts; what is the present position of these contracts; and whether the producers will be at liberty to withdraw them?

I am aware of the application for a new factory in Yorkshire, but I have no knowledge of the conditions assumed by the Sherburn factory when inviting contracts. I could not express any opinion as to the ability of the contracting parties to carry cut contracts. The present position of these contracts is, I understand, that they have been registered by the board. I regret that I am unable to give any opinion whether in the circumstances mentioned the pig producers may withdraw their contracts.

Is the Minister aware that the refusal of a licence to the Norton factory has caused grave concern among the pig producers of Yorkshire, and that it will mean the breakdown of the scheme unless something is done?

Is it not a fact that the Development Board's action is being influenced by the holding up of the Government's decision with regard to future policy in relation to imports; and can he not expedite that decision, so as to give the Development Board a chance to get on with their policy?

My right hon. Friend knows that that in its turn is being delayed by the necessity for reaching agreement with foreign countries and I am sure he would not wish me to override the rights of foreign countries in this matter.

Does the Minister realise that this question is also of vital importance in North Lincolnshire?

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the position, I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment Motion at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the policy of the Government to encourage the starting of new industries in the distressed areas, he is aware that the Bacon Development Board is refusing to grant a licence for the erection of a bacon factory in Sunderland; and will he take the necessary steps to see that this new industry is not prevented from starting in county Durham?

The hon. Member will be aware that the Lane Fox Commission reported that there was an excess of bacon curing capacity in the United Kingdom and recommended the rationalisation of the industry through a Development Board. The Commission's recommendations were adopted by the Government; the Bacon Development Board was set up, with the approval of Parliament, with power to license premises for the production of bacon, and its investigations are now proceeding. Before refusing to grant an application for a licence, the board must give the applicant opportunity to make representations before them either orally or in writing; and an unsuccessful applicant has the right to appeal to arbitration. A safeguard for the public interest is also provided in the Committee of Investigation.

Has the Bacon Development Board power to set aside the policy of the Government which is to start new industries in the distressed areas?

No, Sir; but it would be in accordance with the policy of the Government to ensure that such industries, if started, have a chance of succeeding.

Are we to understand from that answer that the policy of the Government is not to start new industries in the distressed areas?

No, Sir; the hon. Member would be in error in making such a deduction from my reply.

I wish to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment Motion on Friday, if I do not get any satisfaction to-morrow on the consideration of the Amendments to the Pigs Marketing Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that experiments over a number of years have proved that excellent tobacco can be grown in this country, but that at present growers are hampered by restrictions, charges, and inspections; and whether, in order to encourage would-be growers, he will receive representations on the subject with a view to facilitating tobacco growing?

The question of tobacco growing in this country was exhaustively considered in 1923 by a committee appointed by the Treasury. The committee, whose report was issued as a Command Paper (No. 1983) in that year, came to the conclusion that only a low-grade article would be grown generally in Great Britain. With regard to the regulations which growers of tobacco are required to observe, I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply to the question put by him on 25th October last.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these restrictions were at the instigation of his Department or the Revenue Department? Will the right hon. Gentleman receive further representations on the subject?

I am always willing to receive any further representations which the hon. and gallant Member wishes to put before me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in his consultations with the Governments of Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State and with local authorities on the subject of the depredations of the warble fly?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the answer I gave on 9th December to the hon. Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. White), which indicates the present position with regard to consultation with the Governments concerned. As regards local authorities,?5 of the counties in Great Britain have indicated readiness to enforce an Order requiring the treatment of warble-infested cattle periodically during the months of March to June in each year; 10 have expressed themselves as not in favour of an Order, while replies from eight counties are outstanding.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps, if any, he proposes to take to amend the hardships and difficulties that have been discovered in the working of the Land Drainage Act?

I can hold out no hope of being able to introduce an amending Bill during the present Session, but I should be glad to consider any cases of hardship brought forward by the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many health authorities or charitable organisations organise the sale of cheap milk to children between the ages of one and five years; how many districts are being served; and the number of children supplied?

I have been asked to reply. At 31st December, 1934, 398 of the 421 local authorities responsible for maternity and child welfare arrangements in England and Wales supplied milk (fresh or dried) free or at less than cost price, in necessitous cases, to children under five years of age. In addition, 11 local authorities supplied milk at cost price. In many cases arrangements for the supply of milk to children of these ages is also made by charitable organisations, but my right hon. Friend is not aware of the actual number of such organisations. Statistics are not available which would enable my right hon. Friend to give the total number of children supplied with milk under these arrangements.

Are the Ministry encouraging local authorities to investigate the possibilities of increasing milk consumption by this means; and in those areas where charitable organisations are operating, are the local health authorities likely to supersede the charitable organisations?

On the first point the answer is, "Certainly." We have done all we can to foster the scheme. On the second point, I would like notice.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what it would cost the Exchequer to have a free distribution of milk?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many education authorities have organised the distribution of cheap milk on non-school days; how many schools are involved; and how many children attend for a supply of milk?

Arrangements are made in some districts for the distribution of cheap milk on non-school days, but I have no information about the number of schools involved or the number of children who attend. In some 22 areas arrangements are made by the local education authority for the provision of free milk during school holidays, and in a few cases also during week-ends in term time.

Are we to understand from the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the Board of Education are not interested in the question?

No, Sir, but as the hon. Member knows, the distribution of cheap milk is not a matter for organisation by local authorities but for individual schools, and it would therefore be impossible to obtain the information without circularising every school.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the question is of such importance that it would be desirable to circularise the education authorities with a view to extending this service?

I am sure we should all be glad to see the service extended, but I do not think that that result would be achieved merely by circularising the authorities.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the hindrance to progress in the milk policy of the Government arising from methods of administration under which the Ministry of Health supervise the production of certified and Grade A T.T. milk, while the Ministry of Agriculture promotes a scheme dealing with tuber- culosis in dairy herds and the Milk Marketing Board has an accredited herd scheme on different lines; and whether steps can be taken to co-ordinate these services and so abate confusion and discouragement in the production of milk of approved quality?

I am not aware that any hindrance is caused to the milk policy of the Government by reason of the facts referred to. There is full consultation between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture in matters affecting the quality of the milk supply, and it is their practice to ascertain the views of the Milk Marketing Board on all questions in which the board are concerned.

Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration the fact that most of the dairy farmers of this country are simple-minded folk and that this inter-departmental confusion hampers their co-operation in this better milk policy?

I hope my hon. Friend will put questions on details to the Ministers concerned.

Unfortunately there are two or three Departments concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to introduce the penny post?

The possibility of a return to the penny post is constantly borne in mind by me. The matter is one which has to be considered in relation to the finances of the country as a whole, and I am at present unable to hold out any hope of an early restoration.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how much it would cost?

The immediate loss to revenue on existing inland letters would, under present conditions, be £7,100,000 per year, but, allowing for an increase in traffic, based on pass experience, for an initial one ounce unit and for a halfpenny postcard there would be an estimated nett loss of £6,500,000.

Are those figures based on the assumption that there would be no increase in the number of letters?

No, Sir; the £6,500,000 is based on the assumption that there would be such an increase.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of the Post Office surplus at 31st March was retained by the Department?

The proportion of the surplus at 31st March last due to the Post Office amounted to £1,126,817 (as shown in White Paper of 3rd December, 1935). This amount was duly paid over to the Post Office Fund by the Exchequer on 1st November last.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the posting facilities can be increased in the Borough of Bury by the addition of further letterboxes in the new housing districts?

I am assured that the provision of postal facilities is keeping pace with housing development at Bury. But if my hon. Friend has any specific case in mind, I shall be happy to have inquiry made.

If my right hon. Friend sees his way to give increased facilities, will he also give postage-stamp boxes?

That would be a different matter which would also be considered.

Is it not a fact that this last week-end there has been a tremendous increase in letters coming this way to Members?

asked the Postmaster-General the estimated saving effected in the various departments of the Post Office as a result of the introduction of improved machinery, the number of men and women displaced, and the effect upon recruitment?

The informatoin desired by the hon. Member could only be obtained by an elaborate investigation, in view of the number and variety of the changes which have taken place in recent years. It may perhaps suffice to say that, between 1922 when the post-War mechanisation began and October, 1935, the number of Post Office staff has risen by nearly 30,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any new proposals are under consideration for the purpose of deriving extra revenue from wireless licences; and whether this has been considered in conjunction with the British Broadcasting Corporation?

No proposals for the purpose indicated are under consideration by my Department?

Will the right hon. Gentleman's Department consider the introduction of commercial broadcasting at times when broadcasting is not used for ordinary programmes?

I think everybody in this House would desire that I should wait for the report of the Ullswater Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General the rate per hour that is to be paid by his Department to the extra staff recruited for the Christmas period; whether an increased rate is to be paid for Christmas Day and Sunday work; whether there has been any increase in the rate paid during the past four years; and what is to be the average period of employment for this extra staff?

The extra staff recruited for the Christmas period will in London be paid at the rate of 1s. 2d. an hour (1s. 1d. an hour for portering work); the rates in provincial towns will generally be somewhat lower and will, as in the past, be fixed according to local conditions. Attendance on Christmas Day and Sunday will be paid for at rate plus a half. The rates for the present year are 1d. an hour higher than those paid four years ago. The period of employment will vary according to the requirements of the particular office, and I regret that there is no available information on which to calculate the average period.

asked the Prime Minister when the Royal Commission on the private manufacture of arms is likely to report?

No, Sir. I understand that the Commission have not yet completed the hearing of evidence.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will consider the introduction of legislation for the purpose of abolishing the right of a peer to be tried by his fellow peers on certain charges, thus making all citizens subject to the same processes of law?

asked the Prime Minister whether, and if so when, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce legislation to discontinue the procedure of the trial of peers on charges of felony in the Court of the High Steward, as exemplified in the recent case of Lord de Clifford?

asked the Attorney-General whether he will consider taking steps to secure the uniform administration of the law as between peer and commoner?

I have been asked to reply. I should prefer to postpone any statement as to new legislation until the matter can be further considered. I am not aware of any matter in which the administration of the law is not uniform as between peers and commoners charged with an offence, except that in cases of treason, murder, and felony, a, peer has the somewhat doubtful privilege of being tried by his peers.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that this archaic and costly class distinction is very unpopular?

asked the Attorney-General what is the estimated cost of the trial in the House of Lords of Lord de Clifford?

I understand that the charge to public funds will be in the neighbourhood of £700.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say from what fund that will be taken?

Not from the county.

On what Vote will it be taken?

asked the First Commissioner of Works what gifts have been made to the Royal Parks during the past year?

I acknowledge with sincere gratitude the gifts during 1935 of new entrance gates to Queen Mary's Gardens from Mr. Goetze; of a sculptured figure for the begonia garden from Sir William Reid Dick, R.A.; of scarce varieties of duck and geese from Mr. A. Ezra; some thousands of bulbs from Messrs. Bath, Ltd., Mr. Cranfield, and the Bermuda Department of Agriculture; of roses from Mr. S. Burgess and rhododendrons from Mr. Lionel Rothschild.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the draft regulation submitted by the Unemployment Assistance Board, which provides for pit-head bath attendants to come into unemployment insurance, will also apply to caretakers of miners' welfare institutes?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the draft regulations which provide for pit-head bath attendants to come into unemployment insurance will also apply to other persons employed at miners' welfare centres?

No, Sir. The question of bringing other persons employed at miners' welfare centres within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Scheme is at present under consideration. The duties of such persons are similar to those of persons employed in a variety of other undertakings, and the necessary inquiries have not yet been completed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any statement with regard to the progress made in the formation of courses of instruction and training for juvenile unemployed persons and the number of such persons at present receiving instruction?

During the week ended 25th September, 1934, there was an average attendance of 11,439 boys and 3,738 girls, at 112 junior instruction centres and classes. The total number of individuals who attended during the week was 18,058. During the week ended 27th November, 1935, the latest date for which statistics are available, the average attendance was 19,725 boys and 10,120 girls at 204 junior instruction centres and classes. The total number of individuals who attended during the week was 36,596, an increase of over 100 per cent. In addition, new centres or extensions of existing centres, with a total accommodation for about 12,000 juveniles, have been approved and will be opened as soon as possible. The latest figures in respect of other authorised courses of instruction relate to the month ended 20th November, 1935, during which the average attendance was 761 boys and 720 girls.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of William Hughes, of Seaham Harbour, whose unemployment allowance has been reduced by 3s. 6d. per week on the ground that he has a son living in the neighbourhood who is assumed to be contributing to his parents' income; whether he is aware that the said son does not, and will not, make any contribution; and whether the responsible officer will be instructed not to reduce the allowance on an assumption which has no foundation?

I am informed that this case was considered by a fully constituted appeal tribunal before which the applicant appeared in person and that the tribunal unanimously confirmed the determination. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, this decision is final.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether, in fact, this reduction, on the assumption that there was such a contribution as is mentioned in the question, is not a distinct violation of the standstill agreement?

The hon. Member has asked me a question about a specific case, and I have told him that it has already been considered by the appeal tribunal, that their decision has been given, and that the Minister has no power to interfere. The machinery for the use of the appeal tribunal is as much a part of the standstill legislation as any other part of it.

If the appeal tribunal is ignoring the Statute, will the hon. and gallant Member not intervene?

The appeal tribunal is part of the Statute.

Under what Section of the Act can the tribunal give a decision of this kind, when the man has to live in the home and this single man is living outside his home? Therefore, they are breaking the Act in reducing this man's allowance by 3s. 6d.

I have not the Act in my hand, so I cannot quote the Section, but part of the standstill Act relates to the use of the appeal tribunal to hear cases which are referred to it. This is a particular case which has been referred to it in accordance with the legal requirement, and the appeal tribunal has heard the case.

asked the Minister of Labour the date on which the Transitional Payments Regulations and the National Economy (No. 2) Order were issued; and the number of persons receiving transitional payments who, as a result of the issue of these regulations and order, were during the first 12 months transferred to public assistance authorities and thus became subject to the Poor Law means test as provided for in these orders?

The Unemployment Insurance (National Economy) (No. 2) Order, 1931, and the Unemployment Insurance (Transitional Payments) Regulations, 1931, were made on 7th and 16th October, 1931, respectively. I would point out, however, that the hon. Member is in error in thinking that these persons were transferred to public assistance authorities. On the contrary they were dealt with, as previously, at the local offices of the Ministry of Labour, and it was specially provided in paragraph 3 of the regulations that they should not be required to attend at a Poor Law institution.

Does the Minister agree, then, that the unemployed were thrown upon the destitution test by the National Government?

Not at all. The particular test to which these people were submitted is well known, and I have already given the date upon which the particular legislation concerned was introduced.

Is it not a fact that when these orders were issued the means test came into operation?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to grant public assistance committees power to give supplementary relief in the form of a coal allowance during the winter months to persons in receipt of unemployment assistance under the standstill arrangements?

Local authorities are debarred by the Unemployment Act, 1934, from granting outdoor relief to persons in receipt of unemployment assistance allowances. As was pointed out by the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Labour in answer to a question on 5th December last, the Unemployment Assistance Board have power to determine and, where necessary, to vary allowances on the actual need of each individual case, and in these circumstances my right hon. Friend does not think legislation to give the power suggested is necessary.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in many instances the unemployed are worse off this winter than they were last winter, and is not the present position a violation of the promise given when the standstill arrangements were agreed to by this House?