asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give particulars of the measures under active consideration for the improvement of the physical conditions of juveniles attending juvenile instruction centres; and when it is proposed to bring those measures into operation?

These matters are still under consideration, and any statement, at the present stage, would be premature.

Can the Minister say when a decision will be reached in this matter?

I cannot say. There are several matters to be considered in connection with the subject of the hon. Member's question.

Can the Minister not give us some idea of how long this consideration will take, as it has been going on for a long time?

If I could, I would.

asked the Minister of Labour when the report of the board under Part II of the Unemployment Insurance Act will be laid before the House?

I understand that the annual report required by Section 35, Sub-section 4, of the Unemployment Assistance Act is in preparation. It will be laid before the House as soon as it is completed.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men transferred to the Kent coal mines through the Whitehaven Employment Exchange during the three months ended 31st January, 1935; and the number of men returned home during the period mentioned and the causes of their return?

During the three months ended 31st January, 1936, 35 men transferred from Whitehaven to vacancies in the Kent coal mines and 30 men, including seven who had transferred before the beginning of the period mentioned, returned to Whitehaven. In 22 cases the cause of the return was sickness or inability to stand the heat and depth of the Kentish mines, and in most of Ate remaining cases it was sickness at home or other domestic circumstances.

Is the Minister aware that in many Employment Exchanges in the mining areas in the North vacancies are notified when actually there are no vacancies at all; and will he have inquiries made into the matter with a view to putting a stop to such notifications?

I will take note of what the hon. Member says.

Can the Minister say whether these men are only examined when they get to the Kent coalfield and would it not be better to have them examined before they leave?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living in the country generally, and the distressed and special areas particularly, he will take the steps necessary to increase the existing scales of unemployment benefit and allowances paid under the Unemployment Assistance Board in order to meet such increases?

I do not think that there is any ground for supposing that there has been any such change in the cost of living as to justify action of this sort.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the number of fireside deaths caused by fire; and is he prepared to make free provision of fireguards to unemployed applicants?

I have no power to make the provision which the hon. Member suggests.

Has not the Unemployment Assistance Board power under what is called the "pot and pan system"; and is it not the fact that cases under the Board can get Poor Law relief? Is it not also true that if these people have no fireguards and if death should take place they can be brought before the magistrates? Surely something can be done.

I have said that I have no power in the matter.

May I then ask the Minister, in view of the clause which has been mentioned in this House and which has been called the "pot and pan" Clause, how that can be said?

If the hon. Member has any point which he would like me to put to the Board, I will gladly do so.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people in the country who would, in a normal state of trade and industry, be expected to be in employment on 1st November, 1931; and the numbers, taking into consideration population increase, who would be expected, under the same conditions, to be employed on 1st November, 1935?

In the absence of any generally accepted definition of the conditions which may be regarded as constituting a "normal" state of trade and industry, I am afraid that no estimate can usefully be made of the numbers of persons who might, in such conditions, have been expected to be in employment in November, 1931, or in November, 1935. The numbers of insured persons actually in employment at the two dates will be given in reply to the hon. Member's next question.

asked the Minister of Labour the total numbers employed and unemployed on 1st November, 1931 and 1935, respectively; the numbers of persons of both sexes in receipt of unemployment or other State benefit, apart from old age pensions, etc.; the number of persons receiving able-bodied public assistance relief at the same dates; the number of persons receiving ordinary public assistance relief on the same dates; the total number of juveniles registered at the juvenile bureaux or Exchanges as unemployed on the same dates; and also the total number of juveniles known to be unemployed in England and Wales?

The available statistics in respect of persons in receipt of outdoor poor relief are given in the following table. The figures exclude persons in receipt of outdoor medical relief only and casuals (vagrants in Scotland).

Note.

The figures for England and Wales are averages for the month, those for Scotland relate to the 15th of the month.

Separate figures in respect of able-bodied persons in receipt of relief are not available for England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will issue instructions to branch exchange managers that in all future vacancies notified they shall be filled by unemployed persons who have had the longest period of unemployment?

It has always been the practice of the Employment Exchanges, when vacancies are notified, to

I am circulating a table of these particulars so far as they are available.

Following is the table:

select those persons on the register, whatever their period of unemployment, who appear most nearly to satisfy the employer's requirements. Any departure from this practice would, I think, be impracticable and undesirable.

On a point of Order. May I ask whether the Minister of Labour need speak quite so fast? We cannot hear what he says.

Arising out of the original question may I ask the Minister whether, if he cannot do this in the case of private employers, he will at least do something in cases where Government contracts have been let out to sub-contractors who are doing the work; and in those cases in which the Government have some interest, does he not think that this could be done with advantage?

I would like to see the hon. Member's question on the Paper.

Is the Minister aware that in a great many industrial areas unemployed men who are qualified for these jobs in those areas are not given them; and when one tries to find out the reason from the Employment Exchange the officials say that they cannot give the reason because the employers will not tell; and has not the Minister power to get that information?

The hon. Member will understand that we cannot fill the vacancies unless the applicants concerned are selected by the employers concerned.

Is it not rather unfair that the Employment Exchange representing the Government and its system of insurance should be subject to these conditions inside a works where it may be not the employer but an overman who decides?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, when he is considering the extension of unemployment insurance, he will give consideration to the case of private gardeners and grooms, who, at present, are outside any scheme?

I am considering what action should be taken upon the position of private gardeners in relation to the Unemployment Insurance (Agriculture) Bill. As at present advised I do not think that it would be in order to include grooms in the Bill.

Would the Minister, if he cannot include grooms, consider accepting an Amendment to include private gardeners?

I have said that I will consider that matter.

Will he include chauffeurs?

I am afraid they would be outside the Title of the Bill. They come within the category of domestic servants.

Would he also consider the case of groundsmen of sports clubs?

It will depend entirely on whether they come within the definition or not. I rather think they do.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the statutory committee under the Unemployment Insurance Act, Part I, are considering a recommendation for a reduction of unemployment insurance contributions, in view of the accumulating surplus in the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that the report of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee shows that the fund is more than sufficient to cover the liabilities, he will consider the introduction of legislation as soon as possible reducing the provision that at least 30 contributions must have been paid to 20, and abolishing the waiting period?

I have just received a report from the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee on the financial position of the Unemployment Fund, and I would ask hon. Members to await publication of this report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the representations made by the Club Stewards Union and other organisations for the inclusion of club stewards in unemployment insurance, he proposes to refer the question to the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee for consideration?

Yes, Sir, I propose to do so in the near future.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet decided to make regulations under Section 3 (2) (b) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935, for the purpose of including pit-head bath attendants within the scope of the unemployment insurance scheme?

Yes, Sir, these regulations were made on 10th February, and will come into operation on Monday, 2nd March, 1936. Printed copies of the regulations will be available in the course of the next few days.

Can I take it that these men are to be included?

Yes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many there are?

Seven hundred and fifty.

asked the Minister of Labour how many after care committees in connection with the juvenile transference scheme have been set up and how many friends have been appointed, as recommended in the scheme; and whether such committees exist in connection with the Wolverhampton exchange?

After care committees for the special purpose of dealing with juveniles transferred under the juvenile transference scheme have been set up in 43 districts to which considerable numbers of juveniles have been transferred, and the necessity for the establishment of further similar committees is under consideration. In a number of areas to which only a small number of juveniles have been transferred, the after care arrangements made by existing juvenile advisory and employment committees are considered to be adequate. The number of friends appointed in each area by the advisory committee is dependent upon local conditions and upon the numbers of transferred juveniles living in the area. I am unable to state the number of such appointments throughout the country. At Wolverhampton the work in connection with juveniles is the responsibility of the local education authority, who exercise powers under Section 81 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935. The number of juveniles transferred to this area has, up to the present, been negligible and the necessity for setting up special after care arrangements has not, therefore, arisen.

How many have actually gone?

I will try to find out.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Employment Exchanges there are in the north-western area; and how many of these Exchanges are provided with lavatory accommoda- tion, men and women separately, for the persons using the Exchanges; and what he proposes to do to provide suitable accommodation where it is non-existent?

There are 87 Employment Exchanges and 19 employment offices controlled by the North-Western Divisional Office; this does not include branch employment offices. Some of these Exchanges are in two or more sets of premises. As regards the second and third parts of the question, it is not the practice to provide lavatory accommodation for members of the public at Employment Exchanges.

Is the Minister aware that at a number of these Exchanges people have to wait for a considerable length of time, and does he not think that some provision of this kind ought to be made?

This is a very difficult question. It has been examined by successive Governments and the present practice has been the practice from the beginning. Each Government that has considered the question has found formidable difficulties in the way of meeting the hon. Member's desire?

Does the Minister's explanation mean that it is impossible to provide that accommodation?

It may be.

Are the difficulties not to be overcome?

In many places that is certainly so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the conference held at Black-pool on Saturday, 8th February, 1936, of the Labour Staff Association, and where it was stated many Exchanges lacked the accommodation desired; and will he state his proposals to meet this complaint?

A programme for re-housing the Employment Exchanges, wherever necessary, has been in hand for a number of years, and is proceeding according to plan.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the figures of what has been done?

Certainly. In 1931, there were 37 schemes; in 1932, there were 18 schemes, including two leased buildings; in 1933, there were 15 schemes; in 1934, there were 15 schemes including three leased buildings; and in 1935 there were 37 schemes including two leased buildings.

Are we to take it that there have been any representations from this Association to the Minister?

That is another question altogether.

Is it not a fact that in Blackpool, where the largest crowds meet, there is less accommodation of the kind indicated than in almost any other town in England?

If the hon. Gentleman desires information about Blackpool, I shall be glad to try to obtain it.

asked the Minister of Labour when the next reports of the Commissioners for the special areas will be available?

I anticipate that the reports of both Commissioners will be available this evening.

asked the Minister of Labour whether anything prevents the ratification of the International Labour Convention on the minimum age for admission to agriculture; whether legislation will be introduced for this purpose; and when it is intended to ratify the Convention?

The Convention concerning the age for admission of children to employment in agriculture requires that no child under 14 years of age should be employed in agriculture within the hours fixed for school attendance. It is

If and when the reports are issued is it the intention of the Government, owing to their importance, to have them discussed in this House at an early date?

The hon. Member will understand that he must put that question to another Minister.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons empoyed in ship-repairing and in dry docks during 1935 and the three previous years?

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

Following is the statement:

The available figures relate to the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry as a whole, separate statistics not being compiled for ship-repairing or dry docks. The estimated numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64, in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry in employment in Great Britain at the end of June each year from 1932 to 1935 were as shown below:

not possible for His Majesty's Government to ratify the Convention at present, since education authorities in Scotland possess the power to exempt children over the age of 12 years from school attendance for the purpose of employment. The Education (Scotland) Bill now before Parliament provides that as from 1st September, 1939, exemption shall not be given to children under 14 years of age, and should this proposal become law the question of ratification of the Convention will be further considered.

That means that nothing can be expected before 1939?

The facts are as stated in my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the advisibility of extending the terms of reference of the Departmental Committee of inquiry into the employment of young persons in unregulated occupations to employment in agriculture?

I would refer the hon. Member to the first part of the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on Monday last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any reason for the delay in the publication of the report of the Market Supply Committee of its investigation into food consumption at different income levels; and whether, as that report was completed eight months ago, and in view of the importance of making known the facts about the serious under-consumption of milk, fruit, butter and meat at the lower income levels, he can expedite publication of the report?

I think the right hon. Gentleman is under some misapprehension. There is no report of the Market Supply Committee dealing with this question. It may be that he has in mind a survey of existing statistical information on this subject which was delivered before the Agricultural Economics Society by the secretary to the Market Supply Committee, in a private capacity, last December. This will be published in the proceedings of the society in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amounts of the grants for field drainage made to Scottish farmers for the years 1933–34 and 1934–35; how many acres of arable and pasture are estimated to have been improved by these grants; and, since grants for this purpose are available in Scotland, will he also make them available where they are greatly needed south of the Border?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that grants for field drainage amounting to £7,834 and £7,371 were made by his Department in the years 1933–34 and 1934–35 respectively, and that it is estimated that 16,150 acres of arable land and 104,500 acres of pasture were improved as a result. As regards the last part of the question, I must remind my hon. Friend of the substantial land drainage grants being made in England to Catchment Boards for arterial drainage, and regret that I am not able to make further sums available for the purpose suggested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended to alter the text of the report of the Tithe Commission as the result of any conversations such as those now taking place with the Archbishop of Canterbury; and, if it is not intended to make such alterations, whether he will publish the report forthwith?

There has not been and could not be any question of altering the text of the report as received from the Commissioners. As I have stated in reply to previous questions, the report will be published with a statement of Government policy as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many herds in England and Wales have now been attested under the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme; how many of these herds were previously licensed as Grade A (T.T.), or certified herds; and what the total costs have been to date in administration and in the payment of the premium of 1d. per gallon?

Sixty-five herds have been attested in England and Wales under the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme. Of these, 22 are herds licensed to produce Grade A (T.T.) and certified milk. The total cost of administering the scheme to date, including £1,485 in respect of the expenses incurred in a course of training of the Ministry's inspectors in the uniform application of the tuberculin test, and £1,430 in experimental investigations for improving and perfecting the technique and material used in the application of the test, is £9,600. A further sum of £715 has been paid in respect of the premium of 1d. a gallon for milk sold from attested herds through the Milk Marketing Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is in a position to state the result of the discussions with meat-exporting countries regarding the quantities of beef and veal to be imported into the United Kingdom during the first half of this year?

Agreement has been reached with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, and also with the Government of Argentina, on a programme whereby total arrivals of beef and veal in the United Kingdom from those countries, during the six months to the end of June next, will not exceed the quantities imported in the corresponding period of 1935. As regards the arrivals from the smaller Empire sources of supply, it is expected, in this case also, that arrivals during this period will not exceed those arranged for the first half of last year.

In view of the recent reports of the serious under consumption of meat, is it still the policy of the right hon. Gentleman to procure a shortage and a scarcity?

Certainly not to procure a shortage and a scarcity, but to ensure that trade overseas and production in this country go on.

asked the Home Secretary what steps, if any, have been, or are being, taken by the Lindsey Standing Joint Committee to replace the out-of-date police station, cells, and court house at Scunthorpe, which have been condemned in the reports of his inspectors?

I understand that the Standing Joint Committee are in negotiation with the Scunthorpe Urban District Council for a site, and I have no reason to doubt that due regard will be paid by the Committee to His Majesty's inspector's recent representations.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increase of deaths by poisoning due to pyramidon; and whether steps are to be taken to ensure that this will be classed as a poison at the earliest opportunity?

Yes, Sir. Under the new Poisons List and Rules which are to come into operation on 1st May next, this drug (which is more correctly described as amidopyrine) will be scheduled as a poison, and its sale to the public will be unlawful except on medical prescription.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to consider the alteration of the law permitting all-in wrestling on Sundays, especially in view of the prohibition on that day of Shakespearean and high-class dramatic performances?

No, Sir. I apprehend that all-in wrestling is an entertainment or amusement, and I am advised that the provisions of the Sunday Observance Act, 1780, apply to all houses, rooms or other places which are opened or used for public entertainment or amusement on Sunday, and to which persons are admitted by the payment of money or by tickets sold for money, except those places which come within the scope of the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932.

Have any instructions been given for prosecutions to be undertaken in cases of all-in wrestling?

If there is any breach of the law, a prosecution would normally take place, but I am not aware that there has been such a breach.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer apply to entertainments in an open field?

Has the Minister heard of the prosecutions recently in cases of all-in wrestling?

No, Sir. What I have observed in the Press is a report of civil actions by a common informer.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of a recent accident in which a member of the public was killed by a police motor-car, he will consider issuing instructions to all drivers of police motor-cars in the Metropolitan Police area that fugitive motor-cars must not be rammed unless the street is clear of traffic; and will he further arrange that in future all police motor-cars shall be fitted with a special warning bell or distinctive hooter that can be used by the police drivers of same in case of necessity or special emergency?

Police motor-cars are already fitted with gongs, but the question of an improvement in the type of gong is now under consideration. As stated in the answer which I gave on the 6th instant, the whole matter of the action that should be taken by police in motorcars in regard to fugitive motor-cars is now receiving the close attention of the Commissioner of Police.

Are police cars free to break all the rules of the road?

I must ask for notice of that question. My impression is that there is some provision concerning them in the Statute.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons convicted of entering the country with forged passports in each of the last three years?

The information asked for is not available, and in any event it would not cover the cases of persons who are found to be in possession of passports obtained by false representations. If an alien is found on arrival at a port in the United Kingdom to be in possession of an irregular passport or one to which he is not entitled, the usual practice is to impound the document and refuse leave to land. No separate record is kept of these cases, and the number which have occurred during the last few years could not be ascertained without detailed examination of the records.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a genuine feeling throughout the country that a good many undesirable aliens are getting in?

I do not think there is any material increase in the number.

asked the Home Secretary the number of coloured men, women, and children of established British nationality resident in Cardiff; the number of coloured men, women, and children who are British protected subjects also resident in Cardiff; and the number of alien coloured men, women, and children similarly resident in Cardiff?

The only available information regarding coloured persons resident in Cardiff relates to those who are seamen and are registered under the Special Restriction (Coloured Alien Seamen) Order, 1925. According to the latest return furnished to the Home Office on 1st January last there were in Cardiff at that date 2,319 coloured alien seamen; it is not possible to state how many of these are British protected persons.

Cannot my right hon. Friend say what number of alien coloured seamen are resident in Cardiff? Surely the police have some record of aliens, whether they are coloured or white?

I do not think there is a record—there certainly is not in my Department—of the number of aliens or coloured persons in any given place at any given time?

Is it not a fact that in order to comply with the law aliens resident in a city must make themselves known to the police authorities; and in view of that fact, surely the police authorities in Cardiff will have the information?

I have had careful inquiries made in order to satisfy as far as possible the request for information by the hon. and gallant Member, and the answer I have given is the result of those inquiries. If he has some further point to make and will communicate with me, I will have further inquiries made.

Is it not a fact that aliens stay here for a time, get married and acquire British citizenship and then leave the country?

asked the Home Secretary how many hours per day or night do quasi-permanent prison officers, or other temporary officers, work; and will he consider putting these officers on an eight-hour day or night and thus help to relieve the unemployment problem?

The Prison Commission informs me that the hours of duty for quasi-permanent officers employed on night patrol are six shifts of ten hours each a week; for stokers, not less than 48 hours' duty a week; and for other temporary officers, 96 hours a fortnight. I do not think the course proposed could be made to contribute to the relief of the problem of unemployment.

asked the Home Secretary whether there are any sworn statements and, if so, how many, that support the assertions of the two ex-prison officers at Oxford prison that the prisoner Sullivan did not escape till after 8.30 a.m. on 30th September, 1935; if any official or officials made rebutting statements; and, if so, were the statements made before a magistrate of a commissioner for oaths?

Sullivan escaped on 30th September, 1933, and in November, 1933, immediately after his recapture, he made a statement—not on oath—to the effect that his escape was effected at about 7 a.m. He confirmed this by a later statement written and signed, and there is no reason why he should have said what was untrue. Early in 1935, long after the case of the ex-prison officers had been dealt with, he and a fellow prisoner made statutory declarations to the effect that the escape was not effected before 8.30 a.m. There is no dispute that at 7 a.m. Sullivan was in the prison yard and if, as the two ex-prison officers assert, he was subsequently in his cell, he must have been let into the prison hall from the yard between 7 and 7.50 a.m. by a member of the staff. But from inquiry made, at 9.30 a.m. on the day of the escape, of the whole of the staff on duty, it was ascertained that no one had admitted him. If the suggestion is that statements made by prison officers at the time in the ordinary course of a prison inquiry without the administration of an oath, are of less value than the statutory declarations made by two prisoners 15 months later in contradiction of what one of them had asserted at the time, I cannot accept that suggestion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it reasonable for secret and unsworn statements to be accepted against the sworn evidence of the other side?

No, Sir; but that is not the position at all. I have looked into this case myself. Those two ex-officers were heard at the time, the case was explained to them and their statements were considered without any prejudice at all. Those who conducted the inquiry came to a certain conclusion which has been carefully reviewed in the Home Office, and I do not see any reason to interfere.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Jewish shopkeepers in Shoreditch are being subjected to Fascist intimidation and in some cases have had their windows smashed; and whether he will see that the full protection of the law is given to these citizens?

I have been in communication with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who informs me that this matter is receiving the close attention of the police in this district where, from time to time, many allegations are made of provocative conduct by Fascists against Jews. Special steps have been, and are being, taken to keep order in the district, and the police will take action in any case which comes to their notice and in which sufficient evidence to justify proceedings can be obtained. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to satisfy himself that there is no justification for the view held generally in the East End of London that breaches of the law by Fascist organisations are looked upon indulgently by the police?

There is certainly not the slightest justification for that view, and I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for giving me this opportunity of making a flat denial.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chief man of the Fascist organisation is a Jew, and can he give any reason why he is persecuting his own nationality?

asked the Home Secretary how many persons were charged as suspected persons, and subsequently acquitted, at Old Street Police Court during the last 12 months?

Statistics for the complete year 1935 are not yet available, and I can only give those for the nine months ended 30th September, 1935. During that period, 92 persons were proceeded against at Old Street Police Court for being suspected persons loitering with intent to commit felony, and of these, 23 were discharged.

asked the President of the Board of Education what effective amendment of Circular 1437, respecting school meals administration, is made by Circular 1443?

The primary purpose of Circular 1443 was to remove misunderstanding which had arisen in regard to the Board's policy. Among other things, it explains the Board's attitude in regard to interim arrangements for the immediate feeding of children recommended for meals, and as to the conditions under which children should be removed from the feeding list.

May we take it that the demand that school children shall show signs of physical damage before school meals may be supplied is ended?

The hon. Member had better consult the terms of the circular.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the report of the League of Nations' health organisations on diet and health; and what action it is proposed to take?

As the answer is somewhat lengthy, I shall, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Report on the Physiological Bases of Nutrition made by the Technical Commission appointed by the Health Committee of the League of Nations. The Board of Education are in agreement with the recommendation of the Commission regarding the provision of milk for children. The practice of providing milk free or at a reduced price, which is recommended by the Commission, is already in operation in this country, and arrangements are also frequently made by local education authorities for the provision of cod liver oil. The recommendations of the Commission as to the need for variety in diet and the importance of fresh vegetables and fruit are borne in mind by the Board's medical officers in investigating the dietary at feeding centres and in residential schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether in any and if so, how many, rural districts school children are supplied with raw ungraded milk when quantities of certified milk are produced in the same districts?

I regret that I have no information on this subject. Where raw ungraded milk is supplied under the scheme, the source and quality of the supply must be approved by the county medical officer.

Why should not the best milk be given to children everywhere?

That is what is suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) the number of additional certificated teachers, handicraft teachers, and domestic-subject teachers who will be required in the elementary schools of England and Wales during the first year of the rais- ing of the school-leaving age, assuming that the Education Bill is passed into law in its present form;

(2) the number of additional certificated teachers, handicraft teachers, and domestic-subject teachers who will be required in the elementary schools of England and Wales during the third year after the raising of the school-leaving age, assuming that the Education Bill is passed into law in its present form?

I have estimated that, during the third year, about 5,000 extra teachers will be required, but at present it is not possible to divide these into the three categories suggested. I should expect that the average number required during the first year after the appointed day would not exceed one-half of that figure.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any communication with the authorities for higher education in regard to the desirability of having these teachers trained?

Perhaps the hon. Member would put that question down.

Is the Minister aware that at the present time there is a very great dearth of this class of teacher?

Will he endeavour to provide accommodation for the teaching of such subjects?

All these matters will, of course, have to be considered in connection with the raising of the school-leaving age.

asked the President of the Board of Education in which three elementary education areas in England and Wales in which the present school-leaving age is 14 years the highest average leaving age after 14 is attained, giving the average in each case; and also the three similar areas in which the lowest similar average is attained, giving the average in each area?

I regret that the statistics available do not enable me to give even an approximate answer to the hon. Member's question in the time at my disposal, but I would draw his attention to the Board's List 45, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education the compulsory age for entering school in the various countries in which the compulsory leaving age is above 14 years?

In the countries in which the compulsory leaving-age is above 14 years, the compulsory age for commencing full time attendance at school is eight years in Norway, six years in Switzerland, seven years in Canada and South Africa, and, in the United States of America, six years in two States, seven years in 30 States and eight years in 16 States.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the improved financial position of the country, he can now give an undertaking to restore to local education authorities the minimum grant of one-half of the net expenditure on education which is guaranteed by Section 118, Sub-section (2), of the Education Act, 1921?

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware of the hardship caused to many local education authorities owing to this cut not having been restored, and that in some cases it amounts to as much as three-pence in the pound on the rates; and as this is the only cut still outstanding, will he look into the matter?

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's statement. If he looks through the list of the authorities who are affected by this matter he will find that they are among the most prosperous, and not among what I would call the depressed authorities.

Is the Minister aware that the withdrawal of the 50 per cent. guaranteed minimum was part of the temporary economy cut of 1931, and that the maintenance of the cut is a breach of faith with the local authorities?

No, Sir. The right hon. Gentleman knows quite well that I do not admit that that is so, as I have explained to a deputation.

I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the clerk to the London County Council, who was then Education Officer, has stated specifically that what I have stated is the case?

I was not aware of the fact, but, even so, it would not alter the opinion I have formed upon the evidence which has been supplied to me.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the towns and education authorities who are suffering are often the well-conducted and not the wealthy ones, and was there not an undertaking that the cuts should be restored when the finances of the country permitted?

No, Sir. It is as well to make it quite clear that that is not the case. If I had in my possession £1,000,000, not to expend on educational improvements but to go into relief of education rates, the towns I should select, and which I think the House would want selected, would be those in the depressed areas rather than the others.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, on that view of the case, he is trying to relieve the depressed areas at the expense of other local authorities instead of the Treasury?

No, Sir.

Would it not have been better if the Government had considered this question of education before giving another £3,000,000 to sugar beet?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Government to institute legislation which will enable education authorities to provide clothing and footwear for necessitous school children?

The whole question of the provision of clothing and footwear for necessitous children was raised by a deputation from the Association of Education Committees which I received on 16th January, and I am at present considering it.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to a report of a speech delivered in Manchester by the Lord President of the Council in which he declared that one of the great problems we shall shortly have to face is that of the reconstruction of the machinery of government; whether this represents the opinion of the Government; and whether he will take the House into his confidence?

The speech to which the hon. Member refers was not made in Manchester, but in London. As was evident from its context, the statement was not made on behalf of the Government, but was purely an expression of the personal opinion of my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council, whose great experience of the conduct of government naturally gives special value to any observations he may make on this subject.

Do we understand from that answer that when the Lord President of the Council said "we" he meant himself?

I read the rather truncated report of the speech and the word "I" was far more prominent than "we." Ministers suffer from many disabilities, and I am sure that the hon. Member would be the last to wish to deprive them of the power of giving expression sometimes to their personal opinion. If I may take him into my confidence, I would suggest that if he desires further information a friendly talk with the Lord President of the Council might satisfy him.

When the Lord President of the Council made reference to having new proposals up his sleeve for dealing with the coal industry, are we to understand that he was speaking entirely for himself?

asked the Minister of Health (1) what arrangements are being made to grant subsidy and rate-relief to local authorities who refuse to become part of a housing association but are prepared to undertake the work set forth in the 1930 to 1935 Housing Acts;

(2) whether he will state, in the case of local authorities agreeing to come into the housing association, what is to be the position of the existing staffs;

(3) whether he will state, in the event of the dissolution of a housing association, what will be the position regarding houses completed under the scheme; and whether any burden will be placed on the local authorities after the review of 1937?

The amount of Exchequer assistance for local authorities in the discharge of their obligations under the Housing Acts and the amount of contributions from the rates, are determined by the Acts. When a local authority are able to make arrangements with a housing association there is no obligation on them to make any contribution from the rates, and the terms of the arrangements are a matter for agreement between the authority and the association, with my approval. Any changes in staff would be a question for the consideration of the authority. The review of 1937 will not affect houses completed before the date fixed in that review.

Are we to understand from that reply that local authorities who are not connected with a housing association will not be responsible for the £3 per house?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question on the Paper.

It is on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the balconies of new blocks of flats that have been erected provide sufficient protection for children against accidents; and, if not, whether he will consider legislation to enforce better protection than now exists?

I have no reason to suppose that balconies to flats are not normally so constructed as to be quite safe for children. If my hon. Friend has any specific case in mind where he thinks insufficient protection is provided, perhaps he will let me have particulars.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, within a few weeks of one of the new blocks of flats at Sheffield being tenanted, a painful accident occurred; and does he not think that the whole position should be investigated with regard to these blocks of flats?

That is, perhaps, an illustration of the need for inquiry, and I will have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in giving his approval to large housing schemes, he will make it a condition that facilities are to be provided for the usual amenities of a community, such as schools, public meeting places, maternity and child welfare centres, and school clinics?

I am anxious to see that every large housing estate should possess facilities of the kind mentioned by the hon. Member, but the matter can, I think, best continue to be dealt with by urging upon local authorities the desirability of such facilities, both in connection with existing estates and with those yet to be laid out.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the increasing fire peril which exists in a large number of old buildings and houses in London; and whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend the London Building Act, 1930, so as to give local authorities power to introduce regulations to bring all buildings erected before 1906 within its provisions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question recently put by the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle), of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many places in the West End have very unsafe fire escapes at the present time, and that the local authorities have no power to take any action?

No, Sir. If the hon. Gentleman will refer to my answer, he will see in it a statement of the powers that the London County Council have.

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the smaller councils have no power to take action against the landlords; and, as these fire escapes are unsafe, will he consider introducing legislation or altering the regulations so that they may be made safe?

I have received no representations from the London County Council as to the absence of any powers.

asked the Minister of Health whether rabbits are still used in the Government lymph establishment in connection with the production of calf lymph, notwithstanding the opinion of certain vaccination experts that the use of rabbits is probably the cause of the cases of post-vaccinal encephalitis which have followed the use of such lymph in recent years?

Yes, Sir. I am advised that there is no valid evidence to suggest that the use of rabbits in the preparation of lymph has any influence on the occurrence of post-vaccinal encephalitis.

Will the right hon. Gentleman now consider the advisability of closing down this Department of work?

No, Sir.

Is it not most undesirable that the vaccine should be transferred from calves to rabbits, in view of the fact that this entirely changes its nature and vastly increases its virulence?