Written Answers
Agricultural Wages
asked the Minister of Agriculture the average of the weekly minimum wage-rates fixed by the Agricultural Wages Board at the present time and the average wages actually paid, making allowance for higher rates and overtime, with comparable figures for a year ago?
The average of the weekly minimum rates of wages for ordinary adult male agricultural workers fixed by the Agricultural Wages Committees is at the present time 32s. 1d., as compared with 31s. 9d. a year ago. These figures do not include overtime payments or additional remuneration for special seasonal work such as harvest. In addition, workers employed in tending animals who regularly work longer hours than ordinary workers are entitled under the minimum wage Orders either to special weekly minimum rates ranging from 3s. 6d. to 10s. above the rates for ordinary workers, or to overtime payments in accordance with the extra number of hours worked. I regret that statistics of the actual earnings are not available.
Housing (Hornsey And Islington)
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the conflict which has arisen between the borough councils of Hornsey and Islington over the latter's housing proposals for Hornsey Lane which forms the boundary between the two boroughs; and whether he will use his good offices to bring the two councils and the London County Council into conference, with the assistance of his Department, so that neighbourly relations between the two boroughs may be encouraged and the housing needs of Islington may be met without impairing the Hornsey town-planning scheme?
I understand that the Islington Borough Council propose to make an order for the acquisition of this land. When this order is submitted to me I shall direct an inquiry and in view of my position in the matter I do not think I can usefully take any action pend- ing the inquiry, though I shall be happy to do anything in my power to promote the object desired by my hon. Friend.
Royal Navy
Rosyth Dockyard
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Government proposes to reopen Rosyth dockyard or part of it; whether this step is due in any way to suggested congestion at other existing dockyards; and whether, in that case, he can give details?
There is no intention at present of re-opening the dockyard at Rosyth and the remainder of the question does not, therefore, arise.
Alleged Sabotage
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now give any information as to the source of the recent acts of sabotage in the Admiralty dockyards; and whether any charges have been proved or any disciplinary action taken against any persons in connection therewith?
The formal investigations into the alleged acts of sabotage have not revealed who was directly responsible, and the reply to the second part of the question is, therefore, in the negative.
Palestine (Arab Unrest)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the High Commissioner in Palestine has any information as to the funds which the strike leaders have at their disposal?
I am making inquiries of the High Commissioner for Palestine.
Defence
Food Supplies
asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the committee on civil food supplies in war time is to be a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence; and who, in addition to Sir William Beveridge, will constitute its personnel?
Yes, Sir. As regards the last part of the question it has not been the practice to state the personnel of individual sub-committees of the Committee of Imperial Defence.
Key Men In Industry
asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will consider the value of ascertaining how many key men indispensable in industry are now serving in the Territorials or auxiliary branches of the Navy and Air Force who would therefore not be available in time of emergency to serve in the units in which they have enlisted; and whether a regional survey of such a district as Coventry or Birmingham will be made to disclose the true position of effective fighting strength and provide an opportunity for considering how prospective recruits of this type should be enlisted either in the Royal Engineers, Territorial Army, or as Royal Naval Volunteer artificers, so that their services in peace and war could be best employed?
I appreciate the importance of my hon. and gallant Friend's point, and he may be assured that it will not be overlooked.
Munitions Supply
asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence how many Workers in industry it I calculated are required to maintain each soldier, airman or sailor supplied with munitions, store, etc., in time of war; and how does this figure compare with a similar calculation made in 1918?
No such calculation has been made recently. I doubt myself whether a satisfactory calculation is possible, and I do not feel that any really useful purpose would be served by attempting one at the present time.
London Docks
asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will try to arrange with the Port of London Authority that some part, at any rate, of the proposed new warehouses at the London docks shall be made bomb- and gas-proof, so as to protect some portion of the London food supplies from air attack?
My attention has only recently been drawn to the proposed extensions at the docks by the Port of London Authority. The Air Raid Precautions Department of the Home Office is in close touch with the Authority on matters of air raid precautions and will examine the arrangements to be made for protection against air raids in the proposed extensions, including any new warehouses which may be contemplated.