asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the decision of the French Government to introduce legislation for the 40-hour week, without wage reductions, payment for holidays, and the establishment of collective contracts in industry; and whether he will introduce similar legislation in this country?

I am aware of the legislation now under consideration in France. In this country the regulation of hours and conditions of labour by collective agreement is a well-established practice, and I am satisfied that in general the permanent advantage of the employed population will be more adequately secured by the continuance and development of this practice, rather than by the attempt to enforce rigid statutory requirements.

Is the Minister not aware that Belgium has followed the example of France in the matter of the 40-hour week; and will he not make an effort to bring this old backward country into line with that advance?

The advance at the moment is only on paper.

Would the Minister take action if we did what the French did?

Has the Minister no remorse at all about this matter?

There is no need for remorse.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the Government's policy in respect to the reduction of miners' hours by international arrangement;

I would refer the hon. Member to the speech which I made last week at the International Labour Conference at Geneva in which the relevant views of His Majesty's Government were stated, and in which special reference was made to the following industries: iron and steel, building, textiles and coal mining. The speech will be published in due course in the record of the conference; in the meantime I am placing a few copies in the Library.

Is it not the fact that there are fewer men employed now, by a considerable number, than were employed only a few years ago?

That has nothing to do with this question.

Is it a fact that there are 100,000 fewer workpeople at work than there were a few years ago; and have the Government no remedy for a situation of that kind, when proposals are being made throughout Europe, in the international sphere, for the reduction of hours in order to absorb unemployed workers?

That is another issue. I have pointed out in reply to the question that a statement of the Government's views has been made in full, and I would refer the hon. Member to it.

In view of what the Minister says, and in view of the constant decline in employment in the mining industry, will the Government not consider a reduction of hours in order to meet that decline?

That is now being dealt with.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it adds to the dignity of his office to give deliberately misleading figures?

Withdraw.

asked the Minister of Labour the reasons why His Majesty's Government are not represented on the committee dealing with coal mines and working hours of miners underground at present sitting at the International Labour Conference at Geneva?

The Committee on Coal Mines was set up to consider the application to the Coal Mining Industry of the 1935 40-hour week draft Convention of principle, and, as I explained in a speech made to the International Labour Conference on 9th June, the view of His Majesty's Government is that the principles set forth in that draft Convention are not acceptable in Great Britain. Moreover I would point out that the Draft Convention limiting Hours of Work in Coal Mines, as revised in 1935, remains unratified. In these circumstances it was felt that the representative of His Majesty's Government should not endeavour to secure membership of the committee. I should add that the number of Government representatives to sit on the committee was determined by the International Labour Conference and that the number of applications made by Governments for representation on the committee equalled the number of places to be filled.

Is it not a fact that the Governments of the United States and France are represented on this committee and that they have expressed resentment at the attitude of the British Government?

I do not think that is so. The House will understand that we are represented on other committees on which they are not represented.

Is not the failure to ratify this important Convention due to the failure of this Government?

It is not.

asked the Minister of Labour how many trades and industries grant annual holidays, with and without pay, to their employés?

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is possible for the Ministry of Labour to ascertain the percentage of businesses in this country which provide holidays for their workpeople with full pay; those businesses which only give partially paid holidays; and those businesses which only allow holidays without pay?

A list of the industries in which collective agreements are known to be in operation providing for annual holidays with pay for manual workers was given in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for April, 1936. The number of manual workers covered by such agreements cannot be stated exactly, but is estimated at about 1,500,000. The only information in the possession of my Department is that derived from these collective agreements, and information is not available as to the extent to which paid holidays are granted by employers in other industries, or as to how far holidays are granted with partial pay or without pay.

Does not my right hon. Friend think it extremely desirable that all employers should grant annual holidays to their employés?

That is a matter of opinion.

In view of the great interest and importance of this question, will the right hon. Gentleman consider obtaining statistics from all the trades in the country to see how far this system is already in operation, and how far we have yet to go?

I will consider that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement on the financial position of the International Labour Office; what were the receipts in 1935 and how this compared with expenditure; and whether the percentage of the contributions due for the year 1935 which were actually paid compared favourably with the percentage for 1934?

During the year 1935 receipts brought to account were 9,913,262 gold francs and the expenditure was 8,599,119 gold francs, leaving a cash surplus of 1,314,143 gold francs. Of the contributions due from States members of the League of Nations for the year 1935, 88.28 per cent, were paid during that year. The corresponding percentage for the year 1934 was 71.96.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that official note-takers, accompanied by a plain-clothes police escort, took notes at the demonstration of the Youth Peace Assembly at Trafalgar Square, on Sunday, 7th June; whether such note-taking is done at all the meetings of the political parties associated with the present Government; and whether he will take steps to secure the abandonment of this practice involving, as it does, political discrimination and a waste of public funds?

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that notes were taken by the police of some of the speeches made on this occasion. It is the practice to take such notes whenever the responsible authorities think that it is desirable to do so. I do not agree that this practice involves any political discrimination or any unnecessary waste of public funds, and I do not propose to interfere with the discretion of the Commissioner in the matter.

Is the Minister aware that, whenever I speak at a meeting, I have always the pleasure of the company of the police? Although I have made inquiries, I cannot find that the representatives of any parties on the other side are ever interfered with in that way. Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it is a deliberate interference to have the police round the platform ostentatiously taking notes?

Would the right lion. Gentleman say whether an official shorthand writer was present at the meeting of the 1900 Club addressed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Would the Home Secretary be so good as to inform the House whether it is the custom of the police to take a note of proceedings at Fascist meetings?

From time to time that is done, and I had that in mind when I said that there is no political discrimination.

asked the Home Secretary whether pharmacists are to be employed as gas-detection officers; what qualifications they have for the work; and what steps are to be taken to train them to do the work adequately?

My Department has had under consideration a scheme by which persons with a basic knowledge of chemistry might be recruited as gas-detection officers in populous parts of the country. A scheme of instruction has been devised, and the Civilian Anti-Gas School will be available for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary what facilities have been provided in the London area for doctors wishing to obtain instruction in the treatment of poison-gas cases?

asked the Home Secretary whether any specific instructions have been given to medical practitioners as to their responsibilities and duties in the event of air raids; and whether gasmasks and gas-proof suits have been issued to them in order to enable them to render first-aid in the streets?

The General Medical Council and the British Medical Association have been consulted on this matter, and arrangements for giving instruction to medical practitioners in the treatment of poison gas cases are under consideration. The Air Raid Precautions Department are accumulating stores of respirators and other means of protection for all public air raid precautionary services.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us whether doctors who are not members of the British Medical Association have been told of the facilities which are available?

A pamphlet is being prepared and will shortly be on sale at the Stationery Office. Of course, the matter the hon. Member has raised is under consideration.

Are the same arrangements being made in other large industrial areas?

Yes, this applies to the country as a whole.

Will the hon. Gentleman get the latest information from Rome?

asked the Home Secretary (1) what steps are being taken to instruct householders as to the methods they can adopt to render their rooms proof against poison gas in the event of air raids;

A handbook on the precautionary measures which members of the public should take in the event of air raids is in an advanced state of preparation.

Is it the intention of the Home Office to issue a hand book on the lines of the Highway Code?

Yes, Sir.

Will my hon. Friend make sure that it is read, because the Highway Code is not?

asked the Home Secretary whether all local authorities in the United Kingdom have been asked to participate in air-raid precautionary schemes within their areas; and how many local authorities have intimated officially or semi-officially their unwillingness to co-operate?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, 14 authorities have informed the Government that they do not propose to co-operate.

Does the hon. Gentleman think it right that certain local authorities, few though they may be, should, for reasons of party prejudice, endanger the safety of the population; and, if not, will he consider taking powers to compel them to co-operate?

There are over 1,600 local authorities, and, as I pointed out in my answer, only 14 have said that they will not co-operate. I would point out that in the past there were a larger number which took that attitude, but we have witnessed in the last few months a progressive and increasing movement among local authorities, who had previously said they would not co-operate, to realise their responsibilities to the population.

Is it not the case from the hon. Gentleman's experience that these partisan questions in Parliament on this matter do more harm than good?

Is not this a national matter for which the Government are responsible, and should it not be outside the jurisdiction of local authorities?

asked the Home Secretary what is the estimated annual output of trainees from the new anti-gas school at Eastwood Park operated by the Air Raids Precautions Department of the Home Office; and whether consideration has been given to the desirability of having additional schools in other parts of the country?

It is hoped that, under present arrangements, the output of the Civilian Anti-Gas School at Falfield in a full year would be in the region of 600 fully-trained instructors, in addition to the provision of short courses for some 250 doctors and other specialists. It has been decided that this output shall be increased, and the steps by which this may be effected are being examined.

Is the hon. Member aware that many of the more enthusiastic local authorities consider that the number of trained men is not sufficient to cope with the problem?

I appreciate the hon. and gallant Member's point, but I would point out that every instructor who leaves the anti-gas school is himself capable of training others. Such an instructor when he returns to his own district can train a class of 20 men in 24 hours of training, and it will be seen that the numbers involved can easily rise to tens of thousands.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Air Raids Precautions Department have approached or will approach the Port of London Authority to ensure that at any rate some part of the proposed new store sheds may be made bomb and gas-proof with a view to protecting some part of the food supplies stored at the London docks?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence on this subject on 27th May.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence referred me to the Home Office?

Yes, Sir, but he informed the hon. and gallant Member that the Air Raids Precautions Department were taking steps in the matter and have approached the Port of London Authority, who have referred the matter to their chief engineer.

asked the Home Secretary whether prisoners who have served a long term of imprisonment, and are discharged in the winter months, have an overcoat provided or supplied to them when necessary; and whether it is provided out of public funds?

Overcoats are not issued except for special medical reasons, but during the winter months governors are authorised to supply cardigan jackets, the cost being met from public funds.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries to see whether any further assistance can be given?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in most northern towns the method of summoning magistrates to hear cases in the police courts generally rests with the clerks to the courts; and, in view of the undesirability of this procedure, whether he will make inquiries into this matter?

It rests with the justices themselves to arrange for the staffing of each session of the court, and any arrangements made by the clerk are subject to the approval of the bench. At many courts attendance is regulated by a rota. If the suggestion is that the clerk selects particular justices to hear particular cases, I know of no foundation for the suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that charge has been made by a responsible member of the legal profession?

I am not going to define a responsible member of the legal profession, but as a humble but responsible Home Secretary I say that I know of no ground for that suggestion.

Is it not a fact that one magistrate who was asleep was summoned the other day?

asked the Home Secretary the number of local authorities which have made by-laws under Section 18, Sub-section (2, a ii) of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, permitting children to be employed before school hours; the number of children so employed; what steps are taken to ensure that such children are not so employed for a period longer than one hour; and if periodical medical examination is insisted upon to ensure the maintenance of a proper standard of health?

166 out of 317 local authorities have made by-laws under the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, permitting the employment of children for not more than one hour before school commences: similar by-laws made by 50 authorities before the Act remain in force. I have no recent information of the number of children so employed. The duty of enforcing the by-laws rests with the local authorities who always require a medical certificate as a condition of employment. In some cases specific provision is made in the by-laws for periodical re-examination, and, in general, I feel sure that the authorities pay careful attention to the question of health.

Will the right hon. Gentleman further consider this question of the employment of children before school hours, seeing that many people think it is a very bad thing for them?

I am sure that my hon. Friend realises that children may be employed, for instance, in the delivery of papers.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many miners in Yorkshire suffering from accidents and industrial diseases and subject to the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Acts are frequently certified as being fit for work by the indemnity company's doctor but are refused employment when making application to their employers; and whether this aspect will be the subject of consideration of the Departmental Committee on Workmen's Compensation?

I am aware that in the area named miners who have been in receipt of compensation for nystagmus may find this is an obstacle to re-employment, and this aspect of the matter is being considered by the Departmental Committee in connection with their inquiry into compensation for that disease.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this practice is not confined to those who have suffered from nystagmus, but affects also many who have recovered, or partially recovered, from accidents? Has the general question been considered by the Department?

I shall be obliged if the hon. Member will communicate with me about other cases, because I should like to know how much evidence there is of this practice. It would be possible to enlarge the inquiry in case of need.

asked the Home Secretary the conditions for the appointment of prison chaplaincies in Wales; and whether, in virtue of the Act of Disestablishment, these appointments have been accessible on equal terms to all religious denominations?

At neither of the two prisons in Wales is there a whole-time chaplain. In each case a local clergyman of the Church in Wales has been appointed as part-time chaplain for those prisoners who declare themselves members of the Church of England or the Church in Wales. Arrangements are also made for Ministers of other denominations to minister to those prisoners who describe themselves as Roman Catholics or adherents of one of the Free Churches.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether application has been made to him with a view to securing equality of treatment by the Free Churches in Wales, and whether, if he gets evidence of the existence of a substantial volume of public support for a change, he will recommend a change in the law?

It is a statutory requirement that there should be a clergyman of the Church of England or of the Church of Wales, as the case may be, appointed. I will certainly consider the point he has put, but perhaps I may say that the statistics show that the majority of people in prison in Wales are members of the Church of England.

asked the Home Secretary how many prison officers of the subordinate ranks approximately received immediate increases of pay of amounts under 1s, per week each; and how many did not receive an immediate increase in connection with the recent consolidation of pay and bonus?

I presume that what the hon. Member has in mind is not the consolidation of pay and bonus, which applied to Government servants generally, but the special improvements in the scales of pay of prison officers which came into operation on 1st January. In estimating the advantages resulting from these new scales account must be taken not only of the actual rates of pay but of the accelerated rate of increase, and any figures such as those for which the hon. Member asks would not only be laborious to prepare but would be wholly misleading.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take action to secure the prosecution of offenders against the law relating to the slaughtering of sheep in the city of Carlisle in proved instances brought to his notice where the humane killer was not used; and what steps he proposes to take to guard against a repetition of this illegal cruelty?

Section 8 of the Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933, places the responsibility of the enforcement of the Act upon the local authority, and I am in communication with the council of the county borough of Carlisle in regard to the allegations referred to in the question.

Is the Minister expressing his desire that this practice should cease?

This is, of course, a matter which may ultimately eventuate in proceedings.

Is the Minister satisfied that the offences actually happened?

Certain allegations have been made, and I cannot say whether they are true or not.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of the Government at the forthcoming meetings at Geneva, after consultation, to give a lead to or to follow the lead of other States with regard to the question of sanctions?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the Debate which is to take place later this afternoon.

In the course of the Debate this afternoon, will it be made clear whether it is the policy of the British Government to take the lead in running away or to lead in supporting sanctions?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Dominion Governments have been consulted and have all concurred in the British Government's policy with regard to sanctions against Italy?

The fullest possible information of the views of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom has been given to the Dominion Governments.

Have they concurred with it, and is it a fact that South Africa is strongly opposed to the raising of sanctions and to the betrayal involved?

It is not for the Government of the United Kingdom to announce any decision that may have been come to by Dominion Governments. They will themselves make the announcements in due course either to their own Parliaments or at Geneva. I could not answer one isolated question.

Is, it not very important that the House should know?

South Africa will cut the painter.

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the growing gravity of the European and Far Eastern situation, any further steps will be taken to accelerate the expansion of the Defence Forces and the provision of adequate munitions and supplies?

Steps are being continuously taken, including the development of plans for still further improving the organisation of supply and for accelerating the expansion of the Defence Forces.

Does not the very grave statement of the Secretary of State for War, made with all the authority of a Defence Minister, indicate that it is necessary to take yet further emergency action to deal with the situation and for the information of the public?

The steps which we have taken are those which His Majesty's Government so far consider to be requisite. They are keeping the House fully informed, and no doubt frequent Debates will take place.

Apart from those steps which the Government regard as being requisite, can my right hon. Friend give us some assurance that, in the opinion of the Government, they are adequate?

Yes, Sir, they are adequate, but, of course, we are anxious to proceed with all speed.

Have the Government come to the conclusion that there is absolutely no other course to pursue but to pile up armaments, in preparation for a war which, they have told us, will destroy civilisation?

I am quite convinced, as I think I made clear in many speeches on the subject during the Election, that it may be necessary for us to increase armaments in order to play our part in collective security.

Will not the Government consider calling together a conference in order to see whether this terrific catastrophe cannot be put off so that discussion can take place, or whether the whole of the civilised nations feel that they must prepare for catastrophic war instead of making an effort for peace?

I think that, at any rate, part of that question is sure to be discussed during the Debate. I have some observations that I wish to make myself, certainly with regard to one aspect of this question.

If the situation is as grave as is represented in this question, and in the speech recently delivered by the Secretary of State for War, will the right hon. Gentleman take the House into his confidence, and not leave us in the dark?

I can certainly undertake to do that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House—

We are to have a Debate upon this subject later.

All Front Bench speakers, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of public misgiving regarding the economic prospects of the "Queen Mary" and the public money involved, he will make a statement on the financial workings of the liner based on the experience of the first trip?

I am not aware of any public misgiving such as is alleged by the hon. Member. I understand, also, that the results of the working of the "Queen Mary" so far have met the Cunard White Star Company's fullest expectations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any negotiations or conversations are taking place with His Majesty's Government at the present time regarding the construction of a sister ship to the "Queen Mary"; and whether he will give particulars?

I have received an application from the Cunard White Star Company for authority to use the sum available under the North Atlantic Shipping Act for the construction of a sister ship. After careful examination of the company's reasons, I have agreed to this in principle, but I have reserved rights of further consultation before any contract is signed. The company have obtained preliminary tenders from various yards, and I understand that, after considering them, they are negotiating in the first instance with Messrs. John Brown & Company, Limited, the builders of the "Queen Mary." As I have previously stated, the choice of builder must be a matter for consideration by the company on the relative technical and commercial merits of the case.

Will the question whether the River Clyde is big enough to take a sister ship be considered also?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the introduction of amending legislation to the Old Age Pension Acts so as to remove the hardship imposed on claimants for old age and blind persons pensions by taking 5 per cent. of the capital value on £375, after excluding the first £25, and 10 per cent. of the capital value in excess of the first £400, having regard to the experience of old age pension committees that the amount received by the claimants is under 5 per cent.?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919, as regards calculation of the means of claimants for old age and blind persons' pensions under Section 4 of the Act, in view of the fact that whereas under the Act the yearly value of capital value of property is taken, after excluding the first £25, as 5 per cent. in respect of the next £375, and as 10 per cent. in respect of all capital value in excess of the first £400, in the majority of cases coming up for consideration the amount actually received by claimants and pensioners is under 5 per cent. owing to the present cheapness of money, e.g. the present rate of interest on national savings certificates, which rate was recently reduced by the Government?

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer given on 12th December last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Knutsford (Brigadier-General Makins).