asked the Minister of Labour whether coloured pictorial recruiting posters are now hung in all Employment Exchanges; and whether he will instruct exchange officials to give recruiting leaflets to applicants for work who are of recruitable age?

A coloured poster about service in the Forces is exhibited in each of the local offices of the Ministry, and leaflets are given to any applicants making inquiry. Under arrangements already in hand, pictorial posters, supplied by the Service Departments, will also be exhibited at an early date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions that these leaflets are to be given by exchange officials to any applicant for a job who is of suitable age?

They are given to any applicant who makes inquiry.

Is it right that the exchanges should be ashamed of the Army?

Not at all, but the Ministry of Labour is a civil Department.

Why not distribute the leaflets round the Tory clubs instead of to die poor unemployed?

In view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the question on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour, whether, in addition to the three published reports from the Commissioners for the Special Areas, Vile Government have received any other report or reports on the subject of those areas; and, if so, whether he will make such report or reports available to Members of this House?

No, Sir, I have re-received no report from the Commissioner for Special Areas in England and Wales other than the three which have been published.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during his recent visit to Wales it was brought to us that he discussed with the Commissioner a private report which the Commissioner had sent to his Department? Is that the truth?

No. There is no truth in it at all. Of course, there is constant communication between the Special Commissioner and myself and between his Department and my Department, but there is no unpublished document which could, by any stretch of the imagination, be called a, report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state that the whole of the reports submitted by the Commissioner have been published?

Certainly. That is the answer which I have given.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any memorandum from the Commissioner which could have been published and could be published now?

The Commissioner points out in his report that he sent a forecast of how his mind was working on 27th July. That was embodied in the report, and it is there in full.

rose—

Sir Arthur Michael Samuel.

On a point of Order. May I submit that the Minister has just now contradicted a statement that he himself made in an answer to my question previously, when he said he had received no memorandum at any earlier stage than the report? Now he contradicts that.

Sir Arthur Michael Samuel.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government training centre at Park Royal is receiving from South Wales and Durham a number of unemployed would-be trainees for the catering trades adequate to the accommodation at Park Royal; and, if not, will be arrange for local authorities in the distressed areas to send to Park Royal an increased number of suitable persons to be trained to fill the numerous vacancies on the staffs of hotels and restaurants in London and the South of England?

There has been for some months a shortage of candidates for the waiters' training class at the Park Royal Training Centre, but as a result of special steps to bring the facilities to the notice of suitable unemployed men the number of applications has increased during the past few weeks. In selecting men for this course preference is given to those coming from the depressed areas, including South Wales and Durham; recruitment is effected through the Employment Exchanges. There are still a few vacancies in the class in addition to those which will continue to arise as men pass into employment on the completion of the course.

Will the right hon. Gentleman really give some attention to the question of setting up a trade board for this particular industry?

Will my right hon. Friend let it be known that hon. Gentlemen opposite, by creating a grievance, prevent unemployed men from getting employment?

Will the right hon. Gentleman supply to Members of this House the conditions of training at this centre?

I will be only too happy to do so. This is one of the successful parts of the Ministry's work.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of rejections on medical grounds of applicants for the juvenile transfer centres and the men's instructional centres at Durham county for the years 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, and 1935; and what provision is being made for the medical inspection and treatment of those presenting themselves for training?

The junior transfer centre in Durham was opened in July, 1935, and, during the year from July, 1935, to June, 1936, 571 boys were submitted for medical examination of whom 109, i.e. 19.1 per cent. were rejected on medical grounds. Boys rejected for reception into the centre are those who are considered by the medical officers to be permanently unfit for employment away from home or to be in need of medical treatment. The centre is conducted by the education authority, and they have recently been asked to consider accepting at the centre boys in need of the simpler kinds of medical treatment. The authority already have power to provide medical inspection and treatment for boys attending junior instruction centres. As regards instructional centres, the percentage of men in the County of Durham who were rejected on medical grounds during the period January to October, 1936, was about 17 per cent. 3 it is regretted that figures for the earlier years are not available. Young men who are rejected owing to dental trouble can receive remedial treatment at the insstructional centre at Hamsterley, and arrangements are being made for the opening of two local training centres in the County of Durham at which young men who are suffering from minor physical disabilities will be able to receive treatment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a percentage of these rejections is owing to the fact that many of these boys and men are suffering from under-feeding, due to the operation of the means test in many of their homes?

I do not accept that.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it very unsatisfactory that 19 per cent. of the young men who are examined are found unfit for the comparatively light work for which they have offered themselves, and is he not prepared to recommend that the Government should do something rather serious in the matter?

The answer is that are taking medical steps to do that.

Do these medical steps apply to youths who are rejected?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will read in detail the answer I have given, which answers that point.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is considering any action in regard to the health of unemployed young persons between the age of 14 and 18, the time when the need for good nutrition is greatest, and when the benefit of school meals, milk, and physical training is no longer available?

In nearly all areas in which there is substantial unemployment among boys and girls between 14 and 18 years of age junior instruction centres or classes are provided by the local education authority which unemployed boys and girls may be required to attend. The instruction given at the centres normally includes physical training, and arrangements may be made for the supply of milk. Medical treatment may also be provided at centres in England and Wales. The question of providing meals at the centres is being considered by the National Advisory Councils for Juvenile Employment.

asked the Minister of Labour how many training centres there are in the county of Durham and where they are situated; and whether it is his intention to set up training centres in each division in the county so as to obviate the necessity of men and women having to leave home to attend training centres in other districts?

There are no Government training centres in Durham, the reason being that it is the policy to establish such centres in areas of good employment since experience has shown that this course is greatly to the advantage of the men in securing employment after training. Arrangements are, however, in hand for establishing two local centres in Durham (for one of which a site has been found at Spennymoor) at which men will receive preliminary training with a view to their proceeding subsequently to some other centre appropriate to their particular capacity. There is also an instructional centre at Hamsterley. There are six domestic training centres in the county for women, situated at Durham, Blaydon, Stockton, Sunderland, Jarrow and South Shields.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it advisable to have training centres for young people so that in the event of the location of industry becoming the policy of the Government, labour will be available locally?

It is with the idea of preparing the way for any movement in connection with enlarged employment that the intermediate centres have been established. One has been very successful for Merthyr, and we are hoping that that success will be repeated in Durham.

after the Minister of Labour whether any further special consultation with regard to the Special Areas have taken place; and, if so, has he anything to report to the House?

I have nothing to add to the replies given on 23rd November to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) and on 25th November to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. Jenkins).

As the newspapers of the country have been circulating reports during the past week that steps have been taken, does the Minister deny it?

I cannot be asked to take responsibility for newspaper reports.

As this matter has been in the hands of the right hon. Gentleman and his Department for the last 15 months, is it not time something were done?

I have nothing further to add at the moment.

May I ask whether the Government have, in the light of their experience, decided to withdraw the Special Areas Bill?

I have already said that I have nothing to add to my answer.

asked the Minister of Labour what conditions govern the payment of benefit to the dependants of a claimant in receipt of unemployment assistance benefit who has died before benefit is paid?

The Unemployment Assistance Board inform me that arrangements have now been made under which, in cases where hardship to dependants would otherwise result, payment will be made to the representative of a deceased person of an amount corresponding to the period during which the deceased applicant was qualified for an allowance subsequent to the date on which the last payment was made.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated annual cost of the abolition of the household means test?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 16th July last to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton), in which I dealt fully with this matter.

Did the right hon. Gentleman give the estimated amount in that reply?

No, I pointed out many reasons why it was not possible to do so.

If the sum required is not very large, ought it to stand in the way of the removal of the intense poverty in many thousands of homes?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will read the answer, and, if necessary, put down another question.

Seeing that the right hon. Gentleman was in such close contact with the King, did not the King suggest that the means test should be done away with?

The hon. Member must not bring in the King's name.

In view of the Statutory Committee's report on the surplus, which is now, I understand, fairly large, will not the right hon. Gentleman recommend to the Committee that the surplus should be used for the abolition of the means test?

No, the Statutory Committee have their own duty to examine the facts and to report to me accordingly.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were receiving unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance at Mexborough and Thorne on the latest date for which figures are available?

During the week ended 13th November, 1936, 2,208 payments of insurance benefit and 1,620 payments of unemployment allowances were made direct through the Mexborough Employment Exchange. The corresponding figures for the Thorne Employment Exchange were 562 and 1,032 respectively. These figures do not include payments made through associations for which a geographical analysis is not available.

As these areas are not regarded as distressed areas, does not the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of these figures, that something special ought to be done for them?

asked the Minister of Labour what progress, if any, is being made in establishing the new trading estates in South Wales; will he give the location of these estates; and whether any applications have been made to establish new industries on the proposed estates?

I am informed that the South Wales and Monmouthshire Trading Estates Company, Limited, was registered on 27th June. Negotiations have been practically completed for a site at Treforest, south of Pontypridd and about seven miles north-west of Cardiff. Possession of the bulk of this site will be obtained within the next few days. Plans and specifications for its development are now being prepared, and it is anticipated that work will be started early in the new year. Twenty-four applications for sites have been received, but it is not known whether all of these will materialise. As regards the trading estate at Port Talbot, which it is hoped that private enterprise will establish, it is understood that negotiations are still proceeding.

WILLIAMS: Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to carry out the proposal to set up a calcium carbide works in South Wales or some other distressed area?

That is another issue.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the National Joint Council for Dock Labour have completed their investigation into the question of dock workers signing eleven times a week; and when are the number of signings to be reduced?

I understand that the National Joint Council for Dock Labour and its standing advisory committee have had this question under consideration, and that recommendations may be expected shortly. I will consider these recommendations as soon as they are received.

Is the Minister aware that this matter has been under consideration for five years?

I am, but as the hon. Member and the House know, this is one of the most difficult problems in the whole range of insurance.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to secure that notice shall be given to persons whom the police intend to charge with motoring offences as soon as is practicable after the alleged commission of an offence?

Parliament has dealt with this matter, as my hon. Friend knows, in Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and I have no reason to doubt that chief officers of police are fully aware of and comply with this provision.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that defendants are frequently seriously embarrassed in their defence through not receiving any notice that a charge will be preferred until a considerable time after the date of the alleged offence?

I am sure that there is no deliberate intention to do that. If my hon. Friend will look at the terms of the Statute he will see what the provisions of the law are.

Has my right hon. Friend taken into consideration the silent trap by which, after a, lapse of a week, a man is expected to remember the pace at which he travelled over a measured distance during a period of one minute?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider taking steps to provide that all motoring charges which render a defendant liable to an endorsement of his licence shall be tried by specially constituted courts?

Under Section 6 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, the court before which a person is convicted of any criminal offence in connection with the driving of a motor vehicle (not being an offence under Part IV of the Act) may order particulars of the conviction to be endorsed on the offender's licence, and my hon. Friend's suggestion would, therefore, involve the hearing of nearly all such charges by specially constituted courts. I know of no sufficient reason for the adoption of any such proposal.

Does not my right hon. Friend consider that it would be an advantage if the defendants in these alleged motoring offences could be tried by benches of magistrates who are themselves qualified drivers?

I think the question which is at issue in these cases is a very proper one to be dealt with by ordinary justices. After all, the court has to consider the interests of the public as well as of motorists.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, to prevent motor accidents and to help motorists and other road users to drive with more safety, he will take steps to have all roads marked with white lines or spots?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend exercises his influence in all appropriate cases to this end.

Does not my hon. and gallant Friend think it would be a wise precaution to insist on all roads having a white line in the centre, particularly in view of the fact that during fog it is almost impossible to see the kerb from the driving side of the car?

My answer shows that we are doing what we can in that direction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the reluctance of magistrates to convict motorists charged with exceeding the 30miles-per-hour limit in built-up areas is largely due to the prevalent difficulty of knowing whether a thoroughfare is controlled or not; and whether he will take steps to require the marking of lampposts in controlled areas with a, distinguishing colour band?

Where the speed limit is not in force in a built-up area every street lamp is marked with an appropriate sign. The absence of such a sign is a clear indication that the speed limit is in force.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, although that may be the general instruction, it is not in fact carried out throughout the country, and can he see that it is generally observed by local authorities?

If my hon. Friend knows of any case anywhere where it is not carried out, I hope he will let my Department know.

asked the Home Secretary the number of police officers who have appealed to him against the findings of the disciplinary board during the three years ended to the last convenient date; and in how many cases those officers who have appeared before such board during the same period were legally represented?

During the three years ended on 31st ultimo 14 members of the Metropolitan Police Force appealed to me from decisions of the Discipline Board under the Police (Appeals) Act, 1927. None of them had legal aid when appearing before the Discipline Board.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these men were given the opportunity to have legal representatives with them when they appeared before him?

I am quite certain that any legal aid wanted could be available, but I think we may assume that before the Discipline Board the officer in question, who very naturally appears, is very often assisted by one of his colleagues and that the matter will be settled there in the ordinary way.

How many of these appeals were successful?

Does the hon. Member mean appeals to the Home Secretary?

Yes.

I will gladly answer that question if the hon. Member will put it down. Some have been successful and some have not, but I could not now give the figures.

asked the Home Secretary whether Detective-sergeant Whitehurst is now serving in the Metropolitan Police; and, if so, what is his present rank and to what division he is attached?

This officer is now serving as a constable. He is temporarily attached to the Criminal Record Office at New Scotland Yard.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps are taken by his Department to prohibit the distribution of political literature to school children during school hours in the case of a non-provided elementary school receiving grants from public funds?

No distinction can be drawn in this matter between non-provided and provided schools. I am confident that managers equally with local education authorities are fully alive to the impropriety of permitting the distribution of political literature to school children during school hours. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I should be glad if he would furnish me with particulars.

If I furnish the right hon. Gentleman with information to the effect that at a non-provided school there was distributed to the senior scholars during school hours a pamphlet on "Why you must not be a Communist," will he consider taking any action?

The hon. Member had better furnish me with the particulars first.

On a point of Order, Am I not entitled to get from the Minister a statement as to whether or not he considers that ground for action by his Department?

The Minister has said that he would like to see the pamphlet first, and I think that is a reasonable request.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local authorities in Yorkshire now provide free meals for children who show symptoms of sub-normal nutrition; and how many such authorities do not do so?

During the month of October, 1936, 24 local education authorities in Yorkshire provided free meals or milk for children attending public elementary schools. Of these, 17 provided solid meals and milk, one solid meals only, and six milk only. Six authorities made no provision for free meals or milk.

What action does the board take in the case of those authorities which make no provision although they may have reports on subnormal children?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down that question.

asked the Minister of Health the mortality rate

asked the Minister of Health the mortality rate from pneumonia and emphysema among coal miners in the counties of Brecon, Carmarthen, Glamorgan and Monmouth for each year from 1930 to 1935, or for the period for which such statistics are available?

I regret that these figures are not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the report sent him from the Institute for Dairying who found that a disturbingly high proportion of pasteurising plants, both in London and elsewhere, were producing improperly pasteurised milk; and what steps he is taking to make pasteurisation effective?

I am aware of the statements made in the report referred to, which relates to the period ended 30th from pneumonia and emphysema for each year from 1930 to 1935 in the counties of Carmarthen, Brecon, Glamorgan and Monmouth; and the comparative rate for England and Wales in the same periods?

Separate figures for emphysema are not available. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the figures relating to pneumonia in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not time the Minister took some more drastic measures against these inefficient pasteurisation plants, in view of the fact that 37 per cent. of the samples tested were found to give a positive result and 90 samples taken from milk supplied to school children were contaminated?

Is it not a fact that partly pasteurised milk is infinitely more dangerous to the public health than ordinary clean milk?

I could not now make a reply on that general matter, but the difficulty has chiefly arisen through these plants not being in proper working order.

In view of the experience of Bournemouth and of other similar experiences throughout the country, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it time that the Government acted on the lines suggested by the research committee?

I made a reply on that matter last week.

Is it not a fact that the Bournemouth epidemic had nothing whatever to do with milk?

No, I must contradict that at once.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the considerable opposition among the ratepayers in the Minsterley, Pontesbury, and Hanwood districts of Shropshire against the comprehensive water scheme covering these districts promoted by the Atcham Rural District Council; and whether, in sanctioning the council's proposals following the public inquiry, full consideration was given to the protests of these ratepayers and to the extra rate burdens that the scheme will impose upon the locality?

Yes, Sir, I was satisfied that there was urgent need for a pxper water supply in those parishes and that the burden on the rates, after allowing for an Exchequer grant of £15,000 and similar contributions from the county council and the rural district council, would not he unduly heavy.

Is there any possibility of this matter being reconsidered, in view of the meetings of protest that are still being held and the fact that a petition against this treatment has, I understand, recently been signed by a majority of the ratepayers?

I have really given careful consideration to this matter and also the representations which my hon. Friend has made to me, but I may say that the rates increase due to this scheme compare very favourably with other areas of the country.

asked the Minister of Health the position regarding the various sewage schemes in the rural council area of Epping; and whether a grant will be made towards such schemes?

Three schemes are before me, for Nazeing, Theydon Bois and North Weald Bassett. I have approved in principle the scheme for Nazeing and am awaiting certain further details from the council before issuing loan sanction. Revised proposals are being prepared by the council for the other two schemes. I have no funds at my disposal out of which grants could be made towards the scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to secure that the rural council of Epping shall adopt by-laws requiring cesspools in the vicinity of dwelling-houses to be emptied periodically and to make proper arrangements for the disposal of sewage?

I have no information as to the necessity for such by-laws in the Epping rural district, but if the lion. Member will inform me of the particular areas he has in mind I will look into the matter.

In view of the existing danger to public health, could not the Department of the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries in regard to the nature of these conditions and the need for improvement?

No, Sir. I have had no information, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill) is not backward in bringing forward any complaints.

Does this not show that local authorities ought to obtain power to get records of where cesspools and septic tanks are placed?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give an estimate of the annual cost imposed upon the public through the emission of smoke from domestic and industrial chimneys whether any steps are being taken to abate the smoke nuisance; and whether he would consider the prohibition of the use of raw coal in certain selected areas as an experiment?

As regards the first part of the question, I am advised that no reliable estimate can be given. As to the second part of the question, many steps with my encouragement are being taken by local authorities, industrial interests and voluntary organisations who are co-operating in the matter, and smokeless methods of using coal are being increasingly developed both for domestic and industrial purposes. The proposal referred to in the last part of the question would require legislation.

In view of the prolonged inquiry and the research into this matter, would the right hon. Gentleman now consider the promotion of legislation?

I am afraid that there is already a very heavy Parliamentary programme before the House.

Could the Minister not urge that anthracite coal produced in this country should be used for this purpose?

Is that why the unemployed at Liverpool are not getting any coal this winter?

In view of the research which the Coal Utilisation Council are now carrying out at the Greenwich Fuel Research Station into smokeless methods of domestic burning of bituminous coal, would it not be undesirable to introduce legislation before that inquiry has been completed?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost to the State if it, took over complete responsibility for the maintenance of all able-bodied unemployed in this country; and what is the cost at the present time of partial maintenance by the State in the last 12 months for which figures are available?

In the financial year 1935–36, the amount provided by the Exchequer for the maintenance of the able-bodied unemployed in the form of unemployment allowances and grants to public assistance authorities, and including the proportion of the block grant appropriate to the expenditure on the able-bodied unemployed borne by local authorities, was approximately £50,000,000. The expenditure borne by local authorities, less the block grant, was approximately £950,000. The extra cost to the Exchequer in that year of assuming complete responsibility for the able-bodied unemployed would thus have been £950,000 assuming that the block grant had been appropriately adjusted. These figures do not include the cost of the assumption by the Exchequer of the payments to the unemployed now made by way of unemployment benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman remember the time when this principle was not accepted?

Does the right hon. Gentleman regard the figures granted in the recent Regulations, 24s. for a man and wife and 10s. for an adult, as maintenance?

If it is such a small amount, why not grant the complete amount and accept the whole principle?

If it is a small amount, why grant it?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the practice of the Treasury in assessing industrial concerns for Income Tax, in cases where it appears that sums entered as expenses are likely to have been used for purposes of bribery or secret commissions, either to ask for the name of the recipients or to charge Income Tax on the amounts to the donors?

The question whether a particular payment is admissible as a deduction in computing for Income Tax purposes the profits of a trade falls to be determined, not by reference to the character of the payment, but solely by reference to the consideration whether it represents expenditure wholly and exclusively incurred for the purposes of the trade. The hon. Member may rest assured that all possible steps are taken to secure the due assessment of any liabilities arising under the Income Tax law in respect of the payments which he has in mind.

Would it be possible for the Chancellor to give any indication of the amount of revenue obtained from this particular source, if I put down a question?

I will look into that point.

May I ask whether contributions to political party funds are recognised as legitimate expenses in this category?

That depends upon whether they fall under the considerations I have mentioned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to give legislative recognition to this country's new standard, namely, stability of the internal general price level; and whether he is prepared to give legislative effect to those reforms of the monetary system which are necessary to ensure the stability of the new standard?

I am satisfied that our monetary policy, which has often been stated in the House, can be carried out on the basis of the existing law, and that no further legislation is at present required. I must not, of course, be understood to accept my hon. Friend's statement of that policy as accurate or complete.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the existing law provides the stability which industry considers necessary?

I have no reason to suppose to the contrary.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he will request the hon. Member to issue a paper to explain exactly what his question means?