asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any further statement as to the proposals of His Majesty's Government with regard to the distressed areas?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Neath (Sir W. Jenkins) on 19th January.

May we expect legislation at an early date?

At an early date.

Pending that legislation, will the Government adhere more literally to their declared policy of putting new arms factories in these areas?

I cannot add to the Prime Minister's answer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Unemployment Assistance Board made any reductions in payments to applicants for assistance before 25th December, 1936; and whether there is a national uniform administration of the new Regulations being applied?

As regards the first part of the question, I am informed by the Board that no reduction in allowances were made before 25th December in consequence of the new Regulations. Such adjustments as were made were due to changes of circumstances known to affect the applications. As regards the second part of the question, the Regulations are administered on a uniform basis throughout the country, with due regard, of course, to the circumstances of the individual case, but subject to local adjustments in the light of recommendations from advisory committees on such matters as rent, rural conditions, and the transition to the new Regulations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Liverpool Public Assistance and General Purposes Sub-committee recommended that, in respect of the week which includes the date of the Coronation, relief shall be increased by 3s. to each adult and 2s. in respect of each child; what action he intends to take; and what allowances, if any, he is prepared to recommend to be given to the unemployed in Coronation week?

As regards the first two parts of the question, this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, but I would refer the hon. Member to the Circular, 1579, which has already been issued to the local authorities on this matter. As regards the third part of the question, the matter is under consideration, and I will make a statement when a decision has been reached.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I say that I have been studying the matter and am aware of the position? I am asking the Minister whether he is willing to give to the unemployed the concession which the Public Assistance Committee of Liverpool are desirous of giving to those who are recipients of Poor Law relief? Is there any legitimate reason why it should not be given?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the decision and then put a question down, after he has seen whether or not the decision is in the direction that he desires.

Is there any reason why one should wait when one can get an answer now?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange with the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee that they will receive evidence from all parties represented in the House before the committee make their recommendations about the disposable surplus of the funds?

On 10th November last the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee gave notice, as required by Statute, of their intention to make a report upon the financial condition of the Unemployment Fund at the end of the year 1936, and at the same time they invited representations. The committee have already received evidence on behalf of employers and workpeople, and they inform me that, until their report is signed, they will be glad to receive representations from Members of the House or from other sources. I understand, however, that the report is in an advanced stage of preparation, and that the committee hope to sign it early in February. Any representation to the committee upon the subject of their report should, therefore, be made without delay.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any special arrangements are being made to supply the anticipated shortage of hotel and restaurant employés that will occur during the Coronation period from British sources; and to what extent it will be necessary to permit the entry of foreign staff?

The Ministry of Labour Employment Exchanges, including the specialised hotel and catering trades exchange, will take all possible steps to meet demands made to them by hotels and restaurants requiring additional staff during the Coronation period, and inquiries are in progress with a view to estimating the number of suitable employés likely to be available in this country. In the circumstances it is impossible to say at this stage how far, if at all, the admission of foreign staff will be necessary.

Does the Minister keep an eye on the question of the prices that are charged?

That is not a matter for the Employment Exchange.

Will reciprocal terms be asked for British people going to the Continent?

This is for the Coronation period, and, of course, no question of reciprocity arises there.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a full complement of young unemployed persons is being transferred from South Wales and the North-East Coast for training at the Park Royal cookery school; and, if Park Royal is not being fully used, will he set up training schools in South Wales, Durham, and Cumberland, and arrange for unemployed persons to be trained locally for the vacancies awaiting them in the catering trades and household services in the South of England?

The class at the Park Royal training centre to which my hon. Friend refers is for waiters, not cooks. The class is at present full, and there is a waiting list. Not all the applicants come from the depressed areas, including South Wales and the North-East Coast, but preference is given to men from such areas. I do not at present contemplate establishing an additional training centre of this kind.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applicants who received unemployment benefit in the administrative county of Durham, the county boroughs of Sunderland, Gateshead, and South Shields, each year from 1931 to 1936; and the amount paid to the unemployed in these areas during the same period?

I am having such information as is available extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the criticisms of the Shipbuilders' Federation on the presentation of the unemployment figures in the shipbuilding industry; and what steps he proposes to take to initiate a more satisfactory system?

I presume that the reference is to certain criticisms contained in a pamphlet issued by the President of the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation for 1935–36. These criticisms appear to be based on a misapprehension of the meaning of the unemployment statistics. These statistics give the total number of unemployed persons, within certain limits of age, registered at the Employment Exchanges at periodical dates, and are analysed according to the industries in which these persons were previously employed. Owing principally to the long duration of unemployment, many of the persons recorded as unemployed in the shipbuilding industry are not immediately available for effective work in the yards, but it is unfortunately not correct to suggest, as the pamphlet does, that the high figure of unemployment is on that account merely a nominal one. The question of the suitability of the registered unemployed for specific employment is, however, of great importance, and is constantly borne in mind. The practical requirement is to take all possible measures for utilising the available labour supply to the best advantage for the purpose of meeting the increasing demands upon the industry, and the full co-operation of my Department in this direction may be assumed.

Am I to understand from the Minister's statement that the difference between skilled and unskilled labour is kept at the Ministry of Labour itself, and is not available to the Employment Exchange?

It is not included in the ordinary statistics.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Commissioner for the Special Areas has reported the result of his own and local efforts to train for household services and transfer juveniles to fill vacancies around London in residences where they would receive the ruling rates of wages and be properly looked after by their employers; and, if the Commissioner has failed, will he advertise in the South of Scotland and North of England that training facilities for houshold employment and transfer under official supervision await suitable unemployed applicants?

Training for domestic service is carried out by the Central Committee on women's training and by certain other organisations assisted by grants from my Department and not by the Special Commissioner directly. There are 37 of these centres, residential or nonresidential, at present being operated by the Central Committee, and in addition there are two schemes provided by voluntary organisations where men are trained for domestic service. Considerable difficulty is being experienced in obtaining recruits for domestic training, but I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made by means of personal interview, poster display and distribution of leaflets to bring to the notice of suitable applicants and their parents in the Special Areas and elsewhere, the facilities for the training for domestic employment and transfer to other parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners of 60 years of age and over; how many are employed; and how many are unemployed?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

The Department recently issued several tables dealing with ages, and further, they can tell an insured worker on the day before he is 65.

That is a different issue. The hon. Member asked for a wide statement. I have not the available information.

Is it not possible to get these figures?

Not in this form.

If the Minister has not got them how is it that the P.E.P. Association across the road can get them any day they like?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there was in the last Ministry of Labour Gazette a whole series of figures dealing with the periods of those out of work, the numbers out of work, the variations in each industry and the ages in the industry? Would not that material be gathered at the Employment Exchanges?

That is exactly what I was saying. The hon. Member has asked for a general statement in two ways. It is not possible to give that. I have always tried to meet particular points in particular cases.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of families who have been transferred during 1936 from the Accrington Parliamentary division to other areas under the provisions of the Government's transference schemes?

Exact information is not available, but it appears that during the year 1936 approximately 120 families were assisted to remove from the Accrington Parliamentary division to other areas under the Department's industrial transference scheme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is strong resentment in Lancashire against our skilled workers going to the South? Would it be possible for him to consult his colleagues with a view to getting factories transferred to places in Lancashire rather than to those districts where there is no unemployment?

That is always our desire, but there is also a strong feeling that work should be found for unemployed people.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Special Areas Bill will be introduced?

I am not yet able to announce this date.

Has the right hon. Gentleman forgotten that he made a speech in which he promised this Bill in January, and we are now near the end of January. When are we going to get it? Does the Minister mean that we are not to get the Bill at all?

At an early date.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some indication as to when he will be able to state the approximate date for the introduction of the Bill?

Not now.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Unemployment Statutory Committee has yet reached any decision with regard to the representations made to them on behalf of workers in Admiralty dockyards who fall out of the unemployment insurance scheme on becoming established and whose pensions on retirement are less in amount than the rates of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance for which they would otherwise have been qualified?

The unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee have not yet presented their report on the matter to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I understand that they expect to be in a position to do so in the near future.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in many cases the pensions of retired established dockyard employés are so small that they would be better off if they were without them and could qualify for unemployment benefit?

I do not think they would agree with that statement in the way in which my hon. and gallant Friend puts it, but, as he knows, this is one of the reasons for the inquiry by the committee.

asked the Minister of Labour (1), what action he has taken in the dispute between the District Bank and its staff;

Following representations made to me by the Bank Officers' Guild I have been in communication with the District Bank. I am not in a position to make any further comment at the present time, but I ought to say that the bank does not admit that there has been intimidation.

In view of the serious feeling that exists among the staff of the bank, would not the Minister agree that it would be advisable to conduct a ballot in order to find out exactly the feeling of the staff with regard to the Bank Officers' Guild, such as was conducted under the auspices of the Mines Department some time ago?

I think the House will agree that it would be improper for me to make any further comment on the matter.

Is the procedure adopted by this bank any different from that of other banks?

We are dealing with a particular case. If the hon. Member will read the answer, he will see that, in the circumstances of the case, it would be better for me to make no further comment.

In view of the fact that the majority of the employés are desirous of being organised as members of this association, and in view of the fact that it is better for the relations between the bank and its staff that they should be properly organised, is it not possible to get the association recognised by the bank, and would not the Minister of Labour use his influence to that end?

I have no further comment to make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the increased surplus of totalisator funds recently disclosed, it will be possible during the current year to make increased grants for British horse-breeding; and, if so, to what extent?

Out of £120,000 which will be available for distribution for the statutory purposes, my right hon. Friend has approved of a grant of £6,000 to the Hunters Improvement and National Horse Breeding Society for stallion premiums in 1937, as compared with a grant of £5,000 in 1936, and also of a new grant of £300 to the National Pony Society for premiums for stallions of the breeds of ponies indigenous to this country. I understand that the Racecourse Betting Control Board have under consideration further proposals for assisting horse-breeding.

asked the Minister of Labour the present standard rate of wages for unskilled labourers in South Staffordshire?

The standard rates of wages for unskilled labourers in South Staffordshire vary as between different industries and different localities. I am sending the hon. Member a statement giving the available information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT, in view of the fact that in many cases the standard rates are not being paid?

I shall be glad to do that if the hon. Member desires it.

Will the Minister take the resonsibility of deciding what is a proper rate of payment?

I content myself with answering the question and circulating the answer.

asked the Home Secretary what is the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the death penalty?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to a similar question by my hon. Friend on 21st May.

Is the right hon. Gentleman open to conviction on the matter? If I could show him that this particular deterrent was not necessary, would he replace it by another?

asked the Home Secretary how soon the proposed handbook on air raid precautions in the home will be published; what the price will be; whether information as to the best method of making premises gas-proof, blast-proof, and splinter-proof will be distributed to every householder and other occupier free of charge, and when?

A handbook for householders, giving simple information on these matters is now in process of final revision and should be ready for issue in the near future. The arrangements for publication are under consideration.

Is my hon. Friend not in a position to answer whether the information will be given free to the public?

Not at the moment.

asked the Home Secretary what progress has been made in training the Metropolitan police to protect the public during air raids?

I am glad to be able to say that the air raid precautions training of the Metropolitan Police is reaching completion, and will be approximately complete within a few weeks.

Is similar progress being made in the training of provincial police?

Yes, Sir. Some of the provincial police forces have now completed their training, and, broadly speaking, the training of the police forces of the country should be completed within a few months.

asked the Home Secretary what precise arrangements are to be made for training British pharmacists in anti-gas work; and whether any retaining fees will be paid to pharmacists for their assistance in the anti-gas scheme?

The Pharmaceutical Society generously offered the co-operation of its members in connection with air raid precautions, and this offer was gratefully accepted. After discussion it was agreed that in the event of an emergency pharmacists could probably give the greatest service by carrying on with their ordinary work. Arrangements will be made as soon as possible for a number of places at the Civilian Anti-Gas School to be reserved for members of the society, who will be trained as instructors with a view to their training other members of the society in anti-gas precautions. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take an early opportunity to review the sentences passed at the Old Bailey upon the three Welshmen found guilty of setting fire to a bombing school in North Wales, in view of the alleged political nature of the crime which arose out of the Government's refusal to receive a deputation on the matter, and of the other circumstances attending the case?

There is no information before me to suggest that I should be justified in advising interference with the sentences which the court, after hearing all the evidence, thought it right to impose.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that there were political elements in this trial, and naturally those could not be considered by the court, and that the position was aggravated by the action of the Government in refusing to see the deputation?

Everything that it was proper to urge was present to the mind of the learned judge, I have no doubt.

Why, when these gentlemen were found guilty of arson, were they sentenced to imprisonment in the second division?

Did not the judges in both cases definitely rule out these political considerations, so that they were not actually considered at all?

How can politics justify crime?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increasing intrusion of the Press upon the private lives of citizens, as instanced by the disclosures at an inquest held on 19th January that, failing to be given information by a harassed family at a time of great personal sorrow and having telephoned to the elderly widow at one a.m., certain organs of the Press published untrue, sensational, and painful details of the case; and whether any action can now be devised to check such abuses of the liberty of the Press?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on Monday last to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison).

Having regard to the very strong feeling that this matter arouses in all parts of the House, is the House likely to have an opportunity in the ordinary course of discussing it?

That, of course, would not be for me to say. I should not have thought that the matter was relevant to any Vote, but of course there are other occasions.

In that case, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether, in view of the statement by the Select Committee on Estimates that the cost of the London office for the State management of the drink traffic in Carlisle, Gretna, and Cromarty appeared to be excessive, he has taken or proposes to take any action;

The recommendations of the Select Committee have been considered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself. Making allowance for the fact that the cost of the London office referred to by the committee includes the cost of the architect and his staff, the room for any saving in this item appears to be small, but I am considering whether any reduction will be practicable. After reviewing the general organisation of the undertakings in England and Scotland, my right hon. Friend and I do not propose to alter the existing system. This does not, of course, preclude consideration from time to time of possible improvements in the organisation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this whole business is in the nature of a scandal?

If the Carlisle experiment is considered to be a success, why has it not spread to the remainder of the country, and, if it is unsuccessful, why is it not discontinued at Carlisle?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the statement by the Select Committee on Estimates that the State management of the liquor traffic in Gretna and Cromarty appeared to be most unbusinesslike, and in view of the recommendation by the Royal Commission that sat on licensing for Scotland in 1931 that the establishments at Gretna and Cromarty should be disposed of, he proposes to take any action?

On the question of general organisation, I would refer to the reply which has just been given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. As regards the management of the Scottish undertakings, I think my hon. Friend has inadvertently misinterpreted the report of the Select Committee and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland desires to make it plain that he is satisfied that that management is efficient and economical. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that this is a strange idea of efficiency?

asked the Home Secretary the number of children that were committed to approved schools for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date under the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933; whether the accommodation of the various approved schools is sufficient to meet the demand; and what steps have been taken by the local authorities or the Government to see that all such schools have an authorised accommodation, fixed at a maximum consistent with all reasonable requirements as to health, education, and occupation?

The number of children and young persons admitted to approved schools in England and Wales under approved school orders during 1936 was 3,758. There is a need for additional approved school accommodation, which is being met by the provision of schools by local authorities and voluntary bodies. Seven such schools have been approved since March last and two more will be opened on 1st February. The certificate of approval issued to the managers, after consideration of all the circumstances, fixes the maximum accommodation for the school.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the shortage in the accommodation of approved schools has caused congestion in the remand homes?

I should suppose that if there were a shortage of the one there would be some overcrowding in the other, but, as the hon. Member will see, the numbers are being increased.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to amend the Act of Settlement with a view to making clear that the Princess Elizabeth is the sole heir to the Throne and does not share it jointly with her sister on the analogy of the Peerage Law?

No, Sir, there is no reason to do so. His Majesty's Government are advised that there is no doubt that in present circumstances Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth would succeed to the Throne as sole heir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present number of foreign riding instructors who have permits from his Department to reside and carry out such instruction in this country; and how the number of such instructors compares with that in each of the past three years?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that during the last three years no permit has been issued by his Department to any employer to bring foreign riding instructors into this country. An occasional application may have been received from a foreign visitor for permission to remain here and open a riding school. Any such application would be dealt with on its merits in the light of the circumstances of the particular case and with due regard to any national interests involved. But no separate record is kept of applications of this kind, and I am afraid that it is not possible to give figures.

Will it be possible for my hon. Friend to make a categorical statement to the House that it is not intended to give any of these permits in future in view of the immense number of ex-cavalry men who took part in the last War, and who are at present in the country and would be able to act as instructors?

Every case is examined on its merits with regard to the particular circumstances and interests involved, and I have no doubt that that is one of the considerations borne in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether any decision has been reached with regard to moving the police college from Hendon; if so, where to; what has been the total cost per head of each cadet passed through the college; whether the college is considered to have shown any results of value; and whether the higher authorities at Scotland Yard favour the experiment and wish it continued?

The Commissioner of Police has represented to me that for various reasons the police college should be moved to a new site, and I have agreed in principle to his proposal. The new site has not yet been selected. Apart from interest on capital expenditure and cost of administration at Scotland Yard the total cost of training each cadet is about £420. It is somewhat early to assess the value of the results achieved, but the Commissioner is satisfied that the college will fully justify itself; he does not regard it as an experiment and most certainly wishes it to continue.

Can the Home Secretary say whether the £420 which he mentioned is £420 a year or for some other period; and also what the figure would be if he included those particular charges which he omitted?

The period is for the full period of training, which is about a year and a-half.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the present college was built for its present purpose?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether any appointments have been made as a result of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Social Services in the Courts of Summary Jurisdiction; and, if so, will he state the nature of such appointments and the districts affected?

I think the hon. Member had s in mind appointments made by the justices. Since the issue of the report, some additional probation officers have been appointed in different parts of the country, but, except for the appointment of a principal probation officer in London, it is not possible for me to say how far these appointments were the outcome of the committee's recommendations.

asked the Home Secretary what number of German workmen are employed in the repairs and renewals at the German Embassy; how many permits have been issued to import alien workers into this country on this job; what are the trades in which these men are employed; whether inquiries were made of the trades concerned in this country as to the available supply of labour necessary to do the work in question; and whether it is the practice of the Department to inquire of the trade unions concerned before granting permits for foreign workers to be allowed entry to work at their respective trades?

I have made some inquiries into this matter and am informed that extensive structural alterations have been taking place at the German Embassy involving the use and incorporation of special German material and furniture. For this purpose the Embassy requested that certain German technicians in various trades should be given temporary permission to come here and, while we naturally prefer that British workmen should be employed on such work in this country, it was thought that in the special circumstances permission should be given. Some of these workmen have already returned, and the German Embassy have informed the Foreign Office that the rest will be going back in batches very shortly. I understand that the number of German workmen being employed at the Embassy is about 120 and I am informed that about 130 British workmen have also been employed.

Is there any limitation to the numbers which it would be decided to impose so far as any building alterations were concerned; and would it apply to other Embassies such as, for instance, the Russian Embassy, if they were to desire to build a big place here? As the whole thing is very unsatisfactory, would the right hon. Gentleman indicate what the special class of work is, and whether plastering and whitewashing now become part of the German Diplomatic Service?

I take the view that the position is anomalous, and I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that a general permit for unlimited numbers would be quite out of the question. I understand that special numbers have been asked for, and that from time to time they are under consideration, but the Foreign Office is in communication with the German Embassy about the matter.

Does the British Government adopt the same policy in repairing our buildings abroad?

I do not know what the position is, but we must remember that it is a diplomatic house, and we should expect the same consideration in corresponding circumstances.

Do we understand from the answer of the Home Secretary now that building alterations are part of the Diplomatic Service and do territorial rights extend to that sort of thing?

I think that the hon. Gentleman will not have misunderstood me. I made the obvious remark that the Embassy, by which I mean the house, is, from some points of view, diplomatic premises.

Is this not merely the ordinary diplomatic courtesy which we are glad to extend to any foreign country?

Is it the fact that the German Government pay for these 250 workpeople?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the communication sent from the Sheffield Education Committee showing the increased percentage of cost of education which has to be covered by local rates, and the decreasing percentage of cost covered by Government grants; and whether, seeing that the present system of Government grants calls for complete revision, he will give the fullest consideration to the recommendation of the Sheffield education authority, supported by the Association of Education Committees, that the whole question of Government grants towards education be examined by a Royal Commission or some other appropriate body?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my hon. Friend gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Hillsborough (Mr. Alexander), a copy of which I am sending him.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the reply which was given yesterday covers the concluding part of the question which now appears upon the Order Paper; and may I ask him not to close this matter in consideration of what is widely believed to be a well-founded objection to an inequitable arrangement?

The whole question was raised very fully by a deputation from the Association of Education Committees, and, after hearing their statement of the case, I came to the conclusion which I have given in my reply.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children attending State-aided schools are receiving a milk ration; and how many receive other meals?

On 1st October, 1936, the number of full-time pupils in State-aided schools in England and Wales who were receiving milk at school was 2,670,570, of whom 372,174 were receiving it free of charge. The number of children in public elementary schools in England and Wales who received free ordinary meals during November, 1936, was 88,761. In addition, about 32,000 children in public elementary schools are paying for meals at school canteens or feeding centres. No figures are available as to the number of children receiving ordinary meals in schools other than public elementary schools.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any figures in regard to the number of special cases of children in secondary schools who receive meals as part of scholarship arrangements?

No, I am afraid that I have no such figures.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to announce the extension of the scheme as foreshadowed by the Minister of Health a little while ago?

The hon. Member had better put that question down.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the estimated cost of supplying all children attending State-aided schools with one meal per day other than milk?

If free dinners were provided on 200 school days for all the 5,750,000 full-time pupils under 18 years of age attending State-aided schools in England and Wales, the cost, assuming a gross cost of 5d. per meal, including food and overhead charges, would be about £24,000,000 per annum. If the provision were extended to days, including Saturdays and Sundays, when the schools do not meet, the cost would be about £43,700,000 per annum. These figures make no allowance for the cost of additional premises, the amount of which I am unable to forecast, but which would no doubt be considerable.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman estimate the gross cost to be 5d., when the local authorities provide free meals at a cost of 3d?

My experience is that in nearly all the school canteens of which I have any knowledge the gross cost is about 5d.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in Bradford, where the largest number of children are supplied by any local authority with a hot meal, the cost works out at 3d?

I must repeat what I have said. I recently sent out a questionnaire in regard to the provision of meals in school canteens, and as a result I find that 5d. is the normal price.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the estimated cost of supplying all children attending State-aided schools with one pint of milk per day?

There are about 5,750,000 full-time pupils under 18 years of age attending State-aided schools in England and Wales. To supply this number with a pint of milk daily for 200 school days about 144,000,000 gallons of milk would be required. If the provision were extended to days when the schools do not meet, about 262,000,000 gallons would be required. I am not in a position to give an estimate of the cost to public funds which would be involved if this quantity of milk were supplied free, as the price per gallon could only be determined after negotiations with the milk industry. If, however, the cost is assumed to be is. 4¼d. per gallon, as at present, the total cost to public funds may be estimated at about £10,000,000 per annum for 200 school days, or about £18,000,000 per annum if the provision were extended to days when the schools do not meet.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the price presently charged under the existing milk scheme could not be materially reduced if all children were receiving milk?

Perhaps the hon. Member will read my answer, and he will see that is why I guarded myself as to cost. I only gave a calculation based on the existing price.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman base his estimate on the highest figures? Will he look into the matter further and make a calculation based upon every child receiving one pint of milk, instead of some receiving one-third of a pint? Would not the cost be reduced if all were receiving one pint?

It is impossible to make any calculation, because I do not know to what arrangements we should be able to come with the Milk Board.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much extra would be involved in this universal pauperisation if we were to provide every member with a copy of the "Daily Herald"?

asked the President of the Board of Education what per centage of children in the rural and in the urban districts, respectively, of the county of Monmouth are receiving milk under the milk-in-schools scheme?

On 1st October, 1936, the percentages of children on the registers of public elementary schools in the rural and the urban districts of the administrative county of Monmouth for purposes of elementary education who were receiving milk under the Milk-in-Schools Scheme were 26 and 36 respectively. In addition, 9 per cent, of the children in the rural districts and 3 per cent, of the children in the urban districts were receiving milk (mainly preparations of dried milk) outside the scheme.

How does this percentage compare with similar districts in other areas?

I should not like to commit myself to saying how it compares with similar districts.

asked the President of the Board of Education what provision is being made in the rural and in the urban areas, respectively, of the country of' Monmouth for school canteens?

I understand that no provision is made in the area of the Monmouthshire local education authority for school canteens where children may obtain meals on payment as distinct from feeding centres for the provision of free meals.

Will the right hon. Gentleman by some method encourage or urge local authorities to institute school canteens in their areas, especially in the rural areas where children have to come great distances?

Last year, in a circular, I drew the attention of local authorities to the desirability of providing school canteens at schools where children come from a distance. In considering plans for new senior schools I always take this point into consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the income scale for purposes of free meals and/or milk in schools in Monmouth shire; and how this compares with the scales adopted by other authorities?

The income scale adopted by the Monmouthshire local education authority for the purpose of free meals and/or milk is an allowance of 10s. for each parent and 5s. for each child up to a maximum of £1. Where the family income does not exceed the figures obtained on this basis meals or milk are given free. No deduction is made for rent before calculating the income, and the scale is considerably less liberal than those normally adopted by other authorities. As stated in the reply which I gave on 19th January to the hon. Member for Western Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. Johnston), I understand that the authority are considering the question of introducing a more generous income scale.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the great anxiety of, the local residents in regard to the site of the new school in Caterham Valley; and whether he will ask the local education authority to endeavour to secure another more suit able site for the school?

This case has been considered most carefully on more than one occasion by the local education authority and by the Board. I also received representations from the Caterham and District Ratepayers' Association and the Warlingham Ratepayers' Association, and gave the case my consideration, but I am satisfied that there is no sufficient ground for asking the local education authority to change the site.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the report of his inspectors on the question of school home-work is now available to Members?

Work on this report is approaching completion, and I hope that it will be available in a few weeks time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the report will deal with the subject in two parts, relating to boys and girls?

I cannot say that at the moment.

asked the Prime Minister when a Cabinet decision concerning the future of the Fleet Air Arm may be expected?

:I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether, on the expiration of the Rent Act in 1938, it is proposed to abolish the 40 per cent, increase in the rents of houses?

The Government have not yet considered whether it is necessary to take further action in connection with the Rent Restrictions Acts.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give sympathetic consideration to this suggestion, in view of the fact that there has been an approximate reduction of wages by 50 per cent, since this increase was put upon the rents?

Without accepting the statement of the hon. Member, it is obvious that the whole matter will have to be considered before 1938, when the Act expires.

Will not a new Act have to be passed this year in order to prevent the Act lapsing next year?

I think it is March, 1938.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that high rent charge is largely responsible for malnutrition, as it consumes a very large portion of the earnings of workpeople?

That is another question.

asked the Lord President of the Council what seating accommodation will be available for the use of Members and their families to view the Coronation procession, in addition to the allocations already made in Westminster Abbey?

asked the Lord President of the Council whether arrange ments will be made in connection with the allocation of seats for the Coronation procession to provide adequate accommodation in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster for Members of Parliament and their families, and for as many as possible of the permanent staff of both Houses of Parliament and other persons who work therein, together with their families?

The arrangements for the allocation of seats for the Coronation procession are still being worked out, and the points mentioned in my hon. Friends' questions are being considered.

asked the Minister of Health the figures of those who are drawing old age pensions who are also getting assistance from Poor Law relief; and will he say if they are increasing or not?

The number of persons in England and Wales drawing old age pensions under the various Acts who were also in receipt of poor relief was 202,438 on 1st January, 1936, the latest date for which complete figures are available. Most of these persons were in receipt of relief on account of sickness. Although the numbers have increased somewhat during recent years, they represent less than 10 per cent, of the total number of old age pensioners.

asked the Minister of Health the present number of wives who have not reached 65 years of age whose husbands are drawing the pension under the Widows, Orphans and Old Age Contributory Pensions scheme; and will he say whether these figures are on the increase or not?

The precise information asked for by the hon. Member is not available, but it is estimated that there are at present 250,000 wives of this class and that the number is slowly increasing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very serious defect in the Act, and will he take steps to remedy it by putting man and wife on pension?

The hon. Member has asked me a question about figures. He is now asking a question about a matter of policy—

Are you afraid?

I am not afraid, but the matter, obviously, is one involving large financial considerations. If the hon. Member desires me to give him a reply, perhaps he will put the question on the Order Paper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the strong feeling there is in support of the suggestion in all parts of the country?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there are cases where an old age pensioner has had his pension stopped when he has entered a hospital or Poor Law institution, and on leaving, through not being aware that it would only be renewed on application, has lost a period of payment in between leaving and making the application; and what steps he intends to take to make the pensioner aware of the position so that these mistakes will be prevented?