Written Answers
Parliamentary By-Elections
asked the Attorney General whether his attention has been called to the activities at recent by-elections of persons engaged in promoting or procuring the election of candidates other than those authorised by the election agents; and whether, having regard to the provisions of Section 34 of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, he proposes to take any action in such cases?
No, Sir. My attention has not been called to any activities of the kind referred to. If my hon. Friend has any information which he thinks ought to be brought to my attention I will, of course, consider it.
League Of Nations
Covenant
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action has been taken with regard to the proposals of the committee of thirteen set up by a resolution of the Council of the League of Nations, on 17th April, 1935, for the purpose of proposing measures to render the League of Nations Covenant more effective in the organisation of collective security; and whether he will consider the advisability of international co-operatior, and consultation upon the lines suggested?
This committee was set up by the Council as the result of the appeal by the French Government under Article XI, paragraph 2, of the Covenant, in connexion with the German rearmament law of 16th March, 1935. It was instructed to propose measures to render the Covenant more effective and in particular to define the economic and financial measures which might be applied to a State which endangered peace by the repudiation of its international obligations. The discussions of the committee were limited to the possibilities of action under Article XI and Article XIII of the Covenant. The committee appointed a legal sub-committee, and a sub-committee on economic and financial measures. The legal subcommittee expressed the opinion that action under Article XI and Article XIII might in proper cases consist of measures of an economic and financial character. They were unable to agree whether the negative vote of a State which had endangered peace by the unilateral repudiation of its international obligations could prevent the Council from taking the necessary decisions. The sub-committee on economic and financial measures drew up a useful report, though certain members of the committee were unable to accept it without important reservations.The committee could,.however, make no further progress until the question of the application of the rule of unanimity under Article XI was resolved, and, in the circumstances, it made no proposals to the Council.The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise; but I would add that the question whether the rule of unanimity should in all cases be applicable under paragraph 1 of Article XI is now under consideration by the Committee on the application of the principles of the Covenant.
Colonies (Mandatory Powers)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of proposing to the Council of the League of Nations that the principles of the mandatory system should be extended to their colonies by all Powers, so that the principle of the open door and equal opportunities for all members of the League under international supervision may be applied in all individual countries which are not self-governing, and to indicate that the British Government would be prepared to adopt this course provided other colonial Powers did the same?
I regret that His Majesty's Government are unable to entertain the suggestion made in the hon. Member's Question.
Mercantile Marine (Coastwise Traffic)
asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he can state the number of vessels chartered for coastwise traffic around the coast of the United Kingdom; the percentage of such vessels which are Foreign; the tonnage carried by them in each of the years 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936; and, if possible, the number of Foreign sailors and of British sailors engaged by these vessels?
I regret that the information desired is not available, since the navigation returns furnished to the Board of Trade relating to the coasting trade include the repeated voyages of the vessels. These returns do not include particulars of cargo carried or personnel employed.
Diphtheria (Poole)
asked the Minister of Health, how many cases of diphtheria and deaths from that disease have been notified in Poole for each year during the last 20 years; at what date was immunisation started in Poole; how many children, and at what ages, have been immunised in each year since immunisation was started; what is the child population of Poole under five years of age and from five to 10 years; and what does the Poole medical officer of health mean by an efficiently or a completely immunised child?
I am sending the hon. Member the desired information.
asked the Minister of Health, how many cases of diphtheria have been notified in children at Poole who had at any time received one or more inoculations against diphtheria; and whether any of them were fatal?
According to the information furnished by the local authority, five such cases have been notified and none of them was fatal.
Unemployment Assistance (Rent Allowance)
asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the conditions governing rent allowance made by the advisory committee for London No. 1 district, under the Unemployment Assistance Board?
I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Advisory Committee set up by the Board for the district which includes Hackney, Shoreditch and Stepney. This committee has recommended that for the purposes of subparagraph (2) (a) of paragraph r of the First Schedule to the Unemployment Assistance (Determination of Need and Assessment of Needs) Regulations, 1936, the amounts ascertained under subparagraph 1 of paragraph 1 of the Schedule should be increased or reduced as follows:(1) Where the net rent is greater than one-quarter of the total of the scale rates of all members of the household, the amount ascertained as aforesaid should be increased by the lesser of the two following sums:
(2) Where the net rent is greater than one-third of the total scale rates of all members of the household, the amount up to 2s. 6d. by which the net rent is greater than one-third should be allowed.
(3) 'Where the net rent is less than one-quarter of the total of the scale rates of all members of the household, the amount ascertained as aforesaid should be reduced by the extent of the difference between the net rent and one-quarter of the total scale rates, but that in cases where the difference is less than one shilling there should be no reduction.
These recommendations have been accepted by the Board.
The Coronation
asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, whether any and what official arrangements are being made for the entertainment of and the provision of private hospitality for visitors to London from the respective Dominions for the Coronation?
I would refer the Hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the Hon. Member for Dorset E. (Mr. Hall-Caine) on 17th February.