asked the Minister of Labour whether he will invite the Unemployment Statutory Committee to make an interim report regarding the financial conditions of the Unemployment Fund (Agriculture Account)?

The committee have reported on the position at the end of last year and will, in due course, report on the position at the end of the current year, by which time the experience of benefit payments will cover a period of scarcely more than 12 months. In these circumstances I do not think it would be reasonable to expect the committee to make an interim report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that John Jamieson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, was sent by the Middlesbrough Employment Exchange to work at Birmingham as a riveter; that when 15s. 8d. was due to him for wages the firm stopped 12s. rod for railway fare, and that, being unable to pay for lodgings, he was arrested without a warrant and in prison for eight days, when he was acquitted on a charge of fraud; and whether it is with the approval of his Department that firms should act as collecting agents for Employment Exchanges, and the full amount of the railway fare be deducted in one sum?

Mr. Jamieson obtained this engagement by direct application to the firm. Part of his railway fare was paid by the Employment Exchange and the remainder, amounting to 12s. 10d., advanced subject to the usual undertaking as to repayment by deduction from his wages. After one and a half days he was found unsuitable for the work for which he was engaged: he agreed to accept other work offered by the firm but did not present himself for it. The police proceedings were taken, I understand, at the instigation of his landlady with whom he had stayed for about 10 days without informing her that he had lost his job and was unable to pay for his board and lodging. The deduction of the balance of the fare from earnings in one sum is in accordance with the express terms of the undertaking signed by Mr. Jamieson. If he had communicated with the Exchange consideration would have been given to any good reason he could have shown for having a smaller deduction made but he did not do so, and, having regard to the facts reported to me, I doubt very much whether I should have been justified in authorising such a course.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the magistrate's comments as to the undesirable way in which he has been treated?

I have seen them. The magistrate is entitled to comment on the facts presented to him, but he made some general observations which do not carry the same weight.

Are we to understand that the Department takes no responsibility for sending a man for a situation for which he is not fitted?

This man, as I have said, sought and found this post for himself, and on application to the Exchange received help to get to it as is the usual Exchange practice.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet been able to consider the report of the Unemployment Statutory Committee on the insurance of share fishermen; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

I would remind the hon. Member that the Statutory Committee made a unanimous recommendation against any change in the position of share fishermen in relation to the unemployment insurance scheme.

Has the right hon. Gentleman in view any other action of any kind to deal with this situation?

The hon. Member will remember that the Committee made some suggestions. They, of course, lie in the sphere of the Ministry of Agriculture as regards England and the Secretary of State for Scotland as regards Scotland. A question is to be put by the Noble Lady the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) next Monday.

Is the report available in the Stationery Office?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the percentage of unemployment among workers insured under the Agricultural Unemployment Insurance Act in January; and now many days must usually elapse between the conclusion of any month and the day on which he is in a position to state what has been the percentage of such unemployment during that month?

Statistics showing the numbers of insured agricultural workers recorded as unemployed are compiled in respect of one day in each month, and are regularly published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette." I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the February issue, in which the available information as to the numbers and percentages recorded as unemployed at 25th January is given on page 65. Under present practice the date to which the statistics relate is normally the third or fourth Monday in each month, and the figures are usually available 15 days after that date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to make this journal a Parliamentary publication, so that it will no longer be necessary for Members to ask questions in order to obtain information?

I think that has been considered before, but I will look into it again.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who were in attendance at the various training centres conducted by or on behalf of his Department as at the last convenient date; and the rate at which persons so trained in these centres are placed in employment on completion of their course?

The number of persons attending the various training centres on 4th March, 1937, was as follows:

Are any of these people absorbed in their own occupations?

I cannot say that without notice, but I can tell the House that the percentage of those who entered employment on completion of courses in 1936 from Government training centres and domestic training centres was 97, and from instructional centres 24.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a chairman of an appeals tribunal influenced the assessors to alter their decision after coming to an agreement; and whether he is prepared to give instructions against such interference with decisions?

In the case to which I presume the hon. Member refers, it was alleged that one of the members of a tribunal changed his mind when the decision was given. This is a liberty which cannot, I think, be restricted by instructions. I would add that the chairman has no power to over-ride the other two members of a tribunal, who have each an equal voice with him in the decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case agreement was reached and then the chairman intervened with a view to having the decision altered, and succeeded?

I should not care to accept that statement. As I understand it, a debate took place and one member of the committee changed his mind. Surely that is not an unusual occurrence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the man changed his mind after the chairman had intervened and the decision had been come to?

I am aware that there was a discussion in the normal way, and that the chairman put a point of view, and another member put a point of view, and that the other member changed his mind. It might happen the other way the next time.

Did not these two men give their decision, and then the chairman brought pressure to bear on that decision? Is that so?

No, Sir, that is not so, and that is what I have not accepted.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as wholly unemployed on the latest date available at Castleford, Normanton, Pontefract, and Goole; and the comparative figures for 1936 and 1935?

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to ask the Commissioner for the Special Areas to make a grant for the purpose of preventing the flow of water into colliery workings from the River Gaunless, near Evenwood Colliery, county Durham, by concreting its bed in parts or diverting its water into safer channels?

I am informed that the Commissioner for Special Areas is discussing with the county council the possibility of carrying out a scheme to deal with the problem referred to by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large volume of water is flowing into the colliery workings from this river which is calculated to increase the pumping costs of the proprietors, and is a danger to those who are working in the surrounding places; and that unless something is done by the Commissioner or the Department of the right hon. Gentleman, nothing worth while will be done?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the result of the discussion between the Commissioner and the county council, which has, of course, to take cognisance of such factors as have just been mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the communication to which his attention has been drawn by the hon. Member for the Rothwell division, from which it appears that some claimants for unemployment insurance benefit are not receiving from the Board all the benefits to which they are legally entitled; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I understand that the question relates to the special scheme for the insurance industry. I have seen the article to which I believe the hon. Member refers and I am in communication with the Insurance Unemployment Board on the matter. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider some means which will put an end to this one-man form of administration and stop negotiations of this character?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to make my inquiries first, and then I will write to him, and, if he afterwards wishes to put a question on that point, I shall be very glad to answer it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will reconsider the matter of additional allowances to the unemployed during Coronation week with a view to making an additional grant to the wives of recipients, also increasing the proposed additional grant from 2s. 6d. to 5s. in the case of all adults?

No, Sir. I regret that I cannot reconsider the decision already announced.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take this matter back and think twice before he decides finally that he cannot do anything?

This question was considered seriously at the time of the Jubilee, and again now, and I cannot add to my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the arrangements for closing certain streets to vehicular traffic during the flood-lighting in connection with the Coronation festivities will prevent Members of this House from having freedom of access to the House by motor car during those hours when the House will be sitting?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that the necessary arrangements will be made for Members of Parliament to have access by motor car to the House whilst it is sitting.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether it is proposed to allot seats on the Coronation route to representatives of the great London Scottish charitable societies whose unpaid work is of great value to the State?

No specific provision for charitable organisations as such has been made in the allocation of seats; but persons belonging to such organisations are no doubt in many cases eligible for inclusion in other groups.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the representatives of such societies merit rather more consideration than those already announced in the Press as likely to receive consideration?

I have not seen what has been announced in the Press, but when we went into the practical problem of allocation, we found that it was quite impossible to deal with separate societies, and therefore we strove to discover larger organisations and to allot them a larger number of seats on the understanding that they should consider their weaker brethren.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether persons letting seats or space for the purpose of viewing the Coronation procession will be permitted to supply a bond to the Inland Revenue authorities to cover the amount of Entertainments Duty due on same, or whether they will be compelled to stamp all tickets sold for this purpose in the same manner as places of amusement and exhibitions?

As Entertainments Duty is not charged on seats to view the Coronation procession, the question does not arise.

How does the occupation of rooms for this purpose differ from the occupation of rooms for the purpose of seeing football matches?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention to grant an additional sum to Old Age Pensioners during Coronation week; and, in the event of this being granted, what would it cost the Exchequer?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed that the 2s. 6d. Coronation allowance shall be paid to all old age pensioners?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the estimated cost of granting an allowance of 2S. 6d. per adult, and 1s. per child, in commemoration of the Coronation, to recipients of old age, widows', and orphans' pensions, and to those in receipt of public assistance; and whether, in view of the widespread support to this suggestion, he will give favourable consideration to it?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will sympathetically consider the question of granting a special Coronation allowance to the recipients of pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Pensions Act?

The cost of granting an allowance of 2s. 6d. per adult and is, per child to recipients of old age, widows' and orphans' pensions on the occasion of the Coronation would be about £450,000. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) On 19th January last, the Government regret that they cannot see their way to promote the legislation which would be necessary to authorise such grants. The making of a grant to persons in receipt of public assistance is a matter for local authorities.

My question really refers to old age pensioners and I have in my hand a petition from a large number of—

Order!

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every similar body of persons in this country, on Coronation day, is receiving something, except old age pensioners?

The hon. Member is not quite correct. There are many people in the community who would be glad to receive further grants on Coronation Day but a line must be drawn somewhere.

Have not the old age pensioners just as strong a moral claim as the unemployed; and would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not consider treating them in a similar manner?

Arising out of the original answer, would the Financial Secretary not consider the question of charging the full market value for Coronation seats and applying the money to this much more deserving purpose?

In view of the comparative smallness of the sum involved, could we not ask for a reconsideration of this question?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any contracts in connection with the Coronation have been given to foreign firms through their English branches?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is "No, Sir."

Will the hon. and gallant Member convey that answer to the hon. and gallant Member who represents the Forestry Commission, who stated the other day that the bulk of the timber came from English forests?

I will convey the hon. Member's question to the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability, either by an amendment of the Fair Wages Clause of this House or otherwise, of laying down as a condition for all Government contracts that a week's holiday, with pay, shall be granted annually by the contractor?

The whole question of extending the provision of holidays with pay for employed workpeople is to be considered by the Committee which is to be appointed and I cannot make any statement on such matters as that to which the hon. Member refers until the report of the Committee has been received.

Do we understand that it will be within the terms of reference of the Committee to make representations on these lines if they think fit?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the terms of reference.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the advisability of making it possible?

I have looked into the suggestion.

Will the terms of reference cover the case of contracts placed with foreign firms?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage increase in the cost of living between February, 1935, and February, 1936?

According to the statistics compiled by my Department relating to the cost of maintaining unchanged the pre-war standard of living of working-class families, the average level of the cost of living of such families was approximately 42 per cent. above the prewar level at 1st February, 1935, and 47 per cent. above the pre-war level at 1st February, 1936. These figures indicate an increase of approximately 3½ per cent. in the cost of living between the two dates.

In view of the tendency of the cost of living to increase and the effect on an unemployed family, can the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Unemployment Assistance Board?

That, of course, is another matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not the case that the index figure at the moment is 151, and will the matter be considered in the light of more recent figures than those given in reply to the question?

If the hon. Member will put that down I will give an answer, but there has been a great increase in the full time rate of wages.

Has the fact that there has been quite a substantial increase in the cost of living over the period mentioned no bearing on the situation as it affects unemployed families?

The hon. Gentleman must not take me as saying that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the report, to which his attention has been drawn, issued by the Youth Committee of the Industrial Christian Fellowship, concerning conditions under which young people are working in the distributive trades, he will say what steps he proposes to take to bring immediate relief to young persons in these trades from the long hours and low wages revealed therein?

I have not seen the report to which the right hon. Member refers. The question of machinery for regulating conditions of employment in the distributive trades is at present being considered in consultation with representatives of employers and workers in those trades.

asked the Home Secretary whether the full penalties for contravention of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, have ever been imposed; and, if so, on what occasions?

The Act referred to is the Statute regulating vivisection. There has never been occasion to impose the maximum penalty under that Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of drawing the attention of the magisterial benches to the need of being a little more strict in their administration of justice in these matters?

I do not want there to be any confusion between the Act referred to in the question of the hon. Member and what is usually called the law against cruelty to animals, namely, the Protection of Animals Act. That Statute is not referred to in the question on the Paper, but I have several times stated in this House that I hope it will be enforced with proper strictness.

asked the Home Secretary whether he anticipates being able to ratify any of the Conventions of the International Labour Office and the League of Nations as a result of the passage of the Factories Bill now before Parliament?

No, Sir. The Conventions referred to generally deal with other matters besides those which are the subject of factory legislation, and when it is proposed to ratify a Convention requiring fresh statutory provisions, the practice is to introduce special legislation for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House any information about a man that was killed while he was working at a factory in Alice Street, Bermondsey, S.E., on Wednesday, 24th February?

I understand that this accident did not occur in a factory but in the course of some work preliminary to pile driving for the foundations of an intended building. Such work is not at present subject to the Factory Acts. The accident appears to have been due to the dislodgement of a baulk of timber which was being raised in a chain sling. The timber struck the workman who was raising it, causing fatal injuries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of bringing this class of accident under the provisions of the new Factories Bill which is now being considered?

Yes, Sir, I am glad to be able to give an answer to the hon. Member. Under the Factories Bill, as it passed the Second Reading of this House, the preparation for and laying the foundation of an intended building will be brought within the definition of building operations, so as to make applicable the building regulations under the Statute.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the publication by German scientists of an official report on the effectiveness of German poison gas and air raid precautions, he will arrange for some report as to the comparative efficacy of the British methods, and French, to be published by authoritative experts?

I am not aware of an official German report on this subject. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have the particulars in her possession.

If I may, I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy, but may I ask him, with very great respect, whether it is not the duty of his Department to be cognisant of research work that is being done in regard to this matter in all countries?

Yes, Sir, we have very full particulars, but the fact remains that we have not the particulars for which the hon. Lady asks.

asked the Home Secretary how long it would be likely to take to clear the courtyard of an II-storey building, such as Queen Anne's Mansions, of gas in the event of a gas bomb falling therein?

I am advised that, in the absence of information about the size of the bomb, the gas employed, and the weather conditions obtaining at the time, the basis of even the roughest estimate is lacking.

In view of the fact that all the data are lacking with regard to his official air raid precautions, why is the hon. Gentleman still able to maintain that they will be completely effective?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information concerning the measures which have been taken to protect the population of Paris from air raids; whether he will state their main features; and how far the Air Raids Precautions Department has taken them into consideration?

The Air Raids Precautions Department has a considerable amount of information about the precautions which are being adopted in Paris; but I am afraid that I cannot attempt to summarise the information within the compass of an answer to a Parliamentary question. In regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to a question by the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. E. J. Williams).

asked the Home Secretary whether the gas masks now on show at the Royal Horticultural Hall are samples of those which are intended for distribution by the Air Raids Precautions Department in the time of war?

The reply is in the affirmative so far as concerns the exhibit in the Air Raids Precautions stand. I would add that there were, in addition, respirators of foreign manufacture on view elsewhere in the Hall.

asked the Home Secretary what measures have been taken to protect foodstuffs in the event of war?

The question of the protection of foodstuffs from destruction or contamination by air attack is receiving detailed attention by the Departments concerned. I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at the moment.

Have the Government made up their minds where the food will be stored?

Are not the Naval Estimates which we are to discuss to achieve a method for that purpose?

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements, if any, are being made by his Department to send instructors and apparatus to hospitals, in order that hospital staffs may become proficient in the use of gas masks and the necessary steps to take in the event of war?

Sixteen medical instructors have been appointed who are giving instruction in anti-gas precautions to medical practitioners, nurses, and medical students. Up to the end of last month 3,059 doctors, 2,459 nurses and 569 medical students had been trained. Arrangements are made through the British Medical Association, the College of Nursing and the medical schools respectively, and the instruction is often given at a hospital.

In the event of a doctor in charge of a mental hospital who has taken steps to make himself proficient in the use of masks applying for permission to instruct a certain number of his staff, would that permission be given to him?

It would be given in any event.

Is it the intention of the Government to centralise instruction mainly in the Home Office School, such as we witnessed there yesterday?

In regard to medical training, these doctors are stationed in the various key points throughout the country.

asked the Home Secretary how many crematoriums there are in this country; and how many people were cremated in 1937?

The number in England and Wales is 29. I have no information as to the number of persons cremated this year, but the total number of cremations in England and Wales last year was 10,188.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is a tendency for the number of cremations to increase from year to year, and whether it has any relation to the total number of deaths?

I have not the figures actually before me, but my impression is that there is a tendency for them to increase.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any report from the factory inspector in connection with the accident at Sir James Laing and Company's shipyard at Sunderland when four men were injured on Wednesday last?

I have received a preliminary report from which it appears that some deck beams collapsed with the result that two men fell and were seriously injured and two others were injured less seriously. The matter is being further investigated.

Is it not the fact that, in spite of the pertinacity of the hon. Gentleman in asking these questions, the number of accidents in engineering works is decreasing?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether instructions have been issued to officers of the Metropolitan Police to remove unattended barrows from Covent Garden and to require a money payment of the owner of the barrow before it is returned to him; and whether he will inquire further into the matter, seeing that the men concerned are daily seeking some form of employment from as early as four a.m., with the prospects of small earnings as outside porters, and are severely penalised by this action of the police?

Regulations made by the Commissioner of Police under the Metropolitan Police Act, 1839, for Covent Garden Market prohibit barrows standing within the precincts of the market except for the purpose of the immediate delivery of goods. The Regulations, which have been in force since 1923 are directed against the common practice of leaving barrows in a haphazard manner and for indefinite periods, which the Commissioner informs me is one of the principal causes of congestion in the Market. Frequently the person responsible cannot be found and in such cases the barrow is removed to the police station where, on reclaiming it, the owner is charged a fee prescribed in the table of fees duly approved under the Police Act, 1890.

asked the Home Secretary the number of local authorities that are carrying out the provisions of the 1934 Act with respect to sanitation, ventilation, and heating in shops, in the interests of the health and welfare of assistants?

The information for which the hon. Member asks is not available.

Can the Minister do anything to ginger up local authorities to carry out their duties under the Act?

The Department has reports before it which give positive evidence of the actual enforcing of provisions in a large number of districts, but if the hon. Gentleman has a district or a case in mind, perhaps he will let me know of it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that members of the Inter-Aid Committee for children from Germany (the Save the Children Fund) are appealing to the public for money to maintain non-Aryan German children in this country; and what steps are being taken to ensure that such children do not eventually either compete in the British labour market or become a charge on public funds here?

I am informed that as a result of the appeal to which my hon. Friend refers, the Inter-Aid Committee has been able to make arrangements for 92 German children to attend schools in this country where fees are charged. All the children have been granted leave to land on a condition which limits the length of their stay in this country, and in accordance with general practice a warning has been given in each case that the child has been permitted to enter this country solely for the purpose of attending a school, and will be expected to leave on the completion of the educational course.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is very much better for people to live in a democratic country than it is for people to live in a country where there is a dictatorship?

If this society should run out of funds and be unable to provide for these 92 children, will they be sent back to their own country, and will my right hon. Friend assure the House that they will in no circumstances become a public charge?

Proper precautions will be taken about that, but the general feeling of the House would be that as long as proper precautions are taken, it is quite right to do as we are doing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that these children are kept here to learn the methods of our democratic institutions?

There is no method known to me by which I could secure their being elected Members of Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can promise to introduce at an early date legislation designed to abolish the existing practice of night-baking; and whether he can inform the House how his Department is dealing with, or proposes to deal with, this social and industrial problem?

The House has already been informed that I have appointed a Committee, under the Chairmanship of Lord Alness, to inquire into this matter. I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the question of legislation.

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell us when we are likely to get the findings of this Committee?

I cannot say that, but I think I said on the Second Reading of the Bill, and I repeat it now, that I was urging the Committee to report their conclusions as soon as possible, so that in case of need we could take advantage of them before the Factories Bill passed into law.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman give some indication whether we are likely to have to wait three, six or twelve months, or a couple of years, or what time?

I cannot say.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the recent cock-fight held in France in which British birds took part, and in which many were stated to have been killed; and whether, seeing that such participation is not permissible under the animal protection laws of this country, he proposes to take any action?

Cock-fighting is wholly illegal in this country and is punishable as cruelty to animals. English law, of course, has no application in France, but I am causing inquiries to be made, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask, in view of the fact that there are inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture at our ports, and after the clear declaration which was given in this House last Friday about the exportation of animals for butchery, whether he will bear in mind the possible prohibition of the export of birds for similar purposes?

I am having inquiries made, and I do not think I can say any more at the moment.

Is not this the traditional sport of the British aristocracy?

Who are they?

In the old prints showing this sport in ancient times, I have observed a representation of horny-handed sons of toil.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in the by-election in the Tonbridge Division of Kent the Chief Constable of Tunbridge Wells has prohibited any open-air meetings being held in the streets of the borough; and whether he will take any action to ensure that the traditional rights of assembly are not unreasonably interfered with?

No, Sir; I am not aware of this. I am informed by the Chief Constable of Tunbridge Wells that street meetings in connection with the by-election have not been banned, and that the same facilities will be given as in previous elections. The Chief Constable states that he has seen the three election agents and made arrangements with them for meetings to be held in streets or on the Common where no obstruction or danger is likely to be caused; main streets where traffic is heavy, and congested areas being avoided.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I could furnish him with a letter from the Chief Constable forbidding open-air meetings and that the Chief Constable has changed his mind since that time, aid could the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether the Chief Constable is entitled to prejudge the question of obstruction; futher, whether he will send this officer a copy of the law explaining what it really is?

The hon. Gentleman must know that I cannot answer the first part of his supplementary question, because he has never done me the favour of showing me the document to which he refers. If he will show it to me, I shall be very glad to consider the rest of his supplementary question.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the supplementary question—whether he will call the attention of the Chief Constable to his duty, and say whether the matter is one for him to judge?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the publication, at his earliest convenience, of a list of firms, and their location, working the two-shift system under the Employment of Women and Young Persons Act, 1936, showing, respectively, the two-shift orders which have not been used during a period of two years and thereby expired, the orders which have not been operative during a period of one year which may be revoked, and other orders remaining in force; and whether he will consider the publication of such a list at least once a year?

The factory inspectors have been instructed to collect information as regards existing orders during the first six months of this year. When their reports are received, I will consider the points raised by the hon. Member and communicate with him in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a circular issued by his Establishment Department inviting applications for transfer to the Air Ministry admittedly suppressed essential information with the intention of discouraging applications; that there is no prospect of promotion for a large proportion of the members of each of the clerical grades of the Board's staff; and whether he will give instructions that the transfer of any officer willing to transfer to another department shall be facilitated?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education the reasons for the engagement of non-civil servants to occupy secretarial posts in connection with the Government's physical training organisation; whether he was satisfied that no civil servant was competent to discharge the required duties; and will he give an assurance that neither of these officers will be established as a permanent civil servant?

The two members of the secretarial staff who are not civil servants were appointed on account of their special knowledge of the work of voluntary organisations in the field of physical training and recreation. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that it is not the practice for the Government's civil employés to use their honorary military titles; and whether, in order to avoid creating a false impression as to the objects of the physical training scheme, he will impose a similar rule on officials connected therewith?

I am aware that civil servants do not generally make use of such military titles as may have been conferred upon them when they were gazetted out of the Army. There is, however, no rule on the matter, which is one for the discretion of the individuals concerned. In these circumstances, I am unable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Will it not give a completely false impression in the country if the officer uses his military title?

I cannot think there are many people so misguided, though there may be some so malicious, as to think that because the secretary of a body happened to acquire a military title 19 years ago, that body will be of a militarist character.

Is it not a fact that this man will have to act in the capacity of a civil servant, and that using the title will be contrary to all established practice?

For some years, several of the board's inspectors of physical training have retained their military titles. I do not think that the right hon. Gentleman need attach any suspicion to that fact.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many men and women teachers, respectively, left the training colleges and University training departments in 1936; and how many of those men and women, respectively, have up to the present failed to obtain employment as teachers?

The number of men and women teachers respectively who left training colleges and University training departments in 1936, was 2,066 and 4,482. Of these, excluding those who are known not to have attempted to obtain posts or about whom the colleges have no information, 468 men and 396 women were reported as not having obtained employment as teachers by 31st December, 1936. Many of these will by now have obtained posts.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that very many of those 400,000 have not obtained positions, and in view of that, will he give the matter close attention?

We always give this matter close attention, but the figures are better than they were last year. I would point out that whereas all students leave the training colleges at the end of the summer, vacancies occur only at different times during the year, and that therefore we can safely anticipate that by the end of the summer the great majority of these teachers will have obtained appointments.

Would not the position be relieved if the right hon. Gentleman asked education authorities to enforce the retiring age more strictly than now?

That is another point. Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the plans for the new secondary school at Adwickle-Street, Doncaster, have been passed; and when will construction commence?

Plans for this school have been approved by the Board and its construction may be expected to begin shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether definite plans for the conscription of wealth in the event of the outbreak of war have been prepared equally with those for the conscription of man-power?

I cannot add to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member on 24th March last.

Has not the Prime Minister given an undertaking that these forms of conscription, if ever brought in, shall be concurrent, and is it not advisable to have plans prepared for both events?

It is not possible for any Prime Minister to give an undertaking as to what may happen in future.

Is not the Prime Minister aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already announced to the Howe that he cannot hope to get the armaments for the Government unless there is provision allowed for private profits?

Will not the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) follow the example set by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in 1919?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the magnitude of the problems being brought to light by the developments of the Government armaments programme, as well as by the new problems which modern methods of warfare are introducing into strategical and tactical theories, he will appoint a commission or committee to inquire into the advisability of appointing a Minister of Defence and to report in three months?

The answer is in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in spite of the new and urgent Defence problems coming to notice almost daily, his mind is firmly sealed against any such inquiry as is suggested in the question?

No, only my lips are sealed sometimes.

Having regard to the fact that the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence not only carries out his own duties, but acts as a first reserve in case of the illness of any of the Defence Ministers—

Mr. Morgan.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement as to what steps the Government have decided upon relative to the question of home food production in relation to national Defence in the case of any future war emergency; and in what manner the Government are prepared to assist farmers to increase this production?

Every aspect of the question of home food production in relation to Defence is receiving attention, but I am unable to make a statement on the subject at the present time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that everything possible is being done to assist the farmers?

When is it likely that the right hon. Gentleman will be able to make a statement?

Every aspect of the matter is receiving very active consideration, but I am unable to name any date on which I can make a statement.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will take steps to secure that where Government contracts for armaments have been signed these contracts shall be altered so that the Government receives the benefit of the reduced import duties on steel in those cases where steel imported after 3rd March is used in carrying out the contract?

There is no reason to suppose that the reduction on duties on steel imported after 3rd March will cause any reduction in the cost of steel to contractors, and the question raised by the hon. Member therefore does not arise.

Will not the reduction in the duties amount in some way to a present to somebody between the importer and the contractor?

No, Sir. I understand that that is not the case.

Who will get the benefit of the reduced tariff?

In the case of a world shortage in circumstances as they are today, there is no reduction in consequence of the removal of the duty.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly explain to my somewhat simple mind who gets this diference, because obviously there is a reduction for somebody?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether it is intended to transfer to the Manchester area the locomotive building works from Scotswood-on-Tyne in favour of munition manufacture in the last named district; what steps are proposed when munition work is ended to compensate Tyneside for the enforced loss of the locomotive building industry; and has he explored the possibility of retaining both forms of industry upon Tyneside?

I am not aware of any such intended transfer as is referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the rest of the question, I have understood that there was no certainty of continuance of the locomotive work at Scotswood, and it seems to me that the balance of advantage to Tyneside clearly lies with the scheme proposed by the Government, more particularly as it involves a large increase in the openings for labour at Scotswood. As regards the future, I should not be prepared at this moment to make any forecast since the matter must depend on conditions as then existing.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that if these works are transferred to Manchester it will mean a serious loss to engineering on the Tyneside?

There is no proposal to transfer them from Scotswood to Manchester, and I am informed that there is no prospect at present of any repetition of an order for locomotives to be constructed at Scotswood.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a definite statement was made on behalf of the National Government candidate in the Gorton by-election, in order to try to win that election, that this transfer was to take place?

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister for the Coordination of Defence whether he has any statement to make about the Fleet Air Arm?

As a result of my consideration of this question, I have decided with the aid of the Chiefs of Staff Sub- committee and the other responsible authorities concerned, to conduct a systematic investigation of the important factors involved in this matter, including the allied wider considerations. My investigations have already begun..

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether investigations have not been pending on this question for years?

At any rate, as far as I am concerned, they have begun.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, in view of the very heavy expenditure on armaments, when he is likely to come to a conclusion on this important matter?

As soon as possible.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, before the opening of the International Sugar Conference, there will be any consultation between representatives of the British beet-sugar interests, Dominion sugar-producing interests, and Colonial sugar-producing interests, with a view to ensuring that an agreed policy is put forward by the British and Dominion delegations; whether any agreed policy has yet been reached so far as homegrown beet-sugar interests and Colonial sugar-producing interests are concerned; and, if so, what is its nature?