asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men going to the Blaydon Employment Exchange for interview are being kept waiting an unreasonable time; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to preventing such delay?

I have made inquiries and have been unable to find any ground for complaint on this account. If the hon. Member will give me particulars I will make further inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two men who were asked to attend at the Exchange by appointment had to wait for two-and-a-quarter hours on a Friday, and that in another case a man who waited for two hours on Friday, had to go back again on the Saturday?

Perhaps the hon. Member will let me have particulars of these cases. As he knows, I am always willing to look into complaints.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons under the agricultural insurance scheme in Durham county, and the number of such persons unemployed in the weeks beginning 15th and 22nd February and 7th March, respectively?

Estimates of the total numbers insured under the agricultural scheme, compiled on the normal basis, will not be available until after the general exchange of unemployment books which will begin in July next. The only figures so far available for each county are those showing the numbers of agricultural unemployment books issued up to the end of August, 1936, and these figures exclude private gardeners, who were brought into insurance as from 1st February, 1937. The approximate number of persons to whom agricultural unemployment books had been issued up to the end of August, 1936, by local offices of the Ministry of Labour situated in the County of Durham was 7,530. The number of persons insured under the Agricultural Scheme (excluding private gardeners) recorded as unemployed at 22nd February, 1937, at those offices was 609; corresponding figures are not available for 15th February and 7th March.

asked the Minister of Labour whether applications have been made for the granting of permits to foreign cinema technicians to photograph the Coronation in technicolour; and, if so, how many have been granted?

One application has so far been received for a permit in respect of a foreign cinema technician specifically required for a technicolour film of the Coronation, and this is at present under consideration.

In view of the fact that there are over zoo competent British technicians out of work at the moment, can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no foreign technicians will be granted permits to come into this country in order to film the Coronation, finless and until the present heavy number of unemployed men in this trade has been absorbed?

The hon. Member may rest assured that I shall do my duty under the Acts.

Will the right hon. Gentleman protect the interests of British workers in this trade?

The hon. Member knows that that is what the Act lays down.

Can the right hon. Gentleman also assure the House that he will not be too narrow-minded in this matter?

All the circumstances are always taken carefully into account.

Is there not a danger that if this policy is strictly applied by us, our own technicians may not be allowed to go to other countries?

I hope that hon. Members above the Gangway will take note of the consideration suggested by the hon. Baronet.

May we assume that the right hon. Gentleman will take all relevant considerations into account?

Yes, just as the hon. Gentleman did.

asked the Minister of Labour how many permits have been granted to foreign cinema technicians during this year?

Five permits have been granted for foreign cinema technicians during January and February of this year.

Are we to understand that further permits will be granted?

It will depend entirely upon the merits of each case.

How long will these permits last?

If the hon. Member puts down that question I will give him an answer.

asked the Minister of Labour how many domestic service training centres are in existence; their total capacity; and the numbers attending at the present time?

There are seven residential and 3o non-residential domestic training centres administered by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment, the former being situated in areas which afford good opportunities for placing those trained in domestic employment after training, and the latter in areas where unemployment is heavy. The training course normally lasts 13 weeks, or longer for younger girls. The girls are readily placed in approved employment, and are provided with a free outfit. The centres provide a total of 1,284 training places of which 984 were filled on 6th March. There is considerable difficulty in finding sufficient recruits, and this is attributed partly to unwillingness to enter domestic service when opportunities of obtaining industrial employment seem favourable, and partly to ignorance of the opportunities which this scheme offers. I should welcome any assistance in making the scheme better known.

Are there any training centres for mistresses where they can be taught to treat their maids properly?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will give me the advantage of any experience he may have in this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the shortage of domestic servants in Warwickshire; whether he will consider taking more effective steps to promote the migration of suitable persons from areas where many are unemployed; and whether he will consider, in conjunction with the Home Secretary, giving temporarily greater facilities for the employment of suitable alien immigrants?

I have no information to indicate that the difficulty in securing domestic servants is greater in Warwickshire than elsewhere. The Employment Exchanges take active steps to fill the vacancies notified to them. I should, however, point out that the great majority of the women registered as unemployed are ordinarily engaged in industrial occupations or are unsuited by reason of their age, training and other circumstances for domestic service. The opportunities afforded by domestic service are brought to the notice of all unemployed women on the registers who appear suitable, and training is provided through the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment for women who might be suitable but lack the necessary experience. Permits for the employment of foreign women domestics in private households are granted in cases where the conditions of employment are not below accepted standards, and it is clear that, after making all reasonable efforts, the employer cannot get suitable British workers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the normal interval of time between an application for a permit for an alien immigrant to work in this country and the notification of the Ministry's decision?

If the hon. Member will put the question down, I will try to give him a mean answer. [Laughter.] Hon. Members will be aware that there are many meanings in the dictionary of the word "mean." The difference would, of course, depend on the circumstances.

What would the right hon. Gentleman regard as reasonable conditions for female labour before he would allow permits for immigrants?

I could not say in answer to a supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons in the coal mining industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain as at the last convenient date?

At 22nd February, 1937, there were 137,067 insured persons, aged 14–64, in the coal mining industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain.

In view of the large number of unemployed, can the Minister say how the Government propose to deal with the situation?

I may point out to the hon. Member that, on 20th February, 1936, the number was 189,687, while, on 20th February, 1933, it was 299,646.

Can the right hon. Gentleman point to any Government proposal which is calculated to absorb these unemployed?

The general policy of the Government has resulted, as I have already indicated, in a great improvement.

If a miner secures temporary employment in some other occupation is he thereafter still counted as a miner, or is he classified as some other kind of workman?

The classification would depend largely on how long the temporary employment had lasted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reduction to which he refers is scarcely equal to the death-rate, and the rate at which people are removed from the register for other causes?

I should not accept that. There are other factors, but if the hon. Member wants to know how many people are employed in the industry, I can give him the answer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether all hostels for juveniles are open to inspection by the Ministry and subject to a licence from the Ministry?

All hostels used for the accommodation of juveniles transferred to employment away from home under the Ministry of Labour juvenile transference scheme are open to inspection by the Ministry and are periodically inspected. Hostels are not subject to a licence from the Ministry, and the Ministry is not concerned with hostels other than those accommodating juveniles transferred under the transference scheme.

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable discontent about the conditions in some of the hostels?

I certainly am not aware of that, and if the hon. Member has any information to that effect, I shall be glad to have it. There has been very regular and systematic inspection in connection with these hostels and a vast amount of voluntary work has been done. I myself have visited them, and I am surprised to hear that there is discontent with the conditions.

Does the Ministry inspect private houses to which boys are sent and about which I have had some serious complaints; and may I, particularly, ask whether the Minister has investigated complaints from Northamptonshire about boys who are working in the factories there not being allowed at all into their rooms except for about three-quarters of an hour in the evening, and being told that they must stay out until 10 o'clock, which means that they have no home at all when they leave their own homes?

If the hon. Gentleman has information to this effect, surely it is his duty to bring it to the notice of the Ministry, and I hope he will do so. It may be, of course, that the people to whom he is referring have nothing whatever to do with the transference scheme, and are people who have gone from their own homes without our knowledge.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent additional allowances for coal during this winter have been granted to recipients of unemployment assistance in the area covered by the Pontefract office?

The Unemployment Assistance Regulations do not provide specifically for coal allowances but in individual cases where there is special need a suitable adjustment of the assessment is made. In so far as assessments are affected by the "Standstill" the allowances paid take into account the practice of the local authority in administering transitional payments. I am informed, however, that under the practice of the local authority for the Pontefract area it was very exceptional to grant coal allowances.

May I ask whether on and after the second appointed day unemployed men who have received the coal allowance from the public assistance authority will, when they are transferred to the Board, continue to receive it.

If the hon. Member will look at the middle part of my answer, he will find that it answers his question.

Is it not a fact that it was the practice of the West Riding County Council to grant coal allowances during the winter months?

I have answered the question which was addressed to me.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give for each of the years since 1931 the proportion of persons engaged in each industry as shown for the earlier years on page 113 of the Statistical Abstract for the United Kingdom?

The statistics referred to are compiled from information obtained at the censuses of population. The last census was taken in 193r, and corresponding statistics are consequently not available for any later year

Is then anything whatever to indicate the proportions in the later period?

No, Sir, there could not be any authoritative estimate given in this way.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that all firms in South Staffordshire holding Government contracts are paying the standard rates of wages generally, and in particular those for unskilled labourers, to which his attention has already been directed?

If the hon. Member would indicate any case in which there is ground for thinking that fair wages conditions are not being observed, the matter would, of course, be examined by the Department concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour how many branch managers employed by the Ministry of Labour do not get holidays with pay?

Branch managers are engaged on a part-time basis and the terms of their engagement do not include provision for holidays with pay.

What qualifies a man for an annual holiday with pay? Does it depend on length of service?

It is not a question of length of service but of a part-time basis and, as the hon. Member knows, that differs according to the local circumstances, because one branch is not necessarily open for the same number of days per week or per month as another branch. That is one of the problems which will come before the committee of inquiry which is to be set up.

Can the Minister give us any idea of how many part-time branch managers he has who are not established civil servants?

If the hon. Member puts that question down I will give him the answer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many are involved in this arrangement?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now state the names of the members of the committee to inquire into the question of holidays with pay; and when they will commence their duties?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now state the membership of the committee to consider the question of holidays with pay for employed persons and the date of the first sitting?

I hope to be able to make a statement on this matter very shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has anything to report on the dispute which has resulted in the general strike of motor-omnibus drivers in Scotland?

The position is that negotiations on the wages and conditions of employment cannot take place until work has been resumed. It is for the workpeople themselves to decide whether they wish to have their conditions settled and maintained by collective agreement between the union to which they belong and the company, and there is no useful action that I can take. I greatly regret both the inconvenience which is being caused to other workpeople and to the public generally, and the harm done to the whole system of collective agreements by the continuance of this unconstitutional stoppage of work.

Has my right hon. Friend any knowledge when work is likely to be resumed in view of tentative reports that one sees in the Press?

I prefer to add nothing to the answer I have given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the disgracefully low wages that are being paid to these operators?

Does the Minister approve of the attitude of the employers in this case when they refuse to negotiate until work is resumed?

It is not so. The trouble is not between the unions and the company. It is because action has been taken against the advice of the leaders of the unions.

How long have the negotiations for increases of wages been going on, and is the Minister aware that the men were compelled to take strike action?

asked the Minister of Labour whether any instructions have been given to the British delegation to the World Textile Conference at Washington as to their attitude in the event of a 40-hour week in the textile industry being proposed by some other delegation?

The conference at Washington in April is a technical conference, the object of which is to consider all those aspects of the textile industry which directly or indirectly may have a bearing on the improvement of social conditions in the industry. The question of adopting a convention for a 40-hour week for the industry is to be considered at the annual conference of the International Labour Organisation in June. The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the latter question was stated in my speech at the annual conference last year.

Will the Minister and the Government bear in mind what happened at the 48-hour Convention in Washington in 1919, when, in spite of our adherence to it then, we have never operated it; and will the same unsympathetic attitude be taken with regard to the 40-hour week?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the basis and purpose of this conference. It is a technical conference, and is not for the purpose of adopting conventions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to American information we have in our possession, a resolution is being staged on the 4o-hour week, and will the Government's representative be authorised to oppose that resolution or to support it?

I have pointed out that this conference is technical, and is not for the purpose of adopting conventions.

asked the Minister of Labour how many industrial and occupational undertakings in the country have pensions schemes of their own in operation; how many employes are affected by such schemes; and what are the amounts of pensions received and the contributions made by the employes to the scheme or schemes, and the age at which the contributor is entitled to benefit?

asked the Minister of Labour whether any figures are available showing the extent to which provision exists for the superannuation of employed persons; and whether he will state such figures as are in his possession?

I have recently instituted inquiries in order to obtain information on this subject, but I am not yet in a position to furnish the particulars desired.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I put down this question to the Minister of Health and was informed that certain information was available and that if I would put down the question again, that information would be supplied. I have now put it to the right hon. Gentleman who replies that I cannot have the figures.

The hon. Member misunderstands the scope of this inquiry. I sent out schedules to over 3,000 employers. I have received over 2,800 returns, and they are being tabulated. The form is a comprehensive one, and I do not expect to get the tabulating finished before the end of the summer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me some indication when I may put another question down?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost to local authorities of the air raid precautions designed by the Home Office to be carried out by them; whether it is intended that the cost should fall upon the rates; and, if not, what contribution towards the cost it is proposed should be provided out of the Home Office Vote?

asked the Home Secretary what proportion of the expenditure incurred by county councils in the anti-air raid precautions will be borne by the State?

The whole question of the cost of air raid precautions together with that of the financial responsibility for their execution is at present under active examination. In these circumstances my hon. Friend will understand that I am not yet in a position to make a statement in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consult with the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, the Air Ministry, and the Ministry of Transport with a view to considering plans for the building of underground air raid shelters in London and elsewhere, which in times of peace can be used as permanent parking centres, and so encourage the early construction of such conveniences under the Ribbon Development Act, 1935.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Rom-ford (Mr. Parker) on 17th February. I hope to be in a position to make information on the subject available shortly.

Is it the particular suggestion contained in the question which is under review, or are the Government considering the erection of air raid shelters as such?

Both suggestions are under consideration, and in particular that referred to in the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the public concern caused by the action of various magistrates in ordering the birching of young boys for minor offences; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the desirability of abolishing this form of punishment?

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date in which boys under the age of 14 years have been sentenced to be birched and the sentences carried out; also particulars of the police authorities that keep birches soaked and ready to carry out these sentences; and will he consider introducing legislation to abolish child birching?

There were 164 cases of this punishment being ordered in juvenile courts in 1936 and 218 cases in 1935. This is a subject on which many people have strong views on one side or the other and in which the practice of different juvenile courts differs widely. I have, therefore, decided to appoint a small Departmental Committee to consider the whole matter. If, however, the report of such a committee is to be of value, its members must be selected with a view to securing that they approach the subject with an open mind, and I shall not be able to make an announcement of the composition of the committee without full consideration of the appropriate personnel.

Do not put me on that committee, because I have not an open mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the committee to the wisdom of Solomon, who said that if you spare the rod you spoil the child? Was he a muff?

asked the Home Secretary the proportion of juvenile offenders per 100,000 of the population during 1935 and 1936, respectively?

The number of children and young persons found guilty of indictable offences per 100,000 of the estimated population between the ages of 10 and 17 was 440 in 1934, and 535 in 1935. The figures for 1936 are not yet available.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has given consideration to the report of the Departmental Committee on the Hours of Employment of Young Persons in unregulated occupations; and whether he intends to give legislative effect to the Committee's recommendations?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the statement in the report of the Committee on Hours of Employment of Young Persons in unregulated occupations that it is essential that immediate steps should be taken to afford statutory protection to such young persons; whether he will introduce legislation without unnecessary delay; and whether, in particular, he will adopt the recommendation to extend the current Factories Bill so as to include young persons employed in connection with factories, docks and warehouses?

The report of the Committee, which was published only a week ago, is now under careful consideration, but I regret that I am not in a position at present to make any statement.

Can my right hon. Friend answer the last part of my question, referring to the current Factories Bill? Are they making up their minds rapidly on that point?

I agree that it would be useful to get a decision in time for the present Factories Bill, but the report is a most important one, it was published only last week and it must be examined thoroughly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet considered the report of the Departmental Committee on the Hours of Employment of Young Persons in certain unorganised occupations; whether the principal recommendations of the Committee could be implemented by by-laws made by local authorities under Section 19 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, and Section 45 of the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act, 1932; and whether, as these sections cannot become operative until a date appointed by order of the Secretary of State, he now proposes to issue this order?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to Questions 23 and 35. The answer to the second and third parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House any information in connection with a man who was killed at the Kent Cement Works, Stone, near Dartford, Kent; and what was the cause of the accident?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to an accident which occurred at the Kent Cement Works, Greenhithe (not Stone), on 9th March. According to the report of the evidence given at the inquest, this accident was due to the fact that a number of railway wagons had been left on a slight incline when insufficiently braked.

Who was responsible for the defective brakes?

It is not that the brakes were defective, but that they had not been put on sufficiently well.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House any information in connection with a man who was killed at Jackson's Printing Works, Church Street, Salford, Lancashire; and whether he is aware of an added rider made by the jury to their verdict?

I have had before me an account of the proceedings at the inquest in this sad case. The deceased, who was working in a yard on the premises referred to, took hold of an electrically charged broken wire trailing on the ground and the shock killed him.

Did the right hon. Gentleman notice the jury's rider?

indicated assent.

asked the Home Secretary whether any decision has been made as to the limits of the closed areas and the routes and hours for vehicular traffic in London on Coronation Day and on the other days in Coronation week; and whether this decision will be disclosed at an early date in order that vehicle owners and drivers and contractors who are now booking parties to see the Coronation procession or view the street decorations may know what routes and stopping places they will be able to use?

Information as to the general traffic arrangements on Coronation Day, 12th May, has already been given through the Press. Similar announcements as to the operation of motor coaches during the period of the celebrations and as to the closing of streets during the hours of floodlighting will shortly be made by the Commissioner. The necessary arrangements have already been discussed by the Commissioner with the principal coach operators concerned.

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) whether, in the allocation of seats to view the Coronation procession, other organisations representative of retail traders will receive equal treatment with the co-operative societies proportional to the number of their shops and their commercial activities;

(2) why, in the allocation of seats to view the Coronation procession, the co-operative societies have been included in Group 12, organisations representative of labour, and not in Group 9, associations of persons engaged in commerce?

The cooperative movement has been included in Group 12 as being one of the largest organisations of the manual workers in this country. It has been the intention all along that the seats allotted to co-operative societies should be occupied by the ordinary members of the societies; these are very numerous and include a large number of housewives. It will, therefore, be obvious that it would be quite inappropriate to provide for these seats out of the allocation to Group 9, and that it would not be relevant to suggest that the allocation to organisations representative of retail traders should be on a proportional basis. I would like to add that my hon. and gallant Friend can rest assured that the claims of retailers have not been overlooked.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the report that the very large number of 1,700 seats has been allotted to the co-operative societies; and in view of the fact that half the price of those seats is borne by the taxpayers would it not be fairer, in the public interest, to publish the allocation of seats, so that everybody would know what the system is?

The price of these seats is the same to everybody, to my hon. and gallant Friend, to myself and to everybody who is entitled to apply for them. On the matter of publishing the figures, I am afraid that I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to an unstarred question last week.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving a proportionate number of seats to the employes of the big stores of the country?

Will they get proportionately the same number, or are we to understand that some of the cooperative societies are allotted seats because of their political activities?

The answer to the second part of the question is certainly not. The rule not to take such considerations into account was laid down at the very beginning of our work, and I think I can say that it has been honestly and carefully observed wherever possible, although sometimes it was difficult to do so. But I can give an assurance that the Privy Council Committee which has been dealing with the matter has worked hard and done its best to be fair.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that during Coronation week many organisations and societies are having consideration shown to their members by way of increased allowances, he has considered the question of similar allowances being granted to old age pensioners whose only means of support is their pensions allowance?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the irth March to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Newcastle-on-Tyne (Mr. Denville) and other hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether arrangements can be made for schoolchildren to receive milk when they are attending celebrations in connection with Their Majesties' Coronation, having regard to the fact that the children will not assemble in the schools on those days?

Yes, Sit. Where "the necessary arrangements can be made locally for milk which would normally be consumed in the schools to be supplied to children assembled under proper supervision in connection with the Coronation celebrations, such arrangements will be regarded by the Milk Marketing Board and by my Department as coming within the scope of the Milk-in-Schools Scheme. In addition, I understand that the Milk Marketing Board are arranging to supply milk free of charge to some 40,000 London school children who will be assembled on the Embankment to witness the Coronation procession.

Will my right hon. Friend send a copy of this answer to the hon. and learned Member for Argyll (Mr. Macquisten)?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the two prison officers who were dismissed at Oxford, and the editor of the prison officers' magazine, have given an undertaking that if an independent committee of inquiry is appointed to consider the cases the parties concerned will accept beforehand the findings of the committee; and will he now appoint a committee?

This case has already been fully and repeatedly considered, and I am unable to reopen it.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the feeling there is in the prison service about this matter? The request is for an independent inquiry, and cannot he see his way to grant that perfectly reasonable request?

I know that the hon. Member has taken a special interest in this matter, because I gave him a long answer last month. I can only repeat that the matter has been examined most thoroughly from every point of view, and I am afraid that I cannot go further than that.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to certain films portraying scenes of horror now on exhibition in London; whether he is aware that neither the names nor the normal advertisements of such films, by which most people select their entertainment, give any indication of their character; and whether, for the sake of sensitive or nervous people and children who are upset by such films and of healthy people who have a natural repugnance to them, he will represent to the trade that such films should be marked with an H or other indication that they portray scenes of horror?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. If the hon. Member will supply me with further information concerning the films to which he is referring and the cinemas at which they are being shown, I will have inquiries made.

I will send the information to the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Home Secretary the number of approved schools, the number of children and young persons provided for, the number of teachers, and the total expenditure for the year 1930 and for each successive year to date?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with the Hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary the number of remand homes in 1930 and for each successive year to date?

Remand homes established under the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, by local authorities numbered 25, 29 and 31 in 1934, 1935 and 1936 respectively. In addition about 35 private houses and 65 voluntary homes are used for remand purposes by arrangement with the occupiers.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that recently the police called at the place of work of a member of the Printing Machine Managers' Trade Society, and made inquiries as to the man's wages, hours of work, and general character; that the Commissioner of Police has since admitted that the allegations against the man were unfounded; what was the nature of these allegations; and whether he will give instructions that in such cases the police should not prejudice a man's employment by making inquiries at his place of work?

I have received a report from the Commissioner of Police, and am informed that there is no ground for the suggestion that the police made inquiries as to the man's general character or made any allegations against him, or that the Commissioner has since admitted that such allegations were unfounded. The police were at pains not to prejudice the man's position, and the Commissioner has in fact received an assurance from the man's employers that the police inquiries have not in any way prejudiced his employment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why the police officer went to the man's employers instead of to his private address, and say whether such action has his approval?

I think the reason was that what the police wanted to ascertain was where he was employed, and there is no harm in that. I must point out to the hon. Member that I not infrequently get complaints that the police go to people's private houses rather than where they work.

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve of inquiries being made at the place where the man works; or would his Department favour instructions being given to police officers that when they have to make inquiries for any reason whatever they should make them at a man's private address, and not at his place of employment?

I think it really must depend upon circumstances in each case. I have made inquiries, and am quite satisfied that the police were discharging their duty in a perfectly proper manner, and I am sure that no harm has been done.

asked the President of the Board of Education what sums are allowed to the various national museums for travelling expenses; and whether the estimated expenses under this head permit officers of these institutions to maintain adequate contact with provincial and foreign museums?

The sums allotted to travelling expenses in the museums under the control of my Department, namely, the Victoria and Albert and Science Museums, vary slightly from year to year, and are generally of the order of £1,000 per annum. I am satisfied that the sums allotted suffice in normal circumstances to enable museum officers to maintain adequate contact with provincial and foreign museums.

Can the President of the Board of Education say how much of this expenditure is devoted to normal travelling expenses, and how much is available to allow officers to pay visits to provincial and foreign museums?

I could only answer that question if the hon. Member were to put it down.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many free meals were granted in 1936, and how many in January and February, 1937, to pupils attending elementary and secondary schools in County Durham; and how many of such pupils received solid meals and milk meals, respectively?

I regret that I have no information about the number of children receiving free meals in secondary schools, as it is often the practice to give maintenance allowances which may cover, among other expenses, the cost of school dinners. With regard to elementary schools, as the answer contains a table with a number of figures, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has or will obtain from approved societies any information as to the effect of nightwork in factories on the health or physique of young persons either at the time or in subsequent life?

I regret that I have not the information desired by my hon. Friend, and the records of approved societies do not contain the necessary material from which the information could be obtained.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths from influenza which have taken place in Great Britain during the 12 months ended February, 1935, 1936, and 1937, respectively?

The number of deaths assigned to influenza which took place in England and Wales during the 12 months to the end of February, 1935, was 5,354. The corresponding figures for the years ending February, 1936, and February, 1937, are not yet available. Any question relating to deaths in Scotland should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

Is there any reason why these statistics should be 15 months in arrear?

I could give a certain amount of information on this matter to anyone who desires to have it. We give a special weekly return covering 122 great towns. Perhaps that would be sufficient for my hon. Friend and I should be glad to send it to him, and to any other hon. Member who would like to have it.

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) over what period experiments and research have been taking place, with the assistance of the Medical Research Council, towards finding a medium for the prevention and cure of the common cold and influenza; and what the cost has been to date;

(2) what progress has been made by, or under the aegis of the Medical Research Council within the past 12 months towards finding a medium for the prevention and for the cure of the common cold and influenza?

Research on influenza and the common cold has been assisted by the Medical Research Council from time to time. In particular, the investigations into influenza which are now being made by the council's own staff at the National Institute for Medical Research have been in progress since 1933. An account of recent progress is given in the annual report of the Medical Research Council for the year 1935–36, presented to Parliament and published last Tuesday. During the past year there has been further confirmation from different parts of the world that the virus originally isolated at the National Institute for Medical Research in 1933 is the infective agent which causes epidemic influenza, and on this basis attempts to devise preventive measures are being continued. Substantial progress has been achieved by these scientists working in the service of the British Government, and there is considerable ground for hoping that a satisfactory means of producing at least temporary immunity will be evolved. Earlier methods of inoculation against influenza have been unsatisfactory, because they were not based on the accurate knowledge, which is now believed to be available, regarding the nature of the causative agent. The council are not at the moment supporting any direct attack upon the common cold, but the problems are closely related and an advance against the one disease is likely to assist attack on the other. A statement which has been made in the Press to the effect that the council have, as a matter of policy, abandoned work on the common cold is without foundation. It is not possible to state the cost of this investigation separately from that of other work involving the same personnel and equipment.

Is not the surest way to cure the common cold and influenza to reduce the Whisky Duty?

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has collected the necessary information of the approximate cost of introducing legislation to provide a national maternity service covering the services of doctor, midwife, anaesthetic administration and nursing where necessary?

No special investigation has been made recently into this subject, but certain information is available in the report of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance (Cmd. 2596).

Is it the intention of the Department to collect this information?

I have said in my reply that certain information is available in the report of the Royal Commission, and perhaps the hon. Member might like to study it.

asked the Minister of Health the number of women 6o years of age and under 65 who are the wives of pensioned men of 65 years and over, such men now receiving pensions under the National Health Act?

The precise information asked for by the hon. Member is not available, but it is estimated that there are at present 140,000 wives of this class.

In order that a number of these women shall not have to apply for public assistance, will the Minister give consideration to amending the Act so as to improve their lot?

That is another question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the continued rise in the cost of living and the hardship caused thereby to aged persons, widows, and orphans dependent on their pensions, he will take steps to increase the amount of these pensions in proportion to the rise in the cost of living?

I regret that I cannot adopt the hon. Member's suggestion, and in fact I would remind him that the cost of living to-day is appreciably below what it was when the pensions and allowances to which he refers were fixed.

asked the Lord President of the Council which countries will participate in the International Sugar Conference; what proportion of the world's sugar output is produced by those countries which will not be represented; and which of those represented support the production of sugar within their territory by artificial means?

Invitations have been or are to be addressed to 23 countries to participate in the proposed International Sugar Conference. With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I am not able to say how many have at present accepted the invitation. The production of the countries invited amounts to approximately 90 per cent. of total world production. I am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind in using the term "artificial means," but if it includes protective duties, State assistance in some form is received by producers in all these countries, with the exception of the Netherlands East Indies, Peru and San Domingo.

asked the Minister of Health whether, with regard to the proposal of the Ministry to sanction the demolition of old cottages round the millpond at Swanage, he will reconsider the matter with a view to securing the effective reconditioning of the cottages and the preservation of their picturesque amenities?

This matter has not yet come before me for consideration. The position is as follows: Resolutions declaring five areas to be clearance areas in respect of property in the vicinity of the old mill-pond, Swanage, have recently been passed by the urban district council. When the orders have been made and submitted to me by the council for confirmation, any persons interested will have the right to enter objections and to appear or be represented at the public local inquiry which will be held by an inspector of my Department. The hon. Member can be quite sure that my decision on the orders will only be given after full consideration of all the evidence put before me, and that I shall not lose sight of the question of the preservation of amenities.

Although the Minister undoubtedly has strong sensibilities regarding this matter, has he received representations from the people in the locality pressing him to do something to preserve this particular amenity?

Will the Minister tell the House, when this question comes up for approval on the appropriate Vote, what progress has been made?

There has first to be an inquiry. I have then to consider the evidence given at the inquiry and, of course, I do have regard to matters such as those put forward in the hon. Gentleman's question.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had representations from the local people?