asked the Minister of Labour the number of increases and decreases of benefit which have been made in West Lothian under the new Unemployment Assistance Board's Regulations?

At the latest dates for which figures are available the number of assessments increased above the "standstill" rate was approximately 300, and there was one decrease. These figures relate to the Board's administrative area of Bathgate, which roughly corresponds with West Lothian.

Can the Minister say, from the information available to him now, what the final position is likely to be in respect of increases or decreases?

Not at the moment. That is not the question on the Paper. I am asked for the facts at the latest date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that under the administration of the Unemployment Assistance Board the weekly benefit to single adult male persons in West Lothian has been reduced to 14s. per week; and whether he will cause this amount to be increased, seeing the county scale is 17s.?

I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that the statement in the first part of the question is incorrect. There are in this area single adult males without resources who are receiving allowances of 14s. a week, but they are persons who were previously receiving this amount from the public assistance authorities and have not yet been re-assessed under the Board's Regulations.

Does the Minister wish to indicate that no one in that category has had a—temporary it may be—reduction in benefit?

No, Sir. The question put to me was whether benefit has been reduced, and that is not so. Our assessments of that class of young man have not yet taken place. These are questions arising out of the Second Appointed Day. I would point out, as I did in my answer, that there are adult males who are receiving 14s., and that they are the persons with whom we are dealing now.

Is the Minister not aware that the single man would not get 14s.?

The hon. Member's statement is inaccurate. It is true that in certain areas that would be unusual, but if he took the whole country the hon. Member would find that it was so. There are great variations.

Is it not a fact that thousands of single young men are receiving only 10s. under the assessment committee?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unmarried persons without dependants who have exhausted their standard benefits, and who are given nil determination or reduced, allowances by the Unemployment Assistance Board?

On 22nd February last, about one-third of the 580,823 applicants for unemployment assistance had no dependants. The allowances at present being paid to such applicants are affected not only by the regulations but by previous standstill practice, and I regret that information is not available for the purpose of comparing allowances granted to them with unemployment benefit rates.

Cannot the Minister give an approximate estimate in order that we may know the probable balance available?

The hon. Member knows that I am always very willing to help him. If he will see me perhaps we can discuss the matter, and he may find out what he wants to know.

How is it that the Minister knows about the rises and not about the falls?

We know about both, and we know that there have been many rises and few falls.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount by which the allowances paid to unemployed persons have been reduced in consequence of the operation of the regulations of 1936; and whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living, it is contemplated that the date for effecting reduction in amounts paid to single men shall be indefinitely deferred?

Since the coming into force of the regulations of 1936 there has been an increase in the average weekly payments of assistance to applicants and not a reduction. In November, 1936, the average payment was 23s. 9d., in the week ended 20th March it was 24s. 6d. The latter figure includes cases in which there has been a reduction under the regulations. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 8th April to the hon. Members for Doncaster (Mr. Short) and Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson).

The figures for 1936 do not give a full view of the picture. May I ask whether it is not a fact that in 1936 there has been a decrease in the amount of unemployment allowances and further increases in the cost of living?

I should not say that. I should say that the comparison which I have given is a fair comparison.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed miners registered at the Employment Exchanges in Northumberland in the age groups 55 to 60 and 61 to 65 years?

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

Is not the Minister aware that when a man reaches 65 he is immediately told that he is not qualified for pension. Is it not within the power of the Minister to get information, or is it being withheld?

The hon. Member asks not about men applicants of 65, but about miners. If he wants to know about the whole of the unemployed I would refer him to the January issue of the "Gazette" of this year, where there is a most elaborate analysis that we had made in November in regard to categories of work.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the applicants are placed in categories of work when they sign on, and that it appears the right hon. Gentleman is deliberately withholding this information?

Yes, but it is a difficult thing to analyse all the applicants in terms of age and craft.

asked the Minister of Labour how many limestone quarrymen and lead miners, respectively, are registered as unemployed in South-West Durham?

Limestone quarrying and lead mining are not separately distinguished in the statistics of unemployment among insured persons which are compiled in my Department, the former being included in the stone-quarrying and mining classification and the latter in the lead, tin and copper mining classification. The numbers of insured persons, aged 14–64, recorded as unemployed in South-West Durham on 15th March, 1937, were 293 in stone-quarrying and mining, and five in lead, tin and copper mining.

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners in county Durham are registered at the Employment Exchanges as being unemployed; and how many of such are in the age groups 50 to 54, 55 to 60, and 61 to 65, respectively?

At 15th March, 1937, there were 16,863 insured persons, aged 14–64 years, in the coal mining industry classification, recorded as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in the county of Durham. Statistics giving the number of these persons who were aged 50 years or over are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons receiving standard benefit and Unemployment Assistance Board allowances, with the aggregate amounts, respectively, in the Wales division; and whether he will consider the possibility of increasing the amounts paid in order to compensate for the increasing cost of the necessities of life?

As the reply to the first part of the question includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Members for Doncaster (Mr. Short) and Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 8th April, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered at the West Ham Employment Exchanges at the last convenient date, showing the figures, separately, of men, women, boys and girls; and the number of persons who have found employment for one month or more through these Employment Exchanges during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

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

asked the Minister of Labour what steps Employment Exchanges take to inquire into the domestic circumstances of women to whom they offer seasonal employment at the seaside; and whether any special consideration is taken of cases of single women who have a mother entirely dependent upon them for household duties?

Circumstances of this kind are stated by the applicants themselves, without the necessity for special inquiry by the exchange. They are sympathetically considered, and, if a question of disallowance of benefit arises, the applicant, as the hon. Member knows, has the right of appeal to a court of referees.

Have these circumstances been taken into consideration with a view to comparing the position of these applicants with that of married women with dependants?

The hon. Gentleman will understand that we cannot draw any general line here. Each case, of course, has its own merits or demerits.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now considered the report from the National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment for England and Wales on the provision of meals for juveniles in attendance at junior instruction centres; and what steps he proposes to take to give effect to the recommendations of the committee?

The report referred to by the hon. Member is receiving immediate attention, and a decision will be announced as soon as possible.

Is it not the case that this matter has been before the Minister for the last five weeks, that prior to that it was considered by a committee 12 months ago, and that it was brought to the notice of the Minister as far back as two years ago, but nothing has been done? May I express the hope that the Minister will now give it his immediate attention?

I have already informed the hon. Gentleman that I am doing that, but there is quite a number of other things to which I have to have regard.

When will the right hon. Gentleman announce the decision at which he and the Government have arrived?

As soon as it is reached.

When will that be?

I cannot say.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet received the reports from the National Advisory Council for Scotland on juvenile instruction centres; what recommendations those reports make with regard to the provision of milk and meals for juveniles in attend- ance at these centres; and what steps he proposes to take to give effect to the recommendations?

I have recently received an interim report from the National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment (Scotland) on the provision of meals in junior instruction centres. I expect to have the final report of the council shortly. The two reports will be published as soon as possible after the final report is received. The recommendations of the interim report are receiving immediate attention, and a decision will be announced as soon as possible.

Is it not desirable that there should be some finality in regard to this matter?

I would not like to be drawn into a debate as to what finality means.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the objection submitted to him against his proposal to erect an Employment Exchange adjoining the central branch of the Manchester Royal Infirmary; and whether he still intends to proceed with the said building?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now inform the House of the result of his attention to the position that will be created by the erection of the central Employment Exchange in Manchester?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has reached any decision concerning the erection of an Employment Exchange adjoining the central branch of the Manchester Royal Infirmary; and whether he has observed the very general objection in Manchester to this proposal?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the building of the new Employment Exchange in Manchester adjacent to the central branch of the Manchester Royal Infirmary will cause the closing down of the branch for in-patients; whether he will outline the special reasons for the selection of such a site; and whether, if it is decided to proceed with the scheme, some reasonable part of the cost incurred by the infirmary authorities for removal or alteration of the branch will be paid to them?

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Members for the Exchange Division of Manchester (Mr. Eckersley) and for Eccles (Mr. Cary) on this subject on 8th March. I am now in consultation with the First Commissioner of Works regarding certain proposals recently made to me informally on behalf of the board of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, but, until our inquiries are completed, I am unable to make any statement.

Has the Minister considered the serious objection of the medical profession in Manchester on the ground that this proposed building will very gravely obstruct the work that is being carried on in the central branch of the Royal Infirmary?

I am aware, not only of that objection, but of some others which have been put to me. I am also aware that for 15 years past the great social service of the Employment Exchange in Manchester has been carried on in a building that is utterly unsuitable and not fair to the staff concerned.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any advice as to the public opinion in Manchester with regard to this matter? If not, will he be good enough to do so?

I am well aware of the opinion in Manchester. At the request of the representative of the Infirmary, I saw him privately, and it is for that reason that I am now doing my best to carry out the promise I made to him that I would get consideration for this matter.

That is not quite what I asked. I asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had been in consultation with representative public opinion in Manchester on the matter, and, if not, whether he would be so good as to get into consultation?

Some time ago I saw a very important body on this matter, and heard all the arguments over again.

Would the right hon. Gentleman also consider the alternative of taking into consultation the Office of Works with a view to taking over the site of the Infirmary and suitably compensating the Manchester Royal Infirmary?

I prefer to make no statement about that at the moment.

Can the Minister say whether, if it is possible to proceed with the scheme, some reasonable proportion of the additional cost incurred by the hospital authorities in removing the branch will be repaid to them?

I do not think I can be expected to answer a hypothetical question of that kind.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the report prepared by the medical board of the Manchester Royal Infirmary with reference to the proposed erection of the central Employment Exchange; and what action does he propose to take?

I have received representations from the hospital on this proposal, but I have no powers in the matter, which is one for my right hon. Friends the Minister of Labour and the First Commissioner of Works.

In view of the fact that the Royal Infirmary is a voluntary hospital, will the right hon. Gentleman accept his share of responsibility and cooperate with the Minister of Labour and the First Commissioner of Works with a view of bringing about a satisfactory solution of this question?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has already answered that question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether on receipt of this medical report he made any inquiries in Manchester to see if any medical man agreed with the action of the Minister of Labour?

As a matter of fact, when I was in Manchester recently I saw the site, and the officials.

That is no reply to my question.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that young girls who have been sent to work at textile mills in Sowerby Bridge have been sent to lodge at homes which were wholly unsuitable, where the food was coarse and inadequate; and will he insist that supervisers exercise greater care when selecting accommodation for young women;

(2) how many girls have been recruited through Employment Exchanges to work at Lees Mill, Sowerby Bridge, during this year; whether he is aware that this is a non-union mill; and, if so, does he approve of his officials acting as recruiting agents for non-trade union employers who pay less than the recognised rates of wages?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for a communication which I have just received. I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

While the right hon. Gentleman is making inquiries, will he insist that the supervisors exercise infinitely more care than they appear to have done in the case referred to?

The hon. Member cannot expect me to accept such a generalisation. The work is very difficult and, on the whole, amazingly well done.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the circumstances leading to the death of a four-year-old boy, who was knocked down and killed by a lorry owned by the Silkburn Coal Company, in York Road, Leeds, on 4th December last; whether he is aware that the Leeds stipendiary magistrate, Mr. Horace Marshall, described it as the worst and most callous case he had ever had; and whether, in the light of the disclosures made as to the condition of the lorry and the attitude of the company when defects were reported, criminal proceedings are contemplated?

I would refer to the reply given on behalf of the Minister of Transport to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Leeds (Sir J. Birchall) on 25th February last. I understand that proceedings were taken against the company in question and that fines amounting to £60 were imposed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the magistrate in imposing a fine said that having regard to the notice published by the firm debarring employés from reporting defective vehicles criminal proceedings could be taken? Will he reconsider the question of criminal proceedings against the firm, and not against the driver, for sending out wilfully lorries in an inefficient condition?

My information may not be complete, but it is to the effect that proceedings were taken against the company.

Proceedings were taken under the Road Traffic Act, but here is a case where the coroner himself said that he thought it was a case of manslaughter and that criminal proceedings could be taken. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the compensation paid for the loss of the child by the firm only paid the funeral expenses?

I have no information about the case beyond what I have given, but if the hon. Member will supply me with further information I will look into it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it is true that the firm put up a notice of that kind, and whether he will get the Law Officers of the Crown to consider whether they cannot be prosecuted for conspiracy to defeat the law?

I shall get, I hope, the best legal advice.

asked the Home Secretary the figures of the fatal and non-fatal road accidents which have occurred in the Metropolitan police area for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and the number which occurred during the corresponding calendar period prior to the abolition of the speed limit?

As the answer is in tabular form, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it a fact that the figures show that the accidents were very much less than before the speed limit was imposed?

Perhaps the hon. Member had better look at the figures.

Will the right hon. Gentleman separate those accidents caused by Rolls Royce cars?

asked the Home Secretary whether any change of procedure has been adopted at Oxford prison in booking or checking out and in red-band prisoners since September, 1933; if so, what are the alterations?

Yes, Sir. As stated in reply to a question on 8th April, 1936, it was arranged that as an additional precaution separate records should be kept of the movements of "red-band" men into and out of the Hall.

asked the Home Secretary whether all Civil Service Staff Associations, in common with the Prison Officers' Representative Board, are dealt with by his department under the provisions of the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, and the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act, 1927; and will he consult the Law Officers of the Crown on the position of the Prison Officers' Representative Board regarding recourse to the provisions of the Industrial 'Courts Act on the question of pay?

The provisions of the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, apply to all persons employed in a civil capacity under the Crown as to other classes of employés, but the special provisions of the Civil Service Arbitration Agreements apply only to recognised associations of Civil Servants within the scope of the National Whitley Council. As to the position of the Prison Officers Representative Board in relation to these agreements, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. McEntee) on 12th November last. As regards the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act, 1927, the statutory regulations made under Section 5 of that Act have been applied to all organisations of civil servants covered by the provisions of that Section. With reference to the second part of the question, I see no need to consult the Law Officers of the Crown in regard to the position of the Board.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state approximately the percentage number of prison officers who attended the last duly convened meetings of the Prison Officers' Representative Board at Birmingham, Bristol, Dartmoor, Durham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester (men and women), Parkhurst, and Wakefield prisons, respectively?

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

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Representation of the People Act, 1918, the principal Act, has been amended by amending Acts passed in 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1926, 1928, and by the Local Government Acts of 1929 and 1933; and whether he will consider the advisability of consolidating these enactments into one Statute for the convenience of registration officials, candidates for Parliament, election agents, and the public generally, and as a preliminary to possible amendment of the law as regards the distribution of seats?

I will have my hon. Friend's suggestion noted for consideration at a convenient opportunity.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Consolidated Representation of the People Order S.R. and O. No. 1813 /1918, commonly referred to as R.P. 134, has been considerably amended and altered by subsequent orders, notably R.P. 142 and S.R. and O. 169/1935; and whether, for the convenience of registration officers and election agents in particular and of the public generally, he will have this R.P. Order brought up to date by a further consolidated issue?

I am aware that the Representation of the People Order has been amended on several occasions since 1927, but I am not aware that any inconvenience has been caused by reason of the absence of a Consolidating Order.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to announce if he has set up a committee to consider a suitable compensation scheme for the diseases of bronchitis and asthma arising out of cardroom dust?

Yes, Sir. Their names and terms of reference will be found in the answer which I gave on 24th March to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for the Royton Division of Lancashire (Mr. Sutcliffe).

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the criticism which has recently been directed by judicial authorities at the present methods adopted in police identification parades, he will issue instructions as to how such parades should be carried out, so as to secure that justice is not impeded?

The police already have full instructions as to the methods which should be followed in holding identification parades, and I do not consider that the issue of any further general instructions in this matter is necessary. If my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the comments made at the Sussex Assizes last month in regard to an individual case, I would refer him to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for the Stratford Division (Mr. Groves) on the 7th instant.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the scheme of the Blackpool education committee which involves the giving of religious instruction of a denominational character to children of public elementary schools which are undenominational in character; whether he has received any protests from teachers' organisations regarding this scheme; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

My attention has been drawn to the situation which has arisen at Blackpool. I have received no protests from teachers' organisations on the matter, and I do not think that occasion has arisen for any action on my part.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that no improper coercion is employed upon teachers to compel them to escort these children to the various churches, and has his Department satisfied itself that this scheme does not contravene the law governing the nature of religious instruction to be given at non-sectarian schools?

The matter has not been officially brought to my notice by either side, but certainly I will see that no improper action is taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a meeting has already been arranged between the Blackpool local education authority and the National Union of Teachers with a view to bringing about a friendly solution of this matter?

Yes. I was aware of that, and it seems to me an admirable and a sensible thing to do.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give details of the number of classes in infant schools in England and Wales in which more than 40 children are being taught in one class?

On 31st March, 1936, the latest date for which figures are yet available, there were 13,638 classes in separate infant departments in public elementary schools in England and Wales with more than 40 children on the books.

In view of the large number of children in these classes will the Minister bring some pressure on local authorities to reduce them?

There has been a fairly consistent fall during the last two or three years.

The fall may be consistent but it is very slow. Will the President bring a scheme before the House so that this cannot happen, and that infant classes can be turned into open-air nursery classes? It is absolutely impossible for a woman to deal with 40 children under the age of seven. It is a waste of money.

I will consider it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the recent deputation from the British Film Institute submitted specific proposals to his Department for the development of the use of films as an aid to education; if so, what the proposals were; and what further action he intends to take in the matter?

The discussion which took place two days ago with representatives of the British Film Institute was of an informal nature, and suggestions which were made on both sides for the development of the use of films as an aid to education are being considered by the Board and by the institute.

Will the President see that the films which are accepted are British films, and not films made in foreign countries?