asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance allowance, respectively, for each division in Great Britain?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of statutory benefit who are now receiving supplementary allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board?

In the week ended 17th April, 1937, supplementary allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board were paid to 2,338 persons who were in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit, including persons in receipt of agricultural benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the Unemployment Assistance Board are paying allowances during the waiting period to persons entitled to statutory benefit?

I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that, during the week ended 30th April, unemployment allowances were authorised before their unemployment benefit pay day to 871 persons in whose cases no concurrent allowances in supplementation of benefit were subsequently necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the total number of cases disqualified for misconduct and voluntary

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

I am in communication with the Insurance Unemployment Board as to whether the statistical information desired is available. Subject to the right of appeal to the Umpire in any contested claim for benefit the use of the form referred to is an administrative matter within the discretion of the board. The answer to the last part of the second question is in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire further into the procedure before the court of referees, to whether it cannot be made more fair less partial?

The hon. Member will understand that this is a statutory scheme and the board is in charge of it. Perhaps we can examine together the information when it comes.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of acres purchased in Cumberland for land settlement schemes; the amount paid per acre; the number of families placed on full-time holdings; and the total cost of each placing?

The area of land purchased in Cumberland for the settlement of unemployed men on full-time holdings is 2,158 acres. The average price paid for the land is £21 5s. per acre. The number of holdings to be provided is 187 and the number of families placed on holdings to date is 49. In addition, 29 men have been placed on the land in advance of their families. In respect of 133 holdings for which figures are at present available, the estimated cost of setting up each holding is £989. In addition, working capital is provided at the rate of £260 per man, of which £130 is repayable without interest.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask whether he will consider increasing land settlement schemes in West Cumberland as they are undoubtedly doing a lot to provide employment?

That is an expression of opinion which, I am sure, will be welcomed.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount saved to the State by the operation of the household means test since the existing regulations of the Unemployment Assistance Board became operative; what is the amount of money expended in the same period in salaries and expenses of investigating officers and others in the operations of the means test; and whether he will take the necessary steps to abolish the means test, and so save that expense?

As regards the first part see of the question, I would point out that and the effect of the existing Regulations has been to add to the rate of expenditure on unemployment assistance. For a variety of reasons it is not practicable to make any reliable estimate of the additional public expenditure that would be incurred by the complete abolition of the means test. I dealt with this matter very fully in my reply to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) on 16th July last, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As regards the second part, the administrative cost incurred directly by the board between 16th November, 1936, and 31st March, 1937, was approximately £675,000. The answer to the third part is in the negative.

I gather from the reply that since that date there has been an increase and therefore no saving at all in the operation of the means test?

That conclusion ought not to be drawn from the statement I have made.

If that conclusion is not to be drawn how can the amount of allowance be greater than it was before? Is it not apparent that the operation of the means test has meant a decrease in the allowance?

If the hon. Member will refer to the answer to which I have called his attention he will find that other factors are taken into consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the employment offices under his control, in offering domestic employment to women at seaside establishments, have instructions to give particulars, in addition to wages offered, of the hours employees are expected to work, what time off shall be allotted to them, what sleeping accommodation is available; and whether, in the absence of this information, no such situations shall be offered?

Women applicants offered domestic vacancies at seaside establishments are informed of the conditions of employment, including those mentioned by the hon. Member, which are notified to the Employment Exchanges. In many cases information is not received regarding hours of work and time allowed off, which may vary according to circumstances, and I fear it would be impracticable to insist on these particulars being supplied in all cases before the vacancies are brought to the notice of applicants.

Will applications for these particulars be supplied and are employés justified in refusing the employment?

Of course it is of interest to employers in every case to make the information known. The hon. Member knows that there is a great demand and a small supply.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons transferred from Liverpool, Birkenhead and Bootle under schemes of his Department during the year 1936 and the first four months of this year, respectively, showing the number of boys and girls aged 14 to 18 and the number of men and women over 18 in each case?

I am having this information extracted so far as it is available and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has given further consideration to the question of bringing private chauffeurs, grooms and gamekeepers into the scheme of unemployment insurance, and can now make an announcement on the subject?

Yes, Sir. I have asked the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee to consider the general question of including outdoor private domestic servants in unemployment insurance and to advise me in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners were employed and how many were unemployed in the county of Derby in the most recent week for which figures are available?

The number of wage-earners on the colliery books of mines in Derbyshire at 24th April,' 1937, was 44,295. At 19th April, 1937, 3,449 insured persons, aged 14 to 64, in all occupations in the coal mining industry classification, were recorded as unemployed at Employment Exchanges situated in Derbyshire. Separate figures for miners are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many engineering firms in Scotland employ apprentices without wages for the first two years; and whether he will make representations to these firms for the purpose of ending this practice?

I am not in possession of information on the subject to which the hon. Member refers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are a number of youths employed who for the first two years get no wages at all, and that they are doing jobs for which in other industries boys receive pay? If I supply the right hon. Gentleman with information on the subject will he take some steps to stop it?

I shall be glad to receive any information and look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government intend to introduce legislation to bring the salmon laws of Scotland up-to-date, seeing that the other parts of the United Kingdom have had the benefit of modern legislation while Scotland alone has been left out?

The question of legislation is being considered. The legislation required would, however, so far as I have been able to ascertain, be lengthy and complicated, and I am not in a position to make any statement.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the herring legislation also needs to be brought up-to-date?

Arising out of the hon. Gentleman's reply, does he seriously suggest that that is any reason why Scotland should not be dealt with on the same basis as England?

There are a great many objections to legislation being brought in at all.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the injustice caused to Miss Mann, of 1, Dakin Street, Stepney, as the result of her employer failing to put stamps on her health insurance card and subsequently becoming insolvent; and will he take steps to remedy such injustice in this case and other similar cases?

Legal proceedings were instituted against the employer in this case, and the recovery of contributions, which is a matter for the Court, is proceeding as ordered by the Court. Payment of the outstanding arrears has been made on behalf of Miss Mann, and her title to benefit is therefore not affected. With regard to the last part of the question, I may add that employés have a statutory right of recovery from the employer of loss of benefit due to non-payment of contributions.

In a case such as this, is it not a fact that the employer is the agent of the Government in collecting these contributions, and when he defaults it is not the duty of the Government to cover the member for any loss sustained?

I agree with the hon. Member that there is a difficulty, but this matter was examined by the Royal Commission, which considered, for instance, whether there should not be some fund created for the purpose, but they advised against that course. In this particular case, I am glad to say that the member concerned has had her contributions paid and that her right to benefit is not affected. The Court has ordered the employer to pay, and I understand the payment is being made.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to state the terms of reference and the personnel of the tribunal to inquire into the fees paid to panel doctors under the National Health Insurance scheme?

Yes, Sir. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms of reference of the Court of Inquiry appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself. Put quite shortly, the object of the inquiry is to investigate the question whether any, and, if so, what, alteration ought to be made in the amount of the doctor's capitation fee, having regard to any changes since 1924 in the cost of living, the working expenses of practice, the number and nature of the services rendered to insured patients and other relevant factors. I am glad to say that the services of the following gentlemen as members of the court have been secured:

• The Rt. Hon. Lord Amulree, G.B.E., K.C., LL.D. (Chairman).
• Mr. Thomas Howorth, A.C.A.
• Mr. D. H. Robertson, M.A.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate that this report will be issued soon enough to enable the Bill which he has promised to be presented to Parliament and passed into law before the Summer Recess?

I am an optimist, and I hope that that may be so.

Is it not the case that this inquiry has been made necessary by the fact that you could not come to any understanding with the doctors?

I think it is rather to be regarded as a friendly arrangement to have this matter dealt with by independent people. There were discussions upon it between the British Medical Association and myself and it was considered that this would be the best means of dealing with the matter.

Are we to take it for granted that if the committee puts up a recommendation similar to the Government's offer to the doctors, that recommendation will be put into operation?

I think we had better await the report.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in so far as local authorities are not already empowered by existing Statute to provide, out of rates, the moneys necessary to establish a site company in accordance with the provisions of the Special Areas (Amendment) Bill, he will, by legislation or otherwise, take steps to empower local authorities to take such action?

I am advised that legislation would be required to give effect to this proposal. No Government Measure of this kind is at present in contemplation.

asked the Minister of Health whether non-parlour houses with one bedroom now being built are being admitted for Government subsidy?

Yes, Sir; such houses attract subsidy when they are built as replacement houses in respect of slum clearance operations, or, where the circumstances warrant it, when they are provided for the abatement of overcrowding.

In view of the serious shortage of houses, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter, with a view to easing the situation, by giving a subsidy?

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point, but I think he will agree that it is better for the local authorities first to complete their replacement programmes to deal with overcrowding and then to consider the position as it will be when that has been done. There is a big programme still ahead of the local authorities in this important respect.

asked the Minister of Health whether the non-parlour houses with one bedroom are being built to replace houses removed under slum-clearance schemes, or whether they are definite additions to ease the shortage of houses?

Approximately 60 per cent. of the non-parlour dwellings with one bedroom approved in England and Wales since 1930 have been, or are being, erected to rehouse persons displaced from unfit houses. The remainder are to meet general housing needs and the relief of overcrowding.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that, as a result of the proposed area-clearance scheme at Newlyn, Cornwall, many of the present occupier-owners, who are mostly fishermen, will be ruined, as they will be required to pay rent for the accommodation provided and will receive no compensation for their old homes; and what proposals he is prepared to make to deal with this urgent question in the interests of the people affected;

(2) whether he has seen the proposal for the rehousing of the fishermen who will be displaced by the proposed area-clearance scheme at Newlyn, Cornwall; whether he is satisfied that the new accommodation is suitable for fishermen in particular; whether they will contain lofts for fishing gear or other means for the regular drying of fishermen's clothes; and whether the new accommodation to be provided is suitably situated, having regard to the occupation to be followed by the occupiers?

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is considering the effect of the proposed area-clearance scheme at Newlyn, Cornwall, on the fishing industry; and what he proposes to do in order to safeguard the interests of the fishermen it is proposed to displace;

(2) whether he has investigated the particulars of the area-clearance scheme proposed at Newlyn, Cornwall; whether all the houses to be destroyed are occupied by fishermen, who are owner-occupiers; whether they are to receive any compensation; and whether he is satisfied that all the houses should be condemned?

Resolutions declaring eight areas to be clearance areas have been passed by the town council and compulsory purchase orders for the acquisition of the properties in the areas, together with a number of adjoining properties, have been made by the council and submitted to me for confirmation. As objections have been made to the orders, I shall arrange for a public local inquiry to be held in due course by an inspector of my Department, at which any persons interested will have an opportunity of appearing and giving evidence not only in relation to the existing houses but also with regard to alternative accommodation. The inspector will, after the close of the inquiry make a detailed examination of all the properties in the orders. I shall, of course, carefully consider all the evidence placed before me before reaching any decisions.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him whether, in this inquiry, the matter will be considered not only from the point of view of public health, but also from that of the prosperity of the fishing industry?

I am sure that every confidence can be placed in my inspectors who have great experience, and who will take into account all appropriate circumstances.

On a point of Order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, for your guidance on this point? Is the growing practice of using the question hour for the purpose of thanking Ministers, in order?

I should be loath to rule out of order expressions of thanks which are only a form of good manners, but perhaps, in the interest of saving time, it would be better to take those expressions of thanks for granted.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the report of the Voluntary Hospitals Commission and of the increasing contributions by public authorities to voluntary hospitals, he will take steps to require that the finances of voluntary hospitals shall be pooled and that greater co-ordination shall be effected between voluntary and public hospitals?

I have noted with interest that the Voluntary Hospitals Commission, while not recommending the immediate pooling of hospital finances, suggests the creation of regional funds, but I have no powers in this matter, which is one for consideration by the governing bodies of the hospitals. I may assure the hon. Member that I shall continue to encourage co-operation between voluntary and public hospitals, which, I am glad to say, is already increasing steadily.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman, are any steps likely to be taken by his Department in order to ensure that more complete medical service is rendered to the population requiring that service?

I will gladly consider any suggestions of the hon. Member. I dare say he knows that I am from time to time endeavouring to bring about such co-operation which he will agree is so desirable.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the very serious state of hospitals in this country, and does he not think the time has come when State aid should be given to all hospitals?

No, Sir, I do not think that would be a fair assumption.

asked the Minister of Health the annual cost to local authorities for the treatment of cripples and orthopædic cases?

I regret that the desired information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to prevent unnecessary addition to officials in connection with schemes for the Livestock Industry Bill?

I have been asked to reply. The staff which will be required to enable the Livestock Commission to carry out their functions under the Livestock Industry Bill, if and when that Measure becomes law, will be determined by Ministers with the approval of the Treasury. The hon. Member may rest assured that no unnecessary staff will be appointed.

May I thank my hon. Friend for his reply and ask whether it is not a fact that it is an increase in livestock and not of officials that is required?

Will an assurance be given that no members of the staff will lose their positions in consequence of the coming into force of this Measure?

Perhaps the hon. Member will study the procedure under the Bill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to assist all milk producers in this country to produce an increase of homegrown feeding stuffs, since the high prices of foreign feeding stuffs are making milk production uneconomical?

It is a matter for milk producers themselves to decide what proportion of their feeding stuffs they will produce on their farms.

Is this not a case which the National Food Production Act, if it came into being, could deal with and help the country forward with?

This is obviously a matter for the milk producers, and I expect that they know their own business as well as the hon. Member.

While thanking the Minister for his advice to producers, may I ask whether he will not advise the cow which provides the milk to produce it on less foodstuffs?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the repeal of so much of Part 1, Section 11, of the Import Duties Act, 1932, which permits free entry when goods imported into the United Kingdom are consigned direct to a registered shipbuilding yard; and whether his advises show that such assistance to Hull builders is or is not any longer needed to the detriment of marine engineers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the value of the imports of marine internal-combustion engines admitted free of duty into registered shipbuilding yards during the year ended 1936 amounted to over £395,000 as compared with £126,000 in the previous 12 months; and whether he will take steps to protect this industry from this unfair foreign competition?

My attentions has been drawn to the increase in duty free imports to registered shipyards during 1936, but as at present advised my right hon. Friend sees no sufficient reason for proposing the amendment of Section 11 of the Import Duties Act, 1932.

Having regard to the outstanding advance in the shipbuilding industry during the last few years, does not my hon. Friend consider that to-day this exemption, which has so adversely affected the marine engineering trade, is no longer necessary and that it is hardly equitable to all the interests concerned?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government regard themselves free, despite the terms of Article 10 of the trade agreement with Germany, to impose quantitative restrictions on goods imported from Germany?

His Majesty's Government are free to impose restrictions on the importation of goods the produce or manufacture of Germany in the cases specified in Article 10 of the Anglo-German Treaty of Commerce of 1924.

May I take the answer as meaning that the interpretation which I placed on the Treaty in the course of the Debate on the Livestock Industry Bill the other evening was substantially accurate?

That is hardly a question to which an answer can be given at question time. The hon. Member would be going too far to suggest that the interpretation he gave was full or accurate. I might add that no meat is imported from Germany or from any other European country, and no livestock from any foreign country.

I am sorry to press my hon. Friend, but, having regard to the fact that he stated that my interpretation was entirely new and completely misleading, may I ask whether he still adheres to that description?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the intricate questions of policy and international law arising from the insistence of certain ships flying the British flag to pay calls at and trade with the Basque ports, he will examine the identity and ownership of the merchant ships principally involved and subsequently lay this information before Parliament?

Particulars as to the ownership of merchant ships are to be found in the official Register Book at the port of registry of the ship, which is open to inspection by any member of the public, and also in Lloyd's Register of Shipping, to which Supplements are issued fortnightly. In the circumstances, a Return such as that suggested by my hon. Friend would not seem to serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that four British seamen, part of the crew of the steamship "Helmstrath," who joined the ship at Barry docks, are now stranded in Gibraltar; that the captain had them imprisoned in Gibraltar for being absent without leave for two days while the ship was in Valencia; that he then refused to take them back on the ship and that whatever wages were due will be seized for their present maintenance; and will he take steps to secure their return home before they are completely destitute?

I understand that four seamen from this vessel were imprisoned at Gibraltar on 5th April following their conviction at the local police court, on a charge brought by the master under the Merchant Shipping Acts, of wilful absence from the ship without leave. They have now, I am informed, returned to this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what sums have been paid by the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Committee to respective shipping companies with registered offices on Merseyside; and whether the crews of the vessels covered by the subsidy are entirely British, working under conditions laid down by the National Maritime Board?

The names and addresses of all recipients of tramp shipping subsidy in respect of the years 1935 and 1936, together with the amounts of subsidy paid in each case, are shown in the White Papers entitled "Statement of the distribution of tramp shipping subsidy" —Cmd. 5129 and 5420 respectively.

As regards the second part of the question, owners claiming subsidy must satisfy the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Committee that British crews have been employed whenever possible, and that the conditions laid down by the National Maritime Board have been complied with if applicable.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the distress caused by the stoppage of Westleigh collieries; and can he give any further information as to when they will be restarted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I can at present add nothing to the answer given to the hon. Member last Thursday.

If I repeat the question after Whitsuntide, will the Minister try in the meantime to get something definite from this colliery company because we would like to know what the position is?

I would remind the hon. Member that I can only obtain any information on this subject through the courtesy of the company concerned, and they have already stated that they hope to reopen and are in negotiation to that end.

In view of the serious distress caused in the neighbourhood of these collieries, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to repeat his question to the company so that if there is any hope it will be given to the people living there.

Will the hon. Gentleman try in the meantime to get to know something definite? I know his position, but a word from him will get a reply more quickly than a word from anybody else.

I am always trying to do a great number of things, but this is not a matter in which I can myself do anything.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is his intention to take the opportunity in forthcoming coal legislation dealing with coal-mining royalties also to strengthen the procedure dealing with the committees of investigation?