asked the President of the Board of Education, whether, having regard to the high incidence of tuberculosis in Wales, the school medical officers of health in the Principality have made any reports to him as to the large number of school buildings that are unsuitable and should be replaced, and as to the fact that in the rural areas children have to walk long distances to school and during inclement weather have no facilities for drying their clothes, and further that there are also no facilities for securing a substantial midday meal; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with these problems?

While a few school medical officers have called attention to these matters in their reports, the great majority have not done so. I am, however, alive to the importance of improving or replacing unsatisfactory school buildings, and progress is continually being made in this respect. As regards the provision of facilities for drying children's clothes and for providing a midday meal, attention has been called to these matters in the Board's pamphlet on Elementary School Buildings (Educational Pamphlet No. 107) and in Circular 1444, both of which were issued by my Department last year; and I hope that as progress is made with the reorganisation of elementary schools it may be possible to secure a substantial extension of these facilities.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of applications made to him by individual authorities or schools during the previous two years for permission to award free places in secondary schools in excess of the normal maximum; and in how many cases these have been granted?

Since the beginning of the school year 1936–37, there has been no upper limit to the percentage of special places that may be awarded in secondary schools. In the school years 1934–35 and 1935–36, seven local education authorities applied for permission to award special places in excess of 50 per cent. of the total admissions in the previous year, and permission was given in each case.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children who have been absent from school in and around Chesham during the past six weeks; whether there is reason to believe that a contributory cause is the unsatisfactory system of sewage disposal in the area; and, if so, whether he will take steps to deal with the matter?

I have no information on the subject, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total number of houses, as for England and Wales, completed with State assistance from 1919 up to 3rst March, 1937, or the last available date; and the total amount of State subsidy paid in respect thereof?

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

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the resolution passed by the local authorities of Lancashire and Cheshire, who met in Manchester on 28th April, 1937, asking for Exchequer contributions towards solving the housing problem: and whether he will state the decision arrived at?

I am aware of the terms of the resolution referred to and will take them into consideration when reviewing the position as regards future subsidies for both slum clearance and overcrowding purposes. That review, as the hon. Member no doubt knows, falls to be made after 1st October next.

Will the Minister also keep in mind the resolutions that have been passed all over the country by the National Housing Association regarding this very question?

Certainly, if the association send me a copy of the resolution.

You will have a bundle of them very soon.

The Postmaster-General will, no doubt, take note of that observation.

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the abnormally high maternal mortality rate in Wales, and more particularly in the rural areas, he is satisfied with the proposals submitted by the appropriate authorities in the Principality for the provision of midwifery service; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter?

The examination of the proposals submitted by the local supervising authorities in Wales under the Midwives Act, 1936, is not yet complete, but I am advised that in the case of the majority of the authorities their proposals may be considered generally adequate. In some cases further information is being awaited and in others particular points, varying in different areas, are the subject of communication with the local supervising authority concerned. If in any case I am advised that the proposals submitted are inadequate, I shall make the necessary representations to the authority concerned.

Seeing how many of these maternal mortality cases are due to abortion, will the Minister see that there are proper birth control clinics to give advice to women in Wales?

asked the Minister of Health what action his Department proposes to take on the recommendations contained in the report on an investigation into maternal mortality?

I have already taken action on the principal recommendations in this report. On 7th May, I addressed a circular to all the maternity and child welfare authorities in this country setting out the recommendations made for securing a complete and effective maternity service in each area, and requesting those authorities to take such steps as are necessary to extend and improve the services already available in their areas. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the circular. I am in communication with the Medical Research Council on the questions recommended in the report for further research, and, as I informed the House last Monday, I have, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, already appointed a committee to inquire into the prevalence of abortion and to consider what steps can be taken, by more effective enforcement of the law or otherwise, to secure the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity arising from this cause.

asked the Minister of Health, having regard to the high mortality rate from tuberculosis in Wales, what steps he proposes to take to deal with the problem; in particular, what progress is being made with proposals for rural re-housing; and whether these plans can be expedited in view of the gravity of the problem?

Although the rate of mortality from tuberculosis in Wales is higher than in England and Wales as a whole, I may remind the hon. Member that there has been a substantial decline in the rates in Wales as well as in the rest of the country, this decline amounting to 38 per cent. on the figures for 1935 as compared with 191o. In Wales, the arrangements for the treatment of tuberculosis are made by the Welsh National Memorial Association on behalf of the Welsh county and county borough councils, and a survey of the services provided by the association is at present being undertaken by one of the medical officers of the Welsh Board of Health. I am awaiting the results of this survey before considering what further measures are required. As regards the second part of the question, the position is that 4,300 houses are included in the slum clearance programmes of the Welsh rural authorities and that 1,339 replacement houses have been approved, of which over 700 have been completed. A further 386 houses have been approved for the abatement of overcrowding and for general needs. My Department is continually watching the progress of the clearance programme with a view to expediting it where possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the large number of barges used for the conveyance of refuse down the River Thames which do not effectively prevent the refuse from being exposed to view and blown into the water; and whether he will draw the attention of the local authorities concerned to the advantages of using barges provided with wooden hatch-covers?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will set up a committee of inquiry, consisting of an equal number of medical men and laymen, to inquire into the efficacy and genuineness of the Duke-Fingard inhalation treatment for diseases of the respiratory organs, such as chronic catarrh, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, asthma, and tuberculosis; and will he take steps to have this treatment made available for panel patients under the Health Insurance Acts who are suffering from chest complaints?

No, Sir. I am not aware of any sufficient reason for instituting a special inquiry into this treatment. As regards the second part of the question, an insurance practitioner is free to give such treatment as in his judgment is appropriate for his patients.

Will the Minister put this treatment on the list of medicaments which may be used by the medical profession for the diseases mentioned in the question?

The hon. Member had better give me notice of that question.

Is the Minister aware that personal friends of mine and numbers of my constituents who had been given up as incurable have been cured by this treatment?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to state what steps he intends to take in respect of the report of the chief inspector of alkali works dealing with smoke abatement; and can he say that burning pit-heaps will be included when he deals with the smoke nuisance?

The report does not appear to call for any special action in this respect. It indicates that the chief inspector and his staff are active in these matters, and that, in so far as burning pit-heaps are concerned, much improvement has already resulted from action taken by them.

Shall we be able to discuss this report on the Estimates?

That will be a matter to be decided by whoever presides over the Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now decided to take further steps to protect the public against watered milk, in view of the failures, in recent prosecutions in cases of proved watering, to obtain convictions before the magistrates?

I have considered this matter again in the light of the recent prosecutions to which the hon. Member drew my attention. I understand that there was conflicting evidence in these cases, and that the magistrates in their discretion decided not to convict. In these circumstances, I do not. as at present advised, propose introduce any fresh legislation on this subject.

In view of the fact that very large quantities of milk are being sold heavily watered and that convictions cannot be obtained under the present law, will the Minister take steps to deal with the situation?

I have looked into the cases which the hon. Gentleman was good enough to send me, arid apparently there was conflicting evidence, and the magistrates took a certain view. In the circumstances, it is not easy to see exactly what could be done

asked the Minister of Health what steps the Government propose to take in implementing the findings of the Royal Commission upon Tyneside Local Government prior to the introduction of legislation affecting the same, in view of the widely divergent resolutions passed by the leading local authorities concerned upon the majority and minority reports and also upon variations of the same?

I can only say that the large issues raised by this report are receiving the careful consideration which they clearly require.

Will the Minister take note that there will be strong opposition in the county of Durham to the implementing of all the recommendations of this report?

Before anything is done, will the Minister consult all the Members of Parliament for the district, so that their views may be considered?

I will certainly do that, and, I may say, I have communicated with all the local authorities in the area so that I may have their observations.

Does that include Durham County Council?

Yes, Sir.

Does the Minister's reply mean that the Government are considering early legislation on the matter?

That was not my reply. have said that I am communicating with all the people who are affected, in order to get their views, and when I have their statements I will give consideration to the report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared, if necessary, to interview representatives of the authorities concerned?

I will await their statements, which they will no doubt be sending me. Of course, if necessary, I shall always be glad to see representatives of local authorities on matters of this kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as every paper pound is now covered by 22s. worth of gold, and in order to avoid moving gold-holdings between the Exchange Equalisation Fund and the currency issue, and also to absorb gold in excess of reserve requirements, he will coin golden token half-sovereigns as substitutes for paper ins. notes and as a supplement to 10 silver token shillings, and thus sterilize inflation of commodity prices induced by over-production of gold and suggest a similar correction in relation to the United States of America paper dollar?

I have considered my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose at the present time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable amount of surplus gold, and is he content to allow present conditions to drift?

I think the suggestion which my hon. Friend makes would not help, because, seeing that the notes are covered to the extent of 100 per cent., it does not make any difference whether the central authority issues notes and holds gold against them or cancels the notes and issues the gold.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it advisable to wind up the Equalisation Fund in the near future?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing with regard to the office accommodation provided for the officials responsible for the administration of the Income Tax, especially in respect of the lack of privacy accorded to taxpayers who are called upon to visit these offices and to discuss their personal affairs with the officials; and whether he proposes to take steps to cause more suitable accommodation to be provided?

Every endeavour is made to secure satisfactory accommodation for tax offices, and, during the last seven years, 373 offices, more than half the total number, have been rehoused, while the accommodation in many others has been improved. In addition, it is anticipated that 44 more offices will be rehoused during the present year. The provision of proper facilities for the discussion of the taxpayer's affairs in privacy is one of the factors considered in planning accommodation, and is at present being reviewed. I am aware that proposals for further improvements have been received from the staff associations concerned, and these are under consideration.

Would it not be possible, in the meanwhile, for one or two private rooms to be available at Income Tax offices where these personal conversations could take place?

We are trying to get that provided.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to state the names of the members of the Royal Commission on Location of Industry and the terms submitted to the Commission?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to state when the Royal Commission will be set up to inquire into the location and extension of industry, with a view to securing a more even distribution of production; and whether he can now give the terms of reference and the names of the persons who will be appointed to serve on such Commission?

I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the average aggregate annual cost over 20 years of providing increased pensions of £1 a week to all insured persons and to the aged over 70 benefiting under the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1909 to 1924, with 35s. a week for married couples; the average annual cost of providing pensions of £1 a week to all persons within the scope of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory, Pensions Acts, 1925 to 1936; to widows of 55 years of age and over; and to widows of 65 years of age and over. respectively?

I am not clear what classification of costs the hon. Member desires as regards pensioners under 70. On 4th May I informed the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. G. Griffiths) that the additional cost of increasing pensions at 65 to all old age and contributory pensioners (including widows) to £1 a week (35s. for a married couple) would be about £75,000,000 a year at the present time, rising to about £95,000,000 a year in 20 years time. Of the figure of £75,000,000, about £42,500,000 is in respect of pensioners of 70 and over and about £32,500,000 in respect of pensioners between 65 and 70. Perhaps the hon. Member will consider whether these figures are sufficient for his purpose, and, if they are not, no doubt he will communicate with me.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the increasing prosperity of the nation, the Government will consider granting the old age pension to wives over the age of 55 years at the date their husbands qualify for pensions under the National Health Insurance Act?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how soon the Government will alter the present Act relating to contributory old age pensions, giving to the wife, irrespective of her age, the pension at the same time as her husband?

As the hon. Members are aware. similar proposals have been made from time to time, but it has not been found possible to accept them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government have given any consideration to the question of granting pensions of 10s. per week to spinsters on attaining the age of 55 years under similar conditions to those which apply to the granting of the old age pension at the age of 70 years; and what is the estimate of the cost of this proposal?

As regards the first part of the question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 18th February last to the hon. Member for Central Bradford (Mr. Leach). The cost of granting a pension of 10s. a week to all unmarried women at 55 would be about £13,000,000 at the present time, as regards the period up to the attainment of the age of 70, plus the further cost (which I am unable to estimate) of old age pensions at 70 to single women who are not at present entitled to them. This figure would rise steadily in future. I am unable to estimate by how much this cost would be reduced by the application of a means test, as the necessary data are not available.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to give the decision of the Government on the question of Members' salaries?

In accordance with the undertaking which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on 7th April, I have made careful inquiries into the question whether the salaries of Members of Parliament should be increased. The existing figure of £400 was fixed in 1911. It is, I think, obvious that, if £400 was adequate in the circumstances then existing, it cannot be so regarded in the very different conditions which prevail to-day. After careful consideration the Government have decided to propose to the House of Commons that the figure should be increased to £600. The necessary steps will be taken at an early date.

May I be permitted to express my thanks to my right hon. Friend for the decision that has been arrived at?

Will the proposal be framed in such a way as to enable the House, if it wishes, to use a fraction of the sum to create a scheme for a pension fund for Members of Parliament?

I am not in a position to-day to add anything to the answer I have given, but perhaps, if a question were put down at an early date, it would receive attention.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate when this proposal is likely to come into operation? Will it be at an early date?

It might save time ii I repeat that I am unable to add anything to-day to my answer.

Will this proposal require fresh legislation; and, if so, or in any case, will my right hon. Friend consider the propriety, in view of the division of opinion in the House on this matter, of leaving it to a free vote of the House?

I am not certain that it would be an act of propriety on my part to consider anything that this House might do next week.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed to resume the printing of the statutory annual report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Record Office, the issue of which has been discontinued since 192o; and whether copies of the annual report are now available for consultation except in the Library of the Houses of Parliament?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Besides the Libraries of the Houses of Parliament, the re-ports can be consulted at the Public Record Office, the British Museum, the Central Library, Manchester, and the National Library of Wales.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the reason for the delay in issuing in bulk the new 3d. pieces; and when more of the coins are to be issued?

Over 8,000,000 of these pieces have already been issued to the banks. Production of further quantities is proceeding at an average rate of some 800,000 pieces a week, but regard must always be had to the demands for the other denominations.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is an acute shortage of these coins in England; and will he consult his fellow-countrymen as to where they all are?

Are they hidden away in the banks?

They are not in the banks, but I understand that they are treasured by individuals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action is being taken by the Commissioners for Crown Lands to preserve from destruction Munster Square, Regent's Park, designed by Nash and under their guardianship?

The plans for re-development in the area east of Regent's Park between Cumberland Market and Longford Street —which includes Munster Square—will be settled in consultation with the Town Planning Department of the London County Council and the Crown Lands Advisory Committee, and will ultimately be exhibited in the House for inspection before building is commenced. I understand that the tenement houses referred to were designed by a private leaseholder, and not by John Nash, and are dilapidated and in many respects out of date as houses to be lived in. The question whether these or other buildings on the estate ought to be preserved on architectural grounds will, however, receive the fullest consideration before the plans for development are finally settled. For fuller information on the general proposals for the development of this area, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 26th January last to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Croom-Johnson).

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made during recent years in the commercial production of oysters in tanks on the coasts 'of Great Britain; and whether research has yet reached a point where this industry can be expanded on a large scale?

There has been no production of oysters in tanks on a commercial scale up to the present in Great Britain. Experiments have, however, been undertaken in oyster-breeding in tanks since 1919, and for some years systematic and co-ordinated research in the matter has been in progress. A stage has now been reached in the evolution of a tank-breeding process when it is thought that commercial success in this method of production may be anticipated with some confidence.