Written Answers
Government Departments
Civil Service (Superannuation Acts)
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether and, if so, when the Government propose to institute legislation to consolidate the Superannuation Acts as recommended by the Royal Commission on the Civil Service as long ago as 1931 (Cmd. 3909, paragraph 625)?
In view of the other consolidating legislation which is more urgently required, I am afraid that I cannot at present indicate when legis- lation to consolidate the Superannuation Acts can be undertaken.
Tax Offices (Public Accommodation)
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the complaints that tax offices in general should offer greater facilities for confidential talks between officials and the public and should generally be more suitable for their purpose; and whether lie will make inquiries to see what improvements can be effected along these lines?
The necessity for providing proper facilities for confidential talks between officials and members of the public in tax offices is fully recognised and the question is at present being reviewed.
Employment Exchanges, Scotland
asked the Minister of Labour whether there is a shortage of clerks ("S" Class Grade) in Scottish employment exchanges; and, if so, what steps are being taken to overcome the shortage?
There is no shortage of "S" Class clerks for employment in employment exchanges in Scotland. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
Claims And Records Office, Kew
asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of entrants from open competitions appointed to the clerical class of the Claims and Records Office, Kew, from the 1st April, 1936, to 31st March, 1937; the number of S-class clerks promoted to the general clerical class during the same period in the Claims and Records Office, Kew; and the number of other persons promoted to the general clerical class during the same period in the same Department?
In the period 1st April, 1936, to 31st March, 1937, 64 entrants to the clerical officer grade from open competitions were appointed to the Claims and Records Office, Kew. In the same period 21 S-class clerks and 43 other persons in this office were promoted to the clerical officer grade.
Unemployment Assistance Board
asked the Minister of Labour whether, in order to avoid anomalies in staff administration between the Employment Exchange service and the Unemployment Assistance Board service, he is prepared to advise the authorities at the Unemployment Assistance Board to bring their arrangements as regards staff meetings into line with those obtaining in the Exchange service or to modify the arrangements in the Ministry by bringing them into accord with those in the Unemployment Assistance Board?
The practice in relation to meetings of the staff of the Unemployment Assistance Board is within the discretion of the Board. The arrangements as regards staff meetings in my Department have been operative for a number of years and I see no reason for altering them.
Unemployment
Registered Unemployed, Scotland
asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total increase or decrease of registered unemployed in Scotland for the years ended March, 1931, and March, 1937, respectively?
Between 24th March, 1930, and 23rd March, 1931, the total number of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Scotland increased by 130,057 (from 218,251 to 348,308). Between 23rd March, 1936, and 15th March, 1937, there was a decrease of 31,036 (from 300,387 to 269,351).
Transference (After-Care)
asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements are made for aftercare in cases which do not come under the transference scheme of the Ministry of Labour, but are dealt with by other agencies or find places for themselves?
This does not fall within the scope of my Department. As the hon. Member no doubt knows, there are a number of voluntary agencies which interest themselves in such cases and do valuable work.
Scotland
Special Areas Amendment Act
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of recent representations, any steps are being taken to have Glasgow scheduled as a special area?
No, Sir. It was made clear during the recent passage of the Special Areas Amendment Act that it was not intended to alter the boundaries of any of the areas as defined in the Act of 1934.
Deaf And Dumb Population
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give the numbers of mute adults and juveniles in Scotland; and how many of these are at present in employment?
The only available information with regard to mutes in Scotland is that at July, 1936, there were 704 deaf-mute children attending special schools or classes for the deaf and dumb. It is estimated that there are some 4,000 to 5,000 deaf persons over school age, but no figures are available as to the number of these who are also dumb. No information is available with regard to the number of mute persons at present in employment.
Marine Oil Engines (Imports)
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the rise in the imports of marine oil engines, which for the years 1934, 1935 and 1936 amounted in value to £151,754, £176,534 and £420,806, respectively; whether recent consideration has been given to the position of the shipbuilding industry and its need for the continuance of the exemption of marine oil engines from import duties; and if he has any statement to make on the advisability of withdrawing such exemption in relation to the effect of such withdrawal in promoting the manufacture of marine oil engines in Greenock and elsewhere in the United Kingdom?
I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which was given on 6th May to the hon. Members for Hallam (Mr. L. Smith) and Lincoln (Mr. Liddall).
Prison Administration (Borstal Detention)
asked the Home Secretary whether, and, if so, when, the Government will promote a Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to Borstal detention, as recommended by the Commissioners of Prisons in their report for 1935?
This matter has been noted for special consideration when opportunity offers, but in view of the state of, the Government's legislative programme, I regret that I cannot say when it may be possible to introduce a Bill.
Summary Jurisdiction Courts
asked the Home Secretary whether, and, if so, when, the Government will institute a public inquiry into certain aspects of the work of courts of summary jurisdiction, with a view to considering what amendments are desirable for facilitating consolidation of the existing law upon lines which will promote simplicity and uniformity?
A committee is at present engaged in considering certain aspects of the work of courts of summary jurisdiction in London, and when it has completed its work the question of undertaking some further inquiry will be considered.
asked the Home Secretary whether he will in the near future issue a consolidated collection of Home Office circulars to justices, many of which are out of print and none easy of reference in the absence of an indexed compilation?
I recognise that it would be useful if the collections of Home Office circulars which were issued in 1913 and 1925 could be revised and brought up to date. Pressure of other work, however, has hitherto made it impossible to undertake the considerable labour which would be involved.
Persistent Offenders
asked the Home Secretary whether and, if so, when it is proposed to give legislative effect to the recommendations of the Persistent Offenders' Committee, made seven years ago, to enable courts to pass sentences of detention other than imprisonment on persons requiring medical treatment who are not certifiably insane or mentally defective?
I regret that I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply which was given on my behalf to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for the St. Marylebone Division (Captain Cunningham-Reid) on 11th February last.
Housing (Overcrowding)
asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to issue any official publication, with typical plans of large houses containing four and five bedrooms, for the assistance of local authorities who will be required to provide suitable alternative accommodation as defined by Section 63 of the Housing Act, 1936, for large families at present living under overcrowded conditions?
Typical plans of the kind referred to by the hon. Member have been prepared by my Department. A large number of authorities have already utilised them, and they are of course available to all local authorities.