asked the Minister of Labour the average weekly wage in terms of British currency paid, as at the latest convenient date this year, to male hosiery and artificial-silk workers, respectively, in Japan; the amount of maintenance and other deductions therefrom; and the comparable wages in this country at a similar date?

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

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the great disparity between these figures, the facts which he is going to circulate will be brought to the notice of the Import Duties Advisory Committees?

The hon. and learned Member had better wait and see the statement. I have given all the information I can.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give similar figures in respect of Indian workers?

If a question is addressed to me, I will try to get the information.

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate upswing of wages for the year ended 31st May, 1937?

In those industries for which statistics are regularly compiled, the changes in rates of wages reported to my Department during the year ending 31st May, 1937, are estimated to have resulted in a net increase of nearly £600,000 a week in the full-time weekly rates of wages of about 4,250,000 work-people, and in a net decrease of about £1,200 a week in the weekly full-time rates of wages of about 25,000 work-people. These statistics are exclusive of changes in the rates of wages of agricultural labourers, domestic servants, shop assistants, clerks and Government employés, and they relate in the main to changes collectively arranged between organised groups of employers and work-people. It is estimated that in the industries for which information is available, the average level of full-time weekly rates of wages rose by nearly 3½ per cent. during this period.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these figures constitute a record upswing of wages for the whole time the figures have been kept by the Department under any Government?

I should like to verify that.

In view of the fact that wages have increased by only 3½ per cent., and the cost of living has increased by over 10 per cent., will it not take a long time to make up the leeway?

I would point out to the hon. Member that 10 per cent. is an incorrect figure.

Is not that good work for trade unions?

It is certainly very good work for the employers and trade unions, and for the Government, which made the atmosphere possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to take any action towards ratifying the convention adopted by the International Labour Office applying the principle of a 40-hour week to the textile industry; and what textile industry there is in the countries whose delegates supported the proposal?

In accordance with the obligation placed upon members of the International Labour Organisation under Article 405 of the Treaty of Versailles, the Government will consider the question of the action to be taken in respect of the Draft Convention, and the usual procedure will be followed of laying before Parliament a White Paper stating the action which it is proposed to take. With regard to the second part of the question, I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement of the final vote on the Draft Convention in which a list of the countries whose delegates supported the proposal is given. Having regard to the number of industries covered by the Draft Convention, I am afraid that it is difficult within the limits of this answer to include a statement of the extent of textile manufacture in these countries.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the employers' representatives voted against this Convention because they were afraid of competition from low-paid countries?

It is not for me to draw any conclusion as to the vote that the representatives gave. They gave their own reasons before the conference, and the hon. Member will be able to read it in the report when it is available.

Did not the British Government give it as one of their reasons that they were afraid of competition from the low-paid countries?

The hon. Member knows quite well that that is a reflection that no British Government representative has made.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the fact that the European country which has introduced the 40-hour week is in a mess?

Did not three Governments of the Commonwealth nations vote for the Convention?

If the hon. Member will read the list he will see.

Is not that so?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that branch managers of employment exchanges have no holidays with pay and are required, if they take a holiday, to provide a deputy in their absence or to pay 10s. a day for the loan of an officer from the Ministry of Labour; and whether, with a view to Government employment being an example to private employers, he will direct that branch managers shall in future have appropriate leave with pay?

Branch managers are not salaried employès in the ordinary sense. Their payment covers the provision of premises and any clerical assistance necessary for the branch office. This payment is not affected by the absence of the manager for particular periods, except to the extent that the deduction mentioned in the question is made if clerical assistance has to be provided during his absence. The association representing the branch managers gave evidence recently before the Holidays with Pay Committee, and I propose to await the report of that committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at a recent inquest on a man who was killed whilst testing a switchboard it was revealed that, there were only five electrical factory inspectors for the whole country; and whether it is proposed to augment this number?

No, Sir. There are nine electrical inspectors working under His Majesty's Senior Electrical Inspector of Factories, and the inspection of electrical apparatus in factories also forms part of the duties of the general staff of factory inspectors. The strength of the inspectorate will be reviewed in the light of the provisions of the Factories Bill as finally settled.

In view of the evidence given at the inquest, and in view of the great demands there are for inspection in this respect, will the right hon. Gentleman consider having a much greater in- crease in the staff even than is proposed in the Factories Bill?

The hon. Member will recollect that I stated specifically that we contemplate a substantial increase in the inspectorate.

I understand the answer to relate to the general run of factory inspectors, but I am asking for a greater increase in those engaged in inspecting electrical apparatus.

What I said covered an increase in the whole inspectorate.

asked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions for offences in connection with public meetings or demonstrations have taken place in the Metropolitan area during the past 12 months?

The total number of prosecutions for offences in connection with public meetings or demonstrations in the Metropolitan area during the past 12 months is 320.

Can the right hon. Gentleman get information regarding the number of sentences?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to make, a statement with regard to the alleged communication by the Manchester police of private information with regard to individuals to the Economic League?

I am informed that the Manchester Watch Committee, at a meeting held on 24th June, considered the allegations made against certain officers of the Manchester police force of communicating confidential information to the Economic League and unanimously adopted a resolution in the following terms:

"That the Watch Committee is satisfied that the police files are kept strictly secret, that such files have not been placed at the disposal of the Economic League or any other organisation or person, and that the Com- mittee does not consider that any action on its part is necessary."

I am further informed that the Chief Constable, who has, of course, gone into the matter very carefully himself, is satisfied that at no time have there been any improper transactions between his officers and the league and that no official information from the police records has ever been disclosed to the league.

Are we to take it that the relative of the Cabinet Minister is as unreliable as his relative?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the presiding magistrate at the, Guildhall Justice Room, on 20th March, 1895, fined two street traders in public securities a total of £15 for obstructing Throgmorton Street; whether any change in this connection has been made in the instructions issued to the police since that date, and on what grounds are street traders in public securities now permitted to obstruct Throgmorton Street for the purpose of vending their wares; and will he give a list of public highways in the Metropolis which may be used for street trading without hindrance by the police?

I am informed that the fines referred to in the first part of the question were in respect of charges of assaulting the police and obstructing the police respectively. As regards the second part of the question, I have no responsibility, but I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power) on 5th May. As regards the last part of the question, local authorities in the Metropolitan Police district have certain powers of prescribing streets for the purposes of street trading, but I am not in possession of detailed information as to their exercise of these powers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman request the Stock Exchange Committee, if this form of trading is necessary, to organise it with proper facilities indoors?

I understand that the use of Throgmorton Street is not causing impediment in the way of traffic, and I see no reason to interfere.

What about the busy hours?

asked the Home Secretary his Department's policy on the principle of equal rights for men and women; and whether he proposes introducing legislation to give effect to the same?

The provisions of the Sex Disqualification Removal Act generally represent the Government's position on this question, and no proposals for the amendment of that Act or for any similar legislation are under consideration.

Are we to understand that the Government are not in favour of the principle of equal rights for women?

No, Sir. I have stated that our attitude is well represented by the Sex Disqualification Removal Act, and I see no reason for further legislation.

asked the Home Secretary on what grounds police-sergeant H 6 stopped a Communist meeting which was being held at West India Docks, at 12.30 noon on Thursday, 24th June, when a rival meeting started up five minutes later; whether he is aware that a promise was given that, in the matter of rival meetings, the police should follow the principle of first come first served; and whether, seeing that a large number of witnesses at this meeting testified that the Communist meeting had been in progress for some time when the Economic League speaker started the second meeting, he will give instructions to the police that the aforesaid ruling is to be enforced?

I have received a police report on this incident which does not accord with the statement of facts in the first part of the question. I am informed that the police sergeant, in the course of his patrol, came upon two meetings which were proceeding simultaneously within a few yards of each other; that he formed the opinion that a breach of the peace was likely, and accordingly requested the chairmen of both meetings to close their meetings; and that this request was immediately complied with. As regards the remainder of the question, the principle referred to is the subject of standing instructions by the Commissioner of Police, and I have no reason to think that it is not observed. The action of the police officer concerned in this case was entirely correct.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I got this information from the Civil Liberties Committeee, and that they are very scrupulous in their investigations, and will he receive a deputation from that committee on this matter?

I have received my information from equally responsible quarters, and I can assure the hon. Member that his information, whatever may be the source of it, is not correct.

Is it not the case that the Minister has received his information from one of the parties that is being accused? Would it not be better to take his information from an independent source, such as the Civil Liberties Committee?

asked the Home Secretary on whose authority officers from Scotland Yard visited Mr. Prithu Pal Singh on 10th June and Dr. Sadashanker Chhabildas Mehta on 11th June; why these two persons were questioned about the policy of and about who was concerned with and financed the new magazine "Indian Student"; and on whose authority one of the officers forced an entrance into Dr. Mehta's house on nth June at 9 a.m. where, after asking a series of questions, he took full particulars from his passport?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, information having been received that subscriptions were being solicited in London on behalf of a hitherto unknown body styling itself the Federation of Indian Students' Societies in Great Britain and Ireland, inquiries were made by the police in the ordinary course of their duties to ascertain the identity of the promoters and their bona fides. During the course of these inquiries Mr. Prithu Pal Singh was interviewed by a police officer, and he afterwards invited the officer to call on Dr. S. C. Mehta. This was done by another officer on the following day. I am informed that there is no truth in the statement that one of the officers forced an entrance into Dr. Mehta's house.

May I ask whether it is usual when a new magazine or periodical is announced to be published for officers from Scotland Yard to select individuals who may or may not be contributors and interrogate them as to how far they are concerned with such magazine or periodical?

The procedure was quite normal in this case. The police made these visits to obtain information. They obtained the information and found the position quite satisfactory.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Provincial Governments of India for many years have been providing approximately £800,000 per annum for the organisation, and will he say that Scotland Yard were not aware of its existence. In these circumstances does he not think that whether they are Indians or whoever they may be they are quite entitled, without being interrogated in this fashion, to establish a magazine for circulation among Indian students?

I would prefer not to deal with a general question of that kind. This case followed the normal procedure. The police made certain inquiries which did not imply any condemnation of the individuals concerned. They have to satisfy themselves, which they did.

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT information as to the previous occasions on which the police have made this kind of inquiries so that we can judge how far it is the normal procedure?

I am not sure how far we have that information at our disposal, but I will look into it. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question.

The right hon. Gentleman will realise that a great many new periodicals are started in this country, and it would be interesting to know on how many occasions the police have made this inquiry?

I will investigate the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also investigate the statement in the question that a police officer forced his way into the house of Dr. Mehta while the doctor was in the bathroom?

I have made inquiries, and I am informed that that was not the case.

asked the Home Secretary what industries other than aerated waters it is contemplated may need the concession under the Factories Bill inserted with regard to special overtime?

I understand the hon. Member to refer to the amendment made on Report stage empowering the Home Secretary by Regulations to make certain variations in the conditions as to overtime employment of women so as to meet difficulties in trades liable to extreme pressure for quite short periods. I should be reluctant to encourage applications by naming particular industries; it must rest with those affected to make out a case for the issue of regulations, but we had particularly in mind factories in which Extreme pressure occurs at holiday seasons or just before Christmas.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to discourage the working of overtime, especially by girls and women, in mills and factories?

The view of the Government, as indicated in the Debates on the Factories Bill and as clearly shown in the terms of the Bill, is that overtime employment of women and young persons, that is, employment over and above a maximum normal week of 48 hours, ought to be strictly regulated and that the overtime of young persons in particular should be reduced to the lowest practicable limits. The Bill, therefore, provides not only for a large reduction in the amount of overtime which can be worked, and is in many cases being worked, under the present Act, but also makes provision for reducing the overtime in any particular industry wherever that can be done without serious detriment to the industry. Further, as my hon. Friend is aware, it does not permit any overtime employment of young persons under 16.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the tendency of magistrates in petty sessional divisions to delegate work to clerks to the justices on a part-time principle and to engage persons who, though permanently employed, have no contractual obligations as to salary, security of employment, superannuation, and other rights which normally apply to such persons in local government and the Civil Service; and whether he will take appropriate steps to remedy the hardship which falls on these officers?

There are in England and Wales over goo Jerks to justices of whom only a small number—about 50 or 60—are full-time officials. Most of the others are solicitors in private practice who combine with such private practice part-time duties as clerks to justices. Some of the full-time clerks are already pensionable under local Acts, and there are in a Bill now before the House proposals for a general pension system for full-time clerks to justices. The question of giving a pensionable position to solicitors who combine with private practice part-time service as clerks to justices stands on a different footing, but I am considering what is the best method of bringing under review this and several related questions about the conditions of service of clerks to justices and their staffs.

I am concerned about the officers, but I am more concerned about the persons whom the clerks engage, and perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will look into that matter also?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any further statement to make in regard to the alleged existence of the knock system at Dartmoor?

I understand that the authority for the alleged existence of the "knock" system was an article by an ex-convict which appeared in a newspaper on 18th June. I can only repeat that the allegation is entirely unfounded.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Captain Luis Antonio Bolin, the chief of the Press to General Franco, is now in England; that while in this country he is working at the Gaumont-British studios; and whether a labour permit has been applied for and granted to him?

It appears from the Home Office records that this person was resident in this country from 1923 to 1928 and from 1931 to the end of 1935, and that he returned here on 2nd June. I understand that since he returned to this country he has not been employed by Gaumont British Studios and the only work he has recently done at the studios, for which he received no payment, was to speak a few introductory words in Spanish in a film which is being booked for South America. In the circumstances no question of a permit arises.

Does the Minister think that in view of this gentleman's record in connection with the Press in Spain, and that he has been personally responsible for physical threats to French and British journalists, it is a sufficient reason for allowing this gentleman to return to this country during the present Spanish conflict?

I know nothing of the record to which the hon. Member has referred, but if she will send me any information on the subject I will consider it.

Thank you.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of the desire expressed in the House that aliens should not come into this country to take the place of British workers?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he has procured estimates of the elementary school population for each of the 10 years ahead, and the estimated number of teachers for the same period?

I would refer the hon. Member to Circular 1426 issued by the Board in April, 1933. This circular contains a report by the Government Actuary reviewing the estimate of the numbers of children in schools given by him in 1928 and carrying that estimate to 1948. The Board commended that report to the careful consideration of local education authorities as affecting the problem of accommodation, staffing and organisation of schools with which they have to deal. The hon. Member will appreciate that while it is possible in this way to form an estimate of the total number of children who will be in the schools, it is not possible to estimate the number of teachers with the same degree of accuracy. This must depend on variable factors such as changes in local distribution and organisation which cannot be forecast for so long a period. The Board, however, have the question under constant review in consultation with the local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Health how many town and country planning authorities of Great Britain include one or more towns of 20,000 inhabitants or over within their areas; how many town and country authorities do not include a town of that size; and in how many of the latter would a 1d. rate produce over £1,000 in any one year?

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

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some indication as to how many areas to-day receive less than £1,000 as a result of a 1d. rate?

Certain other considerations arise in this matter, and I would prefer my hon. Friend to study my reply, and then put a further question if he so desires.

asked the Minister of Health the number of appeals under the Town and Country Planning Act in London since March, 1935; and how many of these appeals were dismissed?

Excluding appeals which have been withdrawn or otherwise lapsed, and appeals which are not yet decided, 78 appeals under the Town and County Planning Act have been received from the Administrative County of London since 1st April, 1935. Of these 45 were dismissed, nine settled by agreement, and 24 allowed.

How many applications does that mean, and what percentage of the applications has been allowed?

I will try to work it out for the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health how many widowers, widows and orphan children are in receipt of pensions and allowances under the Old Age Pension Act and Widows' and Orphans' Contributory Pensions Act in England and Wales, respectively; how many are chargeable to public assistance committees, giving the total amounts paid, in the years 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1936; and will he produce a table of figures giving details of the respective counties?

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

asked the Minister of Health the number of old age pensioners and widow pensioners in receipt of relief from the Manchester public assistance committee?

The numbers of old age pensioners and widow pensioners in Manchester who were also in receipt of poor relief on 1st January, 1937, the latest date for which figures are available, were 5,891 and 1,730 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows who are receiving pensions and public assistance in the West Riding County Council area; and the number of contributory pensioners and old age pensioners who are receiving public assistance in the West Riding County Council area?

The number of widow pensioners and the number of old age pensioners in the area of the West Riding County Council who were also in receipt of poor relief on 1st January, 1937, the latest date for which figures are available, were 3,169 and 8,523 respectively. The latter figure includes an unascertained number of persons between 65 and 70 years of age who were in receipt of old age pensions under the Contributory Pensions Act.

Seeing that the figures are so large, does not the Minister think that he ought to bring in legislation for increased pensions?

That matter has been replied to on several occasions.

Is not the Minister of the opinion that England comes first?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to issue, on the responsibility of the Government, Coronation medals to any classes of the community; and, if so, what system of distribution is contemplated?

No, Sir.

Will the Prime Minister be good enough to say whether I am right in assuming that no Government responsibility was involved in the recent issue of Coronation medals?

That is so.

Will the Prime Minister consider whether, as an act of grace, these Coronation medals can be awarded to the members of the Parliamentary Liberal party?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government, as holder of the whole of the issued deferred shares of Imperial Airways, Limited, consented to the recent offer to the public of new ordinary shares at a price substantially below the market price of the existing ordinary shares; whether the Government were consulted with regard to the payment of underwriting commission by the company; and whether, in view of the subsidy payable by the Government to the company, he is satisfied that the terms of the offer were in accordance with the best interests of the company and with the policy of the Government?