sked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what percentage of children remain in elementary or senior schools up to the age of 15 years in England and what number in Wales; and will he give the numbers for the Special Areas separately?

The Board have not tabulated figures for areas other than local education authority areas; consequently it is not possible to give separate figures for urban districts and rural districts which are not local education authorities. Figures are accordingly given for the administrative counties as a whole of Durham, Glamorgan and Monmouthshire respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what proportion of the cost of the refresher courses for school medical officers will be borne nationally and by the local authorities concerned; and how many such courses will be held per annum?

A refresher course for school medical officers organised by the Society of Medical Officers of Health in collaboration with the Manchester education committee is being held this week at Manchester. The Board of Education have agreed to pay grant at the rate of 50 per cent. of reasonable expenditure incurred by local education authorities in connection with the attendance of school medical officers or assistant school medical officers at this course. My Noble —

—	Teachers sent Overseas.			Teachers received in Great Britain.
	Men.	Women.	Total.	Men.	Women.	Total.
Elementary Schools	10	141	151	19	132	151
Secondary Schools	6	10	16	10	6	16
Training Colleges	—	2	2	—	2	2
Technical and other Schools	1	4	5	1	4	5
Total	17	157	174	30	144	174

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in view of the recent increase in the cost of living, and the consequent inability of low wage-earners and unemployed persons to purchase an adequate supply of foodstuffs, the Government has considered the urgent need for making more adequate provision out of public funds for free solid meals for scholars attending elementary, central, and secondary schools?

The policy of the Board of Education with regard to the provision of free meals is set out in their Circular 1443, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. If additional provision of free meals is made by local education authorities in accordance with that circular grants in aid of the expenditure will be made by the Board, so that adequate provision out of funds provided by the Exchequer is already avail- Friend has at present no information as to the number of such courses likely to be arranged in future years.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will give particulars of the number of teachers, men and women, who have been exchanged between Great Britain and the Dominions under arrangements made by the League of the Empire for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, giving particulars of the number of same that were employed in elementary schools, secondary schools, and training colleges?

Following is the information. I might add that the annual figures continue to show a considerable increase.able. As stated in the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Deptford (Mr. W. H. Green) on 1st November, it is the practice of the Board to urge local education authorities to make a greater use of their powers where the existing provision of free meals appears to be inadequate or unsuitable for the needs of the area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in view of the lack of adequate nutrition surveys in many cases, revealed in the recent report of the Board, he is taking further steps to ensure that in all areas arrangements for the discovery of under-nourished children shall be complete?

The Board have suggested in paragraph 7 of their Circular 1443, published in December, 1935, that local education authorities would do well to consider the advisability of holding periodical nutrition surveys at which all children riot receiving meals would be passed under review. A number of authorities have acted in accordance with this suggestion, and the Board propose to review the position in other areas with a view to securing a general improvement in the arrangements for the discovery of under-nourished children.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any education authorities have submitted schemes for exemptions; and have the Board accepted any under the Act of 1936?

Local education authorities are not required under the Education Act of 1936 to submit schemes for granting exemptions for beneficial employment. The answers to both parts of the question are, therefore, in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the building of new schools, and the reconditioning of existing schools in connection with the raising of the schoolleaving age, is proceeding satisfactorily; and whether he can state the number of loans sanctioned to date in connection therewith?

My Noble Friend has no reason to be dissatisfied with the rate of progress. The amount of capital expenditure out of loans by local education authorities which has been approved by the Board since the passing of the Education Act, 1936, was £4,500,000 during the period 1st August, 1936, to 31st March, 1937, and 5,300,000 during the period 1st April, 1937, to date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties in the provision of milk in rural schools in Lincolnshire; and whether he has any statement to make in the matter?

The Board are aware that the percentages of schools operating the milk-in-schools scheme and of children taking milk in Lincolnshire are low. This is probably due in part to difficulties such as are being experienced in some other rural areas, and to which I have recently referred in answers to other questions, and in part to the difficulty in some districts of finding milk which the county medical officer is prepared to regard as safe.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware of the decline in the number of school children supplied with cheap milk in schools in rural districts; what is the reason for the decline; and what steps he is taking to deal with it?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I. gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd) on 8th November, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the restrictive regulations imposed by county medical authorities on milk supplied to schools in rural districts make it often impossible for the children to get any milk; and whether he will call a conference with the County Councils Association to consider the supply of accredited milk in bulk to the schools which will not entail bottling or pasteurisation and which is available locally?

My Noble Friend is aware that in the case of some rural schools the county medical officer has been unable to approve for the purpose of Clause 6 of the Milk-in-Schools Scheme the source and quality of the supply of milk proposed. As, however, only 7 per cent. of the public elementary school children in England and Wales are in schools where the Milk-in-Stools Scheme is not in operation, and as the failure to operate the scheme is due to a. variety of reasons, it is clear that the number of children who are unable to obtain milk owing to the county medical officer' s refusal to approve the supply must he small. My Noble Friend has no evidence that the power of county medical officers to refuse approval has been unreasonably used, and in view of the danger to children of drinking infected milk, he would be very reluctant to do anything to interfere with their discretion in the matter. The suggestion that milk should be supplied in bulk raises another question, which is at present being considered, as also is the question of the distribution allowance payable to rural producers, and in the meantime it would be premature to call a conference with the County Councils Association.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the number of full-time dental officers employed in the school dental service; and what, in the opinion of the Board, is the increase required in this number to provide an efficient dental service for all grant-aided schools?

The present staff of the school dental service is equivalent to about 735 full-time dentists. On the assumption that the ratio of the number of children receiving dental treatment to the number recommended for such treatment remained as at present, a staff equivalent to about 1,100 full-time dentists would be required to provide for all children attending public elementary schools a service of the type now available. At present the percentage of parents who accept dental treatment for their children is regrettably low, and efforts are being made to increase it. If appreciation of the facilities provided, and particularly of the opportunities for conservative dental treatment, were universal, it is estimated that an efficient service for all public elementary school children would necessitate the employment of slightly more than 2,000 full-time dentists, or their equivalent in terms of part-time service. If other types of grant-aided schools were included, this figure would require to be increased to some extent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the number of certificated teachers who left colleges in 1937, and the number of such teachers who have been appointed to permanent posts under the Board of Education?

The number of students who left training colleges in 1937 is, approximately, 6,920; 2,190 men and 4,730 women. The number of these whose appointments in grant-aided schools have been notified to the Board up to 2nd November is 5,018 (1,337 men and 3,681 women). It is not possible to say what number of these appointments may he correctly described as permanent. Information regarding the number appointed in other schools is not at present available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether consideration has been given to pages 34 to 40 of the Report by the Council for Art and Industry on Design and the Designer in Industry, and the Report of the Pottery Committee of the Council for Art and Industry, which was submitted to the President of the Board in April, 1937; if so, what is to be the policy of the Board with reference to these reports; and what steps have been taken or are contemplated to carry it out?

The Board are in general agreement with the findings of that section of the Report on Design and the Designer in Industry to which the hon. Member refers. As is made clear in the report, however, such developments as are recommended depend very largely upon the active co-operation of industry and they are, therefore, a matter for consideration in the first instance by local industrialists and the local education authorities concerned. The question of the provision to be made at Stoke-on-Trent for the training of designers and craftsmen for the pottery industry, which was the subject of the Pottery Committee's Report, is to be discussed at an early date at a conference of representatives of the industry and of the local education authorities with officers of the Board of Education.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will give consideration to the need for an extension of the period in which educational authorities are entitled to the 50 per cent. grant for school building and development, and for an extension, in particular, where the local rates are above 13s. 6d. in the £?

My Noble Friend has already given consideration to the desirability of extending the period during which the special grant to which the hon. Member refers will operate, and he has extended by two years the period which had originally been contemplated. He has now fixed 31st December, 1940, as the final date, as announced in Circular 1456, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member. My Noble Friend does not regard it as practicable to differentiate in this respect between authorities according to their financial position.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will consult with the grants committee for physical training and recreation, with a view to their making grants of money for playing grounds and fields, and other forms of physical training and recreation conditional on an undertaking that they will be available for use after a stated hour on Sundays, in order that the fullest use may be made of them during the customary hours of leisure?

While in general it would be agreed that full use should be made of all facilities aided by grants under the Physical Training and Recreation Act, the Grants Committee take the view, with which my Noble Friend concurs, that the question of making such facilities available for use on Sundays should be left to the discretion of the local body responsible for them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that under the scheme for supplying lime and basic slag to farmers at reduced prices, equal advantage is given to the farmer at a long distance from the source of supply as to the farmer in the vicinity of such source; and, if not, whether he will consider the evolution of a scheme under which part or all of the transport cost is borne by the State?

The answer is in the affirmative. As my hon. Friend will see from Statutory Rules and Orders, 1937, No. 872, expenditure on transporting lime and basic slag to agricultural land is eligible for contribution under the Land Fertility Scheme

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government are taking to secure adequate supplies of the right grade of basic slag to meet the farmers' requirements, in view of the failure of many suppliers to meet the demands throughout the country and the offering of inferior and unsuitable grades?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Penrith and Cockermouth (Captain Dower) on 28th October. The Land Fertility Committee have since issued a statement on the supply position as regards both lime and basic slag, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I have no reason to believe that the proportion of basic slag of low phosphoric acid content or low citric solubility used by farmers is larger than it was before the scheme came into operation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that tithe-payers, as a condition of obtaining remission of excessive tithe, are being required to answer questions which often they cannot answer; that they are asked in what tithe district the land is situate, although they have no information concerning tithe districts, and are required to state the numbers of the tithe areas, although the tithe apportionments are not in the possession of the tithe-payers nor readily available for their inspection; and will he take steps to secure that the county, parish, and ordnance survey numbers be accepted as a sufficient description of lands in respect of which a certificate of annual value is required?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury (Sir W. Wayland) on 12th July last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the last case of foot-and-mouth disease was reported in the County of Cumberland; how long after infection it takes before the disease manifests itself; and what investigations are being made into the cause, in view of the great loss sustained through this disease?

The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Cumberland occurred on 1st July, 1931. The period of incubation of the virus responsible varies from two to ten days. As regards the last part of the question, research work has been in progress during the past 13 years under the supervision of a scientific committee which was set up by one of my predecessors. A general review of the position of these investigations and the results so far obtained is contained in the Fifth Progress Report issued by the committee which was published by His Majesty's Stationery Office last May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered inoculating cattle in this country with a special German serum against foot-and-mouth disease; and whether any such serum is obtainable?

I am aware that it has been claimed that an immune serum will protect susceptible animals against infection for a period not exceeding 14 days. A serum obtained from a German source has been experimentally used in this country, but in view of the results obtained both in the field and in the laboratory, it was decided not to persevere with the experiments. The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee reported this year that "such serum as is at present available cannot be relied on to protect a bovine from infection when intimately exposed to a highly infective case of disease."

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can investigate the number of turkeys which are now being raised for the Christmas market in this country, with a view to ensuring that adequate facts are available in connection with the duty on the imported product?

In order to obtain more precise information of the number of turkeys available for the Christmas trade, special inquiries were made this year to ascertain the number of turkeys on 4th September on agricultural holdings of over one acre in extent in Great Britain. These inquiries show that the number increased from 800,000 on 4th June to 1,148,000 on 4th September.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there has been any change in the policy of the Government in relation to the pasteurisation of milk as set out in the White Paper of July last?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the amount of money which has been received by the Commissioners for Crown Lands in respect of fines from certain copyholders in the Manor and Forest of Macclesfield for each of the 10 years prior to 31st December, 1925?

The sums received by the Commissioners of Crown Lands in respect of fines certain from copyholders in the Manor and Forest of Macclesfield for each of the 10 years prior to 31st December, 1925, were as follow:

Year.,			Amount of Fines.
			£	s.	d.
1916	…	…	7	3	5½
1917	…	…	1	0	1
1918	…	…	6	7	8
1919	…	…	13	10	9½
1920	…	…	12	4	11½
1921	…	…	4	13	7
1922	…	…	2	3	8
1923	…	…	7	14	1½
1924	…	…	8.	4	2
1925	…	…	3	7	0½

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any decision has been reached on the question whether the council of the Royal United Service Institution should give up possession of its premises in Whitehall; and whether he will make a statement on the whole subject to reassure the public who are interested in the continued existence of this body?

No proposal has been made that the Royal United Service Institution should give up possession of the Banqueting House, Whitehall, but, so far as I am concerned, I can assure my hon. Friend that, should the matter arise, no proposal for a change in the use of this most beautiful and historic building will be made without the fullest consideration being given to the present and future requirements of the Institution.

asked the Attorney General the circumstances under which it was decided that no criminal proceedings could be taken against a police officer to whom money had been passed by Henry Isaac Rothfield, who has since been convicted?

Criminal proceedings against the Police Officer concerned were not undertaken because the available evidence did not justify them. I should like to add that the officer in question is no longer a member of the Police Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many years' service as a flight-lieutenant in the Royal Air Force the Army officer commanding the 53rd squadron had before being promoted to that command; and how many flight-lieutenants of the Royal Air Force there were of longer service when that appointment was made?

As regards the first part of the question the officer referred to had served 2 years 10 months as a flight-lieutenant when promoted to squadron-leader and as regards the last part of the question the number of flight-lieutenants who had longer service in that rank was 215. The officer in question had 20 years service in all. of which over eight years had been with the Royal Air Force and it is doubtful, but could not be definitely affirmed without detailed examination of individual records, whether any but a very few of the flight-lieutenants whom he passed over had anything approaching such a period of service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why an Army officer with only three years' service in the Royal Air Force has been promoted to the rank of flight-lieutenant and given a year's seniority in that rank without the necessity of passing a flight-lieutenant's promotion examination, whereas the Royal Air Force officers may only be promoted to flight-lieutenant after three-and-a-half years' service and without any antedate in seniority; and why this preferential treatment is being accorded to Army officers as compared with the Royal Air Force?

The comparative position is not as stated by my hon. Friend. On secondment to the Royal Air Force, Army officers are granted Air Force commissions in the rank of flying officer. As a temporary measure during Royal Air Force expansion they are eligible for promotion to flight-lieutenant on completion of three years service as flying officer, as compared with two years for Royal Air Force officers. On promotion they are given an antedate of one year: which restores them to equal seniority with their Royal Air Force contemporaries. The promotion examination requirement does not now apply to either class of officer. As no preferential treatment is being accorded to Army officers the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can give any information as to the activities of the research committee appointed to consider the problem of anti-aircraft defence?

A s I informed the hon. Member for Berwick—on-Tweed (Sir H. Seely) on 17th February last, the departmental committee set up to consider methods of defence against air attacks is continuously at work, collectively and individually and it reports regularly to the Committee of Imperial Defence. It would not, however, be in the public interest to disclose the basis on which work is proceeding.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the position with regard to the provision of balloons for balloon barrages for the purpose of anti-aircraft defence?

Satisfactory progress is being made with the provision of balloons for the bal loon barrage organisation, and the scheme as a whole is in process of active development.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether Imperial Airways, Limited, are now prepared to meet representatives of the British Air Line Pilots Association to discuss the terms of service of pilots in their employment in accordance with their wishes?

I understand that Imperial Airways, Limited, are not prepared to meet representatives of the British Air Line Pilots Association for the purposes indicated by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) the total payments made by his Department to Imperial Airways, Limited, during the years 1935, 1936, and for the first 10 months of 1937;

(2) whether he will state approximately the amounts he anticipates paying to Imperial Airways, Limited, during 1937 and 1938?

The actual payments made to Imperial Airways in respect of the carriage of mails during the years 1935 and 1936 were £547,100 and £667, 400 respectively, and the payment under the same head for the first 10 months of 1937 was of the order of £616,000. I regret I am not in a position to say what payments are likely to be made to the Company for the full year 1937 and for 1938.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Milk Marketing Scheme confers great benefits on the distributing companies, he will investigate the extension of the activities of these bodies to the sale of other miscellaneous articles to the detriment of small competing shopkeepers who do not have any State help in their marketing?

I cannot accept the implication that milk distributing companies receive State help in marketing; and I see no occasion for a special investigation on the lines suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the causes which are not within the control of the Government which have prevented the increased importations of butter from Australia, New Zealand and Denmark, as would be expected when the price of Danish butter has increased to 160s. wholesale, and New Zealand and Australian butter to 148s.?

The reasons why supplies have been rather smaller than usual in recent weeks include a temporary shortage of rain in Australia, delayed loadings in New Zealand and increased demand from Germany. I have no reason to doubt that increased prices are having the effect of attracting such supplies as are available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Import Duties Advisory Committee has given any undertaking to the representative associations of the steel industry in connection with their decision to maintain prices at their present level until the end of 1938?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed to make an order for increased import duties on milk products, as detailed in Command 5591?

Following is a copy of the Notice issued by the Board of Trade on 8th November, explaining the circumstances in which it was decided not to give effect for the present to the recommendations of the Import Duties Advisory Committee as set out in Command Paper 5591.A report from the Import Duties Advisory Committee dated the 3rd June, 1936, recommending increased duties on processed milks is being published by His Majesty's Stationery Office tomorrow as Command 5591. Since the report was received His Majesty's Government, after consultation with United Kingdom manufacturing interests, have discussed with the representatives of the principal foreign supplying countries the question of the imports of processed milks into the United Kingdom. As a result of these discussions arrangements have been made for reducing the exports to this country to a level that should enable United Kingdom manufacturers to secure a satisfactory share of the home market. At the same time the foreign exporters and home manufacturers concerned have concluded agreements governing the marketing of the chief descriptions of processed milk in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider the present procedure with regard to the publication of communications made to the Treasury by the Import Duties Advisory Committee, with a view to providing that the reasons relied upon by the committee for coming to a decision shall be fully disclosed in cases where the committee decides to make no recommendation upon an application as in cases where a positive recommendation is made?

The Import Duties Act, 1932, provides that where the committee make any recommendation to the Treasury that recommendation must in due course be published. In cases where the committee decide not to make a recommendation there is not as a general rule any communication to the Treasury. In exceptional cases the committee may supply the Treasury, and other interested Government Departments, with a confidential memorandum, but, as I have already explained, it must be regarded as undesirable to publish memoranda of that kind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many foreign ships have been transferred to the British flag at foreign ports and from what previous foreign registry, with the names of those ports, since 1st July, 1936; and how many were transferred during the previous 12 months?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the issue of provisional certificates of British registry. Details of the provisional certificates issued since the 1st July, 1936, showing the foreign ports at which they were issued are given in the following table. Information as to the previous foreign registry of these ships is not available.The number of provisional certificates issued during the 12 months ended 30th June, 1936, was 69. The maximum period of validity of a provisional certificate is six months.

PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATES issued since 1st July, 1936.
Port at which issued.			Number issued.
Algiers	…	…	2
Amsterdam	…	…	8
Antwerp	…	…	5
Baltimore	…	…	2
Bangkok	…	…	5
Bayonne	…	…	2
Beirut	…	…	1
Bergen	…	…	1
Bordeaux	…	…	1
Boston	…	…	1
Bremen	…	…	15
Brest	…	…	1
Calais	…	…	1
Cannes	…	…	20
Constanza	…	…	1
Copenhagen	…	…	2
Dieppe	…	…	1
Dunkirk	…	…	1
Galveston	…	…	1
Genoa	…	…	2
Havre	…	…	3
Istanbul	…	…	4
La Pallice	…	…	4
Lisbon	…	…	1
Lobito	…	…	1
Magallanes	…	…	1
Marseilles	…	…	3
Monaco	…	…	2
Naples	…	…	1
New Orleans	…	…	4
New York	…	…	11
Nice	…	…	2
Norfolk	…	…	4
Oslo	…	…	1
Palma	…	…	1
Philadelphia	…	…	2
Piraeus	…	…	6
Portland	…	…	1
Rotterdam	…	…	18
Rouen	…	…	5
Sandefjord	…	…	1
San Francisco	…	…	1
Seattle	…	…	3
Split	…	…	1
Tonsberg	…	…	2
Trieste	…	…	1
Vienna	…	…	1
Total	…	…	154

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what arrangements exist to ensure that the profits of ships transferred to British registry at British consulates abroad are duly assessed for British Income Tax; and what precautions are taken to prevent evasion of Income Tax by companies which charter ships under the British flag, at a nominal figure to foreign Governments which cannot be called upon to pay Income Tax;(2) what arrangements exist to ensure that the profits of ships transferred to British registry in British Colonial possessions are duly assessed for Income Tax; and what stipulations are made as regards re-transfer to foreign registry so soon as the use of the British flag ceases to be commercially and politically advantageous?

Liability to British Income Tax in respect of profits arising from the business of shipping depends, not upon registration, but on the question whether the business is carried on in the United Kingdom. The transfer of a ship from foreign to British registry would not of itself bring the profits within the liability to tax. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that all necessary steps are taken to secure that the tax imposed by law is duly charged. As regards re-transfer to foreign registry I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which he received to a similar question on 9th November from the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether superannuation contributions are deducted from salaries of temporary teachers; and whether temporary service counts towards superannuation?

Superannuation contributions are deducted from the salaries of recognised teachers in temporary service if the service is full-time while it lasts, and such service counts towards superannuation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there is any reason, other than the inadequacy of the 10S. per week old age pension in conjunction with the rise in prices of necessaries, involving acute mental distress among old age pensioners and resulting in mental illness, to explain the fact that the admissions to mental institutions in Scotland of persons over 70 years of age have risen from 256 in 1934 to 306 in 1935, and to 345 in 1936, whereas in all the lower-age groups there is a decrease and not an increase in the number of such admissions during the years mentioned?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. and learned Member's question on the 8th instant, I am not aware of any connection between the rate of old age pensions and the number of persions admitted to mental institutions. The figures quoted cover only three years, and do not seem to justify the inference that there is a general tendency for admissions of persons over 70 to increase.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether compensation has been paid to the relatives of the bothy-fire victims who were burned to death at Kirkintilloch; and, if so, what amounts were paid in each case?

I understand that claims for compensation have been made and are at present being considered by the insurance company concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the age of men, women and boys, respectively, engaged as potato diggers, who were burned to death in the recent bothy-fire at a farm in Kirkintilloch; the hours worked and the wages paid to men, women and boys; and what was the reason why local labour could not be secured?

The 10 victims in this case were all males. Three were 15 years of age, two 16 years of age, and the others were 13, 17, 18, 19 and 24 years of age respectively. I am informed that they worked a 50-hour week of 5½ days. Female workers were paid at the rate of 7d. per hour and male workers from 35s. to 37s. 6d. per week. In addition the workers received free quarters, light and fuel and potatoes, and those staying on the farm received free milk. I regret that the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that there is a maximum of 40s. per week paid in able-bodied relief by the Glasgow Corporation Public Assistance Committee; and whether he is prepared to get them to abolish this restriction in view of the example shown by the Unemployment Assistance Board, who are paying in many cases 55s. where the applicants preciously received 40s. from the Glasgow Corporation?

I am informed that in connection with the affording of outdoor relief to the able-bodied poor, Glasgow Corporation have a rule that not more than 40s. per week may be granted to an applicant for himself, his wife and his dependent children except with the approval of the Appeals Sub-Committee of the Public Assistance Committee. I am further informed that the Appeals Sub-Committee sanction grants in excess of 40s. per week in all cases where they consider that the circumstances warrant a higher payment. In these circumstances I see no reason to intervene.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consult with the Herring Fishery Board with a view to recommending the Aberdeen and other fishery firms to use echometers for locating herring shoals in deep-sea areas, similar to the electrical devices used in the sheltered areas near Loch Fyne, so as to avoid the waste of time in discovering the presence of the shoals by sounding and charting and observation?

The detection of herring shoals by means of echo sounders is being tested by the Fishery Board for Scotland in two of their vessels the "Explorer" and the "Vigilant" but so far without success. It seems doubtful, according to my present information, whether echo sounders will prove efficacious for this purpose in the circumstances of the British herring fishery. The Fishery Board for Scotland will, however, continue their investigations and the question will be kept under review by them and by the Herring Industry Board. I understand that the instrument used in the Loch Fyne area is the feeling wire and not an echo sounder or electrical device.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the only practicable method of dealing with gluts of stale and immature herring is to convert them into meal for stock-feeding purposes; and whether he can say if any progress has been made in this direction?

I would refer my hon. and gallant friend to paragraph 85 of the Second Annual Report of the Herring Industry Board which indicates that, after making investigations, the board have reached the conclusion that the establishment of a factory for the purpose of dealing with gluts is not an economic proposition in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total number of long-hiring agreements under the scheme for unemployment insurance for agricultural workers and gardeners that have been made in the county of Gloucester during 1937?

Between 1st January and 27th October, 1937, there were received through the local offices of my Department in the County of Gloucester, 38 declarations of long-hirings which were within the scope of Section 10 of the Unemployment Insurance (Agriculture) Act, 1936, except that in two cases they were received after the prescribed time limit had expired. In addition a number of declarations of contracts were received which are not regard ed as long-hirings for the purposes of Section to, since there was provision for the termination of the contracts in question before the end of the hiring period.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of the Government to establish trading estates in South Wales and Monmouthshire in addition to the one at Treforest; and, if so, is the construction of them to be commenced at an early date?

It is not the present intention to establish further trading estates in South Wales and Monmouthshire comparable with that at Treforest. The Commissioner has, however, acquired sites at Dowlais and Cyfarthfa which are suitable for a number of factories, and he is also ready in suitable circumstances to exercise his power to provide individual factories and sites elsewhere in the area. Negotiations in several such eases are at present taking place and I hope that they will be successful.

asked the Minister of Labour whether girls are being transferred from Wales to fill shorthand posts in London; and whether he satisfies himself in advance that a shortage of such workers exists in the Metropolis?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the letter from the Jarrow Town Council with regard to the increase in the cost of living; and whether, in view of the fact that all the cases in this town have been recently revised and pared down to the standard of the new regulations, he will take steps to ensure that a 3s. increase shall be given to all cases and as early as possible?

I have received a copy of the circular letter to which the hon. Member refers and I would draw her attention to my replies to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 21st October and 4th November. I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that cases are now in course of examination and that increased allowances are being. made in accordance with the Board's instruction, of which a copy was duly placed in the Library, as promised.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it has been brought to his notice, in connection with the shortage of domestic servants and the disinclination of volunteers for training, that many new houses erected nowadays do not contain proper accommodation for maids, especially when families increase; and what steps he is taking to impress on all concerned the desirability of better provision of such accommodation?

I am not in a position to say whether the statement contained in the first part of the question is correct. It is obvious, however, that lack of proper accommodation must add considerably to the difficulty of getting or retaining, resident maids, and I have no doubt that this is well known to most mistresses already.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of reduction per week suffered by unemployed persons in West Ham since the standstill allowances were departed from?

Statistics in this form relating to the County Borough of West Ham are not available. In the Board's administrative areas of Canning Town and Stratford, which include East Ham, Ilford, Dagenham and parts of the administrative County of Essex, as well as West Ham, there were at 17th September, 264 applicants receiving allowances which had been reduced by way of adjustment of Standstill arrangements otherwise than on account of personal earnings. It is estimated that the average reduction in these cases was approximately 3s. per week.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that blind people living in country districts are largely dependent on the telephone for their daily needs, he will consider the possibility of allowing some concessions to blind people in respect of telephone charges?

The provision of telephone service involves a substantial outlay for each subscriber in respect of expensive line plant and exchange equipment: and these costs are of course relatively higher in country districts. I have considered my hon. Friend's suggestion with every sympathy, but I regret that I could not regard the expenditure involved as justified.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the delays in installation of telephones in certain districts; and whether in view of these delays, he will notify potential subscribers that the Post Office is unable to carry out further orders in those districts meantime?

Serious difficulty in providing telephone service has been experienced in various localities as a result of an abnormal increase in the number of would-be subscribers in these localities, which has occasioned a certain shortage of plant. Additional plant is already on order and everything possible is being done to expedite its provision. Applicants for service are informed of the position and where possible a forecast is given of the date by which facilities will be provided.

asked the Postmaster-General on how many occasions during the last year, or other convenient period, the delay in arrival of mail trains at Euston Station has caused letters to miss the first delivery in Brentford?

There were 59 occasions during the 12 months ending 31st October, 1937.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present approximate annual cost of the Empire broadcasting service; and what contributions towards the cost are received from any of the Dominions or Colonies?

On the first part of the question, I am in communication with the British Broadcasting Corporation and will write to my hon. Friend. No contribution towards the cost is made by Dominion or Colonial Governments. In accordance with a recommendation of the Ullswater Committee, the Empire service is recognised as a normal function of the broadcasting organisation in this country; and provision is made for it in the present Charter and Licence of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make a statement regarding the problems relating to foodstuffs in time of war; and can he give some information regarding a new food defence plans department to deal with the formation of plans for the supply, control, and distribution of feeding-stuffs in time of war?

Plans for safeguarding and controlling the supply and distribution of foodstuffs in time of war are being prepared by the Food (Defence Plans) Department of the Board of Trade, in consultation and co-operation with representatives of food importers, manufacturers and distributors. The plans, which cover not only food, but also feeding stuffs for livestock, concern both supply in bulk and distribution to consumers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a satisfactory antiaircraft gun has now been obtained; whether deliveries of these weapons are now being made; and what information he can give as to future deliveries?

A satisfactory antiaircraft gun has been obtained. I trust the hon. Member will not press for any further information as it is inadvisable to publish figures of armament production.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is now satisfied with the monthly output of aeroplanes in Great Britain; and, if not, when he expects to be satisfied?

Yes, Sir; in the great majority of cases. I should acid that since I replied to a similar question in July, the shadow engine factories have come into production and the results are very satisfactory.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the desirability of appointing a director of public relations with an adequate staff to the Inland Revenue Department, with a view to improving the relations between the public and the Income Tax authorities, and to evolving simple explanatory memoranda which will enable each side better to appreciate the difficulties of the other?

I do not consider that the business of the Inland Revenue Department affords a suitable field for the appointment of a director such as the hon. Member suggests. I would, however, remind him that the decentralised administration of the Income Tax provides officers of standing available for consultation not only in London, but throughout the country generally.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give any indication when he considers it will be possible to complete the restoration of the full £225 personal allowance which was granted to Income Tax payers prior to 1931; and whether he will consider refunding all or part of the additional tax paid since 1931?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I cannot anticipate my Buclget statement. I may, however, point out that while the married allowance is less than it was before 1931, other personal allowances and reliefs are higher. One cannot compare one particular allowance without taking the others into account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost to the Exchequer in issuing transfer deeds free to the public from 1st April, 1937, to 30th September,

Exchange	Duty if eligible at £1 per cent	Eligible and paid under section 42	Difference
London Stock Exchange	414,421	97,344	317,077
Birmingham Stock Exchange	808	327	481
Bristol Stock Exchange	855	577	278
Halifax Stock Exchange	70	16	54
Huddersfield Stock Exchange	166	31	135
Leech Stock Exchange	235	82	153
Liverpool Stock Exchange	242	183	59
Manchester Stock Exchange	807	362	445
Mincing Lane Tea and Rubber Sharehrokcrs Association, Limited.	103	92	11
Newcastle Stock Exchange	65	25	40
Nottingham Stock Exchange	93	55	38
Provincial Brokers Stock Exchange	2,461	335	2,126
Sheffield Stock Exchange	3,933	876	3,057
(a) Total for period 1st April, 1937, to 30th September, 1937.	424,259	100,305	323.954
(b) Total from 1st September, 1920, to 30th September, 2937.	10,756,197	1,989,732	8,766,465

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government would be prepared to consider recommending the allocation of part of the profits derived from the Exchange 1937, and of the concession to stock exchange firms under Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, and the amendment of 1931 for the same period; the extent to which each Stock Exchange has taken advantage of that privilege; the aggregate totals involved; and whether he will consider amending the existing law so as to provide for the payment in full of 10s. per cent. ad valorem duty in the first instance and the remaining 10s. per cent. under the provisions of Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, and the amendment of 1931?

The cost of the transfer forms issued free to the public in the period from 1st April, 1937, to 30th September, 1937, was approximately £400.The following table shows (a) for each Stock Exchange the effect over the same period of the operation of Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, as amended by the Finance Act, 1931, and (b) the aggregate total from the 1st September, 1920, when that Section came into operation, to 30th September, 1937.The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.Equalisation Fund, and earmarking them as a special fund to enable the Home Office to assist the local councils or authorities throughout the country in connection with the provision of firefighting, anti-gas, and other apparatus, and organisation services to meet an emergency?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the amount of capital classified in the Estate Duty statistics as farming stock has averaged over the last five years; and what was the annual yield of Death Duties thereon?

The capital classified as farming stock coming under charge to Estate Duty has averaged about £2,330,000 per annum in the last five years. The Death Duties paid thereon are not recorded separately but they would amount approximately to £200,000 per annum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the proportion of the yield of indirect taxes of the total tax revenue for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Woods) on 17th June.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement on the proposed scheme for police road educators; and, in particular, how many officers it is proposed to employ, what duties will be allotted to them, what cars these officers will be provided with, and what will be the estimated maximum speed of these cars?

The scheme for augmenting the motor patrols in the police areas of Lancashire, Cheshire, Liverpool, Manchester and Salford in the north and Essex and the Metropalitan Police District in the south by a total of about 800 men is proceeding on the lines laid down by my predecessor in the reply which he gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Clitheroe on the 17th February last. The necessary recruiting and training of the men and of recruits to replace them in the forces has not proceeded so quickly as had been anticipated, but it is well in hand; a number of men have been trained already, and it is expected that the full number will be on the road by the beginning of April next. As to their duties, it has been made clear that whilst there is, of course, no intention of relaxing the enforcement of the law, the experiment is designed primarily to inculcate a higher standard of road sense and behaviour on the part of all classes of road users, and not to increase the number of prosecutions. The cars which they will use will be selected by the individual Chief Contables taking part in the experiment and will be of different types.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the practice of his Department to inspect installations of new plant before they are put into operation?

The occupier of a factory is of course responsible for seeing that the plant complies with the Factory Acts and Regulations but the Factory Inspectors are instructed that all new works within their jurisdiction should be promptly visited and they often give advice on these and other occasions as to the safety of new plant. I may add that the Factory Department assist to a considerable extent by getting into touch with makers of machines on questions of safe design, and that the new Factories Act will place on makers of machines and others an obligation not to sell for use in a factory a machine which does not comply with certain specified requirements.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to initiate investigations into the possibility of spontaneous combustion of stripped film as a possible source of fires in the making of lacquers?

Several fires have occurred in film stripping works where spontaneous combustion was suggested as a possible cause. I understand that there has been some investigation into this problem and I will consider whether any further research would appear likely to lead to useful results. I would point out, however, that strict precautions are in any case required in such works in view of the serious risk of fire whether due to spontaneous combustion or to other causes.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the average number of cases of suicide and of attempted suicide for the five years 1909 to 1913, and for the last five years for which the information is available; and whether, if the increase is 0considerable, he can give any explanation for it?

Statement showing the number of Suicides in 1911 and 1935 according to the Registrar-General's Statistical Review, with some age-group comparisons based upon population figures from the Census Volumes of 1911 and 1931·
Age-Group.		Population 1911 Census.	Suicides in 1911.	Suicides 1911, per 100,000 of 1911 Population.	Poulation 1931 Census.	Suicides in 1935.	Suicides 1935, per 100,000 of 1931 Population.
Under 15	…	11,050,867	8	07	9,520, 198	5	05
15 and under 20	…	3,336,621	127	3·81	3,434,501	79	2·30
20 and under 25	…	3,175,718	223	7·02	3,494,487	245	7·01
25 and under 35	…	5,956,235	596	10·01	6,412,386	727	11·34
35 and under 45	…	4,845,881	729	15·04	5,466,592	828	15·15
45 and under 55	…	3,528,269	807	22·87	4,935,576	1,191	24·13
55 and under 65	…	2,298,385	651	28·32	3,725,428	1,243	33·37
65 and over	…	1,878,516	447	23·80	2,963,209	905	30·54
		36,070,492	3,588	9·95	39,952,377	5,223	13·07

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 97 per cent. of soldiers serving in His Majesty's Army have to leave after seven years' service, with no guarantee of employment upon entry into civilian life; and whether he will institute a longer period of service with pension attendant thereto or some plan for employment on completion of the present short-term service?

There is at present no restriction on the numbers of soldiers in the Regular Army who are permitted to extend their Colour service, with a view to subsequent re-engagement to complete 21 years' service for pension. For those who do not extend their Colour service, an improved vocational training

During the five years from 1909 to 1913 the average number of verdicts of suicide was 3,543 and the average number of cases of attempted suicide known to the police was 2,399. During the five years from 1932 to 1936 the corresponding figures were 5,372 and 3,284. These figures must be considered in connection with increase of population, and especially with the large increase of population in the higher age group. It is amongst people over 45 years of age that a high proportion of suicides and attempted suicides occur, and the population of persons over 45 years of age has increased by 55 per cent, since 1911.Following is a statement showing the number of suicides per 100,000 of the population in each age group for the years T9 II and 1936:scheme has been Introduced which I announced in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow (Sir I. Salmon) on 2nd November. This scheme, the aim of which is to make vocational training available to the fullest practicable extent to every eligible man in the British Army, will materally improve the prospects of employment of soldiers leaving the Colours.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total output of tanks, armoured cars, and lorries during the last 12 months, and the total output for last year?

I hope the hon. Member will agree that it is not advisable to publish figures of armament production.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether opportunities are given at Army vocational centres to soldiers to learn the craft of slating as well as tiling; and, if not, whether he will make arrangements for training in slating to be provided?

Instruction in this subject is included in the brick-laying courses at the Aldershot and Chisledon Army Vocational Training Centres.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the position with regard to recruiting in those Territorial formations responsible for anti-aircraft defence?

During the last 12 months the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division has risen from 522 officers and 6,600 other ranks to 666 officers and 11,145 other ranks, an increase of 71 per cent. It is now over 57 per cent. of establishment as compared with 37 per cent. a year ago. In the case of the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Division the same comparison cannot be drawn as a year ago it had not then been formed. The strength is now 737 officers and 12,712 other ranks, approximately 56 per cent. of establishment.Last month was again a record for the Territorial Army as a whole, no fewer than 2,574 recruits having been obtained, an increase of 37 per cent. over the figure for October, 1936; of this number 1,129 were for anti-aircraft units.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that No. 2754453, Thomas Hutchison, of the Black Watch, died of gunshot wounds in Palestine on 5th November last; that reports of the casualty appeared in the British Press on 6th November; and that no notification of the man's death was sent to his father till the afternoon of 8th November; and whether he will explain the delay in sending this notification?

The Press obtained the information of this casualty from the observation of their own agencies in Palestine. As soon as the official information w as received at the Perth Record Office it was communicated to the relatives. I very much regret the unnecessary anxiety caused to the' family— It is the object of the War Office to give the promptest authenticated notification to those concerned, although it is not possible always to ensure that news will not first be communicated from another source.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of reserve executive and paymaster officers entered this year from the mercantile marine and civil employment; the number of engineer officers entered from the universities; and the numbers of commissioned officers promoted direct from the lower deck in the executive, engineering and accountant branches?

The number of officers transferred to the executive list of the Royal Navy from the Royal Naval Reserve during the current year is 124; the number of Accountant Officers transferred to the Royal Navy from the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve is 30; the number of Engineer Officers entered direct from the universities is 4. The numbers of commissioned officers promoted direct from the lower deck in the executive and engineering branches during the current year are 13 and 8 respectively. No promotions have been made direct from the lower deck in the Accountant Branch.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now able to state the Admiralty decision as to whether the new system of early promotion to commissioned rank for writers, supply and other ratings of the accountant branch is to be similar to the midshipman (E) scheme for artificer apprentices or the sub-lieutenant (E) scheme or both; and when he is likely to be able to announce the details of the scheme or schemes, observing that the matter was again due for consideration on 17th March?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to announce the results of the Admiralty investigation into the possibility of increasing promotion amongst accountant branch ratings to commissioned rank.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of cadets entered for the executive and engineering branches through Dartmouth College at the age of 13, and the public schools at 17 to 18; the number of Royal Marine officers entered each year during the years 1931 to 1937; and the number of promotions to commissioned rank from the lower deck in the three branches in the same period?

Following is the information required:

The figures asked for in respect of the years 1931–1936 were given to the hon. Member on 25th November last.

For r937 the number of cadets entered is as follows

Dartmouth	146
Special Entry:
Executive	120
Engineering	50
First Appointments, Royal Marines (other than Corps Commissioners)	43
The number of promotions to commissioned rank direct from the lower deck during 1937 is:
Executive	13
Engineering	8
Corps Commissions, Royal Marines, from the ranks (other than through warrant rank)	2

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make regarding the projected arrangement for making deductions from the wages of unestablished workers at Greenock torpedo factory for hospital purposes?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement. The question is still under consideration, but the hon. Member may rest assured that an announcement will be made as soon as a decision has been reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the supplementary pensions of dockyard workmen retiring since June, 1936, have been based on a bonus raised from 14s. to 18s. 6d. per week, he will consider making a similar adjustment to the supplementary pensions of those who retired prior to June, 1936, who have had no such rise?

For an explanation of the system on which the supplementary pensions of dockyard workmen are assessed, I would refer the Noble Lady to the answer given by my predecessor to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, Central (Mr. Beaumont) on 3rd March, 1937. Men who retired before June, 1936, and on retirement were in receipt of a bonus of more than 14s. have their supplementary pensions increased with any rise of bonus up to a limit fixed by the rate of bonus they received on retirement; but, as explained in the previous answer, the Admiralty have no power to assess these pensions on a higher rate of bonus than was actually received at the time of retirement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the number of men in each of His Majesty's dockyards who, having reached the age of 30 years by 1st April, 1937, have been placed on the established list at the discretion of the Admiral-Superintendent?

The following numbers of workmen in His Majesty's dockyards who were under the age of 50 on the 1st April, 1936, have, under special arrangements as to eligibility made in connection with the revision of complements, been placed on the established list since the 1st April, 1937, although they had reached the age of 50 years on or before that date:

Portsmouth	…	…	…	22
Devonport	…	…	…	9
Chatham	…	…	…	11
Rosyth	…	…	…	1
				43

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the estimate that during the past three years nearly 73,000 young people have left the Irish Free State to take up residence or work in England; and whether any steps are to be taken in the early future to discourage this drift, which is contrary to the interests of the Free State and this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand, however. that the figure given cannot be taken as an accurate indication of the position. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the right hon. Member for South Molton (Mr. Lambert) on 2nd and 9th November. I might perhaps add that my attention has been called to Press reports that the Government of the Irish Free State have recently instituted an inquiry into certain aspects of this migration.

asked the Secretary for Mines the nature of employment in which the 59 females are engaged in the county of Durham?

I am informed that women, other than clerks or salaried persons, are employed at coal mines in Durham only as office cleaners.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider legislation permitting old age pensioners maintained in workhouses and public institutions to retain a small portion of the 10s. each week as pocket money?

I am afraid that I cannot undertake to introduce legislation for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present approximate number of persons in Poor Law institutions who are entitled to receive contributory or non-contributory old age pensions, but who are temporarily disqualified by reason of their maintenance as paupers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Preston (Captain Cobb) on the 4th instant, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health the number of old age pensioners resident in the Sedgefield division of Durham who are at present in receipt of relief from public assistance?

The returns made to my Department by public assistance authorities relate to administrative counties and county boroughs as a whole, and particulars for part of an administrative county are therefore not available. The number of old age pensioners in the administrative county of Durham who were in receipt of yrelief on the 1st January last (the latest date for which figures are available) was 8,398.

asked the Minister of Health whether any agreement has yet been reached between the local authorities of the eastern valley of Monmouthshire and the Government as to the construction of a sewerage scheme for that district; and, if so, can he indicate when the work is to commence?

Agreement has been reached on the question of grant from the Commissioner for the Special Areas, subject to my approval of the scheme after a local inquiry which has been arranged for the 23rd instant. I will expedite my decision as far as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements will be made for the financing of the proposed post graduation course for insurance doctors; to what extent the necessary cost will be borne by the insurance fund; and what complaints he has received about such procedure from the various insurance committees?

With regard to the first two parts of the question, payments in respect of fees and expenses incurred by insurance doctors in attending approved post-graduate courses will be made out of the unclaimed proceeds of sales of National Health Insurance stamps, with the aid of the normal Exchequer grant. As regards the last part of the question, I have received no complaints from Insurance Committees as to the source from which the courses are to be financed, but certain administrative questions are under discussion with the National Association of Insurance Committees.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he is aware that Madge Barstow, a Leeds girl of 13 years of age, died from diphtheria after two days' illness, four years after immunisation; that the girl was one of four children all of whom had been immunised, and that she had visited the clinic nine times in all when undergoing the treatment, and had been finally certified by the medical officer as immune; that the medical officer of health confused the dead girl with a younger sister who was not pronounced immune after the inoculations; and whether he will confer with the persons responsible for diphtheria immunisation, with a view to issuing certificates in respect of all children pronounced immune, so that they may be produced for confirmation should such children subsequently contract diphtheria?

I am informed by the local authority that the child to whom the hon. Member refers died from diphtheria three years after she had received two immunising injections. She was one of four sisters who were taken to the immunisation clinic which she attended on six occasions. A final Schick test gave a positive result and her mother was informed that she was not immune. In regard to the last part of the question, I am advised that the production of a certificate of this nature might prejudice a child in the event of his contracting diphtheria by delaying the specific treatment.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the hardships of large families which, dispossessed owing to the relief of overcrowding, find a disinclination on the part of some councils to give them preferential housing accommodation in view of the number of children; and whether he will make representations to the councils concerned to treat these cases differently?

My attention has not been drawn to any cases of the kind to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers; but if he has any particular cases in mind, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the number of persons who have received financial assistance under the Rural Workers Housing Acts in the county of Carmarthen for the years 1933 to 1937, inclusive, as to loans and as to grants, respectively; and will he consider sending for distribution some of the posters referring to this Act so that they can be displayed in the above county?

During the period from the 1st January, 1933, to the 30th September, 1937, grants amounting to £985 have been made in respect of 16 houses. I understand that the county council have received no application for loans. I have already, at the request of the county council, sent the council a supply of the posters and literature, and I shall be glad to send further supplies if they should be required.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the average amount of rent paid for two and three bedroom houses built by urban district councils in the counties of Staffordshire and Shropshire?

The information in the form desired by the hon. Member. is not available in my Department, but certain particulars relating to the numbers and rents of houses owned by local authorities were recently published in Command Paper 5527, to which the hon. Member will no doubt refer.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the number of urban district councils in Staffordshire and Shropshire which have built houses for letting under the various Housing Acts?

Houses for letting have been built under the various Housing Acts by every urban district council in Staffordshire and Shropshire.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the total number of houses built by urban district councils during the last available 12 months in the counties of Staffordshire and Shropshire?

The total numbers of houses built by urban district councils in the administrative counties of Stafford and Salop during the 12 months ending 30th September, 1937, were 2,061 and 79, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the decision which he has reached in connection with the cottages at Newlyn, in Cornwall, he proposes to issue a circular to all local authorities indicating that a similar policy should be afforded in similar circumstances in their areas, with a view to preventing the unnecessary demolition of houses, the owners of which are prepared to recondition them?

I have recently communicated with local authorities with reference to the reconditioning of rural houses and I think local authorities generally appreciate their duties in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses required for the relief of overcrowding in the different centres of Wales?

Full particulars of the number of houses found to be overcrowded in each district are contained in the report on the Overcrowding Survey in England and Wales which was published last year. Experience shows that overcrowding is abated by a better distribution of existing houses as well as by the building of new houses and it is not possible to say at this stage what total number of new houses will be needed to secure the abatement of overcrowding, but an approximate estimate would be 12,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the beneficial results of the experiment of supplying fresh milk at 2d. per pint to nursing and expectant mothers and children in the Walker area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he will extend this arrangement to the city generally; and whether he expects to make this cheapened supply available to similar applicants throughout the country?

I understand that there is at present no proposal before the Milk Marketing Board for the extension to other parts of the city of the experimental scheme which the board have organised in the Walker-on-Tyne district in conjunction with the Commissioner for the Special Areas and the Newcastle City Council. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the recent White Paper on Milk Policy (Cmd. 5533), in paragraph 21 of which reference is made to the intention of the Government to bring forward proposals for securing, in cooperation with the milk industry, a reduction in the price of liquid milk to local authorities for the purpose of their maternity and child welfare arrangements.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the voluntary scheme which has been running for two years at Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, for supplying milk to children under school age has been obliged to close down owing to lack of financial support; whether he has received any application for financial assistance for the scheme; what amount of assistance would be necessary to keep it going; and whether he will consider providing such assistance in cooperation with the Milk Marketing Board?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 28th October to a question by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams). I regret that I have no funds at my disposal from which I could give assistance towards this scheme; but I have asked the Staffordshire County Council to consider the question of making a contribution to the organisation concerned as part of their general arrangements for the supply of milk to mothers and children, and I am awaiting their reply. I have no precise information as to the amount of assistance required to maintain the scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that out of the 60 known lepers in Great Britain only 12 can receive treatment in homes suited for that purpose; and if he proposes to take any action to remedy this state of affairs, both in the interests of the lepers themselves, their families, and the general public?

I am advised that in the conditions which exist in this country the disease referred to is very unlikely to be conveyed from one person to another, and no action would appear to be called for in the interest of the public health. If, however, my hon. and gallant Friend has any particulars of individual cases which he desires to bring to my notice, I shall be glad to know of them and to make the necessary investigations.

asked the Minister of Health whether the minimum scale required by an adult person to purchase foodstuffs has been revised by the Ministry of Health owing to the increase in the cost of living?

No such scales are laid down by my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of public hospitals which are working, or intend to operate, a 48-hour week for nurses; and how these hours compare with those worked in voluntary hospitals?

I have no complete information as to the number of voluntary or municipal hospitals in which a 48-hour week is, or will shortly be, in force. This is one of the matters which, I have no doubt, will be considered by the Interdepartmental committee which has just been set up in relation to nurses.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department is taking any steps alone or in conjunction with any other authorities to ensure a continuous supply of fully-trained nurses; and whether he can make any statement upon the whole position?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 4th instant to my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton). The terms of reference of the committee mentioned in that reply cover the question raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to set up a statutory national parks commission to plan and protect such parts of England and Wales as the Lake District, Snowdonia, the South Downs, and the Peak District, and preserve such beauty spots from spoliation by builders and industrialists and to maintain them as open spaces free to the public perpetuity?