asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons who have been found work on the Government munitions factory at Euxton through the Hindley and West-houghton Employment Exchanges?

The numbers of persons who have been placed in employment at this site from the Hindley and West-houghton Employment Exchanges are 45 and 85, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress is being made consequent upon the formation of a site company for Lancashire?

I have received formal representations from five areas in Lancashire and Cheshire for the application of Section 5 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, and I understand that other representations may be expected in the course of a few days. Steps will be taken to deal with these representations as expeditiously as possible.

May we take it that the Department of the right hon. Gentleman will assist the site company to make a start as soon as possible?

We are doing everything we can to that end.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed signing on at the Employment Exchange in Barnard Castle town; and how many of such unemployed come under the original unemployment scheme and the agricultural workers scheme, respectively, on 30th September, 1937, 30th November, 1937, and 30th January, 1938?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, at the Coed-y-Brenin labour training centre, no conveyance is placed at the disposal of the trainees who wish to go seven miles away to church on Sundays at Dolgelly; and will he make arrangements so that these men can attend to their spiritual duties?

The arrangements at this and other centres are that accommodation for religious services at the centres and transport for officiating ministers are provided free at appropriatee times. Certain services are conducted on Sundays at Coed-y-Brenin centre under these arrangements, and similar facilities are available for other religious denominations if desired.

The Minister must have misinterpreted my question. I ask him what arrangements have been made so that these men can attend to their spiritual duties at Dolgelly. Why is it that on six nights a week arrangements are made for a lorry to take men to the cinema and that on Sundays arrangements cannot be made for them to attend to their spiritual duties?

The House will see that the situation is entirely different. There are services now arranged for certain denominations, and we provide transport for the officiating ministers, and these facilities are open for all churches irrespective of their particular beliefs. We could not undertake the task of conveying everybody seven miles to the nearest town.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a clergyman comes seven miles to a service at the camp, and why cannot facilities be made for these young men?

Surely, this is a matter for local arrangement, and not for discussion here.

Would the Minister, in view of his kindly sympathy with suggestions of this kind, go into the question with the local authorities to see what arrangements can be made, so that these people can take part in these services?

I will try to find out what can be done about it.

asked the Minister of Labour where are the training establishments under the Ministry in Leeds or other parts of Yorkshire; how many trainees are employed, and what is the capacity in numbers which can be employed; what trade or industry is being carried on in these establishments; and how many trainees have been found employment in normal industries?

There is one Government training centre in Yorkshire, that opened in November last at Leeds with a capacity of 550 men of whom there are at present 303 in training. The occupations taught are mainly in the building and engineering industries, but there are also classes in coach body building, hairdressing and wood machining. No men from this centre have yet finished their course and been placed in employment. There are instructional centres at Allerston, near Thornton-le-Dale, and Langdale End, near Scarborough, each providing 200 training places, of which 94 and 136 respectively are now filled. The training given in these centres is not vocational, but is intended primarily to restore the men's fitness for employment generally. Six hundred and two men from these centres have passed direct into employment in industry.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the work in connection with these training establishments has been undertaken in consultation and agreement with the trade union locally?

No, Sir. I do not think that that is so.

asked the Minister of Labour particulars of the manner in which he proposes to give further favourable consideration to an extension of the system of training centres in order to assist in finding an opening for the absorption of the marked surplus of labour in the depressed areas?

So far as training in the Government training centres is concerned, the facilities provided are under constant review and adapted to meet the prospective demand for labour in the occupations which can be taught at the centres. With regard to training for less skilled occupations improved workshop training of an elementary type is being given in the instructional centres and a new instructional centre is in course of preparation for giving men training in manipulative work or other work requiring no great amount of skill. Three more local training centres, to serve as preparatory centres both for the training centres and the instructional centres, are in course of preparation on the Tyneside and in South Wales, and will shortly be opened.

Will the Minister try to make arrangements for these persons who have been out of employment for long periods, so that they may obtain the advantages and opportuntities of these training centres?

If the hon. Member knows of men like that, perhaps he will let me know, and I will see what can be done.

Is it not the fact that there are an enormous number of people living outside these districts?

I think there is a misunderstanding about that.

Is it not advisable that training centres should be in areas where they are most needed, and near to the homes of the men concerned?

That has been my desire in these additional centres.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the large balance now in the agricultural account of the Unemployment Fund and assuming that there will be enough money for the purpose, he will consider reducing the waiting period from six days to three days, or even less, and also reducing the contributions of both employers and employed?

I expect to receive the report of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee upon the condition of the agricultural account of the Unemployment Fund before the end of the present month. I shall then be in a position to consider my hon. and gallant Friend's proposals together with others in the light of the amount of any disposal surplus in the account.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the views expressed by the Commissioner for the Special Areas of England and Wales on the question of the location of industry; and what steps he is taking to induce British or foreign firms to open industrial concerns in derelict villages in the Special Areas where suitable sites are available for factories and workshops?

In reply to the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 2nd December, 1937. As regards the second part, the Commissioners have power under the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, to provide facilities and to offer financial inducements to new industrial undertakings in those areas. (Including undertakings of foreign origin).

Has the Minister given consideration to the report of the Commissioner on page 12, where he says that the Government cannot evade their responsibilities in this respect, especially after the introduction of tariffs and quotas?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the application of the benefit rate of 26s. under the first proviso to Regulation IV reduces the value of the disregarding of 50 per cent. of workmen's compensation quite substantially in small awards, he will instruct district officers to exercise discretion and thus give applicants the full value of the concession?

The Board inform me that their officers already exercise their powers of discretion freely to meet special circumstances where they exist in these and other cases and the Board do not think in the light of the provisions of the regulations that they would have good grounds for giving further specific directions on the lines suggested.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that people who get a statutory concession on a figure basis are better off than those who get a concession on a percentage basis? As he is a very fair-minded man, will he agree to consider the position and put both parties on an equal basis?

I think discretion is generally used. If the hon. Member has any special case, perhaps she will bring it to my notice. A little difficulty arises because of the fall back given to a man and wife without resources.

Of the two concessions I take it he will agree that a figure percentage is better than a percentage basis?

Are we to take it that the Unemployment Assistance Board's officials or the tribunal have the right to disregard these concessions in computing the amount in exceptional cases, and, if so, will the officials of the Board act upon it?

I should like to see that question on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any information in connection with a girl's bonus of 24s. paid to her by Messrs. Zan, Limited, of Wheelock, Sandbach, for good work in the past year, which led to her father's unemployment pay being reduced by 5s. a week for four weeks; whether he has received any information from the chief officer of the Unemployment Assistance Board at Crewe about the matter; whether the girl's bonus was assessed as part of the family income; and what he intends doing about the case?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

Am I to understand that the Minister knows nothing about this case?

No, Sir. I have not received an official reply, but I understand from other sources that the case was settled last Monday. I cannot give an official reply until I have received a reply from the Board.

When the right hon. Gentleman gets a reply will he be good enough to circulate to all officers that this payment on a bonus system should not come into the assessment?

That is a matter for the Board, but I will draw the hon. Member's remarks to their attention.

Are we to understand that this is the first time this has come to his notice?

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made towards the commencement of the work of reconditioning the Maryport dock and harbour?

The question of making a grant for this purpose has not yet been decided.

asked the Minister of Labour the circumstances under which Mr. Edward Cunningham, 88, Claythorne Street, Glasgow, was refused standard benefit for his five dependent children by a court of referees in Bridgeton; and under what statutory authority a means test is applied to a fully insured person?

I am making inquiries, and I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a person with general industrial unemployment stamps and agricultural stamps to his credit may have them totalled to enable him to receive unemployment benefit?

No, Sir, but such a person may draw consecutively the maximum amount of benefit to which he is entitled under each qualification taken separately.

Is the Minister aware that a man may have 29 stamps in one section and 29 stamps in another, and where 30 is the qualifying number he is yet denied benefit?

It would not be 29 and 29, but 19 in one case and 29 in the other. This really was the most difficult point we had to consider in connection with the Bill when it was in Committee, but the Committee and the House came to the conclusion that this was the best way in which to solve the difficulty.

Are we to understand that if a man gets 27 stamps and half a dozen agricultural stamps he can get unemployment benefit?

I did not say that. I was correcting the two figures. The hon. Member gave 29 and 29, whereas it is 19 and 29.

Is it not a fact that a man can get 48 stamps and cannot be in benefit; he can get 29 stamps in one section and 19 in another and yet cannot get benefit? Is not that so?

That applies wherever it is difficult to draw the line in any scheme.

What is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to do in this matter?

I am prepared to see that a man gets precisely the sum to which he is entitled under each section, and that he draws the full amount.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to meet the recent heavy increase of unemployment by plans for works of public value?

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to await the reply which will be given by the Prime Minister later to-day.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increase in unemployment recently announced, he will expedite the examination by the Economic Advisory Council of the preparation of schemes of work to meet future industrial depression?

I am afraid I must adhere to the terms of the Treasury Minute appointing the Economic Advisory Council which lays down that their work should be confidential.

Can the Prime Minister say whether the Economic Advisory Council has met of late, and whether it is undertaking an inquiry of this kind?

With regard to the latter part of the supplementary question, I must stick to the terms of my first answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the first part?

I should require notice of that.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent unemployment has increased since October in Great Britain, the United States, Germany, and Italy; and whether he can give the figures for these countries for the last four months?

As the reply is necessarily long, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that no comparison whatever can be made between the unemployment figures in this country and the unemployment figures in Germany?

I have done my best to make that clear in a rather long answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also make it clear whether it refers to rates of wages and conditions as well as to the actual number of unemployed?

I am asked about the number of unemployed, but if the right hon. Member has other questions, perhaps he will put them down and I will do my best to get the information.

Even in the German figures has there not been a great increase in unemployment in the last few months?

The figures show that on 31st October, 1937, there were registered 501,847 and on 31st December, 994,784.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that under the Goering Plan there is no method of comparison?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the nature of the steps he is taking to cope with the increased numbers of the unemployed; whether he has a committee working on plans; and who are the members of such committee?

In reply to the first part of the question, the increase in unemployment to which the hon. Member refers is largely due to causes of a seasonal character and is not of such a nature as to call for the institution of measures, other than those which the Government are continuously applying for the stimulation of employment. As regards the preparation of plans for the future, this matter has not been overlooked and the Government are now considering what further steps they can take in conjunction particularly with local authorities. At the same time, I think it right to say that too much reliance should not be placed upon the possibility of doing more by such plans than contributing in some degree to reduce fluctuations of trade and employment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a very heavy increase of unemployment during the last three consecutive months, and that it cannot be attributed to seasonal influences; and will he or the Minister of Labour be in a position to make a statement to the House at an early date as to the nature of the plans and, generally, what the Government intend to do?

I did not say it was wholly due to seasonal causes, but was largely due to them. This is a season when these causes particularly operate. With regard to plans and any statement, no doubt the Government will make a statement when there is something to state.

Will the Prime Minister inform the House whether the Government do or do not recognise that the time for preparing for a depression and for preparing plans is before the slump, and are the Government really doing anything about it?

If the right hon. Gentleman will be good enough to look at the report of what I have said when it is published and consider it, he will see it is evident that we are considering it.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is a definite relationship between the last four months' consistent increase of unemployment and the increased productive capacity of the individual, and is he further aware that none of the orthodox methods will solve the problem of unemployment?

rose—

I would remind hon. Members that there are a large number of questions on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of permits issued by his Department to German citizens for the purpose of taking up employment with Messrs. Siemens-Schucket (Great Britain), Limited; and whether he is satisfied that in the case of such employés their work cannot be done by British subjects?

I am having this information extracted and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an English Jewess after 11 years' service is being dismissed by this firm at the behest of their Berlin office, and will he take powers to see that this kind of anti-Semitism is not imported into this country?

I was asked for a general statement, but if the hon. Member desires to call my attention to a particular case, perhaps he will give me the information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the grounds on which admission to this country was refused on 30th December, 1937, at Dover to M. Jacques Coeckelenberghe, thereby putting him to great expense and inconvenience, although he had sufficient money for his journey and his papers proved that he was to visit this country as a guest with his expenses paid?

Leave to land was refused on the occasion in question because M. Coeckelenberghe was unable to satisfy the immigration officer that he would be in a position to support himself during his visit. Though he proposed to stay for a week or more, he had only about 20s. in cash and could produce no evidence that his expenses would be paid or that he would receive hospitality. He was allowed to telephone in order to try and get in touch with friends, but was apparently unable to obtain a reply before the boat sailed. When he arrived again on the following day the necessary evidence was forthcoming and he was allowed to land for a week's visit.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the prisoner in what is known as the Park Lane jewel robbery case, James Hynes, an American and regarded as a most dangerous criminal, was charged under the Aliens Act in 1933 and left the country but returned two months later, while in 1934 he was recommended for deportation; whether this man was deported when he was released from prison on 15th October, 1937; and how it was that he was allowed to remain in this country and commit further crimes?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the facts. When this man was recommended for deportation in 1934, every effort was made to establish his nationality. He stated at the time that he was a United States citizen born in San Francisco, but inquiries made in that country entirely failed to substantiate his claim, and it was ascertained that on two previous occasions in 1913 and 1917 when under arrest in America he had asserted that he was of Russian origin, which, if true, would give him no right now to Soviet citizenship. As his nationality could not be established the question of deportation could, unfortunately, not be proceeded with.

Is it the general practice of my right hon. Friend's Department to prevent the entry of aliens with known criminal records?

Yes, Sir, that would certainly be our practice.

asked the Home Secretary how many orders for deportation under the Aliens Act were issued in 1937; in how many of these cases the orders were actually executed; and how many of the persons concerned have been known since to return or try to return to this country?

191 Deportation Orders were made in 1937. In 173 cases the aliens left the country under arrangements made by themselves or on their behalf. In six other cases arrangements for deportation are being made. In 11 cases deportation could not be enforced because the nationality of the person could not be established. In the remaining case the alien has had to be removed to a mental hospital. There is no record of any of the deported aliens having re-entered the country, and without an examination of the personal files it is not possible to say whether any of them has attempted to return and been refused leave to land at a port.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any reason to believe that increased numbers of aliens are reaching this country without proper passports; and what supervision is exercised at the different ports to ensure that undesirable aliens do not enter this country individually or unnoticed?

I have no reason to suppose that there has been any increase in the number of aliens surreptitiously entering the country. No alien may land in the country without leave of an immigration officer who scrutinises every passport with care, and the master of every ship is responsible for reporting the arrival of any alien and detaining him pending examination by the immigration officer. The greatest vigilance is exercised by the immigration staff who have the co-operation of the dock and harbour police as well as that of the Customs officers. Occasionally some person succeeds in evading the most careful system of control through connivance of members of a crew or by means of an irregular passport or otherwise but there appears to have been no material increase in such cases.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether it has been the practice of the police to check from time to time the passports of known aliens in the London docks area?

I think my hon. Friend had better put that question down.

asked the Home Secretary the number of foreign police officers who have been given facilities to visit and study the procedure and organisation of the Metropolitan police force during the three years ended to the last convenient date; from which countries these officers came; and whether reciprocal facilities have been granted to the officers of the Metropolitan police?

One hundred and eighty-four foreign police officers from 35 different countries visited New Scotland Yard during the three years ended on 31st December, 1937; in some cases for a comparatively short interview and in other cases for the purpose of more extensive study. Officers of the Metropolitan police force have from time to time visited foreign countries to study the procedure and organisation of their police forces, and every facility has been afforded whenever it has been requested.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the officers of the Metropolitan police force have been given those facilities?

Not without notice. I dare say I might get the figures if a question were put on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the fact that voluntary resignations from the Metropolitan police force have risen from 125 in 1935 to 178 in 1936 and 263 in 1937, and that these increasing resignations are principally due to the serious interference with the prospects of promotion of ordinary members of the force brought about by the Hendon Police College scheme, he will look into this scheme with a view to its revision?

The figures show an increase of 138 in the number of resignations. Of these 96 were officers on short-service engagements whose prospects cannot be prejudiced by the Police College scheme and are indeed enhanced by the opportunity of selection for the college. No doubt the chief factor affecting the figures is the improvement in recent years in the prospects of employment in civil life.

In view of the fact that a number of these people unquestionably resigned because their chances of promotion had been disturbed, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is desirable to take account of the general dissatisfaction in the Metropolitan police force with the present Hendon scheme, and to revise and improve it?

I would not admit the assumption that there is general dissatisfaction.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the recent public criticism of the administration of the Metropolitan Police, he will consider the appointment of a committee of inquiry in order that the facts may be brought to light to the satisfaction of the public?

I know of no grounds for the appointment of a committee of inquiry into the administration of the Metropolitan Police.

In view of the severe criticisms that have been uttered against individual police officers, and the increased number of such criticisms during recent years, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is because of and since the introduction of the Police College and the new system of training constables that the police have been subject to these criticisms?

I am afraid that my answer to those questions is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Metropolitan Police constables are being threatened with the loss of long-service increments unless they prove their zeal and efficiency by an increasing number of arrests and summonses; and whether he will publish the terms of a recent communication published to the force on this matter?

I can assure the right hon. Member that no communication or threat of the kind suggested has been made with the knowledge or approval of the Commissioner of Police.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that an order was recently issued in the parade book in a Metropolitan Police station in a southern outer area of London which bears this interpretation and is in accordance with the implication in this question; that the order complained about the men not making sufficient arrests, or taking sufficient action, or reporting enough cases, and urging that they should be more active in future?

No, Sir. I am not aware of that fact. If the right hon. Gentleman will send me the details, I will certainly look into the matter. In answer to his question, I have stated what is the policy of the Commissioner and myself.

asked the Home Secretary the number of entrants to the Metropolitan Police College at Hendon who have previously had police experience; and the number of entrants who have not had police experience?

One hundred and thirty-five students admitted to the Metropolitan Police College have had, and 47 have not had, previous police experience.

asked the Home Secretary when successful applicants to join the Metropolitan Police are informed that they will be offered long or short service engagements; and, if not so informed until after they have completed their training at the police training school, will he consider the advisability of applicants being informed before giving up civil employment to enter the training school?

Applicants are informed whether they are offered long or short service engagements after being selected by the Recruits Selection Board as suitable candidates for the Metropolitan Force, and their entrance to the training school is dependent on their accepting or rejecting whichever type of service they are offered. Every man, therefore, is aware of the position before he gives up civil employment to enter the training school.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a recent case in which the Lord Chief Justice criticised the system under which two police officers arrested an innocent person on suspicion of having committed a felony; what action he proposes to take with the view to preventing a repetition of such cases; whether the damages of £300 and the costs awarded against the police officers are to be paid out of the Police Fund; and, if so, what proportions will fall on the Exchequer and the London ratepayers?

With the permission of the House I propose to answer this question at the end of Questions. It is rather a long answer.

I am obliged to the right hon. Member for giving me an opportunity of making a statement on this case, and I wish first to express on behalf of the Commissioner and myself regret that an innocent and respectable man should have been subjected to treatment which gave proper grounds for an action for damages. The damages and costs will be paid by the Metropolitan Police Fund, which is constituted of equal payments from the Exchequer and from the ratepayers in the Metropolitan Police District. As, however, the right hon. Gentleman will no doubt agree, the financial aspect of this matter is less important than the question of providing adequate safeguards for the protection of the liberty of the subject.

The reference in the question to the "system" which led to the arrest in this case raises two questions: First, the question of the statutory provision in the Metropolitan Police Act, 1839, which empowers the police to stop and detain

"any person who may be reasonably suspected of having or conveying in any manner anything stolen or unlawfully obtained."

And, secondly, the question of the administration of this statutory provision. The statutory provision undoubtedly places on the Metropolitan Police a serious and difficult responsibility, but experience shows that if the community is to be protected a power of this sort is necessary in the public interest. On the other hand, it is essential that in the exercise of this power due regard should be had to the protection of liberty.

The question how best to give guidance to the police as to the exercise of their dual responsibility both to the community and the individual has been the subject of careful consideration, and an elaborate code of instructions has been issued by the Commissioner to the effect that while every officer shall be active and vigilant when there are reasonable grounds for suspicion, the greatest care must be taken to avoid any abuse of this power even at the risk of some guilty persons going free. I have reviewed these instructions and am satisfied that they give ample guidance as to the general principles which should be followed by the police.

Occasionally, as in the present case, a genuine mistake is made, but the rarity of such cases is, I think, an indication of the care taken to guide and train police officers in the proper exercise of their duties. There will be no relaxation of the efforts of the police authorities to ensure that the Metropolitan Police shall in this matter take the utmost care to avoid action which involves improper interference with the liberty of the subject. The present case is an illustration of the principle of our law that if owing to human fallibility a mistake is made, the police are not above the law, and a remedy is available to the citizen.

Would the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries with a view to satisfying himself, not only of the suitability of the instructions, but as to whether undue pressure is not brought to bear upon police officers in plain clothes to be unduly and improperly energetic in detaining people in this manner, and thereby running the risk of improper detentions in certain cases?

I have been very carefully through all the details connected with this question, and I am satisfied that the regulations are sufficient and that, speaking generally, they are carried out in the letter and in the spirit, but I will take account of what the right hon. Gentleman has just said.

How many cases are there in which the man does not take action?

Is there any reason why the House should not see these regulations? Are they confidential, and could they not be laid on the Table of the House?

Regulations of this kind have always been regarded as confidential. I think the hon. Baronet will see that they must be confidential in the nature of the case, as they give detailed instructions when and how action should be taken, and in what kind of case arrests should be made. Obviously that is information which could not be broadcast.

As the gentleman concerned is one of my constituents, may I ask the Home Secretary how it came about under these instructions that this innocent man was arrested? What made the police think he was guilty of these charges?

We cannot reopen the case here.

Would it not be possible for steps to be taken to draw the attention of all ranks of the police force to the fact that individual efficiency does not depend upon the number of arrests that may be made?

They are already aware of that fact, and I see no reason for drawing their attention to it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these cases are much more frequent than he appears to imagine, but that many of the people concerned are too poor to take the necessary action?

No, Sir; I am informed that that is not the case. It is possible for even the poorest persons to obtain the necessary legal aid, under the Supreme Court Poor Persons Rules.

How many people are going to take the trouble to bring an action?

In the early part of his answer the Home Secretary expressed deep regret at the arrest of this respectable man. Does that mean that he has no respect for the man whose position is below that of what would be called a respectable man?