asked the Secretary of State for Scotland with regard to the resignations of women teachers from 1932 to 1936 numbering 397, 349, 310, 277, and 279, respectively, and being for reasons other than reaching age limit, resignations owing to ill-health, or on account of marriage and withdrawing superannuation contributions, what were these other reasons and how many resignations were attributable to each?

Of the numbers of resignations stated, 70, 48, 39, 37 and 36, respectively, were due to transfers to teaching service in England. I regret that information regarding the remaining resignations is not available in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state if an area has yet been selected in Scotland as the site of an experimental central slaughterhouse as laid down in the Livestock Industry Act, 1937?

No, Sir. I understand that several Scottish local authorities intend to submit proposals to the Livestock Commission, and no selection can be made until those proposals have been submitted and fully considered by the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any recommendation has been received from the Scottish Economic Advisory Committee that Dundee should be included in the list of Special Areas; and, if so, what answer the Government returned?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question by the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 13th December last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps, in view of the increase in building costs, to increase substantially the subsidies available to local authorities of £6 15s. under the Housing Act of 1935, and of £2 10s., unit grant, under the Housing Act, 1930, and to make such increased subsidies apply retrospectively; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart) and the hon. Member for Stirling and Falkirk (Mr. Westwood) on 15th February.

—				Criminal Trials.		Civil Trials.		Fatal Accident Inquiries.
City of Edinburgh	…	…	…	452	men	1,306	men	42	men
				430	women	1,113	women	41	women
Midlothian	…	…	…	116	men	190	men	24	men
				114	women	190	women	17	women
East Lothian	…	…	…	31	men	96	men	21	men
				28	women	96	women	21	women
West Lothian	…	…	…	27	men	188	men	32	men
				28	women	188	women	30	women

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps, in conjunction with the appropriate trade unions of employers and employés, respectively, with a view to increasing the labour force available for the construction of houses in Scotland; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

As a result of discussions which I have already had with the building industry, a joint consultative committee representative of the employers and operatives, is engaged in giving effect to an agreement for augmenting the personnel of the industry. Particulars of this agreement are contained in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stirling and Falkirk on the 20th July last. Recent reports indicate that in general the supply of skilled labour available for housing schemes is appreciably greater than it was in the summer of last year and I am hopeful that the position will improve still further in the course of the coming year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many citations for jury service, criminal, civil, and others, including fatal accident inquiries, were served on men and women, respectively, in the city of Edinburgh and the counties of Midlothian, East Lothian, and West Lothian, respectively, during the year 1937; how many excuses for non-attendance were granted in each of the above groups; and what were the average numbers of men and women, respectively, liable for jury service during the said period?

The numbers of citations for jury service in the city of Edinburgh and the counties of Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian, during the year 1937, were as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cows there were in unattested herds in the counties of Ayr, Renfrew, and Midlothian, respectively, in addition to the 10,834, 886, and 475 cows in attested herds in these counties, respectively, at the same date?

The numbers of cows in unattested dairy herds in the counties of Ayr, Renfrew and Midlothian are estimated to be 36,000, 10,000 and 6,000, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions there were in Scotland during each of the last three years for the fraudulent sale or disposal of motor-vehicles by the nominal owner, as named in the registration book of the vehicle concerned, the true owner being a person or company who had lent money for the acquiring of the said vehicle?

It is regretted that the information desired is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury regulations regarding travel by rail of members of the naval, military, air and civil services cover the payment of compensation to the representatives of any such member killed while travelling on a cheap or period ticket, in view of the fact that the representatives concerned are deprived of their common-law remedies against a railway company and that the regulations require a cheap ticket to be purchased where such is available?

Yes, Sir. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the undertaking given as regards payment of compensation in the case of civil servants who are injured while travelling on official business with cheap tickets under official instructions. Corresponding arrangements would be applied to members of the naval, military and air forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the international conference which has just met at Geneva to draw up an international convention on the status of refugees?

Yes, Sir. The conference met to consider the status of refugees coming from Germany, and, after discussion, adopted a convention which was based on the 1933 convention regarding refugees from Russia and Turkey, and on the 1936 provisional arrangement regarding refugees coming from Germany. The convention was signed on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and six other Governments, with certain reservations. It will come into force when ratified by two countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the urgent need for an agreement on international assistance for refugees, what steps will be taken before the next League of Nations Assembly to secure the co-operation of all nations concerned to this end?

For the previous history of this question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer returned to him by my Noble Friend, the late Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on 15th November last. The hon. and gallant Member will recall that this matter was referred by the Assembly of the League of Nations to the Council, which set up a Committee of Three of its members (the United Kingdom, France and Bolivia) to consider the question. This Committee met in Paris on 14th February, and will probably hold another meeting before the May session of the Council. It is empowered by the Council to enter into consultation with Governments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the total production of iron and steel in the United Kingdom during 1937?

According to statistics published by the British Iron and Steel Federation, the output in 1937 of pig iron was 8,496,600 tons and of steel ingots and castings 12,964,000 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total production of rayon yarns in the United Kingdom during the year 1937?

The production of artificial silk yarn in 1937 was 119,696,000 lbs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the imposition by the United States customs of countervailing duties on British refined sugar exported to that country amounting to approximately 6d. per cwt. in the case of fully refined sugar made from full duty raws; and whether bounties on export equivalent to the amounts of the countervailing duties are actually given?

Yes, Sir. As regards the second part of the question, no bounty is paid on British refined sugar exported, but drawback is paid on such sugar at rates which on the average do no more, in the view of His Majesty's Government, than give effect to the principle that the refiner should be recouped for expenses involved in the payment of duty on his raw material. The United States authorities, however, hold that under the terms of their law these rates include an element of bounty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total tonnage of ships launched from British yards for the last complete year?

According to the returns published by Lloyd's Register of Shipping, the tonnage of merchant vessels of 100 tons gross and over launched in Great Britain and Ireland during 1937 was 920,822 tons gross.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of officers and crew employed on the lightships and steamboats in the service of the Northern Lights Commissioners?

From information supplied by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses, I understand that the numbers employed are as follow:

Grades, etc.
Light Vessels:
Senior Masters	…	1
Junior Masters	…	1
Ratings	…	9
Steam and Motor Vessels:
Masters	…	4
Navigating Officers	…	8
Engineers	…	9
Ratings	…	87

asked the President of the 3oard of Trade whether he will state the lumber of lightkeepers and assistant lightkeepers in the service of Trinity House?

From information supplied by Trinity House, I understand that the numbers employed are as follow:

Lighthouses:
Principal Keepers	59
Assistant Keepers, including Supernumerary Keepers	144
In addition there are 13 lighthouse attendants employed part-time only.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many films registered as British films during the last three calendar years were produced with labour costs of not less. than £7,500 and not more than £22,500;

(2) how many films registered as British films during the last three calendar years were produced with labour costs of not less than £22,500 and not more than £30,000, and over £30,000, respectively?

I regret that the particulars desired cannot be compiled from Board of Trade records. There has hitherto been no obligation on the part of makers or renters of films to inform the Board of Trade of the total labour costs of a British film.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state to the latest available date how many persons have voluntarily entered insurance under the recent extension of the National Health Insurance Acts?

Up to the 16th February, 127,215 applicants had been admitted to insurance under the Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of applicants for contributory pensions during 1936 and 1937 declared not qualified on account of too short a period of insurance, but which in each case had a previous period of insurance not now admissible; and what would be the cost to the fund if pensions were granted on the basis of including every year of insurance?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available in my Department.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons, having 10 or more years of insurance to their credit, have fallen out of this category since 1926 on account of their wages or salaries being raised above £250 per annum?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available in my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether statistics showing the incidence of sickness among women and girls in the insured population of England and Wales are tabulated at the Ministry; whether these figures show the various age groups and the types of sickness; and, if so, will he have the figures made available to the public?

The information referred to by my hon. Friend is not available in my Department and it could be obtained only by reference to the detailed records of the 7,000 approved societies and branches which administer health insurance benefits. I am, however, considering the general question of a comprehensive investigation into the extent and incidence of various forms of incapacitating sickness amongst insured persons of each sex and at various ages.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the areas, giving names of cities, towns, or other places, where there is no longer any actual shortage of housing accommodation?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to a statement in paragraph 54 of the recent report of the Ridley Committee on the Rent Restriction Acts, concerning evidence given to that Committee by my Department. If he will refer to paragraph 45 of the same report he will find a more detailed reference to that evidence. The places where there is no shortage of accommodation assessed on the basis referred to in the paragraph are Arundel Borough, and the urban districts of Alsager, Grange, Aberayron and New Quay. There are many others where the percentage of overcrowding is below I per cent.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider making provision in the new Housing Bill for a special subsidy to local authorities for the re-housing of persons suffering from tuberculosis who are living under housing conditions prejudicial to their health?

Under the existing Housing Acts local authorities may provide houses for persons suffering from tuberculosis and any houses so provided obtain the benefit of the existing subsidies. In addition, the authorities may grant rebates from rent in suitable cases. In the circumstances I do not consider that any special subsidy is necessary.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total number of houses built during 1937 by private enterprise and by local authorities?

During the year ending 31st December, 1937, about 73,800 houses were built in England and Wales by local authorities. Information is not available as to the number of houses built during that year by private enterprise as the returns made to my Department in respect of such houses relate to half-years ending 30th September and 31st March. During the year ending 30th September, 1937, 265,745 houses were built in England and Wales by private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause inquiry to be made into the case of Alfred Frampton, aged 15 years, whose parents reside at 81, Albert Road, Jarrow, who was knocked down by a private motor car on 26th October, 1937, and taken to Mayday Hospital, Thornton Heath, and contracted typhoid while at Mayday, being then transferred to the borough council hospital at Croydon, where he died on 20th January, 1938; and whether this transfer occurred during the typhoid inquiry?

I much regret to learn of this unfortunate case. I have communicated with the town council on the matter and I will send the hon. Member the particulars I have received.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that advertisements are being sent to maternity and child-welfare committees from firms manufacturing dried milk, urging them to supply these patent products on the grounds that they cannot be used for general purposes; and, in view of the necessity for fresh milk, whether he will give instructions that powdered milk, or milk products, should not be supplied if it is at all possible to supply fresh milk?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this matter but I am aware that in some instances dried milk is supplied by welfare authorities on the recommendation of their Medical Officer of Health where this course appears desirable on medical or other grounds. The choice must be made on the facts of the particular case and I think it must be one for the discretion of the welfare authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to institute the investigation into the allegation that hardship is likely to arise from the coming into operation of the new valuation lists suggested by the Central Valuation Committee in their letter to him of 12th February, 1938; and what form this investigation will take?

Yes, Sir. I propose to arrange for an investigation but I am not yet in a position to announce the form it will take.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the number of ex-service men in receipt of public assistance in Rochdale?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available as the returns received in my Department do not distinguish ex-service men from other recipients of relief.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will state the number of magistrates who did not attend on the bench during 1937?

I regret I am unable to give the hon. Member this information. Records of attendances are usually kept by the respective clerks of Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, but it would be impracticable to require such records to be rendered annually to the Lord Chancellor's Office, although inquiry is usually made upon this and other matters before additions are made to any particular bench.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Alec Henry Meek, at present at the Royal Naval School of Music, North Barracks, Deal, has applied for discharge from the service; that he is willing to pay the amount necessary for his discharge; that he has passed into the Birmingham City Police Force where good prospects await him, and that his discharge has been refused without grounds given; and will he review this case with a view to granting a discharge?

The hon. Member will appreciate that the release of a rating before the expiry of his engagement must be governed primarily by the needs of the Service. In the instance to which he refers it was not possible to grant the man's request owing to a shortage of trained men in the branch to which he belongs.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how the recent increase of pay to chargemen will beneficially affect their pensions; and whether he will give a few instances of how pensions under the new scale will compare with pensions under the existing scale?

It is the practice under the Superannuation Acts to compute the superannuation benefits arising from the receipt of an allowance such as charge pay on the average of the actual receipts of the allowance over the last three years of service.

The effect of the recent revised scales of charge pay will be to increase superannuation benefits, both pension and lump sum payments, but the actual benefit will depend upon the length of service of the individual concerned, as well as upon the time he has been in receipt of the enhanced rates of charge pay.

As an illustration, the superannuation benefits of a man who had been in receipt of charge pay on the old scale at 12s. a week for three years would be calculated with reference to that actual amount. Another who, during his last three years of service, had received 12s. a week under the old scale for one year and 24s. a week under the new scale for two years would have the average of these rates, i.e. 20s., taken into account. Translated into actual figures and assuming in each case 30 years of reckonable service, the second man would receive a pension 3s. a week higher than the first. This comparison is based on the new scale of 15s. to 24s. a week. As regards the alternative scale, the pension value would be calculated in the same way, but the allowances for the supervision of piece work or job work, which may be paid in addition to charge pay under that scale, are casual in nature and are not pensionable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that under the Ministry's regulations misunderstanding is taking place in the filling-up of the log sheets of drivers of motor lorries owing to there being a column marked by an asterick headed "To be completed by part-time drivers only"; and will he arrange for there being prominently printed on all log sheets that every driver, regular or part-time, must have a separate log sheet?

I do not think it is the regulations which are at fault. From the hon. Member's question and from newspaper reports, I gather that it is suggested that a driver found guilty by the Falkirk Sheriff Court had been misled by a footnote on the "Form of Hours Worked." The form used in that case was apparently designed by a firm of stationers to serve the purpose of either Form 2 or Form 3 of the regulations and was not an official form. The footnote was used to indicate the dual purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of cases during the last three years in which, owing to the use of some new type of sign on the highway, his consent has been given for the signposting of side-paths and bridle-ways?

Four, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the total number of motor vehicles licensed during 1937, giving, separately, lorries, private cars and motor cycles?

The total number of motor vehicles for which licences were current at any time during the quarter ended 30th September, 1937, was 2,938,485. This figure includes:

1,798,105	cars taxed on horse-power.
487,578	motor cycles.
478,922	goods vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the total gross receipts of the British railways for the year 1937?

I am not yet in a position to furnish the information asked for, but I expect that the annual preliminary statement relating to the railways of Great Britain for the year 1937 will be published about the middle of March.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the recent election of eight representatives of the 16 Metropolitan borough councils conducting municipal electricity undertakings to seats upon the London and Home Counties Joint Electricity Authority, which election resulted in the largest single electricity distributing municipal authority, the St. Marylebone Borough Council, with an output of approximately one-fifth of the total output concerned, being deprived of representation upon the authority; and, as such a result demonstrates a weakness in the Act under which such elections are held, whether he will take steps to amend the Act to remedy this?

The constitution of the London and Home Counties Joint Electricity Authority is determined by the London and Home Counties Electricity District Order, 1925, which, as amended by subsequent Orders of 1931 and 1932, allots eight members to the local authority undertakers in the administrative county of London and prescribes a scheme of voting based on the number of units of electricity sold to govern the election of such members. While the present time does not appear to me to be opportune for considering any amendment of these arrangements, I have no doubt that my hon. and gallant Friend's representations will be borne in mind in connection with any reorganisation of electricity supply resulting from the Government's legislative proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the total number of units of electricity generated by authorised undertakings during the year 1937?

The total number of units of electricity generated by authorised undertakers in Great Britain during the year 1937 was 22,905 millions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the intensification of German propaganda in Tanganyika territory, and that this propaganda is anti-British in character and calls for the transfer of the territory to Germany; and will he, therefore, take measures, in view of the distress caused to natives and English settlers alike, to suppress or otherwise cause this propaganda to cease?

I am aware of the existence of some propaganda of the nature specified. The Government of Tanganyika have the matter under constant observation and will take any measures to deal with it which appear to be required.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the number of persons employed at the Bridgend munitions works, and the proportion recruited from the local Employment Exchanges?

The number of persons employed on the construction of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Bridgend at the end of last week was 407. Since the commencement of the work 338 persons have been engaged through the local Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether his attention has been called to the flooding in the Medway towns; and whether, in view of the losses sustained by these frequent inundations, he will consider investigating the possibility of improving the channel of the river so as to avoid large-scale damage of this kind;

(2) whether his attention has been called to the recent serious flooding in the Medway towns which has caused great distress to large numbers of people; and whether he will take steps, in co-operation with the local authorities concerned, to pay some compensation to aid the sufferers?

I am aware that a certain amount of flooding was caused in the Medway Estuary during the recent severe storm, but I am not aware that there are frequent inundations of the towns in this vicinity. I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the fact that a comprehensive scheme of improvements on the River Medway, estimated to cost £450,000, is now being carried out by the Kent Rivers Catchment Board with the aid of a grant from State funds. The catchment board have recently approached me on the question of additions to this scheme estimated to cost £59,000. I have no power to make payments to any person in the nature of compensation for damage suffered.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the growing gravity of flooding every winter, partly through sea inundation and partly through river flooding; and whether he will institute an inquiry to ascertain how much of this frequent and very serious damage could be avoided?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that a certain amount of flooding occurs during the winter but I am not aware that it is growing progressively more serious. On the contrary, I am of opinion that a large measure of improvement has resulted from the work carried out by Catchment Boards under the Land Drainage Act, 1930. There are at present 47 Catchment Boards in existence, and the estimated capital cost of those of their works which have been approved for a grant from State funds is over £7,300,000, whilst the Boards also carry out a considerable amount of regular maintenance work which does not rank for Government grant. In my view nothing would be added to the information already available by an inquiry such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any of the education authorities have presented reports as to any work which could be considered as beneficial employment of boys and girls?

Local education authorities are not required under the Education Act, 1936, to present reports, and none has been presented.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will now publish, with the prior consent of the witnesses, such portions of the evidence tendered to the Stewart Committee on workmen's compensation as are not confidential?

My right hon. Friend has carefully considered this matter in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, but he regrets that he does not see his way to accede to the suggestion from my hon. and gallant Friend. As was explained in reply to his previous question on 23rd December it is not now customary to authorise the publication of evidence given before a Departmental Committee, and having regard to the fact that the Stewart Committee have included in their report an account of the evidence given, my right hon. Friend is not satisfied that there are any sufficient grounds to justify a departure from this practice.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that gaming machines have been prohibited in parts of Lincolnshire; and whether he will take steps to see that the same process is carried out in other parts of the country so that the law in this respect may be universally applied?

My right hon. Friend is informed by the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire that proceedings are taken in his area when evidence is obtained that gaming machines are being used for the purpose of unlawful gaming. There is no reason to believe that similar action is not taken in appropriate cases by the police in other parts of the country.

asked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions there were in England and Wales during each of the last three years for the fraudulent sale or disposal of motor vehicles by the nominal owner, as named in the registration book of the vehicle concerned, the true owner being a person or company who had lent money for the acquiring of the said vehicle?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Home Secretary whether the question of a uniform practice of giving receipts in the petty sessional courts in the county of Derby has now been considered; and whether it is proposed to amend the present practice?

I am informed that the question of giving receipts in respect of fines has been considered by the Clerks to the Justices of the county of Derby and that it has been decided that as from the 1st April next receipts will be given in respect of all fines when the defendant pays in person or when an absent defendant sends a prepaid addressed envelope with a remittance.

asked the Home Secretary the number of policewomen in the Metropolitan constabulary in December, 1936, and December, 1937?

The number of the Metropolitan Women Police was 75 in December, 1936, and 96 in December, 1937.

asked the Home Secretary the number of junior station inspectors who passed out of the police college and have been promoted above the position of junior station inspector?

No junior station inspector has yet been promoted above that rank in the Metropolitan Police Force.

asked the Home Secretary what ranks there were in the Metropolitan Police Force above the rank of sub-divisional inspector, and how many officers in each rank, on 31st March, 1920, and on 31st March, 1937?

The ranks in the Metropolitan Police Force above the rank of sub-divisional inspector, and the number of officers in each rank, on 31st March, 1920, and on 31st March, 1937, are as follow:

—	31st March 1920.	31st March 1937.
Commissioner	1	1
Assistant Commissioner	4	5
Deputy Assistant Commissioner.	2	6
Chief Constable	4	10
Superintendent	38	35
Chief Inspector	38	76
Total	87	133

asked the Home Secretary what was the number of horses in the mounted branch of the Metropolitan Police Force on 31st March, 1914, and what is the number now; what was the number of motor cars, and other motor vehicles, in the Metropolitan Police Force on 31st March, 1914, and what is the number now; and whether any of the duties carried out by horse in 1914 are now performed by motor vehicles?

The number of horses in the mounted branch on the 31st March, 1914, was 344. In addition 32 horses were hired for the purpose of the prison van service. The number of horses in the mounted branch at the present moment is 214 and in addition 30 are "boarded out" and are liable to recall whenever required. The number of motor vehicles in the Metropolitan Police Force on the 31st March, 1914, was 14, which included one tri-car and three motor tricycles. The number of motor vehicles in the Metropolitan Police at the present time is 851.

The following duties or services which involved the use of horses in 1914 are now performed by means of motor vehicles:

• Supervision by senior officers.
• Conveyance of certain despatches.
• Conveyance of prisoners.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give for the last five years the number of convictions for drunkenness at each of the following ages: 16 to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, and over 60 for males and females, respectively?

I regret that the particulars for which the hon. Member asks are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applicants in the Leigh area of the Unemployment Assistance Board who have had their allowance increased in accordance with the circular giving the Unemployment Assistance Board officer discretion to make increases to meet the cost caused by rising prices; and what is the average increase made to applicants?

In the Board's administrative area of Leigh there were, on 17th January, 473 additions to current assessments on account of the special circumstances dealt with in the Board's circular. The amounts varied from 1s. in the case of persons living alone to 3s. and, exceptionally, 4s. in household cases, the average over all being slightly under 2s.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who have been transferred from the Bridgend, Maesteg, Aberkenfig, Ogmore Vale, and Pontycymmer Employment Exchanges since 1931 each year, respectively, to date?

The following table shows the number of persons who were placed in other districts by the Bridgend, Maesteg, Aberkenfig, Ogmore Vale and Pontycymmer Employment Exchanges during each year from 1931 to 1937 inclusive:

Employment Exchange.		Year.	Number of persons placed in other districts.
Bridgend	…	1931	21
		1932	26
		1933	56
		1934	75
		1935	79
		1936	179
		1937	199
Maesteg	…	1931	231
		1932	259
		1933	241
		1934	248
		1935	295
		1936	401
		1937	475
Aberkenfig	…	1931	41
		1932	16
		1933	8
		1934	23
		1935	39
		1936	93
		1937	251
Ogmore Vale	…	1931	45
		1932	24
		1933	12
		1934	20
		1935	25
		1936	83
		1937	128
Pontycymmer	…	1931	49
		1932	24
		1933	2
		1934	6
		1935	25
		1936	68
		1937	193

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will, in future, continuously make it known in the London and provincial residential areas that the services of local Employment Exchanges are available for private persons seeking to employ domestic servants and that no fees are payable by employer or employed; and will he endeavour to develop this branch of Employment Exchange activities?

I have no reason to think that it is not already generally known that the services of the Employment Exchanges are available without charge to employers and workpeople offering or seeking domestic employment. During 1937 nearly 125,000 vacancies for women and girls in private domestic service were notified to the exchanges. What further part the exchanges can take in connection with the domestic

Industries.		13th December, 1937.		17th January, 1938.
		Number.	Per cent.	Number.	Per cent.
Building	…	478	31.9	380	25.3
Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing	…	1,807	35.2	1,937	378
General Engineering, etc.	…	92	3.2	103	3.5
Marine Engineering	…	353	8.5	362	8.7
Shipping Service	…	364	31.9	343	30.1
Miscellaneous Food manufacturing Industries	…	103	10.5	179	18.3
Distributive Trades	…	748	17.6	799	18.8
Dock, Harbour, Canal, etc., Service	…	445	46.8	284	299
All other industries and services	…	1,911	23.6	1,946	24.1
Total, all industries and services	…	6,301	21.6	6,333	21.8

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that ex-service men for the Admiralty scheme at Crombie can only be taken on through the Employment Exchange at Dunfermline; and whether he will extend the opportunity of employment on this scheme to ex-service men signing on at the Kincardine Branch Exchange which, although in the Alloa district, is within easy travelling distance?

I understand that it has so far been possible to fill all vacancies at this depot, with the exception of certain vacancies for skilled men, from among unemployed workpeople in Dunfermline. I will, however, arrange for suitable ex-service men available at Kincardine to be considered also.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will indicate the course of employment in the district of Greenock by industries, numbers, and percentages for the last two available months, respectively?

The following table shows for the area served by the Greenock Employment Exchange the numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64 years, recorded as unemployed in the principal industries at 13th December, 1937, and 17th January, 1938, and these numbers expressed as percentages of the estimated numbers insured at July, 1937.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of textile operatives wholly unemployed and working short-time, respectively, in Dewsbury and Batley during the first week of September, November, and December, 1937, and the first week in January and February, 1938?

The available statistics relate to persons aged 16 to 64 wholly unemployed (i.e. out of a situation), or temporarily stopped (i.e. temporarily suspended from work on the understanding that they are shortly to return to their former employment). Short-time workers not at work on the day of the count are included in the latter category but are not separately distinguished in the statistics. The table below shows the numbers of insured persons recorded as unem- ployed in the textile industries at Dews-bury and Batley at dates in the months in question for which figures are available, distinguishing those wholly unemployed and those temporarily stopped. Figures are not yet available for February, 1938.

—	Dewsbury.	Batley.
13th September, 1937. Aged 16–64 years.
Wholly unemployed	285	284
Temporarily stopped	591	437
15th November, 1937. Aged 16–64 years:
Wholly unemployed	463	462
Temporarily stopped	1,588	1,159
13th December, 1937. Aged 16–64 years:
Wholly unemployed	591	520
Temporarily stopped	1,790	1,807
17th January, 1938.
Aged 16—years:
Wholly unemployed	731	710
Temporarily stopped	1,875	1,831

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the areas in respect of which representations have been made to him under Section 5 (2) of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937; and also the names of the areas to which he has directed that the said Section shall apply?

In addition to those mentioned in the reply given on the 14th

Date.				Wholly Unemployed.	Temporarily Stopped.	Persons normally in Casual Employment.	Total.
1937.
25th January	…	…	…	1,433,957	183,668	71,598	1,689,223
22nd February	…	…	…	1,391,932	161,834	74,079	1,627,845
15th March	…	…	…	1,359,556	167,677	73,968	1,601,201
19th April	…	…	…	1,254,646	128,655	71,142	1,454,443
24th May	…	…	…	1,173,802	207,228	70,300	1,451,330
21st June	…	…	…	1,088,866	199,800	67,932	1,356,598
26th July	…	…	…	1,069,180	246,615	63,664	1,379,459
23rd August	…	…	…	1,088,885	205,371	64,365	1,358,621
13th September:
Old Basis*	…	…	…	1,118,905	203,939	65,756	1,388,600
New Basis*	…	…	…	1,690,967	191,737	56,500	1,339,204
18th October	…	…	…	1,159,613	176,337	54,299	1,390,249
15th November	…	…	…	1,227,600	216,806	54,797	1,499,203
13th December	…	…	…	1,283,604	324,779	57,024	1,665,407
* The method of counting the unemployed was revised in September, 1937; under the revised procedure persons subsequently found to be in employment at the date of the count are excluded from the figures.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the monthly figures of wholly and of partially unemployed persons during 1937?

The following table shows the numbers of persons registered as unemployed in Great Britain at a date in each month in 1937, distinguishing those wholly unemployed, those temporarily stopped and those normally in casual employment:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can specify the industries in Great Britain in which agreements have been reached since December, 1936, to date, to establish annual holidays with pay, and the approximate number of persons affected by such agreements?

I am sending to the hon. Member a statement containing a list of the collective agreements, providing for holidays with pay, reported to my Department as having been arrived at by organisations of employers and workpeople since December, 1936. It is estimated that the number of workpeople covered by these agreements is about 1¼ million.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the cost-of-living figures in July, 1914, and during 1937?

The official cost-of-living index figures for each month of 3937, showing the average percentage increase as compared with July, 1914, in the cost of maintaining unchanged the prewar standard of living of working-class families, were as follow:

Date.		Percentage Increase over July, 1914.
1937:
1st January	…	51
1st February	…	51
1st March	…	51
1st April	…	51
1st May	…	52
1st June	…	52
1st July	…	55
31st July	…	55
1st September	…	55
1st October	…	58
1st November	…	60
1st December	…	60

More detailed particulars will be found on page 5 of the issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for January, 1938. The corresponding figures for 1st January and 1st February, 1938, were 59 and 57, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the total loss of working days through trade disputes during 1937?

According to the statistics compiled by my Department, the aggregate number of working days lost through trade disputes in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during 1937, at the establishments where the disputes occurred, was approximately 3,417,000. Further particulars, together with an explanation of the scope of the statistics, will be found on pages 5 and 6 of the January issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of men who were engaged as painters, carpenters, and joiners, respectively, and are now employed at the Royal Army Ordnance Depot, Stirling; if these men are now classed as factory workers; what is the rate of wages paid per hour; and is the rate per hour paid the standard rate paid in the district for the foregoing trades?

Four carpenters and one painter are at present employed at the Army Ordnance Depot at Stirling. All of these were originally engaged in the crafts in which they are now employed, with the exception of one of the carpenters whose first engagement was as a labourer. There are no joiners at this depot. These men form part of the general body of civilian tradesmen, the majority of whom are engineering mechanics, employed in Army Ordnance Depot workshops. The present rate of wages paid is 72s. for a week of 48 hours. This is 4s. above the standard rate of the engineering mechanics, which has been agreed with the trade unions concerned as appropriate for wood-working craftsmen in the Army Ordnance Depots generally.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the total area planted, the total area planted in the last three years, the area plantable and unplantable, and the area under forestry holdings, in each of the forest units in Norfolk and Suffolk?

County.	Forest unit.		Total area planted.	Total area planted in last three years.	Area plantable (including planted).	Area Unplantable.	Area under forest workers' holdings.
			Acres.	Acres.	Acres.	Acres.	Acres.
Norfolk	Swaffham	…	4,675	328	6,185	Nil	178
	Swanton	…	1,035	416	1,646	Nil	17
Suffolk	Dunwich	…	797	2	783	Nil	22
	Kings	…	1,258	1,258	5,610	Nil	—
	Rendlesham	…	6,150	303	7,268	4	399
Norfolk and Suffolk.	Thetford	…	27,365	2,526	37,440	326	2,241

The figures required are as follow: