asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many single men in West Lothian have had their unemployment assistance allowances reduced below the county relief scale of 17s. per week; and whether he will cause that figure at least to be restored and maintained?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to single men living otherwise than as members of households. I am informed by the Board that up to 25th March not more than 10 such applicants in West Lothian had had their allowances reduced from 17s. to 15s. These reductions were made under the statutory Regulations providing for the transition from the Standstill and in accordance with the recommendations of the local advisory committee. It is always open to an aggrieved applicant to exercise his right of appeal to the appeal tribunal, but the matter is not one in which I have any authority to intervene.

Is it not possible for the Minister to indicate that complaints are being made about the county scale—a scale established by a not too wealthy local authority—being broken by the Unemployment Assistance Board?

It is a matter for the local advisory committee. If the hon. Member can tell me of any particular case I will take up the matter with the Board.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of increases and decreases of unemployment allowances which have been made to persons in West Lothian, including those served by the Edinburgh area office, under the unemployment assistance regulations, dated July, 1936?

I regret that separate information relating to applicants living in West Lothian but served by the board's area office at Edinburgh is not available. In the board's administrative area of Bathgate, which covers the greater part of the county, the number of persons whose assessments in December, 1936, when all cases had been reviewed under the new Regulations, were greater than they would have been under Standstill arrangements was about 300. In the same area the number of applicants at the end of January last who were receiving allowances which had been reduced by way of adjustment of the Standstill arrangements otherwise than on account of personal earnings was 123.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board are requiring applicants for allowances to produce documentary evidence that they have sought employment; and under what authority are such officers acting?

I am informed by the board that after consideration by a local advisory committee applicants in a few exceptional cases have been asked to show what they were doing to obtain work. These were cases involving consideration of action under Section 40 of the Act which contains provisions with respect to applicants who fail to avail themselves of opportunities for employment.

Is this not a return to the old "genuinely seeking work" provision?

Not at all. This is a small type of special case. It was clearly understood by the House when it passed Section 40.

Will the Minister see that this is not proceeded with, in view of the difficulty of obtaining documentary evidence from firms?

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of applications to the Unemployment Assistance Board in respect of the waiting period only, and the number of such cases in which allowances were granted?

From 1st April, 1937, to 18th March, 1938, the number of applications in respect of the waiting period only was 119,080. In 85,841 cases allowances were granted.

asked the Minister of Labour particulars of the number of persons who have been directly found employment under any Government schemes during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and what has been the nature of such employment?

The policy successfully followed by the Government has been to promote employment by more general measures for the improvement of trade and industry and not by schemes for direct employment, which past experience has shown to be costly and ineffective.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the increase of unemployment in the town of Bury, Lancashire, was in the textile trade alone; and will he give the reduction in the number of hands employed in bleach works over the last five years?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board are bringing pressure to bear on applicants for allowances by attempting to persuade them to proceed to voluntary training camps by an intimation that their allowances may be discontinued if they refuse; and under what authority these officers are acting?

I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that they are not aware of any instances which would justify the suggestion contained in the question.

Have any instructions been given that this should be of a voluntary character; and will the Minister remind officers that men should be free to go or not, as they wish, to these camps?

I have had inquiry made and the Board tell me they are not aware of any instance to justify the suggestion in this question. If the hon. Member has any evidence I shall be glad to look at it.

asked the Minister of Labour the countries where statutory effect has already been given, or is in process of being given, to the provision of annual holidays with pay for manual workers?

I am having this information collected, and will circulate a reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satised that a complete investigation is made of all suspected cases of silicosis; and whether it is the intention of the Government to consider the need for an extension of workmen's compensation to all cases wherever contracted in industry?

The Home Office has always recognised the importance of taking special steps to ensure that no process likely to give rise to silicosis is overlooked, and it is the practice of the medical inspectors of factories to make careful inquiries into cases of suspected silicosis alleged to be due to any process not now covered by a compensation scheme. If evidence were forthcoming to show that the disease is being contracted in some process not already covered, my right hon. Friend would certainly consider a prompt extension of the scheme.

Will the Minister instruct all local authorities to make X-ray examinations in suspected cases and make a suitable grant for this purpose?

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that it is most difficult to diagnose some of these cases? There have been two cases in my division, in which death was attributed to pneumonia, but, owing to the coroner deciding to have a post-mortem examination, it was afterwards diagnosed as being due to silicosis. Will he reconsider this in view of other evidence?

I will certainly consider any further evidence.

asked the Home Secretary what action has been taken to carry out the promises made during the debates on the Factories Bill to the hon. Member for Stoke in relation to silicosis; and what action has been taken since the Factories Act, 1937, became an Act of Parliament?

Since my reply to the hon. Member's question on 2nd December last, the question of extending the arrangements for periodic medical examination to additional processes in the pottery industry has been under further consideration in consultation with representatives of the employers and workers. Both sides have made suggestions which involve difficult issues, and my right hon. Friend is now considering what should be the next step.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has given or will give reconsideration to his reply made to the Trades Union Congress, who asked that the functions of the Silicosis Medical Board should be extended?

The letter to which the hon. Member refers explained the present arrangements for investigating suspected cases of silicosis; and for the reasons indicated in the letter the arrangements are in my right hon. Friend's view more appropriate and effective for the purpose in view than the suggested extension of the functions of the Medical Board.

Is not an X-ray examination much to be preferred to a post-mortem examination?

It is possible under the present arrangements for the local inspector of factories to ask for an X-ray examination.

If further evidence can be produced to show that the functions of the Silicosis Medical Board are too limited, will the Under-Secretary draw the attention of his right hon. Friend to the need for giving them further powers?

We are in correspondence at the moment with the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now arrived at a decision relative to the conditions of employment of young persons in unregulated occupations; and, if so, whether he intends to promote legislation to deal with this problem?

Yes, Sir. It is intended to introduce a Bill with a view to its being passed into law this Session.

Will that include young persons in cinemas?

The Bill will be based generally on the report of the Departmental Committee on Unregulated Occupations.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now considered the report of the Departmental Committee on Corporal Punishment; and, if so, whether he intends to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of that committee?

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to implement the recent report on corporal punishment?

The report will in due course receive the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government, but I am not in a position to make a statement at present.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when he will be in a position to make a statement?

I am afraid I cannot, to-day.

asked the Home Secretary whether consideration has yet been given to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Adoption; what recommendations have been accepted by the Government; and what steps have been or are being taken to give effect to them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Warrington (Mr. Goldie) on 9th February.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the hardships imposed on the small shopkeepers by the operation of the Shops (Sunday Trading Restrictions) Act, he will make immediate investigations into the operation of the Act with a view to taking steps to remedy grievances?

My right hon. Friend sympathises with the position of the small traders, and he will, of course, always be ready to consider any representations which may be made on their behalf. At the same time, he feels bound to point out that it is difficult, in legislation of this character, to introduce any discrimination in favour of a particular type of shop, as against other shops selling the same commodities. He would point out also that, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, shops may be open on Sunday without restriction for the sale of a wide variety of articles, and that the local authorities have certain powers to make orders allowing the sale of some non-exempted commodities within certain limits.

Am I to understand from that answer that my hon. Friend is aware of the grievance of the small shopkeeper? If I am not to have an answer to that question, may I ask whether it is the policy of a powerful Government to know that grievances exist and not take any steps to remedy them? May I have an answer to that question?

I must point out to the hon. Lady that the Home Office is receiving representations on both sides on the matter.

If my hon. Friend is satisfied that there is a grievance, will steps be taken to remedy it?

asked the Home Secretary how many persons of Austrian nationality have been permitted to enter Great Britain since 1st March, 1938; and how many have been refused entry since that date?

During the period 1st March to 29th March inclusive 1,317 Austrians were given leave to land and 61 were refused.

Is my right hon. Friend able to state whether the proportion refused entry is greater or less than the normal proportion?

No, Sir. I could not state that, but I can say that only one Austrian has been refused leave to land since my previous statement to the House.

asked the Home Secretary particulars of any records in his possession of proceedings taken in the Metropolitan Police Area against persons under Section 27 of the Highways Act, 1835, for film acting on the public highways?

I presume the hon. Member refers to Section 72 of the Highways Act, 1835. I regret that the information asked for is not available.

In view of the fact that the Cinematograph Films Act has just been passed, will the Minister consider giving permission for this to be done?

No, Sir. I have told the hon. Member that the information is not available.

Is it not a fact that there have been several prosecutions?

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons who have, over the whole country up to date, enrolled in the various voluntary air-raid precaution services; and what is the total number required?

My right hen. Friend is arranging to obtain periodical returns of the progress of the enrolment of personnel for air-raid precautions services, but he is not yet in a position to give the particulars for which my hon. Friend asks in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the number may be put at approximately 1,000,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether any uniform conditions of enrolment for air-raid wardens have been approved by his Department; if so, whether all local authorities have been instructed to conform to these uniform conditions; if not, whether every local authority is devising its own conditions of enrolment; and whether the conditions of enrolment imply any sort of contract on the part of the volunteer personnel to undertake certain duties either in connection with training or in the event of an emergency?

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The duties of an air-raid warden would be the same in every part of the country, and those who volunteer for this service will require certain training in time of peace. There is no question of a volunteer entering into any binding contract on enrolment.

Do I understand, therefore, it is taken as certain that the volunteer who enrols will present himself for duty if required to do so?

We rely upon his being a real volunteer.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the 2,000 local authorities concerned have, at the present time, storage accommodation for gasmasks complete, ready and available for use; how many gas-masks of civilian pattern, apart from samples, have been distributed from the Government regional stores to the local authorities for storage; and whether, in the event of an emergency and in default of their distribution, there is any means whereby the gasmasks could be distributed directly from the Government's regional stores to the civilian population?

asked the Home Secretary whether regional stores for gas-masks have yet been established and stocked; and by what method, and in what circumstances, are the gas-masks to be distributed to the population?

No local authorities yet have storage accommodation ready for use, but schemes are being prepared by them which will include the provision of this accommodation and will give particulars of the respirators required (such particulars having been obtained by house-to-house census) in the areas for which the local authorities are responsible. In the event of an emergency arising before the local storage accommodation is in use, respirators would be sent from the regional stores to the local authorities for distribution.

asked the Home Secretary whether any instructions have been given to local authorities that it is proper for them to make arrangements to meet the necessary out-of-pocket expenses of voluntary air-raid precautions personnel; whether he is aware that in many cases not even travelling expenses are being met and that, in consequence, volunteers have to walk several miles to and from the training centres to perform their duties; and whether he will take immediate steps to remove this discouragement to the recruitment of air-raid precautions personnel?

I do not think that local authorities generally are unaware that the reasonable travelling expenses of volunteers attending for training may properly be defrayed by local authorities as part of their air-aid precautions expenditure, but in view of what my hon. Friend says, I am arranging for the Department's regional inspectors to notify local authorities who may be in doubt.

Is this being done in conjunction with the Scottish Office, so that the same procedure will be followed in Scotland?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether any local authorities have yet completed any bomb-proof shelters for the civilian population; and, if so, how many such shelters have been completed and where?

In my right hon. Friend's view it would be premature, and indeed misleading, to attempt to give any figures about public shelters which have been specially provided by local authorities. The circular which was issued on 28th March indicated that the first step should be a survey of existing accommodation which could be made available to the public, and until that survey is completed it will be impossible to judge the extent to which special construction can be considered.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that the time for collecting information has gone by, and that the time for action has come? Over a year has been alowed to elapse while inquiry has been made, and the country desires that more active steps should be taken.

I am just as anxious as the hon. Baronet that action should be taken, but perhaps I may point out to him that the Act was passed just before Christmas.

When does the hon. Gentleman expect the survey to be completed?

The survey will have to be carried out by all local authorities, and we are pressing them to carry out this duty with the utmost speed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a number of Members in this House have already made up their minds what to do if this happens? I know what I am going to do. I am going to stop indoors.

asked the Home Secretary how many local authorities have yet provided permanent and, in the view of his Department, adequate training accommodation for voluntary air-raid precautions personnel?

Training is proceeding actively in most areas, and many local authorities will no doubt be able to carry out this training in existing accommodation at their disposal. The adequacy of such accommodation depends upon the rate of enrolment of volunteers in each area, and numbers of authorities are taking additional accommodation and will be submitting their expenditure for this purpose for approval under the Act.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether air-raid wardens are entitled to receive the air-raid warden's badge on completion of one month's training; and, if so, how many of these badges have actually been distributed by local authorities to air-raid wardens;

A quarter of a million badges and 50,000 brooches have been manufactured, of which 110,000 badges and 35,000 brooches have been despatched to local authorities for distribution, leaving 140,000 badges and 15,000 brooches in the custody of the Department. Badges and brooches are given at the discretion of the local authority to volunteers who have completed one month's service and are considered efficient in their duties. The latest available returns indicate that 5,367 badges and 1,162 brooches have been so distributed, of which 1,987 were badges for wardens.

asked the Home Secretary whether the gas masks supplied for the training of air-raid wardens in Warwickshire are similar in all respects to those which are being stored for distribution in the event of emergency?

The service respirator is being used to some extent in Warwickshire for the training of air-raid wardens as a matter of local convenience. This type is not the one that is being stored for the civilian population, but it is one of the two types that will be issued as service equipment for Air-Raid Precautions Service.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the large number of persons who desire to be trained in air-raid precautionary work and the very limited facilities now available for such training, he will take steps to encourage the provision of courses by independent persons taking pupils on a paying basis?

The qualifications for instructors are laid down in memoranda issued by the Home Office, and my hon. Friend will appreciate that official recognition could properly be given only to instructors so qualified. The responsibility for making arrangements for giving instruction and advice to the public with regard to air-raid precautions is by Statute placed upon the local authorities, who are in many cases setting up their own training schools. In the circumstances my right hon. Friend would not think it right to authorise courses being set up by independent persons on a fee-paying basis for this service.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to introduce legislation, similar to that in force in other countries, designed to ensure that new buildings shall be so constructed as to minimise air-raid dangers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds) on 24th March.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the fact that in the air-raid precautions circular of 28th March the local authorities have been told that they need not prepare schemes for evacuation until so directed by him, how soon he expects to be in a position to issue such directions to the authorities concerned?

My right hon. Friend has this subject under examination, but he is not yet able to say when he will be in a position to consult the local authorities concerned.

Can my hon. Friend assure the House that this circular represents no departure from the Government's attitude towards the question of evacuation as outlined by the Home Secretary in the Committee stage of the Air-Raid Precautions Bill?

Yes, Sir. I can certainly give that assurance.

Is the Home Office considering the question of having a very early experiment of evacuation?

This is a very important subject which requires to be considered in the light of the schemes brought forward by the local authorities.

Does the hon. Member realise that the local authorities will require a very considerable amount of time to put any scheme into operation, and that therefore, time is the essence of this matter?

It is urgent that they should press on with the work on which they are at present engaged.

Are we to understand that the local authorities have been instructed to lodge their schemes with the Home Office?

They have been told that there is a certain central responsibility.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to protect against air-raid those persons who live in houses the strengthening or adaptation of which to provide any reasonable degree of protection is impracticable?

It is one of the duties of local authorities to provide such shelters for the protection of the public as may be necessary. The circular which was issued on 28th March gives guidance to local authorities on this matter.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the circular does not give guidance on this particular point, and does he mean by his answer that people will not be expected to remain in houses which do not afford any sort of protection against the effects of blast?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. This subject is mentioned in specific terms in the circular.

asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken to provide hospital accommodation for serious air-raid casualties in London and other large towns?

A survey of hospital accommodation generally is now being conducted by the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health for Scotland in cooperation with medical officers of health. As soon as that survey is completed my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to advise local authorities as to the steps they should take to provide accommodation for serious casualties.

asked the Home Secretary which London boroughs have not yet appointed full-time salaried air-raid precautions officers?

In some boroughs either existing officers have been seconded or special appointments have been made, while in two boroughs honorary organisers have been appointed. In the remaining boroughs, 13 in number, no officer has been seconded or specially appointed, but the town clerk is charged directly with the work of organisation. I will send my hon. Friend a list of the 13 boroughs in question.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that the provisions which he has outlined are satisfactory, and does he not think that each borough ought to have a whole-time man in charge?

It is not possible to say whether any scheme is the right one in all circumstances, because they may differ. In certain circumstances the town clerk, with the prestige of his office, may be the best man to be in general charge.

From what bodies are the officers seconded?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the public utility authorities generally are proceeding to take proper precautions against air raids, or whether such precautions are being delayed pending financial arrangements with the Government?

A large number of public utility undertakings have already made progress with schemes for the protection of their plant and personnel on the same lines as other employers. The additional works contemplated by my right hon. Friend in his statement of 23rd December are under examination by technical committees representing some of the public utility services and negotiations with regard to the basis of financial assistance for such additional works will begin next week.

How long will it be before a final decision is arrived at, so that people can get on with the job?

They are in certain cases getting on with it.

I mean before certain major decisions can be arrived at.

Negotiations are in progress.

In view of the importance of the questions and answers on this matter, will the hon. Gentleman make some representations to the responsible officers to acquaint themselves with these questions and answers by purchasing the OFFICIAL REPORT?

I think the local authorities are aware of the importance of that.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue, in the form of a White Paper, the terms of his further instructions of 28th March to local authorities concerning air-raid precautions schemes?

The circular and accompanying documents to which my hon. Friend refers have been issued and put on sale. Copies have been placed in the Library.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as appointments for air-raid precautions officers have to be recommended by approved bodies to local government authorities, he will consider the advisability of appointing the British Legion as an approved body to recommend ex-service officers and men as air-raid precautions officers in view of their suitability by past experience for the work?

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The appointment of such officers is within the discretion of local authorities and there is no requirement that they should be recommended by approved bodies.

As the local authorities are going to appoint some of these officers, will the Home Office pay anything towards the expenses?

Under the terms of the Act, it would rank as approved expenditure.

asked the Home Secretary whether plans are being prepared for the evacuation of children from the larger and more vulnerable cities in the event of war?

The arrangements to be made as regards children under air-raid conditions are under consideration by local education authorities in the light of a circular letter issued by the Board of Education on 3rd January.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to securing the adequate defence and protection of the civilian population in the United Kingdom from the effects of air-bombing, he will consider appointing a Minister whose sole duty and responsibility will be related to air-raid precautions, including the provision of air-raid shelters, both public and private?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 7th February last in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for North Newcastle (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle).

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the intention of certain local authorities to rate air-raid shelters; and whether he will consider, if it be necessary, the introduction of legislation to prevent any such imposition?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am not at present aware of any necessity for the introduction of legislation to deal with this matter.

asked the Minister of Health what was the purpose of the recent survey of voluntary hospitals carried out by his Department; whether the information is being collected as part of the air-raid precautions scheme; and whether it will be communicated to the local authorities?

The survey, which is not limited to voluntary hospitals, has been undertaken with a view to making the fullest use of the existing hospital facilities, and extending them if necessary in a national emergency. The results of the survey will in due course be a matter for discussion with the local authorities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that some of the local authorities are having difficulties because they find themselves unable to complete the ambulance part of their air-raid precautions until they are able to say definitely which hospitals they will be able to use?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will inform me of those local authorities, and I will have special regard to their cases.

Will provision be made for these hospitals to have additional staffs seeing that at the present time they cannot serve their own populations?

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to introduce and pass into law during the present Parliament any measure of voting reform for application at the next General Election?

If the hon. Member has in mind some change in the Parliamentary franchise, the introduction of such legislation is not in contemplation.

Are we to understand that nothing has happened as a result of the recommendations of the Committee which sat under the chairmanship of Lord Ullswater?

Would any reform of this kind have any effect on the hopes of hon. and right hon. Gentlemen above the Gangway?

asked the Home Secretary how many certificates have been granted by the London County Council for the exhibition of films which had been banned by the censor during the past two years; and how many cinemas exhibited these films?

I am informed that there have been nine such cases since 1st April, 1936. I have no information as to the actual number of cinemas at which the films in question were exhibited, but so far as I am aware it is a very limited one.

Are we to understand that such films are exhibited exclusively at some special cinemas in London or are they exhibited in other places outside London?

I have no information other than that which I have given to the hon. Member. This is entirely a matter for the London County Council, which is the authority for this purpose.

Does the Censor's Department follow these films in order to see exactly how frequently they are shown, and where they are shown, after the Censor has banned them?

As I say, this is the responsibility of the London County Council, and I have no reason to believe there is any ground for any complaint against the administration of the Council.

Is it not the case that they are seen by the representatives of the Surrey and Middlesex County Councils at the same time?

asked the Home Secretary the number of police on duty in plain clothes at a meeting held in Stratford Town Hall on Monday, 28th March; who requisitioned them and why; and the number of extra uniformed police on duty in the vicinity on that date and why?

I understand that the arrangements made on this occasion did not differ from those commonly adopted for political meetings in this hall. There were two uniformed officers stationed outside the hall and there were seven others available in the vicinity. The local sub-divisional inspector, who was going round his sub-division in plain clothes, visited the hall while the meeting was in progress, but there were no other officers in plain clothes on duty at the meeting and there was no question of anyone requisitioning police officers.

May I ask whether my right hon. Friend is aware that at meetings other than those of the Fascists, there are no police, and whether, under the 1936 Act, there is to be provided an audience of police in plain clothes equal to the number of ordinary spectators?

No, Sir. The hon. Member is misinformed. As far as meetings in this hall are concerned, we always adopt the same procedure. The number of police who are on duty is exactly the same whatever the meetings, whether it be Labour, Conservative or Fascist.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I addressed a meeting in the same hall last Sunday night, and that there were no plain-clothes policemen there?

How do you know?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the accident at the electric supply works at Blackpool on Monday; what was the cause of the accident; and how many people were injured?

I have received a preliminary report from which it appears that a man working at a switchboard touched a live conductor and was badly burned. No other person was injured. The circumstances are being further investigated by one of the electrical inspectors of the Factory Department.

asked the Home Secretary what is the estimated expenditure on the 30 new section houses to be built and the 20 existing section houses which it is proposed to reconstruct during the next seven or eight years within the Metropolitan police area; which section houses it is proposed to reconstruct; and in which areas new buildings are to be built?

As no final decision with regard to either the section houses to be reconstructed or the new ones to be built has been, or can be, reached for some time, I cannot give the hon. Member the detailed information he seeks. The actual expenditure on section houses under the building programme sanctioned by Parliament in 1935 will necessarily depend to a considerable extent on what may happen with regard to building costs and on other factors, but, on the information at present available, it appears likely that it will amount to about £2,000,000.

In view of the great experience in this matter of the Department of the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Health, will the Home Secretary consult with that Department so as to get a more reasonable cost of building than that indicated in his reply?

I have no reason to think that the work will not be carried out economically, but I will certainly take account of the hon. Member's suggestion.

Is any part of the cost of £2,000,000 to be imposed upon the local rates in the Metropolitan area?

As the hon. Member is aware, police expenditure is always 50 per cent. State and 50 per cent. local.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. There are on the Order Paper 82 questions, 24 of which deal with air-raid precuations. Would it not be possible to select a certain number of representative questions on air-raid precautions, as is done in the "Times," so that there would be time for some of the other questions?

Further to the point of Order. Does not the number of questions on air-raid precautions show the importance which the country attaches to them?

I am not going to select them.

asked the Home Secretary by whom and under what authority the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District is appointed; and whether expenditure of moneys by that department is approved by the Treasury before being entered into?

The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District is appointed by the Crown under Section 10 of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1829. Responsibility for approving expenditure from the Metropolitan Police Fund rests not on the Treasury but on the Home Secretary as the police authority for the Metropolis.

Has any amendment of any kind been made in the powers or duties of the Receiver since 1829, and, if not, is it not time that this matter was reviewed?

No amendment has been made, because no amendment has been needed.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases of diphtheria and deaths therefrom shown annually and in the aggregate between 1st October, 1931, and the latest convenient date?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the atmospheric pollution of the city of Westminster, as measured by sulphur deposit for the month of February, was twice the figure registered at Scunthorpe, which town is the centre of the Lincolnshire steel industry; and will he take the necessary steps to render the atmosphere of Westminster as healthy as that of a busy industrial area?

I have no information which enables me to verify my hon. Friend's figures. The responsibility for the administration of the relevant Acts of Parliament in London lies with the Metropolitan borough councils and the London County Council.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been no improvement of the atmosphere of London for the past 15 years, while the amount of sulphur has slightly increased?

I am sorry to hear it.