asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of registered unemployed on the register of

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (1) whether he is aware that the new oil-storage depot to be built at Purfleet will be in the middle of an extensive housing area and the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange, together with the number of claims admitted for unemployment insurance benefit, and the number of applications for unemployment benefit as at the last convenient date?

At 4th April, 1938, there were 11,973 unemployed persons, aged 14 and over, on the registers of the Borough Employment Exchange. This figure included 8,582 claimants for insurance benefit, of whom 8,203 had had their claims admitted.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of persons unemployed in the Pontardawe area, including Gwaen-cae-Gurwen and Brynaman in January, 1936, January, 1937, and January, 1938; and what is the number for the last available date, giving the figures for various industries separately?

, pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 7th April, 1938; col. 493, Vol. 334), supplied the following statement:The table below shows the numbers of insured persons, aged 14-64 (excluding persons within the agricultural scheme), recorded as unemployed in the principal industries at the Pontardawe Employment Exchange at certain dates. There is no separate Exchange at Gwaen-caeGurwen or Brynaman and figures for these places are not available.that the tanks of the depot are only to be partly buried and the excavated material piled over the tanks; and whether, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of these arrangements, he will cause a public inquiry to be held to examine all aspects of the scheme before it is started;

The plans for the scheme of oil storage at Purfleet, to which my hon. and learned Friend refers, have been examined in detail by technical experts from the Home Office and I have myself seen them. My hon. and learned Friend is misinformed as to the proposed position of the new tankage. It will be placed in open fields at a safe distance from the nearest houses. I can assure my hon. and learned Friend that a very considerable measure of protection against the dangers of air attack will be provided. The scheme has been thoroughly examined throughout the course of its development by every responsible body concerned; the necessity for a public inquiry does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of men engaged in the work of tin mining in this country during December, 1936, and January, 1938?

There were 1,585 wage-earners employed in the tin-mining industry in Great Britain at the end of December, 1936. The comparable figure at the end of December, 1937 (the latest date for which particulars are available) was 1,717.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is widespread regret in Greenock owing to the delay in making effective the decision to permit the contributions of all industrial and non-industrial workers in the torpedo factory so desiring it, for hospital fund, to be collected by deduction from their pay; and whether he will take steps to enable such contributions to be collected forthwith and distributed in accordance with the wishes of the said contributors?

No official representations have been received in the sense of the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I regret that it is not possible to arrange for the collection of the contributions in advance of the general scheme which is being pressed forward as rapidly as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that under present conditions Admiralty industrial employés returning from overseas dockyards after two or more years' service therein are not allowed any leave with pay, apart from the one day which elapses between their arrival and reporting at their home yard; and whether arrangements can be made for these employés to receive leave with pay on the same lines as is accorded to naval ratings on returning from a foreign station?

On return to his home yard after a period of service abroad, a workman may be granted from one to three days' leave with pay in order to find accommodation. He is also allowed to accumulate up to 12 days' leave while serving abroad, to be taken on his arrival in this country. I cannot accept the implication that the conditions of service of agreement workmen can properly be compared with those of naval ratings, nor can I agree to amend the regulations in the way suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention that he and the Under-Secretary should attend the International Labour Conference at Geneva in June next?

Yes, Sir. It is the intention that my right hon. Friend and myself should attend this Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the increasing discontent and poverty in Jamaica; and what steps are being taken to alleviate the widespread distress in that island?

I have received a recent report on conditions in Jamaica from the Governor, and I am satisfied that the island Government is fully alive to any discontent which may exist, and is giving consideration to any representations put before it in this regard. The recent appointment of Commissioners to inquire into labour conditions will give those desirous of making representations in regard to wages or unemployment an opportunity of doing so. A large programme of public works is in hand, and this should do much to relieve unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state how the arrangements are operating in relation to the administration of Ijebu province, Nigeria, decided upon as the result of the recent inquiry?

The Governor of Nigeria reports that the separation of Ijebu Remo from Ijebu Ode was effected on the 1st April without incident, and that, although a sufficient period in which to form a definite judgment has not yet elapsed, the situation appears in general to be satisfactory. Having regard to all the considerations, the Governor is well pleased with the reasonable attitude adopted by the parties concerned and with the complete absence of disturbance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the gold production of British Guiana during each of the years from 1934 to 1937?

The information required by my hon. Friend is set out in the table below:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement about the necessary repairs to the church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem?

Technical investigations are proceeding as expeditiously as possible to determine what immediate measures can be taken to secure the structure of the Church. Discussions will be arranged as soon as possible with the Christian communities concerned on the question of financing these urgent remedial works and the programme of restoration recommended in Mr. Harvey's Report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is intended to grant a subsidy in respect of a London-Dublin air service?

It is not at present in contemplation to grant a subsidy for this route.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what political questions are involved in connection with the booking ban imposed by the railway companies on the regular service between this country and Eire?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 12th April last by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in answer to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will direct a public inquiry, under Section 10 of the several Railway (Air Transport) Acts of 1929, as to the booking ban imposed by the railway companies in respect of certain air-transport companies?

No, Sir. It is the intention of my Noble Friend, in default of agreement with the railway companies, to make provision for dealing with this matter in the Licensing Order relating to internal air services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air which air trans-

Following is the information.

asked the Home Secretary when the constables of the Metropolitan Police Force are to have their conditions and wages dealt with in a similar way to those of the higher-paid officers in August, 1937?

No change in the existing rates of pay is contemplated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what number of education authorities have submitted reports on the method of operating the Education Act, 1936, especially on the exemption of boys and girls for what is termed beneficial employment?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on 20th December last.