asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the resolutions passed by the Distressed Areas Conference sub-committee; and what action does he propose to take?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby) on 28th April last, of which I am sending him a copy.

I understand that the Minister met a deputation; has he given further consideration to the issues raised, and will he, in view of them, consider recommending amending legislation to deal with the grievances of the local authorities?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the answer, which is a long one, and the supplementary questions to it, he will see that I have dealt with that point and given the reasons.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that applicants for allowances under the Unemployment Assistance Board regulations are subject to investigation not only on their own and their family income but also as to their private lives, and the views held by them on political and other subjects, which are reported on by the investigator; whether he will state the full nature of the inquiries which are made; and take steps to see that this form is submitted to the applicant for his comments;

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the report of a means test investigating officer on the case of John Gellatty, of 182, Hospital Street, Glasgow, contains remarks about his alleged political opinions, and the fact that in his room was to be found a copy of the Unemployment Insurance Act, with the remark that he seemed to be well up in matters relative to that Act; why such information is considered as having any bearing on the man's claims; whether inquiries of this nature are sanctioned by the Ministry; and, if not, whether he will issue instructions that they be discontinued?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will make available for Members of the House blank copies of the form on which recently an applicant to the Unemployment Assistance Board in South Shields was described as a man holding extremist views and not a type to be encouraged;

The Board's officers are instructed to investigate and report upon such of the circumstances of applicants for allowances and their households as are relevant to the Act and Regulations relating to the assessment of needs. In view of certain recent cases in which irrelevant matters were introduced into these reports, the Board has issued express instructions in the following terms:

" Reports by investigating officers must be strictly confined to the recording of matters which are relevant to the determination of allowances or to other decisions, e.g., in regard to eligibility for training which it is competent for officers of the Board to take. The religious or political views of applicants are wholly irrelevant to such decisions, and the greatest care must be taken by officers of all ranks to exclude any comments on such matters from their reports on the circumstances of the applicants and their households."

Should not a document that has a bearing on a man's case be shown to him in order that he may have access to the information that is before the board?

If need arises that is done.

Can the Minister explain how in this investigation report we get information that the man expatiates on the cost of living and that he is a seditious type? Is the Minister aware that sedition is a crime, and is he prepared to protect the unemployed from what can only be considered a criminal libel by the investigation officer?

The board and I are much obliged to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede), who first called attention to a case of this kind, because it has enabled the board to issue this express instruction.

With regard to the last part of Question 27, is it made clear to these officers that it is a serious breach of discipline to enter any of these comments on the forms supplied to them, and will steps be taken to enforce disciplinary action if there should be further breaches?

There is no doubt about that. That is why the board have issued an express instruction to every one of their staff.

Is the Minister aware that this photograph of the investigation reveals methods of investigation that are more in keeping with the methods of the Criminal Investigation Department than of the Unemployment Assistance Board, and will he take steps to see that the man responsible for this investigation is dealt with?

I have already made the position perfectly plain.

Arising out of Question 12, will the Ministry refuse to accept responsibility in the case of an action by Mr. Gellatty against the board for libel?

I should want notice of a question of that kind.

I am not entirely satisfied with the answers to Questions 5 and 6, and I give notice that, as soon as possible, I will raise the subjects on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of persons in the county of Glamorgan received winter allowance from the Unemployment Assistance Board; and what number have received special allowance for the year 1937 and the latest date in this year?

Information relating specifically to the county of Glamorgan is not available, but in the board's administrative districts of Cardiff and Swansea, which include almost the whole of the county area as well as the three county boroughs, there were on the 17th January last 25,436 applicants in receipt of winter additions. In reply to the second part of the question, perhaps the hon. Member will be so good as to inform me as to the type of allowance referred to as special allowance and the area in respect of which he desires information.

Will my right hon. Friend give separate figures for Cardiff?

I am not sure that I can do so, but I will make inquiries to see.

asked the Minister of Labour how many able-bodied unemployed persons were transferred to the care of the Unemployment Assistance Board on 1st April, 1937, in West Ham, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow; how many were rejected on the grounds of their being unfit for work; and how many of those unfit for work have found employment between April, 1937, and 1938?

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

With reference to Glasgow, which is one of the towns mentioned, and the last part of the question, can the Minister give us any idea of those unfit for work who have found employment in 1937 and 1938?

If the hon. Member will look at the answer he will find two columns of figures, the first recording the number taken over from public assistance, which in the case of Glasgow was 18,931, and the other those who were not, numbering 529. I cannot say how many of the 529 found employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will recommend a special summer allowance to the unemployed during the summer months?

No, Sir.

Will the Minister give consideration to the fact that during the summer the foodstuffs in working-class houses are apt to waste to a greater extent than in the winter and that that creates more hardship among the unemployed?

I am more concerned with the fact that certain local authorities, about 19 in number, made an addition to the assistance given to the poor in the winter.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in Great Britain who were receiving payments in Great Britain in March, 1935, from the Unemployment Assistance Board, and the number on the latest available date; and the numbers for the same dates in the administrative district of Durham?

The average weekly number of payments of unemployment assistance allowances in Great Britain in March, 1935, was 729,812; the number of payments in the week ended 8th April, 1938 (exclusive of payments in supplementation of insurance benefit), was 556,566. The corresponding figures for the Unemployment Assistance Board's administrative district of Durham were 40,594 and 24,096, respectively. Comparison of the figures for these dates is affected by the extension of the scope of the Unemployment Assistance Scheme as from 1st April, 1937, the Second Appointed Day.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the reductions in allowances by the Unemployment Assistance Board in respect of winter allowances will be limited to those applicants who have received such allowances?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any estimate has been made of the saving to the Exchequer from the application of the needs test, having regard to the rise in the cost of administration of the Board?

No, Sir, I have nothing to add on this question to the reply to the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith) on 19th May, 1938, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Is the Minister in a position to state that the continuation of these means test inquiries does not cost more than they save?

They undoubtedly save a great deal more than the extra cost—a great deal more.

Does the Minister think that the abolition of the means test will be brought about during the lifetime of this Parliament?

No, I do not think so, nor under any Labour Government that comes in.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made on the Team Valley Trading Estate and the Pallion and South-West Durham Trading Estates; the number of factories now completed; the number under construction; and the number of persons employed on each estate up to the most recent date?

On 30th April, 1938, 44 factories had been completed on the Team Valley Trading Estate. Of these 42 were occupied by tenants, 35 of whom had begun production. On the same date 35 factories were in course of construction and agreements had been made with 18 further tenants for whom the building of factories had not begun. It is understood that approximately 1,000 persons were employed in the factories, and 1,450 persons were employed on the development work of the trading estate. The erection of two factories had just been begun and 13 workpeople were employed on the site acquired at St. Helen's, Auckland. Two factories were in course of erection, and 48 workpeople were employed at Pallion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the 1,000 persons employed on the Team Valley Estate are men over 21?

If the hon. Gentleman will put that question down I will answer it.

asked the Minister of Labour how many joiners and bricklayers, respectively, were employed at the Empire Exhibition on Friday, l0th May, 1938, or the last convenient date; what were the corresponding numbers on the corresponding date in April, 1938; how many of these have been absorbed into house-building and other industrial enterprises, respectively; how many workmen formerly engaged on the erection and completion of the Empire Exhibition are at present unemployed; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

According to my information, 73 joiners with 10 apprentices, and three bricklayers with two apprentices, were employed at the exhibition on 23rd May. Particulars of the numbers employed on 23rd April were stated in the answer given to the hon. Member by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 26th April. I regret that information is not available as to the number of these men, some of whom will have returned to other parts of the country, who have secured alternative employment or who are now unemployed; as regards the latter, if they register at their Employment Exchanges, they can be informed of any vacancies notified to the exchanges for which they are qualified.

May we take it that most of the men employed on the erection of the Empire Exhibition have been absorbed?

If the hon. and learned Member will compare the figures, he will see that on the date to which my right hon. Friend referred there were 1,375 joiners, 27 apprentices and 42 bricklayers.

Does the Minister make any provision when a great work like this finishes to see that the men displaced are found employment instead of their having to go in a haphazard way to the Employment Exchange?

There was an exchange at the exhibition and the men took advantage of it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that recently Mr. Peter Gibson, 18, Camden Street, Glasgow, was notified by express letter from the South Side exchange about 7 p.m. to go to a job the following morning; that he started work and received in payment for part of the day worked 2s. 8d.; that he would have received in benefit the sum of 5s.; and what action he proposes to take to see that the man is paid at least an amount equal to his benefit, and also to see that men in future are not penalised in this way?

The facts are as stated in the question. It is the duty of the Employment Exchanges to inform unemployed workers of opportunities of employment. Mr. Gibson accepted this offer under the impression that he would be employed for a full day, and there is no action which I can take.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman see that a man is not penalised for working, and take steps to see that while he is working he at least gets equivalent to what he gets when unemployed?

It depends on the arrangement between the employer and the employed when they meet. We act as agents to bring them in touch and it is for the man to decide whether to accept the offer. I understand that in this case he thought it was a full day, but it was not.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the exchange allowed him to believe it was a full day, and will he take steps to see that a man who goes to a job at short notice is not penalised because of his desire to get employment?

The point is that we offer the job and it is for the man to decide whether to take it or not. Hon. Members opposite would be the first to complain if any interference by the exchanges took place.

What would happen if the man refused?

A man is within his rights to refuse and he has his right to appeal. There have been cases where the umpire has often decided in favour of the man.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of girls who have been recently denied benefit on account of their refusal to take up work at Reading and how many of them are resident in the Swansea Employment Exchange area; the number of vacancies reported by Messrs. Huntley and Palmer; and whether the Ministry of Labour has any difficulty in providing a sufficient number of girls to fill all bona fide vacancies reported by this firm?

since 1st January, 1938, the claims of 120 women and girls in the Wales Division have been disallowed by the courts of referees on account of refusal to take up employment with Messrs. Huntley and Palmer, Limited, in Reading, and of these 27 women (all over 18 years of age) were resident in the Swansea Employment Exchange area. Figures for other divisions are not at the moment available. In the same period Messrs. Huntley and Palmer notified to the Department a demand for 200 girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 23 years and, as it was not possible fully to meet this demand from local labour, a representative of the firm arranged to visit suitable areas in Wales and the North-West in order to interview suitable applicants for transfer to Reading. Eleven girls (under 18 years of age) from Wales, and 61 women from Wales and the North-West have been placed with Messrs. Huntley and Palmer as a result of these interviews. In spite of the shortage of local labour the Department has so far been able partly by transferring people from other districts to meet the demands for labour made by Messrs. Huntley and Palmer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the court of referees disallowed benefit for two weeks for alleged industrial misconduct in the case of Joseph Speakman, of Farnworth; and, in view of the fact that this misconduct consisted of absenting himself from work in order to apply personally for another job, which would enable him to earn a better wage than the one he was receiving, namely, 28s. per week, and which, as a married man, he found he could not live upon, he will consider amending the regulation defining industrial misconduct?

I have considered the circumstances of this case, but I do not think that any amendment of Section 27 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935, is called for. That Section does not define the term "misconduct," and it is for the statutory authorities to decide whether disqualification has been incurred under this Section and to fix the period, within a maximum of six weeks, for which any such disqualification shall operate.

Is the Minister aware that as long as the present definition of "industrial misconduct" under which the statutory authority works remains, no person in the unfortunate position of this man can escape from an occupation without being penalised for so doing? If that is the case, will be not inquire whether some alteration can be made in the definition?

As hon. Members know, this point has been the subject of discussion in connection with insurance for many years, and the House has always decided not to attempt precisely to define the phrase, and I think, looking at the matter all the way round, that is still the right decision.

May I ask the Minister to look into the matter again, in view of the fact that in Lancashire at the present time this particular case has been multiplied by the thousand? Will he consider whether in the altered circumstances a new definition is not required?

I am, of course, aware of the difficulties in Lancashire, but I am not sure that this particular case will be multiplied by the thousand. However, I am willing to look into the matter again.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of registered unemployed in Great Britain for the years ended March, 1930, and 1938, respectively?

The average numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain in the years ended March, 1930, and March, 1938, were 1,275,441 and 1,523,460 respectively.

Will the Minister take into consideration the tremendous increase in public relief during the same period, and is he satisfied with the unemployment figures to-day?

That is an entirely different issue.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the figures of unemployment in 1931?

The total number of unemployed on 16th March, 1931, was 2,639,640.

Will the Minister keep in mind that in the eight years since 1930 we have had for seven years a National Government with an overwhelming majority?

asked the Minister of Labour whether consideration is being given to the creation of factories and new industries at Port Clarence and Stillington, villages now derelict, where suitable sites are available and excellent transport facilities by road, rail, and sea?

I am not aware of any proposals of the kind referred to by the hon. Member.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it would be wiser to encourage firms to erect factories in these derelict villages where housing accommodation still exists rather than to send young people elsewhere or ask them to travel to the Team Valley Estate, 20 or 40 miles away?

I would agree with the hon. Member, except that there is only a limited number of new industries, and that some can be attracted by the provision of facilities who would not be attracted in any other way.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of persons unemployed in the borough of Merthyr Tydfil on the last day for which information is available; the number in receipt of unemployment assistance allowances; and the number in receipt of statutory benefit?

At 4th April, 1938, there were 8,298 persons aged 14 years and over, registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Merthyr Tydfil. Of the 8,097 persons aged 16 years and over included in this total, 1,402 had claims admitted for insurance benefit, and 6,270 had applications authorised for unemployment allowances (excluding applications for allowances in supplementation of benefit).

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of the registered unemployed in the borough of Merthyr Tydfil have not been engaged in regular employment for one, two, three, four, five, and over five years?

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 the number of unemployed persons signing at the Employment Exchanges of Merthyr Tydfil and Dowlais who received the winter and cost-of-living increases in allowances; and what was the average amount of such increase paid to such persons?

Information relating to Employment Exchange areas is not available but in the Unemployment Assistance Board's administrative areas of Merthyr Tydfil and Dowlais which are served by the Merthyr Tydfil, Treharris and Dowlais Employment Exchanges the number of assessments current on 17th January last, which included winter? additions, were 2,149 and 1,245 respectively. The average addition was slightly over 23. per week in each case.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of advisory committees that are at present operating for juvenile employment in connection with the Employment Exchanges; and at what intervals a report of their work is presented?

There are at present 197 juvenile advisory committees established by the Ministry in connection with the juvenile work of Employment Exchanges. A general account of their work is given in the annual reports of the Ministry.

Does the advisory committee still serve a useful purpose?

It serves a very splendid purpose.

asked the Minister of Labour why his Department refused to circulate to all employment committees the resolution of the Blackpool and Fylde District Employment Committee regarding the abolition of the Anomalies Regulations (Seasonal Workers) Order?

The resolution in question was in general terms and demanded the reversal of a policy recently approved by Parliament. In these circumstances I felt that no useful purpose would be served by circulating the resolution to other committees.

Is it not to the general benefit that those who administer these regulations should be allowed to exchange views with other committees; and would the right hon. Gentleman say why, when resolutions from other committees are circulated, inevitably the resolution with regard to seasonal workers is refused circulation?

My hon. Friend must not assume that the same view is taken in other unemployment committees as is taken in Blackpool, on this and other questions, or, that other committees are not equally competent with Blackpool to make up their own minds.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman not give Blackpool committee the opportunity of finding out what other people think?

They are not seeking to do that at all; they are seeking to tell other people.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the fact that facilities granted to the Special Areas for attracting industries are likely to have an adverse effect on other industrial areas, and that already there have been cases of established concerns being drawn away from their home town to a Special Area, notably at Wolverhampton; and whether he will take steps to discourage this from occurring?

In carrying out the duty placed upon him by Parliament in the Special Areas Acts of encouraging the development of new industrial enterprises in the Special Areas, the Commissioner and his industrial advisers pay due regard to the position in other parts of the country. I am not aware of any cases in which established industries have been transferred.

Is it the policy of the Government to encourage old-established businesses in the Midlands to go to other areas, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this has actually occurred at Wolverhampton?

I am not aware that it has happened, and I should be very interested to have the facts. I have tried to make clear by my answer what has been made clear many times, that that is not the policy of the Special Areas Commissioner.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what are the conditions under which the sum of £200,000 has recently been granted to the universities by the National Fitness Council?

The grants offered to university institutions by the University Grants Committee, on behalf of the National Fitness Council, are grants in aid, the institution meeting the remainder of the capital charges as well as the charges of future maintenance involved by each scheme. Three considerations throughout have been the provision of skilled instruction by properly qualified staff; the provision of such arrangements for medical inspection as may be appropriate; and the desirability of the appointment at each institution of a University committee (with student representation) composed of those particularly interested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the average number of children in attendance at the public elementary schools this year is expected to be 608,000 less than in 1932–33, and that the estimated expenditure of the local education authorities is expected to be £11,374,000 higher, though the salaries of teachers have risen only by £5,074,000; and whether he can furnish any explanation for the increase of £6,300,000 in the other costs of elementary education?

The increase to which my hon. Friend refers is primarily due to the programme of educational reorganisation and development consequent upon the adoption by the Government of the policy contained in the Hadow Report, and to the necessary preparations for the raising of the school-leaving age in 1939. Other contributory factors are the increased cost of special services which provide for the health of the school child, the expenditure necessary to replace black list schools, and the provision of new accommodation necessitated by the shifting of population in recent years. I must also remind my hon. Friend that in 1932–33 the economy measures necessitated by the crisis of 1931 were in full operation, and the expenditure of local education authorities was in most cases cut down to the minimum compatible with efficiency..

How long can we go on increasing the burden of local and national expenditure in this way, providing for an ever-diminishing number of children?

My hon. Friend does not seem to appreciate that there is a very big change going on in the schools, to meet a public demand, and our concern is to meet this as economically as possible. Let me give an example. The average height of school children in Sheffield has increased since 1920 by 3¼ inches, and the average weight by 13¼ lbs.