asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in receipt of Unemployment Assistance Board allowance in Northumberland; how many received the winter increase; and what was the total amount paid as special allowance?

In the Board's administrative area of Blyth, Blaydon, Elswick, Newcastle, Heaton, Wallsend and North Shields, which together cover, though they are not co-terminous with, the county of Northumberland, the number of assessments current on 17th January last was 20,689. In 9,949 of these cases the assessment included a winter addition. The total amount paid by way of special allowance cannot be stated, but the average weekly value per case was approximately 2s.

Are any of the recipients still in receipt of the allowance?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that question, and I will give him an answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the winter of the unemployed has been considerably lengthened by this Government, and will he, therefore, extend the period of the allowance?

250,000 workers seem to think that their winter will be lessened.

asked the Minister of Labour whether anything has yet been done with the view of draining the large waterlogged coal area in South-West Durham; and whether the Commission for the Special Areas and the Durham County Council or the South-West Durham Improvement Association have any scheme to deal with the situation at an early date?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Islington Employment Exchanges for the years 1931 to 1938.

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Leigh and district employment committee have recommended to the divisional controller the need of a shelter and lavatory accommodation at Leigh Employment Exchange, and will he have inquiries made to see that this is carried out?

I am aware of these representations and am looking into the position but the technical difficulties, particularly in regard to the provision of shelters, are considerable.

I hope that the Minister will follow this up. I have seen this place and know how necessary it is to provide this accommodation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that young men from Scotland, who were given a complete course in training for building and plastering work, were afterwards refused benefit for six weeks for refusing work as casual ice-cream vendors in the Croydon area; and whether he will take steps in future, as far as possible, to see that men who receive a course of training are given every opportunity to get employment in the industry for which they have been trained and not diverted into casual unskilled seasonal work.

I can trace no case such as is described in the first part of the question. The practice of the Department is already as suggested in the second part of the question. In the great majority of cases no difficulty arises and in the few cases in which men after completing training are not placed at once, their names are kept on a separate register in order that special efforts may be made to place them in the occupation for which they have been trained.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that I gave him a case and received an answer from him?

I agree, and if the hon. Member will talk to me about it, he will find that everything possible is being done.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Folland Aircraft, Limited, of Hamble, are advertising in the Press for workers of all sorts and inviting them to make application in person; that numerous persons have responded to this advertisement from all parts of the country, and on arrival have been informed that there is no work available at present but that orders are expected in six weeks time; and what steps he is taking to prevent such undesirable practices, which compel men who are unemployed to spend money needlessly and keep them from seeking employment in places where it is genuinely to be found?

The facts as stated by the hon. Member have not previously been brought to my notice and I am making inquiries in the matter.

If as a result of the inquiry the Minister finds that this is exactly what is happening, will he lay it down that such employers must pay the expenses of the unemployed for bringing them from their homes?

That is a hypothetical question.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of German workers who have been granted permits by his Department for the purpose of employment in this country for the 12 months ended at the last convenient date; and whether there are any special regulations governing the time for which such permits are granted?

The number of permits issued during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1938, for the employment of German nationals was 2,995. Permits are granted for varying periods, not exceeding 12 months in the first instance, according to the nature and merits of the application in each case.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these permits have been extended?

Not without notice.

Do they include the people formerly of Austrian nationality?

No, I think not. They cover only the period up to 30th April.

Do they include the Gestapo agents?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he can now make a statement on the Departmental Committee's report on certain questions arising under the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and what action it is proposed to take on the conclusions and recommendations made in the report;

I am afraid I am not yet in. a position to make any further statement on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when a statement can be made, in view of the seriousness of this matter?

No, Sir. I am afraid that I cannot add to my statement. There seems no prospect of time being available this Session for legislation of this kind.

Does that mean that during the lifetime of this Parliament we shall get some legislation on this matter?

I should not like to be drawn into giving an answer so far ahead.

Does it means that we shall not get anything this Session?

I have said that as far as I can see there is no time this Session.

Does it mean that the life of this Parliament will run its full term?

Certainly.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases of silicosis receiving compensation under workmen's compensation for the year ended 1937, and the number in the Lancashire coalfield for the same period?

:I am afraid the figures asked for are not available, but it may assist the hon. Member to know that in 1937 the Silicosis Medical Board granted 286 disablement certificates to persons employed in coal mines of whom eight had been last employed in Lancashire collieries.

asked the Home Secretary the total amount paid in workmen's compensation, premiums and charges, and expenses for the year 1936?

The amount is roughly estimated at about £12,500,000.

As the total amount paid in compensation is £8,000,000, does not that fact convey to the mind of the right hon. Gentleman the need of a new compensation Act, so that the injured workmen may have justice, fair play and a higher rate of compensation?

The hon. Member's supplementary question raises a very wide issue, and I do not think that I can deal with it in answer to a question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if this issue is so wide the indignation throughout the country is commensurate, and as the right hon. Gentleman has no time to tell us how he can bring greater benefits of compensation, does not that point to the fact that his time is so taken up with air-raid precautions that this should be the work of a separate Department?

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is satisfied that the air-raid precautions scheme of putting the population in groups of 50, in basements or sub-basements of old buildings in Liverpool, is a proper method, in view of the fact that if hit from the air not one of these buildings would stand;

My right hon. Friend has advised local authorities in selecting basements for public air-raid shelters to secure not only that premises are selected which give reasonable lateral protection against blast and splinters but that the roofs are so strengthened as to carry the weight of the debris if the buildings above are brought down. Such shelters, although not necessarily proof against a direct hit, can afford a substantial degree of protection; but in accordance with the Government's general policy of dispersal it is considered that so far as practicable they should not ordinarily accommodate more than 50 people. No scheme for the provision of public air-raid shelters has been submitted by the Liverpool City Council, but when a scheme is received it will be considered for grant on these lines.

Is it not possible for a city like Liverpool, in view of the unemployment there, to suggest that we should have subterranean air shelters, which can be used as garages?

We must wait to see what proposals are put forward.

asked the Home Secretary whether any agreement has been made with the Metropolitan Water Board in connection with the air-raid precautions; and what are the terms of agreement?

The basis of the grant to the Metropolitan Water Board for air-raid precautions has already been discussed with the board, but at their request a further meeting has been fixed for to-day. The nature of the agreement with the board must depend upon the result of that meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has reconsidered the possibility of establishing an anti-gas school in Scotland, in view of the difficulty of persuading persons to travel to Yorkshire, the nearest school, for such instruction?

As indicated in the reply given to a question by my hon. Friend on 14th April, it is not considered necessary to establish further gas schools on the lines of those already in existence. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a revised edition of the Air-Raid Precautions Memorandum dealing with Anti-Gas Training which has recently been issued and which contains particulars of? special scheme for the training of local anti-gas instructors which has been inaugurated to afford further facilities for giving training in anti-gas measures.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases during 1937 in which police proceedings were taken and convictions secured of motorists who had been previously exonerated from blame at coroners' inquests; and whether he will issue an instruction, in accordance with the Departmental Committee's report, that coroners' inquiries should be limited to ascertaining the cause of death and not deal with questions of civil or criminal liability?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. As regards the second part, legislation would be required to give effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee and I have no power to issue any instructions in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of setting up a committee to examine the existing law in relation to sweepstakes, lotteries, and various forms of betting including pools?

These questions were exhaustively considered by the Royal Commission on Lotteries and Betting, which reported as recently as 1933, and I do not think that anything would be gained by holding any further inquiry at the present time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the state of the law is chaotic at the present time?

No, Sir. That would be too wide a generalisation to place upon the position.

If representations are made by all sections of the House, will the right hon. Gentleman consider setting up a committee?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the racing world is quite satisfied with the existing state of affairs?

Even after yesterday?

asked the Home Secretary whether there was a maintenance. clause in the contracts for the new section house for unmarried police officers at Putney; what is the period or periods for maintenance and when do they expire for each contract; and what is the area, in acres, of the land on which the section house is built and which is estimated by his Department to be valued at £500?

The contracts contained maintenance clauses: for three months in the case of structural steelwork, ex- piring on 10th July, 1936, and for 12 months in the cases of the substructure, superstructure, engineering services and lift contracts, expiring on 1st July, 1937, 22nd, 31st and 20th January, 1939, respectively. The area of the land on which the section house is built is just under half an acre.

asked the Home Secretary how many junior station inspectors and station inspectors have represented the Metropolitan Police in some form of sport before being appointed to the Police College; and whether out standing ability at games is considered an added qualification for applicants to join the Police College?

I regret I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, in assessing the suitability of candidates for the college an attempt is made to form an all-round judgment of their character,. and one of the many elements taken into consideration is any evidence of their leadership and physical proficiency.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the names of those education authorities who refuse to allow their children to attend service displays of any sort?

The Board have no record of the names of such authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Bucks County Council on 12th May, urging an extension of the period during which the special grant of 50 per cent. will be made towards the cost of the provision of buildings for elementary schools beyond the date now fixed, 31st December, 1940; whether similar representations have been made by other bodies; and what action it is proposed to take?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. In view of the fact that the Education Act, 1936, provides for the raising of the school age on 1st September, 1939, my Noble Friend considers that an extension beyond the end of 1940 of the period of currency of the special grant of 50 per cent. would be inappropriate.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this limitation is forcing local authorities to incur heavy expenditure at a time when both local and national expenditure is going up, and that that expenditure could quite easily be spread over a rather longer period, without any educational disadvantages?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that, but, as my answer indicates, the currency of the special rate of grant is clearly related to the date of the raising of the school age.

Is the hon. Member aware that this tends to lead to concentration on buildings for elementary purposes, at the expense of buildings badly needed in some cases for secondary and technical purposes?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many appeals under Section 18 (1) of the Education Act, 1921, have been received against proposed non-provided senior elementary schools to be erected in England and Wales under the provisions of the Education Act, 1936; in how many of these have public inquiries been held; in how many have decisions been given already by the Board of Education; in how many decided cases have the appeals been rejected; in how many cases have decisions been given without holding a public inquiry; and whether it is intended to accelerate the holding of public inquiries in order to ensure the required accommodation for senior scholars at the appointed day?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 30th May to the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) and the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede), copies of which I am sending him.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that no needless delay is taking place in finding the necessary accommodation to be ready by the appointed day for senior schools?

I do not know that any delay has taken place at the Board.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what progress is being made with the reorganisation of primary education in England and Wales; how many local education authorities have submitted schemes; how many have completed such schemes; and what number of local education authorities have not submitted schemes at all?

Every local education authority in England and Wales, except the Isles of Scilly, where conditions are exceptional, has submitted a scheme of some kind, but only about 40 authorities

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many classes in the elementary schools of England and Wales have classes of from 40 to 50 children on the roll, and how many of 50 and upwards on the roll?

On 31st March, 1937, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 43,547 classes in public elementary schools with over 40 but not can be regarded as having completed reorganisation in their areas. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement setting out the position on 31st March, 1937.

Will the hon. Member ask his superior at the Board of Education whether it is not desirable to circularise the authorities, drawing their attention to the necessity for this, in view of the consultative committee's anticipated report on the senior schools?

I think it is perfectly well known to every local authority that it is desirable that they should go ahead with their plans for reorganisation as quickly as possible.

Will the reply include the names of those 40 authorities that have a clean bill of health?

Yes, Sir. I think that is so.

Will the hon. Member submit to the President of the Board of Education a request that these figures should be again looked into with a view of absorbing unemployed teachers who might be employed if these classes were reduced in size?

I have said before that this is not a new issue. We are proceeding as fast as possible with reorganisation with a view to reducing the size of classes and, secondly, the decline in the school population is going to settle this matter automatically in the next few years.

May I ask whether the figures in this respect show a progressive improvement on 1931?

They show a progressive improvement since 1931, as one would expect.

Is the President proposing to issue a special order to local education authorities which have classes over 50, of whom there are over 2,000?

Special pressure is being brought to bear, I might almost say, every month on these local authorities by speeches and letters. We know precisely where they are, and we are adopting three or four different methods of dealing with them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to make any statement with regard to the policy of the Government for setting up a national parks authority, as recommended by the Royal Commission in 1931?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this matter.

In view of the delay of seven years and the tremendous public interest taken in this question, will the right hon. Gentleman pot indicate whether a decision is likely to be taken at an early date?

I have just taken over the examination of this problem. I hope it will not take too long.

If I put down a question in three weeks' time will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give me an answer?

Does not this indicate that progress has stopped since 1931?

asked the Minister of Health the circumstances in which the St. Paul's Hospital lost its grant of £8,000 from the London County Council, leading to its having to close down several wards; and why no public inquiry was held into the events which led to this action being taken?

The grant referred to. was payable by the London County Council to the St. Paul's Hospital in pursuance of arrangements made annually between the county- council and the hospital for the diagnosis and treatment of venereal diseases. I am informed that in reviewing their venereal diseases scheme for the year 1937–38 the county council decided that it was no longer necessary to continue the arrangements with St. Paul's Hospital. The discontinuance or renewal of such arrangements is a matter within the discretion of the county council.

Is the right hon. Gentlemen aware of the scandals of one kind and another which have appeared in the public Press; the libel cases which have been going on? Will he not consider taking some action to bring about a better condition of affairs?

This is a matter within the discretion of the county council and I do not think it would be advisable for the Ministry to interfere.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the monetary grants made to venereal-disease clinics in the London area are made in proportion to the total individual attendances in the course of a year instead of to the number of patients treated; and, as this is calculated to lead to over-treatment, which in these diseases can be almost as dangerous as no treatment, will he take steps to see that the basis of the grants is altered?

No, Sir. I am informed by the London County Council, by whom the payments are made, that the number of attendances is only one of many factors taken into consideration in determining the amounts of the payments. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number of attendances is taken as a means of determining the grant, and that as a consequence there have been many complaints about patients having to go there quite unnecessarily in order to make up the attendances necessary to qualify for the grant?

It is only one of the factors which are taken into account.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that high opinion in the medical profession holds that rheumatism, directly costing the nation £20,000,000 each year and being responsible for 1,000,000 workers each year losing five and a-half weeks' employment, cannot be satisfactorily dealt with under the voluntary hospitals system; and whether he is prepared, by means of State action, to extend the number of national hospitals specialising in rheumatic diseases or to initiate some other national scheme, in view of the fact that rheumatism is also a main factor in the cause of heart disease, which is responsible for more than one-third of the national death rate?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question of 3rd May last, to which I am afraid I cannot add at present.

Arising out of the answer, which was highly unsatisfactory, are we to understand that the Government intend to take no additional action to deal with this very prevalent disease, which is responsible for a substantial percentage of the national death rate?

I am afraid that the hon. Member does not recollect the terms of the answer given as recently as 3rd May. It was pointed out that the facilities for the treatment of this acute disease were provided by means of the general hospitals and a number of specialised institutions, and that local authorities were increasing the medical provision for the treatment of rheumatism in children.

Is it not a fact that in many areas no provision is made by the local authority, and will he suggest to them that they should bring themselves up to the standard of the better authorities?

This is a matter of local administration. I agree always that all local authorities should follow the lead of the more progressive in this respect.

Is not the basic trouble that there is a complete lack of knowledge as to this disease?

I agree that there is a lack of knowledge regarding this disease in some cases, but we have a certain amount of knowledge of some aspects of it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the proposal for a regional council for South Lancashire for the districts around Manchester; and whether he is keeping in close touch with the proposal and has arranged for a representative to attend?

I am aware that this project is under discussion locally and I shall watch developments with interest.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the setting up of a regional council for this district, to carry out common needs and services in the locality, would be a great saving?

I think it would be a great advantage if these proposals were carried out, and I am keeping closely in touch with the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether any principles have been laid down by the Government for the guidance of directors who have been appointed by the Government to serve on boards of private companies or quasi public utility companies; and whether the Government receive private reports as to their activities upon such boards?

No general principles have been laid down for the guidance of Government directors, but they receive instructions as to the particular interests of the Government to be represented in connection with the company concerned and report to the Government on such matters as are of concern to it.

Is the Prime Minister satisfied that the appointment of these Government directors is having any satisfactory result, or is giving the Government any control over them?

I do not think the appointment of Government directors is intended to exercise general control over the companies, but is intended that they should have an opportunity of expressing Government views on matters which are of interest to the Government.

Is there anything to prevent the Government asking the Government directors on these companies to make confidential reports to the Government on certain matters of interest to the Government from time to time?

Government directors do keep in touch with the Government and report to them from time to time.

When exclusive subsidies are paid, is there any way in which the House can be informed of the activities of Government directors?

Perhaps the right hon Gentleman will put that question on the Order Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the remuneration received by directors nominated or appointed by His Majesty's Government on the Suez Canal Company, Limited; Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Limited; Imperial Airways, Limited; British Airways, Limited; Park-end Saw Mills, Limited; British Sugar Corporation, Limited; Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, Limited; Scottish Agricultural Securities Corporation, Limited; and David MacBrayne (1928), Limited?

The Government directors of the companies in question receive no remuneration from public funds in respect of their services as such. In general, any remuneration paid by the companies to the Government directors, like that paid to other directors, is determined by the company. In the case of the British Sugar Corporation, the Articles of Association provide that the remuneration of the chairman shall be determined by the Minister of Agriculture, with the approval of the Treasury, and that the remuneration of the other directors shall be £500 per annum, but that the company may vote extra remuneration to the board.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend consider that the whole position wants to be put on to a concrete and clear basis, and does he not realise that we want to know what it is that they get as a reward for safeguarding the public, and that we do not gather what reward they get for doing that? I am making no aspersions and no innuendoes, but I would like to know that.

I am sorry that my hon. Friend considers the whole position so unsatisfactory.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether the Morgan rotary furnace process for low-temperature carbonization has been tested by the Fuel Research Department, and, if so, has any report of the experiments been issued?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. The report will be published to-morrow, 3rd June.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to enable municipal corporations to erect fatories for renting purposes?

I can hold out no prospect of introducing such legislation.

As there is a widespread demand from municipal corporations for these powers, will the right hon. Gentleman give the matter further consideration?

I will listen to any representations made by representative bodies of local authorities.

Is there not likely to be violent opposition on the part of the ratepayers?

Is it not the case that an enabling Bill was introduced and turned down by this House on this very subject?

asked the Minister of Health the number of old age pensioners in January, 1938, and the number of those who, in addition, receive assistance from local authorities; and the percentage increase of the latter over January, 1937?

On 1st January, 1938, 230,652 old age pensioners out of a total number of 2,296,908 were in receipt of poor relief, representing 10.04 per cent. The corresponding percentage on 1st January, 1937, was 9½7.

Do not these figures create some alarm in the mind of the Government and give them to think that there should be more allowance than is given at the present time?

asked the Minister of Health the prices charged for bricks used for house-building in the County of Durham; whether local brick-making firms have an opportunity of tendering for supplies; and whether he has any reason to believe that local firms are being prevented from sharing in the business owing to the low price of imported bricks and uneconomic rail charges?

The following are recent quotations for bricks obtained by a local authority in the county to which the hon. Member refers:

asked the Minister of Health how many of the 176,466 houses involved in slum clearance orders have been acquired and demolished by local authorities; what has been the cost of acquiring these properties; how many owners are concerned and what is the total sum paid to them; and what is the net building area of the land acquired?

Of the houses referred to 57,528 were to be demolished, after acquisition, by the local authorities and the remainder by the owners. By the end of 1937 about 104,000 of them had been demolished. The other particulars asked for by my hon. Friend are not available.

Have these properties been acquired on a market value based on rental income, and if not, on what basis have they been acquired?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in many areas local authorities are destroying houses, on the ground that they are unfit for habitation, which could, with the expenditure of a small sum, be made very desirable, and that this is causing intense suffering to very humble people who have no other means at their disposal?

With regard to the first supplementary question, I am afraid I must ask my hon. Friend to put it on the Paper, and with regard to the second, the House recently passed provisions by means of which reconditioning grants could be given. I hope that advantage will be taken of those provisions.

Will my right hon. Friend notify the local authorities and urge upon them the desirability of using these reconditioning powers more frequently?

Is it not the old story of the poor widow who has lost her rent?

asked the Minister of Health (1) what is the position with regard to the provision of houses urgently required in Wallsend and Willington Quay under the slum clearance programme;

The Wallsend-on-Tyne Town Council have completed 537 houses in connection with their slum clearance programme. Approval has been given to the erection of 264 further houses by the North-Eastern Housing Association on be-half of the council and I understand that work on the erection of these houses has been started. A scheme for the erection of an additional 142 houses by the association is in course of preparation, and it is expected that definite proposals will be submitted to the Commissioner for the Special Areas within a few weeks. I am informed that these houses will complete the council's slum clearance programme. No information is yet available in my Department as to the names of the streets in which unfit houses are to be dealt with by the council.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, can he say whether these houses in the slum clearance programme will be completed by the end of this year?

I am afraid I cannot say that.

Will my right hon. Friend ask his Department?

I do not think my Department can say it either.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the Wallsend Council is making provision for the aged and single people in their slum-clearance programme?

I am informed that 129 small dwellings suitable for occupation by aged couples have been erected by the council in connection with their slum clearance programme and that a further number of similar dwellings are to be erected on the council's behalf by the North-Eastern Housing Association. I do not know at present what number of houses will be provided by the council for single persons.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give particulars of the manner in which test work is now imposed in the various Poor Law institutions?

since 1st April, 1937, the second appointed day under the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, local authorities have been relieved of the great majority of the able-bodied unemployed and the numbers set to work by local authorities are now comparatively small. In order to give the information asked for by the hon. Member it would be necessary for me to ask for a special return, and in the changing circumstances I do not think that this would be justified.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the local authorities to follow the very good example of the London County Council in this matter?

The London County Council still has three institutions in which people are set to work.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why the public inquiry in regard to the Rimrose Brook scheme to prevent flooding in Bootle and Litherland was not held in January of this year as was anticipated; and when will it be held;

The scheme is not yet before me, the plans having had to be altered for reasons which my predecessor gave in his reply of 7th April to my hon. Friend. I understand that agreement has been reached between the authorities promoting the scheme, and that as soon as the various statutory preliminaries have been carried out the scheme will be submitted to me, and I will then direct a local inquiry. The authorities concerned are the Lancaster County Council, the Bootle County Borough Council, the Crosby Borough Council, the Litherland Urban District Council and the West Lancashire Rural District Council. I have been informed of a recent recurrence of flooding during a period of heavy rain and high tide. As my hon. Friend is aware the prevention of flooding is one of the objects of the scheme.

Does the Minister realise that this matter has been under consideration for three years, that in one case a death was caused through this flooding, and that each year there is a recrudescence of the flooding, to the great discomfort of the people in the neighbourhood?

Yes, Sir, that is why I am so glad that agreement has been reached. I hope the scheme will go through.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that three years ago a young man was drowned in 10 feet of water in that neighbourhood, and that for three years running the water has been from 8 to 10 feet high in that street, and is it not a public scandal that that should happen just outside the city of Liverpool?

That is why I say that it is very desirable that the local authorities concerned should come to an agreement.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in April, 1931, his Departmental Committee was appointed to inquire into the circumstances of possible flooding of the River Thames and that this committee reported its deliberations and recommendations in 1933; what these recommendations were; and whether any have been implemented?

Yes, Sir. The principal recommendation was that a Joint Committee should be set up to survey the problem and to formulate and control generally the action necessary for flood prevention in the tidal basin of the river. Other recommendations dealt with the machinery for the purpose, including amendments of the existing law; it was suggested, also, that the Government should bear the cost of an investigation into North Sea surges. The recommendations, however, were not generally acceptable to the authorities concerned and have not been implemented.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will inquire into the circumstances attending the fact that Mrs. Catherine A. Foster, 27, Shaftesbury Buildings, Oxford Road, Stratford, S.E.15, was granted a pension, No. 21,551,259, dating from 22nd March; and why the arrears due have not been paid?

While Mrs. Foster's claim was being investigated notification was received from the local authority that they proposed to claim from arrears of pension recovery of excess outdoor relief granted to her while the claim was under consideration. Details of the authority's claim were received on 25th May and the balance of the arrears, amounting to £4 10s., has been paid to the pensioner.

Has that balance been paid since the question was put down?

Yes, the balance has been paid.

since the question was put down?

I am afraid I cannot say.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the committee appointed to inquire into the position of unmarried women in relation to pensions will take into account the unmarried woman who has not been a contributor under the Contributory Pensions Acts, but whose circumstances are, in certain cases, even worse than those of spinsters who have had opportunities of contributing?

The exact scope of the inquiry into spinsters' pensions is a matter for the committee themselves to determine, but it would appear that the point raised in the question would not be outside their terms of reference.

Will the Minister bring his answer to the notice of the committee in order that the inquiry may be a full one, for if the case of these unmarried women is not considered it can only be a partial inquiry?

I do not think I can say any more than that the question is one for the committee. No doubt they will take note of the hon. Member's question.

Will the Minister also ask them to consider a higher pension than is paid at the present time?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the increasing adverse balance of trade against Great Britain and the present favourable balance of trade accruing to the United States indicates that the current rate of exchange over-values sterling in relation to the dollar, he will undertake to consider the present disparity in the terms of trade between the two countries when determining the rate of exchange through the Exchange Equalisation Account?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that it is the function of the Exchange Equalisation Account to determine the exchange value of sterling. As stated in my right hon. Friend's answer to him on 8th February last, its purpose is to check undue fluctuations therein in accordance with Section 24 (3) of the Finance Act, 1932.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware of the growing feeling among industrialists that the present difficulties of trade are due to the fact that the £ is over-valued in the markets of the world?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the excise authorities have recently considered whether the organisers of bottle parties should be liable to excise payments on the same lines as other purveyors of alcohol; and, if not, whether he will arrange for this matter to be reviewed at an early date, in view of the increasing tendency to sell alcohol through this channel instead of through the medium of properly licensed establishments?