asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken to provide added accommodation for school camps for the distressed area children of South Wales?

I regret that I have nothing to add to the replies already given to the hon. Member on this subject.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that 350 children per week from distressed areas are deprived of a weekly holiday, that no arrangements have been made, that for the last two months promises have been made that something was going to be done but nothing has been done, and when can we have an answer?

I very much regret that I cannot give an answer, but I can assure the hon. Member that any diminution in the number of school children for whom facilities are available must be a matter of great regret, because there are even this year some 10,200 places open in South Wales.

That is not an increase over last year, but a decrease.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any requests have been received for the erection of any Government factories in the North Staffordshire area; have any steps been taken to apply the facilities of the Special Areas Act to the area; and is it intended to carry out any industrial development in the North Staffordshire-South Cheshire area?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to the industrial conditions of the Kidsgrove area, and he has brought to the notice of the Government Departments concerned the claims of this area for consideration in connection with any proposals for Government factories that may be in prospect. I have no information as to whether any progress has been made in the local negotiations, to which my right hon. Friend referred in the reply which he gave to the hon. Member on 4th November last, for the formation of a site company within the meaning of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act. In reply to the last part of the question, I have no information about the intentions of private industrialists to carry out schemes of development in the area.

Is it the intention of the Government to set up any further shadow factories, and, if so, will they bear in mind the needs of this area?

The claims of this area will be considered.

Are there any settled principles on which the Minister acts in recommending that certain areas should have special consideration, or does he do it in a general way?

In connection with the site companies to which reference was made, Section 5 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, applies. As to other cases, naturally my right hon. Friend is particularly concerned about the position of areas like this area, where there is an exceptionally high rate of unemployment, and that, of course, is borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the complaints regarding the sanitary conditions at Park Royal Government Training Centre; and whether the arrangements are now considered satisfactory?

I can trace only one such complaint, and that was last year. It was fully investigated. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the present arrangements give no ground for complaint.

Has the hon. Member not had any complaints this year? There have been very serious complaints.

My answer is certainly as I have given it, but if the hon. Member has any information, I shall be grateful to have it.

What system have they for the examination of these arrangements when complaints are made, because if I remember aright it was a complaint from me that the hon. Gentleman mentioned in his reply?

Yes, the hon. Member is indeed correct, but, as he no doubt knows from correspondence with my right hon. Friend, an investigator went into this case and carried out a thorough investigation.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) to how many applicants winter allowances were given by the Unemployment Assistance Board in the Chesterfield area, and what was the average amount given;

(2) what proportion of persons registered as unemployed were in receipt of winter allowances in Great Britain at 1st March, 1938, and what was the proportion in the Chesterfield area?

In the Board's administrative area of Chesterfield the num- ber of assessments current on 17th January last was 2,812, in 845 of which the assessment included a winter addition of an average weekly value of approximately 1s. 9d. per case. Over the whole of Great Britain on the same date the number of current assessments of allowances of applicants registered as unemployed was 603,909. In 263,388 of these cases the assessment included a winter addition. I regret that statistics relating to 1st March, 1938, are not available, but the Board have no reason to believe that there had been any substantial change on that date in the number of additions current.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the evidence given by Mrs. George Verdin, on whose husband the St. Pancras coroner returned a verdict of suicide on 8th June, that he had been unaware of his right to apply for supplementary benefit from the Unemployment Assistance Board while unemployed, he will cause to be posted in a prominent place at all Employment Exchanges a notice informing the unemployed of their rights in this respect?

The hon. Member has, I think, been misinformed about this case, since it is clear that Mr. Verdin was aware of and exercised his rights in this matter. He applied for and received an allowance from the Board on 7th March last, two days after the termination of his last spell of work. He subsequently became entitled to unemployment benefit. He was receiving an allowance from the Board in supplementation of his benefit for eight weeks prior to his death. I am glad of the opportunity of correcting the erroneous statements with regard to this case which have appeared in the Press.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the wife made the statement to the effect that her husband was not aware of this, and that there have been continual complants of people not being aware of it; and is there any reason why a prominent notice should not be placed in the Employment Exchanges advising the unemployed that they are entitled to this supplementary benefit?

In this particular case the allegations have been most carefully looked into, and they are without exception incorrect. In regard to the general question, a poster which is put up in the exchanges makes it clear that a person who is within the scope of the Act may apply for unemployment assistance.

Has the person concerned in this question actually drawn supplementary benefit?

Yes, I have said in my answer that he drew supplementary benefit for eight weeks prior to his death.

asked the Minister of Labour why a number of unemployed men living at Normanton who applied for unemployment assistance were given food tickets instead of money?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

Can the hon. Gentleman say where the officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board get their power to give food tickets instead of money when men apply for unemployment assistance?

It is a power which the officers enjoy under the Regulations. In this particular case I am making inquiries to find out in what way the power has been exercised.

Is it not a fact that under Part II of the Unemployment Act where relief in kind is given it is given in what is known as special cases, that is, cases which have proved unreliable? I think the hon. Gentleman will find that in this case there are no special cases within the Act.

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the result of the inquiries.

Has the hon. Gentleman any knowledge whether this power is being widely used?

It is not necessary to use it in a great number of cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a large number of unemployed persons were refused unemployment assistance at Tonypandy on Saturday, 11th June; and will he give the precise number refused and the reasons of such refusals?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons receiving unemployment assistance at the following Employment Exchanges; Treorchy, Gelli, Tonypandy, Porth, and Ferndale; the number who have had their allowance reduced; and the number of appeals made against the hardship caused?

As the reply includes a tabular statement I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

I assume that the reductions referred to in the second part of the question relate to decreases from amounts paid under the Standstill arrangements. Information relating to Employment Exchange areas is not available but the following table shows in Column (A) the Board's administrative areas which are served by the Employment Exchanges referred to, in Column (B) the number of assessments current in those areas on the 29th April, 1938, in Column (C) the number of applicants who on the same day (which is the latest date for which information is available) were in receipt of allowances which had been reduced by way of adjustment of the Standstill arrangements otherwise than on account of personal earnings, and in Column (D) the number of appeals against reductions from Standstill payments entered during the four weeks ended the 29th April.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of able-bodied unemployed men on the Stroud and Nailsworth Exchanges on the last available date; how many of these will be suitable for permanent employment on the Minchinhampton aerodrome; and whether any preference will be given to local men?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons normally employed in the cotton industry were at the latest date for which the figures are available registered as unemployed and had been so registered continuously for one year, two years, and three years, or more, respectively?

At 16th May, 1938, 122,623 insured persons, aged 14–64, in the cotton industry in Great Britain were recorded as unemployed. An analysis of this figure according to the length of the last spell of unemployment is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour how the branch managers for the Employment Exchanges are paid; whether they are civil servants; whether salaries vary according to the number of persons registered as unemployed; whether they are paid for holidays or sick leave; and whether they have pension rights?

The branch managers are not permanent officers but are in the position of contractors, and I am sending the hon. Member a memorandum explaining their conditions of ser-

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a trade dispute, arising out of a non-acceptance of an award by the vice. Their remuneration is based on a scale related to the volume of work. It continues during a branch manager's absence on holiday or sick leave, but either he will have to appoint a deputy, or an officer of the Department can be placed in control at a charge of 10s. a day; the conditions of service do not include provision for pensions.

Do I understand that that is the recognised method of dealing with these people? Is it not a rather pernicious system that they should be paid by results?

The hon. Member will find the full conditions set out in the memorandum.

asked the Minister of Labour the total cost of the Unemployment Assistance Board's administration since its inception?

As the reply includes a tabular statement, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply: The administration of unemployment allowances commenced on 7th January, 1935, and the following table shows the approximate cost of administration of the Unemployment Assistance Board for the calendar years 1935, 1936 and 1937. Information for 1938 is not yet available.

Industrial Court is still proceeding after a period of many weeks at Messrs. Falk, Stadelmans, London; that the firm named tender for both Government and local council contracts; and whether he will inform the House what steps are being taken by his Department to endeavour to see that in this case acceptance of the Industrial Court's decisions shall be accepted and to bring about a settlement of the dispute, and thus sustain a policy of adherence to the fair-wages and conditions clauses of Government and local councils standing orders laid down by precedent?

My Department has discussed with the parties the matters at issue between them on numerous occasions and joint conferences have been arranged, but I regret that no mutually agreeable basis of settlement has been reached. The question whether the conditions of employment now in operation at the firm satisfy the requirements of the Fair Wages Clauses contained in any contracts the firm may hold, is a matter for consideration by the Departments or bodies placing the contracts.

Is the Minister aware that in a few days there will be a big shareholders' meeting of this company, and will the Department take the opportunity of expressing to that meeting the desirability of placating this dispute and getting it settled?

The attitude of the Department that all disputes are regrettable will be known to these shareholders and, indeed, to all shareholders.

I am asking the Minister, seeing that a shareholders' meeting is to be held shortly, whether the Department will make a special effort to convince that meeting that this dispute ought to be ended because of the desire of the Government for peace in industry?

I do not think that that would be a useful or appropriate occasion for the good offices of the Department to be used.

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that where an employer is disregarding the Industrial Court's award he is prima facie not observing the conditions laid down in Government contracts?

asked the Minister of Labour why it is not proposed to ratify before September, 1940, the draft convention fixing the minimum age for the admission of children to employment at sea?

The provisions in the Education Acts, 1936, providing for the raising of the school-leaving age to 15 do not apply to children who reach the age of 14 in the year ending 1st September, 1939. Accordingly, until a year has elapsed from that date the law in this country will not be in accordance with the requirements of the convention referred to by the hon. Member, and consequently will not permit of ratification.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that this is a very necessary protection for young people and that it ought to be put into operation as rapidly as possible?

Will the hon. Gentleman introduce legislation to deal with this matter?

I cannot give any assurance of that kind at this stage, but I think the question is fully answered in my reply.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider sympathetically the question of suggesting to the Cabinet that legislation might be introduced to get over this difficulty?

Anything the hon. Member suggests will be considered.

Is this not an exceptional case in which legislation might be introduced?

Will this not mean that other countries are delaying as well, and will have to delay, because of our inaction?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to issue a White Paper on the action proposed by His Majesty's Government regarding the draft conventions and recommendations adopted by the International Labour Conference at Geneva in June, 1937?

Yes, sir. According to the normal practice, my right hon. Friend proposes, in due course, to issue a White Paper on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the technical difficulties which have arisen with regard to the interpretation of the draft Convention concerning the marking of the weight of packages transported by vessels; what progress has been made since last December with regard to their removal; and whether it is possible for His Majesty's Government to ratify the Convention in spite of these difficulties?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1st May, 1936, of which I am sending him a copy. As regards the second part of the question, the International Labour Office has not yet reported to the Governing Body the result of its inquiries into the matter. Meanwhile, as ratification of the Convention would involve legislation, it is clearly inexpedient to consider this while questions of interpretation are still in doubt.

Does not the hon. Gentleman know that the Minister of Labour did make a statement that this Convention had been ratified, and does he not realise that it is a matter of vital importance to waterside workers that the matter should be put into operation at an early date?

The sympathetic attitude of my right hon. Friend to this Convention is known, but at the present moment certain inquiries are being conducted by the International Labour Office, and the speed of those inquiries is not a matter that is under the control of His Majesty's Government.

As the Convention has been accepted, why cannot it be put into operation?

Because of the technical difficulties which I have explained.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain why it is that the representatives of His Majesty's Government at Geneva append their signatures to Conventions and then fail to ratify them?

As the hon. Member knows, this is an exceptionally difficult and technical case, and the difficulties concern the definition of many of the terms, as, for instance, the terms "package" and "object," in the Convention, but as speedily as possible attempts are being made to get over these difficulties.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the collection of information in connection with the cinema industry has now been completed, he will give particulars of what further action he now proposes to take?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Tottenham, South (Mr. Messer) on 19th May, a copy of which I am sending to him.

As investigations have been going on since 1929 in regard to the long working hours and low wages of these employés, what action does the Ministry intend to take?

It is the facts up to 1938 that we are now engaged in examining with the utmost possible expedition.

Does not the Minister agree that from 1929 to 1938 there has been time for his Department to have taken action?

What is the reason for the delay?

My right hon. Friend says in the reply that I am sending to the hon. Member that the inquiries are completed and that full examination is now taking place on the results of those inquiries.

We can be assured, I suppose, that it will be sympathetic examination?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether his industrial relations department has been in communication with Messrs. H. J. Heinz and Company, Limited, food producers, Harlesden, London, arising out of the request by the employés to be allowed to negotiate with the company through a trade union; and whether the company has agreed to recognise a union as the medium of negotiation for the work-people;

(2) whether his industrial relations officer has been in communication with Messrs. H. J. Heinz and Company, Limited, food producers, Harlesden, London, with regard to the victimisation of a number of their employés for trade union activities; and what was the nature of his report?

Following a request by the trade union, my Department communicated with the firm in question and were informed that it was their desire to continue their present method of discussing questions affecting wages and conditions with their workpeople direct through the works committee. In these circumstances, it was not possible to bring about discussions between representatives of the company and the union on any of the matters involved, including that referred to by the hon. Member.

Does the hon. Member appreciate that this firm deliberately discourages trade union organisation, and is he aware that since this question was put down one employé has been dismissed, entirely because he was a trade unionist; and, further, will he still urge his officers to go into this matter more fully and to do it personally?

I can assure the hon. Member any request by a trade union or other organisation for the good offices of this Department will never be disregarded.

But surely, not purely by correspondence? Surely, some personal inquiries might be made by officers of the Department?

While this dispute continues, will the hon. Gentleman ask the Kitchen Committee not to buy any more of this firm's goods?

How many varieties of these councils are there—57?

asked the Minister of Labour the present position in relation to the proposal to regulate wages and conditions of employment in the distributive trades?

Schemes for tale regulation of wages and working conditions in the retail distributive trades, prepared by the English and Scottish Joint Committees of Employers' Organisations and, Trade Unions, have been submitted to my right hon. Friend, who is at present engaged in examining them in consultation with the respective Joint Committees.

Does the word "English" include "Welsh"?

I think so, but I am not certain.

Can the hon. Member say what percentage of the distributive workers this scheme covers?

The scheme has been prepared by this joint consultative committee of employers and trade unions, and it is a very representative committee.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of pension paid to Sir James Price from the Unemployment Insurance Fund; and whether his appointment as a director of Imperial Airways, Limited, for which he will receive £2,000 per year, will in any way affect his pension?

Sir James Price on retirement from the Civil Service became eligible for the grant of a pension at the rate of £797 a year. His pension is borne on the Vote for Superannuation and Retired Allowances. I am unaware what remuneration by way of fees or otherwise Sir James Price will receive as a Director of Imperial Airways, Limited, but his pension will be unaffected by any such payments.

Why should the Unemployment Insurance Fund pay a large pension when a person accepts a position and receives a large salary? Would not the Unemployment Assistance Board stop the benefit of an unemployed man if he took a job?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider relaxing the rule by which police officers are unable to get married until they have completed four or five years' service?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. In the Metropolitan Police Force, although the rule is that a constable may not marry without the consent of the Commissioner of Police until he has completed four years' approved service, a relaxation has recently been introduced providing that consent would now normally be given where the officer has completed two years' service and there is reasonable evidence that marriage is not likely to result in financial embarrassment to him and the application is recommended by his superior officers. In the provincial forces any regulation on this subject is not a matter requiring my consent.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of discontent on the ground that this relaxation is seldom used both in the Metropolitan Force and in other forces; and does he really think it is to the benefit of the country generally that this principle should be enforced?

I am not aware of any general discontent. I understand that the relaxation is working very well.

I take it that the chief of police does not select a man's wife?

asked the Home Secretary the number of officers of the Metropolitan Police Force engaged on police duty outside the Metropolitan area for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and the gross number of days these officers were engaged on such duty and the maximum number that were employed in any one day in outside duties?

The number of Metropolitan Police officers regularly employed outside the Metropolitan Police District during the year ended on 31st May, 1938, varied between 50 and 57. In addition, a number of officers normally employed within the Metropolitan Police District were employed outside the district, either individually for short periods or, at various public functions, in substantial numbers. The largest number so employed on any one day was 639, in connection with the Ascot races.

Are these officers paid extra money for this work?

I do not know whether they receive extra money for their services, but the expense is met by the racecourse authorities or the other people who employ them.

Does that mean that the officers receive this extra money?

No, it goes in aid of the rates and taxes.

Does this indicate that the Home Office fear grave disorder at Ascot?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the frequency with which stipendiary magistrates and justices refuse bail upon the mere objection of the police, without any reasons being given for the objection, or upon improper grounds, such as an allegation that the case for the prosecution is not complete or that the accused may interfere with witnesses; and whether he will draw the attention of all magistrates and justices to the legal principles which should be observed in all cases?

I am in entire sympathy with the principle that unless there are cogent reasons to the contrary justices should make full use of their discretionary power to grant bail. The importance of this principle is, I believe, generally recognised by justices, on whom rests the responsibility of reaching a decision after considering all the circumstances of each individual case. Moreover, the decision of the justices is not final, and where a person committed for trial has been refused bail, it is open to him to make application to a Judge in Chambers or to the High Court. In these circumstances, I do not think that a circular from the Home Office to justices would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that justices in petty sessions frequently reduce a serious charge before them to a less grave charge in order that they may deal with the case instead of committing it for trial, thereby defeating the object of Section 24 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1925; and whether he will either introduce legislation to enable justices to deal with such grave cases or circularise all justices recommending that the practice of reducing grave charges in order to deal with them summarily should be discontinued?

In indictable cases, it is the duty of justices to commit for trial upon such charges as are supported by the depositions of the witnesses, unless such charges are triable summarily by virtue of Section 24 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1925, and I am advised that it would be irregular for justices to reduce charges merely for the purpose of assuming jurisdiction. On the other hand, where the offence charged is not triable summarily but the offence revealed by the depositions is so triable, it is open to the justices, if they think fit and if the accused consents, to deal summarily with the lesser charge. I have no information suggesting that justices are not fully aware of this distinction, and, as at present advised, I do not think it is necessary either to amend the law or to issue a circular to justices on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary the police rate for 1937–38 in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham and Glasgow, and how this compares with that charged in the Metropolitan police rating area?

As the answer includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer.

The Metropolitan Police Rate precept for the year 1937–38 was 11d. in the pound. The estimated requirements for police purposes, expressed as a rate in the£ in the undermentioned police districts in 1937–38 were:

asked the Home Secretary whether any action can be taken before the forthcoming holiday season to assist the position of caterers and other traders in seaside resorts whose work is made unnecessarily difficult by the provisions of the Sunday Trading Restriction Act?

There is no power which my right hon. Friend can exercise under the Act. Any relaxations over and above those provided for in the Act would require amending legislation.

Will the hon. Member give sympathetic consideration to a Bill, if one is introduced, to amend the existing regulations?

If there were general agreement among the various interests.

Is the hon. Member aware that all the points which are being raised in connection with this Act of Parliament were fully debated when the measure was considered in Committee?

Is not the hon. Member aware that there are 1,500,000 unemployed, and that extra assistants can easily be obtained?

asked the Home Secretary what were the terms of the application made to him jointly by owners and drivers of taximeter-cabs in London on 10th December last; what representations were made by the deputation from the London cab trade which was received by the Under-Secretary of State on 16th February last; and whether he is now prepared to recommend, in the interests of London transport, the extension to private hire vehicles of the regulations and restrictions which apply to taximeter-cabs?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the rapid growth in the use in London of cars which, although equipped with taximeters, are not licensed as taximeter-cabs and operate free from control of any authority and from the restraint of any regulations for public passenger-carrying vehicles; and what action he is prepared to take to protect the interests of taximeter-cab drivers and their employers?

On 10th December I received a memorandum urging legislation on this subject and asking that a deputation should be received. The deputation was received on 16th February, and on 4th March a further memorandum was submitted on certain questions raised at the deputation. The effect of the representations made to me is that vehicles which are privately hired ought—unless they charge fares higher than taximeter fares—to be subjected to those provisions of the law which govern vehicles plying for hire in the streets. Such proposals raise issues which have to be considered from the point of view of the general public as well as from that of the owners and drivers of cabs. Moreover, the question does not affect London only. The position in the Provinces has to be considered. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and I have decided to appoint a small committee to examine the problem. Such an inquiry should not take long, and it is important that the views of the various interests concerned should be heard and that the problem both in London and the Provinces should be viewed as a whole.

Is this to be a Select Committee?

It will be a Departmental Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recollect that it is four months since the deputation was received, and that nothing has been said to them during that interval?

I am satisfied that an inquiry is necessary and that it should not take long, and that it will prove to be the quickest way of dealing with the question.

asked the Home Secretary the conditions under which foreigners are permitted to come to this country as au pair visitors?

Persons in this country wishing to receive a foreigner in their household au pair are required to show that the arrangement proposed is one of mutual advantage to the two parties, in which the interchange of languages is an important factor, and which does not in- volve the performance of duties, whether domestic or otherwise, ordinarily commanding a wage payment. Careful inquiries are made in every case to ensure that the arrangement fulfils these conditions.

Is any age limit imposed?

I do not think so, but I will look into that point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the conditions are not abused in any way?

Yes, Sir, on the whole I think I am satisfied. If the hon. Member has any information to the contrary, I shall always be ready to consider it.

Do the Government grant special facilities to foreigners if they arrive in foreign aeroplanes?

asked the Home Secretary whether any recommendations have been issued to the various water authorities of the country with regard to their water supply, with particular reference to air attack, for the purpose of making it available by alternate ways of service; and whether plans are being got out for the country showing the mains of the various water authorities and where they could be interlocked or connected to provide duplicate supplies in case of failure of the original supply in case of fire?

In a memorandum dealing with air-raid precautions issued to all water undertakings special emphasis was laid upon the desirability of preparing plans for alternative methods of maintaining normal supplies, such as connection to the mains of other authorities or the utilization of other sources not ordinarily available. Many such authorities have been specially visited and advice given as to the particular problems with which they are confronted. Measures for supplementing existing supplies for firefighting purposes also form an important part of the emergency fire precaution schemes which are being submitted by local authorities, who are asked to furnish full particulars, including maps showing the existing methods of supply and all supplementary water supplies which can be made available for this purpose.

Does not the hon. Member agree that this question of water supply is so very important in connection with fire precautions, that a special notice ought to be sent round, and that unless special provisions are explicitly made, the necessities of the case will not be met?

Water supply does, in fact, form one of the most important items among the suggestions in regard to firefighting schemes.

Is there any co-ordinating committee working among the local authorities to see that the best results are achieved?

The Home Office had a great deal of experience during the last War in co-ordinating the fire services of various local authorities. They have a great deal of experience to go upon, and are proceeding upon the same principles, and there are also powers under the Act.

Is it not a fact that there is no legal obligation upon any water authorities to provide water for fire-extinguishing purposes?

asked the Home Secretary whether any measures for dealing with burning refuse-heaps in the county of Durham have been submitted for his approval in connection with air-raid precautions schemes, and whether, as these heaps will serve to guide enemy aircraft and so bring loss of life and damage to property in mining areas, he will assure the local authorities concerned that schemes for dealing with such burning heaps will rank for air-raid precaution grant?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The problem of dealing with these burning heaps is under active investigation, and my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any proposal from a local authority which would help to overcome this difficulty. The question of grant will be considered in the light of any specific proposal for dealing with this matter.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there have been blackouts in various parts of the country in connection with air-raid precautions, that in Durham County and in other areas these burning pit-heaps would act as beacons to enemy machines, that it would be impossible to get a black-out and that in the event of an air raid I am afraid that our people would be blown out; and can he say what will be done by his Department to meet this most serious situation?

The chief alkali inspector of the Ministry of Health is closely in touch with this problem in various parts of the country. It is intended that the heaps should be surveyed from the air to test in actual practice their visibility from the air. The alkali inspector will, in the first instance, consider the most visible ones, with a view to the possibility of dealing with them, from the point of view of visibility. I would remind the hon. Member that I have gone a considerable way in my original answer.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that during the last War, on one occasion at least, these heaps did guide Zeppelins, and that the company did take steps when their property was concerned?

Surely the hon. Gentleman knows full well that these burning heaps are a menace to the general safety of our people in many industrial areas, and surely he ought to be able to tell us whether the Department intend to do anything to meet the situation?

It is a matter for the local authorities to deal with in their schemes, in the first instance. I have said that my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any proposal from the local authority. Questions of grant for dealing with the matter will arise on a specific proposal.

If representations are made by local authorities, do the Government intend to take any action?

It is not a question of making representations, because the matter can be dealt with under the normal schemes which have to be prepared under the Act.

Is the survey likely to take place in the near future?

Yes, Sir.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there are 82 burning pit-heaps in Yorkshire now?

asked the Home Secretary when the annual report of the Factory Department is to be published?

I regret that the extreme pressure of work involved in connection with the new Act is delaying the issue of this report. It will be expedited as far as practicable, but I am afraid that I cannot at present fix a date.

Will the report be presented before the Debate takes place upon the Home Office Vote? It is very important to have it before that Debate.

I quite agree that it is important to have it, and we will expedite it as far as we can.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Clerk of the Peace of Surrey recently authorised a flag day and street collection in that county for the purpose of obtaining funds for the Church of England Central School Movement; that in the county of Surrey there is considerable opposition to the movement in question; and whether he will take such steps as are necessary to prevent the holding of flag days and street collections for objects of a contentious character throughout the country?

I am informed that the Standing Joint Committee of Surrey granted a permit for a collection in a particular area to raise funds for a school to serve that area. I have no information that there was opposition to such a collection, but in any case the object of the statutory provision regulating street collections is not to prevent collections merely because the object of collection may not command universal approval.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the police have refused permission for flag day collections to be held on behalf of sufferers in Spain and in China on the ground that these were contentious objects; and if there be a general rule that there should not be flag day collections for contentious objects, why was a collection allowed in this case?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The Metropolitan Police refused permission for a collection for Spanish sufferers, not on the ground that the object was a contentious one but because it is a general rule that all collections in the Metropolitan area shall be devoted to domestic purposes.

Is the Home Secretary not aware that only this week the Lord Mayor of London boasted that he has collected many thousands of pounds for sufferers in China?

That was not a street collection.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he has made any inquiries which would enable him to judge the effects of the issue to local educational authorities of the Board of Education pamphlet on homework?

Inquiries made since the issue of the pamphlet show that it has met with a substantial measure of agreement on the part of both local education authorities and teachers, and that its recommendations are already being implemented in a number of areas, particularly as regards the setting of homework to junior children. The matter is one which His Majesty's inspectors have been instructed to keep under observation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state, for the year ended 31st March, 1938, the number of separate infants' departments which have been amalgamated with other departments; the number of infants' departments which have been amalgamated with junior departments; the number of new combined departments of infants and juniors opened; the number of combined departments in each of these groups which have been placed in charge of men head teachers; and the total number of pupils on the roll in each of these combined departments at the date of amalgamation or opening?

I regret that it has not been possible to prepare the information asked for in the time available, but I will send it to the hon. Member as soon as it is ready.

Will the hon. Gentleman arrange to circulate the answer?

If I were to put down the question for another day, could the hon. Gentleman give the information to the House?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will wait until the information is compiled.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the postponement of the third revaluation inflicts a considerable loss of revenue to local authorities, £140,000 in Durham county alone; and whether he is prepared to limit the postponement to houses with a rate-able value of £30 or less as a means of easing the present difficulties?

I cannot agree that the postponement mentioned has the effect which the hon. Member suggests. As regards the second part of the question, this matter is governed by the provisions of the Act recently passed, and I am afraid it is not open to me to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

the Minister of Health what was the amount of general Exchequer grant per head of weighted population paid to local authorities in England and Wales in the last financial year?

The amount per head of weighted population of that portion of the block grant which was distributed in 1937–38 on that basis was 5s. 4d. If the whole of the block grant had been distributed on the basis of weighted population, the amount per head of weighted population would have been 9s. 2d.

the Minister of Health whether he will take such steps as are necessary to refuse grants to local authorities who fail to pay fair wages as agreed by the appropriate National Joint Industrial Council?

I have no power to withhold grants to local authorities for the reasons mentioned by my hon. Friend.

May I ask how long this matter under discussion has been going on, when it was first brought to the attention of the Department, and whether my right hon. Friend will interest himself in the matter, so that it may be brought to a satisfactory conclusion?

There is a further question on the Paper arising out of that specific point.

Is the Minister aware that a committee has been sitting to inquire into the low wages paid by the municipal authorities?

Is it not a fact that the majority of those councils which are not paying fair wages are Tory councils?

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to prevent the Cornish County Council working quarries at less wages than those prescribed by the National Joint Industrial Council and thus competing unfairly with business quarries in the same county who are also ratepayers in the county; and will he cause a full inquiry to be made to ascertain the extent of the loss made by these different municipal quarries after debiting all legitimate overheads which should properly be deducted?

My attention has not previously been called to the issue raised in the first part of this question. I am in communication with the county council in the matter, and will in due course communicate with my hon. Friend. As regards the second part of the question, I am referring my hon. Friend's inquiry to the district auditor.

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear in any communication to the county council that they have no need, in their desire to follow the interest of public economy, to follow a system whereby they pay a lower wage than is commonly paid in the county?

Is the Cornish County Council a Socialist body?

No—Tory.

Are the accounts of the council published, and does the price of stone include transport and the money paid to the officials of the council?

I cannot answer without notice.

Is it not a fact that the accounts of the council are in a most unsatisfactory state, so that it is impossible to tell what the position is, and cannot my right hon. Friend do something about that?

That is a matter for the district auditor.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in North Devon out of the 203 parishes only 26 have piped water supplies; how many other rural parishes in England are without piped supplies; and what steps he is taking to remedy this state of affairs?

I am aware of the position in North Devon. Schemes are at present under construction for 14 parishes, and I have under consideration applications for sanction to schemes for a further five parishes. In addition, the county council have prepared a regional scheme for a large part of North Devon which is being considered by the local authorities. According to my records there are 3,597 parishes in England without piped supplies. The necessary provision is, in the first place, a matter.for the local authorities, but I am always prepared to give sympathetic consideration to any proposals which might be submitted to me.

Will the Minister take into account the question of air raids and the importance of seeing that the pipe systems have not only one source of supply?

Is the Minister aware that in counties like Derbyshire the provision of milk is in a very serious position, being held up on account of the lack of water supply, and that this is a most serious matter?

asked the Minister of Health the estimated number of slum dwellings in Great Britain that should be disinhabited if alternative accommodation were available; the number of families and/or persons inhabiting such dwellings; and particulars as to any accelerated progress that has been made in slum clearance in Great Britain during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

In England and Wales some 200,000 of such houses have already been demolished, closed or made fit, and a further 250,000, occupied by about 1,000,000 persons, still fall to be dealt with. Action has been initiated in respect of about 170,000 of these. In the 12 months ended 30th April last over 70,000 replacement houses were approved, as compared with about 59,000 approved in the preceding 12 months. In regard to Scotland, the hon. Member will no doubt address a question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

How does the Minister reconcile this slow progress with the pledges and promises of the Government at the last two Elections?

Is the Minister aware that in some areas houses are being cleared before alternative accommodation is provided?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any complaints as to the suggested closing of day nurseries in the city of Liverpool, in view of the fact that the city council have decided to close four day nurseries; whether he is aware that such action is widely deplored and will lead to the mothers of the children affected having to relinquish necessary wage-earning employment in order to care for their children at home; and, to avoid causing these mothers to seek public assistance, will he take steps to investigate fully proposals to reduce the number of day nurseries in Liverpool?

I have, as previously stated, received two complaints in this matter, and have requested the council to reconsider their decision. I am at present awaiting the result of their reconsideration.

May I ask the Minister on what date he asked the council to reconsider its decision with regard to this matter?

I am afraid I could not say without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to let me know?

I will, if the hon. Member desires it, send him a copy of the letter which I sent to the council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the representations of the Ashton-in-Makerfield Urban District Council about a nuisance arising from a burning pit-heap, formed by the Garswood Hall Collieries Company, Limited, Bryn, near Wigan; whether he is aware that the said colliery company have declined, notwithstanding repeated appeals, to take any steps to abate the nuisance; and whether he will take the necessary steps to have the nuisance abated?

I have not received any representations from this council, but this heap is one of a large list recently reported to me which I am having investigated by my alkali inspectors. I am arranging for this particular heap to be visited very shortly.