Written Answers
Mental Defectives On Licence
asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of certified mental defectives on licence from institutions in England and Wales on 1st January, 1937, and 1st January, 1938, and the local authority to whom chargeable?
The number of certified mental defectives on licence from institutions in England and Wales was 3,023 on 1st January, 1937, and 3,155 on 1st January, 1938. I will send my hon. Friend a statement showing the local authorities to whom these defectives were chargeable.
Registrar-General's Statistics
asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the belated publication of annual health reports; and whether he can arrange for earlier issue by the Registrar-General of the local vital statistics required by medical officers of health for the completion of such reports?
I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that every effort will be made to secure the completion and distribution of these statistics to medical officers of health at the earliest possible date.
Royal Navy
Pensioner Clerks
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of chief pensioner clerks, senior pensioner clerks, and pensioner clerks employed in the Admiralty service on the most recent date for which this information is available?
The numbers employed on ist June, 1938, were as follow:
| Chief pensioner clerks | 3 |
| Senior pensioner clerks | 38 |
| Pensioner clerks | 126 |
| Total | 167 |
Workmen's Compensation Act
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the regulations governing the payment of compensation to sailors and others employed on merchant ships owned and controlled by the Admiralty in the event of injury or death arising out of and in the course of their employment?
Compensation is payable to the crews of vessels owned and controlled by the Admiralty (as distinct from naval ratings serving in His Majesty's Ships) who are "workmen" within the meaning of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925, under the provisions of that Act. Officers not being "workmen" are dealt with under Order-in-Council of 1st July, 1937, which extends to them the benefits awardable to civil servants in like circumstances under the Superannuation Acts.
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Annuitants
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval ratings are in receipt of an annuity of £20 as holders of the conspicuous gallantry medal; and how many awards have been
| — | Total Number. | Number awarded the annuity since 1st June, 1920. | Number awarded the annuity since 1st June, 1930. | ||||
| £20 | £10 | £20 | £10 | £20 | £10 | ||
| Naval Ratings | … | 5 | 54 | Nil | 3 | Nil | Nil |
| Royal Marine Ranks | … | 1 | 12 | Nil | 3 | Nil | 1 |
Shops (Sunday Trading Restrictions) Act
asked the Home Secretary whether before the coming summer season any steps can be taken to alleviate the difficulties caused to caterers in seaside resorts by the provisions of the Shops (Sunday Trading Restrictions) Act?
There is no power which I can exercise under the Act. Any relaxations over and above those provided for in the Act would require amending legislation.
Cost Of Living (Great Britain And Eire)
asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the cost-of-living index figure in this country compared with that in Eire?
At 1st June, the index number showing the average level of retail prices of the commodities taken into account in the statistics as to working-class cost of living compiled by my Department was approximately 55 per cent. above the level of July, 1914. At mid-May, 1938, the official cost-of-living index figure in Eire was 71 per cent. above the level of July, 1914.
Unemployment Assistance (Rochdale)
asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of applicants for help under the Unemployment Assistance Board in Rochdale each month made since 1st June, 1920 and 1930, respectively?
The following statement shows the numbers of Naval Rating and Royal Marine ranks at present in receipt of annuities of £20 and £10 as holders of the conspicuous gallantry medal:during 1937 and to date, with the monthly cost of such help?
The following table shows the average weekly numbers of payments of unemployment assistance allowances (exclusive of payments in supplementation of insurance benefit) made through the Rochdale Employment Exchange in each month in 1937 and 1938, and the total amounts paid in each month:
| Period. | Average weekly numbers of Payments. | Total Amount Paid. |
| 1937 | £ | |
| January (5 weeks) | 1,762 | 9,638 |
| February (4 weeks) | 1,664 | 7,329 |
| March (4 weeks) | 1,673 | 7,245 |
| April (5 weeks) | 1,752 | 9,465 |
| May (5 weeks) | 1,670 | 9,216 |
| June (4 weeks) | 1.575 | 6,592 |
| July (4 weeks) | 1,482 | 6,297 |
| August (5 weeks) | 1,536 | 8,232 |
| September (4 weeks) | 1,530 | 6,471 |
| October (4 weeks) | 1,521 | 6,422 |
| November (5 weeks) | 1,507 | 7,998 |
| December (5 weeks) | 1,536 | 8,337 |
| 1938. | ||
| January (4 weeks) | 1,566 | 6,902 |
| February (4 weeks) | 1,563 | 6,769 |
| March (4 weeks) | 1,557 | 6,724 |
| April (4 weeks) | 1,595 | 6,950 |
| May (5 weeks) | 1,626 | 8,666 |
Naval And Military Pensions And Grants
Crooke asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the number of war pensioners receiving in-patient treatment on the last convenient date and, of this number, how many were receiving full treatment allowances, special supplementary allowances, war pensions, and neither special allowance or war pension, respectively?
At the end of April last, approximately 2,067 officers and men were receiving in-patient treatment—apart from cases in mental hospitals. The precise information asked for in the latter part of the question is not available, but practically the whole of those receiving in-patient treatment would be in receipt of one or other of the allowances mentioned, the majority being eligible for full treatment allowances.