the Minister of Labour how many unemployed men have been found work in South-West Durham on Government-aided projects during the years 1935, 1936, and 1937, respectively.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to projects aided from the Special Areas Fund, but as I informed the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr. Whiteley) on 11th November, 1937, it is not possible to give details of the amount of employment provided as a result of such schemes.

Surely the Minister can say how many men have been given employment through Government-aided projects in South-West Durham?

If the question had been in general terms, yes; but it is a specific one, and I cannot answer it in this form.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the taking over of the activities of the Army vocational centres by his Department means that the staffs of the Aldershot, Hounslow and Chisledon centres will be taken over; whether there will be any exceptions; and, if so, what provision is being made for the men affected?

Posts have been offered by my Department or the War Department to nearly all the staff at these three centres. At the moment, it has not been possible to offer alternative employment to three instructors at Aldershot, and a number of cooks and mess orderlies at Hounslow, but efforts by the two Departments are continuing.

I take it that that means that every improvement will be made?

Oh, yes, we shall do all we can; the hon. Gentleman can be quite content about it.

Do I understand that it is a definite promise that these men are to be taken over by the Ministry of Labour?

I would not say "by the Ministry of Labour," but we shall see that they are employed.

Will some of these men be lowered in their status and in the amounts they receive if they are taken over by the Ministry?

That is another question, which I would prefer to see on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the communication from the Llanelly local employment committee, covering parts of East and West Carmarthen; and whether he can now say what steps he proposes to take to implement any and, if so, which of the practical suggestions made by this committee for the reduction of unemployment in West Wales?

The suggestions for the reduction of unemployment in West Wales recently sent to me by the Llanelly local employment committee concern a number of Departments, and are at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount paid to each of the principal chairmen of the appeal committees in Glasgow under the Unemployment Assistance Board during the past 12 months?

During the year ended 31st March last fees amounting to £142 were paid to the chairman of the Central and North-west Glasgow appeal tribunal, £127 to the chairman of the North and East Glasgow tribunal, and £105 to the chairman of the Glasgow (South Side) tribunal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the present method of calculating the claim for dependants' benefit is a very complicated one and very few applicants for benefit can understand the formula; and will he take steps to have the position reviewed and simplified?

The provisions for the payment of dependants' benefit are necessarily complicated because of the variety of the circumstances with which they deal, and I am not sure that they could be simplified without involving the risk of withdrawal of some of the existing rights to such benefit. I shall, however, be glad to consider any particular points which the hon. Member may care to send to me.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a large number of cases it can be quite simply stated what the applicant's rights are? Will he not consider making this a simple matter, instead of one which even his Department cannot understand?

I am always glad—and so, indeed, is the Department—to make things as simple as possible. The trouble arising here is not in regard to the law, but the complexity of the circumstances in which the law is to be applied. It is quite easy, to make a certain scheme so simple, as to deprive of benefit those whom we all wish to see entitled to benefit. The hon. Member points out that there are certain points in doubt, but I doubt whether there is need for an inquiry. As the House knows, there was an inquiry some years ago.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases heard by appeal committees under the Unemployment Assistance Board in Glasgow during the past 12 months, and the number in which an increased allowance was granted?

During the 12 months ended 31st May last, 2,518 appeals against determinations were adjudicated on by the three appeal tribunals which deal with cases from Glasgow City. In 236 cases the award of the tribunal resulted in an increased payment to the applicant.

Griffiths asked the Minister of Labour whether he has authorised the reimposition by the Unemployment Assistance Board of the not-genuinely-seeking-work test for applicants for unemployment assistance, as indicated on page 22 of the Report of the Board for 1937 (Cmd. 5752); and, in view of the fact that such a test was abolished by the decision of Parliament, what authority the Board has for its reimposition on applicants for allowances?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The passage to which he refers relates solely to the considerations involved in adjusting assessments under the Unemployment Assistance Regulations, 1936, where the assessment would otherwise be greater than, or approximately equal to the amount normally available from earnings.

Will the Minister give an assurance that, even in that limited number of cases, there will be no restoration of the methods which were adopted some years ago, and which so enraged the country that they had to be stopped?

Certainly. That is why I made it clear that the question is really based on a misapprehension.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that on page 5 of the Unemployment Assistance Board's Report there is a statement to the effect that a considerable number of men and women are content to remain on unemployment allowance; and can he say how many of these persons have been offered work and refused it?

As indicated in the report, the persons referred to include some who have refused work. As the Board point out, the number is relatively small, but separate statistics are not available.

Does not the report say that there are a considerable number of persons who refused to work, and should not the test be to offer them a job?

Is it not unbecoming of people so well placed to make allegations of this kind?

The hon. Member must not ask a supplementary question of that kind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the difficulties which are being experienced by the Unemployment Assistance Board and the Unemployment Insurance Committee, as revealed in their latest reports, owing to the fact that employed persons with large families are in many cases earning less or no more than they would receive if they were unemployed, he will consider the advisability of consulting with representatives of employers' and employés' organisations with a view to exploring the possibility of instituting some system of family allowances designed to bring income into closer relation with family needs?

No, Sir. I do not think that practical results would be achieved, for I have no ground for thinking that such a proposal would be likely to receive sufficient support from these organisations to justify the initiation of consultation on the lines suggested.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that he recognises that this is an urgent and vital social problem, and will give it his careful consideration?

I have no doubt of the gravity of the social problem, because more than one converging inquiry has brought facts to light, both by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee and the Unemployment Assistance Board. My hon. Friend asks me to consult with representatives of industry, but I do not think that such a proposal, as far as my information goes in the industrial field, would produce a satisfactory result.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the practice by which an applicant for unemployment assistance can be accompanied by a friend when interviewing the board's officer is operative at the Doncaster area office?

I am informed by the Board that at the Doncaster area office, as at other offices, an applicant is in ordinary circumstances free to be accompanied by a personal friend if he so desires.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage of applicants in the Jarrow-Hebburn area, as compared with those in the Felling area, who are now in receipt of extra allowances under the Unemployment Assistance Board; and how many in each of these areas, respectively, have been docked of their extra allowance?

As regards the first part of the question, the cases in which the Board's officers, in the exercise of their general discretionary powers, had maintained the previous allowance or had reduced it by less than the full amount of the previous addition, represented, approximately, 6½ per cent. of current assessments in Jarrow and 4½ per cent. in Gateshead II. Separate information in respect of Felling is not available. As regards the second part, at the beginning of June in the Board's administrative areas of Jarrow (which includes the town of Hebburn) and Gateshead II (which includes Felling), the numbers of cases in which a winter allowance had been withdrawn were 1,390 and 1,194, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases in which unemployment assistance has been given, wholly or partly, in kind during the past six months in the district covered by the Pontefract area office?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to ascertain whether relief in kind has been given other than in special cases as defined by Part II of the Unemployment Act?

I will ask the Board to take up that point, as well as the general question.

In order to allay the anxiety of the unemployed, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this relief in kind represents a change in policy?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction at the methods by which labour is recruited by contractors engaged in Government work in South Wales; and whether he will take steps to secure the insertion in future contracts of a clause making it obligatory upon all contractors for His Majesty's Government to recruit the labour required through the medium of the Employment Exchanges?

I have considered the representations which the hon. Member has himself made to me on this subject, but there are considerable practical difficulties in the way of adopting his suggestion precisely in this form. In Government contracts from 1st January last, however, it has been made a contractual obligation for the contractor to notify vacancies to the exchanges, whereas previously this was only a recommendation.

Is the Minister not aware that to ask the contractors merely to notify the exchanges is not a sufficient guarantee, and is it not reasonable to ask that in view of the money spent by this House in areas like South Wales the contractors should be obliged to use the machinery of the Employment Exchanges to recruit all their labour?

The vacancies cannot always be filled from the exchanges locally, but we do everything we can to see that preference is given to local men.

Could not a provision be inserted in the contracts that where suitable labour is available locally the contractor must use the local exchanges?

No, there has been considerable trouble in getting as far as we have got on this matter, and I must see how the system works out.

Is it not the Minister's experience that half of the contractors, if given a chance, will dodge their obligations?

I would not like to make a statement like that in general terms.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the Government contractors have in their employment a number of men who go from job to job and place to place, and get registered on the local exchanges?

As the House knows, there are two sides to this question. There is the question of labour being engaged locally, but there is also the question in some cases of the work being done as speedily as possible.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the representations made to him with respect to the remuneration of visitors appointed by employment committees for the collection of family budgets; and what reply has he given to them?

I have received representations on this subject from the Farnworth Local Employment Committee. The reply given was to the effect that the question whether the visitors who assisted in the inquiry should be remunerated for their services was carefully considered in all its bearings by the committee which advised me as to the methods and procedure to be adopted in the inquiry. The committee, which included representatives of the Trades Union Congress General Council, the Co-operative movement, and the National Confederation of Employers' Organisations unanimously recommended that payment to the visitors should not be made. I adopted their recommendation and gratefully acknowledge the voluntary help which my Department have received. from visitors in all parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of money spent on the Team Valley Estate and the number of men of 21 years of age and over employed in the factories on the estate?

The amount advanced out of the Special Areas Fund to the North-Eastern Trading Estates Company for the development of the Team Valley Estate and the erection of factories thereon is £1,260,000. I have no information as regards the second part of the question.

The Minister has been asked the same question before, and is he not going to try to get the information as to the number of men employed over 21 years of age?

I could do it only by asking each individual employer. The House must understand that in the Statistical Department of the Ministry there is an enormous amount of work to be done, and I have to do my very best to see that the essential facts are obtained. In this case I do not think that there is sufficient public interest in this subject, unless I have much wider considerations than I have had already.

Have we not frequently been told that this scheme is supposed to be going to make a great contribution towards solving the unemployment problem in the North-East? What is to prevent the right hon. Gentleman causing some junior clerk in his Department to send a letter to a couple of dozen employers concerned?

This is only one of a whole series of specific questions that are asked. The hon. Member says that this is supposed to be going to make a big contribution towards solving the unemployment problem. As a matter of fact, it is making a very remarkable contribution.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is not all girls but other forms of labour easily sweated by these employers; it is grown-up men, and why cannot we have the facts?

The hon. Gentleman will not advance the cause of reason by thumping that Box and making assertions of that kind. I am concerned not only for men and boys but girls and women—all who are unemployed.

The Minister said that the Government have spent over £1,000,000 on this scheme, and if I said that there are very few men over 21 employed, would that be true?

I have told the hon. Member that I have not made inquiries, and he knows perfectly well that I cannot answer a question of that kind without having accurate information.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that Members of this House are asking for information, and that it is not for him to judge whether it is desirable or not?

I beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon. It is for me, in the exercise of my responsibilities, to see how best the administrative machine can be used for the convenience of Members and for the public service.

On a point of Order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, for your protection of Private Members in this matter? Are we to have a censorship of the type of question we might lawfully ask because the Minister says it is too much bother to answer it?

I do not think that the hon. Lady should interpret what the Minister said in that way. A Minister often indicates that on account of expense or for some other reason he is not justified in trying to obtain the information.

The Minister has not suggested that there is any expense at all, and it has been pointed out that it is merely a matter of writing a few letters.

Has the Minister the sole right of judging whether the information asked for will be so costly as to deprive an hon. Member of the information he seeks?

Is it right for the Minister, in order to defend the inefficiency of his Department to make a plea which, in fact, is not correct, that to make this inquiry would be a waste of public money?

I have made no such statement whatever.

You might think that the trading estate is in the Jordan Valley, and not in the Team Valley.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the provision of further trading esstates, it is his intention to give consideration to the desirability of planning for satellite towns, where practicable, in connection therewith; and whether this question was reviewed during the inception of the Team Valley Trading Estate?

In selecting sites for the trading estates, the trading estate companies took into consideration the availability of labour for which housing accommodation was already in existence, and having regard to the accessibility of the sites chosen it is not anticipated that any substantial provision of new housing accommodation will be required.

I did not ask merely whether there was labour available or not, but whether the question of the creation of satellite towns in an area where there is, as is in the Team Valley Estate, an abundance of land, has been considered, and whether it will be considered in future?

If the hon. Gentleman looks at the answer he will see that I said that that was one of the points which the estate company had in mind in selecting this site.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why, in view of the fact that this scheme is financed by public money, the Government cannot exercise a measure of control?

This thing has been done throughout by the company under the powers given to the Commissioner, and in the closest contact with the Government.

Is there any direct control by the Ministry?

asked the Minister of Labour particulars of any further proposals he intends to make for the purpose of mitigating unemployment?

The policy of the Government in this matter is already well known.

Cannot the Minister give a direct answer to the question?

I hope to give a good many direct answers to-morrow.

Is it the fact that the people of this country do not know the policy of the Government?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that applicants for ordinary unemployment insurance benefit have had a form issued to them asking what amount they have received in holiday payment; and what is the purpose of asking for this information?

Such a form is not being issued in pursuance of any general instruction. I would be glad if the hon. Member would give me particulars in order that inquiry may be made.

This is a serious matter. I have a copy of the form in my hand which has just been issued in the area by the Employment Exchange, and I shall be only too pleased to hand it over to the Minister.

I shall be glad to receive it because we at the head office know of no such form.

Is the Minister aware that this sort of thing is not merely confined to one district, the north-east coast in this case. but that the form has been issued on the Clyde; and can he state what powers he or his officials have to issue such a form to persons on standard benefit?

I have said that we know of no such instruction at all, and I shall be glad to look into the case and give further information to the House.

Has the form been issued by the right hon. Gentleman's Department without his knowledge?

It may be that in pursuance of regulations the insurance officer may have taken a certain view of his duties—I do not know. The House cannot expect me in advance of making my inquiries to make a further statement.

This is a very important matter. This form was issued by the Gateshead Employment Exchange.

I will look into the matter. Immediate inquiry will be made.

Can the House not press that the time stipulated as necessary notice for a question should be used by the Minister to ascertain the facts when they are available?

The Minister has said that he does not know anything about it, and he has promised to inquire.

asked the Minister of Labour what special efforts are made to provide sheltered accupations for disabled ex-service men who are classified as light labourers, and classified under serial number L 486 at the Employment Exchanges?

Special efforts are made in the first instance to place these men as far as possible with firms which are enrolled on the King's National Roll. The Employment Exchanges, acting in cooperation with local King's Roll committees, also try to find employment for these men with other employers and local authorities not on the Roll whenever possible. During 1937 nearly 9,000 vacancies were filled by disabled ex-service men classified as light labourers or other similar occupations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that as many of these positions as possible are occupied by disabled ex-service men rather than by women at lower wages?

That has been the policy of the Ministry throughout.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a recipient of pay for a holiday period under an agreed scheme for holidays with pay is entitled, during the holiday period, to continue his employment or to seek employment elsewhere?

I understand that the great majority of these agreements contain no provision on this subject. In a few cases it is stipulated that holiday pay is not due if the worker works in his own trade during the holiday and, in others, if he works at any gainful employment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep a searchlight on this particular matter, in view of the anxiety in some quarters as to the development of the practice referred to?

I will watch it very carefully, but, as the House will understand, the trades concerned are trades where there are the most effective collective agreements, and the understanding has been regularly and well carried out.

Will my right hon. Friend advise that people taking paid holidays should not be allowed to follow this practice?

What would be the position of men in receipt of unemployment assistance who had become entitled to holidays with pay before becoming unemployed?

That question was put to me the other day by my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward), and I pointed out to her that such cases had been submitted to the umpire for decision.

asked the Minister of Labour (I) whether the standing inter-departmental committee to deal with the co-ordination of holiday arrangements has now been set up; who is chairman of this committee; and what are its functions;

The standing inter-departmental committee is being set up by the appointment of representatives of all the Government Departments concerned and will work under the chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour. Its functions will be to coordinate the activities of the different Departments in this connection. For the time being the work connected with this committee and other questions arising out of the Government's policy in regard to holidays with pay is being done by a branch of the General Department of the Ministry. I cannot at this stage foresee to what extent that staff will need to be increased as a result of the extra work which will no doubt fall upon it.

Will the committee also deal with the question of the dates of the school holidays in all parts of the country?

Yes, Sir. That is what the committee is intended to do, to see that all the questions affecting all departments come under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the approximate number of picture books available for feeble-minded prisoners in local prisons and in convict prisons, respectively; and whether such prisoners are deprived, by prison regulations, of these picture books when in the punishment cells?

There are 865 picture books in local prisons and 65 in convict prisons available for such prisoners; these numbers are exclusive of illustrated periodicals. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that prison is a proper place for the feeble-minded or the mental defective?

That is a very general question on a totally different aspect to deal with by way of a supplementary answer.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate that some steps will be taken to eliminate feeble-minded people from prison?

asked the Home Secretary how many civilian organisers have been appointed as air-raid precaution officers in England and Wales to date?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to organisers appointed by local authorities. My information is not at present complete, but I am aware of some 250 appointments as organisers.

Are these appointments made from the civil population as opposed to the military population?

The matter is for the local authority. They decide according to the circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary when the three trailer pumps allocated to Doncaster for air-raid precautions will be delivered?

On 19th May my right hon. Friend asked the Doncaster Council if they were prepared to take delivery on the usual conditions of the three trailer pumps allocated to Doncaster. No reply has yet been received, but if the council accept this offer, the pumps can be made available towards the end of next month.

Can the Under-Secretary get into touch with the council, because the chief constable complains that the training of the auxiliary fire brigade is being delayed as a result of non-delivery.

I think there must be some confusion. If the Doncaster Town Council had replied they would have received the fire engines more quickly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will give the percentage of schools in the country where the teaching staffs have received written instructions in connection with the air-raid precautions scheme, and the authority supplying the instructions to the schools?

I am not certain what the hon. Member has in mind by "written instructions," but f he will communicate with me I shall be glad to supply him with any information at my disposal.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider making regulations to permit the installation of radio receiving-sets in taximeter-cabs in order to bring London into line with Continental cities in this respect?

If there is a general public desire for more noise in the streets of London, this matter would be considered, but at present the Commissioner of Police, who is the licensing authority for taxicabs in London, takes the vew, with which I concur, that in the general public interest it is preferable that wireless sets should not be installed in London taxicabs.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in order to ameliorate the difficulties of the London cab trade, he will authorise more stands, for not more than three cabs each, to be placed in by-streets off lines of traffic, each one equipped with a telephone call-box; and will he also arrange existing telephone call-boxes on cab ranks to be made more widely known in the Metropolitan residential areas?

The Commissioner of Police has informed me that he proposes to investigate, in consultation with the London Cab Ranks Joint Committee, the possibility of appointing additional cab ranks in by-streets and the question of equipping any such additional ranks with telephone call-boxes will be considered at the same time. As regards the last part of the question, the London Telephone Directory already gives considerable prominence to the telephone numbers of cab ranks in London.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many London taximeter-cab drivers have had to purchase cabs on hire purchase since the Commissioner's order in 1936; and whether, as in view of the heavy competition of private-hire cars, subject to none of the disabilities, expenses, and regulations imposed on taximeter-cab drivers, it is difficult, and in some cases impossible, for the men to keep up payments on the cars, lie will give special speedy consideration to the London position in order to check unfair competition pending the Commissioner's report?

I recognise the anxiety of the taximeter-cab drivers that this question shall be reviewed without delay, and as I stated in reply to a question last week it has been arranged to investigate the question by means of a small committee as quickly as possible. Legislation, however, would be necessary to give effect to the drivers' proposals.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Sir Oswald Mosley has declared himself a convinced supporter of the hon. Lady's policy in this respect?

Does the Home Secretary's reply mean that the London taxi-men, in view of their special case, will be treated on merit and not have to wait until the committee has reported with regard to the rest of the country.

A question of that kind must depend upon the procedure of the committee, but however they act, I see no reason why we should not have their report in the comparatively near future.

Will not my right hon. Friend press upon the committee the importance of an early report?

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us when the committee propose to commence their sittings, when evidence will be taken, and how soon he thinks that the report will be published?

I hope to be able to make a statement on the personnel of the committee in the comparatively near future. I think I should wait until then before attempting to answer the other questions of the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether he is prepared to receive a deputation, which has been asked for by cab drivers, in order that they may put their point of view with regard to the question being limited to London, to which the Hackney Carriage Act applies?

I suggest to the hon. Member that that is the kind of question that ought to go to the committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the approximate number of aliens who have been refused entry to this country during the current year; how many applications he has received for aliens to visit this country for the proposed godless conference; and how many of these he has refused?

I want to ask, Mr. Speaker, whether it is in Order for an hon. Member to put down a question which, obviously, refers to a congress of free thinkers in London, and to use language which cannot be anything but offensive to the religious views of many people in this country?

If there is any reference to religious views in the question which would hurt the feelings of anybody, it would be very objectionable.

May I point out that there is nothing in the question which suggests any interference with anyone's religious beliefs?

I understand that the people who are holding this conference do not describe it as a godless conference. It is a conference of free thinkers, and in that case is it right that there should creep into a question in this House what really is a term of abuse?

I have already stated my views.

The answer to the question is that the number of aliens refused leave to land in this country for the five months ended 31st May was 688. As regards the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 7th April to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Peebles and Southern Division (Captain Ramsay).

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider seeking powers from this House to enable him to refuse entry to the people attending this conference, in view of the very strong feeling that has been shown by many sections of the community on this subject?

I have already answered several questions in that connection and I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers I have given.

May I ask whether the figures the Home Secretary gave include any refugees?

As far as I know we have refused scarcely any refugees. The figures relate to aliens generally.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a conference of free thinkers was held in Glasgow three weeks ago and did not seem to give offence to anyone?

Will the Home Secretary agree that there is no reason at all why we should refuse admission to any alien to this country for the purpose of attending this perfectly legal and proper conference?

I have already answered numberless questions on this subject. I have made my position quite clear, and I have nothing to add to what I have said.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give consideration to allowing policemen on duty inside the Houses of Parliament to be without head-cover, helmets, as during the warm weather they are a discomfort?

After consultation with the Commissioner of Police I do not feel that there are any strong grounds for modifying the present practice in this matter. I have not had any evidence that the wearing of the helmet by men on duty in the Houses of Parliament causes discomfort.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider giving them this relief during the warm weather? We always get into lighter clothing to meet the warm weather and surely these people are entitled to some consideration?

If the right hon. Gentleman does contemplate a change I hope he will be quite sure that he does not make them look like convicts.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman give further consideration to this matter?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has given consideration to the report of the Departmental Committee on certain questions arising under the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and whether it is the intention of the Government to implement the recommendations of the report?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given yesterday by the Prime Minister to questions relative to the appointment of a Royal Commission.

Does that mean that as a Royal Commission is to be appointed we are to have no legislation on the recommendations made by the Departmental Committee?

If the hon. Member will look at the answers which the Prime Minister gave yesterday he will find that my right hon. Friend dealt with that point.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that these matters will be dealt with as soon as possible?

The Prime Minister dealt fully with that question yesterday, and perhaps the hon. Member will refer to the answer.

asked the Home Secretary the number of local police authorities that have appointed women police; what is the proportion in relation to the total authorised force in question; and will he give separately the figures for the Metropolitan and City of London police forces?

There are 45 county and borough police authorities which have appointed policewomen. In most of these forces the number of women appointed is one, two, three or four. The only provincial forces with larger numbers of women are Birmingham with 16, Lancashire 14, Gloucestershire seven, Manchester five, and Bolton five. The number of women in the Metropolitan Police Force is 102, and in the City none.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of these members of the Metropolitan Police Force are regularly employed in the Criminal Investigation Department?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any action on the lines suggested in the report of the Metropolitan Commissioner of Police that all demonstrations in London should be banned?

In his last report the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis drew attention to the serious drain on the resources of the police caused by political processions and to the fact that they are thereby diverted from other duties; but no general prohibition of political processions in the Metropolis would be possible without legislation. The question was discussed when the Public Order Act, 1936, was before the House, and no fresh legislation is contemplated at present.

asked the Prime Minister when the report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the question of the geographical distribution of the industrial population will be completed?

I cannot at present add anything to the answer which I gave on 11th May to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths).

Can the Prime Minister give an approximate date when the report may be expected?

No, Sir, I cannot add anything to what I have said.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of proposing the appointment of a British or International Commission to examine the conditions under which police bombing takes place on the northwest frontier of India with a view to informing public opinion generally on the subject?

The conditions regulating the use of bombing on the north-west frontier have often been publicly stated, and I would refer the hon. Member in particular to the statement contained in Command Paper No. 5495 of June, 1937. I see no necessity for the appointment of any Commission as suggested by the hon. Member.

In view of the real anxiety felt on this subject both in this country and abroad, and the attacks that are being made on Britain's good name in connection with it, does not the Prime Minister think that it would be desirable in the public interest to obtain some impartial report which will command confidence?

No, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether so humane a method of police bombing is carried out by any other country in the world?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to make a statement as to the introduction of the proposed legislation to deal with bogus clubs?

As the House knows, it was the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill on this subject in the present Session, but at this date, after reviewing the claims on the time of Parliament during the remainder of the Session, they can see no hope of finding the necessary time, and they have regretfully come to the conclusion that it will not be possible to include such a Bill in this Session's programme.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the severe shortage of approved schools, particularly for senior girls, and the grave difficulties of local authorities thereby resulting; and whether he has any proposals to make on the matter?

I regret that the accommodation in approved schools is still inadequate in spite of all the measures taken by the Home Office since the need for new schools became apparent. As regards senior girls, 12 new schools have been approved in the last five years providing for 360 girls. With one exception all these places have been provided by voluntary bodies, though the responsibility for remedying the deficiency of accommodation is placed by statute on local authorities. I have repeatedly called the attention of local authorities to their powers and duties. I am glad to add that three local authorities have agreed to provide schools for senior girls, and one of these is likely to be opened in the course of the next few months. In this way I hope the pressure will be eventually relieved.

Is it possible for local authorities to combine on schemes for these schools if they wish?

Yes, I think that is possible.

Would it not be better to tell magistrates not to sentence children to these places as easily as they do?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the delay in dealing with trade applications under the new Factory Act, and that many of the forms which were supposed to be posted up in factories on 1st July have not yet been issued; and whether, in view of the embarrassment which this delay is causing to local factory inspectors and factory owners, he will arrange either to expedite the issue of the necessary applications or to postpone the operative date of the Act?

Practically all the forms have been sent for press and are either now obtainable from the Stationery Office, or will be very shortly. A circular to employers about the forms is being issued this week. I appreciate that in some cases employers will be unable to obtain immediately all the forms required for full compliance with the Act, and that various applications from particular trades for regulations modifying particular provisions have not yet been disposed of; but I do not think that this affords good grounds for postponing the operative date of the Act, which indeed I have no power to do except as regards some of the safety provisions. To secure the complete and smooth working of an Act of this magnitude is necessarily a gradual process, and I am sure the inspectorate will not press employers unreasonably where they have a good excuse for delay and are making every effort to comply as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary what attributes he has looked for in selecting officers for the Women's Voluntary Services, seeing that the officers he has selected for service appointments have no practical experience of the conditions of the people in the industrial and congested areas?

Apart from a very small secretarial staff of civil servants, the women working for Women's Voluntary Services are voluntary workers whose appointment is a matter for those services. I understand, however, that the Women's Voluntary Services are making it their aim to obtain the co-operation and help of women of all types of experience and knowledge.

Does the hon. Gentleman know that organised women and unorganised women in this country who are called upon to form the rank and file of these services are extremely dissatisfied with the arbitrary manner in which the Home Secretary has appointed the higher command?

No, Sir; that does not accord with my information.

Does the hon. Gentleman know more about organised and unorganised women than I do?

I have had the advantage of the advice of a number of other women.

Has the hon. Gentleman had the advice of women who understand the conditions in the industrial and congested areas?

Certainly.

Does the hon. Gentleman really think that a matter of this importance to the women of the country should have been put in the hands of fashionable society ladies and young debutantes?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the petition from Hackney residents and others, who were present at a political open-air meeting on 7th June which was the scene of disorder; and what action he proposes to prevent such occurrences in future?

I have received a petition suggesting that the disorder at this meeting was due to the failure of the police to take necessary precautions, and asking for an inquiry to be held. The Commissioner of Police informs me that for the first three-quarters of an hour the meeting was quite orderly, but a section of the audience then became noisy, and an interrupter who used insulting language was arrested. Subsequently the disorder increased and the police asked the speaker to close the meeting. He refused to do so, and in order to prevent more serious disturbances the police dispersed the crowd. It is, of course, the duty of the police to take such steps as are within their powers to prevent breaches of the peace, but they cannot ensure that breaches of the peace will never occur at outdoor meetings. I am satisfied that on this occasion prompt action was taken by the police as soon as the circumstances warranted their intervention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that quite frequently in the East End of London Fascist speakers use the most insulting language about the Jewish people, and will he press the police to redouble their efforts to prevent these occurrences, which are certain to lead to breaches of the peace?

Provocative statements are being made at public meetings in this district by extremists of both parties. Certainly as far as the police are concerned they will take every practicable step to bring the guilty parties to account. The difficulty, as the hon. Member knows, is very often to obtain sufficiently definite evidence with which to go to the court.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that Sir Oswald Mosley has declared himself a strong supporter of the Government's foreign policy?

asked the Home Secretary the number of political or other refugees who have arrived at British ports since 1st May, 1938, and the number of such refugees who have been refused permission to land?