asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of people receiving unemployment insurance benefit and the number receiving unemployment assistance, and what percentage each of these is of the insurable total, in the Outer Hebrides?

The statistics on this point regularly compiled by my Department show only the payments of benefit and allowances at particular Employment Exchanges. The only Exchange in the Outer Hebrides is at Stornoway, in the Island of Lewis. The remaining Islands of the Outer Hebrides are served by offices on the mainland, and separate statistics in respect of persons living on the Islands are not available. In the week ended 27th May, 1938, 1,506 payments of insurance benefit, and 1,741 payments of unemployment allowances (exclusive of payments in supplementation of insurance benefit), were made direct through the Stornoway Exchange. These figures represented 26·5 per cent. and 30·6 per cent., respectively, of persons insured against unemployment aged 16–64, within the area of the Stornoway Exchange at July, 1937. The figures for unemployment allowances, however, include a small number of payments to persons not insured against unemployment.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons formerly receiving Unemployment Assistance Board's allowances had these allowances completely cut off during this year, to the nearest convenient date, in each of the islands of Barra, South Uist, including Benbecula, North Uist, Harris, and Lewis; and how many in the town of Stornoway?

The collection of this information involves a large amount of work and local inquiry. The information is being obtained and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many applicants for unemployment assistance in the year 1937 had the means test applied to their application; what was the average amount consequently deducted from normal assistance; how many nil determinations resulted; and what was the total economy involved?

I regret that the precise information asked for is not available, but estimates based on investigations made in May and December, 1937, in respect of the resources of applicants who were receiving allowances in December, 1937, are given in the Board's annual report for 1937 (Cmd.5752), to pages 78–80 of which I would especially refer the hon. Member. During the financial year 1937–38, 97,153 nil determinations were made in cases where the applicant was adjudged to be not in need of an allowance, but the same individual may be included more than once in this total. It is not known how many persons were unemployed at any one time in whose case a nil determination had been given, or how many had not applied for an allowance because of substantial household resources.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the average weekly value of winter allowances under the Unemployment Assistance Board throughout Great Britain at 17th January 1938?

The average weekly value of winter additions made to assessments current on 17th January last in those cases where such additions were made was approximately 2s. Id.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is taking any steps to ensure that aircraft, armament, and other factories to be built for, or on behalf of, service Departments shall be located in areas with a high percentage of unemployment, such as Liverpool, and not in such areas as Birmingham where unemployment is not a serious factor?

Arrangements are in existence for consultation with my Depart- ment on the question of the location of proposed Government factories required in connection with the Defence Programme. It is my constant concern to see that the needs of the areas of heavy unemployment are given due weight when sites are being considered, but the hon. Member will realise that unemployment is only one of many factors to be taken into consideration and that the ultimate decision must rest with the Service Department concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total unemployment administration costs in Scotland for the years ended March, 1936, 1937, and 1938, respectively?

The total cost of administration of unemployment insurance and unemployment assistance in Scotland in the years in question was approximately as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total number of persons refused benefit, being defined as seasonal workers, for the years 1937 and 1938, respectively?

During the year 1937, 10,962 claims to benefit made at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain were disallowed by Courts of Referees under the Anomalies (Seasonal Workers) Order; for the first five months of 1938 the corresponding figure was 2,514. The figures relate to claims, and the numbers of separate individuals concerned are not known.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed agricultural workers in Scotland up to the last available date?

At 16th May, 1938, there were 4,710 persons, aged 14–64, in the farming, forestry, etc., classification insured under the Agricultural Scheme recorded as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Scotland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that new schools are built in such a form and of such materials as to conform with the traditions and physical surroundings of the locality; and whether his Department consults with the panel of architects, associated with the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, in new building plans?

The design of school buildings and the materials employed are matters for the school authorities concerned, but as my hon. Friend will see from Educational Pamphlet No. 107, of which I am sending him a copy, the Board have reminded them of the importance of the considerations to which he refers, and have suggested that authorities should consult the advisory panels set up with the approval of the Ministry of Health under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what proportion of State-aided schools in the country enforce the opposition of the National Union of Teachers to talks being given in the schools on the Defence forces; and what steps he is taking to allow schools to be used for these talks, in view of the fact that the Defence services of this country cannot be maintained on a voluntary basis unless there is a reasonable amount of propaganda?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Finchley on 15th June, of which I am sending him a copy. The Board have no information as to the number of schools in which talks on the Defence forces have been given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what proportion of boys who left grant-aided secondary schools in 1937 had previously obtained a school-leaving certificate?

52·2 per cent. of the boys who left grant-aided secondary schools in England and Wales during the school year 1936–37 had obtained a school-leaving certificate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Middlesbrough Education Committee has been unable to come to an agreement with Lord Furness's agent for the purchase of 12 acres wanted for the new Smeaton Street and Lawson schools, the owner's price being £5,000, and that accordingly a compulsory purchase order is being sought; and will he state what is the present rateable value of that land?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no information as to the present rateable value of the land.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the proposal to build bungalows, hotels and other buildings on the front of Flamborough Head; and whether he will take steps to see that the amenities of this beauty spot are not spoiled and that the general public will retain access to and from the cliffs and foreshore?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the proposal to develop Flamborough Head for building purposes; what representations he has received from local authorities and other interested bodies or persons; and what action he proposes to take in connection with the matter?

I am aware of this proposal through references in the Press. I have been in touch with the local authorities within whose jurisdiction the matter comes, and I understand that a special meeting will be held very shortly to consider the question. I shall continue to keep in close touch with the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Essex County Council were offered land at Colchester for a hospital site at a price of £11,500, but that the council were not able to agree to this price and have taken the matter to arbitration; and whether he can state the area and situation of this land, whether a price has since been fixed, and at what figure the land has been assessed for local taxation?

The Essex County Council have purchased an estate of 87 acres at Colchester for education and hospital purposes. The site was valued by the district value at £11,250 and purchase was effected at this figure. I am not aware of any difficulties in regard to this matter. I am informed that the rateable value of the property is £198.

asked the Minister of Health how many cottages have been condemned under a demolition order by the several local authorities in Berkshire in the last five years; how many of these were over 300 years old; and how many cottages have been built which can be let at an equivalent rental?

During the five years ended the 3rst March, 1938, 970 houses were demolished in the county to which my hon. Friend refers as a result of action under the Housing Acts. I have no information regarding age of these cottages. During the same period 818 houses were provided by the local authorities for rehousing the persons displaced. I have no information regarding the details of the rents charged by the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as under the Asylum Officers Superannuation Act, 1909, an officer dismissed for misconduct may, at the discretion of the visiting committee, be entitled to a refund of contributions, whereas no refund may be sanctioned in the case of an officer who voluntarily resigns, he proposes to correct such anomaly by amending legislation?

The superannuation scheme applicable to asylum officers is a very liberal one, the benefits being high and the contributions paid by them low, and as at present advised, I see no reason to propose the suggested amendment.

asked the Minister of Health whether any steps are being taken to speed up the publications of annual health Reports and the Registrar-General's Statistical Review; and when will the reports for 1937 be available?

As regards the Annual Reports of Medical Officers of Health, I would refer to a reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Blackburn (Captain Elliston) on the 17th instant. As regards the Registrar-General's Statistical Review, steps are being taken to expedite publication as much as possible; and it is expected that "Tables: Part I" will be published in October next and "Tables: Part II" before the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the frequent employment of water-diviners by local authorities and the economy which can often be effected by using sources of supply which geologists and engineers are unable to indicate, he will encourage the employment of reliable water-diviners for all public water-supply schemes when the supply required is such as can suitably be provided from local underground sources?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inadequacy of the signposts, both for local and long-distance guidance, in the suburbs of London; and whether he will call the attention of the local authorities concerned to the need for improvement?

This matter has engaged my attention for sometime: and if my hon. Friend has any particular route in mind, perhaps he will be good enough to send me particulars.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will call the attention of local authorities in the Greater London area to the fact that the names of long streets are often only displayed at the beginning and the end, and that persons entering such streets by intervening roads have no means of knowing the name of the street they are in except by going to one end or the other; and whether, in addition, he will suggest that better street marking should be introduced?

From time to time I have drawn the attention of all local authorities to the need for a more adequate and uniform display of street name plates. The subject is now under consideration by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, and I will see that the suggestions of my hon. Friend are placed before them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the lack of a connecting road between the main road and the settlement of smallholders at Glen, Tolsta, Isle of Lewis; that all goods and provisions have to be carried over moorland bog and a rocky track and medical aid is delayed and made difficult; and what early steps he proposes to take and what steps the other authorities responsible are taking?

Yes, Sir. This is a matter for the local authority. I have received no application from the county council, but in any event it does not appear that such a road would be of sufficient through traffic value to warrant a grant from the Road Fund.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increased quantities of dried milk powder imported from Holland and that the competition of these imports with Home produced products is likely to have prejudicial effects upon British agriculturalists and manufacturers, he will consider imposing a quota upon these imports?

Imports of dried milk powder into the United Kingdom from the Netherlands are already limited by volun tary arrangement with the Netherlands Government, the quantity being agreed from time to time after consideration of the supply position and discussions with the representatives of home producers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the extent of the surplus funds accumulated by the great insurance companies, he will set up an inquiry as to whether a proportion of the proceeds derived from interest from such sources should be devoted to a reduction in premium rates, since by encouraging and enabling all members of the public to effect their own cover the State would be relieved of a considerable burden?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government are now prepared to grant further assistance in order to consolidate and put on a permanent basis a national theatre for this country?

I am afraid that I can hold out no hope of Government financial assistance for the purpose of this scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will have experiments made to immunise cattle in this country with the vaccine claimed to be successful in Germany when further outbreaks occur here?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on Monday last to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West (Sir J. Leech). As I said in that reply, the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee is aware of the work which has been done and is keeping in touch with the situation.