asked the Minister of Labour whether lie is aware that labour is being imported from Ireland for employment at Government works in South Wales; and what does he propose to do to stop this breach of his undertaking that local labour shall be engaged?

My inquiries show that, apart from 18 skilled men brought forward from Northern Ireland to make good a shortage of such workers, labour is not being imported from Ireland for employment at Government works in South Wales. A few men have come on their own initiative and have obtained employment direct with the contractors but, in the main, the labour employed consists of men engaged, either locally or from neighbouring areas, through the employment exchanges.

Does not the Minister think that persons in the locality should have a preference, when there is such a large volume of unemployment there?

I am assured that that is mainly the case.

Will the Minister give an undertaking that where suitable labour is available locally, he will direct that only local labour should be employed?

I cannot give such an undertaking for reasons which I have already explained to the House, on more than one occasion.

Surely this is a breach of the undertaking which we have had from the Minister on many occasions, that local labour would be employed?

No; that is not an accurate statement of the case. The only undertaking I have given is that vacancies notified to the Bridgend Employment Exchange will be brought to the notice of suitable qualified men in the locality or in neighbouring areas.

Does the Minister think it right that labour should be imported into an area where there is so much unemployment?

I have already answered that question.

asked the Minister of Labour how the recent appointment of a commissioner for the West Cumberland Special Area was made, and the qualification required for the occupation of this post, the salary paid, and the qualification of the present occupant?

The new appointment to the post of District Commissioner in the West Cumberland Special Area was made by the Commissioner for the Special Areas of England and Wales, who took all the circumstances into consideration, and is satisfied that the gentleman in question possesses the necessary qualifications for the post, which is of an administrative character, involving a wide range of activities. The salary to be paid is at the rate of £1,000 per annum.

Is the Minister aware that there is general dissatisfaction with this appointment; and is he further aware that, if my information is correct, this person has had no previous experience except in the scholastic world; and surely men who are more closely in touch with the work in the Special Areas should be appointed to these positions in the first place?

With regard to the first part of the question, that is not my information. The Special Commissioner takes the view, and it is my own view, that general administrative ability is more important in this matter than commercial experience.

Was any advice taken from people in the locality before such an appointment was made?

Certainly. We are in the closest touch with the board of the West Cumberland Industrial Company on which there is plenty of industrial experience.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the hardship caused by the regulations of the Unemployment Assistance Board in the cases of applicants who resume work in employment where it is the practice to retain a week's wages in hand and in which cases the Board take the earnings as available resources in the current week and deprive these men of allowances, so that they have neither wages nor allowances; and will he take steps to review the position with a view to mitigating this hardship?

The Board have no power to make a determination for a person in full-time employment. If, however the person is already in receipt of an allowance when obtaining full-time work and determination normally remains in force during the first week of employment at least. During this period where hardship might otherwise occur because payment of wages is deferred, the Board's officers have power to adjust the allowance as may be necessary by increasing the proportion of the earnings allowed for personal requirements. My information is that it has been generally found possible by the exercise of such discretion to obviate hardship, except in cases that lie outside the Board's legal powers.

Is the Minister aware that in certain cases which came to my notice recently, men on the Saturday before a holiday found themselves without wages or allowances; and will be give serious consideration to changing the regulations so as to deal with those cases?

I always give serious consideration to points put up by Members in this House, but the hon. Member knows as well as I do—speaking in advance of the case which he is sending me —that the difficulty here lies not in the law or with the Board, but in the industrial arrangements between the two sides.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered a communication from the Nantyglo and Blaina Trades and Labour Council; and whether the Unemployment Assistance Board, in view of the importance attached to their regulations, which provide for the exercise of discretionary powers by the local area officer, will ascertain if such powers are exercised by the officer in charge at their office in Nantyglo, Monmouthshire?

Yes, Sir. With regard to the second part of the question, I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that they have no reason to suppose that the area officer at Nantyglo, Brynmawr, does not exercise his discretion in a proper manner.

asked the Minister of Labour what instructions have been issued to area officers with regard to reduction of allowances where unemployed persons have received payment for holidays for periods of employment prior to the commencement of their last period of employment?

I presume the hon. Member refers to applicants for Unemployment Assistance who receive holiday pay in respect of a previous period of employment. The Board inform me that such holiday payments will in general be treated as earnings and their officers are dealing on this basis with individual cases as they arise.

Is the Minister aware that the Greenock Trades Holiday started on Tuesday of this week and that there is great resentment among those who are drawing unemployment benefit, at the holiday pay being taken into account as a result of which they have lost several days' benefit? I have here the signatures of 1,218 such men, with their addresses.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons who have suffered reductions in unemployed allowances since the operation of the Unemployment Assistance Board in Glasgow; and the total amount of reductions up to date, giving separate figures for the Maryhill division?

I regret that information precisely in the form desired by the hon. Member is not available, but in the Board's administrative district of Glasgow r and in the Maryhill area, the numbers of applicants at the end of April last who were receiving allowances which had been reduced by way of adjustments under the "Stand-still" arrangements were 3,932 and 280 respectively. This excludes adjustments of allowances made in consequence of personal earnings declared at the exchange at the time of payment. I regret that the total amount of reductions up to date is not available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the tendency is for these reductions to increase recently, and will he examine it from the point of view that these reductions, when those people go on to public assistance, throws a burden on the local authorities that ought to be taken by the National Exchequer?

I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. There cannot be any recent case, as the whole thing is completed, and there will be no more reductions on account of differentiation of scale.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman different information, will he investigate it?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of wholly unemployed and the partially unemployed at Barnsley on the latest available date, and the comparative figures for 1937?

I will certainly do so.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not know that if a man in Yorkshire gets a 1½d. rise per day, that is taken into account when he goes on to public assistance?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed and the percentage of unemployment in each of the main groups of Special Areas in Great Britain, and in the Special Areas as a whole, in May, 1937, and May, 1938?

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

Do the figures differentiate between the wholly unemployed and other categories?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the return.

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

asked the Minister of Labour what instructions have been issued to Employment Exchange officials regarding questions where pay for holidays has been granted since July, 1937, to persons now in receipt of unemployment benefit, either wholly or part time; and, where certain days are regarded as annual holidays, what arrangements have been made to ensure that the unemployed person is in no way penalised?

In the class of cases to which the hon. Member refers a number of claims to benefit have, owing to the extension of holidays with pay, been made in circumstances for which there is no precedent. It is not within my power to issue instructions as to the decisions to be given on such claims. It is necessary to obtain decisions from the Umpire in a sufficient number of typical cases, and this is being done as quickly as possible. I understand that hearings before the Umpire are to take place to-morrow. I cannot, of course, forecast what his decisions may be.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are very cheap sailings from Greenock to the Western Islands and the Isle of Man and that these men were willing to go there, but that because they were not able to sign at the Employment Exchange and the Unemployment Assistance Board centre they lose their allowances; and will he not look into the matter?

The hon. and learned Member sent me a very long and interesting letter the day before yesterday, and I will send him a detailed reply as soon as I can. We shall do all that we can to give effect to holidays with pay as soon as we can, but the House must understand that every trade brings up its own problems.

Will the representatives from the Ministry of Labour who will attend the Umpire to-morrow have the right hon. Gentleman's instructions to support a policy of not robbing the people of the value of holidays with pay?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also recognise that this pay for holidays is deferred pay?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any statement about the trading estates in the depressed areas; and whether it is proposed to extend them?

On 31st May, 1938, 45 factories had been completed on the Team Valley Trading Estate; 43 of these had been occupied by tenants, 36 of whom had begun production. As regards the future, 45 factories were then in course of construction for tenants and a further seven tenants had been secured for factories which had not then been begun. Negotiations were proceeding with 112 other possible tenants. At the same date on the Treforest Trading Estate 16 factories had been completed; 14 had been occupied by tenants, 10 of whom had begun production. Eighteen factories were in course of erection to meet the requirements of tenants, and negotiations were proceeding with a large number of possible tenants, and it was expected that at least 28 tenancies would mature from those negotiations.

Can the Minister tell the House the number of people employed on the Treforest estate?

If the hon. Member will put that question down, I will do my best to give him the latest figures.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men, 21 years of age and over, who are employed in the factories on the Team Valley estate?

The latest information which I have about the age grouping of workers in the factories on the Team Valley Trading Estate is that given to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) on 12th April. The information was to the effect that about the middle of March when the total number employed was 758, those under 18 numbered 321. The total number now employed is over 1,000, and the proportion under 18 is probably about the same.

Should I be justified in assuming, on private information sent to me, that there are only 387 men over 18 years of age employed on the Team Valley Estate, which means that the Government have spent over £3,000 for each man employed in the factory?

I think it would be unwise to assume that.

Could not the Minister endeavour to bring the figures up to a more recent date?

I will see what I can do in this matter, but the House must remember that I have no powers in the matter. I must ask the trading estates to get from them—and they are mostly small people, with not much clerical assistance—a number of facts, which I have tried to do, but I will look into the matter again and see what I can do.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the expenditure for 1937 of benefits paid from the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the amount paid for administration;

(2) the expenditure for 1937 of payments paid by the Unemployment Assistance Board and the amount paid for administration?

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

asked the Minister of Labour how many pattern makers and sheet-metal workers, respectively, were unemployed on 1st June this year, and what were the corresponding figures for last year on the same date throughout the country as a whole; and how many such skilled men were unemployed on the same dates in Glasgow, Greenock, Coventry, Birmingham, Liverpool and Birkenhead, respectively?

I am having the available information extracted and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not a fact that unemployment among these workers is increasing rapidly, and how can the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that fact with the statement of the Government that there is a shortage of skilled labour in regard to the rearmament problem?

I think the hon. Member had better await the statement and then if necessary put a further question, which I will do my best to answer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the scarcity of domestic employés, especially in seaside resorts; and whether, as the result of his recent inquiries into this problem, he has any proposals to make for improving the present position?

I have not yet completed my consideration of the results of the inquiries to which my hon. Friend refers.

Does my right hon. Friend anticipate being able to help in this problem in time for this season?

I am not sure about that. As I have informed the House more than once, I am intending to have discussions with the representatives of a series of organisations on this matter.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate the difficulties of seaside resorts in this matter, and does he know that in one of the most attractive of them, Colwyn Bay, waiters, waitresses, and maids, have to be imported, in spite of considerable unemployment among the insured population?

I am well aware of the facts, which are not confined to this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the shortage of domestic labour is very largely due to the low wages paid and to the bad conditions under which they are employed; is he not aware that the Trades Union Congress is now setting up a union for these workers, and will he do whatever he can to help?

As far as my answers went, they showed that wages were not the principal issue, but if the hon. Member tells me that conditions of employment are bad, I will say that I have had a good many representations made to me on the subject. As regards the other point, as the hon. Member knows, the Trades Union Congress is taking action in the matter, and it is not my duty to do its task for it.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed in Scotland for the years ended March, 1937 and 1938, respectively?

The average numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Scotland in the years ended March, 1937, and March, 1938, were 265,935 and 241,820, respectively.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that along with this small decrease in the registered unemployed, we have a considerable increase in the number of people on Poor Law relief, and will he—

The hon. Member is asking for figures, and the Minister has given them.

On a point of Order. May I submit to you that the Poor Law relief figures, to which I was referring, relate very much to people registered on the unemployment books who go from there to local relief and if you had allowed me to finish my supplementary question I think I could have shown that it was perfectly in order?

The hon. Member asked the Minister to state the number of unemployed, and the Minister gave the number.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken in respect to the setting up of a special section in his Department to deal with holidays, with pay, and the spread-over of holidays; whether further consideration has been given to the granting of a statutory right to all workers of holidays, with pay; and whether it is the intention of his Department to examine the problem of holiday congestion and the ways of avoiding it?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for Blackpool (Mr. R. Robinson) on 2nd and 23rd June. The question of holiday arrangements in all its aspects will receive consideration by the Inderdepartmental Committee.

My question is whether further consideration has been given to the proposal for granting a statutory right to all workers. Have the Government considered introducing legislation covering all workers?

I have already pointed out in the very long reply to which I have referred the hon. Member that we are bringing in a Bill to deal with the first steps.

Are we to take it that the Government have not yet decided to implement that part of the report which recommends that there should be an enactment to cover all workers?

I would not accept the statement in that form. I think the hon. Member had better look at the original answer, which covers every major point.

And means nothing.

Will "workers" include employers, some of whom work very hard?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the conditions of labour among newspaper circulation canvassers, particularly with regard to the actual hours worked in contrast to those contracted for?

I have no information regarding any recent difficulties in connection with employment of the kind mentioned. If the hon. Member will send me particulars of the cases he has in mind I shall be prepared to consider the matter.

Is the Minister aware that these canvassers, besides the ordinary working day, have to work several hours at night filling in forms, and that they have to give away papers free in order to keep their jobs, thus creating an artificial circulation; and is he aware that the "Express" and the "Daily Mail" are the worst offenders?

I would not accept that statement at all in advance of evidence. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me the evidence on which he bases his statement. The dispute two years ago did not refer to those two papers at all.

Is the Minister aware that the "Express" paid £750,000 last year on this job?

asked the Minister of Labour what further action he now proposes to take following the inquiry recently held into the hours of employment and wages of cinematograph workers in Great Britain?

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 16th June.

Will it be possible to give a decision on this matter, which has been going on now since 1929?

The hon. Member keeps on making that statement, but it is not accurate. There was an inquiry in 1929, but I began inquiries about 18 months ago, and I have a vast amount of information which we are now collating. At the present moment I cannot say when it will be possible to make an announcement. The hon. Member will understand that we are bringing the matter up in order to see whether improvements are necessary, and, if so, how they can be obtained. That is my desire.

Did not the Minister's predecessor give the same promise, and can he not now say when some definite action can be taken?

I have told the hon. Member that I cannot. I will do so as soon as I can.

Are we to understand that 18 months is well below the average of delay in the case of this Government?

That is not so, as the Government's record shows. It is a wonderful constructive record.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now completed his inquiries into the catering trade conditions; and has he any statement to make?

No, Sir. Discussions have been commenced for the purpose of reviewing conditions in this field, but they will take some time to complete.

In view of the great importance of this question to many workers in this country who are working under very bad conditions indeed, can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any indication as to when he will be able to submit a statement?

I would remind the hon. Member that the field is so wide that it will take some time.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that when Miss Bondfield was Minister of Labour this was thoroughly known and that nothing was done?

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to set up a committee to consider and report upon the desirability of establishing family allowances and the conditions under which such grants should be made?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister yesterday to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, East (Mr. Boothby).

Arising out of that answer, of which I was fully aware, is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the urgency of this matter in all parts of the House, and will he not undertake to bring it before the Cabinet for further consideration?

I cannot add anything to what my right hon. Friend said.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this renewed interest in the matter is largely due to the revelations made in the Unemployment Assistance Board's report as to the terribly low wages paid in this country, and will he, as Minister of Labour, take steps to raise the general wage standard of the country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability of arranging that, after a certain date, it shall be a condition of remaining on the Government contract list that adequate arrangements shall be made to protect the employees in the factories concerned against the dangers of air raids?

Steps are being taken to impress upon the principal firms holding Government contracts the view of the Government that every employer of labour should take suitable precautions for the protection of his workpeople, and the safeguarding of his plant, and arrangements are under consideration for securing periodical reports upon the progress made in these respects in establishments working upon Government contracts.

Will my hon. Friend be able to give the House information from time to time?

Yes, if the hon. Gentleman puts a question down.

asked the Home Secretary when works engaged on work in connection with the rearmament programme are to be made eligible for air-raid precautions grants?

The Government have not in contemplation any grant to such works in respect of precautions which all employers are expected to undertake.

In view of the fact that these firms are carrying out just as essential service to the nation as public utility companies, will my hon. Friend reconsider his decision?

The Government are proceeding more on the lines of the reply given to the question by the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Mabane).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in anticipation of the deliberations of the proposed Royal Corn-. mission, he will institute sample inquiries through Unemployment Assistance Board, or otherwise, with a view to ascertaining what proportion of applicants for public assistance are in receipt of weekly payments or have received lump sum settlements under the Workmen's Compensation Acts or, as stated on pages 109 and 117 of the Unemployment Assistance Board's Annual Report, are regarded as ineligible for certain employments owing to the risk of contracting industrial diseases?

The Commission will have ample facilities for making inquiries into matters relevant to their deliberations, and I think it must be left to the Commission to consider what inquiries should be instituted.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement on the Royal Commission that is to consider the Workmen's Compensation Act; and can he announce the names of the Commission and their terms of reference?

I regret that I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on this subject on 22nd June.

If my hon. Friend repeats his question in a fortnight's time, will the answer be ready then?

I do not think I could give any such undertaking.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons who were reported and dealt with by the Metropolitan Police for the 12 months ended at the last convenient date for contravention of the Highways Act, 1835, by interrupting the free passage of the highway and failing to keep to the left or near side of the kerb?

Separate figures in respect of these two offences are not available and the information asked for could not be obtained without considerable research. During the year ended 31st May last there were in the Metropolitan Police District 29,315 summonses for various offences of obstructing the highway, including those mentioned by the hon. Member; and in addition 4,141 cases were dealt with by written caution and 222,518 cases by verbal warning or advice. It will be appreciated that these totals consist mainly of cases of obstruction by vehicles.

Were these particular cases dealt with by warnings?

I have given the answer at the end of my reply as to the numbers dealt with by warning.

What authority have the police to give a warning to a person who has not committed an offence?

Perhaps I should have said "advice."

asked the Home Secretary the price paid for the site of the new Vine Street police building; what is the accommodation that the new building is to provide; what the building is estimated to cost; and whether the plans were prepared by the staff at Scotland Yard or by a firm of outside architects?

The new police station to be erected in Savile Row will replace the existing stations at Vine Street and Great Marlborough Street and be more centrally placed for the area to be served. Both building and site costs in this part of London are high, and it is estimated that the cost of the new building will be about £130,000: in addition £61,828 has been spent on the purchase of the necessary freehold and leasehold interests and there is a ground rent of £3,665 per annum. The plans have been prepared by a firm of outside architects in consultation with the Receiver's department. I am sending the hon. Member a schedule of the accommodation to be provided.

Is any special extra accommodation being provided for Members of Parliament?

asked the Home Secretary in what way appointments to the accounts section of the Metropolitan police receiver's department are made; and whether any of the members of the staff are qualified chartered accountants by examination?

The staff in question is recruited from executive, higher clerical and clerical officers and the senior posts are filled by promotion. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary the number of the staff in the architects section of the Metropolitan police receiver's department at the end of each of the following years: 1922, 1927, 1932 and 1937; the total of salaries and wages paid to such staff; and the total value of the work carried out for the department, by contract or otherwise, for which the architects section was responsible for each of the above five-year periods?

As the reply to the hon. Member's question involves a number of figures, I will, with his permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary whether, when setting up the committee which is to investigate the question of competition between taximeter-cabs and private motor-car hire firms, he will arrange that a separate report shall be issued with regard to the London area?

I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion, and I hope to be in a position to make a full statement on Monday next.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that this is a rapidly growing problem in London and that a decision and action on it are urgently desirable?

I am well aware of the urgency of the problem and to the particular urgency in London, and it is on this account that I hope to deal with it in my answer next week.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that it has been estimated that each year in Great Britain some 250,000 eyes are injured in the course of industrial employment, many of them resulting in permanent damage to sight; and what steps the Government are taking to enforce preventive measures generally and especially in the coal-mining industry?

The information in my Department does not suggest that the number of eye injuries in industrial employment can be anything like 250,000 a year, but undoubtedly the number is very considerable and the matter is one of serious concern. In addition to some special provisions dealing with the subject in existing Codes of Regulations, there is a Section in the new Factories Act as to the provision of goggles or screens and I have already issued in draft some Regulations applying that Section to certain processes. In many cases, however, screening is impracticable and there is great reluctance on the part of the workers to wear goggles, and their co-operation is essential if preventive measures are to be generally secured. The Act of 1937 also contains new provisions as to the lighting of factories, which should have an important effect in preventing eye strain. As regards the coal mining industry, the hon. Member should address his enquiry to my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines.

Is the Minister aware that many technical experts have expressed recently the opinion that more stringent measures are necessary?

I think that the measures that are being introduced should go a long way in the direction of improvement if there is co-operation between employers and workpeople.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he proposes to revise the regulations governing the payment of grants in respect of elementary schools to include provision for the payment of grant in respect of the absence of children with their parents while on their week's holiday with pay?

No revision of the grant regulations is necessary, but my Noble Friend proposes to take the necessary administrative action to safeguard local education authorities against loss of grant.

In the event of parents having holidays with pay taking their children away with them, will the local authorities penalise them in consequence of their absence?

Definitely no.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (1) whether he is aware that the Liverpool Education Committee is considering the issue of statutory notices of its intention to build council schools in Roman Catholic areas; whether this is in conformity with the desire of the Board; and, if not, what action does he intend to take;

(2) whether, in view of a recent circular he sent to Liverpool education authorities asking for reorganisation plans to be forwarded to him by 30th June, he is now in a position to make a comprehensive statement in regard to the provision of non-provided schools, grants and maintenance of religious rights in such reorganisation, in conformity with the national compromise and the Education Act, 1936?

A letter was received from the Liverpool local education authority two days ago setting out in a general way their proposals for providing the additional school accommodation which is needed in the dockside area. Proposals are included for the issue of notices for a number of new council schools, which appear to be intended for children now in attendance at Roman Catholic schools which are not suitable for their existing numbers. This letter is now being considered and I am not yet in a position to say anything further on the matter.

Although the position is delicate, and I do not want to put the Minister in an awkward situation, may I ask whether, if I put a question down in a week's time, I can have something more definite about the City of Liverpool in regard to this involved question, or would a fortnight be better?

I could do with three weeks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will give sympathetic consideration to establishment schemes of staffing submitted by local education authorities designed to effect continuous progress in the reduction in the sizes of classes?

Local education authorities' proposals for teaching establishments designed to effect a reduction in the size of classes will, as hitherto, be sympathetically considered by the board, but for reasons which I have previously given in the House, drastic or precipitate reductions cannot be contemplated at the present time.

In the meantime, will it be possible to have supplementary teachers to help with these large classes?

I should like to point out that during the last five years the number of classes of over 40 children has dropped by nearly 28 per cent., and that every year the classes are getting smaller and smaller.

Is it not true that there are thousands of children in classes that are so large that it is impossible for them to get proper education?

Will my hon. Friend explain what he means by "drastic reduction"?

As stated in a reply given by my Noble Friend to a delegation the other day, drastic reduction meant reducing the size of classes to 30 or 35, and that would mean an expenditure of something like £26,000,000.

Is it not a fact that the classes at Clivedon at the week-end are over 40?

Would the Parliamentary Secretary be prepared to recommend to the President the possibility of removing smaller rural classes and the small classes due to reorganisation from the establishment scheme?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what has been the average cost of gymnasia provided for secondary and elementary schools, respectively, during the last convenient period, differentiating between the cost of a gymnasium included in a school at the time of building the school and one built subsequently as a separate contract?

In general for gymnasia of the same size there is no difference in cost as between secondary and elementary schools. During the last 12 months, the average cost of a gymnasium of the usual brick construction has varied between £3,500 and £4,400, according to size. With regard to the last part of the question, however, the board have not had enough experience to enable them to give any reliable figures.

Is the hon. Member aware of the tendency for the cost of these buildings to increase, and is that due to a rise in building costs or to the additional requirements of the Board?

There have been no additional requirements by the Board recently.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the total number of students, male and female, entering English universities in the latest year for which figures are available; the number of such students who originated in elementary schools; the total numbers entering Oxford and Cambridge Universities; and how many of these originated in elementary schools?

According to the annual returns made to the University Grants Committee, the total number of new full-time entrants (male and female) to the universities in England and Wales (excluding Oxford and Cambridge) for the academic year 1936–37 was 7,398, and of this number 3,197, or about 43 per cent., began their education in a public elementary school. The former figure, however, includes students from overseas who, in 1936–37, formed over 10 per cent. of the whole body of full-time students in England and Wales; if these are omitted the percentage would be 48. For the University of Oxford, the total number of new full-time entrants was 1,555 and for the University of Cambridge 1,932. No exact figures are available as to the number of these students who began their education in a public elementary school; an approximate calculation however gives about 350 for Oxford and 400 for Cambridge. If deduction is made of the students from overseas the percentages of students of public elementary school origin are—Oxford 25 per cent. and Cambridge 23 per cent.

Could the hon. Gentleman state the number of the children in elementary schools and the number in public schools and the percentages of those who enter the universities of this country?

It would be extremely difficult to get that figure—I have made a shot at it—and having got it I do not think it would do very much good because there are a great many other considerations to be taken into account which I should be very glad to explain to my hon. Friend.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why it is that there has been such a heavy fall in the last ten years in the proportion of women to men in the universities?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health what investigations, wholly or partly financed by the Exchequer, are at present in progress in this country into the cause and cure of infantile paralysis?

A member of the staff of the Medical Research Council is giving his whole time to the investigation of this and cognate diseases. A statement as to the progress of this work will be found in the annual report of the council for the year 1936–37.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the Government munition works which are under construction and the increased number of accidents and sickness to an increased number of residents thereby entailed, he will inquire into the hospital accommodation of Bridgend and district?

Increased hospital provision for the region which includes the district in question is now being made.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has seen the notice of the Irwell Valley Water Board, published on Saturday, 25th June, 1938, prohibiting the use of water for certain purposes owing to the low state of the water in the reservoirs of the board; whether he will state the areas and townships supplied with water by the board; the average number of consumers in 1937 and five and 10 years ago, respectively; the assessment values for the same periods; the maximum days' supply in normal circumstances; and whether the present storage capacity is sufficient to meet the legitimate needs of the consumers?

I have seen the notice, which I understand will be withdrawn this week-end. The present storage capacity is sufficient for 155 days' supply in normal circumstances and is regarded as sufficient to meet the legitimate needs of the consumers. I am ascertaining the further information asked for and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

In view of the fact that year after year such notices have to be issued and that the area is increasing considerably, will the Minister make representations that the water supply should be increased as early as possible?

I will make a note of the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the nuisance which has been created, and the danger to the health of adjoining residents, by the dumping of all sorts of refuse in the sand tip, Hyde Park, Doncaster; and, if so, will he take steps to get the local authority to have the nuisance abated as early as possible?

I am informed by the local authority that steps have been taken by them to abate this nuisance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that there is no delay having regard to the discomfort suffered by the residents?

I understand that steps have already been taken.

Can the Minister say when Hyde Park was removed to Doncaster?

asked the Minister of Health what was the result of the arbitration to decide the price payable by the Margate Corporation for the site of 150 feet by 18 feet fronting the Parade and Canute Road, the owner having claimed £1,500; and what was the previous rateable value of this land?

The price determined by the official arbitrator for the site (which measures 150 feet by 118 feet) was £1,112; the previous rateable value was £22.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the parish council of Kidlington, Oxfordshire, was in negotiation for land adjacent to the churchyard, for burial purposes, with the owner, Count A. Samoyski, but had to abandon the project in view of the price wanted, namely, £500, for altogether one acre, plus £30 for redemption of a tithe rent and the obligation to build a stone wall; whether he has approved the purchase of two acres from the same or another owner in Langford Lane, and, if so, at what price; and whether he will state the rateable value when last occupied of each piece of land in question?

I understand that negotiations are still proceeding for the acquisition by the council from this owner of land adjoining the churchyard. No approval of the purchase of land in Langford Lane has been given.

asked the Minister of Health the number of public institutions which are supplying margarine instead of butter to their inmates; and how many children are being so supplied?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of applications for widows' pension that have been rejected in England, Scotland, and Wales during the three years ended to the last convenient date?

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

Are not the figures very substantial and can the Minister say how he reconciles those figures with the statements made by Government candidates at the last two elections?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the provision of further trading estates, 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?

The provision of trading estates is not within my province, and accordingly the first part of the question does not arise. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on 23rd June.

I received the answer of the Minister of Labour which has been referred to, but he did not appear to have understood the question. May I inquire whether the Minister is aware that immediately adjoining the Team Valley Estate were many hundreds of acres of virgin estate which might have been planned and utilised in connection with the Team Valley Estate but which to-day are being indiscriminately—

rose—

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the protest from the Spilsby Rural District Council, the Wainfleet Parish Councils, and any other neighbouring parish councils against the new registration scheme put forward by the Lindsey County Council under the Local Government Act, 1929; whether he is aware that there is a strong feeling in the parishes of Wainfleet All Saints, Wain-fleet St. Mary, Friskney, Thorpe St. Peter, and Croft against the proposed abolition of the present sub-station for the registration of births and deaths at Wainfleet, which will entail considerable inconvenience and hardship, particularly in the case of the outlying districts in the parishes above mentioned; and whether he will consider these representations before he gives his approval to the scheme?

The registration scheme referred to has not as yet been submitted for approval; but I am informed that representations from the councils mentioned in the question have been made to and considered by the county council. Upon the submission of the scheme any outstanding local representations will certainly be considered before approval is given.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask whether he is aware that the present substation at Wainfleet is maintained at only a trifling cost, that it is run by an ex-service man, and that as it is open after working hours it is of very great convenience to a large and scattered working-class population.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many local authorities view with alarm the way in which the price of land is increasing and the adverse effect which such fact bears upon the rentals of houses erected upon new sites acquired for building purposes; and will he introduce measures to prevent this increase in the value of land, which cannot be justified excepting for the fact that the value is enhanced by the creation of amenities by local authorities?

I have received representations from one authority on this question, but I am not aware of any general evidence of any substantial rise in cost. Local authorities have wide powers of acquisition, and I am not satisfied that further powers are required.