asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that applicants to the Unemployment Assistance Board's office at West India Dock Road for a supplementary grant have been forced to wait for a period before the grant has been allowed; and will he have inquiries made with a view to bringing about the discontinuance of this waiting period in cases where those on standard benefit are entitled to receive a supplementary grant?

The Board inform me that there is no question of requiring a waiting period in these cases as a matter of rule and irrespective of the individual circumstances. Cases do, however, occur in which the recent employment history and the remuneration received provide grounds for the view that the applicant is not in need of a supplementary grant immediately on cessation of work. Each case is dealt with on its merits, and, when need is established, an allowance is granted.

Does the Minister mean to say that, if it is essential that a man should receive a supplementary grant in, say, the fourth week of his unemployment, there is no need for it at an earlier date?

The figures for the area show that between 1st April, 1937, and 30th June, 1938, 1,152 applications for supplementary assistance were received at the office in West India Dock Road; that in 90 cases it was refused on the ground that there were outside resources, and that in 1,019 of the remaining 1,062 cases the grant was allowed immediately on application.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applicants for assistance under the Unemployment Assistance Board in South Wales who have suffered reductions in their assessment from July, 1937, to the end of May, 1938, for the reason that their allowance was in excess of their assessment under the revised regulations; and will he give the figures separately for each area affected, also the total saving to the board as the result of these reductions?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in Durham county one man in five of the industrial population is unemployed, which is a high proportion; and what steps he is taking to deal with the situation?

The percentage rate of unemployment in County Durham in June this year was 19.6, but, I would point out, that is half what it was in June, 1933. In reply to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave the hon. Member on 17th February, 1938.

Is the Minister aware that, apart from the trading estate, very little or nothing has been done by the Government to introduce new work into the county; and that there is very great concern among all ranks in the county with regard to the continued rise in the number of unemployed, the figures being 19.2 per cent. a month or two ago and over 20 per cent. to-day?

I cannot agree with the statement in the last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question. In June, 1931, the percentage was 37.1, in 1933 it was 39.6, in December of last year it was 20.6, and now it is 19.6

Will not the Minister tell us, as is asked in the question, what he is doing to deal with the situation?

I indicated, in the answer to which I have referred, that a vast deal has been and is being done.

Nothing is being done apart from the trading estate.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that payment of unemployment benefit has been suspended in many cases without reference to a court of referees owing to the fact that the applicants for benefit have received their holiday payment; and what steps does he propose to take to remedy this?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to claims in which the circumstances are the same as those of claims which have been selected as typical cases for decision by the courts of referees and umpire. The hon. Member will no doubt appreciate that it was not possible to deal with such cases pending a decision on the typical cases. It is the practice, as soon as such a decision has been obtained, to apply it to all the outstanding cases as rapidly as possible.

Can we be informed what was the umpire's decision on this question, in view of the ill feeling and undermining of good will that have been created?

I have another question on that specific point.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can announce the Umpire's decision in the case of men receiving holiday credits on Tyneside?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement in connection with the Umpire's decision in the case of unemployment and holidays with pay?

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision has been made on the appeals which were heard last Friday regarding benefit payable at holiday periods; and, if so, can he state the terms of that decision?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the decision allowing benefit which was given by the Umpire on 5th July. I should add that I propose to issue as soon as possible a memorandum summarising the various past decisions which have been given by the Umpire on this subject.

Would the Minister indicate to the House whether the Umpire's decision was favourable or adverse?

I am circulating the decision, and would prefer to add nothing in general terms. As, however, this particular case was a test case, perhaps I had better give to the House the first sentence of the decision. It says:

"On the facts before me"—

"my decision is that if the above named unemployed person had made a claim for unemployment benefit the claim would have been allowed."

I understand that that reply is in the affirmative, and that, if in future similar cases happen, they will get their usual amount of benefit.

I would prefer that hon. Members should read the rather long detailed statement.

If any worker is in receipt of holiday pay in circumstances similar to those of the case submitted, will he have the benefit of the same decision?

Perhaps hon. Members will await my memorandum. I will make it as full as I can, and will give it to the House as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many men on Tyneside have had their benefit reduced owing to receiving holiday credits;

In general, men on Tyneside have not had the sums otherwise due to them as unemployment benefit reduced owing to the receipt of holiday credits, and are better oft on account of such credits. The number of cases in which this is not so must be small and could only be ascertained by a detailed examination of many thousands of individual records. I should point out that men who had been finally discharged for more than a week receive the full amount of benefit in addition to their holiday credit.

Why should anyone not have the advantage of holidays with pay?

That is precisely the question to which the legal argument has been addressed. The House must understand that in this new and very desirable movement which has so swiftly come about for holidays with pay there are very many tricky points that crop up in insurance law which would not have arisen but for this movement.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman's Department have come to a conclusion on this matter in the same time as, or in less time than, it took them to draw up the circular preventing people from getting it?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the resolution of the Glasgow and Edinburgh Trades Councils regarding the holiday pay restrictions imposed on the unemployed during the holiday period, and whether the restrictions will be suspended or removed?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the resolution sent to him by the Glasgow and Edinburgh Joint Trades Councils Committee, representing all Scottish trades councils, protesting against the holiday pay restrictions imposed upon the unemployed on standard benefit, and on the Unemployment Assistance Board during the holiday period; and whether he has any statement to make?

I would refer the hon. Members to the replies which I have just given to questions by the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith) and others on the subject of the payment of unemployment benefit to men who receive holiday payments. As the House is aware, the general question of the treatment of holidays under the Unemployment Insurance Scheme is at present under examination by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee.

Will the Minister consider sending to this important industrial organisation a copy of the findings of that inquiry as soon as they are available?

I will consider that.

asked the Minister of Labour the results of his investigations into the unemployment of men over 45 years of age; and what steps he now proposes to take?

I have at present nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. W. Joseph Stewart) on 21st June.

Does the Minister remember that he went about the country last September raising hopes that something was going to be done for these men? Has he done anything?

I would point out to the hon. Member that there have been great decreases in this particular section. In May, 1935, as compared with May, 1937, the number of men aged 45 and over who were unemployed was reduced by 120,000; between May, 1935, and February, 1938, it was reduced by 84,000.

Will the Minister tell the House what he proposes to do as the result of the experience that has been gained in certain areas?

I said in my earlier answer, which was a long and very full one, that a great deal has been done by administrative methods, which was the purpose of my tour.

asked the Minister of Labour why no unemployment benefit is paid for Saturdays, followed by a week's unemployment, to the employés of a Wednesfield firm, in view of the fact that the firm do not work regularly a five-day week when on full time?

I regret that I cannot deal with this point without details enabling me to identify the particular case. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to send these to me.

I will do that. Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that this firm does not normally work a five-day week, and that there are about 150 persons affected?

When I get the information from the hon. Member, I will not only take note of it, but will investigate that point as well.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the West Cumberland Industrial Development Company were consulted about the recent appointment to the post of district commissioner for that area?

I am glad to take this opportunity of correcting a misunderstanding which has arisen regarding the answer I gave to the hon. Member's Supplementary Question on Thursday last. My reference to the board of West Cumberland Development Company was intended merely to emphasise that commercial experience on the part of the district commissioner was not an essential qualification, because of the industrial knowledge and experience which are possessed by members of the board and which are always freely at the disposal of the district commissioner.

Would not consultations with the people on the spot have been advisable?

It would never have occurred to me that it would, because it was the commissioner's legal duty to make the appointment in consultation with the Ministry and the Treasury.

Is it not a fact that the man who was appointed has no experience of industrial questions, and if a man has not that business experience how can you expect the people in the area to have the confidence in him that they ought to have?

I have already pointed out that general experience of an administrative kind is the essential qualification. I did that last week.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the present difficulty in recruiting juvenile labour for cotton mills and that Employment Exchanges at the present time are chary of placing young persons in employment in the industry; and whether, in view of the decision of the Government to introduce legislation at an early date for improving conditions in the trade, he will instruct the Employment Exchanges accordingly?

I am aware that there is some difficulty in recruiting juvenile labour for the cotton mills. It is the duty of juvenile employment officers to give full information to juveniles about vacancies in local industries, including cotton, but they cannot compel acceptance of any particular vacancies. Any changes in the conditions in the cotton industry will become known to juvenile officers when vacancies are notified, and will be conveyed to suitable applicants.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now state the price that was paid for the Pallion site, Sunderland; the cost of clearing the site for building, and whether that expenditure was borne out of public funds; what was the rateable value of the site when last occupied; and what buildings, and at what cost, have since been erected upon it?

The price (including legal charges) paid for the Pallion site, in accordance with the valuation of the district valuer, was £6,210. In addition, it is estimated that a sum of £1,500 will be payable as compensation to existing tenants as and when land leased to them is required for development. If the whole site is required for factories the cost of development will be about £11,500. To date, one factory has been completed and two others are in course of erection. The estimated cost of these factories is about £39,000, but it is not possible to estimate the expenditure involved if the whole site is eventually required for factories. The whole of the expenditure incurred will be borne by the Special Areas Fund. I have no information as to the rateable value of the site, which was previously in agricultural occupation as market gardens and allotments.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken by the Government to deal with the increase of unemployment, as reflected in the figures published this week?

The increase of unemployment to which the hon. Member refers was wholly accounted for by temporary stoppages, due partly to local holidays on the day of the count and partly to extensions of the Whitsun holiday. There was, in fact, a considerable reduction as compared with the previous month in the numbers wholly unemployed. As regards the Government's general policy for dealing with unemployment, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 4th July.

Was not that increase unusual at this time of the year, and particularly in view of the rearmament policy; and will the Minister give some explanation as to what is the Government's policy?

The explanation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be found, I think, a very full and adequate one.

Is the Minister not aware that when the figures are up he has always some excuse, and when they are down he is always boasting of it?

I can always rely on hon. Gentlemen opposite to call attention to them when they are up and forget them when they are down.

Was not the increase at this time of the year unusual?

I would not say so, in the circumstances. We have had three years of continuous decrease of unemployment and—what is more important—increase of employment; an increase which is really very spectacular. There is an element which occurs always in a period of that kind—there is a tendency for consumable goods to be overproduced, and a lag follows.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons in Scotland classified as being in insurable employment for the years ended May, 1933 and 1938, respectively?

Estimates of the number of insured persons are available only in respect of the beginning of July of each year. The estimated number of insured persons in Scotland at the beginning of July, 1932, was 1,340,310; the number of such persons recorded as unemployed at 22nd May, 1933, was 351,217. At July, 1937, the corresponding total of insured persons (exclusive of juveniles under 16 years of age and of persons within the agricultural scheme, who were not insurable against unemployment in 1932) was 1,398,480; the number of such persons unemployed at 16th May, 1938, was 228,119.

In view of the increase in the number of insurable employés in Scotland, does the Minister agree that in future the actual numbers of unemployed should be given instead of percentages, which may give rise to a certain amount of misrepresentation?

I am always prepared to give the House all my information. My recollection is that when we produce the returns monthly, we give figures and not percentages.

Is the Minister aware that in speeches in this House he tends to use percentages instead of figures?

I use any accurate information.

asked the Minister of Labour the unemployment figure for Bury last month; and, further, whether any men were engaged upon aircraft or aero-engine work for the new programme for the expansion of the Royal Air Force?

At 13th June, the number of insured persons aged 16–64 recorded as unemployed in the Bury area was 7,613, or 31.8 per cent. of the numbers insured at July, 1937. A few vacancies have been notified to the Bury Exchange in connection with the Royal Air Force expansion programme and have been filled.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons engaged in the motor trade who were on the unemployed registers at the Dagenham, Rom-ford and Barking Exchanges, respectively, at the beginning of July, 1938, and six months ago?

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the possibility of finding room for additional German refugees by cancelling the permission of German non-refugees to remain in this country?

A case for such action would only arise if there were in this country numbers of German subjects who could be required to leave without undue hardship to themselves or disadvantage to ourselves; and this is not so. Apart from those who have been settled here for many years, of whom many have British-born wives and British-born children, the large proportion of those admitted are either refugees or persons admitted for special purposes, such as technicians who will leave this country when they have fulfilled the purpose of their visit.

If we reach a position where there is no more room for German refugees, would it not be reasonable to make some room by sending back some of the German agents and Nazi propagandists who are here?

The hon. Member has asked a hypothetical question. I would wait.

In view of the increased cost that this change would involve, would the hon. Member be prepared to bear that cost?

asked the Home Secretary how many alien refugees have been admitted to this country during the last six months?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this matter on 23rd June to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley).

Does my right hon. Friend repudiate the reports in the Press about floods of illegal immigrants?

I have not seen those reports. In any case, I would hesitate to take any responsibility for reports in the Press.

asked the Home Secretary (1) the average weekly payments for workmen's compensation made to miners who are totally incapacitated during the last two years for which the figures are available, and for the same periods the average weekly payments made to miners who were partially incapacitated;

I regret that the figures asked for are not available.

Would it not be advisable, when compiling the annual report, to make a more detailed classification?

I will consider that suggestion; but these particular details would involve a great deal of work.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now state the names of members of the Royal Commission upon workmen's compensation and the terms of reference?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to expedite the appointment and deliberations of the proposed Royal Commission on workmen's compensation and employers' liability, in light of the growing demand for amendment of the law, together with the fact that the Stewart Committee, although appointed by warrant on 23rd October, 1935, did not issue its report until 13th January, 1938?

I am not in a position to add to the answers which the Prime Minister gave to questions on this subject on 22nd June, but the Government will certainly do all it can to expedite the setting up of the Commission and to assist the Commission in its inquiry.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate any likely time when he will have this information?

No, Sir. It is a very important inquiry, and it must take some little time.

asked the Home Secretary whether the proposed Royal Commission to be set up relative to amendment of workmen's compensation and employers' liability will be guided in its deliberations in any way by the findings of the Stewart Committee Report, Command Paper 5657; and will they be called upon to deal with the question of compulsory insurance, all as referred to in Command Paper 5528?

The Commission will have before it the report of the Stewart Committee and I have no doubt will derive great assistance from the report and will attach full weight to the committee's findings. The question of extending the scope of compulsory insurance will fall within the terms of reference of the Commission, and they will no doubt have full regard to the report of the recent committee on Compulsory Insurance, which has a considerable bearing on some aspects of the matter.

Will the Commission also have before it the report of the Holman-Gregory Committee?

Yes, Sir, certainly, and all relevant matter of that kind.

Will the terms of reference of the Commission cover the question of the rehabilitation of injured workmen?

The Prime Minister dealt with that question in an answer a week ago, to which I would refer my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary what has been the amount advanced to the Royal Irish Constabulary Force Fund in any way by the Government and what will be the approximate amount due to be returned to the Government after its liabilities have been discharged; and whether any decision has been made as to the manner in which the balance of the assets will be dealt with?

In the year 1891, Parliament voted £150,000 to enable the fund to meet its obligations to the widows and orphans of subscribers on the understanding that any surplus remaining when the final grant had been paid would revert to the Exchequer, and that no extension of existing benefits would be permitted. There are about 1,000 surviving subscribers and the present value of the assets is estimated at £260,000. It is impossible to say what will be the balance ultimately left. The amount of grant payable on the death of a subscriber depends on whether he leaves a widow or unmarried daughters.

Has the Home Secretary any idea as to when this fund will be wound up; and is any interest being paid on it?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down the second part of the question. As to the first part, I have no information.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Doncaster Town Council have agreed to the delivery of the three trailer pumps offered in his letter of 19th May?

Yes, Sir; and instructions have also been given for the delivery of these appliances.

When will they be delivered?

Almost at once.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a recent case in which a man was convicted of the dangerous driving of a motor vehicle, having been committed for trial by the justices after an investigation at which the public and Press were excluded; whether any proposal was submitted for his approval and, if so, on what grounds; and whether, in the public interest, justices will be circularised with representations and warnings for and against this procedure in any such future cases?

I have had no communication with the justices about this case, and it would be wrong that a court of justice should be subject to the directions or approval of the executive as to the course to be followed in dealing with a particular case. As regards the general question, I am advised that when justices are making a preliminary investigation of an indictable case for the purpose of determining whether or not a defendant should be committed for trial, they are not required to sit in open court, though it is the practice for them to do so. In my view they should not sit in private save in exceptional cases such as those in which they are satisfied that publicity given to these preliminary proceedings will prejudice the ends of justice.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of G. E. Stedall, who is serving a sentence of imprisonment for dangerous driving of a motor vehicle; and whether, as on 4th July, at Maidenhead, at the coroner's inquest upon the person killed in the collision in connection with which the charge was brought, the jury found a verdict of accidental death and exonerated the driver, he proposes to take any and what steps to review this matter?

Yes, Sir. I have received from Mr. Stedall's solicitors a full report of the facts of this case. Mr. Stedall in swerving to avoid another car collided with a third car of which the driver was killed. Mr. Stedall and the driver of the car which he swerved to avoid were both charged with dangerous driving. The other defendant was acquitted but Mr. Stedall was convicted and sentenced to four months' imprisonment. Mr. Stedall appealed to quarter sessions but his conviction and sentence were upheld on appeal. Subsequently at an inquest held on the person killed the coroner's jury returned a verdict of accidental death and added a rider to the effect that the driver who had been acquitted had put Mr. Stedall in great danger. This rider does not, in fact, necessarily exonerate Mr. Stedall, but in any event a rider by a coroner's jury, whose sole function was to determine the cause of death and who, I am informed, had no evidence additional to that considered by the convicting Magistrates and by quarter sessions, would not afford grounds for reviewing a conviction by the courts established by law for the trial of offences and the hearing of appeals. I have considered the representations made on Mr. Stedall's behalf and can find no ground for interference with the sentence which the court thought fit to impose.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I humbly suggest that questions such as this which apply only to one particular person should be put down for written answer, in view of the difficulty we have in getting answers to questions?

It is purely a matter of opinion.

asked the Home Secretary on what basis experts employed to advise the Home Office or the police authorities in poison cases are paid for their services; and whether any independent check is applied to their reports before a prosecution is instituted?

The services of two analysts, appointed by and receiving retaining fees from the Home Office, are available to the police and coroners, if they have occasion to consult them. In such cases they are remunerated in accordance with a scale of fees approved by the Treasury. In addition, forensic science laboratories have been established in London and certain other centres, with whole-time scientific staff remunerated by salary. In other cases the police may seek the assistance of other experts who would be remunerated by fee. In every case the function of the expert is to give an opinion, as a scientist, on the material submitted to him and he does so on his own responsibility. The responsibility for the prosecution rests with the Director of Public Prosecutions or with the police, as the case may be.

asked the Home Secretary how many unmarried police officers are to be accommodated at the Kennington Lane and the Judd Street section houses, what is the estimated value of each of the sites, what is the amount of the contracts for the buildings, and what is the cost per foot cube based on the contract price?

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

asked the Home Secretary how many families are to be accommodated in the new block of married quarters at Elystan Street, Chelsea; what was the cost of the site; what was the amount of the building contracts; what was the price per foot cube of the building; and if the final total cost of the building has been ascertained, what is the amount?

This block of married quarters was completed and occupied over a year ago. It accommodates 114 families; the site cost £40,000; the amount of the building contracts and final total building cost was £86,657; the price per foot cube was 1s. 7d.

In view of the price of 1s. 7d. per foot cube in the case of this particular building, can the right hon. Gentleman say why a building for a single man in the Chelsea area costs 2s. 2d. per foot cube, as stated in the answer which he gave me a little while ago, and will he inquire into the difference?

I will certainly look into it.

asked the Home Secretary what is the total number of professional, technical, clerical and industrial manual workers employed in the engineers section of the receivers department of the Metropolitan police district; what is the total annual salaries and wages of this staff; and what are the number and salaries and wages costs of that part of the staff engaged solely in connection with the motor fleet of the department?

The total number of persons of the classes mentioned employed in the engineers department is 575; the annual amount of their salaries and wages is £107,000; the corresponding figures for that part of the staff employed solely in connection with the motor fleet are 335 and £60,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the smallness of the pensions paid to widows of members of the Metropolitan police force, even in cases where their late husbands had long service in the force and during such time made regular contributions to the pension fund; and whether he will consider taking the necessary steps to increase such pensions?

The amount of the pensions payable to the widows of members of the Metropolitan and other police forces is governed by Statute, and legislation would be required to enable any increase in the amount of the pension to be given. For the present I can only say that I have under consideration various representations which I have received.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an early date for the discussion of the Motion standing on the Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Lincoln relating to war risks insurance?

In the present state of public business, I am afraid that I can hold out no hope of time being available for the discussion of this Motion.

asked the Prime Minister when the House will be given an opportunity of discussing the revised Anglo-German Payments Agreement?

I fear that in the present state of Parliamentary business it will not be possible to give a special opportunity for the discussion of the agreement referred to, but no doubt there will be occasions in the normal course of business on which it could be discussed.

As this question raises issues of very great importance to investors, ought it not to be discussed in this House? In view of the fact that the Prime Minister is unable to provide me with an answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will clarify the position of foreign holders of the British Tranche of the Austrian 4½ per cent. Guaranteed Loan, in view of the fact that it was issued by the Bank of England and that the principal and interest is, in part, guaranteed by the British Government?

The Anglo-German Transfer Agreement of 1st July, 1938 (Command Paper 5788), does not cover bonds of the Austrian Government 4½ per cent. Guaranteed Loan which were not in the ownership of British holders on 1st July, 1938. The position of holders of such bonds will therefore depend upon any arrangements made between the German Government and the Government of which such holders are nationals, or, failing any such arrangement, on the implementation by the guarantor Governments of their guarantees. In regard to the latter point, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lewisham (Sir P. Dawson) on Monday last.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the holders of such bonds will be reimbursed by the guarantors in case of no suitable arrangement being come to between the German Government and the holders of the bonds?

That was the subject of the answer to which I have referred my hon. and gallant Friend. Perhaps it may be convenient if I read one sentence:

"I understand that all the Governments represented at the recent meeting of the Committee of Guarantor States in London indicated their readiness to implement their guarantees, if called upon to do so."—[OFFILIAL REPORT, 4th July, 1938; col. 43, Vol. 338.]

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in view of the heavy cost of the equipment of the Defence forces and the fact that more public money is now being spent than ever before in our history upon education, the Board is calling upon local education authorities to defer all new expenditure that is not imperatively necessary?

The prospective raising of the school age and the completion of re-organisation of elementary schools are involving local education authorities in substantial expenditure, and there is no evidence that authorities, alive to their commitments in these respects, are embarking on extravagant or unnecessary expenditure. In these circumstances, my Noble Friend sees no occasion for issuing any communication of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend.

Has the Board of Education received representations from local education authorities, as, for instance, the borough of Hornsey and the county of Wilts, indicating that at this time of national emergency in regard to Defence, some curb should be put upon new expenditure?

I think some representations have been made to my Noble Friend in the course of the last six months.

Has the borough of Hornsey ever previously made representations in respect of any other forms of excessive expenditure?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will bring up to date the information in regard to the period during which school meals are provided?

Complete information in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1938, will not be available until the autumn. The latest information, in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1937, was given in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 9th November last, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

Does not the Minister agree that, if there is not so much money spent on buildings, they will have more to spend on feeding the youngsters?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can give any information in connection with two boys that have been expelled from the Poole Grammar School for smoking out of school hours; and what action he intends taking in the matter?

My Noble Friend is making inquiries into this matter and when further information has been received I will communicate with the hon. Member.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give me any indication as to when I might put down the question again?

I should think within a week.

I will put it down again next Thursday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many reports have reached his Department from England and Wales showing malnutrition amongst school children up to the nearest available date; and what action he is taking in the matter?

The school medical officers' annual reports for all areas in England and Wales include statistics of the assessment of the nutrition of children examined at routine medical inspection during the year 1937. In 260 out of the 315 areas some children are shown to be suffering from bad nutrition but in many cases the number is very small, often only one or two out of several thousand children examined, and the total number of such children represents 0.6 per cent. of the number examined. In addition, 10.7 per cent. are shown to have slightly subnormal nutrition. The adequacy of the provision for the supply of free meals or milk to necessitous under-nourished children is kept under review by the Board and in appropriate cases the matter is taken up with the local education authority.

Is the hon. Member satisfied that the measures now being taken by local authorities are effecting an improvement in regard to the children in their areas?

I am very glad to say that there is a progressive improvement.

Is my hon. Friend aware that some local authorities are doing little or nothing and that there are 193,000 mal-nourished children in the country?

I would not vouch for the exact figures, but I have said before that there is inequality of performance.

Can the Minister state whether in regard to this question of malnutrition the Board lay down any time limit for the examination of the children?

There is no time limit.

Is the hon. Member satisfied that the tests as to nutrition and malnutrition are satisfactory?

I dealt with this matter in some detail when the Vote before the Department was debated. I am not completely satisfied.

Is it not the case that the best test of whether a child is malnourished is whether the income of the home is sufficient?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any decision has yet been reached regarding the proposal to erect a Church of England senior school at Tilford, Surrey; and whether due consideration has been given to the protest against this proposal signed by a number of ratepayers and parents?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Board have decided to hold a public inquiry into the proposal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any decision has yet been reached regarding the proposal to erect a Church of England senior school at Milford, Surrey; and whether due consideration has been given to the protest against this project signed by parents and ratepayers?

Yes, Sir. After careful consideration of the appeal against it, the Board have decided in favour of the proposed Church of England senior school.

Is the hon. Member aware that this decision will arouse great indignation in this part of Surrey?

I can assure the hon. Member that my Noble Friend looked very carefully into all the facts of the case.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue a circular to all authorities and institutions which receive a Government grant or allowance, requiring them to refrain from purchasing goods made in Japan and/or tinned foods imported from Japan?

On more than one occasion, the attention of local authorities has been drawn to the desirability of securing that goods and materials required by them should so far as is practicable be of British manufacture. I fear I have no power to take any further steps.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give, if possible for each 12 months separately, for 1935, 1936 and 1937, particulars of statistical and other results of the joint council of midwifery nutrition scheme for expectant mothers, stating also the total annual cost of this scheme and the annual amount of grant made by the Commissioner for Special Areas?

The full cost of the scheme for the period from January, 1937, to 31st March, 1938, has been met from the amount of £8,500 granted by the Commissioner for the Special Areas. I regret that I have no information for the period prior to January, 1937, when the cost was defrayed out of voluntary contributions. As regards the statistical results of the scheme to date I would refer to the replies which were given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward) on 17th March and 19th May of this year.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that out of 2,000 who were properly fed only one died in child-birth, whereas out of 2,000 that were underfed, seven died? Will he consider seriously the fact that 13s. 4d. spent on extra food in these cases would have saved the lives of these mothers?

Full information was given on 17th March and 19th May.

I have stated facts.

asked the Minister of Health whether the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Abortion, under the chairmanship of Mr. N. Birkett, K.C., will be published before the Recess; whether he will represent to the chairman of that committee the advisability of publishing the evidence at the same time as the report; and whether, if the committee so desires, he will do his best to ensure that the publication of the evidence is not vetoed on financial grounds?

I understand that the committee have recently completed the hearing of evidence. They are now engaged in consideration of the evidence and they hope to be in a position to present a report before the end of the year. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind, but I think that it would be premature to settle this question at the present stage.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that on a matter of this sort unless the evidence is published it will be very difficult for the House to reach a conclusion?

I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of patients receiving treatment for tuberculosis as at the last convenient date and the number of persons who have been awaiting treatment for more than 10 days on that date from local authorities in England and Wales?

The number of patients who, on 1st April, 1938, were receiving treatment in residential institutions under the schemes of local authorities in England and Wales for the institutional treatment of tuberculosis was 27,968, and the number of persons who had been awaiting such treatment for more than 10 days was 1,798.

What steps are being taken to make provision for these persons who are waiting for treatment?

It is not a very long waiting list.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is a danger to the community that so many people should be waiting for treatment?

asked the Minister of Health what was the result of the arbitration case to decide the price of the land at Wisemore acquired under compulsory powers of purchase by the Walsall Corporation for the purpose of slum clearance; and what was the area of the land in question as well as its rateable value previous to purchase?

The town council obtained compulsory powers for these properties in 1934 and 1937. I am informed that they were able to agree a price with the owners in respect of all the properties in the Orders confirmed in 1937 and in respect of some in the Orders confirmed in 1934. The arbitrator's award in the other cases amounted to £3,280 for properties of a rateable value of £369 covering an area of 6,674 square yards.

asked the Minister of Health how many old age pensioners situated in the area of the city of Salford are in receipt of assistance from the public assistance committee, and the amount that is being paid out weekly in this category?

On 1st January, 1938, the latest date for which figures are available, the number was 1,229. As regards the last part of the question, the returns received in my Department do not distinguish the cost of payments to the category of persons mentioned.

In view of the fact that the same kind of reply has been given to other hon. Members who have put this particular question, can the right hon. Gentleman's Department not get from the local authorities the amounts they pay to these people?

I do not get it from the returns. Whether a special return should be asked for, is another matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman seriously suggest that it would involve so much work in asking the local authorities for the information?

Every additional demand involves a certain amount of work.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to declare the policy of the Government with reference to the question of national parks, arising out of the recommendations of the National Parks Committee of 1931?