asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number and age-group of persons registered as wholly unemployed at Normanton, Castleford and Pontefract on the latest date available; and the comparative figures for 1938 and 1937?

The following table shows, for each of the age-groups for

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of vacancies notified by employers during 1938 at the Normanton, Castleford and Pontefract Employment Exchanges; the number of vacancies filled; and how many of the persons engaged were more than 45 years of age?

I am having the available figures extracted, and will circulate a statement in the Official Report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Unemployment Assistance Board has agreed that a large family is in itself a special circumstance in view of which the wage-stop clause is waived; and, if that is so, why is it that no winter allowance is paid to Mr. Downham, of 5, Dagenham Avenue, Heathway, Essex, who has a wife and eight children under 13 years of age to keep on 56s. a week when his last recorded wage was 70s.?

I am informed that the allowance of 56s. a week was the subject of appeal on the 14th December last and was confirmed by the Tribunal. Mr. Downham has been given a further opportunity of appeal of which, I understand, he is availing himself.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to give sympa-

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. Hammersley) on 7th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of unemployed persons can be accommodated in the training centres in England and Wales; and the number of unemployed persons undergoing training?

The number of training places available for unemployed persons on the 16th February in Government training and instructional centres in England and Wales was 8,807, and the number of persons undergoing training was 7,267. In addition, at the women's training centres run by the Central Committee for Women's Training and Employment there were 1,142 places available and 957 women in training; and in schemes run by outside bodies but financed wholly or partly by the Ministry there were 329 places and 244 men in training.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that Coseley unemployed have frequently, at great inconvenience, to use Labour Exchanges at Dudley, Tipton, Bilston and Wolverhampton, he will consider founding an Exchange in Coseley itself?

The nearest Exchange for Coseley residents is at Bilston, from 1½ to three miles away. Those attending at Dudley, Tipton or Wolverhampton do so voluntarily because they habitually look for employment there. In the circumstances I do not feel that the provision of separate premises at Coseley would be justified.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of girls and women who are registered as unemployed at the Durham City Employment Exchanges and in the county of Durham, respectively; and whether he has any scheme for providing them with suitable employment?

I am having the figures extracted and will circulate a statement in the Official Report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that it is estimated that the North-East Trading Estate will provide employment for 6,000 persons before the end of 1939, and for 50,000 in 20 years; and what estimates have been formed by his Department?

No such estimates have been made by my Department nor do I think it practicable at this stage to make any reliable estimate of the total employment which will be provided by this Trading Estate. Account must be taken not only of the numbers directly employed on the estate but of the substantial increase in employment in the area resulting from the increased trade and stimulus to business which it provides.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of miners unemployed throughout the Cannock Chase coalfield at the last convenient date?

I am having the figures extracted and will circulate a statement in the Official Report.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to ensure that workers, who are not entitled to paid holidays or are only entitled to a paid holiday for a less period than that for which their firm closes down, receive unemployment pay for the period for which they receive no wages?

It has been the position for many years in accordance with decisions of the Umpire that benefit is not payable for a period of recognised or customary holiday whether pay is received or not. I am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind, but if he knows of any cases in which he considers that the present law has resulted in hardship and will let me know, I will consider them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of agricultural labourers unemployed in the county of Staffordshire at the last convenient date?

I am having the available figures extracted and will circulate a statement in the Official Report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of men employed by contractors on Government work in connection with the balloon barrage at Fazakerley, Liverpool; and how many of these were given employment through the local Employment Exchange?

I understand that the number of men so employed was 271 as at 27th February, 1939. Of these, 76 men were placed through the Employment Exchange service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the numbers of unemployed signing at Woolwich Employment Exchange and sub-exchanges on 1st February, 1939, or nearest convenient date; and figures showing at corresponding dates in 1931 and 1935, respectively?

The following Table shows the total numbers of unemployed persons, aged 14 and over, on the registers of the Woolwich and Bexley Heath Employment Exchanges at a date in January, 1931, 1935, and 1939:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received the report of the special inquiry he promised to make into the percentage of Unemployment Assistance Board applicants granted extra winter relief in the Felling district?

I have written to the hon. Member on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of musicians who are now unemployed; and whether or not the number is on the increase?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the continued distress caused by long periods of unemployment in the Gwendraeth Valley, Carmarthenshire; whether he is aware of the existence of a number of schemes for work; and what he proposes to do to lessen the numbers of the unemployed in this valley?

I am aware of the serious unemployment in the Gwendraeth Valley and I regret that it has not so far been possible for this area to take advantage of Sections 5 and 6 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, but I would draw attention to the announcement which has already been made that the Government proposes to introduce legislation to make loan facilities more readily available for new industrial undertakings to be established in certain areas of heavy unemployment outside the Special Areas. I also hope that the recent coal agreement with France will be of assistance to this area.

asked the Minister of Labour under what regulation lifeboatmen, who in their ordinary occupations are insured persons, have their unemployment benefit stopped if they are unemployed when they go to sea in response to distress signals?

I understand that, in accordance with a decision of the umpire given as long ago as 1925, life boatmen who receive more than 3s. 4d. a day for their services are not held to be unemployed on the day for which the payment is made.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers registered in the Greenock area exhausted their unemployment benefit during the year 1938?

Information is not available as to the number of separate individuals who exhausted unemployment benefit rights in 1938. Out of 6,563 persons on the registers of the Greenock Employment Exchange at 12th December, 1938, 325 had exhausted benefit rights in their current benefit years.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. Evan David, 10, Cattle Street, Neath, an unemployed tin worker, has had his unemployment pay reduced from 17s. per week to 15s.; that he is a bachelor living in lodgings, paying 6s. per week for lodging, 1s. for washing, 1s. for Sunday dinner, and has only 7s. to provide food and clothing; and will he restore him to his former position?

I will have inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has been able to give additional orders to the Pontadawe steel and tin trade as a result of the application made by the Pontadawe Rural Council for a share of Government orders due to the large number of unemployed as a result of the industries having closed down?

No, Sir. I am still in communication with the representatives of the steel industry in the matter.

asked the Attorney-General whether the same diplomatic immunity from liability for accidents in motor cars applies to accidents in aeroplanes?

I see no reason for thinking that aeroplane accidents would not be treated on the same principles as those applied to motor car accidents.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any members of the staff of the Ministry of Labour or of other Government Departments, have been transferred or seconded to the headquarters or local offices of the organisation known as Women's Voluntary Services; and whether he will give the numbers, grading, and locality of employment of the civil servants concerned?

The following statement gives particulars of the permanent civil servants working with the Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence:Headquarters:1 Principal from the Ministry of Labour.1 Staff Officer from the Ministry of Health.

asked the Attorney-General how many men and how many women have been appointed as justices of the peace during the last three years; and how many of them were under 50 years of age?

The following is the information as to the number of appointments during the last three years. I regret I cannot say how many of the persons appointed were under 50 years of age, but my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor attaches great importance to the question of age, and during these years a large proportion of the persons appointed have been under 50. The appointment of persons above the age of 65 has been made only in a few exceptional cases.2 Clerical Officers from the Ministry of Labour.2 Clerical Assistants from the Home Office.1 Shorthand Typist from the Ministry of Labour.Edinburgh:1 Third Class Officer from the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total response to date, in main categories, of the appeal for enrolment for national service; if he is satisfied with the result; and whether any changes are contemplated in the scope and character of his propaganda campaign or in the methods now employed to obtain an effective National Register?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in the House yesterday by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour. The response to the appeal for enrolment for national service up to the present may, in my view, be regarded as satisfactory, particularly bearing in mind the short recruiting period to which it relates. As regards the third part of the question, steps have been taken by my right hon. Friend to give every assistance to local National Service Committees to enable them to stimulate and intensify the recruiting campaign in their localities where necessary, in order to secure the additional volunteers required as speedily as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that a resolution was passed at the 18th annual conference of the Wales area of the British Legion, representing 336 branches and 32,000 financial members, in which complaint was made that the Legion was being completely ignored in connection with the organisation of National Service in Wales; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the Legion shall have a proper share in this national work?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has considered the resolution passed at the annual conference of the British Legion in Wales, representing 32,000 members, drawing attention to the manner in which the membership in the Principality appeared to be ignored in connection with the organisation of National Service; and whether he can now say what action he proposes to take to satisfy the claims of the British Legion in this matter?

The resolution referred to has been brought to my attention, and I understand that it is directed to the possibility of securing the representation of the British Legion as such on all local National Service Committees. As regards this, I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Boyce).

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the vacancies with women's voluntary services, which were recently advertised by his Department as temporary posts, carrying salaries up to £300 a year, are full-time Civil Service appointments, and subject to the general Civil Service regulations governing temporary employment in Government Departments?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that a number of air-raid wardens in Fifeshire are demanding from housewives, who are being canvassed about gas-masks, the ages of all persons in the household; whether instructions to seek this information have been given to the wardens; and will he take steps to stop this practice?

I understand that in Fife, under arrangements made by the county council, wardens seek certain information from householders, including the age of each person in the household, and that this information is designed to ensure that wardens may be aware of the kind of assistance, possibly of a special nature, that the occupants of a house might need if an emergency arose. There is no obligation on the householder to supply this information. In these circumstances I am reluctant to intervene in what is primarily a local matter.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state, in the case of a steel shelter for the two-storeyed terraced house or cottage-type of modern house, the number of sections for each unit; the space occupied before erection; and how the sections are fastened together?

The steel shelter which is being provided for houses of this type consists of 14 sheets of corrugated steel, six steel bars and a bag containing the accessory parts—bolts, nuts, etc. The various sections can be packed, before erection, into a space approximately 7 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. The sections are fastened together by means of bolts and nuts. The manufacturers estimate that a shelter can be erected by two persons of average competence in about 15 minutes. The time taken for digging the hole and covering the shelter depends upon the nature of the soil.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether loud-speaker equipment will be installed at railway stations and such other places as are necessary to facilitate the evacuation of children and others in war time?

The hon. Member may rest assured that in the event of an emergency all necessary arrangements would be made at the entraining stations and other places to facilitate the movement of children and other persons to be evacuated from vulnerable areas.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will define the exact nature of the air-raid precautions work for which, in war time, men are to be paid 60s. a week and women 40s.?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Monday last to a similar question by the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan).

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether persons desiring to purchase a steel shelter can do so by placing an order with the local authority, and can payment be made over an extended period; will his Department consider for approval types of shelters in steel or in other material, or will local authorities be given such power of approval; and will persons desiring to purchase be given equal facilities for purchase of all such approved shelters?

It is intended that, when a substantial delivery of the special steel shelters has been completed to householders who are eligible to receive them without payment, other householders in the areas most exposed to attack shall be given an opportunity to purchase these shelters through the local authorities. A public announcement will be made when shelters are available for sale in this way, and the announcement will give the price and the procedure for purchase. These shelters were specially designed and are produced at a special price for the Government. I do not at the moment contemplate that alternative types should be produced on Government account for sale.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, as the risks to which paid air-raid precautions volunteers and auxiliary firemen, both men and women, are exposed will be identical, he will state the reason for the differentiation of pay in favour of men receiving one-third more than women?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Monday last to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan).

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is his policy in respect to the construction of deep underground railways and deep motor car parks in provincial evacuation areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the course of the Debate yesterday.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether air-raid precautions wardens are in all cases called upon to pay the cost of telephone and postal communications and other incidental expenses necessitated by their office; and, in view of the fact that many wardens are persons of very limited means, will he take such steps as are necessary to reimburse to wardens all their out-of-pocket expenses or make an appropriate grant in respect thereof?

On the general question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Mabane) on 24th November. I am prepared to recognise for grant purposes the reimbursement by a local authority of reasonable expenses on telephone and postal expenses incurred by wardens by reason of their public duties.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the delay in issuing gas masks to those employed in the Mercantile Marine, he will have immediate inquiries made into the matter?

This matter has been the subject of consultation between my Department, the Board of Trade, and the Shipowners' Associations, and arrangements have been made for the supply to British ships trading with this country of respirators for their crews. They will be specially packed ready for assembly if occasion arises. Supply has begun and will continue progressively, on demand from the individual shipowners, as ships come into our ports.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether all persons required for deep air-raid shelters work will be taken from the local Employment Exchanges?

On the question of deep shelters I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the course of the Debate yesterday; but the hon. Member may rest assured that as regards all works undertaken for purposes of Civil Defence local authorities will be urged, whenever appropriate, to obtain necessary labour through the Employment Exchanges.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to a public statement by Councillor Tiptoft, chairman of the Birmingham air-raid precautions committee, to the effect that the Home Office have informed him that the construction of bomb-proof shelters of any kind is not now considered desirable; and whether he will make an immediate pronouncement upon the policy of the Government in this matter?

I think the hon. Member has in mind a suggestion, put forward by the Birmingham authorities, that an underground sewer, which will in any event be required for sewerage purposes some years hence, should be constructed immediately in order that in the interval it might, with certain modifications, be available for use as an air-raid shelter. This proposal was discussed with representatives of the city, who were informed that it appeared to present a number of undesirable features and that pending a general decision as to deep underground shelter propositions its further consideration must be deferred. On the general question of deep underground shelters I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the course of the Debate yesterday.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the relative position of tenants in buildings in which the only possible accommodation for air-raid shelters to be constructed is in the basement, which is occupied by a different firm from the tenants occupying the upper storeys of the building; and will he take steps to ensure that the upper tenants obtain the right to make use of a shelter constructed in the basement, either by payment of a consideration or otherwise?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that the point he raises is being borne in mind.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how far the work of packing civilian gas masks in cartons in the City of Liverpool has progressed; whether he considers such progress satisfactory; whether ample storage accommodation has been acquired; and when it is expected that the packing in Liverpool will be completed?

I understand that over three-quarters of the civilian respirators have now been packed in their containers and that packing will be completed by 8th March. Excellent progress has been made during the last fortnight. As soon as packing is completed distribution to the general public will begin. The question of storage accommodation does not therefore arise.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when he expects to be in a position to know the results of the full-scale tests now being undertaken in connection with the points of difference which have arisen as a result of the recommendations made by the Institution of Structural Engineers upon air-raid precautions?

As I have already stated, the experimental work involved is actually in progress. Some results have been obtained and will be made public as soon as confirmed. It is impossible to give a definite date, but I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is being made to expedite the work.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now in a position to say on what basis and conditions a voluntary fireman in training for air-raid precautions is paid compensation in the event of him being killed or injured whilst in training?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can make a statement regarding the compensation to be paid to members of the Civil Defence Services who may be killed or injured during peace-time training?

I am now able to announce that it has been decided that the existing compensation arrangements made by local authorities by way of insurance policies shall, as and when the present policies expire, be replaced by a Government scheme. The broad effect of this will be that compensation will be paid by the Government to members of the Civil Defence Services in respect of death or disablement directly attributable to injury sustained by volunteers in the course of peace-time training. The terms in the case of auxiliary firemen reflect the higher benefits which have hitherto been available under the policies relating to that service. The particulars are as follows:

A.—Death.

(1) Members of A.R.P. Services (other than Auxiliary Firemen).

(a) £600 to widow with dependent child or children.

(b) £400 to widow without dependent child.

(c) £3000 in respect of motherless dependent child or children.

(d) Compensation up to a maximum of £300 to other relatives wholly or mainly dependent, if no payment has been made under (a), (b) or (c) above.

(2) Auxiliary Firemen.

(a) £1,000 to widow with dependent child or children.

(b) £700 to widow without dependent child.

(c) £500 in respect of motherless dependent child or children.

(d)Compensation up to a maximum of £500 to other relatives wholly or mainly, dependent, if no payment has been made under (a), (b) or (c) above.

B.—Total disablement.

£3 a week for 26 weeks, and thereafter 30s. a week for a single man, 35s. a week for a man and wife, 40s. a week for a man and wife and one dependent child; with an additional allowance of 3s. a week for each additional dependent child up to a maximum total payment of 49s. a week.

C.—Permanent partial disablement.

Rates proportionate to those payable in case of total disablement, the proportion being based on the degree of physical incapacity.

D.—Medical Expenses.

Repayment of reasonable medical expenses incurred during the initial period of disability.

In the case of disabled women, compensation will be payable at two-thirds of the rates quoted.

Auxiliary firemen already covered by an insurance policy will have the option either of retaining the benefits laid down in each policy or of accepting the alternative benefits now to be provided.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state that reasonable compensation will be paid by the State, in the case of any worker who may be killed or injured by enemy aircraft, when engaged in or about any industrial establishment; and whether he will make it quite plain that no liability for compensation under any circumstances will rest on the employer as a result of such air raid?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 31st January. In reply to the second half, the position of the individual employer is under consideration by the Government and it is not possible to make any statement at present.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the average weight of steel actually used in the air-raid shelters now being supplied to households in certain areas?

Approximately 8 cwt.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the number and character of fire-fighting appliances which have been requisitioned for the area of South-West Suffolk; and how far these have been satisfied?

No allocation of emergency pumping units can be made to a local authority until that authority has submitted an air-raid fire precautions scheme. Three local authorities in this area have submitted such schemes, and it is estimated that the number of emergency pumping units required for the purpose of these schemes is eight. Four light trailer pumps have already been delivered to these local authorities.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the number and character of fire-fighting appliances which have been requisitioned for the village and district of Wickford; and the extent to which they have been satisfied?

Four light trailer pump units have been allocated for use in connection with the air-raid fire precautions scheme for the urban district of Billericay, which includes the village and district of Wickford. I expect that these will be delivered within the next two or three weeks.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will state the number of local authorities whom he has authorised to construct bomb-proof control posts?

No bomb-proof control posts have been authorised, but the provision of blast and splinter-proof posts is engaging the consideration of many authorities, and I hope to issue a circular on this matter to scheme-making authorities in the course of the next few days.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is yet in a position to announce what new steps are planned by the British Government to give financial assistance to China in her war of defence against Japan?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that refugee children accepted by this country are so accepted on the express understanding with their parents that they are to be emigrated as soon as practicable, or on the inauguration of any Government scheme?

The organisation known as the Movement for the Care of Children from Germany holds a signed statement from the parent of every refugee child brought to the United Kingdom on their responsibility agreeing to entrust the child to the care of the committee and to any step which the committee may take in the interest of the child. It is the intention of the committee to emigrate the children after suitable training but no definite plans have yet been formulated.

asked the Home Secretary whether in considering names, both for stipendiary magistrates and for recorderships, the qualifications of women barristers are taken into consideration in the same way as are those of men?

A woman possessing the necessary statutory qualifications is eligible for appointment to these offices, and in making recommendations it is my duty to endeavour to select the candidate who appears to possess the best qualifications, irrespective of the sex of the candidate.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the growing tendency of justices of petty sessions to call probation officers and others into whispered conversation inaudible to the accused person, and, in view of the fact that this course is not followed at courts of quarter sessions where probation officers and others charged with the responsibility of inquiring into the history of an accused person are required to give evidence on oath, will he draw the attention of justices of petty sessions to this irregularity?

I was not aware that there is a growing tendency of the kind referred to, but the hon. Member has sent me a communication on the subject and I am having inquiry made about the statement in this communication.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the average weekly cost of the maintenance of an inmate of a local prison, convict prison, preventive detention prison, and a Borstal institution?

The weekly cost per inmate for the year ended 31st March, 1938, was as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many old age pensioners there are whose wives are not yet eligible for pension; and what the cost would be if their wives were now given the pension?

The number of contributory old age pensioners whose wives have not reached the age at which they themselves would be eligible for pension is estimated to be somewhat in excess of 250,000. The immediate cost of granting the contributory pension to these wives would exceed £6½ millions a year and would rise to over £8 millions in 10 years.As regards non-contributory old age pensions, I regret there is no information available as to the number of pensioners whose wives are ineligible and the particulars could only be obtained by an examination of the recorded particulars of every old age pensioner.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation enacting pensions at 60 years of age, the raising of the school-leaving age to 16 years of age, with an allowance for children at school and a regulation that no employer be allowed to engage boys or girls under 16 years of age, and instituting a 40-hour week with holidays with pay, as steps towards the reduction of the ranks of the unemployed?

No, Sir. The cost of these proposals would, in my right hon. Friend's opinion, imperil the financial stability of the State, and be more likely to increase than to reduce the numbers of the unemployed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the annual cost to the Exchequer of an additional 5s. per week to pensioners under the Old Age Pensions Act; to pensioners under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and the respective cost of a grant by the Exchequer to the public assistance committees representing the first 5s. per week in each case of relief given by the committees?

The additional cost at the present time of increasing by 5s. the pensions payable under the Old Age Pensions Act to all old age pensioners of 70 years of age and over would be about £25 millions. The cost of a similar increase in Contributory Old Age Pensions payable from age 65 to 70 and in Widows' Pensions would be a further £22 millions. No accurate answer to the last part of the question can be given as a proportion of pensioners in receipt of public assistance are no doubt receiving less than 5s. a week in relief. There are, however, in Great Britain about 260,000 old age pensioners and 70,000 widows in receipt of relief, and the annual cost of paying 5s. a week to local authorities in respect of each of them would be approximately £4¼ millions. If the making of such a grant were to cause relief up to 5s. a week to be more freely given, this figure would, of course, be proportionately increased.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether aggregation of the sexes in the Civil Service clerical grades was the direct result of Treasury administrative action, or became operative only after joint discussion and complete agreement with the staff side of the National Whitley Council?

The principle of aggregation in the Clerical Grades of the Civil Service was recommended for adoption by the Royal Commission on the Civil Service (1929–31), and was discussed in 1932–34 on a Joint Committee of official and staff representatives, the Staff Side of which was nominated by the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council and certain women's organisations. The committee reached complete agreement in favour of the principle, the detailed application of which was left to be worked out departmentally through appropriate machinery for joint discussion.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the construction of the battleship, now being built for the Siamese Government in Italy, was ever thrown open to international tender; and whether any British firms were asked to submit quotations?

If my hon. Friend's question refers to one of the two cruisers for which the Siamese Government placed an order with Cantieri Riuniti of Trieste, I would refer him to the answer which I gave on the 2nd December last to the hon. and gallant Member for the Nuneaton Division of Warwickshire (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what number of schools in England and Wales have provided dining-halls in connection with elementary schools; what number are providing a hot dinner for children attending school; are any steps being taken in view of the medical reports to the Board to provide dinners in distressed areas; and will any grant be made to education authorities from the funds of the Commissioner for Special Areas for such purpose?

The Board have no record of the number of public elementary schools in England and Wales which have dining-halls nor have they any recent particulars of the number of schools which are providing a hot dinner for children in attendance. Free meals for necessitous undernourished children are usually given at feeding centres and not at schools. Where the provision of such meals appears to be insufficient for the needs of the area, representations are being made by the Board to the local education authorities. The expenditure of the authorities is recognised for 50 per cent. grant from the Board but no additional grant is available from the funds of the Commissioner for the Special Areas. I am sending the hon. Member tables showing the provision of free meals and milk in all the Special Areas and in England and Wales as a whole during the year which ended on the 31st March, 1938.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps have been taken by his Department to secure an alteration in the date of school certificate examinations in order to facilitate the spread-over of holidays?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave him on 3rd and 17th November last. As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for the Consett Division of Durham (Mr. David Adams) on 9th February, the whole question will be reviewed by the Secondary School Examinations Council in the course of the next: few months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the Board is prepared to accept the recommendation of the Spens Report that there should be a single code for all post-primary schools?

The adoption of this recommendation would, as the report recognises, involve a heavy increase of expenditure which, for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) on 2nd February last, my Noble Friend cannot contemplate at the present time. The hon. Member will recognise that there are a number of considerations other than financial which would need to be examined before this particular recommendation could be adopted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is prepared to recommend some change in the provision of milk for schoolchildren which will ensure a larger number of the poorer children obtaining this benefit?

The Board have under review the arrangements made by local education authorities for the provision of free milk for necessitous undernourished schoolchildren, and in cases where it appears that the arrangements are inadequate the matter is brought to the notice of the authorities. If the powers for this purpose possessed by authorities under Sections 82 to 84 of the Education Act, 1921, are fully utilised, there is no reason why any necessitous undernourished children should not receive the benefit of free milk.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now prepared to publish the report of the Prices of Building Materials Committee on cement which was presented to him nearly two years ago?

No such report was made to me two years ago and I assume that the hon. Member refers to the report made to me at the end of last year. As stated in the reply given last Monday to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. Jenkins), the report is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the agitation in many parts of the country for a reduction in rent, he will consider the introduction of legislation designed to protect tenants from extortionate rent charges?

In the Government's view the best protection against the charging of extortionate rents is a sufficient supply of houses and, as the hon. Member knows, considerable progress continues to be made in this direction.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses were condemned to compulsory demolition under Orders confirmed by him during the year 1938; and what staff was available to assist him in checking the reports of the inspectors who held inquiries with regard to such Orders?

In the course of 1938 my predecessor and I confirmed proposals by local authorities for the demolition as unfit for human habitation of 55,583 houses dealt with in 5,010 Orders. The staff available for dealing with the inspectors' reports numbered 44.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases during 1938 he refused to confirm Orders for the demolition of houses, and what proportion this number bears to the total of those which were approved for demolition?

Three hundred and sixty-one Orders were quashed. In addition a large number of Orders were modified by the exclusion of houses. The number of houses involved was 3,720. This number is equivalent to about 7 per cent, of the houses included in confirmed Orders.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of persons in the administrative counties of England and Wales who were in receipt of workmen's compensation whose incomes were augmented by grants from the public assistance committees; and the amount of such grants, county by county, for the year 1938?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) on 16th February.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of widows and their dependants, in the county of Northumberland, in receipt of public assistance; and the cost to the public assistance for the years 1932 to 1938, respectively?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of widows and dependants in Glamorgan in receipt of public assistance, and cost for 1931, and each year to date?

Following is the answer:

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the total number of old age pensioners, aged 70 years and over, under the Old Age Pensions Act at any recent convenient date; what proportion of this number receive relief from public assistance committees, and also similar figures with respect to pensioners under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and whether he will give the relative costs per annum of the above paid respectively by the Exchequer and by public assistance committees through the local authorities?

At 31st December, 1937, 1,571,285 persons in England and Wales were in receipt of old age pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act. Of this number 1,049,207 were in receipt of over 70 pensions payable by virtue of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act.There were also 721,558 widows and 729,580 persons between the ages of 65 and 70 in receipt of pensions at 31st December, 1937, under the Contributory Pensions Act.Approximately 10.0 per cent. of the total number of old age pensioners and 8.3 per cent. of the number of widow pensioners were in receipt of poor relief. The returns rendered by poor law authorities do not distinguish between persons between the ages of 65 and 70 in receipt of pensions under the Contributory Pensions Act and persons over the age of 70 in receipt of pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act.The information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of persons in the county of Northumberland in receipt of public assistance in supplementation of their old age pensions; and the cost to the public assistance in providing this relief for the years 1932 to 1938, respectively?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of old age persons in Glamorgan in receipt of public assistance, and the cost for the year 1931, and each year to date?

Following is the answer: Number of old age pensioners in receipt of poor relief on the 1st January in the under-mentioned years.

Information as to the cost of the relief given is not available in my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the advisability of building camps for evacuation in time of emergency in West Cumberland; if so, has any decision been arrived at?

Consideration is being given to a number of sites, but no dceision has yet been arrived at as to the precise location of the camps.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at Swallowfield, Berkshire, after air-raid precautions authorities had arranged and made a return of all their billeting arrangements for children to the Home Office, the military authorities informed the householders that their houses would be requisitioned in case of war for military billets; and whether he will take steps to stop this unnecessary overlapping of Government Departments and the consequential waste of time and worry caused to the inhabitants thereby?

While inquiries as to the accommodation available for the reception of children have been proceeding, it has been necessary, at the same time, for the military authorities to make reconnaissances in order to prepare plans for billeting troops, should need arise. When the investigations are completed, arrangements will be made between the Departments to allot accommodation as may be most suitable.I am not aware that any such definite statement as is suggested was made by the military authorities to householders at Swallowfield.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the towns of Chelmsford and Brentwood, while wishing to co-operate in the National Service programme, are unsuitable localities for the reception of children evacuated from London owing to their equal vulnerability to air attack; that the people of these towns have to arrange for the evacuation of their own children; and whether, in consequence, he will review any schemes affecting these areas?

I have received representations to the effect suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend from one of the towns to which he refers. In considering the use of districts for reception areas regard has been paid to the possibilities. When the survey of accommodation has been completed the Government will be able to consider the practicability of adjusting the boundaries of the area provisionally marked for the reception of children, and the position of the towns to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers will be considered in this connection together with that of other districts.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will give the total weight and cost of the 200,000 blankets, which have been ordered in connection with Civil Defence, as stated in paragraph 68 of White Paper on Defence, Cmd. 5944; whether all, or any, of the wool used in the manufacture of the blankets was produced by home sheep-farmers; and what percentage of the total was so produced;(2) what action the Government is taking, or has taken, in the interests of sheep-farmers to ensure that all home-produced wool is used in the manufacture of the further large supply of blankets for which tenders have been asked; and, further, what action is to be taken in respect to future Government contracts for woollen goods?

The total weight of the wool referred to in the first question is 775,000 lbs., of which four-fifths is Empire grown, nearly one-half being home grown. For reasons which I am sure the hon. Member will appreciate I could not properly state the cost. I am advised that in view of the limited production of raw wool in the United Kingdom in relation to the general demand, it would not be practicable to require that future supplies should be made entirely of home-grown wool.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of prosecutions instituted by port health authorities during 1937, in respect of failures to remedy nuisances or defects in crews' accommodation?

I regret that this information 1s not available. A port medical officers of health is required to give in his annual report particulars of the number of ships inspected, and of the number in which defects are found but not of the number of prosecutions instituted.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will arrange for port medical officers of health to forward to the medical officer at the next port of call particulars of any nuisances or structural defects in vessels which are not remedied before the departure of the vessels from the port of detection;(2) whether he will issue instructions to port medical officers of health that owners of vessels should be notified in cases in which nuisances or defects in crews' accommodation are not remedied after notice has been served on the master?

There are both legal and practical objections to the issue of instructions of general application on these matters. It is preferable that the responsible port health authority should be free to take such action in each case, as the varying circumstances may indicate. The hon. Member will no doubt keep in mind that structural defects in vessels are a matter for the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of county borough and county council medical officers of health are now full-time officials, and what proportion may still engage in private practice?

According to the information in my possession all medical officers of health for counties and county boroughs in England and Wales are restricted from engaging in private practice.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria have occurred in immunised or Schick-negative persons in Manchester since immunisation was introduced, with the ages of such cases; and how many deaths have been recorded amongst these?

I am informed that up to the end of 1937 there were 149 cases of diphtheria in Manchester among persons who had received a full course of inoculation. Of these, 18 were under five years of age, 129 between five and 15 years and two over 15 years. There were three deaths As Schick testing is not carried out as a routine it is not possible to give the figures for Schick-negative persons.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria have been recorded in immunised children in Birmingham since 1925 down to the latest date for which the figures are obtainable?

I am making inquiries from the local authority and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now give further information respecting treatment by somnifane-narcosis for schizophrenia and cases of manie depressive psychosis; whether he can give figures of those so treated in public mental hospitals and the percentage of improvements and discharges; and whether the Board of Control considers any disadvantages of the treatment are outweighed by the advantages?

The reports on the work done during the past year are not yet complete, but I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as this further information is available.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons in the City of Liverpool applied, by 2nd January, 1939, for admission to pensionable insurance under the Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available as it has been found desirable for efficiency of working to adopt an arrangement of the records of applicants by reference to age and sex. This arrangement does not bring together those persons who live in the same locality.

asked the Minister of Health whether the recent effort to secure the services of additional nurses is producing any satisfactory response; and, if not, what further action is to be taken?

I have no information at present as to the response made to the recent appeal for young women to enter the nursing profession, but I have every hope that it will be satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Health what number of children were born blind, and what number suffered from defective eyesight up to five years of age, in England and Wales, giving Wales separately, in 1924, 1930, 1936, and to the latest available date?

The only particulars available are those of the number of registered blind persons in various age groups and there is no classification of such persons according to the degree of blindness. Following is a tabular statement giving such information as is in the possession of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether Imperial Airways, Limited, have experienced any engine trouble due to ice in carburettors, with any flying-boats in Europe during 1939; and what steps have recently been taken?

I understand that three of the flying boats belonging to Imperial Airways have, during 1939, experienced slight engine trouble, attributed to ice in the carburettor, while flying over Europe. In each case the pilot of the aeroplane was able to restore full normal power by appropriate use of the throttle and mixture controls. The steps recently taken in regard to this matter include a special check of the functioning of the carburettor heating systems on all flying-boats operating in Europe, flight trials with modified types of hot air intake designed to improve the reliability of the carburettor in icing conditions, and flight trials with fuel containing a proportion of alcohol. Pending the completion of these trials Imperial Airways have issued instructions that their pilots shall avoid flying through severe ice-forming conditions, and that when such conditions are forecast and cannot be avoided by a change of route, services are to be delayed until conditions improve.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the names of those municipal aerodromes at which no flying training is being carried out on behalf of the Air Ministry?

The following are the municipal aerodromes at which flying training is not at present being carried out in connection with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve or the Auxiliary Air Force:

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the American flying boat "Bermuda Clipper" is equipped with mechanical de-icers; and whether, in view of the fact that this machine was able to attempt to rescue the survivors of the British flying boat "Cavalier" when forced down by ice formation, he will take immediate steps to fit a mechanical de-icer to British flying boats flying in areas where ice is likely to be encountered?

I understand that the American flying boat "Bermuda Clipper" is equipped with mechanical de-icers. The flying boat "Cavalier" complied with the British regulations in that it had been treated with paste for preventing ice formation. In practice, the use of paste, provided that it is applied in the correct manner, has proved satisfactory. In the circumstances my right hon. Friend is not prepared, on the information at present available, to insist upon the fitting of a mechanical device to British flying boats flying in areas where ice formation is likely, having regard to the considerable structural alteration that would be required. Until the conclusions of the report of the Chief Inspector of Accidents are published I would ask my hon. Friend not to accept suggestions as to the possible causes of the accident to the "Cavalier."

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether all manufacturers and contactors selling goods to the Air Ministry for aerodromes and other buildings are required to accept a condition requiring the goods to be conveyed by railway; and why the Air Ministry, in making their purchases, attempt to discriminate in favour of railways against other forms of transport?

There is no condition in the contracts made by my Department requiring goods to be carried by railway.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that road haulage contractors have been informed by merchants supplying materials for air defence buildings that the contracts of the Air Ministry require such materials to be conveyed by railway; and whether he confirms that this condition is contained in the contracts made by his Department?

There is no condition in the contracts made by my Department requiring stores or materials to be carried by rail.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state what sum was awarded as compensation to the owner of Ringwolde Farm, Wallop, Hampshire, for compulsory disturbance?

The arbitration proceedings in respect of the acquisition of Ringwolde Farm, Wallop, Hampshire, by my Department resulted in the claimant being awarded the sum of £13,501 13s. in full settlement of his claim, subject to a payment to the Air Ministry of £105 towards costs and the payment of fees (£133 19s.) on the arbitrator's award. In addition, the Air Ministry is paying an agreed sum of £90 7s respect of an item not covered by the arbitration proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many unexplained accidents and forced landings have taken place in the Royal Air Force during the winter 1938 and 1939; and whether any of the machines involved were fitted with a device, other than heaters, for preventing ice formation in the carburettor?

Investigations into certain fatal accidents which occurred last month are not yet completed, but apart from these there were six unexplained accidents or forced landings involving casualties during the period 1st November, 1938, to 30th January, 1939. The aircraft concerned were not fitted with any device, other than heaters, for preventing ice formation in the carburettor; but five of the accidents referred to occurred in circumstances in which ice formation is not considered to have been a factor.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a report from his inspector on the drainage of the Gwendraeth Valley; and when this report will be available?

One of my officers has visited the Gwendraeth Valley and it appears that the water-logged condition of the valley is due largely to the silting up of the river channel, chiefly with coal dust from collieries which I understand are now no longer in operation, although subsidiary causes of the flooding are the inflow of tidal water and the existence of obstructions in the river. It is not the practice to publish reports made by my officers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that in each of the past four years imports of flax have exceeded £4,000,000, he will consider in the Government's long-term policy for agriculture the encouragement of flax-growing in parts of Great Britain where conditions are known to be favourable to this crop?

Experiments in flax-growing are at present being carried out in this country, including both private ventures and an experiment in Norfolk under the auspices of the Linen Industry Research Association. The results of these experiments are being carefully watched.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the wholesale price of home-produced fresh eggs in February, 1938, and February, 1939, respectively; and, as the reduction in price for this year represents a loss of 10s. per week per 100 birds upon the smallholdings created by the State, what steps he is taking to put these smallholdings upon an economic basis?

The average prices of first and second quality eggs at town and country markets in England and Wales during February, 1938, and February, 1939, were is. 5¼d. and 1s. 3¼d. per dozen, respectively. On this basis, and taking into account the average number of eggs laid per hen per week at this season of the year, the reduction in the gross return per hundred birds would be very much less than the hon. Member suggests. Moreover, comparing the same months, there has been a fall of 23 per cent. in the price of poultry feeding stuffs, which forms a substantial part of the costs of egg production. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 27th February to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now considered a report from the National Federation of Fruit and Potato Traders with regard to the proposed amendments to the Potato Marketing Scheme; and whether he has now any statement to make on the matter?

I think the hon. Member probably has in mind the objections which were lodged by the National Federation of Fruit and Potato Trades Limited, to certain of the proposed amendments of the Potato Marketing Scheme. The whole matter is now receiving careful consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the form in which the amendments will be submitted to Parliament for approval.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he has now completed his inquiries into the administration and financial provisions of the Land Drainage Act, 1931; and if he can now state when we may expect the introduction of the promised amending legislation;(2) whether he is aware that in the Nottingham area quite recently proceedings have been taken in 200 cases, and in some cases distress warrants issued, by the drainage authorities concerned, to recover drainage rates; and will he now see that immediate steps are taken to radically amend the financial provisions of this Act?

I have no information about the proceedings to which the hon. Member refers and, in any case, I have no power to intervene. My inquiries into the administration and financial provisions of the Land Drainage Act, 1931, have not yet been completed and I am not in a position to indicate when amending legislation is likely to be introduced.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any efforts have been made in Cumberland to erect plants for the extraction of oil from coal; and, if so, what progress, if any, has been made in the matter?

From time to time efforts have been made to secure the installation of an oil from coal plant in Cumberland but so far without success.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of people employed, directly and indirectly, in the production of oil from coal; and if they are on the increase?

A large proportion of the oil produced from coal is a by-product obtained from the carbonisation of coal at numerous coke-oven plants and gas works. Particulars are not available which would enable the information asked for to be supplied. The production of motor spirit has about doubled in the last four years, but it is not possible to indicate the actual extent of the consequent increase in employment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of ex-service men suffering from disability in consequence of their service who are being employed on munition work or other work in connection with the rearmament programme; and whether he will take effective measures to ensure that as far as practicable all unemployed ex-service men are given employment on such work?

The number of disabled ex-service men employed at War Department establishments was 3,545 on 1st April, 1938, which is the latest date for which a centralised record is available, and it is the practice to give all possible preference for employment in these establishments to ex-service men.As regards War Department contractors, figures are not available, but in the placing of contracts it is the custom to recommend the maximum measure of employment of ex-service men, and, save in exceptional circumstances, to confine contracts to firms on the King's National Roll. As my hon. and learned Friend is no doubt aware, admission to the Roll is conditional on an undertaking to employ an agreed minimum percentage of disabled ex-service men.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the approximate present proportion of industrial civil servants in his Department whose services are pensionable?

There are nine industrial employés in the War Office, of whom six are pensionable. There are some 60,000 industrial employés in War Department establishments outside the War Office, none of whom is pensionable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the scheduling as neutral areas various districts, such as Enfield, in the vicinity of London, despite the fact that they contain very many outstanding objectives for enemy aerial attack, he proposes to intensify in such districts all possible means of ground defence both for maintaining the safety of these objectives and also for the protection of the lives and homes of the residents in these crowded districts?

Ground anti-aircraft defences are sited to give the maximum possible protection to the areas in question.