asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the practice at the office of the Unemployment Assistance Board at Abertillery, in connection with the presentation of a doctor's certificate, has been for the local officer to inform the applicant of the date of expiry of such a certificate; that recently this practice has been disregarded, with considerable disadvantage to the appli- cant's interest, because he is compelled, unless reminded of the date of expiration in order to obtain another certificate, to wait another week before receiving the extra allowance; and whether he will advise a return to the long-established method of notification?

I am informed by the Board that, while there has been some change of practice at Abertillery, the new arrangements safeguard the position of an applicant in whose case the need for a special addition to his allowance continues. When the change of practice took place, certain applicants were not notified. In every case, however, where a further medical certificate was subsequently produced the required addition was made retrospectively so that the applicant suffered no financial disadvantage.

Do I understand from that reply that the practice is no longer to be followed by the area officer?

I understand that the difficulty in the existing practice has been overcome, but if the hon. Member has other information I shall be glad to have it.

The purpose of my question was to see that the area officer reverses his previous decision, which was contrary to the practice which has been very long standing in the area.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of standard unemployment pay and transitional benefit, respectively, in the Dews-bury Unemployment Exchange area at the end of March, 1939?

At 13th March, 1939, there were 2,436 persons, aged 16–64, on the registers of Dewsbury Employment Exchange with claims admitted for insurance benefit, and 819 with applications authorised for unemployment allowances (exclusive of allowances in supplementation of benefit).

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployed men over 55 years of age who are signing on at the Employment Exchanges; and the figures for 1937 and 1938?

At 3rd May, 1937, and 28th February, 1938, men aged 55 years and over represented 21.8 per cent. and 19.7 per cent., respectively, of all unemployed men aged 18 and over on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. I regret that figures are not yet available in respect of any date in 1939. If the hon. Member will be good enough to repeat his question after Whitsun, I will gladly give him the percentage on 1st May, 1939.

Would it not be better for the nation if these men who are out of work were pensioned off, as there is no hope for them at all?

The hon. Member will see from my answer that the figures relating to these men have improved.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of his Department to consider insisting that, on all Government contracts, those who are taken on to do the work shall include a percentage of men who have reached the age of 55 years?

No, Sir. It is the general practice of Employment Exchanges, in sending forward unemployed men to employers in connection with vacancies notified by them, to select those who are regarded as industrially best fitted for the work. I can assure the hon. Member however that Employment Exchanges will continue to give, as they are giving, in all cases, sympathetic consideration to the claims of the older unemployed men, provided that they are capable of doing the work required.

What are we to do with regard to those people if we cannot get contractors to take them? Who else will take them? This question will grow bigger unless something is done.

Would the right hon. Gentleman amplify his remark that the Employment Exchanges choose men for the jobs; whereas, other things being equal, the men should go by rota?

If the hon. Member looks at my answer he will find that he has misunderstood it.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know from experience that men of 55 are capable of giving a very good account of themselves in the industrial field?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed registered at the borough of Southwark, Walworth Road, Employment Exchange, with claims admitted for unemployment benefit and applications authorised for unemployment allowance as at the last convenient date?

At 17th April, 1939, there were 7,857 persons, aged 16–64, on the registers of the Borough (Walworth Road) Employment Exchange, with claims admitted for insurance benefit, and 3,103 with applications authorised for unemployment allowances (exclusive of allowances in supplementation of benefit).

Are the figures complete up to that date?

Certainly they are.

Do they include juveniles under 18 years of age?

They include people between the ages of 16 and 64.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled ex-service men are employed under the King's National Roll scheme; how many are registered as unemployed in Burnley; and whether these figures compare favourably with figures for other Lancashire boroughs?

On 3rd April, 1939, 322,218 disabled ex-service men were employed by members of the King's National Roll. On the same date, 173 disabled ex-service men registered as unemployed in the Burnley area. I am not in a position to make such an assessment of the various factors as would be necessary for answering the last part of the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether employers generally are complying with the terms which entitled them originally to be placed on the Roll?

There can be no doubt that the response to this demand continuously since it was first organised has been overwhelmingly favourable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now completed the inquiry into the non-payment of benefit to young girls of Burnley who declined to accept employment 170 miles from home; and what payments have been made to these persons for the last five weeks?

I have written to the hon. Member giving him the latest information available. If there is any further point that he desires to raise, perhaps he would be good enough to communicate with me further. I will ascertain and let him have, as soon as possible, the information requested in the last part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this communication only reached me after a long delay? If "as soon as possible" on this occasion means another five weeks, does it mean that for another period of five weeks these girls are to be left to be kept by the local authority?

This matter is not quite so simple as that. As the hon. Member will be aware, there are now five cases outstanding which are sub judice, and in these circumstances I could not give the hon. Member the information.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons admitted during the 12 months ended the last convenient date to the residential instructional centres started in 1929; and how, according to his latest report, these camps, in cluding the various types of training, differ from the civilian conservation camps that have been established in the United States of America?

The number of men admitted to the residential instructional centres during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1939, was 22,112; The main differences between these centres and the Civil Conservation Corps camps are the age limits for entry, the method of organisation, the size of the scheme and the length and scope of the training. The age limits for the instructional centres are 18 to 45, whereas for the Civilian Conservation Corps camps they are 17 to 23, except for a small proportion of war veterans. The organisation in America is in the hands of the Army, whereas here it is under the Ministry of Labour. The number of men in training at any one time here is from 3,000 to 5,000, whereas in America there are from 300,000 to 400,000. The length of the course here is three months, whereas in America it is six months, with the possibility of extension to two years if the trainee wishes. In the instructional centres there is a certain amount of workshop training, but the bulk of the work is road and bridge making, together with a certain amount of work on forestry plantations, all carried out on the estates of the Forestry Commission. In America, outdoor work includes also afforestation, land reclamation, as well as technical education and workshop training. In America, however, the Civilian Conservation Corps camps form the only scheme in operation. Here, in addition to the residential instructional centres, there is the scheme of Government training centres, where intensive courses of workshop training are given.

Is any allowance made to the men's dependants during the time that the men are in camp?

I think the hon. Member had better put that question down.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make inquiries of seaside resorts to discover whether proprietors of boarding houses anticipate a shortage of domestic servants during the holiday season, with a view to granting temporary permits to refugees to undertake such employment under reasonable conditions?

The inquiries which I have made do not indicate that this year the shortage of staff for hotels and boarding houses is likely to be greater than is usually experienced during holiday seasons. In these circumstances I can see no reason for departing from the general rule that permission should not be granted for the employment of foreigners, whether refugees or not, as domestic workers in hotels and boarding houses.

While appreciating the reasons advanced by the right hon. Gentleman, might I ask whether where there is a proved shortage of necessary domestic servants it is not desirable to grant a temporary permit?

I should not like to do that in the case of a rule of very long standing, very well-understood in the industry. The House will understand that one of the issues is that of conditions, and I would not like to give an answer under a rule of that kind.

Would the right hon. Gentleman distinguish between hotels on the one hand and boarding houses on the other, and would he take my assurance that there is a shortage of domestic servants in boarding houses?

That may be so, but that does not seem any valid reason why we should depart from a well-established rule unless all the other conditions of the rule are satisfied.

Would my right hon. Friend consider in what way the suggestion would help us to deal with the general problem?

This is the natural difficulty about seasonal workers. As my hon. Friend knows, we make very special efforts through the exchanges for this type of worker.

Would not it be easier to solve this problem if the conditions of employment were better?

I have pointed out that that is one of the issues I have to consider.

asked the Minister of Labour in which part of the West Riding there is a shortage of female labour in the clothing trade, and the extent of the shortage?

A shortage of female workers and particularly of skilled workers in the clothing trade is general over the whole of the trade in the West Riding. The places mainly affected are Leeds and Huddersfield.

Is the right hon. Gentleman doing anything to get unskilled labour trained in this job?

I do not think that we have a department for that particular work, but I would not like to be quite sure.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dispute at the hosiery works of Messrs. Howard, Ford and Company, Bear Brand works, at Woolston, Liverpool; whether he can state the reason for the dispute; and whether he intends using the machinery of the Ministry of Labour to bring the dispute to an end?

I am aware of this dispute, which is understood to have arisen in connection with questions of wages and recognition of the union, of which a number of the firm's skilled operatives are members. My Department has been in communication with both parties to the dispute, and the hon. Member may be assured that all possible assistance will be given with a view to assisting towards a settlement.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been directed to the difficult situation that has arisen in Newport, Monmouthshire, as a consequence of the instructions issued to local offices to the effect that only persons between the ages of 18 and 30 are to be recruited for air-raid precautions work; whether he has considered the communication from the Newport Air-Raid Precautions Organising Committee on this subject; and what steps he proposes to take to remove the difficulties existing in that town, and the damage that is being done to the organising of air-raid precautions activities?

The instructions which have been issued by my Department relate to the recruitment of men for certain constructional work in connection with the making of trenches and the erection of shelters. The purpose of the instruction was to secure, in accordance with representations that have been made to me continuously in this House and elsewhere, that in the performance of this work a preference was to be given, as between applicants who are otherwise equally suitable for the work, to those who have been longest unemployed, and particularly to the long-term unemployed in the younger age groups, for whom a spell of regular work would be especially valuable. With regard to the suggestion made by the Newport Air-Raid Precautions Organising Committee that this work should be given to A.R.P. volunteers, the hon. Member will appreciate, from what I have just said, that the instruction does not prevent the employment of unemployed A.R.P. volunteers upon the work. As regards this matter generally, I would add that it would be my desire that the instructions, which are elastic in their nature, should be applied in each area with due regard to local circumstances.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a communication on the lines of this question from the Air-Raid Precautions Committee; and, if he has, has he replied to it in the terms of his present answer?

I am not sure that I have had a direct communication, but I have been informed about the matter. I will look into it and let the hon. Member know.

asked the Minister of Health the reason for classifying Gravesend as a neutral area; and whether, in view of the proximity of the big Tilbury Docks, extensive petrol dumps, large armament works, and Woolwich Arsenal, he will reconsider this matter with a view to classifying Gravesend as an evacuation area?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now state what boundaries have been fixed for the area to be evacuated on Tyneside?

I propose to make a general statement covering the country as a whole in reply to a later question, and would ask the hon. Members to await this statement.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will assure the House that it is his policy to use, within the general scheme for evacuation, large occupied houses for billeting children; and the percentage of the total available accommodation provided by houses taking four children and upwards?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Information as to the second part of the question is not available.

In view of the fact that there appears to have been some misunderstanding, could my right hon. Friend say whether the same provisions apply to Scotland?

I could not answer questions relating to Scotland.

You never could.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the representations made by various local authorities as to their classification for the purposes of the Government evacuation scheme; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement on this matter?

I must apologise for taking up the time of the House while I read the answer, which is somewhat long.

Yes, Sir. I have considered this matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal. Our desire has always been that every practicable effort should be made to get the maximum number of children, whatever their circumstances, from congested areas to safer conditions. I am satisfied that there are certain towns, in addition to those now covered by existing plans, for which, a measure of evacuation should, if practicable, be carried out. In this connection I have also considered the representations made by a number of authorities to the effect that their districts are not suitable as reception areas. I have decided that the following districts should not be required to act as receiving areas under present conditions: Boroughs. —Chesterfield, Dover, Goole, Hedon, Rugby, Scunthorpe. Urban Districts. —Bolsover, Dronfield, Leyland, Staveley. I recognise that a number of other districts, by reason of their position, or their proximity to works of military importance, may be considered to be open to criticism as receiving areas. We cannot, however, escape from the fact that in this small and industrialised country, under the possible conditions of air warfare, safety is only relative. But clearly, even with these disadvantages, the reception areas offer a much better chance of safety than many districts in which children now live. I am sure that those authorities who have quite properly put before me what appear to them the disadvantages of their districts as receiving areas, will recognise the force of this view.

I am happy to say that, after allowing for the reduction mentioned, a margin of accommodation remains potentially available for the extension of the evacuation scheme to certain other areas not covered by present plans. It will be appreciated that the extent to which plans for additional areas can be worked out depends on a number of factors, but I intend to review the following: County Boroughs. —Coventry, Derby, Grimsby, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Rotherham, South Shields, Sunderland, Tynemouth and West Hartlepool. Boroughs. —Hartlepool, Jarrow and Wallsend. Urban Districts. —Felling, Hebburn and Whickham. There are, in addition, portions of certain areas on Thames side or on the borders of the Metropolitan evacuation area, and also in the neighbourhood of Birmingham, which will be included in the review.

Other towns not included in this list have made representations that their areas should be evacuated. I have examined the case that they have put up with great care, and willingness to respond to their appeal if it were possible, but have been forced to the conclusion, in view of all the factors, that further extensions of evacuation plans, beyond what I have already stated, are impracticable.

I have instructed my officers to take up forthwith with the local authorities concerned the question of working out plans for the areas under review. It will, of course, be understood that until detailed plans for any additional areas and arrangements for putting them into effect can be worked out, the present evacuation plans stand without modification.

I should like to pay tribute here to all those, both in evacuating and receiving areas, and especially the latter, who are working so hard, and showing so fine a spirit, in their efforts to ensure the safety of the youth of our nation.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his very informative reply, will he be good enough to get in touch with the local authorities concerned as quickly as possible?

Yes, Sir, I am getting in touch with them forthwith.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representations from certain industrial areas in South Wales, and have they been considered?

I have, as I say, received representations from other areas, but I am afraid that this reply must be taken as final.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain what are the reasons why every port in the Bristol Channel except Port Nevin has been scheduled as neutral?

I am afraid that it would not be possible to go into details of every question in addition to the rather long statement which I have made.

Is not the Minister aware that he has been reviewing this question since February, and may we have the result of the review, which was the purpose of my original question?

I think that my hon. Friend will realise that it is impossible to give a statement on one area without the other, and judging by the length of the list I have given to the House, it will be seen that it is not an undue length of time to spend on a review of what is a very important matter.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter for the second time on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements he is making for the supply of mattresses or palliasses and blankets for women and children who are moved into reception areas under the Government evacuation schemes?

The Government are ordering considerable supplies of blankets and bedding for use in the reception areas, to supplement the present resources of these districts. Arrangements for distribution and storage which will be on a basis of decentralisation are now being worked out.

asked the Minister of Health whether tenders or inquiries were received or invited from contractors on the North-East Coast for the erection of new camps, permanent or otherwise?

I understand that the National Camps Corporation, Limited, invited tenders from three firms on the North-East Coast, but none was received.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the date?

I certainly could not give it now, but I am perfectly willing to discuss the matter with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that local authorities in the depressed areas of Wales are seriously concerned about the increasing rate burden involved in carrying out the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act, 1938, and other air-raid precautionary measures; and whether he will consider measures to grant further financial assistance to them to ease this burden?

My right hon. Friend has received a number of resolutions from local authorities in Wales, with reference to the increased expenditure falling on the rates under the Fire Brigades Act, 1938, and, as regards this part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a question by the hon. Member for the Sedgefield Division of Durham (Mr. Leslie) on 25th April last. My right hon. Friend understands that, in exceptional circumstances, the Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales) is prepared to consider applications for grants from the Special Areas Fund towards the cost of works for improving the fire fighting services of local authorities in the Special Areas. As regards the air-raid precautionary measures, substantial percentage grants are available from the Exchequer in respect of the approved expenditure of local authorities on their emergency measures, in addition to fire fighting appliances and equipment which are placed at their disposal by the Government for emergency use. My right hon. Friend can hold out no prospect of supplementary financial assistance from the Exchequer for these purposes.

Has the hon. Member considered whether it is possible to consider an extension of the existing grant to areas outside the depressed areas?

That is rather a wider question, and I could not answer it without notice.

Does my, hon. Friend realise the hardship which is caused to the smaller local authorities by this extra expense and will he not reconsider his refusal to make a grant towards it?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to my previous answer.

May I ask whether the Home Office are taking steps in allocating these grants to ensure that a standard type of equipment is being used so that it will be interchangeable between districts?

We do not allocate grants for equipment at all, and, therefore, it is not within our power to carry out the suggestion of the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will assure the House that there is no intention on the part of the Government to suspend the decision reached making provision for the compulsory attendance of children at school until the age of 15 years?

The Education Act, 1936, provides for the raising of the school-leaving age to 15 on 1st September, 1939. The Government have no intention of introducing legislation to vary this provision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act, 1918,persons desirous of opening private schools give prior information of intention to the Board; and whether, in cases of non-compliance, any action is taken by the Board?

The Education Act, 1921, which consolidates the provisions of previous Acts, imposes no statutory obligation upon persons desirous of opening private schools to give prior information to the Board. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary think it advisable that prior information should be given in all instances?

That raises the whole question of legislation with regard to private schools, on which I have given an answer on previous occasions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education to what extent local authorities exercise powers to compel persons desirous of opening private schools for children under the statutory school age to register such institutions; and how many local education authorities have made use of such powers?

I am unaware of any provision conferring upon a local authority powers to compel persons desirous of opening private schools to register such institutions.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the introduction of legislation with that object?

As I have said on a previous occasion, there was a recommendation in the Spens Report to that effect, and it is one of the questions which have to be discussed between the Board and the local education authorities.

Is it not a fact that some local authorities visit private schools?

There is one local education authority which makes special provision with regard to ventilation and questions of that kind, but otherwise there are no special powers.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the introduction of such legislation might prevent the setting up of schools of an experimental character?

I think there is that danger, and that is one of the thorny points.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what proportion of university students are now drawn from State-aided secondary schools; and what are the specific figures for Oxford and Cambridge and for other universities respectively?

I regret that complete figures relating to the secondary school origin of students at the universities are not available; but a forthcoming publication of the University Grants Committee will contain the numbers of students who began their education in a public elementary school.

Can my hon. Friend say when this publication will be available?

I think it ought to be available in about a month.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what is the proportion of such students at the universities?

There are certain gaps, so I cannot give an actual figure, but it is about a third.

Does that include all entrants to the universities, or only full-time students?

It includes full-time students at universities in Great Britain who have come from State-aided secondary schools.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can give any information in connection with the unhealthy school at Manton, Kent, and what protests he has received from the mothers of the children who attend the school?

I have seen a reference in the Press to alleged unsatisfactory sanitary accommodation and insufficient heating at the Ramsgate, St. Lawrence Extra Church of England School, which I presume is the school to which the hon. Member refers. I have, however, received no protests from mothers of children attending the school. I am making inquiries, and can assure the hon. Member that prompt steps will be taken to remedy any defects that may be found.

If I put the question down next week, will the hon. Gentleman be able to give me an answer?

Perhaps in two weeks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that there are a number of local education authorities where the percentage of special places in secondary schools is less than 25; and what action is being taken by the Board to bring about an improvement in such areas?

Under Article 14 ( c ) of the Regulations for Secondary Schools the number of special places to be awarded in any school year is subject to a prescribed minimum limit, namely, 25 per cent. of the total number of admissions in the previous school year, or such other limit as may be approved by the Board. In a few areas the percentage may fall below 25, owing to the approval, in the case of certain individual schools, of a lower minimum limit, but I have no evidence that the schools are not complying with the requirements of the Regulations.

How many education authorities are not fulfilling the regulation as to 25 per cent.; and is it a fact that one of the Ridings in Yorkshire is among them?

There are four, and the East Riding is one. But there are only four, and in one case—Rutland—there are exceptional circumstances. The figure for the East Riding is 22.9 per cent.

Has the Department taken the matter up with the East Riding authority?

I am not sure that it has been taken up, but I will see that it is.

Who are the other two?

One is the Soke of Peterborough, and the other is Exeter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows who have lost their pensions on account of their youngest child reaching the age of 16 years; what would be the annual cost of restoring their pensions; and whether, having regard to the hardship caused by depriving these widows of their pensions, he will amend the Act so as to restore their pensions?

It is estimated that the number of widows in Great Britain who, having ceased to be entitled to pensions on the youngest child attain- ing the specified age, will again become entitled if and when they attain the age of 55, provided they have not remarried, is in the neighbourhood of 30,000, and that the annual cost of restoring their pensions would be about £750,000. I am afraid that I cannot undertake to introduce legislation to make pensions payable, in cases where it has lapsed, for these widows at an earlier age than 55, which is the present age.

In view of the comparatively small cost to the Exchequer of these restorations and the fact that these people are having to fall back upon public assistance, will the right hon. Gentleman not reconsider his decision and restore the pensions?

I cannot undertake to go any further than the Labour Government went.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to arrange for the same terms to be provided for local authorities in the Special Areas similar to that received by housing associations from the Special Commissioner?

No, Sir. The financial arrangements between the Exchequer and local authorities in respect of Housing were settled by Parliament only last year, and I see no reason to anticipate the review of those arrangements, which by Statute is fixed to take place after the beginning of October, 1941.

Are we to understand from that reply that those local authorities who have not been assisted by housing associations are to be forced to find the whole of the money out of local rates.

Those local authorities who have not taken advantage of the special arrangements will, of course, not receive the advantage of them.

Why is it that the Minister cannot give directly to these local authorities the same assistance as is given by the commissioner?

These are questions that should be discussed when the legislation is introduced.

How is it that the Local Loans Fund has recently charged a higher rate of interest on loans to local authorities?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to undertake additional expenditure on the demolition of unfit houses and the alleviation of overcrowding in order to relieve the rates of local authorities who are engaged in an endeavour fully to meet a national problem?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 3rd May, of which I am sending him a

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Tyldesley Urban District Council have carried a resolution asking the Government to pass legislation to increase the old age pension and that other local authorities have done the same; and how many resolutions on this matter have been sent to him?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. During the past 12 months 334 local authorities have forwarded to me copies of resolutions on this matter.

Has the right hon. Gentleman forwarded the resolutions to the Prime Minister?

All these matters are brought before, not only the Prime Minister but the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Does the Chancellor take any notice of them?

Yes, I am sure he reads them.

Has the Prime Minister made any remarks about them to the right hon. Gentleman?

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department will be represented at the conference which is being arranged by the directors of the Basinghall Mining Syndicate with representatives of the Lakes Urban Council, the Friends of the Lake District, and others to consider the question of the pollution of Ullswater by the discharge of lead-mining effluent into the lake?

No, Sir. The primary responsibility for the prevention of pollution rests with the local authorities under the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act, 1876, and, in view of my judicial functions under that Act, I could not appropriately take any part in the matter at the present stage.

Does not this abuse really prove the necessity of making national parks? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider now whether he can carry through the Royal Commission's Report for 1931?

That does not arise out of this question.

Has my right hon. Friend's Department any jurisdiction?

asked the Minister of Health what regulations have been made under the Public Health Act, 1936, regarding the qualifications, duties, mode of appointment, terms of salary and tenure of office of medical officers of health and sanitary officers of port health districts, and regarding the submission of reports and returns?

These matters are governed as regards port health districts outside London by the Sanitary Officers (Outside London) Regulations, 1935, which were made under the Local Government Act, 1933. I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the regulations and of the instructions which have been issued by my Department as to the form of the medical officer of health's annual report.

asked the Minister of Health with reference to the recent typhoid outbreak at Nottingham, what foodstuffs were found by his officers or the local medical officer of health to be suspect, either because of general consumption by the affected persons or otherwise?

As I have already stated, it has not been possible to identify any particular foodstuff as responsible for the outbreak, and I do not think that any public purpose would be served by enumerating several varieties of foodstuffs, of which one or more may have been involved.

Why cannot these poor people be given the information that the Ministry and the corporation have obtained, so that they may see what liability exists as between the corporation and the suppliers?

Has the Department called for a report with regard to the water supply at Nottingham?

asked the Minister of Health whether, as the local authority have refused to give any information which is in their possession to the affected persons of the recent typhoid outbreak in Nottingham, he will now take steps to see that all such information should be furnished to them as and when requested?

I have no power to give any directions to the local authority in this matter.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware of the unfairness of this position, and cannot he make the request in the interests of the ratepayers affected?

I think the interests of the ratepayers form the first care of the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the terms of a resolution adopted at a meeting of the citizens of Newport, Monmouthshire, presided over by the mayor, calling the attention of the Government to the low standard of public health administration in certain areas in the Principality, and asking that early action be taken to reform local government areas with a view to making them more efficient; and what action he proposes to take to give effect to the terms of the resolution?

I have received a copy of this resolution. The matters raised in it will need to be reviewed as part of the full consideration of the report on the anti-tuberculosis service in Wales and Monmouth, on which I am in communication with the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in Dewsbury receiving public assistance benefit for the last week in March, 1939, and the total cost of such assistance?

I regret that the information is not available in the exact form asked for by the hon. Member. The average number of persons in receipt of out-relief in money and kind in Dewsbury County Borough during the four weeks ending 25th March, 1939, was 885, and the average weekly cost of the relief was £341.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will send a memorandum to all local authorities calling attention to the fact that, owing to the necessity of increased expenditure for the defence of the country and of maintaining the principles of liberty and freedom, it is impossible, in these circumstances, to increase expenditure of any kind, and, while maintaining social services as efficiently as possible, to economise even to the extent of rescinding decisions already taken where the work, if not of vital importance, has not yet been put in hand?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 9th May. I do not contemplate the issue of a memorandum, as suggested, to local authorities.

May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman will do all in his power to implement the policy laid down by the Chancellor in his Budget speech, that no major addition to internal expenditure is, in the present circumstances, possible?

There is a close relationship between my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and myself.

How long will it be before the Government have to yield to the pressure from their back benchers to make them reduce the social services?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet ready to make a statement concerning the preservation of Edale; and can the public generally be assured that this area will be protected against any industrial encroachment?

As regards the first part of the question, I have as yet nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker) on Friday last. As regards the second part, I have already stated in answer to previous questions that a planning scheme is being prepared by the Peak Joint Committee which will cover this area.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this was scheduled as a rural zone by a general interim order, that the application was made without plans, and that the rural district council did not apply to the Peak Joint Planning Committee for permission; and cannot he take action to prevent this?

The action taken by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air and myself is, as I think is well known, progressing favourably, and my hon. Friend may rest assured that everything possible is being done.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is a time limit within which town planning schemes are presented?

I cannot say without notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are other parts of the same county suffering from acute unemployment?

Can the Minister say whether building operations are going on, as reported last week, or have they been suspended?