Written Answers
Immigration And Emigration (Statistics)
asked the President of the Board of Trade, what has been the average annual excess of immigration over emigration in Great Britain during the last five years from Eire and from foreign countries, respectively?
During the five years 1934–38, the average annual excess of immigration over emigration into Great Britain from foreign countries other than those in Europe amounted to 4,200. I have no information regarding net immigration from European countries. The number of immigrants into Great Britain from Eire is not recorded, but it is estimated from such figures as are available that the annual net immigration into Great Britain direct from Eire has averaged between 18,000 and 19,000 during the past five years.
Bread, Flour And Wheat
asked the President of the Board of Trade, what steps are taken by the Food Council when investigating the cost of bread and flour to verify details as to the actual cost price of the various qualities of wheat, that is to say, Manitoba wheat, Argentine wheat, French wheat and other main types?
I understand that for the general purposes of the Food Council it is not necessary, or indeed practicable to investigate details of this character.
asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he will obtain and have circulated in the Official Report the chart of calculation, wheat into flour, and the chart of calculation, flour into bread?
I am not aware to what charts my hon. Friend refers. For general purposes, it is usually assumed that a 280-lb. sack of straight run flour is the product of 400 1b. of wheat; and the Food Council's scale of bread prices assumes that 96 4-lb. loaves of bread are manufactured from a sack of flour.
Royal Navy (Food Supply)
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the supplying of only British Empire foodstuffs to men serving in the Royal Navy?
British Empire foodstuffs are supplied to the Navy to the fullest extent possible and foreign goods are not purchased when Home or Empire produced goods are obtainable at acceptable prices for delivery within the time required.
Scotland
Road Reconstruction
asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the pending completion of Dornie bridge, he will schedule for construction, when the peak of the armaments expenditure is passed, an improved road from Invergarry or Invermoriston to Cluanie bridge, in order to facilitate communication with the Western Highlands and Skye?
Under the Crofter Counties Scheme of Road Reconstruction in Scotland the road from Invergarry to Cluanie was scheduled for reconstruction, as well as a considerable length of the road from Invermoriston to Cluanie. These two schemes, however, were deferred as they were affected by the proposals of the Caledonian Power Bill. It has now been decided to proceed with the preparation of plans and estimates for the Invergarry-Cluanie section and a survey is at present being made.
Fish Sales, Aberdeen
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that at least 70 per cent. of fish landed at Aberdeen is shared, that is to say, bought by a buyer for distribution among merchants, who thus evade competitive buying; that in recent weeks lemon soles were sold under this system at 3d. per lb. and cod at just above ½d.; per lb.; and whether he will inquire of the Sea Fish Commission what action they propose to prevent this unfair and harmful system?
I have found it impracticable, with the information at my disposal, to make any reliable estimate of the percentage or quantity of fish "shared" by buyers in Aberdeen. The low prices mentioned by the hon. Member were touched early this month but only exceptionally for particular market selections, and I am informed that prices have since rallied considerably, although there has been no change in practice. The White Fish Commission are empowered under the Sea Fish Industry Act of 1938 to regulate the holding and conduct of auctions of white fish and I am informed by them that they are pursuing inquiries into the practice of "sharing," which does not appear to be confined to Aberdeen, with a view to considering whether they can usefully take action.
Housing
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Greenock Corporation, on 19th June, 1939, suggesting the introduction of legislation to deal with the reconditioning of existing houses within burghs; and does he propose to take any action in this direction?
I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave on this subject on 27th June.
Agriculture (Pig Production)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he can state the nature of the representations made to him indicating what would be an attractive price to stimulate pig production and the figure suggested?
It has been suggested to me by the Pigs Marketing Board that the price formula in Sections 26 and 27 of the Bacon Industry Act should be amended to link a price of 12s. 6d. per score for a standard pig with a ration price of 7s. 6d. per cwt. I think it probable that it was in the minds of the Board that such a formula would stimulate pig production.
Evictions, Stepney
asked the Home Secretary how many police were used in connection with the eviction of five people at Langdale Mansions, Stepney, on 27th June; were the streets cordoned off, preventing members of the public carrying on their ordinary business; and was he aware of the intentions of the police to carry through this operation?
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to his Question on the subject.
Factories Act (Young Persons)
asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of young persons affected by the granting of inquiries into applications under Section 71 of the Factories Act to exempt employers from the provisions of the Act limiting the hours of labour of young persons; and when reports can be expected on the result of these inquiries?
I am afraid I cannot give figures as to the numbers of young persons affected, but some information on the subject is given in the reports, copies of which I am placing in the Library of the House.