asked the Minister of Labour for how many, approximately, of the 26,000 unemployed persons in the County of Durham who have been out of work for more than a year, are there training facilities for the employment awaiting them in the Yorkshire clothing trade, or in the catering trades, or for domestic work in private residences and in boarding houses and hotels in holiday resorts; and whether any of these girls, women, boys, or men, who are suitable have been offered and have refused training and/or transfer to meet the shortage of labour?

Training for work in the West Riding clothing trade is normally best carried out by employers in their own premises, and I have already stated that my Department will be glad to co-operate with employers wishing to engage and train unskilled workers at rates of pay enabling them to live away from home. Training is available for men for work in certain occupations in the catering trades in the Ministry of Labour instructional centres, and for women in domestic work at the centres run by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment on behalf of the Ministry. These facilities would appear to be sufficient to meet the existing demand for training of this kind, but the majority of those registered as unemployed are ordinarily engaged in industrial occupations to which they look for their livelihood, or are unsuited by reason of age, training, or other circumstances, for employment in the catering trades or domestic service. Training facilities are brought to the notice of every suitable person, and all vacancies notified to the employment exchanges are brought to the notice of suitable persons who are registered for employment, but no record is available in the Department which would give the information asked for by my hon. Friend in the last part of the question.

Are the wages paid in the West Riding clothing industry sufficient to maintain girls who are brought away from their homes and have to be in lodgings?

I should like to see that question on the Paper.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any real information as to the conditions? Is he aware that in many cases these boys and girls are left high and dry and that some of their parents are inconvenienced from the changed conditions because they are not able to get the same help?

As the hon. Member knows, we have had many difficult problems to solve in connection with the transfer of labour. In regard to the first question, I have already said that I have no record in the Department about it, but I have made it clear that, according to information we have, such cases are few.

Are the conditions of work of the girls subject to any inspection?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will move to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the failure of the Commissioners for the Special Areas, after five years of office, to provide any employment in the Spennymoor Division, county Durham?

No, Sir. I cannot accept the suggestion contained in the latter part of the question.

If the Prime Minister cannot agree to appoint a Select Committee, will he consider some other way in order to deal with this matter? Does he remember that the Commissioners for the Special Areas were set up because a "Times" correspondent went to this district and reported upon it; and is he aware that it is no better to-day?

I understand that a considerable number of schemes are actually now being started in the area.

There are no schemes to start any new industries, and that is what we want.

I do not believe that is accurate. The schemes to which I referred are schemes of housing and public health.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured workers in Wales, males and females, respectively, on 1st July, 1938, and 1st July, 1939; the number of unemployed persons, permanent and intermittent, together with the number of unemployed persons who left to take up employment outside Wales during the12 months?

The reply to this question involves a number of figures and I will, if I may, circulate it in the Official

asked the Minister of Labour, how many unemployed men have been removed off the Unemploy- ment Register for the Welsh division during the 12 months ended 30th June last for the reason of death, or because they have attained the age of 65 years, respectively?

Statistics of the number of deaths are not available. Men are not removed from the Register on account of reaching the age of 65.

Is the Minister aware that I am trying to discover whether he is finding employment for anybody and whether that is one of the factors accounting for the diminution of his unemployment figures?

I am trying to point out that the hon. Member is on a false trail.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in the areas covered by the Bargoed and Caerphilly exchanges who have been de prived of either unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance on reaching the age of 65 years for the year 1935 and each year to date?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the condition of the unemployment assistance office at Bargoed and the high incidence of sickness leave on the part of the staff; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the position?

I am making the necessary inquiries of the Board and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of families in receipt of unemployment assistance in the Caerphilly area office's area and the Bargoed area office's area, respectively, and the percentage of such families in both areas, respectively, in which additional allowances are paid in respect of their sub-normal physical condition?

I am having inquiry made of the Board, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men above 50 years of age who are now unemployed, and who have been unemployed for more than a year, at the Employment Exchanges of Blaenavon, Pontypool, and Pontnewydd?

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

Could the Minister not indicate now what number of men who are unemployed are above 50 years of age?

There are nine lots of figures.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applicants who have had their allowances reduced in the past 18 months on the ground of their poor industrial record; the factors taken into account in determining the poorness or otherwise of an applicant's industrial record; and the average reduction in the amount of the allowance in these cases?

The Board inform me that it is not the practice to reduce allowances merely because the applicant has a poor industrial record. The second and third parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that applicants have been informed that a poor industrial record has been a factor in the reduction of the allowances, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is the practice of the Unemployment Assistance Board to penalise these people merely because they have a poor industrial record?

I have made it clear that that is not so. It may be one of many factors, but never the one alone.

If I produce evidence that men have been so penalised, will the right hon. Gentleman consider it?

I certainly will, and will discuss it with the Board.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of statutory benefit who are also in receipt of supplementary allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board, giving separate figures for Lancashire?

In the week ended 9th June last, 7,893 persons in Great Britain received unemployment assistance allowances in supplementation of unemployment insurance benefit. The corresponding figure for Lancashire was 703.

asked the Minister of Labour why the Unemployment Assistance Board has decided to reckon as earnings any holiday pay which goes into households under the means test; and whether he can give an estimate of the amount of holiday pay that will be taken into account?

As regards the first par of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to the statement of the Board's practice in this matter set out on pages 11 and 12 of their Annual Report for 1938. It is not possible to give any estimate of the amount involved.

I have read that report, Would the Minister say that the Unemployment Assistance Board should take holiday pay into consideration? What need was there for them to do that? Could they not have left holiday pay alone?

It would take pages to answer those questions. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the holidays are now on in the Clyde district, and that the men who are now out have informed me—those who have been paid off—that half their holiday pay has been deducted at the Employment Exchanges? Is that the case?

No, I think not.

Is it necessary that holiday pay should be taken into consideration, and is it not a fact that these men should, under the law, get the benefit?

I should not like to give a definite answer to questions of that kind. It is a very complicated matter, as the passage to which I have referred will show. If, after reading the passage, hon. Members would like to put down a further question, I shall do my best to answer it.

My right hon. Friend promised to go into a question which I put to him the other day. Has he done so?

asked the Minister of Labour how many doctors certificates have been supplied in the county of Cumberland for extra nourishment under the regulations of the Unemployment Assistance Board during the last 12 months, showing each month separately; how many certificates have been disallowed; how many applicants have appealed to the appeals tribunal; and how many of these appeals have been allowed and how many have been declined?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available, and could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of money taken into account by the Unemployment Assistance Board under the means test for the year 1938 from old age pensions, widows and orphans pensions, and blind pensions?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.

Is the Minister aware that in the report for 1937 the Unemployment Assistance Board stated the amount spent on assistance, which was£1,441,000? If that can be done for 1937, why cannot it be done for 1938?

The hon. Member asked what was taken into account. That is a very different thing. The total sum is one thing, and that which is applicable to the recipient only is quite different. If the hon. Member wants information as to the total sum, I shall be glad to let him have it.

Will the Minister tell us the amount which went into the households?

If that is what the hon. Member desires—he did not ask for it in the question—I shall be very glad to let him have it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the need of adequate retiring pensions for aged men in industry and the difficulties created by the necessary discharge of youths from employment due to the retention of the older men; and what steps is he considering to bring about the necessary remedy?

I have no information that youths are being discharged from employment owing to the retention of older men, but if the hon. Member will be good enough to supply particulars, I shall be glad to look into the matter. As to the provision of retiring pensions for aged men in industry, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour in the course of the Debate on 30th June last.

Has the attention of the Minister been called to the statement made by the Chairman of Anthracite Collieries in South Wales quite recently, in which he drew attention to the special hardship which falls upon them as a company in that they retain the old men and are compelled to dismiss young men from their employment; and would not a system of pensions obviate the evil?

My attention has not been called to that. If the hon. Member will give me the reference I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of balance on 30th June, 1939, in the Unemployment Fund and the figures showing the state of the same fund on 30th June, 1931?

At 30th June, 1931, the debt of the Unemployment Fund was about£89,000,000, and was increasing at the rate of£1,000,000 a week. At 30th June, 1939, the debt had been reduced to about£77,800,000 and the fund held a balance on its general account of about£44,700,000, including investments at cost.

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman in future to treat the fund as a commercial affair, with profits from the unemployed?

The unemployed have got a good many profits out of it during the lifetime of the National Government.

Have they paid in more than they have got out?

I could give the hon. Member a long list of them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any figures which will show the number of persons who have been displaced owing to the influence of improved machinery or mechanisation during the previous live years; and in what way have these factors been responsible for the state of unemployment in Great Britain during recent years?

No, Sir; as I have explained on previous occasions in this House, it is impossible to obtain reliable figures owing to the complexity of the various factors which influence the course of employment. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour in the course of the Debate on 30th June.

Is it not possible to give the figures for some sections of industry?

It is quite impossible to give them separately.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Employment Exchanges have been built during the past year without any provision for lavatory accommodation for persons registering at such exchanges; and whether plans have been considered during the same period of time for further Employment Exchanges without such provision being included in the specifications?

The number of exchanges built during the past 12 months without lavatory accommodation for applicants is 12. Most of these were planned before the decision to provide such facilities in certain cases was reached. On the second part of the question, lavatory accommodation is being provided in the majority of cases, the exceptions being the smaller offices or cases in which public conveniences already exist in close proximity.

Is the Minister aware that the people attending some of these exchanges have to come from very long distances, and in some cases have to wait a considerable time; and will he consider reviewing the position with a view to providing the necessary accommodation?

We are doing our best about this matter, and, as the House knows, a decision was recently taken on it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to review the whole 12?

I do not think the decision applies to all 12, but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be very glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether payment of omnibus, tram, or train fares is provided for unemployed persons who reside a long distance from the nearest Employment Exchange to enable them to register for employment; and under what conditions such payments are made?

It is the general rule that disabled ex-service men and persons who live a long distance away from a local office may register for employment by post. The question of paying travelling expenses in such cases does not, therefore, arise.

Could not a notice be shown in the offices to that effect, so that applicants who live long distances away may be informed?

I am not sure that it is not. If it is not, I will see to it, because it is the general rule.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the aged people who constantly, week by week, have to pay 6d., 9d. and 1s. for the purpose of registering?

indicated assent.

Does the answer apply to Liverpool seamen who live four or five miles away? Can they register by post?

I should like to see that question in specific terms.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now state his policy for giving employment to married men with families who are refused training at Government training centres?

As I explained to my hon. Friend on 15th June, suitable married men are admitted to Government training centres, and receive special allowances while they are there. The Employment Exchanges make every effort to find suitable opportunities of employment for all classes of persons on the registers, married or single, whether they have attended a training centre or not, and, as the published figures of unemployment and of the placings effected through Employment Exchanges show, it has been possible to place in employment an increasing number of unemployed men in recent months.

In view of the fact that the Minister has not really answered my question, and that I have already made three speeches in the House on the subject to which I have received no reply, may I ask whether, if I raise it on the next occasion when the Ministry of Labour Vote is being considered, I might receive a real detailed answer to my question?

My hon. Friend has asked a series of general questions on a particular case about which she and I take very different views.

May I ask what is the policy with regard to married men who are refused training?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider appointing an expert occulist on to the panel of medical boards who are examining recruits for the Militia?

Each medical board has been given the names of one or more qualified opthalmologists to whom they can refer men for examination where they consider this to be necessary.

Would the right hon. Gentleman press this matter upon the board in order to see that an occulist is called in, because that would save a lot of trouble?

Yes, Sir. I made a few inquiries in consequence of the case brought to my notice by the hon. Gentleman, but the number of instances is not sufficient to justify a full-time officer being appointed to these boards.

asked the Minister of Labour what age-limit has been fixed beyond which university students will not be allowed to postpone their obligation to undergo military training under the Military Training Act?

No such age-limit has been fixed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in that case these wealthy young men may not undergo military training for four or five years, and does he not realise that that decision makes moonshine of his claim that there will be no class distinction?

The hon. Member talks about moonshine, but he has overlooked the fact that many university students are poor boys, often from very poor homes.

How can the Minister postpone the necessity for service past the time when the Act is to expire?

The answer is that the Minister does not do that. The only decision is that they may not be called up for a year.

Are the young men from universities allowed to antedate their service?

Yes, Sir, either anticipation or postponement is allowed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Andrew Brown, hairdresser, Bruce Street, Dunfermline, had his case for exemption from military training considered by the hardship committee in Dunfermline on 6th July; that he claimed on the ground that his is a one-man business, and that the committee gave him till 1st September to dispose of his business; and as it has taken this young man five years to establish his trade, what employment does he propose to offer him on his return from military training?

I am making inquiries and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the members of the hardship committees under the Military Training Act have received any instructions as to the procedure and powers conferred upon them; and if he has indicated what discretion is given to the chairman in the acceptance of evidence in support of the applicant?

The Military Training Act does not authorise me to issue instructions, but I have issued notes on the constitution, functions and procedure of such committees for the guidance of chairmen and members, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I am also placing a copy in the Library of the House. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Will the procedure of the different tribunals be standardised throughout the country, or are there likely to be differences as between one tribunal and another?

The notes have been issued with the idea of getting a general practice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these committees which commenced their duties a week ago have not received any instructions?

If the hon. Lady knows of any cases of that kind, perhaps she will let me have them. I do not understand it. She will get a copy of the notes, and I am placing a copy in the Library.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to provide Members of Parliament with copies of any instructions that may be issued?

I do not think it is necessary if one is placed in the Library, unless there is a general desire for it in some specific case. I am always glad to meet the convenience of hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Labour the nature of the inquiry by hardship committees when application for postponement under the Military Training Act is made; whether he is aware that in some cases the inquiry lasts only two minutes, and that in other cases the men are not heard at all, but the application is judged without a hearing; andwhether he can give any information on the principles which guide the committees in reaching a decision?

The inquiries made by hardship committees are directed to ascertaining the facts and reaching an equitable decision. The time occupied by the hearing varies according to the circumstances of the case. Reasonable notice of the hearing is given to the applicant, so that he may be present if he wishes. As regards the last part of the question, I am not in a position to state any general principles. The committee have full discretion to arrive at their conclusion, and there are certain rights of appeal from their decision to the Umpire.

Have any cases been brought to the Minister's notice in which men have not had the opportunity of appearing before the hardship committee, and the case has been decided in their absence?

I have not had any such cases brought to my notice. If the hon. Gentleman knows of any, I shall be glad to hear about them. It is the normal procedure of courts of referees that notice is given, so that those who choose to come may do so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now able to make a statement with regard to the position of men at Willenhall, Staffordshire, who have been refused employment on the ground that they are liable to be called up under the Military Training Act, particulars of which have been furnished to him by the secretary of the trade union concerned?

I have now received a reply from this firm, and am sending a copy to the hon. Member. It will, I hope, satisfy him that the action of the firm was not in way due to a desire to evade their obligations under the Military Training Act.

Do I understand that the Minister is entirely satisfied that there is no cause for complaint in this case?

Certainly I am. The firm wanted men for "master keying pin tumber cylinder locks," which is obviously a matter of some complication.

May I take it that the Minister would strongly oppose and deprecate any action of this kind if it were taken by an employer?

I have made that clear 50 times, but I hope the hon. Member will communicate with me after he has seen the firm's letter.

It has not stopped employers from doing it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men who are about to be called up under the Military Training Act are not fully informed of their rights in respect of contractual obligations and, in particular, of their right to apply to the Special Allowances Committee for financial assistance; and will he take steps to advise the men of these matters when they are called up for medical examination?

A notice has been issued, and was published in the Press on 5th July, stating that men who have already been medically examined, and who have not yet been afforded an opportunity of making a claim for financial assistance, should apply in writing to the Service Department concerned, stating briefly the nature of the hardship alleged, when the appropriate form will be sent to them. In future, forms will be issued at the time of medical examination.

Is the Minister aware that it is one thing to apply and another to get consideration?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution from the Leyton Borough Council adopting the permissive powers referred to in the Ministry's circular No. 1827, but registering their protest against any differentiation of treatment of militiamen, and requesting that they be authorised to adopt the same course with regard to any employés affected by the Military Service Act as they have agreed to adopt respecting employés affected by the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act; and whether he intends to take any action in the matter?

I have received this resolution and considered it, but I cannot see my way to take action as suggested.

Has the Minister received a large number of similar protests or communications from other authorities in the country?

I think that communications have been received from other authorities, but I cannot say the number without notice.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the proposal to build several thousands of houses near the eastern end of the Kingston by pass road; and whether, in view of this proposed additional high concentration of population in the neighbourhood of London, he will take steps, including the promotion of any necessary legislation, to prevent this development until the Royal Commission on the Geographical Distribution of the Population has re ported?

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the proposal to develop an estate of some 3,000 houses in the Esher urban district. I am aware of this proposal, the development plan for which has, I understand, been disapproved by the urban district council on grounds of density. I am not satisfied that any action on my part at the present stage is called for.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not view with apprehension the continual filling up of all the open spaces near London; and has he seen the advertisement in to-day's "Times" of an additional 1,600 acres, described as being "ripe for development," offered for sale? Will the Government not do something to prevent the growth of London beyond its present bounds?

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the possibility of obtaining interim powers to deal with this situation, pending the report of the Royal Commission?

Surely the machinery is working perfectly well. [Hon. Members: "No!"] As the proposals have been rejected, the point of the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) has been met. It would be ridiculous for a Minister to take powers to override an Act which is working quite satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a demand for the small type of bungalow-house for aged people; and how this is being met by local authorities and what steps his Department is taking to help the schemes forward?

Considerable provision in this respect has been made by local authorities in their housing schemes, the average number of small houses erected annually for the purpose in the last three years having been in excess of 7,000. The importance of making provision in this way for the old has been stressed in memoranda addressed to local authorities, and my officers, in examining proposals for the erection of houses, have the need for this type of house constantly in mind.

Seeing that the Labour party have always opposed the erection of small houses, may we take this question as indicating a change of heart on that side?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Labour councils in my division, at Seaham and Easington, have provided a large number of houses of this description?

Will the Minister visit an estate in his own division to see what is being done in that respect?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a Bradford landlord, having secured decontrol of a back-to-back cottage by the expedient' of making it into a through house, arid having evicted a tenant by county court process, now proposes to wall up the door thereby turning the house once more into a back-to-back and now decontrolled cottage; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have no knowledge of the matter referred to by the hon. Member, If the facts are as he states, the question whether the by-laws are being infringed is one for the local authority, and the question whether the reconverted house would be subject to the Rent Acts would be one for the courts. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is it possible for a local authority to provide by by-law against such a happening?

I have no doubt that is so, but the question whether such a by-law is infringed or not is a matter for the local authority.

Would the right hon. Gentleman pass such a by-law if it were offered to him for confirmation?

I should have to, see what the by-law was before coming to a decision.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received from the Wallsend Borough Council detailed proposals for erecting 100 houses for aged people, and 220 houses to relieve over-crowding, which were agreed to by him in principle last February?

Not yet, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that advice is being given to hospitals purchasing deep therapy X-ray apparatus that foreign firms can produce better equipment than British firms, and that as a result of this advice several installations of foreign apparatus have been made; and whether he will consider issuing a circular to all hospitals recommending them to make use to the utmost extent of the British-made X-ray equipment?

I am not aware that any such advice as is referred to in the first part of the question is being given. As regards the second part, my Department has issued a circular to local authorities recommending them, wherever practicable, to make use of goods and materials of home production, but I have no authority to issue a similar circular to voluntary hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that it is being proposed to instal foreign-made X-ray apparatus at Chichester in connection with the British Empire Cancer Campaign; and, in view of the known efficiency of British-made X-ray apparatus, will he make representations that all future installations by the British Empire Cancer Campaign shall be entirely British?

I am aware that the British Empire Cancer Campaign have offered to provide X-ray apparatus for the Royal West Sussex County Hospital at Chichester, but I have no information as to the country of origin of the apparatus to be provided. I regret that I cannot see my way to make representations as suggested on the subject.

Is it not a fact that this campaign is financed by British money; and would it not be fair to spend this money on British materials?

The first criterion must be the efficiency of the apparatus for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Health what complaints he has received as to the cement dust nuisance at Swans-combe and Greenhithe which, in the event of a certain wind direction, causes a disagreeable smell of sulphurated hydrogen from the cement works; and whether he will take steps to assist in mitigating this nuisance in the interests of the health of the population in the vicinity?

I have received complaints in respect of nuisance from cement works at Swanscombe and Greenhithe. The matter is receiving the constant attention of my technical officers and substantial improvements have already been made. The matter will continue to receive attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this dust nuisance is not only a menace to the health of the people but it also means a never-ending struggle for the housewives to keep their homes free from this dust.

The matter will continue to receive the attention of the officers of my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now indicate the action it is proposed to take with respect to the recommendations contained in the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Nursing Services, including the question of superannuation and the transfer of superannuation rights?

Yes Sir. With regard to training and education I have already approved amendments by the General Nursing Council of the rules governing the preliminary examination, in accordance with the committee's recommendations. These amendments have taken effect, and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education will in a few days issue a circular on the question of training courses. With regard to general conditions of service, I am shortly issuing a circular to local authorities on various recommendations of the committee. The question of superannuation, with some other questions, is still under review.

Will these circulars include arrangements for grants to maternity hospitals?

They deal with training courses and so on.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the proposed sale for building purposes, of 12 acres of land situated at Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton, which is sub-let by the Wolverhampton Corporation to the members of the Dunstall Park Allotments Association and others; and whether, as the area is scheduled under the Town Planning Act, he will exercise his powers to preserve it as a permanent open space for allotments and other purposes?

I am informed by the local authority that their lease of the land to which my hon. Friend refers expires in March next, and that, as they are not satisfied that, having regard to the cost of the land, its purchase for the purpose of allotments would be justifiable, they are considering a proposal for its development for building purposes. With regard to the last part of the question, a planning scheme for this area has not yet been made by the council, and I am accordingly not in a position to take any such action as is suggested, but I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the matter.

Will the Minister consider reminding the Wolverhampton Corporation that they may incur losses up to 1⅓d. in the£on their rateable value in the acquision of allotment land; and, in view of the importance of keeping this fertile land in cultivation, will he make a suggestion to them that they exercise this power?

I will consider that in connection with the consultation I am having with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the corporation propose to offer alternative land in the neighbourhood?

I have undertaken to have a consultation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the suggestion that he should remind interim development authorities of his power under Section 10 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, to transfer the control of interim development to another authority if it is not being exercised properly?

Yes, Sir. A circular on this matter will be issued from my Department within the next few days and I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

Will my right hon. Friend also put a copy in the Library?

Certainly, Sir, if it is desired.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the War Office have scheduled Ipswich as an area too vulnerable to place even a small amount of new plant for the manufacture of shells; and, that being so, on what grounds it is intended to evacuate children from London to Ipswich in case of emergency?

The hon. Member will appreciate that an area may be one in which it would be undesirable to create a new industry for the production of armaments without the whole of it being on that account unsuitable for the reception of evacuated persons. I am satisfied that, having regard to the considerations set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby) on 18th May, parts of Ipswich are not unsuitable for the reception of children, and I am arranging to discuss with the local authority the question of the number of children who can be accommodated in the less central parts of the town.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to his answer, so that the town may no longer be penalised by the absurd decision taken in 1937 by the present Secretary of State for the Dominions?

:Does the right hon. Gentleman seriously mean to say that this place is suitable for the reception of young children, and not for the production of arms?

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that some of the children in Ipswich are to be evacuated to another part of Ipswich?