asked the Minister of Labour how many applications have been received by him from the staff in his Department since 1st November, 1951, to continue in their employment after reaching 65 years of age; how many have been turned down; and when he issued instructions to his Departmental heads to allow men to continue working after reaching the age of 65, provided they are capable of carrying out the work allotted to them.

It has for many years been the practice in my Department to retain officers in employment beyond the age of 65 in an unestablished or temporary capacity, provided they remain fully fit and efficient and there is a need for their services. No specific application for retention is, therefore, necessary. The number of officers aged 65 and over at present employed in my Department is nearly 600.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman mean to say, in view of his eloquent request to industry to retain men over 65, that there are men who have applied to stay on in his Department and that their applications have been refused?

I do not mean to say that at all. What I meant to say was that there are 600 over 65 who remain and that. I cannot keep on men in addition to the numbers that are wanted for the proper discharge of the work of the Ministry, much as I may like to do so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the future of Remploy.

asked the Minister of Labour what are his intentions with regard to the possible expansion of the work of Remploy, Limited.

The 11th Report from the Select Committee on Estimates published during the Recess gives the Departmental reply to the Committee's recommendations on Remploy, Limited. Action outlined in the reply is being pursued: the Company has now set up seven product divisions which largely replace the old geographical divisions; it is reviewing the range of products to be made in factories to secure a better utilisation of layout and machinery; and it is re-organising its sales force. I cannot hold out hope in the near future of any increase in the number of factories or in the total number of severely disabled workers employed.

The period will be one of re-organisation and consolidation of the Company's trading position, and I am satisfied that the steps which are being taken by Remploy, Limited, will lead to a greater efficiency in production and an improvement in its trading position.

In view of the fact that expert and informed opinion is very disquieted about the whole treatment of the disabled—not only people who are connected with Remploy, Ltd.—and presuming that my right hon. and learned Friend has had an opportunity of reading the article in "The Times" today, may I ask whether he will consider setting up a committee of experts to co-ordinate the work of all the Government Departments concerned so that the full provisions contained in the legislation may be put into operation for the benefit of the physically handicapped over a very much wider field?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that a great deal of the work which can be done to mitigate the hardships of the disabled falls outside the Department for which I am responsible, but I can assure her that, quite apart from the article, which I have read in this morning's newspaper, I have been in touch and am in touch with the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland. We are much concerned with the whole position and want to re-examine it.

While thanking the Minister for his statement, may I ask him to consider whether the medical examination set for men acceptable for Remploy is not too narrow in its conception, and that there would be a far greater number of men quite suited for work in the Remploy factories if the medical conception were a bit wider?

The difficulty about that is, as the hon. Gentleman knows, that the standard is really statutorily laid down. They have not only to require work in sheltered conditions—if I may paraphrase the Section of the Act—but they must be capable of obtaining and retaining employment or work on their own, and to that standard the medical officers try to work. I will certainly look into the matter as the hon. Gentleman raises it.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend report to the House on the fresh conversations that he has now opened with various right hon. Friends in his capacity as Minister of Labour?

I shall be glad in due course to inform the House of the conclusions which are reached. My hon. Friend will know that the Minister of Health is in a position to be in touch with the local authorities who have responsibilities in this matter. I think he has given them invitations to propose schemes. When I know what has happened on that I shall be prepared to answer another Question, if it is put down.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied that the volume of work coming from Government Departments and local authorities is the maximum obtainable; if not, could he widen the scope in order that the Act itself could be put more into operation?

I am obliged for that suggestion. The hon. Gentleman has knowledge of the work of the Department, and he will be glad to know that we have appointed a liaison officer in the Ministry to assure ourselves that we get priority in Government work.

asked the Minister of Labour what is now the ratio between unfilled vacancies and persons unemployed; and how this figure compares with those for the same dates in each of the last five years.

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

Do not the figures reveal the abandonment of a full employment policy during the past 12 months; and what is the Minister doing about it?

We certainly have not abandoned it, and I am not prepared to abandon that policy at all. The figures disclose the gap which exists between the number of vacancies one would like and the number of vacancies there are.

asked the Minister of Labour how many people have been on the books of the London Appointments Office to the last convenient date; how many openings have been filled in the same period; and how many people have been on their staff.

During the 12 months ending 15th September, 1952, 21,418 persons registered, or renewed registration, at the London Appointments Office and in the same period 2,288 registrants were placed in employment. The staff in post is 207, part of whom are engaged on an advisory service which is extensively used.

Would my right hon. and learned Friend consider having a Departmental inquiry into the London Appointments Office, because from the figures which he has just given us they seem to be singularly ineffective, and there is a widespread impression that the office is not as energetic as it ought to be in selling its services—if I may use the phrase—to employers?

I do not assent to that view of the work of the London Appointments Office. The first thing that ought to be borne in mind is that less than half those who are on the register are unemployed; there are also people who have employment and want different employment. One cannot judge by the number of persons who are registered and the number who are placed. Dealing with people who want to be exchanged is one thing, but when doing the advisory work properly—as I am satisfied they are trying to do—many people are sent to employment exchanges, and they are credited as being placed by them, although the work has been started by the Appointments Office.

asked the Minister of Labour if, pending the adoption of the safety and welfare recommendations of the Gowers Committee, he will introduce a short amendment to the Factories Act extending its provisions to shop assistants, warehousemen and others called upon to operate dangerous power-driven machinery in their daily occupations.

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made on 1st August by my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary in reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Merton and Morden (Captain Ryder). The proposed consultations with interested organisations have since been initiated.

Does the Minister realise that many thousands of distributive workers are working in daily contact with dangerous machinery, notably bacon slicers and presses, and that someone working in those circumstances who is injured has no similar remedy open to him as, say, a woodwork machinist would have if injured at his work? Will he take steps to deal with this matter, which has been far too long delayed, even if emergency legislation is required?

We all realise the difficulty of emergency legislation. Through my right hon. and learned Friend, the Government have expressed their general approval of what the Gowers Committee recommends, and have started consultations with the interested parties so that we may have something concrete on the whole front to suggest to the House.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women are registered as unemployed at the Brixton Employment Exchange; and how the figures compare with a year ago.

1,257 males and 424 females at 15th September, 1952, compared with 531 males and 183 females at 17th September, 1951.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in June last the unemployment figures were twice as great as in the preceding year, and that the figures are now getting on for three times the number as compared with the corresponding period of last year?

Similar comparisons can be drawn with the year before, and we find that, although the present situation is worse than in 1950, the differences between various months show that although there has been an increase this year over 1951 the position is not very different from 1950.

asked the Minister of Labour how many building workers are unemployed in the London area; and how the number compares with last year.

4,427 at 15th September, 1952, compared with 2,159 at 17th September, 1951.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman explain why there has been this marked and continual worsening of the unemployment situation so far as the building workers are concerned in the London area since he became Minister of Labour?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that it is none of my intentional doing, but I would like to say this: the figures I have given for 15th September, 1952, represent just over 2 per cent. of the estimated total number of employees in the building industry in the area. Although I regret there has been an increase, I do not think it is so startling as the hon. and gallant Member suggests.

Would the Minister suggest that many of the unemployed should go to Stoke-on-Trent, where we want to build many more thousands of houses than we are doing?

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman explain why there should be any unemployment in the building industry at the present time?

May I first say a word about Stoke-on-Trent. If it were as easy as one would like it to be to take workers from London to Stoke-on-Trent and put them to work there, no one would be more satisfied than I, but it is not very easy to make that change. As things are now, although there is a great deal of building to be done, it depends a great deal on what the exact building situation is in a particular part of the country.

Can the Minister explain how, if there is urgent need for houses, schools, factories, hospitals and sanatoria in London, there can be any unemployed building trade workers at all? What is the reason for it?

I am not in a position either to provide all the money that would be wanted or the materials that would be wanted of the particular kind required in a particular place.

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

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons in Stoke-on-Trent have been unemployed for 12 months and six months, respectively; and what steps are being taken to assist them to obtain suitable work.

At 13th October, 1952, the number of disabled persons in Stoke-on-Trent who had been unemployed for 12 months was 135; a further 117 had been unemployed for six months. Continuous efforts are being made by my local officers to assist them to find suitable employment.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that some of these men are giving up hope of ever getting a job, and would he not agree that there are considerations other than commercial considerations concerning many of these men who cannot do 100 per cent. work? Will he, in the light of what has been said previously, in respect of both Service men and industrial casualties, review the whole position to see if he can give these men, many of whom are in middle age, some hope?

I completely sympathise with the point of view that one ought not to look at this matter purely on a commercial basis, and I assure the hon. Gentleman that I do not intend to do so. When I spoke of my conversations with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, I had in mind that I had to deal with those for whom I could get employment and who could hold that employment. He has wider opportunities, and I think we ought to get together about it, and then, as I have said, I am prepared to answer Questions at a later date in the House.

Would the Minister bear in mind that part at least of this problem is covered by the Remploy factories in the district, and can he promise the House that he will use his influence to see that Government Departments give larger and more frequent orders, so that at least 50 or 60 per cent. of the output from these factories is from that source?

As I have assured the House in answer to an earlier Question, I have now an officer whose task it is to see that our priority position in that regard is respected in the Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the present unemployment figures for Stoke-on-Trent, showing men and women separately; and how many of this number are registered as disabled persons.

1,175 males and 1,142 females at 15th September, of whom 488 males and 51 females were registered disabled persons.

Do not these figures show that, in addition to the long-standing unemployed disabled persons, there is a problem concerning able-bodied men, and is there not a case, so far as the disabled persons are concerned, for an examination of some of the jobs being done in the ordnance factories particularly, to see whether some of these men can be engaged?

I would point out that the total of the two figures which I gave for males and females represents 1.5 per cent. of the estimated total of employees in the area, and, looking at the country as a whole, one has to keep this matter in proportion. As the hon. Gentleman well knows, there are unemployment difficulties to be found especially in the china and earthenware trades.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman see, with his colleagues, whether this problem could not be tackled much better if the working of the Distribution of Industry Act was more within the scope of the Ministry of Labour than the Board of Trade?

I appreciate that question, coming from the source from which it came

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish a statement showing, in recent months, what has been the percentage of unemployment among dock workers in each of the principal British ports.

Under the National Dock Labour Scheme continuous employment with a guaranteed minimum wage is available to all registered dock workers proving attendance. During the last six months the number of those proving attendance who were surplus to requirements in all areas covered by the scheme was equivalent to an average daily percentage of 15.3 of the total of registered dock workers.

I will send the hon. Member particulars about the principal ports.

Can the Minister say how the percentage compares with that of 12 months ago?

I cannot give the figures now, but I will certainly get the information for the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has reached any conclusions on the possibility of providing some kinds of work at home for the physically disabled who are outside the scope of Remploy, Limited.

This is a matter which is engaging the attention of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and myself.

Will the Minister and his colleague take this matter into urgent consideration, since there are 60,000 registered disabled persons in this category?

I am most anxious not to get into a discussion of figures with the hon. Gentleman. If that should become necessary, I think that he has given a high figure, but the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that, so far as my Department is concerned, I am dealing with the matter from the employment end, and I have to look at the numbers in the categories which deal with sheltered conditions and the numbers in industry as a whole. I am trying to do that. As I have indicated my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has invited the local authorities to put up schemes to him.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the very great disappointment with the provision of work for domiciliary workers who are disabled, and in view of a recommendation of the Advisory Council upon the Welfare of Handicapped Persons, which urges the importance of local authorities taking the steps provided for in the welfare clause of the National Assistance Act, will he communicate with his right hon. Friend to see that the local authorities present schemes which will alleviate a great deal of this distress?

I will certainly raise that matter with my right hon. Friend. So far as the Remploy Company is concerned, I know that they try to get that sort of work, but there is difficulty in finding work of a continuous kind for home-bound disabled.

Is it not clear from what the Minister has just said, and from the many Questions on this subject that have been asked, that the time has arrived for an independent inquiry into the whole subject, including the relationship of the sheltered employment in Remploy to the much more difficult problem of the homebound disabled about whom there is so much anxiety?

It is precisely on that matter that I am in touch with my right hon. Friend, and I shall be glad to answer a Question on that when my conversations have ended.

asked the Minister of Labour why W. Binns and Son, milk carriers, Silsden, near Keighley, refused to re-employ John Harry Spencer Binns, 25, Foster Avenue, Silsden, on his return from Z Reserve training with 539 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, and if he will take the necessary action to secure his re-instatement.

I am having inquiries made and will write to the hon. Member.

While thanking the right hon. and learned Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he will expedite his inquiries because, prima facie, there appears to have been a flagrant breach of the law in this respect?

We are going as fast as we can. We were a little incommoded by the fact that the name was wrong in the first instance, but we have now overcome that hindrance.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been called up for National Service from 1st January, 1952, to the latest date for which figures are available; how this figure compares with that for the same period of 1951; and how many men it is now proposed to call up in 1953.

From 1st January to the end of September, 1952, 132,000; the corresponding figure for 1951 was 128,600. How many men will be called up in 1953 depends largely on how many volunteer for regular engagements, but a rough estimate of the number is 150,000.

On the basis of those figures, can the Minister now say whether it is his policy to increase the number of deferments and exemptions or to diminish them?

So far as these figures go, we are satisfied with the present position in regard to deferment.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the overriding principles and priorities which govern the grant of deferment to young men liable for National Service at 18 years of age.

The principles are that National Service in peace-time is an obligation to be discharged as nearly as possible by all fit young men, that the man-power needs of the Services must be met, and that, as far as possible, young men should be allowed to finish approved studies or training before call-up if they wish.

Subject to these principles, regard is had to the importance, in the national interest, of obtaining more coal and home-grown food, of an efficient merchant navy, in peace or war, and of expediting the most vital re-armament projects and expanding certain important categories of engineering exports.

Does the Minister realise that there is growing disquiet in the country about what many regard as the growing discrimination in favour of certain grades of employment? For instance, it is known to be the easiest thing in the world to register for a correspondence course in accountancy and get almost unlimited deferment, while land is being denuded of essential labour. We on this side think that something ought to be done to redress the balance.

I will look into the first point raised by the hon. Gentleman. So far as denuding the land of essential labour is concerned, I feel it is important that there should be a generally undertaken obligation, and that there should not be wholesale exclusions of people who are at present liable.

Is special consideration being given to apprentices, especially apprentices in vital industries in rearmament?

Yes, Sir. As the matter stands at present, in the case of highly skilled apprentices in high priority establishments special consideration has been granted in accordance with the last announcement I made before the Recess.

Is it not true that these deferments have been primarily concerned with the re-armament programme; and in view of the Prime Minister's recent statements, in this House and elsewhere, that at the present time exports should take precedence over defence requirements, why is it necessary to provide deferment for those in the re-armament industry and not for those in the export industry?

In the last announcement we made we did say that in the export industry some highly skilled people in priority establishments would be taken into account. I will certainly look at it again, in view of what the right hon. Gentleman says.

asked the Minister of Labour the maximum period of deferment granted to National Service men for professional studies, industrial apprenticeships and agricultural employment, respectively.

Subject to satisfactory progress, deferment is granted for professional studies for the period necessary to obtain the desired qualification, and for industrial apprenticeships, until the completion of the recognised period of training, provided, in either case, this will be before the man reaches the upper age limit of liability for call up.

Deferment in respect of employment in agriculture is granted in appropriate cases for a maximum of six or 12 months in the first instance, and may be renewed if the relevant conditions remain satisfied.

Can the Minister say what happens to a sluggish student who is granted limited deferment and reaches the upper age limit without qualifying in the course on which he has embarked? Is he still liable to service at that age?

Oh, yes. A student is not deferred indefinitely without consideration of what he is doing, and he will be called up before his period runs out in any event.

Would it not be more advisable and in the best interests of the country, of the Services and of industry if, instead of providing this temporary deferment, which is of no value to anybody really, the men who are deferred were invited to enter the Territorial or Auxiliary Forces; and would the Minister recommend to his right hon. Friends associated with the Services the payment of a higher bounty to attract those men?

I think that goes rather far for me to answer. I am not wishing to add to the burdens I carry. So far as deferments not being desired by people is concerned, all I can say is that a great deal of my time is taken up in explaining why particular deferments cannot be granted.

asked the Minister of Health what compensation is to be paid to Mrs. Beatrice Cox, 263, Maiden Lane, Crayford, whose jaw was broken by a dentist when having teeth extracted under the National Health scheme; on what grounds the Kent and Canterbury Executive Council withheld £21 from the salary of the dentist concerned, of whose name he has been informed; and on what other occasions deductions have been made from his salary by the Council.

Any question of compensation for alleged negligent treatment is a matter between the patient and the dentist. The Executive Council's recommendation in the case of Mrs. Cox and her dentist is at present the subject of an appeal to me and I cannot therefore comment further on the case at this stage.

In view of the disgraceful features of this case, will the Minister say whether this dentist has previously been guilty of offences, because that is specifically asked in the Question? Secondly, an appeal having been made to him, will he say what action he has now taken and whether the appeal will go forward?

I cannot give the details asked for in the very last part of the Question—although, of course, I know them—without departing from the impartiality that I must maintain at this stage of the case. With regard to the other part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, an oral hearing of the appeal has been arranged and will take place.

asked the Minister of Health the number of administrative and clerical staff of hospitals on the earliest date after nationalisation on which the information was recorded.

The number for England and Wales was 20,933 on 31st December, 1948, but this total is incomplete since certain of the administrative and clerical work of the Hospital Service was at that date still being carried out by local authorities on behalf of hospital boards and committees.

asked the Minister of Health the number of man/woman days lost by sickness by the staffs of the nationalised hospitals during the last 12 months for which the statistics are available.

I regret that the information is not available.

Does not my right hon. Friend think it would be a good idea to find out whether there has been an increase in sickness among hospital staffs since nationalisation?

I am very ready to take a dip check, but I am not anxious to add to the paper burden on the hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health what is being done to improve the diet of hospital in-patients; and whether he can list the reasons for the low standard in some hospitals, homes for aged people, and day nurseries.

During recent years the standard of diet in hospitals, homes for aged persons and day nurseries has much improved as a result of visits by dietetic advisers of the Ministry. Hospital authorities have also been advised to appoint experienced catering officers and to send their cooks on training courses.

Has not the Minister recently been advised by his own Department that in some hospitals and homes the standard is too low and that the reasons are lack of money and the rising cost of food? In view of his answer to a Question about food poisoning, will he pay special attention to the kitchen equipment of institutions and provide sufficient money so that the kitchens may be reorganised and the technique improved?

We have had at least 250 reports in the last 12 months from hospitals, excluding day nurseries and other places. I do not accept as a generalisation what the hon. Member has said. By far the best method is for any hon. Member who would like an official of my Ministry to look into the catering arrangements of a hospital to let me know and I will see that that is done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the poor quality of the food and, in particular, the unpalatable way in which it is served in many major London hospitals to patients who are severely ill are even today matters of considerable and widespread complaint?

I am against generalising in this matter. If I am given examples of hospitals I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now make a statement on the deterrent effect of the recently imposed charges in the Health Service; and if he will give an estimate of the current financial saving effected.

These charges have led to some fall in the demand for drugs and to other savings in costs, but it is too early as yet to make an estimate of the financial savings likely to be effected.

Would it be fair to say that the Minister's answer suggests that the deterrent effect of the charges preventing people from attending for diagnosis and treatment may contribute a major part of the saving compared with the charges and cash receipts? If he finds that that is so and that children are being debarred from diagnosis and treatment will he review the whole matter?

I am keeping the matter constantly under review. I am circulating an answer to Question No. 25 giving the very fullest details, and perhaps the hon. Member will study it.

asked the Minister of Health to give comparable figures of the number of prescriptions issued for dental treatment, surgical boots, spectacles and other articles pro-

No new charges for spectacles were introduced under the National Health Service Act, 1952. With permission I will circulate the reply to the rest of the Question, which is largely statistical, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any evidence that there has been no undue suffering or deterioration in health as a result of the efforts in these directions to make economies?

I have no such evidence.

asked the Minister of Health what regulations he has made for refunding the difference when National Health prescriptions cost less than 1s.

None, Sir.

Is it not wholly wrong that a worker should have to pay a 1s. fee on a prescription for 3d. worth of permanganate of potash? Who gets the benefits from an overcharge of that description?

If the hon. Member likes to take the example he has given of 3d. worth of permanganate of potash, he will have to add 25 per cent. on cost, a minimum dispensing fee of 4d. and a container fee, bringing the total to between 10d. and 11d.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking, particularly in conjunction with the Minister of Food, to offset the continued increase in outbreaks of food poisoning.

A major factor in dealing with this problem is the recognition by both industry and public of the need for care and cleanliness in all aspects of food handling, and much publicity work has already been done on this by the Departments concerned, local authorities and other bodies. At the same time, in conjuction with my Department the Ministry of Food is considering what further measures can usefully be taken in the light of recent reports as regards meat and meat products, and is also looking into the subject of synthetic cream.

I have also under consideration a revision of the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations so as to give wider powers in relation to food poisoning.

While thanking my right hon. Friend very much for that comprehensive reply, may I ask if he is aware that, according to his Ministry's report, 83 of the 539 outbreaks last year were in hospitals and institutions? Will he take whatever disciplinary action is necessary to stop this?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Minister of Health whether B.C.G. vaccine is now being manufactured in this country.

No, Sir. Manufacture in this country will be considered as soon as the level of requirements justifies this course.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a considerable amount is being imported by air and that at present its manufacture here is illegal under the Therapeutic Substances Act? Will he at least give permission, by law if necessary, for it to be manufactured here?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of those matters. We import from Copenhagen and Paris, but the amount involved at present totals only £1,600 a year, and until the use of B.C.G. becomes more widely approved I do not think there is any point in changing the present position.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the administrative staff of his Department has been reduced since 1st January; and what further savings in staff are proposed now.

184 up to 1st October. The staffing position remains under constant review and further savings will be made wherever possible.

Can my right hon. Friend express that in terms of percentage? We do not know how big a saving of 184 is.

It is out of a grand total of 2,790.

asked the Minister of Health why the county borough of Croydon, which is the fourteenth largest county borough in England and Wales, was included in the smaller areas on pages 155–56 of the Census 1951 Great Britain, 1 per cent. sample table.

For the purpose of the Census 1951 Great Britain 1 per cent. sample table all county boroughs with populations of under 250,000 are included in the smaller areas. The 1951 census population of Croydon is 249,592.

asked the Minister of Health what savings have now been effected as the result of abolishing identity cards.

It is estimated that as a result of the discontinuance of national registration the saving on the Vote for the Registrar General's Office for 1952–53, is about £1 million, including the cost of national registration staff in local offices. The additional cost to the Ministry of Health of maintaining the National Health Service Central Register is estimated to be some £150,000 per annum. Some additional expense will also be incurred by other Departments.

In the answer which he has just given, did the Minister refer to the saving in staff that is being effected?

No, I did not. I have not the details, but there has been a considerable saving in staff both as a result of the abolition of the local offices and as a result of the reduction of staff at the central office in Southport.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give the saving of the staff, or shall I have to put down another question?

I should like the hon. and gallant Gentleman to put down another question, because I took this one to be purely financial.

asked the Minister of Education how many new primary and secondary schools, stated separately, are being built at present; and how these figures compare with those of a year and two years ago, respectively.

The numbers of new primary schools under construction in England and Wales on 1st June in 1950, 1951 and 1952 were 716, 911 and 785. Comparable figures for new secondary schools were 219, 293 and 276.

Will the Minister draw the attention of the Minister of Housing and Local Government to those figures about school building, and, in particular, to the drastic cut she has made in the number of new schools started in the first six months of this year, in order to give him an opportunity to correct the false impression that he gave at Scarborough?

The number of new schools was eventually cut down in order to get more completed schools. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that more educational building work was done in the first half of 1952 than was done in the first half of 1951.

rose——

We really must get on for we are only at Question No. 30.

In view of the Minister's unsatisfactory and misleading statement, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Education when she proposes to put Part III of the Education Act, 1944, into full operation.

I cannot say when circumstances will make this possible.

Can the right hon. Lady say what protection a local education authority can now give to parents and children concerned when it is reported that an independent school in their area is staffed entirely by unqualified teachers housed in unsuitable premises? If no protection can be given is not that a reason for hurrying up the operation of this part of the Act?

Part III of the Act cannot be brought into operation in the meantime. At present we could not enforce sound standards by legislation while it remains so hard for proprietors of independent schools to remedy shortcomings in their premises and staffing. It is open to any local education authority to prosecute parents if their children, who are attending such schools, are not receiving a full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude.

asked the Minister of Education what discussions she has had with the Essex Education Committee on her proposal to reduce the provision of school transport; how many children in the county of Essex, who had previously been taken to and from school by omnibus, will now have to walk; and if she is aware of the dangerous character of the roads in many outlying rural areas, such as the road between Asheldham and Southminster, to which her attention has been drawn especially.

I informed a deputation from the authority that I could not accept their proposal to restore the cuts in the transport of senior pupils which their predecessors had put into operation. About 6,000 pupils are affected. I am aware that a number of roads in the county are considered to be dangerous, and I am willing that transport should be provided over less than the statutory walking distance where there is special justification. The authority do not, however, regard the Asheldham to Southminster road as especially dangerous.

While appreciating the slight concession in the last part of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Lady to look at the one-inch Ordnance Survey map of this area, when she will see the extraordinarily large number of dangerous right-angle bends that there are on this quite short stretch of road?

That is entirely for the local authority. It has been made quite clear that if a local authority can say that an area is particularly dangerous, then they can, as I have said, make an exception.

asked the Minister of Education how many retired teachers have applied to have their pension paid monthly instead of quarterly; and whether she will consider this matter with a view to meeting the wishes of those concerned.

I have no precise record of the number of teachers who have applied for payment of their pensions monthly. In view of the additional cost of the change I should not feel justified in proposing it in the present financial circumstances of the country.

In view of the fact that other Departments find it possible to pay pensions monthly instead of quarterly to those who desire it, would not my right hon. Friend look into this matter again? The cost should not be very great, as only a comparatively small number of teachers feel this need?

I have looked into it, and if the pensions were to be paid monthly instead of quarterly I am informed that the extra cost, apart from the extra manpower required, would be about £1 million.

asked the Minister of Education what steps she has taken, or is taking, to increase the number of recruits to the teaching profession.

Present arrangements for recruitment and training provide for an annual increase in the national teacher strength of some 3,000–4,000 teachers.

As the next figures which the Minister will publish for each class in the country will be even more alarming than those recently published for January, 1951, and as the training colleges are not all full, will the right hon. Lady not regard this matter of the recruitment of teachers as one of dire emergency? Will she not call together the educational bodies of the country so that we can get down to a solution of this problem?

I have discussed it and I am still discussing it both with the associations of teachers and with other educational bodies, but I would point out that the annual increase of 3,000 to 4,000 is a big increase. That will mean recruiting 14,000 extra teachers each year. I should like to recruit more, but we have to face these particular difficulties. That is the increase we are facing at the present, and I would also mention that we have provided more places in the training colleges.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that if this country is to maintain its present high standard of scientific work there will need to be a completely new approach to the question of obtaining scientists and mathematicians for the schools?

I should like to obtain more scientists and mathematicians for the schools and, perhaps the hon. Member will tell us sometime what suggestions he can make towards that end.

Has my right hon. Friend discussed the possibility of the introduction of equal pay for women teachers as a means of attracting more women teachers, who are essential in the teaching profession?

Yes, Sir, I have discussed this on several occasions, but I would tell the House that at the present time of those girls who stay on at grammar schools to the age of 18 we get 70 per cent. going in for teaching, and we get one-third of the intake in the teaching profession from those who have gone into other professions and have come back into teaching.

asked the Minister of Education how many children over the age of five years in England and Wales and Warwickshire, respectively, were unable to find places in the nation's schools in September, 1952.

The available evidence suggests that the number over the country as a whole is not large. In Warwickshire, I am informed that there are two districts where a very small number of children aged five have not been admitted this term.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that she has achieved this result only by packing children into institutes, outbuildings, canteens and other school buildings of all kinds? Does she not agree with me that the appropriate remedy would be to start serious school building once more?

I think the hon. Gentleman will realise that any school building that I had started since I came into office would have no effect upon the fact that these children are out of school today, and that it takes at least 18 months to build a school. Thanks to the new organisation of our building programme we are getting, and shall get, schools more quickly, and so provide earlier the places that are required.

asked the Minister of Education how many independent schools have been inspected and recognised to the last convenient date; and how many of those inspected were deemed to be inefficient.

Since Circular 196 was issued in January, 1949, 3,498 independent schools in England have been inspected under the arrangements described in the circular. The purpose of these inspections has not been to classify the schools as efficient and inefficient.

There must still be many thousands of schools kept by inefficient unqualified elderly females in suburbia. When does the right hon. Lady intend to inspect this particular kind of school?

I think the hon. Gentleman will see from these figures that the work of inspection is continuing. I would like to add that it is not necessarily a bad education because it is given by an elderly female in a suburb.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many people, men and women, were employed by the North-Eastern Trading Estates, Limited, on the latest available date.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to employment in the factories administered by the North-eastern Trading Estates, Limited. On 30th August, 1952, the latest date for which official statistics are available, these factories employed 16,695 men and boys and 24,385 women and girls, making a total of 41,080.

I regret that my reply to the hon. Member on 15th July contained an error. The figure of male employment which was given as 16,608 should have been 16,508, and the consequent total figure 41,267.

I am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman both for correctly assuming the purpose of the Question and for the correction he has made of the earlier reply. Is he not disturbed by the fact that these new Government-built factories are still employing today fewer people than 12 months ago? This is most discouraging to us in the Development Area where we expected that these factories would be employing at least 10,000 more than 12 months ago.

The hon. Gentleman asked me for statistical information. I do not think it would be proper to deal with the other matters by way of supplementary question and answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that cars made in this country are being banned from the principal motor shows in Toronto and Montreal; what action he is taking in this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. While I regret this, my hon. and gallant Friend will understand that the organisation of these private exhibitions, for which the Canadian Government are not responsible, is not a matter in which we could intervene. British motor cars are prominently displayed at the Canadian National Exhibition.

While appreciating that this is not a matter for Government action, may I ask my hon. and learned Friend to suggest to those who carry the responsibility that we are making very considerable efforts to build up two-way trade with Canada and that any facilities and help we can get will be much appreciated?

What my hon. and gallant Friend has said is well recognised both in this country and in Canada.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Latin-American dollar account markets present opportunities to our exporters to expand their sales; and if he will extend to exporters to these countries the special facilities that the Export Credits Guarantee Department now provide for exporters to Canada and the United States of America only.

Yes, Sir. It is important to increase our exports to the dollar account markets and I am glad to say that the Export Credits Guarantee Department are prepared to consider favourably any soundly based propositions designed to increase sales to these markets, and will, in appropriate cases, make available to exporters facilities broadly comparable with those now available to exporters to North America.

Conditions in the Latin-American dollar countries vary, and the guarantees which the Department may offer will not therefore necessarily be the same as those given in the case of sales to the North American markets. The object will be to encourage exports in the most effective way according to the particular circumstances of each case.

While thanking my hon. and learned Friend for his answer, may I ask him whether he is aware of the very general satisfaction that this decision will give to all those engaged in the export trade?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost of preparing and printing the Central Office of Information document "Women in Britain"; and how many copies have been printed.

On the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question, I would refer him to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackley (Mr. E. Johnson) on 14th October. One thousand five hundred copies were duplicated; none was printed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the internal purchasing power of the £ sterling on 1st October, 1952, as compared with 1st November, 1951.

I regret that the figures for which the hon. Member asks are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the non-contentious probate office fees payable in Northern Ireland on small estates are higher than those chargeable on similar estates in the rest of the United Kingdom; and why Northern Ireland citizens are prejudiced in this way.