Written Answers To Questions
Wednesday, 28th April, 1954
Jamaica (Unemployment)
7.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the figures of unemployment in Jamaica for the last three years; and what are the cause and effect of this unemployment.
I regret that the figures for which my hon. Friend asks are not available. Unemployment in Jamaica includes a great deal of seasonal underemployment in agriculture. The main cause of this unemployment is the rapid increase in population in a territory whose resources are limited.
Transport
Accident, Cheddar Gorge
32.
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether his attention has been drawn to the fatal accident in Cheddar Gorge of 15th April in which boulders struck a stationary car; and whether the death of one of the occupants of the car in this accident will be included in the figures of road casualties for the month of April.
Yes. The accident in question did not occur on the highway, and it will, therefore, not be included in the road accident figures.
Traffic, London Bridge Station
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the proposed improvements and alterations to the movement of traffic at London Bridge Station are likely to be completed to relieve the present difficult conditions.
We are in touch with the Bermondsey Borough Council and the British Transport Commission, but I cannot yet say when final decisions will be reached.
Food Inspectors, Llanishen (Car Allowances)
asked the Minister of Food how many inspectors employed by this Department at Llanishen are paid allowances for the use of their cars on official business; and the total sum that has been paid out on this account in the last 12 months.
Twelve. The total sum paid in the 12 months ended 31st December last was £1.990.
Damaged British Property, Spain (Compensation Payment)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been received from the Spanish Government in answer to the claim submitted by Her Majesty's Ambassador for compensation for damage caused to British property during the demonstrations at the end of January last.
A cheque in full settlement of the claim for compensation made by Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid was received from the Spanish Government on 23rd March.
Scottish Local Authorities (Housing Loan Interest)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount of money has been paid by local authorities in Scotland to the Local Government Loans Board, as interest on housing loans from 1922 to 1952.
I have been asked to reply. I assume that the hon. Member has in mind payments to the Public Works Loan Board, whose loans are financed from the Local Loans Fund. The amount paid to the Board by local authorities in Scotland as interest on housing loans from 1st April, 1922, to 31st March, 1953, was £36,174,977.