Mr William McKeag: I do not profess to be an expert on air services, and therefore I do not propose to follow the last speaker through the labyrinthine pathways which he has so exhaustively and elaborately explored. Nor do I propose to follow the general trend of the Debate this evening, which has been largely concentrated on a contemplation of what would be the position of our aircraft in the next war, which...
Mr William McKeag: Has it now been definitely decided to increase the block grant, so far as these distressed areas are concerned?
Mr William McKeag: I want to add mine to those voices from all parts of the House which have supported the demand that additional assistance should be given to the depressed areas, and that the growing and intolerable burden of rates caused by unemployment should become more of a national charge rather than be left to be borne by the hard-pressed areas. The Parliamentary Secretary, in introducing this Bill,...
Mr William McKeag: In any case it is quite clear that the assistance which is being given is entirely insufficient for hard-pressed areas such as Durham County, and we are entitled to ask when the State will really come—and when I say "really" I mean in the true sense—to the rescue of 'these hard-pressed industrial areas. Durham County, like other industrial districts, has borne the stress and storm of...
Mr William McKeag: 68. asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the charge on rates for public assistance in Durham county for 1933 is estimated to amount to £1,312,815, representing an increase of £100,000 in the last 12 months and £400,000 in the last three years; and whether he proposes to take any immediate steps to relieve this burden on local ratepayers?
Mr William McKeag: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will have regard to the absolute necessity of giving a substantial measure of relief to the depressed area of Durham County at the earliest possible moment?
Mr William McKeag: Surely the hon. Member realises that they have been doing whatever they could to find work for their own men.
Mr William McKeag: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the burden upon the local rates has been intolerably increased by this state of things?
Mr William McKeag: 18. asked the Minister of Labour how many additional persons have been engaged by the Commissioners in the county of Durham since their appointment to assist them in connection with the administration of transitional payments?
Mr William McKeag: Would the hon. Gentleman submit representations to colliery owners that overtime should be reduced, so that more men might be employed?
Mr William McKeag: 10. asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of emigrants from this country to the Dominions during the year 1913, the average number for the 10 years 1920–30, and during the year 1932?
Mr William McKeag: Will the hon. Gentleman make sure that there is more hygienic washing of such glasses?
Mr William McKeag: 70. asked the Minister of Labour the numbers and cost of the staffs employed in connection with the administration of transitional payments in the county of Durham for the week immediately prior to the appointment of commissioners, and for the last convenient week since the appointment of commissioners?
Mr William McKeag: As Member for a division which is the centre of Durham County and representing, as I do, the city from which these commissioners operate, I propose to add my voice to the protests against any possible abrogation of the authority of the House of Commons in this matter. I do not propose to indulge in any vilification of the commissioners. I choose rather to remember that the commissioners are...
Mr William McKeag: May I ask if the numbers of the ordinary staff have been increased since the appointment of the Commissioners?
Mr William McKeag: Will the hon. Member answer my question, as to whether the numbers of the ordinary staff have been increased since the appointment of the Commissioners?
Mr William McKeag: 29. asked the Attorney-General if he can give any particulars as to the cost to the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the delay and inconvenience occasioned to all concerned, by reason of only one judge being sent to conduct the assizes at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and at Durham; whether he is aware that an urgent request had to be made for a commissioner of assize to assist; and whether, in view of...
Mr William McKeag: Is it not a fact that on this occasion, the most casual scrutiny of the causes, both at Newcastle-on-Tyne and Durham, would have revealed the necessity of sending two judges?
Mr William McKeag: I suppose it is too much to expect that the Government will consider the wisdom or unwisdom of including this Clause in the Bill. A moment or two ago, Captain Bourne, in giving a Ruling, you stated that this Clause does not name any particular country, but I think it is unquestionable that the Clause is directly aimed at Russia. I am not particularly concerned as to how the Clause will hurt...
Mr William McKeag: I thank you, Captain Bourne, for giving me an opportunity of correcting a statement which I made in my speech a few moments ago. I quoted the President of the Machine Tool Trades Association as having said that for a considerable time past Russia had taken 80 per cent. of the total production of British machine tools. What I should have said was that Russia for a considerable time past had...