Mr Arthur Skeffington: asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the long delay in dealing with applications for financial awards under the Further Education and Training Scheme, and that many intending students have been un able to start term owing to uncertainty about grants; if he will state the number of applications for awards to commence on 1st October which have not been dealt with; and what steps...
Mr Arthur Skeffington: asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that only 132 prefabricated houses have been delivered and completed for the borough of Lewisham; and whether he can give any estimate when the balance of 1,400 prefabricated houses can be expected.
Mr Arthur Skeffington: Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that we still have 5,000 families—and I emphasise the word, "families"—who are homeless?
Mr Arthur Skeffington: I should not have the temerity to address the House at all, especially after the brilliant exposition to which we have just listened—if I may say so without presumption—if I were not fortified by the knowledge of the traditional kindness and toleration of this House towards new aspirants. One quality which I have will, I think, meet with the commendation of the House toTnight—that is,...
Mr Arthur Skeffington: Is it not a fact that bacon is being sent here?
Mr Arthur Skeffington: Are such importations allowed?
Mr Arthur Skeffington: asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider removing the provisions of the Essential Work Order from all male labour over 42 years of age.
Mr Arthur Skeffington: For whom?
Mr Arthur Skeffington: Not to let.
Mr Arthur Skeffington: asked the Minister of Education when the Science Museum at South Kensington will be reopened to the public.
Mr Arthur Skeffington: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of men's hats; and whether he will announce what steps are being taken to overcome the shortage.
Mr Arthur Skeffington: asked the President of the Board of Trade how many consumer industries have now been deconcentrated; and whether he is prepared to issue a statement on this subject.
Mr Arthur Skeffington: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is pre pared to consider, with all the interests concerned, the adoption of minimum quality standards for consumer goods in order to prevent the manufacture of shoddy goods and to protect the public.
Mr Arthur Skeffington: asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make on the continuance of service of conscripted women in His Majesty's Forces.
Mr Arthur Skeffington: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Victuallers Protection Society are in the habit of circularising licensing justices and, as this practice is both unhelpful and discourteous to the licensing justices, if he will consider making it illegal or giving licensing justices' power to deal with such circulars as a contempt.
Mr Arthur Skeffington: I am sure the hon. Gentleman the Member for Wood Green (Mr. Beverley Baxter) will forgive me if I do not follow him in the very gloomy thoughts which he has just uttered, and if I do not discuss Empire subjects with which he has just dealt. I would make one passing remark on what he has said in connection with the very valuable reduction of Press rates made by the company to 1d. a word, in...
Mr Arthur Skeffington: In the few moments that remain, I shall have to exercise, as quickly as I can, my powers of selection, and comment on only one or two of the points which I wished to make. I may say personally that, so far as I understand the Amendment of the Opposition, I am very pleased with it, because it seems to me that the Amendment which we are discussing is a complete denial of the usual Opposition...
Mr Arthur Skeffington: Having listened to the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for New Forest and Christchurch (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre) I am reminded of a statement made by Lord Snowden after he had listened to a rather vociferous speech by the right hon. Gentleman who now sits for Woodford (Mr. Churchill), when he said that he realised, that the pantomime season was still with us. I feel much the same after...
Mr Arthur Skeffington: I think that point has been established, and that it ought to be established, because of the integrity of, and our high regard for, our public servants, it should be established that it is not a case of a "bunch of civil servants," divorced from the realities of trade and commerce deciding these things merely in order to "please their masters" All I want to say in conclusion is that one...
Mr Arthur Skeffington: I am very glad the House has had that information from the President of the Board of Trade, because, having had some experience of this work, I think that the point ought to be established. I think it would be most unfortunate if the contrary impression of the hon. and gallant Member were given. I hope the President's statement will be given full publicity.