Sir Charles Edwards: So many questions have been put to the Home Secretary that I am afraid he will forget some of them when he comes to reply. I want to emphasise one point that has already been put before him, and that is in regard to the number of inspectors employed. I want to advocate a very large increase in the inspectorate. I have been reading to-day the account of the inquiry into the cause of the recent...
Sir Charles Edwards: Is it a coal mine?
Sir Charles Edwards: Can the Home Secretary say what is the occupation of these men?
Sir Charles Edwards: There are very many different grades of miners.
Sir Charles Edwards: 47. asked the Prime Minister whether, in the interest of the payees and with a view to providing a pension scheme for persons of 60 years of age, he will consider the appointment of a Commission to consider the desirability of co-ordinating all friendly society business, health and unemployment insurance, compensation schemes, and all agencies dealing with relief during incapacity from work?
Sir Charles Edwards: What is the reason for that reply? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think there are great possibilities in some such scheme?
Sir Charles Edwards: 59. asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give the total sums of money granted to the Fuel Research Board during the last five years; what proportion of that has been used, and how much for extension purposes; whether the £30, 000 voted by the late Government for expenditure on problems connected with the survey of coal seams has been expended; and what results have been...
Sir Charles Edwards: 28. asked the Secretary for Mines whether he proposes to initiate a scheme such as that prepared by his predecessor to enable local authorities to trade in domestic coal or whether he has any alternative plan to reduce the cost of household coal; and if he will give the latest figures supplied by coal merchants as to how their prices are made up?
Sir Charles Edwards: 50. asked the Minister of Health the names of the local authorities who have been granted subsidies under the Housing Act, 1924, for houses which were originally intended for sale under the Act of 1923?
Sir Charles Edwards: 55. asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will make the use of shielded detonators compulsory seeing that greater safety is assured in the packing and carriage, and in charging the shot-holes; and whether he is aware that their use does not alter the method of shot firing now obtaining, and that they also need no new appliance for their use?
Sir Charles Edwards: Both the Minister and every other Member seem to hold the idea that every housekeeper must be an unmarried wife. We dispute that, absolutely. I think the number of unmarried wives is very small compared with the number of persons who are keeping house for men in order to keep their homes together. There are men whose wives have died, and who have children who want to come and see them...
Sir Charles Edwards: 42. asked the Secretary for Mines how many amalgamations have been arranged and completed in the mining industry since the stoppage of last year; the amount of capital involved; how many pits are concerned; and the number of men employed?
Sir Charles Edwards: 43. asked the Secretary for Mines how many boys between the ages of 14 and 16 have been received for employment into the mining industry since the conclusion of the stoppage last year?
Sir Charles Edwards: Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the information was withheld?
Sir Charles Edwards: Can the right hon. Gentleman give the names now?
Sir Charles Edwards: I do not think the hon. Member is far wrong. It is a very common thing in this House.
Sir Charles Edwards: I came to the House to-day with the definite intention of voting against this Clause, and I am afraid I have not yet departed from that intention. I must confess that I am very suspicious of people with these peculiar ideas, and I have the notion that, if any registration or control is necessary in nursing homes or anywhere else, it is necessary in places carried on by these peculiar people....
Sir Charles Edwards: I believe in giving people the fullest liberty to carry out what their conscience dictates, but, if it is a question of nursing homes which are carried on for the benefit of the public, that is a very different thing, and I think that, if these places are to be carried on as nursing homes, they ought to be definitely under the registration proposed in this Bill. I am still very suspicious. If...
Sir Charles Edwards: We are discussing this subject in a very thin House, and one cannot help comparing the proceedings of this evening with the interest and enthusiasm aroused by the Debate on the Prayer Book Measure on Thursday last, when these benches were full from the time the House opened until it closed. I consider we are to-day discussing one of the most urgent matters that could be considered by any...
Sir Charles Edwards: I am much obliged, Sir, for your correction. I thought if I referred merely to the "other place" it would get over any difficulty. However, the comparison was one which impressed me, and I think, at least, as great interest should be taken in the subject now under discussion as was taken in the subject of last week's Debates. We are not discussing a new problem. One would think from what the...