§ Major GLYNasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to certain public statements by His Majesty's Judges regarding the consequences of mentally deficient persons bearing children, which results in considerable cost to the ratepayers; and whether he will consider setting up a committee to inquire into the whole matter unless this subject can forthwith be referred to an existing Commission, so that legislation in accordance with their recommendations may be introduced at an early date?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have been asked to answer this question. The reply to the first part of it is in the affirmative, and the subject has for some time past been under consideration. The issues involved are far-reaching and controversial; they could only be examined effectively by a suitable body specially set up for the purpose; and I fear that I cannot undertake to initiate such an investigation at the present moment.
Period. Estimated grant payable to meet loss due to derating. Payment on account of grant made up to 14th February, 1930. Rural Areas. Rest of England and Wales. Rural Areas. Rest of England and Wales. Half-year ending 31st March, 1930. 3,700,000 8,300,000 2,597,600 5,351,300 The new Exchequer grants, which will be payable as from 1st April next under the more permanent arrangements provided for in the Act, will extend beyond derating and will be paid in large measure to county councils towards the cost of expenses charged by them under the provisions of the Act and otherwise on rural and urban areas alike. It will therefore not be possible to state the