HC Deb 13 July 1937 vol 326 cc1082-3W
Sir A. Wilson

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state, for the years ended 31st March, 1924 and 1934, in respect of all cemetery undertakings in England and Wales, the total working expenses, loan charges, income of undertaking and contributions from rates, amount of loans outstanding, and average amount per pound of contribution from rates; and the total number of cemetery undertakings of all kinds rendering returns?

Sir K. Wood

The following statement gives the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend in regard to the cemetery undertakings of local authorities in England and Wales. The number of such authorities who furnished returns to my Department for the year ending 31st March, 1934, was 1,895.

Sir G. Courthope

The rate of wages paid by the Forestry Commission to the men employed on their estate in the valley of the Duddon is 37s. per week. The men have to stand off for weather only in periods of heavy snow; during the past 12 months this was 6 per cent. of their time.

Mr. Whiteley

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he will state the maximum number of men that have been employed at any one time by the Forestry Commission on their estate in the valley of the Duddon; the number of men employed there at the present time; how much additional employment it is estimated would be given by the extension of planting to the 300 acres it is proposed to plant on the estate of the Forestry Commission in Eskdale; and at what date the Commission proposes to begin planting in Eskdale?

Sir G. Courthope

The maximum number of men that have been employed at any one time by the Forestry Commission on their estate in the valley of the Duddon is six. Three are employed there at the present time. The amount of additional employment which would be given by the extension of planting to the land it is proposed to plant on the Commission's estate in Eskdale would depend on the rate of planting and would average a year's work for one man for every 25 acres. Planting in Eskdale will be started in six or seven years' time.