asked Minister of Agriculture what were the average weekly wages for ordinary agricultural labourers, who had to provide their own food, in each of the counties of England, county by county separately, at the latest date of the present year for which such statistics are available?

The following statement shows the prevailing minimum weekly cash wages for ordinary agricultural labourers in each county in England in November, 1922. A rate per hour is given when wages are usually paid on an hourly basis and no definite number of hours per week is specified:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the depressed state of agriculture, he will consider the advisability of instituting credit land banks?

A small committee, under the Chairmanship of Sir Theodore Chambers, is now considering the question of credit facilities for agriculture, including the advisability of instituting credit land banks. I hope to receive their report by the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the amount of wheat and flour, respectively, imported into this country during the last completed year; and what quantities of sharps, middlings, and bran have been exported and imported during the same period?

The imports and exports of wheat, wheat meal, and flour and wheat offals in 1921 were as follows:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of statements appearing in the Press relative to the British Empire Exhibition and its management, he will state the amount guaranteed by the Government; the total guaranteed by the guarantors; the total receipts or revenue that were estimated to come from the exhibition to meet its expenditure; the total of the expenditure that was estimated to arise; the number of visitors expected and the charge, per head, included in the estimated receipts; the approximate amount of expenditure to date; and the estimated amount required to complete the exhibition for its opening; has a further and recent appeal, by letter, been made for additional guarantors, and to what total is it asked to raise the guarantee fund; under whose control is the general manager and to whom is he accountable; can he be removed for incompetence, negligence, neglect of duty, or extravagant management; in whom is vested the power to remove him; is it intended to hold any inquiry into the affairs of the exhibition, its present position, and management; and, if so, will it be a private inquiry undertaken by business and expert persons, distinct from any departmental inquiry?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook) on Tuesday, I am now in consultation with my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade as to the present position of the British Empire Exhibition, and the position of His Majesty's Government in relation thereto. I hope to be in a position to make a general statement at an early date, and in these circumstances I should be obliged if my hon. Friend would be good enough to postpone his question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware that the management of the exhibition is using on their correspondence paper, as a member of the executive council, the name of a gentleman who some time ago resigned and requested his name to be withdrawn; and will he have inquiries made into the matter?

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to give me the name of the gentleman in question, I shall be glad to have inquiries made, and will let him know the result.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Department what steps are being taken to develop the export trade in Scottish cured herrings to Russia and Germany and other parts of Europe; and the quantity of cured herrings exported to the Continent of Europe from Scotland during the past 12 months as compared with the figure for the last pre-War year?

The Department of Overseas Trade during the last two years has continuously brought to the notice of its overseas officers in Europe and elsewhere the difficulties of the Scottish herring fisheries, and has instructed them to take all possible steps to promote the export trade in Scottish cured herrings. All the information as to possible openings for trade which these officers have been able to secure has been issued through the Fishery Board for Scotland to interested parties. As regards the last part of the question, during the 12 months ending 31st October, 1922, 499,000 barrels of cured herrings were exported from Scotland to Continental parts as compared with 1,274,000 barrels in 1913.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what percentage of the total British exports and imports, respectively, passed through Black Sea ports during the year 1913 and during the last 12 months?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to encourage foreign trade in woollen textiles, especially to countries we formerly exported cloths to from the heavy woollen district?

The Government is giving earnest consideration to the whole question of stimulating foreign trade with a view to relieving unemployment. A statement on the subject will be made in the Debate on the Address.

I regret that I am unable to give the desired information, as the foreign trade statistics for the United Kingdom are classified by countries and not according to the ports from which they are shipped or at which they are landed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the figures of the trade in 1913 and 1921 between the United Kingdom and each of the self-governing Dominions, excluding India?

The following statement gives the particulars desired by the hon. Member:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received representations as to the desirability of an inquiry into the recent change in the method of charging for gas; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

A number of representations of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers have been made to me, and I have appointed a Departmental Committee to inquire into the method of charging for gas on a thermal basis. The Committee consists of Sir Clarendon Hyde (Chairman), Mr. Arthur Balfour, Sir James Martin, Mr. A. A. Pugh, and Mr. W. J. U. Woolcock.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the claims against the German Government of Mr. James Ritchie, and other fishermen, of Gourdon, Kincardineshire, for losses during the War have not yet been paid; and can he hold out hopes of an early settlement of the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Regarding the second part of the question, in so far as the losses in question consist of loss of personal effects caused by enemy action at sea, claims in respect of these losses are being dealt with, along with the death and personal injury claims upon which the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action are at present engaged. Awards in these cases will be paid after the Royal Commission have made their Interim Report, but in cases of extreme hardship and urgent need immediate payments on account are made upon the recommendations of the Royal Commission. The Royal Commission are postponing the consideration of losses of property, other than personal effects, until after they have disposed of the death and personal injury cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange that compensation for losses sustained by British nationals in France and Belgium during the late war, in cases already examined and approved by the Board of Trade, shall be paid out of the next payment of reparations by Germany?

I regret that I cannot modify the present arrangement under which claimants for such compensation may participate in the sum of £5,000,000 voted for distribution on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names and addresses of the insurance companies registered in the companies department of the Board of Trade during the year 1921; the names of the insurance companies struck off the register during the year 1921; and the names of the insurance companies ordered to be wound up in the High Courts and the County Courts during the year 1921?

The desired information is given in the following lists:(A) (i) Company which had power under its Memorandum of Association to transact assurance business of a class to which the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, applies which was registered during the year 1921, showing its registered office:Elders Insurance Company, Limited,Colonial House,Water Street,Liverpool.(A) (ii) List of companies registered previous to 1921 without power to transact assurance business of a class to which the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, applies, but which took such power during the year 1921:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the underwriters at Lloyd's who are entitled to transact employers' liability insurance by depositing securities with the committee of Lloyd's in compliance with the requirements of the Board of Trade under the Eighth Schedule (D) of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909?

I am forwarding to the hon. Member a list showing the names of the underwriters at Lloyd's for which he has asked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount of the deposits, if any, furnished in accordance with the Eighth Schedule (b) and (c), 2 (3), of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, by Lloyd's underwriters as security for the due fulfilment of their fire and accident insurance contracts; the amount of the security furnished in the form of guarantees; whether any of the guarantees which may be furnished as an alternative to a deposit are given by persons who are not members of Lloyd's Underwriters' Association; and, if so, to what extent?

The amount of the deposits furnished in accordance with Schedule 8, B and C (2) (b) by Lloyd's underwriters as security for claims in connection with fire, accident and other non-marine insurance business is £1,099,000. The amount of the guarantees furnished is £12,388,338, none of which was given by guarantors who are not members of Lloyd's.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Lloyd's undertakers have complied with the requirements laid down in Schedule 8, paragraphs B and C (1) (b) of the Assurance Companies Act as regards the furnishing to the Board of Trade of a statement showing the extent and character of the business effected by them; and how many Lloyd's underwriters, in lieu of complying with paragraph D (1) (a) and (6), have elected to comply with paragraphs B and C (2) of the schedule and supply to the Board of Trade an auditor's certificate in lieu of a full statement showing the extent and character of the business transacted?

No Lloyds' underwriters have furnished the Board of Trade with a statement showing the extent and character of the business effected by them under Schedule 8 (B) and (C) 1 (b). In lieu of providing this statement, 995 underwriters elected to comply with the alternative requirements contained in Schedule 8 (B) and (C) 2, and furnished the Board with auditor's certificates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company, Limited, which is on the list of Government contractors and has undertaken to observe the Fair Wages Clause usually inserted in Government contracts, in seeking to enforce a rate of wages considerably lower than the nearest district rate, has locked out its employés in the engineering works; and whether the Government will take steps to get this firm removed from the list of its contractors until it has observed the Fair Wages Clause referred to?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the Admiralty has placed contracts with the firm, and if the hon. Member will supply that Department with particulars of the alleged breach of the Fair Wages Clause the matter will be inquired into.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will cause orders to be laid to enable the Electricity Commissioners to bring electrical current by the most economic method, namely, overhead, as otherwise many urban districts containing many industrial manufacturers who desire to substitute electrical power for steam can never hope to do so?

I have been asked to reply as the powers of the Board of Trade under the Electricity (Supply) Acts are now vested in the Minister of Transport. The Minister has no power to make Orders to enable the Electricity Commissioners to carry out works for the supply of electricity. The general supply of electricity is undertaken by local bodies, the authority for granting powers in that behalf being vested in the Electricity Commissioners. Before the supply authority can transmit electricity by means of overhead lines they must first get the consent of the Minister to the placing of such lines, and this consent is invariably given where a good case is made out.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, how many unvaccinated children under 12 years of age there are in Bethnal Green, Poplar, Stepney, and Lambeth, and how many of those children have taken small-pox in the recent outbreak?

It is not possible to say how many unvaccinated children under 12 years of age there are in these boroughs at the present time. The annual returns received by the Ministry show the numbers of newly-born children in each year who are vaccinated or unvaccinated, but no information is available as to subsequent removals or deaths. Five unvaccinated children under 12 years of age have contracted small-pox in these boroughs during the recent outbreak, and three of these cases were fatal.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if the Board of Control have addressed a circular to the medical superintendents of registered hospitals in which it is stated that voluntary boarders in hospitals may leave after giving 24 hours' notice in writing; and, seeing that according to the statute the hospital superintendent has no such right to demand any notice from the voluntary boarder, will he take steps to see that this statement is at once corrected?

The circular to which the hon. Member refers was addressed to the resident licensees of licensed houses as well as to the medical superintendents of registered hospitals. Section 229 (6) of the Lunacy Act, 1890, provides for 24 hours' notice in the case of licensed houses and, although the Act is silent as to the notice to be given in the case of registered hospitals, it is in the opinion of the Board of Control reasonable to require the same notice. The circular suggests that the terms should be made clear to voluntary boarders on admission. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the circular.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, what is the average annual cost of the 7,405 children maintained on 1st July in Poor Law institutions?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available. No separate accounts are kept as to the cost of the children referred to, many of whom I are newly-born babies or infants in arms.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether Mr. Edward Mitcham, of 87, St. Mary's Road, Leyton, is being called upon by the Woolwich Board of Guardians to pay £2 18s. 8d. per week for the maintenance of his single daughter, aged 28, under treatment for tuberculosis in the infirmary at Plumstead; and, if so, whether any steps can be taken to induce the Woolwich Board of Guardians to reduce this amount to 7s. 6d. a week, which Mr. Edward Mitcham has offered to pay to the Board?

My right hon. Friend is making enquiries about this case and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present rate of weekly wage in force for the lowest paid grade of adult labour in private shipbuilding yards, as approved by the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation; what was the rate for the same kind of labour immediately before the War; and what has been the highest rate paid in the intervening period?

There are no collective agreements between employers and workpeople fixing standard rates of wages for the lower-paid grades of adult labour employed in shipbuilding yards by members of the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation. The rates actually paid vary in different localities, and also, to some extent, with different individuals within the same district, and complete information as to these variations is not available. The most general range of rates, however, for adult male unskilled labourers in the principal federated districts is now about 38s. 6d. to 40s. a week as compared with about 22s. to 24s. a week at July, 1914, and about 61s. 6d. to 63s. 6d. with a bonus of 12i per cent, on earnings in addition at the beginning of 1921, when rates of wages were at their highest level.

asked the Ministry of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if it is intended to reconstitute the Select Committee which inquired into the operation and duration of the Rent Restrictions Acts?

The Government propose to reappoint the Departmental Committee set up by the late Government with some additional members.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether the Hanworth Public Utility Society, Limited, have received a subsidy from the Government and, if so, what is the amount; whether he is aware that the society, in the prospectus issued by it in 1920, undertook on the strength of the financial assistance to be received from public funds to provide houses for approximately £950, payable as to £250 by loan stock to be taken up by the purchaser on a certain basis, and as to the balance by seven annual payments of £23 5s. and 43 annual payments of £29 15s. 8d.; that after a certain number of houses had been built, stockholders were informed that these could be purchased for £l,000, less the Government subsidy of £260, with an annual payment of £78 over a shorter period of years; that this alteration in terms has made it impossible for a number of stock subscribers in the society, many of them ex-service men of limited means, to proceed with the purchase of their houses, and that in such cases the society has refused to return to subscribers the amount of their loan; whether the conditions of purchase laid down by the society in the first place were placed before his Department before arrangements were made for the payment of the building subsidy; and if, in view of the serious hardship caused to many persons owing to this action on the part of the society, he will cause inquiry to be made into the matter to see whether any action can be taken by the Government to enforce compliance by the society with its original undertakings, or else to compel it to return moneys deposited by subscribers who are unable to carry out the revised conditions of purchase?

This society erected 18 houses with the approval of the Department under provisions of the Housing Act, 1919, relating to public utility societies, whereby annual subsidies are payable equivalent to 50 per cent. Of the loan charges until 1927, and 30 per cent. Thereafter. A sum of £350 has been paid to date. The society also erected 52 houses under the scheme for payment of subsidies (£260) to persons erecting houses under Section 1 of the Housing Additional Powers Act, and has received subsidies amounting to £13,520. My right hon. Friend is in communication with the Registrar of Friendly Societies as to the present position of this society, and will communicate further with the hon. gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the aggregate amount of assistance which has been given by the Unemployment Grants Committee towards schemes intended for the relief of distress; how many such schemes have been assisted; and how much of the original sum of money remains available for the purpose?

The Committee have authorised schemes on which the grants, on the basis of 60 per cent, of wages, would amount to £2,630,000 in respect of 2,061 schemes. Grants on the loan basis have been made in respect of a capita] expenditure of £22,600,000 for 2,415 schemes. The funds at the disposal of the Committee will be sufficient to enable grants to be given for further schemes of a total capital cost of £7,300,000.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking in respect to utilising unemployed labour economically in trade and industry when properly supplying relief to the unemployed; and will he allow municipalities, urban districts, and cities to obtain work and labour on approved trade schemes in return for such financial relief?

It is the policy of the Government to encourage the provision of work for the unemployed to the greatest practicable extent. The arrangements proposed for giving assistance to approved schemes will be explained in the course of the Debate this evening.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the latest complete figures of the expenditure of the central government upon relief work, in continuation of his figures supplied on 19th May, 1922?

I hope to be able to deal with this matter in the course of the Debate on the Address.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that tenants of houses on the Government estate at Eltham who are in arrears with their rent on account of unemployment are being summoned before the Court and being ordered to pay the rent regularly, together with 1s. a week to pay off arrears; and that most of these tenants are utterly unable to do so, and are consequently under threat of eviction; and whether, having regard to the present difficulty in obtaining employment, he will give instructions that until trade improves no action shall be taken against tenants against whom there was no complaint when they were in employment?

Generally speaking, action is only being taken in the cases in question where I am convinced either that the tenants are hopelessly in arrear and have no prospect of meeting their obligations under their agreements, or where I am satisfied that the tenants are making no serious efforts to pay their rents. There is a long waiting list of applicants for houses, and it would be unfair, not only to these applicants but also to the other tenants who do pay their rents, as well as to the taxpayer, to allow tenants to occupy houses rent free for indefinite periods such as is suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give particulars of the total number of persons unemployed at the beginning of November, the percentage rate, and the corresponding figures for November of last year?

The number registered at the Employment Exchanges in Great Britain as wholly unemployed was 1,366,774 on 6th November, 1922, and 1,630,299 on 4th November, 1921. These figures cannot be given as percentages, but the percentages unemployed in the insured trades, as shown by the numbers of unemployment books lodged, were 11·9 at the end of October, 1922, and 14·6 on 4th November, 1921.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a crofter working for wages has been held when out of employment not to be entitled to receive any benefit in respect of insurance contributions made during employment; and whether steps will be taken by which such person may be relieved from the obligation to make contributions to an insurance fund from which he can receive no benefit?

In certain cases crofters who have lost employment carried on by them in addition to attending their crofts have been held to be disqualified for benefit on account of their earnings from their crofts. Such persons, if they are ordinarily and mainly dependent on the earnings from their crofts can on application obtain exemption from the payment of the worker's share of unemployment insurance contributions in

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Government have allotted a subsidy to the guardians at Liverpool towards the reconstruction of the Walton institution for the sick and infirm poor; that such grant was made so that the work

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that one of his staff, Mr. Pullin, informed some of the unemployed workers from Cwmbran (Mon.) that unless they looked for employment in other parts of the district and presented a document to show that they had been refused work their unemployment pay would be stopped; is he aware that at Blaenavon and other parts of the valley there are thousands of unemployed; and will he instruct this particular official to give fair treatment to men who are willing and anxious to work if that work is obtainable?

I am having inquiry made forthwith, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, male and female, signing the unemployment register at the Exchanges in Batley, Morley, Ossett, and Dewsbury in the weeks ending 25th November, 1920, 1921 and 1922?

The numbers of persons signing the Unemployment Registers at the Employment Exchanges mentioned at the nearest dates for which figures are available are as follow:could be at once proceeded with and so diminish unemployment in the building trades; is he aware that, in consequence of a dispute between two trade unions, the work is being held up, the Plumbers' Union having called out all the plumbers, the dispute being whether the hot-water apparatus should be put up by a body of half plumbers and half fitters or whether the plumbers are entitled exclusively to do such work; and what steps have been taken by him in reference to the dispute and with what result?

No dispute of the nature referred to, in connection with the reconstruction of the Walton institution, has been reported to the Ministry of Labour. I am, however, having inquiries made, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend. There has, from time to time, been a considerable number of similar demarcation disputes between the Plumbers' and the Heating Engineers' Unions, and I am informed that a joint committee, consisting of representatives of the various employers and operatives' organisations concerned, has been set up and is at present considering the question with a view to avoiding the interruption of work at present caused by this type of dispute.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Trade Facilities Board is abolished; and, if so, what board or committee is functioning for the money remaining out of the £25,000,000 originally set apart to assist struggling trades or businesses?

I would ask the hon. Member to await further legislation about to be introduced on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, if special measures, financial and otherwise, are to be taken for the relief of unemployment involving the making of and improvement of roads, he will take into consideration road schemes in the north-east of Scotland, such as that of Glenfeshie?

I have been asked to reply. Any road schemes for the relief of unemployment originating in the north-east of Scotland shall be carefully considered. The case of the Glenfeshie road has engaged the attention of my Department for several years past, but although the exceptional course was taken of undertaking the preparation of surveys and estimates for the local authorities concerned, the latter will neither give financial assistance to the scheme nor undertake to maintain the road when constructed.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the large number of cases in which ex-service men are finding their provisional or conditional pensions or their treatment allowances withheld, owing either to technical informalities which the Ministry of Pensions is unable to overcome or because they are medically certified as capable of remunerative employment, which the Ministry of Labour is unable to provide for them, and seeing that the two Ministries are apparently not acting in co-operation in the matter, the Government will appoint a committee, on which both Ministries could be represented, to consider what provision, apart from the Royal Warrant governing pensions and the operations of the Employment Exchanges and unemployment insurance, could be promptly made to prevent such men from being driven to seek Poor Law relief, or to enter the workhouse in England and Wales or the poorhouse in Scotland?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I may perhaps remind the hon. Member that disablement pensions are awarded, in accordance with the terms of the Royal Warrants, solely on a medical assessment of the degree of disablement sustained by the man in consequence of his war disability. Considerations as to the earning capacity of the individual man or the conditions of the labour market were abandoned, with the approval of Parliament, as conditions governing the award of pension, in order to secure uniformity in the assessment of the same disability in men of different occupations or different circumstances. I am not aware that there is want of cooperation between my Department and the Ministry of Labour. Indeed, representatives of the War Pension Committees are now being nominated to serve on the new local bodies which are being constituted by the Minister of Labour to assist in the solution of the problem referred to by the hon. Member, and, as already announced, it is the intention of the Government to give effect to the recommendation of the recent Report of the Select Committee on Employment of Disabled Men in favour of the formation of a National Council on which my Department should be represented along with the Ministry of Labour. I am hopeful that these measures may go far to meet the difficulty to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Pensions the total amount of the grant for estimated expenditure for the year 1923; and the total amount expended respectively in payment of pensions to disabled men, widows, and children, their dependants, and in the costs of administration at head offices and throughout the various regions, exclusive of medical boards, and the amount spent in respect of medical boards?

The total estimated expenditure of the Ministry of Pensions for the current year is £89,991,000. The total expenditure in respect of men is £43,371,043; for widows and children, £20,162,000: for dependants, £8,123,000; and for officers and nurses, £6,350,857. The estimated expenditure in respect of administration is £4,606,000 inclusive of medical boards, the cost of which is estimated at £604,000 for the year.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that certain ex-temporary established women clerical officers are acting as assistant divisional superintendents without receiving the remuneration of those employed on routine clerical work; that in certain instances this has been going on for months; and whether he will now go into the question of granting substantive rank to writing assistants and junior clerical officers in his Department who have been efficiently performing duties higher than those of the grade whose pay they receive, and will also consider giving those concerned an allowance for the period during which they have been acting in supervisory and other higher positions than those normally filled by junior members of their grades?

I am not aware of any cases falling within the terms of the first part of the question. As regards the last part, it is the fact that in a few cases recently established clerical officers and writing assistants have continued to perform the duties of the posts on which they were engaged prior to establishment, as a temporary measure, pending permanent appointments being made to those posts. The question whether some additional remuneration can be paid to them is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now prepared to re-open the Departmental Inquiry into the conduct and administration of the Cardiff Employment Exchange, which Inquiry was stopped by his predecessor?

I understand that the hon. Member refers to certain representations which he made informally to my predecessor in regard to the Divisional Office at Cardiff. It is not the case that the Departmental Inquiry into the matter was stopped; on the contrary, the Inquiry was held and the necessary action was taken thereon.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of Employment Exchanges in the United Kingdom; what is the annual charge for rent or interest on capital in respect of these premises; and what is the annual cost of their administration?

The number of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at the present time is 420, exclusive of Branch Employment Offices. I am informed by H.M. Office of Works that the sum represented by rent of these premises and interest at 5 per cent, on the purchase price of those which belong to the Government is approximately £175,000 for the current year. This includes a number of temporary hirings due to the present abnormal rate of unemployment. Employment Exchanges in Ireland are not included. With regard to the annual cost of administration of Employment Exchanges, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Cardiff East (Mr. Lougher) yesterday, copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty the post-War establishment of warrant writers, commissioned writers, and paymaster lieutenants promoted from the rank of commissioned writer?

A definite post-War establishment for this branch has not yet been fixed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty when it is intended to begin the promotions from all branches of the lower deck to fill the vacancies created by the reduction effected under A.F.O. 1358 of May, 1922, and to maintain a steady flow of advancements and maintain contentment?

Fifteen promotions to acting warrant engineer were made on the 1st October last, six promotions to acting gunner, and five to acting gunner (T) on the 20th November, and six promotions to acting mate will take place almost immediately. The question of resuming promotion to meet requirements in other branches in which promotion has been suspended is under consideration, but I may say in this connection that the Special Retirement Scheme was designed only to remove surpluses on the lists, and did not in itself give rise to vacancies.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps were taken to sell H.M.S. "Hibernia" to British firms to be broken up before she was sold to a German firm?

The "Hibernia" was originally sold to a British firm in November, 1920, for breaking up in this country, but owing to the severe depression in the steel trade which occurred early in 1921 the firm did not complete the purchase. Subsequent efforts to dispose of the "Hibernia" and other large warships for breaking up in this country were defeated by the inability of shipbreakers to take the work in hand during 1921 or to pay anything but a very low price, owing to the adverse trade conditions. Eventually, owing to the urgent necessity for getting rid of surplus vessels which were occupying valuable berths in the dockyards and involving heavy maintenance charges, the vessel was sold to a British company without any condition that she should be broken up in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for War the losses incurred by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in the running of the theatres at military stations in the years 1921 and 1922; and whether this loss is borne from public funds or from the profits of the canteens which should go to the troops?

No, Sir; I am not in a position to say what loss, or whether any loss, was made by these theatres during the years in question. Obviously, however, some of the transactions of a concern of this magnitude will result from time to time in losses, but such incidental losses must naturally be set against profits in the ordinary course of business. They are not chargeable to public funds.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the large number of engine failures on the railways, due largely to undetected defects in the locomotives, and the consequent serious danger to life and property; and, having regard to the public importance and urgency of the question, whether he will consider the advisability of urging the Prime Minister to immediately appoint a Select Committee to deal with the matter?

The total number of engine failures reported to the Ministry during the first nine months of the present year has not generally been in excess of previous years. There have, however, been certain cases in which fractures of connecting rods have led to serious results, and this matter is being carefully watched by the inspecting officers of railways. I do not think that, in all the circumstances, the action suggested by the right hon. Gentleman is called for at present, although I am, I need hardly say, fully alive to the importance of the question raised.

asked the Home Secretary whether, for the purpose of reducing the physical strain borne by the police in directing street traffic, he will consider making use of the automatic device successfully adopted in the principal cities of the United States and certain of the British Dominions?

The possibility of using street towers for directing traffic has been considered in the past and is now again under consideration; but the streets in London (and in most of the busy provincial centres) do not lend themselves to the control of traffic by automatic devices to the same extent as in the United States.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport when the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles will commence its inquiry into the present system of motor taxation?

The Committee met some time ago to consider its new-terms of reference, and decided to invite representatives of bodies and interests which might be affected to submit alternative schemes of taxation for mechanically propelled vehicles. A large number of suggestions have been received, including several elaborate schemes worked out in detail. These proposals are being summarised and classified, and will be submitted to the Committee for their consideration as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that the Clauses in the Aliens Restriction Act excluding enemy aliens without special and temporary permits expire on 23rd December, in view of the serious unemployment in this country, it is the intention of the Government to extend the operation of these Clauses for a further definite period?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to introduce a, short Bill to extend the operation of the Clauses of the Aliens Restriction Act for a further period of three years to exclude enemy aliens from this country, in view of the widespread unemployment among the workmen in this country?

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government have in view any legislation or regulations to prevent alien immigrants from taking the place in this country of British subjects assisted or encouraged to migrate overseas?

In reply to these questions, I would refer to the reply I gave to a question on Monday last by the hon. and learned Member for the Ealing Division (Sir H. Nield).

asked the Home Secretary for what reason 916 former enemy aliens were permitted to land in this country under the Aliens Restriction Act of 1919 during the month of October, and what supervision was exercised to prevent the admission of undesirable persons amongst these aliens: and whether, considering the present shortage of housing accommodation and employment, he will reconsider the advisability of admitting so many aliens as this month by month?

The former enemy aliens referred to in the question were all given leave to land on special grounds in accordance with Section 10 of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919. Out of 916, 656 were admitted for business reasons and the remainder for other reasons too varied to specify. They were all subjected to close scrutiny by the immigration officers with the object of excluding undesirables and for the purpose of establishing that they complied with the statutory requirements. As regards the last paragraph of the question, I may point out that practically all these aliens were allowed to land for short periods only, and further, that during the same month of October, 1,004 former enemy aliens left this country.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the volume of unemployment prevalent in the country, the Government is prepared to re-enact, as from the 23rd December, 1922, Section 10 of The Aliens Restriction (Amending) Act, 1919, whereby no former alien enemy shall for a period of three years after the passing of the Act be permitted to land in the United Kingdom without a Government permit, to be granted only on special grounds and limited in duration to three months?

I would refer to the answer I gave on the 27th instant to a question by the hon. and learned Member for the Ealing Division (Sir H. Nield).

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the public demand for an inquiry into the prison system and the administration of His Majesty's prisons, he will appoint a Royal Commission for this purpose at an early date?

The Government will give careful consideration to this suggestion, but I am not in a position to make any announcement at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a recent case, at the Old Bailey in which a naturalised Englishman named John Berkley, an Austrian, formerly John Max Klempner, was convicted and sentenced to nine months' hard labour on each of five different counts of common assault on young women and to 12 months for an improper assault, both to run concurrently; and whether he will consider what arrangements can be made to denaturalise this man and have him deported as a danger to the community?

Yes, Sir; my attention has been called to the case and I have considered the suggestion that this man should be denaturalised. It appears, however, that he was naturalised as long ago as 1894, and I am advised that no proceedings for the revocation of his certificate are now possible.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases of anthrax and suspected anthrax in Dewsbury and district in mills using East India wools during the past five years?

The number of cases of anthrax in mills using East Indian wool in Dewsbury and the neighbouring districts of Mirfield, Heckmond-wike, Earlshcaton, Batley, Liversedge and Ravensthorpe during the past five years was 38, of which two were fatal.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether any agreement has been made with the Provisional Government or any other steps taken to provide that compensation should be paid to persons who have been compelled to leave Ireland or whose property has been confiscated owing to their loyalty to the Crown;(2) if the British Government have agreed with the Provisional Government to have a tribunal set up in England to deal with claims for compensation in respect of injuries sustained since the 11th July, 1921, made by persons whose lives would be in danger if the cases were to be heard in Ireland; and, if not, how is it proposed that these cases should be dealt with?

Discussions have taken place between His Majesty's Government and the Provisional Government on the subject of claims in respect of post-truce damage and claims not provided for under existing statutes. It is anticipated that a comprehensive scheme to deal with this matter will shortly be produced by the Provisional Government, who are not in a position to pass legislation until the Bill now before Parliament has become law; and I have no doubt that the Provisional Government will bear in mind the possibility that for some time to come certain claimants will be unable to prosecute their claims personally in Ireland. Meanwhile, I am not in a position to give more detailed information regarding the points referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of applications for assistance received by the Irish Distress Committee; the amount disbursed in relief; and if he will also state the total advances made in respect of decrees or claims for compensation through the Irish Distress Committee since the re-organisation in July last announced to Parliament by the late Colonial Secretary on 17th July of this year?

The number of applications for assistance and advice received by the Committee is 1,927, and the amount disbursed in relief is £8,344 16s. 6d.; in addition to this sum the Committee has made loans without security amounting to £8,490. The number of advances made by the Irish Office on the security of decrees or claims for compensation in accordance with the arrangements announced by the late Colonial Secretary is 151, the total sum so advanced being £35,215.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to ensure that citizens of the South of Ireland, now resident in England, can recover either interest or capital for moneys invested in Irish property and land, as since the signing of the Irish Treaty some investors have not received any payments?

It is provided by Article 73 of the Constitution that the laws in force in the Irish Free State at the date of the coming into operation of the Constitution shall continue to be of full force and effect until repealed or amended, and by Article 75 that until new courts have been established the Supreme Court of Judicature, County Courts, Courts of Quarter Sessions, and Courts of Summary Jurisdiction as at present existing shall continue to exercise the same jurisdiction as heretofore. These laws and these courts afford the usual remedies for any wrongful withholding of moneys due; and while it is true that in some parts of Ireland these remedies are not at present fully effective, I have reason to hope that they will in due course become so. If the hon. Member has in mind that His Majesty's Government should in any way guarantee the capital, or the interest thereon, of money invested in Irish property or land, I regret that they could not see their way to select this form of security for such exceptionally favourable treatment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies who is now chairman of the Irish Distress Committee?

I am glad to be able to inform the House that the Noble Lord the Member for Hastings (Lord Eustace Percy) has consented to act as chairman of the Irish Distress Committee. I take this opportunity of expressing publicly to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air, the thanks of the Government for the valuable services rendered by him while chairman of this Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies who is chairman of the Overseas Committee; whether this Committee is now housed in the Colonial Office; and to whom and where all communications regarding overseas settlement should be addressed?

As Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies I am ex-officio chairman of the Oversea Settlement Committee, just as the Secretary of State for the Colonies is ex-officio its president. I should like to take this opportunity of informing the House that it is proposed that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour should serve upon the Committee as deputy-chairman. The Committee is now housed at 3 and 4, Clement's Inn, Strand, W.C.2., and all communications for the Committee should be sent to the Secretary at that address.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give any information as to the present number of schemes agreed upon with the Dominion Governments or private organisations under the Empire Settlement Act?

Assisted passage schemes have been agreed upon with the Governments of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand. Land settlement schemes are under negotiation for Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Other schemes are under discussion with the Ontario Government and with certain voluntary organisations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken regarding the future administration of Aden?

The question of the future administration of Aden is still under discussion. I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject, and the Government of India will be fully consulted before any action is taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the strength of the present force of Arab levies in Iraq; what tribes are they composed of J what is the cost of these levies; and who pays for them?

According to the latest return the strength of the Iraq levies on 2nd November was approximately 4,800. The force is composed of Arabs, Kurds and Assyrians. The estimated cost of the levies during the current financial year is £600,000, which sum is provided in the Middle Eastern Services Vote.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the scheme for a deep-water pier in Kilindini harbour is now to be proceeded with or not?

Work has been in progress for about a year, and although the question of suspending operations has been raised locally, I have no reason to suppose that the construction of the wharf will not proceed.

asked the Postmaster-General the terms on which new telephone exchanges are now being opened in rural areas and the present tariff and rates for rural party lines?

New exchanges are being provided in rural areas at an installation rental of £2 a quarter per circuit, within a mile of the exchange, provided that at least eight subscribers are forthcoming and the cost of the line required to connect the new exchange with the existing system is not abnormally high. If 15 subscribers can be found the normal tariff charges apply. These terms cover a day service only, but it is often possible by a party line arrangement to extend the subscribers' circuits at night to an exchange open always, subject to a payment of 5s. a quarter. Two-party lines are offered at lower rates than the exclusive service charges to those who live more than a mile from an exchange. Rural party lines are provided at a charge of £1 or £1 2s. 6d. a quarter per station where three or two subscribers respectively per mile of line beyond a radius of half a mile from the exchange can be found. Rural party line rentals cover an unlimited number of calls to subscribers on the same exchange.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there are military telephones still in existence through rural areas which are now lying derelict and which might be taken over for extensions of rural services; and, if so, whether, by arbitration or other means, the questions causing delay can be immediately settled so as to give a telephone service to more rural areas?

Every known case of this kind has been examined, and where the circuit was suitable for the public service, it has been, or is being utilised, or terms on which it might be used have been quoted to the parties interested. Among cases arranged in recent months are the utilisation of derelict circuits along the Caledonian Canal; in the neighbourhood of Thurso, Cromarty and Fortrose; and between King's Lynn, Docking and Burnham Market. If the hon. and gallant Member knows of any case which has escaped treatment, I shall be happy to receive particulars.

asked the Postmaster-General why the reduction in telephone charges does not affect slot machines; whether the fact that calls on slot machines are still charged 2d., though two reductions in the price of calls on other machines, namely, 1½d. and 1¼d., have been made, is defended by the Post Office on the ground that the machine would have to be altered if the charge was reduced; why, if this be so, a rebate cannot be allowed each quarter; and will he say for how much longer he intends to overcharge slot machine holders ¾d. a call?

One reduction only has been made in the ordinary call fee, namely, from 1½d. to 1¼d., and the corresponding alteration in the charge for a slot machine would be from 2d. to 1¾d. I find, however, that this charge would be insufficient to cover the cost of operation, which is considerably increased by the use of a coin box in connection with the telephone, and I regret, therefore, that at present I am unable to reduce the charge.

asked the Postmaster-General whether all employes under the Post Office now take the oath of allegiance to the King?

In common with the rest of the Civil Service, Post Office servants are not now required to take the oath of allegiance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the poor pay of County Court officers; whether a definite official promise of reorganisation has been given to them; when it is proposed to give effect, to this; and whether steps can be taken to expedite the matter to the fullest extent?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to carry out the recommendations of Mr. Justice Swift's Committee on the work of County Courts, dated 23rd October, 1920; and, if so, when the reforms therein advocated will be put in practice?

The pay and conditions of employment of officials in county courts and the recommendations of the Committee, of which Mr. Justice Swift was chairman, have been under consideration. The settlement of a scheme for the future remuneration of the staffs has been delayed pending certain necessary preliminary arrangements, but will proceed when these arrangements, which are being expedited as far as possible, are complete.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the present price of 1s. for the Reports of Parliamentary Debates is prohibitive to many people, he will consider the possibility of making a substantial reduction in the charge so that the OFFICIAL REPORTS of Debates in this House may be available to all interested persons?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to the hon. Member for the Don Valley Division (Mr. T. Williams).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information concerning the arrest and imprisonment of 14 British subjects in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States of America, in connection with an agitation organised by the Industrial Workers of the World; whether the British subjects referred to were convicted under an Espionage Act and sentenced to terms of imprisonment from five to 20 years; and what particular act of espionage the men were guilty of?

The facts which refer to cases tried by the United States Courts more than three years ago are substantially as stated by the hon. Member except that the nationality of some of the accused is doubtful. The Act of 1917, under which these men were convicted, although called the "Espionage Act" for short, had, in reality, a much wider scope. Its full title was, "An Act to punish acts of interference with the foreign relations, the neutrality and the foreign commerce of the United States, and to punish espionage, and better to enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and for other purposes." As a matter of fact, the offences charged against these men were, in the main, concerned with opposition to, and obstruction of, the war effort of the United States. If desired, I can place in the Library of the House a volume of the proceedings in appeal from which hon. Members can obtain fuller information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the date on which the forthcoming Economic Conference will assemble has yet been decided?

If the question refers to the proposed assembly of a Conference at Brussels to deal with the question of German Reparation, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign affairs if the Government will publish a Report of the Smyrna Inquiry, as was promised by the late Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to the late hon. Member for East Nottingham (Sir J. D. Rees) on 24th May last.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he intends to take steps to amend the law of Scotland whereby the action of credit warehousmen in supplying householders with goods will be investigated, so that some amendment of the law may be brought into operation to prevent the husband from being involved in any pro- ceedings that may arise and also to prevent warehousemen from arresting the wages of any such workmen for any debts contracted unknown to them by their wives?

My Noble Friend will be glad to consider any information which the hon. Member may furnish in support of the view that there is a case for inquiry and possibly amendment of the law. He cannot, however, give any undertaking as to legislation.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, if he is aware of the difficulties that have arisen in Glasgow and the West of Scotland in regard to the feeding of necessitous school children and that the educational progress of over 10,000 children is being seriously hindered through malnutrition; and whether he will take the necessary steps to remove the obstacles in the way of education authorities carrying out their duty in this matter?

My Noble Friend is aware that difficulties have arisen in Glasgow as to the feeding of necessitous school children. He is unable to accept the figure which the hon. Member mentions, but he is considering the situation most carefully with a view to ascertaining whether, within his existing powers, he can be of assistance in adjusting the difficulties.

asked the Prime Minister when the Motion approving the draft Order on gas mantles, under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, will be set down for discussion?

This will be included in the statement, which I am making after Questions, in regard to next week's business.