asked the Prime Minister whether he now has any information regarding the plans of the French Government for the occupation of a portion of the Ruhr Valley and the setting up of a French administration there and in the other occupied areas on the Rhine; and whether His Majesty's Government has been consulted in the matter?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to assure the House that any information received on this matter will be given to this House before we disperse?

That is certainly, I think, putting it too broadly; any information which it is possible to give to the House will certainly be given.

Is not the Government bound by the statement of policy of the late Government that they will not participate in military operations?

I am not aware that the late Government made any such statement. What was said was limited, if I am not mistaken, to a particular proposal. This must not be taken as meaning that I am expressing any opinion.

Would it not strengthen the hands; of the Government if the matter were discussed here before the Adjournment?

I am sorry to say that I do not think so.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Cabinet has considered any policy which it can place before the meeting of the Allied Premiers to take place in London relative to German indemnities; and whether he will take an opportunity of informing this House before the Conference the policy he proposes in the interests of this country?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in conferring with the Prime Ministers of France and Italy, he will make it clear that any cancellation of debts must be conditional upon fixing reparation at a moderate and definite figure, the evacuation of the Rhine provinces, and the limitation of all armament by a ratified pact, in order to ensure an enduring peace and enable European civilisation to recover?

It is obvious that as I am meeting the Prime Ministers without having had the opportunity of seeing any suggestions which are to be made, I can make no statement at present?

In view of that reply, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise this question on the Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill.

Will the Government consider the advisability of urging a withdrawal from the right bank of the Rhine, which is occupied in total disregard of the Treaty of Versailles?

The hon. Member must realise that it is impossible for me to make any statement in advance on a question of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is able to announce a change of policy which will lead to an early termination of our commitments and consequent expenditure in Iraq?

I am not yet in a position to make any announcement on this subject, and I do not think that it will be possible to make any statement this Session.

asked the Prime Minister whether, from the point of view of relieving unemployment, as well as increasing transport facilities between this country and the Continent, he will take up with France the question of the construction of the Channel Tunnel?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the prevailing condition of unemployment and the great volume of work which would be provided, both directly and indirectly, he can now state the decision of the Government with respect to the Channel Tunnel?

No, Sir. No decision has yet been taken, and I am not at present prepared to consider this question.

Has not this question been under consideration for the past three years, and can the right hon. Gentleman say when something is going to be done?

I know that it has been under consideration for a very long time, but I do not think the present financial condition of the country warrants it. The amount involved will be very small indeed.

Is it not a fact that the money required for the construction of this tunnel was put up entirely by private enterprise?

When the Government is looking for a solution of the unemployment problem, will they take into account the amount of work that could be provided by the construction of a tunnel to New Zealand?

asked the Prime Minister (1) what action, if any, the Government propose taking to remove the penalty on thrift imposed on old age pensioners under the present Old Age Pensions Acts;

(2) If the Government will be prepared to allow a free Vote of the House, as did the late Government, on the removal of the anomalies of the present Old Age Pensions Acts, which penalise those who have been thrifty enough to earn an income of, approximately, £50 per year?

Is it not a fact that certain individuals are paying all the expenses?

Is it possible to give instructions by administrative action that the pensions officer shall not take into account goods given by relatives?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the Bedwellty Poor Law Guardians passed a resolution at a meeting last March, recommending that the Government should take over the rights of royalty owners in the country and utilise the receipts in respect of royalties arising therefrom in relieving boards of guardians of the financial responsibility of relieving distress caused through unemployment; whether he is aware that relief to the unemployed has trebled the poor rate in this area and has overwhelmed the area with debt; and, in view of the Government pledge arising out of the Report of the Coal Commission, will he bring in a Bill on the reassembling of Parliament, next February, to take over the mineral rights of royalty owners and utilise the receipts to relieve local taxation?

I am aware of the resolution referred to and of the heavy expenditure of the Bedwellty Board of Guardians on the relief of distress, but I regret that the suggestion contained in the last part of the question is impracticable.

Did the previous Government give a pledge that they would nationalise royalties?

With a view to relieving the rates, any proposal made for the nationalisation of royalties was made on the basis of paying for them. If that be so, there is no way of doing it except by raising the rates.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is yet in a position to make any statement relative to the appointment of a member of the Government responsible to this House for the administration of the Scottish Office?

No, Sir. I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to questions on this subject on Monday last.

If the Prime Minister cannot find a Secretary for Scotland, will he consider the expediency of giving Scottish Home Rule immediately?

The hon. Member has rather misunderstood the answer. We have had no difficulty in finding a Secretary for Scotland, and we have one now. The difficulty we have had is to find a seat for the Lord Advocate, which I hope will soon be overcome.

Can the right hon. Gentleman put a possible date to the period when he expects to overcome this difficulty?

That depends upon other people.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the national resources of the country, the productive capacity of the country and how far it can be increased by scientific methods, the extent to which the country is dependent upon foreign imports, and any other information necessary to show the present financial and productive resources of the nation?

I do not think that an inquiry of such wide scope could be suitably carried out by a Royal Commission.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is able to make any statement with regard to the suggestion that a secret military agreement has been entered into between the German Government and the Soviet Government of Russia?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has any information as to a naval and military agreement having been entered into between Germany and the Russian Soviet Government, and to the effect that large numbers of aeroplanes are being manufactured or assembled in Russia to German order; that munitions of war are being manufactured in Russia for Germany under the direct supervision of German officers; and that provision is made in the German Army Estimates for special pay and allowances for such officers?

I have no information to confirm the suggestions in these questions.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had an opportunity of looking at the German Estimates, and, if so, is there any provision made for the payment of those officers in Russia?

I think not.

asked the Prime Minister whether, up to the time of his resignation as Postmaster-General six weeks ago, Mr. Kellaway, on behalf of the Government, was in negotiation with the Marconi Company which he has since joined; and whether, in the public interest, it will be made a condition of service under the Crown that no Minister or civil servant should, within a period of five years after resignation, enter the service of any private enterprise with which he had been in negotiation on behalf of the Government?

As regards the first part of the question, the facts are, I believe, as stated in Mr. Kellaway's letter which appeared in the Press to-day. I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

Is it not a fact that transactions are continually passing between the Postmaster-General and the Marconi Company?

Is it in order for an hon. Member to read supplementary questions?

I am not reading them.

I have asked the Post Office, and they reply that the facts are as stated in Mr. Kellaway's letter.

Is it not a fact that the late Postmaster-General concluded more than one agreement with the Marconi Company, which resulted in profits to the company and consequent loss to the State?

I think that is denied in the letter to which I have referred.

asked the Prime Minister whether the committee to consider and make recommendations for the continuance of the Rent Restrictions Act will be re-appointed before the Adjournment; and is he in a position to give the terms of reference?

The Departmental Committee appointed by the late Government is being reconstituted, with the same terms, of reference, namely,

"to consider the operation of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest, etc. (Restrictions) Act, and to advise what steps should be taken to continue or amend that Act."

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of old horses shipped from this country to Belgium and other continental ports during the present year; and what is the total declared value of such animals?

As the reply is rather long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether be is aware that on the 23rd February, 1922, the medical officer of health for the Rural District of Epsom reported to the county medical officer of health that certain cottages erected in 1921 on the Sheep and Wells farms, in the parishes of Banstead and Woodmansterne, contained rooms that were unfit for human habitation and asking for immediate attention; that the county medical officer of health for Surrey inspected and agreed; that the rural council medical officer communicated with the county land agent on 27th May, 1922, complaining that nothing had been done to remedy the evils; that on 22nd June this was followed by another letter enclosing copy of a letter from the medical practitioner attributing the illness of his patients to the condition of the houses; and that on the 23rd November, 1922, the medical officer of health for the rural district served notice on the county land agent that four of the cottages were unfit for human habitation; whether the attention of the Ministry of Agriculture has been drawn to the condition of affairs and, if so, when; what action is proposed in view of the financial liability of the Ministry for these land settlement schemes to trace the cause of these defects in new cottages; and whether any and, if so, what action is proposed to be taken to make the cottages habitable?

The attention, of the Ministry has not hitherto been drawn to the action of the medical officer of