asked the Minister of Pensions what is the present cost peal annum of the Irish medical board situated in Dublin; and how many patients did they examine during the period 1st July, 1921, to July, 1922?

The cost of the medical boards sitting at Dublin during the year in question was approximately £30,000, and during that period nearly 20,000 examinations were made. The average cost of each examination, as revealed by these figures, is, of course, exceptionally high and is to be accounted for by the abnormal conditions prevailing in Ireland during the period stated. The cost has already been greatly reduced.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that when a medical board reports that the disability of an applicant is attributable to War service the Ministry refuses to accept the opinion of its own officers, and opposes the application; if so, by whom is the opinion rejected; where it is rejected, is the applicant afforded another opportunity of appearing before another medical board; and, if not, what is the reason for refusing the opportunity?

The hon. Member is under a serious misapprehension as to the procedure of the Ministry. The question whether a man is entitled to any compensation at all (as distinct from the question as to the extent to which he is disabled) has never been a matter to be decided by the original medical board which either invalided the man out of the Army or considered his case under an Article 9 claim. The question has to be determined in the light of the man's conditions of service, his medical history during service, and, in some cases, before enlistment, and other considerations which, in many cases, are not medical matters at all; and, so far as the matter is a medical one, the opinion of a specialist is often necessary. On the question of title to pension, every case is, of course, carefully considered in the Regional Office by medical assessors and other officers, in the light of all the evidence available, after the board has given its opinion. If the Ministry had made a rule accepting in all cases the opinion of the first medical board on the question of entitlement, a very large number of the eases now on the pension list would not have been admitted at all, because the opinion of the first board is probably as often unfavourable to the man as favourable. With regard to the latter part of the question, it is the case that where title to pension is subsequently questioned, on the advice of a specialist or otherwise, the Ministry do not decide the case without the man having an opportunity of stating his own case before a further special medical board. I would remind the hon. Member that in every case where the Ministry reject a claim, the man has a right of appeal to the independent Appeal Tribunal under the Lord Chancellor.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. Mary Mallon, 31, Hamilton Street, Govan, was awarded a pension on the 10th December, 1918, in respect of her brother, Private James Dunlop, No. 33,708, Highland Light Infantry; that this woman had to bring up the brother owing to the death of his mother and father, and when she married she took this lad into her home and continued to bring him up, and that Mrs. Mallon received a letter on the 17th November, 1922, informing her that the pension is withdrawn and no further grant or gratuity can be made to her; whether he can state why it is that this pension should have been paid for a period of four years on the ground that she was the nearest relative and had been responsible for his maintenance prior to his enlistment; and whether he will give instructions that this case be re-opened and the payment of pension resumed to this woman?

I am glad to say that it has been found possible to restore the pension in this case for a further period.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he can remove the discrimination now obtaining between the scales of pensions and treatment meted out to regular officers compared with temporary officers suffering the same percentage of disability arising out of their service in the late War?

I cannot agree that regular officers are at a disadvantage as compared with temporary officers. In almost all cases regular officers receive half-pay rate as a permanent pension, even if disablement is slight or temporary. In cases of total disablement there is an addition of £150 to the service rate. Where the officer retired for reasons other than those of ill-health and was granted a service gratuity, but not service retired pay, he may receive as a concession disability retired pay of £100 a year.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any information?

I have had my attention called to this complicated question which involves two Departments; but my information on the subject is what I have just stated in my answer.

further asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that regular officers in receipt of £100 per annum for total incapacity caused by service in the late War who are admitted to a Ministry of Pensions hospital for treatment necessitated by their disability are charged the sum of 3ls. 6d. per week, which is deducted out of their weekly pension of 38s. 6d., leaving a bare 7s. per week upon which the families of such officers are forced to exist: and will he inquire into this matter?

The hon. Member is, I presume, referring to certain exceptional cases of regular officers who have retired for reasons other than ill-health and have been granted service gratuities—generally in lieu of retired pay. The facts are as stated, but I may remind the hon. Member that the Special Grants Committee have power to grant allowances for wife and children to an officer under treatment for a disability due to War service who is in need.

If case? of this kind are brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman, will he give them his serious and favourable consideration?

As to that, I shall be glad to consider any case brought to my notice by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in order to assist ex-service men and dependants in the most difficult task of presenting their cases before appeal tribunals, he can arrange that they shall have at their disposal free legal or expert advice and assistance, such as is afforded to defendants in the courts of law?

I regret that I am unable to recommend the adoption of this suggestion. The proposal has already been very carefully considered, both by the late Minister of Pensions and by myself, in consultation with the Lord Chancellor, but was found impracticable. Apart from objections on the ground of the heavy expense that would be entailed, it is, in my judgment, neither necessary nor desirable in the interests of appellants to introduce into the procedure of the pension appeal tribunals, a system of professional advocacy.

Would it be possible for the British Legion, or a body of that sort, to give, or provide, independent help for these cases?

Yes, Sir. The British Legion has rendered very valuable help in cases of the kind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the pensioners consider that unless they get legal advice they cannot get their cases properly considered.

On that I may say that I think it is undesirable to put in interposition of that sort. In the claims put forward we endeavour to bring out as clearly as possible the points in favour of the men.

Would the appeal tribunal be prepared to hear the presentation of the case put by, not a professional person, but someone nominated by the British Legion?

Does not the Ministry of Pensions encourage voluntary assistance?

In reply to the two right hon. Gentlemen, that is the case. We welcome any assistance given in a voluntary form to the applicants. We do not want to put ourselves in antagonism to the applicant.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the many cases of harshness, and even of injustice, in recent cases of appeal by pensioners before the pension appeal tribunals; that many men have had their pensions stopped or very much reduced, when quite unfit for work, owing to their wounds or disabilities; whether he can give the House of Commons the recent instructions sent to tribunals on the question of revisions; and whether he is considering the stabilising of all pensions?

I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion that the pensions appeal tribunals which are under the Lord Chancellor are either harsh or unjust. The tribunals are free to exercise an unfettered judgment on the merits of each case which comes before them, and I am informed that no instructions which would in any way tend to limit that power are or could be given to them. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Stone on the 30th November, and of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to his own great kindness several of these cases have been looked into and the pensions rearranged? There are many cases where injustice has been removed owing to his own efforts.

I am not aware of the particular cases to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. The procedure is as follows: When a claim is rejected by the Ministry and the man appeals, we again go into the case, and sometimes we are able to grant the application in consequence of new evidence. If we do not grant the entitlement the case goes on to the appeal tribunal, whose decision is final.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received from the metropolitan borough of Woolwich a copy of a resolution passed at a recent meeting of the borough council protesting against the action of the Ministry of Pensions in reducing the amount of pensions of disabled ex-service men, especially in those cases where a one-hundred per cent, pension had been granted, and reduced solely on the ground that the person is, in the opinion of the medical board, fit for light work without definition, thereby causing them to apply to the Employment Exchange for benefit and light work in competition with physically fit unemployed workmen who have not been compelled to change their occupation; and whether he will do his best to provide for the maintenance of men whose helpless condition has been brought about by their services to the State.

I have seen the resolution referred to. I have already dealt with this matter in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. J. Guest) on the 28th November. I may add that it is contrary to specific instructions for medical officers to certify men fit for light work, and I shall be glad to receive particulars of any cases in which the instructions on this point have been disregarded.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will make inquiries into the case of Private George Francis Gibbons, No. 705594, 23rd London Regiment, of 22, Cassiobury Road, Waltham-stow, E.17, who served with the Colours from 3rd June, 1918, to 20th February, 1919, and who, previous to his enlistment, was in good health, and was passed into the Army in category Al, but who, since his discharge, has been most of his time ill, and has been certified as suffering from tuberculosis, due to service, by the local tuberculosis officer, and who is now a chronic case, and has not received any pension or gratuity; and will he reconsider his case with a view to granting him a pension?

The Pensions Appeal Tribunal have confirmed the decision of the Ministry that the disability claimed in this case is not connected with service. I am, therefore, precluded from re-opening the case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of George Henry Sprunt, of the Somerset Light Infantry, who was called up on 18th October, 1917, sent to France, where he served until March, 1918, after which he was sent to Egypt, demobilised 20th April, 1920, and at the end of which year he was treated by a local doctor for neurasthenia; whether he is aware that this man is now in Brentwood Asylum without a pension, is classified as a pauper on the West Ham rates, and his father called upon to pay 5s. per week towards his maintenance, the pensions appeal tribunal having disallowed his claim; whether he is aware that from 1915 to 1917 this man was in regular employment and in excellent health, and was passed into the Army as Al and served as such; and, in these circumstances, will the Ministry immediately remove the man from the pauper list and treat him as one of the men for whose sufferings the nation is responsible?

The decision of the Ministry that this man's disability is neither due to, nor worsened by, service has been confirmed on appeal by the independent pensions appeal tribunal, whose decision is final.

Does the right hon. Gentleman still stick to his statement that no man who has served overseas is treated in this way—as a pauper lunatic?

I do not know to what my hon. Friend is referring to in this particular case.

The other night the hon. and gallant Gentleman said something to the effect I have stated?

In the discussion in the House on ex-service men in asylums I held in my hand six or seven cases, and said that none of these cases had served overseas.

I will send the right hon. Gentleman the statement to which I refer. Do I understand this man in my question was not enlisted as A1; if he was so enlisted, is he not entitled to a pension, and will the right hon. Gentleman give his attention to that point?

I will send the hon. Gentleman the information for which he asks. I think I ought to say that I have already been asked to go into about 200 individual cases to-day, and therefore I am not immediately in possession of all the details of each case. If the hon. Gentleman will write to me I shall be very happy to give him the information for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can say why a pension has been refused in the case of Private Benjamin Woolley, No. 9,773, 12th Lincolns, who is now confined to Mickleover asylum as a direct result of war experience, and whose wife and child are now in a destitute condition?

I am looking into this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many claims for pensions under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant by widows whose husbands have died as the result of disability due to war service have been disallowed because these men survived for more than seven years after the date of such wound, injury, or disease?

About 70 cases of this nature have arisen up to date the majority of which, however, have already been dealt with by way of pension under Article 17.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will do all that is possible to facilitate a decision being arrived at in the case of Mrs. Lucy Tomlinson, of 476, Broomhill, Glossop Road, Sheffield (late of Pilsley, near Bakewell), widow of the late Kenneth H. Tomlinson, No. 71806, Sherwood Foresters, who died on the 27th September last of tuberculosis contracted while on military service; and whether he is aware that the pension was applied for through the Sheffield war pensions committee two months ago, since which time nothing has been heard by the widow of the application?

It has been found necessary to obtain further medical information before a final decision can be given. I will see that there is no unnecessary delay in connection with the case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this woman is dependent on charity at present, and will he hasten up a decision?

We do all we can in these cases. On the available information the case could not be granted, but additional information may possibly enable a favourable decision to be arrived at.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of widows of men who have died since the War who have claimed pensions from his Department during the last 12 months; how many such pensions have been allowed and how many refused; how many of such cases have gone to appeal; and can he state what the decisions on such appeals have been?

During the last 12 months about 10,500 applications by widows for pensions have been considered, and in 5,500 cases an award of pension has been made. About 4,000 appeals by widows have been heard by the tribunals during the same period, and of these approximately 1,200 have been successful.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that notice is being sent out to dependants receiving pensions in respect of the death of a son or other relative that the War bonus hitherto paid to them is to cease on the 31st March, 1923; what is the reason for such decision; and, seeing that it is contravening the spirit, if not the letter, of the decision he has recently announced in the House, can this be reconsidered?

The 20 per cent, bonus which is payable on that class of pension to parents which is based on the amount of the support given by the deceased son to his parent before enlistment, will, in accordance with the statement already made by me in this House, not be reduced in April, 1923. In the case of pensions based on physical incapacity and need, no bonus is ordinarily payable, because the pension is based upon the circumstances of the parent at the present time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the question as to whether the bonus should be stopped in these cases. This woman has a pension in respect of her son, and her only other income is 12s. a week unemployment benefit, and this will be discontinued in March next?

I think the hon. Member should send me the details of any particular case before asking me for information.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any general instructions have been given to his Department to effect reductions in the email pensions granted to aged poor parents of deceased soldiers in cases of pecuniary need; whether he can state the number of these cases reduced during the six months ended 30th June, 1922; and, in view of the fact that the reductions in many cases are for sums less than 2s. a week, will he say what is the total saving to the State and the cost of inquiry officers and medical men and others employed to investigate these cases; and whether it is proposed to carry out this revision periodically?

No general instructions have been issued to the effect suggested. A new and improved scheme for the award and administration of this class of pension was introduced in the early part of this year. The effect of the scheme, which was generally agreed as equitable, was to increase substantially a number of the pensions while reducing some in which the circumstances did not justify the previous grant. I am not in a position to give the number of cases in which reduction or increase occurred as the direct result of this scheme. No additional staff was employed for the purpose. With regard to the last part of the question, I am glad to be able to say that one of the objects of the new scheme was to avoid the constant review of pensions which had been the previous practice. A pension is now awarded for a year at a time.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconsider the case of Private J. Corfield, No. 107,720, late Royal Air Force, now residing at Darleydale, near Matlock, who enlisted in 1914, was discharged in 1918, was married in 1916 and has three children; whether he is aware that in addition to his own pension he received a pension up to 15th November last in respect of his wife and children; whether he is also aware that the pension to his wife and children has now been discontinued; and whether he will take steps to restore the said pension?

I am inquiring into the facts of this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions what amount was paid during 1921 as advances to ex-service men who were obliged to apply to local offices for assistance owing to delay in forwarding their payment books from the office in London to local post offices: whether, in these circumstances, the expense of travelling to the local pensions office is paid by the Ministry; and whether arrangements can be made to enable the post offices to continue payment pending the receipt of draft books?

The amount asked for in the first part of the question is £270,000, which, as I pointed out to the hon. Member last Thursday, arises largely from delay on the part of pensioners in completing their life certificates. Payment in the manner suggested would not be practicable, the Post Office officials not being in a position to decide whether the applicant is entitled to pension. The expense of travelling is not defrayed by the Ministry.

Would the Pensions Minister kindly look into this matter where hardship is imposed by having to travel to and from the local pensions office I Will he meet such expenses?

I will consider that point, but I cannot give any undertaking.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of pensions committees appointed under the the War Pensions Act, 1921, and the number of local and district sub-committees in existence previously: whether he is aware that as a result of the reduction of bodies, particularly in rural areas, ex-service men have been deprived of the advice and assistance of local representatives of the Ministry in preparing their claims; and whether he can state the number of soldiers' friends appointed by his Department in accordance with the promise to the House during the Committee stages of the War Pensions Act, 1921?

The total number of war pensions committees to be established under the War Pensions Act, 1921, is 166, of which 146 have already been established and the remainder will be established by the end of the year. There were formerly 383 local committees and 649 district and local sub-committees. I am not aware that as a, result of the reduction of committees ex-service men have been deprived of advice and assistance.

One of the functions of the committees established under the Act of 1921 is to take steps to secure the assistance and co-operation of voluntary workers, particularly in rural districts, and the committees are now taking steps to this end. These voluntary workers will act in every way as soldiers' friends.

Will the right hon. Gentleman hasten the arrangements, because I can assure him that there is hardship?

I have been going into that matter. I am proceeding with the formation of these groups of voluntary workers as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of officials employed by the Ministry in the administration throughout the country previous to the passing of the present Pensions Act and the number employed by the administration at present, with the comparative costs for the two periods; and the number of persons receiving pensions for the two periods named?

Excluding the staff of Ministry hospitals and other institutions, the total staff paid by the Ministry, including the staffs of local committees, at the end of the June quarter, 1921, was 23,329, and at the end of the September quarter, 1922, 19,509, a reduction in this staff of 3,820. The average monthly cost at the same periods was £476,000 and £343,000, respectively. The number of beneficiaries at those dates was 3,320,000 and 2,620,000, respectively.

asked the Minister of Pensions what type of case of tuberculosis in which a man is under treatment is entitled to special diet allowance in addition to the usual allowance?

Where a man suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis is in receipt of full allowances under Article 6, he may in addition receive a special allowance if lie was previously in receipt of the allowance, as an advanced case, and the man's condition and circumstances are considered to justify it.

Seeing the great dissatisfaction which exists with regard to the treatment of these cases, will the right hon. Gentleman take measures to remove some of the harshness which surrounds them in order that justice may be done to them?

These cases were gone into a few weeks ago, and the hardships were met.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the case of ex-officers suffering from a 100 per cent. disability who are stated to be dying from this disease, and can no remedy be found?

I am not aware of any e ex-officers suffering for a 100 per cent, f disability who are receiving no assistance e whatever. If the hon. Member will send y me any such cases I will inquire into them.

I sent a letter to the right hon. Gentleman yesterday giving two such cases.

I will go into the matter, and send the hon. Member an answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of gassed men as well?

Yes, I will consider that point.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Thomas Perry, No. 6891. 7th Dragoon Guards, residing at 8, Addison Street, Wednesbury, was, until recently, in receipt of a disability pension of £2 per week; that he suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis and gastric ulcer; that the medical board reported that the gastric ulcer had passed away but the pulmonary tuberculosis remained; that his pension has been reduced to 12s. per week; that the tuberculosis doctor at the Wednesbury Tuberculosis Board Clinic states Perry must not do more than two hours' light work per day; and whether in view of these facts, he will have this case reconsidered?

In the short time available I have not been able to complete my inquiries into this case. I will communicate with the hon. Member at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that there is a grave feeling of apprehension amongst a section of ex-service men employés of the Great Western Railway Company at Newport as to the right of the company's officials to inquire the amount of dis- ability pension they have received or are receiving; whether he can state the reason for such inquiries; and if he can give an assurance that his Department has not given any instructions in this connection?

I have no knowledge of any such action on the part of the Great Western Railway Company, and I can assure the hon. Member that no instructions in the sense suggested have been issued by my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Ministry intend to withdraw the grants made by the Special Grants Committee towards the education of children of soldiers who died in the War; and,, if so, before finally deciding, will he take steps to secure the opinion of the House on the matter?

I am glad to assure the hon. Member that there is no intention of withdrawing any educational grants properly given by the Special Grants Committee under their Regulations.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether protests have been received from large numbers of ex-service men and others against the withdrawal of pensions to widows and orphans whose husbands and fathers died more than seven years after discharge; and will he consider the withdrawal of Article 11, which gives the right to do so?

I would refer the hon. Member to the detailed answer on this subject which I gave to the hon. Member for West Walthamstow (Mr. McEntee) on the 30th November, and of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the estimated cost to the Ministry of the appeals by friends of the 700 ex-service men now or recently in asylums and chargeable to the local guardians of the poor; and whether, seeing that the cost of present- ing the cases of these unfortunate men before the appeal tribunals is an unnecessary public expense, he will, in the case of mentally deficient men received into the Service by mistake and retained even for a short time, agree that the responsibility for the error should be accepted by the Ministry of Pensions and not transferred to local guardians of the poor?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. For the reasons already stated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham West on the 28th November, I do not see my way to accept the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his decision to continue treatment to the 700 ex-service men who have become chargeable to the Poor Law as paupers, until the Tribunal have given their decision, includes the payment of allowances to wives and children on the usual scale: and whether this decision will have effect as from the date on which it was first decided to allow these ex-service men to become pauper patients?

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

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can see his way to supply the names of the civil and Army practitioners who passed for enlistment, during the late War, men who have since been certified as insane and who are now treated as pauper lunatics?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am afraid no records are available which would enable me to give the hon. Member the information for which he asks.

Is it not a fact that such cases were passed for enlistment and afterwards certified as insane? Would it not be as well to inquire into the whole question?

I am afraid that there are no records available.

Would it be possible to obtain them from the Ministry of Health?

asked the Prime Minister whether any protests have been received by him from local war pensions committees against the attitude of the Government in placing mentally deficient ex-service men on the Poor Law guardians, and the number of protests so received?

As far as I am aware, I have received one protest. The Ministry of Pensions has, I am informed, received eight.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will agree to immediately set up arbitration machinery in his Department for the temporary ex-service staff; and that all breakdowns between the official and staff sides be referred to that body?

The existing machinery provides opportunity for the fullest discussion between the official and staff sides of all questions respecting the employment of the temporary ex-service staff, and I do not see my way to add to this machinery by setting up a special Departmental arbitration board.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that education authorities are in many instances contemplating the dismissal of married women teachers; that non-provided schools are expected to follow suit; that closing the doors to married women teachers will result in encouraging other employers of women labour to dismiss their married employés; and that, if this course is persisted in and universally adopted, it will result in dismissing possibly some of the best teachers; and whether, in view of the growing resentment that is developing amongst teachers on this account, he will take steps to advise local authorities to refrain from adopting this course?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I can express no opinion. The principal reason for the action on the part of certain local authorities in terminating the employment of married women teachers is a reluctance to employ such teachers at a time when other teachers who are dependent on their profession for a livelihood are unable to find employment. I have no authority to prevent local education authorities from exercising their discretion in the matter, but I believe they will exercise it with discrimination and humanity.

Should it not be a question of getting the best teachers?

Is it not the fact that these dismissals have been made in order to provide employment for ex-service men? [HON. MEMBERS: "NO, no!"]

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the city of Leicester education authority has reduced its original estimate of £3,500 for feeding of necessitous children down to £1,000; and will he use his influence to get the decision reversed?

A return from the local education authority for Leicester, dated 29th November, 1922, puts the authority's revised estimate for provision of meals at £1,900. The figure £1,000 is the sum on which the Board have agreed to pay grant. I cannot adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is costing the town of Barrow at the rate of £19,000 a year to give school children even one meal a day?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Ministry has received from any education authorities protests against the limitation of the grant for the feeding of necessitous school children; if so, how many; and whether any of these protests come from authorities, and if so, which, in districts which are recognised as being necessitous areas?

The Board have received protests from 51 local education authorities. Of these, seven are from authorities of highly-rated areas in which an additional grant is payable under Article 6 of Grant Regulations No. 1, and which are usually described as necessitous areas for purposes of the Board's administration.

Are not the education authorities bound to feed children who are too necessitous to take advantage of their education?

Is it not the fact that in consequence of the attitude taken up by the Board of Education in reducing the grants for feeding children, the local authorities have been compelled to provide the children with the necessary food?

I will put that point to my right hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that Circular 1259 has aroused many protests from local authorities as calculated to hamper them in the provision of secondary education, he will withdraw this circular?

The answer is in the negative. I cannot defend the anomaly under which the Exchequer is liable to bear a larger proportion of the cost of a school which is aided by an authority, than of a school which is provided by the authority.

Will my hon. Friend appeal to the Education Minister to withdraw a circular which, to say the least, is not worthy of such an enlightened and progressive Government as the present?

I will convey what the Noble Lord suggests to my right hon. Friend.

May I ask why the questions to the Board of Education are not being answered by the Education Minister?

My right hon. Friend is engaged on official duties at Worcester.

asked the President of the Board of Education if it is the present policy of the Board of Education that His Majesty's inspectors are no longer required or encouraged to submit reports as to the efficiency or otherwise of the untrained teachers appointed by local education authorities or by the managers of non-provided schools; and, seeing that such policy of the Board is calculated to involve a waste of public moneys through the employment of incompetent teachers, will he reconsider it?

The Board have not issued, nor do they intend to issue, any such instructions or suggestions to their inspectors; the second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the London Education Authorities have engaged 100 new entrants as teachers, while many teachers are out of employment?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give the number of hours per day on duty, the length of vacation, and the salary earned by a headmaster and mistress of a public elementary school of over 200 scholars in 1922, as compared with 1913?

The usual period during which public elementary schools are actually open for instruction is five-and-a-half hours for older scholars and five hours for infants. The interval between school terms usually amounts to eight or nine weeks. With regard to the average salary, I cannot, without disproportionate labour, give separate figures for schools with over 200 scholars: the average salaries of head teachers of all schools were, in 1913–14, £177 for men and £126 for women, and in the current financial year, £411 for men and £327 for women.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the supply of qualified teachers is now greater than is the demand for their services; and, having regard to the cost to the taxpayer which their training has necessitated, what relief to the taxpayer under this head can be anticipated in the next financial year?

The question of the supply of teachers is receiving careful consideration. I anticipate that the sum which will be required for the training of teachers in the next financial year will be less than the sum required in the current year or last year, but I cannot make any definite statement in anticipation of the Board's Estimates.

Is the supply of qualified teachers greater than the demand?

May it not be that the supply of teachers is too large at present because of the Government policy in enlarging classes and not giving the children in elementary schools proper education?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the number of juveniles out of employment, he will, in conjunction with the Minister of Labour, institute classes similar to those provided during the period of demobilisation after the War?

asked the Minister of Labour if, in his contemplated schemes for dealing with unemployment, he is making any provision for the training, education, or employment of boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 18, and, if so, what; and is he aware that the children are leaving the elementary schools at the rate of 50,000 a month and that in many cases no occupation can be found for them, with disastrous consequences on their future?

I have been asked to reply. As stated yesterday in my reply to the Noble Lady the Member for Plymouth (Viscountess Astor), I am at the moment considering, in consultation with, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, what steps can be taken to deal with juvenile unemployment, but I am not yet in a position to give any further information.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Federation of British Industries and the National Confederation of Employers are meeting this month to consider the whole question of insurance by industries and to report on it, he will reconsider his decision not to investigate and, if advisable, legislate on this proposal next year?

While it is right that it should be investigated, I do not think such a proposal could be carried out except in normal times.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give the House an early opportunity of discussing the petition from the unemployed marchers asking that representatives of the organised unemployed may be hoard at the Bar of the House?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable number of Members on both sides of the House have signed the petition asking that this may be done?

Yes, I am aware of that.

Has the right hon. Gentleman definitely made up his mind that he is not going to receive a deputation under any circumstances?

I do not think any statement could be more clear than the one I made to the House on that occasion.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to listen to a small deputation of Members from all parts of the House on the subject?

I am always willing to see deputations of Members of the House on any subject, but in the present pressure of business, apart from anything else, I cannot promise to do so on a subject which has already been so much discussed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether overtures have been made to his Department for financial assistance to enable certain improvements to be carried out at the South West India Docks, Poplar, thereby creating work for the unemployed; whether his Department proposes to give such assistance; and, if not, will he bring these, proposals to the notice of the Cabinet Committee on Unemployment?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend understands that the late Government was inquiring whether the Port of London Authority were in a position to put in hand any of the developments which they had in contemplation, including the scheme referred to, and, as stated in reply to the hon. Member's question yesterday by my hon. Friend, further inquiries are being made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Trade Facilities Advisory Committee has reported in favour of a guarantee for a bond issue of 18,000,000 dollars in respect of the erection of a mill in Newfoundland for the production of newsprint paper; whether such Report has been approved by His Majesty's Government; and whether he is aware that on the 23rd October, 1922, there were 4,419 workers in British paper mails on the books of the Labour Exchanges as totally unemployed?

I have nothing to add to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Department of Overseas Trade on Tuesday night.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what percentage of officers in the Royal Air Force hold aeroplane pilots' certificates?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a reply that was given upon this subject on 27th February last. The percentages do not seem to have materially altered since that date, but I will send my hon. Friend the most recent statistics in the course of a few days.

Does not the question refer to the existing number of officers and not the number a year ago?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any further progress has been made as regards using the River Thames, near Westminster, for an air station: whether it is proposed now to have such a station on the River Thames; and, if not, is it proposed to establish an air station at any other place near the centre of London so as to save the delay in reaching the present station at Croydon?

The reply to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative, but any machine can alight on the Thames at Westminster provided that prior sanction is obtained. With regard to the third part, the possibility of establishing an air station closer to the centre of London than Croydon is being at present explored by the Civil Aviation Advisory Board.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government proposes to carry out such of the economies recommended by the Geddes Committee as were not effected by the late Government?

All these recommendations are being carefully considered by the Government.

Are we to understand that the Prime Minister is going to re-introducc the Economies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Pill early next Session?

I should like to have notice of that question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman arrange to let the House have, in the form of a Command Paper, the result of the inquiries made by two Departmental Committees in the last Parliament and the result also of the researches now being conducted by the Government, so that the information may be available for Members before the discussion of the Estimates next year?

I will see how much of that information can be given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will be able to effect such economies as to be able to reduce taxation in the forthcoming Budget?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the Budget statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether, when sending invitations to the Governments of the Dominions to the proposed Imperial Economic Conference, he will request them to bring considered schemes of development in the different Dominions in addition to proposals in connection with the stimulation of trade between their countries and Great Britain?

The invitations to the suggested Imperial Economic Conference were, as I have already informed the House, sent out to the Dominions and India last week. I think that it would be premature to make any statement as to the agenda of the Conference until the replies have been received, but I can assure the hon. Member that the important subject to which he refers has not been lost sight of.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of including in any conference which may take place on trade questions the, representatives of those great British communities upon whom in important overseas markets, as those of South America, the task of re-establishing and sustaining the trade of Great Britain and the Dominions rests?

I do not think that it would be wise to enlarge the scope of the Conference in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister if, when he is considering the extension of Section 1 of the Local Authorities (Financial Provi- sions) Act, 1921, he will at the same time take into consideration the desirability of giving corresponding relief to local authorities outside the Metropolitan Poor Law area?

If the hon. Member has any practical suggestion to make for giving effect to this proposal, my right hon. Friend will be happy to consider it.

Is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that proposals have been laid before the Department that would enable these grants to be made, and will he ask the Minister to refresh his memory as to what has happened?

I do not think my right hon. Friend's memory needs refreshing on this subject.

Where is he?

If, however, the hon. Member will present personally any suggestions, my right hon. Friend will, as I have said in my reply, be glad to consider them.

Will he go to a necessitous area for a constituency?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government in tends, during the present Session, to bring in legislation extending the life of Section 1 of the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will, before this Parliamentary Session ends, introduce legislation that will carry over Section 1 of the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921, to the re-assembling of Parliament, in order to safeguard against the bankruptcy of the poorer boroughs which would follow should the Act lapse at the end of this month?

As I have previously stated, the general question is receiving consideration at the present time, but it will not be possible to initiate legislation in the present Session. If the Government decide that legislation is required it will be introduced next Session and made retrospective.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake, in the event of legislation being introduced and being retrospective, as promised, that the Government auditor shall not make his visit before the Royal Assent is given to any such action?

I will represent that to my right hon. Friend.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman also represent to the Minister, who is not here, this I Will the Minister of Health continue to make the necessary money advances to enable the poorer boroughs to carry on their work until the legislation is passed? Will you inform the right hon. Gentleman that these poorer districts are unable to pay unless the money comes from the Common Poor Fund or from the Treasury, as now?

I will let my right hon. Friend know that this evening.

asked the Prime Minister if the British Government has agreed to the decision not to accept representatives of the Republic of Georgia at Lausanne unless they come as part of the Russian delegation; and, if so, is the British Government aware that the people of Georgia do not recognise the Bolshevist invaders and that the present occupation of Georgia by the Bolshevists is a gross violation of pledges given guaranteeing the independence of the Republic?

The invitation to the Georgian Government to send representatives to Lausanne was conveyed through the Russian Government, with the suggestion that Georgian delegates should accompany the Russian delegation. This plan was adopted because the only means of communication with the Georgian Government lies through Moscow, and also because Georgian interest in the Lausanne negotiations is analogous to that of Russia. His Majesty's Government declined to admit the right of the exiled Georgian Government to representation at the conference. In regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. O'Connor) on the 19th December of last year, and to that given to the hon. Member for Clitheroe on 2nd March last.

On a point of Order. Is it in order for a Minister to refer to questions asked in the last Parliament?

Certainly.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement as to the position of the negotiations at Lausanne in regard to safeguarding the absolute freedom of the Straits?

Negotiations in regard to the Straits question are still going on and I can make no statement at present.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the statement of the British Foreign Secretary, made yesterday to the First Commission at Lausanne, that with reference to the International Commission for the demilitarisation and control of the Straits it has yet to be decided whether or not it shall work under the auspices of the League of Nations; and whether, in view of the excellent results achieved by the League Demilitarisation Commission in the case of the Aaland Islands, he will instruct the Foreign Secretary that it is the wish of this country that the work should be carried out under the auspices of the League.

The statement reported in the Press by the Foreign Secretary, of which I have no official information, does not preclude the association of the League of Nations, and I am sure the House will feel that while these very difficult negotiations, in which so many nations are involved, are going on, it is impossible for me to make any statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the serious disabilities under which many questions affecting the administration of matters connected with poor relief, health, and housing are dealt with in the absence of the Minister of Health from the House; and what steps does he propose to take to remedy this state of affairs, in view of the problems confronting many local authorities at the present time.

I quite realise the disadvantage of the absence from the House of my right hon. Friend, but I hope that it will not be of long duration.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of answering questions himself in the absence of the Minister of Health? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]

Is there any truth in the statement that the present Minister of Health has resigned his position?

None whatever.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed that the Minister for Health should become a Member of the House of Commons; and, if so, when?

Yes, Sir, as soon as arrangements can be made.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has seen the report that a Naval Commission from the United States comprising 30 officers will arrive in Rio de Janeiro in January; and whether any steps are being taken to study and to protect British maritime interests in Brazil and in South America generally?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. I understand that the American Naval Mission to Brazil, consisting of 16 officers and 19 Chief Petty Officers, is due to leave the United States of America for Brazil on the 9th December. With regard to the second part of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that it was only owing to the financial exigencies of the time that the South American Squadron was withdrawn. Two battle cruisers were, however, sent to Rio de Janeiro during the recent Brazilian Centenary Celebration, and the question of His Majesty's ships visiting South American ports at more frequent intervals is being carefully considered. The re-appointment of Naval Attachés to South American countries is also being reviewed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the appointment of a senior naval officer as accredited Naval AttachétoBrazil?

That is in the answer I have read.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that our exchange with the United States was at the highest point since the War on Monday last; that, so far as can be ascertained in comparison with other countries, we have most unemployment, bankruptcies, and suicides; and if he proposes taking any action in the matter of arresting the deflation in our currency with a view to helping employment?

In view of the relative steadiness of commodity prices in recent months, I am not satisfied that deflation in our currency is now in fact taking place. The action which the Government, propose to take to meet unemployment has already been explained to the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement on the subject of the Irish Boundary Commission?

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General said on this subject in the course of the Debate on the 28th November.

Are we right in assuming that Article 12.of the Treaty stands and binds the Government?

Certainly; we accepted the whole Treaty; but, as my right hon. Friend said, I think that nothing but disadvantage can come from discussion of it at the present time.

(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that statements have been made in an Irish newspaper (the "Irish Times"), of 4th December, to the effect that on Saturday morning 65 wounded British soldiers were removed in ambulances to Carlisle Pier, Kingstown, and transferred to s.s. "Anglia" en route to England, and that of these 30 were stretcher cases; whether he has any statement to make?

These soldiers were not wounded, but merely some of the sick who are being evacuated from Southern Ireland in the ordinary course in connection with the withdrawal of troops from the Free State territory.

asked the Prime Minister what is the actual number by which the personnel of the Cabinet Secretariat has been reduced since the 1st November, 1922; what particular position in the Secretariat staff was held by each person whose services have now been dispensed with; how many persons whose services have now been dispensed with have been transferred to other Departments; and what saving will be made by reason of the reductions effected?

The answer to the first part of the question is 35: of the 35, I was an administrative assistant, 19 were clerks, 6 typists, 5 messengers, and 4 cleaners; 19 persons have been transferred to other Departments. A saving on the Vote of, approximately, £20,000 per annum will be effected by the reductions already made or in contemplation.

Has the former practice of using the Secretariat for conducting foreign negotiations been abandoned?

Absolutely.

Does my right hon. Friend suggest that it has ever been used for that purpose?

Not to my knowledge.

Are we to understand that the £20,000 is irrespective of the cost of those who have been transferred to other Departments, or is that a net saving?

I have read the answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the limitation imposed upon the London Conference in July and August by the issue of the Balfour Note, he is now in a position to state that the Government is no longer bound by that declaration, so that the forthcoming Conference of Prime Ministers may be enabled not merely to deal with temporary expedients but to discuss the lines of a permanent settlement of reparations?

I have already said that I am prepared to discuss the question in all its aspects at the forthcoming meeting of Allied Prime Ministers.

asked the Prime Minister whether Sir William Tyrrell was recently in Paris on behalf of His Majesty's Government; whether his mission concerned France's projected plans in connection with the Rhine provinces and the Ruhr; whether, in the course of his stay in Paris, Sir William Tyrrell saw the President of the French Republic; why this Foreign Office official was employed instead of the usual channel of communication; and whether he will inform the House what agreement has been suggested or arrived at between the two Governments?

I cannot undertake to give the House information respecting the movements of individual British officials. With regard to the last part of the question, as I have already stated, no agreement has been arrived at or even suggested. This is the subject which will be considered at the forthcoming Conference of the Allied Prime Ministers.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that we are entitled to know what the policy of the Government is on this very vital question?

How can I express the policy on proposals which are going to be made to me by other Governments before I have seen them?

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say what are the views of His Majesty's Government, or have not they got any?