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.