asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that in England and Wales the majority, 1,371 out of 2,431, and in Scotland the great majority, 236 out of 333, of local authorities were shown in the "Labour Gazette" for January as not being on the King's Roll; and what steps he proposes to take to prevail on these local authorities to qualify for inclusion on the Roll?

In the case of the smaller local authorities there is considerable difficulty in complying with the conditions for membership of the King's Roll, but when all allowance has been made for this, the position is by no means as satisfactory as it might be. I say that, frankly, the question of the further steps which should be taken with regard to local authorities generally is one which falls within the province of the King's Roll National Council, and I should, of course, consider very carefully any recommendation that the council might make on the subject.

Will my right hon. Friend give the names of the local authorities which have not subscribed to the King's Roll?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that local authorities give work to men, not because they were in the Army but. because they are citizens, and have obligations to carry out?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department has declared its willingness to make arrangements for the training of disabled ex-service men as shorthand-typists; and whether anything has yet been done in this direction?

A number of ex-service men have been, and are being, trained to commercial subjects, including, in many instances, shorthand-writing and typewriting. It is not thought advisable to train men as shorthand-typists only, as the prospects of their being satisfactorily employed subsequently are not favourable. A few men have been trained as press reporters.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that cases have occurred in which women have been substituted in various Departments, have then received a training grant from the Ministry of Labour, and, on conclusion of such training, have been reposted to Departments in the capacity of shorthand-typists; and why a similar arrangement could not be made immediately applicable to ex-service men?

A few women discharged from Government Departments have received a training grant from the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment, and have subsequently obtained Government posts as shorthand-typists in open competition. There was no arrangement when they were dis- charged that they should be re-employed as typists. As is the usual practice of commercial firms, shorthand-typing is generally regarded by Government Departments, in accordance with the Lytton Report, as being work proper to women.

Has the opinion of the men in question been asked?

asked the Minister of Labour what are the reasons for terminating, before the time agreed upon with the trainees, the period of instruction irk watch and clock repairing of disabled ex-service men at the Government instructional factory, Bolton Road, Salford; and whether he can see his way clear to reconsider this matter, which is causing dissatisfaction amongst ex-service men so affected?

The original course of training in watch and clock repairing was for 12 months only, all of which was in a training centre. This was subsequently extended to 18 months in a training centre, but after some experience of the extended course it was decided in May, 1922, on the express recommendations of the National Trade Advisory Committee for the Gold, Silver and Allied Trades, that in the interests of the trainees themselves the final six months of the training period should in all cases be spent in an employer's workshop. In no case is the period of training with maintenance less than 18 months. In addition, the 12 months in a training centre may be extended up to a maximum of 15 months, if an improvership with maintenance is not immediately available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of referring Question 75 to Moscow?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the women still retained in the claims and record office at Kew are doing precisely the same work as was done up to a few weeks ago by ex-service men now dismissed, and why they were retained in preference to the men.

As I have already stated, the temporary women retained in the Claims and Record Office are all doing work of a routine and semi-manipulative character, graded as below the ordinary clerical standard, and normally performed by women, or are supervising the women engaged on that work. These arrangements are in accordance with the terms of the Lytton Report. A limited number of temporary ex-service men have been employed from time to time on this low-grade work, and a few are at present so employed, as I am very anxious to avoid the discharge of ex-service men wherever possible, but., while I have. agreed to this employment as an emergency arrangement, I can hold out no hope of its extension.

Were any of the ex-service men who were dismissed in-efficient?

I should require notice of that question.

Are not some of these women ex-service women who did service in the War?

asked the Minister of Labour what steps, if any, have been taken to check the statements of the women employed at the Kew Claims and Record Office that they are all hardship cases and entirely dependent upon their earnings?

A full investigation into the personal circumstances of each of the temporary women serving at Kew, and into the statements made by them, was conducted by the Director of Establishments for the Ministry, assisted by a woman officer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to a strike of farm labourers at Tudlow and Wrestlingworth against a reduction of wages from 24s. to 21s. 3d. pew week, the rent of the council houses being les, 4d. per week; and whether, since it is not possible for a man to keep himself, his wife, and four children, and pay rent on this wage, he will take action in the matter?

I have been asked to reply for the Minister of Agriculture. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Taunton on the 26th February, he is aware of the dispute in question and has placed the services of one of his officers at the disposal of the parties with a view to assisting them in arriving at a settlement. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the rents charged for the council houses, nor whether any of the labourers concerned occupy such houses at the rent stated.

Will the hon. Member put the matter to the test as to whether it is possible to live on 10s. 11d. a week and keep a wife and four children?

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled ex-service nurses have completed courses of training; and what percentage have obtained employment, in the occupations in which they have been trained?

Between 1st January, 1920, and 31st December, 1922, 173 disabled nurses completed courses of training. I am glad to say that, in spite of the difficulty of providing employment even for women who have no war disability, 64 per cent. are employed in the occupation for which they were trained. Of the rest, 11 per cent. are at present unemployed owing to ill health, 4 per cent. have married since they completed their training, and 21 per cent. are unemployed or their position is unknown. The last figure includes a number of women who completed their training at the end of December and did not secure employment immediately.