asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government possesses any information to show that the Soviet Government either accepts and acts on the principles of the Red Cross movement or the humane treatment of stranded or derelict sailors; and, if so, whether the instances of deviation from this policy.are on record?

The Soviet Russian Red Cross adheres to the International Red Cross Association and may therefore be taken to accept the principles of the Red Cross movement. The treatment of stranded or derelict sailors is not, so far as I am aware, governed by any international instrument. Regulations were issued in October, 1921, by the Soviet authorities containing a clause as to the repatriation of foreign seamen, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. I have no knowledge of any deliberate deviation from generally accepted principles.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has called the attention of the United States Government to the circumstance that Mrs. Marguerite Harrison, when arrested as an American spy in April, 1920, in Moscow, secured her release by becoming a Soviet spy and was rearrested for giving false information in that capacity; and whether His Majesty's Government has drawn the attention of the United States Government to Mrs. Stan Harding' sclaim for redress for the injuries caused her by Mrs. Harrison's false information?

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

Has the hon. Gentleman reason to believe that the United States Government is protecting this lady, knowing that she was an informer and acting as their agent at the time she was arrested?

No, Sir. I have no information to that effect.

Does the hon. Gentleman accept this allegation against a well known American journalist, Mrs. Marguerite Harrison; can he say if she was employed as a Soviet spy as suggested in the question; and if, in fact, she was so employed, will any claim for compensation be made against the United States Government.

I express no opinion one way or the other.

I put down this question some days ago and answers on the subject were given in the House yesterday. May I be allowed to ask if the hon. Gentleman has any further information as to the possible prevention of this horrible crime which is meditated on the Archbishop?

I am sorry that I have no further information beyond what I gave yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission has decided to set up special military courts in the British occupied area; to prohibit movement from that area to unoccupied Germany by night; and whether the British Government representative has agreed to these measures?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the Rhineland High Commission have prohibited movement by night save by railway between unoccupied Germany and the territory under Article 428 of the Treaty of Versailles. His Majesty's High Commissioner felt himself unable to concur in this decision without referring home for instructions, and the matter is now under consideration.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if these orders are not to be operative until His Majesty's High Commissioner has given his consent?

I cannot say that.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is prepared to consider the possibility of an arrangement to provide for France and Belgium continuing to occupy the Ruhr provinces until such time as the devastated regions of Belgium and Northern France shall have been fully restored?

The policy of His Majesty's Government towards the occupation of the Ruhr was clearly stated at the close of the Paris Conference in January last, the papers respecting which have been laid before the House. I see no reason at present to modify that policy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether Canada has entered into a fishery treaty with the United States of America; whether Great Britain is a signatory to such treaty; and whether it has been ratified by the United States?

The treaty is between the King and the United States, and was signed under full powers given by His Majesty. It has not yet been ratified by the United States.

asked the Under-Secretary of Sate for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the treaties upon the slave trade, dated 1842, 1862, and 1863, made between this country and the United States of America, regarding the slave trade on the high seas, were denounced last year upon the initiative of His Majesty's Government, and in view of the admitted recrudescence of slavery in certain parts of the world, other treaties will be substituted for them before the denunciation takes effect in April next?

It is not the case that there has been any recrudescence of the slave trade on the high seas. The answer to the question is in the negative.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the statement of the First Lord of the Admiralty that there has been a recrudescence of slavery?

I have not seen any statement given in those terms.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the slave trade treaties between Great Britain and the Governments of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Hayti, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden were denounced upon the initiative of His Majesty's Government; if so, for what reasons; and whether, before effect is given to these denunciations, it is proposed to substitute other anti-slavery treaties?

His Majesty's Government denounced the treaties in accordance with their general policy of abolishing all obsolete instruments, the state of affairs which they were designed to meet no longer existing since slave trading has happily been long extinct so far as the signatories to the treaties are concerned. There is no occasion therefore to replace the treaties by similar ones.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the article appearing in the "Nation and Athenæum," of 3rd March, purporting to be the draft of an official note addressed to the French Ambassador in February last; whether he can state if the document is authentic; and whether, if it is not, he proposes to take any action in the matter and to prevent the publication of such things in future?

On a point of Order. May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that this question purports to be a, quotation from the Press? Is it not a fact that questions are not to be used for the purpose of verifying or otherwise, statements in the Press?

Not at all It is perfectly wrong.

I do not see any quotations here.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as to the second part, the article bears its character upon its face, namely, that it is obviously a fabricated document of a would-be facetious nature. As to the third part, it is not in the power of His Majesty's Government to prevent such publication. It is only possible to rely upon the good sense of editors to refrain from publishing papers under a guise which, as is evident from the question of the hon. Member, as well as from the false impression which in this case has been created in the Press of foreign countries, is Fable to lead to embarrassing misunderstanding and therefore to be deprecated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that Ottoman subjects of Armenian race who for reasons of health or business, or through fear of massacre, left Constantinople with passports issued by the Allied authorities are now deprived of the right to return to Constantinople; that the property of such Armenians is being confiscated and sold by the Turkish authorities as abandoned property; will he state what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to obtain redress in such cases; and whether, in the proposed Treaty of Peace with Turkey, he will support the inclusion of a definite stipulation assuring Turkish Armenians abroad of the free enjoyment of their property in Turkey, and of the right to obtain passports and other necessary official documents from Turkish consulates?

With regard to the first three parts of the question, reports to this effect have just reached His Majesty's Government, and His Majesty's High Commissioner at Constantinople is being consulted on the subject. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the minorities section of the Lausanne Draft Treaty and to the draft declaration regarding an amnesty, in the Blue Book on the Lausanne Conference. From these documents he will see the very considerable guarantees which His Majesty's Government secured at Lausanne for the Armenians. No material modification of the agreement reached on these points has been proposed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that Mr. J. M. Campbell laid before the Admiralty in 1891 his original and patentable proposals for the protection of ships from mines and torpedoes, and that he was then persuaded not to publish by patenting, or otherwise, his process, but to sign an agreement that he would accept the amount awarded to him by Parliament, and that these water-containing bulges, which were the design he submitted, have been used with great success on His Majesty's ships, he wilt say what payment the Admiralty has made to Mr. Campbell or proposes to make?

The bulges fitted to His Majesty's ships are the result of experiments carried out by the Admiralty prior to the War and the design adopted does not embody Mr. Campbell's proposals. His claim has been thoroughly investigated by the Admiralty and the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors, to whom Mr. Campbell applied, also considered it. The result was that Mr. Campbell failed to substantiate his claim, and the Admiralty do not propose to take any further action in the matter.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman noted in my question that it was in 1891 this proposal was brought before the Admiralty; and how can experiments carried out during the War affect a pattern brought out in 1891?

Prior to the War.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that two suits of foreign-service white-drill uniform were measured for, and supplied to, the fifth-class engine-room artificers recently discharged at the home ports shortly before notices were given to terminate their engagements; and will he state why this expenditure of public money was incurred?

Following the regular practice, some of the engine-room artificers fifth class recently discharged at Portsmouth had their kits completed in readiness for foreign service when they passed out of the artificer apprentices' training establishment at the end of last year, before the decision to discharge them was arrived at.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the charges made for the use of the floating dry dock at Portsmouth for repairs of mercantile ships are so excessive that orders cannot now be obtained for such repairs at that port; that the demand for the use of the floating dry dock is two and a half times more than is charged at Southampton and Liverpool; and that the charges for labour and materials are three times more than at Southampton and 11 times more than at Liverpool; and whether he will inquire into the question and give instructions that the charges shall be brought into line with those made at other ports in order to make it possible that ship-repair work can be retained at Portsmouth where, owing to dockyard reductions, a large amount of unemployment exists?

The possibility of reducing charges for use of the floating dock at Portsmouth is being considered, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the expenses incurred in docking a ship in a floating dock are usually considerably heavier than in a graving dock and that any reduction of Admiralty charges made with the object of attracting work to a Government dockyard with the consequent loss of work to private firms needs very careful consideration. I cannot at present undertake that any reduction will be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the practice in the Navy to supply provisions and stores required upon indents received; whether any cases have been brought to his notice of waste as a result of the supply of stores and provisions being in excess of actual requirements; and what steps are being taken in connection therewith?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. If the hon. Member is aware of any cases of waste, I should be obliged if he would let me know.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Board are considering the disbandment of the Royal Marine Artillery; and whether he can give an assurance that no steps will be taken in this direction before informing this House?

As the numbers of Royal Marines have now been reduced to under 10,000, as against 18,000 in the years before the War, it is necessary in the interests of economy to reduce the existing numbers of Royal Marine Divisions. It has been decided that the best course to adopt is to amalgamate the Royal Marine Artillery and the Royal Marine Light Infantry, and the steps necessary to give effect to this decision are now under consideration.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the great traditions of the Royal Marine Artillery and does he propose lightly to destroy this invaluable asset without consulting the House?

Naturally the House has any question under its control by the power to refuse supplies. In this case, His Majesty's permission has been asked, and we are going to retain the old traditions of the splendid Royal Marine Corps, which was only disunited, or made into two Corps, in 1804 or 1806.

Do not modern conditions specially demand amphibious artillery like the Royal Marine Artillery? Has that aspect of the matter been considered?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Royal Marine Artillery is absolutely the finest force in the Navy, and can he give an assurance that its disbandment will not be lightly undertaken?

It is not being disbanded. The two corps are being amalgamated and brought together as they were together in the old days, and they will continue their traditions.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman assure us that the Royal Marine Artillery will not lose its identity in whatever proposals the Government are considering.

So far as we can manage it, neither corps will lose its own identity. They will be merged in the one corps of Royal Marines.

Will they continue to wear their distinctive uniforms?

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the attention of the Board had been drawn to the success of the turboelectric drive for warships in America; whether he is aware that 11 battleships and four battle cruisers have been, or are being, fitted with this method of propulsion, whether trials and experiments have been carried out with this system in this country; if so, what is the conclusion arrived at; and whether the system is being tried at the present time?

The Admiralty is fully acquainted with all the developments of the turbo-electric drive in the United States of America. No trials have been carried out for warships in this country, and the turbo-electric drive is not being tried at the present time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the last available comparative costs of battleship construction as between Government and privately-owned dockyards, together with any difference in time required for construction?

The latest battleships for which a comparison of costs can be made are the vessels of the "Queen Elizabeth" class, where the completed costs compare as follows:

Are those figures prepared on the same basis in regard to overhead charges, depreciation, and rates?

Yes, they include everything.

May I take it that the House may conclude that shipbuilding in the Royal Dockyards is much cheaper than shipbuilding in private yards?

No, there is very little in it.

Is it greater or less?

Do the figures given include overhead charge for private profit in the dockyard as well?

These figures are strictly comparable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the workmen to be employed at Singapore will be white or Chinese; if the foremen, chargemen, and all in authority will be white men; and if they will be taken from volunteers from home dockyards?

As the construction of the dockyard will be for the most part carried out by contract, the selection of the staff required must be left to the contractor. Probably, foremen and all higher officers will be white, and workmen and grades below foremen will be obtained locally, if possible. No decision as to the staff to be employed in working the yard has yet been made.

Do I understand that the spending of £11,000,000 on this dockyard will not benefit the unemployed of Great Britain?

Certainly it will. About half of the £11,000,000 will he spent in material, and that material will he purchased within the four corners of the British Empire.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in consequence of the withdrawal of the fishery protection cruisers from the North Russian coast during the past three months British trawlers have been precluded from operating in some of the most productive fishing grounds in those regions, and that both loss to the trawling industry and diminution of the national food supplies has resulted; whether the reason for the withdrawal of the protective vessels is that there is now no vessel in the British Navy suitable for continuous duty in these regions during the winter; and whether, in view of the importance of this fishery, both to the fishing industry and to the country, he will take immediate steps to provide a suitable vessel for the work in time for the next fishing season, which commences in September?

I understand that the temporary withdrawal of the fishery protection vessels has interfered with fishing activities in North Russian waters. The Admiralty was compelled, owing to the navigational difficulties experienced on the Murmansk coast by the only suitable type of ship available, reluctantly to withdraw the fishery protection vessels at the end of last year. A vessel has now been sent out again, and it is hoped by next year to make arrangements to enable our fishermen to be looked after all the year through.

Is the vessel sent out able to withstand ice, or will a vessel that can withstand ice be sent out later on as the winter comes on?

The sloop "Godetia" has left, and will be in Russian waters by 1st April. She was withdrawn because of the ice difficulty, but now the ice difficulty is less she has gone out again.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, considering that in consequence of the international importance of the distribution of shipping information, Lloyds are unable to acquiesce in transference of their existing agreement to the Board of Trade, he is prepared to state that the coastguardsmen employed at Lloyds' signal stations shall, as in the case of naval signalling stations, continue to be under the immediate control of the naval authorities?

As stated by the First Lord on 21st instant, the views expressed by Lloyds are receiving the most careful and sympathetic attention.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty under what Order in Council, or other authority, were retired naval officers who were recalled to active service during the late War deprived of their pensions while serving, in view of the fact that petty officers and men of the Royal Navy so recalled were not deprived of their pensions, and that officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Army so recalled were not deprived of their pensions; and will he agree to further inquiry being made into the anomaly whereby retired naval officers are subjected to treatment not suffered by any other ranks in the Royal Navy or in the whole of the Army?

Order in Council of 4th March, 1910, which fixes the remuneration of retired naval officers called up for service, makes no provision for the concurrent payment of full pay and retired pay, and, failing such provision, retired pay is not payable. The question has already been most exhaustively considered, and I see no reason for making further inquiries into it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the recommendation of the Defence Council of the Commonwealth of Australia that the Cabinet should approach the Admiralty to secure the interchange of warships between the Australian and the Imperial Fleets in Mediterranean and Atlantic waters; and what are the relations between the Australian Navy and the Royal Navy in time of peace and war?

There is a line left out of this question, as to what is meant by "Imperial Fleet," but I will ask it in a supplementary question.

The Admiralty are aware that the principle of such interchangeability has received consideration in Australia, and have expressed their readiness to co-operate in such an exchange. Generally speaking, the Australian Navy and the Royal Navy preserve their own individuality, and the relations in time of peace and war will be found in Cd. 5746–2 of 1911.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that the term "Imperial Fleet" is used, and can he say what is the Imperial Fleet?

All I can say is that in the time of the late War, the Commonwealth Government gave us entire control of their Fleet.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty if men invalided from the Navy, in receipt of a disability as well as a service pension, will be eligible for a Greenwich Hospital pension?

The answer is in the affirmative, and steps are now about to be taken to arrange the procedure for payment with the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement as to the amount of actual flying that has been carried out by the Royal Air Force units attached to the Royal Navy during the past year?

Although it is not desirable in the public interests to give information in detail on this subject, I may say that Royal Air Force units have carried out a large number of exercises in co-operation with the Fleet during the last 12 months, working both from carrier and from shore bases. I may mention, by way of example, the work of the Fleet reconnaissance squadron in His Majesty's Ship "Argus," which accompanies the Atlantic Fleet on their spring cruise; also the torpedo attacks and bombing and machine gun trials against ships of the Royal Navy, which were carried out last July and August. In addition, a great deal of experimental work has been done, and I would refer, in particular, to the cruise of a development flight of flying boats which was undertaken last autumn in conjunction with His Majesty's Ship "Ark Royal," and from which valuable lessons have been learnt.

Has practice also taken place in flying off turrets and off platforms?

I must have notice of that question. I am hot sure off-hand.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that many men employed in His Majesty's Dockyards, Royal Naval and Army Ordnance, and the Royal Navy victualling yards would be pleased to avail themselves of the opportunity given them to settle in Australia and thus provide vacancies for others now unemployed, provided they could receive their gratuities, so as to enable them to make provision for their wives and children while they themselves are journeying outwards and making the home ready for the reception of their families in a. new country; and can he see his way to consider the suggestions made?

We have no such information as that referred to in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his question on 22nd March.

If I bring the information to the hon. and gallant Member's notice, will he give it consideration?

Certainly; I shall be very glad to do so.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider in what way be can further assist boards of guardians where assistance is desired, financial or otherwise, in any effort to help families who are wishful of settling overseas within the British Empire, and who may approach a board of guardians with this end in view?

I understand that boards of guardians already have extensive powers of assisting the migration of persons chargeable to them. My right hon. Friend has no means out of the funds at his disposal of giving additional assistance to boards of guardians, but suitable families desirous of settling overseas would be eligible for assistance under the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act.

Will my hon. Friend endeavour, after consultation with the Minister, to co-ordinate the work of the Overseas Settlement Com mittee with that of the boards of guardians; and, further, will he see if financial assistance under the Empire Settlement Act cannot be extended to them to assist families to migrate?.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the statement that what the United States Government now propose, irrespective of the misinformation concerning British plans, is that the American Navy should proceed, under the conditions of the Washington Treaty, to modernise such of her ships as may be necessary to bring the ranges of the two fleets into complete parity; and whether he can give the House any information on the subject?

My attention has been drawn to various statements, some in the sense indicated in the question, and some in a contradictory sense, but I have no information as to the eventual intentions of the United States Government.

Has anyone any information on that subject?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet heard from the King's Roll National Council with regard to the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member for East Lewisham that a list should be published of all those local authorities employing a staff of more than 20 persons who are not on the King's Roll?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now inform the House as to the names of the local authorities in Great Britain who are not on the King's Roll; and whether he will explain the reasons why the Ministry of Labour have for so many months refused to disclose their names?

As was stated, in reply to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on 21st March, the King's Roll National Council, to whom my right hon. Friend referred this matter, are making special efforts with the object of bringing a larger number of local authorities on the Roll, and do not for the present advise any action with regard to the publication of the names of authorities not on the Roll. Clearly the efforts of the National Council would not be. assisted by the publication of the suggested list at the present time.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question, as to what is the reason that, for nearly a year now, his Department. have shown such tenderness to these unpatriotic local authorities?

You cannot blacklist at the same time as you are preserving a policy of peaceful persuasion. It is premature to try the former method until the latter has definitely failed.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to state whether the scheme for interrupted apprenticeships can be extended so as to include young soldiers who joined the Army or the Royal Air Force during the War for a definite period of years, and not merely for the duration?

The interrupted apprenticeships scheme was designed to provide for youths whose apprenticeships was interrupted owing to service during the War, and my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot extend it so as to cover persons who enlisted on regular engagement for a definite period of years. Certain special cases of re-enlistment have, however, been brought to his notice, and are receiving consideration.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the young man who has broken his indentures, in order to join for a definite period of service, is at least deserving of consideration?

My hon. and gallant Friend will agree, I think, that there is all the difference in the world between the case of a man who enlisted for the duration of the War and the man who contemplated taking up the Army as a regular profession.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider means by which ex-service men who came from various parts of the world to serve in the Great War, and who did not take advantage of the War Office facilities to return to the country from whence they came, can now be provided with third-class passages in cases where it is proved that they are out of employment, and can produce evidence that work awaits them in the country from whence they came?

I regret that I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by the Prime Minister on 1st March on the same subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether trainees in the pattern-making section of the Government Training Factory, Ayres Road, Brooks Bar, Manchester, are being discharged without any provision being made to find them posts as improvers; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to ensure that these men shall he in a position to earn a livelihood, and obviate any waste of the public money already spent on their training?

Seven men are in training in pattern-making at the Government Instructional Factory, Ayres Road, Manchester. Three are not due to leave till next January. Two of the others are leaving this month, and two next month. I gather that the question relates to these four men. Every possible effort is being made to find them posts as improvers in private workshops. For the last six months a special campaign has been carried out in Lancashire for the purpose of placing men in improver-ships in engineering, and, in spite of trade depression, over 60 openings have been secured and filled. I can assure the right hon. Member that every effort will continue to be made to find improverships for these men.

Can the hon. Gentleman say that, apart from the persons named in the reply, other men have not been discharged?

No, I am not in a position to say that.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of ex-service men who were trained as public elementary teachers at the training colleges for teachers established under the control of the Ministry; how many of these are now unemployed, giving the

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that the only condition necessary to establish the fact that an applicant for unemployment pay is genuinely seeking work is that the individual should sign on three days a week at the local Employment Exchange, he will say what useful purpose is served by the local advisory committees?

Signature at an Employment Exchange is not sufficient by itself to prove that the applicant is genuinely seeking whole-time employment. The functions of the local employment committees are most important as regards verifying the fulfilment, not only of this condition, but also of the various other conditions relating to uncovenanted benefit. Moreover, the assistance of these committees, including, as they do, representatives of local organisations of employers and employed, is essential for the proper performance of practically all branches of the work carried out by the Employment Exchanges.

The figures asked for in the first and second parts of the question are as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has issued any instruction, direction, or rule, such as gives power to Employment Exchange officials to send men long distances from their homes in search of employment; and whether he is aware that the principal Act only provides for persons being sent when a vacancy has been notified and it is deemed reasonable that the person should be sent to fill such vacancy?

Exchange officials are not empowered to send men a long distance in search of employment. Applicants are not asked to travel in order to take up work at a distance, unless they have previously been accepted by the prospective employer, or the Exchange has good reason to expect that they will be engaged on arrival.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that J. D. Walmsley, Earlestown, Lancaster, was disallowed benefit from 22nd December, 1922, to 22nd January, 1923, on the ground that he was not unemployed; that the employment referred to was an attempt to increase his income by sales of the "Daily Herald "; that his income from this source ranged from 3s. id. to 13,s. 6d. per week; that in no case did he earn the equivalent of 3s. 4d. per day; and whether, under these circumstances, he can explain why benefit was disallowed?

The limit of 3s. 4d. a day referred to in the question applies only to the earnings from a subsidiary occupation carried on by the applicant before he became unemployed. In general, under Section 7 (2) (a) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, any day on which any sum is earned cannot be counted as a day of unemployment. The particular case referred to has been the subject of an appeal to the Umpire, who se decision under the Act is final, and who has confirmed the disallowance of benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the dates upon which the Darlaston Employment Committee have met since its inception; what are the names of those invited to attend on each occasion;

(2) whether he is aware that certain representatives of labour, appointed over 12 months ago as members of the Darlaston Employment Committee, were not summoned to a meeting of the committee until February of this year; and, if so, will he explain why such representatives have not been officially recognised before;

(3) the names of the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and members of the Darlaston Employment Committee and the organisations, including local authorities, they represent, and the date of their appointment, respectively?

The Darlaston Local Employment Committee met 23 times between its first appointment in December, 1917, and April, 1921. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the dates of meeting. All members of the committee for the time being were presumably invited to attend. For various reasons difficulty arose in completing the re-appointment of the committee which subsequently became due, and on this account the members of the reconstituted committee were not summoned to a meeting till February, 1923. During the interval I understand that adequate provision was made for carrying on the necessary work through sub-committees of the old committee. The names of the industrial members of the new committee were given in the reply of 14th March to the hon. Member. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the chairman and other mem bers. All the appointments date from February, 1923.

But is my hon. Friend aware that members of this Committee were appointed as far back as March, 1922, and have never been summoned to a meeting? How does the hon. Gentleman explain this lapse on the part of the Secretary of the Committee, and will he hold a special inquiry into the matter, as a good deal of ill-feeling has arisen owing to the action of the Secretary?

I think I ought to say this: this is a question that has involved a good deal of research, and it only appeared yesterday morning; I am awaiting further particulars. I shall be very glad to give an answer to the hon. Gentleman when the inquiry is complete. The answer I have given comprises the best information I have been able to get in the time available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 16 years are at work in all industries; how many of the same age are unemployed; how many men and women are engaged in industry over 60 years of age; and how many over that age are unemployed?

I regret that no statistics are available as to the total numbers of boys and girls, or of men and women over 60 years of age, who are in employment, or as to the total numbers of such workpeople unemployed at the present time.

Are these figures not available from the Census returns, and will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries of the Ministry of Health so that these figures may be given to the House?

The only figures available are those of the 1911 Census. With regard to the 1921 Census, the figures are not yet complete.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he gave the House the impression that these figures were not available? Now he tells us that they were available for 1911.

I am sorry the hon. Gentleman thinks I was misleading the House. It is the last thing I want to do. The figures in the 1911 Census would obviously be of no use to anybody, and would be quite misleading. Those for 1921 are not available, but as soon as they are available the hon. Gentleman shall have them.

asked the Minister of Labour for particulars of the method adopted in compiling the cost-of-living index figures shown in the "Labour Gazette" for March, 1923; and whether he will appoint a representative Committee to investigate the present system of compiling the index number?

An article giving a full account of the method adopted in compiling these index numbers was published in the "Labour Gazette" for February, 1921, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As at present advised, my right hon. Friend does not think it is necessary to appoint a Committee to investigate this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that an Englishman working as a member of the crew of a Canadian ship in an English port who is accidentally injured is debarred from claiming benefit under both the English and Canadian Workmen's Compensation Acts; and whether he will initiate legislation to remedy this defect?

I have. been asked to reply to this question. Our Workmen's Compensation Act does not apply to the crews of ships registered out of the United Kingdom, unless the owner or manager resides or has his principal place of business in the United Kingdom. Consequently, an English member of a crew of a ship owned and registered abroad is not in a position to claim compensation from his employers for an injury sustained in an English port, unless he is entitled to do so under the Workmen's Compensation law of the country to which the ship belongs. The Departmental Committee on Workmen's Compensation inquired into this question, but they express the opinion, in paragraph 49 of their Report, that it would not be practicable or desirable, save in pursuance of an international agreement, to make any legal provision to enable a British seaman on a ship registered out of the United Kingdom to recover compensation in this country, and that British seamen engaging on such ships must he content to rely on the law of the country of registration. In view of this finding, I should not feel justified in proposing any extension of our Act in the direction suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the average length of Government service of the 1,728 women employ é s dismissed from the Ministry since the present substitution arrangements came into force on 1st October, 1920; what proportion was assisted to train for other occupations by means of Government grants and what proportion received any gratuity such as was given to home service men of similar length of service in a clerical capacity?

I fear it is not possible, without considerable research, to state the average length of Government service of temporary women employ é s. discharged from the Ministry since October, 1920, nor what proportion of such women received assistance towards training from the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment. So far as I am aware, no gratuities were payable to temporary clerical employ é s, whether men or women, who were engaged during the War.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the investigators reviewing the private circumstances of temporary women employ é s in his Department include a representative of those being cross-examined, in accordance with the general practice in other Departments and the desire of the staff concerned; and, if not, whether he will consider adding to the examining committee the women's substitution representative?

There is a representative of the temporary women staff on the Substitution Committees of the Ministry of Labour both at headquarters and at Kew. It has not, however, been the practice of the Department to include a representative of the temporary women employ é s at Kew in either of the reviews of the private circumstances of these women which have taken, and are taking, place. One of the two investigators is a permanent women officer of long experience.

Can the hon. Gentleman say that, while may not have been the practice, he will give further consideration to the point?

The question indicates what is said to be the practice in other Departments. I am making inquiries, and my inquiries have not been completed on that point.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information as to the credit of £ 75,000,000 granted by the Bank of England to the Bank of France, which should be repaid at the end of this month; whether this credit was given with the concurrence of His Majesty's Government; is the debt due by the French Government or by a French corporation; and if there is a default in payment will the shareholders of the Bank of England or the British taxpayer suffer the loss?

The credits were given by the Bank of England to the Bank of France in 1916 and 1917 and the amount now outstanding is £55,000,000, repayable by the end of August next. The debt is due by the Bank of France with whom the Bank of England is negotiating. The transaction was entered into with the concurrence of His Majesty's Government who guarantee the Bank of England under the powers of the War Obligations Acts.

Does that mean, in the case of default, that the British taxpayer will have to foot the Bill?

I do not think that any question of default will arise.

asked the Prime Minister if information has reached His Majesty's Government pointing to the intended occupation in the immediate future of East Prussia by Polish forces and the assumption of complete control over the port of Danzig by the Polish Government?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that the German Government intimated in a note to the Government of the United States of America on 26th April, 1921, that it was prepared to pay for reparations a sum equal to £2,500,000,000 sterling, and that on 3rd January, 1923, His Majesty's Government estimated Germany's capacity to pay at the same figure, he will state what action, if any, His Majesty's Government have taken in regard to the German offer of April, 1921?

I do not see what action it is supposed the Government could take on an offer to another Government which is two years old and subject to conditions such as the retention of Silesia which cannot now be fulfilled. The Government submitted to the Paris Conference in January last a comprehensive plan for dealing with the reparation situation as it then was, but it was not forwarded to Germany for the reason that the other Allies did not accept it.

Is it not likely that delay will lead to a further diminution of Germany's power to pay?

I think that is possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether the arrested members of the Wafd, Egyptian delegation, are to be brought before a British military court in Cairo; and what charges are to be made against them?

I have no official information in regard to either part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the persistent difference of political opinion in Scotland as compared with England, he will take steps to call a representative Scottish convention with a view to formulating and adopting a scheme of autonomy for Scotland?

The answer is in the negative.

May I ask why?

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that I am without the services of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

In view of that reply, cannot more time be given in this House to the study of Scottish questions?

asked the Prime Minister if he will introduce a Resolution under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, 1921, to set up an inquiry into the alleged responsibility of certain Members of the late Government in tendering advice to the Greek Ministry of 1921, which had the consequence of leading to serious Greek military disasters and the execution of five Greek Ministers for their alleged misconduct in acting on such advice?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will hold an immediate inquiry into the part played by the railway combine and the Railways Act, 1921, in the maintenance of freights at a level which is crushing agriculture, hampering trade revival, and promoting unemployment?

I am not aware what the hon. Member means by the railways combine, but in view of the establishment by the Railways Act, 1921, of the Railway Rates Tribunal, which is now the determining authority for railway charges, and to which appeal can be made at any time, I am unable to agree that any useful purpose would be served by instituting the inquiry suggested by the hon. Member.

Is the purpose of that Act to reduce the rates, or to keep them up? [An HON. MEMBER: "Keep them up! "]

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there is more than enough work in connection with the Empire and the three fighting Services to absorb the entire energy of the secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence; and whether he will consider bringing to an end the wartime arrangement by which this official is also secretary of the Cabinet?

Would it also be convenient for the right hon. Gentleman to refer to the clerkship to the Privy Council?

I have no reason to believe that the secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence is unable to combine his duties with those of secretary of the Cabinet, which have been considerably lightened since the present Government came into office. On the contrary, I have observed great advantages in combining the two posts, and thus ensuring complete co-ordination between the work of the Cabinet and the Committee of Imperial Defence and their respective Committees.

Is the right hem. Gentleman aware of the objection of the public to the creation of "Pooh-Bah" posts of this kind, this gentleman now having three separate posts?

asked tile Prime Minister the composition of the Committee appointed to consider the correlation of the three services of defence?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which the Prime Minister gave on the 26th March in reply to a question by the right hon. Member or South Molton (Mr. Lambert).

Does that mean that this House is to be kept in ignorance of the Commissioners who will hold this inquiry?

It is not customary to give them. There is a question later on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister on what grounds he refuses to give the names of Sub-committees of the Committee of Imperial Defence which have been set up in response to demands for inquiry from this House; and whether he is aware that the names were given on the occasion of the inquiry into Lord Charles Beresford's charges concerning the state of the Navy?

As was stated in the House on the 26th March by the Prime Minister, it is not customary to give the names of members of Sub-Committees of the Committee of Imperial Defence during the inquiry. In regard to the second part of the question, the names of the members of the Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence appointed to inquire into certain questions of naval policy raised by Lord Charles Beresford, were given in the Report of the Sub-Committee which was presented to Parliament.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two of the names of the members have already been given: can he not give us the third?

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that the Secretary for Scotland sits in the House of Lords, and that neither of the Scottish Law Officers are in the House of Commons, he will consider the advisability of strengthening the representation of Scottish interests on the Treasury Bench before the Scottish Estimates are taken?

The answer is in the affirmative.

May we have a more detailed statement as to the shape in which the strengthening process is to be carried out?

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Beatrice Bowey, formerly a patient in the Sunderland Mental Hospital, who died there on 18th March, 1922; is he aware that on 22nd February the acting medical superintendent referred to the prospect of her speedy recovery; that the husband received no intimation of his wife's change of health until summoned to find his wife dead; that the husband has made allegations of gross ill-treatment, starvation, and neglect, and of false reports having been made by the officials of the institution; that at an inquiry held on 26th June the inquiry committee did not call any of the nurses of the institution; and, in view of the distrust engendered by the refusal to call the best evidence, will the Minister of Health direct that a public inquiry be held as to the treatment of this patient in this institution?

I have been fully informed of the circumstances of this case. I understand that the patient's condition deteriorated very rapidly and that she died quite suddenly. I am aware of the allegations made by the husband and of the procedure of The inquiry committee. The case has also been investigated by a Commissioner of the Board of Control, who has recently had a long interview with the husband and fully explained to him the whole of the circumstances of the case. I can find no evidence to support the allegations made in this case, and doubt whether any useful purpose would be served by the further inquiry suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour if, taking the chief trades of the country, he will state which are the six best paid so far as manual workers are concerned and which are the six worst paid, and indicate in each case whether any proposals have been put forward for a reduction of wages?

I regret that the information at, my disposal is not sufficient to enable me to say which are the six best paid and the six worst paid industries.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is satisfied that the maintenance of an armed special police force in Northern Ireland by the English taxpayers, as is proposed, and the creation of a new naval force in Northern Ireland, as is also proposed, is not a breach of the terms of the Irish Treaty of the 6th December, 1921?

I have been asked to reply. I do not consider that the provision of financial assistance towards the maintenance of a force for duties which otherwise would have to be discharged by troops involves a breach of either the letter or the spirit of the Treaty. I am not aware of any proposal to establish a new naval force in Northern Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister whether any Department of the Government is charged with the duty of directing its efforts to the more rapid development of trade with China?

The Department primarily concerned is the Department of Overseas Trade, which is charged with the duty of promoting trade with China as with other parts of the world.

What steps are being taken—what efforts made to promote trade with China?

That is not in the question.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the imminent increase in the price of building materials, if he will take steps to convert the existing munition factory at Park-head into a national factory for the production of building materials, and so provide useful work and houses for the unemployed people in the east end of Glasgow?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Government do not propose to take steps with a view to the establishment of a national factory for the production of building materials.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the extraordinary suffering in the Central Division of Glasgow, and in the Camlachie Division, and in the East End districts, and is he not prepared to introduce some measures of alleviation for that suffering more than has already been done?

asked the Minister of Health the names of the Committee which he has decided to set up in order to watch the prices of building materials; what powers, if any, the Committee will have; and in what way the work of the Committee will prevent rings and combines from charging increased prices?

asked the Minister of Health the names of the persons who are to comprise the Committee to watch the prices of building materials?

I am not vet in a position to announce the names of the members of the Committee. The terms of reference to the Committee will be as follow:—

In. addition to the reply to the question put the other day, will the right hon. Gentleman now give us information as to whether representatives of the trade unions and the building guilds will be appointed on this Committee?

There will be a representative of a trade union in connection with the building trade.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the names of the Committee will be available to the House?

That will depend upon when I get answers from the gentlemen to whom I have written.

Is it the intention that this Committee shall make periodical reports to the Government, and, if so, at what intervals?

I think they will snake practically continuous reports.

asked the Minister of Health whether the new housing subsidy proposals will apply to private individuals building houses for their own occupation; and, if so, whether he will indicate how they can receive the benefits of the scheme?

I suggest that the hon. Member should await publication of the proposals of the Government in the Housing Bill.

How long will it be before they are published?

think very soon after Easter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is considering legis lation to assist persons who are desirous of building their own houses; and, if so, what is the kind of assistance proposed?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second is that the matter will be dealt with in the Housing Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention, in granting the 16 subsidy per house, to consider a house built in fiats as two or more houses, provided that the accommodation in each flat is as adequate as in working-class houses for the occupation of single families?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Ministry of Health if the new housing proposals will apply to all forms of residential construction or only those intended to be let at a specified maximum rent; whether they will also be applied to the construction of flats; and, if so, on what basis?

I would suggest that the hon. Member should await publication of the proposals of the Government in the Housing Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the peculiar difficulties, such as obtaining suitable sites for building houses, of some of the local authorities in South Wales, he will consider making an additional subsidy to cover the extra cost?

No, Sir. As at present advised, I think it is essential, in order to give local authorities the maximum of freedom in making their arrangements and to reduce central control to a minimum, that the subsidy should be on a flat rate basis.