asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the bonus payable to the historical adviser to the Foreign Office, and what is the total amount received by this official?

The bonus, at the present moment, is at the rate of £750 per annum, and the total emoluments amount to £1,950 per annum.

Is this absolutely unnecessary office to be one of the economies to be reported to the Treasury by the hon. Gentleman's Department in a few days?

I cannot at all agree that it is an unnecessary office, but it has been stated that it is personal to the present incumbent.

How old is this official? We could then form some estimate as to the term of his tenure of the office.

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at an ordinary book of reference he will discover the information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the maximum annual holidays taken by the staff of the Small Works Department of the Admiralty?

I assume the hon. Member refers to the Department of the Civil Engineer-in-Chief, in which case the maximum annual leave of the staff varies from 12 to 48 days. With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate the detailed figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how these figures compare with civil holidays—holidays granted to those engaged in the City in similar positions?

I cannot answer that question offhand, but I understand they are more or less the same for the different grades.

The following are the detailed figures: Headquarters.

Professional officers, 36 days during first 10 years and 48 thereafter.

Examiners (technical), assistant surveyors, chief examiners, 36 days.

Accountant clerks and engineering or architectural assistants, 18 to 36 days per annum, according to grade and service.

Hired writers, 18 days.

Temporary adult male clerks and female adult clerks and tracers, 18 days.

Junior temporary clerks, 12 days.

[Commander Eyres-Monsell.]

Outports.

Superintending civil engineers, 42 days.

Civil engineers, surveyors, assistant civil engineers, and assistant surveyors, 36 days.

Subordinate officers (draughtsmen, accountant clerks, and foremen of works), 28 days.

asked the Minister of Labour how many members of the staff of his Department are in receipt of salary, including bonus, in excess of the salary of the Minister (£2,000).

The number of officers on the staff of the Ministry of Labour who will receive during the current financial year a salary, inclusive of bonus, in excess of £2,000, is two. There are, in addition, two officers who are in receipt of salaries, inclusive of bonus, of slightly over £2,000 a year, at the present time, but who, as a result of the reductions in the bonus announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, will receive not more than £2,000 during the financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give the name of the Air Vice-Marshal who presides over the Central Editing Section, what salary he receives per year for carrying out these onerous duties; the number of staff employed; and the cost of the section to the country per annum?

Air Vice-Marshal J. F. A. Higgins, C.B., D.S.O., A.F.C., is in charge of the Central Editing Section. His emoluments comprise the pay and allowances of an Air Vice-Marshal of the Royal Air Force, i.e., £2,268 per annum. No extra pay or allowances are received by him in respect of these duties. He is assisted by one clerk, who receives £220 per annum. The cost of the section is, therefore, £220 per annum, and to this may be added the pay of the officer in charge during the period that he is performing these duties

May I ask whether the clerk at his salary might not carry out the duties himself just as well?

No, Sir. As the hon. Member, with his knowledge of the service, will appreciate, there is an immense amount of necessary literature which has to be prepared in the case of the Royal Air Force, starting de novo.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the functions of the Directorate of Works and Buildings; the size of the staff and the number of highly-paid technical men in it; and the cost to the country per annum?

The function of the Directorate is to deal with the sitting, design and construction of, and the supply of stores and materials for works and buildings required by the Air Ministry and Royal Air Force at home and abroad; and electrical, water, gas and drainage services and property questions in connection with works and buildings. The cost and number of the headquarters staff of the Directorate of Works and Buildings is shown in Vote 5 of the Air Estimates for the current year 1921-22.

asked the Prime Minister how long it will be after the Departments have announced the reductions they can make in their expenditure before the Government can make a statement on the subject?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes to make a statement on the financial position for the current year before the House rises. As already explained, it will not be practicable for the Government to complete their examination of the provisional Estimates for 1922–23 by that time.

Are these Departmental replies going to be treated as confidential, or will they, at some time or other, be published?

No, Sir; it would be quite outside the ordinary course for replies of that kind to be published.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether an opportunity will be given to the House before its rising to discuss the answers to the Treasury circular of 13th May; and, if not, whether the provisional Estimates referred to on page 4 of the circular to be furnished by the Departments will be submitted to the Estimates Committee of the House?

As already explained, it will not be practicable to complete the examination of the Departmental replies to the circular before the House rises. It will be open to the Estimates Committee, if re-appointed next Session, to examine the Estimates for 1922–23 as presented to the House.

Oh yes, but is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the Estimates Committee has power to sit in the Recess, and is it not, therefore, possible to submit this to them, even if the House may know nothing of this proposed reduction?

The Estimates Committee has not power to sit during a Recess, but only during an Adjournment. Therefore that argument does not apply.

In that case, is it not the more necessary that the result of these proposed economies should be laid before the House before we part?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Departments have intimated the possibility of complying with the proposed reduction of 20 per cent. in their expenditure; and which these Departments are?

As stated by the Lord Privy Seal and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 21st instant, the publication of the Departmental Returns must await their examination by the Treasury and partial reports are not considered desirable. I may add that, if the hon. and gallant Member will refer to the Treasury Circular of the 13th May, he will see that the Government do not contemplate a uniform reduction of 20 per cent. for all Departments. The object is to effect that reduction upon the total ordinary expenditure on Supply Services, and the actual reduction which it may be decided to effect in the case of any particular Department may be more or less than 20 per cent. according to the nature of the expenditure.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us plainly which Departments have proposed a reduction, in response to the invitation and which are those reductions?

It would be impossible to make any general pronouncement on that subject at present.

Then we may take it that no Departments have announced their intention of making any reductions in their expenditure?

Certainly not.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many inspectors are employed, respectively, by the Board of Agriculture and by the county agricultural committees; and how many were employed in 1914?

The number of inspectors, including district land commissioners and sub-commissioners at present employed by the Ministry, is 306, as compared with 174 in 1914. Officers employed by County Agricultural Committees, excluding any wholly paid out of county funds, number 217, of whom 99 are cultivation officers, whose appointments, owing to the decision to decontrol agriculture, will be terminated at 1st October next or as soon after as is practicable. Seeing that these committees were only set up last year as a result of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act, 1919, the last part of the question does not arise in their case. I would point out, however, that recent legislation, and particularly the Government Land Settlement Scheme, has imposed many fresh duties both on the Ministry and the County Agricultural Committees, which have necessitated considerable increases in the staff of inspectors.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will say, now that the coal and agricultural industries have been decontrolled and the Ministry of Transport is about to be absorbed, what buildings, such as the Windsor Hotel, can be expected in the near future to be given up or disposed of by the Government?

Until the Departments concerned are able to furnish estimates of the reductions of staff which will result from the changes mentioned, it will not be possible to determine how much accommodation can be surrendered or what buildings will be affected. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that there will be no delay in disposing of accommodation as soon as it is vacated by the staffs in occupation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what principle it is proposed to pay successful candidates in the recent examination; and whether they will be paid according to their efficiency, their past experience, or according to the nature of the work they shall perform?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 21st instant to the hon. Member for Harrow.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that temporary clerks receive a consolidated wage without bonus, ex-service candidates who have been successful in the recent examination will receive considerably less in September, when the bonus falls, than that which they would have received had they remained temporaries?

It is customary for un-established employés to suffer, on establishment, a reduction in pay to correspond with the value of the pension rights to which they become entitled. In the cases of ex-service candidates the difference between the initial permanent rate of pay (even allowing for the drop in bonus) and the existing temporary rates of remuneration will, for officers in receipt of salaries of under £300 per annum, generally not exceed the value of the pension rights, etc., to which such persons will become entitled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, following our acceptance of the offer of France in connection with the mutual abolition of the visa, His Majesty's Government are now prepared to follow up this excellent example and make an offer to the Government of Italy for the mutual abolition of the visa between her nationals and those of Great Britain?

The suggestion will be considered.

As this question has been considered for two years, cannot the hon. Gentleman promise us something better? If the delay is not on the part of this country, will the hon. Gentleman consider the sending of a small delegation around the Continent of Europe to try to negotiate with the other Powers?

I should be very glad to see my hon. Friend on a delegation of that character. As has been said, the matter is under consideration.

If French subjects can come here without visas, why is a differentiation made against the Italians?

Because no reciprocal arrangement has been made so far.

Why not? What about the Entente?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the approximate number of officials in this country occupied in the issue of passports and visas; and what is the total annual cost to the country of the up-keep of these Regulations?

The information asked for will be found in the reply which I made to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea on the 14th June last.

Is it not a fact that one of the greatest difficulties in doing away with visas is the difficulty of displacing, not only in this country but in every country in Europe, the officials who are firmly entrenched in these offices?

55. The hon. Member further asked whether His Majesty's Government will instruct our representatives at the League of Nations to urge by every means in their power the carrying out, in the immediate future, of the recom- mendations made in October last with reference to the subject of the simplification of passports and visas?

The British representatives on the League of Nations are fully aware of the importance attached by His Majesty's Government to the carrying out of these recommendations.

How many of these recommendations have been made to the respective countries, and how many others have been acted upon during the last ten months?

That is not the question on the Paper. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the Report from the admiral in command at Scapa Flow to the Lords of the Admiralty on the loss of H.M.S. "Hampshire," in view of the long time that has now elapsed since the loss of that vessel?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Bradford, East, on 5th August, 1920, to which I have nothing to add.

Is the hon. Gentleman able to give an assurance that the decision of the Government in this matter is not withholding from the public any fact of importance connected with Lord Kitchener's death?

I can certainly give that assurance. As the Prime Minister has stated, all the facts are known to the public.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has any official information as to an alleged divulgence by an officer on Lord Kitchener's staff, who went down with the "Hampshire," of secret information respecting the journey of this vessel to Russia; and, if so, if he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?

No such information is in the possession of the Admiralty.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this report refers to only one officer—that there was only one officer on the staff who went down to whom it could refer—and its casts a slur on the memory of an honourable and gallant man. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this question on the Adjournment on Friday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether tenders for the new battleships have been invited; how many shipbuilding firms have been invited to tender; whether any contracts have yet been placed; what time limit is being placed in the contracts; and whether work on the hulls, armour plate, or guns has yet commenced?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Rotherham on 11th July. The position has not changed since that date.

May I have an answer to the question whether work has been begun on the hulls, guns, or armour plates of these ships?

It is not usual to commence work before tenders have been sent out.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the approximate number of weeks during which the Admiralty yacht "Enchantress" is used in each year; what it the annual cost of its upkeep; and whether the First Lord's inspections could be equally well carried out in one of the smaller warships already in commission?

Excluding the period of the War, when the "Enchantress" was laid up and her complement absorbed into the fighting fleet, the "Enchantress" has been employed cruising (namely, has been absent from her home port) for an average of about 90 days a year, from the years 1912–13 to 1920–21. For information as to the cost of the "Enchantress," I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Twicken-ham on the 25th instant. It is not considered that the inspections by the First Lord and the Board of Admiralty could be conveniently or economically carried out in one of the warships to which my hon. Friend refers.

Does the hon. Gentleman think that the very heavy expenditure mentioned in the answer is justified in these days, especially as the "Enchantress" is used for only three months of the year? Would it not be a very valuable experience for the First Lord to go to sea and see practical conditions in one of His Majesty's ships?

I have no doubt that my hon. Friend realises that the conditions on His Majesty's ships do not allow any spare accommodation, and that Members of the Board of Admiralty could not easily be accommodated. There is no spare room on His Majesty's ships. With regard to the "Enchantress," the Board certainly consider that as this ship is able to get into touch with the sea-going fleet it is well worth all the expenditure.

Is the only objection to the suggestion made one as to comfort?

Not the comfort of the First Lord of the Admiralty or of the Board of Admiralty, but the position of the officers on His Majesty's ships.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Commanders-in-Chief of two of the squadrons have yachts? Could not one of those yachts be used instead of the "Enchantress"?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any analysis has been made of the water at Holton Heath, Dorset; whether it is as suitable for cotton bleaching as the water in Lancashire, and will it be possible to obtain as good a product from using Holton Heath water; whether there is any complaint of the quality of bleached cotton now being delivered from Lancashire mills to Holton Heath; and whether, in consequence of the serious financial condition of the country, the expenditure of £106,000 can be postponed?

The answers to the first three parts of the question are in the affirmative. As regards the fourth part of the question, no specific complaint has been made, because it has been considered that the cotton as despatched to the cordite factory is in the best condition that we can reasonably expect. But it has been established that a much higher degree of purity can be obtained if plant such as it is now proposed to erect is provided. Climatic tests of cordite disclose the presence of impurities which the processes adopted up to the present have failed to remove. The essential difference is that the final purification will take place immediately before nitration, and without the cotton being handled in transit subsequent to cleansing. Impurities are believed to be the root of all trouble in cordite, and therefore any step which will assist to remove them entirely directly affects the safety of His Majesty's ships. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer given on 20th July to the hon. Member for Rossendale.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are many bleach works in Lancashire now available for doing precisely the same work with efficiency and economy without requiring any capital outlay on the part of the State?

Is it not quite possible that in a year or two cotton will be dispensed with in the manufacture of cordite, and will not the equipment of a manufactory for this process in Lancashire cost a considerable sum of money?

In answer to my Noble Friend, that is quite possible. In answer to the hon. and learned Member who put the first question, I am perfectly aware that there are factories in Lancashire which can carry on this work, but they cannot do so to our entire satisfaction and under our supervision. If we have to supervise it, another staff will be necessary, and it will also be necessary to take measures as to transit. This cotton can pick up dirt easily, and any impurity in the cotton may cause corrosion and eventually inflammation, leading to spontaneous combustion. It is really a question of providing against such dangers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what numbers of French Native African and Asiatic troops are still maintained in the occupied territories of Germany; and if he has any information as to their withdrawal or otherwise?

I have been asked to reply. The total number of French Native African and Asiatic troops now employed by France in the Rhine-land is about 23,000; of these 18,500 are natives of North Africa, 2,500 are natives of Madagascar, and the remainder are Anamites employed with motor transport service and in hospitals. There are no negro troops. There are no coloured troops in other portions of occupied German territory. I have no information as to the withdrawal of the French native African and Asiatic troops now in the Rhineland.

asked the Prime Minister if Great Britain, France, and Italy are faced with any impediment in concluding peace with Turkey on terms which they may approve, though Greece may not; and whether these Powers are compelled to wait till the conclusion of the Turco-Greek hostilities before an end can be reached in the peace negotiations which commenced over two years ago at Versailles?

The great Powers have all along been willing to seize the earliest moment for the final conclusion of peace in the East, and they made a united effort in this direction in the Conference held at London in the spring. They would gladly welcome any further opportunity; but while the two principal parties are actively engaged in fighting the moment does not appear to be favourable for the attempt.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Allies have returned the sum of £1,400,000 in gold to the Turkish Government; and whether this was a fund available out of which to meet advances on reparation claims by British subjects against the Turkish Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I do not know what sum of £1,400,000 gold my hon. Friend has in mind. But under the Treaty of Sevres, if and when ratified, certain sums in gold will be placed at the disposal of the International Financial Commission for Turkey to be applied in accordance with the provisions of the financial Clauses of- that Treaty which provide inter alia for certain classes of claims by British subjects against the Turkish Government.

Is this £1,400,000 the Turkish gold which was deposited in Vienna and sent to London quite recently?

I am afraid I am quite unable to identify this £1,400,000.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the British Government has yet received any communication from France relative to the action of her Government, in conjunction with Belgium, in definitely withdrawing from all further participation in the Leipzig trials; and whether His Majesty's Government proposes to adopt a similar course;

(2) whether the translations of the reports of the Leipzig trials are now complete; and, if so, when will they be circulated for the information of Members of this House?

I have been asked to reply. As to the first question, I have little to add to the answers already given to similar questions. The course to be adopted will be determined after consultation between the Allies, and I understand that an oral communication has already been made to this end by the French Chargé d'Affaires, both to our own Government and to the Government of Belgium. As to the second question, the judgments referred to have been translated, and I hope that in the course of two or three days the papers will be in the hands of hon. Members.

May the House take it that before we rise we shall have some statement from the Government as to what course they propose to adopt in regard to the trial of the remaining 90 of the alleged War criminals still on the British list, always assuming, of course, that they are still in Germany?

I do not think it is within my province to answer that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a woman as one of the Government delegates to the International Labour Conference at Geneva next October?

The personnel of the British Government Delegation has not yet been determined, but my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind. I think we can undertake to meet my hon. Friend's desires when appointing the Government technical advisers. I understand that one or more women will probably be included among the technical advisers to the workers' delegate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the delegates could give place to a woman?

No; I am not aware of that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether Employment Exchanges have been authorised to issue a list of requirements with regard to hours of work, wages, etc., to persons desiring to obtain domestic servants; whether any system of inspection of domestic servants who obtained places through an Employment Exchange has been approved or contemplated; and whether, seeing that any such system of inspection is likely to undermine the existence of friendly relations in the household and is quite unnecessary for the protection of the servant, as the demand for servants is much greater than the supply, he will withdraw any regulations of the kind?

As has been explained in reply to several previous questions, the juvenile advisory committees or choice of employment committees have, in a number of cases, formulated standard terms and conditions for domestic service for boys and girls under 18. These terms and conditions have no compulsory force and deal exclusively with persons under 18. But in view of representations made to me I am looking into the whole matter, and hope to discuss it to-morrow with the London Juvenile Advisory Committee. I am not clear what my hon. Friend means by inspection of domestic servants. I may say, however, that no official of the Ministry of Labour is authorised to pay a visit of inspection to a private house. Indeed, I may call my hon. Friend's attention to Section 29 (1) ( a, ) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, the effect of which is that inspectors appointed under that Act have no power to enter any private dwelling-house which is not a workshop.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these advisory committees to which he has referred, carry on their business from Employment Exchanges, and write on official Government paper, and therefore employers of servants assume that these questionnaires which they receive, do come from the Ministry of Labour.

The advisory committees are chosen in part by the Ministry of Labour and partly by the Board of Education, but they have not, as I have already said, any compulsory powers. The Ministry are considering the whole matter, but I have taken time by the forelock and I am asking the London Juvenile Advisory Committee to meet me to-morrow.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a deputation from the workers' organisation in connection with this matter?

; I am always ready to receive any representative bodies from any quarter.

Has the right hon. Gentleman already been approached to receive a deputation from the Workers' Union, who have members employed in domestic service, for the purpose of discussing the question now being raised?

I have not received any request. If I do so, I shall gladly see the representatives of that body.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there is now a strong feeling in the country that these employment exchanges are not at all necessary?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the 10-ft. and two-row seams at the Jamage Colliery (Bignall Hill Colliery Company) have not been reopened and are closed down, thus depriving 100 men of employment, which men have so far been unable to obtain unemployment pay; and will he have the matter put right at the earliest possible moment?

I am informed that the two-row seams at the colliery in question have been definitely closed down owing to the damage caused by the withdrawal of labour through the dispute. The 10-ft. seam has been temporarily closed owing to the same cause, but will, it is anticipated, be reopened in four or five weeks. Test claims made by the workpeople who are thus unemployed have been disallowed by the insurance officer and appeals to the Court of Referees have been lodged. Steps will be taken to expedite the hearing of these cases, but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that the decision in these matters does not rest with me.

On what grounds were these people refused unemployment pay, since they are not thrown out of work by the stoppage, but by the decision to close down these seams?

This is the decision of the insurance officer. Thereafter, on behalf of the persons concerned, there is an appeal to the Board of Referees, and then to the Umpire. That process is now being followed, and I will give my hon. Friend the final decision directly I get it.

When is that likely to be? Is the Minister aware that at the present time there are one hundred families being starved?

I have told the hon. Member I am taking steps to expedite the appeal, and I can do no more.

Will it be next week? I give notice I shall repeat the question on this day week.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has decided that unemployment benefit shall not be payable during customary holiday periods unless the unemployed person has been unemployed for at least a fortnight before the holiday period; if so, will he state his authority for making this decision; and whether, in view of the fact that it will inflict hardship upon many who have been unemployed for only a week prior to the holiday period, he will reconsider the matter?

The Umpire, who is the statutory authority for the determination of claims to unemployment benefit, has decided that in general persons who are suspended or working short time are not entitled to benefit for recognised customary holidays. Where, however, a person is off work for a period comprising more than 12 consecutive working days, exclusive of holidays (whether the days occur before or after or partly before and partly after the holidays), benefit may be paid for the whole period, including the holidays, subject to the deduction of the waiting period, if necessary. I have no power to modify these decisions.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has now been made with the employment of ex-service men in the building trade; how many disabled ex-service men have been trained in the building trade; and how many have actually obtained employment?

I regret that progress in the building scheme for the employment of able-bodied ex-service men to be trained in the building industry continues to be very disappointing. This is attributed by the employers to the continued slackness of trade. The National Federation of Building Trades Employers is holding a general meeting this week at Sheffield, and I am counting on receiving from the federation some practical proposals which may ensure real progress. 2,523 disabled ex-service men have passed through a course of training in the building trades under the industrial training scheme, and 4,516 men are now receiving training. I have no reason to believe that these men when trained are not as fully employed as other building trade operatives.

When these disabled ex-service men have been trained, will it be possible for them to find employment?

There is another question on the paper dealing with that point.

Can my right hon. Friend say in what branches of the building trade ex-service men are now being trained?

In all branches.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Minister of Health also to advise him on any measure which is likely to produce more houses?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in certain trades for which provision has been made for training disabled sailors and soldiers the rates of pay to be paid during improvership in employers' workshops have been from time to time revised, and that such revised rates have in most cases provided for a considerable increase over wages rates previously fixed; whether he is also aware that where men have been previously placed out under the terms of the original schemes there is no obligation on the part of the employer to pay the revised rates which may be agreed upon by the National Trades Advisory Committees concerned; and whether he proposes to ask for powers to compel the due observance of any such increased rates as may have received his-sanction and approval?

I am aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers. Wherever the scale of payments-to be made to an improver by the employer is increased upon the advice of a National Trade Advisory Committee, endeavours are made to secure by consent acceptance of the increased scale of employers who have already engaged improvers upon the original scale. These endeavours, I may say, meet with substantial success.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that these employers who are refusing to carry out the request of the Ministry of Labour are removed from the list of Government contractors?

I do not know. I do not want them to retaliate by not helping with the improvership problem.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the housing conditions in the parish of Mancetter, Atherstone, Warwickshire, where, out of 86 houses, 36 have been declared by the sanitary inspector to be in a bad condition, and where 18 houses contain 36 families; and whether, in view of the fact that the Atherstone Rural District Council accepted a provisional tender as long ago as May, 1920, for the erection of 12 houses, he can see his way to permit the scheme in question to be put into execution forthwith?

My attention has been drawn to the report of the sanitary inspector referred to. The question whether any additional contracts can be entered into in this case will be considered in connection with other cases.

Does the right hon. Gentleman notice from my question that the council accepted a provisional tender in May, 1920, for the erection of 12 houses, and will he see that at least the houses under that provisional tender are completed?

I am including that matter in the consideration of' the whole question.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of his implied undertaking to extend the housing contract at Clayton, Manchester, on guild lines, and of his admission that the work already done by the Building Guild at Clayton is satisfactory, as well as of the willingness of the Manchester Corporation to continue the scheme in association with the guild, he will give his approval to the completion of the Clayton housing scheme on guild terms?

A tender by the Building Guild for the erection of any additional houses to be built by the Manchester Corporation would be considered with other tenders. There has been no undertaking to extend the present guild contract.

asked the Minister of Health what was the lowest tender for house building sanctioned by the Ministry of Health immediately prior to his appointment as Minister; and how this compared with the highest price sanctioned in 1920 and the lowest price accepted by him since his appointment?

The lowest tenders approved at the time mentioned in the first part of the question were £599 10s. for a non-parlour house and £741 for a parlour house. In each case the price was not subject to adjustment to meet variations in the cost of labour and materials. The highest tenders approved in 1920 were £l,097 for a non-parlour house and £1,288 15s. for a parlour house. These prices are subject to adjustment in respect of variations in cost of labour and materials and are not comparable to the others as the sites presented special difficulties. The lowest tenders accepted since 1st April, 1921, were £592 for a non-parlour house and £640 for a parlour house. In the former case the tender is subject to adjustment to meet varia- tions in the cost of labour and materials and in the latter case in respect of labour only.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures he has just quoted are entirely at variance with the statement communicated to the Press by his Department to the effect that the fall in building tenders coincided with the change in the office of the Minister of Health, and will he see that the same publicity is given to the figures he has just mentioned as was given to the erroneous statement issued by his Department?

I have no doubt that the figures will have all due publicity?

Jew publicity!

Order, order!

All right, get on with it.

The hon. Member for Silvertown (Mr. J. Jones) must not continue these offensive interruptions. I hope I shall not again have to call his attention to this matter. I have cautioned him several times before, and, if he persists, I shall have to take steps to have him removed from the House.

I hope not. I do not care if you do.

Withdraw, withdraw!

An insult to the Speaker.

called upon Mr. Trevelyan Thomson to put the next question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made in a building trade paper that in the eastern counties house building operations began to slacken last autumn and that now very little work was on hand; that prices have fallen considerably from the maximum; and whether, under these circumstances, he will reconsider his decision not to allow any more contracts to be placed for houses under the Housing Act of 1919 in excess of the limit of 176,000?

I have seen a statement to the effect referred to. I am afraid, however, that it will not be possible to exceed the limitations as regards housing laid down in the statement which I made on the 14th July.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have just had a statement by the Minister of Labour that it is difficult to absorb the ex-service men in the building trade owing to the slackness of trade; how then can he say that we are full up with orders for the next two years?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the very serious deficiency of houses in the Consett Division of Durham and the high death-rate resulting therefrom; how that deficiency will be affected by the recent changes in the Government's housing policy; and what steps he now proposes to take to ensure an adequate supply of houses in that division for ex-service men and others?

According to my information, contracts have already been entered into by the Consett Urban District Council for the building of 177 houses, of which only some 50 or 60 have been completed. I think that the obvious course for the district council is to concentrate on the completion of these houses. The question whether any additional contracts can be entered into will be considered in connection with other cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my question covers a very much larger area than his answer, and that the number of houses he has mentioned is a mere fleabite compared with those that are needed?

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the amount paid upon interest charges upon the outstanding debt of the local authorities in England and Wales during the latest financial year for which the figures are available?

The latest complete total at present available is that given in reply to a question by the hon. Member on 17th March last, namely, £20,030,000.

asked the Minister of Health if an old age pensioner making an appeal for an increase of pension is deprived of the whole of the pension till the appeal has been decided?

An old age pension is paid to an existing pensioner at the current rate pending the decision on his appeal for a higher sum, but a pension cannot be paid on a new claim until the right to a pension has been finally decided.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that inquiries have long since been made, a definite date has been fixed for the establishment of a trade board in Ireland for the hairdressing trade and also a trade board for the grocery and provision trade in Ireland?

The position remains as stated in the answer given in reply to a similar question asked by my hon. Friend on the 30th May, and I am afraid I cannot usefully add to what was then said.

In view of the fact that this has been going on for eight months, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us a decision in the matter?

As I told my hon. Friend, it is very desirable—and I am sure he will agree—that as far as possible we should start at least by agreement between employers and employed. If I can get that, subsequent proceedings are likely to be more helpful and harmonious.

Does not the Trade Boards Act provide that, in the event of an agreement not being arrived at, the Minister has the final decision?

Yes, but I am talking about establishing a board and the representation of either side covering the trade and the exact limits to be covered.

Seeing that the board has to decide by a majority—

We cannot argue every question.

asked the Prime Minister Whether he is aware that when Mr. de Valera was captured in Dublin on 22nd June, a report of a train ambush of British soldiers, which took place at Drum-condra on 16th June, was found upon him, describing in detail the action of the Irish republican army bombers and Thompson machine-gunners; whether, in view of this discovery, which proves that the ambushers reported to Mr. de Valera, he can state whether any arrangement has been made in the truce terms, which provide for due notice being given of the termination of the truce, in the event of the negotiations breaking down, so that Crown forces may not be surprised whilst unarmed and massacred; and whether he is further aware that plans to carry out such a massacre by surprise are known to exist in a certain area?

The Government are fully aware of the nature of the documents seized at the house in which Mr. de Valera was arrested, but do not propose either to confirm or correct the result of the researches which my hon. and gallant Friend appears to have made into the matter. In regard to the remainder of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend can rest assured that the safety of His Majesty's troops is a consideration which stands in no danger of being overlooked by the Government or their responsible advisers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question on the Paper, which asks that due notice will be given in the truce terms in the event of the negotiations breaking down, in view of the fact that numerous attempted treacherous assassinations have taken place, will he endeavour to have some notice of the kind agreed to?

asked the Prime Minister, seeing that a truce is now operating in Ireland, whether he can see his way clear to allow those co-operative creameries that are now closed by mili- tary order to re-open; whether he is aware that the continued closing of these creameries is inflicting serious losses on Irish farmers and also restricting food supplies to this country, which are badly needed here owing to the drought; and, seeing that other measures, such as the curfew, have been cancelled, he can see his way to advise the authorities to permit these creameries to re-open?

I am informed that all orders closing creameries have been rescinded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what wages are paid monthly to natives doing unskilled work on public works in Kenya; and how do these wages compare with the wages paid by planters to the same class of labour?

In putting this question, may I be permitted to say how glad we are to see the Colonial Secretary in his place to answer it?

In answering it, may I be permitted to say how glad I am to see that my hon. and gallant Friend is taking the trouble to attend to ask his own questions?

I have no information as to the prevailing rates of wages in Kenya at the present moment, but I will consult the Acting Governor on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether natives of Rhodesia have recently been deprived of a reserve of 6,000,000 acres and given one elsewhere of 5,000,000 acres; whether, if so, any compensation has been given to the natives for cost of removal or loss of improvements; whether there is any risk of further curtailment of the reserves for railway lands or otherwise; and whether His Majesty's Government have now definitely resolved that in future native reserves shall remain undiminished and reserved for the exclusive use of natives?

The hon. Member no doubt refers to the action taken as a result of the recommendations of the Southern Rhodesia Native Reserves Commission, whose Report is published in Cd. 8,674, whereby the total area of the reserves in Southern Rhodesia has been reduced by about 1,000,000 acres. For the reasons given in the reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Raffan) on the 3rd November last, no special financial provision is considered to be necessary to assist natives in their removals, and there have been no complaints from the natives of pecuniary loss. The Administrator of Southern Rhodesia has promised, however, that if representations should be made by a native Commissioner showing that hardship would be suffered by any kraal or individual due to removal from a reverted area, the question of assistance would be sympathetically considered. As regards the last two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the terms of the Order in Council of the 9th November last, which is printed in Cmd. 1,042, and to Lord Milner's despatch to the High Commissioner for South Africa, also published in that Paper. It will be seen that the reserves have been formally vested in the High Commissioner for the use and occupation of the natives, and that, apart from from certain minor adjustments which may be necessary, the High Commissioner will have no power to alienate land comprised within the reserves except for very limited purposes, and then only in exchange for other land.

May we take it that there is no foundation for the allegation that the railways to be built through the reserve are to have grants of six miles of the natives' land on each side of the railway?

I am not aware of it.

Can we be assured that that will not be done after this land has been settled on the natives?

I think my answer is complete on that point. If land be taken for certain limited purposes, other land must be provided.

But do you call a stretch 12 miles wide a limited purpose?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the scheme of responsible government proposed by the Buxton Committee for Southern Rhodesia, the Matabele native reserves will be administered on the same lines and with the same status as Basutoland, directly by the High Commissioner, or whether they will be administered by a Rhodesian Minister for Native Affairs responsible to the Southern Rhodesian legislature?

It seems quite clear that Lord Buxton's Committee in proposing to retain the High Commissioner's power of supervision and control had no idea of transferring to him administrative duties whch he does not at present exercise, and which have been, and should continue to be, performed by officials of the local government.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any change has taken place in the announced policy of closing down the lighter-than-air airship establishments on the 1st August next; whether the services of the personnel, and in particular the ground and office staffs, will be dispensed with or whether work will be found for them in other departments; and what annual saving will be effected by the closing down of the lighter-than-air airship establishments?

In reply to the first part of the question, there is no change, at present, in the Government's airship policy. 1st August remains the date. In reply to the second part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by me to the question of the hon. Member for Twickenham (Sir W. Joynson-Hicks) on Monday last (No. 97). If the airship service is shut down as from the 1st August, the saving on this year's Estimates, under this head, should amount to some £150,000.

Arising out of the second part of the answer, may I ask whether the answer to that question did not apply to the regular officers? What will happen to the clerical staffs and civilian staffs em- ployed? Will they be absorbed, or will their services be dispensed with, in order to effect a saving?

Generally speaking, the civilian staff, who have already received notice of this date, will have to find other civil employment. As regards the military staff, they will, in almost all cases, be absorbed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can now make a statement as to the future position of airships?

This is a similar question to the last one. I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman has anything to add in consequence of the recent Committee?

No, Sir. I have prepared an answer to the question. Until the Dominion Premiers have given their decision as to whether they will participate in either or any of the schemes outlined in the Report of my Committee, which was handed to my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary yesterday, it is not possible for the British Government to lay new proposals before Parliament.

Are we to understand that, in the event of the Dominion Premiers not agreeing, as we had reason to think they would, in some way to keep this vital service going, the whole thing will be scrapped on the 1st August, without this House having the opportunity to discuss it either on the right hon. Gentleman's salary or in any other way?

Yes, Sir; the suggestion which has been laid before the Premiers by the Committee over which I presided, includes, of course, the scrutiny of the private offer, all of which involves participation and contribution from the Dominions concerned.

I have sent a private notice to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and, if convenient to the House, I will ask it now.

I may simply say that I have received the report of my right hon. Friend's Committee, and that a special meeting of the Committee of the Imperial Conference is summoned for to-morrow morning.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement here to-morrow afternoon?

No, Sir; because the decision of the Committee will have to be reported to the full Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the plébiscite is to be taken in Mesopotamia, on the unanimous motion of the Council of Ministers at Bagdad, with regard to the election to the Amirate of Iraq of His Highness the Emil Feisal; and whether he can give the House any further information regarding the progress of his policy in Mesopotamia?

The High Commissioner and the Council of State are taking steps to ascertain the views of the population of Mesopotamia on the subject of the Amirate, but the date of the referendum has not yet been reported; and for the present there is no further information to give the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the country is being left in ignorance of the extent and natural resources of Mesopotamia and of the work of reorganisation and civilisation which has been effected by British rule since its capture from the Turks; and could he enlist the services of the historical adviser to the Foreign Office, in collaboration with British administrators and Arab notabilities, to correct the impression that the taxpayer has nothing to show for his money?

The White Paper dated 3rd December, 1920—" Review of the Civil Administration of Mesopotamia "—should serve to dispel any ignorance there may be regarding the period ending July, 1920, and from time to time similar reports will be published, to bring the information up to date.

When may we expect the next Report?

I hope to lay papers in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the strength of feeling among the Europeans in Kenya at the suggestion that an Eastern theory of civilisation, instead of a Western, should be imposed both on them and on the natives, he will recommend a Royal Commission to investigate the whole question of the position of Indians in Africa, since the principle adopted in one part of the African Empire must affect all the others?

As I stated in Committee of Supply on the 14th July, I am reluctant, for the reasons I there gave, to have recourse to a Royal Commission to consider this question, unless other means fail.

asked the Prime Minister if an opportunity will be given to discuss the Army Estimates; and, if so, when?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to what the Prime Minister said on Monday last, in reply to a question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York (Sir J. Butcher).

asked the Prime Minister what other war-time restrictions, apart from those on the sale and consumption of liquor which are now being taken in hand, still remain to be placed on a permanent peace-time footing; and what action to that end the Government proposes to take in each case?

I will make inquiries with a view to collecting the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether any steps have been taken at the meetings of the Dominion Prime Ministers and representative of India to come to any decision in regard to the future organisation and unification of a system for the defence of the British Empire; and whether there is to be any permanent Sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence on which the Dominions and India will be represented?

The question of co-operation in the naval, military, and air defence of the Empire has been discussed with the Dominion Prime Ministers and representatives of India. Representatives of the Dominions while in this country are invariably invited to meetings of the Committee of Imperial Defence and its Sub-committees, when subjects likely to interest them are under consideration.

Does that mean that the recommendations of the last Imperial Conference have not been given effect to at this Imperial Conference?

I do not know to what the hon. and gallant Gentleman is referring.

That there should be some greater unity of command in regard to the whole defence of the Empire.