asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to a statement made at a recent meeting of the Brighton local war pensions committee to the effect that an inspector was sent specially from headquarters to inquire into the necessity of three rubber stamps which had been requisitioned by the committee; and will he inquire into the matter?

I am glad to have the opportunity of denying this ridiculous statement. The facts are that an official was sent to Brighton to make important investigations concerning individual pensioners, and only mentioned the requisition for stamps incidentally when in the local committee's office.

asked the Minister of Pensions if Patrick Connolly, late gunner, No. 92763, Royal Garrison Artillery, was, on 1st June, summoned for non-payment of the maintenance order of £l a week held by his wife from whom he is separated; and that Connolly has been unable to work and in receipt of out-treatment allowance since May, 1920; and if he can make up the man's allowance or have the allowance to the wife reckoned in as part of the £1?

I am inquiring into this case and will communicate with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) how many cases of ex-service men suffering from neurasthenia have been dealt with by the House of Lords Appeal Tribunal during the 12 months ending 1st July, 1921; what is the number of such appeals which have been rejected by the tribunals during that period;

(2) how many cases of ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis have been dealt with by the House of Lords Appeal Tribunal during the 12 months ending 1st July, 1921; and what is the number of such appeals which have been rejected by the tribunals during that period?

I regret that I have not the particulars available which would enable me to supply the figures required, and I understand that the information is also not available at the office of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether an answer will be given on a later date?

I will make further inquiries and see whether I can help the hon. Member, but the figures are more likely to be in the office of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the large staff employed at the Issue Office in Regent's Park and Acton, he can give any particulars showing the need for this staff and the amount of the work carried out?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the detailed description of the work of Pension Issue Office in Part V of the Report of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry, which was distributed to hon. Members at the time of the introduction of the War Pensions Bill.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give facilities to Members of Parliament to inspect the work which is being carried on?

Nothing would please me more than to invite Members of this House to see what is being done. If any Members care to visit the office, I shall be glad to make arrangements for them to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why it is necessary to spend £950 for the hire of a motor car for the night staff typists in the Foreign Office?

A motor car is hired for the purpose of conveying to their homes certain female typists and duplicators who are employed until late at night upon the typing and copying of urgent telegrams. Generally speaking, the staff in question cannot be released until between 11 p.m. and midnight, when the ordinary means of transport are in many cases no longer available. The charge also covers the use of the car by the King's Home Service messengers for the distribution of urgent telegrams after 8 p.m. It is hoped that before the next financial year circumstances may render it possible to reduce considerably the night shift of the Department of the Office which deals with telegrams, when the motor car in question may no longer be required.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is against the law to employ women late at night, and could not ex-service men be employed on the night shift instead of these women, who could be allowed to go home by the ordinary means of conveyance?

What is the make of this car which costs so much? Is the hon. Gentleman aware a British made Ford can be bought for £200?

I will inquire as to that.

Is it not a fact that it is against the law to employ women at night, and that the Foreign Office are breaking the law?

I am not aware of that

Can it be definitely stated when this absolutely unnecessary expenditure will be cut down?

I hope it will be possible to reduce it, but I do not think a very large saving will be effected.

Would it not be better to work a little harder in the daytime, and avoid the necessity for this work at night?

It would not be possible to complete these particular duties earlier. I would like to point out that the Foreign Office staff work quite hard enough.

asked the Prime Minister the number of persons employed in Government Departments on 30th June, 1914, and 30th June, 1921, respectively; and the total personnel, male and female, now employed in Government Departments created since August, 1914?

The approximate numbers of staff, excluding industrials, employed in Government Departments at 30th June, 1914, and 1st July, 1921, are 283,000 and 386,000, respectively. Of the latter total 70,400 are employed in Departments which have come into existence since August, 1914.

asked the Prime Minister the total estimated annual cost of the salaries paid to persons employed in Government Departments on 30th June, 1921?

The amount paid in salaries and wages to persons employed in Government Departments, including temporary staffs but excluding industrial employés, for the month of June was approximately £8,360,000. This sum is inclusive of bonus, and is subject to variation owing to fluctuations in the number of staffs month by month, and the reduction in bonus that will take place on 1st September next.

Am I to understand that that is inclusive of bonus?

That was stated in my reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether several prominent officers engaged upon duties of the greatest national importance at the Ministry of Transport have intimated their intention to resign their respective offices during the forthcoming autumn; whether the salaries now paid these officers are inadequate, having regard to the highly complex and technical nature of the duties they are called upon to discharge and the salaries paid for similar work in private firms and corporations; whether he is aware that general managers of certain railway companies receive salaries which range from £10,000 to £20,000 per annum; whether he will consider the advisability of adopting scales of remuneration appropriate to the work of public departments where specialised skill and administrative capacity are essential on a basis other than that of the Civil Service Regulations; and whether he proposes to endeavour to secure to the State the continued services of those officers on such terms as may be fair and reasonable, having regard to the nature of the duties they are called upon to discharge?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exechequer understands that certain officials employed at the Ministry of Transport have intimated that they propose to leave the service of the Ministry in the course of the next few months. As the hon. Member is aware, the present functions of the Ministry will be considerably modified on the termination of the period of control, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has already stated that very considerable reductions of staff will be effected by a reorganisation of work. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is well aware that the remuneration of the officials referred to is below that paid to general managers of railway companies; but whilst he appreciates the services that they have rendered, he regrets that it is not possible for him to increase the rates of salary now authorised.

asked the Minister of Transport how many inspectors are at present employed by the Ministry of Transport, and what they cost the country annually?

There are nine engineering inspectors now employed in the Roads Department of the Ministry of Transport—these appointments are mainly required to supervise the roads' expenditure, for which money is provided by the road users; three inspecting officers of railways (including the chief inspecting officer), with three assistants in the Public Safety and General Purposes Department, these do work which has for very many years been undertaken in connection with the safety of the public; and two inspectors in the Traffic and Mechanical Engineering Department, employed on safeguarding the public interest and in connection with the very large war property of the State on the railways. The total of their salaries is £11,060 per annum, exclusive of a fluctuating bonus on the prescribed Civil Service scale.

Does that include the expenses and allowances of these gentlemen?

I took the question of the hon. Gentleman to apply only to salaries. Should my hon. Friend desire information about the other matters, I will be glad to get it.

Are these appointments ordinary, or annual, or for a term of years?

They vary with the individual; if my hon. Friend desires further information I will get it.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that temporary service carries with it no rights either to a pension or to increments, the suggested examination qualifying women to appear before a selection board for admission to the higher ranks of the Civil Service may be waived in the case of temporary women of suitable qualifications and service, and the selection board be authorised to recommend candidates for appointment without further delay?

The fact that temporary service does not qualify for pension and increment is not, in the view of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a sufficient reason for modifying the draft regulations (Command Paper 1116) which have been laid before Parliament, for recruitment of women to higher posts in the Civil Service.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of this matter is held up because he promised to allow a discussion, and has he now arranged with the Leader of the House when that discussion shall take place?

I think the hon. Member will see that a question about a day for a discussion must be put to the Leader of the House.

It has been.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, regarding Civil Service holidays, how many members of the assistant clerk grade usually employed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days per week and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays get 36 working days' leave (six weeks); how many staff clerks get 42 working days' leave (seven weeks); and how many of the higher grades get eight weeks or more leave; and if he is aware that clerks of the first type in the city usually only get 14 days' annual holiday and that those occupying similar positions to the two latter classes rarely get more than four weeks' annual holiday?

No member of the assistant clerk grade is entitled to 36 working days' leave. A period of 42 days' leave is not normally applicable to staff clerks or comparable grades; but there are a few Departmental classes whose members are entitled to 42 days' leave after 10 or 20 years' service. The number of officers eligible for eight weeks leave (which is the maximum period allowable to the higher grades) is not immediately available; but the number would in any case be relatively very small. I should add that officers have frequently to forego a part of the leave for which they are eligible. I understand that the leave of classes in the city comparable to the grade of assistant clerk is not uniform, and not infrequently exceeds the period mentioned by the hon. Member.

Is it not proposed to make this return? Is it possible to have these figures a little later?

Is the hon. Gentleman referring to the eight weeks' leave period?

The whole series—six, seven, and eight weeks.

That would undoubtedly involve a very considerable amount of labour at the present time. If my hon. Friend really presses for the return, I will certainly give it further consideration, but I would observe that the amount of labour involved would be very considerable.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps he proposes to take to conform to the Treasury circular dated 13th May and cut down expenditure by 20 per cent.?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement I on this matter, and would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 19th July to the hon. and gallant Member for Hertford (Rear-Admiral Sueter).

Seeing how many people are out of employment, may we urge upon the Minister of Education that it would be better and more economical to the country to carry on the secondary education, so that these boys and girls might at least be learning something in this moment of depression?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is the enormous cost to the country of the present education schemes that is causing unemployment and high taxation?

The biggest waste of all was the money they spent on your education.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give the number to-day of inspectors, male and female, permanent and temporary, employed by his Board or lent to his Board from any other Ministry; what is the average salary paid to a male and female inspector; what is the estimated amount of their travelling and other out-of-pocket expenses; is he aware of the amount of work which their visits entail on the colleges and schools which they visit, and the added expense which their recommendations entail; and is it proposed to reduce the number of inspectors in the near future?

There are 362 permanent inspectors of all grades in the employment of the Board of Education. Of this number 293 are men and 69 women. The average substantive salary of the men inspectors is £548, and of the women inspectors £385. Occasional inspectors are also employed at a fee per day, plus expenses on the scale authorised by the Treasury. The estimated amount of the travelling and incidental expenses of inspectors for the current financial year is £65,000. It is not my opinion that the visits of inspection entail an undue amount of work to the staff and pupils. They are directed to increasing, not only the efficiency, but the economy of the public service of education and to seeing that the State obtains good value for its expenditure on that service. It is the duty of inspectors to assist the Board in checking wasteful and unnecessary expenditure. The present number of inspectors is less than before the War, and it is not proposed to reduce it in the near future.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman consider those salaries are adequate to get efficient service out of these highly educated men, and do those figures include any bonus?

I have given the substantive figures; they do not include bonus. At the present moment the average sum per man amounts to £981, and per woman £774.

How many taxpayers are there whose salaries are comparable with that?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that, might I be allowed to ask whether half-pay officers in the Army are entitled to raise questions as to whether people who are working are to be paid or not?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the staff of the Home Office has increased from 264 in 1914 to 429 this year; and whether he anticipates an early reduction?

The work of the Home Office increased enormously during the War, and necessitated the employment of a much larger staff. This staff has been gradually reduced and the number now employed is 371, not 429, or 107 above the pre-War number. This staff will be further reduced if the work diminishes, but at least one-half of the increase is due to administrative work arising from the registration and control of aliens and kindred matters, and must be permanent if the requirements of Parliament are to be carried out. Other causes of increase are the heavy work now arising in connection with police administration, the introduction of the cheaper system of multiplying documents in the office instead of getting them printed outside, the grant under General Service Regulations of the Saturday half-holiday and improved annual leave to the lower grades, and the employment of ex-service men in place of trained clerks and messengers. The requirements of the work are constantly under review, and every opportunity will be taken of further reduction of staff.

asked why the cost of the staff of the Inspection of Factories and Workshops Department has increased by £13,500 this year, although the number of officers has increased by only one?

The increase shown in the Estimate is mainly due to improvements in the pay and grading of the inspectorate and to new appointments of medical, engineering and electrical inspectors made in connection with the reorganisation scheme on which a statement was made in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Kensington on the 21st instant. A considerable reduction in the estimated expenditure will, however, be effected, as it is now proposed to leave unfilled 24 of the posts provided for in the Estimate, and thus reduce the figure by about £9,000.

asked the Minister of Health how many doctors have been appointed by the Ministry since its establishment; how many have been appointed on an annual agreement; how many for a term of years; and what is the total of their present annual salaries?

Sixty-eight doctors have been appointed in the Ministry of Health since 1st July, 1919, of whom eight are no longer in the service of the Ministry. Twenty-four of the 68 were appointed for a term of years, namely:— One for one year, one for three years, 22 for five years. The total salaries of the 60 officers still serving is £60,950, exclusive of war bonus.

Could the hon. Gentleman tell us what the war bonus amounts to for these officers?

I am afraid I cannot without a question is put down.

Could the hon. Gentleman say how much the 24 medical officers get to which reference was made?

I cannot.

Who is responsible for the appointment of these doctors and putting them in for a term of years?

The doctors have been appointed under the provisions of the Ministry of Health Act passed by this House.

Are any women doctors on that list, or only men?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the officers and staff of the former Ministry of Shipping are still employed in his Department?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Isle of Thanet on the 26th instant, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what are the present duties of the Military Permit Office, the number of officials employed, and the amount of salaries paid to each?

The duties of the Military Permit Office consist of the control of civilian passenger traffic to, and in transit through, British occupied territory in foreign countries. The staff consists of a chief permit officer, who is a military officer, two civilian examiners and two female clerical staff. The salaries are as follow:

Chief Permit Officer, £1,138 per annum. (Regimental rates of pay and allowances.)

Civilian examiners, £450 per annum each.

Female clerical staff, an average of £143 per annum each.

Are any of these gentlemen already in receipt of pensions in addition to their salaries, and could not their job be given to disabled ex-service men?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Is there not a Department of the Home Office which does exactly the same work, and could not economy be effected by merging the two Departments?

I am not aware of that.

May I ask whether, judging by the figures given to the House with regard to all sorts of persons, the hon. Gentleman can state if Members of Parliament are to be considered as scavengers. I notice none of these with whom they are contrasted are so badly paid?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Foreign Office has a Department doing the same work. Could not economy be effected by co-ordinating the two Departments?

I cannot say.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (1) whether a telegram from the representatives of 5,000 inhabitants of Kabreet, in the Foah district, stating that the authorities were obtaining documents of support for Adly Pasha in large quantities by fraudulent means, such as taking the seal from a man and affixing impressions of it to 50 documents with the addition of sham signatures, was sent to Lord Allenby, as being responsible for law and order in Egypt; what action, if any, was taken to deal with the matter;

(2) whether he has received information that Abdul Kader Mokhtar Bey, the then mamour ( i.e., district commissioner) of Abu Tig, sent by post a letter to Adly Pasha on 3rd May, 1921, imploring him to repeal order to the mamours and to the mudirs to force the inhabitants to affix their signatures to declarations of confidence in Adly Pasha and his Cabinet, and that in the letter he declared that he took the responsibility for acting thus, and that he did so as a mark of good faith in the British Government after he had read the statement that it was for the Egyptians themselves to choose their delegation; and whether he was subsequently transferred to the lonely, unimportant, and disease-ridden district of El Der?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether the Mayor of Kalyoub, Egypt, Saladin El Shawarby Bey, was dismissed from his post without trial by the Ministry of Interior because he sent to the paper "Al Nizam" a statement complaining that his name was wrongly included amongst the supporters of the present Egyptian Cabinet in an official communiqué issued by the Press Bureau, whereas he had already placed his confidence in Saad Zaghloul Pasha, the President of the Egyptian Nationalist Delegation;

(2) whether Fouad Shereen Bey and Hussein Fattouh Effendi, of the Egyptian Ministry of Education, and Mohammed Khashaba Bey, of the Egyptian Ministry of Justice, three of the members of the committee of Government officials, of whom 1,000 entertained Zaghloul Pasha to tea at the Continental Hotel, Cairo, on 6th May, 1921, were tried by a council of discipline for being members of the said committee and acquitted; whether the Ministers of Education and Justice, respectively, appealed against these decisions; whether each of the nine members of the committee was also acquitted, but Sadek Henein Bey was dismissed from his post by the order of the Council of Ministers before his trial?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if he has any information to the effect that in the second week in June, 1921, the authorities of Foah district, Gharbeya Province, sent out to Bernbal, one of the towns belonging to that district, declarations of confidence in the Cabinet and requested the police officer there to make a tour of all the towns and collect signatures; that only two from Nahyet Bourg Maghzal, five from Nahyet Ezah El Wakf Kibly and Bahary, and four from Nahyet Bereidah signed, and this only after extremely severe measures had been adopted; whether, when none could be made to sign in Bernbal, the authorities sent out the town crier, who called out that there were things at the police station for sale by auction, whereupon many of the inhabitants went to the sale, at which the highest bidders were asked for their seals to affix impressions to the sale list, but that in reality they were being affixed to declarations of confidence in the Cabinet, and that when this trick was discovered a disturbance ensued and, had it not been for the timely arrival of the mayor and his good offices, a serious fight would have resulted between the inhabitants and the soldiers;

(2) whether he will explain why the official communiqué issued by the Press Bureau and published on 28th June, 1921, stated that Sheikh S oilman Amer El Kattawy, mayor of Mahallet Menouf, visited the Egyptian Prime Minister on 28th June, .1921, in Alexandria, and presented him with declarations of confidence from the inhabitants of his town and expressed his unlimited confidence in his Excellency, in view of the fact that the said mayor died suddenly from heart failure in Cairo on 25th June, and that he had not been to Alexandria for five months previously; and whether he is aware that the names of the late Mostapha Ismail Bey and of the late Mostapha Mayfouz Bey, late members of the, irrigation committees, were amongst the lists of names of those who went to declare their confidence in Adly Pasha, and that they both died some time before?

As regards Question 24, I have reason to believe that Sadek Bey Henein was dismissed by decision of the Council of Ministers in accordance with the law, but in consequence of a breach of discipline subsequent in date to that for which the other persons mentioned in this question are stated to have been tried by councils of discipline. I have no information as to the remaining parts of this question, nor in regard to the allegations contained in any of the other questions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has anything to report as to the progress of negotiations with the Egyptian Cabinet?

The negotiations are pursuing their normal course. It was not anticipated that they would be rapid, or that any conclusions would be easily reached.

Is it a fact that these negotiations are against popular opinion in Egypt at present?

I think that is a highly arguable point.

asked the Prime Minister how many meetings have been held with the Egyption delegation; when a public statement is likely to be made regarding the progress of the negotiations; whether it is proposed to adjourn the meetings shortly and to resume them in the autumn; and whether the negotiations are likely to be concluded before the next Session of Parliament?

Four meetings with the Egyptian delegation have already taken place. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan) to-day. The answers to the third and fourth parts of the question are in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of removing the restrictions governing the price at which whisky can be sold to the public; whether he is aware that the present high price of whisky is due to the fact that the Government takes 8s. 5½d. per bottle from, the price paid by the consumer for whisky 30 per cent, under proof; and will be explain the reason for the continuance of this imposition?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will revoke the Prices and Descriptions Order, 1920, in consideration of the cost to the taxpayer of the inspectors, officials, and legal advisers necessary to the carrying out of the said Order?

I have been asked to reply. This matter is under consideration.

I have been asked to again postpone this question about the troops in Silesia. I hope the Prime Minister will be able to give an answer early, in view of the grave public anxiety which exists in reference to this matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House the number of German war criminals accused of crimes by this country who have escaped; and the number, if known, of those who still remain in Germany?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is, so far as I am aware, three. The answer to the second part is not known.

Have any instructions now been given the British Ambassador to make any move in this matter?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the members of the Provisional Joint Committee of the National Industrial Conference have resigned; and whether they have given any reason for this action?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the statement on behalf of the Provisional Joint Committee which accompanied the chairman's letter to me. I shall propose to revert to the matter in submitting the Estimates for the Ministry of Labour next week.

I put this question to the Prime Minister because it involves a matter of policy. In the absence of the right hon. Gentleman, I ask the Minister of Labour whether it is not a fact that members of this Industrial Council resigned because pledges given by the Prime Minister to them were all repudiated?

I ask my hon. and gallant Friend to wait until he hears the other side of the story. I think that will put another construction upon the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he or the competent military authority hold the responsibility for detailing commissioned officers of the forces of the Crown to act as liaison officers with persons who are suspected of the crimes of murder, arson, and theft?

All the arrangements made to facilitate the carrying out of the agreement as to a cessation of hostilities during the progress of negotiations were settled by the military authorities in Ireland in agreement with the civil government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in at least one case, an officer has to meet as a liaison officer a man who is known to have been in a gang who murdered his predecessor?

I was not aware of that.

Would it not be better that the Royal Irish Constabulary —the civil authorities—should deal with these people, and not officers.

In the great majority of cases that is the fact now.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Ireland is an independent country, according to the Act of 1783?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has yet come to a decision as to the appointment of a Royal Commission or a Select Committee to inquire into the question of municipal government in the Greater London area and the overlapping of existing powers in the present local government; and, if so, can he state when such inquiry will take place?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that over 10 years ago his Department, when it was the Local Government Board, were considering the question of appointing a Committee to inquire into the government of Greater London; and if he can hold out any hope that this Committee will be appointed before the end of the present Session of Parliament?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet in a position to make a further statement on this subject.

In view of the great feeling now existing in London regarding local government and rating, is the hon. Gentleman prepared to say that something ought to be done to meet the situation before a general outbreak of revolt in the poorer districts takes place?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Commission for Awards to Inventors is expected to finish its work; and whether an announcement can; now be made that no new claims will be considered if not submitted before an early date?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on the 18th instant. The suggestion contained in the latter part of the question has been already considered, but there are serious difficulties in the way of its adoption, since in the case of patented inventions the patentee has a legal right to present his claim within six years from the date on which it arose. The matter will, however, be further considered.

asked the Prime Minister what information he has regarding the failure of the crops in Southern Russia through drought, and especially in the Volga Basin; and whether, if confirmation of reports of widespread starvation is received or has been received, His Majesty's Government have considered what action, either in conjunction with other Governments or otherwise, can be taken?

I have received no official news regarding famine in Russia, other than that given by MM. Klishko and Behrsin, members of the Russian Trade Delegation, to the Foreign Office yesterday. I have read in the Press, with much concern, accounts of the deplorable situation created by the failure of crops, combined with the breakdown of means of transport. On the other hand, I am puzzled by an official telegram, by wireless from Moscow, indicating that apprehensions have been exaggerated, and that recent rains in some regions and abundant crops in others will partially, at any rate, compensate for the failure in the Volga and Kirghiz districts. No requests for any form of assistance has yet been made to His Majesty's Government, and it would, therefore, be premature to make any statement as to any possible future, action.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of sending a message to our Trade Delegation in Moscow instructing them to inquire whether we can, on grounds of humanity, give any assistance, and, if so, in what form?

I would rather we had some representations on the subject first.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will be able to attend the forthcoming meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the names of those who will represent this country at the next Assembly of the League of Nations?

asked the Prime Minister if he can yet say if it will be possible for him to attend the Assembly of the League of Nations at their forthcoming meeting?

I can at present add nothing to the answer given by the Leader of the House on the 20th July, in reply to a question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Rawlinson).

Does not the Prime Minister realise the enormous amount of good that might be done by his presence, and the presence in consequence of other Prime Ministers, at the Assembly in Geneva?

That was considered very carefully in connection with the last meeting, and I was advised at that time that it was considered undesirable. However, I have always got that in mind.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give us the names?

I should rather like to consult with my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council before I give an answer to that question.

Have the Dominions and India decided on their representatives yet?

I do not think so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to reports in the papers, the League of Nations are meeting next week at Geneva?

I think it is in September.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will expedite the announcement of the names of our representatives as much as he can, because it is evident—it does not affect me —that whoever is sent would like to know as soon as possible?

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the intentions of His Majesty's Government with regard to the ratification of the international conventions on communications and transit adopted by the conference which recently met at Barcelona under the auspices of the League of Nations?

His Majesty's Government have informed the Secretary-General of the League of Nations that they have decided to ratify both the International Conventions adopted at the Barcelona Conference to which the question refers, namely, the Conventions with regard to Freedom of Transit and Navigable Waterways of International Concern. His Majesty's Government have also decided to accept the additional Protocol relating to Navigation of National Waterways and the Declaration with regard to the recognition of the flags of States possessing no sea coast.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has yet communicated to the International Labour Office its difficulties in regard to the ratification of the Eight-hours' Convention adopted at Washington in 1919; and, if so, when and with what result?

In conformity with the provisions of Article 405 of the Treaty of Versailles, a letter was sent to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations on 26th July, communicating the decisions of the Government in regard to the Hours of Convention and setting out in detail the reasons for that decision. I will in due course send my right hon. Friend a copy of this letter, to which necessarily no reply has yet been received.

Will there be a statement before the adjournment?

That depends upon when the reply is received.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government are still observing neutrality in the Turco-Hellenic war; and if the consent of Parliament will be invited before any change of policy occurs?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made in this House on 16th June and 7th July.

asked the Prime Minister what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government to implement the declaration of the Supreme Council on 8th March, 1920, to the effect that the States enlarged by the War should at once re-establish full and friendly co-operation and arrange for the unrestricted interchange of commodities in order that the essential unity of European economic life may not be impaired by the erection of artificial economic barriers?

His Majesty's Government took an active part in the Brussels Financial Conference and in the Barcelona Conference on Transportation Facilities, and they have used their influence on every possible occasion to encourage action in all parts of Europe which will tend to replace the period of war and warlike peace by a new period of true peace and co-operation, which they regard as the highest interest both of the British Empire in particular and the world in general. With a view to the attainment of these objects, His Majesty's Government have further given every possible encouragement to the project of an economic conference of the Successor States which is to be held at Porto Rose in the near future.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that the Brussels International Conference, in which our Government took a leading part, advocated complete freedom of commerce between all countries, and why, in view of that fact, does the right hon. Gentleman introduce restrictions on trade in this very Session of Parliament?

We cannot argue that matter at Question Time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any announcement as to the approximate date of the official termination of the War?

The date of the termination of the War (except as regards Turkey) will be the 1st September next.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received a letter from the hon. and gallant Member for South-East Leeds (Captain O'Grady) requesting, on behalf of the traders, workers, the Deptford and Greenwich Borough Councils, and the ratepayers of the locality, that he should receive a deputation on the subject of releasing the Deptford cattle market for the purpose of landing Canadian cattle and sheep for slaughter; and, if so, will he state when such deputation will be received?

Yes, Sir, I have received the letter from the hon. Member for South-East Leeds, and I sent a reply to him yesterday, in which I set out the reasons which have led me to the conclusion that no useful purpose would be served by receiving the suggested deputation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great many trades are adversely affected by the holding up of this market? I could give the right hon. Gentleman a list of— [Hon. Members: "Order, order!"]

I think I have had the full facts before me, and it does not appear that there is any large or continuous trade available for this market, and the country would certainly be involved in great expense by the surrender of the market. I am sure the last reason would be conclusive with the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fact that the London banks still make a difference of two points between the bank rate and the rate they pay on deposits, notwithstanding the fact that the bank rate has been reduced from 7 per cent, to 5½ per cent.; if this difference of two points when the bank rate is 5½ per cent, is much greater than when the rate was 7 per cent.; and if he proposes to make any representations with reference to the matter?

This is not a matter which calls for the intervention of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and, were it so, he would have no desire to encourage the banks to pay a higher rate on deposits.

Has not the Chancellor of the Exchequer on previous occasions exercised influence with the banks with regard to the rate? Is not this a War rate, and is it not time to get rid of these exceedingly high rates?

Answering on the spur of the moment, I should say that the answer to the supplementary question is undoubtedly in the negative, but if the hon. Member requires more accurate historical information on that point, I should certainly like to have notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the introduction of Japanese currency into South Manchuria means the circulation of notes issued by the Bank of Chosen, a Japanese undertaking with a capital of Yen 50,000,000 and a note issue of over Yen 200,000,000; whether these notes are only convertible in the gold notes of the Bank of Japan, which can only be exchanged for gold at Tokyo; and whether China has formally and officially protested to Japan on the double ground that this new currency seriously infringes her sovereign rights and causes great local confusion?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 13th July last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the case of travellers holding through tickets to any distant Continental country, he will urge that the necessity for obtaining visas for countries through which the traveller is merely passing be remitted, and thereby save considerable time, trouble, and expense?

This question was discussed at the Paris Conference last October, when it was decided that the, most practical solution would be the issue to travellers passing in transit through any country or countries of a so-called "transit visa," which would be .obtainable without difficulty to the traveller at a cost of 1 franc gold.

When is that practical solution going to be put into operation?

I am making inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any action is proposed by which the London County Council would be precluded from carrying out its salary obligations with the teachers; and can he assure the House that no reduction in teachers' salaries is contemplated?

The position of the London County Council in respect of its expenditure on teachers' salaries is under consideration, and I hope that I shall be able to make a satisfactory arrangement.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the taxpayer pays a grant for every student in training irrespective of his financial circumstances; whether teachers already graduates are paid three-quarters of their fees in order to enable them to get a diploma for teacher; what limit is placed to the number of county and municipal scholarships; and do these scholarships include maintenance and fees besides the actual value of the scholarship?

The Board pay capitation grants for students in training for the teaching profession, irrespective of their financial circumstances, provided that the student has entered into an undertaking to complete a prescribed period of teaching service in approved schools. A student who has obtained a university degree may be assisted by a grant not exceeding £35 in respect of tuition, after consideration of the report of the inspector and the accounts of the Training Department, to take a year of professional training leading up to a teacher's diploma. No limit is placed to the number of county and municipal scholarships, but a limit is placed to the grant which the Board will pay in any year in aid of the expenditure of local education authorities upon maintenance allowances; this limit is 3s. per unit of average attendance of scholars in public elementary schools within the area of the authority. The value of scholarships given by local education authorities varies; in some cases it includes tuition fees only; in other cases it includes a maintenance allowance as well.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will undertake that, although the erection of the Guards' Memorial, facing the Horse Guards Parade, may be proceeded with, no other alterations in the present arrangement of the park and of the Horse Guards Parade will be made until the assent of this House has been obtained?

The Guards' Memorial and the road deviation in St. James's Park are integral portions of a joint scheme. Examination of the plans will show that it would be impossible to do justice to the monument as the ground is now laid out. In fact, I do not think the site approximately where the refreshment hut now stands would be acceptable to those responsible for the Memorial unless its approaches and visibility were improved as suggested by the Office of Works. My right hon. Friend will have seen from the Notice of Motion standing in my name that I propose to invite the House to sanction the scheme.

When will that Motion be brought before the House?

I cannot say definitely, but I hope at an early date.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the advisability of abolishing all such expenditure, having regard to the curtailment of housing?

Well, Sir, any expenditure under these schemes for which the Office of Works is responsible is for the employment of those who are out of employment.

Can they not be found useful employment building houses?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that bricks at present in certain urban areas in mining districts are as high as £5 10s. per 1,000; can he take any steps to have the price reduced in order that houses may be built in greater numbers for the workmen, who are now living six and eight people in one room; and if he is aware that thousands of them are men, ex-soldiers who served during the Great War?

My right hon. Friend is aware that high prices are charged for bricks in certain mining districts, but, according to his information, this is due to the higher cost of production in those districts. The Government have no control over prices.

Is it a fact that the predecessor in office of the right hon. Gentleman put the price of bricks at 57s. per 1,000, and, if so, has anybody been fined for profiteering?

I am afraid I cannot answer that.

What is the use of putting a question if it cannot be answered?

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that Section 13 of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act has now expired, what steps he proposes to take to avoid the hardships that must arise to tenants of dwelling-houses who let rooms occasionally during the holiday season and who have hitherto had a similar protection under Section 13 of the Act as tenants whose premises are used for business, trade, or professional purposes?

My right hon. Friend is advised that although the period of operation of Section 13 of the Rent Restriction Act has expired, the tenants of dwelling-houses which are used also for business purposes continue to enjoy the protection given by the other provisions of the Act. He would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the second proviso to Section 12 (2) of the Act.

What about the premises in use?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

That is my question.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the West Ham distress committee have been using their surplus accumulated funds for the purpose of providing work for the local unemployed and that these funds are now almost exhausted; and if, in view of these circumstances and the fact that there is still a very large number of people out of work in the borough, he will be prepared to make a grant in order to enable the committee to continue this necessary work?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question, but in view of the provision already made by the Government for dealing with unemployment it is not proposed to make any grants out of public funds to Distress Committees under the Unemployed Workmen Act.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of people who are receiving this benefit from the distress committee are those who have exhausted their unemployment pay, and, therefore destitute; and if they cannot get this assistance they will have to go to the workhouse?

I will convey that information to my right hon. Friend.

Where is he?

asked the Minister of Health whether his latest reports show any increase or decrease in actual relief works carried on by public authorities; and whether he can name those districts where actual distress appears to be most acute?

I have been asked to reply. There are now some 98,000 men employed on such work put in hand by the local authorities, or the Government, or both. The numbers employed on corresponding work at the beginning of February were 44,700; at the beginning of April, 85,600; and at the beginning of June, 106,800. With regard to the last part of the question, the districts in which the largest numbers of persons are registered with the Employment Exchanges as unemployed are the following. Greater London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester (including Salford), Liverpool, Sheffield, Belfast, Leeds, Bristol, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "Greater London"?

The Metropolitan area.

Including Belgravia!

asked the Minister of Transport whether, now that a period of two years has elapsed since the national railway settlement took place, which settlement provided that every man and boy employed on railways should be classified according to their standard of employment, he will undertake to say when the classification of such of the messengers and caretakers on the North Eastern Railway, that have not hitherto been dealt with is likely to be accomplished?

My hon. and gallant Friend seems to be under some misapprehension as no national agreement provided that every man and every boy employed on railways should be classified according to his standard of employment, and there is certainly no such agreement covering caretakers or messengers. Certain conditions of service for head and district office messengers have recently been agreed, and the controlled railway companies in Great Britain, including the North Eastern, were asked on the 22nd instant to bring these arrangements into operation.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a signed statement made by Mrs. Vena Wammer, of 67, Lawrence Road, Tottenham, between 24th November and 5th December, 1919, to the Criminal Investigation Department at Tottenham police station, to the effect that Mr. Smellie, of 69, Lawrence Road, had a fourth child, named Margaret, who had been kept a prisoner in his house and finally done away with by her father with the assistance of Mrs. Ford, who lived in the same house, in March, 1919; whether, as a result of this, detectives visited and examined No. 69, Lawrence Road, and questioned Mrs. Ford; and whether it was proved to the satisfaction of the police that Mr. Smellie had never had a fourth child and that the whole tale was a wanton invention?

I have made inquiries and find that Mrs. Wammer made a statement in which she gave the grounds for her belief that a fourth child, Margaret, was at one time living with Mr. Smellie, at 69, Lawrence Road, but disappeared later in suspicious circumstances. The police officers who investigated the matter were satisfied that Mrs. Wammer was mistaken and that the suspicions with regard to the existence of this fourth child were unfounded.

Is this the same Mrs. Wammer that gave evidence against Mr. Smellie in a trial for ill-treating his children in November, 1919, and was her evidence then full of contradictions?

Yes, Mrs. Wammer gave evidence. She was by no means the chief witness. There were many other witnesses who gave evidence.

Was her evidence on that occasion just as full of contradictions as in this case?

Possibly it was; but he was not convicted on her evidence alone.