asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the majority of insurance societies policies lapse if the premiums paid weekly remain unpaid for 13 weeks, he will consider what steps could be taken, in conjunction with the trade unions and friendly societies, to extend this period without damaging the credit of the insurance societies and companies, since men who obtain financial assistance from relief work or unemployment donations feel bound to safeguard their policies, which, though altogether commendable, yet greatly reduces the money available for family maintenance?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the oral answer given to-day to a question on the same subject which he addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that for now nearly six months the locomotive shops at Gateshead have been only working four days a week; and whether, bearing in mind the large amount of rolling stock that requires repair, such short-time working is necessary?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this matter, but the North Eastern Railway Company have promised information at an early, date, upon receipt of which I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will communicate with the management of the North Eastern Railway with a view to its share of the £60,000,000 obtainable under the terms of the Railways Act for repairs, renewals, etc., being spent on the lines indicated in the Act and thus admit of its employés working six days a week, thereby obtaining a decent standard of living?

Sub-section 4 of Section 11 of the Railways Act, 1921, provides that all moneys received by the companies in pursuance of any scheme of allocation under the Lump Sum Settlement may be applied to the purposes of the companies in such manner as their directors may determine. A communication has been sent to the North Eastern Railway, in common with other railway companies, as to the possibility of their assisting to stimulate employment by undertaking works of development and improvement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a large number of schemes relating to the development of electricity supply are at present under the consideration of the Ministry; whether these schemes are concerned with projects which present opportunities for the employment of a considerable volume of unskilled and semi-skilled labour; whether several of the large schemes submitted to the Ministry can be financed by their promoters without any assistance from the Government either by way of loan or guarantee, and can be undertaken immediately they receive the sanction of the Ministry; and whether he will take steps to accelerate the adoption of these schemes with a view to the absorption of large numbers of unemployed into productive industry?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. The Electricity Commissioners are anxious to expedite the commencement of work and will take every step in their power to secure that result. My hon. Friend will find much interesting information on the subject in the valuable Report of the Commissioners recently published by the Stationery Office.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the opportunities which now exist for the development of electricity supply for light and power purposes; whether the creation of facilities for electricity supply will enable large numbers of men to be employed on river-frontage works, roads, buildings, cable-laying, and in fulfilling extensive orders for plant and machinery; and whether, seeing that such works on completion become at once productive of revenue and indirectly facilitate further production by the supply of power to manufacturers, he will, in view of these considerations, give instructions that the promotion of this industry shall have the full encouragement and assistance of his Ministry?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The further facilities contemplated in the development of electricity supply would have the effect indicated in the hon. Member's question, and the Electricity Commissioners have this fully in view in their endeavours to expedite as much as possible their decisions in regard to the schemes submitted to them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in allocating the contracts for the four new capital ships for the Navy, the Naval Controller will be instructed to designate the centres and the firms supplying constructive parts to the contractors; whether Lincoln, Grantham, and Norwich will be considered in that connection owing to the present unemployment in these centres; and on what date the major contracts will be allocated?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the allocation of the six capital ships has yet been made; and, if so, whether any of them have been placed with Belfast shipyards?

Three of the four ships have been ordered and the fourth ship will be allocated very shortly. No order has been or is likely to be placed with Belfast shipyards. The responsibility for sub-contracts is a matter for the main contractors themselves, who are, however, being requested to distribute the work widely with a view to spreading employment over the country as evenly as possible. The desirability of seeing that this is achieved with due respect to cost will not be lost sight of.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the great number of unemployed in the boot and shoe industry; and, in order to assist employment by finding work, will he advise his Department to anticipate future contracts for Army boots and give orders at the earliest, so as to relieve the serious situation many bootmakers are now experiencing?

I am aware of the very serious unemployment in the boot trade. Orders are now being placed by the War Office for 80,000 pairs of ankle boots. I regret that I am unable to hold out any hope of further orders during the present financial year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received information regarding the action of an owner of several farms, comprising 814 acres in the Colchester district, in giving notice to his tenant farmers to leave; whether he is aware that the tenants have now left and the land is lying derelict; and whether, in view of the fact that this action has thrown 52 workmen out of employment and that good land is going to waste, steps will be taken, by legislation or otherwise, to secure the restoration of the land to cultivation and thus provide useful employment?

My attention has just been called to the case to which the hon. Member refers, and I am causing inquiries to be made. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that the powers for enforcing the cultivation of land that were conferred by the Corn Production Acts were abolished by the Corn Production (Repeal) Act, and that it is not practicable to revive them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the serious amount of unemployment existing in Sal-ford; that on the 22nd instant the Salford Employment Exchange reported that no less than 14,233 persons were either wholly or partially unemployed in the borough; that the Salford Corporation have applied to him under Section 1 of the Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1920, for his certificate that such unemployment exists, in order to enable the Corporation to make an order for the compulsory acquisition of a plot of land in Duchy Road, Pendleton, with a view to providing work for the unemployed; that such certificate has been refused; and will he ask the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown whether the issue of his certificate under Section 1 of the Act of 1920 is a condition precedent to any application by a local authority for the compulsory acquisition of land for the purpose of a work of public utility?

The certificate to which my hon. Friend refers has not been refused in this case, but the local authority was informed that the certificate could not be issued until inquiries had been made to ascertain that the proposed compulsory acquisition of the land was in fact necessary for the provision of employment. This inquiry has now been made and the certificate has been issued.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will obtain possession of the factory and workshop belonging to the Ministry of Munitions Disposal Board, situate at Shaw, in the Parliamentary Division of Roy ton, which has been offered for sale to the public without success, and allow its machinery and added machinery to be utilised by the unemployed in the Royton Division for the manufacture of those goods not at present manufactured in this country under municipal management until such time as these unemployed people can again be absorbed in their ordinary trade, when such factory or workshop can be sold to a buyer who offers the largest sum for the same?

I do not think it is practicable to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the insurance industry unemployment insurance scheme, now known as the Incorporated Insurance Industry Unemployment Insurance Board, is compulsory applicable to all persons insurable in respect of insurance undertakings; if so, whether he is aware that many bodies who deal with such undertakings did not receive in any shape or form notice that such a scheme was in contemplation, and that large numbers of persons to whom the scheme is applicable were totally unaware of the scheme until after it had been approved; and whether, in view of these circumstances, the scheme will be reconsidered?

In accordance with Section 18 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, this special scheme applies compulsorily to all insurance undertakings as defined therein. The scheme was put forward by an organisation fully representative of both employers and employed in the industry. Public notice of the intention to approve the scheme was given by advertisement in the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Gazettes, and communications on the subject were issued to the general and insurance press. Further, the special order approving the scheme was laid before Parliament for 20 days. Thus all reasonable steps were taken to give notice to those interested, and in the circumstance the scheme cannot be reconsidered on the grounds suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour whether at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, several cases have occurred recently of unemployed men having to wait several weeks before receiving the unemployment benefit to which they were entitled: and whether steps will be taken to expedite the examination of claims and thus prevent the hardship involved in two or three weeks' delay?

I am making inquiries locally, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of reference of the Committee which he appointed last August to consider economies possible in the Civil Service includes powers to set up impartial tribunals to whom ex-service men and women at present in the Civil Service shall have the right to be heard before the termination of their appointments is finally decided on by the responsible head of the Department; and, if so, will he recommend to the Committee the advisability of setting up such tribunals?

I presume that the reference is to the Committee which was set up to make recommendations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for effecting forthwith all possible reductions in the national expenditure on supply services. The terms of reference of this Committee, which is a purely advisory body, do not include power to set up tribunals such as are described.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether salaries paid to clerical officers vary; and whether, in view of the fact that clerical officers who entered the service other than by the special examinations held in November and December last are paid on a different scale to those ex-service men who entered the service through the special examinations, he will reconsider the whole question of the initial salary?

The scale of salaries for male clerical officers does not vary except for the recognised distinction between London and provincial scales, and this scale applies from whatever source the clerical officers concerned may have entered the class. Salaries paid on the scale vary with length of service. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to-day to the hon. Member for West Lewisham (Sir E. Coates).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what reduction has been made in the staff engaged in valuation of the land since the repeal of the Land Valuation Act; what are the duties upon which the existing staff are now ostensibly engaged; and is he now prepared to consider a further drastic reduction, having regard to the fact that in many cases officers appear to have insufficient duties to keep them adequately employed?

The nature of the work upon which the Valuation Office is engaged is indicated in Command Paper No. 918 of 1920. It was affected only slightly by the repeal of the three Land Values Duties. Consequent on a recent reduction in the volume of the work of the office the number of the staff is being substantially reduced.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what system is followed in the classification to Grades I,II, and III of civil servants; and whether any regard is held to experience of a military nature?

Graded temporary clerks are classified as Grades I, II or III, according to the responsibility and character of the duties winch they are called upon to perform; and the grading is based on the efficiency of the individual and on the requirements of the Department. Experience acquired on military service would be taken into account in weighing the relative efficiency of individuals.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the case that male civil servants in Grade III, many of them married men 30 or 40 years of age, are on admission to the Civil Service paid a salary of £80 a year, plus the current bonus, or identically the same as paid to lads of 18 and to girls on the establishment; and whether, under the circumstances, he is prepared to reconsider the question?

The question of the initial salary of ex-service candidates appointed to established posts in the clerical class as the result of the recent examinations was fully considered by Lord Lytton's Committee, who arrived at the conclusion that it would be most equitable to determine the starting rate of pay by reference to the rate received in a temporary capacity. In accordance with the recommendations of that Committee, men temporarily employed as Grade III clerks will receive an initial salary in the clerical class in London of £80 a year plus bonus (or a total of £184 a year at the current rate of bonus) until their first annual increment accrues. The recommendations of the Committee on this subject were fully considered, and it is not proposed to modify the decision taken on them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of permanent women civil servants holding appointments carrying a salary of £500 a year and over, exclusive of bonus; and the names of the Departments in which they are employed?

There are 36 permanent women civil servants with salaries of £500 a year or over (exclusive of bonus).

They are employed in the following Departments:—

Board of Education.

Ministry of Labour.

Post Office.

Ministry of Health.

Home Office.

Scottish Board of Health.

National Health Insurance Commission (Ireland).

Treasury.

Board of Control (Scotland).

asked the Minister of Labour whether 103 women were transferred from the Post Office to the Ministry of Labour between 16th August, 1920, and 31st January, 1921; whether the transfers were consequent upon an invitation in the Post Office circular which promised that the scale of pay would be subject to revision on the application of the assimilation scheme; whether, although many of the women concerned are between 28 and 35 years of age, they are being paid either the minimum salary proper to an entrant of 18 years or the rate they were receiving in the Post Office; whether the Post Office system of payment graded the country into the London area and five provincial classes, with the result that the women from the smaller towns are being heavily penalised; and whether, having regard to the great skill and efficiency displayed by the ex-Post Office women, he will recognise the value of their ser- vices, and the greatly increased cost of living which has resulted from the transfer, by paying a salary fixed at a point more appropriate to the age of each woman transferred?

These women (who are permanent civil servants) were transferred to Kew through the Treasury Selection Board after personal inter views, consequent upon an invitation in a Post Office circular, which, I under stand, stated that each candidate on transfer would enter the scale at the minimum of the clerical scale, or at her present rate of pay, whichever was the greater. It was made clear to each candidate that, although the scale of pay would be subject to revision on assimilation, the conditions as to salary at entry would not be affected. I am aware of the Post Office system of payment, and have considered the possibility of securing a con cession for these officers; but I think that it is not possible to make any variation of the terms of transfer, which were voluntarily accepted at the time.

asked the Prime Minister whether 260 conscientious objectors have been reinstated in the Civil Service; and, if so, whether he will take steps to see that all conscientious objectors are dismissed from Government employment in order to make room for ex-service men?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to questions on this subject yesterday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present staff of the Food Department of the Board of Trade, and what was the staff employed by the Ministry of Food at its termination: what is the necessity for maintaining the present large staff in the Food Department; and whether he will at once take steps to effect a drastic reduction of the staff?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given to the hon. Member for Holborn (Sir J. Remnant) and the right hon. Member for South Molton (Mr. Lambert) last Monday. The staff of the Food Depart- ment has been reduced by 100 a month since the date of its transfer to the Board of Trade, and I hope that this rate of reduction will be maintained throughout the winter.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether temporary non-service personnel are being retained by the orders of the Board of Admiralty in the Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy on the grounds of very special efficiency; if so, will he give the number of such persons so retained and the salaries received by them; and was the retention of these persons decided by the Board of Admiralty without any reference whatsoever to the Admiralty Substitution Committee set up under the terms of the Lytton Report?

The number of temporary non-service personnel retained in the Accountant-General's Department, either on the ground of specialised experience, or because as shorthand-typists and typists they are not ordinarily substitutable by ex-service men, is 60. Their rates of pay vary between £130 and £500 per annum. Fund that the question of their retention was not referred to the Substitution Committee as a whole, though the Board had before them the advice of the Chairman of the Committee—himself an ex-service man—but that, in view of representations made by ex-service men, it had already been decided that the cases should be remitted to the Substitution Committee as a whole, and this procedure will be adhered to in all future cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office intend to issue medals to members of the National Reserve?

The answer is in the negative. After very full consideration it has been decided that a war medal should not be granted for Home Service, with the exception that the British War Medal should be awarded to the personnel of coast defence batteries actually engaged with hostile vessels during the War.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, in spite of repeated applications to the regimental paymaster, D. C. and Remounts, Woolwich Common, S.E., the Army account of Mr. C. E. Ing, late No. 75,112,acting lance-sergeant, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, has not yet been settled up; that Mr. Ing arrived in this country on 7th March, 1921, and left for home pending discharge on 31st March, 1921, since when he has been repeatedly told that his papers are not forthcoming from Iraq; and how does he explain the extraordinary delay in this case, a delay which is causing great embarrassment to Mr. Ing?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will communicate the result to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that disabled ex-service men are being discharged from Woolwich Arsenal, and able-bodied ex-service men are being retained on the warders staff, while most of the duties of the warders staff could be efficiently performed by a disabled man providing he has two sound legs, he will consider the desirability of employing disabled men on these duties?

Disabled men are already largely employed on these duties. Out of 23 men appointed since the commencement of the War, 21 are disabled men and the remaining two are ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the case of Harry Walker, of Broadholme, Belper, an ex-service man, who lost both feet during the War, and who, two years ago, was placed by the Derbyshire County Council on a small holding consisting of 45 acres of land, upon which there was neither house nor building; whether a few weeks ago Walker received from the said council an account for £192, the valuation of the said land; whether when Walker took up the tenancy the land was in very poor condition, upon which little or no valuation should have been charged; and whether he will immediately take such action with the Derbyshire County Council as will result in Walker being relieved of this unjust demand, which, if persisted in, will result in Walker having to give up the holding?

I am making full inquiries into the matters referred to by the hon. Member, and will inform him as to the result.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Grade II posts have been withheld from the ex-service men temporary clerks employed in the Savings Bank Department, Blythe Road; that many of these men have instructed permanent clerical officers in their duties and have been, or are about to be, appointed to the clerical class; and whether, in view of this, he will recommend these ex-service men for such Grade II posts as from 30th June, 1921, thus enabling their basic salary, £80, as permanents to be augmented, seeing that they are being unfairly treated in comparison with other similar workers in the Accountant-General's Department and Money Order Department?

The matters referred to in the question are at present under consideration, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether F. J. Farrimond, No. 3,028, Royal Field Artillery, received a 100 per cent, pension, which was later reduced to 20 per cent, until October, 1921; whether the said pension was cancelled in February last, and for what reason; whether he asked for an appeal board decision as to his disability, and was informed that it was not necessary as his disability was known; and, if so, why no pension or allowance is being paid?

The award of 20 per cent, was made by a re-survey board in the ordinary course of review, and on the man appealing against that assessment he was examined by a Medical Appeal Board, which found that there was no remaining disablement from the invaliding disability. The award was therefore cancelled, and though the man has subsequently been examined by another board no revival of his invaliding disability could be discovered.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether C. Morley, No. 39,524, Royal Engineers, references 3/M.M./1267 and F.S.A. 23,697, is entitled to a pension of 40 per cent. from 30th March, 1921, amounting with wife and children allowances to £1 10s. 2d., but as yet has received no payments; whether he and the local war pensions committee have inquired concerning the matter repeatedly but can get no definite reply other than that the case is receiving immediate attention; and whether, seeing there has been a delay of seven months, he will expedite a settlement of this case?

I much regret the delay which has occurred in this case. The matter has now been adjusted and payment of all arrears authorised.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Sapper Edward Dalton, No. 121829, 184th Company, Royal Engineers, was invalided from the service through chronic bronchitis contracted on active service in France; that he was awarded a pension of 23s. per week after a medical board had certified that his disability is permanent and may get worse; notwithstanding this decision he has now been deprived of the whole of his pension since February last by the pensions tribunal of Cardiff, where he was not defended owing to pecuniary difficulties; that he is uable to regularly follow his employment owing to his ailment; and will he therefore restore his pension or have the case re-opened and specially investigated?

This man was in receipt of a pension for bronchitis, considered to have been aggravated by service, until July, 1920, when aggravation was found to have passed away. He appealed to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal against this decision, claiming also that the disability was attributable to service. The appeal was disallowed, and that decision being final, I regret that no further action can be taken in the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the case of Mrs. Noke, of Rothschild Cottage, Wing, near Leighton Buzzard; what steps he is going to take on her behalf, in view of the fact that her husband's pension cannot be paid to her until the quarterly form of life certificate forwarded to him for completion has been returned; is he aware that Mrs. Noke's husband has left her and cannot be traced; and how, in the meantime, does he propose to help Mrs. Noke, in view of the fact that she is thus deprived of her husband's pension and has no alternative but to apply for parish relief for herself and three children?

I regret that I am at present precluded from authorising payment of the pension awarded to this man. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that pension is only payable so long as the pensioner is alive, and that the production of a quarterly life certificate in proof of this fact is a statutory requirement.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been called to the case of Private J. T. Fitzgerald, No. 145377, Royal Air Force, of 4, Cherry Street, Burnley, at present in Whittingham Asylum; is he aware that no pension is being paid to his wife and three children; that he was first treated for bronchitis on 10th October, 1919, which was aggravated by war service; that, on the 27th October, 1920, he was suffering from melancholia and was assessed at 100 per cent., but a medical board, on the 10th March, 1921, stated that the condition of this man was neither attributable to, nor aggravated by, war service; and will he have inquiries made with a view to a pension being granted to the wife, who is at present receiving relief from the Poor Law guardians?

As regards the melancholia, it is regretted that no further action can be taken by the Ministry, whose decision that the disability is unconnected with service has been confirmed by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal. The bronchitis has been accepted as having been aggravated by service, and an award of pension, at the rate of 20 per cent., from 6th October, 1919, to 7th February, 1921, has now been made. Aggravation of the bronchitis is considered to have passed away at the latter date, but there is a right of appeal against that decision, which may be exercised through the local war pensions committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether the decision that doctors under the National Insurance Act shall keep elaborate records of the cases of their patients has been cancelled; and, if not, whether that decision will now be cancelled in view of the cost of maintaining such records and of the objection generally entertained to bureaucratic registration, and even possible disclosure of incidents in the private life of patients concerned?

The keeping of records was one of the original conditions of the insurance medical service. The present system was recommended in 1920 by a special committee, mainly consisting of medical men among whom insurance practitioners were strongly represented. The initial cost has already been met, and the cost of maintenance is small. Resolutions were passed only last week in favour of the keeping of records by the annual conferences of panel committees and insurance committees respectively. In these circumstances I see no reason for reversing the decision that records should be kept.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases examined have been referred to the regional medical officers by the panel doctors of insured persons concerned for assistance in treatment by consultation, and how many by the friendly or approved societies and doctors for the purpose of deciding as to the fitness of the patient to return to work?

The provision at present made in regard to the duties of the regional medical staff does not include the routine examination of cases of the kind referred to in the first part of the question. I would remind my hon.

Friend that approved societies and doctors were notified at the commencement of the Service in November, 1920, that for an experimental period incapacity references only would be accepted. In reply to the second part of the question, the aggregate number of references from approved societies, doctors and insurance committees on questions of doubt as to incapacity for work for the period 1st November, 1920, to 1st October, 1921, was 50,318.

asked the Minister of Health what the cost has been in salaries, also expenses for travelling, of the officers and insured persons concerned, rent of premises, clerical assistance, etc., of the regional medical officers appointed by the Ministry of Health Act, 1920?

The answer to the hon. Member's question is as follows:—

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received repeated complaints from the Metropolitan Asylums Board with reference to the home at Sheffield Street for the cure of venereal disease; whether, at the request of the Board, he promised that a conference should be held last September; and what action he now proposes to take?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In August last I received a report from the Metropolitan Asylums Board drawing attention to certain difficulties which had been experienced in connection with this institution, and requesting that arrangements should be made for a conference on the subject. It was hoped that this conference might take place at the end of September, but owing to unavoidable circumstances this proved to be impracticable. Arrangements have now been made to hold the conference early next month.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by a meeting of the Women's Co-operative Guild, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, strongly protesting against the action of the Ministry of Health in reducing the grant to local authorities for the provision of free and cheap milk to mothers and infants from 50 per cent, to 5 per cent, of the cost, and demanding a reversal of the policy and an increased grant to at least 50 per cent, of the cost; and whether he will indicate the steps he has taken or will take respecting the same?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to similar questions on 20th October, of which I am sanding him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to cases in which the obligation that parish council meetings shall be open to the public has been disregarded and meetings held at the private residence of a member of the council; and, if so, whether he will issue instructions to secure that such private meetings shall be discontinued?

My attention has not been called to such cases, and in view of the fact that the Local Government Act, 1894, gives the parish council a discretion in the matter, I have no power to issue such instructions as are suggested.

asked the Minister of Health whether His Majesty's Government contemplate any steps for the better regulation and registration of herbalists on the lines of the recent Dentists Act?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the conditions under which many of the inhabitants of Gateshead are compelled to live, and that there are over 600 applications for new houses to be constructed in the borough; and whether he will reconsider his decision refusing the Gateshead Corporation permission to proceed with the second portion of the housing scheme and thus provide work for many of the unemployed as well as houses for the citizens?

The question of extending this scheme was discussed with the Gateshead Housing Committee about two months ago when it was agreed that in view of the inadequate progress made further extension should be deferred for the time being. Better progress has now been made and the council have asked for permission to proceed with a further instalment. Arrangements have been made to meet a deputation from the council to consider the whole matter in the light of the present position, one difficulty in which is that there is practically no skilled building labour available at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount collected in respect of Income Tax in Ireland during the years ending 31st March, 1920, and 31st March, 1921, respectively, and during the half year ending 30th September, 1921; how the amount collected during the half-year ending 30th September, 1921, compares with the amount collected in the corresponding period of 1919 and 1920; and the amount of arrears due to the Exchequer on 1st April, 1920, and 1st April, 1921?

The amounts collected in the year to March, 1920, and March, 1921, were £7,892,860 and £6,008,556 re- spectively. The amounts collected in the half-years to September, 1919, 1920 and 1921 were respectively £2,142,302, £1,776,223 and £2,717,000. The figures representing the amount of arrears on 1st April, 1920, and 1921 are not available, but the sums due at those dates to the Exchequer in respect both of arrears and of amounts in assessment but not immediately payable are estimated to have been respectively £3,400,000 and £5,300,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the grant for repair of the roads from Tullymurry railway station to Ballykinlar military camp, County Down, which has been practically destroyed by the exceptional heavy military transport during the last 12 months, and which grant has been recommended by the Ministry of Transport to the military authorities, is likely to be made?

Payment of this grant has been agreed to and will be made in such instalments as may be necessary, having regard to the progress of the work.

asked the Home Secretary whether recent police investigations have proved the primâ facie existence of a widespread conspiracy on the part of the so-called Irish Self-Determination League in England to engage in a campaign of outrage in spite of the terms of the truce existing between the Government and the spokesmen of the Sinn Fein cause?

I do not think it is in the public interest to make any statement at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any knowledge of police protection being now afforded to persons in England who have claimed, or are claiming, compensation for damage to their property in Ireland?

I think it is undesirable to make any public statement as to what persons are receiving or claiming special police protection.

asked the Postmaster-General whether sub-post offices are automatically converted into Crown offices when the income derived from the Post Office service exceeds a definite figure; and whether he will examine the position with regard to the office at Lawrence Hill, Bristol, with a view to deciding whether the importance of the office, the volume of the business, and the sums paid in commission to the sub-postmaster warrant the creation of a Crown office?

The question whether the status of a scale payment sub-office should be altered is considered when the annual emoluments, excluding bonus, reach £500 in London or £250 in the Provinces. I will examine the position as regards Lawrence Hill Town Sub-Office, Bristol.

asked the Postmaster-General if engineering apprentices in post offices after serving as apprentices for two years, as from 14 years to 16 years of age, are then dismissed, and are thereby added to the unemployed list; and will he take steps to put this class of young men on a better footing of employment?

The youths to whom the hon. Member refers are engaged with a prospect of permanent employment, but on the understanding that such employment cannot be guaranteed. The discharges which have recently taken place in the Engineering Department of the Post Office have been due to the reduction of work and are not confined to the class of youths. As I have explained in a letter which I sent to the hon. Member on the 25th instant, the names of these youths are recorded with a view to their re-engagement as soon as the conditions of the work permit.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the work on a post office in the course of erection at Mount Pleasant is to be suspended; and, if so, the reason for this action, in view of the present industrial situation?

The new building: was omitted from the current year's Estimates, owing to the necessity of avoiding capital expenditure wherever possible. The work cannot be started until funds are available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office or the railway company receives the present charge of 4d., raised from the pre-war charge of 2d., for the delivery and postage by the railway guard of a stamped letter in London; whether the railway charge is divided between the company and the General Post Office; and why the charge has been doubled?

The whole of the 4d. fee is retained by the railway company. The companies increased the amount of the fee to 4d. in connection with the general increase of railway rates on and from the 1st of September., 1920.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Minister at Warsaw has made any report recently on the condition of affairs in Eastern Galicia; and, if so, what was the nature of that report?

In the normal course of his duties, His Majesty's Minister at Warsaw forwards reports on the situation in Eastern Galicia. If my hon. and gallant Friend would be a little more specific as to the information which he would like to obtain, I will do my best to supply it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Zaghlul Pasha was refused permission by the authorities to land at Keneh on the 19th October; that he was informed by the Egyptian authorities that his landing was calculated to produce disorders; and that the secretary of Zaghlul Pasha replied to the authorities that the order would be obeyed, because the delegation did not wish the people to be attacked by the police, but that there was no ministerial party in the Keneh province; whether, though the British authorities in Egypt advised the Foreign Office that the recent visit of the Members of Parliament to Egypt would also provoke disorders, no such disorders were, in fact, caused by their visit; and whether the Egyptian and the British authorities in Egypt are acting in concert in regard to such warnings?

With regard to the first three parts of the question, I have no information beyond that contained in my reply to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills) yesterday. With regard to the last two parts of the question, it was at the initiative of the Egyptian Government that the Members of Parliament were warned that their visit to Egypt might provoke disorders. Owing to the precautionary measures taken by the authorities, no disturbances took place.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether and, if so, why the Inter-Allied Commission at Constantinople do not allow the Turkish Socialist party, which is anti-Bolshevik, to publish their newspaper, in spite of their repeated promise not to mention any political question; whether the newspapers of other parties are also so treated; and will His Majesty's Government discuss this matter with General Harrington, with a view to equality of treatment?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief the Allied Forces of Occupation is empowered to forbid the local circulation of any newspaper when necessary on military grounds.

asked the Prime Minister whether, to ensure some practical result in the direction of the limitation of armaments, the Washington Conference will primarily devote itself to removing the Far Extern causes, such as the future of China, which tend to produce the need for such armaments?

The initiative in arranging the agenda for the Washington Conference rests with the United States Government. They have prepared a provisional agenda which has appeared in the Press, and which includes questions of far-reaching scope relating to China and the Far East.

asked the Prime Minister whether the late Imperial Conference came to any general decision as to the need for extended or new naval bases in the Pacific; whether it is proposed to ask the House for a vote of money in that connection during the present financial year; and, if so, whether all constructive supplies will be provided in this country, having regard to the present unemployment?

Prior to the Imperial Conference the Admiralty had decided that, for the better security of outlying possessions, certain bases abroad, including those in the Pacific, needed modernising, and in some cases extending. The Imperial Conference generally agreed with this policy. As regards the second part of the question, it is not intended to ask the House to vote any additional money this year in consequence of the adoption of this policy. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the President of the Board of Education what the new Regulation enforcing the attendance of children at a secondary school up to the age of 16 is estimated to cost the nation in taxes and rates, respectively; what sums are to be granted to meet the need for the more adequate provision for the remission or reduction of fees and for the maintenance allowances therein referred to; and whether these charges are to be met from rates or taxes?

The alteration in the wording of Article 2 of the Regulations, to which the hon. and gallant Member presumably refers, is designed to prevent waste of public money on the provision of accommodation and instruction for pupils who do not stay in the schools long enough to derive proper benefit, and is therefore a measure of public economy. The Regulations do not require local education authorities to increase their ex- penditure on remission of fees and maintenance allowances; and taking into consideration the general raising of fees, it must not be assumed that the total expenditure out of public funds on secondary education will be increased by the alteration in Article 2.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the great superiority of the treatment of tubercular glands by X-rays over the former surgical treatment, he will reconsider his decision not to sanction any further treatment by X-rays, at all events in such localities where there is a general hospital with X-ray installation?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member has in view the limited experiment at Southport in this form of treatment which the Board sanctioned in October, 1919. I am advised that the results of that experiment are not such as to justify the Board in entertaining at present proposals for further expenditure on the continuance or extension of the experiment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a case of hosiery latch needles (V. S., 24,209) consigned to the Harrison Patent Knitting Machine Company, Limited, Manchester, has been lying at the Custom House, Grimsby, since early in April; that constant delays have taken place in releasing these goods, and that the Customs authorities still refuse to release them, apparently under the impression that the Safeguarding of Industries Act applies to goods received in England before as well as after the 30th September; and whether he will take immediate action in the matter, as the delay is causing great prejudice to business and is promoting unemployment?

I am making inquiry into the facts of this case and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the staff engaged in the administration of the Safeguarding of Industries Act; what is the cost of the same; and what is the amount of revenue received from duties charged under the Act?

The Safeguarding of Industries Act is being administered, so> far as the Board of Trade is concerned, by an already existing Department of the Board, and no extra staff is involved beyond the temporary transfer to that Department of three officers (whose gross salaries amount to £2,205 per annum) from other branches of the Board. Consequently, there is no extra charge upon the Board's Vote. The amount of revenue collected under Part I of the Act, from 1st October to 25th October, is £11,885.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the present financial position of the Western Counties Shipping Company, Cardiff; and whether he will consider the advisability of ordering an inquiry into the affairs of this company, with a view to the shareholders being supplied with a statement of its position before the company goes into liquidation?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board of Trade have no jurisdiction to investigate the affairs of any company which is not in liquidation, except under the provisions of Section 109 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, on the application of members holding not less than one-tenth of the shares issued.

asked the Home Secretary whether there are any women visitors of lunatic osylums; and whether the supervision of female lunatics is conducted by men or by women?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part all the attendants and nurses for female patients are women.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of accidents which have occurred to the riders of ordinary bicycles since the Rear-light Order ceased to be operative and the number that occurred in the same period last year when this Order was in force?

The information suggested is not available. It could only be procured at the cost of imposing a great deal of labour on the various police forces. In the circumstances, I regret that I do not feel justified in calling for a return.

asked the Home Secretary how many Bolshevist or revolutionary agents are known to be at work in the United Kingdom; and how many of these have been arrested, prosecuted, or deported?

It is impossible to say how many such agents are at work. Any who break the law are arrested and prosecuted and, if aliens, deported.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons under 21 confined in Holloway and Brixton prisons, respectively; whether the cells are closed for the night at the hour of four o'clock in the afternoon; and, if the answer is in the affirmative, for what reason has such a rule been made?

There are 43 prisoners under 21 at Brixton and 35 at Holloway. At Brixton the cells are locked up at 4.30. At Holloway the cells are locked at 4.35, except on Saturdays, when they are opened again from 5.30 to 7 p.m. The early hours for closing are made necessary by the reduction in the number of hours of duty for the staff.

asked the Home Secretary whether a wardress with no nursing experience has recently been placed in charge of the convicted hospital at Holloway over the heads of five trained nurses; whether this appointment was made on the advice of the Voluntary Advisory Nursing Board; and who are the ladies and gentlemen who constitute that board?

It is not the case that a wardress with no nursing experience has been placed in charge of the convicted hospital at Holloway. The officer selected has had much nursing experience, as she had be engaged on hospital duties for 17 years and was selected to be a hospital officer in 1913, since when she has been wholly employed on hospital work. She is reported by the medical officers to be fully qualified and very capable. The Voluntary Nursing Board was not consulted as to the appointment, nor have they made any representation on the matter. It consists of:—

The Medical Commissioner (Chairman);

Dame Sarah Swift;

Miss Hogg, Matron of Guy's Hospital;

Miss McIntosh, Matron of St. Bartholomew's Hospital;

Jessie, Lady Camoys;

Dr. Mary Scharlieb;

Miss Edith Blunt;

The Governor of Holloway Prison, and

The Hospital Lady Superintendent of Holloway Prison.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the circumstances surrounding the recent suicide of an inmate of the Borstal Institution at Portland; and whether he is causing inquiries to be made into the matter and as to the suitability or otherwise of this prison building being used as a Borstal Institution?

Yes, Sir; I have made inquiry into this sad occurrence, and a coroner's inquest has been held. No blame is attached to anyone at the institution. The medical officer had paid special attention to this lad who was of a difficult temperament; but there had been nothing to suggest the possibility of suicide. Portland was converted into a Borstal Institution because it had become necessary to relieve the congestion at the existing institutions, and it was the best establishment available for the purpose. The situation and the industrial shops are excellent. The buildings are of course prison buildings, but they are among the best of their kind; and in the present state of the national finances it was out of the question to build a new institution.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the fact that workmen in the Alnwick and Berwick areas of the County of. Northumberland are not represented in regard to numbers on the magisterial bench; and whether he will consider the possibility of adding a fair number of representative workmen to the bench in these districts?

The Lord Chancellor, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates, tells me that the appointment of suitable working-men magistrates in the Alnwick and Berwick areas of Northumberland will receive his consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the result of the trial of a man named Clanwaring on a charge of murder at Cambridge; whether this person was incarcerated for many months, and was subsequently adjudged to be innocent; and whether there is any provision for compensating this person, not only for the suffering in which he was involved while awaiting trial on so grave a charge, but also for the heavy expenditure which was incurred in providing adequate defence?

The answer to each of the first two questions is in the affirmative and to the third in the negative. A Committee is now considering whether it is possible to reduce the periods for which prisoners may be detained in prison pending trial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what pledge, by whom given to whom, binds the British Government to continue to maintain Russian and Armenian refugees in Egypt, Serbia, Cyprus, and Malta; whether all such pledges are necessarily conditional upon funds being available for charitable enterprises; and whether at present any such funds are available, in view of conditions of unemployment on the part of wage-earners and exhaustion on the part of the taxpayer?

In January, 1920, the hon. Member for Camlachie (Sir H. Mackinder), then British High Commissioner in South Russia, gave a guarantee to General Denikin that "if and when" the necessity arose, His Majesty's Government would be responsible for the wives and families of officers of the Volunteer Army. The Armenian refugees in Egypt fought for the Allies in the War, and are unable to return to their own country. It is hoped, however, that they will shortly cease to be a charge on British funds. No pledge was given conditional on funds being found from charitable enterprises. The funds employed for the maintenance of these refugees have been voted by Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has arrived at any decision, and, if so, what, as to the political claims of the Indians in Kenya Colony?

I would invite the attention of the hon. Baronet to the answer printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT, which I gave to the question of the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. R. McNeill) on the 20th of October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make any statement as to the discussions he has had with the Arab delegation from Palestine; and when it is proposed to submit the mandate for the approval of this House?

The Arab delegation from Palestine is still in this country. I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to discussions that have taken place with them. The draft mandate for Palestine in its latest form has already been laid before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the attitude of the several Dominions to the Imperial wireless scheme of the British Government, and particularly the Dominions of Australia, South Africa and Canada?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the conclusions on the subject of the Imperial wireless scheme which were arrived at by the Conference of Prime Ministers and representatives of the United Kingdom, the Dominions and India, held in the summer. They are printed on page 6 of the published summary of proceedings (Cmd. 1474). His Majesty's Government have not received any later intimation as to the views of the Governments of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia and the Union of South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a report of a public meeting held in Hong Kong on 30th July; whether he has been able to read the speech made by the hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak, who defended the system of mui tsai; whether he is aware that during this speech Mr. Chu Pak frequently referred to the buying and selling of boys and girls in Hong Kong; that he stated that such buying and selling took place under three forms, and that, in fact, the greater part of this speech, in defence of the custom, was an admission of the practice of buying and selling, both boys and girls, in our Colony of Hong Kong; and, in view of this admission, will he say what action the Government is prepared to take?

I have read a Press account of the speech in question, which deals largely with the institution of mui tsai in China, but I cannot accept the interpretation placed by my hon. Friend upon particular passages of the English version. The facts have frequently been explained in this House, and as regards the action of the Government, I would refer to the reply given on the 24th of October 'to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Rollox (Mr. G. Murray).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, the meeting between representatives of the Im- perial Government and the Prime Ministers and other representatives of the Overseas Dominions and of India during the summer of 1921 is to be officially known as a cabinet or a conference; and whether he can state the reasons for the official appellation finally selected?

It will be seen from the published summary of proceedings [Cmd. 1474] that the meeting held in the summer is officially known as "Conference of Prime Ministers and Representatives of the United Kingdom, the Dominions and India." It was so styled because having regard to the character of the meetings, both the term "Imperial Cabinet" and the term "Imperial Conference" were thought unsuitable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of debt the United Kingdom owes to the United States of America and, of this amount, how much is floating debt; and if the total debt has been reduced the last three months?

The capital amount of the debt of the United Kingdom to the Government of the United States of America (excluding postponed interest) is $4,166,318,358. Apart from the sum of $91,500,000 (being the balance of the sum advanced for the purchase of silver for shipment to India under the Pittman Silver Act) for the repayment of which dates of maturity have been arranged extending to May, 1924, the whole of the debt is at present payable on demand. There has been no reduction in the capital of the debt during the last three months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will circulate a table, similar to that prepared by Mr. M'Kenna in 1916, showing for unearned incomes from £150 to £100,000 the total sum payable per £ of income under the existing rates of Income Tax, Super-tax, and Estate Duty, taking 40 as the age for the calculation of the Death Duties?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to-day to questions by the hon. Member for Frome (Mr. Hurd) and the hon. and gallant Member for Lewisham (Lieut.-Colonel Pownall).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the total amount of national savings certificates now maturing; and whether there are any other liabilities of the State upon which the interest charge is not at present being met by the taxpayer?

The capital sum outstanding in respect of savings certificates is approximately £287,800,000. The total accrued interest in respect of this sum is approximately £35,000,000 as stated in the Finance Accounts. Interest is paid on each certificate as and when it is presented for encashment, and the amount of such interest is a charge on the revenue of the year in which it is paid. As has been frequently stated interest on most of the debt due to the United States Government has been postponed since October, 1919, consequently the taxpayer is not at present called upon to meet the charge in respect of it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the export of worn-out horses has ceased; and, if not, what is the present position of the negotiations that have taken place between this country and the Continent upon this subject?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my answer to the question put by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York (Sir J. Butcher) on the 25th instant.