asked the Prime Minister whether the questions of the reduction of armaments or of the payment of reparation by Germany or of Allied debts are to be considered at Genoa; and whether any Papers dealing with the proceedings at Genoa will be laid upon the Table before the proposed Debate on the subject?

The Resolution on which we propose to take the opinion of the House on Monday will be moved by the Prime Minister, and will be in the following terms:—

"That this House approves the Resolutions passed by the Supreme Council at Cannes, as the basis of the Genoa Conference, and will support His Majesty's Government in endeavouring to give effect to them."

The Cannes Resolutions of the Supreme Council, together with the Memorandum published by the Council explanatory of the objects of the Genoa meeting and of the subjects to be discussed there, are being presented as a Command Paper, copies of which are now available in the Vote Office. I cannot deal adequately with the scope of the Conference within the limits of a reply at Question time, and I trust that my Noble Friend will consent to leave this matter to be dealt with by the Prime Minister in opening the Debate on Monday next.

Could the right hon. Gentleman let us have copies of that Resolution now?

The Resolution, will appear on the Paper to-morrow, but I will send a copy at once to my hon. and gallant Friend.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that the question of reparation has been definitely excluded from the programme of the Genoa Conference by international agreement?

I do not think my Noble Friend can have heard what I said. In the concluding part of my answer I said that I cannot deal adequately with the scope of the Conference within the limits of a reply to a question, and I trust my Noble Friend, as well as my Noble Friend the Member for Hitchin (Lord R Cecil), will consent to leave this matter to be dealt with by the Prime Minister in opening the Debate on Monday.

Do we understand that the scope of the Conference at Genoa will be confined to the Resolutions at Cannes?

I must adhere to my answer. I mean no discourtesy to the House, but it is not possible for me to deal suitably or fairly with the scope of the Resolution in the limits of a reply to a question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of giving two days for the Debate instead of one?

Yes, I have considered that, but, in the state of public business, I cannot allot two days.

Can the right hon. Gentleman let the House and the country, before Monday, have the conditions under which this country will agree to recognise the murderous maniacs of Moscow?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a Press section will be attached to the British Delegation to the Genoa Conference; and, if so, who will be in charge of that section?

The answer is in the negative. Publicity is a matter for the Conference itself, and will presumably be carried out through the Secretariat-General on which the British Delegation will be represented.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what reason His Majesty's Government have, abstained from official communication with the Soviet Government at Moscow in regard to the Genoa Conference?

There has been no occasion for His Majesty's Government to communicate with the Soviet Government on the subject of the Genoa Conference It is the Italian Government which issued the invitation to foreign Governments and has communicated with them about the Conference.

Is it of no interest to His Majesty's Government to know what views on the part of the Soviet Government they may have to meet when they arrive at Genoa?

No, Sir; I do not say that at all.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Lord President of the Council or His Majesty's Ambassador at Washing ton were consulted with regard to the project of the Genoa Conference before the Supreme Council meeting of 6th January last; if so, on what date; and on what date the decision of the Supreme Council at that meeting was communicated to His Majesty's embassy at Washington?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part therefore does not arise. The Supreme Council's decision of 6th January was immediately published, and presumably reached His Majesty's Ambassador the next day.

Are we to understand that the Government took no steps whatever to sound the United States Government before arriving at this decision, and did not have even the courtesy to inform the Lord President of the Council, or the British Ambassador at Washington, or the United States Government that an invitation was being given?

Do we understand that the United States Government saw this for the first time in the public Press?

I am not sure. I would like notice of the question.

asked the Prime Minister how many persons from the Foreign Office, Board of Trade, Treasury, Prime Minister's secretariat, and Cabinet offices are accompanying him to Genoa; whether Lord Riddell is an official member of the British Delegation to Genoa; if so, what are his duties; whether any special police protection is being sent over from this country in case of disturbances between the local Fascisti and Communisti in the neighbourhood of the residences of the British delegates; and whether the strike in Genoa is expected to be over before the Conference?

As at present arranged, the numbers of the staff referred to in the question will be as follow:—

Foreign Office, 20; Board of Trade, 23; Treasury, 15; Prime Minister's secretariat, 8; Cabinet offices, 25.

There may, however, be slight variations in these numbers.

Lord Riddell is not an official member of the British Delegation.

No special police protection is being sent from this country, the maintenance of public order in Genoa being entirely a matter for the Italian Government.

As regards the last part of the question, it is understood that the Italian Government are mediating in the dispute, and that there is every prospect of a settlement being reached before the meeting of the Genoa Conference.

asked the Prime Minister why, when the British Foreign Secretary is still in Paris, the Italian Minister paid a visit to this country; what were the objects of this visit; and which British Ministers received him in this country?

Signor Schanzer asked for a meeting with the Prime Minister as head of the British Delegation to the Genoa Conference to discuss certain matters of procedure at the Conference on behalf of Signor Facta, the Prime Minister of Italy, and was received for that purpose by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the general character of the subjects covered by the three wireless messages scattered over the globe daily by the News Department of the Foreign Office; whether their official source is clearly indicated in the messages; and whether copies of each day's messages will be filed in the Library of this House so that Members may know what the Foreign Office is saying to foreign nations on behalf of the British people?

The messages deal with questions and events both domestic and foreign, which are of national importance and of international interest. Their official source is clearly indicated in the messages. The suggestion contained in the last part of my hon. Friend's question would be very troublesome to carry out. The files are open to the inspection of any hon. Member who calls at the Foreign Office to see them.

Is it any special information that is given by the Foreign Office, information obtainable only at the Foreign Office, or is it ordinary matter like that taken from the tapes?

In part, yes, but generally speaking it is such information as is taken from ordinary sources.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to put one day's issue in the Library?

Yes, I shall be very happy to do that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Washington Conference on the reduction of armaments at any of its sittings had the case of Korea under discussion; whether any resolutions or decisions affecting Korea were arrived at; and whether His Majesty's Government will publish any Report of the proceedings and decisions of the Conference from which can be gathered the action taken by the British delegates on the Korean and other questions?

The question of Korea was not discussed at the Conference. A collection of documents showing the work of the Conference will be in the hands of hon. Members very shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to leaflets being distributed in this country dealing with alleged outrages by black French troops upon German women and children; and if any representation has been made to the French Government with a view of finding if there is any justification for these allegations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The leaflets are a form of German propaganda, and the allegations contained in them are quite unreliable. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Aldershot on 27th October last, to which I have nothing to add.

Would not the best way of stopping these allegations be to get the French to withdraw the coloured troops altogether?

Cannot the hon. Gentleman take steps through the Post Office to prevent the distribution of these leaflets?

I will approach the Postmaster-General on that subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what companies or what financiers control the Anatolian railways?

The Anatolian railways are not at present under any company control. A small section of line from the Haidar-Pasha terminus is controlled by the Inter-Allied Military Commission of Railway Control at Constantinople, the remainder being in the possession of the Kemalists or Greeks.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have formally notified the Powers of the abolition of the British protectorate over Egypt and that Egypt is now an independent sovereign State; and, if so, what is the actual text of this notification?

I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper respecting the status of Egypt (Command No. 1617).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Zaghloul Pasha was asked by Lord Milner in 1920 whether he would accept the Premiership of Egypt; and, if so, what was Zaghloul Pasha's reply?

I have no knowledge of any such offer having been made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a large number of Egyptians were interned during the War on the ground of their being Turcophile; and whether Zaghloul Pasha was among them?

During the War a number of Egyptians were interned as their political activities constituted a danger to the Allied cause. Zaghloul Pasha was not among them.

Would the hon. Gentleman be surprised to know that Zaghloul Pasha was never Turcophile? His term of office proved so. If the hon. Gentleman wants to verify that, there is his conversation with General Sir Reginald Wingate—

The hon. Member appears to be giving information rather than seeking it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether ho is aware that the Greek Government is confiscating merchandise at the port of Salonika, although the goods were destined for Belgrade, and were shipped for delivery via Salonika; whether the Greek authorities replied to a protest against the confiscation by stating that the requisition is carried out in accordance with home regulations, which are equally applied to Greek merchants and foreigners, and that he cannot seek more satisfactory treatment than their own (Greek) subjects; and, in view of this action of the Greek Government in preventing the despatch of merchandise from this country, what action does he intend to take in the matter?

His Majesty's Government do not feel themselves in a position to protest against the requisitioning for military purposes by the Greek Government of goods in Greek territory, so long as adequate compensation is paid. Recent cases of requisitions at the Piraeus have been brought to the notice of the Greek Government, who have signified their intention of paying compensation within a reasonable period. No cases of requisition of British goods in transit through Salonika have been brought to my notice, but I am making inquiries. The transit of goods through Salonika to Jugo-Slavia is, I understand, governed by a special arrangement between Greece and Serbia, and I am also inquiring whether this arrangement would affect the right of Greece to requisition in time of war.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what compensation will be paid? Do the Greeks decide?

I suppose it is a matter for arbitration.

It is most important to know who is to arbitrate. If the Greeks arbitrate in regard to the things they have seized, is not the arrangement unsatisfactory?

I suppose there is an ordinary prize court, but I will inquire.

Is this the interpretation placed by the Greek Government on the desire of the Allies that Salonika should be a free port?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether proposals for a Greek loan are again to be put before the Trade Facilities Committee; and whether, directly or indirectly, His Majesty's Government intend to give any guarantee of financial assistance?

No proposals for a Greek loan are now before the Trade Facilities Act Advisory Committee, and the remainder of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Is it a fact that the British Government have signed an agreement with the Greek Government releasing certain Greek revenues as security for a loan?

The Government at some date in the course of last year—I am not sure of the date—agreed to the Greek Government assigning certain securities for a loan.

Did we stipulate that the money should not be used against the Turks?

Will the Government be informed if any such application is made? Will they be kept posted?

If the hon. Member refers to applications to the Trade Facilities Committee, yes; undoubtedly that would be brought to the attention of the Treasury.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his Department has yet received any reply from the Portuguese Government as regards the increased charges made on British ships entering Portuguese ports; can he state the purport of the reply; and, if no reply has been received, will he press for a reply and try to stop these charges on British shipping?

The reply of the Portuguese Government is still awaited, and His Majesty's Minister at Lisbon will continue to press for it. Meanwhile, a Bill has been introduced into the Portuguese Chamber of Deputies for the purpose of exempting the Archipelago of Madeira from the effects of the recent legislation.

Have we not recently given credit for £3,000,000 to the Portuguese Government, and could not that credit have been associated in some way with redress of this grievance?

I would like to consider that suggestion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many flag officers there were on the Active List in March, 1914; how many there were in March of this year; and now many of these flag officers were employed in each of these two months, respectively?

There were 95 flag officers on the Active List in March, 1914, of whom three were supernumerary, being employed and paid by overseas dominions or foreign governments. This number was increased during the War, but has been gradually reduced since, and now stands at 98, of whom six are supernumerary, three being officers specially promoted to Admiral of the Fleet for services during the War whose places on retirement will not be filled, and three being employed and paid by overseas dominions or foreign governments. As already announced, it was decided early this year to reduce this total number by 15. The number of flag officers employed in March, 1914, was 54. The number employed at the present time is 52, which, as already stated in reply to a previous question, will shortly be reduced to 41.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the making of a still further appeal to the senior ranks in the Navy to make room for junior officers.

The whole of that question is under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now give the date when the first meeting of the representatives under the modified welfare machinery will be held?

The first meeting of the representatives under the modified welfare machinery will be held as soon as possible after 30th April, 1922.

Are the women police included in this welfare scheme?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty under what particular rule, applicable to Schedule E, Income Tax is charged on lodging allowance of naval officers; and whether such lodging allowance is merely intended to meet an expense incurred in earning a particular salary, and therefore free of tax, as in the case of necessary expenses incurred by Members of Parliament?

The lodging allowance of naval officers is an emolument of office within the terms of Rule 1 of Schedule E to the Income Tax Act, 1918. It is not a payment to meet an expense incurred in earning a particular salary. As my hon. and gallant Friend will realise, if naval officers in receipt of lodging allowance were assessed on their emoluments, exclusive of the cost of lodging, an obvious inequality would be created, since most people in similar employment have inclusive salaries out of which the cost of lodging has to be met, and those salaries are fully assessed.

Are not all taxpayers, whether Members of Parliament or naval officers, entitled to allowances necessary for the discharge of their duty? If that is so as regards other taxpayers, why should naval officers be excluded?

No, Sir. I thought my answer had made that point clear.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the drifter "Colonel," which the Admiralty purchased for £4,800, and reconditioned and repaired at a further cost of £2,997, was sold for £750 to a Boston company, who, in turn, found the vessel in such a damaged and unrepaired state that a further sum was spent on repairs prior to a sale at £900; and whether he will consider the desirability of disposing of such vessels as remain in the possession of the Admiralty at the earliest possible moment in order to avoid further expense?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my remarks during the Debate on the Report of the Navy Excess Vote, 1920–21, on 24th March. With regard to the last part of the question, the Admiralty have always been fully alive to the desirability of disposing of all drifters in their hands at the earliest possible moment. Since the Armistice 268 drifters have been disposed of by sale in the open market or by transfer to the Fishery Boards for sale to ex-service fishermen. There now remain for sale only 10 drifters recently returned by the Fishery Boards, and one drifter newly released from naval service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what vessels of war and auxiliaries are at present under construction for His Majesty's Fleet; and what will have been their total cost when completed?

Thirty-two ships and vessels are at present under construction, details of which I will, with the hon. I and gallant Member's permission, circu- late in the OFFICIAL KEPORT. It IS estimated that their total cost when completed (including guns) will be about £20,500,000. This figure, of course, represents a programme which has been carried out over a considerable number of years.

Are we, in connection with the vessels still under construction, taking into account the Washington Agreement? Will that not make a difference?

None of these are capital ships. They are cruisers and other smaller craft, many of which have been under construction since 1917.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any subsidies are being paid to armament firms this year; if so, to what amount; for what purpose; to which firms; and how much money has been paid in this form of subsidy since the Armistice, giving the names of the firms receiving such moneys?

No moneys have been paid to armament firms in the form of subsidy since the Armistice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that, some three months ago, an Admiralty vessel collided with the pontoon at North Corner, Devonport, putting the pontoon out of service; that the Admiralty have admitted liability, but so far nothing has been done to repair the damage; that the traffic is stopped at this point, causing great inconvenience to the public generally and disastrous consequence to the small shop keepers in Cornwall Street, where business is in a state of stagnation; and that many of these shopkeepers are now subsisting on their small savings and will have to close down unless something is speedily done; and will he say what the Admiralty propose to do in the matter of repair so as to restore the traffic and reopen trade?

It is the fact that a naval vessel collided with this pontoon a little over two months ago, though the Admiralty has not admitted liability. The responsibility for the resumption of traffic does not rest with the Admiralty, though the local naval authorities have endeavoured by the loan of a lighter to facilitate such resumption. The matter is under discussion between dockyard officers and the officers of the Plymouth corporation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the bars for the sale of malt liquors, which have been recently approved for the chief and petty officers' messes in shore establishments, will be under the direct management of the chief and petty officers concerned, in a similar manner to that of sergeants' messes of the Army and Royal Marines, or whether it is merely intended to transfer the present Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' beer canteens from the canteen buildings to the chief and petty officers' messes?

The matter is now under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the withdrawal of the Government subsidy to the railway companies and the refusal of the Railway Clearing House to afford cheap travelling facilities to petty officers and men of the naval service, ratings proceeding on Easter leave will be permitted to make their own travelling arrangements and be allowed to proceed to the railway stations individually instead of being marched there in bodies as heretofore?

As the result of long experience, it has been found that when large numbers of men are proceeding on leave from the naval ports on the same day it is generally in the interest of the railway officials, the public and the men themselves, that some special arrange- ments should be made for getting the men to the railway stations. These arrangements are left to the discretion of the local senior naval officer. I may add that the railway companies have been asked whether they can arrange that men proceeding on Easter leave in special leave trains may be allowed tickets at the excursion fare rates as charged to the general public.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether established men from other dockyards who were sent to Rosyth, and who wore 50 years of age, were promised employment until they reached the age of 60; if not, will he state on what scale of bonus and pension will such men be paid; and whether they will be entitled to removal expenses to their late dockyard towns?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, as no pensionable Government servant is guaranteed employment up to the age of 60. The scale of pension is laid down by the Superannuation Acts. Bonus on pension will be regulated by the recent Treasury Minute issued as a White Paper on the 24th March (No. 55). Removal expenses to other dockyard towns will not be paid.

In the event of a man being discharged and returning to his home dockyard, if he has a son in Rosyth as an apprentice, will that son be transferred to the other dockyard?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many men of German and alien birth have been appointed British Consuls and Vice-Consuls during the last 12 months; how many people of foreign extraction are employed in such offices abroad; and what is the number of ex-service men who have been found employment in them?

In the last 12 months 14 persons of foreign birth, of whom none is an ex-enemy, have been appointed to posts in the unsalaried Consular Service. As regards the conditions of appointment of foreigners and as regards subordinate staffs, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on the subject on 20th February.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that doubt exists in the minds of some employers and aged workpeople as to the age at which State unemployment contributions cease to operate and unemployment benefits cease to be payable; and, if so, will he issue to those concerned definite instructions on this point?

There is no exemption from unemployment insurance contributions or disqualification from unemployment benefit merely on account of the advanced age of the worker, except that neither unemployment insurance contributions nor unemployment benefits are payable in respect of old age pensioners.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners who are at present unemployed consequent upon the closing down of the Cornish mines?

The number of persons engaged in copper, tin, lead, etc. mining whose unemployment insurance books were lodged at Employment Exchanges and local offices in Cornwall on 20th March was 2,550.

In the distribution of relief, who will take precedence—the Russian or the Cornish unemployed?

asked the Minister of Labour if the share fishermen who are not included in the national insurance scheme can be included in the scheme by an Order in Council; and, if this cannot be done expeditiously so as to help them in the exceedingly bad times they are passing through, will he take action in the matter?

Share fishermen at present excluded cannot without amending legislation be brought into the Unemployment Insurance Scheme in such a way as to become entitled to immediate benefit. The exclusion of shave fishermen was pressed upon me when the 1920 Act was before Parliament, and I am afraid I do not see my way to propose an amendment of the Act for the purpose of reversing the decision then taken.

If these men made a mistake some time ago, cannot it be rectified, and has the opinion of the Law Officers been taken as to whether that cannot be done by an Order in Council?

I think there is no doubt that an amendment of the law-would be necessary. I ought perhaps to say that endeavour has been made to find relief work.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed registered for the Borough of Poplar, South Division, for January and February of this year, giving the figures for males and females; and can he give the trades which the greatest number of unemployment applies to?

Separate figures are not available for the South Division of the Borough of Poplar. The numbers of persons lodging their unemployment books at the Poplar Employment Exchange on 31st January and 28th February last were: males,8,542 and 8,412; and females, 2,350 and 2,224, respectively. The trades in which the highest figures appear were transport, shipbuilding, engineering and building, for men; and food and tobacco, the tailoring trades and laundries for women.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the total amount paid by his Department for unemployment pay in the years 1920 and 1921, and what is the estimated amount for the first three months of this year?

The total amounts paid by way of out-of-work donation, unemployment benefit, and, since November last, dependants' grants have been, for the year 1920 £15,900,000 and for the year 1921 £62,500,000. The estimated amount of benefit and grants for the first three months of the present year is about £16,500,000. As my hon. Friend is aware, so far as unemployment benefit and dependants' grants are concerned, between three-fourths and four-fifths of the total payments are contributed by employers and employed in the insured trades.

asked the Prime Minister if he will lay upon the Table of the House at the earliest possible date a detailed statement of the grants made by the Committee under the chairmanship of Lord St. Davids?

I have been asked to reply. There are several thousands of these grants, and I do not think that the labour and expense involved in preparing and publishing a list would be justified. I should be glad to communicate to the hon. Member particulars of cases in which he is interested.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in some areas where unemployment is very acute, unemployed persons are appearing in the small debt court almost daily owing to lack of funds to pay their rent; and whether he will consider the possibility of introducing a moratorium of debts in respect of rent incurred by unemployed workers?

I have no information as to the first part of the question. Subsection (2) of Section 5 of the Increase of Kent Act, 1920, already gives the courts express power to stay or suspend proceedings on such conditions (if any) as they think fit.

(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if his attention has been called to the state of affairs on the Watling Street scheme for the relief of the unemployed; whether he knows that Messrs. McAlpine are erecting huge mechanical excavators, each capable of doing the work of 200 unemployed men; and whether he considers that to be in keeping with the spirit of the House of Commons grant for the relief of the unemployed?

Notice of this question has only reached me since I came into the House, and I have not been able to make the necessary inquiries. I will do so, and communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to set up a trade board in the catering trade; and, if so, when?

My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that last Autumn I appointed a Committee, under the Chairmanship of Lord Cave, to inquire into the working and effects of the Trade Boards Acts, and to report what changes, if any, are desirable. I propose to re-examine the matter to which my hon. Friend refers in the light of the Committee's report, which will, I understand, be in my hands at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that many of the factories and workshops under the control of the employers of labour, who are parties of the various Whitley Joint Industrial Councils and the various labour co-partnerships, have joint committees of workers who have a voice in the internal management; and if he will take action in the matter?

I am aware that a large number of works committees have been formed under schemes recommended to their respective industries by Joint Industrial Councils. The formation and scope of these committees are, of course, settled by agreement between the parties concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the Engineering Employers' Federation were to accept this principle there would be no dispute in the engineering trade at the present time?

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that when the Whitley Councils were established this was intended?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the failure of the Lochleven Linen Company to post the notices of the decisions of the Flax and Hemp, and Linen and Cotton Trades Boards in their works; and whether he is prepared to lake the necessary steps to have these notices posted by the firm in question in their works?

My attention has been called to the failure of the company in question to post notices and I am taking the appropriate action to deal with the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the failure of the Dunfermline Powerloom Manufacturers to pay the rates fixed by the Linen and Cotton Trades Board; whether he is aware that the female workers employed by that association are paid at least 1d. per hour less than the minimum fixed; and whether he is prepared to take steps to have the decisions of the board carried out by the manufacturers in question?

The suggestions as to underpayment contained in my right hon. Friend's question appear to be in substantial accordance with the facts. The employers in question, however, contended that they were not affected by the determinations of the Linen and Cotton Handkerchief Trade Board. As I could not accept the interpretation put upon these determinations by the employers, I invited them to have the question settled by means of an agreed test case in the Scottish Courts. I regret that this invitation has been refused. I propose now to take independent action to test the legal point at issue.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have forwarded to the Ministry of Health resolutions calling upon the Government to show steadfastness in fulfilling the housing pledges given in 1919?

Resolutions, in a form circulated by a body with which I understand the hon. Member is connected, have been forwarded to me by 108 out of the 1,800 housing authorities in this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman still of opinion that the need for housing is grossly exaggerated, notwithstanding these representations?

Of the 1,800 authorities, only 108 have thought it advisable or necessary to send me the circular which was sent to them to forward. I should think the others, the very large majority, evidently did not think it worth while to make any representations on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be influenced if those who want houses petition him?

I am afraid the limit of houses was laid down by the Government some time ago.

asked the Minister of Health how many plasterers were employed on the housing schemes of local authorities on 1st October and 1st March, respectively?

The number of plasterers employed on housing schemes of local authorities on the 1st October and 1st March last were 10,021 and 8,804 respectively. At the same time there was a considerable number of local authorities who reported a shortage of plasterers on the 1st March.

As there are 2,000 less plasterers employed, will not the right hon. Gentleman expedite this housing work by employing these plasterers on new houses?

As a matter of fact, where there are plasterers available I am endeavouring to allot houses to the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health if he will circularise the principal local authorities in the country with a view to ascertaining what is their estimated shortage of houses at the present time?

For reasons which will be seen by reference to my statement on the Vote on Account on the 13th instant, I do not think there would be any advantage in moving in this matter at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Middlesbrough Housing Committee has received 3,952 applications for houses; that it has so far only supplied 597 dwellings in flats, huts, and houses; that it only has his sanction for a further 305 houses, all in course of erection, leaving 3,355 applicants without any chance of satisfaction; and, in view of the fact that this is also the experience of many other industrial towns, will he state what further steps he proposes to take to meet the demand of such industrial areas for houses in excess of those provided by his 168,000 houses?

I am aware of the housing provision which has already been made at Middlesbrough and of the amount of work at present in hand. Authority was given at the beginning of the month to the council obtaining lenders for an additional 30 houses, and in present circumstances I cannot see my way to increase this number. I may observe that, on the basis of the rents at present proposed to be charged, it is estimated that there will be a deficit on the Middlesbrough housing scheme of something like £50,000 a year, against which the produce of the district's penny rate is only £1,950.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to a report in the newspapers about the bad housing conditions in the Ware Street region, in Hoxton; if he is aware that for many of the houses in Ware Street no rent is charged on account of the bad condition of the houses and that about 600 houses in the same area were condemned as being unfit for human habitation as far back as 1914; and if he can state what action he intends taking in regard to these tumbledown, ramshackle, insanitary areas?

My Department have under consideration a scheme, submitted by the London County Council under Part I of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, with reference to an area of 9 acres, including Ware Street. The proposal is to clear the area by stages and erect new blocks of dwellings for the working classes.

Is the Department prepared to make provision to give better facilities to local authorities for borrowing money, and at a cheaper rate than is insisted upon at the present time?

If the bank rate goes down, I have no doubt the local authorities will get the advantage.

Ts the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are 271,000 houses in the country which are similarly unfit for human habitation, and is he of opinion that these can be left to the play of economic forces?

My right hon. Friend is aware that last year was the first time the scheme of financial assistance was introduced to enable my Department to make a beginning in dealing with these houses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that under the existing Act of Parliament they are entitled to assistance for four years from now?

The right hon. Member is travelling a long way from Ware Street, Hoxton.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in connection with new houses built in Norfolk, sanction was given for the rents to be fixed at one-sixth of the wages of the tenants; that these tenants are agricultural labourers whose wages have been substantially reduced in consequence of recent legislation; whether he has received any requests that the rents of the houses should be reduced proportionately; and whether he will sanction this proportionate reduction, or, at least, some reduction in the rents at present in force?

No sanction has been given to the fixing of rents at a definite proportion of the wages of the tenants. The rents approved for a large proportion of the rural parishes of Norfolk are as low as 5s., and I do not think that any reduction below that figure can be made.

Is it not a fact that, in consequence of serious reductions in the agricultural labourers' wages, the local authorities now find it impossible to let the houses to the labourers; if so, will he receive a deputation of the local authorities?

I am not aware of the fact, but I shall be pleased to see whether I can receive a deputation.

asked (1) the Minister of Health whether, in the new form of accounts for education authorities, the receipts have to be submitted under approximately 67 different headings, and the expenditure under 210 separate headings; whether, owing to the intricacy of the form, the salary and travelling expenses of a director of education, for instance, will have to be entered under eight separate headings; whether, apart from the expenditure in purchasing new books of accounts, the form will in many counties call for the employment of additional clerical labour; whether more effective ways can be devised of securing educational efficiency with reduced expenditure;

(2) The Prime Minister whether he is aware that the executive of the Association of Education Committees have unanimously resolved to recommend local education authorities to decline to carry out the requirements of the Ministry of Health in elaborating the methods of school accounting and increasing bureaucratic control of education; and whether, in the interests of educational harmony and progress, local education authorities may be consulted before any such I schemes are elaborated in future?

I am aware of the resolution referred to, and it is no doubt the case that the new form contains more detail than the old. As, however, I have previously explained, the Board of Education will be prepared for the current year to waive such details as cannot readily be given and to accept a Return as complete as the existing accounts will permit.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly say whether the officials who set up this extreme type of officialism are still at large in the Department?

These forms, I believe, are required by the Board of Education for the purpose of enabling them to have a better check over the accounts of the local authorities, so as to save money for the taxpayers.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many teachers who refused the terms of the 1898 Act are now enjoying the greatly improved benefits of the 1918 Act?

The number of teachers who did not accept the Act of 1898 and have up to 31st December, 1921, been awarded pensions under the Act of 1918 is 582.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that for equivalent service, and even for shorter service, the pension under the Teachers (Superannuation) Act of 1918 ranges from three times to eight times the pension under the Acts of 1898 and 1912; and why such exceptionally large increases were deemed necessary?

I am aware that the benefits under the Act of 1918 are considerably larger than those under the Acts of 1898 and 1912. The general reasons for improvement of the superannuation system were explained when the Act of 1918 was before Parliament, and the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that the Government is bringing the present system under review and intends to submit a Measure to Parliament shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that applications for extension of service made by some teachers on reaching the age limit, 65, during the two years ended 31st March, 1919, were granted, and that the applicants were thus made eligible for and admitted to the benefits of the New Teachers (Superanuation) Act of 1918, while applications for extension made during the same period by other teachers of the same age and having identical claims were refused, and that these applicants were thus debarred from the benefits of the new Act; what, if any, was the principle upon which such differential treatment was based; and what steps he proposes to take to compensate these latter teachers for the loss they have sustained as a consequence of their being refused the same extension of service as that granted to their fellows?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on the 2nd March to the hon. and gallant Member for Durham (Major Hills).

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he will consider the postponement of the alterations contemplated for Southlands Grammar School. New Romney, at a total cost of £4,400, in view of the fact that the present attendance is very small and in order that the ratepayers may not be burdened with the half of this outlay at a time when the present rates are such a crushing burden;

(2) whether he is aware that five, teachers are employed at Southlands Grammar School, New Romney, for the education of 54 scholars; and will he insist on a reduction of this staff in order that public money may be saved?

I do not know precisely how the matter stands at the present moment, but I am making inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any other education authorities have adopted the same position in regard to day continuation schools as the West Ham local authority in their refusal to take legal proceedings to enforce attendance; and whether he can give any approximate sum as to the cost of day continuation schools throughout the country?

At the end of March, 1921, the Birmingham Local Education Authority ceased to maintain day continuation schools on a basis of obligatory attendance, and I understand that the Kent Local Education Authority do not enforce the attendance at London schools of young persons employed in London. The expenditure of local education authorities on day continuation schools in the current financial year is now estimated at less than £500,000.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that on the whole, as the local authorities are gradually dropping them, they might be done away with altogether and save the £500,000?

I am awaiting the decision of the London County Council.

Is it not a fact that the reason why West Ham and other local authorities dropped this particular Act is in consequence of the hostility of the employers?

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children are of the age at which they should attend day continuation schools, and how many do so attend?

According to the latest authoritative information at my disposal, namely, the census of 1911, the number of young persons between the ages of 14 and 16 was 1,357,226. I cannot say how many of these would have been liable to the obligation to attend day continuation schools, regard being had to the statutory provisions for exemption. In London the number of scholars enrolled is now about 41,000, but I have not at present the figures for the schools in Swindon, Rugby, and Stratford-on-Avon.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a thorough inquiry into the position of these schools with a view to their being discontinued for the present?

Will the President of the Board of Education have some regard to the most critical years of adolescence?

I have received notice that the hon. Member desires to postpone this question. I can only say I regret that an hon. Member should put a question of this kind on the Paper, and not make it his business to attend in the House to ask it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state the date upon which the Cave Committee on the administration of the Trade Boards will issue its Report?

The Committee, of which Lord Cave is Chairman, have completed the public hearing of evidence and are at present considering the terms of their Report. I am unable to anticipate the exact date when it will be in my hands.

asked the Minister of Health if the inquiry which his Department is undertaking will cover the whole of the expenditure of the Poplar Borough Council and Guardians separately; whether, in view of the present financial position of the guardians and their demands upon the ratepayers, any application to his Department for a loan has been made; whether it has been granted; and, if so, what is the amount, and on what conditions?

The inquiry extends only to the expenditure of the guardians. Application has been made for sanction to temporary loans amounting to £352,143, the amount actually sanctioned being £221,250. The loans are repayable out of sums which the guardians will receive from the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reasons why, when loans are granted to the local authorities for unemployment pay and outdoor relief, 1½ per cent. more is charged than is recognised by the bank rate?

The bank rate is not the rate at which we can borrow money.

Why should the charge be very much higher?

The rate and conditions of these loans are regulated by a committee, of which Sir Harry Goschen, a banker of great experience, is chairman, and they lay down the conditions under which this money ought to be lent.

asked the Minister of Health the policy of his Department with regard to the suggestion of boards of guardians that they should be allowed a small sum for refreshments; and, if such is permitted, whether he will sanction the sum of 2s. per head?

There is no legal authority for the payment out of the Poor Rate of the cost of meals supplied to members of a board of guardians. But meals are sometimes supplied to guardians during their attendance at their institutions, and there is no objection to this, if they repay the cost.

asked the Minister of Health (1) by what method or principle are the salaries, wages, and allowances of the administrative staff, the general clerical staff, and the Insurance Department staff apportioned for payment by the Exchequer or National Health Insurance Funds, respectively;

(2) why the small sum of £130,600 can only be recovered from National Health Insurance Funds, seeing that the cost of the Insurance Department staff of the Ministry amounts alone to £159,267, and that of the general clerical staff to £329,650, a total of £488,917;

(3) if he will explain why the increase for 1922–23 of the amount recoverable from National Health Insurance Funds amounts only to £22,945, having regard to the fact that the increased cost of the general clerical staff and Insurance Departments for the same year amounts to £137,612?

As the answer is rather long, I propose, with permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health the numbers and names of the boards of guardians in the County of London who have applied to his Department for loans owing to the great increase of relief in their respective districts; can he give the total for each board; what the total amount of the loan is for all London; and for what period of years they are granted?

As the*answer to this question is rather long, I will, with per- mission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a recent decision of the German Court at Leipzig refusing the application of a Danish company for an order stopping a, sale of furs by the Russian Soviet Government, as such furs had been stolen by the Soviet Government from the Russian warehouse of the said Danish company after it had been sealed with the seal of the Danish Legation, on the ground that a Bolshevist law had been passed in January, 1919, providing that all private property may be expropriated even if such property is under the seals of representatives of foreign Powers; and whether it is proposed to make any representations to the Russian trade representative in this country or to the Soviet Government as to the necessity of repealing this law if trade is to be resumed between this country and Russia?

I have no information respecting the case referred to, and I do not propose to make representations to the Russian authorities on this matter. The conditions under which trade is possible will, of course, come under consideration at Genoa.

Is it not a matter of vital importance to know whether this law, which has been decided by a German court, is in force, and, if in force, what is the object of any trade or agreement with Russia?

I cannot conceive that it can be the business of the British Government to make representation to the Russian Government about a decision of a German court.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of the exports of manufactured goods from the United Kingdom to Russia, exclusive of Finland, for the years 1911–12–13, respectively; and what is the estimated proportion of this trade which went to the Baltic States and those portions of Russia in Europe and Asia now under the control of the Soviet Government, respectively?

The total values of our exports to Russia, exclusive of Finland, were not recorded for the years 1911 to 1913, and I am, therefore, unable to give the information desired. The value of our exports to the new Baltic States was also not separately recorded for those years.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Summer Time Bill will be taken on Friday?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the convenience of Scottish Members?

I try, as far as I can, to suit the convenience of Members of the House, but it is not a very easy thing to make your arrangements such that every gentleman can be away whenever he wants, and still be present at the discussion of any Bill in which he is interested.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what approximately was the amount of debt left due in Ireland by the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary; if he is aware that, owing to the tension between that force and the people of some of the Irish towns, the goods supplied for the messes and canteens of the force, as well as goods supplied to individual members, by the traders of Killaloe and other towns were regarded as capable of being commandeered had delivery been refused; and, seeing that the fact mentioned in his letter of the 21st instant that £1,000 toward the partial payment of these debts was supplied from the fines fund of the division proves that responsibility for the obligations of the division was undertaken by the authorities, and seeing that the suggestion made that these Irish traders should seek recovery of the balances of their debts from the scattered members of a disbanded force is an impossible suggestion, will he see that these debts are discharged in full out of Imperial funds?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh East (Mr. Hogge) on 2nd March. I have no knowledge of the amount of these private debts, nor can I accept the suggestion contained in the second part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Messrs. Evans, of Limerick, agreed to their debt of £460 with the Government authorities so far back as November last, and, although they have repeatedly applied for payment, it has never been given; and, further, if he does not see his way to meet this from Imperial funds, will he allow this to go before the Commission which is to be set up to deal with losses?

The hon. Member had better put that on the Paper. The right hon. Gentleman cannot be expected to know about a particular firm.

The right hon. Gentleman has given me no answer to my question. I wish to know whether the Government intend to deal with this matter or not.

I have answered the question. I have nothing to add to the answer. I regret that tradesmen are not satisfied with the payment of their accounts, as they accepted the receipts in full payment at the time the payments were made.

Under duress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will lay a Paper showing the rate of pension to be paid to officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary when disbanded; the amount of any allowance or grant; and on what ground the allowance or grant is given?