asked the Minister of Pensions upon what principle of representation the Central Advisory Committee is acting in the formation of war pensions committees under the War Pensions Act, 1921, especially with regard to rural and urban districts; and what steps are being taken with a view to retaining the services of those members of existing committees who have hitherto taken an active interest in pensions' administration?

Representation is governed by the requirements of Section 1 (3) of the War Pensions Act, 1921. A committee must consist of not more than 25 members, who shall, as far as practicable, be representatives of the interests specified in that Section. In selecting persons for appointment, preference is being given to members of existing local committees within the area so as to ensure representation for the area as a whole.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the training bonus under the scheme for training disabled ex-service men due to Herbert Preston, 38, Wright Street, Stafford, late No. 17046, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, has been withheld owing to the Ministry of Pensions asserting that the man concerned has overdrawn his pension; that this ex-service man, who had been a prisoner of war in Germany, was awarded 12s. per week pension, was afterwards taken ill and awarded treatment allowances amounting to £2 per week and extra diet, and ordered to a convalescent home; that afterwards the man was re-boarded and awarded 12s. per week, and that deductions were made from his pension, and while on training, to the amount of 3s. per week, because he received the treatment allowances of £2 per week granted under the regulations; and that he is now in such a position through the treatment he has received that, after undergoing training at Stoke-on-Trent in clerical work, he is unable to buy the necessary clothes to obtain employment similar to the training he has received, and that his pension has been stopped and his training bonus withheld; and whether, in the case of over-payments made by officials of the Ministry, the onus of same is borne by the pensioner, even when in this case the over-payment which is asserted was sanctioned under the head of treatment allowances?

The overpayment referred to arises in respect of recoverable advances (not treatment allowances) made by the local committee pending examination by a Medical Board; and I understand that the training bonus has been withheld in part recovery. A considerable balance remains outstanding. As regards the last part of the question, the man accepted the advances on the understanding that recovery would be made if the provisional assessment of disablement given by the Medical Referee was not confirmed by the subsequent Board.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that H. Jones, of 19, Cottage Street, Stafford, on applying for his arrears of pension to the local committee of Stafford, amounting to over £28, was told he was in debt to that amount to the Ministry; whether these overpayments were due to negligence of the Ministry, who paid the man on the assumption that he had three children pensionable instead of one; and whether, in view of the fact that the man was not asked whether these children were born within the stated period after discharge, the Ministry will insist on recovering from pensions sums in this manner when the mistakes incurred are due to their own negligence?

The absence of regimental particulars made it difficult to identify this case. Inquiries have, however, been instituted, and as soon as a report is received, I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers who have been stripped of their uniforms by Sinn Feiners, and sent back in their shirts, are compelled to make good the loss themselves when this loss occurred while off duty.

I am not aware of any such case, but in general the question whether a man pays for loss of his uniform or equipment depends on whether such loss was due to his own default or negligence. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars of any specific case, I will inquire regarding it and communicate with him further.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the reorganisation of his Department., he is dispensing with the services of all men employed under the Ministry who have not served in His Majesty's forces; and whether he can give any information as to the military service overseas of Mr. Radcliffe, the new deputy regional director, south-western region, and in what respect Mr. Radcliffe's War record is superior to that of Mr. S. V. Holbrook, who, according to the Minister of Pensions, attested under the Derby scheme and volunteered for active service no less than five times?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; though the general principle has always been and is to give preference to ex-service men, other things being equal. Incidentally, I may mention that 99 per cent. of the temporary male officials of the Ministry are ex-service men. Mr. Radcliffe has been retained in a pivotal post of difficulty, and I do not at present propose to dispense with his services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has information as to the intention of the Bank of England to call a conference of the leading international banks of issue with a view to making currency and other arrangements, as recommended by the Financial Commission at Genoa?

I understand that the Bank of England are awaiting a formal official request from the President of the Genoa Conference before taking official steps to summon the meeting.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has considered the adoption of the French system of expressing approval or disapproval of fresh loans in the case of foreign Governments which have already defaulted in their obligations to British investors; and, if not, whether, in view of the large sums of money now leaving the country, he is prepared to consider the desirability of adopting the system?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of the 10th instant to the hon. Member for the West Houghton Division of Lancashire (Mr. Rhys J. Davies). I should like, if I may, to add that the phrase in the question about large sums of money leaving the country contains an implication which I cannot agree with. If this country is to provide employment for its population, it is, in my opinion, essential that we should continue our old-standing practice of lending money to sound borrowers outside the United Kingdom in the confident belief that, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of such loans will in fact go out of the country in the shape of British goods and British services, besides yielding to the lenders a return on their money in the form of a claim upon the future production of the borrowing countries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to abolish shortly martial law in Egypt; whether they are delaying the abolition until the Egyptian Ministry have framed the new laws and exceptional measures similar to and continuing those under martial law; and, if so, whether this was arrived at by agreement between Sarwat Pasha and Lord Allenby?

The intentions of His Majesty's Government, with regard to martial law, remain as defined in their declaration to Egypt. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative, the last part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether fresh orders were issued on 3rd May last to the Egyptian Press to the effect that no mention must be made of anything concerning Zaghloul Pasha and the visiting of Abdin Palace by deputations, from all over Egypt, praying King Fuad for the repatriation of Zaghloul Pasha and his colleagues; whether these instructions were given by Lord Allenby after his return to Cairo from his recent visit to the Sudan; and, if so, what authority has Lord Allenby over the Press of an independent country?

Early in May instructions were issued in Egypt prohibiting the ventilation in the Press of the agitation for the return of Zaghloul Pasha. These instructions were issued by the competent military authorities Tinder martial law.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the written complaint, signed by Zaghloul Pasha and his colleagues deported with him and handed to the officer in charge of them at Aden on 7th February last, in which they said that they were all invalids at the time, some suffering from diabetes, some from Bright's disease and other diseases, and asking to be sent to a place less hot and damp than the Seychelles, has been received here; and what action do His Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter?

I understand that the report which, as I informed the hon. Member on the 3rd May, was asked for on this subject has not yet been received. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many London sub-postmasters hold a number of town sub-offices under contract with his Department, and that it is the practice of such sub-postmasters to canvass regularly amongst business firms for the transfer of Post Office work from Crown offices to their own private establishments: whether such canvassing takes place with his knowledge and consent, and whether, having regard to the extremely low rates of pay which are received by sub-office assistants, he will take steps to prevent such a transfer of work from the post offices maintained by his Department to the sub-offices of the contractors?

There is a small number of sub-postmasters in London who hold appointments at more than one sub-office. I am not aware that it is the practice in such cases for them to canvass amongst business firms in the manner suggested, and I shall be glad to receive any evidence which the hon. Member can put before me. Such canvassing is forbidden by the terms of their appointment. and suitable measures are taken in any cases in which infringement of this condition is brought to notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are 12 town sub-offices in the Eastern Central district of London at which the emoluments range from to£611… £1,014; and whether, having regard to the policy laid down by the Select Committee of the House, he will consider the creation of two or three branch offices so that the work may be concentrated in Crown offices with a view to its more efficient and satisfactory performance?

I am aware of the facts stated, and I am ready to consider the question of creating branch offices where circumstances tender it desirable; but, as intimated in my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. T. Griffiths) on 3rd April last, the conversion of sub-offices to branch offices is being carried out at present only where special reasons exist, for this course.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the emoluments of the sub-postmaster of 228, Blackfriars Road are considerably in excess of £500 per annum; and that there are five town sub-offices within a radius of 600 yards, the total emoluments of which approximate to £1,500 per annum; and whether, in the interests of the public service, he will consider the desirability of substituting one or more branch offices for the present unsatisfactory system of town sub-offices in this area?

I am aware that the emoluments of the office at 9 (formerly 228), Blackfriars Road exceed £500. My information is that of the five nearest offices two are approximately 700 yards, one 750, one 800 and one 900 yards distant. I am not aware that the arrangements are unsatisfactory, and I do not propose to take up the question of any change at the present time.

asked the Post master-General whether the new wireless service which has been instituted between London and Switzerland in competition with the Government Land Line and Cable Service is being conducted under a temporary or permanent licence; and whether, having regard to the importance of this question, he will cause the terms of the licence to be laid upon the Table of the House?

No licence has yet been issued. Temporary permission has been given to the Marconi Company to commence a service between London and Switzerland, but this is subject to withdrawal if a suitable agreement is not arrived at between the Government and the company as to the conditions on which such licences may be granted. The circumstances are practically the same as in the case of the London-Paris wireless service, concerning which the hon. Member asked a question last year. The question of the conditions under which licences can be issued is still under consideration. Should such licences be granted their terms will be laid before Parliament.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that the firm of C. H. Brittain, Limited, Old Town Hall, Hanley, were cut off the telephone on the 14th May; whether this firm paid all the charges due that had been rendered to them four days previously, on the 7th May; whether he has had the opportunity of seeing the correspondence which has passed between this firm and the local manager; whether it is possible for firms to be cut off the telephone by subordinate officials; and, if so, whether he will have the whole matter scrutinised by an impartial tribunal?

I regret to find that, in consequence of the failure of a ledger clerk to credit the firm with the payment which they had made, the telephone service was withdrawn for a day. Suitable notice has been taken of the mistake. Telephones are only disconnected on the instructions of the district manager or his chief clerk. Errors of this kind are extremely rare, but I fear it is impossible to prevent occasional mistakes in the posting of accounts.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the following information as to the death from starvation or privation so found on the inquest which took place in 1920, in the union of Madeley, in the county of Shropshire; the date of the inquest and the age and sex of the deceased; what Poor Law officers, if any, were examined at the inquest; whether the deceased was known to the guardians or their officers; whether Poor Law relief had been received by the deceased or applied for by him or her or on his or her behalf at some time previous to death, and other particulars such as were formerly given in the returns of the like deaths which were published by the Local Government Board and Ministry of Health for many years down to 1919; and whether any report has been made to or inquiries made by the Ministry of Health shortly after the death?

I am obtaining the particulars desired, and will send them to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health if, with regard to the death from starvation or privation, so found at the inquest which took place in 1920 in the union of Wrexham, in the county of Denbigh, he will state the date of the inquest, the age and sex of the deceased; what Poor Law officers, if any, were examined at the inquest; whether the deceased was known to the guardians or their officers; whether Poor Law relief had been received by the deceased or applied for by him or her or on his or her behalf at some time previous to death; and other particulars such as were formerly given in the returns of the like deaths which were published by the Local Government Board and the Ministry of Health for many years down to 1919; and whether any report has been made to or inquiries made by the Ministry of Health shortly after the death?

In this case the Coroner, after inquiry, decided that it was not necessary to hold a formal inquest. I am, however, obtaining the desired particulars, and will transmit them to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any communication from representative dental material manufacturers as to the proposed new tariff of the United States; and whether he will make any representations, to the United States Government on the subject?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I will consider the matter in consultation with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a large number of Manchester unemployed have been notified at the Employment Exchange that no benefit can be drawn for five weeks; and whether he will inquire into their grievance consider the desirability of immediate action, in view of the great sufferings of the families concerned?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the discontent, both of Poor Law guardians and men out of work, with the payment of the unemployed benefit, namely, five weeks' payment and five weeks' non-payment, and that, owing to the exhaustion of workers' savings, the direct effect of the arrangement is to throw the burden of maintaining these persons and their families on to the local rates during the five weeks when no allowance is made, and that further burden is thrown on the boards of guardians of providing extra staff to deal with the applications for relief; and what action ho proposes to take?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact of the unemployment benefit having been suspended for five weeks, acute feeling and distress prevails in Westminster, with the consequence that there is no money available either for the payment of rent or for the purpose of cooking food provided by the board of guardians; is he aware that this condition of affairs is leading to a disturbed state of mind among the men; and, in these circumstances, what steps does he propose.taking in the matter?

The suspension of benefit for five weeks applies only to those who have drawn uncovenanted or "free" benefit for five weeks since 6th April. It does not apply to those who have contributions to their credit. The suspension of uncovenanted benefit is expressly laid down by the Unemployment Insurance Act recently passed, and was carefully considered in this House when the Bill was under discussion. The Act gives me no power to continue payment in these cases. I appreciate the difficulties that must necessarily arise from the suspension of benefit, but I would point out that it is impossible for the Unemployment Fund, the financial resources of which are definitely limited, to provide benefit for an indefinite time without intermission. I should mention that 57 weeks of "free" or uncovenanted benefit have been provided out of the Insurance Fund in the period of 18 months from November, 1920, to May, 1922, and that such benefit will be payable during two further periods of five weeks between now and November next. For those who exhausted their previous benefit on 10th May the next period of eligibility for uncovenanted benefit will begin on Thursday, 15th June. I propose to make arrangements so that a half-week's benefit may be paid on Saturday, 17th June.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the delay that takes place before final decisions are arrived at in regard to disputed unemployment benefit cases; and whether he is taking any action to get such claims dealt with more quickly than at present?

I am not aware that there is any general delay which is due to my Department. Disputed cases inevitably take a certain amount of time, owing to the necessity for collecting all relevant facts and evidence, but every effort is made to expedite a decision. If, however, my hon. Friend has knowledge of any specific cases, and will let me have details of them, T will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the provision for excluding nurses from the operation of the Unemployment Insurance Act can be made retrospective, in view both of the difficulties of collecting arrears of contributions and of the fact that the insurance is of no practical value to nurses?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Report of the Proceedings of Standing Committee "B" for Tuesday, the 4th April, from which it will be seen that in accepting the Amendment in Committee that unemployment insurance contributions should cease to be payable in respect of nurses, I made it clear that in order to allow a reasonable interval before payment of benefit is stopped in the cases of the nurses, numbering several hundreds, who are unemployed, I could not agree to the new exception taking effect before 1st July, I added that I had no doubt that as the main request of the nurses had been met, I should find general acceptance of my decision that contributions should be paid up to 1st July. In these circumstances, I could not agree to make the exception retrospective, which in any event would require legislation.

asked the Prime Minister whether an arrangement of an economic nature has been drafted or signed as between this country and Italy?

I have been asked to reply. No such arrangement has been concluded recently. Economic relations between the two countries are regulated by the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation, signed at Rome on 15th June, 1883.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the allotment acreage in each town of the country of over 50,000 population; whether there is any official standard fixing what should, on the average, be the proportion of allotments to population; and whether, in the case of towns of large size with small allotment acreage, he will endeavour to do his utmost to ensure that this should not be diminished by post-war reconstructive policy?

The following statement is based on returns furnished by allotment authorities for the year ending 31st December, 1920, and on the population census of 1911, gives the latest available figures of the allotment acreage in towns, including metropolitan boroughs, of over 50,000 inhabitants. There is no official standard fixing what should be the proportion of allotments to population, but I would explain that the local authorities are under a statutory obligation to provide sufficient allotments for those of their residents who desire to cultivate plots. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative.