asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the request that copies of the regulations governing pensions should be issued to local secretaries of the British Legion has been refused; and will he arrange that they may be obtainable in future?

The warrants and regulations governing the grant of war pensions are published and are on sale. I am afraid I could not agree to such a large free distribution as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that, owing to ignorance of the regulations, many applications for pensions are refused for no other reason than that they have not been made within the prescribed time; and if he will allow such applicants another opportunity of making a claim?

Full publicity has been given to all time limits affecting claimants to pension from my Department. Advertisements and announcements have been published in the Press throughout the country and, in addition, large numbers of leaflets and posters have been widely distributed. In these circumstances I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions if, in those cases where over-payments have been made to pensioners through errors, clerical or otherwise, on the part of the Ministry of Pensions or some other Government Department, and for which the pensioner or his dependants are in no way responsible, he will see that such overpayments are not deducted from the amount of the pensions which have been duly awarded?

I have no power to pay pensions or allowances at rates in excess of those authorised by the Royal Warrants and recovery of over-payments is a principle of administration common to the whole public service. In every ease, however, the most careful consideration is given to the individual circumstances of the case, and where it is clear that the over-payment was one of which the pensioner could not have been aware, and hardship would be involved, recovery may be waived.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that several legal decisions have been given against the recovery of excess payments to ex-soldiers, particularly in the case of officers, and will he take steps to have regulations, by Royal Warrant, if necessary, to bring himself into line with such legal decisions.

I am not prepared to maintain that money that has been wrongly paid from the taxpayer to people who are not entitled to it should not be recovered, but we have placed a limit on the distance that we can go back, a recent concession which is to the advantage of the pensioners.

Is it not a fact that no recovery is made in any case beyond a year?

That is the concession which has been recently made, greatly to the advantage of the pensioners.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it sometimes takes these pensioners more than a year to repay the moneys that are asked from them?

We do not now go back beyond a year, except in cases where a man has obtained some money by misleading the Pensions Ministry, a case which I am glad to say is rare.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that large numbers of relatives and dependants of deceased sailors and soldiers have recently applied for pensions; that they have been refused on the ground that a considerable time ago they were awarded a gratuity in full and final settlement of their claim, as they were then regarded as not being incapable of self-support or in pecuniary need; that they now fulfil one or other of these conditions and would undoubtedly have depended for support on the sailor or soldier had he survived; and whether, in view of the fact that in many cases they are left entirely without resources, he will give instructions to have such cases reopened and awards made, even if the gratuity granted has to be taken into account?

In the circumstances mentioned the temporary pension which may be granted under Article 22 (1) is under the terms of that Article terminated in favour of a "final gratuity." The provisions of the Royal Warrant do not admit of a renewal of the former pension, and this is in accordance with the meaning and intention of the Warrant as approved by Parliament. I regret that I am unable to recommend any amendment of the Warrant in the sense suggested.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether medical men when visiting patients of the Pensions Department, whether in hydropathic or other institutions, receive as their fee the sum of 10s. 6d. per head per visit; whether in many cases such visits are almost formal, and that a medical man could visit 10 such patients in half an hour and receive a fee of five guineas; and, if so, whether he is prepared to effect such economy in public expenditure in this direction?

When whole-time medical officers of the Ministry are not available, local practitioners are employed to examine and make detailed reports on pensioners accommodated in institutions not under Ministry control. These medical men receive a fee of 21s. for one case and 31s. 6d. for two or more cases. No higher fee than 31s. 6d. is paid for a visit to any one institution irrespective of the number of pensioners examined and reported on.

Is there not a fee of 10s. 6d. for each visit?

No. It only means that no one visit is paid more than 31s. 6d., however many cases are inspected. We are in agreement with the hon. Member on the question of economy. Sometimes people are better examined by a local doctor than if we had to send one of our own officials a long distance.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will make inquiries into the case of Captain John H. Rogers, D.C.M., late Lancashire Fusiliers, of 19, Swaby Road, Karlsfield, Wandsworth, who has been informed by the Ministry of Pensions that his retired disability pay of £41 6s., composed partly of service and partly of disability payments, will not be paid to him until June, 1923, and will then be subject to deductions leaving him £8 2s. 1d. in debt to the State?

I am looking into this case and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

Was it not usual in the last Parliament that these cases referring to specific individuals were dealt with as a general rule as unstarred questions; and, in view of the fact that we have nearly 200 questions on the Paper, would it not be better if we followed that rule in future?

It was not a rule in the last Parliament, but it was the custom of hon. Members to put unstarred questions where they could properly do so.

Out of 2,000 cases I have only put down two as starred questions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will facilitate a decision being arrived at in the case of Driver George Jenkins, No. 8169, late Royal Field Artillery, of 3, Lyddon Grove, Wandsworth, who enlisted on 3rd September, 1914, and was discharged as medically unfit in October, 1917, and who is married and has six children; and whether he is aware that he received a pension until November, 1922, when the same was discontinued, and since which time nothing has been heard from the Ministry in respect of the discontinuance?

The Medical Board which examined this man in August, 1921, assessed disablement at less than 20 per cent, and, accordingly, a final weekly allowance, which has now expired, was awarded under Article 1 (3) of the Royal Warrant. This award has been declared final under the War Pensions Act, 1921, subject to the man's right of appeal to the independent Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has received a resolution passed by the Dewsbury County Borough Council protesting against the callous treatment meted out by the Ministry of Pensions to ex-service men with regard co the cancellation of their Government and weekly allowances and the stopping of the pensions of war widows whoso husbands' deaths were not directly attributable to war service with the result that these men and women will be pauperised and dependent upon ratepayers who are unable to meet the demand; and if he will take the necessary steps immediately, either by legislation or otherwise, to secure the renewal of the Government maintenance, weekly allowances, and pensions?

I have seen the resolution referred to. I would remind the hon. Member that the fundamental principle of the Royal Pensions Warrants is to provide compensation for disablement or death due to war service. Exceptional provision of a temporary and compassionate nature was made, with the approval of Parliament, under which my Department was authorised to give medical treatment and pension, for the period of the War and one year after, in certain cases in which the disablement or death was in no way due to service. The Government do not see their way to alter the Royal Warrant in the sense suggested.

Does the right hon. Gentleman give it to the House as his opinion that nothing further can be done in such cases?

My opinion is in accordance with the answer which I have given. The benefits must be confined to those cases where the disability or death is due to war service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of J. Giles, of 3, Hollins Top, Stannington Road, Sheffield, who joined the Army in 1915 as an Al man, and whose category on discharge was as low as possible, as a result of shell-shock; whether he is aware that this man has been treated in various hospitals with little result: that he was awarded full pension in August, 1921, which continued until he was sent to a convalescent home and training centre at Blackpool in October; that he was obliged to return home in April last through the illness of his wife; that, on applications to pensions offices at Ecclesfield, Brocco Bank, and Castle Street, he was told repeatedly that nothing could be done; that one official suggested that the man should go to the workhouse; that subsequently he went before an appeal board and was turned down without medical examination; that he eventually obtained another appeal board and was then promised a further medical examination; and that, not having received any pension since last April, this man, his wife, and two children are faced with the workhouse or starvation; and what steps does he propose to take to give immediate assistance in this case and to prevent a recurrence of such circumstances?

This man has had repeated medical examinations at his own request, and I am satisfied that the case has received adequate consideration. As recently as the 11th instant the man was examined by a neurological board, who could find no remaining disablement due to service. Further compensation cannot therefore be granted, but the man has been informed that he has a right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has been ventilated in the "Yorkshire Telegraph and Star," and that the matter was inquired into by a reporter who satisfied himself that the man was seriously ill?

Under the rules laid down for the Ministry of Pensions, we have to award disablement pensions according to the degree of disability. If a man is examined and nothing is found to be the matter with him, it is difficult to justify the taxpayers' money being spent on a disablement pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the number of young officers who were trained at Sandhurst, and in like military colleges, from 1912 onwards, and who undertook active service in the Great War of 1914–1918, and who have since been totally disabled and who are now entirely dependent upon their Service pensions, and who, owing to their War service, are unable to find openings in any other professional or commercial spheres; and will he, in such cases, place such regular officers on the same scales of pensions as temporary officers who were also totally disabled in the said War?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, regular officers receive disability retired pay at rates which are never less favourable than those granted to temporary officers, and generally are higher.

asked the Minister of Pensions the present approximate number of pensioners, men, women and children, in charge of his Department; and whether there has been any reduction in numbers since last year?

The approximate number of beneficiaries under the Royal Pension Warrants administered by me on the 31st October last was 2,620,000 as compared with 3,135,000 twelve months previously.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that J. W. Tomkinson, No. 5747, 10th Lancashire Fusiliers, residing at 2A, Union Street, Wednesbury, is in receipt of a pension of 12s. per week and 3s. per week for his wife; whether he is unable to work and his wife is an invalid; whether 15s. is the total income; and will he cause investigation with a view to seeing if the pension of Tomkinson or his wife can be increased?

The current award corresponds to the degree of disablement as last assessed by a medical board, and cannot be increased unless the pensioner's condition has become substantially worse, in which event the man should apply to the local area office.

Cannot the pension for the wife be increased?

The pension for the wife depends on the degree of disablement of the pensioner. That is known to everyone.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that William Smith, case 6/MS/7064, late of 71, Meeting Street, Wednesbury, recently died from pulmonary tuberculosis in the Moxley sanatorium, Wednesbury; whether the medical board of 10th June, 1921, stated that his disability was 100 per cent, and attributable to war service; whether his application for a pension was rejected by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal; and whether, having regard to his death from pulmonary tuberculosis, he will have this case fully investigated with a view to his widow being granted a pension?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 30th November, the decision of the Ministry rejecting the late soldier's claim to pension was confirmed on appeal by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal. Any application for pension made by the widow will receive full consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of an ex-service man who, with long service in the Territorial Force and being passed fit at the outbreak of War, has on developing tuberculosis since his discharge been refused pension, although there is no family history of the disease; whether the medical board who refused his appeal was able from the evidence to suggest any more probable cause than exposure in the trenches for contracting the disease in this case; and whether there is no provision for helping, through the Pensions Ministry, this man who is now very seriously ill?

In the particular case which the hon. and gallant Member has in mind, the Ministry were unable to find that the disability was connected with service, and the claim to pension had accordingly to be rejected. This decision was subsequently confirmed by the independent Pensions Appeal Tribunal, and I regret, therefore, that I am precluded from granting assistance from Ministry funds.

Can the Ministry do nothing for this man who was in perfect health when the War started, and is now dying, and cannot last many months longer?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will communicate with me, I will see if anything can be done. But under the law our efforts are limited to cases in which the disablement is due to War.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Private James McKechnie, 28, Anderson Terrace, Longcroft, Bonnybridge, has had his pension reduced from 34s. 6d. to 9s. 6d. per week; that this man has been certified by the Army medical authorities as suffering from chronic rheumatism; that he has a wife and family of three dependent upon him; and that it is impossible for him to follow his occupation of coal mining owing to his disability; and if he will enquire into the extreme hardship of this case?

A medical board which examined this man recently found only very slight disablement remaining, and the final compensation which has been granted corresponds to that assessment. There is, however, a right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, which may be exercised through the local office.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the case of the widow of Sergeant James Reilly, No. 14636, late 23, Bridge Street, Lurgan, who enlisted in September, 1914, in the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, and served until 1919 in France and Belgium, was demobilised in March, 1919, and on demobilisation had to have the attendance of the local doctor for heart trouble as the result of War service, and was granted a pension for self and wife of 11s. 4d. per week, afterwards increased to 17s. 4d. as the result of a medical board examination; that his pension was granted up to the day of his death, 4th July, 1921, and after his death 28s. per week was granted to his widow: that his medical attendant certified death as due to cerebral hæmorrhage as the result of affection of his heart and arteries, and that there was no doubt that his death was caused by War service; will he say if his widow received a dependant's allowance until November, 1921; if this pension ceased, and why; and if the tribunal before which the case was heard examined the local doctor as to the cause of death before pronouncing his widow ineligible?

The cause of death m this case was cerebral hæmorrhage, which my medical advisers were unable to regard as being connected either with the man's pensionable disability or with his military service. When the widow appealed against the consequent refusal of pension all the available evidence, including the opinion of the man's private doctor, was placed before the tribunal, which confirmed, and thus made final, the decision of the Ministry. With regard to the latter part of the question, I may explain that it is the practice of my Department to authorise advances, in certain cases, pending consideration of a widow's claim to pension. These advances are bound to cease as soon as a decision is reached.

Was the local doctor examined before the tribunal?

I understand that the local doctor was not examined, but a long report from the local doctor was placed before the tribunal.

As this answer is so unsatisfactory, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Pensions the names of the salaries paid to, and the duties performed by, all senior officers of the Navy and Army who are in receipt of Service pensions now employed in administrative positions at the Ministry of Pensions, together with the amount of pensions drawn by them in each case?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that large numbers of women on the staff of his Department, especially those who by reason of their entry through the Medical Research Council Office, were. Grade IV, and have not since been re-graded, have to subsist between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on paste sandwiches, one cup of tea and a bun, travel long distances to their work, and receive only 5s. a week to cover all expenditure other than that of board and lodging, fares and meals out; and whether, in view of the impossibility of getting efficient service under such conditions, and of the fact that men employed in the Department on Grade IV work receive Grade III rates of pay, he will endeavour to secure that for the women also no lower rate of pay than that of Grade III shall exist for adult workers in the Pensions Issue Office?

There are 194 Grade IV women clerks employed in the Ministry

As the answer is a lengthy one, involving a number of figures, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of permanent established officers of the rank of principal clerk and above, and the number of these who served in the Army or Navy during the War and at present employed on the staff of the headquarters of the Ministry?

The number of permanent established officers of the rank of principal clerk and above at present employed at the headquarters of the Ministry is 59, of whom 9 served in the Army or Navy during the War. I may add that of the 45 most highly-paid officials, 29 are ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the present approximate staff of his Department; and whether the number has been increased or reduced during recent months?

The total staff paid by the Ministry, including the staffs of local committees not yet absorbed under the Area Reorganisation Scheme, is now 25,769. In July of last year, the corresponding number was, approximately, 32,000, showing a reduction in staff of over 6,000. Further reductions are being made.

asked (1) the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the criticisms of the Auditor-General on the new method adopted in placing work with the Stationery Office printing works without obtaining competitive tenders and the desirability of having the work done under the most economical conditions, His Majesty's Government will give instructions that no further orders are to be placed with the Government printing works without first obtaining competitive tenders from printers and the Government factories according to the former practice;

(2) whether the new system referred to in the Auditor-General's Report on Trading Accounts, 1920–21, by which work is placed with the Stationery Office printing works without first obtaining competitive prices for work, has the approval of His Majesty's Government?

My hon. and gallant Friend is, I think, under a misapprehension. The Comptroller and Auditor-General merely called attention to the change without offering any criticisms. The new arrangement has been adopted after full consideration of all the circumstances as the best method of ensuring that the Harrow Printing Works are run at the most efficient level; and I am not prepared to revert to the previous arrangement pending the result of the inquiry into the whole matter which will be undertaken next year.

Is it not a fact that Harrow Printing Works are costing the nation several thousand pounds a year loss?

I do not think that is so. It has shown a loss, but at present it is not showing a loss.

asked the Minister of Pensions, if he will reconsider the decision to close the training centre at Saltash, Cornwall, which was formed for the instruction of disabled service men, in view of the fact that it is the only training centre in the West of England and the trainees there have only had a few months' instruction?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on Tuesday to the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Foot). I would add that in no case will a course of training which has been commenced be terminated prematurely on account of the closing of this particular centre.

What will happen to those men who are partially trained I Will they have no other refuge except parish relief?

I am afraid that my hon. and gallant Friend did not hear the last part of my answer, which was that in no case will a course of training which had been commenced be terminated prematurely on account of the closing of this particular centre.

Where are these men to be sent to complete their training?

Will the right hon. Gentleman postpone the closing down of this centre until reassembly of Parliament, having regard to the large number of ex-service men in this country who are excluded from training and treatment because they failed to make application by 30th September, 1921; and, as in many cases these applications were not made through inadvertence, will he have regard to their position?

I will consider the point raised by the hon. Member with regard to the general question of these men, but I cannot give any definite undertaking in regard to this particular institution.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the 700 mental cases his Department proposed to transfer to the pauper class under the Poor Law authorities were passed as fit for service when joining the forces, and how many of these served overseas; and whether it is his intention to put into operation the principle that a man passed fit for service and disabled during service should without question be classified as fit for pension or maintenance for himself and his dependants from national funds?

As I have already stated, appeals to the tribunal are pending in a large number of these cases, and those in respect of which no appeal has been lodged are being carefully reviewed in the Ministry. Until the appeals have been decided and the review completed, I shall not be in a position to give definitely the particulars asked for in the first part of the question. As regards the last part of the question, I would point out that it has always been a fundamental principle of the Royal Pensions Warrants administered by me that compensation is due to those officers or soldiers only who are disabled in and by their service.

In deciding these cases, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that a man who served overseas must of necessity have been passed as fit to serve overseas, and that if, when he came back, he is mentally deranged, that must have been caused by his war service?

Going overseas is strongly in favour of the claims of a man.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case I put before him a week ago the man had served overseas and his father is now called upon to maintain him in a pauper lunatic asylum?

That is a case on which the hon. Member asked me a supplementary question a week ago. He suggested that this man had been enlisted as A 1, but I find that he was enlisted as C2.

Yes, but he served overseas. That was the point of my question. He was fit to serve overseas, therefore his father ought not to be called upon to pay for him as a pauper lunatic. It is a disgrace to the right hon. Gentleman's Department to allow it. You cannot wriggle out of that.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of an ex-service man who, whilst suffering from neurasthenia due to War service, committed suicide at Hailsham, and, although the local war pensions committee had arranged for his funeral, this was stopped by the authorities at regional headquarters, who declined to sanction the payment; and will he explain the reason for this action?

The circumstances of this case were exceptional, but the full facts have now become available, and I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that the Ministry will refund the funeral expenses under the usual conditions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a pensioned ex-service man now in the employ of the Post Office has been compelled to live in a four-roomed house in Hitchin which has been condemned with a view to demolition, but for which he pays a rent to the Hitchin Urban District Council; whether the back room downstairs cannot be occupied as part of the wall has fallen down, leaving the room to be exposed to the weather; that one of the outside walls has bulged and left the ceiling of the same room and the floor of the bedroom above entirely unsupported along one side; that the bedroom can only be crossed with extreme caution as there is danger of collapse; that the rain comes through a hole in the roof of the same bedroom; and that this house is occupied by a man and his wife with a family of eight children, the wife being pregnant, and one daughter and two sons are adults; and whether, under these conditions, he will bring pressure to bear upon the local authorities to provide better accommodation?

My right hon. Friend has no information on the matter to which the hon. Member refers, but he is making inquiries and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

Will the Minister of Labour or his Department bring pressure to bear on these people to provide accommodation?

I will communicate with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government proposes to carry out the late Government's pledges to ex-service men under Sections 1 and 2 of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Land Settlement Act of 1919, to enable them to take up small holdings?

Action under Sections 1 and 2 of the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919, has been taken by the Estates Commissioners in a limited number of cases, but the conditions prevalent in Ireland during recent years and at present render any wide application of these provisions impossible in the interests of the men themselves.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in certain Departments, of which the Ministry of Health is one, it has been found necessary to make a monetary advance to ex-service, Lytton, candidates on account of their monthly salaries, so as to enable them to provide food and other necessaries for Christmas; whether he realises that the boy clerk rate of pay is inadequate for men who have a wife and children to provide for; and whether, in view of this state of affairs, he will set up afresh the Committee of Inquiry to consider the question of adequate pay?

I am informed that in the Ministry of Health it is proposed as a matter of convenience to the staff to make small advances in respect of salary for December, normally payable at the end of the month, to members of the permanent staff with basic salaries not exceeding £300 a year. These advances are not confined to ex-servicemen or to recent entrants to the clerical class, and I see no justification for the inference drawn from them by my hon. and learned Friend. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that we are still paying £80 a year to men with families? Does he justify it?

That is a long subject to deal with by means of question and answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) the number of ex-service men and the number of non-service men employed in Section R.D. 3 of the Air Ministry;

(2) whether non-service men are employed in the most important positions in Section K.D. 3 of the Air Ministry; whether the ex-service men employed in subordinate positions can be given an opportunity to prove by test their greater qualifications for holding the more important posts at present held by non-service men; and whether an inquiry has been held into the staffing of the said section?

As the answer to these questions is somewhat long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Civil Service Commissioners to hold any further examinations for ex-service men on the lines of that held last August?

It is not intended to hold a further limited competition for the general clerical class, but competitions on similar lines may be necessary for certain Departmental clerical classes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the majority of ex-service, grade 3, temporary clerks who have passed the special clerical class competition, and also had three to five years' temporary clerical service in their Departments, were upon their permanent appointment compelled to start at the bottom of the salary scale, viz., £80 per annum plus bonus, and were then called upon to forfeit their temporary increments, and consequently are considerably worse off financially than the candidate who failed to qualify by examination; and whether, seeing that boy clerks receive the same salary and increments as these men, he will reconsider the position of the latter?

This question was fully considered by the Lytton Committee, who came to the conclusion, in which I concur, that it would not have been equitable to base starting salary on establishment either on the age of candidate or on the length of their temporary service. Boys are not at present being recruited for the clerical class, and, in any case, a boy would normally enter that class at about the age of 17 with starting pay of £60 plus bonus. This hypothetical comparison was fully considered by the Lytton Committee, and I see no reason to vary their recommendation on account of it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that several smallholders on the Eastville estate, Lincolnshire, have received notice to quit; whether he is aware that they are ex-service men; and whether he will use his influence to prevent these men being turned out before sufficient inquiries have been made into the conditions which have rendered it impossible for them to meet their liabilities?

I have been asked to reply. The Ministry is informed by the Lindsey County Council that nine notices to quit were served on smallholders at Eastville either on account of bad farming, or, in certain cases, because the Small Holdings Committee considered that, as the tenants showed no likelihood of making a success of their enterprise, it would be in the best interests of the men themselves that the should be required to give up their holdings. The holdings were in each case previously inspected by a Sub-Committee, and the tenants attended and were heard at a meeting of the full Committee. As the result of a further inspection by the Sub-Committee, three notices were withdrawn, and the Committee have offered to withdraw the notice in another case if the smallholder's father will give a guarantee. Two other tenants have become bankrupt, while in another case the father and brother of the late tenant are now in occupation. The action of the county council was taken only after the most careful consideration, and with the concurrence of the Ministry's District Commissioner, and my right hon. Friend is not, therefore, prepared to intervene in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of schools now provided for the education of physically-defective children; and what increase has taken place since 1914?

There are now 199 certified schools for physically-defective children, of which 108 have been certified for the first time since 1st April, 1914.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a memorandum issued by the Incorporated Association of Headmasters of Secondary Schools, calling the attention of Members of Parliament to the urgent necessity on grounds of economy of an immediaate restriction of the costly bureaucratic system, local and central, which is extending its hold over the whole educational system of the country, and further pointing out that officers, both central and local, not content with discharging their proper function of supervising financial expenditure, are also endeavouring to control in detail the internal organisation of the educational institutions which they were intended to assist, whereby the individuality of schools is being destroyed, the powers of governing bodies crippled, local interest alienated, and the enthusiasm of teachers deadened; and whether he intends to take legislative action in the matter?

I have received the manifesto in question, which appears to be more remarkable for vigour of denunciation than for constructive suggestion. It is indisputable that the receipt of public money involves a measure of public control. How far that control should go is a fair matter for discussion, but I cannot say that for its proper exercise a knowledge of what may be called the internal administration of a school is unnecessary. It is impossible to define a reasonable degree of control by Statute, and I am not prepared to undertake legislation to reverse a principle that has found expression in every relevant Act of Parliament. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that, consistently with this principle, I recognise that it is the duty of my Department and of local education authorities to have all possible regard to the individuality of schools, and the great value of the voluntary service given to them.

asked the President f the Board of Education if he is aware of the strong feeling existing against the action of the Board in forcing authorities to charge fees in secondary schools, this being absolutely opposed to the spirit and the letter of Section 14 (4) of the Education Act, 1921; and will he withdraw this educational barrier?

I cannot admit that the charging of fees in secondary schools is contrary either to the letter or the spirit of Section 14 (4) of the Education Act, 1921; and I would remind the hon. Gentleman that, in spite of the difficult financial circumstances through which the country is passing, the number of free places in grant-aided secondary schools to-day is about double the number in 1914.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the very poorest ratepayers have to pay rates and taxes for these secondary schools? Why should they be debarred through monetary causes?

I am well aware of that fact. I am also aware of the fact that the poorest ratepayer has the right to send his children to the considerable percentage of free places in these schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education what would be the year's saving to the rates and taxes if teachers' salaries in London were reduced to the next term scale; and what would be the saving if the present scales were reduced by five per cent.?

On the number and composition of the total teaching staffs of public elementary schools at present employed in London, it is estimated that if Standard Scale III were substituted for the present Standard Scale IV the difference in cost would amount to, approximately, £600,000; and if for assistant teachers employed in aided and provided secondary schools in London the provincial salary scale were substituted for the London scale, the difference in cost would amount to, approximately, £71,000. The savings which would be effected by a 5 per cent. reduction in existing salary scales would, in the case of teachers in public elementary schools, amount to, approximately, £335,000; and in the case of assistant teachers in aided and provided secondary schools to, approximately, £35,000. I cannot give comparable figures for teachers in technical, etc., schools, as for several classes of them no scales of salary were recommended by the Burnham Committee.

Owing to the financial magnitude of this question, I hope that the right hon. Gentleman can give us some assurance that he will keep in touch with the London County Council—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of boys who attended the technical schools in England and Wales in 1914 and 1922, respectively; and the number of technical teachers employed in the schools during those years?

The nearest figures I can give are for the school year which ended on the 31st July, 1913, and on the 31st July, 1921. In the year which ended on the 31st July, 1913, the total number of boys and young men under 18 who attended during the day or evening at technical, art or continuation schools in England and Wales was 273,212. The corresponding figure for the year which ended on the 31st July, 1921, was 286,460. Not less than 40,000 persons are engaged in the teaching given in such schools, but the great majority of these are part-time teachers. On the 31st March, 1921, 3,384 teachers were in receipt of full-time salaries as technical school teachers. In 1912–13 the corresponding number was estimated at 2,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education what local authorities besides those of Hull, Portsmouth, and Sunderland exceeded between April and August of this year the limit of expenditure upon school feeding laid down by the Board for the whole of the financial year 1922–23?

The only period of the current financial year for which I have figures of the net expenditure of local education authorities upon provision of meals is the period, 1st April to 30th November. During that period the net expenditure of 47 local education authorities exceeded the sums specified for each of them in the Board's first allocation. The names of the authorities concerned are as follow:

Barrow-in-Furness.	Keighley.
Birkenhead.	Lancaster.
Bradford.	Macclesfield.
Burnley.	Stalybridge.
Bury.	Taunton.
Chester.	Workington.
Derby.	Barking Town.
East Ham.	Edmonton.
Halifax.	Enfield.
Kingston-on-Hull.	Erith.
Leicester.	Felling.
Portsmouth.	Hebburn.
Preston.	Kettering.
Reading.	Kadcliffe.
Smethwick.	Tottenham.
Sunderland.	Wood Green.
West Ham.	Willesden.
West Hartlepool.	Brecon.
York.	Monmouthshire.
Ashton-under-Lyne.	Cardiff.
Chorley.	Abertillery.
Colne.	Bath.
Dukinfield.	Leigh.
Ilkeston.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that means that in 47 districts an extra burden is thrown on the ratepayers, and cannot he give some assistance to these necessitous areas?

It does not necessarily mean entirely that, because, as I have explained, in answer to a previous question, the Board have a small sum still available under the Votes, which we propose to allocate in accordance with the revised Estimates.

further asked the President under what statutory provision the Board is limiting the grant payable to local authorities in respect to the feeding of under-nourished school children; and if he has consulted the Law Officers of the Crown as to the legality of such limitations?

With regard to the first part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 4th December last to the hon. Gentleman the Member for East Bradford. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of elementary and secondary

asked the President to the Board of Education whether he will consider the advisability of setting up a Committee to inquire into and report upon the question of teaching Welsh in elementary and secondary schools in Wales and Monmouthshire; and whether he is aware that the Shrewsbury Conference and the Central Welsh Board are in favour of such teaching?

I understand that some representations may be made to the Board of Education on the subject referred to, but they have not yet reached me. The hon. Member may rest assured that if occasion arises I will give the matter careful consideration.

The latest figures possessed by the Board in each case are as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the total number of male and of female teachers who have completed their educational training as qualified teachers in England and Wales, and who are now on the waiting lists of the local education authorities for positions in the teaching profession, both elementary and secondary; and what steps does he propose to take to facilitate their employment in the profession for which they have been equipped by great personal effort and expense, and often at great sacrifice by their parents?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 11th December last to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Caerphilly, which contains the latest information the Board possess on this matter. The whole question of the absorption of students from training colleges is engaging my very close attention, but I cannot at present make any statement upon it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman as a Minister of a Government which has given so much prominence to the sowing of unemployment, whether, if he reduced the number of children in the classes and employed the unemployed teachers, it would not help to solve the unemployment problem and increase the efficiency of the teaching of the children?

I do not wish to be drawn into a debate with the hon. Gentleman on these wider issues. I can assure him that they will all be present to my mind when I consider the matter.

Was it not the policy of the Board a short time ago to reduce the classes in our elementary schools to 40 pupils, and does not a unique opportunity now arise to carry out that policy?

That question would involve a repetition of the answer given.

If the Minister is to communicate with the teachers who are on the list, will he include all the teachers in Gateshead, where none of the schools have been working and 23,000 children have not been educated for the last two months?

That does not now arise.

asked the President, of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a large number of boys who have reached the age of 14 and are leaving school cannot find employment; that no provision is made for further education for these boys; that there is a large number of fully-trained teachers at present unemployed; and what proposals has he to make to meet the needs of the boys and the unemployed teachers?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on the 7th December last to the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham and the hon. Member for Colne Valley. As regards the third part, I would refer him to the answer I gave on the 11th December last to the hon. Member for Caerphilly.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the action of the governors of the Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall, who have notified the parents of scholars that they must have their children vaccinated, otherwise they were not to send them to school until sent for; whether this action has his approval; and what steps he intends to take in the matter?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this case. I will make inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Abertillery education committee on the 20th November passed a resolution against the power exercised by the Board to curtail grants payable to local education authorities below the limits prescribed by Section 118 of the Education Act, 1921; and will he, having regard to the heavy burdens due to industrial depression, give effect to this resolution by relieving local authorities of these added burdens?

The Resolution referred to by the hon. Gentleman has reference to Clause (4) of the Economy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, introduced in the last Parliament. I am fully alive to the difficulties of local education authorities resulting from industrial depression.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to alleviate the position of these districts?

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House under what part of the Statute of 1921 he has the power to deal with these grants other than to pay 50 per cent.?

I have already answered that in reply to a previous question. My action is limited by the amount of money that Parliament places at my disposal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of Section 118 of the Act, and is not the Board's action annulling that portion entirely?

asked the Prime Minister what decision has been arrived at with regard to the setting up of an Estimates Committee in the next Session; and whether, if one is to be set up, it can be given wider powers under its reference than has been the case hitherto?

The necessary Motion will be moved next Session setting up the Select Committee on Estimates. The terms of reference will be

"to examine such of the Estimates presented to this House as may seem fit to the Committee and to report on what, if any, economies consistent with the policy implied in those Estimates may be effected therein."

Will my right hon. Friend see that this Committee is set up immediately after the House meets?

indicated assent.

asked the Prime Minister when he anticipates the British pavilion at the Rio de Janeiro Centenary Exhibition will be handed over to the Brazilian Government; and whether he will take steps to secure that the presentation will be made by a personage who will emphasise the importance of this national gift?

No date has yet been announced by the Brazilian Government for the closing of the Brazilian Centenary Exhibition, and I am, therefore, not in a position to say when the British pavilion will be handed over to Brazil. As regards the last part of the question, I can assure my hon. Friend that every endeavour will be made to secure that the ceremony of presentation shall be worthy of the occasion.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has received any representations from business men, merchants, or manufacturers to the effect that trade between this country and Russia would be made easier if the relations between the two Governments were regularised; whether any further steps have been taken to re-open negotiations with the Russian Government, or to clear up questions outstanding between the two Governments; what these steps have been; whether he intends to continue the Russian policy of the late Government; and whether a statement of policy can be made before the rising of the House?

I have no information of any such specific representations. Since the Conference at The Hague no steps have been taken to reopen negotiations with the Russian Government on the questions there dealt with. With regard to the last parts of the question, I would refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on 29th November, and to the answer which the President of the Board of Trade gave to the hon. and gallant Member oh the 27th November.

Will the right hon. Gentleman specifically answer the fourth part of my question, as to whether it is proposed to continue the Russian policy of the late Government?

If the hon. and gallant Member will describe it, I will see.

In view of the answer of the Prime Minister, I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Consolidated Fund Bill to-night.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the inconvenience and loss which is being occasioned to shopkeepers in various districts in London, who have to pay heavy rates, taxes, and rent, in respect of their premises, by reason of street traders, who pay none of these charges, vending similar goods from barrows in the street immediately in front of or adjacent to the premises of shopkeepers selling similar articles; whether the promised Bill for the regulation of street trading will be introduced early next Session; and whether he will see that the granting of licences to street traders is placed under the control of the borough or district councils throughout the country, who have knowledge of the trading conditions and requirements in their areas not possessed by the police?

I have been asked to reply to this question. With regard to the introduction of the Bill, I would refer to the reply I gave on the 12th instant. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the passages on pages 8 and 9 of the Report of the Street Trading Committee and their recommendation on page 14.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the suggestion in my question, that the police are not familiar with the requirements of these individual neighbourhoods, as the men often come from long distances into the various boroughs of London?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the police have had control of these men for 100 years, and that a very large number of shopkeepers welcome the presence of these men as bringing large crowds to their neighbourhood; and whether any legislation such as suggested will not be strenuously opposed in this House?

Various considerations have been brought to my notice through the Report to which I have referred my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison). He may rest assured that I will consider, in the light of that Report, the points which have been made.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that the Departmental Committee, set up by the Home Office, did not call evidence from the street traders themselves and that, therefore, this is a very unfair Report?

Is it not a fact that many of these so-called street traders are not bonâ fide street traders at all?

The matter cannot now be debated.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce and pass into law in the next Session of Parliament a Welsh Home Rule Bill similar in scope and character to the Irish Free State Constitution Act just ratified by the present Parliament?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider the advisability of appointing the late Prime Minister to visit Ireland during the Recess and make investigation into the working of the Irish Constitution?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a representative committee to inquire into the question of setting up a Board or Ministry of Defence, with executive powers, for the more efficient and economical administration of the Navy, Army, and Air Services, as briefly outlined in the Ministry of Defence (Creation) Bill, introduced by several service Members last Session?

As this question is under consideration by the Committee of Imperial Defence, I do not think any useful purpose would be served by setting up a committee such as is referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

Are the Cabinet Committees which were set up by the late Government to consider the coordination of the Services, continuing their labours?

That has not been done. It is being considered, as I have already said, by the Committee on Imperial Defence.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to inaugurate the 11th November as a national holiday?

No, Sir. We propose to continue the arrangements adopted in the past, which, I believe, are approved by the nation.

Will the Prime Minister consider making it a day of penance for all conscientious objectors?

Do not be offensive.

The hon. Member (Major Paget) should not interrupt questions with such remarks.

asked the Prime Minister whether any protest has been made by His Majesty's Government to the Polish Government regarding the compulsion exercised on the people of Eastern Galicia to force them to take part in the elections for the Warsaw Diet; and whether he will consult with the Allied and associated Governments regarding measures for defining the status of Eastern Galicia in accordance with the will of the population?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Allied Powers have the question of Eastern Galicia under consideration, but no definite decision has been taken with regard to the ultimate status of the territory.

Can the hon. Gentleman indicate when the Allied Powers are likely to arrive at a decision in this matter, which has been under consideration, not only for many months, but for years?

I am afraid I am not able to inform my Noble Friend on that point.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange for the papers relating to the offer of a pact of alliance submitted to M. Briand at Cannes in January last by the late Prime Minister, on behalf of the British Government, and of the reply of the French Government, to be circulated; and if, for purposes of comparison, he will arrange for the terms of the original offer of a defensive pact made to France on behalf of Great Britain and the United States, when the Treaty of Versailles was being negotiated, to be circulated at the same time?

In present circumstances I do not think that it would be desirable to lay papers on this subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, whether a little later on, when perhaps certain circumstances may be different, he will undertake to lay papers on the Table?

That is a hypothetical question.

asked the Prime Minister the total amount already paid up to date by Germany, either in cash or in kind, towards reparations; and the total paid by Germany to the Allies in respect of the Armies of Occupation in cash and cost of supplies or building accommodation for troops?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a statement in reply to this question.

asked the Prime Minister if he will undertake not to commit this country to diplomatic support of any military action against Germany by France before this House has had an opportunity of registering its opinion as to the economic and political consequences involved in British diplomatic support of such policy?

I cannot add anything to what I have already said on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will approach the other Powers represented at the Washington Limitation of Armaments Conference with a view to joining in friendly representations to the Imperial Government of Japan to withdraw its troops from Russian Saghalien, in accordance with the declaration made by the Japanese Delegates at that Conference?

His Majesty's Government do not consider that they are called upon to initiate any action in this matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Franco-Belgian Military Convention and the Franco-Polish Military Convention have both been registered with the Secretariat of the League of Nations; whether he is aware that it is stipulated, under Article 18 of the Covenant, that all agreements between signatory parties to the Treaty of Versailles shall be published; whether any modifications to this provision which would invalidate it have been assented to by the Council of the League of Nations with the approval of His Majesty's Government; and whether the Military Conventions in question have been published and are accessible to Members of this House?

Notes exchanged between tho French and Belgian Governments in September, 1920, approving the Franco-Belgian Military Convention were registered with the League and published in the League of Nations Treaty, Series No. 56, but the text of the Convention itself has not, so far as I am aware, been registered with the League. The Convention between France and Poland, to which the hon. Member is presumably referring, is not, properly speaking, a military Convention, but a political agreement with a military clause, and in this connection I would refer to the answer on the subject which I gave on the 11th instant to the hon. Member for Dundee. I am not aware whether the agreement has been registered with the League or not. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative. The exact interpretation of Article 18 of the Covenant is still in dispute. A Commission of the League of Nations reported on the subject to the Assembly in September last and the latter decided to defer consideration of possible amendments to Article 18 till a later meeting.

If there is a military clause in the agreement, might it not as well be called a military agreement as a political agreement with a military clause?

That is a question of interpretation.

Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the respective Governments to get this Convention registered with the League of Nations?

Is it not a fact that Article 18 merely states that if these agreements are made and not registered with the League of Nations, they are not valid?

No, I do not think that is a correct reading of Article 18. In reply to the supplementary question by the hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Mr. Harris), I cannot undertake to do what he asks; I do not know that there would be any power to do so.

Is there any real doubt as to the interpretation of Article 18? Has the Assembly not settled the meaning?

I do not think so. I understand the matter was referred to the First Commission by the Assembly, and that they have not arrived at any definite decision as to its meaning.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any knowledge as to the intention of the French and Italian Governments to ratify, or not to ratify, the Treaty on the Limitation of Armaments signed at Washington in February last?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether this House will be afforded an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the Treaty which may issue from the Lausanne Conference before that Treaty is ratified?