asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the reason for the delay in considering the claim for increased pay of the second-class clerks in the Sasine Office, which was formally entered prior to the abolition of the Arbitration Board; whether he is aware that the Board have undertaken to hear the case as soon as the two cases are before it, but that the official side is delaying the hearing by failing to put in its counter-statement to the staff side's claim; and whether he is now prepared to make any definite announcement as to when the whole matter will be thoroughly and properly investigated?

My Noble Friend regrets that delay has unavoidably occurred owing to necessary correspondence between the Departments concerned in the examination of the claim and the preparation of the counter-statement. It is expected, however, that the counter-statement will in the course of next week be in the hands of the Arbitration Board who will then be in a position to hear the case.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he will endeavour to get action deferred under the new scheme formulated by the Treasury regarding pensions and terms of service of Sheriff Court officials in order that those concerned may have an opportunity of presenting their case?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. W. Graham) on Thursday last.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he will give a statement showing for 1919 and 1922, respectively, the number of acres in Scotland of arable land and under permanent grass?

The particulars asked for are as follow:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any arrangements can be made this year, as in 1922, for the export of Scottish seed potatoes to Austria, or other parts of the Continent, by means of a credit arranged through the Reparation Commission; and whether, in view of the large stock of potatoes in the country at present for which no immediate home market can be found, any steps have been taken by the Overseas Trade Department to enable these to be disposed of in continental markets?

The loan made by His Majesty's Government to the Austrian Government for the purchase of seed potatoes was arranged in 1921, through the International Committee for Relief Credits (not the Reparation Commission). The Relief Credits Scheme was terminated in the autumn of 1921, and no funds are available for further relief loans. With regard to the second part of the question, all information received by the Department of Overseas Trade as to possible outlets for British-grown potatoes is at once transmitted to the various Departments of agriculture and to firms likely to be interested. Within the last few months, information as to possible openings in the Argentine, Uruguay and Algiers has been received and distributed. Potatoes have recently been included in the Export Credits Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an assurance that Scottish seed potatoes sent to England may be sold and planted under identically the same regulations as apply to seed potatoes grown in England and Wales?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 19th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Galloway (Major Dudgeon).

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if his attention has been drawn to the finding of the Scottish National Housing and Town Planning Congress, held in Glasgow on 23rd January last, and which was largely attended by representatives of local authorities in Scotland; and will he undertake to ascertain the views of local authorities outside the big cities before adopting for Scotland the policy of a limited subsidy per house for a period of years?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part the question of the policy of granting a limited subsidy per house for a period of years was discussed at a meeting held in Edinburgh on the 8th instant which was attended by representatives of the smaller burghs and of county areas as well as of the larger burghs. A small Committee, on which the smaller authorities are represented, was appointed at the meeting to consider the question of the amount of annual loss per house on houses built in Scotland on which a claim in respect of subsidy might be based. Any representations made by this Committee will receive the fullest consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of houses which have been provided in Scotland under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1899, in each year since the date of its passage into law?

The information asked for by the hon. Member could only be obtained by inquiry of the local authorities in Scotland, but, so far as I am aware, little, if any, action has been taken under this Act by these authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if the Government will consider the advisability of allowing local authorities to decontrol rents and mortgages according to their estimates of their own needs?

My hon. Friend's suggestion will, of course, receive careful consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can state approximately the average rents received by the local authorities in respect of the State-aided houses erected by them; and whether any of such houses have been sold by the local authorities and at what average purchase price?

A return showing the rents (exclusive of rates, water charges, etc.) agreed by the Minister with local authorities for each type of house in the Assisted Housing Schemes of those authorities is appended. According to a return furnished by local authorities in August last, 179 houses had been sold; the average purchase price was £690.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, in how many cases of houses built by private builders has a State subsidy been paid under the late Government-assisted housing schemes; the total amount of these subsidies; how many of these State-assisted privately-built houses are occupied by gamekeepers or chauffeurs or used as holiday residences; and how many are used to relieve the congestion in overcrowded industrial areas?

The grant under Section 1 of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act has been paid in respect of 39,161 houses, the total amount paid being £9,491,927. Information as to the occupation of these houses is not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has any information respecting houses recently erected or now being erected by local authorities in certain areas outside the State-assisted scheme and whether such houses are erected for sale or for letting?

About 70 local authorities have intimated their intention to proceed with the erection of houses outside the assisted scheme and in a number of instances building is actually in progress. My right hon. Friend understands that these houses will as a rule be let, though several local authorities propose to facilitate the sale of individual houses erected under the schemes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, for what reason the confirmation of the scheme of the London County Council for dealing with the Bell Lane and Ellen Street areas in the borough of Stepney has been delayed; whether he is aware of the grave danger to the health of the people in these areas involved in this delay; and if he will immediately confirm this scheme?

My right hon. Friend is fully sensible of the urgency of proceeding with this and other improvement schemes in the London area. The final decision on the Bell Lane and Ellen Street areas has been temporarily deferred in agreement with the London County Council, pending the consideration by the Council of a comprehensive policy for dealing with those schemes which are to be put in hand in the near future.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he is aware of the great dearth of housing accommodation in the area surrounding Houghton-le-Spring; that as many as three families are living in cotttages of three rooms and less; and, in view of these facts, will he say how many schemes put forward by the Houghton-le-Spring Rural District Council and sanctioned have been stopped by the Ministry, and which have been sewered, channeled, and roads completed, and not one house erected thereon; and what is the cost of such to the ratepayers and the Exchequer, together with the amount of compensation paid to contractors?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the housing conditions in the area in question. Seven building sites were acquired by the rural district council. 160 houses have been authorised under the State Assisted Scheme on four of these sites. Authority was given to the council to carry out road and sewer works on two of the remaining sites. My right hon. Friend has not particulars of the actual cost of such works. The liability of a local authority in respect of all approved expenditure under an assisted scheme is limited to the produce of a penny rate. So far as my right hon. Friend is aware, no compensation has been paid to any of the contractors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received a communication from the Wellington (Somerset) Urban District Council urging the Ministry of Health to give permission for the Wellington housing schemes on the Longforth Farm site and the Lower Foxmoor Road site to proceed to the extent of at least 20 additional houses; whether he is aware that the housing problem in that town is acute; and whether he can now see his way to sanctioning the modified scheme indicated?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second and third is that pending a further scheme for assisted housing, no new construction under subsidy is admissible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he can state, approximately, what is the estimated amount representing the increased rents proposed to be validated under the Rent Restrictions (Notice of Increase) Bill, which have been paid to landlords by tenants before the 1st day of December, 1922, and the total estimated amount of the increased rents which, under proviso ( a )of Section 1 (1) of the Bill, will not be recoverable from tenants?

I have been asked to reply. I have no accurate figures at present; but I propose to give the House such information as I possess on the Second Reading of the Bill.

asked the Attorney-General whether at any time since the passing of the Rent Restriction Act the Law Officers of the Crown have made public any advice that, in order to raise rents within the limitations of the Act, any further notice or step was necessary beyond giving the notice set out in the Schedule to the Act?

No, Sir, I have no knowledge of any such public announcement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the remission of the tax now levied upon agricultural societies in connection with their annual shows, which are run purely for the benefit of agri- culture and its allied industries, and not for profit, and seeing that these shows are held to benefit agricultural education and to provide necessary instruction in the comparison of stock and methods?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Harborough (Sir K. Fraser).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will favourably consider the adoption of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Lord Chancellor's County Court Staff Committee, 1920 (Cmd. 1049), relating to methods of payment of officials of County Courts; and if he is prepared now to give such staffs the rank of civil servants?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for St. Helens (Mr. Sexton).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the extensive commitments of the State for the purchase of land required for works to relieve unemployment, immediate effect will be given to the recommendations of the Crown and Government Lands Committee for improving the machinery for buying the land?

I may refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece) on the 19th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the National Debt on the latest available date, giving details and figures of the various stocks, bonds, and so forth which make up the total, including the debts due to America and other countries?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Return of External Debt, Command Paper 1648, of 1922, and the Return of Internal Debt, Command Paper 21, of 1923. More recent figures are not at present available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the arrangements made with America for the funding of the debt contain any provision under which Great Britain would receive the advantage of any more generous treatment which may hereafter be accorded to other debtors of the United States?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average gravity of the beer brewed by brewers for sale in the year 1922?

The average gravity of beer brewed by brewers for sale in the year, ended 31st December, 1922, was 1043 50 degrees.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the British Government has released the Chinese Government from China's indebtedness under the Boxer Indemnity?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will furnish a

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Kincardine and Western (Lieutenant A. Murray).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the numbers and cost of the staff at the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington in the year 1913–14, and in each year since the War, and the sums received for services rendered by this institution, and its cost to the nation in each of those years?

I have been asked to reply to this question. In 1913–14 the Royal Society was responsible for the maintenance of the National Physical Laboratory, and received the following Treasury grants: General grants, maintenants £7,000, buildings £5,000; aeronautics grants, maintenance £5,650, equipment £3,500; total, £21,150. The staff numbered 202, and cost £27,323. The sums received for services rendered, including payments by Government Departments, was £32,546. On April 1st, 1918, financial responsibility for the laboratory was transferred to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The following table gives the numbers of staff and the particulars of expenditure by the Department in each year since the War:

White Paper showing the present state of the financial arrangements with the Irish Free State, including all payments by the British Government to the Provisional Government and the Irish

Free State and payments by the Provisional Government and the Irish Free State to the British Exchequer; payments to Irish local government account and other special contributions, if any; the adjustment of payments on account of land purchase; arrangements as to collections and payments on account of Income Tax, Customs and Excise, and amounts involved respectively; what military stores, equipment, armament, arms, and ammunition have been supplied to the Provisional Government and the Irish Free State; and the value in money?

I do not think that a White Paper could usefully be prepared at the present time, but I will consider the matter at a later date. Apart from the Grant-in-Aid of £1,130,000 voted to the Provisional Government in 1921–22, I am not aware of any payments having been made by the British Government to the Provisional Government or the Irish Free State, either directly or to the Local Taxation Account. As regards payments due from the Provisional Government and the Free State and the supply of munitions to them, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for York (Sir J. Butcher) on the 20th February. The administration of land purchase will not be transferred to the Free State until the 1st April next, and the arrangements have not yet been finally concluded. As regards revenue, until the end of the current financial year when separate arrangements will come into force, collections are proceeding on the existing basis, and the proceeds are being apportioned in the manner prescribed by Article 5 of the Transfer of Functions Order-in-Council of 1st April last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if a new Order has been issued providing that refusal of vaccination or revaccination on the part of recruits to the Army may be treated as a cause for discharge and loss of certain gratuities; and, if so, to whom it applies and to whom it does not apply?

No recruit for the Regular Army is enlisted unless he signs the attestation paper, in which he undertakes the obligation to be vaccinated or revaccinated. If a recruit subsequently refuses to fulfil the obligation so undertaken, it has always been the practice to discharge him without gratuity on the ground that "his services are no longer required." This system has not been changed, but the wording of the Regulations has been amended, and the cause of discharge is now more exactly defined as "refusal on the part of a recruit to carry out the agreement to be vaccinated or revaccinated entered into on enlistment." The rule applies to all Regular recruits without exception, but not to recruits for the Territorial Army.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a medal is to be granted to the troops engaged in the operations in Mesopotamia during the rising of 1920?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Army Order 4 of 1923, of which I am sending him a copy. Under this Army Order the new General Service Medal, with clasps "Iraq" and "N.W. Persia," is granted for operations during the periods 10th December, 1919, to 17th November, 1920, and 10th August, 1920, to 31st December, 1920, respectively.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the small difference in price between foreign meat and home-killed meat, he is now able to state that British warships while in home waters shall be supplied with home-killed meat only?

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that all frozen meat consumed in the Navy is now obtained from the Dominions, no foreign meat having been bought since the beginning of last August. The price of Dominion meat is approximately one-half that of home-killed and the adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion would entail a heavy extra charge upon Navy Votes, which the Board regret they are unable to approve on account of the urgent necessity for economy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers of the Royal Navy under 40 years of age whom it is proposed to retire compulsorily before 31st March next, giving the respective numbers in each rank, the average age in each rank, the average expectance of life in each rank, and also the average amount of gratuity and pension to be paid in each rank?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the recent award made to the agreement men at the Bermuda dockyard does not suffice to meet the high cost of living which is further increased by the new taxation on imported goods; and can he see his way to make a further advance?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 19th February to the hon. Member for Dunfermline (Mr. W. Watson). It is not proposed to make a further advance.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that considerable feeling has been aroused amongst naval men serving in home ports by the issue of the recent Order regarding compulsory discharges; whether, in the interests of justice, action on the Order can be delayed sufficiently to enable the selection to be made from the whole of the Navy instead of from the comparatively small number present in home waters, in order to obviate as far as possible the necessity of discharging men with unblemished records; and whether he will consider granting sub-

Until a decision has been reached on certain points affecting the future requirements of the Royal Navy I am afraid I cannot give an exact number of officers of the Royal Navy under 40 years of age who will be retired compulsorily between now and 31st March next. Sixty-four such officers have, however, been definitely selected for retirement and will be retired on or before 31st March.

The details as regards them are as follow:

stantial gratuities to men serving their first engagements as compensation for summary dismissal?

The Board of Admiralty would have preferred to make the selection of ratings for compulsory discharge from the whole of the ships and establishments in the Navy instead of limiting the selection to those in home waters. This, however, is impossible, as time does not admit of selecting men on foreign stations, relieving them and bringing them home for discharge from the Service by the end of the present financial year. I may add that only 811 men are affected out of all the men not now abroad. With regard to the last part of the question, the gratuities awarded by way of compensation to men serving their first engagements are considered to be equitable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the case of George E. Witcombe, 138, Strada Reale, Malta, an ex-soldier of the Berkshire Regiment, who served in the Malta dockyard police force from the year 1888 to April, 1922, and was discharged on a pension, with gratuities and allowances, of £94 16s. 10d. per annum after 34 years' service, and that Witcombe contends that his pension, etc., has been underrated and that he is entitled to a pension, with gratuities and allowances, of £143 18s., proof of which he is prepared to furnish; and will he have this case dealt with so that justice can be done?

Witcombe has been granted the maximum retiring allowances for which he is eligible. His time for pension counts from 22nd April, 1903, only, owing to his (non-established) service prior thereto having been terminated at his own request in order to better his position in other employment. Service which is terminated at a man's own request cannot be reckoned for superannuation purposes.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Jane Wright, whose brother, the late Private James Wright, No. 1841, Royal Scots, made her an allotment during his military service, whose father was granted, on appeal, a pension in respect of the soldier, but who was unable on the death of the father to secure the transfer of the pension to herself, though really the soldier's dependant; whether pensions are in no case transferable from father to daughter; and, if so, whether he will take the steps necessary to alter this condition of affairs?

I have inquired into the facts of this case. I understand that, subsequent to the death of Private J. Wright, it was ascertained that the separation allowance which had been paid to his sister was, in fact, for the benefit of the father, and on her representations it was decided to grant a pre-War dependence pension to the father on the ground that he had been, in fact, dependent on his son. There is no provision for the transfer of a pre-War dependence pension from parent to child, and I do not consider that I should be justified in recommending a modification of the Warrant as suggested.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will make arrangements in country districts, in order to obviate the long delay and serious physical injury which are often entailed, for ex-service men to be examined and treated by a local medical practitioner instead of having to apply through the local Ministry of Pensions office, in the event of their wounds breaking out again or their illness due to war service recurring?

I am not quite clear what difficulty my Noble Friend has in mind. I would point out that it is the recognised duty of a local insurance practitioner to refer a patient to the local office of the Ministry if he considers that the man requires special treatment of any kind for a War disability. Moreover, it is competent to any disabled ex-service man to apply direct to the local office of this Ministry for this purpose. If my Noble Friend has any particular, case in mind in which difficulty has arisen, I should be glad if he would communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in connection with the scheme for grants of financial assistance to ex-officers and other ex-service men of good education to enable them to make good the loss of education during their period of service, he can state whether, in any case, such financial assistance has been withdrawn, and the reason?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Every award made by the Board under their Scheme for the Higher Education of Ex-Service Students is made subject to a periodic review of progress, conduct, and financial circumstances. The Board's assistance has been withdrawn in some cases where the student, after a fair trial, has failed to make progress, or where his conduct has been unsatisfactory. In other cases a review of the present financial position of the student and his parents has led to the discontinuance of the award.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, what progress has been made in the erection of village settlements for tubercular ex-service men and their families?

My right hon. Friend would refer the hon. Member to the answer to a similar question given on 1st December, 1922, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions. The Minister of Health and the Minister of Pensions are conferring on the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether the Dental Board set up under the Dentists Act, 1921, have considered a scheme for education and maintenance grants to ex-service candidates and others who were under 23 years of age at the date of the commencement of the Act and were therefore excluded from registration under Section 3 (1) (3) of the Dentists Act, 1921; and, if so, will steps be taken to expedite the publication of full details of the scheme, in view of the hardship which has arisen in many cases?

My right hon. Friend is informed that this scheme is now engaging the attention of the Board, but there are a number of administrative difficulties to be adjusted before the Board will be in a position to make any public announcement.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of new firms who have joined the King's Roll within the last six months?

1,413 new firms have joined the King's National Roll within the last six months.

asked the Minister of Labour the present number of training establishments for the training of ex-service men; and the number, if any, that have been closed during the past 12 months, the number of trainees still in training, and the number still awaiting admission?

The number of Government instructional factories in Great Britain and Ireland which are still open is 30, comprising 40 separate establishments. During the past 12 months 10 of these factories have been closed, but in every such case adequate arrangements have been made for the completion of the courses of the trainees concerned, and there is a large amount of vacant accommodation still available in the Government instructional factories. The total number of men at present in training establishments and workshops of private employers in Great Britain and Ireland is about 17,400. The number of men awaiting training on 13th February was 12,307.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position of reparation grants to merchant seamen who suffered through their ships being torpedoed in the War; whether any date was fixed by which claims had to be presented; whether the fact was advertised and, if so, for how long; and how many applications he has received from merchant seamen who learned of the announcement too late to be of use?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the First Report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for suffering and damage caused by enemy action, a copy of which I enclose. So far, some 3,400 notifications of claims have been received by the Reparation Claims Department after the date by which they should have been made, but it has not yet been ascertained how many of these come from merchant seamen, or how many of them, are admissible as being warranted by exceptional circumstances as explained in paragraph 17 of the Report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent his Department, or the Government as a whole, is responsible for the operations of the Hop Control?

The only responsibility resting on the Ministry or the Government is that of having sought from Parliament such legislative sanction as was asked for by all sections of the hop industry, including the brewers. The Control is exercised by a non-Departmental Controller, who is advised by a Committee representative of hop growers, brewers and merchants, and the Ministry has never interfered in any way with the working of the Control. No charge has fallen on public funds in respect of the administration of the Control, which has throughout been an attempt by the industry itself to regulate its own affairs.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider as to inviting tenders from leading firms of British florists for the display of bulbs and flowers in the beds at the east end of Hyde Park, which were sown over with grass during the War?

Owing to financial exigencies the restoration of these beds out of public funds is not practicable, and, as stated last May by the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow (Sir J. Gilmour), the question of restoring these beds in conjunction with large horticultural firms has been considered in the past, but there proved to be many serious objections to the proposal, including the cost involved to the firms. Apart from these objections there is the further one that the site is not suitable for the cultivation of flowers. I should, however, be quite prepared to give careful consideration to any definite proposal that might be made to me.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the total cost from the commencement to the present time of the works carried out by his Department in connection with the restoration and other works which have been proceeding for some time at Tintern Abbey, including all Departmental charges?

The expenditure incurred on works of preservation at Tintern Abbey since it was placed in charge of the Office of Works in 1913 has been approximately £20,000. Departmental charges are not recorded in such a way as to make it possible to give an apportionment in respect of any single building.

asked the hon. Member for Wood Green, as representing the Charity Commission, what are the amounts paid annually under Schedule VII of the Central Scheme of the central governing body of the City Parochial Charities for maintenance of the services and repairs, etc. of the churches in the City of London; when these amounts were fixed; and by what means can they be varied to meet present requirements?

The total amounts paid annually under Schedule VII of the Central Scheme dated 23rd February, 1891, for the City Parochial Charities is £15,139. These amounts were fixed by the said Scheme. They can be reduced or suspended by order of the Charity Commissioners in certain circumstances under the provisions of a Scheme dated 3rd March, 1899, but otherwise they can only be varied by the establishment of an amending Scheme.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, the rate of wages now being paid to men employed by the West Bromwich board of guardian on the Great Barr estate, Walsall, other than those who are residents in Wednesbury, and the localities from which they come?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the rate of wages is 1s. 1½d. per hour for skilled men and 87½ per cent. of that rate for unskilled men: both to workmen who come from Wednesbury and to the remainder who come from Handsworth and Walsall. The circumstances of this case are being considered by the Unemployment Grants Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that on a road relief scheme in Middlesbrough the men are employed on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in one week, and on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in the following week, followed by two weeks off, and that the local authorities are paying the men only 75 per cent. of the district rate instead of 87½ per cent. as laid down for men employed for three days a week; that on another scheme for converting pan closets into the water carriage system most of the men have been engaged for six months and some for over twelve months; that recently the Grants Committee agreed to grant 65 per cent. of the cost subject to the usual regulations; that when this grant commenced the men who had been receiving the district rate were stopped and restarted at 75 per cent. of the district rate, although they had served the regulation probationary period and are now skilled in the work; and whether he will approach the local authority in order to secure compliance with the regulations?

My right hon. Friend is communicating with the Unemployment Grants Committee on this matter, and a further reply will be sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, what schemes have been sanctioned for finding work for the unemployed; where the work is; what is its character; the name of the public authority concerned; the total amount of money involved; the amount to be provided by the Government; and the approximate number of workers that will be engaged on the respective schemes?

I have been asked to reply. I dealt in detail during the Debate last week with the progress of Government schemes for the relief of unemployment. Local authorities in all parts of Great Britain have instituted some thousands of schemes of relief works of various kinds, of which some have been completed, but a large number are still in progress. The schemes include road works, sewage schemes, recrea- tion grounds, water works, coast erosion work, electric cable laying, land drainage, forestry and other works of a miscellaneous character. In addition, a number of local authorities have put in hand schemes of work without assistance from the State. I am afraid that I cannot undertake to supply in a Parliamentary answer the detailed particulars asked for in the question with regard to the various schemes.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has received a resolution, passed by the Edmonton urban district council, pointing out the demoralising effect of long-continued spells of unemployment, and urging the Government to legislate so that a substantial proportion of the State contribution to unemployed insurance can be devoted towards financing approved schemes of work promoted by local authorities; and whether he is prepared to take any steps in this direction?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject given this afternoon to the hon. Member for Dorset North (Mr. Emlyn-Jones).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, the total sum which local authorities in England and Wales have borrowed, and will borrow, for the relief of unemployment during the last and the present financial year?

Special and prolonged inquiry would be needed to ascertain the exact amounts borrowed; but the total capital cost of work passed by the Unemployment Grants Committee and the Ministry of Transport for unemployment grant were, in the year 1921–22, £18,198,000, and, in the present year, £13,849,000. In addition, sanctions have been given to loans by Poor Law authorities for current expenses to a total of £8,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of schemes submitted by local authorities for the provision of educational facilities for the juvenile unemployed; the number of such schemes which have been approved; and the number of juvenile unemployed for whom facilities will be provided by these schemes?

The number of local education authorities which have submitted schemes for the establishment of Juvenile Unemployment Centres is now 67. Of these, 42 have been finally or provisionally approved and will, it is estimated, make provision for 9,400 boys and 5,700 girls.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a resolution from St. Helens after-care workers urging the importance of the re-establishment of the courses of instruction in accordance with the Ministry of Labour Unemployment Insurance Courses of Instruction Regulation, 1921; and, if so, what action has been taken in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, a Juvenile Unemployment Centre for boys was opened at St. Helens on 22nd January last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the difficulty experienced by certain local education authorities in securing suitable accommodation for juvenile unemployment classes in their own premises, he will consider

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the United States Secretary of Labour, Mr. James J. Davis, in a survey published on 1st January in the United States, stated that the United States were looking to the careful selection of those immigrants who came to the States from abroad by tests to be made before they left their native land; what tests they are; and whether any tests of a similar

the possibility of placing at their service any suitable vacant accommodation held by the Liquidation and Disposal Commission?

I am not aware of any case in which premises held by the Liquidation and Disposals Commission would be available and suitable for this purpose, but if any such case is brought to my notice by the local authority concerned I shall be glad to take the matter up with the Commission.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of unemployed persons, male and female, registered at the Wednesbury Employment Exchange for the week ending 17th February and 30th December, 1922, respectively;

(2) the number of unemployed persons, male and female, registered at the Darlaston Employment Exchange for the week ending 17th February, 1923, and 30th December, 1922, respectively;

(3) the number of unemployed persons, male and female, registered at the Tipton Employment Exchange for the weeks ending 17th February and 30th December, 1922, respectively?

The number of persons on the live registers of the Exchange mentioned at the nearest dates for which figures are available are as follow:—

nature to safeguard our own labour in these days of unemployment are being made by the British Government?

I understand that the United States Government have been considering the question of instituting tests of the nature referred to; but I have no information as to the results of their consideration. In this country the matter is dealt with at the ports by refusing leave to land to an alien desirous of entering the service of an employer in this country unless he produces a permit in writing for his engagement issued to the employer by the Minister of Labour. Such permits are issued only after full consideration of the question whether British labour is available for the post in question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that only unemployed from London and district are to be employed on the proposed new arterial road from the bye-pass road at Purfleet to Tilbury in Essex, although a portion of the cost of the road will come out of the National Fund?

I have been asked to answer this question. With a view to providing work for their unemployed, the London County Council are contributing towards the cost of

B. Covenanted and Uncovenanted Benefit.

The proportions of persons in receipt of covenanted and uncovenanted benefit respectively vary somewhat from week to week. The latest information relates to 15th January, 1923, at which date it is estimated that 84·2 per cent. of the authorised claims were in respect of covenanted benefit and 15·8 per cent. in respect of uncovenated benefit. The approximate amount of benefit paid in the four weeks ended 27th January amounted to £4,020,000.

C. Refusal of Benefit.

At 8th January, 1923, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of applications for uncovenanted benefit which had been rejected since 2nd November, the beginning of the fourth special period, was 71,317. In addition there were 12,999 rejections of applications for

construction of this road, which lies outside their own area. A condition attached to this contribution is that all unskilled labour engaged on the work shall be drawn from the administrative County of London. The only other local authority assisting the work financially is the Essex County Council, who have agreed to make a contribution towards the cost of the land.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of male, female, and young persons out of employment for each week during the month of January; the number receiving covenanted and uncovenanted benefit, together with the amount; and the number of persons that have been refused benefit, showing, separately, the number of single persons?

The figures are as follow:—

covenanted benefit from persons who had not paid 20 contributions since the beginning of the last insurance year. There were also in the same period 28,898 cases in which benefit was refused by the Chief Insurance Officer, but these may include some cases already included in the figures given above. It is not possible to give separate statistics in respect of single persons.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange that women who are being trained in the work of weaving should not be deprived of unemployment benefit during the period of such instruction?

Women being trained for weaving are not necessarily disqualified for benefit. The position would depend primarily on whether there was a contract of service and whether the women were available for and willing to accept any suitable employment which might be offered during the period of training. Each case must, therefore, be decided on its merits. Benefit has, in fact, been allowed in some cases to women being trained for weaving.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that three female workers in Nelson have been refused unemployment pay because they refused to accept employment at Mossley; whether he is aware that a large number of weavers living in close proximity to Mossley are unemployed; and whether he will give instructions that vacancies notified to the exchanges should, so far as possible, be offered to workers living in the district?

I am making inquiry into the circumstances of these cases and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the neglect of employers to return form U.I. 85 in reasonable time is inflicting great hardship upon many of the unemployed; that in many cases payment of unemployment benefit as deferred for three weeks by this action; and whether he will take steps to apply remedial measures?

It is not the practice to delay the payment of benefit because form U.I. 85 has not been returned by employers. I will, however, gladly inquire into any case of alleged delay if particulars are supplied to me.

asked the Minister of Labour if he possesses any statistics to show the potential demoralisation of unemployment on skilled workers; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of appointing a small expert Departmental Committee to investigate the effect?

There are no statistics on this subject. The demoralising effect upon individuals of long-continued unemployment is generally admitted, and I do not think anything would be gained by instituting a special inquiry into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed that the "Labour Gazette" should be issued in its pre-War form?

The only substantial change in the contents of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," as compared with before the War, is that resulting from the discontinuance of certain detailed reports and statistics relating to the state of employment in a number of industries. The decision to discontinue these reports was taken after careful consideration as a measure of economy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information as to the proposed establishment of a motor works near Southampton by the Ford Company; and if he will make inquiries as to the reasons which are preventing the establishment of such works and the extension of skilled employment in this connection?

I understand that negotiations have been proceeding for the proposed establishment of a motor car works near Southampton. These negotiations are private, and although I believe certain difficulties have been experienced, it is hoped that a satisfactory solution will shortly be reached.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the privileges of hotels and restaurants and houses where alcoholic beverages are consumed, whether he will consider the practicability of legislation that a fixed proportion of the employés shall be of British birth?

I am in sympathy with the idea underlying the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion, and I have already been taking such administrative action in the same direction as is possible, by restricting to exceptional cases the issue of permits to engage foreign employés from abroad. But actual legislation for the purpose suggested would involve many difficulties.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of withdrawing the Regulation by which teaching service at a Juvenile Unemployment Centre is not allowed to count for the purposes of the Teachers' Superannuation Acts, seeing that this condition may discourage certified teachers from applying for these posts?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The hon. Gentleman is misinformed. The matter is governed by Statute, not by Regulation. The terms of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, do not permit of the treatment of service in a Juvenile Unemployment Centre, aided with grant from the Ministry of Labour, as pensionable service for the purposes of that Act.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the National Union of School Teachers will be given an opportunity to give evidence before any Committee which deals with the revision of teachers pensions?

It is for the Departmental Committee on Teachers' Superannuation, now sitting under the Chairmanship of Lord Emmott, to decide what evidence they will hear.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he has seen the report and photographs issued by the Abertillery Urban District Council in December, 1922, showing the enormous damage done in this area to health and property, private and public, by subsidence from mining operations; and, in view of the serious situation created, will he send a representative from his Department to inspect this area and make a report of his investigations?

My right hon. Friend will arrange for an official of the Ministry to visit the district in connection with this matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, since colliery owners do not come within the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act, he will consider whether it is possible to devise some means whereby purchasers of coal can ensure their securing the weight of coal to which they are entitled; and whether he has received any representations pointing out that it is quite common for consignees to receive five, six, and seven hundredweights short out of a wagon of coal direct on a journey of a few miles?

I understand that my predecessor considered representations on this subject last summer and came to the conclusion that, on the facts before him, there was not a prima facie case for legislative or other action, but if my hon. Friend has fresh facts to lay before me I shall be glad to reconsider the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, especially in view of the increasing work of certification devolving upon Poor Law unions, he will take the necessary steps to enable the chairmen of boards of guardians to act as justices of the peace for their year or years of office, and thereby confer the same honour upon the chairmen of these large and responsible boards as is conferred upon the chairmen of local government public bodies?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Home Secretary to a similar question last Thursday.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the great importance of the work of members of Poor Law authorities, he will consider the desirability that the chairman of the Board of Guardians should be appointed a justice of the peace by virtue of his office for the period of his chairmanship?

I would refer to the reply I gave on the 15th instant to the hon. Member for Rotherham (Major Kelley).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, in order to give effect to a recommendation of the South Wales Regional Survey Committee, and in view of the very similar situation in the West Riding of Yorkshire and in other growing industrial areas in England, he will consider the advisability of widening the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on local government areas to enable the question of the need for the readjustment and regrouping of local government areas in populous districts to be properly investigated?

The terms of reference to the Royal Commission are sufficiently wide to enable them to consider this question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received representations from any quarter requesting that the Government should insist on all competent local authorities giving effect to the provisions of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, that, in view of the fact that the bulk of the blind people working in institutions for the blind are comprised within the membership of the National League of the Blind, provision should be made for representation of that league on the Advisory Committee on the Welfare of the Blind, and that in the appointment of home teachers for the blind preference should be given to competent blind persons over those who are sighted and, if so, will he make a statement on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, representation of the National League on the Advisory Committee cannot be considered until they comply with the provisions of Section 3 of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, as to registration. As regards the third part of the question, the criterion is ability to do the work and, subject to this, blind persons are in fact being appointed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, the amount of the cost to the Poor Law authorities to augment the insufficiency of the payment of compensation for injuries to workpeople; what number of widows and number of children, whose amount in case of fatal accident has been paid out, are chargeable to the Poor Law authorities; and what is the total cost involved?

My right hon. Friend regrets that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, what is the total accommodation provided in institutions, other than those under the control of Poor Law authorities, for insured persons suffering from tubercular disease?

The institutions approved by my right hon. Friend for the treatment of tuberculosis in England, apart from Poor Law Institutions, contain 19,240 beds. Of these 3,310 beds are in children's institutions, but the remaining 15,930 beds are available for insured persons, although, since the termination of sanatorium benefit, no beds are specially reserved for such persons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Minister of Health, if the latest statistics of cases under the Health Insurance Acts show any direct increase of sickness attributable to lack of sufficient nourishment?

The latest figures available as to the extent of sickness amongst persons insured under the National Health Insurance Acts indicate that the aggregate amount of sickness during the past year fell short of the expectation on which the Acts were based and also of the actual experience of any pre-War year. So many factors affect the total expenditure on sickness benefit that it is impossible to assign variations in that figure to particular causes, but there is no direct evidence of an increase of sickness owing to the cause referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if the proposals of the Nursing Council include the registration of nurses with less than one year's hospital training; and if, in the interests of the general public, who will regard registration as a guarantee of efficiency, he will refuse to assent to any proposals which will thus lower the standard of nursing?

The late Council submitted a rule, which has for some time been in operation in Scotland, giving them a discretion in exceptional cases to admit nurses with less than one year's training. My right hon. Friend has asked the new Council to reconsider this proposal, and until he has received their recommendations it would be premature to make any statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that applications from nurses connected with the College of Nursing to be placed upon the register were dealt with before similar applications from working nurses which had been received five, six, and nine months earlier, and that about 800 nurses applied before the 30th September last, the specified date, but were not placed upon the register in time to vote in consequence of a delay on the part of the officials in sending out their reference papers; and whether he will make inquiry into this complaint?

My right hon. Friend will have inquiry made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if his attention has been called to the action of the Bradford Board of Guardians in summarily dismissing one of its foster-mothers for hanging up in her room the Irish Free State flag, notwithstanding that she had so exhibited it for several years; and if he will bring pressure to bear on the guardians to secure for the lady the return of her superannuation payments and an adequate return of wages in compensation, for her unjust dismissal?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if his attention has been called to the action of the Bradford Board of Guardians in dismissing the foster-mother of one of their cottage homes for children for exhibiting in the drawing-room of her home the flag of the Irish Free State; and whether he intends to take action for the protection of the foster-mother in question who, after 13 years' service, is being penalised for the exhibition of a flag which is recognised by the British Government?

The attention of my right hon. Friend has not previously been called to this matter. He is making inquiries with regard to it.