asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that David James Burns, who was passed as A1 into the Inland Water Transport (Royal Engineers) and served on board H.M.S. "Egremont" until February, 1917, owing to an accident on the ship was awarded an 80 per cent. pension which was reduced to 50 per cent. in 1920 and later on assessed as fit for light work; that, together with his wife, he has been turned out of his home and has served three terms of imprisonment for seeking relief in the streets; that he could get work on board ship but the ships' doctors will not pass him as fit; and that he is now in the workhouse at Taunton and his wife in the infirmary; whether this man volunteered for service in 1914; and whether, in these circumstances, he will cause an inquiry to be made into the case?

The pension referred to was awarded for gastritis as having been aggravated by service, and was continued in accordance with assessments of examining medical boards until 1920, when a medical board reported that there was no disablement from that disability. The consequent decision of the Ministry that the effects of service had passed away was subsequently confirmed on appeal by the independent tribunal. The accident referred to in the question resulted in a severe ankle sprain, but at none of the medical examinations subsequent to discharge from the Service could any disablement from that injury be found. In these circumstances, I regret that I am not in a position to take any further action regarding this case.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will cause inquiries to be made into the case of Joseph Lucas, No. 114,309, late of the Royal Engineers, now living at 20, Donald Street, Bow, E., who joined the forces in 1914, and is at present receiving a disability pension of 30 per cent., namely, 12s. per week for himself, 3s. for his wife, and 2s. 3d. for his child; is he aware that the pension is given for rectal abscess; that he has been constantly in hospital since being finally discharged; that when he joined the Army he weighed 13 stone, whereas his weight is now over 21 stone, entirely due to his disability as he is unable to control the ordinary processes of nature; that this man suffered from no physical disability whatsoever before his service in the Army; that he is completely incapacitated from work and is obliged to have his wife in constant attendance upon him, and that there is no question in his case of partial disability as his complete incapacity is self-evident?

This man made claim to pension for obesity in May last, when, after full consideration, the Ministry rejected the claim on the ground that the obesity is constitutional and in no way related to service or to the dysentery and fistula for which pension is being paid. This decision has been confirmed on appeal by the independent tribunal. The man will shortly be re-examined by a medical board and the question of pension for the accepted disabilities will then be further considered.

asked the Minister of Pensions the total amount deducted during 1922 from pensions awarded to men in respect of disabilities due to War service; and under what authority these stoppages were made?

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the many cases in which deductions are being made from persons in receipt of pensions, owing in most cases, to some alleged overpayment by the Ministry or its officials at some earlier date, and not owing to misrepresentation by the pensioner; and, since it has already been decided in a court of law that such deductions are illegal, will he inquire into these cases?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the discontent that is being created amongst men disabled in the late War, in consequence of the Government's action in effecting deductions from pensions without giving the pensioners an opportunity of appearing before their local pensions committees to show cause against any stoppage; and whether, in view of the statutory right to pension conferred by the War Pensions Act, 1919, Section 7, he will obtain the opinion of the Law Officers as to the legality of these deductions?

Overpayments are recovered by my Department under the authority of Articles 8 and 22 of the Royal Warrant of 1914, which are incorporated in the Great War Warrants, and the award of any pension is, under the Act referred to by the right hon. Member for Newcastle East, expressly subject to the conditions contained in the Warrant under which it has been awarded. Each case is, however, considered on its merits, and where it is clear that the overpayment was one of which the pensioner could not have been aware, and hardship would be involved, recovery may be waived. I may add that the opinion of the Law Officers has already been obtained on the point raised.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that at the time of death Walter George Stokes, of 31, Rutland Street, Standard Hill, Nottingham, late Private, Royal Army Medical Corps, No. 19,053, was suffering from acute and chronic gas poisoning and that the cause of death was given as valvular disease of the heart, which it is claimed was greatly aggravated by the severe shell-gas poisoning from which the man suffered, he will order a revision of the case?

There is no record in this case that the late soldier was gassed, nor did he so claim when he himself made application for pension. The decision of the Ministry that the fatal disability was not connected with service has been confirmed on appeal by the independent tribunal, and is, therefore, final.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the death certificate of the late James Lee, 12a, Beauchamp Street, Carlton Road, Nottingham, Bombardier, 1/1st Notts, Royal Horse Artillery, who died on 12th January, 1921, gives the cause of death as malaria and mediastinal tumour, and that the widow has been refused a pension on the grounds that the chief cause of death was mediastinal tumour, not attributable to war service; and whether, since malaria, contracted on service in Palestine, was stated to be a contributory cause of death on the death certificate, and may also be regarded as having been a pre-disposing cause of the mediastinal tumour itself, he will cause the case to be re-investigated and the widow's appeal upheld?

After full consideration of all the circumstances of this case in the light of the opinion of my medical advisers, it was not found possible to accept the malaria as being a contributory cause of death, which was regarded as due entirely to constitutional causes in no way connected with service. The consequent decision of the Ministry rejecting the widow's claim to pension was confirmed on appeal by the independent Pensions Appeal Tribunal and is now, therefore, final.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of war pensioners, respectively, in receipt of allowances for unmarried and for legally married wives and children; the amounts involved in each class of cases; whether it is the policy of his Ministry to reduce the numbers in the former class; and, if so, for what reason?

The number of allowances in payment in respect of wives is 327,000, and in respect of children 573,000. I regret that I am not in a position to supply the information asked for in the second part of the question, as the figures for married and unmarried wives are not kept separately in the records of my Department. I am not aware of any change of policy such as is suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in cases coming before pensions appeal tribunals or assessment appeal tribunals, it is the practice of the Ministry to forward to the chairman, in addition to the précis of the case, of which the appellant is furnished with a copy, a file containing all papers in possession of the Government relating to the history of the claim; whether the contents of this file are treated as evidence by the tribunal in arriving at their decision, but the appellant is denied access to these documents at the hearing; and whether he will give instructions that in future cases the appellant and his representative shall be entitled to have such access to these material documents?

The précis supplied to the appellant some time before the hearing of his appeal, sets out clearly the whole of the material facts and evidence, and the reasons for the Minister's decision, and thus gives the appellant full material on which to base his case. In accordance with the rules and procedure laid down by the Lord Chancellor, the dossier of the man's case containing the originals of the documents quoted in the précis is also made available to the tribunal for purpose of reference if desired. I am unable to agree to the suggestion in the latter part of the question.

If it is made available for the tribunal, surely in justice to the man he or his representative should have access to it at the hearing?

The object of bringing these papers to the court—which is a very exceptional measure—is as an act of good faith on the part of the Ministry and to enable the court to verify the accuracy of the précis, if necessary.

Why should not the man have access to the papers, to which the court has access in determining his case? Is that not an elementary principle of law and justice?

No, Sir. It is not an elementary principle of law and justice that documents of this sort should be handed over in the way suggested. The point is that all these materials are there fur the court with the object I have stated, but it is obvious that there might be in some cases certain medical records which it would be most undesirable to produce in the man's own interest.

Can my right hon. Friend suggest any court in this country in which it is the practice that matters should be taken into consideration by the court which are not placed in the possession of the persons appearing before the court?

That may be argued another time.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the revised scheme for parents' need pensions lays it down that a parent is not considered to be in need if his income from all sources reaches 20s. a week?

The maximum need pension for a parent under the Royal Warrant is 20s a week, and, as this amount may be paid to a parent who has no other available resources under the pecuniary need scheme, it was necessarily adopted as the standard.

Is it the view of the Ministry that a man who has only 20s. a week has enough to live upon?

The point is the amount which a deceased man might be expected to contribute, and the maximum being 20s., it must necessarily follow that it is on 20s. we base our calculations. But our calculations vary with the nature of individual cases.

Does the Ministry agree that if a man has only 20s. a week, he is necessarily in need?

15. The hon. Member asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in fixing the amount of parents' need pensions, his Department takes into account the fact that the husband is unemployed or sick; and, if not, why they take into account the fact that the husband is in receipt of National Health Insurance benefit?

The pension is designed to meet conditions of a more or less permanent nature and is awarded for a year at a time. If the pension were liable to fluctuation to meet temporary conditions of sickness or unemployment, elaborate machinery of inquiry would be necessary to determine from time to time whether or no the temporary conditions still obtained. It is not the practice to take into account National Health Insurance benefit received by the husband of a pensioner, unless it is of a permanent nature, in which case any pension awarded reflects the need of both parents.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have a letter from his own Department saying that in a particular case they had reduced a certain pension because they had taken into account the receipt of National Health Insurance benefit?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of that case.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Mathew Miller, 27, Carelston Street, Springburn, has been refused a copy of his history sheet; and whether he will see that the same is supplied?

I am having inquiry made into this matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the chairmen of war pensions committees in the Yorkshire region have received a letter from the regional director stating that, owing to reports of these committees' discussions getting into the Press, it has now been decided that war pensions committees and general purposes and children's committees shall sit in private session; whether he is aware that ex-service men and the public generally are opposed to this muzzling of the Press and desire that the utmost possible publicity should be given, in the interest of the pensioners, to the work of the Pensions Ministry and its officials; and if he will give instructions to withdraw the letter?

I have called for a copy of the letter referred to, but I think there must be some misunderstanding, as the rule that committees shall sit in private session is intended to be confined to the consideration of individual cases, when, for obvious reasons, publicity is not desirable in the interests of the pensioner.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that a seafaring man cannot be regarded as resident in England, and so is ineligible for the increase of pension under Army Order 347 of 1920; and what steps does he suggest to remedy this injustice?

I have been asked to reply. The Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, the provisions of which were applied to Army pensioners by Army Order 347 of 1920, restricts the award of increases to pensioners who are resident in the British Isles, and a pensioner who is absent for more than three months in a year is excluded by Treasury Regulations framed under the Act. Any suggested alteration to these Regulations should therefore be addressed to the Treasury.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that female nurses at hospitals under the control of his Department are employed on day and night shifts for 12 hours, with only two breaks of a half-hour each, and four days' holiday at the end of each month; and whether he can make arrangements for these nurses to have a more reasonable day's duty, with a proper mid-duty rest time?

I am afraid the hon. Member has been misinformed. The hours of day duty are from 7.30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with three hours off duty in addi- tion to 1¼ hours for meals. Night duty is for 12 hours, with two half-hour intervals for meals, but it must be remembered that the actual attendance on patients during night duty is normally light and, further, no nurse remains upon it for more than two months at a time. As regards leave, each nurse is allowed two nights each month when on night duty, and when on day duty a weekly half-holiday and a whole day or weekend once a month. She also receives annual leave of four or five weeks, according to rank.

If I can provide the right hon. Gentleman with a specific case to verify the statement in the question will he have inquiries made?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the 700 insane ex-service men who became chargeable to the Poor Law in September, 1922, owing to the stoppage of their allowance by this Department have appealed to the tribunal; what proportion of the remainder have been unidentified by relatives; and how many appeals have been determined and the number decided in favour of the man?

There have been 328 appeals to the tribunal, of which 225 have been heard, 77 of them being decided in the man's favour. There are no unidentified cases.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether in cases where three years' grants for assisted higher education to ex-service men who have been withdrawn owing to failure to pass the first year's examination, and the ex-service students at their own expense have continued their studies and succeeded in the following year in passing the examination, the Board will favourably consider the re-issue of the grants for the remainder of the periods for which they were originally granted?

I do not feel justified in departing from the principle which had been in force for the past two years, namely, that if after an uninterrupted academic year's study a student fails to pass the examination which the university regulations indicate should be passed by a student of ordinary ability at the end of his first year, his award should be cancelled. The fact that a student who fails at the end of his first year succeeds in passing the examination after a second year's study at his own expense does not, in my opinion, justify the reinstatement of his award.

In special cases where this condition was not known to the student when the grant was originally made, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the point?

So far as my information goes, it was known, but if the hon. Member has any cases to bring to my notice I will look into them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are men who differ so much in their mental capacity that it might take them two or three years to get what another man would get in a year? Is there no consideration for that type of man?

That is really an objection against all examinations.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the gratuity of one and a-quarter years' salary is payable to the widow of a schoolmaster who is a disabled ex-service man and who dies from causes other than wounds?

A death gratuity is payable under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, on the death of a teacher in recognised service, provided that he has served for the period required by the Act and Rules, and that he satisfied the Board that he was not of impaired health at the date on which the Act came into operation (1st April, 1919). The death gratuity awarded in such cases amounts to not less than one year's average salary, and not more than 1½ years' average salary.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the War Office decision that return passages for ex-service men to overseas countries cannot be reopened, he will consider some way by which third-class passages could be advanced to ex-service men who wish to return to the country from which they came to serve in the Great War?

Facilities for free repatriation extending over considerable periods of time were available for all ex-service men after the Armistice. Those who came from other parts of the Empire, but did not avail themselves of these facilities, were allowed, subject to the approval of the Dominion concerned, the privilege of free passage under the Government Free Passage Scheme up to the 31st December last. It is now over four years since the conclusion of hostilities, and it does not appear to me advisable to offer further special facilities beyond those available for all classes of the community to proceed to those Dominions with which passage schemes have been arranged under the Empire Settlement Act.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that in cases where public assistance is required for the further nourishment of children attending public elementary schools, the results obtained when this expenditure is administered by boards of guardians through their relieving officers as out-relief to parents are not as satisfactory as when administered by education authorities through their school feeding-centres, he will consider the desirability of formulating a scheme whereby necessitous school children may themselves secure this assistance direct through school feeding-centres, in order that they may obtain the maximum benefit possible, both in food values and in educational training, from the expenditure thus incurred?

The Board, in their Circular of the 17th May, 1922 (of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy), have already called attention to the desirability of co-operation between local education authorities and boards of guardians so that children whose parents are in receipt of relief may enjoy the advantage of school meals provided by the local education authorities. I understand that in a good many cases such arrangements have been made.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) the number of children attending the elementary schools under the Tipton Education Authority; what provision is made for secondary school education; the number of free places so provided;

(2) the number of children attending the elementary schools under the Darlaston Education Authority; what provision is made for secondary school education; the number of free places so provided;

(3) the number of children attending the elementary schools under the Wednesbury education authority; what provision is made for secondary school education; and the number of free places so provided?

The number of children in average attendance at public elementary schools in Tipton for the year ended 31st March, 1922, was 6,075. The corresponding figures for Darlaston and Wednesbury are 3,467 and 4,688. The urban district council of Darlaston are not a local education authority; the area forms part of the area of the local education authority for Staffordshire. There are at present no recognised secondary schools in any of these places; plans for a new secondary school at Wednesbury are, however, at present under consideration. The following table shows the approximate number of pupils from Tipton, Darlaston, and Wednesbury in attendance on the 31st March, 1922, as day scholars at neighbouring recognised secondary schools and the proportion of them who hold free places under Article 20 of the Regulations for secondary schools:

asked the President of the Board of Education what decision he has arrived at in regard to the representations made to him by the deputation of local education authorities on the 25th June last as to the inequity of including Government grants to training colleges in the calculation of higher education deficiency grants; and whether an early intimation on the matter can be given to the local authorities concerned so that they may be able to make the necessary provisions in their financial estimates for the forthcoming year?

My hon. Friend must, I think, be referring to the deputation I received on the 13th December last. With regard to the second part of the question, I regret I can add nothing to the reply I gave the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck) on the 22nd February last.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is now possible to rearrange the hours of opening the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science Museum so as to make them available to students, artisans, and professional and business men engaged during the day in the industries which these institutions are maintained to assist?

I sympathise with the object which my hon. Friend has in view, but if his suggestion is that the museums should be open for fewer hours in the daytime in order that they may remain open in the evening, I must point out that the number of evening attendances during the time when evening opening was in force was small, and I doubt whether upon a balance of advantages, if evening opening were revived now, they would be sufficient to compensate for the inconvenience to the public which would be caused by an alteration and restriction of the hours of opening by day. If, on the other hand, his suggestion is that the museums should be open for longer hours altogether than they are at present, that would involve additional expenditure. The museums are, of course, open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, when the persons referred to by my hon. Friend would, presumably, have leisure to visit them.

Is it possible to meet the additional cost by reducing the staff during the hours when there are comparatively few people attending the museums?

I am advised that that would be difficult, but I will explore the possibilities again. I am rather doubtful if it is possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that certain people, after receiving a definite promise from the Government that the education certificates examination would be held on 26th November, 1923, have spent both time and money in preparing for this, only to hear recently from the Board of Education that it has now been decided not to hold the examination; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave on the 15th February last to the hon. Members for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones), New-castle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood), and Ilkeston (Mr. Oliver).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that Circular 1296 of the Board of Education states that an other acting teachers' examination will be held; and can he now state when that examintion will take place?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The date upon which the examination should be held is receiving my consideration, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to fix a date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his best endeavours to see that the announcement is not unduly delayed?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of secondary schools on the grant list which are permitted to restrict the number of free places obtainable in the particular school to less than 25 per cent.; what is the number of these schools restricting their free place awards to 20, 15, 10, and 5 per cent., respectively: what is the number of such schools in receipt of aid from local educational authorities in addition to Government grants; and what is the general ground upon which the permission to restrict these free places is given?

As part of the reply to this question is of a statistical character, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The general grounds for variation or reduction of the normal percentage are as follows:

What real ground is there for any school receiving public assistance having preferential treatment? Why should not any schools receiving State grants give the requisite number of places?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman there is no question of preferential treatment, but it is necessary to have regard to the merits of individual cases.

Is it not a fact that nearly all these schools are schools in which the headmasters and headmistresses are members of the Headmasters' Conference, and are giving preference to a certain class?

The hon. Gentleman can debate that question on the Education Estimates.

Following are the statistics promised:

The total number of secondary schools in England and Wales on the Grant List which are required, under Article 20 of the Regulations for secondary schools, to offer less than 25 per cent, free places for the current year, is 155. In the case of 12 schools the Board regard the Article as satisfied by an offer of 20 per cent.; in the case of 13 by an offer of 15 per cent.; in the case of 29 by an offer of 12½ per cent.; and in the case of 95 by an offer of 10 per cent. In no school is an offer of 5 per cent, accepted; but in the case of six schools, which are in receipt of grants on a lower scale, no requirement is made. Of the 155 schools in question, 98 are in receipt of aid from the local education authority, as well as from the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he intends shortly to issue revised Regulations relating to special schools, with the object of reducing the cost, by increasing the number of children per class and employing unqualified teachers; whether he has received any protests from local education authorities against these proposals as forecasted in Circular 1297; and whether he is aware that it will not be possible to put these proposals into effect without very seriously impairing the efficiency of special schools?

Provision will be made in the revised Regulations for the staffing of special schools on the lines indicated in Circular 1297. The aim of the Board, as stated in the first paragraph of that Circular, is to facilitate the introduction of such economies as, while not impairing the efficiency of the schools, will enable a larger number of children to be eventually provided for. As regards the qualifications of teachers in special schools, the Board have always reserved discretion in their Regulations to accept proposals for the appointment of individual teachers, who, though not possessing the usual academic qualifications, appear to possess special aptitude for the work. This discretion has not been and will not be exercised by the Board until they have satisfied themselves that the teachers in question are competent for the work allotted to them. I am satisfied that it is in the interests of defective children generally that the staffing arrangements set out in Circular 1297 should be given a fair trial; but I propose to keep the working of these schools, under the new conditions, under very careful observation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be ready to withhold the issue of these revised Regulations until the House has had an opportunity of discussing the proposals contained in Circular 1297?

I am afraid I could not give that undertaking, for one reason because I think the Circular is already issued. But in any case, I think the hon. Gentleman ought to be content with the assurance I have given that I will keep this arrangement under very close review.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether in November, 1921, the Board called the attention of the Sheffield local education authority to infringements of the Elementary Code in 15 school departments with regard to staffing and in 10 school departments with regard to accommodation; whether there is a, continuance of such infringements; whether he is aware that a further drastic reduction in the provision of educational facilities is now proposed by the local education authority; that a large public meeting has protested against such reduction; and that these circumstances are due to the failure of the Government to recognise the present intolerable burdens placed upon the citizens of Sheffield owing to unemployment or to make any grant in respect of what is a national responsibility; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I am not yet in a position to compare the records of this year with those of last as regards infringements of the Code. I am aware that the City Council have directed the education committee to effect a considerable reduction in educational expenditure, and that proposals for this purpose are under consideration. The position is causing me much concern, and is receiving my personal attention. The last part of the question refers to a matter which is not within the province of the Board of Education.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman charged with the efficiency of education, and if the efficiency of education in Sheffield is lowered owing to the circumstances set out in the question, will he represent the position to the Prime Minister?

I shall certainly have regard, of course, to the efficiency of education. I may add that I have only this morning received an official communication from the education authority at Sheffield, which I have not yet had time to consider.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received a protest from the Association of Municipal Corporations and kindred bodies against the different financial treatment meted out by the Board to denominational training colleges on the one hand and to training colleges controlled by local authorities; and, if so, will he make a statement on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 22nd February to the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck).

asked the President of the Board of Education for what reasons the applications of the 44 local authorities to make bye-laws for the raising of the compulsory school age to 15 years have been refused?

The total number of applications received from local education authorities is 15, of which 6 have been made recently with a view to mitigating the evils of juvenile unemployment. The prolongation of the period of compulsory attendance at school for a year, or until employment is obtained, is not a matter to be lightly undertaken. It is most desirable that parents should be encouraged to leave their children at school wherever there is sufficient accom- modation, but, in any case, until all means of systematic persuasion have been exhausted, I think it inadvisable to have recourse to compulsion. Where parents and children are unwilling, I doubt whether compulsion could be effectively exercised. A bye-law for the purpose must apply to all Children, including girls who often do not look for employment before the age of 15, and, apart from financial considerations, I am very doubtful whether the balance of advantage lies on the side of this method of meeting a temporary emergency. Certainly it would be much more difficult to secure the social and educational advantages of prolonged attendance at school if parents and children are unwilling.

If the 15 local authorities are enlightened enough to think differently from my right hon. Friend, why should he prevent them from taking this action?

I am not sure that when they arrived at their conclusion they had before them all the relevant considerations which were available to me from the reports all over the country, and I am now taking steps to lay them before them.

Is it not a fact that the working-class parents, because of their poverty, are unwilling to allow their children to remain at school and that if maintenance grants were available, they would be just as glad as any other class to let their children remain at school?

I will not argue that point now, because it does not arise out of the question. What I was concerned to state was that I was confronted, or might be confronted, with the hard fact of unwillingness.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the pre-1919 retired teachers have requested leave to put their case before the Departmental Committee now sitting to consider the whole question of teachers' superannuation; and whether he will use his good offices to have the request granted?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the pre-1919 retired teachers have asked leave to put their case before the Departmental Committee which is now sitting to consider the whole question of teachers' superannuation; and whether he will secure that their request be granted?

The answer to the first part of these questions is in the affirmative. It is for the Committee to determine what evidence they will hear.

Is it not a fact that inspectors and other classes have been permitted to appear before this Committee? Would it not be fair to give the same facilities to the old teachers?

I do not know whether inspectors have or have not appeared.

Yes.

All I say is that it is for the Committee itself to decide what evidence it will take, and not for me to interfere with their free discretion in that matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the new class of infants assistants employed by the London County Council is of the same category as the supplementary teachers so designated in the elementary school code; how many children a supplementary teacher is permitted by the regulations to be responsible for; whether the London County Council is permitting infants assistants to be responsible for classes of 40 or more children; if more children are permitted to be under the control of infants' assistants than supplementary teachers; and, if so, if he will say why there is this differentiation?

I understand that the infants' assistants employed by the London County Council have all undergone a period of training, and they are restricted to teaching classes in which the majority of children are below five years of age. In both these respects they differ from supplementary teachers employed in rural areas, and in London as compared with those areas there is a larger field of choice among women suitable for the work. Within the general limitation of classes to 60 children on the register, no special limit is prescribed by the Code for a class which a supplementary teacher or an infants' assistant may teach, and I am not aware that there is any differentiation such as is suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that infants' assistants only have a few months' training, and are not qualified teachers? They are only supplementary teachers.

My information is that they are qualified, and, in any case, I should be 10th to consider that a great local authority such as that concerned would employ them unless fully satisfied they had the requisite qualifications.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by "qualifications"? What are the qualifications of these people?

That is a question for debate.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will have the moral precepts taught in the Socialist Sunday schools distributed to the Members of the House of Commons for their information and guidance; and if he will see that they shall be included in the curriculum of the elementary schools of the Kingdom?

It is neither my duty nor my privilege to provide moral instruction for hon. Members, nor have I the information which would enable me to judge whether or not the precepts referred to would be likely to raise their general moral standard. The Code of Regulations for Public Elementary Schools already contains provisions for moral instruction with which I do not think the hon. Member would be dissatisfied.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the songs in the Socialist Sunday schools is "England, Arise"

If I supply the right hon. Gentleman with the precepts concerned, will he study them and then, if he think it advisable, distribute them to Members?

I will certainly undertake to study them, and I shall hope to benefit by them.

I shall be pleased if he will do so, because they will do him good.

Has any party in the State got better moral precepts than the Sermon on the Mount?

No!

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give any information as to the discharge from the Air Ministry of Captain Alfred E. Penn, a late branch director (engine supply), directorate of aircraft supplies; whether he is aware that Captain Penn was discharged and his appointment given to a non-service man; and whether, in this case, the recommendation of the Lytton Committee as to the order of discharge of civil servants was adhered to?

Captain Penn, whose military service was confined to Government Departments, was discharged in order to avoid the necessity for discharging another ex-service officer who, unlike Captain Penn, had served overseas and was disabled, and, as a temporary arrangement, part of Captain Penn's work was taken over by a non-service man, who has also now himself received notice of discharge. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that in this, as in all such cases, due regard was paid to the Lytton Committee's recommendations, which, as he is aware, recognise the necessity for the exercise of discretion in the interests of the work of the Department, in the consideration of discharges.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider the question of abolishing the Whitley Councils in the various Government Departments and in the Civil Service as a, whole?

The answer is in the negative.

Is it not the fact that, although these councils are of great use in industrial concerns, they are quite out of place in Government offices?

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many pilots and how many other persons in grades corresponding to Air Force ranks are employed by companies in receipt of the civil aircraft subsidy?

18 pilots and 117 ground engineers, fitters, riggers, store-men, labourers, clerks and other miscellaneous employes, are employed by the three companies in question. It would not be practicable to classify them in grades corresponding to Air Force ranks.

Does it not occur to the right hon. Gentleman that the numbers employed are very small for the money expended by the State?

Yes, Sir; it has certainly occurred to me that that is so; and it is on that account that I am reconsidering the whole question.

Will the Government consider whether better value would not be obtained by diverting this money to augmenting the regular Air Force?

Yes, I am considering that with the other relevant questions at issue.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the names of the members of the Departmental Committee appointed to consider the question of Government subsidies to air transport; and if any member of the Committee has personal experience of aerial navigation?

The names of the members of the Committee are Sir Herbert Hambling, J.P. (Chairman), Sir Joseph Broadbank, J. P., Mr. Oliver V. G. Hoare. These gentlemen were nominated on account of their special qualifications for dealing with a matter which was fundamentally a business question and one not calling for the possession of personal experience of aerial navigation, of which, so far as I am aware, they had me.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider it inadvisable that of this Committee of three persons, one should be his brother, another his brother's partner, and the third the late partner of the right hon. Gentleman himself?

No, Sir, I do not. The suggestion contained in the supplementary question of the hon. Member is incorrect. I should like to know whether he wishes to impute motives to any of these three gentlemen; if so, I shall be obliged if he will state his charges.

I asked a specific question in the public interest, as to whether the right hon. Gentleman thought it advisable that these three gentlemen should be on that Committee?

Yes, Sir, I certainly do. [HON. MEMBERS: "Of course!"] Hon. Members are perfectly free to judge whether or not the inquiry was a useful one from the report which has been issued'.

Was not the appointment of the three members of this Committee quite in accordance with the policy of past Governments in appointing members of their own Parliamentary party?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any decision has yet been come to by his Department as to providing a new air station for London nearer to the centre than the present station at Croydon; and can he make any statement on the subject?

As I informed the hon. Member on 7th December last, this matter was referred to the Civil Aviation Advisory Board, whose Report is now under consideration. It is expected that the Report will be available for hon. Members in the course of a few days.

Is it not a fact that Croydon is the only station free of obstructions near London?

If the hon. Member will await the Report he will see that that consideration has been taken into account.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before the Treaty with Iraq is ratified, an opportunity will be given to the House to record its verdict upon it?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the large and increasing number of cases where foot passengers are knocked down by motor cars, and the motor-car driver does not stop and render aid, he will introduce legislation inflicting heavy penalties on any driver who, after injuring a person, endeavours by flight to escape detection and responsibility?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Motorcar drivers who cause any bodily harm by furious driving or other wilful misconduct or wilful negligence, may be punished with imprisonment up to two years if they do not render themselves liable to some more serious charge. Any attempt to escape detection by flight and failure to assist the injured person would no doubt be taken into account by the Court in passing sentence. I do not think that any special penalty for those who are guilty of such conduct is called for.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider bringing in legislation to make it an offence to pass standing tramcars, and motor cars, as has been done in the United States?

I do not think that arises out of this question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that there is an increasing number of these cases, as stated in the question?

How many cases have there been during the last twelve months?

I think I shall require notice of these questions.

Is the question true?

ask the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the heavy expense thrown upon constituencies by bye-elections, and dislocation of trade in the constituencies, he will institute legislation empowering the House of Commons to impose, as a condition of granting any application or making any appointment which results in a bye-election within one year after any general election, a monetary payment to be applied in relief of the rates of the constituency concerned?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman likely to place any proposals before the House to relieve particular constituencies of the expense that falls upon them by reason of the wanderings of unhappy Ministers?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the separate action of France and Belgium in the Ruhr, he has received any intimation from those Powers that they regard themselves as in a position to undertake separate negotiations with Germany?

No, Sir.

Can the Prime Minister tell us whether he has had any communication from the German Government of their willingness to open negotiations with the Allies?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to statements to the effect that 12½ milliards of marks from the German Reichsbank intended for Cologne was seized by one of the French posts enveloping our zone; if it is his information that part of this money was intended for the British Army of Occupation; and what action the Government intend to take in the matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether any seizure has been made of German marks which were being carried to the British occupied territory; and for what purpose the money was being sent?

His Majesty's Embassy at Berlin has received a copy of a protest made by the Reichsbank to the Rhineland High Commission to the effect that a seizure of German marks was made on the 24th February at Hengstey. The protest states that the sum was destined for use at various towns in the British, French, and Belgian zones. I have no information that part of this money was intended for the British Army of Occupation, and until full particulars are available it is impossible for me to make any statement as to the attitude of His Majesty's Government in this matter.

Has communication between our area on the Rhine and Berlin been now cut by the French and Belgian troops, and would any communication or messenger going from Cologne or Berlin or vice versa have to pass the examination of our Allies?

Are we to take it that the information in the newspapers this morning that that part of the payment destined for us has been refunded is in fact correct, or is the statement incorrect?

If it is correct it is information that has not yet reached us officially.

asked the Prime Minister if His Majesty's Government has received a communication from the British Chamber of Commerce in Cologne asking that protection shall be accorded to British commercial interests against the alleged holding up of British trade in transit from British-occupied territory to Great Britain and abroad; whether British mails to and from British-occupied territory are being delayed at the Belgian frontier; and if British merchants in British-occupied territory may be granted facilities to use the Army mail services for letters only until such time as the regular mail services are again in working order?

A communication from the British Chamber of Commerce at Cologne concerning the protection of British commercial interests in the occupied territory has been received and is being considered by His Majesty's Government. The hon. Member will see from my reply to another question which stands in his name what measures are being taken for the protection of British interests. I have no information to show that British mails are being held up at the Belgian frontier, although it is possible that slight delays to mails may have occurred owing to the strike of German railway men.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that ordinances have been passed by the French and Belgian authorities in German territory occupied under the Treaty of Versailles, and in the territory newly occupied, forbidding British merchants to comply with German laws regarding imports and exports under penalty of fines ranging from 50 to 100 million marks and imprisonment up to five years; whether the result of these ordinances is that British goods in British-occupied-territory for which the necessary export licences have been granted by the German authorities, and which have paid export tax fees, are prevented from being exported without fresh export licences being procured from the French authorities and fresh export fees paid to those authorities amounting to from 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. of the total value of such goods; and if he will state what representations have been made, or will be made, to the French Government to prevent normal British trade intercourse with Germany, both in the British-occupied area and outside it, from being interfered with?

The effect of the measures introduced by the French and Belgian authorities in the occupied territories is to require traders to comply, under the penalties mentioned in the question, with the modifications which have been introduced by those authorities into the German Regulations on the subject of imports and exports. Goods for which export licences had already been granted before the imposition of the new measures, may be exported from British occupied territory on a single payment of export duty at the rate formerly in force. All cases where British interests are being or might be adversely affected are being brought to the notice of the French and Belgian authorities in the occupied area by the British representatives in the Rhineland, and those authorities have so far shown every disposition to give such cases favourable consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the £50,000,000 odd gold deposited in the Reichsbank is pledged to the Reparation Commission?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint an inter-Departmental Committee to inquire into the operation of the regulations affecting public utility (housing) societies and the possibility of using such societies in connection with future housing?

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that many working men were persuaded by the housing propaganda, issued by the Ministry of Health in 1919–20, to invest their savings in public utility (housing) societies, and that such savings are in danger of being completely lost, he will appoint an inter-Departmental Committee to inquire into the position of these societies and the possibility of preventing their bankruptcy?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, having regard to the fact that tenants of public utility (housing) societies are in some districts compelled to pay rents more than double those paid by tenants of similar houses built by local authorities, he will appoint an inter-Departmental Committee to inquire into the operation of these societies, the regulations governing them, and their financial position generally?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware of the difficult position some of the societies are in, but he does not, at the moment, think any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of an inter-Departmental Committee.

If it be considered that the public utility societies, as an essential part of providing houses by private enterprise, are suffering from the very grievous disadvantage of having to pay to the Public Works Loan Board interest of 6½ per cent., would it not be possible to take steps to have it reduced?

The whole position of public utility societies is being carefully considered and watched by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that some local authorities have already completed all the houses sanctioned for State assistance under the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, and that the Unemployed Grants Committee refuse to recognise housing schemes for grants towards unemployed labour, he will give an undertaking that any assistance provided by the Government's new housing proposals shall apply equally to schemes started by local authorities before as well as after the passing of the new Act, in order that there may be no cessation of building operations in the meantime?

My right hon. Friend has been asked to reply. As I stated in the House, on behalf of the Minister of Health, on the 27th February, it is proposed to provide in the Housing Bill that local authorities who, with the approval of the Minister of Health, have undertaken the erection of houses before the passing of the Act shall not be prejudiced as regards any financial assistance available under the Act on account of their having acted in anticipation.

How soon, may I ask the Prime Minister, will the conditions governing these grants be made known for the information of the House and of the local authorities?

As soon as the Bill is introduced, which will be very soon now.

asked the Prime Minister whether he received a letter dated 18th January, 1923, and published in the Press, from the Federation of British Industries pointing out the injury inflicted upon the taxpayers and workpeople of this country by the placing of contracts abroad by the Government Departments; whether His Majesty's Government have recently placed an order with the Lancia Automobile Company of Turin for 200 motor lorries for Palestine; and, if so, will he, in the interests of industry in this country, have the matter reconsidered?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Colonial Office have no knowledge of any such order having been placed, and do not think it can have been placed without their knowledge, but the High Commissioner will be asked to report, and perhaps the hon. Member will let me have any information which has reached him on the subject.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the order is not placed?

Would it be consistent with the Mandate to confine orders in British territories to British goods?

We have a right to have the usual Crown Agents' procedure in connection with these territories.

Was not the famous "Blue Train," which takes hon. Members to Monte Carlo, made in Leeds for the French Railways?

What has that to do with it?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will inform the House what is the number of troops left in Palestine after the withdrawal of the two infantry battalions and the cavalry regiment; what saving will be effected by this withdrawal; and whether he is able to fix any date for the withdrawal of our remaining forces?

I have been asked to reply. It is inadvisable that the numbers of troops at present in Palestine should be made public.

asked the Prime Minister what are the income and expenditure of the League of Nations and the International Labour Bureau, respectively; and if either of them has any outstanding financial liabilities?

The last Assembly approved the Budget of the League, including the International Labour Office, for 1923, at 25,673,508 gold Swiss francs, The International Labour Office accounts for 8,200,462 francs out of the total. Income equals expenditure, apart from subscriptions in arrear, since expenditure is apportioned between the members of the League. The League's budget and the Report of the Fourth Committee of the last Assembly on financial matters are in the Library of the House.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what proportion of this money is paid by Great Britain?

No, I cannot.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there are any other outstanding liabilities which have been undertaken by the League?

I think that question is covered by the answer which I have already given.

Is there any member of the League that does not pay a subscription?

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Railway Rates Tribunal has no power to initiate a reduction of railway rates, he will consider the desirability of initiating legislation with the object of conferring such powers upon the tribunal?

I have been asked to reply. The Railways Act, 1921, requires the Rates Tribunal themselves to fix standard charges to operate from the appointed day and subsequently periodically to review these charges. At the present time, that is up to the appointed day, the Act provides that any representative body of traders may make an application to the tribunal for a reduction. In view of the ample rights of appeal and of review which these provisions afford I see no reason to propose amending legislation.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to state the approximate date, venue, and personnel of the Empire Conference to discuss the development of trade within the Empire?

Communications with the Governments of the Dominions and India as to the suggested Imperial Economic Conference are still proceeding, and I am not in a position to give the particulars asked for by my hon. Friend.

Will this Conference discuss other matters besides economic subjects?

We are in communication with the Governments of the Dominions on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can see his way to propose the appointment of a Joint Committee of both Houses to examine the present methods of drafting legislation, and to report as to the best means of securing greater simplicity?