asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that letters from the Ruhr district in Germany now take sometimes as much as a week or nine days to reach this country; if he will explain the reason for such delay; and whether the Foreign Office can take any action to expedite transit upon which business largely depends?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut. -Commander Kenworthy) on the 19th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the second Peace Conference at the Hague agreed to a Resolution forbidding the use of force by one State against another for the collection of debts; that France and Britain were parties to it; and if, at the Conference in Paris of January last, the attention of the French Government was directed to this Resolution?

The Convention which the hon. Member has in mind referred to "the recovery of contract debts claimed from the Government of one country by the Government of another as being due to its subjects or citizens," and cannot be held applicable to the present case. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether the French Government has asked His Majesty's Government if Great Britain is disposed to associate herself with measures designed to enforce the terms of the Versailles Treaty dealing with the disarming of Germany, and the operations of the Commission of Control; and whether, in view of the independent French action on the Ruhr, His Majesty's Government will refrain from instructing General Bingham to co-operate with the Commission?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

Then General Bingham is co-operating on the Commission of Control at the present moment?

asked the Prime Minister whether the question of the pact of military guarantee of France has been raised unofficially or officially since tie occupation of the Ruhr between His Majesty's Government and France; and, if so, will it be made clear without delay that no such pact will be entered into by this country without the cooperation of America?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part therefore does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if there are any black troops in the British-occupied zone?

The answer is in the negative.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. I asked your leave to put a question to the Prime Minister by private notice. I am afraid in sending you the question I failed to make it clear to you that it had reference to a very urgent matter, which will be seriously prejudiced if the question is delayed until Monday. In these circumstances, I beg your leave to ask the question now.

The hon. and gallant Member's question only reached me shortly before the sitting of the House. I must be satisfied that it comes within the Rules, and I cannot now accept it.

Very serious financial interests are involved in the question, which I will not refer to because that would be improper, but I submit, in the circumstances—the Prime Minister knows the urgency of the case—you should permit me to put the question.

I must apply the same Rule to the hon. and gallant Member as to other Members.

Then, Sir, will you tell me when the proper moment arrives for me to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House in reference to this subject. Shall I do it now or after the Ballot?

The proper time is at the end of Questions.

I desire to ask your ruling, Sir, as to whether it is a definite Rule of the House that no question is allowed to be put by private notice unless it is urgent and there is no other opportunity of answering it; and whether, in these circumstances, certain questions are put in this way which could be quite well put on the Paper? Indeed, on a recent occasion a question was allowed which had been for two days on the Paper.

I must express my gratitude to the hon. Member for his vigilance in this matter, and for pointing out to me something which had escaped my notice. Of course, every hon. Member thinks his own question is urgent.

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the failure of the Government to secure effective relief for British traders whose goods are held up or otherwise interfered with by the new authorities in the Rhineland.

On a point of Order. May I say in regard to this matter, on which a question was addressed to me by private notice, that in my opinion it is impossible that any action of this House can make any difference. We are having constant communications on the matter and are doing everything possible to facilitate trade, and in my belief everything possible is being done.

On that point of Order. May I direct attention to the fact that large cargoes, including one cargo from my own constituency, are being held up. At present there is a threat to sell one of these cargoes by auction, and therefore the interests of British traders are in grave jeopardy.

On a point of Order. May I respectfully ask you, Sir, whether it is in itself any reason for saying that a matter is not urgent and public that there should be a statement made by the head of the Government that they are doing what they can, but cannot do anything effective?

I put it forward that nothing that would be done by the House of Commons could make any difference.

Cannot we protect our own people?

My mind has not been affected by that at all, but this is a matter which has been under the notice of the House for days, if not longer. And with regard to the particular case referred to by the hon. and gallant Member as affecting his constituency, I have no doubt there are many others. There is a question, if I am not mistaken, on the Paper for to-morrow by the right hon. Member at his side (Sir J. Simon) on that very question, and if it be on the Paper for to-morrow, it is not urgent for to-day.

On a point of Order. May I submit to you that this is a matter of growing urgency? I should have asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House a week ago, but the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs informed me that he was making representations. Now it is clear from our information that these representations, though made to the Government ten days ago, have received nothing but a formal reply, and in these circumstances I submit that this is a matter which comes under the Standing Order which lays it down that matters of definite and urgent public importance may be raised in this way.

The only thing I can say is that, in my opinion, it does not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reasons there are, other than our wish to fall in with the views of the United States Government, against recognition of the present Mexican Government by His Majesty's Government?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I returned to four questions on this subject on 14th March.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that some compromise might be arrived at, so that we could get on with our export trade?

If my hon. Friend will refer to my previous answer he will find a whole fund of information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Ambassadors' Conference, before coming to a decision with regard to Eastern Galicia, had any consultation with representatives of the Soviet Government, in view of the fact that the population of Eastern Galicia is largely Ukrainian, and the Ukraine is one of the republics of the Russian federation?

The answer is in the negative, but by Article 3 of the Russo-Polish Treaty, signed at Riga on 18th March, 1921, Russia and the Ukraine expressed their disinterestedness in all territories situated to the west of the frontier laid down in that Treaty.

Have not the Russian Government protested at their not having been consulted in this matter, and is it the policy of His Majesty's Government, not only to ignore the Russian Government, but to insult them?

No, Sir; I do not think there has been any insult at all.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what guarantees have been given by Poland with respect to autonomy in Eastern Galicia; and whether the Ukrainian majority in that territory will possess full rights in dealing with the country's resources, as well as unfettered freedom of trade with the nationals of other lands?

There are no guarantees except that the recent decision of the Ambassadors' Conference, whereby Eastern Galicia became incorporated in the Polish State, was arrived at in view of the fact that Poland had recognised that the special ethnographical conditions of the territory necessitated the establishment of an autonomous régime. Until the Polish Government has applied the proposed measures of autonomy, it is impossible to state the extent of the rights which will be enjoyed by the local population.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's representative in Paris raised no objec- tions at the Ambassadors' Conference to the inclusion in Poland of Vilna and of Eastern Galicia; and whether instructions in this sense were sent him from Downing Street?

The instructions of His Majesty's representative on the Conference of Ambassadors were to agree to the inclusion of Vilna and Eastern Galicia, subject to the conditions which had already been stated, under Polish sovereignty.

asked the Prime Minister if the representative of this country on the Council of the League of Nations can be instructed to raise and support in the Council of the League a recommendation that the League should mediate between all the nations affected on the question of reparations arising out of the late War?

I would refer my hon. Friend to statements made in the House by myself and by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the 19th February and the 13th March, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on how many occasions British warships have shelled native villages along the Iraq coasts in British occupation?

No native village along the Iraq coast has been shelled by British warships. Villages of the Yalsad tribe on the Batinah coast of Oman were shelled by His Majesty's ships on four occasions in October and November, 1922, at the request of the Political Agent, Muscat, and with the approval of the Political Resident, Persian Gulf. These tribes were known to be the principal participators in the slave traffic on that coast in defiance of Treaty obligations, and they had adopted a very defiant attitude towards the Muscat Government.

Has the bombardment of the villages stopped the slave traffic?

I think it would help to do so.

Is there any difference between bombing unarmed villages and bombing Hartlepool and Scarborough?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in reference to the recrudescence of slave-running in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, from what ports the dhows captured by His Majesty's ships were sailing and for what destination they were bound; and whether the recrudescence can be traced to slave-trading in any particular country or territory.?

In the only case in the Red Sea in which there was definite evidence of the port from which the captured dhow had sailed and its destination, the Colonial Court of Admiralty at Aden arrived at the conclusion that the slaves were kidnapped in Abyssinia, and shipped from Tajurrah, in French Somaliland, to Midi in the Idrisi territory on the Arabian coast, and that they were being taken on from Midi to Jeddah, in the Hedjaz, for sale, when the dhow was captured. As regards the Persian Gulf, it is known that members of the Yalsad tribe, which occupies a portion of the Batinah coast (Gulf of Oman) in the neighbourhood of Masuah and Suwaik, participate in the slave traffic, and there is some evidence that slaves are brought across from Persia and Baluchistan. There was also a case in which slaves from the Persian coast were destined for Sohar, which is also on the Batinah coast.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that out of the money allocated to Woolwich Arsenal for the production of five 16-inch guns the major portion will be expended on tools, forgings, and factory expenses and that only a very small percentage will be available for wages; and whether he will consider the allocation to the Arsenal of further orders for smaller guns, fittings, etc., provided for in the new Estimates?

No, Sir, We have allotted six 16-inch guns, complete with breach mechanisms, to Woolwich, and the cost, while providing, the essential new tools and the usual factory expenses, does not include the forgings. The Ordnance Factory authorities are responsible for the actual expenditure of the money, but I understand that about half of the total amount would be spent directly and indirectly on wages. We have already provisionally allocated to Woolwich as large a share as possible of orders for the manufacture of smaller guns and fittings, together with nearly all naval gun repair work. In 1923–24 the value of naval orders allotted to the Arsenal will be rather more than half that of orders allotted to naval factories and the trade.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have recently considered the prospective diminution in the output of home-produced foodstuffs and the consequent increased dependence of the country upon the importation of foodstuffs during the period of a future war; and whether, since such increase in the volume of sea-borne traffic would increase the strain upon the Navy, he will say what provision it is proposed to make, having regard to that contingency?

Yes, Sir; this matter, in so far as it comes within the scope of Admiralty policy, is always under consideration by the naval staff, and plans are worked out for various contingencies.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that seaplanes of a new type have been built and commissioned by the Air Ministry for service with the Air arm of the Fleet; whether the Admiralty were consulted as to the details of the design and specification; and how many sea planes are now serving with the Royal Navy?

The Admiralty are aware that seaplanes of a new type have been built and that trials are being carried out. These seaplanes are at present being used for experimental purposes, and they are not, therefore, allocated for service with the Air arm of the Fleet. The Admiralty is consulted in regard to development, but not in regard to details of design and specification, which are laid down by the Air Ministry. The seaplanes now supplied for operation with the Navy consist of 12 float-planes and 10 flying boats.

Is it the practice of the Air Ministry to consult with the Admiralty in regard to the design of seaplanes?

No, Sir. They consult with the Admiralty as regards general development, and work out the details themselves.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many planes of the following types are allocated to the branch of the Royal Air Force operating with the Navy; fighters, bombers, reconnaissance, and torpedo planes?

The numbers of aircraft allocated for operations with the Navy are

• Fighters—Six.
• Bombers—Nil.
• Reconnaissance—Eighteen (including six float planes).
• Spotting planes—Eighteen (including six float planes).
• Torpedo planes—Twelve.

I understand from the Air Ministry that there are also in the first line reserve, which is kept at the unit's base, machines to the number of 50 per cent. of the unit's strength in the case of units in Home waters, and 100 per cent. in the case of units abroad.

The above figures do not include flying boats or experimental craft, and do not take into account increases provided for in the Estimates for 1923–24.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think the Navy is up to a one-Power standard when it has only six fighters and no bombers whatever?

That is being fully considered by a Committee.

May I ask who pays for these machines? Do they appear in the Estimates for the Air Force or for the Navy?

They come on the Air Force Estimates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that an order has been issued in the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, forbidding men dressed as seamen from carrying handbags; and how it is intended that these ratings shall carry their clothes when proceeding on leave?

The matter is being investigated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the matter, as these men feel it somewhat derogatory that they should not be allowed to carry their own bags?

Yes, Sir, I will.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are several mechanicians who are anxious to leave His Majesty's Service under the reductions scheme and that there are several mechanicians who have received notice of compulsory discharge who do not wish to leave His Majesty's Service; and whether he will authorise a mutual exchange between these chief petty officers?

Mechanicians who desired to leave the Royal Navy under the reduction scheme have had abundant opportunities since May last of volunteering for discharge. The number of volunteers from this rating, however, was actually less than the surplus to be reduced. For this reason it has been necessary to discharge a certain number compulsorily. Orders, however, have been given that any men in surplus ratings, who volunteer for discharge under the terms of the reduction scheme, are to be discharged before all others.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware than an agreement was entered into between the Corporation of Lloyds and the Admiralty, for a period of 50 years from June, 1901, by which the Admiralty took over the whole of Lloyds' signalling stations, and that the same have since been operated by coastguards-men under the control of the Admiralty; whether it has been suggested that in future only the naval signalling stations shall continue under the Admiralty and the remaining stations be transferred to the Board of Trade; whether he is aware that, in consequence of the necessity for only trained men being employed for the collection and distribution of shipping intelligence, Lloyds decline to allow the transfer of the agreement from the Admiralty to the Board of Trade; and whether he will give an assurance that no alteration will be made and that the existing terms of the contract will be duly carried out until the expiry of the existing agreement?

As regards the first part of the question, the reply is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, this was the recommendation of the Inter-Departmental Committee, whose Report has been laid before Parliament. As regards the remainder of the question, a letter has been received from Lloyds strongly urging the necessity of the Admiralty remaining responsible for the stations where this particular work is performed, and the views expressed by Lloyds are, of course, receiving the most careful and sympathetic attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, at the Inter-Departmental Committee to which he refers, notwithstanding the agreement, no representatives of Lloyds were asked to appear and give evidence and does he think that is a fair way to deal with matters of this importance?

The matter was fully kept in view.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that unestablished writers, that is, ex-boy writers and boy writers, employed in His Majesty's dockyards and naval establishments who entered after 4th August, 1914, are required to pass a qualifying examination before they can be placed on the established list, and that those failing to qualify are to be discharged; that hitherto these writers have been regarded as members of the permanent staff, and precluded from competing in either of the two examinations already held for the absorption of temporary staffs in the clerical class (male); that boy writers and ex-boy writers were obliged to pass a Civil Service examination to obtain entry into the dockyard, no such competition having been originally held for the admission of the temporary staff; that, having entered direct from school and since specialised in Government work, they are handicapped if forced to seek employment outside the Service; that the majority have completed from six to eight years' efficient service, many having been for some years employed on duties ordinarily performed by established third-grade clerks in pre-War days; whether he is aware that the decision is regarded as unfair; and, seeing that such boy writers and ex-boy writers as were eligible were released by the Admiralty and served in the War, whether he can see his way to reconsider the decision that has been arrived at?

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

Is the reply favourable or not?

I would rather not summarise it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, under the new change in the Coastguard Service, the engagement is only a monthly one and that a portion of the bonus has to be forfeited, amounting the case of officers to £200; and whether, in view of these and other facts connected with the change, he can see his way to make the new position more permanent in character

The conditions of service in the new Coast Watching Force are a matter for the Board of Trade, to whom I would refer my hon. Friend as regards the first and last parts of his question. As regards the refund of a portion of the bonus by officers and men of the Coastguard who take service under the Board of Trade, the sum to be refunded is subject to a maximum for each grade, which in the case of officers has been fixed at £200. The bonus paid being in the nature of compensation for discharge from the Service, it is obviously inequitable that officers and men who pass directly into the service of another Department should retain the full sum they would have received if discharged from the public service altogether.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether residence in a Royal Naval Barracks, in the case of a naval rating who has no shore address, is to be considered a residential qualification for a Parliamentary vote under the Representation of the People Act in the same manner as an Army rank residing in married quarters?

I have been asked to reply. I am advised that any naval rating residing in a Royal Naval barracks has the same right to be registered for his residence there as a soldier living in camp, whether in married quarters or not. In each case, a special claim for actual residence qualification is required, so as to ensure that the man will not be registered in some other constituency under the privilege system provided in the case of naval or military voters.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have any information that considerable quantities of war material are being shipped to and from this country and certain Continental ports; if he will cause inquiries to be made as to the consignees and ultimate destination of this material; and if he is aware of the danger of a national maritime transport stoppage as the result of the traffic?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The importation and exportation of firearms and ammunition to and from this country are prohibited except under licence issued by the Board of Trade, and full information as to the consignees and ultimate destination of any material of a warlike nature is required to be furnished in each case. I will have the recent records looked up and communicate further with the hon. Member, but I am led to believe that there have been no unduly large shipments in the last few months. I have no information as to the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether boys going to Australia under the Migration Scheme are compelled to take military training; and what term of service is required, and between what ages is it necessary?

Subject to certain exceptions, under the laws of the Commonwealth all male inhabitants of Australia between the ages of 12 and 26, who are British subjects, and have resided in Australia for six months, are liable to undergo training: between the ages of 12 to 14 as junior cadets; for this class, the training consists of physical drill and elementary marching drill for 15 minutes on each school-day; between the ages of 14 to 18 as senior cadets, the training consists of 40 drills a year of an average length of an hour and a half. Between 18 and 26, as members of the citizen forces. Members of the citizen forces are trained in camp for eight days a year and for a further eight days at home. In the case of naval forces, artillery and engineers, the camp training is for 17 days.

Is it not a fact that military training in Australia was of very great advantage in the late War?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that, in connection with a meeting organised by the National Constitutional Association to consider the questions of unemployment and emigration, secretaries of local employment committees were empowered to issue cards of invitation at the Government's expense, he will extend the same facilities for advertising a meeting to be organised by a Labour association on the inadvisability of promoting emigration to the Dominions and Colonies, the Governments of which have admitted that an unemployment problem also confronts them?

The hon. Member puts a hypothetical case. If and when such a case arises in fact, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the national agreement entered into on 9th April, 1921, between the National Federation of Building Trade Employers and the National Federation of Building Trade Operatives provides that, before any stoppage of work can take place, six calendar months' notice has to be given to terminate that agreement; and will he draw the attention of the parties concerned to clause 18 of that agreement?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to his question on the 15th March. In the present circumstances I do not think that it is desirable for me to make any further statement. I still hope, however, that means may be found for avoiding a stoppage of work in this industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the reply to which he has referred he did not answer the question which is put here, whether the agreement provides that before a stoppage takes place six months' notice has to be given?

The hon. Member is quite well aware what the printed terms of the agreement are. What the precise effect of the agreement is, is, of course, one of the matters in discussion.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us any information in view of the very serious effect it will have on house building if a stoppage takes place?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the agreement is based upon six months' notice on a cost of living basis and that the employers are now demanding a reduction over and above that which they were entitled to according to the agreement, and they are not giving notice, but at the end of this month they are going to lock the men out, so the men will be compelled to cease work in defiance of the agreement.

asked the Minister of Labour if the Nantyglo Employment Exchange is authorised to tell unemployed men in that area that they must go to Doncaster, 150 miles away, to look for work; and, if so, whether he will give instructions to the officials at this Employment Exchange to discontinue this practice?

I am having local inquiry made as to the facts and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this practice is prevalent at many Exchanges and men are asked to go a very unreasonable distance to look for work?

I am not aware of the practice.

Has the right hon. Gentleman issued any such instruction, that men can be sent from one district to another in search of employment, or is it not rather sending them to fill vacancies?

I am having the whole matter inquired into. I cannot give an answer on a specific point without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of supplying these unemployed men who are asked to go 50 or 80 miles for work with boots?

asked the Minister of Labour what main roads are being constructed, with the aid of the London County Council and the Unemployment Grants Committee, on which London men are being employed; what is the probable cost of such schemes; how many men were being employed on such roads in January and February; and how many men are now being employed on them?

I have been asked to answer this question, which, I understand, refers to the arterial roads which are being executed by the Ministry of Transport and to which the London County Council are contributing. As the answer is somewhat lengthy and detailed, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men out of employment in the branch of the engineering industry dependent on the manufacture of commercial motor vehicles; what are the present rates of wages of skilled and unskilled men in the industry; how they compare with

Information is not available as to the number of men out of employment in the branch of the engineering industry dependent on the manufacture of commercial motor vehicles, but in the engineering industry as a whole the number of workpeople, covered by the Unemployment Insurance Acts, who were registered as unemployed at 26th February in Great Britain was 191,376, or 18·8 per cent. In the principal centres of the motor engineering industry the present weekly time rates of wages of skilled fitters and turners range from 52s. to 60s. 11d. a week, and those of engineers' labourers range from 37s. 6d. to 43s. 6d. a week. The present rates of wages of road sweepers in the same districts range generally from 46s. 10d. to 58s. 10d. a week, though certain local authorities in London pay higher rates.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

I think that is a matter for the Board of Trade.

Will it be necessary to put a further question to the right hon. Gentleman or to the Board of Trade?

I would suggest that it should be put to the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give an estimate of the cost to the taxpayer in the running of domestic training centres for the ensuing financial year; will he say how many of these training centres have been in operation for the past year; by how many pupils have they been attended; what has been the total cost; and is any record kept of the number of such pupils who have entered domestic service and held their situations for a consecutive period of six months?

The total cost to the State of homecraft training centres during the financial year 1923–24 is estimated at £35,000. The number of such centres during the year 1922–23 was 123, providing accommodation for approximately 4,500 women and girls. The total cost of these centres for the year 1922/23 is estimated at £84,220, the greater part of which will have been borne by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment out of their own funds. Not less than 70 per cent. of the women and girls leaving the training centres are known to have entered domestic service, but information is not available as be the number who hold their situations for a consecutive period of six months.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question which asks how many pupils have attended these training centers?

If the answer is not quite clear, I apologise to the hon. Member. There has been pressure on the space.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, having regard to the amount of female labour which is at present registered as unemployed, his attention has been called to the difficulty experienced by housewives in obtaining domestic help; whether he is aware that no domestic bureau in the Metropolis can supply a junior for work in the kitchen; and will he say what steps are being taken to render available the services of pupils who have been trained in a course of the culinary art at domestic training centres?

The difficulty of obtaining domestic help is, I am afraid, a matter of common knowledge, but I am not aware that this difficulty is so great as is suggested in the second part of the question. Pupils trained at a domestic training centre may be engaged either by application to the superintendent of the centre or to the local Employment Exchange. Those responsible for training centres receive a far larger number of applications from intending mistresses desirous of obtaining servants than they are able to supply.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these local committees are still sending girls who have been untrained 100 miles in order to obtain employment?

Notice must be given of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now make a statement as to the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the question of domestic service?

I have decided to set up a Committee with the following terms of reference, namely, "to inquire into the present conditions as to the supply of female domestic servants, and, in particular, to inquire into the effect of the Unemployment Insurance scheme in this connection; and to make recommendations."

I have invited a number of ladies to serve on the Committee—[HON. MEMBERS:"Oh!"]—Yes, it is a woman's question. I have already received acceptances from the hon. Member for the Louth Division of Lincolnshire (Mrs. Wintringham), from Lady Askwith, Mrs. Harrison Bell, Mrs. Burgwin, Mrs. Cohen, Lady Procter, and Miss Julia Varley. Mrs. E. M. Wood, whose services as Secretary of the London War Pensions Committee are well-known, has consented to act as Chairman of the Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman add to the terms of reference that the Committee should inquire into the suitability of mistresses to have girls as domestic servants?

Is it not advisable to have on the Committee a representative of the fathers whose daughters are in domestic service?

Would it not be well to add to the Committee an adult working woman?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that no Employment Exchange exists in Hanwell and that unemployed persons are obliged to walk to either Southall or Acton in order to register; and whether he will consider the question of opening an Exchange in Hanwell?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In the interests of economy it is necessary to restrict the number of branch offices, and I do not think I should be justified in opening an Exchange at Hanwell under present conditions.

Is it not a fact that these unemployed people are received with exceptional courtesy in Acton?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the social conditions now prevalent in the City of Glasgow; that thousands of working people are living in dread of being evicted owing to inability to pay rent caused through continued unemployment; that children are being underfed, thereby impairing their future health; and that a large part of the population of the city are living in a state nearing famine, while the shopkeepers are being ruined through the working people not having purchasing power sufficient to buy the necessaries of life; and what action he intends taking by legislation to alter this state of affairs?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am of course aware of the grave social conditions prevailing in Glasgow as in other large industrial centres in Scotland. With regard to the second part of the question, I am satisfied that the utmost discretion is being exercised both in granting and in putting into force decrees of eviction for non-payment of rent. With regard to the third part, steps have been taken for the supply of food in necessitous cases of which details are being furnished in the reply which I am giving to a question put down for to-day by the hon. Member for Shettleston. As regards the fourth, fifth and last parts of the question, I am aware that the present depression in trade is pressing severely on all sections of the community, and the Government is making every effort, both by legislation and administration, to promote that revival of trade which alone can provide a lasting remedy for these great and admitted evils.

asked the Minister of Labour why the Grocery and Provision Trade Board (Scotland) wage rates have not been confirmed, seeing that they were unanimously agreed by both employés and employers; and what is the present position with regard to this Board?

It was decided not to confirm the Scotch rates to which the hon. Member refers pending the settlement of rates by the Grocery and Provisions Trade Board (England and Wales) in order that the two sets of rates might be brought into concurrent operation. The matter must, I think, stand over until it can be considered in relation to the proposed Bill for the amendment of the Trade Board Acts.

When will that be?

I cannot give any specific date.

In view of the chaos which has arisen from the action of the Minister in the matter, will he see that in the legislation power is given for the decision of the Trade Board to become final and compulsory?

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that, pending the issue of this Report, the whole of the existing legislation shall be made of no result whatever by refusing to ratify these decisions?

I do not say anything of the kind. The question of the grocery trade was specifically considered by Lord Cave's Committee. It has already been indicated that the policy of the Government, roughly speaking, is to follow the recommendations of Lord Cave's Committee.

Am I to understand that recommendations come to between employers and workmen have to be held in abeyance no matter how long? It is three years this has been held up.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the amending Bill which is in contemplation will be introduced in the present Session?

I hope to introduce it shortly after Easter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is informed in relation to the disturbances which have been taking place in the South Wales coalfield, whereby much damage has been done and inconvenience caused to different people on account of a dispute between the Miners' Union in those coalfields and the Enginemen and Craftsmen's Union; and, if he has not be so informed, will he make the necessary inquiries with a view to bringing the two unions together in conference, with a view to ending the disturbances and bringing about a peaceful settlement of the matters in dispute?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that disputes have been occurring in certain parts of the South Wales coalfield between members of the South Wales Miners' Federation and members of the South Wales Mechanical and Surface Workers' Union. I understand that machinery is in existence for the settlement of such disputes through the offices of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress, and I doubt whether Government intervention for this purpose is desirable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to a threatened stoppage of work by the Union of National Electrical Engineers; and whether, seeing that such a stoppage would result in depriving the public of electric light and heat, he will say what action he proposes to take?

I have been in touch with the parties in this matter, and the Electrical Power Engineers' Association have addressed a letter to me on the subject. I have arranged for a deputation to be received for the discussion of the position.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now inform the House as to the names of the local authorities in Great Britain who arc not on the King's Roll?

The National Council for the King's Roll considered at its meeting yesterday the attitude of local authorities to the King's Roll, and decided to send a special appeal to all county, town and borough councils in England, Scotland and Wales not on the Roll. Until the results of this appeal are known, they decided not to advise any action with regard to the publication of names.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what is the meaning of this long-continued consideration for these unpatriotic bodies?

asked the Prime Minister whether it has been decided to summon a Naval Conference to consider the extension of the Washington Naval Agreements to all States that have not signed those agreements; and whether the invitation to this conference will be extended to all States who are members of the League of Nations, or to all States?

The Council of the League decided at its last meeting that the International Conference recommended by the Assembly of the League in September, 1922, should be held at Geneva shortly after the close of the Pan-American Peace Conference which meets at Santiago on 25th March, the exact date to be fixed subsequently. The agenda for this conference will include the question of extending the principles of the Washington Naval Treaty to non-signatory States, members of the League. States not members of the League will, I understand, be advised of the date of the meeting of the International Conference.

What is the object of advising them?

The object is that they should know in order that they may apply if they wish to go. Then the application will be considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Second Reading of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions (Continuance and Amendment) Bill will be taken before the Easter Recess; and, if not, will he cause the Bill to be printed and circulated to Members before the Adjournment for Easter?

It is not proposed to take the Second Reading of this Bill before Easter, and I am afraid it will not be practicable to circulate it before the Recess.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is great expectancy in the country with regard to this Bill which affects over eight million tenants who were expecting to know something before Easter about the Bill, which is very contentious and intricate?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the existing Act expires at the end of June next, and that in consequence there are many people both tenants and owners, who are anxious to know how they are to be affected by the new legislation, and that it is in the public interest that the Bill should be immediately printed?

The importance of the subject makes it all the more necessary to proceed with caution.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the extension of the Rent Restriction Act, the Government propose to consider the position of small single-house owners wishful to obtain possession for the purposes of personal residence; and whether he can give any assurance that their point of view will be considered and, if necessary, dealt with in any legislation to be introduced this Session?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is giving his consent in all cases where local authorities apply for permission to erect workmen's houses on the understanding that they shall receive the same State assistance as those erected after the passing of the new Housing Act; and, if he has refused his consent in any cases, will he state on what grounds it has been withheld?

I am not aware of any case in which consent has been refused where the houses are of the type described in my reply to the hon. Member yesterday, and where the number proposed is within the capacity of the local building industry to complete with proper despatch.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that a definite decision is given as soon as possible by his Department, in order to minimise the confusion that has arisen from the delay that has already taken place?

I am not sure that it would be possible to give a decision quicker than decisions are usually given by my Department.

Are we to understand that the inclusion of a parlour is required as a ground for refusing permission to build municipal houses?

The particular terms of the subsidy apply only to houses that have not a parlour.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the delay in coming to a decision about the subsidy is causing very serious inconvenience to the rings in the building trade, and that if the decision come too late, some of the rings will break?

asked the Minister of Health what number of houses, designated in single tenements under Section 27 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, were converted into two or more tenements, respectively; and how many were converted into flats of more than three rooms to each dwelling?

Statistics are not available of the number of application to County Courts under Section 27 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, or of the number of houses converted into separate tenements by private persons. Fifty-one local authorities have undertaken conversions of houses and other buildings into working-class tenements, and 1,033 tenements have been provided by this means.

asked the Minister of Health how many county councils, borough councils, and urban and rural district councils, respectively, under the powers conferred on them by the Small Dwellings Act, 1899, advanced money to applicants for the purpose of purchasing a dwelling house for personal use; how many houses were so purchased; and how much money was advanced up to August, 1914; and whether any money for the above purpose has been loaned since January, 1919, in conformity with the said Act, and how much?

Advances under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act have been made by three county councils, 19 borough councils, 34 urban district councils, and five rural district councils. Information as to the number of houses purchased is not available. Up to August, 1914, local authorities obtained sanction to the borrowing of sums amounting to £349,500 for the purpose of advances under the Act. Since January, 1919, loans amounting to £338,000 have been sanctioned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes, in connection with the housing proposals of the Government, to introduce legislation extending the operation and scope of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of houses which have been erected by private enterprise or for which the plans have been approved by the local authorities during the past six months?

The information is not at present available, but I have asked local authorities to furnish me with a return on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will furnish a return showing, as nearly as can be estimated, the total number of houses built in the United Kingdom during each year from 1913 to 1922, inclusive?

The available information does not enable me to furnish such a return as is requested. But according to the Census of 1921 it appears that the number of structurally separate dwellings increased by 357,000 in England and Wales between 1911 and 1921.

asked the Minister of Health what are the estimated needs of London for houses to meet the present shortage and do away with both overcrowding and slums; how many houses have been completed since the Armistice by the London County Council, the London borough councils, and the City Corporation, respectively; and whether the building that has gone on since 1918 has done more than meet the normal increase of the population?

A reliable estimate of the present shortage of houses in London is not available. The total number of houses completed since the Armistice are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health whether, in future housing legislation, he will, in preference to the encouragement of building by public authorities, give facilities to private builders and owners, by relieving newly-built houses of rates for a period, and by advancing money to potential house-builders on easy terms?

I have given these suggestions my full consideration and will make a statement in regard to them on the Second Reading of the Housing Bill.

asked the Minister of Health if any statement can be supplied to the House showing the extra cost to the taxpayer of the reductions of rent which have, since the beginning of 1922, been sanctioned in respect of premises constructed under the subsidy scheme of the late Government?

Reductions in the rents originally agreed have been approved in respect of 568 local authorities, mainly since the beginning of 1922. The net amount involved by this reduction is approximately £150,000 per annum. It is difficult to say precisely what effect on the Exchequer is caused by any reduction in rent as it must to some extent depend, not only on the rent originally fixed, but on the rent which can actually be collected. Reductions are only approved when it can be shown that the rents charged are excessive. It is open to a local authority which is not satisfied with the rent approved by the Department to appeal to the independent tribunal appointed under the Housing Scheme Regulations.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to inform the House what are the Government proposals with regard to housing; whether he will ask the opinions of the local authorities of this country, both large and small, as to the extent to which the particular proposals of the Government will be of use to them; and whether he is able, from the negotiations ho has carried on, to give any idea of the number of houses which are likely to be built under these proposals by the local authorities and by private enterprise, respectively?

The housing proposals of the Government will be embodied in the Bill to be introduced as soon as possible after the Recess. The chief points in the scheme and particularly the amount of subsidy to be provided by the Government have already been fully discussed with representatives of the Association of Municipal Corporations and of the larger boroughs, and general agreement has been reached that the subsidy is one which will enable building to be pressed forward with the utmost vigour and that building by private enterprise would have a prominent place in the programme of the local authorities. As regards the last part of the question, I do not propose to give any estimate of number, which must obviously depend on the activities of the various local authorities.

Has any provision been made in the scheme for the individual who wishes to build a house of the subsidised class for himself?

The hon. Member had better wait and see the Bill.

How can the right hon. Gentleman describe as private enterprise a plan which depends upon a public subsidy of money?

This is a free country and you can describe anything how you like.

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends to take any steps to control the prices of building materials, with a view to preventing rings and combines from charging increased prices?

I have consulted with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade upon this matter, and we have decided to set up a small Committee, which will include representatives of the two Departments, the building trade, and local authorities, in order to watch the course of prices and to keep the Government accurately informed of their movements.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is not only a question of keeping an eye on prices, but of keeping an eye on the industry right through from the time when the manufacture begins, rather on prices when the goods reach the market?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late Government gave a pledge to introduce legislation for the control of trusts and rings?

Does the term "representatives of the building trades"include builders or only employers?

With regard to the first question, it is the price that matters; what we want to see is that prices are not raised unduly. With regard to the second question, no Government can commit its successors. As to the last question, I have not yet decided exactly how these representatives will be appointed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to appoint representatives of the trade unions and guilds of the building trade on this Committee?

We cannot have too many representatives, but I am quite prepared to consider putting on representatives of the trade unions.

Arising out of the original question, will the right hon. Gentleman inform us what is the use of setting up these committees to watch the alteration in prices, when it is perfectly easy for those who have to build to watch the rise of prices?

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that the cost of building houses is adversely affected by the existence of rings and trusts, he will consider setting up national factories for the production of these materials, and thus cheapen houses and relieve unemployment by using the skilled men now unemployed?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the assurance that any grant or concession which may be granted in the next Housing Act to local authorities or private builders will be made retrospective to local authorities or builders in respect of houses or housing schemes that may be started on or before 15th March, 1923?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Middlesbrough West.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to give representatives of the building guilds the opportunity of consulting him before bringing in the Housing Bill, seeing that such guilds are prepared to assist in the building of houses without profit?

I shall be glad to consider any suggestions which may be made to me by representatives of the building guilds.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a copy of a resolution from the Acton Borough Council urging a reduction of rents on the East Acton estate of 3s. per week, parlour type, and 2s. 6d., non-parlour type houses; and whether he can see his way to accept this suggestion or, as an alternative, refer the matter to the Rents Tribunal?

I have received a communication from the council in the sense indicated, but am unable to agree to the proposal, as I am advised that the present rents are not excessive, regard being had to the prevailing rents for comparable houses in the locality. It will be open to the council, if they so desire, to refer the matter to the Rents Tribunal.