asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Allies at any time prohibited Soviet shipping from entering the port of Constantinople, and, if so, for what reason?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has had information that the Chester Railway and Mining Concession has been ratified by the Turkish Nationalist Assembly; and whether this concession in any way violates commercial contracts previously obtained by British companies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but failing information regarding the exact nature of the concessions, as modified by the Angora Government, am not in a position to reply to the second part.

May I point out that the question does not apply to Iraq or Mosul at all?

Our information is that various modifications have been made by the Angora Government, and we have not yet discovered what they are. Therefore, cannot give any further information.

Will the American Government be represented at Lausanne in reference to this concession?

There is a question on that subject later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now ascertained whether the Polish Government intends to demolish the Orthodox Cathedral at Warsaw?

I understand that the demolition of the building will be begun in May.

How is it that when I questioned the hon. Gentleman on this matter last week he had no information? Are the Government going to make any representations against this act of vandalism?

The reason is that I had no information, because it did not appear to be a matter with which we were concerned, but I showed my anxiety to meet the hon. and gallant Member by obtaining the information.

Are we now taking any steps to make representations?

No, certainly not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is a British Vice-Consul at. Boryslaw, Eastern Galicia; whether a Vice-Consul was appointed there in January, 1921; and, if there is no British Vice-Consul there now, when he was withdrawn?

An unsalaried Vice-Consul was appointed to Boryslaw in January, 1921, and he still holds the appointment.

Then the information which the hon. Gentleman gave me last week, that we had only one representative in Eastern Galicia, was not quite accurate?

I am afraid that, like Dr. Johnson on a previous occasion, I "made a mistake through sheer ignorance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any knowledge as to the arrest in August last of Cembrosious, the Catholicos of Georgia, by the Soviet Government; whether he has been brought to trial or is about to be so brought on a capital charge; and, if so, what is the nature of such charge?

My information is that the Catholicos is confined to his own residence but is allowed to attend religious functions under escort. It is not known whether he is to be brought to trial, nor, if he is. what charge will be preferred.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Cabinet is considering the denunciation of the trade agreement with Russia: and whether, before any such action is taken, the House of Commons will be given an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the subject?

The question is not under consideration by the Cabinet.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information which he can give the House as to the export abroad by the Russian Soviet Government of largo quantities of corn as well as the gift of corn by the Russian Government to the German workers in the Ruhr?

I am unable to give any more definite information as to exports of grain from Russia than is contained in my reply to the Noble Lord the Member for Northwich (Lord Colum Crichton-Stuart) on 12th April. The gift to the workers of the Ruhr consisted, it is understood, of 8,000 tons of wheat, and was made by the Central Soviet of Professional Unions.

Is it not a fact that while this corn is being exported from Russia large numbers of the Russian people are starving, and that appeals are being made for foreign relief?

I believe that that is the case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how long it is now since His Majesty's Government started to make representations to the Soviet Government with reference to the Hull fishermen recently captured by the piratical action of Soviet naval forces off Murmansk: whether any reply has yet been received from Mr. Hodgson in the matter; and what action His Majesty's Government propose to take to put an end to this intolerable situation and to ensure that these acts of piracy are not repeated?

Information of the seizure of the trawler "James Johnson" by a Russian cruiser was received at the Foreign Office on 2nd April. Mr. Hodgson was immediately instructed by telegram to make inquiries and report, pending the receipt of which there could be no question of representations to the Soviet Government. Mr. Hodgson's report was only received yesterday, and is to the effect that the crew of the trawler are detained in the vessel and that the case was due for hearing before the people's court on 15th April. It is understood that the owners have made arrangements to he represented at the trial by their Moscow law agent. Pending the result of these proceedings, no representations have been made to the Soviet Government. As regards the last part of the question, it is impossible to make any statement at present.

Do His Majesty's Government recognise the right of the Soviet Government to take piratical action against our fishermen in the White Sea, and, if so, do they propose to recognise the findings of the people's court at Murmansk?

Certainly, we do not recognise the right of the Russian Government or of any Government to carry on piratical proceedings, but we must await the proceedings of the court before we can do anything further.

Is it not a, fact that the trawler was seized ten miles off the coast? If so, why is not His Majesty's vessel now in that sea ordered to go into Murmansk and take it over?

That question should be addressed to the First Lord of the Admiralty.

But this is a matter for the Foreign Office. 'Inc lives of men are at stake.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether this country is at present represented in Soviet Russia and, if so, what is the official designation of the British representative in that country; where is he located; what staff has he to assist him in his duties and are they all British subjects; and what is the approximate yearly cost of the present British representation in Russia?

His Majesty's Government are represented in Moscow in virtue of the Trade Agreement by an official British agent assisted by a staff of 13 persons, two of whom are resident in Petrograd. They are all British subjects. The annual cost of the mission is approximately £23,800.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet Government of Russia is at present represented in this country; if so, will he give the name of the representative and his official designation; whether negotiations take place with such representative in the same manner as with the ambassadors of other foreign countries; and if he will make any statement as to the exact position of the Soviet Government's representatives in this country?

In the absence from this country of M. Krassin, or of any successor to him, the Soviet Government is represented here by M. Jean Berzin as acting official Russian agent. The official Russian agent, who have no regular diplomatic status, is a. medium for communications between the Soviet Government and His Majesty's Government under the conditions laid down in the Trade Agreement of 16th March, 1921.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what nations are being invited to attend the resumed peace conference, at Lausanne; whether the Government of the United States of America has been invited to attend and, if so, with what result; and for what reason the Russian Government was not invited to the resumed conference?

Notification of the resumption of the negotiations with Turkey at Lausanne has been sent by the Secretary-General of the Conference to Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Greece, Yougoslavia, Rumania, Belgium, the United States and Turkey. There is every reason to believe that the United States will be represented for the same purpose as on the last occasion. The Russian Government was invited to the original Conference at Lausanne only for the discussions on the future régime of the Straits. Those discussions will not be re-opened, since the Allies and Turkey are agreed upon the terms of the draft Straits Convention. Russia is not therefore being invited to participate in the present meeting at Lausanne.

How does the hon. Gentleman defend the invitation to Rumania and the non-invitation to Russia, which is a neighbour to Turkey?

The defence, if required, will be found in the answer I have given.

asked the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet Government has been officially invited to the Lausanne Conference?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I have just given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.

Does the Foreign Office think that any stable settlement in the Near East can be accomplished without the agreement of Russia?

I do not think it would he very wise for me to express an opinion one way or the other at the present moment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to give any compensation for disturbance to members of the Royal Marines who may be affected by the proposals of the Admiralty to amalgamate the forces?

Officers and men who fire transferred to other divisions in consequence of the abolition of the Gosport division will have the removal expenses of themselves and their families paid. The details of the arrangements will he communicated to those concerned as soon as possible.

Does this include the families and dependents of the officers and men who are being brought away from Forton? The housing conditions at Portsmouth are very difficult indeed, and it is impossible for these men to get the necessary accommodation.

I have said that it covers the removal expenses of the families.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman said "to other divisions." Does he mean from Forton to Eastney?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the work on the new battleships on the Tyne has yet been started: if not, what progress is being made in this direction; if he is aware that numbers of men are being dismissed from the Wallsend slipway and Armstrong's Naval Yard; and, if so, what immediate steps are proposed for the alleviation of unemployment in the Newcastle area?

Work on the battleship in question has been started and is proceeding in a, normal manner. I understand the discharges referred to are due to the completion of work on a merchant vessel.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware of the intense disappointment and irritation in the district owing to the fact that the work which, it was expected, would be started, has not been started, and that discharges are taking place every day? Is he also aware of the amount of suffering and misery in the district caused by unemployment?

Once the Admiralty have given the contract, they have no more say in the matter as to how that contract shall be carried out. As far as the Admiralty are concerned, we could not do more than place the order for one of the battleships in this district.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what is the cause of this inordinate delay?

There is no inordinate delay, as far as I know. The firm carries on the work of the contract in its normal manner.

asked the First, Lord of the Admiralty the number of years able seamen are now serving before advancement to leading seamen the number of years served by leading seamen before advancement to petty officer; and the number of years served by petty officers before advancement to chief petty officer; which branches have automatic promotion; and how time served for advancement by those branches who possess automatic promotion compares with those branches whose advancement is by depot roster?

I should be obliged if my hon. and gallant Friend would repeat his question in a week's time, when I hope the information requested will be available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will explain the reason for the variation in treatment of engine-room artificers of H.M.S. "Fisgard" who recently applied for discharge; whether he is aware that, while one received his discharge unconditionally, another was given his discharge conditional on payment of a sum of -£75; will ho state the reason for this differentiation: and will he explain why, if £75 is demanded from a man applying for discharge, the same sum was not granted to those fifth-class engine-room artificers recently compulsorily discharged, instead of £20 paid to them?

Discharge of men or boys from the Royal Navy before the expiration of their engagements is permitted only in exceptional cases, and as a general rule only on payment, of purchase money on a scale laid down in the King's Regulations. The purchase money is based on the cost of training and the rate of pay. Free discharge is allowed only in those special cases where the necessary money cannot he raised for discharge by purchase. The first case mentioned by my hon. Friend was considered to fall within this category. As regards the last part of the question, no analogy can be admitted between the case of ratings granted discharge for private reasons and those whom it has been found necessary to discharge on special terms in order to avoid an excess on Navy Votes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the highest figure reached in his Department for the employment of women prior to 1920 in the following civilian grades temporary typists and. shorthand typists; temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant; and temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over?

The total number of women employéd on the clerical staff of the Admiralty on the 11th November, 1918, was 3,720, which figure represents approximately the highest figure reached. It is not possible to classify this figure in the grades mentioned by the hon. Member without a detailed examination of the records of each member of the staff in question, which examination could only be undertaken by the diversion of staff from other urgent work.

asked the Minister of Health what are the salaries paid to inspectors of the Ministry of Health; and whether these salaries include travelling expenses and office accommodation?

The hon. Member will find the scales of salaries paid to inspectors of the Ministry of Health set out in the current year's estimates. These scales do not include travelling expenses and office accommodation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the officials of his Department have refused to discuss with the union representatives of the coal porters a complaint concerning their being put to work a normal week of 56 hours: whether the normal week for this class of employé is 48 hours by agreement with the Treasury; and whether he will take steps to see that these complaints are dealt with?

I have been asked to reply. Representations from the coal porters in my right hon. Friend's Department regarding their working; hours have been discussed by the Departmental Whitley Council, on which the coal porters are represented. The working week of the men concerned is not 56 but 48 hours (or 44 if the state of business permits of a half-holiday on Saturday), exclusive of meal times. The working week of this class of employé, as fixed by agreement between the Treasury and the Workers' Union, does not normally include meal times. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that there has been no breach of the agreement so far as his Department is concerned, and he sees no reason to take any further action unless the matter is again brought forward by the men's representatives on the Departmental Whitley Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to extend the term of the operation of the Export Credits Department, which is due to terminate in September, in view of the dearth of new orders to exporters?

No decision has yet been arrived at in the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions the highest figure reached in his Department for the employment of women in the following grades: temporary typists and shorthand-typists, temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over; and at what period these, figures were reached?

I am circulating the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what was the highest figures reached in his Department for the employment of women prior to 1920 in the following civilian grades: temporary typists and shorthand typists, temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over?

The figures in November, 1918, were

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the comments made by members of the Court of Appeal on the unsatisfactory state of the law in regard to proceedings taken by and against Government Departments; and whether he will take the necessary steps to make the procedure more simple and uniform?

asked the Attorney-General whether, having regard to the remarks of Lord Justice Scrutton, in the recent case of the Marshall Shipping Company, Limited, versus the Board of Trade, as to the necessity for legislation, in the interests of the public, to enable them to readily and conveniently call in question the actions and omissions of Government Departments, he will advise His Majesty's Government to initiate such legislation forthwith?

The whole question of proceedings by and against the Crown, and by and against Government Departments, is under the consideration of a Committee over which the Lord Chief Justice is presiding and of which I am a member. I will call the attention of the Committee to the Judgment in this case.

Can the Solicitor-General say whether in this case the Government Department did not plead that, in order to be successful in proceedings against the Board of Trade, every member of the Board, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, must be served with a process, and did not the Court of Appeal adversely comment upon the state of the law?

The hon. Member has stated something like the contentions of the case, but I have not before me at the moment the accurate information.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will favourably consider a modification of the Regulations governing the issue of uncovenanted benefit, whereby single men who have already contributed at a higher rate to the Insurance Fund on account of the payment of uncovenanted benefit, and who will have to contribute to the repayment of these benefits as soon as they obtain employment, may receive part, if not full, uncovenanted benefit whilst unemployed, notwithstanding the fact that some other income is going into the house where they reside?

As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Seaham on 11th April, I am examining very carefully the conditions relating to the grant of uncovenanted benefit so far as they are within my discretion, It, would not be possible, however, to vary the rate of benefit in particular cases as the rate is fixed by the Acts.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, during the consideration which he is giving to the matter, have regard to the fact that if he declines to sanction the payment of this benefit to single persons it will mean an extra charge on the rates of local authorities which are already overburdened?

I may say quite frankly that considerations of that kind are present to my mind.

Will not these single men have to contribute in the future to the fund from which you are borrowing; and are they not entitled to uncovenanted benefit?

The question of uncovenanted benefit, as has been stated over and over again, is at the discretion of the Minister acting in the public interest, and it is his business to give such directions as he can within the ambit of the Regulation under the Act of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons drawing unemployment benefit for the week ending 31st March; and the approximate amount paid by way of unemployment benefit?

The approximate number of persons to whom unemployment benefit was paid during the week ended 31st March, 1923, was 940,000, and the amount paid was £770,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that some of the urban authorities adjacent to the large towns which have been deemed necessitous have made efforts to provide work for the unemployed, paying for the-same out of the district funds, and have also been called upon to pay a consider-ably enhanced poor rate, largely for the benefit of the unemployed in the towns; and whether these authorities will be allowed to participate in the contemplated grants to the necessitous areas?

I am aware of the efforts made by many local authorities to provide work for the unemployed. Provision of this kind has, of course, been generally assisted by Government grants made on the recommendation of the Unemployment Grants Committee. As regards the last part of the question, I can only say that the Government have given no undertaking as to the making of any special grants to necessitous areas.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these districts are doubly penalised for having found work for the unemployed, first by the increase of the district rate, in addition to the increase of the poor rate, which applies to the whole locality, and also by the fact that the Employment Exchanges are outside the districts and that it is very difficult for the small urban districts to improve their proportion of employment? [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech! "]

asked the Minister of Labour what would be the saving in establishments, salaries, and cost of buildings if all Employment Exchanges were done away with and the payment of unemployment benefits was handed over to some other agency?

I am not aware of any other agency through which the administration of a national scheme of unemployment insurance, could he effected at lower cost than through the Employment Exchanges.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the amount that it would be possible to save?

If it cannot be done cheaper through any other agency, there would be no saving.

May T say that is a matter of opinion?

The hon. and gallant Member will have his Own opinion.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will cause inquiries to be instituted as to the grave difficulties arising through the Employment Exchange at Rochdale also operating on behalf of the districts of Meilmow, Nowhey, Firgrove, and Ogden: and if he will, under proper supervision, arrange that properly constituted industrial associations in the districts named function instead of the Rochdale. Employment Exchange, failing which will he have an Employment Exchange established in the centre of the above four districts?

I am making inquiries locally at once, and will communicate the result as soon as possible to my hon. Friend.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also take cognisance of the fact that these poor people are receiving medical attention as a result of the unsuitable methods of working of the Employment Exchange at Rochdale?

That, of course, is a somewhat serious charge. I cannot deal with it until I have got the report. Directly I do so, I will communicate with my hon. Friend, and I will he glad if he will assist me in going into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that on both the women's sub-committees and the main committee attached to the Richmond Employment Exchange there are only two women members, whereas on the former committee there are four men members; whether there is only one woman representing women workers; whether he is aware that, owing to the small number of women on the committee, recent action by the committee directed against his women staff at Kew was decided on in the absence of women members; whether unemployed women are ever put in the position of being dealt with by the councillor who has recently shown himself to be hostile to the employment of women; and whether efforts will now be made to add to the women membership of the committees concerned, with a view to the proper representation of women workers resident in the area?

There is one woman member, a workers' representative, on the main committee. The women's subcommittee consists at present of three men members and two women members, one of whom is a workers' representative, and there is one vacancy for a woman for which a nomination from a workers' association has been invited. I am not aware that the representations recently made by the committee regarding the employment of women staff at the Claims and Record Office, Kew, were in any way influenced by the composition of the committee, nor can I accept the suggestion that any member of the Committee ought to be excluded from dealing with claims made by unemployed women.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state from what organisations have nominations been asked, and has he received any nominations up to the present?

I cannot answer that question without notice. My hon. Friend knows it is difficult to decide, but we endeavour to consult the representative organisations in cases of this kind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the grave condition of unemployment in Barrow and the fact that the conditioning of a few warships has only given very restricted employment, and in view also of the fact that 8,000 men at least will be shortly liable to the operation of the gap system, he will state whether he is now able, by way of urgent relief, to take any steps of a practical and effective nature to induce the placing of any work or orders in the town?

On account of the special circumstances at Barrow, I have approached various interests with a view to bringing additional employment to the town. The matter has also been under the consideration of the Cabinet Unemployment Committee. I regret that it has not so far been found possible to provide additional work on any extensive scale, but there are indications that the situation is improving slightly, and the hon. Member may be assured that all practicable steps will be taken to relieve the situation.

Has the Government any definite scheme under consideration beyond what the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned?

I do not think I can carry the matter any further than I have done in my answer. The matter is admittedly one of great difficulty, arid nobody knows it better than my hon. friend. We are doing all we can in the matter, and beyond that I cannot make any definite statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman making the same special effort to secure work for other necessitous areas as well as for Barrow?

asked the Minister of Health if he will state, as regards the Sheffield and Ecclesall Unions, respectively, what is the average weekly number of persons who have received unemployment relief during the, last three months; and what is the average, weekly number in each union who have been put to the three days' task work?

According to information supplied by the clerks to the guardians of these Unions, the weekly numbers of persons who have received unemployment relief during the last three months are respectively 31,804 and 11,547. These figures include a number of dependants of persons receiving relief. The numbers of families relieved are 9,120 and 2,997. No task work has been required to be performed in the Sheffield Union. The average weekly number put on a three days' task in the Ecclesall Bierlow Union is 159.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Sheffield and Ecclesall guardians have arranged with the corporation for work to be undertaken by applicants for relief in order to test whether such applicants were desirous of work; whether this arrangement has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Health; how many applicants have been so put to the test; and what are the numbers, respectively, of those who are work-shy, physically unfit, and satisfactory workers?

The Ecclesall Bierlow Board of Guardians have, with my sanction, made an arrangement for a labour test of the nature referred to, and I am informed that the average weekly number required to perform a test is 159 No such arrangement has been made by the Sheffield Board of Guardians. I am afraid I have no information as regards the last part of the question.

As there are only 159 a week, is not an invidious selection made for this test work?

I am not aware of any invidious selection. The, selection is in the hands of the Board of Guardians.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing a small committee to consider this, and is he aware that there is very great indignation on the part of working men at the guardians degrading regular work to the level of test work in these institutions?

No, Sir, I do not see any reason for appointing a committee. The whole point is whether the test work should be absolutely useless work, or work of some value.

But is this not work which should be done by the employment of ordinary labour, and is it right to make a test for relief?

I understand that this is not work which would be ordinarily done now, but some time in the future.

It could be done by proper trade union labour.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that certain Poor Law guardians are suggesting employing professional rent and debt collectors to recover relief granted on loan to people distressed through unemployment; and whether this is done by order of his Department?

No, Sir, I am not aware of any such suggestions, and I have not issued any such Order.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service women registered as clerical workers at London Employment Exchanges between October, 1019 and October, 1920, and since that date, respectively?

Separate statistics of the registrations of ex-service women are not available and I regret therefore that the information asked for cannot be given.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service women have been appointed to the temporary Civil Service through the Joint Substitution Board since its inception; and how many have been transferred from one department to another in order that dismissal might be averted, in each of the following grades: typists arid shorthand-typists, graded clerks, and junior administrative assistants and over?

Separate figures are not available showing the numbers of ex-service men arid ex-service women respectively placed by the Joint Substitution Board in Government Departments. The number of applications received by the Board from ex-service women is very small, and in practically every case in which the Board has been satisfied that the ex-service claims of the woman entitled her to preferential treatment it has been found possible to appoint her to a temporary post. A detailed record has not been kept of the grades to which such women have been appointed.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been built by the National Building Guild, Limited, of Manchester, now in liquidation; the average price of such houses; and whether any part of their respective agreements with local authorities remain unfulfilled?

The number of houses completed up to the 1st April by building guilds under the State-Assisted Scheme is 1,900, and 301 remain unbuilt or unfinished. As the final accounts in regard to these contracts have not yet been made up. I am unable to give the average cost per house. Some contracts were not completed by the guild, and the local authorities concerned have made special arrangements for the completion of the houses.

Is it a fact that this company has defaulted in a large sum of money; and can the right hon. Gentleman give some estimate of what the amount may be?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the shortage of houses in the Bakewell rural district area, especially in the Hathenage district; whether he has inquired into the case of Mrs. J. T. Wiggett, who was ejected from her house on an order of the Bakewell magistrates at the instance of the Bake-well Rural District. Council; whether he is aware that Mrs. Wiggett and her seven children have had to seek refuge in the Bakewell Union Workhouse; that another child is expected shortly; and that there are many houses in Hathenage occupied occasionally as week-end houses; and whether some steps can be taken to provide the woman with a temporary home so that her child shall not be born in the union?

I am aware of the shortage of houses in the district referred to. I understand that in the particular case mentioned by the hon. Member, the house was reported by the Medical Officer of Health as unfit for habitation as long ago as March, 1921, and that the operation of closing and ejectment orders has been postponed from time to time until the 26th March, 1923. No appeal against the closing order was made to me by the owner, and the case is consequently not one in which I have any jurisdiction, but I shall be glad to consider any scheme that may be placed before me by the Rural District Council in question for alleviating housing conditions in the district.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the rural district council, inasmuch as this was before this House 18 months ago, on my question, and nothing has been done?

I do not think it should be necessary for me to make any representations, as there is no doubt that the rural district council will in due course put their proposals before me.

asked the Minister of Health the additional sum required in rent each week to cover the extra cost of land required if 12 houses instead of 20 houses are planned per acre in both urban and rural areas?

Any figure based upon cost of land only would be misleading, as cost of development would enter also into the difference in rent required.

Is it not possible to give the figures and let us draw our own conclusions from the facts supplied by the Minister?

If the hon. Member only desires to know the difference in the cost of land, it merely involves a simple arithmetical sum, which I think he is perfectly competent to do.

Is it the intention to go back on Lord Downham's pledge, that only 12 to the acre should be built?

I am not aware of any such pledge.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of printing and circulating, for the benefit of those building houses under the new Government proposals, a complete list of prices of materials which can be regarded as average and fair and whether he will further consider the desirability of issuing such a list, weekly, so that the pubic may know what fluctuations there are and be able to ascertain why they are suggested?

I doubt whether any good purpose would be served by attempting to issue a weekly price list. The fluctuation in prices of materials will be considered by the Committee set up for that purpose, and their reports as to the facts will be published from time to time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the Government proposed its housing scheme, the cost of materials has jumped up about 10 to 12 per cent.?

No, I am not aware of that.

Is it intended to give the Committee any power to fix prices, or merely to report when they go up?

There is no power given to the Committee to fix prices.

Would they have power to imprison these people who raise prices?

No.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the action of the Cement and other Building Materials Trades Association in endeavouring to prevent the Public Authorities Mutual Supplies, Limited, which is a company formed upon: a mutual basis, from obtaining materials for the use of public authorities at fair prices so as to enable houses to be built and public works to be carried out at a. lower cost; and if he will consult the Law Officers of the Crown as to what proceedings, criminal or otherwise, can be taken to prevent, trade rings and combinations from unduly inflating the cost of necessary materials for these purposes?

I have no information on the point raised in the first-part of the question. With regard to the second part, it will be one of the functions of the Committee I am setting up to report as to the extent to which in any case the price of building materials appears to be unduly high by reason of the operation of any trade combination, and in the light of the Committee's reports, the Government will consider whether any action is necessary, and, if so, on what lines.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the many representations already made since the publication of the text of the Housing Bill, the Government will extend the subsidy to other than the smaller type of house?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of making a State subsidy towards artisan house building apply to parlour houses so far as 15 per cent. of the entire number concerned?

I think it would be more convenient that the suggestions made by the hon. Members should be dealt with during the debate on the Bill.

May I take it from that that this matter is under further consideration by my right hon. Friend?

No; I hope my hon. Friend will not take it that I have said anything more than I have.

asked the Minister of Health whether, since all houses subsidised under the Government scheme have to he completed by 1st January, 1926, he can give any idea of the number which he anticipates will be so constructed in the period, assuming that the fullest possible effort be made to take advantage of the facilities afforded?

I do not think it practicable to make an estimate of any value. I may say, however, that the average number of working-class houses built during the last four years was approximately 50,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, when the Ministry approved the plans of the 24 houses erected at Totnes under the assisted housing scheme, the advice of local representatives regarding the laying of the floors with a view to preventing dry rot was overruled: that the floors were laid in accordance with the wishes of the Ministry, and that dry rot has now appeared in some of the houses; that a letter containing this information was sent to the Ministry of Health on 14th March, 1923, by the Totnes Town Council, no reply to which had been received on 11th April; and, in view of the impossibility of meeting the cost of repairs out of the 15 per cent. allowance, and of the increasing urgency of the matter on account of the evil effects of the dry rot upon the inhabitants of the houses, what steps he intends to take?

My attention has been drawn to the difficulty which has arisen in this case, and I have instructed an inspector to discuss the matter with representatives of the Council with a view to considering what action should be taken.

May I ask whether, in order to avoid a repetition of this sort of thing, the advice of the local authorities will be fully considered in future?

I do not think that a case of this kind is likely to arise again.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is still a shortage of plasterers in the building trade; whether there is any difficulty placed in the way of men becoming plasterers and what steps have been taken to secure that an adequate number of plasterers will he available to meet the increased demand when the Government's housing scheme is fully in operation?

So far as I am aware, there is not at present any shortage of plasterers in the building trade, or any special difficulty in the way of recruiting men for this branch of the building industry. I understand, however, that the proportion of plasterers to other tradesmen is less than would be required to effect, a proper balance in the house building trade, but I hope that this want of balance will repair itself as demand increases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the trouble to find out how many shareholders in the various building companies are described as gentlemen living on their means, and will he put some of these idle people into training as plasterers?

Am I to understand then that there is no difficulty at all in a person learning the trade of a plasterer, if he so desire?

asked the Minister of Health the estimated annual liability to the State under the proposals set forth in his Housing, etc. (No. 2) Bill; whether his Department considered the extra liability which would have been entailed by making the inclusion of a parlour optional and compulsory, respectively; and whether, in that case, he can state what the increased estimated cost would have been?

I would ask the hon. Member to await my statement on the Second Reading of the Housing Bill next week.

asked the Minister of Health whether the rules for calculating the measurements of the floor space in houses proposed to be subsidised under the housing scheme have been drafted; and when they will be obtainable?.

A circular dealing with this matter is in course of preparation, and will be issued shortly

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the public generally are primaliy affected by any rearrangement of the panel system under the National Health Insurance scheme, he will appoint a representative committee to inquire into the working of the present system which shall include direct representatives of the approved societies and of insured persons: and that he will not sanction any rearrangement of terms before such an inquiry has been made?

As a result of discussion with the Insurance Consulta- tive Council, it is not now contemplated that any general re-arrangement of the insurance medical system will be made. Certain modifications of the terms of services have been recommended by the Council, but these will not involve any substantial change in the present system. No ease has, in my view, been made out for a separate investigation of the kind suggested by the hon. Member, which would complicate the negotiations and so tend to delay a settlement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Consultative Council, in the opinion of many approved societies and insured persons, does not adequately represent their point. of view?

There is no other body that does.

Will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider the desirability of consulting the insurance committees throughout the country on that matter, as representative bodies?

I have already answered that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in respect of the payment to doctors on the panels list, the Government Actuary has advised that at the end of the existing agreements it will be no longer possible for the present payment of 2s. 6d. per patient per annum to he made from the funds of the approved societies; and whether he proposes that any further contributions shall be made from State funds in connection therewith?

The Government Actuary has given no advice on the matter referred to by my hon. Friend subsequent to that contained in his Report on the Financial Provisions of the National Health Insurance Act, 1922 (Cmd. 1631), a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

May I ask whether, in the Report to which my right hon. Friend refers, the advice suggested in the question is not given?

Yes, I think it is.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the import of liquid yolk of egg into the United States of America is absolutely prohibited on the ground of the excessive amount of preservative used in its preparation; whether any percentage limit of preservative is imposed by his Department as a condition of import and, if so, what that percentage is?

I have no definite information as to the first part of the question. The amount of boric acid preservative in liquid egg yolk imported into this country is not limited by any specific official Regulation, but the trade generally have agreed to restrict the amount used to 1·5 per cent.

Is it not a fact that the more an egg is decayed the more boric acid it will take?

It would be too late to preserve if it was decayed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in the case of cream manufactured in England, we have to put on the package a certificate of the amount of boric acid in the material we sell, and is there any reason why this should not be extended to imported preserved liquid eggs?

In view of the agreement that has been come to, I think we might wait and see what happens.

What is the percentage of boric acid in the present Cabinet?

asked the Minister of Health whether any shipments of liquid yolk of egg from China were rejected or condemned by his Department in the year 1922 owing to the excessive amount of preservative used, or for other reasons; and what steps, if any, are taken by his Department to ensure that preparations of such preserved yolk of egg are not used in food-stuffs to the detriment of the public health?

The seizure of unsound food with a view to its condemnation is not undertaken by my Department, but by local authorities, including port,sanitary authorities. I understand that about 200 tons of liquid yolk were dealt with as unsound by the London authorities in 1922, but I am not aware whether any proportion of these consignments was condemned owing to an excessive amount of preservative. The arrangements made for the protection of the public against the excessive consumption of preservative due to the use of liquid egg are set out in a Circular issued to local authorities by my Department on the 20th ultimo. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the setting up of a Special Joint Committee, with a view to the preparation of the many details connected with the forthcoming Imperial Conference, so that Members of both. Houses would be able to submit to such committee their considered views on various matters of interest to the Empire as a whole?

I do not think that it is necessary to adopt the present suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend, but I would refer him to the reply given to the hon. Member for Montrose Burghs (Mr. Sturrock) on the 26th March by the Prime Minister, in which he stated that, if there were a general desire for a discussion in the House, he would consider whether it, would be possible to find time for it later in the Session.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say in what way we can best express the opinion that there is a general desire for discussion?

I do not think any difficulty has ever occurred in the solution of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the general acceptance by the House of Commons of the principle of the Cotton Industry Bill, he will give facilities for its passage through the House?

asked the Prime Minister, in view of Thursday's all-night sitting preventing the presenting of the Cotton Industry Bill and of the importance of this Bill to the cotton industry, if he will arrange to give early facilities for this Bill to be discussed?

As the hon. Gentle men are aware, the Cotton Industry Bill was read a. Second time on Monday last, and committed to a Standing Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present unsatisfactory position of this country with regard to Inter-Allied debts, he will be prepared to invite the nations concerned to a conference in order to settle definitely this question and to make arrangements for funding these debts; and whether he is aware that it is impossible to fix the amounts of reparations from Germany until the Allied countries have definitely agreed upon the amounts of debt they will be called upon to pay?

I do not think that at present anything would be gained by a conference on Allied debts. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative; the amount of reparations to be demanded from Germany is the greatest possible payment she can make and this is net dependent on the amount of Inter-Allied indebtedness.

Does not the amount we are to have depend on whether we agree to fix the amount of Inter-Allied debts?

It is quite possible that that might be a part of the ultimate solution.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British representative of Great Britain on the Council of the League of Nations has been instructed to bring before the Council the action of the Rumanian Government, which has suppressed in Transylvania all religious orders except the Rumanian order and has also passed a law enacting that Transylvanians and the dwellers in Banat and Bukovina shall be ejected from their houses and property?

Questions relating to the rights of minorities in Transylvania are coining before the Council of the League of Nations, but not on the motion of the British representative.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the grave position of agriculture and the dispute in Norfolk, when he will be able to give a day to debate the position?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on the Business of the House yesterday.

As this is only the Agriculture Estimates, shall we be able to discuss the findings of the Interim Report of the Tribunal, and also questions of policy?

That is a matter, of course, for the decision of the Chairman of Ways and Means.

Is it not fair that we should ask for a full opportunity, as we were denied a day last week, through circumstances known to the House?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give an estimate of the amount of potash that would be used by farmers for manurial purposes if large quantities could be secured from Germany in the form of reparations on account and sold to those farmers who could use it to advantage at actual cost price?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to attempt the estimate for which the hon. Member asks. The amount of potash that could be profitably unemployed entirely depends on the prices of agricultural produce.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the Government's Rating Bill will he introduced?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any announcement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether his medical advisers have made any report in regard to the higher fatality rate which occurred amongst vaccinated, as compared with unvaccinated, cases of smallpox in England and Wales last year?

The answer is in the negative. I may, however, say that 24 of the 27 deaths from small-pox in England and Wales last year occurred in the outbreak of virulent small-pox in London and the neighbourhood, and that in this outbreak the fatality rate was 23·7 per cent. in the case of vaccinated persons and 60 per cent. in the case of unvaccinated persons. The age of the youngest vaccinated person who died from small-pox was 43.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of small-pox were nursed at the Metropolitan Asylums Board hospital at Dartford from 1st July to 31st December, 1922; how many of the cases proved fatal; and what was the age of each patient?

Seventy-two cases of small-pox, of which 23 proved fatal, were nursed at this hospital during the period in question. I will send the hon. Member a statement giving the age of each patient.