asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Lieutenant John Gower, of Sutton-in-Ash-field, fought throughout the whole of the War, being demobilised in 1919; that developing neurasthenia he claimed in 1921, and on appeal was allowed a pension in respect of this malady as attributable to service; that he died in April, 1922, from pernicious anæmia and neurasthenia; that his mother's appeal for allowance was, though supported by medical testimony, rejected both by the Ministry and the appeal tribunal; and that the mother is left without a penny in respect of her son's death; and whether he will take steps to prevent conflicting procedure in such cases and secure that due regard is paid to medical evidence adduced on behalf of the claimants?

I am looking personally into the facts of this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men are in receipt of conditional pensions whose injuries were received in the years 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918, and whose pensions have remained stationary for four years?

The records of my Department are not kept in such form as to disclose the particulars asked for, but the great majority of all cases of injury in which pension has been current for four years or more have either received final awards or are about to be considered for final awards.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are thousands of men who have been examined in the past four, five and six years, and whose pensions remain stationary; and since these men, with their small pensions, find it impossible to secure work or to keep themselves, will he facilitate the commutation of the persons where they desire it?

The question of commutation raises a different point. I think it is greatly against the interests of the pensioner, as a rule, to commute pensions. It leaves him with nothing.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases in which pensioners have to make refunds due to mistakes; the amount of the money so involved; and the number due to error on the part of the Ministry and the applicants, respectively?

asked the Minister of Pensions if, taking the various weeks since the beginning of the current year, he will state in each case the total amount received through refunds from pensioners or ex-pensioners; and what is the average amount per person paid in each of the same periods?

I regret that the statistics of my Department are not kept in a form that would enable the information asked for to he readily obtained. I may, however, say that the bulk of the deductions made are in respect of advances granted on the express understanding that they would be recovered if pension was ultimately awarded. With regard to deductions in respect of over-issue of pension, I would like to take this opportunity of informing the hon. Members, and the House generally, that further substantial concessions in the matter have been agreed to. In future, where the over-issue is not brought to the notice of the recipient within 12 months and he could not reasonably be expected to have been aware of the overpayment, recovery will ordinarily be waived, and in other cases recovery will be limited to the amount actually overpaid during the last 12 months of the over-issue. When severe hardship would be occasioned, recovery may be waived on that ground. These concessions will be applied in principle to cases where recovery is already in progress, but they will not, of course, apply to cases of fraud or misrepresentation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the conditions which he has enumerated were not in operation in the lifetime of the last Ministry?

Some of them were. There were undoubtedly cases where hardship had arisen in which repayment was remitted. The complete adoption of the one-year limit has only been fully carried through recently. It was started before, and now it is completed.

In cases where money has been repaid in respect of overpayment, will there be a refund?

No, Sir. I could not agree that money which should never have been paid by us in the first instance should be once more paid to the pensioner.

Will the Minister consider the advisability, where repayment has to be made, of seeing that the pensioner receives the major portion of the payment instead of the minor portion, as is very often done now?

We have often arranged for recovery at a lower rate. I realise the hon. Member's point.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that W. H. Harris, back of 29, Cross Street, Wednesbury, was notified on the 15th February, 1923, that his disability was attributable to service, and effect would be given to this decision at an early date; and, if so, will be expedite a settlement, as Harris is in need of financial assistance?

An award has now been made in accordance with the assessed degree of disablement, and immediate instructions given for payment. I regret the delay.

Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to tell us the number of these cases which he proposes to leave under the Poor Law?

Not without notice. We have been going through them with the desire to accept them wherever possible. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down another question.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) if he is aware that the treatment of heart cases amongst ex-soldiers and sailors is being rendered ineffective because the Ministry refuses to supply new dentures in cases where these are required, owing to extractions having been recommended by the heart specialist; does the Ministry look to the hospitals to provide these dentures;

(2) if his attention has been called to the case of Andrew Dempster, an ex-sailor, of Barnes, who is undergoing treatment provided by the Ministry of Pensions at the National Hospital for Diseases of the Heart, where he was advised to have his teeth removed as an essential part of treatment for his invaliding disability; and whether, seeing that his admission to this hospital as an inpatient for this extraction was sanctioned by the Ministry, that his teeth were removed, and that the Ministry has refused to provide him with false teeth, he will consider whether the cost of supplying new teeth can be borne by the Ministry in cases where the extraction of septic teeth is an integral part of the treatment of heart diseases?

Where there is no dental disease due to war service but the extraction of teeth is recommended by my Department as a necessary part of treatment for an accepted disability, it is the practice to supply artificial dentures where such are necessary in the interests of the pensioner's health. In the individual case mentioned, I understand that the need for artificial dentures has not been established, but I am making further inquiries in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of ex-service men have had their dentures removed in order to assist heart treatment; that now they are walking about the wards without any false teeth and do not know where to find them, and that they have not the money to buy teeth? Can the right hon. Gentleman also say whether the hospital is supposed to supply these teeth, though only getting a capitation of three shillings per head?

If the hon. Member refers to my answer he will see that I have dealt with that point.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his Ministry proposes to remove ex-soldier and ex-sailor heart cases from special heart-treatment hospitals and clinics and place these men under panel practitioners who are not heart specialists?

The answer is in the negative. So long as the condition requires institutional treatment it will be provided. Treatment under the man's panel doctor is only recommended when the case is within the competence of the average medical practitioner.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that William Eastwood, No. 3/6806, York and Lancaster Regiment, received an intimation in November, 1920, of a final gratuity of £37 10s. for gunshot wounds in back and side; that in December, 1921, he was awarded eight weeks at 12s. 6d., or £5 in all, on the same grounds; that in March, 1922, he was awarded a pension of £42 10s. on the ground of emphysema, to date back to 22nd January, 1921, and t hat in the, communication intimating this award he was told that it was subject to a deduction of the amounts he had already received; and whether the usual practice of the Ministry is to deal with cases in this manner, and, if so, why?

The gratuities, £37 10s. and £5, were awarded in respect of the gunshot wounds and were superseded by an award of pension which represented the degree of disablement arising from both the gunshot wounds and from emphysema, a condition not previously accepted as due to service. The earlier awards in respect of the gunshot wounds had therefore to be set off against the later award in respect of both disabilities. I may add that the compensation granted by the later award of March, 1922, was not £42 10s., as stated in the question, but pension at the 20 per cent. rate, which is still in payment.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can now state his decision respecting the application for a pension made by J. E. Evans, No. 7,877, Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant, Worcestershire Regiment, now residing at 40, Hopkins Street, Tipton?

The Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital have decided to continue to Evans the pension of 1s. a day which until 18th July last, was issued to him by the Ministry of Pensions, and instructions have been given for the award to be paid with effect from 19th July last.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has issued an instruction prohibiting local pensions officers from continuing to make recoverable advances of pensions to men to whom payment cannot be made in the usual way by the local post office owing to the failure of the issue office to forward draft books at the proper time; is he aware that, as a direct consequence of this change in procedure, men who themselves, their wives, and families are entirely dependent upon the pension have no other course open but to apply to the relieving officers of guardians for temporary assistance; that this new policy is a further limitation of the powers of local pensions authorities; and that the system in operation hitherto has saved many men and their dependants from the workhouse; is this latest action by his Department due to efforts at economy; what is the saving estimated to be effected from this change of procedure; and what are the reasons far its enforcement?

The new system has been introduced in order to avoid the confusion and recoveries of overpayments which arose out of the old system. It secures that any break in payment of pension is immediately brought to the notice of Issue Office, who are in a position to rectify without delay any omission whether due to the pensioner or to any other cause, and to restore the pension to payment within a normal period of three days. Its progress is being carefully watched with a view to removing any cases of hardship. As the amount properly payable to the pensioner is the same under either system, no question of any economy at the expense of the pensioner arises.

asked the Minister of Pensions on what date the War Pensions Committee Regulations were submitted to a meeting of the Central Advisory Committee before being laid upon the Table of the House; and what were the subjects in respect of which this Committee's advice was obtained by correspondence between their meetings in July, 1922, and February, 1923?

The Regulations in question were considered by the Central Advisory Committee on the 12th April, 1922. The matters upon which the Committee's advice was obtained by correspondence between the meetings mentioned in the question were the proposals in regard to widows' pensions now embodied in the Royal Warrant of the 26th March, 1923.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the new Article 17 of the Warrant is designed to admit a greater number of widows to benefit; is he aware that, in view of the fact that the degree of disablement entitling a widow to benefit has been raised to 50 per cent., at which rate only 60,000 pensions are in issue compared with 430,000 at 40 per cent., the result will be to disqualify a much larger number of widows from any pension whatever?

I would remind the hon. Member that the new Article 17 must be read in conjunction with the other amendments of the Regulations and practice of the Ministry in regard to widows' claims, as indicated in the announcement which I made to the Press in January last, and of which a copy was quoted in my reply to the hon. Member for the Deritend Division of Birmingham (Mr. Smedley Crooke) on 22nd March. In cases where the man's death was wholly due to his war service, whatever his rate of disablement, the widow will be given pension at the rate of Article 11 without any time limit whatever.

The new Article 17 enables a much higher rate of pension to he granted than was provided by the old Article in the case of the widows of those pensioners who died many years after discharge from service, in cases where the war disability, being in its nature and extent such as was likely to have materially diminished the man's working and physical powers, has contributed to his death. Having regard to the class of case in view, the minimum limit of 50 per cent. as the qualifying rate of disability pension was thought proper in place of the former rate of 40 per cent. It is not the case, as suggested in the question, that 430,000 men are assessed at the rate of 40 per cent. The number assessed at this rate is, at the present time, 64,000.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the mode of procedure adopted in the medical examination of James Henry Atkin, No. 16,081, of Matlock, late of the Royal Field Artillery, who was examined at Derby on 1st March, 1922, the chairman of the medical board telling Atkin that he could appeal against the decision then given, which he did, when the same medical man was again chairman of the board, and Atkin's appeal was dismissed; and whether he approves of this method of procedure, or whether he thinks justice can be done to the pensioner under the circumstances?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The second board referred to was not a medical appeal board but a board held to consider the man's claim that his condition had become worse since the examination on the 1st March. Had there been an appeal on the ground that the assessment given by the first board was inadequate, the man would have been examined by a medical appeal board entirely differently constituted from the board which had previously examined him.

Is it not a fact that the chairman of the board was the same man on each board, that in less than two months the examination took place, and that Dr. Latham was chairman of the board that advised the man to appeal and of the second board when the man did appeal?

I am afraid the hon. Member has not understood my answer. It is not a question of an appeal. The man claimed to have got worse since the last board, and it is quite natural that he should go back to the same board in order that they might see whether or not he had got worse. If it had been a case of an appeal, he would have had a different board.

What is the use of going back to the same board which had given a decision immediately previously?

I cannot think of any more suitable board than that which previously examined the man to ascertain whether or not he had become worse since his examination.

Would they not naturally confirm their previous decision?

Is it not a fact that thousands of ex-service men in the same position as this man are appearing before the medical boards and tribunals, and the game is being played upon them of "send the fool further "every time?

I am sorry that an hon. Member identified with the Labour party should refuse his sanction to our giving full opportunity to men who think themselves worse to be re-examined.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that disability pensioners who are serving in His Majesty's hospital ship "Maine" have not been paid their disability pensions since May of last year; and whether he will take steps to authorise payment by the competent ship's officer?

I regret that I have not been able to trace the cases referred to, but if the hon. and gallant Member will let me have particulars of the pensioners he has in mind, I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Pensions if be is aware that ex-Sapper Frederick George Gordon, No. 550,752, Royal Engineers, residing at "19, Wood Street, Cwmcarn, Mon., has had his pension (8s. per week) stopped; that this man joined the Service on 27th October, 1915, in perfect health and was certified A 1; that his medical officer will testify to this; that his employer states that he was a good workman and most efficient before enlistment; that he was discharged at Chatham in 1918 with 25 per cent. disability (V.D.A.); that he had trench fever in Belgium; and that he is now totally unable to work; and will he have this case reviewed?

The present disablement appears to be from rheumatism, a disability in respect of which the man first claimed pension about four years after service ended. No connection between the condition and service could be established, but there is a right of appeal to the tribunal against the Ministry's decision. There is also a right of appeal to the tribunal against the final award made in respect of valvular disease of the heart, from which only slight disablement was found when the man was last boarded.

asked the Minister of Pensions to what extent local pension officers are instructed to assist pensioners in preparing their cases for presentation before the appeal tribunals?

The chief area officer is required to inform appellants generally as to the procedure in making appeals to the tribunal, pointing out that the decision will be final and that the case should therefore be presented fully. He is also instructed to explain to what end the evidence should be directed and to furnish the appellant with forms specially designed to indicate the most useful type of evidence. Moreover, when the evidence is presented the Chief Area Officer is required to satisfy himself, as far as possible, that it is as complete as it is within the power of the appellant to make it, and, if not, to indicate the points on which it could usefully be strengthened.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases the other duties of the chief area officer do not give him the time necessary to give this friendly counsel to appellants, and will he see that someone else is deputed, so that they can have this friendly advice in order to prosecute their cases?

It would clearly be our duty to see that such advice was given, but I should prefer that where possible it should be given by the chief area officer, who is best qualified for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the proposals put forward in various quarters that any disease or incapacity should be considered as attributable to war service unless the contrary is proved, he can make a statement showing what would be the effect of the acceptance of such a proposal on both the work of the Ministry of Pensions and the finances of the country?

These proposals would alter the fundamental principle of the Royal Pensions Warrants laid down with the co-operation of all parties in this House. Under these Warrants the question whether a disability is attributable to or aggravated by war service is an issue of fact for the decision of the Ministry, subject, however, to appeal to an independent tribunal. The proposals referred to would in effect compel the Ministry to pay a pension to any man who has served, for however short a term at home or overseas, and who falls ill ham almost any complaint at any time in his subsequent life, unless the incapacity is shown not to be connected with his military service, although no evidence of any sort might be available in support of the claim. The State would, in short, be required to proceed on a presumption unsupported by any evidence. The result could only be the admission of very many claims for ailments for which the State could not fairly be held responsible, as except in a decreasing minority of the cases, it would become obviously impossible for the Ministry to obtain sufficient evidence from the circumstances of the man's civil life to rebut the presumption. It is not easy to calculate the obviously far-reaching financial consequences of such a measure.

May I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to state to the House roughly what the cost of the proposal would be?

I am afraid I could not make an exact estimate, but if a man be entitled to a pension, he should get it, whatever the cost. The proposal is that a large number of people in distant years should get pensions to which they were not in any way entitled.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether M. McNamara, late of the 8th Rifle Brigade, was discharged from the Army with a 100 per cent. award, which assessment was later reduced by the Medical Boards; whether, on 29th June, 1921, he received a letter to the effect that he had been awarded the sum of £48 in respect of arrears of pension prior to the date that he came up for treatment; whether he is aware that McNamara has not received a penny of the £48, in spite of repeated applications; and can steps be taken to see that the money is paid to the man?

I regret that the notification referred to was issued in error. The man has been continuously in receipt of pension or treatment allowances since the date of his claim on the 12th October, 1920, in respect of his present disability, and there are no arrears due to him.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the point as to whether this man was actually undergoing treatment before this notification was sent out? Surely he is entitled to the £48?

I shall be happy to send the hon. Member, for his information, a detailed statement of the man's account.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the prospective amalgamation of the East and West Midland regions, he is prepared to pool the existing staffs of both regions for the purpose of selecting the staff for the new combined region?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. G. Spencer) on the 17th instant, I hope to be able to offer employment in Birmingham or in some other part of the Ministry to every competent officer displaced at Nottingham; but, should the number of volunteers for transfer to Birmingham exceed the requirements, I will bear in mind the hon. and gallant Gentleman's suggestion.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give me an assurance that the staff at Nottingham will be treated on an absolute equality?

I have already given an assurance that the staff will be fairly treated wherever they may be.

Before the right hon. Gentleman comes to any final decision in the matter, will he be prepared to receive representatives of the men concerned?

I do not think I can agree that the staff of a particular district have the right to decide whether we form two regions or one.

asked the Minister of Pensions the amount of the reduction in the cost of war pensions for the year ending 31st March, 1922; and if he can give the amount of such reduction which is due to a lessened administration and the reductions in payments to war pensioners, respectively?

The total expenditure (excluding cost of administration) of my Department for the year ending 31st March, 1922, was £90,035,516, as compared with £100,364,647 for the previous year, a decrease of £10,329,131, or 10 per cent. The cost of administration for the year ending 31st March, 1922, was £5,524,100, a decrease of £756,769, or 12 per cent. as compared with the previous year.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether copies have been printed of the Royal Warrant dated 9th April, 1923, amending the Royal Warrant of 6th December, 1919, for the pensions of soldiers disabled, and the families of soldiers deceased, in consequence of the Great War; and, if so, whether it will be circulated to Members of this House?

This Warrant is in the hands of the printer, and I understand that copies will shortly be obtainable at the Vote Office.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will cause to be reopened the case of ex-Private Thomas E. D. Mack-rill, No. 5,039, Con-naught Rangers, residing at 57, Hanover Square, Bradford, but now in Menston Asylum, who enlisted in 1901 (Irish Guards), was on the reserve when War broke out, applied for re-admission but was refused on medical grounds, enlisted again on 25th November, 1914, and was passed as sound, served in Ireland and France and then broke down, and was discharged on 21st December, 1915, with a 50 per cent. pension; whether he is aware that although up to the time of his second enlistment he worked regularly as a moulder and later as a seal finisher, his employer testifying to his regular and satisfactory service, he has, ever since his war service been in asylums suffering from organic disease of the brain; and that his pension paid for over six years has been stopped and his appeal turned down by the Leeds Appeal Tribunal?

The Tribunal have confirmed the decision on entitlement in this case, which cannot therefore be reopened. I may say that the disability has at no time been accepted as connected with service, but that for the duration of the War and a year afterwards my Department provided treatment under a temporary provision of the Royal Warrant which has now expired.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what ground the pension was paid, and why it was stopped?

I think perhaps the hon. Member might inquire from the right hon. Member for the Gorton Divi- sion (Mr. J. Hodge), who signed the Warrant.. It was a temporary provision for men, whose disability was clearly not due to war service, to enable them to get through the difficult period of the War.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many disabled ex-service men whose pension has terminated are in receipt of Poor Law relief from the guardians?

I regret I have not this information.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what it amounts to?

No, I have not the information. We have only the records of our own pensions.

Is it not possible to get this information from the boards of guardians through the Ministry of Health?

asked the Minister of Pensions the present policy of his Department in respect to the several hundred ex-service men for whose mental condition he accepts no responsibility attributable to war service?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on the 15th February last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men suffering from tubercular disease are being treated in village settlements?

I have not got the actual number of ex-service men in village settlements, as they include men whose tuberculosis has no connection with service. I am, however, endeavouring to ascertain the particulars asked for by the hon. Member.

If there be any possibility or probability of this treatment being extended, will the right hon. Gen- tleman see that it is given, as it is of enormous advantage to the men physically, mentally, and morally?

I understand that that is a matter which concerns another Department, and if the hon. Member will put a question down, he will, I am sure, receive a reply.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to terminate the appointments of Lieut.-General Sir W. Purse, Regional Director, London Region, who is in receipt of a service pension of £1,040 per annum; Major-General Sir J. Adye, Deputy-Regional Director, London Region, who is in receipt of a service pension of £1,000 per annum; Major-General F. H. Kelly, Regional Director, Northern Region, who is in receipt of a service pension of £1,000 per annum, and Colonel R. J. Copeland, Deputy-Commissioner of Medical Services, who is in receipt of a service pension of £800 per annum; what is the age of each of these officers; what was the original salary they received when entering the service of the Ministry; what increases in salary have been given since their initial appointments; whether any reduction has recently been made in their salaries; and, if so, what was the amount in each case?

These officers are efficiently performing highly important duties of which they have special experience and it would not be in the public interest to terminate their appointments at present. As the desired particulars of age and service involve a considerable number of figures, I am circulating them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it just, while so many unemployed ex-officers are walking about, to employ these gentlemen at their salaries; does he maintain that only these particular people can do this work, and, if so, what will he do if one of them happens to die?

I did not say these were the only people who could do the work, but we consider we have done our best in selecting the most suitable people for the appointments. I am certainly not prepared to consent to discriminating against ex-service men of any rank, high or low, because they have pensions, when we are selecting people for appointment or payment.

asked the Minister of Pensions what are the duties of the secretariat of the Ministry; and what was the cost of the secretariat for the three months ending 31st March in the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923?

The functions of the secretariat of the Ministry of Pensions are direction of policy under the Minister and general supervision and control of the Ministry machine. The secretariat was not set up until the end of the financial year 1918–19. The cost for the three months ending 31st March in the four following years was as follows:

Is it not a fact that the main work of the Secretariat is to reduce pensions?

No, Sir. The duty of the Secretariat is to assist us in carrying

Not in the case of men who have £800 a year pensions! Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman would put them on a level with the men who have pensions of 30s. a week? Here you have plenty of ex-officers who can do this work—[HON. MEMBERS "Order! "]

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the high cost of the staff at the headquarters of the Ministry, as shown in the Estimates for the current year, namely, £1,105,712, as compared with the sum allocated to the regions, namely, £695,580, and for the area offices, namely, £569,708, it is proposed at an early date to effect economy by returning some of the principal officers and other permanent civil servants to those branches of the Civil Service whence they were transferred to the Ministry of Pensions?

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that the total amount shown in the Estimates for the current financial year in respect of the cost of the headquarters of the Ministry shows a reduction of more than 25 per cent. on the Estimate for 1922–23. More than half of the amount is for Pension Issue Office, which is concerned with the actual issue of pensions for the whole of the United Kingdom, with the exception of Scotland. Other large items in this Estimate provide for Officers' Branch, Special Grants Committee, and other branches which have no counterpart in the regions or areas. Of the total staff, less than three per cent. are permanent civil servants transferred from other Departments. Each of these officers is fully employed on important duties, and it would be the reverse of economy to dis-organise the work of the Ministry by withdrawing competent and experienced staff.

asked the Minister of Pensions the establishment number or name, present salary, and length of service in the Department of every woman officer who holds or has held a rank higher than that of a Grade I clerk and from which she has not been degraded on account of inability to fulfil the responsibilities of the grade concerned?

There are 99 temporary women now on the staff of my Department who hold a rank higher than that of a Grade I clerk. Their salary scales range from £165 to £345 per annum and their service from five to seven years. No reduction of status among these officers for reasons other than inefficiency has as yet been effected, but 26 of them have been warned that they may shortly become redundant in their present rank, and that continued employment can only be offered to them in a lower grade.

How does the right hon. Gentleman define a "temporary" woman?

One who is not on the permanent establishment.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many temporary members of his staff who previously held rank above that of Grade III have been appointed to his Department as writing assistants; and, in each such woman's case, what is her present length of Government service, rate of pay, previous rank, and last salary received in a temporary capacity?

asked the Minister of Pensions how many temporary members of his staff have been appointed to his Department as writing assistants; how many of these were previously employed as Grade III clerks; and what was the average length of Government service of the latter on appointment?

asked the Minister of Pensions how many temporary women members of his staff have been appointed to his Department as clerical officers; how many of these previously held a rank above that of Grade III; and what is the establishment number or name, length of Government service, present rate of pay, previous rank, and last salary received in a temporary capacity of each clerk concerned?

156 temporary women officers of my Department have been established as clerical officers, and 379 as writing assistants. 117 of the clerical officers, and 116 of the writing assistants, were previously employed in a rank higher than Grade III. It will be realised that in view of the large numbers involved it is not practicable within the limits of this answer to give, the detailed information asked for in each individual case, but the average length of Government service prior to Establishment may be taken as about three years. The majority of the officers of rank above Grade III were paid on the scales for Grade I and Grade II clerks, of which the mean at the present time is 56s, 11d. a week for Grade I and 53s 5d. for Grade II. The mean of the rate for Grade III is 48s. 4d. The minimum rate of pay for clerical officers, including bonus at the current rate, is £144 per annum; for writing assistants it is 39s. 8d. weekly.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many women have been appointed to his Department in an established capacity by transfer from another Department, and in each such woman's case what was her rank and rate of pay prior to such transfer, what duties does she at present perform, and what is her present salary and rank?

The total number of established women who have been ap- pointed to the Ministry by transfer from other Departments is 49, of whom four were appointed from the recent special competition for women for higher posts

asked the Prime Minister if he will introduce a Bill this Session making it illegal for manufacturers or merchants to combine together into associations which require their members to refuse to have any dealings with consumers who will not limit their purchases to members of these combines?

I have been asked to reply. The Government are not in a position to give any undertaking as to legislation on this matter.

Is the Noble Lord aware that these combinations in restraint of trade are seriously forcing up prices in the building industry, and could not the Government consider doing something before their Housing Bill becomes law?

The hon. Member is aware that the Minister of Health has already taken action with regard to building material.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the Government of which the Prime Minister was a member, and at the time Leader of the House, pledged itself to introduce legislation?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Council of the League of Nations has called, or is calling, an international Conference at Geneva to discuss the extension of the principles of the Washington Naval Convention and other matters connected with armaments; who will be the British members of this Conference; whether he proposes to explain to the House of Commons the instructions given to the British members; and, if so, when, and which States outside the League of Nations have been invited to attend?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my replies to questions on this subject on 21st March and 26th March. No invitations to the proposed Conference have so far been issued. I am not yet in a position to say who will represent His Majesty's Government, or what instructions will be given.

Is it the policy of His Majesty's Government through our representative to invite all States willing to attend this Conference?

I think if the hon. and gallant Member will look at the answers to which I have referred, he will see that that point is dealt with.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the desire for political freedom expressed by a section of trade unionists, the Government will facilitate the passage of the Trade Union Act (1913) Amendment Bill?

The Government propose shortly to adopt the course suggested by the Prime Minister at the General Election, and invite representatives of trades unions to discuss the matter with them, in the hope that some arrangement may be reached by which the position of members of trades unions who desire to contribute to any political party may be assured.

May I ask why the Government support the Cotton Growing Bill on exactly the same principle as is raised in the question here?

Will the right hon. Gentleman apply the same principle to the Conservative and Unionist Association?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will now reconsider their policy of aloofness and join hands with France and Belgium with a view, not only of expediting a settlement of the reparation question, but also to hasten the evacuation of the Ruhr and contiguous territory?

I can add nothing to the repeated declarations of policy made on behalf of the Government relating to the action of France and Belgium in the Ruhr.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a speech made at the meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce yesterday, Mr. Arthur Balfour (Sheffield) is reported to have said:

" Great Britain could not stand on one side and allow the present position——"

The hon. Member cannot enter into that matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the very large amount involved and the great number of claims still pending, it has yet been possible to arrange for the appointment of additional divisions of the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal; and, if not, whether he can give any indication as to the date by which effect may be given to the earnest wishes of the British commercial community in the near future?

Active steps are now being taken with a view to setting up an additional division of the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal, and I hope that the arrangements will be completed at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the verbal notification, which the Allied High Commissioners caused to be made to the Turkish authorities, that the Turkish law prohibiting the sale of alcohol in Constantinople must not be made effective, constituted an interference with the internal affairs of the Turkish Empire which is incompatible with Turkish sovereignty, he will issue instructions to the British High Commissioner to withdraw his opposition to the wishes of the Turkish Government in this matter?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the supplementary question by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on this subject on the 17th instant. I would also remind the hon. Member that the state of war which was begun by Turkey's attack on the Allies in October, 1914, has not yet been brought to an end, and that the question of the rights now claimed by Turkey, to legislate for Allied subjects in matters where such rights did not exist before the War, is one which must be settled by the terms of the Treaty of Peace, and which cannot be decided by unilateral action on the part of the Turkish authorities in anticipation of that Treaty. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Report of the Speaker's Conference on Devolution, dated the 27th April, 1920, any and, if so, what steps will be taken in the near future to create subordinate legislatures within the United Kingdom with a view of enabling the Imperial Parliament to devote more attention to the general interests of the United Kingdom, and, in collaboration with the other Governments of the Empire, to matters of common Imperial concern?

The Government do not propose at present to take any action in this matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the widespread dissatisfaction with the terms of the licence granted by the Post Office to the British Broadcasting Company, and in view of the fact that the creation of such monopolies is contrary to public policy, the Government will review the whole position in order to secure the fullest development of a new and important industry?

I understand that a full statement will be made on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General on the Motion for the adjournment to-night.

In view of the important issues raised by this, will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of giving greater facilities for discussion than those afforded by a statement on the Adjournment to-night?

There will be the Post Office Estimates, if the statement to-night is not considered satisfactory.

In the meantime, did not the British Broadcasting Company make a full statement by wireless last night?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the unanimity in the three Reports issued by the majority and minorities of the Royal Commission on London Government on the necessity for some form of equalisation of rating in the Greater London area, he proposes to take any early action with a view to relieving those areas that are now paying excessively high rates?

The Reports referred to are under consideration, and I am not at present in a. position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that in ordinary circumstances a month's notice would have been required by the Commissioner of Police before the retirement of Inspector John Richard Stone Carter, who had secured his pension under the Police (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1915, could take effect, he can state what were the exceptional circumstances which led the Commissioner to decide, in December, 1918, to waive any question of further notice with a view to the retirement of this officer taking effect forthwith?

I understand that the Commissioner took this action because he had come to the conclusion, having regard to this officer's attitude, that it was not in the interest of the force that his service should be further prolonged.

Seeing under the Police Act the Commissioner had no power to dismiss this man until notice, except in the case of some seriousoffence— and even then he had the right to have his case heard—and owing to the conditions did not have it heard—will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to place the full facts before him, which, I think, will alter the case?

I shall be very glad to discuss this very complicated case with the hon. Gentleman.

Is not the case of ex-Inspector Carter the only case of the kind that has occurred during the War years, and was it not due to the fact that the officer made rather serious allegations against superior officers, which brought about his own retirement actually before he had been informed of it by his superior officer?

A number of questions are involved in this matter, and I should like to have notice of that question. I cannot say off-hand whether the case is or is not the only one.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the sentence of seven days' imprisonment imposed at the Hants Assizes in February on a man of 44 found guilty of an offence against a girl of 14, who, as a result, is shortly to become a mother; and if he has made any inquiry into this case?

My attention has been called to the case, but I have no authority to take action in regard to it.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the frequency of the very inadequate sentences in similar offences, and will he circularise the magistrates in regard to the necessity of dealing with these cases adequately?

Has the right hon. Gentleman compared these sentences with those passed for the theft of sometimes a few shillings?

I am not prepared to circularise the magistrates about cases of which they must of necessity know more than ourselves.

May not the Home Secretary in this and similar cases very well take upon himself to circularise the magistrates as did his predecessor?

If there was any reason to suppose that the general practice was unsatisfactory then it would, or might, be a different matter. But on a particular case or one or two cases it is not, I think, desirable to circularise the magistrates.

Was this sentence imposed by a magistrate or by a judge?

Was not this case heard at Assizes, where a magistrate would not preside?

Is it not the fact—

I think the mention of "Assizes" implies that it was the sentence of a judge.

asked the Home Secretary for what reason he is unwilling to publish the document containing the undertakings given by the Irish Free State Government as to the deportees?

Very full statements in regard to the understandings with the Irish Free State Government have already been made in the House, and I do not think any public interest would be served by laying papers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the objection to laying these documents?

I do not think the public interest will be served by so doing. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman does not believe the statements I made in the two debates, I cannot say any more.

In view of the character of the documents, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable to lay them that we may know?

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the public interest will be served by suppressing information?

asked the Home Secretary whether the raid and arrests made in London during the early hours of Saturday morning last were undertaken at the request of the Irish Free State Government; whether the names of the two men arrested were supplied by the Free State Government; whether any steps have been taken to ascertain if the men under arrest are Irish citizens; and under what powers he took action?

Last Friday night the police visited the residences of certain persons whose names appeared upon a nominal roll of a section of the so-called Irish Republican Army in London. This action was taken by the police in the ordinary course of their duty without prior consultation with the Free State authorities. The second and third parts of the question, therefore, do not arise. The requisite powers are given by Article 51 of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations.

Why is it that, after all this tremendous organisation and this great raid, only two men were arrested?

Are these men in custody?

On this occasion was action taken under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act, or under police powers?

I understand that action was taken under Section 51 of the Regulations under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act.

Under that Section is it possible for the police to search premises without any warrant whatsoever, either from the right hon. Gentleman or a magistrate?

I will send the hon. Member a copy of the Regulation.

asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. McGlyn, of Tipping Street, Ardwick, Manchester, one of the Irish deportees, was released, not upon grounds of ill-health, but because he was arrested by mistake?

McGlyn was released partly on the ground of health and partly because he had given an undertaking not to take part in activities against the Free State Government. He was not arrested by mistake.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he can inform the House of the number of prisoners now upon the prison ship s.s. "Argenta," in Northern Ireland; whether there are among the men those who have been imprisoned for more than six months without any charge being preferred against them and without inquiry made into their cases; whether, having regard to the British contributions in this respect, the Government propose to take any steps in the matter;

(2) whether he has received any complaints with regard to the conditions which prevail upon the prison ship s.s. "Argenta," in Northern Ireland; whether the conditions comply with regulations relating to English prisons; and whether His Majesty's Government accepts responsibility for such conditions as in fact prevail upon this prison ship, having regard to the contribution thereto from the British Exchequer?

On a point of Order. Is it in order to put a question in regard to matters of administration which are within the competence of the Irish Free State or the Northern Government of Ireland?

On a further point of Order. Is not one of the prisoners confined in this prison ship an hon. Member of this House, and are we not, therefore, quite in order in asking for information in regard to it?

I think it is very desirable that we should not have questions on matters which we have delegated by Statute to the Irish Governments. This question, I must say, had escaped my notice, but the hon. Member is only asking for information, and as the question has gone on the Paper, I think I must allow it to be put.

I have no information on this matter, which is entirely within the control of the Government of Northern Ireland, and any questions thereon should be addressed to that Government. There is no British contribution in this respect.

Is it not a fact that the ship has been furnished at the cost of the English taxpayer, and is guarded and conducted by special constabulary, the cost of which is wholly settled by the English taxpayer?

Is it not a fact that you, Mr. Speaker, have not allowed hon. Members in this House to put questions relating to law and order in the self-governing Dominions, or in the case of India?

But is Northern Ireland not represented in this House, and, therefore, is it not the case that it is not a Dominion?

The last question certainly does not apply. The Government of Northern Ireland is responsible for law and order in its own territory.

On a point of Order. May I put it to you that this is a question of humanity, and that it has been the practice of this House to press the Government to make representations to foreign and the Dominion Governments on humanitarian issues? Was there not the case of the arrested strikers in South Africa, and also that recently of the ecclesiastics in Russia?

The House will recollect that, in the trouble we had in relation to the Irish Free State Government—

And Canada.

I felt bound to rule on frequent occasions that, having transferred certain duties to the Free State, we must not interfere with them on the floor of this House. I ruled similarly in respect to the Dominion of South Africa. It is quite impossible, once having transferred responsibility to other bodies, that we should deal with matters on the floor of this House.

Is it not a fact that a Member of this House is interned in the ship, and would not that affect the matter?

He has never taken his seat.

A point of privilege might be put to me on that, but not a question to Ministers

asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken by the Irish Free State to submit to arbitration the cases of poor rate collectors in Southern Ireland who were deprived of their positions under duress by local bodies or by the Irish Republican Army in 1920 and 1921; whether these promised arbitration proceedings have been commenced; and when the results will be made public?

I have been asked to answer this question. His Majesty's Government is in communication with the Government of the Irish Free State on this subject; and I trust that it will be possible at an early date to reach a satisfactory settlement the result of which I will give my hon. and learned Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Is the hon. Member aware that these unfortunate men were turned out of their positions by violence some two or three years ago without a farthing of compensation, and they have not yet received anything?

What jurisdiction or what authority have we over the Irish Free State in regard to these rate collectors, in view of your recent ruling, Mr. Speaker?

My recollection is that we undertook some responsibility for civil servants. They were working under our authority before the transfer to the Free State took place, and I imagine that to be the ground.

This arbitration deals entirely with these cases, and the correspondence has taken place between the Treasury here and the Treasury in Ireland.

Will my hon. Friend do his best to get the Free State Government to come to an arbitration as soon as possible on this subject?

Every effort is being made in that direction.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the charges against John Gallacher of 1, Duncruin Street, Mary-hill, and Denis Breslin of 6, Clarendon Street, Glasgow, who were apprehended and detained on 6th and 9th April respectively, were yesterday withdrawn; that Gallacher and Breslin were not brought to trial; that deportation orders dated 5th March are being put into operation; that the police refuse relatives and solicitors access to the prisoners; and whether he will cause immediate inquiries to be made into these cases?