asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many refugees are now being maintained by His Majesty's Government, what are their nationalities, respectively, and what is the monthly cost of this maintenance?

:As regards British refugees, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Baronet the Member for Clapham (Sir John Leigh) on 20th April. I am not aware that any alien refugees are at present being maintained by His Majesty's Government from Imperial funds, but it is possible that a small number of those who have reached Cyprus or Malta may have become a temporary charge on local funds.

:Does that mean that the Russian refugees we were maintaining are now off our hands?

:In so far as it comes under the answer which I gave, that must be so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information about the Hull trawlers recently arrested for alleged illegal fishing in Russian waters; and whether the men detained have been visited by British representatives and what has been done to assist them?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the information which I gave the hon. and gallant Member yesterday, except that the British agent at Moscow has been instructed to appoint a legal representative to defend the interests of the master and owners of the "Lord Astor" at the forthcoming trial. I understand that the owners are in communication with the master, to whom they have succeeded in remitting funds.

:Does the hon. Gentleman not think that it would be advisable to send a permanent representative from the Petrograd staff, either to Archangel or Murman, to look after these people?

:I think that is too far-reaching a question to be dealt with offhand in reply to a supplementary question.

:Can the hon. Gentleman yet say whether the Soviet Government are attempting to impose a money fine upon the owners and the masters of either of these trawlers?

:I have no reason to suppose I was inaccurate in what I said yesterday on that subject.

:Do the Government intend to avail themselves of the offer of the Soviet Government to arbitrate with regard to the trawlers which were lost?

:That question does not arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether, in view of the repeated acts of piracy of the Soviet forces against British working men fishing in the White Sea, steps will be taken to strengthen the British naval force in that area;

(2) how long ships of the "Godetia" class can remain at sea under normal conditions without relief on fishing protection in the White Sea; how long is required for these ships to remain at their base for refuelling, etc.; and whether two ships will suffice to ensure a constant patrol and consequent protection for British working men fishing in these waters?

:Ships of the "Godetia" class can remain at sea on patrol for about eight days, and have recently been remaining in harbour for re-fuelling only two or three days. Steps were taken recently temporarily to increase the number of vessels in North Russian waters so as to ensure that one vessel will always be on the fishing grounds, but as the trawlers may be operating anywhere within an area extending to upwards of 150 miles in length, it is obvious that even moderate security from seizure cannot be assured unless the fishing vessels are fitted with wireless telegraphy.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the statement contained in the first question as to repeated acts of piracy?

:Yes.

:Is there any justification for that belief?

:Were the trawlers which were captured the other day fitted with wireless apparatus?

:No, Sir; I am afraid they were not. I should have mentioned to the House that when the representatives of the fishing industry approached the Admiralty in the autumn, we strongly advised them to equip the trawlers with wireless, so that our sloops could go rapidly to their assistance. They did not see their way to do so, possibly on account of the expense.

:Is it not a fact, that every one of these trawlers captured has been captured during the absence of the gunboat; was not the Admiralty asked to strengthen the patrol long ago, and was not a refusal given?

:I am not sure, in these cases, had the trawlers been equipped with wireless, that our sloop might not have arrived in time.

:Would the right hon. Gentleman object to these fishing vessels being armed when in the White Sea?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a communication has been sent by the Government to the former Russian Government's Consulate in London to the effect that a breach with Russia is anticipated, followed by the withdrawal of the trade delegation; and whether Russians in this country are to be given the alternative of exchanging their Soviet passports for passports issued to them by their former Consulate or of leaving the country?

:The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that at the Barcelona Conference held in the spring of 1921 a Report of a sub-committee, on which there was a British delegate, stated unanimously that it cannot be said that any territorial law exists on the question of territorial waters, and that the only point established in international law is that it is a national question; that the Soviet Government have expressed their willingness to negotiate on this subject with the British Government, and that the Russian Government have arrived at a settlement with the Norwegian Government on this point; and whether similar agreements can be negotiated between the Russian and British Governments?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Soviet Government have expressed their readiness to take part in any international conference on this subject, and to accept its findings, but have not arrived at an agreement with the Norwegian Government. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that six British subjects are now serving terms of imprisonment in America for opinions expressed during the War; and will he take steps to secure the release of these men, who have already served five years in the penitenitaries of the United States?

:I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon) on the 10th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the position between this country and Mexico; and if any negotiations are taking, or are likely to take place in the near future with a view to reaching a mutual understanding?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave to the hon. Members for Central Wands-worth (Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. Norton-Griffiths) and East Fulham (Colonel Vaughan-Morgan) on 14th March, and to the hon. Member for St. George's, Westminster (Mr. Erskine), on the 30th of last month in reply to questions on this subject. The position remains unchanged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now consider the advisability of consulting Allied Governments with a view of finding a solution to the German reparations question through the medium of the League of Nations?

:I would refer the hon. Member to statements made in the House by the Prime Minister and by myself on 19th February and 13th March, to which I cannot at the moment add anything.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this suggestion has on several occasions recently been made in a number of important organs of the French Press?

:Yes, but the answer which I have given holds good all the same.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give or summarise the new Ordinance in the Saar Valley against peaceful picketing; whether it was submitted to the Advisory Council of 30 representatives; and whether reasons for it have been given to the League of Nations?

:The Ordinance in question prohibits picketing in any form as well as attempts to interfere with the freedom of workmen to work or of employers to dismiss or employ workmen. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House. Information is being obtained with regard to the second and third parts of the question.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this Ordinance has rendered illegal a practice which is perfectly legal in this country?

:That follows from my answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Lithuania is a member of the League of Nations; and if, having regard to the strong censure passed upon the Polish Government for its occupation of the Vilna territory by M. Leon Bourgeois, President of the Council of the League, in his letter to that Government, of 14th October, 1920, the British representative on the Council of the League will be instructed to recommend that the Lithuanian Government will be given the opportunity of appealing to the League against the recent decision of the Council of Ambassadors in regard to the Vilna territory?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have already explained, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain), that the decision of the Ambassadors' Conference is final, and the answer to the last part of the question is therefore in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many cases have been heard by the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal; how many judgments have yet been given; what is the number of cases still to be heard; and whether the Government will consider the advisability of again suggesting that additional Courts be constituted to expedite the hearing of cases?

:Up to 12th May the number of cases heard by the Tribunal was 163, in some of which the hearing had not been completed; 111 judgments had been given and 1,578 cases were outstanding, of which 12 are awaiting judgment. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Farnham on the 8th May.

:Is the noble Lord aware that the whole of this business has been appallingly slow, and unless additional Courts are created, most of the claimants are likely to be dead before they get judgment?

:The Government are aware of the severe congestion and are at present contemplating an additional tribunal by getting a neutral chairman arid the British member of the Anglo-Hungarian and the Bulgarian Tribunal to sit with a German member as a judicial Court. If that does not prove sufficient the Government are quite prepared to consider further steps.

:Will my noble Friend assure the House that if this new Tribunal be not set up in a week or so, further steps will be carried out?

:It is impossible to fix a time limit because, of course, the British Government is not the only authority concerned. It will have to communicate with the neutral and the German.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether additional Turkish troops have been recently sent to the Turkish frontier of Iraq?

:His Majesty's Government have no information to this effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent outrage on the Tientsin-Pukow Railway, he will consider the possibility of arranging, by international agreement, either through the medium of the League of Nations or otherwise, for more effective control over the main trunk railway lines in China either by the formation of a Chinese gendarmerie, with foreign officers, or through some other force, which would be able to protect both railway passengers and goods from the depredations of disbanded soldiers and others who at present roam the country without either let or hindrance?

:The question of what measures can be taken to secure the better protection of foreign lives and property on the Chinese railways is already engaging the consideration of His Majesty's Government, in consultation with His Majesty's Minister at Peking, to whom the suggestions of my hon. Friend will be referred by telegraph.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in calculating costs in Admiralty Yards to compare with private builders, local rates, interest on capital, salaries and pensions are taken into consideration?

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

Following is the reply:

In assessing the proportion of establishment charges to be added to the direct charges for labour and materials expended in the Royal Dockyards on new construction and repairs of His Majesty's ships, salaries and pensions are taken into account, together with all other forms of establishment expenditure met out of Admiralty Votes. It has not hitherto been the practice to include local rates, a contribution in aid of which is paid by the Treasury.

As regards interest on capital no sum based specifically on a valuation of the buildings and machinery in the yard is included, but the annual cost of repairs and maintenance of machinery and buildings, as well as the cost of additions of machinery and buildings required in connection with output, assessed on the average current cost spread over a term of years, are charged to the establishment account and distributed.

A proposal to include Treasury contributions in lieu of rates in dockyard establishment charges is now under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of workmen and officals employed at Portsmouth, Devonport, Chatham, Rosyth, and Pembroke Dockyards on 1st February, 1922, and 30th April, 1923?

:As the reply contains many figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The reply is as follows:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will arrange for evidence to be taken from representative officers and men of the Royal Navy by the Committee appointed to consider the question of a reduction in naval pay before any decisions are arrived at?

:I assume that the hon. Member's question relates to the Anderson Committee on the present standard of remuneration of State servants. It is for the Committee to determine what evidence is required for the purpose of their inquiry, and I am informed that it is not possible to state at the present stage what evidence will be taken.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can arrange that all men who joined before 1916 can be granted overcoats and oil coats free of charge?

:An overcoat and waterproof (both optional articles of kit) were added to the free kit of new entries as from 1st October, 1917. The articles still remain optional kit, but the rates of kit upkeep allowance (also introduced on 1st October, 1917) provide for the maintenance of an overcoat and waterproof. Actually, all men at present in the Service have received, in the aggregate, since that date an amount for upkeep more than sufficient to cover the first cost of providing these articles The reply is, therefore, in the negative.

:Does that mean that those men who have not been supplied will receive that allowance?

:They already receive it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether boys are still being recruited for seamen for the Navy; if so, in what manner are such recruits obtained; if local educational authorities are applied to in order to send in suitable candidates; whether there is any Recruiting Department for London boys; and if any special steps are taken in order to enlist the London boy in the Navy?

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

The reply is as follows:

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, recruiting is carried out by Recruiting Officers stationed in London and certain other towns, assisted by Pensioner Recruiters at various out-stations; also by the Commodores of the Royal Naval Barracks at the home ports and, for Seaman Class boys, by the Commanding Officers of the Boys' Training Establishments. Recruiters have instructions to visit periodically the different towns in their districts, to arrange for the display of posters and handbills and to avail themselves of every opportunity offered to make public the requirements and advantages of the Service. As regards the third part, local educational authorities are not applied to in order to send in suitable candidates except for special appointments such as artificer apprentices, it being contrary to practice of the educational authorities to act as recruiting agents for the Service. As regards the fourth part, the Headquarter Naval Recruiting Office in London is at 55, Whitehall, and there are out-stations at Hackney, Stratford and Kingston-on-Thames. As regards the fifth part, no special steps are taken to enter London boys at the expense of boys in other parts of the country, but it may be stated that 34 per cent. of the total entries in Great Britain during 1922–23 were entered from the London district.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether boy artificers are still being recruited for the Navy, and, if so, will he state the number which are at present accepted annually; whether numbers of recruits are allocated to various parts of the country; and, if so, what number is allocated to the London district?

:Artificer apprentices are still being recruited. The numbers to be entered are fixed before each examination, according to requirements at the time. The total number entered last financial year was 49. Definite numbers of recruits are not allocated to various parts of the country, but candidates are accepted up to the numbers required in the order in which they appear on the examination list, irrespective of the part of the country from which they come.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the firm of Messrs. Burnley, Limited, Sittingbourne, are supplying cement for the sea wall at Harwich, and, although Government contractors are not paying the overtime and holiday rates fixed by the Cement Trade Joint Industrial Council; and whether, under these circumstances, the contracts can be withdrawn or the firm removed from the list of contractors unless agreed rates are put into operation?

:This is not a Government contract, and from information in my possession there is no ground for supposing that the Fair Wages Clause is being contravened.

:Is it not a fact that a grant has been supplied by the Government for this scheme, and will the hon. and gallant Gentleman be prepared to study the conditions under the agreement that exists at the present time?

:I am not aware of any Government grant. This is private work, but I gave an answer on 28th February of this year to the effect that we had investigated the wages paid by this firm and had found that the rate of wages paid did not contravene the Fair Wages Clause of the Admiralty contracts.

:May I suggest that there is a distinction between the rate of wages and the conditions that apply to holiday and overtime rates?

:All that I am concerned with is the Fair Wages Clause.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that no advancements have been made in the junior ratings of the sick-berth staff, Plymouth Division, since 9th October, 1921, the Admiralty will promulgate their decision regarding Class Request No. 1 of Group 10 of 1922 Welfare Committee?

:Admiralty decisions on the Welfare Requests will be promulgated shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the reductions in wages which have taken place among Admiralty employés at the Royal Cordite Factory, Holton Heath, amounting to 16s. 6d. per week since July, 1922, in addition to the withdrawal of the workmen's season, tickets, which entails a further reduction in their purchasing power on the average of 5s. 4d. per week thereby reducing their actual wages to 35s. 8d. per week, and the prolonged period of short time at the same depot, as compared with other Admiralty establishments, the Board of Admiralty can see their way to review their previous decision on this question?

:I regret that I am unable to add anything to my reply of 30th April on this subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty upon what principle the valuation of the Royal dockyards is arrived at; what has been the valuation of each of the dockyards for the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923; and what amounts have been contributed to local rates in respect of these during these years?

:The preparation of the figures required involves considerable labour, and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate them, when completed, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty by what date it is hoped, having regard to reductions now being carried out, that the staff of the Admiralty will be reduced to normal proportions?

:It is hoped that the numbers will be reduced to normal post-War proportions by the end of the current financial year except in one Department where, owing to the residue of work arising directly out of the War, a small staff in excess of these numbers may have to be borne for part of the following year.

:What are the normal post-War numbers?

:As they are arranged at present—they are continually under review—they would be about 50 per cent. above what they were.

asked the Minister of Health how many women above the clerical grade were employed at the headquarters of his Department in August, 1921; and how many women of similar grade are now employed there?

:The number of women above the clerical grade employed at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health in August, 1921, was 24; the present number is 29.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if his Department have at the present moment any programme ready to be put into operation as soon as funds become available for the housing of Government Departments and subsidiary offices in permanent buildings of the character of those in use by most of the senior Departments and in concentrated areas; whether he will consider the advantage of such a scheme forming part of an architectural reconstruction of Whitehall; and whether, in view of the expense of the policy of adaptation of unsuitable buildings scattered over London on inconvenient sites, as at present in vogue, such a policy can gradually be abandoned by immediately starting on such schemes, as a contribution towards diminishing unemployment in London; and whether he can say what the approximate gross cost of completing such schemes would be to the Treasury, and the net cost after deducting the estimated saving per annum and the value of the sites vacated?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is doubtful if the scheme of accommodating Government staffs in permanent buildings of an expensive type concentrated in certain selected areas would prove either practicable or economical. In any case, such a proposal would require mature consideration in the light of permanent post-War requirements, which cannot yet be fully ascertained, and it could not be made effective for the immediate relief of unemployment. If it becomes necessary to increase the permanent accommodation of Government headquarters staffs, the sites available for development in Whitehall will be considered in connection with any building scheme proposed. I am unable to say what such a scheme as the hon. and gallant Member has in mind would cost, but it would involve very heavy capital outlay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the vacancies now falling due in the male non-clerical staff of the Post Office Stamps Section are being filled by women instead of men, he can give the rates of pay in each ease; and whether the change is made in the interests of economy, irrespective of the fact that there are such a large number now of unemployed ex-service men?

:The permanent grading and pay of both men and women in the Stamp Section are as yet unsettled. The duties which will be allotted to women in that section have long been regarded as more suitable for women than for men.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is a British military mission now in Rumania; whether Field-Marshal the Earl of Ypres is accompanying it officially; and if any information with regard to its objects can be communicated to the House?

:I have been asked to reply. There is no British military mission in Rumania. A party of officers from the Staff College recently visited many of the European battlefields of the Great War, including some of those in Rumania, but this visit was of a private and instructional nature, the officers proceeding in plain clothes with the permission of the Rumanian Government. It is understood that Field-Marshal the Earl of Ypres has recently been making an unofficial visit to Rumania; nothing is known of his movements.

:Has the attention of the hon. Gentleman been called to the very extensive statements which have been made about this mission in the Rumanian papers, as to its having examined the Bessarabian frontier, and expressed certain opinions?

:All our knowledge of the matter is expressed in the answer I have given.

:Are these officers going to visit the great Russian battlefields, especially the scenes of the victories over Koltchak and Denikin?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the custom of some employers, particularly in the catering and amusement trades, of employing on evening work persons who are fully employed in the day; and whether, in view of the amount of unemployment existing, he will draw the attention of employers to the undesirability of this practice?

:It is, of course, desirable in general that employment should be given to those who are unemployed rather than to those who are already employed, and I think employers realise this. The circumstances of different cases, however, vary so much that I doubt if anything would be gained by issuing a general appeal on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Miss F. Deakin, 54, Cranford Street, Smethwick, single woman in lodgings, who has been refused unemployment benefit because she declined to train as a domestic servant on condition that when efficient she would emigrate; and whether he will make inquiries into the matter?

:This applicant is 20 years of age, has been unemployed for two years, and has received 132 days of benefit between November, 1922, and April, 1923. Further uncovenanted benefit was refused on the recommendation of the Local Employment Committee, because, having regard to her refusal of training for domestic work for which she appeared to be suitable, the Committee considered that she could not be regarded as genuinely seeking whole-time employment. No condition of emigration is attached to the training, and the applicant has admitted that no mention of emigration was made to her.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman lay, for the information of the House, figures showing the total number of women who have been refused uncovenanted benefit because of this condition?

:I think that is rather a large order.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. W. Jones, 37, Gilbert Road, Smethwick, who, although having four and a half years' stamps to his credit, has been refused unemployment benefit; and whether, having regard to the fact that the applicant is married, he will cause inquiries to be made into this case with a view to the payment of benefit?

:I am making inquiries into this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to complaints of unfair treatment of Mr. Donald Hedley by the manager of the Harwich Employment Exchange; whether any inquiry has been made; and, if so, with what result?

:My attention had already been called to this matter by the Harwich and District Trades and Labour Council. As a result of investigation made, I was unable to find any foundation for the suggestion of unfair treatment of Mr. Donald Hedley by the Branch Employment Manager at Harwich.

:If I send the right hon. Gentleman further details, will he make further inquiries?

:Certainly; I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that unemployed musicians in Brighton have been sent by the Exchange officials there to the Coliseum Picture House at Shoreham to apply for employment; that upon application being made the men found that none but ex-service men were wanted; that they must be under 35 years of age; that they must join the Territorial forces, and that the salary would be £2 7s. per week, 7s. of which would be the Territorial pay; and whether, in view of these conditions and of the fact that the minimum rate for musicians is £3 per week, he will instruct the Brighton Exchange that no more men are to be sent to the place in question without full particulars being first supplied to them?

:Two vacancies for musicians, ex-service men, were notified on the 21st April to the Brighton Exchange for a picture house at Shoreham. The rate of wages was not stated, but was to be arranged according to ability and experience. Four Brighton men who wished to consider the vacancies were interviewed at Brighton by a representative of the prospective employers, but I understand none of these four was engaged. The reference to Territorial pay must, I think, be due to a misapprehension, as members of the Territorial Forces are not in receipt of pay except during annual training. I may add that this matter was recently brought up at a meeting of the Brighton Local Employment Committee, when the circumstances were fully explained.

:Do the Employment Exchanges in any way undertake to announce vacancies, where less than the trade union rate is paid, without making a special note of that fact to the applicants?

:I should like to have notice of that question.

:Surely, there is a general rule or instruction, of which the right hon. Gentleman must be aware, that where the trade union rate is not paid, special notice must be given to the applicants for the job?

:I should like notice of that question, but the hon. Member knows perfectly well what the general rule is under Section 7 of the Act of 1920, so far as covenanted benefit is concerned, and the principle of that Section is carried out so far as uncovenanted benefit is concerned.

:Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say now that he deplores any attempt to fill vacancies where other than trade union rates are paid?

:Is it correct, as stated in the question, that a condition of joining the Territorial Forces is laid down, and does the right hon. Gentleman approve of that condition?

:I have already stated that there must be a mistake in regard to that, for the reasons I gave.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of unemployment caused in Newcastle-on-Tyne by the attitude of the boilermakers, whereby much repair work has been sent from the Tyne to foreign and other ports?

:I am afraid I have no means of estimating the amount of unemployment caused by any single factor, such as the dispute referred to by the hon. Member.

:Does not my right hon. Friend receive reports from the various industrial areas, which would enable him to locate the amount of unemployment in certain groups of trades?

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at Barrow from 2,000 to 3,000 men would be able to start work if it were not for the attitude of the boilermakers?

:I do not think the question of Barrow, in which I have, generally speaking, all sympathy, arises out of this particular question, but in regard to the supplementary question put by my hon. Friend the Member for North Newcastle-on-Tyne (Mr. Doyle), it is true that I get returns as to unemployment, but what my hon. Friend asks is something much more than that. He is asking me to measure, in terms of industrial areas, what a particular amount of unemployment works out at.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that shipowners would send their work to Timbuctoo if they could only get it done more cheaply there than by British labour?

:Is it not a fact that, owing to the action of the Government, 1,500,000 unemployed are going about the country because the Government are not opening up trade with Russia?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now prepared to amend the Regulations so as to exclude or exempt from the operation of the Unemployment Insurance Acts women workers in the herring fishery whose occupation is only seasonal?

:As I promised the House recently, I have had further inquiries made into the position of women fish-workers under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. I have no power to except this employment from unemploymen insurance, but, as I have already informed the hon. Member, these women are able to obtain exemption if they are ordinarily and mainly dependent for their livelihood upon some other person or upon some non-insurable employment, and I am considering how far it may be possible to simplify the operation of obtaining exemption certificates in these cases.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to make a statement in the House on that subject at an early date?

:Perhaps the hon. and learned Member will put that question down after Whitsuntide, and I will give the best answer that I can.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman not know that the matter is urgent, seeing that the summer herring fishing begins in a few weeks' time?

:I will give the matter my attention at once.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can see his way to relax the regulation providing for 75 and 87½ per cent. of standard wages to be paid to men on unemployment relief schemes, in view of the wishes of so many large municipalities to pay full rates and of the danger to the national minimum standards constantly involved; and if he is aware that on 8th May the Bradford City Council added its plea for this reform to that of other local authorities?

:I regret that I am unable to recommend modification of this regulation which applies only for a probationary period of six months, and does not apply to skilled men employed in their trade. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

:Would it not be well to reconsider that decision in view of the fact that if the right hon. Gentleman allowed the local authorities the right to pay full standard rates it would be in the commercial interests of the country because of the increased purchasing power afforded?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give a Return of the number of persons whose application for unemployment benefit has been refused by the Gateshead rotas, with reasons for refusal, during the first four months of this year; will he supply the names of the Gateshead Employment Committee rotas, with their representative designation, number of meetings held, with dates from 1st January to 30th April, 1923; and the number of names of the members of rotas summoned to each meeting?

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

asked the Minister of Labour what were the average total attendances at the juvenile unemployment centres during March; and what are the latest figures of total attendance available?

:The average total attendances at juvenile unemployment centres during March were 7,980 at the 70 centres then open. The attendance during the week ended 2nd May, the latest date available, was 8,610 at 89 centres.

:Is it not the fact that the attendances at these centres have increased and are being increasingly appreciated; and is it not true that the right hon. Gentleman said some time ago that these were almost vital to the child-welfare of the country?

:It is true, and I am glad to say it, that these centres are generally being appreciated by the country. It is not universally true that the attendances are going up. In some areas, I am sorry to say—if it be a matter for sorrow—they are going down. Generally speaking, however, they are appreciated throughout the country.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman able to tell the House whether any grant will be continued to these centres after the end of June?

:As I have already informed the House, the centres are coming to an end in July; they were arranged for a definite period that will be drawing to a close in June or July. What is to happen after that has not yet been decided.

:Where the attendance falls through success in placing the youths in employment, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of not discontinuing these centres prematurely?

:Some education authorities have granted money up till October in these centres. Where there is this increase, will the right hon. Gentleman allow them to go on? We have got our grants till October in Plymouth.

:In regard to the first supplementary question, of course, it is very often a matter of argument under what circumstances the attendances are falling. As I said just now, in some cases it is a matter of regret, because the youths have not got employment; where they have got into employment it is a matter of congratulation. But, as I say, the whole matter of what is going to happen has not yet been decided.

asked the Minister of Labour if, having regard to the protests which have been made against the closing down of the juvenile unemployment centres, he will reconsider the decision to withdraw the grant in respect of these centres, and will give the local authorities concerned an opportunity of making representations as to the work done in these centres and the need for their continuation?

:The grants for juvenile unemployment centres were originally made as a temporary measure to cover the period up to 31st May of this year. An extension was subsequently sanctioned to 30th June, or, in the case of centres recently established, to 21st July. I cannot give any undertaking to make any further extension, but I have put certain special inquiries in hand in order that I may have full information before me with regard to the utility of the centres.

:What directions will be given to the local authorities who have secured their local grants covering the period of the next six months? How are they to act on the 30th June?

:The Minister of Labour, in reply to an earlier question, said that he could not now answer that question.

:I beg to give notice that, at the earliest opportunity, I shall raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in many areas where unemployment is especially rife it would be possible to carry out considerable afforestation schemes on available and suitable land near by; and whether such schemes are being considered by the Unemployment Grants Committee?

:I have been asked to reply to this question. As the answer is rather long, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

As a result of a recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on Unemployment. £100,000 was allocated at the end of November for afforestation schemes in relief of unemployment last winter. The Forestry Commissioners sanctioned over 400 grants schemes for afforestation by local authorities and private individuals, and, in addition, relief works have been undertaken in the Crown Woods and in the Commission's forest areas. Under these schemes more than £100,000 will have been expended on wages.

The Commissioners are aware that land suitable for considerable afforestation schemes is available in many areas where rural unemployment is rife and likely to remain so during next planting season, but the acreage which the Commissioners are authorised to acquire and the extent of the area which can be planted each season is limited by the funds at their disposal.

If the Commissioners receive notification in the immediate future that expenditure will be authorised, they can arrange for important extensions of their own planting programme and that of local authorities and private individuals, thereby providing additional employment in many rural areas. They have already made representations on the subject to the appropriate quarter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the approach of warmer weather, he has considered the possibility of reclamation work, even in the more remote districts, for which men could be drawn from those areas where unemployment is especially severe; and whether, seeing that such work would be more useful and advantageous than the distribution of unemployment pay, he will state what objections there are to the adoption of such a policy?

:I have been asked to reply. The whole question of land reclamation, in its relation to the alleviation of unemployment, has constantly engaged the attention of my Department. Apart, however, from the difficulties of accommodation and transport arising out of the fact that most areas which may be ripe for reclamation are remote from centres of acute unemployment, such work is likely to prove so uneconomic under present conditions that it cannot be recommended for the purpose in view.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are large areas near Barrow which could be reclaimed, and that there is a tremendous amount of unemployment in Barrow? Will he consider this suggestion?

:Can anything be more uneconomic than paying money for nothing?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the application of the Unemployment Fund, not exhausted in connection with land drainage schemes, for the carrying out of schemes for supplying water to rural districts where there is a scarcity of water, and that not of a very pure character, and to obtain which the inhabitants are compelled to proceed long distances?

:I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that a portion of the Unemployment Fund to which he refers has already been devoted to the carrying out of water supply schemes in rural districts. Since 1st October, 1922, no fewer than 123 such schemes have beer, approved.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the great hardship and loss suffered by tenants of shops and other business premises through having to remove from their premises after the usual form of notice, he is prepared to introduce legislation providing compensation for unreasonable disturbance on the lines of the Town Tenants (Ireland) Act, 1906, and also security of tenure under conditions which would safeguard the interests of both landlord and tenant?

:The Government cannot give an undertaking at the present time to introduce legislation to the effect suggested.

:Is it not possible for shop tenants in Great Britain to have the same advantages as those in Ireland, and could not the legislation that has been found useful in the case of Irishmen be extended to this country?

:Though legislation may be desirable, it is impossible at the present time to introduce it.

:Is it not possible to provide for this in the Rents Restriction Bill?

:Would it not be better to put aside useless and unnecessary legislation, and to get on with that which is useful and necessary?

asked the Prime Minister if he can now state the terms of reference of the Committee on Trawling off the Coast of Scotland; and the names of the members of the Committee?

I have been asked to reply. The terms of reference to the Committee which the Secretary for Scotland is appointing are to inquire and report on the present legislative position as to beam and otter trawling off the coasts of Scotland and the arrangements for policing the Scottish sea fisheries. The names of the members of the Committee are

:Why is there no fisherman representative on the Committee?

:When it was decided to appoint a Committee, as I have said, it was considered impossible to appoint representatives of interests on the Committee itself.

:Is it not very desirable that those who are engaged in this industry should be represented on the Committee, particularly those who at the moment are suffering severely under present conditions?

:The hon. and learned Member will realise that you cannot have one industry represented, without having the interests of all the other industries represented thereupon, and so you get the committee to an unmanageably large size. A committee of three it is hoped will be able to put out a useful Report within a reasonable time.

:Will not the hon. and gallant Gentleman make representations to the Prime Minister or to the Secretary for Scotland that an additional two Members—[An HON. MEMBER: "Both English!"]—Not at all—one representative of the trawling industry and the other representative of the line fishermen, should be appointed? I have nothing to say against the three gentlemen appointed, but I desire to make that suggestion.

:I quite agree, but the right hon. Gentleman must realise that the trawling industry, for instance, at Aberdeen, has just come to the conclusion of a disastrous strike due to a dispute in the industry, and it is very difficult to add two members, for you would want another two, and yet another, and the Committee would grow rapidly. It is necessary to limit it, as far as possible, to a small working body.

:In this very important matter to Scotland—and the whole industry—may I ask whether the hon. and gallant Gentleman would not consider the appointment of a person who has a very extensive knowledge of the industry, although not directly concerned in it at the present time? Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that point, instead of the Committee being entirely confined to non-experts on the question?

:As the hon. Gentleman will himself realise, no doubt there would not be satisfaction at the appointment of simply one representative of the industry, and it would, or might, be considered that the representative of the owners should be counterbalanced by a representative of the employés; hence you would rapidly get a Committee representative of interests which it is not desirable should be the case. The views of all parties will be brought before this non-technical Committee.

:I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment to-night.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has been asked to receive a deputation which would include leading members of all the Christian churches, of the teaching and medical professions, and of women's organisations, who desire to ask him whether the Government will grant facilities for the early passage of the Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons under Eighteen) Bill as it has passed through Committee; and whether he will agree to receive this deputation?

:I have been asked whether, in the absence of the Prime Minister, I could receive such a deputation. I regret that I have found it impossible to arrange to do so at the present time, and I, therefore, ask that the request should be deferred until after the Whitsun Recess.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to continue the Debate on the Motion (Capitalist System) standing in the name of the hon. Member for the Colne Valley Division of Yorkshire (Mr. Snowden)—[ That, in view of the failure of the capitalist system to adequately utilise and organise natural resources and productive power, or to provide the necessary standard of life for vast numbers of the population, and believing that the cause of this failure lies in the private ownership and control of the means of production and distribu- tion, this House declares that legislative effort should be directed to the gradual supersession of the capitalist system by an industrial and social order based on the public ownership and democratic control of the instruments of production and distribution. ]

:I am not in a position at the moment to name a date.

:This Debate is causing considerable interest in the country, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman give some indication of the date of resumption?

:I am afraid I cannot give an indication of the date. No doubt a day will be given.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that some day this Session shall be given?

assented

asked the Prime Minister how many Egyptian political leaders, apart from the deportees, are now in prison without having been tried; if His Majesty's Government will give instructions to the High Commissioner to put a stop to the practice of trying such offenders before the Military Courts and have their cases brought before the Egyptian Courts upon which British Judges are serving and which administer the common law of the land; and if he will take steps to have these cases dealt with at the earliest possible moment by those Courts?

:I have not the material wherewith to supply the hon. Member, at such short notice, with an accurate answer to the first part of his question. As regards the remainder of the question, so long as proceedings under martial law offer some chance of bringing to justice those responsible for the recent series of dastardly attempts on the lives of British subjects in Egypt, His Majesty's Government have no intention of seeking to modify the measures at present adopted to trace these crimes to their source.

:Would it not conduce to the settlement of passions in Egypt at least to give these people a trial? They are imprisoned for months without trial, and the object of this question is to know whether they cannot be brought to trial?

:The hon. Gentleman asks me whether this would not conduce to a settlement; that, obviously, is a matter of opinion.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now prepared to make any modification in the operation of the Trade Board as applied to the bespoke tailoring trade in Orkney?

:The question of fixing differential rates for different districts is still before the Retail Bespoke Tailoring Board.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is considering any further proposals with the object of finding employment for the large number of able-bodied ex-service men now out of employment; and, in particular, if any means can be devised whereby they can be employed in connection with the houses proposed to be built with the aid of Government subsidies?

:As regards the first part of the question, as my hon. Friend is aware, it is a condition of State financial assistance to relief works that 75 per cent. of the men employed shall be ex-service men. As regards the latter part of the question, I do not think it would be practicable to impose a similar condition in connection with housing schemes, but I may point out that a substantial proportion of ex-service men are in the ordinary course employed on such schemes.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to send a definition of the words "patriotism in peace time" to those employers on the King's Roll?

asked the Minister of Health if all boards of guardians which look after mentally defective ex-service men in receipt of small military pensions for service prior to the late War take all or any part, if so, how much, of the pensions allotted to these men prior to their internment which are needed to help to keep their very old dependants; whether the Ministry of Health lays down any Regulations on the subject; and whether he is aware that when these men whose pensions are often only Is. a day are thus kept by the guardians, their mothers and their wives, as the case may be, are reduced to complete penury by the practical stoppage of the small allowances on which they had hitherto mainly to live?

:Boards of guardians have a discretion as to the collection of suitable contributions from the relatives of persons relieved by them, and the exercise of this discretion is not subject to any Regulations made by my Department. If, however, the hon. Member will give me the particulars of any case which he may have in mind, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total gross assessable value and the nett rateable value of the railways that were included in the amalgamation scheme in England and Wales, for poor rate purposes, for the year ending 31st March, 1922, and for the year ending 31st March, 1923; and will he state what was the total loss in rate revenue to the local authorities in the year ending 31st March, 1923, due to the assessment of railways to local rates on the cumulo principle?

:I regret that there are no statistics available which would enable me to furnish the information desired by the hon. Member.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very grave dissatisfaction amongst the rating authorities of the country generally owing to the special privileges granted under this system to the railway companies, and in face of the heavy burden on the local rates, will he have this matter reconsidered in view of the fact that it is merely a private arrangement?

:The question put to me related to the providing of the information asked for, which I said I was not able to give.

:Would the right hon. Gentleman like to have the information if I supply it to him?

:Certainly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the public indignation which has been aroused among the inhabitants of Oldbury owing to the nuisance created by the emission of offensive smells from Messrs. Patrick's works, situated at Causeway Green; that the inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of these works are unable to keep open doors or windows, even for a short time; and that, in consequence of their inability to secure proper ventilation, ill-health is becoming prevalent in the district; and what steps he proposes to take, to deal with the matter?

:I have not previously received any complaints regarding this work, but I have directed a special investigation to be made.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the South Shields, Jarrow, and District War Pensions Committee protesting against the amount of a man's disability pension being taken into consideration when payment of relief is being made, expressing the opinion that all moneys received in connection with war service should be excluded when the rate of relief is assessed; and whether it is pro posed to issue any instructions to the boards of guardians in the matter?

:I am aware of the resolution referred to, but as there is no legal authority for disregarding such a source of income as a disability pension when considering an application for relief, I have no power to issue any instructions to the contrary effect.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman say why these people's pensions should be taken away, when the pensions of people engaged in Government offices are not interfered with in this way?

:It is the law.