asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the increase in freight upon the London, Midland and Scottish Railway from £2 10s. 2d. to £4 9s. 9d. for poultry houses; whether he will cause an inquiry to be made as to the effect upon freights of recent railway combinations; and whether, with a view to some change in the law, he will seek information from countries where State railways exist which might explain the comparative immunity of their agriculture and industry from a crushing burden of freight rates?

In the first part of his question the hon. Member does not state the points between which the charges for poultry houses to which he refers relate, but if he will supply me with further particulars I shall be very glad to make inquiry. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I would refer him to the reply which was given to him on the 28th March last.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that two assistant superintendents in the telegraph department at Belfast were recently compelled to retire on attaining 60 years of age; the reason why the assistant postmaster, who attained retirement age 15 months ago, has not likewise been called upon to retire; whether he is aware that owing to advancing years this officer has been assisted for six months past by an assistant superintendent specially detailed for the work; what has been the aggregate amount of time spent on special duty by this officer during the past five years and the approximate cost to the Department; and whether, seeing that the retirement of Mr. Brown would provide employment for an ex-service man who has been dismissed from the Service, he will reconsider the decision to retain the services of this officer?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on this matter to the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. F. Roberts) on 14th December and to the hon. Member for Nottingham West (Mr. Hayday) on 15th February and 20th March last. There is no foundation for the suggestion that Mr. Brown's efficiency is decreasing by reason of advancing years.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware that a clerk from Stafford General Post Office has gone recently to take charge of the office at Transsfinid Camp; that this man has taken his wife with him to act as telegraphist; as this work will last until September, will he take immediate steps to replace this woman, having regard to the fact that there are many unemployed in and around Stafford and that someone else other than the wife of an employé could have been given this work;

(2) whether it is still the practice at Stafford Station Post Office to employ men at nights as clerks who are regularly in employment in the daytime; whether he is aware that a motor driver was employed as recently as the 8th and 9th of May as clerk at nights at Stafford Station Post Office and had to discontinue this work owing to being unable physically to carry-on; and that there are over 1,000 unemployed at Stafford; and whether, in the future, if any extra relief is required, he will instruct the postmaster to obtain the same from the local Employment Exchange?

I am having inquiry made into the two matters referred to by the hon. Member, and I will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the policy of his Department to regard joint industrial councils as a suitable and desirable method of settling the conditions of service and the rates of remuneration in the Government and municipal services?

It is the policy of my Department to encourage the settlement of working conditions by voluntary agreements between representatives of employers and workers, which is the principle upon which joint industrial councils are based, wherever that method is practicable. My Department gives all assistance to Government and municipal authorities desiring to establish such councils.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the strong expert opinion in favour of home-makers' training schemes as one of the solutions for dealing with the problem of domestic service, he. can state the present policy of the Ministry in this respect; and whether he is ready to give sympathetic consideration to representations in this direction which may be put forward by responsible authorities in the large cities?

Financial assistance is being given to the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment for their homecraft training courses, applicants for which are required to give an undertaking that they will enter domestic service. As at present advised, I cannot agree that the home-makers' training schemes, which do not require such an undertaking, offer a solution for dealing with the problem of domestic service, but I am ready to give full and careful consideration to any representations on this subject which may be put forward.

asked the Minister of Labour if, on the basis of the latest available figures, he can state whether there is any appreciable reduction in the numbers of unemployed in the six most necessitous areas of the country where the percentage of unemployment was highest on 31st March last?

Six of the areas where the percentage of unemployment-was highest at the end of March were Barrow, Redruth and Camborne, the Hartlepools, Sunderland, Tipton and Dudley, and Stockton and Thornaby. By 21st May there was a substantial improve at Redruth and Camborne and some improvement at Tipton and Dudley, but I regret to say that in the four other districts specified the numbers unemployed remained about the same.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is proposed to continue centres for unemployed juveniles during the winter months; and, if so, whether the grant will be on the same basis as formerly?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statement which I made in the Debate on the Adjournment of the House for the Whitsuntide Recess.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why, in the case of the scheme for cleaning the King's Brook submitted under the Unemployment Relief Scheme by the Notts Commissioners of Sewers, this body, which is appointed under an Act of 1531, was asked to submit a scheme instead of the Leicester County Council under the Land Drainage Act of 1918, in view of the fact that the Leicester County Council was the competent local authority?

I think the hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension in this matter. The Leicester County Council could only submit a drainage scheme for the relief of unemployment, to be carried out on a voluntary basis, in an area where there was no statutory drainage authority exercising its jurisdiction.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of temporary civil servants who have within the last three months been appointed to the established staff of the Ministry of Pensions other than by examination?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is—none.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will initiate legislation fixing an inclusive remuneration for the Law Officers, including contentious as well as non-contentious business?

No, Sir, the Government have no such intention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether householders are allowed to examine the assessment lists of property in their immediate vicinity; and, if this be not the case, whether he will consider the advisability of such examination being allowed so that taxpayers can satisfy themselves that the assessments compare fairly with adjacent properties of similar character?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Mid. Bedford (Mr. Linfield) on the 28th May. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if His Majesty's Government have yet afforded any facilities to any of His Majesty's Dominions for the opening up and development of approved tracts of country; and, if so, will he state to which Dominion?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the- answer which my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade gave to him on Monday, the 28th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now able to state whether the Public Works Loan Commissioners will be prepared to advance loans to local authorities for the purpose of encouraging them to put into operation the provisions of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1889, as amended by the Housing Acts; and, if so, what the rate of interest will be in such cases?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The rate of interest would be the minimum rate for loans from the Local Loans Fund for the time being, which is now 4¾ per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the terms on which America is to be reimbursed for the cost of her Armies of Occupation?

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the presentation of the Agreement to the House. It may be summarised as an arrangement by which the United States will claim her Army costs by instalments over a period of 12 years out of reparation payments made by Germany.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any cases have been brought to his notice of attempts being made by brewers to pass on to the retailers the whole or part of their contributions of 4s. per barrel out of the 24s. reduction; whether it was intended when the arrangement with the brewers was made that they should find this themselves; and what steps are being taken to see that the retailers are protected in the matter?

This matter is the subject of an Amendment in the Finance Bill and for the time being 1 can add nothing to previous statements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the import duty on every component part of motor cars, he will consider the advisability of imposing a similar duty on tyres imported from America and other countries into the United Kingdom, and thereby stimulate home industry and create further employment?

I regret that I am unable to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount he expects to receive from Excess Profits Duty, and what amount he expects to repay in respect of deficiencies in 1923–24, as a result of which the net receipt of £12,000,000 is estimated?

As stated in my Budget speech, the estimate of £12,000,000 from the Excess Profits Duty is an uncertain one. It is founded on an anticipation of £30,000,000 gross receipt and £18,000,000 repayments.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that amongst the textile workers of Yorkshire and Lancashire there is a great objection to the infliction of fines and deductions from their wages; and if he is prepared to introduce a Bill to make such fines and deductions illegal?

I am aware of the representations on the subject which have been made to the Home Office from time to time, but in view of the controversial nature of the question and having regard to the change of circumstances disclosed in the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1921, I am not prepared at present to advise the Government to undertake any such legislation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will initiate legislation according to licensed victuallers, under the supervision of the licensing justices, such beneficial terms and conditions of tenancy or employment as are compatible with the responsibility which they are under to the public in the conduct of their houses?

I fear that I cannot hold out any hope of legislation to the effect indicated.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will initiate legislation to amend the Licensing Act, 1910, by securing to licensees a share of not less than one-third of the compensation paid under such Act?

No, Sir. I cannot undertake the legislation suggested.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to an advertisement of the Ledbury Rural District Council for a sanitary inspector at a salary of £150 per annum; whether he is aware that the person appointed will be required to devote the whole of his time to the duties of the office, must be the holder of a certificate of the Royal Sanitary Institute or of the Sanitary Inspectors' Examination Board, and that the duties to be performed are those prescribed by Article 19 of the Sanitary Officers' Board, 1922, to act as building surveyor in the parish of Colwall, and to superintend the sewage works in the same parish; whether the salary proposed for this appointment has been approved by him; and, if so, in view of his statement that the policy of his Department is that the salary of a sanitary inspector should be sufficient not merely to attract a competent man but to induce him to remain in the office, will he have the matter reconsidered?

I am aware of the facts1 stated in the first part of the question. The new appointment has not been approved by me, and I am in communication with the council on the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the desire of many local authorities that their surveyors should attend the annual conference of the Institution of Municipal and County Engineers at Leeds next month; that the expense of sending a surveyor to Leeds for this purpose would not, on the average, be as much as £10; and whether, under the circumstances, he will give a general promise to sanction the payment out of the rates of the expense of sending the surveyor to the conference?

I do not think that there is any ground for special action in the case of the conference mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. Because of the urgent need for economy my predecessors decided that payment of cost of attendance at such conferences ought not, as a general rule, to be sanctioned by them. While appreciating the value of such conferences, I do not think the time has come to vary that decision.

asked the Minister of Health if he will instruct all local authorities, now compelled to purchase their goods in this country to the exclusion of foreign tenders, to keep a record of the difference in the price charged for home and foreign products in order that a statement may be submitted to the House year by year of the additional annual cost to the local authorities of this protection of home industries?

No, Sir. I do not think it would be practicable to issue such an instruction.

asked the Minister of Labour whether local authorities are qualified for inclusion in the King's Roll if one in 20 of their employés are in receipt of a disablement pension; and, if so, what is the qualification for local or burgh authorities who employ in all less than 20 persons?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. If less than 20 persons are employed it is, of course, necessary that one disabled ex-service man must be employed to secure enrolment.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total amount of initial reserve values expected to be created under the National (Health) Insurance Act, 1911, in respect of those then brought into insurance; what is the total of such reserve values so far created; what further reserve values have so far been created in respect of insured persons and for what classes of such persons; what proportions of such initial and further reserve values, respectively, have so far been redeemed by the operation of the Sinking Fund created by the Act of 1911; and to what funds and in what proportions have such reserve values so redeemed been credited?

The total amount of reserve values expected to be created under the National Insurance Act, 1911, as extended by the National Insurance Act, 1913, in respect of persons entering insurance in Great Britain and becoming members of approved societies during the first 65 weeks was about £65,000,000. The total of such reserve values created was, approximately, £66,000,000. In respect of insured persons becoming members of approved societies on and after 13th October, 1913, reserve values amounting to, approximately, £640,000 have so far been created, the classes for whom the reserve values are created (apart from certain small special classes specified in the Regulations) being (1) persons who join societies on entering insurance and (2) persons who enter insurance as deposit contributors and, subsequently, become members of approved societies. The total amount of reserve values redeemed by the operation of the Sinking Fund created by the Act of 1911 (as amended by subsequent Acts) is, approximately, £9,500,000. The accounting operations do not require any such distinction, as the question appears to suggest, to be drawn between reserve values created before 13th October, 1913, and those created after that date. Of the total amount of reserve values redeemed, approximately, £9,390,000 has been credited to approved societies and the remainder to the Navy and Army Insurance Fund. Reductions are, of course, made pro tanto in the amounts standing to the credit of approved societies and Navy and Army Insurance Fund, respectively, in reserve values account, the operation representing merely the substitution of moneys for investment in lieu of reserve value credits.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average rate of interest earned by the Sinking Fund set up under the National Insurance Act, 1911, for the redemption of reserve values created under that Act or by the investments representing that fund; what is the method of disposing of the difference between the 3 per cent, credited to approved societies in respect of reserve values and the interest earned by the Sinking Fund and of any profits realised on the sale, exchange, drawing, or payment off at maturity of investments representing the Sinking Fund; and what, approximately, at 31st December, 1922, was the aggregate monetary value of such difference in interest and profit on investments, respectively?

As the hon. Member is aware the sinking fund set up under the National Insurance Act, 1911, for the redemption of reserve values created under that Act is, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, apportioned periodically among approved societies, including the Navy and Army Insurance Fund, and is, therefore, not available for permanent investment. The interest credited to approved societies on reserve values at the rate of 3 per cent, per annum is, under the Act, a first charge on the amounts retained out of contributions for the purpose of discharging the liabilities to approved societies in respect of reserve values, and has no relation to the amount of interest earned by the. temporary investment, pending distribution, of the amounts in question. The whole of the interest earned by such temporary investment is distributed among approved societies and the Navy and Army Insurance Fund rateably in proportion to the amounts apportioned to them by way of interest on and redemption of reserve values, and the last part of the question consequently does not arise.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the fact that Lord Cavan has recently been in Poland assisting at reviews of Polish troops and other military functions, he can state whether Lord Cavan visited that country in an official capacity; and, if so, what was the object of the visit?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the visit, which had no political significance whatever, was primarily one of courtesy. It was undertaken at the invitation of the Polish military authorities, and it reciprocated the recent visit of the Chief of the Polish General Staff to England.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any Departmental Committee was set up after the Pearson Committee to advise on the adaptation of Gretna to peace purposes; if so, what were the names of the Committee; when it reported; and to what effect?

The Pearson Committee was appointed by, and reported to, the Ministry of Munitions before the control of factories reverted to the War Office. After the War Office assumed' control, a Departmental Committee was set up under the chairmanship of Sir James Stevenson to consider the retention of Gretna as a cordite factory. The decision of the Government on the Report of that Committee was to hand Gretna over to the Disposal Board. I know of no Committee having been set up to consider the adaptation of Gretna to other purposes than the manufacture of cordite.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the War Office in securing an order for possession of a house in Portsmouth, the site being required for the building of a saddlery to serve the adjacent barracks; whether he is aware that the order becomes operative on Thursday next and that the tenant, a widow, has been in occupation for over 40 years and is utterly unable to find accommodation elsewhere; and whether, in view of the circumstances, he will give instructions that the order for possession shall not be enforced, at any rate, for the time being?

I have no particulars of the case in question, but am making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to publish the text of the Agreement concluded between Britain and France in 1915, known as the Sykes-Picot Agreement?

I see no reason for the publication of an agreement which subsequent events have rendered inoperative. It could, in any case, not take place without previous agreement with the French Government, which I see no occasion to solicit.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Report of the Weir Committee on the Education of the Fighting Services has been published; and whether its recommendations have been given effect to?

I have been asked to reply. I assume that the question refers to the Committee on the Co-ordination of the Technical Services of the Navy, Army, and Air Force, since that Committee dealt with Educational Services amongst the rest. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part generally in the affirmative.

The decisions of the Government are as follow:—

(1) In existing circumstances, the complete or partial amalgamation of the common Services of the three Fighting Departments is not advisable, as no substantial economies would thereby be effected.

(2) Medical Services.

( a )A Joint Committee, consisting of the heads of the Medical Departments of the Navy, Army, Air Force and Ministry of Pensions, together with such other persons as may be nominated by those Departments, should be established to discuss matters affecting the Medical Services of the four Departments.

( b )The terms of reference of the Committee should be to advise upon: —

( i ) important questions of medical policy such as the construction of new hospitals;

( ii ) the provision of facilities for common training;

( iii ) specifications for the supply of medical stores and appliances;

( iv ) the use of Navy, Army, and Air Force hospitals for the accommodation of disabled War pensioners; and

( v ) all matters in respect of which economies might be effected by the co-operation of the four Departments.

(3) Chaplains' Services.

A Joint Committee composed of the heads of the Chaplains' Departments together with such other persons as may be nominated by the Admiralty, War Office, and Air Ministry should be set up. The Committee should meet periodically to discuss matters of common interest from the point of view of economy.

(4) Educational Services.

( a ) Instead of setting up new schools for the study of new weapons and appliances, existing establishments should, as far as possible, be made use of, new classes being added to them as and when necessary.

( b ) A Joint Committee, consisting of representatives of the Educational Branches of the Navy, Army, and Air Force, together with a representative of the Board of Education, should be set up to consider and advise on educational matters affecting the three Services.

(5) Intelligence Services.

An Inter-departmental Committee should be set up, on which all the Departments of State concerned should be represented, to inquire into the question of the co-ordination of the Services maintained for the collection of political intelligence, and information connected with trade, shipping, and the security services, with a view to preventing duplication.

(6) Supply Services.

( a )Five technical co-ordinating Committees should be appointed to meet at definite intervals to deal with: —

(i) Foodstuffs.

(ii) Clothing and textiles.

(iii) Mechanical transport,

(iv) General stores.

(v) Medical and veterinary stores.

( b )Special Sub-Committees of those Committees should be appointed to conduct detailed investigations with regard to particular items of supply.

( c ) The terms of reference of those Technical Co-ordinating Committees should be to consider:—

(i) The adoption, wherever possible, of trade standards and patterns for commodities and stores common to and in use by the three Services.

(ii) The standardisation, wherever practicable, of the specification and design of commodities and stores common to and in use by the three Services for which a trade pattern is unsuitable.

(iii) The co-ordination of the methods and procedure of inspection.

( d )The Technical Co-ordinating Committees should be composed of one or more representatives for each Committee from each Service, who should be technical officers of rank and experience and with a knowledge of Service practice.

In cases where other Government Departments are large purchasers of similar stores, representatives from those Departments should be added as associate members.

( e )A business man of repute and standing, chosen from a panel selected by the Federation of British Industries or other representative organisation, or from the associate members of the existing War Office Technical Committees, should be associated with each of the new committees.

( f ) The attention of the Contracts Co-ordinating Committee should be drawn to the Technical Co-ordinating Com mittees the establishment of which is recommended above, and they should refer to those Committees all suggestions for co-ordination of design and pattern and act generally in consultation with them.

( g ) The agency system, whereby one Department purchases from another stores or commodities, which owing to any combination of circumstances that Government Department is in a better position than the other to obtain, should be encouraged and developed, e.g., the particular case of furniture supplied by the Office of Works should receive immediate investigation by the appropriate Technical Co-ordinating Committee

( h ) The Treasury should investigate the financial difficulties which at present prevent a full use being made by Departments of the agency system.

(7) Transport Services.

( a ) The absorption of the mechanical transport of mobile units of the Air Force into the Army mechanical transport service is inadvisable.

( b ) An ad hoc Committee composed of representatives of the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry should be appointed to inquire into the question of the expediency of arranging for the provision by one of the Services of the mechanical transport requirements of the others at certain stations.

( 8 ) Works Services.

( a ) To ensure close and constant co-operation between the various Works Branches, a Joint Committee composed of representatives of the Works Branches of the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry and of His Majesty's Office of Works should be set up.

( b ) The terms of reference to that Committee should be:—

(i) To ensure free interchange of information and uniformity of procedure in respect of contracts, supply of stores for structural work, etc.

(ii) To ensure co-ordination in methods of economical construction and design.

(iii) To ensure that the interests and convenience of all the Works Branches are studied when large programmes of work are undertaken by one of them.

(iv) To ensure that the resources of each Branch in respect of technical matters for which it maintains an expert staff are made full use of by the other Government Works Departments.

(v) To consider, before large building schemes in the United Kingdom are undertaken by Government Departments, whether it would not be advantageous to entrust the execution of such schemes to the Office of Works.

( c ) To ensure the economical appropriation and use of Government buildings, a separate Joint Committee composed of representatives of the Admiralty, War Office, Air Ministry, and His Majesty's Office of Works should be set up.

( d ) The terms of reference of that Committee should be:—

(i) To meet periodically to discuss schemes for general inspection of accommodation.

(ii) To circulate information as to prospective vacation of premises.

(iii) To consider demands for additional accommodation.

(iv) Generally to ensure the economic allocation and utilisation of accommodation.

(9) In order to ensure- that the proposed Co-ordinating Committees and the existing Contracts Co-ordinating Committee are fully and effectively used, their proper functioning should be regarded as a special responsibility of the heads of the branches dealing with the service in question in the three Departments; and each Committee should furnish an annual report upon its work for submission to the Secretaries of State and the Treasury.

Inter-Departmental Committees are being set up accordingly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the additional cost to the Treasury to be incurred by the 25 per cent, preferences granted to home products in contracts placed by the Admiralty during the current financial year?

It is not yet possible to state the extra cost during the current financial year. I may say, however, that in the year ending 30th September, 1922, the extra cost would have been about £10,500. This preference resulted in diverting over £100,000 of contracts from foreign to home markets, and when the yield to the Exchequer from taxation on this; amount, as well as the indirect advantages accruing from the additional employment provided, are taken into consideration, the net result, instead of being an additional cost, was undoubtedly a substantial saving to the Treasury.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that no official intimation of dangerous illness is given to relatives of seamen serving on foreign stations unless such illness has had fatal results; and whether he will direct that intimation be forwarded to relatives when it is considered that the illness is likely to prove fatal?

Directions were issued by the Admiralty in July, 1922, to ensure that if the health of a man or boy serving: abroad gave cause for grave anxiety a report is telegraphed without delay to the Admiralty, who then take steps to-inform the relatives. Further reports, which are also communicated to the relatives, as to the progress of the patient are telegraphed weekly until the ease ceases to occasion anxiety, when a. final report to that effect is made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many "M.L." boats, which were used during the War as submarine catchers, are laid up in the Bursledon River, Southampton; what is their present condition; and what he proposes to do in order to dispose of them?

There are 125 boats, all of which have been disposed of. They will be removed as soon as the purchase money is paid. I have no information as to their present condition.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies if, for the information of residents in the Far East, he can make any statement as to the present position of the Anglo-Chinese negotiations affecting the rendition of Wei-hai-Wei; whether the British Government is putting forward any claim for indemnification for Government property which may be left to the Chinese; whether he is aware of the local resentment that private foreign interests thus placed under China are to receive no consideration; and why this policy has been adopted?

The negotiations for the return of Wei-hai-Wei to China, which were lately suspended for a short time, have now been resumed. His Majesty's Government are not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject, but my hon. Friend can be assured that all private interests in the territory are receiving full consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statements of alleged ill-treatment of the British citizens deported to Ireland under the former Restoration of Order in Ireland Act and now released; whether he has taken this matter up with the Governor of the Irish Free State; and whether he has taken any steps to obtain statements or affidavits in the matter from the released persons?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply addressed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to a question put to him by the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. Dunnico) on the 9th May, and the Debate on the Adjournment of the House on 10th May. With the exception of the case then under discussion, no specific allegations of ill-treatment have been brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government. The second and third parts of the question therefore do not arise.