asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is able to state that at the end of this year the only women clerks who will be in employment at the Pensions Issue Office will all be hardship cases; and whether he can give any promise of permanency in their continued employment, or see that they are duly provided with adequate training or other such benefits should any further number be discharged?

With the exception of war widows and dependants, notice has already been given to all clerks in Pension Issue Office who have resources other than their own earnings. The retention of the remainder must depend on the requirements of the office, the work of which is gradually decreasing in volume. I am afraid I am not in a position to give a promise of permanent employment to any unestablished officer, or to make any special provision for the temporary clerks of my Department in the event of unemployment. They will, of course, be eligible on discharge for the normal insurance benefits.

Can the right hon. Gentleman promise to do all that he possibly can for the hardship cases?

I am anxious to do all I can for the staff of the Issue Office, with whose position I have much sympathy. We are endeavouring, as far as possible, to give them as long notice as we can when we have to terminate their engagements.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will instruct regional directors to examine the attendance books of the finance section in the regions; and whether, if he found that the staff had been habitually working overtime without pay, he will take steps to ensure that the staff shall be adequate to perform the duties in the section without overtime?

It is one of the ordinary duties of regional directors to examine the attendance books of the staff under their control. I am, however, causing inquiry to be made into the attendances in the finance section of each region. As I informed the hon. Member on the 31st ultimo, in answer to a question in this House, assistance is always given when necessary.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the accounts division of his Department is responsible for the authorisation of payments; whether this division is also responsible for the audit of payments after they are made; and, if so, will he arrange that the audit duties shall be carried out by officers independent of the accounts division?

The audit of payments, after they are made, is carried out by a section of the accounts division entirely separate from, and independent of, the section responsible for authorising the payments. I might add that an independent audit of the Ministry's expendi- ture is carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor-General under Statutory powers conferred upon him.

asked the Minister of Pensions, seeing that the number of men in receipt of pensions has been reduced by 444,500 in two years, that claims for new pensions were only 45,000 last year as compared with 81,000 in the preceding year, and that the staff of the statistical division has been increased by 38 for the current financial year, what are the duties of the statistical division; and why, having regard to the decrease in the volume of work, is it considered necessary to increase the staff?

I regret that owing to a typing error the staff of the Statistical Division of the Ministry was understated in the Estimates for 1922–23 by 100. There has, in point of fact, been a considerable decrease in the staff of that Division during the last 12 months.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to abolish the Commissioners of Land Tax; if not, will he say when Parliament passed the last Names Act, under which these Commissioners are appointed; how many Land Tax Commissioners are there; who actually selects them; and is the appointment a political one?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The last Names Act was passed in 1906. In addition Justices of the Peace are Land Tax Commissioners within their respective counties or divisions. I am not able to state the exact number of Commissioners at the present time. When a Names Bill is passing through the House a preliminary Resolution is passed inviting Members of the House to prepare lists of suitable persons. It would generally be true to say that the selection is made by the existing Commissioners subject to the approval of the Member. The appointment is not a political one.

Is it not the fact that the Land Tax Commissioners appoint the General Commissioners of Income Tax?

Yes, I think so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, in his evidence before the Royal Commission on Income Tax, Sir Thomas Collins, the chief inspector of taxes, stated that inspectors of taxes have been exercising duties which in law they have undoubtedly no power to do; and is it intended to bring in legislation to safeguard officials of the Board of Inland Revenue in the performance of such duties as are at present out side the statute law?

I am aware of the evidence to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I would remind him that, as appears from the Report of the Royal Commission, the machinery of the tax would long ago have broken down but for the gradual devolution by the local Income Tax Commissioners to the inspectors of taxes of many practical duties, for the performance of which the ultimate responsibility rests in the main with the Commissioners, though they are not required personally to perform them. Such devolution has taken place, and can only take place, with the concurrence of the Commissioners; settlements of liabilities effected by inspectors on their behalf are subject to their formal confirmation; and where agreement between the inspector and the taxpayer is not reached, the taxpayer's right of personal appeal to the Commissioners is entirely unimpaired. The Royal Commission made recommendations designed to bring the old machinery of the law into harmony with modern practice, but an opportunity for giving effect to these recommendations has not yet presented itself.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons now employed at the Home Office, and the number so employed in July, 1914?

The figures asked for by the hon. Member are 877 and 701, respectively. For the headquarter staff only (excluding inspectors, immigration officers, and provincial clerks), the figures are 398 and 267.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many district valuers there are; the numbers of their staffs; the total of their emoluments; and the total cost of upkeep, including the rental of offices, etc.?

The district valuers number 106. Their staffs (both professional and clerical) number 592. The total emoluments are about £275,000 per annum. Other expenditure in these offices amounts to some £20,000 per annum, exclusive of office rents, in regard to which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the case of Oswald Kirkpatrick, Private, No. 49,958, South Wales Borderers (Ministry reference No. 3/Mk/4,378), who served in France for 18 months and was awarded a pension of 20 per cent. for neurasthenia; whether the Ministry has decided that the rate of disablement is nil, and if this has been confirmed by the Pension Appeal Tribunal; and whether, as Kirkpatrick is unable to follow his pre-war employment as a fitter in consequence of the disability accepted as attributable to service, he is eligible for training at one of the convalescent centres under the control of the Ministry of Pensions or industrial training under the Ministry of Labour?

The facts are as stated in the first two parts of the question. I regret that this man is not eligible for admission to a convalescent centre under my Department. He does not appear to have made any application for industrial training, but I understand that he has been asked to get into communication with the local officers of the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, when his advisory committee is considering the effect of the present seven years' limit Regulation upon the issue of pensions, they will have regard to the claims of all dependants or merely to those of widows?

The reference to my advisory committee will be confined to the single issue which was raised in the course of Debate last week, namely, the claims of widows.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the disability depends, not upon the time and cause, but upon the degree of kinship of the relatives?

No, Sir, but the claims are not all on an identical footing. I will, however, consider the point that the hon. Member has raised.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Mrs. Binns, 5, Maudes Buildings, Sowerby Bridge, has had her dependant's pension reduced from 12s. 8d. per week to 4s. 8d. per week?

I am looking into the facts of this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the advisability of pensions being paid weekly, instead of quarterly as hitherto, in order to avoid the risk of pensioners being without means during part of the period covered by their pension?

I have been asked to reply. Ex-Army pensioners are entitled to be paid in advance, weekly in the case of pensions awarded since the beginning of the War, quarterly in other cases. Weekly payment can be, and is, arranged in the case of any pensioner who himself desires it, but legislation would be required to deprive a pensioner of his right to being paid quarterly.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that part of the dissatisfaction felt with regard to the findings of appeal tribunals is due to appellants not being in a position to adequately present their own cases, he will allow local war pensions committees to render some assistance in those cases where they are satisfied that the appellant's case will not otherwise be fully and clearly placed before the tribunal?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on the 15th March. I may add that the Regulations made by the Lord Chancellor expressly provide that an appellant may be assisted at the hearing by a member of a war pensions committee.

Has the right hon. Gentleman closed his mind entirely against allowing the local pensions committees to do what they did previously, namely, to give assistance by allowing their members to go with the pensioners?

Members of the committees are most welcome to go with the pensioners.

At whose expense?

asked the Minister of Pensions the reason why the pension of 5s. 2d. per week awarded to Miss Timmins, of 780, Old Ford Road, Bow, E., has been stopped?

I am looking into the facts of this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions the reason his Department has refused to comply with the application of P. J. Walters, of 18, Lacey Street, Bow, E., for payment of the half-pension due to his wife during the period the pensioner was in prison?

Under the provisions of the Forfeiture Act, 1870, and Article 1208 of the Pay Warrant, 1914, this man's pension was forfeited from the date of his conviction to the date of his release. The concession under which half the pension of a man under imprisonment may be applied for the benefit of his family was not in operation at the time this man was convicted, and there are no grounds on which a concession of this nature could be made retrospective.

Will it be possible to give this man's wife and children a compassionate allowance? Is there not any loophole by which they can be given this assistance? It is a case of sheer distress. The man will be driven back to prison again.

I do not think the case calls for any special intervention so far as the original claim is concerned.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the pension formerly granted to Mrs. Simpson, of 21, Ashcombe Street, Fulham, S.W.6, widow of Sapper James Brown Simpson, No. 158944, Royal Engineers, who was killed in February, 1918, has been stopped after a period ending September, 1922?

This widow was not entitled to full pension under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant, but was accorded the benefit of the temporary provision made for widows of men who died during the War from a cause not connected with service. Under the terms of the Warrant itself, this concession expired on the 30th September last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this woman is now in very great distress, and that her husband did certainly die while on service with the Colours?

The powers of this Ministry are strictly limited to compensation in cases arising out of the War.

This man was serving during the War. He could not be doing anything else during the War. He served, and now his wife and children have to go to the Poor Law.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Orthopædic Hospital at Ducane Road, Shepherd's Bush, has to be closed down at the end of the year; and, if so, what steps the Ministry are taking to provide for the present patients the specialist treatment needed by them?

The lease on which these premises are held expires at the end of the present year, and arrangements are being made for the accommodation of the patients by an extension of the facilities at Roehampton.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the injustice arising from the fact that a widow's pension, if granted, only dates from the date of application, he will arrange that the said pension should date from the date of the husband's death?

It is the general rule of my Department to award pension from the date of application only. An exception is, however, made in favour of widows and dependants, and in these cases, if application is made within two months of the man's death, the award takes effect from that date.

Is there any likelihood of that being altered in the near future?

I shall be happy to consider any representation made on that subject by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the case of the widow of the late Charles Jennings, 12, Dean Street, Bradford, No. 40552, Northumberland Fusiliers, who died 25th April, 1923, and whose death was accelerated by wounds received in the Great War, out of which he was discharged with a pension of 7s. 6d. weekly with a terminal gratuity of £40 payable in November, 1924 (Ref. 4/MJ/2,008, Boar Lane, Leeds); and, in view of the fact that unpaid pension and gratuity represent a saving to the Government of, approximately, £70, will he help the widow to the extent of the funeral expenses, which are £22?

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

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that, when the Leicester branch of the British Legion communicate with the Ministry regarding a member of their branch, a reply is sent to the individual concerned direct, and that the Legion is not informed of the progress of the case or the decision arrived at; and whether he will give instructions to all concerned that when the Legion brings a case before the Ministry for consideration the Legion should be informed of the decision, in order that they can fully explain the position to the person affected?

Information in the possession of my Department regarding a pensioner is confidential, and ordinarily is not communicated to a third party except to accredited organisations with the man's written consent. Where this consent is not received with the application, it is the practice of the Department, in order to avoid delay, to give the information direct to the man, and, at the same time, to inform the organisation that this has been done.

When a question has been raised by the British Legion, would it not be desirable that that body should be notified direct, because sometimes, if the individual is notified direct, he is at a loss to understand the Regulations, whereas, if the British Legion explain it to the individual, the case may be cleared up quickly?

Why is special attention given to the British Legion?

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that no private information is given about any man to anyone without his consent?

In answer to my right hon. Friend, the House will realise that there are cases where private information about a man's illness ought never to be imparted without the man's consent.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. Arthur Osborn, late No. 5551, lance-sergeant, Coldstream Guards, of 17, Buller Road, Belgrave, Leicester, was certified by his panel doctor (Dr. Levene, of Belgrave Road, Leicester), on the 12th March, 1923, as being totally unfit for work owing to severe abdominal pains following bilharzia, and on the 29th March was recommended by a Ministry of Pensions' doctor for admission to hospital for treatment; that although his admission to hospital did not take place till the 12th April, and his panel doctor certified him unfit for work, he has been refused treatment allowances for the three weeks he was awaiting admission to hospital; and, in view of the opinion of the panel doctor, will he reconsider his decision and award treatment allowances for this period?

The terms of the Royal Warrant do not permit of the payment of treatment allowances unless the requirements of the course of treatment itself are of such a nature as to prevent the man from providing for his own support and that of his family. This condition was not fulfilled in the present case and, accordingly, the man remained on pension and was not eligible for allowances during the period claimed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case the man's panel doctor certified that he was unfit for work, and his wife and child were expected to exist on a pension of 8s. 8d. for a period of three weeks?

I shall be happy to consider any point bearing on the case if the hon. and gallant Member will kindly give it to me.

On a point of Order. May I ask your ruling, Mr. Speaker, or, if not your ruling, at least your opinion, upon the matter of Members asking questions about specific cases, and taking up nearly the whole of Question Time; and may I remind you that your predecessor, Mr. Speaker Lowther, asked hon. Members in the late Parliament distinctly not to do this sort of thing, as these were not matters of general public importance, but only matters of detail.

I quite agree with my predecessor on that matter, but, as I have said once before, I can only leave it to the judgment and good will of Members to put down, as unstarred, questions on purely local matters, so as to give more time to other Members to put questions of more general interest.

On that point of Order——

It is not a point of Order. I am only making a request to Members.

Is it not possible to have a ruling? I made a self-denying ordinance on myself, Mr. Speaker, when you asked the other day, but I found everyone else putting these questions down, and so I started again. I want to say that I am perfectly willing, if everyone else does, to fall in with the proposition.

I am very happy to have that reinforcement. May I repeat, then, the request to Members that they will put down unstarred questions in the case of local and individual matters?

asked the Minister of Pensions in what institutions under his control are full-time chaplains employed; what is the salary paid; and to which religious denomination do the chaplains belong?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

Full-time chaplains are employed as follows.

Institution and Denomination.

Queen Mary's Convalescent Centre, Epsom (Church of England).

Cannock Chase Hospital (Church of England).

Orpington Hospital (Church of England).

The Queen's Hospital, Sidcup (Church of England).

Craigleigh Hospital, Edinburgh (Presbyterian).

The salary of full-time chaplains is £370 per annum, plus lodging, fuel and light, or an allowance of £70 per annum in lieu thereof.

asked the Minister of Pensions what are the numbers and grades of the Ministry nursing service employed at headquarters: what are their duties; and whether he will consider transferring these duties to the regional commissioners of medical services and the medical superintendents of Ministry institutions?

The only members of the Ministry nursing service employed at headquarters are the matron-in-chief and the principal matron, who are engaged in the general supervision and co-ordination of the work of the whole nursing service. I am not prepared to accept the sugges- tion in the last part of the question which I do not consider would be in the interests of either economy or efficiency.

asked the Minister of Pensions what accommodation is provided in married quarters in institutions for officers in receipt of salaries of £260 a year and over; and what is the rent charged for the same?

The married quarters provided on a rental basis in Ministry institutions for officers in receipt of salaries of £260 per annum and over vary in accordance with the accommodation available, but they never consist of less than four rooms and a bath-room, and are usually in excess of this. The rent charged is 24s. 6d. a week, inclusive of rates and taxes, and a reasonable amount of fuel and light.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will cause to be reopened the case of John Francis Mullaney, 7, Waile Street, Bradford, ex-private, No. 608,896, Labour Corps, who, having contracted valvular disease of the heart from exposure and shell-shock in the War, was granted a pension, which has since been stopped on the ground that aggravation has passed away and his appeal, 17th February, 1922, rejected, notwithstanding which he has ever since been unfit for work and continually in hospital, and that his panel doctor, R. E. Ford, 1, Hallfield Road, Bradford, certifies, 25th May, 1923, that the disease is permanent and disables him from performing work involving much exertion; and if the Ministry's own circular on valvular disease of the heart, 2nd May last, to regional officers supplies cause for Mullaney's case to be reconsidered?

In the short time available I have not been able to complete my inquiries into this case. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will give consideration to the case of J. Rowan, 12, Grimwith Street, Bradford, who enlisted at the age of 16 in 1914, was returned, and re-enlisted on 26th July 1915, in the Highland Light Infantry, No. 203,016; was wounded in France in September, 1916, and again in December, 1917; was 12 months in hospital, and is now permanently lame; finally demobilised on 7th February, 1919, with 30 per cent. pension, reduced to 20 per cent. on 4th December, 1919, given 7s. 6d. a week for a year with £10 gratuity on 15th December, 1920, a further gratuity of £10 on 12th October, 1922, but pension stopped altogether in February, 1923; appeal allowed, 20th April, 1923 (4/MR/4523, Case 18/A/328), with 8s. pension, but has to pay back the £20 gratuity out of it; and if, in view of the success of his appeal, and that he is under constant treatment, he can be granted the aforesaid pension from the date of his successful appeal minus the claim for the repayment of the £20?

The 20 per cent. award was granted with arrears from the 19th February, 1923, and was in lieu of the balance remaining unpaid of the former award. The effect of the hon. Member's suggestion would be to award double compensation for the same disability.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that ex-Private Peter Martin, No. 355,592, Highland Light Infantry (Territorials), of 219, Onslow Drive, Glasgow, was mobilised on 31st August, 1914, one of five brothers who served in the War, was declared A1, and demobilised on 9th March, 1919; that, owing to mental trouble resulting from, his service in the War, he was admitted to Gartloch Asylum as a pauper lunatic on 10th November, 1922, but was refused a pension on the ground that the trouble did not arise from his service in the Army; that the appeal tribunal upheld the decision of the Ministry; that there was no record of insanity in this man's family; and that a brother was similarly affected by mental trouble owing to war service, which is admitted, as is shown by his being in receipt of a pension; and if he can do anything to remedy this?

The mental disability in this case appears to have first arisen about 3½ years after the man's service ended, and although careful inquiry was made, nothing was found to connect the disability with service. The tribunal, on appeal, confirmed this finding which is now, therefore, final. As regards the brother's case, he was actually discharged from the Army on account of a rather different mental disability, and in view of the established connection with service, the Ministry were able to admit responsibility.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it has actually been decided to close the pensions hospital on Cannock Chase; and, if so, whether he will state the reasons for adopting this policy in view of the large expenditure incurred in building and equipment?

Owing to the decreasing requirements for hospital accommodation in the Midlands, arrangements have been made for the gradual closing of this hospital.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that such institutions will be used as fully as possible, particularly in view of the disastrous calamity that occurred yesterday?

The hon. Member is referring to the grave disaster to which I shall allude presently, but he is urging us to maintain hutting accommodation made of wood.

Is it not a fact that Cannock Chase hospital is a permanent building, and not a wooden structure?

My information is that this hospital has a large amount of wood in it. In any case the object is not to keep hospitals full, but to keep as many as are necessary for cases we have to deal with.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the dissatisfaction felt in Wales in regard to the constitution of the Central Advisory Committee, he will consider the advisability of increasing the representation of Wales on that body so that those aspects of pension administration which are peculiar to the Principality may be adequately considered?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on the 28th March.

The answer I had was that Wales was only represented by one member, a lady. I am asking the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider whether such a large area should only be represented by one woman.

I have gone into the proportion of Wales. One of the places which might be distributed on a territorial basis, Wales would only be entitled to half a member. We have given her a whole one.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Minister of Pensions if he has any information to give to the House with reference to the fire which took place yesterday at the pensioners' hospital at Highbury; can he state how the injured are progressing and what provision will be made for the dependants of those who have lost their lives?

( by Private Notice ) asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received a report of the disastrous fire involving loss of life at the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Highbury, Birmingham, yesterday; whether he will have an immediate inquiry into the causes of same, and also the suitability or otherwise, of wood structures being used for such a purpose?

I have received a full report of this distressing fatality from one of my medical officers, whom I sent to Birmingham last night immediately on receipt of the news. The hospital is not one which is owned by the Ministry, but has been made available for its exclusive use by special agreement with the Birmingham Pensions Hospital Committee which is responsible for the administration.

The fire took place in an isolated open-air ward, shortly after two o'clock yesterday afternoon. The cause of it is still quite obscure. It originated in a small room at one end of the ward and the outbreak was at once observed by the orderly on duty who, assisted by a patient, immediately attempted to deal with it, and gave the alarm. The fire brigade arrived in about five minutes. In the meantime practically the whole staff of the hospital had arrived on the scene and, together with all patients who were fit to do so, endeavoured to put out the flames and to remove the helpless patients from the ward. The fire, however, spread rapidly aided by the gale of wind which was blowing at the time, and even before the fire brigade had arrived the position of the patients had become a matter of the utmost difficulty and danger. The rescue work was carried out at the cost of considerable injuries to some individuals, and the behaviour of all concerned calls for the highest praise.

The ward was an open-air hut of the most modern type, such as is extensively used in this and other countries for the treatment of severe and often hopeless cases of tuberculosis and other diseases requiring ample access to sun and air. It was of wooden construction on a brick foundation with a galvanised iron roof. There were two exits—one which was at the end of the hut, where the fire started, was at once rendered inaccessible. The other was an opening 9 feet wide in one side of the hut, through which two beds could simultaneously be removed. There were thus ample opportunities for exit in any normal emergency. There were in the ward nine full water buckets and two fire extinguishers.

The number of patients in the ward at the time of the outbreak was 15, of whom only three could help themselves. In addition to the two patients who unfortunately lost their lives, there were two who were seriously injured. I am glad to learn from further inquiries which I made this morning that they are going on well, though not yet out of danger. Other injured patients and members of the staff are progressing satisfactorily.

I wish to express my sincere sympathy with the relatives of the men who have died and with those who have been injured. The House may rest assured that the claims of the dependants of those who have lost their lives will be generously and sympathetically dealt with.

On the question raised by the hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. W. Adamson), full inquiry will be made into all the circumstances, including the suitability of this type of building.

I am obliged to my right hon. Friend. Will he make special inquiry to ascertain whether in fact there was a geyser in this wooden building, as alleged whether the fire originated with that geyser; whether that is a suitable thing to have in any hospital, and, above all, in any hospital constructed of wood?

Full inquiry shall be made into the very important point raised by my right hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are other hospitals of a more permanent structure that are now being closed down which would be more suitable for patients of this character?

I know there are buildings of a permanent type built of brick and stone, but for this particular purpose practically the whole side of the building was open to the air for medical reasons. I am told this is the very latest type of building used, not only here but in Switzerland and in the United States of America. None the less, if there be anything wrong, we naturally desire to put it right, and it is with that object that a full inquiry will be made.

Is it not a fact that this hospital was regarded by medical experts as one of the most up-to-date in the world?

That is so. This particular building was erected at considerable cost, and was of the latest type adopted here or in any other country.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Dewland v. the Prudential Assurance Company, heard at the County Court at Kingston-upon-Hull on 7th June last, in which a verdict was found for the plaintiff for the return of the whole of the amount paid on account of a so-called War Bond policy, issued by the company, because of misrepresentations; whether the attention of the Public Prosecutor has been called to this case; and whether, in view of this verdict by a County Court Judge, the Government will again consider the setting up of a Committee to inquire into the position of the one-and-a-quarter millions of persons who have taken out this form of policy?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in that reply he said these people have a resort to the Courts, and is he aware that most of them are in very poor circumstances and it is quite impossible for them to go to the Courts?

A case has already been decided, and there is reason to suppose that cases on all fours with that would be properly met.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any assurance on that point?

No, I have not.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the facts disclosed in the Court warrant the Government in reconsidering the matter, to which they only gave partial consideration when the Bill was before the House?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any instruction or Regulation has been issued by his Department prohibiting police officers entering licensed premises and/or billiards saloons in their constabulary area when off duty?

No, Sir, but in some forces an addition has been made to the Standard Discipline Code by the police authority, and approved by the Secretary of State, prohibiting entering licensed premises when off duty and in uniform, and in one area where the circumstances were exceptional a restriction has been approved which goes somewhat further.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not only when off duty in uniform but in private clothes there is a restriction in one force in particular on men entering licensed premises? Is it not a reflection on the character and ability of policemen to behave themselves when off duty? What have they done to deserve this treatment?

I think there is one area where there is this restriction on men off duty in uniform, but in that case there are special circumstances which seem to me to justify it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that in this force, where such restrictions are to be imposed, the authorities will agree to establish a police canteen, as a set off to the prevention of obtaining liquor when off duty?

I shall be happy to consider that suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary what methods he proposes to adopt to exclude undesirable aliens who may be admitted into the Irish Free State from coming on to this country in view of the fact that passports will not be required?

The Government of the Irish Free State are maintaining the machinery for the exclusion of undesirable aliens from Ireland previously operated by my predecessors; and I am satisfied that this country is, as heretofore, being adequately protected in this connection.

Arising out of that very satisfactory answer, could not the right hon. Gentleman extend this concession to all the other Dominions and Colonies of the Empire as a first step to abolishing passports altogether?

Would it be possible to lay on the Table of the House a definition of "undesirable alien"?

asked the Home Secretary the number of married persons at present detained during His Majesty's pleasure as criminal lunatics at Broadmoor or other institutions; how many of these have been detained for periods of five years and upwards; and how many of the total number are males and females, respectively?

The persons at present detained in Broadmoor during His Majesty's pleasure who were described on admission as married total 343, of whom 215 are males and 128 females. Of these 76 males and 44 females have been detained upwards of five years. It is not possible either in these cases or in the case of persons detained in other asylums to say how many have wives or husbands still living.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that a Factory and Workshop Amendment Bill is long overdue because of the changed conditions in industry, he will advise the Government to introduce such a Measure at an early date?

No legislation could be undertaken this Session, but I should be glad if it were possible to introduce an Amending and Consolidating Bill next year. All that I can promise at present is that the matter will be carefully reviewed when the legislative programme for next Session is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that of the eight cases of lead poisoning among house painters and plumbers which came to the knowledge of the Home Office during April six were fatal; and whether, in view of these facts, he will urge upon the Government the importance of ratifying the white lead convention as recommended by the Norman Committee?

The question of ratifying the convention is receiving careful consideration.

also asked the Home Secretary whether he will give particulars regarding the four workers in the china and earthenware industry who, as reported in the May issue of the "Labour Gazette," have been attacked by lead poisoning?

I will circulate the particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the particulars:

Case 1.—Man, aged 51, glost placer, employed 40 years (10 years in the dipping-house as a child and youth). Chronic lead poisoning—arterio-sclerosis.

Case 2.—Man, aged 62, dipper, employed 33 years. Chronic lead poisoning—nephritis.

Case 3.—Woman, aged 39, dipper, employed 20 years. Chronic lead poisoning—nephritis.

Case 4.—Woman, aged 32, aerographer, employed 16 years. Chronic lead poisoning—nephritis.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the fact that in the final Report of the Royal Commission on Vivisection, presented to both Houses of Parliament, it was recommended that a whole-time chief inspector and three whole-time inspectors for Great Britain should be appointed; and, seeing that such four whole-time inspectors were duly appointed after the presentation of the Report, and that there is at the present time, besides one whole-time chief inspector, only one inspector for Great Britain, will he undertake to have the recommendation of the Committee carried out?

I am aware of the recommendation of the Royal Commission, but it is not the case that four whole-time inspectors were actually appointed. The staff was increased to four, but of these only two were whole-time officers. The working of the present arrangements will be carefully watched, but I am afraid I cannot hold out any prospect of an increase in the inspectorate in view of the financial situation.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that British subjects who were outraged and captured on the Tientsin-Pukow train in China by bandits on the 6th of May are still being held to ransom under appalling condi- tions, and that the efforts of the British Minister in Peking to secure their release have proved unavailing; whether the Chinese Government are being held responsible for the safety and lives of these people; whether he has any further information; and what steps does His Majesty's Government propose to take in view of the failure of our representative in Peking to secure their release?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps, if any, have been taken to secure the release of the British and American prisoners who were captured in the Tientsin-Pukow Railway raid; and if measures will be adopted in conjunction with other Powers to provide for the safety of foreign residents outside the treaty ports in China?

I have nothing to add to the statements I made on this subject on the 11th and 13th instant, when I gave the information that all the foreign prisoners had been released.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any further information about the revolution in Bulgaria; and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the provisional Government that has been set up in Bulgaria?

I have not yet sufficient information to reply to either parts of this question.

asked the Prime Minister how many resolutions he has received during the last four weeks from branches of the League of Nations Union urging upon the Government the desirability of summoning a special meeting of the League of Nations Council to deal with difficulties arising from the occupation of the Ruhr; and what are the intentions of the Government in regard to this matter?

I have received some 80 resolutions in this sense from the various branches of the League of Nations Union. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made in this House by the late Prime Minister and by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 19th February and 13th March.

Is it possible to give any idea when it will be possible to inform the House?

I am afraid that I cannot say.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that it is customary for hay carts to stand in the centre of the roadway at Aldgate three deep during the busiest part of the day, thereby aggravating the congestion of traffic which occurs at this spot; and will he state the reason why this is allowed to continue?

I understand that the facts are as stated, and that this custom is authorised by an ancient Charter.

Can nothing be done in regard to this nuisance?

I believe that people who are interested in the matter are seeing if anything can be done, but I am afraid that I cannot do anything.

This is one of the busiest parts of London.

I cannot interfere with an ancient Charter.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a case which came before the Merthyr Tydfil justices on the 8th instant, when Christopher Cruicci was fined £100, with 20 guineas costs, for the sale of chocolate liqueurs, two samples of which contained not less than 25 and 30 per cent. proof spirit; and will he, seeing that these chocolate liqueurs are manufactured at an address in London, take such steps as would prevent the manufacture and the sale of these goods, and so prevent this trade which is a temptation to young persons?

I have seen a newspaper report of the case in question, but I do not think that there is any action which I am called upon to take in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary how many Metropolitan Police were employed at the Epsom races last week; whether any charge is made to the racing authorities for the extra police so employed; whether any charge is made on the Metropolitan Police Fund for police on duty at Epsom races; if the police and officers employed receive any extra pay or expenses; and, if so, how much?

The number of Metropolitan Police employed on the course at Epsom was 861, all being paid for by the racecourse authorities. A large number of police were employed on traffic duty on the roads leading to the course, and their cost falls, like that of other police employed elsewhere on similar duties, on the Metropolitan Police Fund. The men do not receive any extra pay, but are granted allowances in accordance with the Police Regulations and the Orders of the Force at rates varying with their rank and the circumstances under which they have performed duty.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Metropolitan Police have any Regulations as regards the number of motor omnibuses they will license for running in the streets of London; and whether, owing to the great increase of street traffic in London and Greater London and the large number of new motor omnibuses which have recently been licensed to new motor omnibus companies, and also the increased size and capacity of such omnibuses, it is proposed to consider whether any limit shall be put on the number of motor omnibuses licensed by the police authorities for the streets of London?

There are no such Regulations, and there is no power to make them. The new omnibuses licensed to new owners do not yet total 100. The size and capacity of these buses is not greater than those of the new type of buses owned by the London General Omnibus Company. The reply to the last paragraph of the question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the danger to the public caused by the absence of a speed limit for motor vehicles passing through the parish of Batheaston; and whether he can expedite the fixing of a speed limit as desired by the parish council?

I have been unable to trace any application for the imposition of a reduced speed limit on any section of a highway in the parish of Batheaston. Any such application would, under the provisions of the Motor Car Act, 1903, have to be made by the county council.

Is not the only efficacious speed limit test that the driving is dangerous to the public, and not the number of miles per hour?

I do not think that arises from the question.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to a petition carrying the signatures of 1,656 persons, which was presented at the Home Office on 17th April of this year by Mr. William McConnell, Dane Farm, Houghton Conquest, near Amptill, Bedfordshire, craving a new trial; and whether, in order to avoid further delay, he can state whether the petition will be granted?

Before Mr. McConnell sent in this petition, which was for the re-trial of certain County Court actions, it had been made clear to him that the matter was one in which I am not able to take any action. I have no power to intervene in such cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 15th December last in the Divisional Court, Mr. Justice Darling and Mr. Justice Salter sat on this Appeal and Justice Darling on the second point raised said that the County Court Judge could have given another trial if he had cared to do so?

I would not like to contest any opinion given by those eminent judges. I have no power to order a new trial.

Am I to understand that there is no power of giving a re-trial to this man?

Not so far as I am concerned.

asked the Home Secretary what are the limitations imposed on the Secretary of State for the Home Department in regard to the power to open private correspondence; whether he is aware that a letter was registered in Maidstone on 24th May addressed to a nurse in Dublin and was returned to the sender on 8th June with an explanatory typed slip that it was returned by the Secretary of State for the Home Department as it related to a lottery, the said lottery being a Derby sweep; and whether, in such cases, on mere suspicion, the authorities hold themselves authorised to open correspondence when the safety of the State is in no way involved?

No limitations are anywhere laid down, but the Secretary of State never issues a warrant without good reason. Advertisements had invited persons to participate in a sweepstake illegal in this country, and to send their subscriptions to a nurse in Dublin. There was, therefore, more than mere suspicion in this case. On the general question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 6th instant to the junior Member for Brighton.

The right hon. Gentleman has never told us on what conditions it is justifiable for him to open private correspondence. What becomes of the boasted liberties of British citizens if this practice continues?

Did the right hon. Gentleman pursue the same tactics in regard to the Otley sweepstake that he has followed in regard to the Jarvis Street Hospital sweepstake in Dublin?

Whatever action was taken in connection with the Otley sweepstake was taken by the local authority, and not by me.

Under what power did the right hon. Gentleman take action in regard to the Dublin Hospital sweepstake?

I took action because it was said to be illegal, and I had to do my best to stop it.

Is not that equally true in regard to the Otley sweepstake?

asked the President of the Board of Education the minimum education rate which will qualify local education authorities to receive assistance in the current year from the necessitous areas grant, the number of the authorities likely to benefit, and the amount provided in the Estimate for this grant?

For the year 1923–24 the rate which will qualify for this grant is 42d., as stated in the Draft Elementary Education (Substantive Grant Continuance) Regulations, 1923. The number of authorities expected to benefit is about 22, and the amount provided in the Estimates is £200,000.

If all the sum allocated is not absorbed by the 3s. 6d. rate, will the right hon. Gentleman lower the rate so that other necessitous areas may get the advantage in these times of heavy rates?

I do not think I can give an undertaking of that sort.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to any cases in which the standard reached by prospective fee-paying pupils at a secondary school has been markedly inferior to that demanded from the free-place candidates for entrance; and what action, if any, his Department takes in such cases when the total number of vacancies in the school is not sufficient to admit the fee-paying pupils if the strict order of educational merit be taken as the basis for admission?

I have received from the hon. Member some information relating to a particular school which appears, to some extent, to support his suggestion. I must, however, point out that all entrants to a secondary school are required to show that they are fit to profit by instruction in the school. The conditions which must be observed in respect of the admission of pupils to secondary schools are stated in the Appendix to the Board's Regulations, and the Board take steps to satisfy themselves that the requirements of the Regulations are satisfied.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can give the number of schools throughout the country not in receipt of grants from rates and taxes; if he can state the number of these schools who have expressed their willingness to be inspected by the Board or by local authorities; and if he has taken any action, and, if so, what, in the case of any such school where inefficiencies have been revealed at an inspection?

The returns made to the Board under Section 155 of the Education Act, 1921, has revealed the existence of, approximately, 7,300 private schools. With regard to the second part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on the 7th June last. Section 147 of the Act of 1921 does not confer on the Board authority to take administrative action in the case of private schools which declare themselves open to inspection by the Board or the local education authority.

When the inspection reveals inefficiency, do the Board give that information to the local authority who are empowered to take action in reference to school attendance?

I should not like to say definitely without notice, but I imagine that they would in any case where the local authority have power to act.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received resolutions from associations of teachers suggesting that the teaching of domestic subjects should be made compulsory in all State-aided schools; and if he proposes to adopt the suggestion?

The Board have from time to time received resolutions advocating the extension of provision for instruction in domestic subjects, and I am aware that quite recently the Association of Teachers of Domestic Subjects adopted a resolution on the lines indicated in my hon. Friend's question. As regards the Board's attitude, I have nothing to add to a reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton on the 8th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

Does that mean that the Board are going to take steps?

It means what I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton, which is a long answer, and perhaps my hon. Friend will read it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Member for Acton got no satisfaction from that answer, and would the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this important point?

That is the first I have heard of my hon. Friend not receiving satisfaction. That obviously creates a new situation which will have to be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is able to give a list of public or secondary schools, other than grant-earning schools, admitted to the benefits of the Teachers' Superannuation Act, together with the dates of their application and admission, together with a list of schools which have applied unsuccessfully for admittance to pensions under the Superannuation Act, with the dates of their application; and if any schools have been refused or accepted on any grounds other than their ability or inability to finance a pension scheme of their own, and, if so, on what ground?

I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the schools which have been approved under Section 18 (vii) of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, together with the dates of their approval. The number of cases in which approval has been refused is 44; some of these refusals are, however, not final, and a list would, therefore, be misleading. No school can be approved unless it can show that it is unable out of its own resources to maintain a pension scheme. In most cases failure to show this was the main ground of refusal; but other grounds of refusal have been that the schools have been conducted for private profit or were not shown to be efficient.

Have any of the schools admitted to pension any endowments, and, if so, how much?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will, in conjunction with the Minister of Labour, consider the necessity, in view of the large number of juveniles still unemployed, for the continuance of the juvenile unemployment centres?

I have been in communication with my right hon. Friend, and I understand that he has this matter at present under his very close personal consideration, but that he cannot at the moment make any statement upon it.

Will my right hon. Friend use all his influence in favour of the continuation of these classes, seeing the great good they are doing in preventing the demoralisation resulting to young people from growing up in idleness?

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that six months ago the Government said that these classes were absolutely necessary and that they are just as necessary to-day?

That inquiry ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend. On the general question, I can only repeat the assurance, which I gave the Noble Lord, that I am in close communication with my right hon. Friend. I am fully alive to the interest taken in these centres.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present sanction to the local authorities to conduct these classes ends on the 30th of this month, and in view of the desirability of continuing them will he see that the local authorities are speedily warned of the Government's intentions with regard to the future?

I will convey the hon. Gentleman's remarks to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is able to assure the House, in view of the continuance of unemployment, that the juvenile centres will not be closed?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the reports that he has hitherto received on the juvenile unemployed centres are favourable; and, if so, whether the Government is prepared to continue the grant for a further period?

I am glad to be able to state that the reports which I have received on juvenile unemployment centres are generally favourable in character. The question of the continuance of the Government grant is under consideration, but I cannot carry the matter further at the moment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that unless he does something by 30th June, the local authorities will have to close down, and that once these centres are closed down it will be a very difficult thing to get them started again?

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what is the cost of the continuance of these centres compared with the reparation of the duck pond in St. James' Park?

Seeing that we have had a similar answer from the President of the Board of Education, is it possible for these two Ministers to get together and arrive at a definite conclusion on this matter?

In regard to the last suggestion, that, of course, has already been adopted. With regard to the question of cost, I have not got the final figures, but I am afraid I have no means of instituting the comparison suggested. With regard to the first supplementary question, I can assure the Noble Lady the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) that the matter is being pressed on.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Messrs. E. R. Calthrop's Parachute Company will be forced into liquidation if they do not receive compensation for the work they have done for the Air Service; that this company have not been paid for the experimental work they did under the orders of the Air Ministry, and the sum of £5,504 for new parachutes supplied by them and used for experimental and demonstration purposes under the orders of the Admiralty Air Department and of the Secretary of the Parachute Committee; and whether, seeing that these parachutes are of great use in military fighting machines, he will expedite the payment of compensation to this firm?

Messrs. Calthrop's case has already been brought to my notice. Whilst I should greatly regret the liquidation of the company, I cannot admit that the Air Ministry would be in any way responsible for its failure. All parachutes ordered from the firm by the Government have been paid for, to the value of over £100,000. A large amount of experimental and demonstration work was also carried out by Messrs. Calthrop as described in my hon. Friend's question, but it was carried out upon their own initiative and for the purpose of establishing their parachute as a business proposition. As, however, in a few cases out of those which formed the subject of the claim, the work was to some extent encouraged by officials of the Air Ministry, an offer was made to the company to recommend to the Treasury an ex-gratia payment of £1,000 to cover their expenses in connection with these particular items. This offer, which is regarded by the Department as a fair one, has been declined by Messrs. Calthrop, and I cannot see my way to increase it.