asked the Minister of Pensions whether a room has been set aside for the use of the Ministry of Pensions' representatives at the independent Appeal Courts in the Strand, London; whether he is aware that the British Legion have three appellants' representatives employed permanently at these Courts; and whether he will arrange for a room to be set aside for the use of the appellants' representatives?

Three waiting rooms are provided at Cecil Chambers, 86, Strand, for appellants and one for Ministry representatives. I am aware that the British Legion have representatives permanently employed there, but I regret that, as all the rooms allocated to the tribunals are now fully occupied, it is not possible to provide a room for counsel, solicitors, members of the British Legion and other persons attending on behalf of appellants.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this building is very inadequate for the purpose, very overcrowded, and very inconvenient for people who are waiting to have their cases heard, and will he inquire into the matter and see if more adequate accommodation can be obtained?

I will convey that representation.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the composition of his Pensions Disability Committee; whether this Committee's findings have ever been published; and, if not, whether he will undertake to publish the result of the work of this Committee, especially that part that concerns the recommendations made to the doctors on the special boards in connection with the examination of pensions for final awards?

The Disability Committee is composed of the Presidents of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons and of other distinguished physicians and surgeons, together with the chief medical officers of my Department. The recommendations of the Committee with regard to the medical considerations which should be taken into account in determining the assessment of special classes of disability, in connection both with conditional and final awards, are issued from time to time to all medical boards and medical officers concerned in the assessment of pensions. It would not be to the public advantage, in my opinion, to make a general publication of these recommendations of the Committee, which are of a purely technical character and deal with such questions as symptoms and diagnosis.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has withdrawn the Special Grants Committee Regulation allowing widows and children in certain cases a supplement for sickness; whether he is aware that since July, 1922, 700 odd sickness grants have been made; if he will say whether this allowance has been withdrawn at the request of the Special Grants Committee; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of continuing the same in order to avoid causing hardship amongst the widows and dependants?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. R. Richardson) on the 21st June, of which I am sending him a copy.

Have not the Special Grants Committee, by Statute, the power to make Regulations themselves, with the co-operation and approval of the right hon. Gentleman, and is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman has tried to force this Regulation upon them, that they have refused, and that, in defiance of them, he has maintained his right to force it upon them?

It is quite untrue to say that the decision rests with the Special Grants Committee. As the hon. Member is aware, it rests with the Government and this House.

Is it not the fact that the Special Grants Committee is a special statutory body, having the right to make its own Regulations, with the right hon. Gentleman's approval, and that a stage has now been reached when the Special Grants Committee have placed a minute upon the book objecting to the right hon. Gentleman's forcing Regulations upon them depriving people of pensions?

It is not the case that the Special Grants Committee have the right to decide such matters. It rests with this House and the Government.

May I ask for a ruling from you, Mr. Speaker, upon this point, which is one of considerable importance to a great mass of people in this country? The Special Grants Committee is a statutory body, having the right to make Regulations themselves, with the approval of the right hon. Gentleman. I asked the right hon. Gentleman a supplementary question last week, and my point is that the staff of the Ministry is misleading this House upon matters of grave importance to large numbers of people in this country. The right hon. Gentleman told me last week——

The question is a legal one, as between the Committee and the Department. I cannot decide that.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House to-night, after the ordinary business is through, on the ground that the Special Grants Committee is on the point of resigning because of the conduct of the Minister himself.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to lay upon the Table of the House amended Regulations relating to the meetings and general procedure of War Pensions Committees: and, if so, will he state when copies will be available for Members?

I hope to lay amending. Regulations upon the Table next week, and copies should be available to hon. Members shortly afterwards.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the concession recently announced in respect of need pensions that they should not go below 5s. applies only to those parents who were previously in receipt of the flat-rate pension; and, if so, will he state why these pensioners should receive preferential treatment over those parents who did not apply for a pension until they were actually in need of the same?

The concession to which the hon. Member refers is fully set out in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. F. Martin) on the 6th June. The concession by which existing holders1 of the pre-War dependence or flat-rate pension should be assured of the retention of these pensions cannot be used as an argument for reviving these two classes of pension for new claimants.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many applications to the special grants committee for educational grants recommended by the West Cumberland War Pensions Committee were refused during the 12 months ending 30th April, 1923?

The number is five.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the War Pensions Acts, 1915 to 1921, are operative in the Irish Free State; and, if not, when is it proposed to place the administration of pensions in the Irish Free State on the same basis as in the other Dominions of the Empire?

The powers given and duties imposed on me by the War Pensions Acts for the administration of pensions are exercisable by me, as Minister of Pensions, in any part of His Majesty's Dominions. There is no single and common form of administration for parts of the Empire outside the United Kingdom. In each case the mode of administration most suitable in view of the local conditions is adopted.

also asked the Minister of Pensions for what area in the Irish Free State a war pensions committee has been constituted; how many members there are on the committee; what is the number of representatives of disabled ex-service men and of organised workpeople on the committee; whether it is proposed to abolish the 20 local war pensions committees in the Irish Free State and include their areas in that of the war pensions committee at present constituted; and, if so, what representation will be accorded to the districts at present administered by the local war pensions committees?

The Counties of Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Louth, Meath, and Wicklow were constituted an area for which a war pensions committee was set up under the War Pensions Act, 1921. The committee consists of 12 persons, of whom three are representatives of disabled ex-service men and dependants, and two are representatives of employers and workmen in industry. The local organisation of the districts outside the area referred to is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will define the position of an ex-service man resident in the Irish Free State with regard to pensions granted by the Ministry of Pensions before the establishment of the Irish Free State; whether he consulted the Ministers of that Dominion before withdrawing the sickness granted to widows and orphans of deceased ex-service men in the Irish Free State; and whether the Ministers of that Dominion acquiesced in the withdrawal of the grant?

The pensioners referred to continue to receive the full rights and privileges of the Royal Warrant as formerly. The grants referred to in the last part of the question were payable out of the funds voted by the Imperial Parliament for the purposes of my Department, and, accordingly, no occasion arose to consult the Free State Government.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensioners from the county of Durham are receiving treatment in the Ministry of Pensions hospital at Gretna; and what facilities exist for their being visited by relatives?

The number is 45. By arrangement with the medical superintendent, relatives may visit the hospital at any convenient time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind the terrible distances that they have to travel, and the cost to people who want to see their relatives, and will he not now consider the question of keeping these patients in other hospitals, so that they may be nearer to their relatives?

All those points are borne in mind, but necessarily, as the number of our patients becomes smaller, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain a large number of hospitals scattered about the country. I will, however, bear the matter in mind.

asked the Minister of Pensions if, seeing that Scotland, Wales, and Ireland insist that doctors appointed by the Ministry are of their own nationality, he will see that, in future, the doctors appointed in England shall be English; and will he give preference in selecting these medical men to ex-service doctors?

The assumption oh which this question is based is not correct. In making these appointments, the first consideration is efficiency, and, subject to that, it is and always has been the policy of the Ministry to give preference to those who have served in His Majesty's Forces, I may add that 94 per cent, of the whole-time medical officers employed by my Department have so served.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been called to the complaint made by the Birmingham and District War Pensions Committee of the serious delay in obtaining replies to the correspondence of the Committee, thereby retarding the work and useful functions of the Committee; and whether he will take the necessary steps to accelerate the action of his staff?

In the short time available I have been unable to find any ground for the suggestion of general delay made in the question, but I am having further inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Pensions where it is proposed to medically examine the aged dependants of deceased service men who are resident in Nottingham and its vicinity; and whether arrangements will be made for them to be examined at their own homes or in proximity thereto?

The existing arrangements, which will be continued, provide for these examinations to be made at Area Headquarters, Nottingham, or at the homes of the applicants when they are not in a condition to travel.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to amalgamate the Yorkshire regional headquarters of the Ministry with the Northern regional headquarters, and to close the regional headquarters at Leeds; and, if so, what are the reasons for the proposed change?

asked the Minister of Pensions why it has been decided to transfer the headquarters of the combined Northern and Yorkshire regions to Newcastle; whether, in view of the large volume of work in the county of Yorkshire, he will retain a regional office at Leeds; whether, if the case papers, the awards branch, the medical branch, and the finance branch are transferred to Newcastle it will be necessary to find accommodation in Newcastle for the Newcastle area office and Income Tax departments, at present housed in the regional headquarters, Newcastle; whether he is aware that the transfer of the Yorkshire work to Newcastle would result in some 200 married ex-service men being thrown out of employment, as they are unable to pay the cost of removal expenses, and could not afford to live in Newcastle and keep their homes going in Leeds; and whether, in view of the grave discontent aroused in Yorkshire at the proposal to close the regional office in Leeds, he will reconsider the decision?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is contemplated to transfer the Yorkshire regional headquarters of the Ministry from Leeds to Newcastle and to amalgamate them with the Northern regional headquarters at present located there; whether he has considered the serious objections to this change from the point of view of public expediency, cost, and otherwise; whether he is aware that the area administered by the Yorkshire region from Leeds is nearly double that of the area administered by the Northern region from Newcastle; and what, if any, reasons there are which would justify or necessitate the proposed change?

The amalgamation of the Northern and Yorkshire regions has been decided upon as a measure of administrative reform. I wish to emphasise the fact that the pensioners in the neighhbourhood of Leeds will not be adversely affected in any way by the change, as an Area Office and Medical Boards will continue to be maintained in that city. I should not be justified in maintaining the two regions as1 separate units, in view of the administrative economy and advantages which will result. The total staff in the Yorkshire Regional Headquarters, which numbers less than 300, has shown a decrease of 75 during the past six months, and will continue to decrease. It is proposed to effect the transfer gradually in the autumn, and I hope that it will be possible to house the two staffs in the existing premises at Newcastle without removing the Area Office. I understand that the Office of Works' have other premises available for housing the Income Tax Office.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really mean to give us an assurance that pension cases in the Yorkshire area will not be in any way prejudiced by the removal? Is that a definite assurance?

I believe, myself, that most of the pensioners will never know that a change has been made at all.

Is it intended to transfer the present staff of the Leeds office to Newcastle, and will they be given special allowances in view of the increased expense?

The staff will be treated in the same way as on other occasions, but, from the point of view of employment, I may remind the hon. Member that we have been strongly urged by Labour Members to do away with all these regional offices.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to transfer the County of Cumberland from the northern region to the north-western region; whether the East and West Cumberland War Pensions Committees have been or will be consulted in the matter; and whether before any change is made he will ascertain that the pensioner does not suffer?

No change of the nature mentioned is at present contemplated, but I will bear the hon. Member's suggestions in mind should occasion arise.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of pensioners from the area of the West Cumberland War Pensions Committee who, during the 12 months ending 31st March, 1923, have had to attend Newcastle for medical appeal boards, special medical boards, or pensions appeal tribunals; and whether it would be possible to arrange for the boards and the tribunals to sit at Workington at specified intervals, and thus avoid the long railway journey for the pensioners and the night's detention in Newcastle?

The numbers are approximately 65, 125, and 155, respectively, which, as the hon. Member will recognise, are not sufficient to justify the setting up of the additional machinery which he suggests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these pensioners in many cases have to leave their homes before 5 o'clock in the morning to travel to Newcastle, or even to stay over night, and are thereby subjected to considerable expense and inconvenience?

I will certainly bear that point in mind, but our difficulty is that it would involve a delay of about two months to accumulate enough cases to provide a day's work for a medical appeal board in this area.

asked the Minister of Pensions when it is proposed to close the regional office at Nottingham; what arrangements will be made for boarding pensioners in the East Midlands region; and whether men appealing against the decisions of a re-survey board will have to attend a medical appeal board at Birmingham?

I am not in a position at present to state the precise date of the closing down of the Regional Headquarters at Nottingham. As I informed the hon. Member for Leicester West on the 29th March last, there will be no change in the existing arrangements in Nottingham for medical boards. This applies equally to appeal boards and to resurvey boards.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the staff of the Ministry employed at the Regional Headquarters in Nottingham have been offered employment at Birmingham; how many have accepted the same; how many men have been given notice terminating their appointment; how many married men have had to decline the offer of transfer to Birmingham because they were unable to pay the cost of removal from Nottingham to Birmingham; and whether he will state the principle on which his Department acts when they authorise the payment of removal expenses to a regional director in receipt of £1,875 a year from service pension and salary and decline to authorise the payment of removal expenses of a clerk in receipt of £3 a week?

All the temporary clerical staff at the Nottingham Regional Headquarters have been invited to express their wishes as to further employment, and 146 have applied for transfer to Birmingham or elsewhere; 19 clerks have been given notice and eight have resigned to take up other employment. Of the clerks who do not desire transfer 56 are married men. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave him on this subject on the 3rd May last.

Out of the number of 15 who do not wish to transfer, what reasons were given why they did not wish to accept the offer to transfer?

I have not available the reasons that were given.

In view of all this reorganisation in the Midland area, is there not now a good case for the re-establishment of the appeal tribunal at Sheffield?

The amalgamation of two regions has nothing to do with appeal tribunals. It is an entirely different point.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend give an assurance that he will not take away one regional headquarters and send it to another place without very full consideration of the advantages and disadvantages?

That is obviously my duty, and I have been going into it very fully.

asked the Prime Minister whether, m view of the increasing international and Imperial importance of our great Dominions, he has considered the advisability of changing the name of the Colonial Office and the title of the Secretary of State who presides over it, so as to express more clearly the close relationship of that Department and the Secretary of State with the Dominions, as well as with the Colonies.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by my predecessor to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Maidstone on the 30th November, 1922.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what parts of the work of the Land Valuation Department will remain if Clause 27 of the Finance Bill, as amended in Committee, should become law; what reductions in the staff of the Department would be carried out in that eventuality; and what amount of money he expects to save as the result of such reduction of staff?

Apart from a comparatively small reduction in the clerical work in the office of the Controller of Stamps, the work of the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue Department would not be diminished as a result of the Clause referred to becoming law. I cannot yet say what the saving in cost will amount to.

If the amount saved is practically negligible, was it worth while doing something to get that saving, which the right hon. Gentleman said was highly improper for him to do?

I am sure that I did not say that it was highly improper. In answer to a supplementary question, I said that the saving is not what is effected in Government offices, but is a saving to the pockets of the taxpayers, who have not to go to this expense.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Section 3 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1912, is still being enforced, and have the police special orders to bring to justice men who procure women and girls; and if he can give figures showing how many men have been privately whipped for offences committed under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1912, for the years 1913 to 1922, respectively?

I will send the hon. Member figures as to the number of men sentenced to whipping under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1912. The police require no special orders to carry out their primary duty of prosecuting offences against the law whenever sufficient evidence is available.

asked the Home Secretary if the police have some co-ordinating policy of stopping all east and west traffic for north and south traffic in Piccadilly simultaneously, or is every policeman his own master at every corner; and, if such is the case, will he take steps to devise some scheme of relief to the present obstruction?

The police have definite instructions as to the general principles upon which to regulate the flow of traffic, but the details for the various points differ according to the configuration of the roads and the road junctions, coupled with the class of traffic to be dealt with. Within the principles laid down, constables are expected to act with discretion according to the conditions which are constantly changing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the conditions in Piccadilly to-day are worse than even in the days of horse traffic? It seems to me that the modern policeman has lost the knack altogether of regulating traffic. Cannot some coordinating scheme be introduced?

I think the difficulties that confront the police now are very much greater than in the days of horse traffic. I quite agree the question is one that requires a great deal of consideration, and I shall be very glad if my hon. Friend will give us the benefit of his assistance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the efficiency of the police has the admiration of all people?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the traffic here is better controlled than in any other capital in the world, and will he set up a committee to decide what is to be done to deal with the enormous and growing traffic in Piccadilly?

We have every reason to be proud of the efforts the police make in controlling the traffic in this great city. I cannot answer as to what the arrangements are like in other States, but as the matter is one of very serious importance, I am at the moment in close conversation with the Chief Commissioner and the Minister of Transport to see what can be done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the method adopted in Broadway, New York, where the conditions are not very different from those in Piccadilly?

That has already been reported upon by the Chief Commissioner. I cannot admit that the conditions in New York are like those in London.

How long are we to tolerate the prehistoric horse in our streets?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he can say when the new road from London to Southend will be ready for use?

I am hopeful that some portions of the new London-Southend road may be opened to traffic this year; but in other sections where deep cuttings and high banks are encountered a longer time must elapse, and it may be 18 months before the road can be made available for traffic from end to end.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that only a small proportion of men are working on the road mentioned, and in view of the fact that so many navvies are out of employment, will he see that the work is speeded up and more men put on to it?

I will inquire into the point raised by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the tunnellers and labourers who were engaged on the re-construction of the City and South London Tube Railway ceased work about a month ago as a consequence of a dispute with the contractor, and that the dispute still continues; whether, as a consequence of the unfinished condition of the tunnel, there is reason to believe that the tunnel is unsafe for the running of trains; whether any steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to bring about a satisfactory settlement to the dispute now in progress; and whether he will take steps to prevent the further running of trains in this tube until steps have been taken to ensure public safety?

I understand that the dispute referred to arose out of a reduction of wages, which was agreed to by the Civil Engineering Construction Conciliation Board. I understand that the unions concerned are not represented on this Board, but that the Board has offered to meet in order to hear the claims of the men provided that work was resumed. Officers of the Ministry of Labour have been in touch with the parties throughout the dispute, but in the circumstances my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is not in a position to intervene I am informed that the dispute has not in any way affected the safety of the tunnels on the City and South London Railway.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that representations have been made to the men to send a gang down into the tube on account of the danger at a particular section of the tube. If that be so, does it not prove that there is a danger, and will he not take some action to safeguard the public interest against accidents in this tube?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to give me the information on which he bases his supplementary question, I will certainly have the matter looked into, but my reply is based upon the information supplied to me.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the men are willing to meet the employers at any moment, and as such a meeting would result in a settlement immediately, will he use his good offices to produce a meeting between the men and their employers?

I understand the Board have offered that if the men go to the Board, their grievances will be investigated.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the men have no confidence in the Board he mentions, but that they are willing to resume work at once if the Minister of Labour will undertake to set up conciliation arbitration?

I think that question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

May I ask——

Any further questions had better be put on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to local education authorities who have organised classes for prisoners in His Majesty's prisons, and, in view of the importance of this work, whether he is contemplating making a grant equal to half the cost, to enable education authorities to continue and further extend this work?

I am glad to take this opportunity of expressing my high appreciation of the services rendered to the Prison Commissioners by the school teachers and others who have come forward as volunteers to assist in this work. Their help is the more welcome as it has unfortunately been found impossible to provide public funds for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in various parts of the country police officers demand the names of speakers at political meetings; whether any instructions enjoining this practice have been sent from his Department; if so, whether these instructions are general or relate to meetings held by particular organisations; and what authority is there for such demands being made?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. No such instructions have been issued from the Home Office.

asked the Home Secretary what number of boys and girls under 16 years of age have, during the past four years, been sent to prison on remand and not (subsequently received under sentence of imprisonment; and which Courts most frequently adopted this method?

During the last four years, 175 boys and girls under 16 have been sent to prison on remand who were not subsequently received under sentence of imprisonment. Of this number, 29 came from Bristol, 25 from the Metropolitan district, and 14 from Newcastle. I am glad to say that the figures show a substantial reduction in the last two years.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Royal Air Force pageant is to take place at Hendon on the 30th of June; and whether the special attention of his Department and of the Committee for the control of crowds can be directed to this function in order that the extreme crowding and difficulty of access experienced in former years may be obviated?

I am aware that this pageant is to be held on Saturday next, and I have drawn the attention of the Committee to it so that they may have an opportunity of studying the arrangements if they think it would assist them to do so. The police, who are responsible for the control of traffic to and from the ground, are making all possible arrangements to prevent any avoidable delay and to reduce the inconvenience to a minimum.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that along the principal roads leading to Hendon Aerodrome a half is cut off by an immense hoarding, and only one line of traffic can possibly proceed along the road? Cannot something be done at the eleventh hour to deal with it?

The Commissioner is taking the matter into consideration, and anything that can be done in the emergency I am certain will be done.

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has been reached on the subject of the control of the naval wing of the Royal Air Force; if so, what is it; and whether any steps in the matter will be taken before Parliament has been consulted?

No, Sir. I cannot at present add anything to the I answer which I gave on Monday last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

I have answered that, I think.

No. The right hon. Gentleman could not give us any assurance on that point. Can he do so now?

I said that it was extremely unlikely that the House would be faced with a fait accompli , but that the matter can only be discussed on the Air Estimates.

Can the right hon. Gentleman go a little bit further now, and say whether he can give us an assurance that we shall have an opportunity of discussion before anything is done?

When will the report be received, as the Air Estimates may be taken before long?

I am afraid that I cannot say, but I hope before very long.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider an alteration in the present law regarding the sale of tobacco and cigarettes so as to allow licensed victuallers to sell the same during the time their houses are open for the sale of refreshments?

The suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member will be noted for consideration when legislation amending the Shops (Early Closing) Act is undertaken. As I informed him in reply to a previous question last week, it would not be possible for the Government to promote such legislation at the present time.

How much longer are we to tolerate these Regulations which prevent people buying cigarettes when they can buy chocolates?

We cannot argue that now.

Are we to understand from that answer that the Government contemplate legislation extending the hours of opening?

No, the hon. Member must not understand more than I have said. It is not possible for the Government to promote any such legislation at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the "Daily Herald" newspaper has been raided by the police on several occasions recently; how many times this paper has been raided; by whose order and authority were those raids carried out; and what was their object?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, in addition to raiding the printing premises of the "Daily Herald," police officers have daily interviewed members of the staff demanding from certain of them signed replies to question.; is he aware that persons so interrogated were unable to secure legal advice and were not warned that any statements made might be used against them; and if these proceedings were taken under his instructions?

The City of London police visited the "Daily Herald" office on the 22nd instant in the execution of a warrant issued from the Mansion House, at the instance of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for the purpose of seizing copies of a photograph which was believed to contravene the Official Secrets Act. Subsequently, I understand, an inspector has visited these premises in order to obtain further information regarding the suspected offence against the Act. In giving instructions for this to be done, the Commissioner acted in accordance with Section 6 of the Act, in pursuance of his duty, and not on any instructions from me. As regards the second and third parts of Question 37, I would point out that Section 6 of the Official Secrets Act, 1920, provides that it shall be the duty of every person to give on demand … any information relating to a suspected offence, and that if he fails to do so, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanour.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the copy of the photograph in question in the paper, and is he aware that it cannot possibly give any information at all to anyone?

I have seen the copy, but, as to the second question, I am not aware.

Is this not purely a vexatious raid?

asked the Home Secretary what action the Public Prosecutor proposes to take with regard to the Prudential Assurance Company in the matter of their lapsed War Bond policies numbering 300,000, under some of which money has been obtained by fraudulent misrepresentation, as disclosed in the recent County Court case?

The Director of Public Prosecutions is making inquiries into the matter.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the comment of the Judge, and how much longer is he going to consider taking action? When he has done dealing with the "Daily Herald," I suppose he will direct his mind to more important matters?

I am sure the hon. Member would desire that we should take sufficient time to arrive at a correct decision.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the circumstances of an inquest held upon the body of one, Mary Frances Tallis, by Mr. Coroner D. J. Treasure; whether he has inquired into such circumstances; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am inquiring into the case and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Home Secretary whether any application has been received from the Anglo-American Oil Company at Brixham for permission to convert the tanks in the town now used for crude oil into storage tanks for petrol?

No such application has been received in my Department. The responsible licensing authority under the Petroleum Acts is the local authority, to whom any application by the Anglo-American Oil Company would be made.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the watch committee of the borough of Congleton, with a police force of only 13 men all told, is now advertising for a chief constable; and does he propose to take such action as may be necessary to merge these small forces into larger ones with a view to economy and better efficiency?

I am aware that the appointment of a chief constable is contemplated, the local authority being unwilling to enter into an agreement for the consolidation of the borough force with the County Constabulary. As the law stands, I have no jurisdiction in the matter, and I see no opportunity for passing legislation during the present Session.

In view of the fact that the Home Secretary's approval has to be obtained for the appointment of a chief constable, will he defer approval pending the consideration of possible merging?

I do not think lean go as far as that. I think the matter, if dealt with at all, must be dealt with by legislation.

In view of the Home Secretary's approval being absolutely necessary before the appointment of any chief constable is made, surely it is up to him, as the country has to pay half the expense, to withhold his approval in a case such as this, where it is obviously in the interests of economy not to make the appointment?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries respecting the evidence upon which the police acted in the case of Evan Morris, an omnibus driver, who was prosecuted by the police for being drunk in charge of an omnibus, and whose case, on appeal, was dismissed with costs against the police?

I understand that the police action in this case was due to complaints made by passengers on the omnibus which defendant was driving, and was justified by the evidence they had before them.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman issue some instructions so as to secure that charges should not be lightly brought, as they appear to be, with very serious consequences to the man concerned?

I think the hon. Member must realise the number of different instructions I should have to issue, having regard to the varying circumstances. Perhaps he will favour me with a draft of the kind of instructions he thinks I should issue.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the driver gets possession of his licence again, and, further, will he consult those people who complained, with a view to compensating the driver?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the passengers did not complain, but the would-be passengers?

My information was, as given in the answer, that the complaints were made by passengers, and I do not think it makes much difference whether it was the passengers or the would-be passengers.

It makes a great deal of difference to the man, for whom we want some sort of protection.

Is there no fund out of which compensation could be paid in this case? It is a very hard case.

That has, I think, been answered already.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the serious difficulties which have resulted in the case of the Welsh University from the sudden curtailment of the annual grant on the £ for £ basis; and whether, seeing that such a curtailment made at the instance of one only of the parties to the arrangement entered into in 1918 is held in some quarters to be a breach of faith, what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the interests of the university?

There has been no curtailment in the annual grant paid by the Treasury to the University of Wales. A large part of the annual Treasury grant has now for several years been based on the annual contribution made to the funds of the university by the produce of a 1d. rate over the whole of Wales, and the total grant paid to the university in respect of the last completed academic year was larger than ever before; indeed, a sum of £1,053 was actually added to the Treasury grant for the current academic year, in view of the increase in the produce of the 1d. rate. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the curtailment of the Government equivalent grant in respect of private benefactions involves a loss to one of the university colleges of £1,300 a year, and, probably, to the university of about £4,000 or £5,000.

The hon. Member had better give me that information. It does not coincide with the answer I have just given, and I think my facts are correct.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that some of the Welsh county councils have decided not to contribute towards the support of the university the product of a 1d. rate, in accordance with the arrangement made between the representatives of the Welsh county councils and the representatives of the university authorities; and whether, having regard to the fact that their action involves an injustice to those councils which carry out the terms of the arrangement, and also to the fact that if a similar course were adopted by the remaining councils the work of the university could not be carried on, he will consider the advisability of making the contribution a matter of statutory obligation on all the county councils?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but I am making inquiry as to the facts. A large part of the present grant to the University of Wales is given on the understanding that all the local education authorities in the Principality agree to place the produce of a 1d. rate unconditionally at the disposal of the University. Any breach of this understanding would make it necessary for the Treasury to consider afresh the whole question of their grant, and the Government would greatly regret being forced to this step by the withdrawal of one or more local authorities from' an arrangement which was understood to meet the wishes of Wales as a whole. With regard to the suggestion contained in the last part of the question, I do not think that it is for the Government to initiate legislation to compel local authorities in Wales to contribute to the support of their national University.

May I ask whether, having regard to the fact that the time allowed for discussion on the Education Vote was totally inadequate, and, in consequence, there was no opportunity of referring to any grade or aspect of education in Wales where the financial position of education, especially of higher education, is a very serious one, and, further, may I ask—

This is not the time for a speech.

asked the President of the Board of Education on what date the Board of Education received a communication from the London County Council with regard to the status and salaries of craft teachers in London County Council special schools; whether he is aware that in many cases the salaries of these teachers have been reduced over 40 and nearly 50 per cent.; and whether, having regard to the hard- ship which exists in the cases of many of these teachers, the Board will be able to reach an early decision in order that their salaries may be adjusted?

The latest official letter which the Board have received from the London County Council on this matter was dated 18th April, 1923. Upon the receipt of that letter the Board found it necessary to institute further inquiries. They have been throughout in close communication with the London County Council upon the matter. I hope to give a decision at an early date.

Does the noble Lord not think two months rather a long time for a simple inquiry like that, especially when the two authorities are so very near, the county council being on the other side of the River?

It depends rather on how simple the attitude of the London County Council is.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the case of schools whose claims for admission to the benefits of the Superannuation Act has been provisionally rejected is being reconsidered by Lord Onslow's Commission; and whether such schools should immediately renew their application or await the Report of that Commission?

Lord Emmott's Committee do not, as I understand, propose to consider the merits of particular applications for approval under Section 18 (vii) of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918. No doubt, however, they will review the working of the Section generally; and I doubt very much whether it would be worth while renewing former applications until the Report of that Committee is available.

asked the President of the Board of Education in how many secondary schools in England and Wales the number of children on the roll exceeds the recognised accommodation; the total number of children in such excess of pupils over accommodation; and what steps, if any, he is taking to secure adequate accommodation in these cases?

It has not been the practice of the Board to assign to secondary schools a specific recognised accommodation, and I am, therefore, unable to give the figures asked for it is, however, the case that, generally speaking, the secondary schools have been filled to the limit of their capacity, and in some cases even beyond that point. All reasonable proposals for providing additional accommodation are receiving my most careful consideration, and the progress which is being made is not unsatisfactory.

What is the Noble Lord going to do in respect of providing secondary school accommodation for blind boys and girls?

That does not arise here.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many supplementary teachers are employed in elementary schools in England and Wales, giving the figures for urban and rural districts separately; and if he can state the qualifications for recognition as a supplementary teacher?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Gentleman's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The number of supplementary teachers employed in public elementary schools in England and Wales on 31st March, 1922, was as follows:

Specific academical qualifications for supplementary teachers are not pre- scribed; but conditions governing their employment and recognition are set out in Schedule I.D. of the Code.

asked the Prime Minister whether a reply has been received from the French Government to our recent Note on German Reparations and the occupation of the Ruhr Valley; what is the nature of the reply; and when the matter will be laid before Parliament?

I can at present add nothing to the answer which I gave on the 21st June to the hon. and gallant Member.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect a reply, in view of the grave consequences of further delay?

I am afraid I cannot say. I shall be very glad to get a reply.

In view of the very serious condition of the Lancashire cotton industry at the present time, will the right hon. Gentleman do all he possibly can to expedite a settlement?

asked the Home Secretary the number of Metropolitan police of all ranks employed during the recent race meeting at Ascot; the aggregate cost in respect of pay, extra pay or allowances, travelling, or maintenance; whether the entire cost is charged to the Metropolitan ratepayers; and, if so, why the expenses of this special duty should not be borne by the racecourse authorities?

The number of men varied from day to day, the maximum being about 600, apart from those employed in the regulation of traffic within the Metropolitan police district. The cost, approximately £4,000, was almost wholly borne by the various racecourse authorities.

asked the Prime Minister if urgent representations have been received from the friendly societies most affected calling attention to the necessity for an amendment to the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, to bring it into conformity with the terms of the Industrial Assurance Bill recently before the House, in respect of the insurable limit of age for children between three and ten years; whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill during the Autumn Session to give effect to the promise made by the Solicitor-General, so that such proposed amending Act shall become operative from 1st January, 1924?

The Government will give this matter full consideration in connection with the arrangements for the Autumn Session.

asked the Prime Minister if he will say what is the attitude of the Government towards the proposal to construct a Channel tunnel?

The Government are not at present prepared to consider this question.

Does not this in some way alter the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor (Mr Bonar Law)—that the Government were ready to consider the matter, when the finance was arranged?

It is a slightly different answer, I agree; but the Government, at the moment, have not the time to consider the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to accept in the near future the transfer of the Advocate's Library as the basis of a National Library for Scotland?

Yes, Sir. The financial difficulty which has hitherto stood in the way of acceptance by the Government of the very generous offer by the Faculty of Advocates has now been removed by the munificence of Mr. Alexander Grant, of Messrs. McVitie and Price, biscuit manufacturers, Edin burgh, who has offered a sum of £100,000 as a permanent endowment of the proposed Scottish National Library. This great gift enables the Government to accept the offer of the Faculty, subject to the satisfactory arrangement of the details of the scheme, and intimation to this effect is being made to the Faculty.

I see every reason to anticipate that, thanks to the public spirit of the faculty, coupled with the generosity of Mr. Grant, Scotland will soon be in possession of a library in scope and character well worthy of the style of the National Library of Scotland.

Where will these very valuable books be housed? Will they still be housed in the Advocate's Library?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put it down.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether it is the fact that a Mr. McPeak, of Parkhead, a Glasgow citizen, has been deported to Cork without trial, and, if so, on whose authority has this been done?

I have no information regarding this matter, but I am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make the promised announcement respecting an increase in the allowance of pre-War pensions, and in particular to pre-War pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary, whose average pension for all ranks is only £42 per annum, and who are, in the great majority of cases, precluded from augmenting this by engaging in civil occupations?

His Majesty s Government have now examined the scheme submitted by the Special Committee appointed to inquire into the matter. A Bill giving effect to the scheme is now in active preparation and will be introduced very shortly.

Meantime can the right hon. Gentleman make any statement to give some reassurance to these sorely tried men?

Of course, everybody is sorely tried. I hope to present the Bill very shortly to the House. Perhaps my hon. Friend would wait a few days.

Will the proposed Bill be taken this Session?

This year. There will not be much chance for it before the Autumn Session.

Will the pre-War pensions of English police also be considered?

I think that my hon. Friend also had better wait for a short time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the date at which the new concessions with regard to Entertainments Duty at agricultural and horticultural shows will come into force; can he give an exact definition as to how far the exemption applies; and does it include a band and side shows in cases when the whole of the net proceeds are devoted to agricultural and horticultural purposes?

The concession in question will take effect from the date on which the Finance Bill becomes law. As regards the precise scope and effect of the concession I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the Clause which I am placing upon the Order Paper to-morrow.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to state the exact amount of revenue obtained under the Entertainments Duty from 3d., 4d., 6d., 1s., 2s. 6d., 5s., 7s. 6d., 10s. 6d., and £1 1s. charges for admission or seats?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a person having a residence in the Irish Free State and also in the United Kingdom is chargeable with Income Tax by the Irish Free State on income and rents drawn from Irish sources and by the British Government with rents and income drawn from English investments; whether it is necessary to make similar statements comprising the total investments in both countries to both Governments; and to which of the two Governments should Super-tax be paid?

As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Under the British Income Tax law a resident in Great Britain and Northern Ireland is chargeable to Income Tax on all his income, wherever arising. It is understood that a similar principle applied, mutatis mutandis , in the case of the Income Tax law in force in the Irish Free State. It follows that a person resident in both countries will be liable both to British Income Tax and to Irish Free State Income Tax in respect of all his income whether arising in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Irish Free State, or elsewhere, and, broadly speaking, will be required to include the same income in his statements of income m both countries. Such a person will be liable to Super-tax in both countries if his total income liable to British Income Tax and his total income liable to Irish Free State Income Tax each exceeds the Super-tax limit. My hon. and gallant Friend is of course aware of the arrangements made between the British and Irish Free State Governments for granting relief in respect of double taxation to Income Tax (including Super-tax).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that £300,000 was taken from the annual Parliamentary grant in aid of the universities in 1922–23 without this House having an opportunity of discussing the matter and expressing its opinion thereon, and that, although the Geddes cut in education was reduced from 20 per cent, to 10 per cent., the university cut was not reduced, but remained at 20 per cent.; and whether, in view of the danger to national status, professional and commercial, resulting from any curtailment of higher education and having regard to the financial difficulties now being faced by many of the universities, steps will be taken to ensure the return of this sum to the university grant?

The Vote for grants for recurrent purposes for the universities and university colleges was, for 1920–21, £1,000,000. For 1921–22 it was raised to £1,500,000. It was not found possible to repeat the latter figure, and for 1922–23 the Vote was £1,280,000 less the Irish grants of £111,000, and this provision of £1,169,000 has been repeated in the current year, representing a reduction of about 16 per cent, on the provision made in 1921–22. The increases and decreases in this Vote are not regulated in any way by those occurring in the Vote for public education. The claims of the universities for additional assistance must necessarily be considered in relation to the other calls on the resources of the Exchequer.