asked the Minister of Health under what Act of Parliament a medical officer of health has power to isolate compulsorily healthy people; and whether he will inquire into the fact that the medical officer of health of Taunton threatened a perfectly healthy family from Gloucester with a period of isolation if they persisted in their refusal to be vaccinated, and in consequence the family returned to Gloucester, where they were examined by the small-pox officials and given a clean bill of health?

I am not aware of any Act of Parliament which confers upon a medical officer of health power to order compulsory isolation. As regards the second part of the question, I will communicate with the local authority in regard to the action which the medical officer of health is said to have taken in this case.

asked the Minister of Health whether in the Draft Order for casual paupers now about to be issued provision will be made that casuals may be admitted to casual wards at any time between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; that notices should be placed in casual wards advising that casuals should apply to see the doctor in case of indisposition and, if found unfit to travel, should apply for admission to the workhouse; and that each Poor Law inspector shall be called upon to inspect and report on all casual wards in his district, stating whether there are proper sleeping accommodation, facilities for disinfection, and such furniture and fittings as are required by the Pauper Inmates Act of 1871 and the Casual Pauper Order of 1882?

My hon. Friend's suggestion will be carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department will raise any objection to birth control information being given at infant welfare centres to married women who desire it by voluntary workers attached to the centres, or otherwise to their being informed, on request, where such information can be obtained?

My view is that such information as is referred to should not be given at infant welfare centres, but that women for whom it appears to be needed on medical grounds should be referred to a private doctor or a hospital.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department is collecting information with regard to what are termed cancer areas in this country or on the Continent of Europe; and what are the results, if any?

The subject of my hon. Friend's question is receiving the attention of the Committee which is advising the Ministry on cancer problems, but there are no results which can be published at present.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has taken the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown upon the power of the General Nursing Council to exclude from the register existing nurses who, being otherwise qualified, make application for admission within two years from the date on which the rule made on 7th July came into operation?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health the names of the various pauper asylums in the country in which are detained the 700 insane ex-service men for whom the State accepts no responsibility and give in each case the numbers of such men in each institution?

I regret that this information is not in my possession.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of ex-service men who have applied for land in Glamorganshire; and the number that have been settled on the land by the Glamorganshire County Council?

Any ex-service men who desired to avail themselves of the preference given to such men over civilians under the Government scheme were required to send in their applications before the 1st December, 1920. Four hundred and fifty-one such men applied before that date to the Glamorgan County Council, of whom 243 have withdrawn their applications or have been rejected as unsuitable. Of the 208 remaining applicants, 76 have been provided with small holdings. In addition to the 451 men above referred to, 111 ex-service men applied after the 1st December, 1920, of whom 24 have been rejected as unsuitable or have withdrawn. Of the remaining 87 applicants, 19 have been provided with holdings, making a total of 95 ex-service men settled by the county council.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has yet come to any arrangement with the War Office whereby British labour will be employed by contractors working for the Imperial War Graves Commission?

It is not a condition of these contracts that British labour must be employed I have been in communication with a number of contractors, including the only British firm which, so far as I know, is undertaking these contracts, offering to make arrangements with a view to supplying labour from among British ex-service men, but so far no such arrangements have been concluded.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to render more useful and effective the existing machinery of the King's Roll; whether he has any records showing the numbers of disabled men throughout the country who are still awaiting employment; and whether he will undertake a concerted effort towards making the machinery of the King's Roll really effective for the purposes for which it was created?

In pursuance of the recommendations of the Select Committee of this House, steps have been taken to set up local King's Roll Committees to deal with the employment of disabled ex service men in the larger municipal areas. The King's Roll National Council, under the chairmanship of Field-Marshal Earl Haig, has also been set up to co-ordinate the work of local committees. The Council have recently presented an interim Report which deals in detail with the King's National Roll, and the extent of the problem as indicated by a classification of unemployed disabled ex-service men. I would refer the hon. Member to the details and recommendations in this Report, copies of which will be available for Members in a few days.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there are men in certain coastguard stations who have all the responsibilities of head officers of stations, but who do not receive the pay of those who are acting in such situations, the difference being about 11s. per week; and if, in the cause of discipline and the contentment of the force, he can see his way to putting men who are actually acting as chiefs of stations, with men under them, on the same footing as those who are now drawing the command pay?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Battersea. South (Viscount Curzon), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reason Mr. J. Higham, of 9, Henry Street, Hartlepool, has been refused compensation for the loss of his son, aged 12, who was killed in Hartlepool by enemy action on the 16th December, 1914?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Don Valley Division of the West Hiding of Yorkshire (Mr. T. Williams) on 17th July, explaining that dependency upon the deceased was a condition precedent to a valid claim arising in the case of death. Mr. Higham was not dependent upon his son at the date of the son's death, and consequently the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action were unable to make a recommendation in Mr. Higham's favour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to press forward during the autumn a Bill dealing with the marking of imported merchandise?

I regret that considerations of Parliamentary time will render it difficult to pass such a Measure this autumn.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the value of cotton textiles imported into the Argentine from Great Britain, the United States of America, and Italy, for the years ending 31st December, 1913 and 1922, respectively?

No particulars published by the Argentine Government, as to imports into Argentina in the year 1922, are yet available, but the statistics issued by the British and United States Governments, given below, of exports to the Argentine from the United Kingdom and the United States of America respectively, will doubtless be of interest to my hon. Friend. Corresponding figures regarding exports from Italy are not available.

Value of cotton piece goods consigned to Argentina: 1913. 1922. £ £ Exported from the United Kingdom: Home manufactures 3,103,400 5,897,800 Foreign and Colonial merchandise 9,500 2,100 Exported from the United States of America: Domestic merchandise 37,000 1,488,000

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreement has been made, or any note passed, between the British Minister at Bucharest and the Rumanian Government in regard to commercial relations between Rumania and Great Britain; and, if so, will he lay the particulars upon the Table of the House?

An agreement was effected in May last by exchange of notes between His Majesty's Minister in Bucharest and the Rumanian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, by virtue of which, pending the conclusion of a new Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the two countries, the commer- cial relations between the United Kingdom and Rumania shall be based on the accord of most-favoured-nation treatment. The text of the notes will be laid shortly upon the Table of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that several manufacturers of motor-tyres are on the verge of closing down owing to foreign competition; that many of their men are out of work and others working short time, while the businesses are being carried on at a loss; and, in view of the fact that the conditions which are responsible for the withdrawing of the 33 ⅓per cent. duty from the Finance Act, 1915, have ceased to be operative, will he now consider the re-imposition of the duty as originally contemplated, particularly having regard to the present adverse conditions which in 1915 were non-existent?

As I recently stated, in answer to several hon. Members on the 18th and 19th July, the matter is receiving careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the note on Ministry of Health Circular No. 400 (England and Wales), dated 15th May, 1923, the words stating that all contracts for or incidental to the works are to be placed in this country are intended to imply that materials required for the works in question are actually to be derived from home sources?

Yes, Sir, unless there be exceptional circumstances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the amount of unemployment anticipated in agricultural districts during the ensuing autumn and winter, he will state, before the House adjourns next week, what steps he will take by promoting land drainage and water supply schemes to provide employment.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. Bonwick) on Monday last.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed women who have been found places in domestic service through his Department during the last six months; the number placed in other occupations; and the number now receiving training for domestic service?

During the six months ended 4th June, 1923, the Employment Exchanges in Great Britain filled 56,993 vacancies for women in domestic service and 40,114 in other occupations. The number of women receiving training for domestic service at 6th July was 1,193.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received the opinions of the principal trade unions on the subject of insurance by industries against unemployment in response to the inquiries of the right hon. Member for Glasgow Central (Mr. Bonar Law), who promised to consult these organisations in the matter; and does he propose legislation or further inquiry into the subject?

I have been asked to reply. I addressed a communication to the National Confederation of Employers' Organisations and the Trades Union Congress General Council on the 28th November, 1922, enclosing a memorandum upon this subject and inviting their views. I understand from recent inquiries which I have made that the matter is still under consideration by them.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the amount of unemployment relief paid in the several weeks of the month of June to men and women?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to unemployment benefit payable under the contributory unemployment insurance scheme. The average amount paid weekly during June was approximately £716,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government proposes to lay before the next Assembly of the League of Nations a definite scheme of disarmament?

I have nothing to add to my statement on this subject in the Debate of Monday, 23rd July].

asked the Prime Minister whether there is now in existence any war-risk insurance scheme for ships and cargoes such as was brought into operation at the beginning of the late War; and, if not, what steps are being taken to assure that such a scheme will be available should the need arise?

I have been asked to reply. The schemes in operation during the War are being carefully reviewed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state that the delays in the issue of the War Staff narrative of the Battle of Jutland have been surmounted; and on what date the public issue may be expected?

Work on the narrative has reached its final stage, and publication in the autumn is hoped for.

asked the President of the Board of Education if, in view of the opinion which he stated at the opening of Ledbury grammar school on Saturday, 21st July, that an uneducated democracy is too great a risk for a sane nation, he will take steps to improve the facilities for physical and mental education in the elementary and secondary schools of the Kingdom and remove the financial embargo placed upon the educational institutions of the Kingdom?

It is, as he recently stated in this House, the desire and intention of my right hon. Friend to effect all possible improvements in the educational system of this country within the limits imposed upon him by the straitened financial circumstances of the present time.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he is aware that Scottish education authorities are strongly opposed to the draft minute which has just been issued by the Scottish Education Department providing for the payment from the Education (Scotland) Fund of grants in aid of the training of health visitors in Scotland; and whether, seeing this fund exists for purposes which are wholly educational and that there is no comparison between English and Scottish conditions in this matter, he will, in order to prevent the Education Fund being raided for this purpose, order the withdrawal of the minute?

Only four authorities have taken any exception to this minute. I am not aware of any distinction between the education of health visitors and the education of women for other occupations. The essential point is that the Scottish Education Department are in receipt of the equivalent spent in England for the same purpose, and they cannot, therefore, refuse to accept the corresponding obligation.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal-miners in South Wales who are incapacitated for work owing to suffering from miners' nystagmus?

I regret that this information is not available, but I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of my reply to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. Barker) of 26th March, giving the figures for the country as a whole from 1910 to 1921, with those for 1922 added. I will see what relevant figures I can get for South Wales alone and will communicate further with the hon. Gentleman.

also asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners in South Wales suffering from miners' nystagmus who are in receipt of unemployment benefit because suitable employment cannot be found for them?

I am afraid the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will explain the reason for retaining the barricades in certain thoroughfares in Whitehall?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The barriers facilitate police arrangements on occasions when large crowds assemble, and serve an economical purpose by reducing the number of men required for controlling the traffic.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether accurate and up-to-date returns are available as to the taxation in pounds sterling per head of the population in this country, France, Germany, Belgium, and the United States of America; and what are the several amounts?

I will refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to the hon. Member for South Molton (Mr. Lambert) on the 13th June last, and to the hon. Member for Belper (Mr. Hancock) on the 19th July.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware of the fact that Messrs. Jennings Brothers, brewers, Cockermouth, are avoiding the payment of 4s. tax per 36-gallon cask of beer sent out to the tenants of their tied houses by sending to them barrels containing only from 33 to 34 gallons of beer, whilst charging the tenants for 36 gallons; and will he undertake definite action to safeguard these tenants if documentary evidence is supplied to him?

I am not aware of the circumstances stated by the hon. Member, but the matter appears to be one for settlement between the brewers and their tenants.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in any of the Crown Colonies ex-enemy aliens are now being permitted to land on any terms other than under a permit from the Home Office?

In the majority of the Colonies there are no special restrictions on the entry of ex-enemy aliens who are subject to the same Regulations as other aliens.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fatal accident to Guard Edward Finn in the Copenhagen Tunnel at King's Cross; and whether he intends to call upon the railway company to introduce at this point some further safeguards in order to provide a greater guarantee of safety, both to the railwaymen and to the travelling public?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend's attention has been called to this accident which occurred in January, 1922, and considerable correspondence has taken place with the railway company with regard to the possibility of taking steps in the interests of railwaymen to improve the atmosphere in the tunnel or to provide additional safeguards. In the result, however, in view of the difficulties or disadvantage which I am advised would attach to these proposals, my hon. Friend is not pressing the railway company to take further action at present, but the conditions of working in the tunnel are being carefully watched.