asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will arrange that, in cases of appeal to the appeal tribunal where the appellant is too ill to attend and a domiciliary visit is necessary, at least one week's notice of the visit shall be given, so that the appellant may have the opportunity of arranging for a friend to be present to submit arguments in support of the appeal?

Rule No. 31 of the Statutory Rules and Orders governing the procedure of the pensions appeal tribunals provides that when, owing to illness, an appellant is unable to attend before the tribunal, and a member of the tribunal visits him and takes down the evidence, reasonable notice of the visit shall be given. In practice one week's notice of the intended visit is given not only to the appellant but to the area officer of the Ministry of Pensions, and, where the appellant is an inmate of an institution, the medical superintendent of the institution.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in all pension offices, a notice is displayed in a prominent position informing the pensioner that if he has any cause for dissatisfaction he has the right to appeal to the committee for advice and assistance; and, if not, whether he will issue instructions that a notice to this effect in large type shall be shown in every whole and part-time area office?

All officers in the local offices of the Ministry are instructed to inform applicants who make complaints that, if they so desire, their complaints may be put before the War Pensions Committee, and notices to the same effect have also been exhibited in all local offices where the committees have asked that this should be done.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Committee which was appointed to inquire into the cause of the fire at Highbury Pensions Hospital, Birmingham, and to make recommendations for the prevention of fire in the future at Ministry hospitals, has yet reported, and, if so, will the Report be published?

I have just received the Report of this Committee, and am arranging for it to be published.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will cause an arrangement to be made providing for application to an appeal tribunal on the part of an ex-service man confined in an asylum who is discharged by his petitioner under Section 72 of the Lunacy Act, not having been proved to be dangerous and unfit to be at large, against the decision that he is liable to be detained under threat of loss of pension or allowance?

The hon. Member does not appear to appreciate that it is by virtue of the patient's classification by my Department as a "Service patient" that the relatives have the power to insist on his removal against the considered advice of the medical superintendent. In such circumstances, it is the practice to inform the relatives that if the man is again returned to the asylum the question of family allowances and, in extreme cases, classification may have to be considered afresh. This is a reasonable procedure which is exercised with the greatest discretion and solely in the interests of the patient's treatment and prospects of recovery. While I am always willing to inquire into any case which the hon. Member may bring to my notice, I am quite unable to accept his suggestion of a formal appeal to a tribunal in cases of this nature.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that an asylum is a place where these people should be incarcerated, many of them being neither dangerous to themselves nor to others, but who are there amongst people who are both? Is there any hope of these people coming back to normality if they are associated with other inmates who are worse?

It is perfectly obvious there would be very much less chance of these unfortunate men returning to normality under the hon. Member's proposal. They must have medical treatment, and they are treated as service patients whom it is the duty of the State to look after, and the hon. Member's suggestion that 6,000 certified people should be let loose without any proper medical care is one that has never before been suggested.

I am not asking that these people ought not to have some medical treatment, but my point is that they are in the wrong place, that they ought not to be there, and their future be very much prejudiced by their being in an asylum.

The hon. Member id making a speech.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have decided to give any, and, if so, what, financial assistance to village settlements for tuberculous ex-service men?

My right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Minister of Pensions have investigated the work of the two village settlements which have been started in this country for the benefit of tuberculous persons. They are satisfied that much useful work has been accomplished, but, as these settlements are still in the experimental stage, it is too early to say whether they will be permanently successful. In the circumstances, the Government are of opinion that there is a good case for some financial assistance from the Exchequer towards the extension of the settlements, so as to provide additional accommodation for tuberculous ex-service men, and to enable the experiment to be tried on a somewhat larger scale. When the House reassembles, it is proposed to submit a Supplementary Estimate of £20,000 for the purpose of grants providing 25 additional cottages for ex-service men and their families at each of the existing settlements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he fixes the rate of remuneration for returning officers at Parliamentary Elections; and what is the scale of pay made to these officers for this work?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The scales for remuneration of the returning officers at Parliamentary Elections are fixed by the Treasury under Section 29 (4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1918. The existing scales are laid down in detail for England and Wales by No. 1151 of Statutory Rules and Orders for 1922, and for Scotland by No. 1152/S52 for 1922.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly send me a copy of those Orders?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the London County Council propose to ask him to make it compulsory for clubs habitually used for music, dancing, or plays to obtain a licence; and, if so, whether he can assure the House that no such order will be made until Parliament has had an opportunity of reviewing all legislation regarding the licensing of such plaes and of hotels, and of considering the way in which the London County Council has administered the existing regulations upon hotels in the same connection?

My right hon. Friend has not yet received any representations from the London County Council on this subject, but if, as I understand, the proposal referred to involves an alteration of the existing law, no action could be taken by the Home Office without the authority of Parliament, and opportunity for discussion would arise as a matter of course.

asked the President of the Board of Education in how many schools his Department has, during the past 12 months, drawn the attention of the governors or local authorities to the ad mission of a number of free-place pupils in excess of those allowed by the regulations of the Board; and the number of such free-place pupils alleged to be in excess?

The Board have communicated with 72 schools. The excess of free places involved was about 500.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the representations of the local authority in regard to the poverty of the district?

Yes, we have regard to all the relevant factors, and arrive at a decision after considering them.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many supplementary teachers were recognised for the first time during the year ending 3lst March, 1923; and will he state in full the qualifications as to age, education, training, and medical fitness that are demanded from a supplementary teacher on her first appointment?

I regret I do not possess the information asked for in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, I may refer the hon. Member to the last paragraph of the reply which I gave him on the 28th June last.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of getting into touch with the number of these teachers who are newly appointed, in view of the large number of unemployed teachers fully qualified?

Is it not a fact that every supplementary teacher employed has to be separately approved by his Department? Therefore, why is it that he cannot give the total number?

I do not think that is so—

It is the regulation.

Even so, I do not think I can give this information without asking the local authorities for a lot of rather detailed figures, which means considerable labour to put upon the staff unless it be necessary.

Is it not the fact that the only qualification for these teachers is that they are women over 18 years of age who have been successfully vaccinated and have been approved by His Majesty's Inspector as proper persons to teach?

No; I think if the hon. Gentleman will look at the Code, he will see that there is some more qualification required than that.

asked the President of the Board of Education in how many instances during the past 12 months his Department has complained of the over-staffing of public elementary schools; in how many instances his Department has complained of the under-staffing of public elementary schools; in how many cases of over-staffing his representations have had the effect he desired; in how many cases of under-staffing his representations have had the effect he desired; and the net increase or decrease in the number of certificated teachers employed that would have resulted had all his representations, been carried out by the local education authorities?

As the answer to the question is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I may, however, say that in the last few months the representations made to local education authorities against carrying reductions of staff too far have been more numerous than those asking whether further reductions are not practicable.

Following is the answer prepared:

The Board have, during the last 12 months, been discussing with local education authorities, in correspondence and through their inspectors, the question whether a modification of their staffing arrangements is called for either to secure greater efficiency, or to givve effect to those considerations of economy to which attention is called in the Prefatory Memorandum to the Code; but it would be misleading to assume that in all these cases the representations made to local education authorities amounted to complaints. The last part of the question is hypothetical, and I cannot possibly make a numerical estimate of what might have been the result if the Board had proceeded by way of specific demands instead of by the ordinary method of discussion. My latest information is that the number of certificated teachers employed in the schools was less by about 600 on the 30th June, 1923, than on the same date in 1922.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that recently several thousands of students have completed their training at the training colleges for teachers and have left; that the great majority of these trained teachers will be unable to find employment in present circumstances; and whether, in view of the public money expended upon their training, and of the necessity for encouraging entrants into the teaching profession, he can take steps to secure that advantage shall be taken of their training by their employment in schools where there is an insufficient staff of teachers and classes consisting of from 60 to 70 children?

I am fully alive to the difficulties of the present situation, but I am not yet able to judge what proportion of the teachers leaving training colleges this year will be unable to obtain employment within a reasonable time. I have no doubt that local education authorities are anxious to give employment to young teachers, and when occasion arises will use their services for the reduction of excessively large classes.

Pending the employment of these people, could not some method be adopted to provide unemployment pay?

I have no power to provide that under existing legislation.

Why does not the right hon. Gentleman seek power?

Has there been any reduction in the number of these training colleges?

No there has been no reduction in number, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will be aware that some little time ago I issued a regulation on the matter.

Is the number likely to be reduced?

Is it not a fact that these training college students have to sign an agreement to serve for two years after leaving college under a penalty if they do not do so? Therefore, is it not incumbent under the agreement for the Government to provide employment for them?

I cannot provide employment if employment does not exist.

Then will the right hon. Gentleman cancel the agreement that these teachers must serve for two years, or return some part of the cost of their training?

The hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. There is no compulsion on anybody to go through a training college, and if they do go into a training college under present conditions, neither I nor anyone else can guarantee them immediate employment

These people give an undertaking when they emerge from college they will serve two years; should not that be taken into consideration?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can make any statement as to the action taken with regard to the condition of the non-provided schools in Ramsgate; whether he is aware that in four departments of these schools three classes are taught in one room and in the other three departments two classes are taught in one room; that these classes are sometimes between 50 and 60 in size; that in one of these departments, between December, 1921, and July, 1922, there were three heavy falls of plaster from a ceiling 25 feet above the children's heads, and that at present there are 46 cracks in the same cealing; and whether, in these conditions, where old buildings have been either dangerous to the safety or health of the children or the efficiency of instruction, the Board will continue to approve, and itself press for, such action as will bring them more nearly up to the standard at which the Board aims?

Five of the schools in Ramsgate have been specially visited by His Majesty's Inspector and a member of the Board's architect's staff. I have not yet received their joint report, but I need hardly say that I shall give it careful consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to give any information as to the financial position of Latvia; the amount of the Latvian rouble note circulation to the end of the financial year 1920–21 and at the present day; the note circulation of lats and the percentage of gold backing; and the cost of living figures to-day and two years ago?

My hon. Friend will find some information about Latvian circulation and gold reserves in the "Monthly Bulletin of Statistics of the League of Nations." The latest return of the Bank of Latvia was published in the "Economist" of last week. I am not aware of any official cost of living figures for Latvia.

Are there not signs of prosperity at the present moment in Latvia?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take steps to obtain and publish annual returns from Oxford and Cambridge Universities in the same form as those now published in respect of other universities in Great Britain under the auspices of the University Grants Committee?

I have requested the University Grants Committee to take such steps as appear practicable to obtain from the university authorities at Oxford and Cambridge returns which will be as nearly comparable as circumstances permit with those annually supplied to the Committee by other grant-aided university institutions, and published in the Committee's Blue Book. The hon. Member will, however, appreciate that the conditions at Oxford and Cambridge differ in certain material respects from those which prevail at the other universities, and that, as the records and accounts at the two ancient universities have not hitherto been kept with a view to returns on the lines which are required by the University Grants Committee, a little time may elapse before properly comparable figures for Oxford and Cambridge can be pro vided.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the case of William Aimer, an old age pensioner, awarded 10s. per week and at present an inmate of the Turner Memorial Home, Liverpool, and whose son-in-law willingly contributed 11s. per week, which, in addition to his pension, made up the necessary fee charged by the institution of £1 1s. per-week, and in consequence of which Aimer's old age pension has been reduced to 6s., necessitating the son-in-law paying the difference; and if, in view of this voluntary action of the son-in-law, who is quite willing to continue contributing on the original scale of 11s. and the benefit derived by the said William Aimer in the home, he will take steps to restore Aimer's pension to the 10s. per week?

The value of the free maintenance received by Mr. Aimer in the Turner Memorial Home, i.e. , the full value of maintenance there less the amount contributed by him from his old age pension, is required by law to be taken into account as means in determining the rate of old age pension (if any) to which he is entitled. In these circumstances I have no power to intervene.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the question I have put down? Is he aware that the son-in-law has contributed the difference between the pension and the £1 1s. required by the institution, and is quite prepared to go on doing so? Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the pensioner has his 10s. restored? It is now reduced to 6s., because, in point of fact, the son-in-law has paid the difference between the 10s. and the £1 1s.?

That, I believe, is perfectly true, but the fact that the son-in-law contributes to this institution does not remove from the pensioner the effect that he is getting benefit from the institution, and the total amount of his income has to be taken into consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the son-in-law can refuse to contribute any balance—that there is no obligation on him to do it?

I think that is correct. There is no obligation on the part of the son-in-law, but the law as regards old age pensions makes us take into consideration the total benefit the pensioner receives.

Then is not this a case where "the law is a hass"?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statistics to show what the cost would be to the Exchequer if, in calculating the means of aged persons claiming old age pensions, the value of free housing accommodation was excluded; and, if he has no such statistics, will he consider the possibility of obtaining an estimate of the amount?

I regret that this information is not available, nor could it be obtained except at an expenditure of time and labour which I do not think would be justified.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how the sums of £6,000, £1,250, and £3,000, included in the Civil Service Estimates for 1923–24 for law charges connected with the administration of the Merchant Shipping Acts, Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Acts, and Crown Lands Act are made up; and whether these sums include any payments to the Law Officers of the Crown or the Treasury solicitor which may be reclaimed from other Departments?

I have been asked to reply. As the answer is rather long, perhaps my hon. Friend will permit me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPOET.

May I ask the Noble Lord whether his right hon. Friend will not recognise the necessity of giving more details of this expenditure in the statement of the Estimates?

I will see that that is conveyed to my right hon. Friend.

Following is the answer:

The sums referred to, amounting to-£10,250, which compare with a similar provision in the Estimates for 1922–23 of £12,000, represent a provision based on previous experience of law charges which may be incurred during the year for ( a ) Formal investigations into shipping casualties, including payments for the detention of witnesses for such investigations, prosecutions, for offences under the Merchant Shipping Acts, etc.; ( b ) Applications to the Court for prolongation of patents, appeals to the Court in respect of the registration of trade marks, and proceedings for the rectification of the register; ( c ) Expenses of investigating claims to foreshore adverse to the Crown. Any of the matters referred to may involve payments to the Law Officers of the Crown, and would remain a charge on the Board of Trade Vote. In all cases these proceedings are conducted by the solicitor to the Board of Trade.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the salaries paid to the four civil servants acting on the Disposal and Liquidation Com mission; the Votes on which these salaries are borne; how the allowances of £1,380, provided in the Civil Services Estimates, 1923–24, are apportioned; the nature of these allowances; and the nature and amount of other allowances, if any, to these civil servants borne on other Votes?

There are only two civil servants who are members of the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, and these are the two joint secretaries. One who acts, in addition, as accounting officer receives £2,200 per annum (no bonus), and the other receives £1,800 per annum, plus bonus £200. The War Office Vote bears £1,500 in each case and the bonus, and the Commission Vote bears £700 and £300 respectively, the two latter sums forming part of the £1,380 referred to in the question. The remainder of the £1,380 borne on the Commission Vote is made up by allowances to the assistant secretary of £300 (now increased by £250 formerly borne by the War Office Vote) and £75 to the private secretary of one of the joint secretaries. The allowances are for performing duties superior to those appropriate to the substantive salaries of these civil servants, who are not in receipt of any other allowances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the established taxes staff has already a full complement; if not, will he state the additional number required; and whether the temporary clerks at present employed in the Department will automatically be established to fill the posts they already hold, or whether it is pro posed to fill their posts with writing assistants or others who may pass an examination?

There are 2,022 vacancies in the authorised clerical establishment of the taxes branch. Some of these vacancies will be filled by the appointment of temporary clerks who have qualified at the examinations held under the Lytton scheme in 1920 and 1922. The method of recruitment to be adopted when this source is exhausted is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in regard to existing nurses under Section 3 (2) ( c ) of the Nurses' Registration Act, 1919, a new rule first came into operation on 7th July, 1923; that the words enabling persons who within a period of two years after the date on which the rule to be made first comes into operation grant to an existing nurse the right to apply for registration up to 7th July, 1925; and whether, seeing these points are in dispute, and in view of the continuing hardship to bona fide nurses that is arising from a misinterpretation of the Statute, he will consult the Law Officers of the Crown upon the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, my right hon. Friend is unable to accept a construction based on a mis-quotation of the Statute, and sees no necessity to consult the Law Officers on the matter.

Might I ask the Noble Lord whether the General Nursing Council read the words "a rule" instead of "the rules" which they are required by law to do, and, if so, will he consult the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether the words "when a first rule comes into operation" are different from the words "when a rule first comes into operation," and will he consult the Law Officers upon the point, in view of the fact that a large number of nurses are suffering a grievous injury, and many more may suffer from the misconception of this Clause?

As far as I can understand the hon. Gentleman he is merely repeating his original misquotation.

Will the Noble Lord say what is the misquotation?

Yes. I will. The hon. Member has converted the plural in the Statute into the singular.

I think this matter had better be pursued in private.

On a point of Order. Might I ask the Noble Lord whether, according to the law since 1850, the plural does not include the singular and vice versa .

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received any information from the Irish Free State with respect to the discovered bodies of two British officers murdered at Macroom?

The Free State Government have no information regarding this matter, and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary regrets that the information which the hon. and gallant Member was good enough to supply, as a result of the answer to his question on 12th July, was not received until too late to enable the Free State Government to complete their inquiries into it in time for this question. As soon as he receives any information from the Free State Government, he will communicate it to my hon. and gallant Friend.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make most determined efforts in that direction, because the relations and friends of these murdered officers are very anxious in regard to this question.

We are making every effort. Yesterday another wire was sent, and an acknowledgment came only this morning. Every pressure that is possible is being used.

asked the Prime Minister whether, after the Irish election, His Majesty's Government will constitute the boundary commission under Article 12 of the Treaty with the Free State, and will appoint a British representative; whether, in the event of the Government of Northern Ireland persisting in its refusal to appoint a representative, the commission can function; and, if not, what steps His Majesty's Government proposes to take in order to implement the pledges to the Free State?

In reply to the first part of this question, I must point out to the hon. Member that the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland, which was signed on the 6th December, 1921, were, on the 5th December, 1922, embodied in the Irish Free State (Constitution) Act. This Act was passed into law by the Imperial Parliament, and His Majesty's Government are bound thereby. The second and third parts of the question are hypothetical.

Can the Prime Minister state whether, in the event of the Northern Government refusing to appoint a representative, the Commission can function?

No. Sir, I cannot.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken the opinion of the Law Officers as to the position of His Majesty's Government in regard to this matter?

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that if the Northern Parliament refuse to appoint a representative our pledges fall to the ground?

I have nothing to say beyond what I said in my reply.

But what does that mean?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if Northern Ireland is in any way bound by this Treaty?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the arrangements which at present exist for safeguarding the native reserves of land from encroachments in Kenya Colony, for providing regular education and encouraging the natives in agriculture?

On the first and last parts of his question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the questions of the hon. Member for Dundee on the 30th July. Elementary education of the natives is in the hands of the missionaries, but the whole educational policy of the Government of Kenya will be examined by the Governor on his approaching return to the Colony.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, since the declared policy of His Majesty's Government contemplates the gradual development of self-governing institutions in Palestine and in view of the continuous importation into that country of numerous immigrants, some of most undesirable character, against the wishes of an over-whelming majority of the native population, His Majesty's Government will grant to the native inhabitants some real control over immigration into their own country?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Article 84 of the Palestine Order in Council, 1922, from which he will see that the question he raises has not been lost sight of by His Majesty's Government. I am not in a position to make any further statement on the subject.

Is it not a fact that no steps have been taken to give the Palestinians power to control this immigration except in an advisory capacity.

If my hon. and gallant Friend will read paragraph 84, which I have quoted in my answer, he will see exactly what has been done in regard to this matter.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what proposals have been made or are in contemplation by the Scottish Office and the Treasury with regard to the Commissary Office, Edinburgh, upon a vacancy occurring in the office of commissary clerk; if he is aware that any proposal to transfer the commissary office to the Sheriff Court would be opposed by the legal profession and the public; and whether the practice of filling the office of commissary clerk by a political appointment will be discontinued?

No decision has been taken on the matters referred to in the hon. Member's ques- tion. A decision will be taken when a vacancy arises, and all relevant considerations will then be taken into account.

Will the Solicitor-General for Scotland give us some promise in favour of discontinuing the practice of making political appointments, in view of the manner in which the Department has acted in the past?

All relevant considerations will be taken into account should a vacancy occur.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he can state the reasons for refusing a separate scheme of establishment to the commissary office staff; whether he is aware that this has caused dissatisfaction amongst the staff; and, considering that the commissary office is distinct from the sheriff court, whether the Scottish Office and the Treasury will reconsider their decision, in view of the importance of the work done in the commissary office, and the fact that it is analogous in many respects to the Principal Probate Registry in London?

The bulk of the work in the commissary office is local, and precisely similar to the commissary work performed by the sheriff clerks and their staffs in other counties. Mainly for this reason it has been thought desirable to apply to the commissary office in the pending re-organisation the same system of grading, etc., as is proposed for the sheriff clerk service. It does not appear to the Government that anything is to be gained by shutting off the commissary office in a watertight compartment. The representations of the staff have been carefully considered, but no reasons have been shown justifying a modification of the decision reached.

asked the Under- Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware of the difficulties under which 15 smallholders are struggling at Sark Tower, in Dumfriesshire, due to delay on the part of the Board of Agriculture in fulfilling its undertakings; that several of these holders, though they entered in 1916, have not yet been pro- vided with a water supply; that several steadings are unfit for stock; that after complaints during a period of six years officials made a visit, and on behalf of the Board gave certain undertakings in regard to water supply and buildings, none of which have been fulfilled; and will he cause immediate inquiries to be made?

I am aware that certain questions have arisen in relation to the water supply and the condition of certain of the buildings and that these questions have been discussed by representatives of the Board with the holders. I will gladly cause inquiries to be made.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether he was able to visit any of these small holdings recently in Dumfriesshire?

I am afraid the presure on my time has been too great to enable me to do that, but I hope to do so during the Recess.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is now in a position to state the amount of the expenses arising from the arbitration on the Kintail deer forest claim and the total cost to the public of the compulsory substitution of sheep for deer on the estate?

The proprietor whose claim for compensation was sustained has not yet intimated his claim in respect of his expenses, and in consequence the information desired cannot yet be given.

asked the Under- Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he will make representations in the proper quarter with a view to the appointment of one or two representatives of Scottish local authorities on the Committee on Supplies of Building Materials in consideration of the special interest of these authorities in the question.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday to a question addressed to me on this subject by the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the large number of subscribers and its near proximity to London, he will consider as to putting the telephone line from London to Southend on the toll exchange instead of it being a trunk call as at present?

Southend cannot be served through the toll exchange until additional circuits necessary to afford a no-delay service are avail able, and the provision of these circuits is dependent upon the completion of the new arterial road between London and Southend.

Is the right hon Gentleman aware that something like 15 miles from the town there is no through connection?

Yes, I am aware of that. Certainly there are some gaps in the roads and bridges which have not yet been completed, and until that is done, we cannot get on with the other work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the City Life Assurance Company was registered under the Companies Acts or the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts, 1893 to 1913; and whether he can state, for the benefit of policy-holders generally, whether the Industrial Insurance Commissioner is satisfied with the stability of all the similar companies so registered from the Prudential downwards?

The City Life Assurance Company, Limited, was registered under the Companies Acts. With regard to the second part of the Question the Industrial Assurance Commissioner can make no general statement. The valuation returns of the companies are periodically published, and are there- fore available to the public. The statutory powers of the Commissioner apply to cases in which a valuation made as at 31st December, 1924, or a later date is unsatisfactory and to cases in which a valuation, whether made before or after the passing of the Industrial Assurance Act, discloses a deficiency.

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a small Committee to inquire into the conditions which should govern the suspension of Members of Parliament, both from the point of view of duration and payment of salary?

No action can be taken at this stage of the Session, but before the House meets again after the adjournement, I will consider the desirability of setting up a Select Committee to consider Standing Order 18, and to make recommendations as to its Amendment.

Does that mean that the Committee are going to consider the question of the payment of Members? If so, I would like the right hon. Gentleman to include in the terms of reference to the Committee the question of whether the present salary of Members of the House of Commons is sufficient?

I am afraid that part of the hon. Member's question could not be debated by a Committee considering the operation of Standing Order No. 18. With regard to the other considerations, we can only discover that, after studying the Standing Order as it now exists.

Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHS asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information as to the agenda of the forthcoming Imperial Conference?

It is proposed that, as in 1921, the opening meeting of the Imperial Conference should include statements as to the general position on the main issues of Imperial policy, and that these preliminary statements should be followed first by a review of foreign affairs since the Conference of 1921, and consideration of present problems and future policy; secondly, by discussions on naval, military and air defence, including a review of the naval situation resulting from the Washington Conference, and arrangements for future co-operation in all branches of defence.

At some stage of the proceedings, attention will be devoted to questions of principle referred to the Imperial Conference from the Imperial Economic Conference, including Imperial air and wireless communications, and probably certain economic questions of special importance.

Australia has also suggested for discussion the question of marriages with foreigners and certain other questions connected with nationality and naturalisation.

asked the Prime Minister if any discussions have taken place between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Holland in regard to certain projected naval strategical works in the Dutch East Indies; and will he inform the House of the nature of these discussions?

I have been asked to reply. No such discussions have taken place.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the desirability of reaching a friendly understanding with the Russian Government on the subject of the claims of British subjects, and in order that such other differences as exist or may arise between the two Governments may be approached under circumstances of normal international intercourse, he will, now that the Russian Government has intimated its intention of signing the Straits Convention and is understood to have fulfilled the conditions laid down by His Majesty's Government in the recent exchange of notes, consider the advisability of opening informal discussions with that Government, with a view to exploring the ground for the negotiation of a general Peace Treaty as foreshadowed in the Trade Agreement; and, if His Majesty's Government cannot see their way to adopt this course, will he inform the House of the reasons therefor.

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave the hon. Member on the 18th June last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet Government has, at any time, expressed a readiness to meet the monetary claims of British subjects who lost everything in the revolution and, if so, on what lines?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Treaty of Peace with Turkey does not provide for the payment of reparations, will he state on whose initiative they were omitted; and will he consider following now the same course with Germany in the trading and commercial interests of this country?

I would refer the hon. Member to pages 833 and 840 of the Blue Book on the first phase of the Lausanne Conference, which was published early this year. With regard to the second part of the question, there is no parallel between the cases of Turkey and Germany.

Will the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that in the West Riding of Yorkshire the payments from Germany are not made in textile goods?

Notice had better be given of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether a woman delegate is to be appointed to represent Great Britain at the Fifth Session of the International Labour Conference in October?

I have been asked to reply. As the Government have not yet received a reply from the industrial organisations with whom they are in correspondence as to the composition of the delegation, I regret that I am not in a position to reply to the hon. Member's question. The composition of the delegation will be announced in the Press as soon as possible.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see the desirability of making up his mind at once whether one woman at least shall be a member of this Delegation?

I am afraid I can add nothing to my answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us with what industrial organisations he has been in communication?

The National Confederation of Employers' Organisations of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill to revise the present system of adjusting the burden of local and national taxation; and, if so, when such Bill will be presented?

If by an adjustment of the burden of local and national taxation my hon. Friend means, as I suspect, a substantial increase in the present amount of Government subventions to local authorities, the answer must be in the negative. The Government have, however, had under consideration for some time proposals for improving the machinery of rating and valuation, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health hopes during the Recess to obtain the considered views of the various associations of local authorities and other interests concerned upon these proposals, which will be circulated to them in the form of a draft Bill.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, before these steps are taken, call for a Report from Lord Meston's Committee on percentage grants which bears very closely on this problem.

I am quite sure that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health will do so.

May not that Committee be asked to make an interim report, seeing how vitally the matter it is dealing with affects this problem?

I will communicate with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who is responsible for the details of this matter.

Yes, but the report is being held up. This investigation is one of the most important assets of the problem.

I am quite sure my right hon. Friend will communicate with Lord Meston with a view to expediting the Report.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the managers of the Employment Exchanges at Stratford and Canning Town have been instructed not to pay any of the men working at the various wharves who are not dock workers; that some of the men were not shut out until 9th July, and that the insurance officers have been instructed not to pay the men after 5th July; and if he will take action in the matter?

The insurance officer has decided that persons normally employed at the London Docks, within the area of the general dispute, whether dock workers or otherwise, are in general disqualified for unemployment benefit as from the 5th July under Section 8 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. When special circumstances apply to particular cases, these circumstances are taken into account by the chief insurance officer, and, if the claimant is dissatisfied with the decision, his remedy is to appeal to the Court of Referees.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in all these cases his decision has been the means of driving these people to the Poor Law authority? Would he like my opinion on that decision?

I am always to glad to receive communications from the hon. Member on any subject.

You will not be on this question.

The hon. Member must really discriminate between the decision of the Minister and that of an independent arbiter set up by Act of Parliament for this express purpose, and, as the hon. Member knows, subject to a right of appeal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men are not dock workers or transport workers at all, and yet they have been cut right away from their pay?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a large number of casual carmen who are not connected with the dock strike, but who, because of the strike, cannot get either work or unemployment pay?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of wage earner and wealth producers who have received reductions in wages and salaries during, the year ending 31st March, 1923; what was the total of those reductions during the same period; the estimated number who had wage reductions; and the total estimated amount of such reduction from 31st March to 22nd July, 1923?

In the industries for which statistics are compiled by the Ministry of Labour, the total number of wage earners whose wages were reduced in the year ended 31st March, 1923, so far as reported to the Department, was nearly 7,400,000. The aggregate net reduction in the weekly full-time rates of wages of these workpeople during that period was approximately £3,000,000. Statistics are not yet available as to the effects of the reductions from 31st March to 22nd July, 1923, but from the former date to the end of June nearly 2,000,000 workpeople are reported to have had their rates of wages reduced by about £230,000 per week. Particulars are not collected as to reductions in the remuneration of salary earners. It should be noted that the figures quoted relate in the main to organised groups of wage earners, and do not include agricultural labourers, domestic servants, police, shop assistants, clerks, or Government employés, as to whom complete statistics are not available.

Does the figure of £3,000,000 mean £3,000,000 a day?

No, a week.

Rubbish!

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how it comes about that, with these continual reductions of wages and the reduction in the cost of production, trade comes to be in its present parlous condition?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport when a definite statement may be expected in regard to an increase in the grants to the Road Fund in rural areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Exchange Division of Manchester on 30th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say when this money will be available for the districts where the roads are still in a very bad condition?

I should hope fairly shortly, but we must wait until we have all the applications, so that we may know how much can be allocated in proportion to the needs of the various districts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a London Traffic Bill in the Autumn Session?

The Government have decided to introduce a Bill on the subject of London traffic in the autumn. The Bill will follow the general lines of the suggestions made to the Royal Commission on London Government in the evidence given on behalf of the Ministry of Transport.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will arrange that the Crypt Chapel may be open for inspection to visitors to this House during such hours as the House is open to the general public?

I will discuss this proposal with the Lord Great Chamberlain.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of men stationed at the Gravesend Fort, and the nature of their duties; and whether the fort is reckoned as an integral part of the defences of the country?

There are two forts in the neighbourhood. New Tavern Fort is at present empty and disused, and the question of its disposal will be taken up when decisions have been given on the general question, now under review, of coast defence policy. Shornmead Fort is used to house men of the Royal Engineers Training Battalion, who are sent there from Chatham for musketry. There were 186 men there on 1st July last. The coast defence arrangements at present authorised do not reckon either fort as an integral part of the defences of the country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has recommended that candidates in the forthcoming Indian elections should not be debarred from being candidates by reason of the fact that they have been in prison for more than six months; and, if so, what action His Majesty's Government propose to take to meet the wishes of the Viceroy?

The Government of India have made proposals for the modification of the rule in question which are not precisely of the character suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. My Noble Friend, who has sought the advice of the Standing Joint Committee on Indian Affairs, has decided that an amendment in the sense proposed ought not in any case to be made without an affirmative resolution of both Houses, according to the proviso to Section 129A of the Government of India Act. He is, therefore, reserving the matter for further consideration, with a view to deciding what recommendation, if any, should be made to Parliament when it reassembles.

May I ask why the Secretary of State referred this matter of the alteration of the Rules to the Standing Joint Committee, when he did not so refer the alteration of the Rules abolishing the residential qualification?

My Noble Friend referred this question to the Standing Joint Committee, because he thought that the alteration proposed was one of principle, and, therefore, it was in accord with what was laid down, both in the Act and in the Rules, that he should refer it to the Standing Joint Committee in order that he might have the advantage of their opinion upon it.

Do I understand that it would be impossible for Pandit Motilal Nehru and C. R. Das to stand for the coming election in India?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must put down a question if he wants an answer on a specific case. I cannot state off-hand what is the position of these people; the hon. and gallant Gentleman is probably more familiar with it than I am.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the present condition of affairs as regards the Sikh situation in the Punjab; and whether, considering that the religious movement has now developed into a political movement, what action has been taken against the agitators and revolutionaries who are directing the latter?

A new Prabandhak Committee has recently been elected. It is understood that extremists predominate upon it, but its first meeting has not yet been held. The recent abdication of the Maharaja of Nabha has caused excitement among a certain number of Sikhs, and much inflammatory matter has been published in the Press. The necessary precautionary measures against possible violence have been taken, and I have no reason to suppose that any persons who have committed offences in this connection are escaping the consequences.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the present position of the negotiations with the United States upon the liquor question?

I am afraid it is not yet possible to make any further statement on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet had the opportunity or has taken steps to inter view those British citizens recently re turned from Ellis Island who describe their treatment there as worse than a Bavarian prison; and whether he can make any further statement on the matter?

No request for an interview has yet been received. As I told my Noble and gallant Friend some days ago, I should be glad to receive Mr. Mordaunt at the Foreign Office should he so desire, and any information from those British subjects who have had experience of Ellis Island would receive careful consideration.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries of the American representatives as to the character of this individual, and whether he was warned in advance; and will he enter into negotiations with the American Government to at least ascertain the truth, in view of the ill-founded statements which are often made?

We are making inquiries. I cannot be certain whether they include this individual case, but inquiries are being made generally.

Cannot arrangements be made by which steamships will not take emigrants out to America, when the law of America prevents them from being landed?

That very aspect of the question is being considered.

Is it not fair to recollect that these additional emigrants have not been invited by the United States, and are not wanted, and that the Minister in the United States who is responsible for this matter says that in the very difficult circumstances they are doing their very best?

Do these considerations apply to the exportation of liquor to the United States?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that certain rum requisitioned by the Admiralty for the use of His Majesty's Navy in 1917 has not yet been fully paid for; that litigation has been proceeding ever since May, 1918; that, notwithstanding the contentions raised by the Admiralty, in reliance upon which they have withheld payment of the balance claimed, judgment has been given in favour of the claimants on three separate occasions, by Mr. Justice Salter on 12th February, 1920, by the War Compensation Court on 7th November, 1921, and by the same Court on 4th July, 1923, the last being in a test case selected by the Admiralty themselves; and that, although this judgment was given by the tribunal appointed by the Government under the Indemnity Act, 1920, for determining questions of this character, the Admiralty have given notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal, which must necessarily delay for a long further period the settlement of the numerous outstanding claims; and whether, seeing that this amounts to a denial of justice to those persons who, at inconvenience and loss, unreservedly placed their stocks at the disposal of His Majesty's Government in war-time, and that the test case selected by the Admiralty has been decided against them, he will give directions to have the appeal withdrawn and all outstanding cases settled on the principles now so definitely laid down?

Yes, Sir; the facts are substantially as stated, except that it is incorrect to say that the Admiralty selected the test case. Full payment has been, or is being, made of any sums awarded by the Court, and payment to the full extent which the Admiralty considers to be fair has been made or offered in every other case. Having regard, however, to all the circumstances of the case, and to the heavy additional expense to the Exchequer involved if the claims of all persons concerned in the commandeering of the rum referred to were to be met on the basis recently awarded by the War Compensation Court, the Admiralty, after careful consideration, does not see any reason to forego its right of appeal in this matter.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether the Report of the proceedings of the Committee of Imperial Defence, which is to be published as a White Paper, will be the full verbatim report?

No, Sir; the Paper circulated contains the recommendations which have been made by the Committee.

I may say that I have since seen the White Paper, but only this morning. Is the Prime Minister aware that in paragraph 41, on page 12, allusion is made to the evidence given before the Sub-Committee, and will it be possible for him to place such evidence at the disposal of Members of this House?

I will consider that point.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to publish the reprint of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act of 1920 with the Amendments made by the new Act?