asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the murders and abductions on the North-West Frontier of India, any steps have been taken to prevent women residing there?

No general prohibition has been imposed. Under standing arrangements British officers are precluded from taking their wives and families into certain areas, such as the Khyber and Waziristan. In view of the recent outrages the position in other areas has been carefully examined. Women and children have been restricted as far as possible to cantonment limits, and other special precautions have been introduced where they were considered necessary. The civil and military authorities are satisfied that the continued residence of women in these areas subject to these limitations is not a matter for apprehension.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the present political and military situation on the Afghanistan frontier of India; whether any ultimatum or Diplomatic Note has been sent or handed to the Government at Kabul; and what is the purport of such ultimatum or Diplomatic Note?

The political situation is, in brief, that the surrender to the Afghan Government a few days ago of one of the murder-gangs has cleared the way for a settlement of one important question, and that it is hoped that a satisfactory settlement of other outstanding questions may be attained before long. The military situation on the British side of the frontier has not been affected in any way by Anglo-Afghan relations; on the Afghan side a small body of Afghan troops has been engaged in operations against the murderers. His Majesty's Minister communicated to the Afghan Government some months ago a Note stating that His Majesty's Government had decided, in accordance with the terms of the Anglo- Afghan treaty, to withhold permission for the transit of certain arms through India until the Afghan Government had taken steps to dispel the belief that it was pursuing an unfriendly and provocative policy towards Great Britain, and further representations have been made with a view in particular to expediting action against the murderers; but the report recently published as to the delivery of an ultimatum was entirely false.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether statistics are available of the imports of yarn and cotton cloth into India from the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States of America during the past year?

The figures so far as available are as follow:

IMPORTS INTO INDIA.
10 months, January-October, 1923*
Cotton Twist and yarn.
From	Quantity.	Value.
	Lbs.	Rs.
United Kingdom.	16,574,421	3,57,46,845
Japan	22,227,730	2,80,30,048
United States of America.†	—	—
Cotton Piece Goods.
—	Quantity.	Value.
	Yards.	Rs.
United Kingdom.	l,131,560,307	41,37,66,558
Japan	96,064,403	3,53,05,354
United States of America.‡	327,959	120,432
* Figures for November and December not yet available.
† Figures not available.
‡Excluding quantity and value of coloured piece goods from April to October, inclusive, figures not being available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the application in the India postal service of the next-below rule whereby an admitted injustice to the senior members of the staff was removed, has been applied in such manner that, through no fault of their own, senior men have for 15 months drawn less pay than their juniors; and whether inquiries can be made with a view to reimburse the men affected for the money lost?

My Noble Friend the Secretary of State has no information on the subject, but if the hon. Member will furnish particulars of the cases to which he refers, inquiry will be made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in the event of foot-and-mouth disease breaking out on a farm, what precisely is the compensation to be paid to the farmer should an order for the slaughter of his cattle be made; will any compensation be payable to such farmers who are wholly or partially dependent upon their milk trade for the loss of that trade during the period of isolation; what is the minimum and maximum period of isolation relied upon by the Board where an outbreak has taken place; and will a farmer who is prepared to take all his own risk be allowed to exercise his own belief that he is able to cure his own cattle of this disease?

The Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, provides for compensation for cattle slaughtered by order of the Ministry as follows:—

(1) Where the animal slaughtered was affected with foot - and - mouth disease, the compensation shall be the value of the animal immediately before it became so affected; and

(2) in every other case the compensation shall be the value of the animal immediately before it was slaughtered.

The Act does not provide for the payment of any compensation to stockowners for losses due to the closure of their premises, or other restrictions on a stock-owner's business. In cases in which slaughter is adopted the premises are kept under restrictions which prevent the move- meat of animals on or off the premises for a minimum period of six weeks from the completion of the final disinfection, or two months from the date of completion of slaughter, whichever is the shorter period. This period of isolation may be extended according as local circumstances appear to render necessary. Cattle are slaughtered by order of the Ministry in order to stop the spread of the disease, consequently no farmer has the option of deciding whether to attempt to cure his cattle.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is advised that there is now a reasonable practicable alternative scheme for the curing of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle without resorting to general slaughter; and, if so, will he make known at the earliest possible date what the alternative scheme is in order to allay the fear existing among the agricultural class in this country?

The Ministry of Agriculture has never suggested that foot-and-mouth disease cannot be treated by ordinary therapeutic measures so as to result in a large proportion of recoveries in the animals affected, but to put these measures into general practice would maintain the existence of centres of infection, with the result that under the conditions of farming and commerce the disease would become widespread. This, in fact, is what is occurring in continental countries, where the disease is so general that curative measures alone can be adopted. It may be added that the cost of this policy to the agricultural community in such countries in losses of stock, loss of milk, and loss of progeny is far greater than the cost of eradication has been in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the amount of compensation paid to date in respect of slaughtered animals in districts infected with cattle disease; and how many cases of such disease have been reported, and in what areas, during the past seven days?

The total amount of compensation paid since August last and up to and including the 16th instant in respect of animals slaughtered in connection with outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease is £1,230,963, made up as follows:—

	£
39,763 cattle	1,058,034
18,043 sheep	69,040
19,130 pigs	103,836
43 goats	53
Total	£1,230,963

These figures take no account of salvage nor administrative expenses. The total net expenditure in the same period is £1,107,820. The total commitments in regard to compensation for the same period are estimated at a gross total of £2,418,000.With regard to the second part, 157 cases of foot-and-mouth disease were confirmed in the seven days ended the 15th instant, particulars of which are given below:—

Statement showing the number of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease for the week ending 15th January, 1924.
England and Wales.
Chester	90
Cumberland	5
Denbigh	2
Derby	5
Durham	2
Flint	4
Gloucester	1
Isle of Ely	1
Lancaster	5
Leicester	3
Norfolk	1
Northampton	1
Northumberland	4
Salop	8
Stafford	8
Warwick	1
Westmorland	1
Worcester	4
York, East Riding	3
York, North	2
York, West	2
Totals (England and Wales)	153

Scotland.
Banff	1
Lanark	3
Totals(Scotland)	4
Totals (Great Britain)	157

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the amount, paid in respect of the last financial year by way of increased grants to highly rated areas for educational services, and to which authorities were such grants paid; and the approximate amount of such grants in respect of the current financial year?

The amount of additional grant finally payable for any financial year cannot be determined until the audited accounts for the year have been received and examined. Upon available information it is estimated that the total of additional grants for 1922–23 may be payable to twelve authorities, and may amount to about £121,000; and that the total for 1923–24 may be payable to 17 authorities, and may amount to about £157,000. The names of the authorities and the estimated amounts of additional grant for the two years are as follow:—

Local Education Authority.	For the Year 1922–23	For the Year 1923–24
	£	£
Aberdare	4,933	4,786
Abertillery	2,505	2,847
Barry	—	813
Crewe	—	464
East Ham	8,553	14,914
Edmonton	3,097	4,645
Leyton	—	3,557
Llanelly	187	1,254
Merthyr Tydfil	9,371	11,727
Mountain Ash	4,155	3,954
Neath	—	297
Pontypyidd	2,485	2,052
Rbondda	10,997	8,940
St. Helens	—	811
Tottenham	26,203	26,537
Waltham tow	11,894	15,695
West Ham	36,210	53,292

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is his intention to introduce legislation to deal with the recommendations of the Departmental Committee as to pensions for teachers; and, if so, whether, having regard to the importance of the interchangeability of teachers, he will sympathetically consider the claims of the teachers in preparatory schools to be included in the Government scheme, provided no contribution is asked from the Government towards their pensions or premiums?

The Report of Lord Emmott's Committee is at present receiving my consideration. I may remind my right hon. and learned Friend that the Committee did not recommend the inclusion of the class of schools to which he refers within the State Scheme for the Superannuation of Teachers. I have no doubt that the matter will be brought to the attention of Parliament when legislation is introduced.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been called to a resolution passed on the 27th September last by the Fourth Assembly of the League of Nations, urging the Governments of the States members to arrange that the children and youth in their respective, countries be made aware of the existence and aims of the League of Nations and the terms of its covenant; and if he will make a statement on the subject?

The answer is in the affirmative. I need hardly say that the resolution of the Assembly has the full sympathy of His Majesty's Government, and I gladly take this opportunity of recommending it to the favourable consideration of the authorities of the schools.

asked the Parliamentary Under - Secretary for Health, Scotland, whether he will authorise the making of a grant towards the cost of the construction of the proposed Sanna-Plocaig road in Ardnamurchan, Argyll, thereby satisfying a very urgent need and help to relieve the local unemployment and distress at present prevailing?

An application for a grant towards the construction of the proposed road was made about two years ago, but the Board of Agriculture were unable to accede to it. Any further statement which may be submitted to the Board will be considered. The question whether the county council would be prepared to undertake the maintenance of the road if constructed would be one of the factors to be considered.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether, in view of the assessment being imposed upon rent heritors in the parish of Cathcart, Glasgow, for the building of a new church, and as the vast majority of those assessed were not aware they were liable for assessment, and had no notice of any meeting, he will now ask that a full meeting of those to be assessed be called and let them decide?

The procedure for calling meetings of heritors is regulated by statutory provisions contained in the Ecclesiastical Buildings and Glebes (Scotland) Act, 1868, and the Ecclesiastical Assessments (Scotland) Act, 1900. The matter is not one in which my Noble Friend has any authority to intervene.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether, in view of the thousands of people in Glasgow who are threatened with eviction from their homes owing to their inability to pay rents at the present standard, he will consider the introduction of a Bill to reduce rents to the 1914 level?

The policy embodied in the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act, 1923, which received the Royal Assent as recently as 31st July last, was very carefully considered and the Measure was fully discussed in this House. It is not proposed to introduce a new Bill dealing with this subject at the present time.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if his attention has been called to the famine conditions existing in the Western Isles of Scotland; and, if so, what steps he has taken or proposes to take to deal with the situation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the question put by the right hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Macpherson) and also the statement which I made in the course of the debate.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is proposed to carry into effect the promise contained in the reply given to Item 57 of the 1919 General Welfare Requests?

The reply to General Welfare Request No. 57 of 1919–1920 was that the Admiralty were desirous of doing all that was possible to support the status and position of chief petty officers. This is still the policy of the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the Reserve Fleet working parties are composed of naval pensioners, mainly chief petty officers, but that they serve as able-bodied pensioners under non-continuous Service engagements, and that these men asked that they should be allowed to wear a Class III fore-and-aft rig of serge, provided at their own expense; and if he will give favourable consideration to this request?

No reason is seen for disturbing the present arrangements, as the men in question wear the uniform appertaining to the rating in which they undertake to enter.

asked the First Lord 01 the Admiralty whether, in view of the reduction in the age limit for the compulsory retirement of the greater number of branches of naval commissioned warrant and warrant officers, he will make the Regulation applicable to all in order that such branches as the naval cooks may secure a proportion of promotions to warrant rank similar to other branches and if he is aware that by maintaining the retired age at 55 years the naval cookery branches are handicapped in regard to promotion to warrant rank; that there are only 13 officer ranks all told in this branch; and that promotion is very slow?

Regulations have already been issued providing for the reduction of the age of compulsory retirement in the cookery and other warrant officer branches not affected by the retirement scheme of 1922, the reduction being made gradually so as to minimise as far as possible any hardship to officers already on the list. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the Order.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any work has actually been begun on the new naval base at Singapore; and, if so, to what extent, and at what cost?

The hon. and gallant Member, whose previous advocacy of the development of Singapore as a naval base is well known, will be glad to learn that preliminary work has been begun on the site. Communications are being opened up and arrangements have been made for the construction of the water supply and residences and quarters for the staff if workmen. The actual expenditure up to the present has not been great, but liabilities amounting to about £150,000 have been incurred. I may mention that no expense has been incurred in respect of purchase of the land, as by the generosity of the colony this has been provided free of cost to the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the new fortification at Singapore is going to be carried out by the Government or by contract; and whether any of the work has already been commenced?

It is proposed to carry out the principal works by contract. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the difficulty experienced in locating Submarine L24, the Admiralty are considering the possibility of devising any means whereby a disabled submarine can make her position known to ships on the surface?

There are already a number of means by which the crew of a disabled submarine could indicate their position. In the case of L24 there is no reasonable doubt that the flooding of the vessel and the death of the crew followed immediately upon the collision.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any light cruisers or other war vessels have been commenced, laid down, ordered, or tendered for since the last meeting of Parliament?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any of the light cruisers included in the projected programme of new construction will be allocated to Devonport; and, if so, whether he can state for how many men and for what period he contemplates the building of a light cruiser will give employment?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government still adheres to its intention of placing orders for several light cruisers to stimulate shipbuilding, especially in those ports where orders are few and unemployment considerable; if so, what is the cause of the delay in asking for tenders; and whether, in the allocation of any contracts, the claims of Barrow-in-Furness will be taken into consideration and one vessel allocated to the town?

The intention of the Government in this matter has been made clear in the King's Speech, and I propose, in the course of the next few days' Debate, to give the House full information as to the programme in contemplation. No action has been taken, pending the sanction of Parliament, but such progress has been made with the designs and specifications of the vessels that it will be possible to issue invitations to tender directly the authority of Parliament has been obtained. The claims of the Royal Dockyards and the various shipbuilding centres will receive careful consideration when the tenders have been received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quantity of gold was in the Bank of England, and what amount of Treasury notes and bank notes were in circulation on 31st March, 1923?

The following are the figures for the 28th March, the date of the weekly return nearest to the 31st March, 1923.

	£
Gold in the Issue Department of the Bank of England	125,683,000
Bank of England Notes in circulation	101,987,090
Currency Notes in circulation	285,616,000

On the same date there was in the custody of the Bank of England £27,000,000 gold held for the Currency Note Reserve. The average number of notes of Scottish and Irish Banks of issue in circulation during the four weeks ending the 17th March, 1923, was

	£
Scottish Banks	22,197,000
Irish Banks	17,046,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of unclaimed money lying dormant in the banks of the Kingdom; whether the interest on the same is paid over to the Government or added to the principal; and if Income Tax is paid on the same?

There is no available information as to the first part of the question. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of the total expenditure for the nine months of the financial year to 31st December was for the service of the National Debt; and what were the gross liabilities under the National Debt on that, date as compared with the amount on 31st December, 1922?

As shown in the weekly statement published in the "London Gazette," the total expenditure on National Debt services in the nine months ended 31st December, 1923, was—

	£
For Interest and Management	270,251,364
For Sinking Fund	31,650,062
	£301,901,426

The gross total liabilty for deadweight, debt was approximately £7,804,400,000 (face value) on 31st December, 1923, as compared with a total of £7,879,000,000 (face value) on 31st December. 1922.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he can state the volume of imports and exports from and to India for the year 1923;(2) whether he can state the volume of imports and exports from and to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, respectively, for the year 1923?

I regret that it will not be possible to complete the compilation of the statistics desired by my hon. Friend before the end of this month. As soon as the total values of the trade with the countries specified are available, I will communicate them to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will carry into effect the unanimous recommendation of the Committee that the lace industry should have the benefit of the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The Committee's recommendation was that a duty of 33¾ per cent. ad valorem should be imposed upon all imported lace for a period of five years. This could not be done under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, but would require new legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the claim that has been made by Mr. S. T. Boultby, of Nottingham, for compensation in respect of damages caused by an air raid on the 1st April, 1916, at 79, Victor Street, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, he is aware that Mr. Boultby was at that time a serving soldier, was later invalided out of the Army, and, owing to disability, has been unable to resume his pre-war occupation; and whether, in view of the special circumstances, he will expedite the decision upon this man's claim?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the last part, the claim is among the property claims now under consideration by the Royal Corn-mission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, but it will not be possible to make the payment to Mr. Boultby which may be recommended by the Commission until after the presentation of the Report of the Commission on Property Claims.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take in regard to the belated reparation claims of members of the mercantile marine and their dependants?

The Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action has not yet delivered its final report. Every effort has been made to facilitate the expedition of its work by increasing the staff of the Reparations Claims Department and by pressing on the examination of the great number of claims in every way possible. As soon as the Royal Commission has reported all the claims approved by it will be paid forthwith.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state what action he has taken in regard to the findings of the Court of Inquiry into the loss of the s.s. "E1 Kahira"?

Legal proceedings are being taken at the instance of the Director of Public Prosecutions against the owner of the vessel under the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919. The case was begun yesterday, and has been adjourned until Wednesday, the 23rd January. The action of the Board of Trade officer, which was adversely commented on by the Court of Inquiry, has been further investigated by the magistrate who presided over the Court, and severe disciplinary action has been taken by the Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue a comparative statement showing the port dues charged by other maritime nations on British shipping and the dues charged by British ports on the shipping of those various foreign countries?

I am afraid that the issue of an official statement such as my hon. Friend asks for would involve greater cost and labour than could be justified. Full information, I understand, is given in works of reference issued by private publishers, and I am sending my hon. Friend the name of one of these works.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the negotiations now taking place between representatives of the German Dye-makers Combine and the British Dyestuffs Corporation are for the purpose of establishing a working agreement under which the British Dyestuffs Corporation shall become the agent of the German dye-makers for the sale in this country of German dyestuffs; and whether the directors appointed to the British Dyestuffs Corporation by the Government have received authority from the Board of Trade to support these negotiations?

Negotiations have been proceeding for a considerable time past between the British Dyestuffs Corporation and German dye-makers. The Board of Trade have approved of these negotiations taking place, as a satisfactory agreement would, in their view, increase the efficiency of the dye-making industry in this country. Negotiations are still proceeding, and I think it would be prejudicial to all the interests concerned to make any detailed statement at present.

asked the President of the Board a Trade whether trading negotiations between British industrialists and the Soviet Government have taken place during the past six months; whether the Department keeps official records of any results proceeding from such negotiations; what are the names of British firms or combinations which have effected definite arrangements for trading with the Soviet Government; and whether the Department is now engaged in any negotiations or transactions for the encouragement of trade between Great Britain and the Soviet Government of Russia?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Any results of negotiations between British groups and the Russian authorities are recorded in the Department of Overseas Trade so far as they are known, but my hon. Friend will readily understand that the Department cannot disclose information communicated to it by individual firms. The Department of Overseas Trade always gives any assistance in its power to British firms engaged in such negotiations, both here and through the staff of the mission in Moscow.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to circulars sent to Members of Parliament and others offering a certain 20 per cent. profit on capital every 66 days subscribed for the purpose of sending consignments of intoxicating liquor into the United States of Amerces; and whether, in the interests of amicable relations between Great Britain and the United States Government, this objectionable practice can be prevented?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements which I made in this House in answer to questions on the 11th of April and the 1st of August last. As matters stand, His Majesty's Government have no power, without special legislation, to intervene in cases of this kind. The question as to the form which such special legislation should take, has received careful consideration by the competent authorities, but it was found that there are great difficulties in the way of framing suitable legislation without imposing restrictions which would seriously hamper legitimate trade. As the hon. Member is aware, we have every hope that a Treaty will shortly be signed with the United States Government which should materially strengthen their powers to stop the smuggling of liquor into United States territory by sea.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will, at the earliest possible moment, set up again a Select Committee on Estimates; and, if so, whether they will propose for that Committee a reference and powers in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee on National Expenditure (1918)?

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to set up a Select Committee on Estimates; and whether it is proposed to introduce some method by which the work of such a Committee may be accelerated, in view of the fact that the Estimates Committee appointed last year was unable to complete its investigations before the end of the last Parliament?

I should be prepared to consider the reappointment of an Estimates Committee on the lines adopted in recent years, and be glad to consider any suggestion which the Committee may make for the more speedy discharge of their functions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to advise the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the possibility of consolidating, correlating, and amending the existing schemes of national insurance against unemployment and sickness and the relation thereto of poor relief and old age pensions and the provision of pensions for widows and dependent children?

The Government have arranged for a preliminary examination of the whole problem by the Departments concerned, and it will be possible to decide in the light of the result of that examination what further action, whether by the appointment of a Royal Commission or otherwise, may be advisable.

asked the Prime Minister if he can state whether, when the pensions of pre-War pensioners are under consideration, the question of the pensions of the widows of pre-1918 police pensioners will also be reconsidered?

I have been asked to reply. This question would be outside the scope of the contemplated Bill to amend the Pensions (Increase) Act.

asked the Primo Minister whether any funds remain from public subscriptions made during the last 10 years in relief of those suffering from colliery disasters; if he can state where such funds are invested and to what total they amount; and whether steps can be taken so that in the future any surplus remaining from such subscriptions should he devoted to the relief of sufferers from such accidents as may recur?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that I am not in possession of the information asked for in the first and second parts of the question; nor have I any power to act as suggested in the third part.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that British newspapers in the occupied areas of Germany have been censored by order of the French authorities; and, if this is so, what steps does he propose to take to protect the freedom of the Press?

I have no confirmation of this allegation; but inquiry is being made.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state the number of dwelling-houses under the control of his Department which are now vacant, and in which districts; and whether any of these dwelling-houses are being kept empty for the purpose of sale?

Out of a total of 9,763 houses managed by my Department, 172 are void, over 75 per cent. of such houses being in Barrow and lnvergordon. 149 houses are available for re-letting, but, owing to the industrial conditions, especially in those two areas, considerable difficulty is being experienced in finding tenants. Only 23 houses out of the total of 9,763 are being held for sale, and in the event of there being no sale within the short period allowed by the Department, they will again be offered for letting.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been begun and how many houses have been completed under the subsidy schemes authorised by the Housing Act of 1923, and the total amount of the subsidies so granted?

On the 1st January last foundations had been completed for 17,608 houses and 3,506 of these houses had been wholly completed. The Exchequer subsidy payable In respect of these houses is at the rate of £6 a year for 20 years for each house.

asked the Minister of Health how many new houses were completed under schemes supported by the Ministry in the year ending 31st December last; and how many new houses under such sanctioned schemes are now in the course of erection?

During the year ended the 31st December last, apart from houses built by private enterprise without subsidy, 19,185 houses were completed in schemes approved under the Housing Acts of 1919 and 1923, and on the 1st January last 18,975 houses were under construction.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the number of persons desirous of proceeding with the building of houses, he will take steps to expedite the issue of the formal sanction for the corporation of Gravesend to borrow money under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act?

The application was received by my Department last week but was not accompanied by the particulars which are necessary in order that such an application may be dealt with. The council were asked to supply the necessary information, and as soon as it has been received the matter will be dealt with without delay.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the action of the Liverpool City Council whereby a plot of land in the congested district of Rathbone Street, where insanitary houses had been demolished arid which was originally allocated by the said council for rebuilding workmen's dwellings and the plans for such purpose, actually passed by the local health committee, has been diverted from the original order and, at the request of the cathedral management committee, is about to be used as an open space; and if he will take the necessary steps to secure the land for the original purpose for which it was intended?

I have no knowledge of the matter referred to, but I have written to the Liverpool City Council with a view to obtaining information, and I will communicate further with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the acknow- ledged evil effect upon the health of the community and the wastage of money caused by ever recurring fogs in our great cities, he is able to state that his department is doing all possible to expedite the passage into law of the Smoke Abatement Bill?

It is proposed to reintroduce the Bill to which my hon. Friend refers, and I hope it may be found possible to secure its passage into law during the present Session.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the pollution of the River Lee, where it passes through the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney, is still exceedingly serious; that, despite prosecutions of local authorities alleged to have let crude sewerage into the river, little or no improvement is taking place; and that the legal position in regard to the separate powers of the Middlesex County Council has created confusion so far as the County of Middlesex is concerned; whether, from the point of view of public amenity, public health, and the creation of much-needed employment, he will take steps to bring urgently before the Cabinet the question of putting in hand a main drainage system as satisfactory as that existing in the County of London, and, in relation to that of London, in respect of the urban districts of Edmonton, Enfield, Leyton, Walthamstow, and other districts affected?

I am aware of the conditions affecting the River Lee Hackney, but steps are now being taken which should result in a marked improvement. At Enfield works are in hand for which a loan of £53,000 has been sanctioned, and the Edmonton Urban District Council also have decided to carry out improvements at a cost of approximately £90,000. The local authorities of Walthamstow and Leyton are negotiating with the London County Council with a view to the reception of their sewage into the Metropolitan system.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the present inadequate arrangements for the removal of sick patients within the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, he will now consider the advisability of authorising the Shoreditch board of guardians to purchase a motor ambulance in accordance with the request already made to him?

I am not aware that the arrangements for the removal of sick persons in this parish have proved to be inadequate, and, as at present advised, I see no reason to alter the previous decision.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Bedwelty Union Workhouse has been very seriously damaged by subsidence caused by mining operations; that the buildings are so unsafe that the inmates have had to be removed; and will he consider the advisability of asking the committee dealing with this question to visit Tredegar and inspect the premises so that they may deal with this serious situation in their Report?

I have already communicated particulars of this case to the Royal Commission in question, and will draw their attention to the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the objections raised by the issue of the new incapacity certificates (form Med. 40b and form Med. 40c,), on the reverse side of which is a form of death certificate; and, if so, whether, seeing that these certificates are handled by the patients, he will take steps to have the form of death certificate issued separately?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the new issues of insurance incapacity certificates form Med. 40b and form Med. 40c contain on the reverse side a form of death certificate, and, in view of the pain, anxiety and distress which might be caused to the patient and his family, will he give instructions for these objection able forms to be immediately withdrawn?

The form was prepared after consultation with representatives of approved societies and insurance practitioners, but I am referring ing to the approved societies consultative council for further consideration.

asked the Minister of Member, of Health if he can state the number of

Age	Sex	Date of Inquest	Union.	Whether ex-service man	Whether tramps or homeless persons.
			County of Durham.
51	Female	15–8–22	Sunderland	—	No.
67	Male	28–4–22	Weardale	Not known	Died from exposure while attending to sheep in stormy weather.
			County of Lancashire.
30	Male	19–7–22	West Derby	Not known	Yes.
9 months	Male	22–11–22	Liverpool	—	No.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is prepared to follow the example of his predecessor in 1851 and mark the holding of the British Empire Exhibition by opening to hackney carriages certain other roads in Hyde Park on the same terms as apply to the use of the road between Prince's and Lancaster gates, so that it may be possible for motor taxi-cabs with passengers to drive round the Park by the roads now open to motor traffic and to enter and leave Hyde Park at the various gates now available for such traffic; and whether he will receive a deputation for the purpose of settling details from representatives of the London Motor Cab Proprietors' Association and the Cab Trade Protection Society?

There appears to me to be no analogy between the Exhibition of 1851 and the British Empire Exhibition, as the former was held in Hyde Park itself

The information asked for by the hon. Member, so far as it is within my knowledge, is as follows:while the latter is several miles away from that neighbourhood. I think it would be undesirable to depart from the decision that it is not in the general interest that hackney carriages should be granted additional facilities in Hyde Park.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any deductions are made from the pensions of children of deceased sailors and soldiers in those cases where the mother has re-married a diabled man, and the step-father and his children are in receipt of treatment allowances?

No deductions are made from the pensions of the children in such cases. The amount paid in pension and treatment allowances is never less than the amount the step-father would receive as treatment allowances were the stepchildren his own.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been called to the case of Pinnock, of St. Helens, Lancashire, who has lost his sight owing, it is alleged, to service during the late War, and whose pension has been refused on the grounds that his affliction is not attributed to Army service, in spite of the fact that the man was accepted for service as being physically fit in every sense; and if he will make inquiries with a view to securing him some assistance of a financial character, as he is now destitute?

I have not been able to identify this case from the particulars given. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me have further details.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether he is aware that the condition applied to schees executed by direct labour for the relief of unemployment by the Unemployment Grants Committee to the effect that so-called unskilled workmen employed on work which itself is normally regarded as unskilled shall be paid wages not more than 75 per cent. of the trade union or district rate has caused considerable friction and difficulty in the operation of schemes of work; and whether, seeing that it is contrary to the undertaking given by a majority of the Members of this and the previous Parliament to the effect that they would support the observance of trade union conditions of labour, he will take steps to secure the abolition of this vexatious proviso?

The condition applies only to men who are not accustomed to perform work of the nature involved, and is applicable for a probationary period of six months only. It has been generally accepted and not raised undue difficulty, and I do not think any modification is necessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour how much of the Government policy for the relief of unemployment, as outlined in the Government statement last August, has now actually been put in hand; and how much still remains to be carried out?

I hope this matter will be dealt with in the course of the Debate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour what steps he proposes to take to abolish the gap under the Unemployment Insurance Act; and what he proposes to do in the meantime to obviate the distress among the many thousands of people on the gap and in consequence in absolute want?

The "gap," which is of three weeks' duration, is a provision laid down by Act of Parliament, and cannot be abolished without legislation. The gap does not apply to covenanted benefit, and only those who have drawn uncovenanted benefit continuously from 18th October onwards are at present affected by it. After the gap a further 14 weeks of uncovenanted benefit is available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour if he is aware that certain railway projects have been mooted, particularly a railway from New Radnor, in Radnorshire, to Trawscoed, in Cardiganshire, provided Government financial assistance can be obtained; and, in view of the large measure of relief which such schemes would give to the great burden of unemployment, will the Cabinet Committee on Unemployment recommend the principle of giving financial assistance to such schemes?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the proposals referred to. Certain railway developments have been undertaken by railway companies, with the assistance derived from the provisions of the Trade Facilities Acts, but I am not, in present circumstances, prepared to recommend that the form of assistance from public funds, for which the promoters stipulate in this case, should he granted to an amalgamated railway company. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that Statutory powers must be obtained before this particular project could be put in hand.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the bounty due to many non-commissioned officers and men of the ⅘th Seaforth Highlanders (Territorial Force) is still unpaid; and will he take immediate steps to have this grievance remedied?

I am not aware of the circumstances referred to, on which there is no information in the War Office, but I am making inquiries, and I will communicate again with the right hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of Corporal Ernest Frank Wood, of the 17th Mechanical Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps, who has been court-martialled and sentenced to 56 days' detention and deprived of his stripes, for failing to fall in with the Church of England soldiers at the church parade at Woolwich; and whether he will immediately order the reversal of this sentence, which may well be interpreted as a deprivation of Catholic soldiers of the right of conscientious objection to joining in religious services to which they do not adhere?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Corporal Frank Wood, 17th Company, Royal Army Service Corps, stationed at Woolwich, was tried by court-martial, reduced to the ranks, and sentenced to 56 days' detention for disobeying an order to fall in on a Church of England parade at the Artillery Barracks, Woolwich; whether he is aware that Corporal Wood believed that, as a Roman Catholic, he was not required by the Army Regulations to parade for religious services other than those of the church to which he belonged, and that, although the sentence imposed upon this soldier has been remitted and his rank restored, the conviction has been allowed to stand; whether he will have the rule governing the duty to parade for religious services made clear for the protection of other soldiers; and whether he will take into consideration the advisability of abolishing compulsory attendance at church parade in both branches of His Majesty's service?

I am aware that Corporal Wood was convicted and sentenced as stated. He was detailed as a non-commissioned officer to accompany a party on the way to church, but he was never ordered to be present as a Roman Catholic at the Church of England service. It is sometimes necessary for officers and non-commissioned officers to march parties of a different religious denomination to their own to church, but they are never required to attend the service. Corporal Wood would, therefore, have remained outside the church. He appears not to have understood this, and he refused to obey the order to fall in for the church parade. I regret the whole incident, but when the court martial came up for review in the normal way the Army Council remitted the whole of the sentence, and Corporal Wood was released and reinstated in his rank on the same day.With regard to the second question, it is not proposed to quash the finding of "guilty," which was fully justified by the evidence. The rule that soldiers are not to be obliged to attend the services of religious bodies other than their own is already clearly stated in paragraph 1599 of the King's Regulations. I am not prepared to recommend the abolition of compulsory attendance at church parade.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any steps have been taken similar to those on the Western Front to collect and inter under proper conditions the remains of the British soldiers who fell at Sanna-i-Yat and elsewhere in Mesopotamia; whether the Imperial Graves Commission takes this work under its care; and what sum of money has been expended on post-War reinternment in this area?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The Imperial War Graves Commission sent out a representative in November, who is arranging for the construction of the permanent cemeteries. With regard to the last part of the question, I understand that the preliminary expenditure incurred to date by the Imperial War Graves Commission in connection with the permanent cemeteries amounts to £16,000, but this is exclusive of previous expenditure incurred by the military authorities. I regret I am not in a position to give figures for this latter expenditure.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet carried out his promise to visit the Central Telegraph Office with a view to ascertaining the necessity for additional accommodation; and, if so, whether he will communicate his decision to the House?

I have paid a visit to this building as promised; and it has now been settled that, subject to Parliamentary sanction, provision for the erection of an additional floor shall be made in the Estimates for 1924–5.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether measurements were regularly taken from the shaft or other fixed point of No. 23 pit, Redding, to the various coal-face workings;(2) whether plans of the old workings to the rise of No. 23 Redding pit are in existence?

The causes and circumstances of this disaster are to be the subject of a Public Inquiry, which will be opened at Glasgow on 5th February. The points raised by the hon. Member fall within the scope of the inquiry, and I would ask him to await the Commissioner's report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he has received any protest from the Hendon District Council against the scheme of arterial roads proposed by the Ministry of Transport in the Hendon district; if he is aware that recently the Hendon District Council built at least 100 houses out of public money, some of which will be demolished to give way to the new roads; that the Hendon District Council has stated that if the suggestions made to the Ministry of Transport by the Council were carried out it would have saved the Ministry about £50,000; that notices have already been served on some of the owners of the houses in consequence of the houses having to be pulled down; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The line proposed for the new Watford By-Pass through Hendon has been very carefully surveyed by officers of my Department in conjunction with the Middlesex County Council, and every alternative has, I believe, been examined. A further conference, however, has been arranged with representatives of the Hendon U.D.C. and the Middlesex County Council for Friday next, 18th January, and any representations which the District. Council may then make will receive the fullest consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his Department has made any study of one-way streets in foreign cities; and whether he is prepared to recommend similar regulations in certain streets in London?

Although there are at present no general powers enabling streets to be reserved for one-way traffic, the question has been considered by officers of my Department. Experiments made in London have not so far proved successful, but I think that the matter could usefully be reviewed under any arrangements for dealing with London traffic that may be established in the future.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the main road between Eastbourne and Bexhill, known as Under Lane, Hooe, No. A259, has been condemned by the surveyor to the Hailsham Rural Council as unsuitable for the present two-way motor traffic and pedestrian traffic; and will he take steps to see that those responsible render the road suitable for its present traffic or compel it to be closed?

I am aware that the road referred to is in an unsatisfactory condition, and it has from time to time been the subject of discussion with the highway authorities concerned. I am not in a position to exercise compulsion in the matter, but the efforts of my Department will continue to be directed towards the promotion of a satisfactory scheme for the improvement of the road.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the report of an interview with Sir Henry Maybury respecting London traffic questions, published in the Press on the 22nd December, 1923, wherein this official is represented as discussing Government intentions and policy on controversial public questions, and as referring critically to the so-called extremists of the Labour party; and whether he will inquire into the matter and, if the report of the interview is found to be accurate in substance, call the attention of this official to the rules which prevent civil servants giving public expression to their views on political matters?

The paragraph referred to by the hon. Member appeared in one edition of an evening paper, but was withdrawn in subsequent editions without any request from my Department. Opinions were erroneously attributed to an official who had stated that he was unable to add anything to the information of the intentions of the Government which had already been given to this House. I received a full and courteous apology from the editor of the paper concerned. The latter part of the question does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has any information as to when the Committee that has been sitting for the past two years on the question of the alteration of the present method of taxation of motor vehicles will issue their Report; and whether he can hasten the publication of the findings of the Committee, seeing that the Report was promised in time for last year's Budget?

I understand that although the Committee's inquiries are far advanced they are not yet concluded, but I hope that their Report will be presented at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that overcrowding is still a feature on the underground railways of London; whether he can inform the House of the date the Ministry's inspectors last visited these railways; whether he will communicate the terms of his report to the House; whether he is aware that the underground railways of London make a practice of reducing the number of ears on the trains during the non-rush hours, with the result that the overcrowding is practically as great as in the rush hours; and whether he will introduce legislation compelling railway companies to provide seats for all persons who have paid their fares?

I am not able to accept the suggestion that London underground railways are as crowded during the non-rush hours as they are during the busy periods of the morning and evening, and my information is that the railway companies are doing what they can to reduce such overcrowding as still occurs at certain times. The matter is not one within the purview of the Inspecting Officers of Railways, but if the hon. Member has in mind any particular section of line on which avoidable overcrowding is frequent, I will have same inquiry made if I am furnished with the necessary details.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has received requests from a number of local authorities in North London asking that pressure should be brought to bear by the Government upon the railway companies concerned to secure the extension northwards of the tube at Finsbury Park; and whether he has taken any action in the matter?

I have received several resolutions from local authorities to the effect stated, and I have been in communication with the railway companies concerned on the matter. None of these companies has put forward any scheme for the extension of the existing tube railway northwards from Finsbury Park, but they are giving close attention to the question of improving railway facilities in the area, and the early electrification of certain lines is in contemplation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has received any representations from local authorities, directly concerned and interested, in favour of taking in hand the provision of a causeway and bridge across the Duddon estuary; and whether in that case his Department is again investigating the possibilities of the scheme, especially in view of its local utility and its contemplated relief of unemployment?

am aware that this scheme has been under consideration by the authorities interested, some of whom have discussed the matter informally with officers of my Department. No definite project has, however, yet been submitted to the Ministry of Transport for investigation.