asked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the delay in delivering express letters, which in some cases take longer than the ordinary delivery?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to supply me with the envelopes of any of the letters in question. I shall be pleased to have inquiry made.

asked the. Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a small parcel of private greeting cards was despatched from Hull on 17th December and was not delivered to Mr. Toleman, stationer, of Battersea Rise, until the evening of 22nd December; that a similar parcel, despatched from Hull on 21st December, was not received by him until Christmas morning; and that both parcels were delivered too late to be of any use; and whether he can state the reason for this delay?

If the hon. Member will furnish the covers, inquiry will be made concerning the treatment of the letters in the post.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any discrimination is exercised by the American authorities in the conveyance of mails to this country, and whether, the most expeditious means are always adopted?

I understand that it is the practice of the United States Post Office to give preference to American ships, except when this course would involve serious delay. As vessels faster than the American ships are sometimes available, it follows that the most expeditious means of conveyance is not always used. The matter is, of course, one for the decision of the United States Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General the average rates of wages which were paid to auxiliary postmen during the Christmas period?

The rates of pay of the temporary staff employed to assist during the Christmas season are fixed, within certain limits, at the discretion of the local postmaster. In London the rates were 1s. 0½d. an hour for week-day duty and 1s. 7d. an hour for attendance on Sunday and Christmas Day.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state the scales of payment made to sub-postmasters in Scotland, the official duties of the same, the usual items of expenditure connected with the running of a sub-post office, and if his Department will favourably consider representations for increases of the scale payments?

The details of the scale of remuneration for scale payment sub-postmasters — which is uniform for Great Britain—are of a complicated nature; but the scale gives at present to the lowest paid office in Scotland about £20 a year and to highest paid about £595. The duties may comprise any or all of the various classes of Post Office business. The main expenses (which are intended to be covered by the remuneration) are for accommodation, indoor assistance, and fuel and light. A general claim for a revision of the scale is at present under discussion with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it has been brought to his notice that a large number of ex-service pensioners suffering from tuberculosis are now being compelled to enter Poor Law institutions as paupers, owing to the fact that their disease is considered to be too advanced for sanatorium treatment and no other institutional treatment is available; and whether he is taking any steps to provided institutional treatment free from Poor Law for such cases?

I have no information that the facts are as stated by the hon. Member, but I would remind him that the provision of treatment for tuberculosis is by Statute a matter for local health authorities, acting under the supervision of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. I may say, however, that it is a standing arrangement that boards of guardians notify my Department of any case in which a disabled ex-service man is receiving treatment for his war disability in a Poor Law institution, and in such cases all possible steps are at once taken to secure the patients' removal to a suitable hospital.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether need pensions granted for a period of two or three years can be increased before the expiration of the period in the event of the pensioner's need becoming materially greater?

The answer is in the affirmative. It will always be open to the pensioner to apply for an increased award on the ground of a material change in circumstances.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has the case of Mrs. A. Baldwin, of Chesham, Bucks, under consideration; and what steps he proposes to take to see what provision is made for this widow of an ex-service man who died while in performance of his military duty after his health had been undermined by his continual war service?

The decision of my Department that this soldier's fatal illness was unconnected with his service during the Great War has been confirmed, on appeal, by the independent Pensions Appeal Tribunal. I regret, therefore, that the case cannot be reopened.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether men who have lost both legs as a result of war service are entitled to the maximum constant attendance allowance of £1 per week?

Men who have had both legs amputated at or above the middle of the thigh are entitled to the maximum constant attendance allowance of 20s. a week.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of men who during the past three years have had their diagnosis changed from attributed to service to aggravated by service; and how many of these have subsequently lost their pensions because the aggravation had passed away?

During the past three years, in the case of less than 2 per cent. of the men in receipt of pension, or about 18,000 men has a disability been found on medical grounds to have been aggravated or worsened by service, instead of attributable to it. In 3,500 cases, on the other hand, the diagnosis has been changed from aggravated to attributable. The records of the Ministry do not enable the last part of the question to be answered.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a pensioner whose claim to further pension has been refused on the grounds that his disability had passed away, can still apply for and obtain treatment and allowances; whether he will consider taking steps to remedy this anomaly; and whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. Alexander Carruthers who, for another reason, cannot claim pension but can claim treatment and full allowances?

It is not the rule that a man in whose case it has been decided that disablement has passed away is entitled to claim further treatment with allowances. The case of Mr. Alexander Carruthers, to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, is not of this class. I am looking personally into the case, and if it is found that an error has occurred steps will be taken to put it right.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases during the last six months in the north-western regional area in which pensioners have been asked to repay to the Ministry sums alleged to have been overpaid to them; the amount so claimed; and whether he will withdraw such claim for reimbursement on proof of hardship?

I regret that this information is not readily available. I may, however, say that in a large proportion of cases the recovery is in respect of advances made on the express understanding that they would be recovered if pension was ultimately awarded. Recovery of overissues is now limited in accordance with concessions announced in reply to questions in April, 1923, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Cases of hardship are sympathetically considered on their individual merits.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of David James Evans, of Ilar House, Meyrick Street, Dolgelly, who, as the result of a medical board, was sent to the Chester Royal Infirmary as a case for urgent medical treatment whether he is aware that Evans remained at the infirmary from the 17th December till the 10th January last without being seen by any doctor; that he was there for a week without being supplied with a knife, fork, or spoon and had to eat with his fingers; and that he made several complaints without result; and will he inquire into the matter?

The complaints referred to have been investigated and are found to be entirely without foundation. I am writing to the hon. Member in reply to a letter which he has sent me regarding the case.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention had been called to the case of Mrs. M' Alister, 39, Braid Street, Glasgow, a widow, 69 years of age, who had three sons killed during the war and three other sons wounded; if he is aware that she has received notification that her weekly pension of 11s. 5d. is to be reduced, although she is in need, and has been summoned to the Courts to answer a plea for eviction from her house because of her inability to pay rent; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I am inquiring into this case and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can state under what power the Government is reducing any pension without giving the pensioner due notification and a right to appear before a tribunal; what steps, if any, are taken where a reassessment of a dependant pension is made to enable the pensioner to state a case; whether the wages books of the pre-War employers have been examined; who are the investigators employed; what is the scope of their investigation; and whether copies of the Report made can be supplied to the pensioner whose pension has been reduced?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on this subject on the 17th instant, in reply to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough West (Mr. T. Thomson).

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the Amendment to the Pensions Act, 1922, declared as final awards made between March, 1919, and August, 1921, and that the men concerned were never notified personally, other than by a notice in the Press of this fact, and that thousands of men can never have seen these Press notices, and, therefore, are still unaware that, their time limit for appealing expires early next month; what steps he proposes to take to get, these men acquainted; why personal notices were never served; and whether he will have personal notices sent now and the time extended for appeal?

The hon. and gallant Member refers, I assume, to that limited class of awards which were made final by the War Pensions Act, 1921. The Regulations made under the Act were, as regards these awards, expressly drawn in the interests of disabled men, so that the year's right of appeal only commenced to run a year and a half after the latest of the awards in question could have been made. It was not possible to give individual notice because the Ministry had no knowledge of the men concerned once the award had ceased to be paid. But notices were issued in six issues of the chief London and provincial daily and weekly papers, and I have caused posters to be placed in all local offices and hospitals of the Ministry and copies have been circulated to all offices of the British Legion. I regret that I am unable to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state the present policy of the Government with regard to the pensions claims of Army pensioner ranker officers; whether the matter has been further considered since the official announcement of 27th July, 1923; and whether these men will in any way benefit under the contemplated Pensions Increase Act announced in the King's Speech?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, the present policy is as indicated in the official announcement of 27th July, and the decision then indicated has not been reconsidered. As regards the third part, I am not in a position to anticipate the provisions of the Bill, but there is no intention of differentiating against pensioner ranker officers in the matter of any additional benefits which may be authorised by Parliament for pensioners generally.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has the case of Mrs. A. Baldwin, of Chesham, Bucks, under consideration; and what steps he proposes to take to see what provision is made for the widow of an ex-service man who died while in the performance of his military duty after his health had been undermined by his continual war service?

Mrs. Baldwin's case has been most carefully considered, and certain grants in her favour have been obtained from the Royal Patriotic Fund and Army Compassionate Fund. As regards pension, the cause of her husband's death, which occurred in December, 1921, was pneumonia not due to the performance of military duty. I much regret that in these circumstances I have no power to assist her further.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will have inquiries made into the reason why Private J. Winstanley, of Soho Street, Newtown, Wigan, has not received the payments due to him as arrears of pension; and, seeing that the Pension Issue Office was notified by the north-western region on the 16th October, 1923, to make the necessary adjustments, will he expedite this payment?

The arrears due were paid on the 15th instant. I much regret the delay which has occurred.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the total amount so far expended on the Singapore naval dock scheme; what is the amount to which the Admiralty is actually committed by signed contracts; and whether the Admiralty now proposes to abandon this scheme?

With regard to the first two parts of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him generally to my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 17th January. I have, however, telegraphed to Singapore for more detailed figures. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the pro- posed visit of Lord Cavan to Singapore and the Dominions has been cancelled or merely postponed and what is the reason for this change of plan?

No definite decision has been taken as to whether Lord Cavan's contemplated visit to Singapore and the Dominions should take place or not; and the Chief of the Imperial General Staff remains in England at my Noble Friend's desire so that his advice and experience may be available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state what progress has been made to give effect to the statement of the Prime Minister in regard to laying down new light cruisers; and what proportion of the work it is proposed to give to the shipyards and factories on the Tyne?

I propose to make a brief statement on the subject in the course of this afternoon's Debate.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that men employed at the Royal Victoria Yard, Deptford, are only receiving £2 2s. 10d. for a full week's work and that many of them have to pay 4s. 6d. and more per week in railway fares; and if, in view of the inadequacy of this wage to provide the bare necessities of life for a man with a wife and four children, he will inquire into these conditions?

The lowest rate of wages for an unskilled labourer at the Royal Victoria Yard, Deptford, is £2 4s. a week, from which National Insurance contributions are deducted. The rate of wages is the same as in the Government Departments at Woolwich and is not less than is paid by employers of labour in commercial engineering establishments. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War has informed Members of Parliament who made representations to him regarding the wages of labourers at Woolwich, that there will be no objection to the reference to arbitration of a claim for an advance in wages based upon the principle of the Fair Wages Resolution, and the wages at Deptford would, of course, be affected by the finding of the Court in any such arbitration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether due consideration has been given to the claims of Woolwich in respect of Admiralty work; and whether any part of the orders for guns and mountings will fall to Woolwich under the proposed programme of new construction?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the usual practice of giving consideration to Woolwich in connection with the allocation of guns and mountings will be followed in giving out work if the proposed programme is approved.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) if he can explain the reason why the defects in the Ramsgate non-provided elementary schools were not reported earlier by the inspector, seeing that his attention had repeatedly been called to them; whether the inspector was instructed at any time not to make any adverse report; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the work of inspection is efficiently carried out in future;

(2) whether, in view of the Board's building regulation that no class room or main room can be recognised as accommodating such a number of children as requires two adult teachers unless it be divided by a partition to the ceiling, he will state what action he proposes to take to bring the seven school buildings in Ramsgate, reported upon, up to the Board's standard; and whether he will state the reason for making the Government grants in the past in spite of the violation of the regulation in question;

(3) whether he has received any reply from the Ramsgate Education Committee to the letter from the Board of 8th October containing the Report on the Ramsgate non - provided elementary schools; if so, can he state what action the local committee proposes to take to remedy the conditions revealed in the Report; whether he will fix a time-limit during which the defects must be reme- died; and whether, in the event of the local committee failing to act upon the Board's Report, he will recommend the withdrawal of the Government grant?

The defects in the premises, to which he refers, have been known to the Board for some time, through the reports of His Majesty's inspector. I need hardly say there is no foundation whatever for the suggestion that the Board ever instructed him to refrain from reporting upon them, and I have no reason to suppose that His Majesty's inspector has in any way been remiss in the performance of his duties in this respect. The attention of the local education authority has been officially called to them, and the Board are now pressing for a reply to their letters. The building regulation, to which the hon. Member refers, applies to new schools only. The Board are fully alive to the unsatisfactory condition of these premises, and when the observations of the local education authority are received a decision will be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to limit the number of entrants to training colleges during the coming year, and to what extent?

I am not at present in a position to make any statement upon this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the number of teachers who have left training colleges within the last 12 months who have not secured appointments in the teaching profession?

I may refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave on Thursday last to the hon. Member for Mossley (Mr. A. Hopkinson).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any steps are being taken to secure earlier optional retirement for teachers at the age of 55 on a proportionate pension; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter at an early date?

The existing arrangements for the superannuation of teachers are now under consideration as a whole in connection with the Report of Lord Emmott's Committee; but the hon. Member is doubtless aware that the Committee did not recommend a modification of the existing system in the direction suggested by him.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the present acting teachers' certificate examination will be continued in 1925 and 1926?

The Board propose to hold the examination in November, 1924; but,

—	England.		Wales.
—	Council.	Voluntary.	Council.	Voluntary.
School necessary	38	6	13	—
Enlargement necessary	9	8	5	1
School not necessary	—	—	—	—
Enlargement not necessary	—	1	—	—
(Decision under Section 19 (2), Education Act, 1921.

2. Cases arising otherwise than under (1) above in which the Board declined to sanction proposals by local education authorities for expenditure upon the provision of school buildings:

	England.	Wales.
New school	1	3
Enlargement	3	—

These figures, of course, afford no indication of the number of cases in which local education authorities have refrained from submitting proposals because they anticipated or were informed, on a preliminary consideration of their programmes of capital expenditure, that their proposals were unlikely to receive approval.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he intends to publish the Report of the Committee set up in October, 1920, by the Army

asked the President of the Board of Education in how many cases during the year 1923 the Board has refused to sanction the building of new public elementary schools or the enlargement of existing buildings; and whether the Board is now prepared to encourage local authorities to proceed with such work?

1. Decisions of the Board in 1923 upon proposals for the provision of new schools made under Section 18 of the Education Act, 1921:Council for the purpose of considering the employment of pharmacists in the Army, and their organisation and status?

I am not at present aware of any general desire that this Report should be published; but if I am satisfied that this is the general wish of the House, I will take the question into further consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any remuneration can be claimed by an officer V.C. in necessitous circumstances who is unable through no fault of his own to obtain employment; if there is any fund available from which such deserving cases can be relieved; and what is the difference in the position of an officer V.C. and a private soldier V.C. who happen to be placed in a similar position?

In reply to the first part of the question, a V.C., whether officer or soldier, who is disabled by age or infirmity from earning a livelihood may be granted an annuity up to £75 a year inclusive of any other pension received from public funds. As regards the second part, the Army Council are in touch with the authorities of certain charitable funds, and if the hon. Member will give me particulars of any case which he has in mind the matter shall receive full and sympathetic attention. It must, however, be understood that the assistance which can be granted in this way is necessarily limited in extent. As regards the third part, a private soldier V.C. is automatically granted an annuity of £10 a year, but this does not apply to officers. If, however, the private were granted the larger annuity up to £75 on account of inability to earn a livelihood, the £10 annuity would be absorbed therein, and there is consequently no difference, in such circumstances, between officers and other ranks.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Committee appointed last year to inquire into the system of entering officers for the combatant branches of the Army has since reported; whether the scheme formulated by the Committee includes any proposal to abolish or modify the present system of open competition, in favour of a system of nomination by the head masters if public schools; and whether the House of Commons will have an opportunity of considering the scheme before it becomes operative?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. With regard to the third part, the Report is about to be published, and the hon. Member will no doubt find an appropriate opportunity for its discussion, but I cannot undertake to postpone in the meantime all executive action in connection with the recommendations of the Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the court-martial of Sergeant W. Corrie, Royal Army Service Corps, for neglect of duty it was admitted that after his arrest the figures were altered in the mess stock books by the order of officers; what punishment, if any, was meted out to the officers concerned; whether the two witnesses who admitted altering the figures were aware of the offence they were committing; and, if so, were they compelled by military discipline so to act?

Inquiries will be made and a further communication addressed to the hon. Member, but I would point out that the amendment of an entry in an account does not necessarily involve any irregularity. It may be merely the correction of an ascertained inaccuracy. In the present case, the court-martial proceedings indicate that the alterations were made in red ink, and I presume, therefore, quite openly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Report of Lord Haldane's Committee on the education and training of officers will be published; and what action he proposes to take on the Report?

The Report of Lord Haldane's Committee is being published as a Command Paper and copies will be available in a few days. The Army Council have, in the main, accepted the proposals of the Committee, the objects of which are to raise the standard of professional and technical efficiency in the Army, to decrease, where possible, the cost of the training, to offer increased rewards to talent, and to open up new sources from which officers can be obtained. The working out of the scheme into practice is actively in hand, but will obviously require time, the good will and co-operation of outside educational authorities, and in some directions also the provision of the necessary funds. My Noble Friend has already expressed the gratitude of the Army Council to Lord Haldane and his Committee for their concrete and constructive recommendations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is yet in a position to announce his decision as to the eligibility of officers on the half-pay list for the same benefits in respect of the supply and upkeep of artificial limbs as retired officers?

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. and gallant Member that it has been decided to give to officers on the half-pay list who suffered the loss of limbs during the Great War the same benefits in respect of the renewal and repair of the artificial limbs supplied to them free of charge as to officers on retired pay. Applications for refund of necessary expenses already incurred by officers on half-pay will be considered. Instructions will be issued shortly as to the arrangements for the supply and renewal of limbs in the future and for the submission of claims for refund of expenses.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the negotiations between the City Corporation and his Department regarding the release of a portion of the premises in Deptford formerly used as a cattle market have been concluded; and, if so, whether it is understood that the portion so released is to be restored to its original purpose?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The latter part therefore does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state the profit or loss at the Cranwell farm for the last six months?

A profit and loss account for Cranwell farm for the period 1st April, 1923, to 2nd November, 1923, the date the farm was leased, is now in course of preparation and will be published in the Appropriation Account in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the Cranwell farm has been let or sold?

Cranwell farm has been let on a yearly Lady Day tenancy as from 2nd November, 1923, at a rent of 10s. per acre, with a reduction of 2s. 6d. per acre for the first year. The tenant has agreed to take over the live and dead stock at a valuation which is at present the subject of negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the importance of finding work for the unemployed in Bedford at the Cardington Aerodrome, he will state whether there is any obstacle to the successful conclusion of the airship agreement; if not, whether there is any method by which the work on building the airship and sheds can be expedited; and can be state what procedure will be necessary to bring the full scheme into effect?

The settlement of the details of the airship agreement has proved a complicated matter, and although at an advanced stage, is not yet complete. I have arranged for the promoters of the scheme to start preliminary work at- Cardington as soon as the terms of the necessary legal documents have been settled. The agreement will have to be laid before Parliament for confirmation, and the scheme cannot be fully inaugurated until Parliamentary approval has been obtained.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of existing widespread unemployment, he will suspend the operation of the notices of dismissal now pending in connection with ex-service men employed by the Ministry of Pensions until proper inquiry has been made as to the possibility of their absorption in other branches of the Civil Service?

I regret that it is impracticable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion. The possibility of finding further employment in the Ministry for ex-service men is my first consideration, and has already been fully explored in the cases of the men at present under notice. Full particulars of all men whose discharge is pending are supplied to the Joint Substitution Board in London or to the Divisional Selection Committees of the Ministry of Labour in the provinces who, in turn, make every effort to provide further suitable employment for them

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will give directions that the inside decoration and painting of all Government buildings should take place during the winter months; and if he will endeavour to have this carried out in all cases?

The suggestion that all internal painting and decoration of Government buildings should be executed during the winter months is not considered feasible. Apart from the fact that a better standard of work is attained during the dry summer months, occupational conditions in the majority of cases render it necessary to spread large programmes of work on a building over periods of lowest Departmental pressure, and the programme for the current financial year has already been to a large extent completed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why officers of Customs and Excise were compulsorily superannuated in 1914–15 on attaining the age limit for retirement, though remaining at work; and if this Regulation was enforced in all other Departments?

The officers in question, in common with other officers of Customs and Excise, were superannuated in accordance with the standing Regulations as to retirement then in force in the Department. But to meet the exigencies of war conditions, officers regarded as suitable were offered and in many cases accepted temporary re-employment in an unestablished capacity on the reserve of superannuated officials. This reserve had been previously organised on those explicit terms to supply temporary reinforcement of the permanent staff at any time of special emergency. As no such reserve existed in most Departments, and different Departments had different retiring ages in force, it is improbable that all Departments treated their staff precisely alike in this matter, but it is the normal rule of the Public Service that re-employment after the age of 60 is in an unestablished capacity.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Colonel H. F. Cobb, C.B.E., is still employed in his Department; and how long his employment will continue?

Colonel Cobb's previous contract of service has now expired. His services have been retained until 9th January next at an inclusive professional fee amounting to substantially less than his former annual salary in order to complete the work he now has in hand.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his Department has yet taken over the balance of moneys of the King's Fund; and whether, in that case, and how, it is being applied without delay for the benefit of ex-service men?

The balance of the moneys of the King's Fund was taken over by the Minister of Pensions in 1920 and is now being administered by him, under the provisions of Section 6 of the Naval and Military War Pensions Act of 1917, on behalf of disabled ex-service officers and men and the dependants of those who have died.

asked the Under-Secretary for Labour how many ex-service men are now being employed by firms upon the King's Roll; how this compares with six months ago; and how many ex-service men still remain unemployed?

As the hon. and gallant Member's question refers to the King's Roll, his inquiry presumably relates to disabled ex-service men. An estimated number of disabled ex-service men employed by firms on the Roll was 300,000 in July, 1923. The estimated number at the present date is 330,000. The exact number of disabled men now unemployed is not known, but steps are being taken by the King's Roll National Council and by the local King's Roll Committees to obtain the information at an early date. The number of such men whose disability prevents them following their normal employment is approximately 12,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether he can state the number of ex-service, men who have completed their period of training under the Government's trainees schemes and the number who have been placed in normal industry?

The number of ex-service officers and men who have been trained by the Ministry of Labour, or who have received from this Department financial assistance towards their training, is approximately 143,000, and by other Departments approximately 50,000. Figures are not available showing how many of these men have returned to normal industry.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that in the allocation of houses for ex-service men under the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919, the Treasury allotted, on a population basis, only 1,046 to Northern Ireland as against 2,626 cottages to Southern Ireland; that the ratio of the number of men who enlisted from Northern Ireland as compared with those who enlisted from Southern Ireland is 48 to 52; that the Government of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland ex-service men's organisation have made repeated representations to the Imperial Government regarding the injustice of allotting only 28 per cent. of cottages to Northern Ireland, having regard to the number of ex-service men, and that it has been urged on the Imperial Government to allot at least 1,400 cottages to Northern Ireland; and if, seeing that under the recent regulations made by the Treasury regarding the establishment of the Land Trust the above allotment has been stereotyped, he will now give instructions that the number of cottages to be allotted to Northern Ireland will be increased to 1,400?

The reply to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I cannot agree that the ratio of the enlistments recorded in the two areas is the primary consideration in the allocation of the number of houses between those areas. As regards the fourth part of the question, it would not be possible to increase the number of houses allotted to Northern Ireland without either decreasing the number allotted to the Irish Free State, or increasing the expenditure to be incurred; and, as at present advised, His Majesty's Government is not prepared to adopt either of these alternatives.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a number of ex-service men who have refused to continue their employment in connection with the drainage scheme under the Sow and Penk Drainage Board and river cleaning at Great Haywood, in consequence of the conditions of work and pay, have been refused relief; and whether he will approach the guardians on this matter and ascertain whether their refusal to give relief is justified under the circumsatnces?

My attention has not previously been called to this case. I will make inquiries and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet been able to arrive at any decision to increase the life of a British passport from two years, as at present, to a period of five years or more?

The consent of the Dominions and Colonial Governments to the proposed extension has now been obtained, and His Majesty's Government hope shortly to be in a position to approach foreign Governments with a view to their acceptance of British passports valid up to a period of five years.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the massacres and disorders directed against trades unionists and certain foreign people which took place in Japan immediately following the earthquake; and if he has any information indicating that any British subjects suffered injury or loss through the action either of the Japanese police or the unofficial vigilance committees?

It appears that some massacres did take place in and around Tokyo in consequence of panic, caused by rumours that Koreans and Japanese Communists were planning to cause trouble in the capital. No British subjects were injured, but there was a certain amount of looting among foreign houses in Yokohama.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the attention of His Majesty's Government has been directed to advances by loans made by France to Poland, Rumania and other Central European countries ostensibly for military purposes; what is the present amount owed by France to Great Britain for loans during the War; for what specific reasons is France declining to pay any part of the debts to Great Britain which she so contracted; what action has His Majesty's Government taken in this matter, if any; and what further steps are contemplated?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and His Majesty's Government have called the attention of the Polish, Rumanian and Serbian Governments to their obligations to Great Britain. The total of the French Government Treasury Bills held by His Majesty's Government is £613,330,000. The Notes addressed by the British Government to the French Government on this matter have been published in full (Command Paper 1943). The French Government stated in their Note of the 20th August last: "We can therefore only repeat that we shall only be able to repay our debt to England, or even to pay interest thereon, when payments from Germany shall have placed us in a position to complete the reparation of damages caused to our country by invasion and the shock of war." His Majesty's Government do not accept this proposition.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he can state the number of houses authorised to be built in Scotland under the Housing Act, 1919, by local authorities and public utility societies; the number of houses authorised under the Additional Powers Private Subsidy Scheme, 1919; and the number of houses completed to date under both schemes?

The number of houses authorised to be built by local authorities and public utility societies under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, is 25,550. At 31st December, 1923—the last date to which figures as to progress are available—21,087 of these houses were completed. Under the Housing (Financial Assistance to Builders) Scheme (Scotland), 1920, Certificates "A" were granted by local authorities in respect of 3,326 houses. Only 2,324 houses, however, were completed within the period allowed for participation in the State subsidy. Of the completed houses 96 were built under the Crofters' Scheme.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he can state the number of houses authorised by the Scottish Board of Health under the Housing Act, 1923, the number of houses in progress, and the number of houses completed to date?

Under the Housing Act, 1923, to date the Scottish Board of Health have approved schemes for the erection of houses by local authorities embracing a total of 6,731 houses. At 31st December, 1923—the last date to which progress figures are available—225 of these houses were under construction but none had been completed. As regards schemes for the assistance of private enterprise under the above Act, local authorities at 31st December, 1923, had issued Certificates "A" in respect of 557 houses. Of these 372 were under construction and 12 had been completed.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he is aware that the housing scheme contractors in the Lennoxtown parish, Stirlingshire, have not yet received payment of the final instalments of their accounts for a scheme completed over three years ago, although repeated applications and protests have been made; and what are the reasons for the delay in settling the accounts?

I am not certain to what scheme the hon. Member refers, as there are two schemes in close proximity to each other —Lennoxtown and Milton of Campsie. Probably the latter scheme is the one referred to, as I am advised that some difficulty has been experienced in arriving at agreement with the contractors, owing to the contracts stipulating that increases and decreases in the cost of materials and wages should be added to, or deducted from, the tender amounts. I am informed that on 17th instant the Scottish Board of Health gave their final decision as to the amounts which they are prepared to pass as a charge against the State-assisted scheme, and I am hopeful that this will enable an immediate settlement to be made.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 10 families at Brentford Workhouse, including nearly 40 children, who have been evicted under the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act, 1923; and whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this matter, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the local authority of Silverdale are not taking advantage of the Housing Act to encourage the building of houses; that a local builder, desirous of building several houses, is unable to get any satisfaction from the authority regarding the payment of the subsidy; that the Department, having written to the local authority on the matter, the clerk suggested that a reply be sent intimating that the letter would be referred to the housing committee; and that thereupon one of the members of the authority pointed out that the housing committee never met; and whether he will make urgent representations to the authority in question as to the need for putting the Housing Act into operation?

The administration of the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, for the Parish of Silverdale is in the hands of the rural district council. Although I have not yet received any actual scheme for the assistance of private builders, I understand from a letter received from the council on the 10th instant that the housing committee will meet shortly to consider the question. I am communicating again with the council with a view to expediting the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation amending the Public Health Act, 1875, Section 91, by extending the definition of nuisances to include common defects, as per the manual of the Ministry on unfit houses and unhealthy areas, volume I, page 11 (general repairs), thus enabling local authorities to deal with property in which grates, stoves, windows, window-frames, doors, walls, and ceilings are defective?

The local authority has power under Section 28 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act, 1919, as amended by Section 10 of the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, to deal with working-class houses which are not in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation, and I think that these powers should ordinarily be sufficient.

asked the Minister of Health how many tenders for houses have been approved since the passage of the Housing Act, 1923; how many houses are included in the tenders; how many houses have been completed; and how many schemes have been submitted for approval?

It is not a condition of consent to the erection of houses under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, that local authorities should submit tenders for approval. I have authorised the erection of 89,510 houses under the Act, and these are included in 907 schemes. On the 1st instant 44,183 houses were included in contracts or in direct labour schemes or in certificates approving plans issued to private persons. 3,506 houses had been completed on the 1st instant.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that it has been stated that private medical practitioners experience difficulty in obtaining supplies of glycerinated calf-lymph of the same guaranteed purity as that supplied to public vaccinators by the Ministry of Health, and whether, seeing that many persons prefer to be vaccinated by their own medical advisers, he will take steps to secure the necessary powers to ensure that supplies of such lymph will be procurable at a reasonable charge by private medical practitioners?

As regards the first part of the question, I am advised that there is no difficulty in obtaining from reputable firms supplies of glycerinated calf-lymph of reliable quality. The action suggested in the second part of the question would involve a large and costly extension of the present Government supply, for which, as at present advised, I see no need.

asked the Minister of Health what number of casual wards and what number of workhouses have been closed since the beginning of the War and not re opened; the names and situations of each of these wards and workhouses; which, if any, he had recommended should be re-opened; whether he had asked, or would ask, the Poor Law inspectors to see whether, as a fact, casuals who were received into workhouses in consequence of there being no casual ward, or of the casual ward being full, received the prescribed mid-day meal; and whether records as to that meal, such as are prescribed for casual wards, are kept in such workhouses?

I am sending the hon. Member a statement containing the detailed information he desires. I have not recommended the re-opening of any of the workhouses referred to, and as regards the casual wards, there are only three cases in which I have suggested that they should be re-opened. In two of the unions (Maldon and Orsett) the wards will shortly be re-opened, and in the third case (that of Staines) I am at present urging the guardians to take action. The general inspectors have recently been giving special attention to the arrangements for the relief of casuals, and I will bring to their notice the suggestions made in the latter part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has been informed that verdicts of death from starvation or accelerated by privation had been returned by inquests in December at Haddenham, Isle of Ely; at Chickenley, near Staincliffe; and in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Ormskirk; whether he had before the receipt of this question received information of these inquests from the inspectors or Poor Law authorities and whether any Poor Law officials were present at the inquests?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative. As regards the third part of the question, I have at present no information.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the number of persons who were found by the verdict of a coroner's inquest to have died of starvation or to have had their deaths accelerated by privation in the counties of Northampton, Stafford, or Leicester in the year 1922; and will he state their ages and sex, the dates of the inquests and the names of the unions and counties in which the deaths occurred, which, if any, were ex-service men and which, if any, were tramps or homeless persons?

There was one case on the County of Leicester of death from exposure. The person concerned was a male, aged 46–50, and the inquest was held on the 7th July, 1922. The death occurred in the Market Bosworth Union. It is not known whether the deceased person was an ex-service man, but he was apparently a tramp or homeless person. There were no such cases in the Counties of Northampton or Stafford.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Medical Officer of Health for Berwick-upon-Tweed is fully qualified for that position; and, if not, whether the appointment was sanctioned by the Department?

The Medical Officer of Health of this borough was appointed, with the approval of the Department, in 1920. He possesses one of the alternative qualifications subsequently prescribed by the Sanitary Officers Order, 1922.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that Mr. J. G. Mackreth, of 8, The Close, Bransty, Whitehaven, is over 70 years of age; that his Old Age Pension was sanctioned after inquiry by the local pensions sub-committee; that Mackreth is in receipt of Poor Law out-door relief; and that his Old Age Pension has been, and is being, held up; and will he give the reasons why this is being done?

An appeal has been made to me by the pension officer against the decision of the local pension committee allowing a pension of 10s. on the ground that the claimant's means exceed the statutory limit. The appeal is being investigated, and it is hoped that a decision will be given in the course of a few days.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is at present in existence in the Ministry of Health a draft scheme for carrying out the instruction of the public in the laws of health at an expense to the taxpayer not exceeding £2,000 a year; and whether, if such scheme exists, he will consider the advisability of making it public?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Heston-Isleworth District Council recently voted for the payment of a sum of money claimed by their medical officer of health for the replacement of an overcoat alleged to have been lost by him when attending a conference in London; and whether he will take the necessary steps to esure that the payment of the sum in question will be dealt with by the district auditor in due course?

I have no information in regard to this matter. If any payment is made by the council and charged in their accounts it will, in the ordinary course, come under the review of the district auditor at the audit.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the new issue of insurance incapacity certificates, forms Med. 40b and Med. 40c, on the reverse side of which is a death certificate; and whether, in view of the general opinion of medical men and the distinctly indelicate nature of the inclusion of such death certificate, any action is to be taken?

I am arranging for the issue of new certificates at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health what security is provided for the payment to midwives of their fee out of maternity benefit drawn by insured persons under the Health Insurance Act?

Beyond providing that the maternity benefit shall in every case belong to the mother, the Act does not specify any particular manner in which the money must be expended, and consequently there is no special provision with regard to the payment of a midwife's fee. The midwife has, however, the advantage of knowing that the woman will receive a fairly substantial sum by way of maternity benefit, and that she would, therefore, ordinarily be in a position to pay a reasonable fee in respect of the attendance she receives.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he is aware that in the County of Ayr, Kilmarnock Division, there is a very great scarcity of Justices of the Peace and that one Justice of the Peace has been appointed since February, 1920; and if he will take such steps as may be necessary to have this state of matters remedied at the earliest possible moment?

Justices of the Peace are appointed by the Lord Chancellor after considering the advice of an Advisory Committee whose duty, amongst other things, is to inform the Lord Chancellor of the necessity—when it exists—for appointing additional Justices. I am informed that the Kilmarnock Committee has not laid any such information before the Lord Chancellor since January, 1920, when 12 magistrates resident in the district were appointed; and that if there is now any scarcity it is open to the Committee to represent the fact to the Lord Chancellor.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will state the number of occasions during the year 1923 in which the lands and a large part of two roads in the Kelvin Valley, Stirlingshire, have been flooded by an overflow from the River Kelvin; if he can give an estimate of the loss in agricultural value and in road maintenance occasioned by the periodic flooding of the River Kelvin; if he has had protests from branches of the Farmers' Union; and if he will state the cost of altering the weir at Maryhill so as to give a bigger water outfall and prevent the annual national loss due to flooding of the Kelvin Valley?

My Noble Friend the Secretary for Scotland has no information as to the first two parts of the question. He understands that the National Farmers' Union of Scotland have made representations at various times as to flooding in the Kelvin Valley. He has no information as to the cost of altering the weir at Mary-hill, the matter as explained in the answer given in this House to the hon. Member's questions of 26th April and 14th June last, being one for the riparian owners concerned.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will reconsider the question of releasing T. Hitman, who was sentenced at Glasgow on 8th June to 15 months' imprisonment for alleged sedition, in view of his serving in the Army during the War, that he has now served over seven months, and that he has a wife and young family; and, as he previously had a very good character, may ho now be released?

My Noble Friend previously made enquiry into this case, and found no ground to justify any interference with the sentence. He has again considered the case, but sees no reason to depart from his previous decision.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether, in connection with the Bill dealing with the Church of Scotland, announced in the Gracious Speech of His Majesty, his attention has been called to the situation which has now arisen in Cathcart Parish, Glasgow, whereby a small minority of heritors are imposing an assessment of 10d. per £1 on the rental of the whole body of heritors or property owners, irrespective of their religious persuasion; whether the Bill includes any provision for dealing with a situation of this kind; and, if not, whether ho will receive representatives on the matter, with a view to making provision for this and similar cases in the proposed Bill?

My Noble Friend is aware of the position as regards Cathcart Parish. The Bill to which my hon. Friend refers contains provisions dealing with the subject of heritors' assessments for churches and manses, the purpose of which is to terminate this liability in future on the lines suggested in the Report of Lord Haldane's Committee. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether, in view of the exceptional economic conditions now prevailing in the Western Isles, he is prepared to consider the appointment of a Commission to investigate and to report as to the best methods of developing the resources of the islands?

My Noble Friend the Secretary for Scotland is not satisfied that there is any sufficient purpose to be served by appointing such a Commission. Every endeavour, however, is being made by administrative action to meet the prevailing distress which has been caused by a failure of the crops due to the extraordinarily bad weather which was almost continuous last summer in the Western Isles.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether, in view of the injury caused to the inshore fishing grounds of the Western Isles by illegal trawling, he will make representations to the Admiralty to secure the services of a destroyer or other fast vessel, to have her headquarters at Stornoway, to assist the fishery cruiser in patrolling those waters?

As the hon. Member is aware the whole question of trawling and policing of Scottish sea fisheries has been investigated by a committee whose report has just been issued. My Noble Friend the Secretary for Scotland is considering the report and will keep in view the suggestion made in the question. He has already taken some steps with a view to strengthening the patrol.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he is aware of the distress in the Portnahaven district of Islay caused by the failure of crops, consequent on the continuously wet season; and will he take steps to secure a grant for relief works, such as road making and road repairing, in order to help the people over a period of exceptional difficulty?

I am informed that a number of works in Islay have been approved by the Board of Agriculture, under the Land Improvement and Drainage Scheme, for the relief of unemployment, and I hope that such distress as exists may be largely met by this means.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he will contemplate restarting the industry of lime-burning at the kiln at Loch Eriboll, in the parish of Durness, Sutherland, on property belonging to the Crown, with a view to supplying crofters and smallholders in the district with lime at cost price for the fertilisation of their holdings, and of providing employment for the relief of the distress in that district owing to the failure of the recent harvest and the depression in the fishing industry?

My Noble Friend the Secretary for Scotland is advised that the cost of restoring and starting the lime kiln would be excessive, having regard to the unlikelihood that there would be sufficient demand for the lime at an economic price. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland are, however, keeping the matter in view.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he is aware that the Regulations forbidding re-stocking of a dairy farm for a period of three months after destruction of stock for foot-and-mouth disease is placing some dairy farmers in a position that they are unable to pay their rents; and what steps does he propose to take to prevent foreclosing by landlords?

I am informed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, which is the Central Department for the administration of the Diseases of Animals Acts, that the effect of the Ministry's Regulations is not correctly stated in the question. The Regulations require that the premises on which cattle have been slaughtered owing to foot-and-mouth disease shall be kept under restrictions which prevent the movement 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 if local circumstances appear to render it necessary. No representations that farmers are unable to pay their rents owing to such restrictions have reached the Ministry or myself. In any event I have no powers which enable me to intervene in any proceedings taken against farmers by their landlords.

asked the President of the Board of Education, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, whether any case has been brought to his notice of cattle being cured of foot-and-mouth disease by wading in water containing a quantity of lime; and if such experiments have recently been tried?

As far as this country is concerned, the answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, if he can state the number of cattle that have been destroyed during the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; and what has been the total amount of compensation paid to the various farmers and others during the outbreak?

The number of cattle slaughtered up to and including the 18th instant is 80,983. The total amount of compensation actually paid to farmers up to the same date, in respect of all classes of live stock slaughtered, is £1,424,859, while the estimated gross commitments for compensation amount to £2,475,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, if he is aware of the rise in, the price of potatoes; if he is aware that the price has been increased about 50s. per ton during the last two weeks; if he can state whether there is a big shortage of potatoes this year; and if the Government intend bringing forward legislation dealing with the matter?

asked the President of the Board of Education, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, whether, in view of the announcement that there may be a rise in the price of potatoes of 3d. per pound, he has any information showing a shortage of supply; and whether, so far as his Department is aware, there is any justification for such a threatened increase?

I am aware that there has recently been a marked increase in the price of potatoes. The total crop in Great Britain last season is estimated to have been 3,576,000 tons. This is probably rather below requirements at the normal rate of consumption, but is larger than in former recent years when any shortage was met by importations from abroad. The result of recent inquiries by the Ministry of Agriculture suggests that the quantity of potatoes left on farms in England and Wales at the beginning of this month was larger than in January, 1920, although the crop of 1923 was practically the same as that of 1919. With regard to the question of legislation, my right hon. Friend does not understand for what purpose legislation is desired, and he suggests that the hon. Member should repeat this part of his question in three weeks' time.

asked the Minister of Health why the Tuberculosis Order, 1914, has been suspended since 1914; and whether there is any prospect of putting the Order into operation?

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture. The Tuberculosis Order of 1914 was suspended later in that year, owing to the outbreak of war. Owing to the cost of reviving the Order, both to the Ministry and still more to local authorities, it is considered that its re-imposition would not be justified in the present financial stringency, especially in view of the small number of local authorities who have expressed a desire for its re-introduction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any definite date has been fixed after which no belated reparation claims will be registered; and, if so, what that date is?

Belated claims are still under the consideration of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, who have complete discretion regarding claims against the £5,000,000. Belated claims continue to be registered in the Reparation Claims Department, but no definite statement can be made as to the disposal of these claims pending the presentation of the second Report of the Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will communicate with the Royal Commission on Suffering and Damage caused through Enemy Action with a view to ascertaining when the Commission is likely to report on the large number of belated claims which have been submitted for its consideration; and whether he will represent to the Commission that, having regard to the poverty of many of the applicants and the existing degree of unemployment in the country, an early report would be of public assistance?

I would refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool (Sir J. Pennefather) on the 17th January, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state when the claims for death and personal injury arising out of air raids will be disposed of; when the Report of the Commission on claims arising out of damage to property will be issued; and, in view of the fact that those who have suffered in the latter category are experiencing hardship, can the Report be expedited and compensation awarded, in view of the time that has elapsed since the last air raid?

As to the first part of the question, claims for death and personal injury arising out of air maids lodged before the final date fixed by the Royal Commission have been paid, with the exception of a small number of cases where sufficient information has not been available. As to the second and third parts of the question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 17th January to the hon. Member for the Kirk-dale Division of Liverpool.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what official recognition has been made by his Department of the gallantry of the officers and men of the s.s. "Trevessa."

The Board of Trade have awarded pieces of plate to the master and chief officer of the "Trevessa" in recognition of the fine seamanship and resolution displayed in the voyage of the boats.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what passenger-carrying shipping companies employ crews consisting of Lascars in whole or in part; and whether, in view of the fact that the Orient Company are able to man their ships with white crews, some regulations can be adopted for similar conditions in other big passenger lines, thus contributing towards the greater safety and comfort of passengers and the relief of unemployment in this country?

I will send my hon. Friend a list of the lines which carry Lascars as soon as it can be prepared. To exclude Lascars, who are in the main British subjects, from British ships would require legislation, and there would be very serious objections to any such proposal.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the reason why the price of the Report of the Select Committee on Betting has been fixed at £1 2s. 6d.; whether any estimate has been made as to the number of copies of the Report which are likely to be sold to the public; and whether the price can be reduced so that the Report might be made more generally available to the public?

The price of the Report was fixed at £1 2s. 6d. in accordance with the scale of charges for Parliamentary publications, the principles underlying which were fully explained in this House on 16th May, 1922, in a reply to the hon. Member for the Maidstone Division [OFFICIAL REPORT, Vol. 154, pages 235/7]. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The Report published includes the Minutes of Evidence, but I am directing that a print of the Report omitting the Evidence be put on sale as a Stationery Office publication, and this will be done at a low price—probably about sixpence.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take such steps to make available to Members of this House copies of all Regulations, Statutory Rules and Orders, etc., which are laid upon the Table, as will avoid the serious inconvenience arising from the present arrangements?

This class of publication is not in the Parliamentary category, and there is no automatic distribution to Members. Such distribution of this large mass of publications would be very wasteful. The Regulations laid, however, are available in the Library of this House, and in special cases where occasion justifies—for example, Pensions Regulations—a consignment is sent to the Vote Office for the use of Members. In other cases the Regulations, etc., are on sale, the price in the majority of cases being a penny.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many of the employés in the kitchen and refreshment departments of the House of Commons are subjected to hardship by reason of the frequent breaks in the Parliamentary Session; and whether, in view of the fact that only a small number are allowed a retaining allowance and that the remainder are ineligible for unemployment relief, he is prepared to consider making a grant to the Kitchen Committee so as to enable maintenance allowances to be made to all, particularly during the short and unexpected breaks in the Parliamentary Session?

The cash subsidy previously granted from the Exchequer to the Refreshment Department of this House was withdrawn on the 1st April, 1922. The circumstances to which the hon. Member refers were fully considered at that time, and I regret, therefore, that it is not possible for me to depart from the decision then taken. It appears to me that the conditions of service of the employés and any financial measures necessary in connection therewith, are a matter for the consideration of the Kitchen Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the House information regarding the conference of central banks proposed by the Genoa International Conference in April, 1922, for the purpose of considering steps for stabilising prices?

I hope that conditions may make it possible to hold such a conference before long.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Committee sitting at Geneva has reported on double taxation; and, if not, when is the Report expected?

The Committee referred to has made two interim Reports to the Financial Committee of the League of Nations; further meetings of the Committee are to be held in March, and I am unable to say when the final Report will be presented.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Committee appointed in December, 1922, with Mr. Justice Rowlatt as chairman, to inquire into the question of the simplification of Income Tax forms has yet reported; and, if so, as the matter is one of outstanding interest to all taxpayers, will he order the Report to be printed and issued at the earliest possible moment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I understand that the Report is now being printed and will shortly be ready for issue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that British bankers have established in France banking offices and agencies, and have made substantial financial advances to French traders and commercials while withholding assistance to British traders under equivalent conditions; and whether he will take powers to make such profits taxable in this country?

I am aware that some British banks have offices and agencies abroad, but I have no special knowledge of the conditions on which British bankers make advances to their home or foreign customers. As regards the second part of the question, I can assure the hon. Member that British banks are already taxed on the whole of their profits, including those derived from their foreign offices and agencies. Subsidiary companies which British banks may have formed abroad are also liable to British taxation on the whole of their profits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is anticipated that revenue will cover expenditure during the present financial year; and, if not, what is the anticipated deficit?

It is not customary or desirable to anticipate the Budget statement; but I may say that I have every reason to suppose that the expectations of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in April last will be fully realised.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount in sterling of the British debt to the United States of America on the 16th January, 1923, and the 16th January, 1924, respectively?

On the 16th January, 1923, our American debt amounted to $4,665,128,000 due to the United States Government and $245,640,000 due on market loans. On the 16th January, 1924, these amounts were $4,577,000,000 and $222,585,000 respectively, a total reduction of $111,183,000. These amounts can readily be translated into their sterling equivalents, but I would point out that a comparison between two sterling figures based on the chance rate of exchange on a particular day is misleading when applied to debts repayable over a long term of years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the intentions of the Government with regard to the form of arbitration board for the Civil Service, the principle of which he has accepted?

A Committee of official and staff representatives is now engaged in preparing a detailed scheme. Considerable progress has been made, but the Committee has not yet reached the stage at which it would be convenient to make a public announcement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount of arrears collected in regard to Excess Profits Duty and also the amount of claims paid since 1st April, 1923?

The total receipt of Excess Profits Duty (including Munitions Levy) in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the period from 1st April, 1923, to 12th January, 1924, was about £19,190,000. Repayments made during the same period amounted to £19,930,000.

asked the Prime Minister if he can make any statement as to the existence of the Southborough Committee and as to its future work if it is still regarded as functioning?

The Committee has already issued two interim Reports, and proposes, I understand, to deal in a final Report with the remaining questions arising out of its terms of reference.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what Colonies, if any, are not participating in the British Empire Exhibition?

The Gambia and Gibraltar are the only Colonies not participating in the British Empire Exhibition.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the very unsatisfactory state of things in regard to the immigration system in Western Australia; and whether, in view of the interest which is being taken in this country in the question of emigration to the Dominions, some authoritative statement can be made upon the subject?

My hon. Friend's attention has been called to a recent statement in the Press, which contains a criticism of the immigration system in Western Australia. He is not yet acquainted with the circumstances of the case referred to therein, but my hon. Friend has doubtless seen the letter on the subject from the Agent-General for Western Australia, which appeared in the "Times" of the 19th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour if he is aware that persons living in Culcheth, near Warrington, when out of employment have to travel to Leigh Employment Exchange on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and that if they resumed employment on the following Monday they have spent 2s. 2d. on fares without receiving any benefit, and if their unemployment continues they have to sign on the following Wednesday and Friday, thus spending 3s. 4d. on fares before they receive their first week's benefit; and whether, under these circumstances and to save this expense, a more convenient place for signing will be arranged?

I am having inquiry made into the position obtaining at Culcheth, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received any communication from the Churches in connection with unemployment; if he is aware that, at a conference held recently, delegates assembled expressed their profound indignation at the appalling misery and increasing deterioration suffered by the unemployed and at the demoralisation caused by unemployment, and that the delegates expressed surprise at more not being done before to elevate the present suffering and to remove the deep-seated causes of the trouble; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received from the Bishop of Lichfield a memorandum on aspects of the problem of unemployment to which a committee representative of the Christian Churches wishes to draw attention. The suggestions contained in the memorandum are being considered.

asked the Under-Secretary for Labour whether he is aware that many labour employment committees are requesting applicants for uncovenanted unemployment benefit to produce written or oral evidence that they have visited firms for the purpose of seeking work; whether this is an instruction from his Department; and, if so, will he say whether, in the opinion of his Department, the fact that a person is registered at an Exchange is sufficient evidence that a person is genuinely seeking work?

Local committees have to be satisfied that applicants for uncovenanted benefit satisfy the statutory condition that they are genuinely seeking, but unable to obtain, whole-time employment. The committees have been informed that applicants must show that they are making every effort themselves to obtain work, but documentary evidence cannot be insisted on. Registration at an Employment Exchange is not sufficient to satisfy the condition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the London County Council desires to erect weather screens on the Victoria Embankment under Charing Cross and Waterloo bridges for the protection of tramway passengers who congregate at those points in large numbers throughout the day; and, in view of the widths of the riverside footway at the parts affected, will he say why the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has refused to agree to the provision of these shelters?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the original proposal was to erect small wind screens of a more or less temporary nature, and to this he offered no objection. The present proposal is to construct a permanent roofed-in shelter, and the Commissioner regards this as open to objection on the ground that any reduction of the width of the footway, such as these proposals would entail, offers a corresponding inducement to pedestrians to step into the roadway—one of the most common causes of the large number of accidents that occur daily. In the case of Charing Cross, moreover, he feels grave doubt whether the proposed erections would not cause serious obstruction and possible danger.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a memorial signed by a large number of Members of Parliament and publicists asking that Mr. Art O'Brien and other Irish prisoners shall be treated as political offenders and the severity of prison regulations be relaxed in certain directions; and whether, in view of this memorial and the fact that the offences of these prisoners were political in character, he is prepared to grant the concessions asked for?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. O'Brien and the other prisoners convicted with him were sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to imprisonment in the second division, and they are being treated in accordance with the statutory rules applicable to this class of prisoner.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has licensed ward F, of Holloway prison, as a Borstal institution; and whether he can inform the House as to what facilities for exercise and instruction will be provided, and in what manner the treatment of these girls will differ from the treatment of women convicts?

Yes; this portion of Holloway prison is for the accommodation of girls who have been trained at Aylesbury but who, after being released on licence, have had their licences revoked for misconduct. Occasionally also a girl who while at Aylesbury persistently misconducts herself, or exerts a bad influence, will be transferred there. These measures have been taken in order that the training of the main body of inmates at Aylesbury may not he prejudiced by the presence among them of those who fail to respond. The treatment of the girls at Holloway will be on the same lines as at Aylesbury, so far as the building and surroundings will allow. Classes in physical training and general education will be taken by qualified teachers. The general routine will be that of the penal grade of a Borstal institution.