asked the Minister of Health if he will receive a deputation representing those necessitous local authorities whose claims have already been brought to the notice of his Department, and whose condition is now worse owing to the operation of the gap period in the payment of unemployment benefit?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men unemployed in each month of the last three months of 1923, and the number whose unemployment books were out during that period in the following trades: carpenters, bricklayers, masons, slaters and painters?

As the reply is necessarily lengthy, and contains a considerable number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give an undertaking to the House that the proviso shall be abolished in unemployment relief schemes under direct labour whereby only 75 per cent. of the trade union or district rate of wages may be paid to so-called unskilled labour on work which is normally regarded as unskilled?

This point is under consideration, and a decision has not yet been reached.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the unemployment Grants Committee have refused to allow the Middles-brough corporation to buy 400 tons of French cement required for street work during February, although the price is Ms. per ton less than the British Cement Combine price. Has this been done by his authority, and, if so, will he reconsider his decision so as to avoid placing an unnecessary burden of £220 on the backs of the already overburdened ratepayers.

As the hon. Member;s aware, it has been a condition of the giving of unemployment grants that, unless there are exceptional reasons to the contrary, British materials shall be used. I understand that, in view of the reduction in the price of British cement, the Unemployment Grants Committee did not feel on this occasion that they could properly give a grant to the Corporation unless they used British cement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is the way that his Government are going to smash the rings and trusts by protecting home industries.

The Ministry have no power to give directions to the Unemployment Grants Committee. They hope to obtain from Parliament powers to deal with trusts.

asked the. Minister of Health what is the total number of houses sanctioned for building under the Housing Act, 1923, up to the 31st December, 1923; what is the total number of houses of each type of house so sanctioned; how many of each type are being built by local housing authori- ties and by private builders; and will he show separately the equivalent data for each of the local housing authorities in the counties of Glamorgan, Monmouth-shire and Carmarthenshire?

The total number of houses authorised under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, up to the 31st December last, was 85,036, of which 31,434 are to be erected by local authorities and 53,602 by private builders. Figures are not available showing the numbers of each type so authorised, but contracts had been let by local authorities at the date in question for 11,993 non-parlour houses and 3,966 parlour houses. Of the houses to be, erected by private enter- prise certificates had been issued by local authorities or contracts entered into by societies, companies and trustees proceeding under Section 3 of the Act, in respect of 9,567 non-parlour and 15,262 parlour houses, and in 3,395 cases the type is not known. I will send the hon. Member a statement giving the information referred to in the last part of his question.

Is it not a fact that during the year ending on the 31st December, 1923, the largest number of houses was erected of any year since 1913?

If the hon. Member refers to houses erected under the Act of 1923, I am quite sure he is mistaken.

Arising out of the important statement which the right hon. Gentleman has made as to the number of houses built by private enterprise, may the House take it that the right hon. Gentleman will fully encourage the building of more houses by private enterprise in this country?

I think the hon. Member may rely on my doing that, but let me assure him that I would enter into it with more enthusiasm if the houses were being erected for the people who really need accommodation.

In view of the fact that many of these authorised houses have not yet been started, is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to deal with those people who are deliberately retarding the building of houses?

This is not the time for debate. We cannot debate the matter now.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses of which plans have been approved by local authorities under the 1923 Housing Act, the numbers of those approved plans of houses which are being built by local authorities, and the number by private enterprise; and if he will give the number approved under sections of the Act to enable the working population to become owners of their own houses?

Up to the 1st instant approval has been given by the Minister of Health to schemes proposed by local authorities for 95,715 houses, of which 33,994 are to be erected by local authorities and 61,721 by private enterprise. In respect of the houses to be erected by the local authorities themselves, contracts have been entered into covering 18,687 houses. As regards the houses to be erected by private enterprise, certificates have been issued, on the approval of plans, for 36,543 houses. Since the passing of the Act of 1923, loans amounting to £2,153,595 have been sanctioned to local authorities for the purpose of making advances to prospective owner-occupiers or to persons undertaking the erection of houses. Figures as to the numbers of houses to be built for owner-occupiers are not available, but it, may be taken that the majority of the houses proposed to be provided by private enterprise are to be built for sale.

Has the right hon. Gentleman sufficient information with regard to the numbers of bricklayers that will be available to build these houses. and does he think that there are sufficient?

That. question should be put on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware 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, as many persons desirous of having vaccination or revaccination performed by their own medical advisers should have similar guarantees with regard to the purity of the lymph used to those extended to persons vaccinated by public vaccinators, will he take steps to secure the necessary powers to enable private medical practitioners to secure supplies of such lymph at a reasonable charge from Government sources?

As regards the first part of the question, I am advised that there, is nit difficulty in obtaining from reputable firms supplies of glycerinated calf lymph of reliable quality. The action suggested in the second part would involve a large and costly extension of the present Government supply which I am not prepared to recommend.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is actually a shortage of lymph, and medical practitioners requiring it arc not able to get it?

I am advised that there is no such shortage.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to deal with the serious outbreak of small-pox in various parts of the country?

The responsibility for dealing with an outbreak of small-pox rests upon the local authorities and their officers. I may, however, say that at present there are only seven districts in which there is any considerable number of cases, and the medical officers of my Department are rendering all possible assistance and advice to the authorities of the affected areas.

In respect of this outbreak and any other future outbreaks, will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to ensure the full enforcement of the Vaccination Acts? [HoN. MEMBERS: "No!"]

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the pollution of the atmosphere by coal smoke, he will take immediate steps for having the question considered with a view to a satisfactory solution?

The question of introducing legislation on this subject is receiving consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that permission has been refused to Mr. and Mrs. Townend, 17, Hartsholme Drive,. Swanpool, Lincoln, to take with them to Bermuda the two boys whom they have adopted as their own, in spite of representations from the board of guardians and of the children's desire to accompany them; and whether, if Poor Law Orders are in existence which prevent, permission being given, he will have these Orders reconsidered and revised?

Permission for the emigration of these two boys was not refused by my Department, but the attention of the guardians was drawn to the provisions of Section 3 of the Poor' Law Act, 1899, which requires that, on the adoption of a boarded-out child, the guardians will cause the child to be visited at least twice in each year for the first three years. This being a statutory requirement, I have, of course, no power to alter it by Order, but it would be open to the guardians, if they thought fit, to make arrangements with a view to meeting this requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Office has received an invitation from the League of Nations to state what would be the attitude of this country towards the draft Treaty of mutual assistance communicated to the council and members of the League on 27th September, 1923; whether any reply has been despatched to the League; and, if so, what was the nature of the reply?

His Majesty's Government have received a request for a statement of their views on the draft Treaty, but the terms of the reply have not yet been settled.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, before sending a reply to the League of Nations on this important point, take the Governments of the Dominions into consultation

I think that that would be done in the ordinary course, but I am perfectly willing to say that it will be done in this respect.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to say that, before a decisive reply is given committing the whole country on this question, this House will have an opportunty of expressing its opinion?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position regarding the Ruhr Valley occupation; what negotiations he has had with the Allies regarding the separatist movement in Germany; and whether the Expert Committee on Reparations has made any report?

As regards the first part of the question, direct negotiations between the French and Belgian Governments on the one side and the German Government on the other side, regarding the regime in the Ruhr, are stil1 in progress. As regards the separatist movement in occupied territory, I trust that negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the French and Belgian Governments which have been in progress ever since my Government took office, will shortly be satisfactorily concluded. For the moment, I would prefer, if the House would allow me, to postpone any detailed statement, in order not to hamper the negotiations. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's reply that these negotiations have been going on ever since the formation of his Government, does he mean by that to imply that the negotiations now going on are continuous with those which were in operation?

The right hon. Gentleman knows how these questions are put into one's hand. I am very sorry if anything should have slipped from me which would have implied that I started the negotiations. I took them over at a certain point, but I have continued them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the policy of His Majesty's Government is that Germany shall pay reparations up to her capacity?

That is a larger question.

Without asking the right hon. Gentleman to violate his wish not to give details, may 1 ask if he can say whether what was referred to as the blockade of the British zone is now abated?

Yes, I -can say that is very considerably abated. I hope, however, that the House will allow me to carry the negotiations to a further stage before making any definite statement.

asked the Prime Minister what was the production of coal, iron, and steel from the Ruhr for 1923 and 1924, respectively.?

I have been asked to reply. Information as to the production' of iron and steel in the Ruhr during 1922 and 1923 is not available. The output of coal in the Ruhr during 1922 was 94,583,000 metric tons. For 1923 there is no official information, but a rough estimate from an unofficial source places the output at about 40,000,000 tons.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large quantity of steel lying in the Ruhr, and what does he propose to do when it comes to this country?

That does not arise.

Is the estimate of output of coal from the Ruhr for 1923 that given by the French Government recently in Paris propaganda, or is it an estimate formed in this country?

It is an estimate compiled in this country from various sources of unofficial and necessarily inexact information on the spot, but it is formed in this country.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a memorial now being widely circulated appealing for a world conference on reconstruction whether this represents the policy of the Government; and, if so, what action it proposes to take in the matter?

This is a question of far too general import. His Majesty's Government is now dealing with the details of such a settlement, and is glad to be able to state that the prospects are promising. I welcome every movement to enlist support for this object.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he proposes to make any reduction or alteration in the respective amounts payable in respect of Ministerial salaries;

The general arrangements approved by the House of Commons in the case of previous Administrations will be submitted in the respective Estimates for the approval of the House. The Estimate for the Foreign Office will be decreased by an amount equivalent to £5,000 a year so long as the Prime Minister continues to act as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and the Estimate for the salary of the Lord Privy Seal will be increased from £2,000 to £5,000 a year on the analogy of previous holders of that office when Leader of the House. As regards the Lord Chancellor, my Noble Friend in accepting office relinquished the allowance of 15,000 per annum which he drew as a former holder of the office in respect of the judicial functions which he continued to perform in the House of Lords, and expressed the wish that his salary should be fixed at 16,000 per annum instead of the sum of £10,000 drawn by his predecessors. The net result of this arrangement is a saving of £9,000 a year to public funds so long as my Noble Friend continues to hold this office.

Has the Prime Minister considered the suggestion which has been made by the hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Johnston) which he said would strike the imagination of the country, namely, that the Labour Government should accept their Parliamentary salaries only?

Is it not the usual practice in this House that if the Prime Minister holds two offices Le only draws one salary, as is suggested by the right hon. Gentleman, and whether under the circumstances, the present Government is not effecting any saving by adopting that method?

It does not matter what the practice is provided the practice does save £9,000, as is the case here.

Has the right how. Gentleman taken into consideration the report which was furnished to this House, 1 think by your predecessor, Sir, Lord Ullswater, on the whole question of the adjustment of Cabinet salaries, both for Ministers and Under-Secretaries, bringing about it more equal condition among the Members of any Government of whatever colour?

We have taken that report into consideration. I feel very strongly that the whole question ought to be reviewed, as at present it is most inequitable, but so far as I am concerned I will not agree to it being reviewed while we ourselves are in office unless it comes spontaneously from the whole House of Commons.

With regard to the Law Officers of the Crown, is it riot the case that the fees of the Law Officers do not come before this House, and could not the total be limited to something like £10,000 instead of reaching over 120,000?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider restoring the practice in relation to the Law Officers which was put into operation during the War and which was only abandoned in 1919?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that, in view of the enormous responsibilities imposed on Ministers, their present pay is too small?

That is a matter for debate.

asked the Prime Minister whether any Members of the Cabinet are connected in any way with trades union organisation or work; and whether he proposes to apply to them the same rule affecting Cabinet Ministers in respect to directorship of public companies?

No, Sir. Cabinet Ministers have already applied to themselves in respect of trades union organisation or work the same rule as is applied in respect to directorship of public companies.

Is there any truth in the rumour that stmt. Members of the Cabinet are being, subsidised by the unions with which they have been hitherto associated?

That is a question which I should see before it is allowed to be put.

Does that answer also apply to any international organization?

asked the Prime Minister if ho can state the policy of his Government with respect to agriculture; and whether he proposes to introduce any remedial legislation during the present Session?

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the statement which I intend to make this afternoon.

asked the Prim: Minister what privileges and concessions are extended by the British Government to Mr. Howard Carter in his work of exploration in Egypt; and whether, in return for any State advantages or protection extended, any condition is attached requiring that the facts of the discoveries and the photographs and lantern slides made shall not be withheld from the public, but shall be made available for the instruction and interest of all?

No privileges or concessions are extended by His Majesty's Government to Mr. Howard Carter in his excavation work in Egypt, which is that of a private individual and subject to the provisions of the Egyptian Law of Antiquities. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will at an early date introduce a Bill to amend the Old Age Pensions Act by abolishing the thrift disqualification?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to introduce early legislation for the purpose of amending the Old Age Pensions Act so as to carry out the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Old Age Pensions, 1919, and especially to secure the abolition of the present means limit, which imposes an unfair discrimination against the thrifty and deserving?

I would ask the hon. Members to await the statement which the Prime Minister is making this afternoon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the repayment of war debts of France to the United States of America. Japan, Switzerland and Spain, and also the individual amounts repaid to each country?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL EEPOICT such information as is available.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the wholesale, evictions now taking place all over the country of respectable tenants, some with large families; whether he is aware that in 40 cases in one Court where eviction orders were granted, the tenants had never been in arrears and had an average tenancy of eleven years each, and what steps are being taken or contemplated to end this scandal?

I have not had my attention drawn officially to the particular cases to which reference is made, but I am aware that a number of such eases are occurring in different parts of the country. The Government are considering the whole question of Rent Restriction. In the meantime, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, I have no authority to interfere with the decision of the Courts.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the costs attached to the eviction are of such a character as to force the tenants to sell their homes in order to pay them?

I have the utmost sympathy with the spirit which prompts these questions, and I shall do all in my power to bring relief to these suffering people.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider in view of these hardships that, where owners are given power at this late stage to occupy their own cottages and houses, first consideration will be given to those tenants who are thus displaced in the provision of the new houses by municipal authorities?

The hon. and gallant Member must put that question on the Paper.

(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the release of Mr. Gandhi has been permitted unconditionally, or whether he has given any undertaking to refrain in the future from actions of the character of those which resulted in his conviction and whether his release was carried out at the instance of the Government of Bombay or was suggested to the Government of India by the Secretary of State?

No conditions were attached to the release of Mr. Gandhi, who had recently undergone an operation for appendicitis. The Secretary of State left full discretion to the Government of India in the matter, and their decision was taken after consultation with the Government of Bombay.

(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the assassin who murdered Mr. Day in Calcutta on the 19th January, 1924, was a member of the Non-co-operation party; is this party still preaching racial hatred in Bengal towns and villages and through the newspapers, and, if so, what action is being taken by the Government of India. to counteract or prevent these activities?

Can the hon. Member also say whether the late lamented Crippen was a member of the Tory party?

The assassin belonged to a secret revolutionary society, but there is no reason to suppose that the Non-co-operation party, in spite of its racial views, has inspired crimes of violence as a system of policy. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, whenever the Government have reason to suppose that owing to political agitation the peace is likely to be broken, action has been taken under the provisions of law appropriate to the circumstances.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the imminence of the dock strike due to start on the 16th February; whether he is aware that negotiations in this matter wee being seriously prejudiced by the answer given by the Minister of Health to the deputation from the Poplar Board of Guardians; and whether he will give an assurance that promises of full maintenance to people engaged in industrial disputes will not be sanctioned?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There is a conference at present sitting in the Ministry of Labour on the subject. There is no truth in the suggestion contained in the second part of the question that negotiations were seriously prejudiced by the answer given by the Minister of Health to the deputation from the Poplar Board of Guardians. With regard to the last part of the question, the Government will act in accordance with the law as laid down by Statute and by the findings of the Courts.

(by Private Notier) asked the Prime Minister whether he can assure the House that neither he nor any member of the Government is any longer in any way connected with the Labour and Socialist International, commonly known as the Sozialistisehe Arbeiter Internationale, the decisions of which on all international questions are by its constitution binding on the representatives of affiliated bodies?

In accordance with the constitution of the International, which is not commonly known, however, as the Sozialistisehe Arbeiter Internationale, except for purposes of prejudice, no member of a Government can serve as a member of its committees; the Labour party is affiliated to this body and will carry out its obligations as stated in the programmes of the party issued to the British electors at the time of elections. The obligations of a society affiliated to the International are similar to those undertaken by States on becoming members of the League of Nations. The affiliation is purely voluntary and can be terminated at any time should necessity arise.

Is the House to understand that, while the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues have ceased to be members of the Executive of this international body, they are still associated with it and adhere to the clause in its constitution which provides that the decisions of the international body shall override the decisions of any of the affiliated nations whose representatives are on that body?

I think that the hon. Member rather misunderstands the nature of the clause to which he refers. The clause simply says that the decision of the International shall guide the national bodies affiliated to it. I f these bodies disagree with the decision of the International they are always in the position of being able to withdraw at any moment.

Ts the right hon. Gentleman aware that the clause to which he refers ends with the saying that this is a self-imposed limitation to the autonomy of the affiliated organisations, and that this implies that—

This matter cannot be debated by question and answer.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister on what days he himself personally will be available to reply to questions?

The House will, I am sure, he prepared to extend to me a little indulgence while I feel it my duty to hold two offices. I shall be unable for the time being to be present in my place to answer questions or all days of the week. My present intention is to take questions addressed to me as Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on Monday and questions addressed to me as Prime Minister on Wednesday. On other days the Lord Privy Seal, as Deputy Leader of the House, will reply to questions addressed to the Prime Minister and the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs will deal with questions addressed to the Foreign Secretary. I hope that this arrangement will meet with the general approval of the House.

May 1 suggest that it would be for the convenience of the House that the questions should be put down on the Order Paper in the same place as that in which they would appear if the right hon. Gentleman were here to answer them, and that it would be for the convenience of the House if the questions were kept in their regular place on the Order Paper, whether the right hon. Gentleman were present or not?

I think that that will be so. I am certain that it will be so should my right hon. Friend wish it and it is for the convenience of the House.

May I suggest that. it would be for the convenience of the House and of the right hon. Gentleman himself if he could arrange with the authorities of the House that questions addressed to him as Foreign Secretary should either immediately precede or immediately follow those which are addressed to him as Prime Minister.

I am much obliged to my right hon. Friend for his suggestion. That arrangement has already been made.

I wish to raise a point of Order in connection with the distribution of tickets for seats arising out of what, took place this morning. I myself and others, who may be called first nighters, came here at an early hour this morning and formed in a queue in order to secure tickets for seats. No sooner were we in the queue, however, than there was an ungodly rush from behind which made the distribution of tickets in a proper manner impossible, and I was thrown on the floor and made into a carpet and walked on. I have no objection whatever to a return of the Prodigal Son. My only objection is to being considered by anybody as a fit subject for the fatted calf. Therefore I wish to ask you, if it is not possible to make some regulations, so as avoid a repetition of such incidents in future. I know that these incidents do not occur very often, but in the present conditions of politics nobody knows how often they will happen. Therefore I should he much obliged, if you can lay down some regulations for what I may call first nighters who assemble here early in the morning.

May I mention that two lady Members who were here before eight o'clock were swept clean out of the way and their headgear strewn all over the place. Would you, Mr. Speaker, give orders that as from to-morrow all Members who assemble in order to get tickets shall take their place in a queue, as if they were waiting for a 'bus?

This is the first news which I have heard of the mishap that occurred this morning. Apparently if there were any lack of order, it was merely a lack of order on the part of some particular hon. Member which, I am sure, will not be repeated, but I will make inquiries with regard to the officials, for whom I am responsible, so as to ensure that in future matters shall be conducted in an orderly manner.

May I assure you that the officials were in no way to blame. The officials opening the door were swept aside immediately. The official in charge of the giving out of the tickets worked to the best of his ability, and we are casting no reflection whatever on any of these gentlemen.

As one of those who were present this morning, may I say that the whole trouble arose owing to the overwhelming number of hon. Gentlemen on that [Ministerial] side of the House who put in an appearance, and the rather unruly manner—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order" and "Withdraw! "]

I hope hon. Members will not make reflections on one another. It will now be for me to institute inquiries.

Will you, Sir, when making those inquiries, consider the advisability of the doors being opened somewhat later, so that Members desiring to secure seats will not, be expected to sit up all night.

There is another similar point which to me is much more important in view of the state of the parties. Would it not be infinitely better if the seats on the cross benches below the Bar were considered as part of the House. They are likely to be occupied much more in the future than they have been hitherto. I consider, and I believe I express the opinion of a great number of Members, that there should be no seats on the Floor of the House, other than those occupied by the officials behind the Chair, that are not available to Members, and in which they can transact their business, and from which, if necessary, they can speak?

I will consider that question with the other matter.

May I draw your attention to one thing which occurred this morning. When the rush took place, one hon. Member put his hat on a seat, and then went to get a ticket. Does the placing of a hat on a seat secure that seat?

That is a very old custom of the House, but I will consider the point with the others.