asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the rapid advance in the price of potatoes; and whether he will institute an inquiry to see whether there is any justification for such advances which greatly affect the purchasing power of the poor?

I am aware that the present price of potatoes is high, especially as compared with last year, when very unremunerative prices were obtained by growers and consumers benefited correspondingly. I do not think an inquiry is necessary. The higher prices this year are clearly due to the reduced acreage and lower yield.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if any information is in the possession of his Department as to any actual weekly budgets of agricultural workers' wives in any English counties?

A few household budgets of agricultural workers have been sent to the Ministry, but no official investigation has been undertaken. The general facts of the situation are obvious in the case of those labourers with families who are dependent on the very low wage prevailing in many areas.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the 26,815 cwts. of hops exported for sale abroad during 1923 and 1924 were exported and sold by the Hop Controller or by private firms?

The transactions in question were conducted by private firms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the accounts of the Hop Control are audited and, if so, by whom; and whether, in view of the fact that they deal with the property of hop growers, hop growers will be permitted to inspect the accounts?

The accounts of the Hop Control are audited annually by Messrs. W. B. Peat & Co., Ironmonger Lane, E.C. I cannot accept the view that hop growers have any claim to inspect the accounts, but I have no doubt that any reasonable request for information would be carefully considered by the Hop Controller.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, taking the prices in the first week of February, 1923, and February, 1924, he can state whether the prices received to-day by farmers for cattle, sheep, and pigs are less or more in the later period than the earlier; and whether such stock raising represents the main industry of mixed-farm occupiers?

Prices of all classes of fat stock were lower in the first week of February, 1924, than in the corresponding week in 1923. As regards the latter part of the question, it would not be correct to say that stock raising is the main industry of mixed farms possessing a large proportion of arable land, but this industry accounts for a large proportion of the total output of all farms taken together.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Birmingham pig market, which has been closed by the Ministry on account of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, is on an entirely different basis to other markets, seeing that no livestock other than pigs for immediate slaughter are handled there, of which a large proportion are slaughtered and sold for fresh meat; and whether, in view of the extreme shortage of pork and pork products resulting from the closing of this market, he will give instructions that it should be reopened immediately?

Serious outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have recently occurred at Birmingham and Salford pig markets in consequence of which the Ministry has been obliged to make an Order which only allows pigs to be moved direct to a slaughterhouse without any intermediate gathering or grading centre. There is grave danger of the spread of infection by dealers and butchers who attend the market and I am not prepared at present to rescind the Order.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether farmers in areas infected with foot-and-mouth disease are being compelled to plough in root and other crops; and, if so, what compensation are they receiving?

No order respecting the disposal of root crops has been issued, but I am aware that a number of farmers who have had foot-and-mouth disease on their premises are experiencing considerable difficulty in disposing of their root crops. Cases in which roots have had to be ploughed in because there was no sale for them, are, I think, comparatively rare. In the Cheshire area an arrangement has been made in cases where there is little danger of further infection, to allow sheep to come on to the farms to eat the roots. The Ministry, however, is not empowered to pay compensation in respect of consequential losses due to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the Members of this House the latest returns as to the number of conciliation committees actually working in England and Wales?

Thirteen of the conciliation committees have wages agreements in operation at the present time, and in three cases, although no formal agreement exists, arrangements as to wages have been made through the committees' agency.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, taking the figures for the first week in February, 1923, and February, 1924, he can state whether the prices of feeding stuffs which the farmer buys have increased or decreased; and what is the relative change in the prices of artificial fertilisers?

Wholesale prices of feeding stuffs were, on the whole, rather dearer in the first week of this month than in the corresponding week in 1923. Prices of most sorts of fertilisers were lower this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the home counties farm labourers, married and having children, are at the present time being paid 20s. a week, with a deduction from that figure for the use of a cottage; and whether he is prepared to take immediate steps to secure an adequate minimum wage pending the awards of the agricultural wages boards, the machinery for constituting which boards has not yet been arranged?

My attention has been called to the deplorable level to which farm wages have fallen in certain cases, and I hope to be able to place the Government's proposals for the better regulation of agricultural wages before the House at a very early date. I trust that the interval before the new machinery becomes operative will be so short as to make it unnecessary to complicate the matter by taking immediate steps on the lines suggested, which could not be effective without legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the area of land under cultivation in Great Britain in the years 1800, 1840, 1880, and 1922, respectively; and what was the production of wheat in this country in the same years?

Official statistics of the area of crops and grass were first collected in 1867 and of the production of crops in 1885. The area returned as under crops and grass in Great Britain in 1867, 1880 and 1922 was 29,727,000 acres, 32,102,000 acres and 30,751,000 acres respectively. The production of wheat in 1885 and 1922 was estimated at 2,145,000 tons and 1,742,000 tons respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is prepared to provide for regular inspections of all dairy cattle, and the elimination, either by slaughter or by branding and segregation, of any animal found to be suffering from tuberculosis?

The Ministry has from time to time given careful consideration to the end which the hon. Member has in view and it is at present exploring the question as to whether it is practicable to put into operation at the present time the Tuberculosis Order of 1914, which was suspended owing to the War and has for its object the elimination of cows suffering from tuberculosis in an advanced form. I am sending a copy of this Order to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, taking the latest official report on bankruptcies, he can give the number of farmers who became insolvent in 1922; how much capital was involved in their bankruptcies; and whether he can give the previous year in which the number of failures among farmers exceeded the total in 1922?

I have been asked to reply. The number of failures of farmers under the Bankruptcy and Deeds of Arrangement Acts in 1922 was 403 and the liabilities £768,144. In 1895 the corresponding figures were 564 and £736,030. In comparing these figures the considerable change in the value of money between the two periods should be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to the unnecessary cruelty inflicted on rabbits and other vermin by the setting of traps, and the unnecessary danger to domestic animals caused by the indiscriminate use of these traps; and whether he can see his way to introducing legislation to prohibit this practice?

I have been asked to answer this question. Very few representations have been made to my Department in recent years on this subject, which, as the Noble Lady will be aware, is dealt with to some extent by the Protection of Animals Act, 1911. I understand that a prohibition of trapping rabbits and vermin, as suggested in the question, would have a serious effect on agricultural interests, but I will consult with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture as to whether any further steps can be taken in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, and, if so, in which of the States of the Dominions, Acts are in operation of similar effect to the Queensland Arbitration Act of 1916, together with recent Amendments thereto?

I will send my hon. Friend a list of legislation in the Dominions empowering the setting up of tribunals for the regulation of wages and settlement of industrial disputes, and shall be glad to place copies of any of the laws mentioned therein at his disposal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has had the case of the children emigrated under the national scheme, who recently committed suicide in Canada, investigated; and can he give any further information as to the circumstances in which the children were living?

My hon. Friend will realise that any investigations which may be necessary are primarily the concern of the Canadian Government. I understand from the Canadian Superintendent of Emigration in London, who was consulted as soon as the news of the suicides was received, that the Canadian Government were making full inquiries into the circumstances of each case. I arranged, a few days ago, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonics for a telegram to be sent to the Governor-General asking if information could be furnished at an early date, and I shall be glad to place at the disposal of the House any particulars which I may receive.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has received the Report of the Empire Settlement Delegation; whether he has considered it; and whether an opportunity will be given for its discussion?

I have not yet received the Report, but I understand from the delegates that it will reach me at an early date. In regard to the last part of the question, I am unable to promise that a special occasion for the discussion of the Report will arise, but the hon. Member will appreciate that any matters connected with oversea settlement could be raised when the Department's Vote is before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons in this country took advantage of the facilities for settlement, on the land in the Dominions during the year 1923; and; whether His Majesty's Government propose to encourage overseas settlement in every way?

The total number of persons who were assisted to settle in the Oversea Dominions under the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act during 1923 was 37,310. It is the intention of His Majesty's Government to encourage oversea settlement, in so far as it is conducive to the advantage of the individual settler and also to the advantage of the Empire as a whole. In this connection I might add that the Oversea Settlement Committee are giving special consideration to the possibilities of family and group migration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has information indicating that certain of the men who went to Canada last autumn as harvest hands from Great Britain and were stranded were offered employment in Canada and refused to take it; and, if so, has he any knowledge of the reasons for this refusal?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is able to give the approximate number of men from these islands who went to Canada as harvest hands from Great Britain who have since settled in the Dominion?

Only a few of the 12,000 men who went to Canada in August for harvesting work, in response to advertisements issued by the Canadian shipping companies, failed to find employment. About 700 men who were found to be unfit for farm work were repatriated to this country. It is understood that a certain number of others, although offered work, refused to accept it, but I am not aware of their reasons for refusing. I understand that about 11,000 men remained in the Dominion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the speech of Shaukat Ali in Colombo last month, in which he is reported to have stated that the Moslems of India would never repeat the mistake they had made of sending men and money to the support of the British Empire, that not one pice out of the funds of Indians and not one Indian soldier would be sent, and they wanted to close the door on the British Empire until their demands were granted; and why this man was permitted to land in Ceylon when the object of his visit there was simply to stir up disaffection?

I have seen certain reports in the Indian Press, but I have no official information in the matter. I will ask the Governor for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Defence of the Realm Regulations are still in operation in Ceylon, and that frequent requests for their withdrawal have been made by the Ceylon National Congress and other public bodies, on the ground that they are subversive of public liberty; and whether, in view of the fact that no necessity for their continuance now exists, the Regulations will be withdrawn at an early date?

These Regulations did not extend to Ceylon, but I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Order in Council of the 26th October, 1896, which was put into operation in certain Colonies, including Ceylon, during the War. The Governor in 1922 reported that the retention of the Order in force was required on several grounds, the most important being the necessity of retaining the power to control food supplies in view of the deficiency in the rice harvest. I have received no request for the withdrawal of the Order, but I propose to ask the Governor whether he is of opinion that its retention in force is still justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Ceylon National Congress urging that on the expiration of the term of the present Governor of that colony a Governor with experience of British public life should be appointed, as is the custom in the adjacent provinces of India; and whether he will consider the advisability of not limiting this appointment to the ranks of the Colonial Civil Service?

My attention has been drawn to the resolution in question. The appointment is not limited to the ranks of the Colonial Civil Service, but I cannot at present make any statement as to how it is likely to be filled in the future.

asked the Secretary of State fox the Colonies whether he is aware of the disappointment caused in Ceylon by the omission from the Order in Council recently forwarded to the Governor of any proposals for the reform of the Executive Council; and whether he can give an assurance that this matter will be dealt with at an early date, in accordance with the representations made to His Majesty's Government by the Ceylonese deputation last year?

Proposals for some alteration in the constitution of the Executive Council have been under discussion with the Governor for some time, and I hope that the Governor will be in a position to make an announcement in the matter when the elections to the new Legislative Council have taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any compulsion upon the natives in Kenya Colony to render service for wages if and when it is found that voluntary labour has not been forthcoming from them for a period?

There is no compulsion or pressure on natives of Kenya to work for private employers. The conditions under which they may be called upon for work for certain specified Government purposes are laid down in the Command Paper 1509 of 1921.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the coffee planters and maize growers of Kenya Colony have great difficulty in securing sufficient native labour; and whether it is proposed to recruit the necessary labour to work a large scheme of cotton growing in the Colony?

I have no information as to any recent scarcity of native labour for coffee planters and maize growers in Kenya. No scheme for cotton growing on white settlers' farms is in contemplation, and there is no question of recruiting labour for cotton cultivation, which is carried on by natives on their own account within their reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Kenya Government has received a request from the joint missionary conference of that colony to place under the control of the missionary societies the education of all juveniles in the colony, and that an adequate Government grant should be made by the Government for this purpose; and what action, if any, it is proposed to take in the matter?

The request of the missionary societies to which the hon. Member refers has recently been forwarded to me by the Government of Kenya. The whole question of education in the colony is engaging very careful consideration, but I am not at present able to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay upon the Table a copy of the agreement made with Chinese labourers for service in Nauru?

I am causing copies of the forms approved in August, 1922, by the Administrator of Nauru to be placed in the Library for the information of hon. Members. The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia notified my predecessor that his Government approved the Administrator's action, and, so far as I am aware, these forms are still in use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution adopted by the Convention of Associations at Nairobi on 12th September, 1923, demanding the appointment of a commission of inquiry into the whole matter of the construction of the Uasin Gishu railway with the widest terms of reference; on what grounds this demand was rejected by the Governor of Kenya Colony; and whether, in view of this demand by the European settlers, he will take steps to ensure a full and independent inquiry into this question?

I have seen the resolution to which the hon. Member refers in an account of the meeting of the Convention of Associations published in a local newspaper, but no report with regard to the resolution has been received from the Governor of Kenya. I am in communication with the Governor as a result of the hon. Member's question, but, pending the receipt of his views, I am not prepared to form any opinion as to the necessity for an inquiry into the construction of the Uasin Gishu railway.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money has been spent to date upon the palace of the High Commissioner in Palestine; and does he propose to allow further expenditure in connection with this palace?

The High Commissioner is accommodated in a hired building which also contains the secretariat and other Government offices and officers' quarters. It is not possible to state the amount spent on the part occupied by the High Commissioner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government has come to any decision respecting the future of Palestine?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have decided, after careful consideration of all the circumstances, to adhere to the policy of giving effect to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, under which Great Britain undertook to promote the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, it being clearly understood that nothing should be done to prejudice the civil and religious rights of other communities in the country. As the House is aware, this policy was embodied in the Mandate for Palestine which was approved by the League of Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received from the Government of Jamaica new proposals for the reform of the constitution of Jamaica differing from the recommendations made in the Report of the right hon. Member for Ripon (Mr. E. Wood), which were communicated to Parliament as agreed to by the then Secretary of State; and whether he will inform Parliament of the changes now proposed by the Government of Jamaica before taking any final decision on the matter?

As the hon. Member is aware, various amendments were proposed by the Legislative Council of Jamaica to the scheme of constitutional reform suggested by the right hon. Member for Ripon. Certain features of these amendments were criticised by my predecessor, and his suggestions have now been accepted by the Legislative Council with the single exception that the Council desires to retain the power of veto in financial matters bestowed upon nine elected members under Clause 8 of the Order in Council of 3rd October, 1895. I have not yet arrived at a decision in regard to this outstanding point. Papers are being placed in the Library of the House which record fully the various stages of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in November, 1923, the Wood-Renton Commission awarded Mr. Henry V. Macnamara the sum of £4,450 for his house at Doolan, County Clare, which had been burnt down in the year 1921, five per cent. interest on the above amount to accrue until the date of payment; that neither principal nor interest have yet been paid, and that there are many other cases still awaiting payment in the same way; and what action the Colonial Office proposes to take in the matter, having regard to the precise assurances which have been given by the British Government in respect of payment for property which has been destroyed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second and third parts, I am aware that in this and some other cases the Government of the Irish Free State has withheld payment of the sum awarded by the Commission pending a settlement by the claimant of outstanding liability for Income Tax. If the claimant disputes his liability for Income Tax, he should, of course, make representations to the Income Tax authorities in the usual manner, and Mr. Macnamara's solicitors have been so informed; but on the facts at present before me, I see no ground for intervention by His Majesty's Government. I should add that in the meanwhile the Irish Grants Committee has advanced £2,600 to Mr. Macnamara.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total number of officials employed in the British mandated area of Tanganyika and of those employed by the German Government in 1913?

In the short time at the disposal of my Department I have only been able to ascertain the number of resident European officials as given by the German census of 1st January, 1913, and the British census of 24th April, 1921. These are: German, 737; British, 621. These include Europeans employed with the military forces, but it is not certain whether the German figure includes the European foremen and artisans employed by Government, who are included in the British figure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn by the Imperial Merchant Service Guild to the loss of the s.s. "Loong Sang" during a typhoon at Hong Kong on the 18th August last; and whether, seeing that no adequate arrangements whatever are made at Hong Kong for the saving of life in such cases when, during the typhoon season, there is always imminent risk of the visitation of a typhoon, he will consider whether high-powered tugs or lifeboats and other means should be available with a view to saving life where possible during these typhoons, and obtain information from Hong Kong as to what, if any, steps are being taken in the matter?

A letter on the subject was received from the Guild in October last, and was referred to the Governor for his report. The gist of the report which has been received is as follows:

The organisation of life-saving measures in Hong Kong harbour has received careful consideration on several occasions.

The provisions of rocket and mortar life-saving apparatus was proposed in consequence of the typhoon of 1906, but after careful consideration and consultation with the naval authorities, it was decided that such apparatus would not serve a useful purpose.

The conformation of the harbour of Hong Kong is such that vessels swept from their anchorage in typhoons are ordinarily stranded in positions from which there is direct access to the shore or where there is no danger of breaking up from the action of the sea. In a case such as that of the s.s. "Loong Sang," where a vessel drifts at a rapid pace and finally sinks, a rocket apparatus would be useless, as the ship must be stationary to allow of the hawser being set up.

Proposals for the provision of a high powered lifeboat have also been considered on former occasions, and have been rejected. A committee, which considered the question in 1913, recorded the opinion that there was no work within the scope of a lifeboat which could not equally well be carried our by tugs and launches provided with life-lines.

An arrangement was made in the year 1920 with the naval authorities whereby whenever there are immediate prospects of the weather conditions becoming so bad as to place native craft in danger of being unable to make shelter on their own account, two naval tugs are made available to assist to tow such craft to shelter.

The Government of Hong Kong is giving further consideration to the question of the use of tugs for the purpose of saving life during a typhoon, and proposes to build a powerful rescue tug which will replace the present lighthouse tender, "Stanley," and perform the usual lighthouse reliefs and harbour work required, and will be available for rescue work after the height of a typhoon has passed. It must, it is feared, be recognised that during the height of a typhoon, such as that which occurred on 18th August, no life saving apparatus could be of any use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the circumstances of the foundering of the s.s. "Loong Sang" during a typhoon at Hong Kong on 18th August last year, when 15 lives were lost, have been brought to his notice; whether he is aware that the vessel at the time of the typhoon had no rudder; that her cables were under standard, and that, according to the evidence at the official inquiry, into the circumstances of the disaster, of Mr. Robert Hall, Government marine surveyor, who surveyed the vessel in July of last year, the cables of the ship were not of the standard prescribed by Lloyds, and in some lengths were bad; that she had no steam raised owing to her boilers being opened up for survey, and that in this condition she was ordered out of the dock and placed at anchorage in Kowloon Bay when the typhoon warnings had already been hoisted; and whether the Board of Trade will take the necessary steps to prevent similar occurrences in future, whereby not only ships but officers and crews are exposed to great peril?

The circumstances attending the loss of the "Loong Sang" were investigated by a Marine Court of Inquiry in Hong Kong in September last, the Court including three masters of British merchant ships. The Court found that the moving of this vessel out to a typhoon anchorage with a sufficient crew on board to work her cables was a proper and practical procedure, and one customary to the port of Hong Kong when a ship is in the dockyard's hands and opened up for survey. The Court did not consider that the "Loong Sang's" cables were dangerously thin. They recommended that several heavy typhoon moorings should be laid in Kowloon Bay with sufficient chain attached for ships to lay with. The Board of Trade were informed in December that the Hong Kong Government was acting on these recommendations and that some 12 typhoon moorings would be laid in the harbour before the next typhoon season.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if it has been definitely ascertained how and when the members of the Wrangel Island expedition met their end; and whether any steps are proposed to be taken with a view to recognising their services to the Empire?

No particulars are in my possession beyond those which have appeared in the Press. So far as I am aware no steps in the direction suggested in the second part of the question are in contemplation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Australian Government charges 5d. a word royalty on cables by the Eastern Telegraph Company which are entirely handled by that company; and whether he will suggest the removal of this tax when Imperial communications and trade are dealt with so as to extend existing preferences?

I find that this matter was raised at the Imperial Economic Conference last, autumn, and that the then Postmaster-General expressed the view that the lowering of the present terminal rate of 5d. per word in Australia on cable traffic would be highly appreciated by the commercial community and would stimu late cable communication with Australia. The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth was asked to re-examine the question, but he was unable, at that stage, to commit his Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if, in view of the increasing weight of supply of plantation rubber from the Netherlands East Indies and the diminishing output of British Malaya, he will consider recommending to the Governments of the Federated Malay States and of the Straits Settlements the repeal of the ordinances restricting the crop of rubber?

The legislation to which the hon. Member refers provides for the restriction of the export, not the crop, of rubber. I do not contemplate the reversal of my predecessors' policy in the matter. Nor am I aware of any substantial body of opinion either at home or in Malaya that advocates such repeals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of shops opened in Great Britain during the last 25 years, according, to year, specially for the sale of Argentine meat?

I regret that I am unable to supply the information desired.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there are statutory charges in connection with the Exports Credit Department; what is the nature and scale of such charges; and whether any complaints, have been received protesting against such charges as discouraging business and reducing profits?

Under the Overseas Trade Acts, the Board of Trade are authorised to charge commissions in respect of credits granted under the Acts. The charge takes the form of a small percentage rate which varies according to the nature of the risk in each case. Complaints have sometimes been received that the charge proposed is too high, and in such cases the Export Credits Department is always prepared to take into consideration, so far as possible, the suggestions put forward by exporters.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the Combines Investigation Act introduced into the Canadian Parliament in June, 1923, providing for the investigation into combines alleged to be operating against the public interest; and whether the Government propose to introduce similar legislation into this country?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the great discrepancy between the price of petrol and the price of paraffin; whether he is aware that great hardship is being inflicted on the working classes in rural districts, who depend entirely on paraffin for lighting purposes and, in many cases, for cooking; and whether he will have an inquiry made into the matter, with a view to a proportionate reduction in the price of paraffin?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the ratio between the wholesale prices of paraffin or kerosene oil and petrol is much the same as that ruling before the War. It is not clear that any special grounds exist for an inquiry into the price of this particular commodity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what amount per head of British goods was purchased last year by the people of New Zealand; and how this amount compares with that purchased per capita by the citizens of any foreign country?

The exports of produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom during 1923 to New Zealand were valued at £20,695,439, or about £16 7s. per head of the population of New Zealand. In the same year the exports to all foreign countries amounted to £466,632,775, or about 7s. per head of their aggregate population.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make it compulsory on wholesale dealers in potatoes and similar products, as it is in the coal trade, to carry weights and scales on the trolleys and, when demanded, weigh any particular sacks at the request of their customers in the greengrocery trade?

I have been asked to reply. There is no power under the existing law to impose a requirement of the kind suggested, but I shall be glad to consider any information on the subject which the hon. and gallant Member may be in a position to supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the present depressed condition of the fabric glove industry at Leicester, Derby and Leamington; whether he is aware that the Canadian market has offered a consistent outlet for these goods for many years and that, because of the depreciated condition of the franc and the consequent higher competitive power of French manufacturers, French gloves are being offered to Canada below the cost of production in this country; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the welfare of the large numbers of workers engaged in this important industry?

Yes, Sir, I am acquainted with the condition of this industry. I have received a letter stating that Canadian buyers have declined to place orders here because of the lower prices at which French gloves are being offered, but I have no further information on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922–23 of cotton gloves to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

If the House will permit me, I will have the information asked for in this and similar questions circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the position between the British Dyestuffs Company and the German dyemakers, and if any discussions are going on at the present time?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to the hon. Member for Batley (Mr. Turner) on the 15th February, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the price of matches per dozen remains at 10½d. as against 2½d. pre-War; to what extent duties are responsible for this difference in price; and will he make inquiries as to profiteering in the match trade?

My information confirms, generally, the hon. Member's statement as to the present and pre-War prices of matches. The present price includes about 3¾d. in respect of duties. The Standing Committee on Prices under the Profiteering Acts made an investigation into the prices of matches in 1920 and reported that the profit made by the industry was reasonable. I am not aware of any facts which make it desirable to re-open the investigation, but I shall be glad to consider any relevant information which the hon. Member may be in a position to supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will inquire into the claim made to the Reparations Claims Department by Mr. James Webber, late engineer, s.s. "Copenhagen," on 6th March, 1923, for compensation in respect to the fact he is suffering following the effects of serving upon a merchant ship which was torpedoed on 5th March, 1917: and, as this man has an opportunity of a situation abroad, will he expedite consideration of the compensation claim?

The claims falls into the category of belated claims with regard to which it is not possible to make any definite statement pending the presentation of the Second Report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action.

asked the Prime Minister whether in the settlement of all outstanding claims he will consider granting compensation to those who indirectly suffered great loss from enemy action in the late war by means of bombardments and air raids?

As the hon. Member is aware, grants are being made on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action in respect of damage within Annex I to Part VIII of the Treaty of Versailles. I can hold out no hope that the Government will be prepared to ask Parliament to vote additional funds for the compensation of indirect damage excluded by the Treaty of Peace.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the approximate ratio which now exists between the internal and external values of German currency?

Wholesale prices in Germany, expressed in gold marks, as reported for January in the official publication of the German Statistical Bureau, were, on the average, about 20 per cent. above those of 1913. In this country, on the basis of the Board of Trade index number of wholesale prices, and taking into account the price of gold, the average level of gold prices was in January about 45 per cent. higher than in 1913. The relative value of gold marks for internal purposes in Germany would thus appear to have been in the proportion of about 120 to 100 to their value for external purposes, assuming those values to have been equal in 1913.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give consideration to providing for more adequate Labour representation of port, dock and transport workers generally upon the various port authorities over which he has control?

I will certainly bear in mind the point raised by my hon. Friend when a change, over which I have control, in the membership of any port authority is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether representations have been made to him with regard to the urgent necessity for revising the laws affecting the road transport industry; and whether he will, at an early date, introduce a Bill to give effect to the Amendments which have been found necessary?

I am awaiting a suitable opportunity to introduce legislation dealing with the regulation of road vehicles and giving effect to many of the recommendations contained in the Second Interim Report of the Departmental Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can inform the House that a recent private offer to construct an elevated crossing for the relief of street traffic will be accepted; and, should the scheme prove successful, is his Department prepared to encourage and actively promote this new method of dealing with the traffic problem?

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the public Press. My Department is always prepared to encourage any practicable proposal put forward by responsible authorities for the mitigation of traffic congestion.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the deterioration of the road surface in the Mall; and, in view of the prevailing state of unemployment, could the inevitable and essential repairs be undertaken at an early date?

Provision has been made in the Royal Parks Estimates, 1924/25, for relaying the wood paving in the Mall. It is proposed to carry out the work in the autumn.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a statement that new omnibuses, at the rate of about 25 per week, are to be placed upon the streets of London; whether he is aware that London traffic is congested largely as a result of the number of omnibuses already on the streets; and whether, considering that by a greater use of the tube railways the congestion would be minimised, he will take any steps that are necessary to refuse sanctioning the licensing of any more omnibuses pending a general inquiry into the question of London traffic?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. I understand, however, that the new omnibuses are to some extent in replacement of older types which are being withdrawn. As regards the last part of the question, legislation would be required to enable licences to be refused on the ground of excessive numbers.

asked the Minister of Labour what, if any, steps are being taken to avoid the threatened rupture in the coalfields; and whether the Government will consider appointing a court of inquiry under the powers residing in the Ministry of Labour at an early date to inquire into the questions in dispute between the miners and the mineowners?

I have been asked to reply. Negotiations between the colliery owners and colliery workers are still proceeding. I am keeping myself informed of the course of these negotiations, but Government intervention at this stage would be premature, and I cannot at present make any statement as to the form that intervention may take should it become necessary.

asked the Secretary for Mines the ratio of wages to profits in the coal-mining industry from the establishment of the profit-sharing scheme to the latest date for which statistics are available?

This information is contained in the published quarterly statistical summaries of output and of the costs of production, proceeds and profits of the coal-mining industry. These have been issued for the period from 1st July, 1921, to 30th September, 1923. I will send the hon. Member copies.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of horses now employed in the mines of the Lancashire coalfield; whether he has any official Reports as to the advantages resulting from the general use of mechanical haulage in these mines; and whether he considers that mechanical systems of haulage could be adapted for use in all mines?

The number of horses employed in the Lancashire and Cheshire coalfield was 530 in 1923 as compared with 566 in 1922. No special reports have been made by the Inspectors of Mines as to the advantages of mechanical haulage in this coalfield, but the Inspector in charge has more than once noted with approval the progressive substitution of mechanical for horse haulage, for which many of the steeper mines in Lancashire are quite unsuited. It is the general opinion of the Inspectors of Mines that the substitution of mechanical for horse haulage can be parried much further with advantage; but it is not practicable everywhere.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recurrent upheavals in the mining industry, he will consider the question of bringing the whole of the coalfields under national control?

My hon. and learned Friend will understand that it is impossible for me at the moment to make any definite statement on this subject, but I am sure that he requires no assurance from me that his suggestion has my sympathy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the training course provided by his Department in forestry is limited to men not exceeding 25 years of age; whether he is aware that this practically bars all ex-service candidates; and whether he will issue instructions that such age limit is to be waived and preference given to ex-service applicants for such a course?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The age limit for students taking the two-year training course at the Forestry Commission's schools for forest apprentices is 25, but the regulations provide for the admission under special circumstances of apprentices over that age. Preference has always been given and is still given to ex-service men, and in the case of a suitable applicant service would be held to be a special circumstance justifying the setting aside of the age limit.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider reviewing the recent practice of discharging adult women of long service and with others dependent on them from the Civil Service in order to introduce juniors from outside the service?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the total number of juniors who have been recruited during the last two years for established writing assistant posts; whether many of these have replaced ex-service temporary civil servants and adult women dependent on their earnings or with dependants to support; and whether he will consider holding up any further recruitment of such juniors until the claims of the adult men and women to further opportunities of establishments have been considered by the Southborough Committee?

The number of writing assistants appointed from open competitions with normal age limits is as follows:

Competition of January, 1923	…	525
Competition of October, 1923	…	422

In accordance with standing instructions, temporary ex-service men are not discharged to make room for writing assistants. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, opportunities of establishment have been given to such men in accordance with the recommendations of the Lytton Committee, and the question what, if any, further action should be taken will be considered by the Southborough Committee. Pending the Report of that Committee, I am unable to make any announcement as to future open competitions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the case of Mr. J. Beddall, late No. 4389, company quarter-master sergeant, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment; is he aware that Mr. Beddall was wounded in the left thigh on the 16th November, 1916, was discharged in October, 1917, after being in various hospitals for over 11 months, and that ever since then his wounds have broken out afresh from time to time; that on the 12th January his wounds broke out again causing the insertion of a tube, but that treatment allowances have been refused on the ground that Mr. Beddall was fit for light work, although at the time of this refusal he still had the tube in his wound; and will he cause treatment allowances to be paid to Mr. Beddall for the full period that he was incapacitated?

I have looked into this case, and I am now advised that, for a time at least, the requirements of the treatment, itself were such as to warrant the grant of treatment allowances. I have accordingly issued instructions for the case to be carefully reviewed and any appropriate allowances paid.

asked the Minister of Pensions if, having regard to the loss, inconvenience, and unnecessary suffering caused to ex-service men through having to travel from all parts of West Cumberland to Newcastle-on-Tyne for medical examinations and medical boards, he will now consider the advisability of establishing even a temporary board at Carlisle, Workington, or Whitehaven, so as to enable these men to present themselves for examination and return to their own homes on the same day, as there are now many cases where these men have to borrow money to help to defray the cost of the return journey to Newcastle-on-Tyne owing to the inadequate allowance made to them under the existing regulations?

Medical boards are held at as many convenient centres as possible, but regard must be had to the numbers to be examined and the availability of medical staff. A board is held as required at Carlisle, which is employed for West Cumberland cases except where, for special reasons, it is necessary to summon the man to Newcastle-on-Tyne. The number of men to be examined would not warrant the expense of establishing a board at Whitehaven or Workington, which would also often necessitate summoning specialists from long distances. I may add that, except in the case of very short journeys, the man is provided with a return railway warrant before commencing his journey.

asked the Minister of Pensions the reason for the delay in the holding of the special medical board on the case of Mr. Frederick Stevens, late No. 65,729, Royal Engineers, of 12, Market Square, Horsham, Sussex; and if the Board can be held immediately, in view of the fact that Mr. Stevens is in poor circumstances?

I regret the delay which has occurred in this case. Arrangements were, however, made for the man to be medically examined at his home on the 23rd instant, and the case will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to acknowledge the priority claim of Stoke Newington in any scheme for the building of houses, considering that during the last five years only one block containing 18 tenements has been built in this borough?

No proposals have yet been submitted to my right hon. Friend for building in this metropolitan borough under the Housing Act of 1923, but any proposals which may be put forward will receive immediate consideration.

asked the Minister of Health the number of families now accommodated in Poor Law institutions in England and Wales, having been evicted from their homes under the provisions of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1923?

I regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not in the possession of the Ministry. The Minister has, however, no reason to suppose that the number of such families is substantial.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause an inquiry to be held into the conditions under which the workers on the canals and their families have to live, in order that steps may be taken to remedy such conditions?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The subject to which my hon. Friend refers was investigated by a Departmental Committee, which reported in 1921. Legislation would be required to carry out the recommendations of the Committee, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health cannot undertake to promote such legislation at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that by Section 4 of the Poor Law-Audit Act, 1848, any disallowance or surcharge can only be remitted by the Minister of Health if it appears that the subject matter thereof was incurred under such circumstances as to make it fair and equitable that the disallowance or surcharge should be remitted; and whether, in view of the terms of the Act, he will explain the reason which led him to remit surcharges made upon the Poplar Board of Guardians?

I am aware of the statutory provision referred to, but I have not yet remitted any surcharges which have been made in the case of this board of guardians.

asked the Minister of Health why the scale of relief, etc., adopted by the Poplar Board of Guardians contrary to the Minister of Health's Regulations, January, 1922, has been omitted from the Memorandum on the Rescission of the Poplar Order [Cmd. 2052], and a lower scale inserted, which was only adopted by the Poplar Board of Guardians in October last?

A scale of relief which has for some time ceased to be in force was not regarded as material in a White Paper dealing with the circumstances of the rescission of the Order.

asked the Minister of Health the number of departures from the Poplar Order which have been reported by the Poplar Board of Guardians to the Ministry of Health in each week since the issue of the Poplar Order of June, 1922; and whether these departures from the Order have been made as cases of emergency under Section 52 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834?

I am sending the hon. Member the information for which he asks. The reports are made under the proviso to Section 52 of the Poor Law-Amendment Act, 1834, which contemplates that such reports should be made where the guardians have, in particular instances of emergency, departed from the provisions of an Order made under that Section.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state for the years 1913–14 and 1922–23 the average cost per head of children in children's homes and children boarded out; the average cost per head of indoor relief in the case of the aged, the sick, the able-bodied, and the insane; and the average cost per head in asylums?

The average weekly cost per head in 1922–23 of children in separate establishments for children in England and Wales in respect of in-maintenance (i.e., for food, clothing, and necessaries, but excluding the cost of officers' salaries and rations, buildings and loan charges) was, in those institutions for which separate accounts were kept, 8s. 8¼d. The average weekly cost per head of children boarded out in the same year was 10s. 9d. I regret that similar figures are not available for the year 1913–14. The average cost per head of indoor relief in the case of the aged, the sick, the able-bodied, and the insane, cannot be given separately for either of the years in question, but the average weekly cost per head for all classes of persons receiving indoor relief was, in the year 1913–14, 13s. 2¾d., and in the year 1921–22, 31s. 0¾d. The average weekly cost per head for maintenance of patients in county and county borough mental hospitals in England and Wales was for the year 1913–14 10s. 9 1–8d. and for the year 1922–23 23s. 9¼d.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the urgent representations made by the City Council of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and other great municipalities, the Government proposes to introduce a Measure at an early date to repeal the Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, and to bring into force without delay the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915?

The question of milk legislation will receive my careful consideration, but I cannot hold out any hope that it will be possible to deal with the matter in the present Session.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the straitened circumstances of many hospitals; and whether he is prepared to introduce a comprehensive health system on a national basis in order to cope with the demand for treatment and remove the need for charitable support?

The position of the voluntary hospitals, though it is still difficult, has greatly improved since the Report of Lord Cave's Committee. The proposal contained in the second part of the question is one with which my right hon. Friend has some sympathy, but it raises far reaching issues, both medical and financial, and he is not at present prepared to give any undertaking as to it.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the danger to infant welfare from the unfit food that is imported as machine-skimmed milk, whether he will consider proposals to prohibit the import by imposing a minimum fat standard?

Under the Public Health (Condensed Milk) Regulations, 1923, condensed machine-skimmed milk is required to be labelled as "unfit for babies." I see no reason for prohibiting its importation, as I am advised that, though the removal of fat renders it unsuitable for feeding babies, it is not an unwholesome food and may properly be included in mixed dietaries?

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that spirochetosis ictero-hæmorragica has now been made a notifiable disease by Regulation of the Board, he will consider the advisability of having it included under the industrial diseases Clause of the Compensation Act?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I understand that this disease is not notifiable in England, but that as a result of a recent outbreak in East Lothian it has been made notifiable in Scotland by an Order of the Scottish Board of Health. Before a disease can be scheduled under the Workmen's Compensation Act, it must be shown to be due to the nature of some employment and to be so specific to that employment that its origin can be established in individual cases. On my present information the disease in question would not appear to come within this category, but I shall be prepared to consider the point further when I have obtained a fuller report.

asked the Prime Minister when he will be prepared to give information as to the policy of the Government in respect of the Imperial airship scheme?

A special Sub-Committee of the Cabinet has been appointed to examine and report on this question. His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the importance of reaching an early decision, but it must have time to do its work thoroughly, so that its conclusions may be sound.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Secretary of State for the Home Department has recently stated that it is certainly true that every party affiliated to the Labour and Socialist International definitely undertakes to accept the decisions of the International, on the ground that the International can only be a real force for peace and reconstruction if its decisions on all international questions are accepted by all affiliated nations; and whether he will inform the House how in these circumstances he and his colleagues who are still members of the International are entirely free from liability to observe the decisions of the International on international questions in the event of such decisions conflicting with the interests of Great Britain as compared with the interests of other foreign Powers?

I have not seen the speech referred to, but the hon. Member may take it that the statement I made in reply to himself and others on the 18th instant represents the substance of the position, and to it I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a telegram which has been published in Melbourne, said to be from a Government source, addressed to the Parliamentary Labour leaders in Australia; and whether he is prepared to make any statement with reference to it?

The telegram referred to in the question was not sent from any official source, and I have already caused a most emphatic denial of its authority and accuracy to be published in the Press. The thing has all the appearance of a hoax.

asked the Prime Minister to whom questions relating to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners should be addressed?

All questions relating to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners should be addressed to my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Mr. Middleton).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at the General Eelection held on 6th December, 1923, in the Parliamentary Division of Pontypridd, certain presiding officers supplied certain persons with ballot papers and permitted them to record votes illegally in the said Parliamentary Election, despite the fact that the names of the said persons were clearly shown on the register of voters for the said polling stations as being entitled to the local government vote but not to the Parliamentary vote; and will he take the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents?

The acting returning officer has been communicated with, and I am informed that three ballot papers were issued at two polling stations in the circumstances stated in the question. It is reported to me that the presiding officers at both stations were competent and experienced men, and special instructions on the point had been given to the officials, but that the work of marking the register is usually undertaken by the poll clerk and in one of the two cases the presiding officer was necessarily absent temporarily at the time. It appears also that each of the persons to whom the ballot papers were issued was entitled to a Parliamentary vote at another polling station, which votes were not recorded I am not aware of any similar incidents elsewhere, but I will consider whether any further measures are possible to guard against a recurrence of such cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if any decision has been taken by the Cabinet on the question of capital punishment; and, if not, whether the Government will grant facilities for the introduction of a Bill for the abolition of capital punishment?

As regards the first part of the Question the Government has come to no decision. As regards the second part, the decision as to the granting of facilities for Private Members' Bills must be guided largely by the general feeling of the House of Commons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the inequality of the treatment of widows of pre-1918 police pensioners; and will he take steps to place the widows of all police pensioners on the same footing, irrespective of the date of retirement?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As the hon. Baronet is no doubt aware, this matter has been discussed in Parliament on more than one occasion. I regret that I can hold out no expectation of any action being taken apart from any such general provision for widows as was foreshadowed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in this House last week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Home Secretary is prepared to introduce a reform into the present character of the courts dealing with offences by children whereby the hearing of such cases may he held elsewhere than in a police court, and so that the presence of uniformed officers may be dispensed with?

The Children Act, 1908, directs that a Court of Summary Jurisdiction when hearing charges against young persons under 16 (unless the young persons are charged jointly with adults) shall sit in a different building or room from that in which the ordinary sittings of the Court are held or on different days or at different times from those at which the ordinary sittings are held. In many places the Juvenile Courts are held in separate buildings, but I do not think it would be practicable or desirable to make such a requirement compulsory. In London under the special provisions of the Juvenile Courts (Metropolis) Act, 1920, most of the Juvenile Courts are held elsewhere than in the Police Court; but where a suitable building is not available the Juvenile Court is held in a separate room at the Police Court. A great advance has been made in recent years in the methods of dealing with juvenile offenders, and I believe that, generally speaking, magistrates endeavour to make the proceedings as little like those of a Police Court as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of George William Thomas Turner, a London General Omnibus driver, who was convicted on 29th December of being drunk whilst in charge of his vehicle and sentenced to one month's imprisonment in the second division, and who, on appealing against this decison on 8th February, was successful in such appeal, in spite of which he has to pay the costs of the proceedings and is not compensated for the period of over a month during which he was debarred from following his occupation; and will he give early consideration to the necessity for revising the law on this subject, in view of the circumstances quoted above and the high cost of such appeals, which is anything between £40 and £80?

My inquiries are not completed, and I would ask my hon. Friend to postpone his question for a week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to make illegal the hunting of tame or carted stags?

In present circumstances it would be impossible for the Government to find time to take this matter up, but I would be glad to see a private Member's Bill introduced with a view to getting an expression of the feeling of the House on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Home Department if, having regard to the serious consequences accruing to the workers through the administration of the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1923, and to the difficult drafting of some of the Sections of the said Act, he will at once appoint a small Committee to reconsider the whole question, with the view of restoring to the injured workpeople the same measures of protection as they had under the Act of 1906?

My hon. Friend does not indicate what he has particularly in mind, but I would point out that the Act of 1923 which, as he will remember, was most exhaustively considered in Committee of this House has been barely two months in operation, and it would seem obviously premature at present to initiate any inquiry into its administration and working. Perhaps he will communicate with me in regard to any difficulties which have come to his notice.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Home Department if he is aware of the fact that the decision given in the case of Hewitson v. the St. Helens Colliery Company, Limited, affects every class of worker exposed to similar accidents; and, having regard to the proportionately large number of miners concerned in this judgment, has he conferred with the miners' representatives and the Mines Department in regard to this urgent matter with the view of introducing immediate legislation, as suggested by Lord Shaw, and thereby restoring to the workers the benefits of the Act of 1906 of which they are now deprived?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second I am in communication with the Mines Department. The matter will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible, but as I pointed out in reply to my hon. Friend's previous question on the 14th instant, it will require to be carefully investigated and considered before any conclusion is reached.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a poster issued by an evening paper on 20th February containing the suggestion that the Grenadier Guards were being employed by the Government to handle goods at the docks in connection with the strike; and whether, in view of the growing tendency of certain newspapers to display posters which have more regard to circulation than to truth, he will consider as to obtaining powers to prosecute journals indulging in this provocative practice?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this poster. I am unable to suggest any remedy by way of legislation for the publication of false news.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if every war-time building erected in the public parks or open spaces has now been taken down: and, if not, where any remain?

The only war-time buildings remaining in the Royal Parks are the aircraft buildings in Regent's Park and the hospital in Richmond Park. Tenders are about to be invited for the demolition of the former, and arrangements are in progress whereby it is hoped the latter will be vacated in September, when steps will be taken to remove the buildings.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether there is any prospect of being gradually able to reinstate the flower beds in Hyde Park in view of the very great source of enjoyment these beds afforded to many people whose only chance it is of ever being able to see flowers; and whether he will give an opportunity to private firms or institutions to contribute to this end as was done last year?

The area in question is not suitable for flowers, which suffer seriously from petrol fumes from the traffic in the immediate neighbourhood. The 106,000 bulbs which were presented to the Park should, however, make an effective display in the spring.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the claim of J. M. Campbell, of Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, to be the inventor of what is known as the blister or bulge protector, as used on His Majesty's warships for protection against submarine attack; and will he take steps to have the claim investigated?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on the 28th March, 1923, which was to the effect that the bulges fitted to His Majesty's ships are the result of experiments carried out by the Admiralty prior to the war, and the design adopted does not embody Mr. Campbell's proposals. His claim has been thoroughly investigated by the Admiralty, and the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors, to whom Mr. Campbell applied, also considered it. The result was that Mr. Campbell failed to substantiate his claim.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it will be open for all shipbuilding yards to tender for the building of the new warships proposed to be built privately, or whether tenders are only being invited from selected firms?

Invitations to tender will be sent to all firms who, in the judgment of the Admiralty, are competent to fulfil the required conditions of the proposed contracts.

asked the Prime Minister whether any arrangements have been made for allocating to any particular districts the contracts for building any of the new light cruisers, tenders for which are to be invited from private yards; or whether the lowest tender will be accepted irrespective of the area in which unemployment is most serious?

The Admiralty will invite tenders in the ordinary way. If Parliamentary sanction is given to the programme by approval of the Navy Votes, the tenders received will be considered. The Admiralty do not bind themselves to accept the lowest tenders regardless of all other considerations, but will endeavour to make the best arrangement that the circumstances permit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of the Air Force personnel employed exclusively in Palestine, and if this personnel involves any addition to the total numbers figuring in the Air Force Estimates?

The latest figure for Royal Air Force personnel in Palestine is 646, all ranks. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour in what circumstances a special grant of 24s. per week to a war widow prejudices the payment of unemployment benefit?

The receipt of a grant of 24s. a week or any other amount by a war widow is not in itself a disqualification for unemployment benefit. It would, of course, be necessary for her to show that she satisfied all the statutory conditions, including the condition that she is available for work, and unable to obtain suitable employment, and in the case of uncovenanted benefit it would be necessary for her to show to the satisfaction of the Local Employment Committee that she is genuinely seeking whole-time employment and unable to obtain it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the removal of the distinction that workers appearing before a Court of Referees to substantiate their claim for unemployment benefit shall not be accompanied by a solicitor?

Under the Regulations a claimant may be represented before a Court of Referees by any person, not being counsel or a solicitor. If professional legal assistance were allowed it would probably become the ordinary practice to employ it, and serious expense would thus be thrown upon claimants who, being unemployed, are not ordinarily in a position to incur it. The cases heard before Courts of Referees are seldom such as to make professional assistance necessary. If a point of law of any importance arises there can always in practice be an appeal to the Umpire, before whom professional advocates may appear. On the whole, in the general interests of the claimants themselves, I think the existing rule is a good one.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the unemployment pay of George Parker and Albert George Mawbey (Sheffield unemployment register, Nos. 2,561 and 17,800, respectively) was stopped on the 30th November, 1923, pending certain inquiries; and whether he will give the matter his early consideration?

Payment of unemployment benefit has been suspended in the two cases referred to by the hon. Member as the question of instituting legal proceedings against the claimants under Section 22 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, has been under consideration. After careful investigation of all the circumstances, it has now been decided not to take proceedings, and the claims are being sent to the Chief Insurance Officer for adjudication. Any arrears of unemployment benefit due will be paid at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the amendment of Section 8 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, so that men shall not be refused benefit because they have been thrown out of employment by a trade dispute in which they are themselves in no way concerned; and whether, in view of the hardships occasioned under these circumstances to apprentices who have no trade union benefit to fall back upon, he will make special provision for them?

The desirability of amending Section 8 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, and the form which an amendment should take, have for some time been under consideration by a Committee, from whom my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to receive a Report. I have no doubt that the Committee will have in mind the question whether any special provision should be made in the case of apprentices.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that many firms, whose main work is Army, Navy, and Air Force contracts, especially in West London, are working systematic overtime at a time when thousands of skilled mechanics are unemployed; and will he consider the revision of the conditions of such contracts in time of peace?

If my hon. Friend has any specific case in mind, I should be glad if he would be good enough to communicate with the Minister concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Bank Line, Limited, whose debenture stock is guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act, 1921–22, was registered, where it trades, what are its assets, who are its directors, who guarantees against loss, and what collateral, if any, has been given to meet such guarantee; and will he undertake in all future issues under the Trade Facilities Acts to give such information in the prospectuses issued in respect thereof as is given in the prospectuses issued under the Companies Acts, in order that the public may see exactly the nature of the risk undertaken by His Majesty's Government?

The Bank Line, Limited, was registered on the 20th October, 1905. Its principal place of business is in the City of London. Its assets consist of a fleet of steamers trading mainly to New York and the East, and valued at cost at approximately £2,276,000. The functions of directors are vested in the company's managers, Messrs. Andrew Weir & Co. The loan secured by the debenture stock of the company is guaranteed jointly and severally by the partners of Andrew Weir & Co. The prospectus relating to the issue of the company's debenture stock guaranteed by the Treasury under the Trade Facilities Acts, 1921 and 1922, contains all the particulars required by the Companies Acts to be stated. In view of the investigations conducted on behalf of the Treasury into loans which are guaranteed under the above Acts it is not considered necessary to complicate prospectuses relating to such loans with detailed information with

—		Date.		Total Net Debt.	Rate per Head European Population.
Canada	…	31st March, 1923	…	$2,453,776,869	$268·28
Commonwealth of Australia*	…	30th June, 1923	…	£335,371,461	£58 19s. 2½d.
New Zealand	…	31st March, 1923	…	£207,024,048	£162 15s. 9d.
Union of South Africa	…	31st March, 1923	…	£187,041,320	£123 1s. 11d.
Newfoundland	…	30th June, 1923	…	$62,398,421	$238·48
* Exclusive of Public Debt of Australian States, and of loans raised by Commonwealth on behalf of States.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will inquire into the treatment accorded to the Bucks Local Pension Committee by the Board of Customs and Excise; is he aware that a letter dated the 17th May, 1923, concerning old age pensions and profits from allotments, which was written by the pension committee, and which was sent to the Board via the Ministry of Health, still remains un-answered by the Board of Customs and Excise; that in spite of further letters from the pension committee, dated the 28th July and the 24th November, which begged for a reply to the original letter of the 17th May, no reply has been received from the Board of Customs except one printed postcard dated the 30th July, 1923; and will he explain this treatment by the Board and see that letters are answered with reasonable despatch?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the national debts of Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and Newfoundland; and what it works out approximately per head of the population?

The following are the particulars desired:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will at an early date make an announcement as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the desirability to reduce the age at which the old age pension is payable and the removal of the handicaps upon thrift imposed by the present Regulations?

As has already been announced, the Government intend to introduce legislation to amend the Old Age Pensions Acts, and I must ask my hon. Friend to await its introduction. There will be no undue delay.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to supply to the Members of the House a full statement as to the amount of, and conditions under which, invalid and old age pensions are granted in the Dominions?

I am consulting the Secretary of State for the Colonies as to whether the information asked for is available or easily obtainable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain pensions officers take into account as means of applicants for old age pensions presumed profits from allotment ground occupied by them, while in the districts of other pension officers the occupation of an allotment by an applicant for an old age pension is not taken into account at all; whether he will take steps to ensure uniformity in the future; whether he has had communications from the Bucks Pensions Committee; whether these communications have been referred to the Customs and Excise Board; whether he is aware that no replies have been received to such communications; and whether he will take steps to ensure that communications from responsible bodies shall receive due attention in the future?

I am advised that the Old Age Pensions Acts require the value of any profit or benefit derived from the working of an allotment to be taken into account in calculating means for old age pension purposes, and under their existing instructions pension officers should include in the calculation of means any such profit or benefit which comes to their knowledge. I am making inquiry in regard to the last four parts of the question and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the filling factory at Slade Green was under the control of the Disposal Board, and whether, in consequence, it was exempted from the provisions of the Explosives Act of 1875; in what manner the Regulations laid down for the safe carrying on the work differed from those laid down in that Act or from the Regulations for the making of fireworks; whether his attention has been drawn to the wages paid in that establishment; and whether they are in accordance with the Fair Wages Clause to which Government contracts are subject?