asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the number of

As the answer is rather long, and involving a number of figures, I will circulate the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I may say that the number of officers in question is 31, of whom 21 are associated with the medical services of the Ministry. Of the other officials concerned, one regional director is terminating his engagement on the abolition of his region, and the progress of the re-arrangement which I have in contemplation will further reduce the list.

asked the Minister of Pensions what terms have been offered to the men under notice of discharge from the Pensions Ministry in Scotland; whether they have been offered alternative employment in London; whether, if so, this offer has been accompanied by any promise of continuity of employment; whether any grant has been promised towards the cost of removal to London; and what is the average present wage of the men in question?

The temporary clerks referred to have been given two months' notice of the termination of their appointment. No definite offer of alternative employment in London has been made, but to enable the question to be properly considered the men affected have been asked whether they are desirous of transfer of 20 of them have intimated a desire for transfer. Every effort will be made to meet their wishes, preference being given to efficient disabled men. Having regard to the fall in the volume of work in the Ministry, it is not possible to give any promise of continuity of employment. The average wage is approximately 60s. a week.

Does the hon. Gentleman expect these men to move to London on a wage of 60s. per week without the Department making any provision for the transfer?

We do not expect that, and every care will be exercised if a transfer takes place.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the question of making a transfer allowance?

No, Sir. I did not say that. I said that every care would be exercised.

That is not the same thing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider this question in view of the fact that it is obviously impossible for a man getting 60s. a week to transfer his wife and children to London?

I shall be very glad to go into this matter, and consider it sympathetically, if possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is arranging for all temporary messengers and minor grades of the Civil Service to be eligible for sick pay?

This question is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will take steps to provide an opportunity for re-examination of disabled men whose disablement was assessed as under 20 per cent., and on that basis granted final awards, and who are prepared to submit medical testimony that this disability continues or has become progressively worse?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Rugby on the 14th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give instruction that, when medical boards are held, all answers to questions which are entered upon the proceedings shall be read over to the officer or man concerned, and their correctness admitted before the proceedings are signed?

I understand that it is the general practice for medical boards to read over the note of the officer's or man's own statement of his condition, and to ask him if he wishes to add anything to it. I am arranging for the issue of an instruction to ensure that this procedure shall obtain in all cases.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the desirability of amending the law relating to the right of appeal against final awards in such a way as to allow such appeal to be brought at any time by a man who can produce medical evidence to show that the disability on account of which he had been given a final award had not ceased or had recurred?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Rugby on the 14th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give instructions that all medical officers of the Ministry who are on the list for visiting men who have made application for treatment shall have power to call upon men for whom they may have ordered treatment to visit them again at subsequent dates, without fresh application on the part of the patient, in order that the effect of the treatment may be ascertained and recorded?

I do not think my hon. Friend's suggestion could be adopted with advantage. Where treatment is being given, on the report of an examining medical officer, at a Ministry hospital or clinic, such treatment is continued for so long as the medical officer in charge may consider necessary without fresh application on the part of the man.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will authorise the payment of the travelling expenses of any relative, friend, or other person who, in the opinion of the local Pensions Committee, it is desirable should accompany a pensioner, laying his case before the Appeals Tribunal in order that poverty shall be no bar to an appellant's claim being adequately presented?

I have no authority to authorise payment of the expenses in question. I may, however, remind the hon. Member that, under Regulation 33 of the Lord Chancellor's Regulations governing the procedure of the Appeal Tribunals, a tribunal is allowed to grant travelling and subsistence allowance to the next-of-kin or other near relative of an appellant who is mentally incapable, and to any person accompanying an appellant who is certified in the prescribed manner to be unfit to travel alone.

In the case of a pensioner who is in hospital at some distance from his home, is any effort being made to transfer him to a hospital nearer to his home?

I fail to see that that is a supplementary question arising out of the original question, but if my hon. Friend will put it on the Paper, I will give him every possible information.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will issue to officials dealing with applications for pre-war dependants' pensions received from crofters and small landholders instructions that the income deemed to accrue from the occupancy of a croft or small holding shall in no case be greater in amount than the rent paid in respect of such croft or small holding, thus bringing the practice of his Department into conformity with the method of assessment to Income Tax applicable to occupiers of agricultural land?

I have no authority to accept this suggestion. The point arises in connection with the award of pension on the ground of pecuniary need when the actual income accruing from the property must necessarily be taken into account. My officers have instructions which should ensure a fair assessment in this type of case, but I shall, of course, be glad to look into the facts of any particular case the hon. Member may bring to my notice.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of blind pensioners pensioned by his Department; what is the average pension received by such pensioner; whether, if such pensioner is the inhabitant of a home or hospital for the blind, any deduction is made from the pension; and, if so, what amount?

There are 1,550 totally blinded officers and men, all of whom are receiving pension from my Department at the maximum rate. The amount paid in such case varies according to rank and family, an unmarried private receiving pension at the rate of 40s. a week. Allowances for wives and children of married men are additional. These pensioners are cared for by St. Dunstans (or in Scotland by Newington House) and when they are in either of these institutions they receive allowances at the maximum rate of pension without any deduction.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the men who were discharged from the headquarters of the Ministry from 1st July to 31st December, 1923, were temporary ex-service men; and will he agree to find vacancies for the temporary ex-service men still remaining on the basis of the Lytton Committee Report?

No efficient ex-service men were discharged from headquarters offices (including Pension Issue Office) during the period in question; in fact, during that time the male staff in the offices mentioned was increased by 197, whilst the female staff was reduced by 1,008. Every effort will be made to find openings for efficient men who become redundant on their present work, but it will not be possible to retain men for whom there is no work.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of local pension committees in the county of London; how many officials are employed at same, and the approximate annual cost for 1922; and whether any or all of such officials are ex-service men?

There is one war pensions committee for each of the 15 war pension areas in the county of London. The total area office staff (excluding clinic and medical staff) now numbers 497, of whom 397 are males, all ex-service men. The female staff, six of whom are ex-service women, is composed of clerks employed in widows' and dependants' sections, typists and cleaners. The cost of the committees for 1922 was £100,092. The cost for 1923 following on the reorganisation was substantially less.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the Government's intention to insist that at least 75 per cent. of the unskilled labour employed in schemes set up under the Trade Facilities Act shall be ex-service men; and whether this is in fact now being done?

It is impracticable to require the promoter of a loan seeking a guarantee under the Act to obtain from his contractors, before he is in a position to select them or to place an order with them, an undertaking that in executing the order they and their sub-contractors will employ a certain percentage of ex-service men. But the Advisory Committee in every case in which they recommend a guarantee ask the company proposing to raise the money to do everything in their power to secure that wherever practicable 75 per cent. of the men employed on the work to be carried out for them with the proceeds of the loan shall be ex-service men. The great majority of men concerned in Trade Facility Acts schemes are naturally not unskilled men, but skilled men.

Will that also apply to loans to the Dominions and for the Sudan?

That does not arise here.

If the hon. Member could ensure that it will be possible to apply such a regulation, we would consider it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether girls of 16 to 17 years of age are still being appointed as writing assistants for purely routine work in the Civil Service at a wage of about £2 6s. per week; and whether, seeing that work of this description could be carried out in many cases by disabled ex-service men, he will forthwith have this matter inquired into with a view to stopping the discharge of competent ex-service men who, in a considerable number of instances, are receiving notice to terminate positions which they have held to the satisfaction of their superior officers for periods ranging from three to five years?

The initial inclusive rates of pay of writing assistants in London appointed from open competition is not as stated in the question, but is as follows:

• 31s. 6d. at age 16,
• 35s. at 17, and
• 38s. 6d. at age 18 or over.

Will the hon. Gentleman take every possible step to see that the services of these men are utilised instead of bringing in new recruits to do work that these men are capable of carrying out, especially disabled ex-service men?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that that is the policy of the Government in the matter. But as regards the writing assistants, I would say that they are engaged on duty to which it would be quite impossible in many cases to put ex-service men.

Where ex-service men are capable of carrying out this routine work, will the hon. Gentleman give his sympathetic consideration to the matter?

Yes.

When will the Southborough Committee, which is inquiring into all these questions, be likely to report?

We have that under consideration, and I hope to be able to make a definite statement at a very early date.

Will the hon. Gentleman give a pledge that no further dismissals of ex-service men will take place until after the Southborough Committee have reported?

It would be very difficult to give a pledge of that kind, because the work of many Departments is either terminating or being largely reduced at the present time. We do everything in our power to give preference to disabled ex-service men. Beyond that I could not go.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider as to the introduction of legislation to prevent the intimidation and violence at present practised under cover of the Trades Disputes Act towards those desiring to work, by the introduction of undesirable elements outside the trade unions concerned in such circumstances as obtained during the railway strike?

It is the duty of the police under the existing law to prevent violence and intimidation, and I am not aware of any necessity for legislation.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there is an enormous amount of violence in some of these strikes, and will he take steps to strengthen the hands of the police in order that they may deal with those people who try to preclude others from obtaining the usual amount of work they desire?

Is it not a fact that the law in respect of the protection of both employers and employés is quite strong enough for the police to take effective action in these disputes?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the heavy losses caused during the last five years by industrial disputes, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation making strikes and lock-outs illegal until each dispute has been investigated by an industrial court?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 14th February to questions on this subject, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether he contemplates any legislation to deal with the abuse of peaceful picketing?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of any necessity for legislation.

Is there no need for legislation when the mail services of the country are interrupted?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether James Bernard Stolerman, Joseph Englestein, and Julius Brust, who were convicted of arson on 28th September, 1923, are foreigners; and, if so, whether they will be deported?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. They were all recommended for deportation at the end of the various terms of penal servitude to which they were sentenced.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will state what is the present attitude of the Government to naturalisation; whether he is aware that every obstacle is placed in the way of foreign nationals domiciled in this country getting certificates of naturalisation; and what period of time from the date of application is required before such certificate is granted to applicants long domiciled in this country and bearing good characters.

The attitude of the Government is favourable to the grant of naturalisation to such applicants as satisfy them that British nationality may properly be conferred on them. The answer to the second paragraph is in the negative, and the answer to the last depends on the circumstances of every application.

Are there any definite regulations as to what is a reasonable period—two, three, four or five years? At present there seems to be no system or length of time laid down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, if prima facie evidence of injustice to a police probationer be produced, there is any court to which he may appeal, or if there is any intention to set up such a court?

No, Sir. Probation implies that the services of the probationer may be dispensed with if he is not considered likely to make a good constable. This is a question which must rest on the judgment of his superior officers, and there can be no question of an appeal.

Are we to understand that, although evidence of gross injustice can be produced, there is no possibility of appeal against a superior officer?

Is not this a case in point in support of the arguments for an appeal tribunal?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that, under the Police Pensions Act of 1921, the widows of policemen with long service pensioned off before 1st September, 1918, get no pensions although the widows of policemen with short service pensioned off since that date are entitled to pensions; that this enactment was contrary to a decision of the Standing Committee and that any provision which may be made for widows with young children would not apply to these elderly widows; and will he take action to place the widows of all police pensioners on the same footing regardless of the date of retirement and thus remove an injustice.

The present law is the decision of Parliament, and I cannot hold out any hope of action on the lines suggested in the last part of the question.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to introduce amending legislation, in view of the fact that, during the life of the Coalition Government, it was the House of Lords that turned down the Measure which was passed by this House? As there have been some changes, if only slight, in the House of Lords, might it not have a better chance next time?

I will convey that to my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Members on this side of the House have always pressed for consideration of the claims of widows of police pensioners who left before the 1st September, 1918, and will he see whether something can be done in that matter?

Will they come under the Pre-War Pensions (Increase) Act?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the question of providing wind screens or sentry-boxes in very exposed and windswept beats for Metropolitan policemen?

I am afraid the suggestion could not be adopted without interfering with the efficient discharge of the constable's duties. It is essential that a constable should be in the open, where he can see and hear what is going on around him.

Could not a windscreen be made of glass?

That would prevent him from hearing.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Press that the Russian Soviet Government has expressed its unwillingness to apply for admission to the League of Nations, to which it refers as the imperialistic great Powers' weapon for oppressing small peoples; and whether, should this attitude be maintained by the Soviet representatives shortly to arrive in London, the negotiations between the Soviet Government and His Majesty's Government will continue?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government cannot, however, act on the principle that they can have dealings only with Governments represented on or favourable to the League of Nations.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to make any representations to the Russian Government?

I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the general lack of information with regard to the objects, extent, and cost of the British intervention in the civil war in Russia following the revolution, even taking into consideration the contents of Command Paper No. 772, of 1920, he will now reconsider the holding of an inquiry into the whole subject?

I see no object in such an inquiry as the hon. and gallant Member suggests, and I think it will be best to await the forthcoming negotiations with the Russian representatives.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the inquiries that took place in the Dardanelles operations and in the Mesopotamia scandals, and does he not think this is a very much greater thing than either of those two?

Yes, I am aware of that, but I can add nothing to this reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has information about propaganda against the British Empire in Afghanistan, India, Persia, and other countries carried on by the Soviet Government of Russia; and if he has received any assurance from the Russian Government that such hostile action shall now cease?

His Majesty's Government have ample information on the political conditions in the countries named; the answer to the second part of the question is contained in the recent exchange of notes with the Soviet Government which has been published.

Was any pledge given on behalf of the Soviet Government that their propaganda will cease?

The matter is to be discussed in conference.

Will it cease in the meantime?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now make any statement as to the personnel, both on the British and on the Russian side, of the Commission which is to be set up to consider outstanding problems connected with the recognition of the Soviet Republican Government?

The British delegation will consist of officials of the Foreign Office, Treasury, Board of Trade and Department of Overseas Trade, acting under the direction of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and that of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary. I have not yet been informed of the composition of the Soviet delegation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state when the terms of reference will be published and when the Commission will be put into effect?

I require notice of that question.

On this Commission will there be any representatives of the Federation of British Industries?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet considered how far they are going to continue the restrictions of their predecessors in refusing to allow local authorities to purchase any materials required for unemployment works from abroad when the home supplies are controlled by rings and combines, and the prices demanded are 10 per cent. and over higher than those ruling in the open market?

I have been asked to answer this question. My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member by the Leader of the House on the 19th February, but he hopes that it will be possible to announce the decision of the Government at an early date.

Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Prime Minister? The delay is causing considerable expense to local authorities. Could they expedite a decision?

The matter was only recently raised in the House of Commons. It has been under consideration since.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in considering this matter, that there is not much good using public money to relieve unemployment in this country if a great proportion of the money is to go abroad?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have had time to consider the immediate construction of the Lower Thames tunnel between Gravesend and Tilbury, and the construction of the new road from Kingston-on-Thames to Tilbury, linking up to the main roads to the north, midland, and eastern counties, as such works will increase transport facilities and find employment for a large number of men?

I have been asked to answer this question. Instructions have already been given to an eminent engineer for the preparation of plans and reports upon the suggested Gravesend-Tilbury Tunnel, for the consideration of my Department. Certain surveys and preliminary investigations have also been undertaken in connection with a north orbital road round London. Time is required for the study of these particulars before any decision can be reached.

Can my right hon. Friend give us the name of this eminent engineer?

Is the right hon. Gentleman in favour of the Channel tunnel being proceeded with?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce at an early date a Bill providing for a superannuation scheme for teachers in England and Wales; and, if so, if it is proposed that the Bill shall follow the main lines of the recommendation made in the Report of the Emmott Committee?

I can only reply to this question in the same sense as the answer given to a similar question on Tuesday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, namely, that the matter is still under consideration by the Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this matter is a pressing one, because the arrangement under which the superannuation allowance is at present being paid expires very shortly?

I am aware of the importance of the question, but there are a great many considerations.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that some education authorities are requiring supply teachers to pay Unemployment Insurance; and whether, if they make such contributions, they will be entitled to draw unemployment benefit?

I have been asked to reply. Supply teachers in public elementary schools must be insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts unless their employment is of sufficient duration to bring it within the category of "recognised service" for the purposes of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Acts, 1918 and 1922. The conditions for the receipt of benefit are the same for supply teachers as for other insured persons; and if a claim to benefit is made during a school holiday the question would arise whether the teacher is discharged, and, therefore, unemployed or is on vacation. In accordance with the ordinary procedure this question would be decided in any particular case by the Insurance Officer, Court of Referees and the Umpire.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider introducing a short Bill amending the Education Act, 1918, to enable the continuance of visits of school children to Shakespeare performances as part of the education syllabus?

There is no occasion for legislation. In the case of Rex v. Lyon it was held that the Code of Regulations for Public Elementary Schools did not authorise the hire of a theatre for the purpose of representing stage plays to children attending public elementary schools. Since then the Code has been altered so as to enable occasional visits to theatrical performances during school hours to be treated as attendances at a public elementary school.

Are we to understand that educational authorities can safely take children to such places without fear of surcharge?

Yes, Sir. The point is that they are not allowed to hire a theatre for that purpose, but they may take children as part of the school course.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the hardship that will be suffered by uncertificated teachers by the decision to discontinue the acting-teachers' certificate examination after this year; and whether it is the intention of his Department to reconsider such decision?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 14th February last to the hon. Members for Thornbury (Mr. Rendall) and Wednesbury (Mr. Short).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that scholars in central schools who reach the age of 16 before the completion of the educational year have to leave owing to the fact that the Government grant ceases on their attaining such age; and whether he is prepared to make arrangements for the grant to be continued until the educational year is complete, and thus allow these scholars the opportunity of receiving the benefit of the full year's work?

The action of the Board in this matter is governed by Section 26 of the Education Act, 1921, under which special circumstances have to be shown to justify the retention of scholars in public elementary schools beyond the end of the term in which they reach the age of 16. If the Board do approve an extension of the age, grant is payable in respect of the scholars concerned.