asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the number of German political prisoners undergoing sentence at the instance of the Allied Powers in German occupied territories; and whether, in view of the cessation of organised passive resistance, any general measure of amnesty will be considered?

No prisoners are undergoing sentence for political offences in German occupied territories at the instance of the British Authorities. As regards political prisoners undergoing sentence at the instance of other Allied Powers, His Majesty's Government are not in a position to give either information or any undertaking relative to the grant of an amnesty.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries and find out how many prisoners are imprisoned for political offences, and whether some settlement cannot be arrived at in the case of those who are of good will?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in individual cases the Allied Authorities have already granted an amnesty, and that it is not unreasonable to hope that a general amnesty will be granted?

I will inform my right hon Friend of the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the proposal of the Turkish Government to abolish the Caliphate; and whether there is anything in the Treaty of Lausanne which implies recognition of the existing Turkish Caliphate by Powers other than Turkey?

Accounts in the Press confirm the information already in the possession of His Majesty's Government, but there has been no time for a detailed report to be received on the very rapid sequence of events that have culminated in the abolition of the Caliphate and the expulsion from Turkey of the Caliph in pursuance of a legislative enactment by the Turkish Assembly at Angora. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Where is the Caliph of Islam going to, now that he has been turned out of Turkey?

We have had no information on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information with regard to a political Treaty between Germany and Turkey; and whether he will see that Article 56 of the Treaty of Lausanne is strictly adhered to?

According to a report from His Majesty's representative at Constantinople negotiations are proceeding between the Turkish and German Governments for the conclusion of a treaty which is to serve as a basis for the re-establishment of normal relations between the two Powers. There is no reason to believe that this treaty will conflict with the provisions of any of the Articles of the Treaty of Lausanne.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state what arrangements have been made by the German Government with German industrialists for the reimbursement of the cost of deliveries in kind made to the French and Belgian Governments?

As the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the complaints of the Hungarian Government as to the failure of the Allies to enforce respect for the minority clauses in the Peace Treaty, and the practical expropriation of Hungarian property in the succession States; and whether anything can be done in the matter?

As a result of a petition lodged by the Hungarian Government with the League of Nations, not under the minority clauses of the Peace Treaties, but under Article 11 of the Covenant, representatives of the Hungarian and Roumanian Governments met together at Brussels on the 24th May last to consider the question of the expropriations to which presumably the hon. Member now refers. The reporter appointed by the Council of the League to preside at this meeting drew up a draft resolution providing for the settlement of the question, which received the formal approval of both the Hungarian and Roumanian representatives at the Brussels meeting, and was adopted by the Council of the League at a meeting on the 5th July, 1923.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to Article 112 of the Treaty of Sevres in reference to the loans of the Imperial Ottoman Government Four per cent. 1891 (Egyptian Tribute), and the Imperial Ottoman Government Three and a half per cent. Conversion 1894 (Egyptian Tribute), and the variation of that clause in the Treaty of Lausanne, Article 18, and also to the letter of the Foreign Office, under date 22nd March, 1922, written at the time when the British Protectorate over Egypt terminated, in which letter it was expressly stated that this change in the status of Egypt will not affect the security of bondholders of this loan, which will be protected under the terms of the Treaty with Turkey; and whether he can state what protection will be given to the bondholders of these loans under the terms of the Treaty with Turkey?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Treaty of Lausanne does not alter the existing arrangements whereby the service of the loans is met. In consequence of the continuance of these arrangements, the service of these loans continues to be paid in full whereas no payment is at present being made in respect of the service of any other pre-War Ottoman public debt.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the names of the 10 cruisers over 15 years old now in commission; and what duties are they employed upon?

As the reply is somewhat lon, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether he can give the length of life of a light cruiser for combatant purposes; how many of the 48 cruisers of the British Empire, including Dominions, will become obsolete in each of the next 15 years; and what programme of replacement will be necessary to avoid an actual drop in our cruiser strength in any one of those years;

(2) whether he can state the length of life of a destroyer; how many of the 201 destroyers now on the effective list will become obsolete in each of the next 15 years; and what programme of replacement does he consider necessary to prevent a reduction in our destroyer strength in any one of those years?

I will answer these questions together. For combatant purposes the life of a light cruiser is 15 years and for a destroyer 12 years. Experience has shown that in estimating the life of a light cruiser or destroyer one year's war service must be taken as equal to two years' peace service. As this House has already been informed, the Government have appointed a Cabinet Committee to consider the requirements of the Navy as regards the replacement of units of the Fleet. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the numbers of cruisers and destroyers now on the effective list which will become over age in each of the next 15 years.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been made with regard to the proposed naval base at Singapore?

No, Sir. The matter is at present under consideration.

If I put down a question for this day week, will the hon. Gentleman give me an answer then in view of the feeling in the country?

Will the Government bear in mind, when this subject is being considered, that the Prime Minister himself described this project as the "wild and wanton escapade of Singapore?"

Will the Government also bear in mind that the Prime Minister has since learned better?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any appointment has yet been made to the office of Director of Naval Construction; how long this appointment has been vacant; and what is the reason for the delay?

No appointment has yet been made to the post of Director of Naval Construction, which has been vacant since the let January, 1924. As stated in my reply of the 27th February, an announcement on the subject will be made as soon as possible.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question—what is the reason for the delay in view of the shipbuilding programme of the Navy?

The reason for the delay is the subject of consideration.

If I put down a question for this day week, will the hon. Gentleman be able to answer it then?

That depends on the circumsances which arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a British fleet has yet been manœuvred by directions from air-craft, as has been done elsewhere?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in the event of it being decided to hand over the Air Forces and their personnel associated with the Fleet to the Navy, it will be considered whether economies in personnel and material could be effected through the use of existing naval resources?

The question is hypothetical. His Majesty's Government have no intention of re-opening a question which has already been decided after the most exhaustive inquiries by the preceding Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been come to as to the movements of the Atlantic Fleet during this year; and can he now make any statement as to providing a review of the Fleet during the summer or autumn months on the Thames, in view of the great number of Dominion and Colonial visitors in London for the British Empire Exhibition?

The question of holding a naval review is now under consideration with a view to it taking place towards the end of July at Spithead, which is a more suitable and convenient anchorage than the Thames. Arrangements will also be made, if possible, to bring some of the smaller vessels up the Thames.

Has the hon. Gentleman any idea of how much this review will cost?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many ships were engaged in the operation of searching for and destroying the "Emden" and "Karlsruhe," respectively, during the late War?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, with the Noble Lord's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will appoint a small Committee of the Board, or a Select Committee, to inquire into the question of the pensions of retired naval officers who served during the War?

This matter has already been fully considered, and the Admiralty are not prepared to appoint such a Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the doubt now prevalent amongst naval officers and ratings as to the intentions of the Board of Admiralty in the revised wording of Article 218 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty instructions contained in King's Regulation 16 of June, 1922, and King's Regulation 6 of December, 1922, he will issue a plain worded statement for the information of all concerned?

I am not aware that there is any doubt as to the meaning of the Article referred to.

Has the hon. Gentleman read the Regulation?

I can tell the hon. Member that I got it out specially to read it when he put this question to me.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that naval ratings who are discharged to the shore at the expiration of a term of imprisonment are not provided with a civilian suit, although, generally speaking, these men have little, if any, money to receive on discharge; and whether, in view of the special pattern of a class 2 naval rig and the possibility of disgrace being brought upon His Majesty's uniform, he will consider the provision of a suit of plain clothes for discharged naval prisoners?

Men discharged for misconduct leave the Service with their kits minus the strictly uniform articles, namely, blue Jean collar, cap ribbon and badges, which are withdrawn; and the same practice has been followed in the case of men sentenced to imprisonment before discharge. It has not been considered necessary to treat the latter men specially and supply them with a suit of civilian clothes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the large number of Royal Naval Reserve men from the Western Isles and the Highlands generally who travel to the South of England to undergo their annual training and in view of the extra expenditure involved in travelling, he will consider the advisability of stationing a training ship at Stornoway?

The training of the Royal Naval Reserve is biennial, not annual, as stated. The nature of the training varies according to the different ratings held by the Royal Naval Reserve men, and it would be impracticable to centralise it in one ship. By sending the men to the naval ports it is possible to arrange for their training in the ships or instructional establishments appropriate to the training required at very small expense, as the same skilled instructional staff and technical training appliances provided for training the active service regular personnel are available for the Royal Naval Reserve. It is estimated that the cost of maintaining a special training ship at Stornoway would far exceed the present expenditure on travelling expenses.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can give comparative figures of the cruiser position in 1929, including in the-figures no ship over 15 years of age, but including all ships built, building, or projected in Great Britain, the United States of America, Japan, France, and Italy?

It has been proved by experience that in the case of light cruisers one year's war service should count as two years' peace service. On this basis in 1929 the British Empire will have 28 light cruisers under 15 years old built and none projected; the United States of America, 10 built and eight projected; Japan, 19 built and six projected; France, four built and six projected, and Italy, one built and three projected.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what is the present effective battleship strength in tonnage of Great Britain, France, Italy, the United States of America, and Japan; and, if the present naval programmes of these countries are adhered to, what will be the approximate figures by the end of 1925?

As the reply is in tabular form, I will, with the hon.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the scheme for dealing with unemployment put forward by the British Legion; and whether he will consider accepting the recommendations of the British Legion and their inclusion in the Government scheme for dealing with unemployment?

I have met representatives of the National Executive Council of the British Legion and discussed their proposals for dealing with unemployment. I explained the lines upon which the Government are dealing with this problem, and assured them that every proposal which appeared to have a practicable chance of improving the position was being considered.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make arrangements for dock workers in East Ham, who have to sign on at the Employment Exchange at the docks twice a day, to give their second declaration at the Exchange nearest to where they live and thus enable them to avoid unnecessary journeys to the docks when there is no employment?

I am having special inquiry made regarding this matter and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the Committee to inquire into the methods, whereby the disqualification of unemployment insurance benefit to the innocent victims of a trade dispute might be removed was appointed as long ago as June, 1922, he will now state how much longer it is proposed to wait for its Report before the Government takes action itself to relieve this disability?

I have just received a Report from this Committee to the effect that they are unable to reach agreement on the question referred to them. While I regret this conclusion, I should like to say that I appreciate the difficulty of the problem with which the Committee had to deal and am satisfied that they made earnest, though unsuccessful, efforts to reach an agreed solution. It will now be my duty to consider whether any amendment of the existing law on this point should be proposed in the Unemployment Insurance Bill which I hope shortly to introduce. I have the matter at the present moment under examination.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his statement that the Government faces the unemployment problem with the idea of putting the men back into their own work, he proposes to carry out this principle in all shipbuilding centres to which any part of the so-called cruiser programme may not be allotted; and, if so, whether he can state how the Government proposes to provide work suitable to such unemployed skilled men?

The aim of the Government is to stimulate in every practicable way the revival of trade, which will create a demand for new tonnage. That was the statement I made.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state, as on the last convenient date, the number of girls and boys between the ages of 14 and 16 and the number of persons between 16 and 18 who are unemployed?

On 25th February there were 35,500 boys and 34,700 girls, between the ages of 14 and 18, registered at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. I cannot give separate particulars for those between 14 and 16 and those between 16 and 18, and I would add that as those between 14 and 16 are not insured, a considerable but unknown proportion of the total number unemployed are not registered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if this state of affairs exists in any protected country in the world, or is it peculiar to this country?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the Government are doing to give any kind of instruction to this vast number of unemployed boys and girls?

That does not arise on this question.

asked the Minister of Labour if fresh Regulations have been issued under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1923, governing the payment of uncovenanted benefit to single men; and, if so, what steps should be taken by those concerned to bring themselves within the scope of these Regulations?

Revised instructions as to the grant of uncovenanted benefit to young single men were issued on the 14th February and took effect at once. Persons affected should renew their claims at their local Employment Exchange.

Have any steps been taken to acquaint these people with the change in the Regulations?

There was, I think, a very full description in the Press of the country as to what had taken place. I do not know that any extra-special steps have been taken to give information in individual cases, but I do not know of any case of hardship arising through lack of information.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the effect of these instructions is to withdraw from the employment committees the right of selection?

No. The effect of these instructions is not to withdraw from the employment committees any rights at all, except the right to say that certain people were not entitled to benefit, to which the Government hold those people were entitled. All other considerations that were remitted to the employment committees are still remitted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether a copy of these instructions is available for Members?

I will agree to send a copy of the instructions, or a copy of the decision, to Members of the House who desire it.

asked the Minister of Labour how many aliens received unemployment pay during the year 1923?

The statistics asked for are not available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get these statistics and present them to the House so that the country may know?

I will consider the matter, but may I point out that that will cost money?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that if it does cost money the advantage would be gained to this country of finding out how many of these aliens we are keeping out of our own taxes in this country?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether at the same time he will consider the number of aliens who are drawing dividends in this country?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us a guarantee that he will find out the information desired, in view of the wide interest which will be taken in his answer?

I will give no guarantee that I will spend large sums of money in providing information if I do not think that information will be valuable.

Are you to be the only judge of whether the information is valuable? [Interruption.] [An HON. MEMBER: "What a democratic Government!"]

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed by the Ministry to enlist the services of the chairman, vice-chairman, and other representatives of the recent joint conference on necessitous areas in framing the statement, relative to those areas, which is to be submitted to the Government; and whether that statement is to be considered by the Government without delay?

The statement has already been submitted to the Government, and is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, with regard to his decision to remove the present area training officer and to close down the sub-office of the Ministry of Labour at Burns Road, Aberdeen, he will reconsider the matter in view of the serious hardship such action will have on the number of ex-service men in training and awaiting training throughout the whole of the North of Scotland, which is included in this area?

The men in training or awaiting training in the North of Scotland are now few and scattered, and a separate office at Aberdeen is no longer needed. A travelling officer will be continued, as at present. The new arrangement will involve no loss of efficiency or hardship to the men and will be more economical.

Would this mean more expense to the men?

No. So far as I know the men will be involved in neither loss of efficiency, nor will they suffer hardship or extra expense.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the state of unemployment, he will undertake to continue for the present the training of all disabled ex-service men in Government factories until situations or improverships can be found for them?

Trainees whose course includes an improvership with maintenance are at present being retained in training centres until the end of March, or the end of all periods of training with maintenance, whichever date is the earlier. The arrangements to be made after 31st March will be announced shortly. What the men require after finishing their course in a training centre is not a further course but openings in employers' workshops. For this and for other reasons it is difficult to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that during the past three years the Government have not only not given preference to disabled ex-service men but have refused to employ them at all unless they were employed before 1921; whether this is the policy of the present Government; and whether consideration will be given to the advisability of making maintenance grants to unemployed disabled men who are registered at the Appointments Department, Clement's Inn, until employment is found for them?

I think that my hon. Friend has been misinformed. That a considerable degree of preference has been accorded to disabled men is evident from the figures given in the periodical White Paper, which show that on the 1st January last nearly 15 per cent. of the total staffs of Government Departments, including the permanent and the female staffs, consisted of disabled ex-service men. As regards the relative desirability, other things being equal, of offering reemployment to the ex-service men who are already employed temporarily in Government Departments, and whose previous work has come to an end, or engaging fresh ex-service men who may be disabled, I see no reason, as at present advised, to depart from the recommendation in paragraph 18 of the First Interim Report of the Lytton Committee. I regret to be unable to adopt the suggestion in the last part of my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now see his way to receive a joint deputation representing the trainees and instructors of the Government instructional factory, Twickenham, in connection with the petition already forwarded?

A deputation representing the trainees at Twickenham was received by the Controller of the Training Department on the 27th February, and the points at issue were discussed. I do not think any further deputation is necessary. But if my hon. Friend has any information which he wishes to put before me, I shall be glad to receive it and, if necessary, to discuss the matter with him.

asked the Minister of Labour what Regulations he has issued, or intends to issue, to govern unemployment relief works which will effectually employ a minimum of 75 per cent. of ex-service unskilled labour?

The conditions relating to the employment of ex-service men and otherwise are set out in detail in the form of application for a grant, and steps are taken by the auditor to satisfy himself that these conditions have been fulfilled before a grant is paid.

Will the Minister give a definite undertaking that where there are sufficient ex-service men unemployed, this principle of 75 per cent. of ex-service men will be adhered to in every case?

Why did you not do it?

I know of no case, where the circumstances are such as have been stated, where the Regulation has been departed from.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, give a definite undertaking that in future that principle will be adhered to?

There is no change of policy in the matter. Where the men are normally available, the Regulation holds good.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not answer a definite question?

asked the Minister of Health the number of cottages which have been built in purely rural districts since 1922; and whether he has any information as to the number of farm workers who occupy the said houses?

I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available. It could only be ascertained by a special return obtained from a large number of local authorities. The total number of houses completed in the areas of rural district councils since 1922 under Government-assisted schemes is 3,297. During the half-year to September, 1923, there were 9,427 houses of less than £26 rateable value erected by private enterprise in these areas.

Is it the intention of the Government to take special steps to minimise the hardship of the tied cottage system in rural districts?

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to ask for the return suggested in this question?