asked the Minister of Pensions if he will take steps to have the Royal Warrants so amended that local pensions committees may, if they think fit, authorise the payment of the travelling expenses of any relative, friend, or other person who, in their opinion, should accompany a pensioner laying his case before the appeals tribunal, in order that his claim may be adequately presented?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Government have yet come to a definite decision with reference to the representation of an appellant or the provision of expert assistance before the final appeal tribunal?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Loughborough (Brigadier-General Spears), last week, I am in consultation with the Lord Chancellor on these matters.

Is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman, apart from the Lord Chancellor, to obtain powers whereby assistance can be given to pensioners appealing to the local pensions committee?

I think it would be better to let the consultation conclude before I make any efforts in that direction.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this matter will be pressed, and will not be unduly delayed by the conference which he is having with the Lord Chancellor?

Certainly, I will give that assurance.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is prepared to allow the reopening of cases where the right of appeal to the House of Lords Pensions Appeal Tribunal has expired through lapse of time?

The right of appeal is limited by Statute to the period of one year. I have, therefore, no authority to adopt this suggestion.

Where there has been a change of circumstances and new facts have arisen, and where a prima facie case arises, will the right hon. Gentleman consider it?

If the hon. Member can give me the facts of such cases, they certainly will be considered.

asked the Minister of Pensions to what cause is due the reduction announced by him to have taken place under the present Government in the proportion of ex-service men to non ex-service men employed in the more highly salaried posts in his Ministry?

The position is that suggested by the hon. and gallant Member in his supplementary question of the 6th instant. Neither I myself nor my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary is an ex-service man.

May I ask the Home Secretary, as representing the Leader of the House, whether he is aware that thousands of ex-service pensioners throughout this country bitterly resent the appointment of a man with the record of the Parliamentary Secretary to administer their pensions?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that of the 25 promotions made to substantive rank and 19 to acting rank only one in the former class and seven in the latter class wore ex-service men; will he see that ex-service men are accorded special preference; and why nearly all the higher posts in this Ministry are held by non-service personnel?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, merit is the chief factor governing promotions, but, where the conditions were equal, preference would be given to the ex-service man. The majority of the higher-established posts in the Ministry are held by civil servants with long service who were above military age or were compulsorily retained in the interests of public administration, whereas the men released for military service were, as a rule, younger and had shorter Civil Service experience.

May we take it that, in the event of vacancies occurring in the higher posts, other things being equal, preference will be given to ex-service men?

That is what I have stated.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the removal expenses of permanent civil servants are borne by the State, he can secure the same advantages to all ex-service men in his Department now under notice of dismissal if alternative employment be found for them?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 26th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle West (Captain Ramage).

asked the Minister of Pensions what alternative employment, if any, has been offered to the 193 ex-service men who are under notice of discharge expiring, for the greater part, at the end of this month?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the hardship now being inflicted on many disabled men by discharging them from his Department; whether he can give an assurance that efficient clerks who are disabled men will be retained in preference to women; and, if so, will he cancel notices now pending?

The question of offering alternative employment to the ex-service men now under notice, and in particular to those of them who are disabled, is still under consideration. Apart from the question of a change in working hours which, if adopted, will relieve the situation for the time being, I hope to arrive at a solution of this problem which will commend itself to all sections of the staff affected. At my request representatives of the staff associations concerned are now discussing the possibility of reconciling their conflicting claims.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman now promise that these ex-service men, if proved efficient, shall be retained in the service? The uncertainty is an absolute nightmare to them.

I should prefer not to say anything further, in view of the consultations which are taking place with the organisations concerned.

Is it the policy of the Ministry of Pensions to reduce the proportion of ex-service men employed in the Ministry, particularly in the higher grades?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to grant full civil rights to civil servants on the lines of the Admiralty concessions to the men of the lower deck?

The Government have decided to appoint a special committee to inquire into the question. I hope to be able to make an announcement at an early date as to the composition. The terms of reference will be as follows:

"To inquire into the existing regulations governing the candidature for Parliament and for municipal bodies of persons in the service of the Crown, and to report whether any, and, if so, what changes should be made in those regulations."

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether there is any subject important or otherwise which has not yet been referred by the Labour Government to a Special Committee?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the abolition of the special branch of the Criminal Investigation Department as a separate organisation, and transfer the staff to the central branch?

The division of the detective department of the Metropolitan Police into two branches is an arrangement of many years' standing, and I know of no recent occurrence pointing to any need for reviewing it. Both branches are now responsible to the same Assistant Commissioner.

asked the Home Secretary what staff of the Metropolitan Police is employed at headquarters in dealing with the licensing of motor omnibuses and cabs for the London area; and can he give the approximate annual cost of the men employed on this special work?

The total number of officers employed in connection with the licensing of public carriages is 111, and the aggregate cost of their pay and pensions is approximately £51,000. These figures, however, cover the whole of the work in connection with the licensing of public carriages of all kinds (including tramcars), their inspection and supervision, and the licensing of drivers and conductors: and separate figures are not available with regard to the licensing of motor cabs and omnibuses in particular. I should add that a large proportion of the cost is met by fees, etc., received.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the staff employed on this particular work is specially earmarked, or whether it is a staff independent from the rest of the police?

I am afraid I cannot answer the question without notice.

Is it not a fact that members of the Public Carriage Branch of the Metropolitan Police are selected from the ordinary or uniform branch because of their special qualifications for the work?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can see his way to issue instructions to all chiefs of police that applications for change of duties submitted by police officers for the purpose of attending divine service should be sympathetically considered and, if the exigencies of the service permit, the necessary facilities be granted?

There is no record at the Home Office of any complaint of lack of consideration on the point, but if my hon. Friend knows of any cases where there is ground for complaint, and will give me particulars, I will have them looked into.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take my word for it that there are complaints, but, obviously, it is not in the interests of the individuals concerned that I should give particulars?

asked the Home Secretary which cities or police force have adopted white overall coats for officers employed on point duty?

I will obtain the information and forward it to the Noble Lord.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to an order issued by the Chief Commissioner of the City of London Police which requires married constables and officers to live within a three-mile radius of the City; whether he is aware that with the present housing shortage in London such an order is difficult to carry out, and has caused much dissatisfaction in the City Police; and can he cause this order to be withdrawn or modified?

I have made inquiry and am informed that members of the City of London force are expected to live within three miles of the City if this is reasonably possible; but this rule is by no means rigidly enforced, and, in view of the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers, a large number of men have been given permission to reside, for the time being, at distances up to six miles from the City.

If I bring to the right hon. Gentleman's notice a number of cases in which this rule is being rigidly enforced, will he inquire into them?

Certainly.

asked the Home Secretary whether, when he gave instructions for the Circular dated the 9th February to the Clerks to the Justices, he was aware of the practice of Justices sitting by rota; whether he is aware that such a practice is most satisfactory, as giving individual Justices more interest in their work; and whether his letter was intended to condemn such practice?

The Circular referred to dealt with the question of the appointment of a Chairman in Petty Sessional areas only and was not intended to discourage any suitable arrangement, with which it was in no way incompatible, for the attendance of Justices by rota.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that where a workman agrees to go before a medical referee in terms of Section 10, paragraph (1), of the principal Act (1906) he, the workman, is now being charged one-half of the referee's fee (21s.), exclusive of the sheriff clerk dues, this being contrary to the above Section, which provides that charges be met by Parliament; and will he take steps to stop such charges and have such payments refunded to the workman?

I understand the hon. Member to refer to cases referred to a medical referee under paragraph (15) of the First Schedule to the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906. If so, the matter is governed by Section 25 of the amending Act of 1923, which provides that, notwithstanding anything in Section 10 of the Act of 1906, the fees for the services of the medical referee in such cases shall in future be borne by the applicant or applicants for the reference. I have no power under the Act to suspend or modify this provision.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there are in Wormwood Scrubs Prison over 15 inmates, in Wandsworth Prison over 30 inmates, and in Pentonville Prison over 20 inmates, all confined in observation cells, but in charge of the ordinary disciplinary officer; that at night that officer has duty which requires him to parade many miles through corridors and landings; and that, in the case of Pentonville Prison, that distance is approximately 20 miles to cover during one watch; and whether in future it will be arranged to collect these inmates of observation cells and have them confined in charge of a medical prison orderly instead of in charge of a disciplinary officer?

I gave the hon. Member a full reply as regards Pentonville last Thursday, when I explained why it is not practicable at present to take the step suggested in the last part of the question. There are at Wormwood Scrubs 16 prisoners and at Wandsworth 17 prisoners in observation cells in charge of discipline officers. According to my information, the length of patrol at night in these prisons is very much less than 20 miles—possibly less than five miles.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman collect these observation cases in one prison and have them under the charge of one medical orderly? There are more than 50 cases of the kind.

I will take that suggestion into consideration.

Will my right hon. Friend seek the advice of those who are engaged on the duty in order that he may arrive at an adequate expression of opinion by those engaged in the work?

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of aliens granted permits to land in this country for the purpose of residence during February, 1923, and February, 1924, respectively?

I must ask the hon. Member to wait for the issue, in due course, of the complete Return of alien passengers for the current quarter. He will then be able to compare the figures with those for the corresponding months of the year 1923, already published.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the observations of the Deputy-Chairman of the London Sessions in sentencing an alien named Weinart; and whether he is taking every possible step to enforce the provisions of the Aliens Act?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I do not read the learned magistrate's remarks as implying any reflection upon the administration of the Aliens Act, which will continue to be carried out on lines that I have already explained to the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking every possible step to enforce the provisions of the Act?

I have already said so.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to initiate legislation based upon the Report of the Royal Commission on Fire Brigades and Fire Protection?

This Report covers a very wide range. The recommendations dealing with fire precautions in factories and workshops I hope in the main to incorporate in the Bill which is now under consideration, and the Report, I have no doubt, will afford a useful basis for legislation on other topics, as opportunity offers. As regards the recommendations made by the Commission on the subject of fire brigade organisation, I am afraid I cannot say when legislation may be possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large tracts of England are entirely unprovided for, and does he propose to make no provision as recommended by the Committee?

I cannot add anything to what I have said in the last part of the question.

asked the Homo Secretary whether any representations have been made to him as to the cost of printing two registers of electors per annum instead of one, as formerly; and whether he contemplates changing this practice?

Representations on the subject have been received from a few local authorities. There is, however, ample evidence that the return to a single register would meet with strong opposition, and I do not propose to re-open the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the system under which alleged lunatics are apprehended and interned in asylums was not in question in the case of Harnett v. Bond and will not be affected by any judgment which the Court of Appeal may pronounce upon the facts of that particular case, he will proceed at once with the appointment of a committee to examine the system without waiting until the appeal can be heard?

The suggestion is under consideration, and my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make an announcement very shortly.

Is it a fact that the Government have already determined to appoint a Royal Commission on this very important subject, and, if so, can he give the names of those who have consented to serve?

The Government have promised an inquiry, but have not said in what particular form. The terms of reference are now under consideration.

How soon shall we know what form the inquiry is to take?

Very shortly, as I said in my answer.

asked the Home Secretary whether the three men about whom Scotland Yard recently issued a warning, and who escaped from a prison in the United States and are now in this country, were furnished with passports made out in the names now published in the Press; whether visas to enter this country were given by one of His Majesty's Consular officers in the United States; and what was the date on which Scotland Yard received the information from the United States authorities that these men were dangerous criminals?

The statement published in the Press about a week ago that these men are known to have reached this country is without foundation. The second part of the question accordingly does not arise. The notice circulated by the New York police as to the escape of the men from prison reached Scotland Yard on 12th February. It was shown to certain Press representatives who called to inquire, but no warning was issued by the police.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the 1918 inquiry by a Whitley Council which resolved that night work be abolished in the bread and flour bakeries between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., with the exception of dough-makers and oven firemen and their assistants, subject to the discussion of the question of Sundays, holidays and break-downs, and the 1919 Departmental Committee appointed by the Minister of Labour, which reported in favour of prohibiting night work, he will be prepared to introduce a Government Bill that will give eflect to these recommendations, thereby abolishing night work in the baking trade?

A proposal for an International Convention to prohibit night baking is on the Agenda of the International Labour Conference which will meet at Geneva in June next, and the question of introducing a Bill will be considered by the Government after that Conference.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to lay the Report of the proceedings of the Conference regarding the dates of summer time recently held with representatives of France, Belgium and Holland?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the British representative at the Paris Conference upon summer time was in a minority of one, and refused any agreement with the Belgian, French, and Dutch Governments upon the date upon which summer time should commence; whether he is aware of the great inconvenience that will result to the people of this and other countries from this action; and whether the Government will give further consideration to this matter with a view to arriving at general agreement with the other countries concerned?

The members of the Conference agreed to recommend to their respective Governments that the summer time period should commence in the night of the first Saturday in April (or, if that date coincides with Easter, on the preceding Saturday), and end in the night of the first Saturday in October. It was explained by the British representative at the Conference that this recommendation would involve an alteration of the present English law, for which the sanction of Parliament would be required, and that it would not be possible to make the alteration during the present year so far at least as regards the commencement of summer time.

Is it the intention of the Government to deal with the matter in the current Session?

There is a Bill in the name of an hon. Member opposite, and I will make a statement on that occasion.

What is the earliest date at which summer time can commence in this country under the present Statute law?

Are the Government going to adhere to the recommendations of this Conference in Paris as soon as they can?

It would be better if the Noble Lord will wait until the private Member's Bill is taken, when I will make a full statement of the Government's policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether arrangements have yet been made to secure some payment on account for those British subjects who had trading interests and suffered loss through the German occupation of Belgium?

British subjects in Belgium whose claims have been submitted to the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action will shortly receive—

On a point of Order. We cannot hear a word.

—payments in accordance with the recommendations contained in the final reports—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speak up!"]—

We cannot hear you.

If you were quiet you could hear me.

It is not a question of being quiet. We cannot hear you at all.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will read the answer again.

I hope he speaks up.

British subjects in Belgium whose claims have been submitted to the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action will shortly receive payments in accordance with the recommendations contained in the final Report of that Commission which has just been issued.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean, by "shortly"?

It means what it says—as soon as possible.

How many British subjects—[HON. MEMBERS. "Speak up; we cannot hear you!"]—have claims under the heading in this question?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Oh, you cannot!

asked the Prime Minister whether instructions have recently been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris relative to his attendance on the Ambassadors' Conference; whether he continues to attend the Conference with the same regularity and authority as hitherto; and whether it is proposed to make any alteration in regard to British representation on this body?

No recent instructions have been issued to His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris with regard to his attendance at the Ambassadors' Conference which he continues to attend as heretofore. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will refer to the League of Nations for their arbitration a pronouncement as to the legal status of Montenegro, and as to whether this status has been outraged by Serbia; and whether, in this connection, the salient features of the de Salis and Temperley Bryce Reports will be communicated to the Council of the League, in view of the fact that M. Poincaré and the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Paisley on 10th January, 1916, President Wilson in the eleventh of his Fourteen Points on 8th January, 1917, and the Conditions of Peace laid down by the Allies on 10th January and again on 16th April, 1919, insisted upon the restoration of Montenegro?

The international status of Montenegro was determined by a vote taken at the constituent elections held in 1920 in which no party or body of opinion in Montenegro expressed itself as being opposed to union with Jugoslavia and His Majesty's Government under the circumstances could do nothing but recognise the decision. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Bryce Report which was laid before Parliament (Command Paper 1124, of 1921). The relations between Montenegro and the Central Government is therefore now an internal question of the Serb-Croat-Slovene State and is not a matter in which His Majesty's Government can intervene either through the League of Nations or otherwise.

Is it not a fact that Montenegrins dispute the conditions under which this vote was arrived at?

Is it not a fact that Montenegro was one of our first Allies in the War, and is it not a case in which the League of Nations should be consulted in the interests of Great Britain?

As I have said, I think this is a matter of internal concern for the Jugoslav State.

asked the Prime Minister whether the allusion to armaments in Western France contained in his recent communication to Monsieur Poincaré referred to long-distance guns said to have been placed at two points on the French coast; whether definite information as to the existence of these guns is in the possession of His Majesty's Government; and whether it is proposed to address any communication to the French Government on the subject?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the negative. I have no information as to these alleged guns; the third part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether future appointments of prison governors and deputy prison governors will be confined to applicants who have gained experience by passing through the lower grades of the service?

With every desire to provide the fullest opportunities for the promotion of deserving officers from the lower ranks, I do not think that such a rule as my hon. Friend suggests could be justified.

asked the Home Secretary whether special steps are being taken to deal with gaming and other disorderly houses run by Chinese in London, Liverpool and other large cities?

Yes, Sir; wherever the possibility arises that offences of the kind indicated may be promoted by the presence of Chinese. The police are fully alive to the matter and take all appropriate steps.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has had any representations from any local education authorities asking him to take steps to empower local education authorities to provide boots from educational funds, and that such expenditure be subject to the same conditions as are contained in the Education (Provisions of Meals) Acts; and whether he is prepared to ask Parliament for the necessary powers?

I have lately received representations to this effect from one local education authority. As at present advised, I am not prepared to propose legislation for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is his attitude towards the rule now being applied in London elementary schools requiring headmasters of all elementary schools with less than 250 on their roll to be responsible for a class?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 21st February last to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Edmund Harvey). The Board's attitude in respect of London has been further explained in official correspondence, a copy of which I will send the hon. Member if he desires.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether a successor to the late Sir Owen M. Edwards, chief inspector of secondary schools in Wales, who died in May, 1920, has yet been appointed; and whether it is proposed to make such an appointment, or whether the Government will consider the desirability of a separate and autonomous authority in Wales for the administration of elementary, secondary and university education?

The existing arrangement which I found on coming into office is that the duties of Chief Inspector of Education for Wales are undertaken by the Permanent Secretary of the Welsh Department, with the assistance of two of His Majesty's inspectors acting in a supervisory capacity, and for the present I propose to continue it in operation. The second part of the question raises so large an issue that it cannot usefully be dealt with by way of question and answer.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the London County Council elementary day school at High Street, Bromley-by-Bow, was condemned as unsuitable and insanitary some years ago, and that officers of his Department have supported this condemnation, but so far nothing has been done by the London County Council to provide decent accommodation for the children of the district; and, as there are other schools of a like character in East London, will he order an immediate inspection of all schools in that area and take the necessary steps to ensure that the London County Council, as the education authority, shall immediately provide sanitary and suitable schools for the children of East London?

I am not aware that these premises are insanitary, though they are very noisy and unsatisfactory in other respects. I understand that it was the intention of the London County Council, before the War, to provide new premises, that they are considering the acquisition of a site, and that in the meantime they propose to take steps which will reduce the number of children attending this school. As regards the last part of the question, the general conditions prevailing in East London are well known to the Board's inspectors. I may add, that the London County Council have already submitted to me a schedule of a considerable number of schools with defective premises to which they propose to give early attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this school has been condemned by one of his own inspectors as quite unsuitable and insanitary for the number of children who are being taught there?

I think that if the hon. Member reads my answer he will find that that is practically admitted.

asked the President of the Board of Education why the Rushock church school, which is within the Kidderminster district education area, has been closed, considering that until the re-organisation, which made it a school for children under 11 years of age, it was in a flourishing condition with about 36 scholars; and whether he is aware that there is no other school within two miles, that the school was built by voluntary donations, and that its retention is essential to enable labour to be got for the neighbouring farms?

The facts are not quite as stated by the hon. Gentleman. When the Rushock school was reorganised, with the consent of the managers, in March, 1923, there were not more than 20 children on the registers, and the average attendance has been under 30 every year, except one, since 1912. In December, 1923, there were six children in the school, one of whom was under four. In these circumstances, the Worcestershire Local Education Authority sought the approval of the Board for the closure of the school, and the Board, on full consideration, have decided that the school is unnecessary, provided that the authority make suitable arrangements for such conveyance of children to another school as may be required.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to reconsider the matter if a sufficient number of scholars is guaranteed for the school?

I am certainly ready to reconsider the matter.