asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what national ships are under construction or under repair in private yards and what sums have been and are still payable from the national Exchequer to private firms in respect of the same; what national ships it is contemplated to build in the near future in the private yards and the approximate payments that will be made in respect of the same; whether he will state in respect of the above which, if any, of the above ships could not have been built or repaired in the Royal dockyards, with or without alterations to the plant; and, if alterations to the plant had been necessary and undertaken, to how many men in the Royal dockyards would employment have been given?

H.M.S. "Rodney" and "Nelson" are under construction in private yards at an estimated total cost of £14,000,000, of which about £3,170,000 has been paid. The Government's proposals for new naval construction have already been stated to the House, but definite figures of the cost of the ships concerned cannot be given till the contracts have been placed. The vessels referred to in the first and second parts of my reply could not, generally speaking, have been built in the Royal yards without considerable alterations to building slips, etc., which would take some years to carry out. A battleship building in the dockyard would employ an average of about 1,500 men for four years, and a cruiser an average of about 750 men for 3½ years.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why it is contemplated building cruisers in private yards when adequate building facilities exist at the Royal dockyards?

All reasonable use is intended to be made of the building facilities at the Royal yards. It has never been the policy of the Admiralty to undertake all their ship construction in these yards.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the special conditions of employment of yard craftsmen in the Royal dockyards, the average number of hours these men are on duty per week, of what their duty consists, and their pay?

The yard craftsmen are employed under seafaring conditions with weekly rates of wages to cover all the duties required of them. They form the crews of dockyard tugs and other floating craft required for the various purposes of the dockyards, the fuelling and victualling services of the Fleet, and the dredging service. The hours of duty vary considerably, as does also the nature of the duties. There is no uniform scheme of working hours, the men are not in all cases actively employed for the whole time they are on board their vessels. The duty of these men consists of working their vessels in carrying out the various services of the yardcraft. The normal weekly rates of wages of the several classes of yard craftsmen are as shown in the following statement:

Total Weekly Rate. Inclusive of 17s. 6d. War increase.
	s.	d.	s.	d.
Masters 1st Class	80	6 to 87		6
Masters 2nd Class	73	6 to 80		6
Mate	59	6 to 64		9
Engineer 1st Class	84	0 to 91		0
Engineer 2nd Class	73	6 to 80		6
Engineer 3rd Class	66	6 to 73		6
Chief Stoker	61	3 to 63		7
Leading Stoker	55	5 to 57		9
Stoker	53	1 to 54		3
Able Seaman	51	4 to 52		6
		s.	d.
Ordinary Seamen under 20 years of age		46	1
Ordinary Seamen over 20, but under 21 years of age		46	8
Ordinary Seamen over 21 years of age		50	2

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the floating docks surrendered by Germany are being put to any useful purpose; and, if not, what is it proposed to do with them?

Of these floating docks, two have been sold, one is on the sale list, and two have been retained for naval service. One of the latter is being prepared for service at Malta. The naval service of the other has not yet been definitely settled.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether adequate protection has been or will be provided for the safeguarding of the valuable oilfields in Sarawak; and whether the question of providing oil storage for the Navy in Sarawak rather than at Singapore has been considered?

The Sarawak oilfields are East of 110 degrees of longitude; they are therefore subject to the status quo Clauses of Article XIX of the Washington Treaty, and no coast defences or fortifications can be established in peace time. They would, therefore, rely primarily for their defence on the presence of the British Fleet. As regards the second part of the question, Sarawak is not a suitable position for oil fuel storage for the Fleet.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many docks, outside the United Kingdom but in British territory, will take the new warships, built and building; where those docks are situated; and what steps are being taken to enlarge existing docks or make other provision for docking the latest ships?

Our latest large warships can be docked in two existing docks in British territory outside the United Kingdom, namely, one at Quebec and the other at St. John, N.B. Two other suitable docks are in course of construction at Esquimalt and at Durban respectively. The latter is due to complete this year, and the former in 1927. In addition, one of the ex-German floating docks allocated to Malta, when lengthened, will be capable of taking the largest of our ships.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is his policy to adhere to paragraph 11 of the National Reserve Regulations, 1913; and, if so, will he submit the claim of reservists to the Law Officers of the Crown, in view of the feeling that Army Order 325 of 1919 does not cancel the aforesaid Regulation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Devonport (Major Hore-Belisha) on 26th February, from which it will be seen that there is no intention of excluding from the benefit of paragraph 11 any man who re-enlisted whilst it was still in force, and who would benefit by being dealt with under it rather than under later Regulations. As regards the last part of the question, I will consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in the erection of an Imperial war memorial on Gallipoli: and whether, when it is completed, any official ceremony will be organized?

Two memorials, one at Cape Helles and another at Lone Pine, are being erected by the Imperial War Graves Commission. The constructional work of the Lone Pine memorial is 75 per cent. completed. In the case of that at Cape Helles, the foundations have been completed, and the base of the main shaft commenced. I hope it will be possible to make arrangements in due course for a ceremony of dedication.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will take steps to remove the penalties imposed upon old-age pensioners who suffer reductions from the State pension in consequence of thrift or friendly assistance; and will he pay special regard to the fact that old-age pensioners who are compelled to reside in Poor Law institutions suffer the full loss of their pension and are consequently thrown wholly upon the local rates?

I have been asked to reply. I am not in a position to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th February last on the Resolution moved by the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Edwards).

asked the Postmaster-General what the approximate cost of sending old age pensions by post would be?

If the hon. Member contemplates the sending of cash through the post, it would be necessary to register each letter, and the cost of registration alone would amount to about £650,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is the practice of his Ministry to refuse to put before the pensions appeal tribunals cases in which, in the opinion of the Ministry, the appeal is out of time, instead of leaving it to the tribunal to decide such points for itself, and giving the person who desires to appeal an opportunity of being heard with regard to them; and, if not, whether, and, if so, why, the appeal of Mr. W. H. Dain, of 115, Isledon Road, Finsbury Park, No. 53,338, which he has been trying to bring before the tribunal for nearly 12 months past, has been kept from coming forward by the Ministry?.

The statutory requirement that an appeal on the question of entitlement must be made within a year of decision is absolute. It is the practice of my Department, in all cases where the appeal is out of time, to point out this fact to a would-be appellant, but where he presses that, nevertheless, his case should be transmitted to the appeal tribunal, this is done. I have looked personally into the papers in connection with the particular case referred to. I find that the question of appeal against the decision on entitlement given by the Ministry in 1920 was unfortunately complicated by the suggestion of a fresh disability being claimed in respect of further service, alleged to have been rendered by the man in 1917. I have given directions that the appeal on the prior issue shall proceed at once.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that on occasion pensions are refused by his Department on the ground that the applicant's disability is not attributable to war service, but that on appeal to the appeal tribunal the decision of his Department is at times held to be mistaken; and whether he will see that in such cases pension shall become payable from the date the disability was incurred, as would have been the case had his Department correctly admitted liability in the first instance and not merely from the date that the applicant lodges his appeal against a decision subsequently held by the appeal tribunal to be erroneous?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for North Bristol (Mr. Ayles) on the 27th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of an ex-service man, Hubert Henry Collins, 3, Craven Road, Inkpen, Berks, who has gunshot wounds in both hands, who was discharged from Edmonton Military Hospital on the 23rd October, 1920, and at first received full disability pension, afterwards reduced to 80 per cent. disability, afterwards reduced to 60 per cent. disability, then increased to 70 per cent. disability, and again increased to 80 per cent. disability; whether in this case, in view of the impossibility of the man finding employment, the award of total disability will be made permanent; and whether he will take steps to prevent disabled ex-service men going through these constant examinations?

I am informed by my medical advisers that the condition of this man's disability has not, so far, been such as to justify the making of a final award. The case will, however, be carefully re-considered with that object in view. I may add that the present assessment of 80 per cent. represents the considered opinion of a specially constituted medical board, which comprised a surgical specialist and a neurologist.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship inflicted on men in receipt of treatment and unable to work in consequence of disabilities due to or aggravated by war service who are not in receipt of treatment allowances; and whether it is proposed to amend Circular 204 and thus make provision that whether on home treatment or panel doctor treatment a man who is totally unable to work by reason of his war disability shall receive treatment allowances?

The suggestion made by my hon. Friend would require an amendment of long-standing provisions of the Warrant, and not merely of the terms of the Circular referred to, which drew attention to those provisions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will investigate the case of Sergeant-major G. Casebow, The Terrace, Downham Market, late of the 9th Lancers; whether he is aware that the increase of his pension is being discontinued because he cannot furnish a certified statement of his wife's income; that this man has not seen his wife for nine years and does not know if she is still alive or not; and under what authority the increase is being discontinued?

The increase was discontinued under the authority of the Pensions Increase Act, 1920, Section 7 (1) of which states "the expression 'Means' in the case of a married person includes the means of both husband and wife." The question as to whether a man who is separated from his wife and has no knowledge of her whereabouts, and consequently is unable to declare his wife's income, can be regarded as a single man for the purposes of the Pensions Increase Act is under consideration, and a decision will be given as soon as possible in the case in question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of F. C. Quinton, Berkeley Terrace, Newbury, Berkshire, Ministry of Pensions No. ll/M/62,542, Tribunal Case No. 10/A/1,894; whether he is aware that this pensioner, though still suffering from his war disability, and until last week in a war hospital, is not in receipt of a pension; whether, under the existing Regulations, a pensioner may become entitled to treatment in a Ministry of Pensions hospital for his pensionable disability, notwithstanding that a final award of pension for a limited number of weeks has been made, and the pensioner's appeal against such final award has been disallowed; and whether, in reviewing the existing Regulations, he will consider the advisability of reopening a final award, or of allowing further appeal, when the pensioner is admitted for further treatment after such final award has been made or this appeal disallowed?

I am aware of the case referred to. The provision of medical treatment, together, if necessary, with full treatment allowances, for a temporary exacerbation of a disability in respect of which a final award has been made is contemplated by the instructions of the Ministry, and would not of itself give ground for considering that the final award was erroneous.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of W. E. Rhodes, of 2 and 3, Station Approach, Newbury, Berks, who, while serving as a lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps, although medically unfit for overseas duty in 1918, volunteered to take a column overseas, and while so doing was accidentally knocked down and had his left leg crushed by a three-ton lorry, resulting in two amputations and 12 months' treatment in hospital; whether he is aware that, as the loss of the limb did not occur in action, he has only been awarded a pension of £75 per annum without any wound gratuity; and whether, in this case and in similar cases, wound gratuity will be awarded for the loss of a limb in addition to a pension?

I have been asked to reply. Lieutenant Rhodes, whose injury occurred on Salisbury Plain and not overseas, has been dealt with under Article 648 of the Pay Warrant of 1914 and Army Order 3 of 1916, under which the rate of pension admissible under the above-quoted Article was increased in order to give subalterns the same rate as captains. Article 648 is reproduced below, and it will be seen that Lieutenant Rhodes is in receipt of the maximum rate admissible for an officer of his rank, and further, that the rate awarded has regard to the disablement caused by the injury. Under the Regulations no gratuity is admissible in addition to the pension, and in the circumstances I much regret that nothing further can be done.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has invited the Mental After-care Association to draft a scheme for the purpose of looking after ex-service men discharged from asylums; and, if so, is he prepared to meet the cost of such scheme?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but for some time my Department has been in communication with the Mental After-care Association with a view to exploring as to how far the Association's activities in connection with the after-care of civilians discharged from asylums would embrace the pensioner. We welcome the co-operation of the Association, but I would remind the House that in so far as the pensioner, when discharged from an asylum, will need treatment or institutional care, the necessary provision is made by my Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that 21 ex-service men employed at His Majesty's Stationery Office, Northern Area Branch, Hollingwood, Manchester, are at present under notice of dismissal while women and several non-service men are being retained; and whether he will suspend the dismissal notices so that arrangements may be made for a more equitable reduction of the personnel engaged there?

In consequence of a reduction of work at the Northern Area Branch of His Majesty's Stationery Office, notices have had to be served on several members of the staff. To determine which members of the staff should be given notice, two substitution committees were set up, in accordance with the recommendations of Lord Lytton's Committee. The selection of individuals for discharge is the result of the unanimous recommendations of these committees, both of which included a representative of the ex-service men in the branch. I regret that I am unable to re-open the conclusions of the committees.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of E. S. Holloway, Mortimer, Berkshire, who was a telegraph messenger before the War and left the Post Office service because there were no vacancies for postmen, but was told that if he served seven years in the Army a position as a town postman would be found for him; whether he is aware that his seven years expired in 1914; that in consequence of the war his time in the Army was extended to 12 years, and that on being discharged he was appointed a rural postman on lowest pay, whereas those who did no Army service and did not join up are in receipt of the higher grade of pay; and whether he will arrange that this man and others in similar positions shall count the period of War service with the Forces towards the period of Post Office service required to qualify him for the higher grade of pay?

I am having inquiry made into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions, the number of ex-service men with their dependants receiving out-door relief, those resident in workhouses, and those who are in mental institutions and charged to local rates, respectively; and whether, if such information is not now available, he will take the necessary steps at once to collect the same for early presentation to this House?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which my right hon. Friend gave in reply to similar questions yesterday.

asked the Minister of Health, the number of ex-service men with their dependants receiving outdoor relief; the number of ex-service men resident in workhouses; and the number now charged to local rates who are in mental institutions?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, having regard to the urgency of the matter, he is now in a position to sanction the erection of a school at Dormanstown, in the borough of Redcar, which was petitioned for in December, 1922, by all the parents and has the support of the borough council, the North Riding County Education Committee, and the local education authority?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 28th February last, I am inquiring into this matter. I am fully aware of the circumstances of this case and I understand that the local education authority have the matter under consideration. I shall be ready to give immediate and favourable attention to any satisfactory proposals when I receive them from the local education authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, with respect to the report on the Ramsgate non-provided elementary schools, he can state if the local education authority propose to replace the school which has been condemned as unfit; whether, in the event of the local authority failing to take such action, the Government grant will be withdrawn; whether he is aware of a proposal that St. George's School should be transferred into a higher tops school; that this particular school is wholly unsuitable for such a purpose and that the proposal would be detrimental to the existing secondary schools; and whether he will make inquiries into this matter?

I am not aware which school is referred to in the first part of the question. The Board now have under consideration proposals of the managers for remedying defects disclosed in the reports of His Majesty's inspector; and a decision will be taken as early as possible. I have received a proposal from the local education authority for Ramsgate regarding the provision of higher tops at St. George's School. In considering this proposal the Board will, of course, take into account all the circumstances of the case.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, in many parts of the country, young persons are employed in cinemas for 60 hours per week at low rates of wages; and whether he will take action to protect the interests of these young persons?

There are no statutory provisions regulating the conditions of employment of young persons above school age in cinemas, but the whole question of the conditions of employment of young persons in occupations which are at present unregulated is under the consideration of my Department, and I hope that before long I may be able to find an opportunity of dealing with it.

asked the Home Secretary the actual effect of the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1923, in checking the illicit importation of such drugs?

The Act came into force towards the end of last May, and its full effect on the smuggling of drugs into this country, and on the illicit traffic generally, cannot yet be estimated, The additional powers, however, given by the Act have already been found of great value, and the heavier penalties which the Courts are now empowered to impose have already, it is believed, had a deterrent effect on the traffic.

asked the Home Secretary the present position as to the regulation of the international opium traffic and restriction of production?

The hon. and gallant Member will be aware that the general supervision of the traffic is entrusted to the League of Nations, so far as its members are concerned, subject to the provisions of the International Conventions in force, and that the League has appointed an Advisory Committee to deal with the subject. The proceedings of this Committee, and the action taken by the League and the several Governments on its recommendations will be found in the official publications of the League. As a result of the preparatory work done by the Committee, it was decided at the assembly of the League last September to call two International Conferences this year to consider the Far Eastern situation, and the question of the restriction of production respectively. If there is any particular point on which the hon. and gallant Member desires information, perhaps he will put down another question.

asked the Home Secretary if any special qualifications are required of justices of the peace who preside in Children's Courts; and, as it is at present necessary to be more than 55 years of age to be a justice of the peace for these Courts, will he recommend, as these cases are purely to do with children, that young men and women are appointed in future?

In London, under the provisions of the Juvenile Courts (Metropolis) Act, 1920, the Magistrates who preside over the Juvenile Courts are nominated by the Secretary of State, who is required to have regard to their previous experience and their special qualifications for dealing with cases of juvenile offenders. There is no such statutory requirement elsewhere, but, in a circular letter issued in April, 1921, the Home Office recommended that a special rota of Justices should be assigned to Juvenile Courts, which should include men and women who have gained experience of the problems of juvenile delinquency or who are otherwise specially interested in the training of young people. The Home Office has given no countenance whatever to the suggestion that a Magistrate must be middle-aged before he can sit in a Juvenile Court, but it seems to me that considerations of age are less important than qualities of sympathy with, and understanding of, young people.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will expedite payment of the £400 compensation awarded, in March, 1920, to ex-Principal Warder Lloyd in respect of injuries received in Cork Prison in November, 1918?

I have been asked to answer this question. Payment of the amount remaining due on this decree was made to Mr. Lloyd's solicitors on 13th February last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the amending of the Shops (Early Closing) Act so that small shops dealing in tobacco and confectionery may remain open until a later hour than at present provided that the employés' hours of work are not extended?

No, Sir. I am not aware of any sufficient grounds for any general extension of the closing hours at present fixed for these trades, and there are obvious objections to any differentiation in this matter between the larger and smaller shops.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the administration of the Aliens Act, any permits have been refused since the beginning of the year to would-be immigrants suspected of planning, as the main object of their visit, participation in advanced political propaganda in this country; and how many such permits were refused in 1923?

This is not a matter which can well be expressed in figures. I can perhaps best meet the hon. Member's point by assuring him that if figures could be extracted they would not afford evidence of any recent change in the administration of the Aliens Order in this connection.

asked the Home Secretary, seeing that disciplinary appeal tribunals do not exist at present in the prison service, whether he will ascertain the representative opinion of all ranks in the prison service on the advisability of establishing independent appeal tribunals; and whether he will take this opinion before deciding the appeal tribunals question for the police service?

The various ranks of the prison service already have the means of representing their collective views to the Secretary of State, and I need hardly say that any such representation made to me would have due consideration. The question of an appeal tribunal for the police was raised at the recent meeting of the Police Council, and I have undertaken that it shall be discussed with representatives from the various sections of the Council.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is considering the appointment of a chief officer for the women police in different parts of the country; and, if so, whether he proposes to set up a special Department at the Home Office to deal entirely with the work, employment, etc., of women police and to report to His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary on such matters as he may desire regarding the women police?

In any force where there is a substantial number of women there are advantages in arranging, without prejudice to the ordinary responsibility of officers under whom the women may be working, for matters affecting the welfare and general conditions of service of the women police to be brought within the purview of the senior woman police officer of the force; and an arrangement of this kind has been made in the metropolis. As regards the second part of the question, I hope that before long it will be possible to review the experience now gained of the employment of police women under varying conditions in different parts of the country, and that as a result of such a review a definite step forward may be made. The question of the possibility of increased employment of police women and of the organisation which would be appropriate if the numbers grow will necessarily arise in connection with this review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent conference at Rome on naval armaments, under the auspices of the League of Nations, in Europe, has come to an end; what has been the result; and who were the British representatives?

I have been asked to reply. The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Commission has reported to the Council of the League, and until the Report is published or considered by the Council it would scarcely be proper to indicate its contents. Rear-Admiral Aubrey Smith, C.B., M.V.O., was the British representative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether steps can be taken to secure some acceleration in the procedure of the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the Treaty of Versailles; and whether he is aware that there are instances where claimants have been informed there is no chance of their cases being reached this year, though statements of claim have been made to the Foreign Office as long ago as 1918, and the written proceedings were closed and statements of witnesses lodged as long ago as last June?

In order to accelerate the work of the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal, a second division of the Tribunal was set up last year. This division started work last October, and it is hoped that the result will be to accelerate the settlement of the cases still outstanding. I recognise, and deplore, the fact that considerable delays have arisen in the working of the first division.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the policy of the late Secretary of State for Air is being continued in Iraq under which bombing raids are strictly prohibited for the purpose of the collection of taxation; and whether, in the interests of the Royal Air Force in Iraq, he will state whether bombing raids for the purposes of taxation have ever been carried out in the past?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have already informed the House on two occasions that bombing raids have never been carried out for purposes of taxation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number, if any, of unoccupied buildings suitable for dwelling-houses belonging, or the lease of which belongs, to the Air Ministry?

Apart from a few houses, recently purchased, which are being prepared for occupation by Royal Air Force personnel, there are 53 unoccupied dwelling-houses on land owned or leased by the Air Ministry; these are all at the airship base at Cardington, and as regards their occupation I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Mid Bedford (Mr. Linfield) on the 18th February.

asked the Minister of Health if he has formed any estimate of the relative proportion of skilled to unskilled men employed on the erection of any given number of houses of the A and B types?

The proportions will vary somewhat with local circumstances, but, on the average, the relative number may be taken to be in the proportion of three skilled men to two unskilled.

asked the Minister of Health if he has formed any estimate of the number of men employed in the decade of 1901–11 in the erection of houses for working classes; and if he has formed any estimate of the number of men that would be required to carry out a programme of 200,000 houses per year during the remainder of the decade 1921–31?

Materials are not available for framing a reliable estimate of the number of men employed in the erection of working-class houses during the decade 1901–11. With regard to the last part of the question, the matter is under consideration, and I am unable to make a statement at present.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the refusal of the London County Council to advance money under Section 5 of the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, for the erection of a block of flats in Highbury New Park, Islington; and whether he will make representations to the London County Council on the subject or, if he considers it necessary, whether he will make provision in his new Housing Bill to extend that Section so as to cover the case of flats?

I have been in communication with the London County Council on this subject. The Council have taken the opinion of counsel, and are advised that they cannot with safety make the advance applied for under the existing statutory powers. I will consider the suggestions of the hon. Member as to amending legislation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the refusal of the London County Council, expressed in a letter to the Islington Borough Council of 25th January last, to make bye-laws under Section 94 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and Section 26 of the Housing, and Town Planning, Etc., Act, 1919, for the keeping in repair and adequate lighting of the common staircases in blocks of model dwellings or flats; and whether he will make representations to the London County Council on the subject or, if he considers it necessary, whether he will make provision in his new Housing Bill to extend the power of making bye-laws to cover the case of model dwellings and flats?

I was not previously aware of this particular matter, and I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to bring in a measure consolidating the National Health Insurance Acts?

A Bill to consolidate the National Health Insurance Acts was introduced in another place on 28th February, was read a second time on 4th March, and is now before the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the circumstances under which Mr. J. W. Franks, one of the representatives of the South Ward of the Parish of Kingston-on-Thames, became disqualified for holding the position of guardian, namely on account of the fact that ho became a paying patient in the Kingston and District Hospital, for his treatment therein paying a sum of £3 3s. per week besides the fee for a special operating surgeon; and will he take steps to bring about an amendment of the law so that the disqualification to hold the office of guardian shall not be suffered in any future similar cases?

I am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers, and I would draw his attention to Clause 7 of the Representation of the People Act (1918) Amendment Bill which received a Second Reading on the 29th February last.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government propose, in view of the heavy financial burdens imposed on boards of guardians, to introduce legislation increasing the Exchequer grants in respect of pauper lunatics in asylums, and making provisions for new grants in respect of pauper lunatics, imbeciles, and epileptics maintained under the care of Poor Law authorities in accordance with the recommendations made by the Kempe Committee in 1914?

I regret that I cannot give any undertaking as to the introduction of legislation for this purpose.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Income Tax officials for the Charing Cross district have made additional assessments under Schedule E in respect of the years 1919–20, 1920–21 and 1921–22 on employés who have already been over-assessed by reason of their original assessments having been made under Schedule E instead of Schedule D; why these additional assessments have been served, having regard to the statement of the then Solicitor-General made in the course of the Debate on the Finance Bill that Sub-section (6) was not retrospective and did not apply to the years 1919, 1920 and 1921; and whether, in conformity with the spirit of the intention of the Government as expressed by the then Solicitor-General, he will give instructions for the assessments in question to be withdrawn and so avoid the expenditure of public and private moneys involved in recourse to the Courts to determine whether the Sub-section in question is, or is not, to be interpreted in a sense contrary to such expressed intention?

—	Year 1913–14.		Year 1921–22.
	All Schedules.	Shedule A.	All Schedules.	Schedule A.
	£	£	£	£
Gross Income	1,167,184,229	282,262,109	3,214,828,625	296,691,397
Deductions (necessary to reduce the Gross Income to the Actual Income liable to tax) for exemptions, repairs to property, wear and tear of machinery, overcharges in assessment, etc.	216,143,742	106,600,441	752,350,246	113,532,628
Actual Income liable to tax before deduction of personal or family allowances and reliefs.	951,040,487	175,661,668	2,462,478,379	183,158,769

It will be seen that the gross income is subject to considerable deductions of the nature stated in order to arrive at the actual income assessed. It will be appreciated also that, owing to changes in Income Tax law, the basis of computation of the actual income is not the same in both years.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the s.s. "Caid," which left the River Clyde on 9th January last with a large cargo of whisky, has yet arrived at the island of St. Pierre, off the coast of Newfoundland; and if any protest has been received

The matter to which my hon. Friend refers has been brought to my notice. I am looking into it and will communicate with him as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest available figures showing the gross income brought under review for purposes of Income Tax; how much of that total was due to the ownership of land and other real property assessed under Schedule A; and what were the corresponding figures for the last completed year before the War?

The income assessed in the United Kingdom for Income Tax purposes in the years 1913–14 and 1921–22 (the latest year for which final figures are available) was as follows:from the Newfoundland Government on the subject?

It is not known whether the vessel has yet reached the destination for which she was cleared. No protest has been received from the Newfoundland Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if France has made any payments this year on account of the capital or interest to the United States of America; and, if so, how much has been paid to date?

I am not aware of any such payment having been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if double taxation comes within the terms of reference of the Committee to be set up to consider the National Debt?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give a list of the articles which may be imported from Germany without payment of the Reparations Duty?

I have been asked to reply. The only articles first consigned to this country from Germany which may be imported without payment of the levy under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, 1921, are those goods which have been exempted from the levy by Board of Trade Order. I am sending a copy of the Orders at present in force to the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an undertaking that no reductions will be made in the pay of the fighting services whilst his Government remains in office?

The policy of the Government will be announced without delay. Some details have to be settled first.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give careful consideration to the Draft Treaty of Mutual Assistance and submit it to the criticism of a strong representative committee, with instructions to report in time to enable the Government to formulate its policy before the fifth assembly meeting of the League of Nations in September, 1924?

I can add nothing to the several answers recently given on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the draft criminal code prepared for the Colonial Office, and published in 1901, Miscellaneous No. 136, is out of print; and, if so, will he cause it to be reprinted and published?

The Draft Criminal Code in question, which was printed but not published in 1901, was intended primarily for the use of the Colonial Office. The Secretary of State decided at the time that it should not be published, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by reconsidering his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any suggestion has been received from the Irish Free State Government for the resumption of the Conference summoned by him on the subject of the Irish boundaries which was opened on 1st February and adjourned to a later date; and, if so, what steps is he prepared to take for the settlement of the boundaries issue?

Yes, Sir. It has unfortunately been necessary to delay a further meeting of the Conference owing to the regrettable illness of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, but His Majesty's Government is at present in communication with both Irish Governments with a view to the resumption of the Conference at the earliest possible date.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the present system of the Ministry in making the county councils the intermediary between the Ministry and the rural district councils in respect of roads other than main roads results in unnecessary duplication of work all round; and, seeing that non-county highway authorities with their intimate local knowledge are more capable of performing the task of highway administration in their own respective districts than are the county councils, will he take steps to adjust this grievance?

As I stated on the 26th February, in answer to a question from the hon. and gallant Member for the Lewes Division (Lieut.-Colonel Campion), direct communication is always maintained between my Department and the district councils. I am not prepared, however, to depart from the present procedure by which use is made of the county councils in the administration of the grants towards the maintenance and improvement of all Class I and Class II roads in their areas. This procedure has been found by experience to work satisfactorily and has the advantage of enabling the county councils to keep under general observation the principal lines of through communication by road in their areas.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Home Office is considering the scheduling of nystagmus as a disease under the Workmen's Compensation Act; and whether the malady is so scheduled in any other country?

I have been asked to reply. Miner's nystagmus has been scheduled under the Act ever since 1907. As explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Ormskirk on the 21st ultimo, proposals for altering the description of the disease in the Schedule are under consideration. I understand that compensation is payable in respect of the disease in Belgium, France, Germany, and certain States of the United States of America.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that representations have been made showing that the cost of living in Chepstow and Lydney is very high; that the postal officials at these offices receive much lower wages than in many towns where the cost of living expenses is not so great; and what steps he is taking to remove this irregularity, in view of the many months' consideration given by his Department to this application?

Representations in regard to the classification for scales of pay of a considerable number of offices, including Chepstow and Lydney, have been made by the Union of Post Office Workers. The claims have been discussed with the union and will be further discussed as soon as the inquiries which were found to be necessary have been completed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his Department exercises any supervision over emigrants from Dr. Barnardo's Homes in the Colonies to which they go; and, if so, for how long and in what way?

The hon. Member will realise that the supervision of any class of British migrants to one of His Majesty s Dominions is a matter for the Government of that Dominion. I am informed, however, that in Canada inspectors appointed by the Canadian Government and by Dr. Barnardo's Homes supervise the migrants in question by means of regular visits until they attain the age of 18 years. Even after that age, the inspectors of Dr. Barnardo's Homes usually continue to keep in touch with the migrants. I take this opportunity of stating that the Government of Canada has intimated that a visit from representatives of the Imperial Government with a view to obtaining first-hand information in Canada in regard to the system of child migration, and specially the placing and supervision in Canada, will be very welcome to that Government. It has, therefore, been decided that representatives of the Overseas Settlement Committee should visit Canada during the summer, and I have received with great satisfaction an intimation that the Department of Immigration and Colonisation of the Dominion Government will be glad to afford all possible assistance.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the names of the parish councils which have addressed to him representations against the continuance of the provisions of the Poor Law Emergency Provisions (Scotland) Act, 1921, until 15th May, 1925?

The names are as follow:

• Aberdeen,
• Bonhill,
• Cardross,
• Dalziel,
• Dumbarton,
• Eastwood,
• Kirkcaldy and Dysart,
• Old Kilpatrick,
• Port Glasgow, and
• Renfrew.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to a report by the Lewis School Management Committee, after investigating the conditions at the new Board of Agriculture settlement at Orinsay, in the Island of Lewis, with a view of determining whether the children of that township could safely attend the nearest school, in which report the committee averred that, by reason of the condition of the moor and the absence of a footpath promised by the Board of Agriculture, it was dangerous for any of the children to attempt to attend school;

—	Orkney.	Shetland.	Total.
Expenses of County Council Election in 1922	£40 8s. 10d.	£139 13s. 2d.	£180 2s. 0d.
Cost per County Council Elector on the Register.	1¼d.	3½d.	2½d.

The total cost of the General Election for the Orkney and Shetland constituency in 1922 was £659 4s. 5d., a cost per Parliamentary elector on the register of 6½d.The foregoing figures are not, however, comparable, because, while the Parliamentary election in 1922 was contested, at the county council election there were no contests in any of the 25 Orkney electoral divisions, and there were no contests in 19 of the 27 Shetland electoral divisions. Moreover, a Parliamentary election involves certain items of expenditure (for example, in connection with the issue of ballot papers to absent voters) which are not involved in county council elections.

My attention has been called to the report referred to. The Board of Agriculture are prepared to assist the holders to provide the path referred to in the question on certain conditions, and as soon as the holders have complied with these conditions the work can proceed.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is prepared to take the necessary steps to prohibit trawling in the Minch?

I have no statutory powers which authorise me to take the steps suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the costs, respectively, of conducting a county council election in Orkney and in Shetland, and of a Parliamentary election for the combined counties; and the comparative cost per head of voters on the register?

For the last county council election the particulars desired were as follows:

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is giving consideration to the claim of the salaried officers in the Ministry to permanent establishment in Government service?

Representations, in the sense indicated, have been received from the Ministry of Pensions Salaried Officers' Association. The matter is, however, one affecting the whole of the Civil Service, and must be considered in that light. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this subject by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Gray) on the 6th instant.

asked the Minister of Pensions what reductions were made in the staff of the Ministry at Sanctuary Buildings during each quarter of the year 1923; and what was the number in each grade?

Established Staff.	Male.				Female.
	Quarter ending				Quarter ending
	31st March, 1923.	30th June, 1923.	30th Sept., 1923.	31st Dec, 1923.	31st March, 1923.	30th June, 1923.	30th Sept., 1923.	31st Dec, 1923.
Superior Grades.	Increase 7.	Nil	* Increase 23.	* Increase 9.	Increase 1.	Decrease 1.	Decrease 1.	Decrease 1.
Clerical Grades.	Increase 7.	Increase 7.	Decrease 2.	Increase 11.	Decrease 1.	Increase 1.	Increase 1.	Increase 2.
Typing Staff	—	—	—	—	Increase 3.	Increase 7.	Increase 9.	Decrease 1.
Minor Grades.	Increase 4.	Nil	Nil	Nil
Established Staff—Net Increase 85.

Temporary Staff.	Male.				Female.
	Quarter ending				Quarter ending
	31st March, 1923.	30th June, 1923.	30th Sept., 1923.	31st Dec, 1923.	31st March, 1923.	30th June, 1923.	30th Sept., 1923.	31st Dec., 1923.
Temporary Officials.	Decrease 4.	Decrease 9.	Decrease 3.	Increase 5.	Decrease 2.	Decrease 3.	Decrease 1.	Decrease 1.
Graded Clerks.	Decrease 21.	Decrease 15.	Decrease 5.	Increase 13.	Decrease 13.	Nil	Decrease 1.	Decrease 3.
Typing Staff	—	—	—	—	Increase 1.	Decrease 8.	Decrease 13.	Increase 2.
Minor Grades.	Decrease 6.	Decrease 3.	Decrease 1.	Increase 2.	Decrease 12.	Nil	Nil	Nil
Temporary Staff—Net Decrease 101.
Net Decrease during 1923 in total number of Staff= 16.
It should be noted that during the latter half of 1923 sections of work formerly performed at Chelsea were transferred with their staffs to Sanctuary Buildings.
* The posts filled were authorized under the Regrading Schemes with effect from 1st April, 1922, and in a number of cases the duties had previously been performed by officers of lower rank in receipt of allowances.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Financial Assistant Secretary reports direct to the Minister on matters concerning finance, accounts division, and pension issue office; whether the Director-General of Medical Services

It is not practicable, owing to the very numerous grades involved, to give within reasonable limits the detailed information desired by the hon. and gallant Member, but the figures contained in the following table, which show the net quarterly increases and decreases in the main categories of the staff during 1923, may, perhaps, serve his purpose:has direct access to the Minister and full control of the medical branch; whether the Director-General of Awards has direct access to the Minister and full control of the awards branch; whether the Inspector-General has direct access to the Minister and full control of local administration; and whether he proposes to report to the Treasuary pool certain officers of the secretariat for employment in other branches of the Civil Service?

The arrangements for the control and organisation of the Ministry of Pensions follow the lines adopted in other large Departments of State. The heads of the Divisions referred to in my hon. Friend's question are responsible to me through the Permanent Secretary for the proper control of the work of their respective branches, and I personally consult them whenever I conside it necessary to do so. It is not clear to me what officers are referred to in the last part of the question, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that I will miss no opportunity of promoting efficiency and economy in administration.

also asked the Minister of Pensions whether there is any Regulation in his Department which prohibits members of the staff communicating with the Press; whether his attention has been called to an alleged interview with Sir George Chrystal, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions, which appeared in the "Westminster Gazette" on the 8th March, 1924; and whether, if, as alleged, the statements were made by the Permanent Secretary, it is proposed to take disciplinary action in the matter?

There is such a Regulation, and its object is to prevent un authorised communications being made to the Press. The interview to which reference is made in the latter part of the question was given on my behalf and with my express authority.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the premises at 122, George Street, Edinburgh, which are at present occupied by the Pensions Ministry, are to be taken over by the Scottish Board of Health; if so, what alternative accommodation is to be provided in Edinburgh for the Pensions Ministry; and, if not, is it intended to keep these premises in the occupation of the Pensions Ministry?

There is no proposal to move the Ministry of Pensions from 122, George Street at the moment. A move of this nature may, however, take place whenever the Ministry of Pensions staff diminishes to a point which would render it desirable to utilise the premises to better advantage by housing in them another Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of civilian employés at the War Office, including temporary employés, on 1st April, 1914, and at the present time and the comparative amounts in salaries, etc., of this personnel; and how much in the difference in the latter figure can be attributed to the difference in the cost of living?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the figures which my right hon. Friend gave him on the 11th instant. As regards the remainder of the question, my right hon. Friend proposes to deal with this subject in his statement on the Army Estimates to-day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of days' leave per year granted, respectively, to permanent clerical officers and temporary clerks of two years' service; and whether, seeing that in many Departments permanent clerical officers and temporary clerks are employed in the same sections doing precisely the same work, he will say why any distinction should be made in the leave granted to these two classes, particularly in view of the fact that permanent clerical officers have various other advantages including that of pensionable rights?

The normal leave allowance of clerical officers is 24 working days, writing assistants 18 working days, and of temporary graded clerks 18 working days per annum, in addition to the usual public holidays in each case. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 4th March to the hon. Member for Edinburgh East (Mr. Hogge).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that most large employers usually provide mess-room or canteen accommodation for their staffs; whether this is done in all Departments of the Civil Service; and whether it is intended to charge the cost of maintaining this accommodation to the staffs concerned contrary to the general practice of employers?

I am aware that many large employers provide such accommodation. As regards the second part of the question, the matter is governed generally by the need for such provision and the availability of accommodation. No charge is made for the accommodation or for its maintenance (within the limits of fair wear and tear), but luncheon clubs are required, in general, to bear charges for heating, lighting, etc., and I consider this arrangement to be an equitable one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much revenue has been received each month since 1st April, 1923, from the gas mantle trade, under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

The net amount of duty received under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act on mantles for in candescent lighting and component parts thereof, during each of the months April,

LONDON ELECTRIC SUPPLY UNDERTAKINGS.—Statement showing the average prices obtained for domestic and industrial supplies during the year 1922 (and 1922–23).
COMPANIES.
Company.		Average price obtained per unit during the year ended 31st December, 1922.		Year ended 31st December, 1922.
		Lighting and Domestic Supplies.	Power and Industrial Supplies.	Highest charge levied per unit.
		d.	d.		d.
Brompton and Kensington	…	5·54	2·24	F	8
Charing Cross—City	…	6·73	2·14	MD	8
Charing Cross—West End	…	5·75	2·50	MD	8
Chelsea	…	6·37	2·35	F	9
City of London	…	5·27	2·10*	MD	8
County of London	…	3·78†		F	8d. and 7d.
Kensington and Knightsbridge	…	4·54†		F	7·2
London	…	5·51	1·21	F	8
Metropolitan	…	7·07	2·35*	F	8
Notting Hill	…	6·91	2·60	F	7½
St. James and Pall Mall	…	4·9	2·32*	F	7½
South London	…	3·53†		F	6
South Metropolitan	…	2·92†		F	8d. and 6d.
Westminster	…	6·09	1·45	F	6½

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state, in tabular form, the cost per unit charged for electricity supplied for domestic use and for industrial purposes, respectively, by municipal authorities and public companies in the County of London; and will he state the highest and lowest charge levied?

The figures are as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the continued suffering of men who cannot obtain any decision in respect of claims they have sent in to the Reparation Claims Department, and which are regarded as belated; and whether, in view of their distress, he will expedite the Report of the Commission which has to decide as to the policy which shall be adopted with respect to these claims?

The Final Report of the Royal Commission has been presented to Parliament (Cmd. 2066). As to the policy to be adopted with regard to belated claims, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Birkenhead East (Mr. G. White) on the 11th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what sums of money have been advanced, or are contemplated to be advanced, to shipbuilding or engineering firms; and for what purposes under the Trade Facilities Act or any other heading?

I have been asked to reply.(1) No

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the importation of China tea for each of the last 20 years and state, in addition, the revenue derived from it?

The following statement shows the importations of tea, consigned from China (including Hong Kong end Macao), and the quantities retained for home consumption, together with the net amount of duty derived therefrom, in each of the years 1904 to 1923 (inclusive):—

Years.		Quantity Imported.	Quantity retained for Home Consumption.	Duty.
		lbs.	lbs.	£
1904	…	28,695,201	11,028,320	337,932
1905	…	15,419,023	6,638,506	183,315
1906	…	13,879,608	5,648,523	124,521
1907	…	19,350,297	9,713,939	202,532
1908	…	22,271,590	8,908,699	185,742
1909	…	17,422,011	8,174,797	170,473
1910	…	18,914,720	10,276,044	214,232
1911	…	24,701,844	14,473,208	301,665
1912	…	20,947,029	10,559,163	220,112
1913	…	16,272,548	9,661,793	201,430
1914	…	21,771,714	13,007,329	281,131
1915	…	36,776,821	12,733,032	460,844
1916	…	19,877,195	8,696,972	435,633
1917	…	8,397,403	16,026,358	801,368
1918	…	1,587,053	812,092	41,133
1919	…	26,755,017	4,423,646	221,207
1920	…	15,928,282	3,577,338	178,992
1921	…	4,646,074	4,772,710	238,683
1922	…	11,009,134	6,867,919	258,869
1923*	…	25,172,593	10,938,344	364,899
* As from 1st April, 1923, the figures relate to Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to avoid lose and inconvenience to British traders holding stocks upon which duty or excise at existing rates has been paid, he will give an assurance that during the present Government a reasonable notice will be allowed of an application of any reduction in excise or import duty that may be made on any article, without which notice foreign manufacturers of such dutiable or excisable goods would secure an unfair advantage?

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms of reference of the committee presided over by Sir Henry Goschen, which authorises relief upon loan to necessitous areas; what is the amount of the funds at the disposal of the committee; what local authorities have received loans; and upon what terms such loans have been granted?

The Committee presided over by Sir Harry Goschen, K.B.E., was appointed in November, 1921. Under their terms of reference, as extended at various dates, they are to consider applications made by Poor Law authorities in Great Britain for loans out of the Vote for Relief of Unemployment, and in cases where they are satisfied that such authorities are unable to meet claims upon them for relief either from rate moneys or from loans otherwise obtained, or that some immediate relief in the current rate burden is essential, they make recommendations to the Ministry of Health or the Secretary for Scotland with regard to the amount of any loan from the Vote and the conditions to be attached thereto. Loans are to be made at not less than the current market rate of interest for loans of similar currency. The Committee may also consider applications by local authorities for loans to carry out works approved by the Unemployment Grants

Authority.	Loans Advanced.
	Amount.	Rate of Interest.	Period of Loan, etc.
GUARDIANS	£	Per cent.
Barrow-in-Furness Parish	120,000	5	10 years; first repayment of principal and first actual payment of interest postponed until about 3 years after advance.
	45,000	4¾
Bedwellty Union	110,000	5½	7 years; first repayment of principal postponed until 2 years after advance.
	20,000	5
	90,000	4¾
Crickhowell Union	5,000	5½	5 years; first repayment of principal postponed until approximately 2 years after advance.
	5,000	5
	3,000	4¾
Neath Union	25,000	5½	5 years.
Poplar Borough Parish	95,000	6	Repayable at various periods up to 31st March, 1925.
	155,800	5½
	165,750	5
	89,950	4¾
Redruth Union	20,000	5	7 years; first repayment of principal postponed until 2½ years, and first actual payment of interest until 1 year after advance.
Sheffield Union	98,000	4¾	10 years; first repayment of principal and first actual payment of interest postponed until 3 years after advance.
West Ham Union	300,000	6	5 years; first repayment of principal postponed for periods up to 18 months after advance.
	200,000	5
	200,000	4¾
	300,000	4¾	7 years; first repayment of principal postponed for 2½ years after advance.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
(1) For Relief Works.
Clutton Rural District Council.	10,000	6	10 years; to be repaid by annuity calculated over a 20-year period, with outstanding balance at end of 10 years.
Vaynor and Penderyn Rural District Council.	5,500	6	Do.
Rhondda Urban District Council.	24,300	6½	10 years.
	45,700	6½	20 years.
	11,048	5½	30 years.
Walsall Rural District Council.	3,200	4¾	18 years.
(2) For Current Expenses,
Nantyglo and Blaina Urban District Council.	5,000	5½	7 years; first repayment of principal postponed until 3 years after advance.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a record has been kept by the local employment committees of the number of aliens who have been refused uncovenanted benefit under the Orders issued by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North-West Camberwell (Dr. Macnamara) and Sir Montague Barlow; and, if so, what are the total numbers?