asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now give any information as to the terms regarding the Russian-Italian Treaty; and whether the text of that Treaty will be published in England?

The text of the Treaty has now been received, and will be published in the Board of Trade Journal as soon as it has been translated. It is a long document, which I cannot summarise within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a Republic or other change in the Government has been proclaimed in Persia; and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the new Persian Government?

So far as I am aware, the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us if the Shah has been deposed, as stated in the papers?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the answer which I have given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to existing political conditions in Persia?

The political situation in Persia is somewhat obscure, and no statement on the subject can be made for the present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to inform the House when effect will be given to the promise made by Lord Balfour, on behalf of the British Government, that Wei-hai-Wei would be restored to China?

This question was put by the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece) on 18th March, and I have nothing to report in addition to the answer I then gave.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are at present being taken by the Allies to enforce the observance by Germany of the provisions of the Versailles Treaty with regard to the upkeep of military forces; and whether he has received any information as to the recent prosecution by the German Government of Professor Quidde, the president of the German Pacifist Society, for calling attention to the widespread military training now going on in all parts of Germany under the supervision of the Reichswehr?

Owing to abnormal events at the beginning of 1923, full military control was suspended. The Allies now propose to resume control, to which they are entitled by Treaty. Negotiations are at present in progress with the German Government on future proceedings. As regards the last part of the question, the answer is in the affirmative. Papers have only just reached us, and the matter is now under consideration.

Will the papers with regard to the last part of the question be laid?

I am afraid that I cannot say.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British residents who prior to the War held bonds in Austrian railways, guaranteed as to principal and interest by the late Austrian Imperial Government, have any remedy against the confiscation of their property through these railways having passed into the hands of friendly Governments, maintained or created with the acquiescence of His Majesty's Government by the Treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye, signed by the present Austrian Government on 10th September, 1919?

The Reparation Commission has allocated the secured debt among the States concerned in accordance with Article 203 of the Treaty of St. Germain, and these obligations have been accepted except in the case of the "Iron Gates" loan and a railway loan assigned to Roumania. The States concerned are now considering the best technical arrangement for meeting their obligations. If the hon. and gallant Member is interested in any particular case and will give me details, I shall be happy to have inquiries made.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have in my hand a letter from the Department for the administration of the Austrian property, in which it is stated that so far no admission of liability on the bonds under Article 248 of the Treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye has been received through the Austrian clearing office?

The Minister cannot follow a letter that is read.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question of the appointment of members of the Saar Governing Commission was on the agenda of the Council of the League of Nations last December; whether, though the actual appointment was postponed till the March meeting of the Council, any agreement was then reached as to the candidature of Herr Rossmann as Saarois member of the Com- mission; and, if so, whether documents recording the fact have been deposited in the Foreign Office?

The answer to all three parts of the question is in the affirmative. In the report which will be issued this matter will be dealt with.

In view of that reply, which shows that this information has been in the possession of the Foreign Office for two months, would the Foreign Secretary be prepared to qualify the statement he made last Friday as regards the Lord President of the Council having had to "struggle with commitments undisclosed"?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the successful handling of the Memel question by the League of Nations, His Majesty's Government proposes to suggest the reference of other outstanding questions to the League?

His Majesty's Government is very gratified by the settlement of this trouble. To answer the hon. and gallant Member's question a general statement of the policy of the Government in regard to matters of an unspecified and hypothetical character would be required. I cannot usefully add to the announcements already made regarding the attitude of the Government towards the League.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of referring the quarrels in the Liberal party to the League? [HON. MEMBERS: "And the quarrels in the Tory party?"]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that 15 lives were lost last week by the explosion of a mine off Aboukir; if, seeing that there is an international arrangement for sweeping and destruction of mines in the Mediterranean Sea and in European waters, he can say how many live mines have been found and destroyed in European waters during the past 12 months; how many vessels have been damaged or lost in consequence of striking mines during the same period; and whether there has been any loss of life as a result?

I have been asked to reply, and as the answer is somewhat long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

No details of this accident other than those which have appeared in the Press have yet been received. The cause was presumably a drifting mine. For some years to come a few floating mines may drift about the seas and oceans of the world. Past experience has proved that the danger from these to merchant shipping is very slight indeed. When practicable, His Majesty's ships search for and destroy drifting mines of which reliable reports have been received. The international arrangement for sweeping mines refers to moored mines only. According to reports received, all European waters and the Mediterranean Sea are clear of moored mines, with the exception of certain areas in the Black Sea and Gulf of Finland, the details of which are contained in mine warnings to mariners. Reports of the destruction of a total of 36 drifting mines or mines that have been washed ashore have been received during the past 12 months. Others may have been destroyed and not reported. The numbers of moored mines destroyed are not available. The s.s. "Dayton" was damaged in the Gulf of Finland, by what was assumed to have been a moored mine, last September. As far as it is known, one man was killed. No other casualties from mines have been reported in European waters during the past 12 months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what fees are charged for naval cadets or naval students under training for the officers' corps of the French, American, and Japanese Navies, respectively, reduced to sterling?

As regards the United States and Japan, no fees are charged. In the case of France, the cost of board and lodging, amounting to £28 per annum at the par rate of exchange, has to be defrayed by the cadets' parents or guardian, but this cost is covered by scholarships in certain exceptional cases.

Why should we lag behind these other friendly Navies and not open Dartmouth's gates to all candidates?

I think I promised my hon. and gallant Friend on the Estimates that I was going to look into this question and see whether anything could be done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that piracies are being carried out upon British mercantile vessels in Chinese waters, he will issue instructions to His Majesty's ships at present lying in Hong Kong to patrol the coast with a view to preventing similar occurrences in future?

His Majesty's vessels on the China Station are continually patrolling with the principal object of checking piracy. I should, however, emphasise that the usual method adopted in these piracies or robberies is for men to come on board the ships as passengers and wait an opportunity of holding up the officers and crew at a lonely spot, usually at night. A stricter supervision of passengers at the port of departure is the only effective method of stopping this form of outrage, and I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies is now awaiting a report from the Governor of Hong Kong as to the steps that can be taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the last Welfare Conference took place in May, 1922, and that it was proposed to convene similar meetings every alternate year, he can now state the date of calling of the next Conference?

This matter is under consideration, and an announcement will shortly be made in Fleet Orders.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many aircraft carriers are now completed for service in the Royal Navy; what is the flying equipment of each carrier; and whether each carrier completed and in full commission has her full flying equipment?

Three aircraft carriers are now completed for service, and these are in commission. The equipment of each carrier varies as occasion may require, both as to type and number of machines. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that regulations regarding examination for entry into the Departmental clerical class of the Admiralty, which includes His Majesty's naval establishments, have been issued which will cause great hardship to certain naval pensioners now employed as temporary clerks; and if he will assist the operation of resettlement of pensioners of ex-naval accountant branch ratings by continuing the present system of entering temporary clerks and writers into His Majesty's naval establishments with the prospect of being placed on the established lists?

The departmental clerical examination will not affect the position of pensioner's employed as temporary clerks, unless they are serving in Departments, etc., other than those normally staffed by pensioner clerks. Such clerks are normally employed in the cash and secretarial staffs of the dockyards, etc., in the naval hospitals and colleges, and as clerks to district intelligence officers abroad. It has been open to any pensioners employed as temporary clerks in Departments, etc., not normally staffed by pensioner clerks, if qualified by age and service, to take the departmental clerical examination with a view to appointment as departmental third grade clerks. Moreover, such pensioners are eligible for consideration for transfer to Departments normally staffed by pensioner clerks. As regards pensioners already employed in Departments so staffed, there is no intention of altering the existing arrangements indicated in the second part of the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, in view of the regulations regarding vocational training promulgated to the Fleet in Admiralty Fleet Order No. 498/24, he will consider the desirability of stimulating this policy by fixing a definite percentage of vacancies in His Majesty's naval establishments to be filled by ex-naval and marine ratings?

The general question of reserving a proportion of vacancies in Government employment for ex-service men is still under the consideration of an inter-Departmental Committee. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the orders issued in February, 1923, in regard to filling vacancies in Admiralty establishments which are still in force.

The orders are as follow:

In filling vacancies for workmen in Admiralty establishments, in addition to the general preference given to ex-service men, special preference is to be given to ex-Naval men (including ex-Royal Marines), always provided that the men selected are in no way less qualified to fill the vacancies than other ex-service or non-service candidates. In order that in particularly deserving cases men may not be debarred from employment, it has been decided that during the next two years the existing rule, requiring that the proportion of Army and Navy reservists employed in His Majesty's dockyards should not exceed 15 per cent. of the total numbers borne, may be relaxed at the discretion of the Admiral Superintendent (A.F.O. 432 of 16th February, 1923).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that certain dockyard officers and clerks in the Supply and Accountancy Department of His Majesty's dockyards were called upon to perform duties in higher grades pending settlement of post-War complements; will he recommend the award of a gratuity for such service; and if he is aware that difference of pay is authorised in the Naval Service for duties performed in higher grades where the authorised complement is not borne?

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

Following is the reply:

The statement in the first part of the question is substantially correct. The cases concerned comprise two classes, namely, (1) those of officers who carried out higher duties during the period from the 1st April, 1922, when the post-War complements were approved, to the 31st October, 1922, when the post-War complements were brought into effect, and acting appointments in excess of approved post-War numbers were terminated, and (2) those who carried out such duties after the 31st October, 1922, owing to delays in the arrival of their reliefs, etc. The case of those comprised in the second category has already been fully considered, and it has been decided that it is not practicable either to grant acting appointments on the post-War scales or to award gratuities. The position of the remainder is at present under consideration. The conditions of service applicable to Naval personnel are so materially different from those applicable to civilian staff that the practice adopted in regard to the former could not be accepted as appropriate to the latter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if a decision has been arrived at on Item 52 of the 1922 welfare requests concerning the rights of naval inventors?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of 27th February to the Noble Lady the Member for Sutton (Viscountess Astor).

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government, before deciding to abandon the Singapore scheme, communicated with any and, if so, which foreign countries on the subject, or whether they received assurances from any and, if so, which foreign country promising a corresponding reduction in armaments, either actual or contemplated?

The answers to both parts of the question are in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Alexander Fraser, seaman, of Stromness, who became entitled to unemployment benefit from 30th June to 15th August, 1921, but in respect of whose claim 17 days only of benefit were allowed; whether this penalisation was due to an alteration in the regulations for the registration of seamen's claims as between Kirkwall and Aberdeen; and whether, in view of the fact that the man claimed at Aberdeen on instructions given him at Kirkwall, he can now be allowed benefit for the full period to which he is entitled?

Under the procedure operative up to 20th July, 1921, a claim from Fraser, who was a seaman residing at Stromness, could not be admitted at Kirkwall. Fraser attempted to claim at Kirkwall on 9th July and was referred to Aberdeen, where he lodged a claim on 30th July. This claim has been ante-dated to 20th July, the earliest date at which a claim could have been accepted from him at Kirkwall, and this is the utmost concession which it is possible to make.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a heavy additional burden will be thrown on the Poor Rates of many local authorities on and after the 16th of next month owing to the exhaustion of unemployment benefit under the existing Act; is he prepared to take the necessary steps to secure the passing into law at once of a measure extending the payment of unemployed benefit so that there shall be no gap occurring on 17th April; and, if so, when does he propose to introduce the same?

I am aware of the facts mentioned, and hope to introduce a Bill next week to deal with the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour if employment exchange officials are instructed to inform persons receiving unemployment pay how many hours' work on how many days in any week insured persons may be employed without becoming disqualified for the receipt of unemployment benefit; and will he state what these instructions are?

The required information is contained in an explanatory leaflet (U.I.L. 8), copies of which may be obtained on application at any local office. In addition there is exhibited at all local offices a poster calling attention to the general rule that the unemployed register must not be signed by an applicant on any day on which he follows any occupation from which he derives remuneration or profit. Further, local officers are instructed to explain the position whenever necessary.

Could the right hon. Gentleman kindly say how many hours of work an unemployed person receiving unemployment pay may do during one week?

That information is contained in the leaflet, which can easily be obtained. I will send the hon. Member a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the poster is not always exhibited, and that many men have suffered very seriously in pocket through unwittingly taking employment while enjoying benefit?

I am not aware of that, but wherever it can be proved that a man has suffered through lack of exhibition of the poster I will look into it at once.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I brought a case of this kind before the Ministry of Labour and received no satisfaction?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now provide the figures of the amounts actually spent during the last winter in providing employment for the unemployed of the some 50 millions provided last autumn in cash or credit by the last Government; whether any money is now being spent in providing work in addition to that 50 millions; and whether any part of the original amount still unexpended will have to go back automatically to the Treasury on the 31st of March next?

The sum of £50 millions was made up of

As regards roads, bridges and the Unemployment Grants Committee schemes, various commitments have been entered into which will involve payments in future years A statement detailing the various schemes and the money now being spent apart from the £50 millions spoken of has been prepared, and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The local authorities and companies to whom grants have been promised or credit granted are proceeding with their schemes. No moneys have, however, yet been paid out of the Exchequer in respect of these schemes. About £250,000 will have been paid out of the Road Fund (which, however, is derived from motor taxes and not from voted moneys) by 31st March, 1924.

No part of the moneys involved in the schemes referred to in the £50 millions programme will revert to the Exchequer at 31st March.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for promising to circulate further information, may I ask if he has not omitted the £7,750,000 which was voted, and which his predecessor said definitely would actually be spent before 31st March, in addition to the £14,000,000 he has mentioned in connection with road schemes; is it not the case that there is a special fund from the Exchequer to supplement the Road Board Fund, and has he spent any of that fund before 31st March?

There were several statements made about millions. One was made by my predecessor, to which I am referring; a second was made by, I forget which Cabinet Minister; and the third was made in the country by the right hon. Gentleman the ex-Minister of Health (Sir W. Joynson-Hicks). I have taken the one. They varied in statement from £50,000,000 to £100,000,000.

Is there any doubt that there was £7,750,000 which was going to be spent before 31st March on roads, quite apart from the additional £14,000,000, and has the right hon. Gentleman spent that money or has he not?

May I call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that I said I was circulating a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT? I have given a very long answer, and if the right hon. Gentleman does not find his information, and will ask again, I shall be glad to endeavour to give it.

Will the statement which the right hon. Gentleman is going to circulate make it clear that no less than £20,000,000 worth of work was approved in addition by the late Government?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the Government have any fresh proposals for the relief of unemployment?

Am I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that, of the £50,000,000 voted by the last Government for the relief of unemployment, absolutely none has been spent during the last year?

I will willingly circulate any information that I have at my disposal. With regard to the last supplementary question, I cannot trace any part of this £50,000,000 as having been spent by the Treasury.

Will the right hon. Gentleman add, to the statement he is going to circulate, the number of men employed on work provided by the present Government?

If the right hon. Baronet will put a question down, I will do my best to give him an answer.

Is it not a most extraordinary state of affairs. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"] I do not see any reason why hon. Members on the other side should applaud that. Seeing that we are so close to the end of the financial year, the House ought to have an opportunity of discussing this statement, and I should like to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House to discuss the question.

Any question of administration will be open for discussion to-day or to-morrow.

Following is the statement promised:

1. The Right Hon. Member is, I think, under a misapprehension when he speaks of the sum of £50,000,000 as having been provided in cash or credit by the last Government for this purpose. The sum of £50,000,000 was, I believe, mentioned by the late Minister of Labour in a speech at Stationers' Hall on 16th October, 1923, as the "new expenditure now being initiated and as far as possible put in hand immediately."

This sum was made up of

£14,000,000, Road and Bridge programme.

£10,000,000, Extension of Unemployment Grants Committees schemes.

£12,000,000, Trade Facilities guarantees.

£10,000,000 to £15,000,000, Railway Companies' expenditure.

( a ) The cost of the £14,000,000 road and bridge programme, which is financed partly by local authorities and partly by grants out of the Road Fund and not from Voted Moneys, will fall largely on future years, and the actual disbursements up to 31st March, 1924, will be relatively small, say £250,000. Unexpended grants from the Road Fund are not surrenderable to the Exchequer, as the fund is derived from motor taxes and not from Voted Moneys. I should add that although no progress has been made in regard to the Liverpool-Manchester road (the estimated cost of which, namely, £3,000,000, is included in the figures), negotiations for the Glasgow-Edinburgh road (£2,000,000) are, it is hoped, on the point of completion. It is proposed that the Government should contribute about £1,500,000 to this latter scheme, and to the remainder of the programme (£9,000,000) a Road Fund contribution of approximately £6,500,000 is contemplated. The whole of this sum has been allocated to specific works.

( b ) Government assistance towards the £10,000,000 extension of Unemployment Grants Committee schemes takes the form of grants over a period of years towards interest and sinking fund charges or interest only on approved expenditure out of loans approved for grant. The initial grant is not normally paid till some six months after the loans have been raised. Accordingly, no payments out of the Exchequer in respect of the extension of the Unemployment Grants Committee schemes referred to will fall to be made before 31st March, 1924. The necessary provision will, however, be made in succeeding Estimates and the question of surrender, accordingly, has no significance. The amount of loan approved for grant on this programme up to the end of February, 1924, is approximately £5,000,000.

( c ) The third item was the amount of the guarantees given under the Trade Facilities Act between June and October; no money has actually been paid out of the Exchequer in respect of them, as they will only involve cash disbursements if and when losses to be borne by the Exchequer materialise.

( d ) The fourth item does not involve Government expenditure.

2. In reply to the second part of the question, the Right Hon. Member will appreciate that the money now being disbursed by the Government on unemployment relief schemes is mainly, if not wholly, in respect of work done some time ago. Work has, however, been provided during this winter under a number of schemes other than those mentioned above, and I give below some particulars together with details of the estimated expenditure by the Government during the financial year 1923–24.

(a) Road and Bridge Programmes.

The cost to completion as at the beginning of this financial year of programmes, other than the £14,000,000 mentioned above, was approximately £17,000,000. Towards this the Government will provide about £9,500,000, of which approximately £3,350,000 will fall to be disbursed by 31st March, 1924.

(b) Unemployment Grants Committee Loan Schemes.

Excluding the £10,000,000 programme referred to earlier, the Unemployment Grants Committee have this financial year approved for grant loans to the extent of over £12,500,000 in respect of relief works schemes. The Government contribution in this case is towards loan charges as they accrue and will be spread over a number of years. The capitalised Exchequer liability in respect of loans approved this financial year is approximately £3,900,000. During the financial year, Exchequer payments in respect of loan schemes will amount to £475,000, of which £40,000 is in respect of schemes sanctioned during the year.

(c) Unemployment Grants Committee Schemes assisted by Grants made on the basis of 60 per cent. of the Wages Cost.

Schemes costing £2,000,000 have been approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee for grant towards expenditure on wages during the financial year. Payments of Government grants during the year have amounted to £450,000.

(d) Drainage, Afforestation, etc., Schemes.

The provision for the winter of 1923–24 amounted to approximately £800,000, towards which the Exchequer will contribute approximately £400,000 by 31st March, 1924.

(e) Advancement of Government works; expedition of Contracts, etc.

£3,000,000 has been set aside during the current financial year. Particulars of the expenditure under this head are not at present available, but I will endeavour to obtain them if the right hon. Member so desires.

3. Guarantees under the Trade Facilities Acts to the extent of £38,000,000 in the aggregate and under the Export Credits Scheme to the extent of £8,000,000 are in operation at the present time to assist trade.

4.—( a ) The right hon. Member will realise that, however strenuously the necessary preliminaries are expedited, some interval must inevitably elapse between the initiation of relief works plans and the progress of work on any appreciable scale. The present Government was not called upon to take office before the worst of the winter months had passed and until it was too late to initiate new works which would affect this winter's unemployment.

( b ) The Government has, however, taken the following steps:

(i) The Unemployment Grants Committee has been authorised to exceed by £2,000,000 the limit on loan schemes which may be approved during the present financial year and to assist further schemes to the maximum value of £20,000,000 during 1924–25. The policy of confining schemes to winter months is to be discontinued.

(ii) The Ministry of Transport has been authorised to proceed with certain road and bridge schemes for which no financial provision had hitherto been made and has been requested to prepare a programme of works for the ensuing year, and to impress on local authorities the importance of proceeding with certain electricity schemes.

(iii) Further expenditure on drainage and afforestation schemes to the extent of £100,000 during this winter has been authorised.

(iv) The Trade Facilities Acts are, it is proposed, to be supplemented by a Bill now before the House increasing the sum for which guarantees may be given by £15,000,000 and making available the sum of £12,000,000 in guarantees, the power to grant which had been allowed to lapse by the late Government, and extending the time of operation to 31st March, 1925.

(v) The export Credits Scheme is being examined with a view to possible removal of restrictive rules.

(iv) The Secretary of State for the Colonies has been requested to submit proposals regarding Empire development work additional to the Kenya Uganda Railway Scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount paid into the Unemployed Insurance Fund as workmen's contributions, employers' contributions, and State contributions in the coal-mining industry for the year 1923; and the amount paid out to unemployed miners for the same year?

Separate accounts are not kept of the contributions and benefit for each industry. The total amount of contributions in respect of the coal-mining industry to the Unemployment Insurance Fund in 1923, however, may be roughly estimated as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour whether the insurance funds of his Department are subject to frequent valuation; whether he can say that the contributions are more than adequate to meet the claims for unemployment benefit; if so, whether he can either increase the scale of benefits or reduce the scale of contributions; and whether he will consider fixing the scale of benefits to be commensurate with the general standard of wages instead of the scale obtaining, even if it involved an increase in the contributions?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will if I may circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

There is no specific provision for the periodical valuation of the Unemployment Fund. Section 16 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, permits a revision of the rates of contribution in certain circumstances at intervals of seven years, but Section 2 of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1921, provides that the present rates of contribution are to be maintained during the deficiency period of the Unemployment Fund as defined by Section 16 of that Act.

The revenue of the fund during the past year has been more than sufficient to cover the expenditure, but, as the debt of the fund is still between 10 and 11 millions, no question yet arises of altering the rates of contribution on financial grounds.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that at Nenthead, in Cumberland, there is no Employment Exchange, and that in the district there is a considerable number of people out of work who have to walk many miles to draw their out-of-work pay, which causes them, particularly in winter, very great hardship; and, under the circumstances, will he consider opening an Employment Exchange at Nenthead?

I am informed that 28 Nenthead claimants are attending the Alston Employment Office, 4½ miles distant, once weekly. I am afraid the circumstances do not warrant the opening of an office at Nenthead. I am, however, making inquiry as to the possibility of an improvement on present arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, as on relief works towards which a Government grant has been made 75 per cent. of the men employed must be ex-service men, men who were not of military age during the War are now therefore excluded; whether he is aware also that large numbers of men now unemployed were not demanded for military service because of disability or the nature of their employment; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of making poverty and domestic hardship the test of employment on such schemes?

As stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Epping (Sir L. Lyle) on 12th March, the grant-making Departments have discretion to allow less than the ordinary minimum of 75 per cent. of ex-service men to be employed in special circumstances. I think this discretion sufficently meets cases such as those referred to in the question.

asked the Minister of Labour if the Regulation removing the restriction of wages on relief works aided by the Unemployment Grants Committee to 75 per cent. of the district rate is permissive only; and if there are any difficulties which prevent it from being applied in all cases?

It is not one of the conditions of a grant that the local authority should pay any particular rate, provided that they do not exceed the rate paid to their own workmen on similar classes of work or the district rate for this class of work if this is lower. Within this limit, I do not think it would be advisable to interfere with the discretion of the authority.

asked the Minister of Labour whether tramcar cleaners and pointsmen who have had to stop work because of the strike of the drivers and conductors of tramcars in the county of London are entitled to unemployment pay; and, if not, will he state the reason why these men are not to be paid?

The decision on this point lies with the chief insurance officer, subject to a right of appeal to the Court of Referees, and in certain cases to the umpire. I understand that the chief insurance officer has not yet received any claims made by tramcar cleaners and pointsmen. As a matter of fact, I understand that these grades are directly concerned in the dispute.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any indication of the policy which the Government intend to pursue towards juvenile unemployment centres when the period for which the present grants were made comes to an end in April?

I have been asked to reply. It is the policy of the Government to give all possible encouragement to these centres. The period of grant has been extended to 31st March, 1925, and the rate of grant as from 1st April next is to be 100 per cent. of approved out-of-pocket expenditure so long as unemployment among boys and girls remains at its present level.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that one of the best ways of dealing with this matter of juvenile unemployment is for the Government to raise the school age to 15?

I do not think that arises out of this question.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will resume the publication of the Report on Trade Unions;

(2) whether he will arrange for the regular issue of the Industrial Directory;

(3) whether he will resume the publication of changes in rates of wages and hours of labour during the year, also covering the period since publication was stopped?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his question of 7th March. I am considering the possibility of resuming publication of the three volumes in question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the long hours and the low rates of pay of the men and women massagers and attendants at the various Turkish baths in the different parts of the country; that the business is one of the greatest sweating businesses there is in the country; and whether it will be possible to bring them under the Trade Boards Act?

I have no information as to the hours and rates of pay of the workers mentioned in the question, and I should be glad to receive any particulars in the possession of my hon. Friend. I am aware that there is a good deal of sweating in Turkish baths, but I have no information as to whether the business is a "sweated" one. I am taking advice whether this business falls within the scope of the Trade Boards Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am a frequenter of Turkish baths, that I have made personal inquiries into this matter, and that the attendants' rates of pay are exceedingly low; and will he, later on, give me more information on the matter?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government's training scheme for unemployed ex-service men is about to be closed down; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that there are 300,000 ex-service men under 30 years of age who are still unemployed, many of whom owing to their war service lost the opportunity of being trained, he will reconsider this decision?

There are at present about 10,000 disabled ex-service men in Great Britain and Ireland in training under the Industrial Training Scheme, and about 4,000 awaiting training. These are men who are prevented by a war disability from resuming their pre-War occupation. I should doubt whether the number of unemployed ex-service men under 30 years of age is so large as is stated in the question; and, in any case, I fear that the openings at present available in most skilled trades are not sufficient to justify the Government in embarking upon any more extended scheme of training.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the opening of training centres for non-disabled out-of-work ex-service men, with a. view to satisfying the fierce demand in the building industry for men to build houses for the people of this country?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the good work that is being done in training ex-service men in the Government instructional factory, St. James's, Norwich, it is his intention to keep open this factory; and, if not, why not?

The decline in the number of men in training at the Norwich instructional factory, and the large amount of accommodation vacant elsewhere, will make it necessary to close this centre about the end of May and transfer the remaining trainees elsewhere.

Are we to understand there are no more men in the Norwich area who are prejudicially affected by the late War?

I ask the Noble Lord to take the answer I have given, that the decline in the number of men is so great as to make it unnecessary to keep this factory going.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Government instructional factory, St. James's, Norwich, contains departments suitable for training men in plastering and bricklaying; and if, in view of the shortage of labour in the building trade, he will urge the Minister of Labour to re-open these departments, which were closed by the last Government?

I have been asked to reply. The plastering class at the Government instructional factory, Norwich, closed in November, 1922, and the bricklayers' class closed last October. Their equipment has been dispersed. The question of the supply of additional skilled labour for the building trade is under consideration by a committee of employers' and operatives' organisations in that industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the last Minister of Health was unable to sanction a number of houses which were required to be built by the local authority at Norwich because of the very serious shortage of building labour in that district?

Do not the terms of the answer to the original question indicate that the late Minister of Health, or someone very near to him, sanctioned the closing of this instructional centre?

Would the right hon. Gentleman inform us that in reference to this crucial question he will give information at an early date as to the negotiations in progress?

All questions regarding the negotiations that are in progress should be directed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Is it the policy of the Government to open instructional factories in the building trade?

If suggestions are made to me of a practical character, whereby I can set up an instructional factory in a reasonable way so as to help ex-service men, I will fairly consider the subject.

Would the trade union officials allow these men to work? Is not that the crux of the matter?

I am sorry to say that I cannot speak for the trade union officials.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to obtain their consent?

asked the Minister of Health if he has received representations from the Thetford Board of Guardians with respect to ex-service men being compelled to resort to Poor Law assistance; and what steps the Government propose to take to give adequate treatment to ex-service men and their dependants without resort to the Poor Law?

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes." As regards the second part, I am taking steps to obtain information as to the number of ex-service men in receipt of poor relief, and when that information has been collected, the situation will be considered.

asked the Minister of Health if he will prepare a return of ex-service men with their dependants receiving outdoor relief, those residents of workhouses, and those charged to local rates who are in mental institutions?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health if he will refuse to discharge any competent temporary ex-service civil servants from his Department until the Southborough Committee has issued its report?

I am happy to inform the hon. Member that so far as the Ministry of Health is concerned there has been no reduction in the body of ex-service temporary clerks except by resignation or through misconduct since the 1st April, 1923, and, so far as can be foreseen, no reduction of this staff will be necessary in the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Health if he will recommend that in his Department competent temporary ex-service civil servants shall be absorbed into the permanent staff as occasion demands without the necessity of passing competitive examinations?

While desirous of assisting the ex-service temporary civil servants to the utmost of my power, it would not be proper for me to express an opinion on a matter which is being considered as a general service question.

Is it not a fact that these people have been performing their duties for many years past, and if they have done so and have proved their competence, cannot the right hon. Gentleman put a great many of them on the establishment list?

I have no doubt that will be taker into account.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that it is taken into account?

Yes, as far as it comes under my supervision.

As these men are the lowest paid people in the Civil Service, can the right hon. Gentleman allow them to go on with the work that they are doing, on a permanent basis, if they have proved themselves efficient?

Due consideration of that point will be given as part of the general question.

Are the Government going to make any statement on this question in the course of the Debate to-morrow?

It can be raised to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is his intention to establish a Trade Board for the wholesale grocery provision and distributive trades?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 12th March to the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry) and on 5th March to the Noble Lord the Member for Nottingham South (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck), respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to a lock-out which has occurred at Woolworth's Stores, Swansea, a firm of foreign origin, where, owing to the method of dividing the girls into three categories, full-time, half-time, and Saturdays only, and irrespective of length of service putting them on half-time, the girls made an attempt to remedy this method of casualising work, but men and girls were introduced from Cardiff and the girls originally employed locked out; and will he make inquiries into the whole position?

I am aware of the circumstances of the dispute at Messrs. Wool- worth's, Swansea. An officer of my Department has held a conference of the parties, but I regret that a settlement was not reached. The Department is remaining in touch with the parties.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many complaints against this firm of sweating their employés, and has he any powers to deal with them?

I am not aware officially of the complaints mentioned. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me details of these things occurring I will do what I can in the matter. There are no specific powers to compel employers to pay special wages.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present number of the staff employed by his Department; how many are males and how many of these are ex-service men; if any are only employed temporarily; whether any females are employed in the Department, and, if so, how many; and how the total figures compare with a year ago?

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures: —

asked the Minister of Health how many infants were born in 1922 and 1923 in Great Britain; how many parents secured exemption certificates from vaccination in both years; how many deaths occurred from small-pox during the same periods; and how many deaths were certified as being due to vaccination?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following are the required particulars for

England and Wales:

* Provisional figures.

† This figure differs from that given in the reply to the hon. Member for Central Bradford on 21st January, 1924, the reason being that one death provisionally classified as associated with vaccination was found, on reference to the certifying medical practitioner, not to have been associated therewith.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the acute agricultural distress now prevailing and of the fact that all corn and foodstuffs grown in this country have to bear taxation under Schedules A, B and D, and in rates, from which foreign imported produce is free, and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is unable to state the total amount of such taxation and the acreage of land on which it is levied, he will cause an inquiry to be held with a view to ascertaining the average total sum annually levied in rates and taxes during the last five years upon agricultural land, the acreage upon which this sum was levied, and the produce of that acreage as furnished in Returns to the Ministry of Agriculture, so that the people of this country may know the amount of the food taxes at present imposed on home-grown food?

Accurate information of the kind desired could not be obtained, and such information as could be obtained would be of doubtful value and require an immensely disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. Further, if the information could be obtained it would not serve the purpose which the Noble Lord has in view, since I cannot agree that Income Tax and rates are food taxes.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that accurate information as to the amount of taxes on agriculture at present is essential to appreciation of the agricultural position, and will he not refer this specific question to the Committee of economists who are now considering agriculture?

As far as this can be done it will be, I think, within the scope of the terms of reference to the Committee.

asked the Prime Minister why His Majesty's Government still refuses to recognise the Government of Mexico; and if he is aware that the Government of the United States has recognised the Government of Mexico?

In reply to the first part of the question, I can only refer to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Bilston Division of Wolverhampton on the 19th March. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to add anything to his previous announcement regarding his negotiations with the railway companies on the question of travelling facilities for Members of Parliament visiting their constituencies?

I have been making inquiries of the railway companies and have also had estimates of the cost made by the Ministry of Transport. To provide first-class season tickets for a year for every Member of Parliament between London and a town in his constituency which he names, by one route only, will amount approximately to £70,000; third - class, approximately £47,000. The House of Commons must itself take further action if it so desires.

Will my right hon. Friend provide facilities for the House to discuss this subject at an early date, and will he make inquiries as to what the cost would be of third-class seasons with provision of sleeping carriages?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable that the country should have an opportunity of expressing its opinion on this matter?

Where do you live?

I assume the House of Commons for this purpose is the country. With reference to the question of facilities, perhaps hon. Members will set the usual machinery in motion, and approach me later.

Will the Government state their policy?

The Government will state their policy.

Is there any hope of this discussion taking place, with an arrangements made for first-class passes and sleeping cars, before the Easter Recess?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of eviction orders issued by the Courts during the months of January and February, 1924, throughout the country?

I regret that I have not got this information, but I am in communication with the Lord Chancellor about it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire from the Lord Chancellor and ask him to distinguish the number of eviction orders made in respect of non-payment of rent and other matters?

Yes. I will undertake to obtain any information that is available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain also how many of these cases are adjourned pending legislation?

Is it not a fact that the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available?

Of course, if it is not available, I shall not be able to present it to the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the records are kept in such a way that the information may be available in future?

Of course, I could not say how much labour would be involved in that. I will make inquiries.

Is my right hon Friend aware that in many cases where evictions take place the houses become vacant and are decontrolled, and the landlords increase the rents?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mrs. Deacon and her family, of 9, Upper Nicholl Street, Desborough, are under notice to quit, and find it impossible to secure other accommodation at Desborough; whether he is aware that Mrs. Deacon, an aged lady, has an invalid husband, had three sons killed in the War, and is in receipt of a pension of 12s. per week; whether he will consider what steps can be taken to avoid her being evicted from her home; and whether, in view of the increasing number of these cases, he will consider the desirability of introducing a short Measure in the House of Commons, to prevent these evictions taking place?

I am not aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers, and I have no power to intervene. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on Monday in reply to questions on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the improbability of the Rent Restrictions Bill passing into law at an early date, the Government will introduce forthwith a single-clause Bill in order to prevent the evictions now taking place due to the conflicting decisions which have been given in the Courts on the 1923 Act?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on Monday in reply to similar questions.

In view of the delay in introducing the Government Bill, will the right hon. Gentleman give facilities for the Bill which my hon. Friend the Member for Withington (Mr. Simon) is introducing to-day to deal with this most pressing question?

I hope to introduce the Government Bill next week.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses there are in Great Britain which are overcrowded to the extent of having more than two occupants per room average; what steps he is taking to compel local authorities to provide the necessary housing accommodation in areas where builders are not fully occupied with work; and whether he will undertake to provide the present subsidy to all private builders of standard houses until such time as the present shortage is minimised?

According to the 1921 Census, the number of private families living at a rate in excess of two occupants per room in England and Wales was, approximately, 495,000. As regards Scotland, I would suggest that the hon. Member should address a similar question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland. As regards the other questions, I suggest the hon. Member should await the proposals of the Government for dealing generally with the housing situation.

When will those proposals be brought forward?

I should say within the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Health if it is intended that those living in slum areas will get the first houses built and those slum areas be then demolished; and, if such are unable to pay the rents of the new houses, who will do so?

I suggest that the hon. Member should raise his question on the general statement of the Government's proposals which I shall have to make.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now make an announcement as to the progress of the negotiations with the building trade on the question of the dilution of building labour?

I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the urgent need of housing accommodation in the village of Weldon, Kettering, Northants, and that the Kettering Rural District Council, who are responsible for the administration in the village of Weldon, have expressed the opinion that the subsidy payable under the Housing Act of 1923 is quite inadequate to meet the circumstances in the rural districts where local building materials are not available and the cost of transit of such materials renders building impossible; and if it is the intention of the Ministry of Health to assist the erection of houses in rural districts by increased subsidies to meet the exceptional circumstances?

In submitting proposals under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, the Kettering Rural District Council referred to a general need for houses throughout the district. As I have stated, in reply to previous questions, the needs of rural areas are being borne in mind in connection with the Government s general proposals for dealing with the housing shortage.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of houses built in the rural and agricultural areas of the county of Buckingham under the Addison Act, and the number now sanctioned under the 1923 Act?

Under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc. Act, 1919, 806 houses were erected by local authorities and public utility societies in the areas of rural district councils in the county of Buckingham, and under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, 543 houses were erected by private builders. 533 houses are included in schemes of rural district councils in the county in question which have been authorised under the Housing, Etc. Act, 1923.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the relative cost to the State of the two schemes, and is it not a fact that under the Addison scheme the houses cost about twenty times as much as they do now?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the number of houses needed in rural and agricultural areas in the county of Buckingham or estimated by the D 89 Returns made under the Addison building scheme?

According to the returns in question, which were obtained from local authorities in 1919, 2,770 houses were stated to be required during the three subsequent years in the areas of rural district councils in the county of Buckingham to meet unsatisfied demands and to provide for overcrowding, replacement of unfit houses, etc.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered how far there is a public demand for facilities to purchase houses or to build houses between the value of £500 and £1,000; whether he has considered the incentive that would thereby be given to the building trade if the Trade Facilities Act could be made available for guarantees for loans through accredited building societies up to 90 per cent. of the purchase price; and whether he can give the House any indication that such a policy will be adopted?

Provision is already made in Section 5 of the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, for the giving of guarantees on lines similar to those suggested by the hon. Member, and there would appear to be no necessity to extend the scope of the Trade Facilities Act in this direction.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the costs of building materials; and what he is prepared to do to stop the increases in prices continuing?

I have seen the Report in question, and the matters referred to therein are at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take with regard to the recent advances in the price of bricks, lead, and slates?

Steps are being taken by the Committee on Prices of Building Materials to investigate this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the steps which this Committee are taking are adequate?

I have every confidence in the Committee, and I will await the result of their statement.

When the result is published, shall we be informed exactly how all the rises in price have taken place, including labour?

Yes, I will see that the utmost publicity is given to that point.

asked the Minister of Health if he has formed any estimate of the number of working-class houses that can be built annually during the remainder of the years 1924–31 without inflating costs in the building industry; if, so, what is the number; and on what basis has it been estimated?

The Government's housing programme is still under consideration, and I am unable to make any statement in anticipation of the submission of the proposals to this House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as there is a number of people besides the Government working on constructive schemes for housing, these estimates will be of great service to them in framing their plans in order to overcome the shortage?

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that he has formed no estimate of the number of houses proposed to be built under his scheme?

No. I merely stated that I am not in a position to make any general report until I submit my proposals.