asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to make any amendments to the Regulations governing the issue of final awards; if so, will the amendments be of such a nature as will permit of the re-opening of cases where there is new medical evidence or a recurrence of the invaliding disability after the expiry of the award; and whether provision will also be made to enable men who have been awarded a life pension on a low degree of disablement to appeal for an increase of pension should their condition get worse?

In cases where it is shown that an award was erroneously declared final at the time it was made, owing to a definite error of fact or judgment, I am empowered, with the sanction of the Treasury, to amend the award, and this procedure is now in operation for the benefit of cases in which appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal is no longer available. The question whether any amendment to the Final Awards Regulations is necessary to meet cases of error of this kind is under consideration. As regards cases of the type referred to in the latter part of the question, so far as they are not cases of error, the suggestion made, if I apprehend it aright, would involve amendment of the Act, not of the Regulations.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long it will take to bring about that legislation?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question. It is a matter for the Government.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are at least 3,000 or 4,000 cases now awaiting revision, and that it is necessary that something should be done in order to bring these people within the Royal Warrant?

asked the Minister of Pensions the names of the members of the Special Grants Committee and by whom they were appointed; and whether it is proposed to make any modification in the Regulations governing the issue of educational grants to the children of deceased sailors and soldiers?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names and dates of appointment of the present members of the Special Grants Committee, all of whom were appointed by the Minister of Pensions for the time being. I understand that the Special Grants Committee have certain modifications of the education Regulation under their consideration, which will, no doubt, be submitted to me in due course.

The following are the names of the Members of the Special Grants Committee:

Members and Date of Appointment.

Sir Reginald H. Brade, G.C.B., Chairman, September, 1920.

Colonel A. D. Acland, C.B.E., March, 1920.

Brigadier-General L. Banon, C.B., June, 1921.

Mrs. Ivor Bevan, O.B.E., November, 1919.

Sir Coles Child, Bart., J.P., D.L., August, 1917.

S. Chorlton, Esq., January, 1921.

Sir Bertram Cubitt, K.C.B., August, 1917.

Alderman Hardaker, J.P., June, 1921.

Miss E. H. Kelly, C.B.E., J.P., August, 1917.

J. H. Knaggs, Esq., April, 1922.

Mrs. Reginald McKenna, J.P., August, 1917.

W. L. Marshall, Esq., O.B.E., August, 1917.

Dame Ethel Shakespear, D.B.E., D.Sc., August, 1917.

Lieut.-General the Hon. Sir F. Stopford, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O, August, 1917.

A. G. Webb, Esq., April, 1922.

Would the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Special Grants Committee, if he has any power to do so, drawing their attention to the enormous number of applications for educational grants that have been recently refused, although made on the recommendation of the local pensions committee?

I have already had a conference with the Special Grants Committee, and this was one of the subjects discussed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he intends to nominate two Parliamentary representatives to the Scottish regional council in place of the hon. Gentleman the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and of Mr. Noel Skelton, both resigned?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the way in which ex-service men in Buckinghamshire are prejudiced by the new scheme under which the Aylesbury area office has been placed under Oxford; is he aware that this economy does not lead to efficiency; and will he reinstate the chief area officer with his former powers at Aylesbury?

Before the Aylesbury and Oxford areas were amalgamated on the 1st instant, the two war pensions committees concerned were consulted and their agreement obtained. The change was designed to produce increased efficiency without involving inconvenience to the pensioners, and, so-far as can be seen, this object is being realised. I am, however, inquiring further into this question with reference to the instances mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member in this House on the 21st instant.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is very widespread dissatisfaction at the inevitable delay caused by the fact that it is never possible to obtain an answer at Aylesbury, all letters and judgments having to be submitted to Oxford?

I will bear that in mind in the investigations which are being made.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House on Monday next.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that when anonymous letters are sent containing allegations against a war widow an inquiry officer, who is usually a police constable, is sent by the special grants committee, and the widow's pension may be stopped without any reference to or report from the local war pensions committee; and whether he will take steps to see that the widow has an adequate opportunity of meeting the charge anonymously made against her?

My hon. Friend has, I think, been misinformed. It is not the practice of the special grants committee to declare a widow's pension forfeited until she has been given an opportunity, through her war pensions committee, of meeting the charge made against her.

asked the Minister of Pensions the result of the medical boards held for purposes of re-assessment during the last six months of 1923, showing the percentage of pensions increased, decreased, and unchanged, and the net result?

During the period referred to, 190,000 cases came up for medical re-examination by boards. As a result of this review, in 55 per cent. of the cases pension was renewed at the previous rate, in 21 per cent. of cases the pension rate was increased, and in 24 per cent. it was reduced. The net result of these changes was a net increase of 0·6 per cent. in the average rate of disablement.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he proposes to continue the existence of the central advisory committee; and, if so, what Members of this House are members of this committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am now considering the appointment of Members of this House to fill certain vacancies which have arisen. I will announce their names as soon as possible.

Can the hon. Gentleman state when this committee last met? Has it met this year?

I have no information.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he contemplates making any change in relation to the area office at Truro; and if he has received any representations from the county of Cornwall in reference thereto?

Proposals regarding the future of the Truro area office have recently been under consideration, and, following the usual procedure, the observations of the War Pensions Committee were invited. Their observations have been received, and I have now decided to make no change at present.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the amendments to Article 11 of the Royal Warrant have not resulted in a satisfactory solution of the difficulties associated with the seven years' time limit; and if he will consider the complete abolition of the time limit as the only way of satisfying the claims of the widows and dependants of ex-service men?

The amendments which the hon. Member has in mind are no doubt those made in the recently issued Warrant affecting Article 17, not Article 11. These amendments have so recently been made, after full and prolonged consideration, that further experience is required of their working before I can express any opinion on the suggestion made in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received any complaints as to the treatment of pensioners at the appeals tribunal, Nottingham; and, if so, whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the operations of this tribunal?

Since the 2nd January last, seven differently constituted tribunals have sat at Nottingham. During this time one complaint only reached the Central Office with regard to the treatment of an appellant. Inquiries showed that the appellant was suffering from neurasthenia, and the fact that he appeared mentally troubled and depressed was noted by the medical members present at the hearing.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is a very grave feeling of dissatisfaction and discontent in the area?

I was not aware of that. Of course, if any complaint be forwarded, it will be looked into at once.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the facts that pensioners from rural districts, and suffering from nervous disabilities, are at a disadvantage if unrepresented at the appeals tribunals, and that such representation is frequently impossible owing to the cost of railway fares, he will consider the possibility, in the interests of the pensioners, of decentralising the tribunals in order that courts may be set up at more convenient centres than is now the case?

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements are made for pensions appeal tribunals to sit at centres which experience has shown are most suitable, having in view the convenience of the majority of the appellants, their friends and advisers. Tribunals now sit at London, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Cardiff, Wrexham, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle. The question of holding sittings at places other than those mentioned has received the careful consideration of the Lord Chancellor. Having regard, however, to the distribution of the bulk of the cases, the extra cost and the inevitable delay involved, it has been decided that no alteration is desirable. In the event of an appellant being medically unfit to attend before a tribunal, arrangements are made for him to be visited.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that officers with service pensions of over £500 now in the Ministry of Pensions are to have their services shortly dispensed with in order to make way for others who have either a lesser pension or no pension, he will say what numbers of these officers are now employed in the Ministry; whether any such have already received notice to go and, if so, how many; whether any thus situated as regards pension have not received notice to go; what are their numbers, and what are the reasons for their retention; and how can the difference in treatment be explained?

There are 19 temporary officers now in the Ministry who are in receipt of service pensions of over £500 a year. Of these, 11 are medical officers, and of the remainder six have received warning of discharge. Some of the posts vacated will not be filled. The retention for the present of the other officers is considered necessary for the efficient carrying out of the work of the Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, when redundancy occurs, only those temporary officials who are least efficient are made redundant; whether these are taken first as possible retentions in other branches of the Ministry when vacancies occur; whether the Officer's Friend Branch of the Ministry is to have its vacancies filled in this way; and, if so, if he will explain why such redundant officials are considered sufficiently capable of taking up officer's friend work, though not sufficiently efficient to warrant their being retained in their own branch, and say whether the head of the Officer's Friend Branch will be given the opportunity of refusing to take any such redundant officials whom he does not consider suitable?

Generally speaking, the answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. No redundant official is reduced in rank if there is a vacancy in another branch which he is competent to fill, but no officer so trans- feared will be retained in his rank, either in Officer's Friend Branch or elsewhere, if he is unable to do his work efficiently.

With regard to the last part of the question, has the head of the Officers' Friend Branch power to refuse any man who is redundant, and is being transferred to his branch, if he does not consider him to be suitable?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to dispense with the services of officials in Government Departments who are drawing service pensions of £500 a year or over; and whether this policy is to be confined to the Ministry of Pensions, or is to be adopted by all the Government Departments?

It is the general policy of the Government, subject to considerations of efficiency, to give preference for temporary employment to personnel not in possession of private means, in computing which account is taken of service pensions but not of disability pensions. It would be impracticable, however, to discharge all persons in receipt of pensions of the amount stated, regardless of considerations of efficiency. As regards the steps taken to carry out the general policy in the Ministry of Pensions, I would refer to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member by the Minister.

Is this policy applicable to all Government Departments in future?

Yes. The difficulty the hon. Member has in mind turns on medical men and certain technical men and others, and would be difficult to work completely at once.

If this principle is put into operation, will it not have the effect of turning out of employment of the Ministry of Pensions those distinguished soldiers who know more about the case of pensioned men than almost anyone else?

No; I do not think that would be the effect. The problem will only be solved by the reduction of work in the Department. That is the way it is working out now.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will undertake that the terms of recruitment to the newly-authorised staff of the inspectorate of taxes shall be the same for both established and temporary civil servants and that the present stipulation that temporary civil servants must pass a competitive examination whereas permanent men may pass merely by selection shall be waived?

The established classes have faced the test of written competitive examination on their original entry. I cannot adopt the Noble Lord's suggestion that another class might be admitted without at any time undergoing such a test.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the system of witnessed pay-sheets has been generally adopted throughout the Civil Service; and, if not, what action he intends to take in the matter?

It is proposed to introduce legislation on this subject during the current Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of Mr. Horatio Bottomley's valuable service in effective recruiting propaganda during the War, he will order his release or substantially reduce his sentence?

I do not think that this prisoner's antecedents afford any sufficient ground for recommending a reduction of the sentence he is now serving.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Englishmen have deservedly the reputation of being the most humane, kindly, and forgiving people in the world? After all is said and done, Mr. Bottomley—

This is not the time for speeches.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has yet been able to arrive at any decision with respect to the action to be taken on the Report of Lord Emmott's Committee on Superannuation of Teachers?

As I stated in reply to a similar question on the 21st February, the matter is receiving active consideration. But as it will not in any case be possible to establish a permanent Measure for the superannuation of teachers to take effect in the financial year 1924–25, it is my intention to introduce a short Bill prolonging the operation of the temporary Act of 1922. I have good reason to believe that this course will be acceptable to the teachers in England and Wales, who desire that ample time should be available for discussion of the provisions of a permanent Measure.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman will propose in his temporary Bill to continue the existing arrangement for a period of only 12 months?

I think I will ask the right hon. Gentleman to be content to wait till I introduce the Measure, as I will do in the next day or two.

Is there any provision for a widows' and orphans' pensions fund in the teaching profession?

That does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children leave the elementary schools about 14 years of age, being in the third standard, and how many in the fourth standard, giving the numbers separately, for the county of London and for the provinces?

As the information asked for by the hon. Member could only be obtained by a special inquiry, which would cause a great deal of trouble to Local Education Authorities and Schools, I regret that I am unable to give it.

asked the President of the Board of Education if it is the intention of the Board to fix a date after which no new uncertificated teachers will be appointed?

While I am very desirous of increasing the proportion of fully qualified teachers and reducing the proportion of other teachers it would not be practicable, at all events at present, to deal with the matter in the way suggested in the hon. Member's question.

asked the President of the Board of Education the approximate number of uncertificated teachers at present employed in the elementary schools?

The approximate number upon the basis of returns made by Local Education Authorities for the 31st December, 1923, is 32,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is prepared to open Bethnal Green Museum on a certain number of evenings for the convenience of those unable to visit it during the day?

I am anxious to do so, and if my hon. Friend will put down the question again in a sort time, I hope to be able to give him a more definite reply.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the loss in time and money occasioned to common jurors in the discharge of jury service; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation embodying the recommendation of the Mersey Departmental Committee as to the payment of common jurors' out-of-pocket expenses?

I sympathise with the suggestion made, but I do not feel able at the present time to recommend legislation for placing this fresh charge on public funds.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that, during the year ending 31st March, 1923, 2,987 lads, of whom 53 per cent. had not previously been convicted, and 337 girls, of whom 46 per cent. had not previously been convicted, were received upon conviction into the ordinary prisons of the country, excluding Borstal cases, and to the fact that of 1,663 of these lads who were sentenced for a month or less 40 per cent. were committed in default of payment of fines; and whether, in view of the Commissioners' statement that the experience of another year confirms the opinion expressed last year that persons under 21, if they continue to be committed to prison, should be placed in separate establishments where there are no adults at all, he proposes to take steps to establish such separate institutions?

I regret that there are no funds available at present for establishing separate prisons for offenders under 21 sentenced to imprisonment in every part of the country. In the meantime, they are separated from adult offenders so far as circumstances allow.

Can my right hon. Friend give us any hope that further action will be taken shortly in the matter?

I cannot say action will be taken shortly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will grant a return of the numbers of juvenile offenders sent to certified schools who have never been placed on probation and who have not come from bad homes?

No, Sir. I regret that this information cannot be given.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the long hours and low rates of pay of the men and women massagers and attendants at the various Turkish baths in different parts of the country; if he can state whether he intends bringing them within the new Factory Acts; and, if not, whether they will be dealt with under the Shop Assistants Hours Act?

I have no information as to the hours of employment in these establishments, nor have any representations been made to my Department on the subject in recent years, but I should be glad to consider any particulars which my hon. Friend can furnish. The work could not, in my opinion, properly be brought under the Factory Acts, but if a case were made out for statutory regulation, the possibility of bringing it within the Shops Acts would be considered.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that barbers' shop establishments in Turkish baths are under the Shop Assistants Act?

Yes, they will be under it as far as the shops are concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increasingly numerous cases of child assault; and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a committee, including medical and legal experts, to inquire into these matters and the ratio of convictions obtained in the cases known to the police, the best means of preventing these offences and of dealing with the offenders, and as to the adequacy of the provisions made to protect children and the provision made for the unfortunate victims?

Yes, Sir. As indicated in my reply on the 6th instant to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Portsmouth, a conference has been held at the Home Office when this matter was fully discussed. I am now considering the appointment of a suitable Committee for investigation and report. I may add that there is no evidence of any increase in the number of these offences over a period of 25 years.

asked the Home Secretary what are the total sums of money obtained from motorists in the form of fines and costs in police court proceeding during the years 1921, 1922 and 1923; and to what extent police funds benefited from these amounts?

I can only give the amounts paid over by Courts of Summary Jurisdiction to the Home Office in respect of penalties imposed under the Motor Car Acts, 1896 and 1903, or the Roads Act, 1920, and these are net amounts due after deductions of court and police fees. These amounts are for 1921, £31,338 1s. 10d.; for 1922, £66,092 18s. 10d.; and for 1923, £94,555 9s. 4d.; and no part of them is payable to police funds.

Will it be possible to get a return of Members of this House who have been charged?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inquest on Martha Porter, 50, a china-ware cleaner, reported in the "Staffordshire Sentinel" of 5th January, 1924, where four doctors, including the certifying surgeon, agreed that death was due to lead poisoning; is he aware that it was stated iii evidence that the deceased gave up her work in 1920 and thought she was suffering from lead poisoning; and that she had been marked A1 by the certifying surgeon because from 1917 to December, 1919, she had made no complaints to him; and whether, in view of these facts, he will cause the whole system of health inspection in all processes where lead is used to be inquired into?

I am calling for a report on this case, and will give the Noble Lord a reply to his question when I have received it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered recently the revisal of the tariff for motor cabs in London; and, if not, will he cause inquiries to be made as to whether it is possible to reduce the existing tariff for the summer months?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which were given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Bilston Division on the 28th February and 6th instant.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the present total number of motor omnibuses licensed by the Metropolitan Police for passengers to run in the Greater London area; can he state how many of these belong to the General Company (underground combine) and how many belong to other owners; and will he state how these numbers compare with those registered a year ago?

The latest available figures for 1922 and 1923, respectively, are

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of taxi-cabs licensed by the police for the Metropolitan area at the present time; what is the fee charged for registration; whether the amount has to be paid in a lump sum or if proprietors are allowed to spread their payments over a year; and will he state if the present number shows any increase or decrease on the number licensed a year ago?

In the year ended 24th March, 1924, 7,802 cabs were licensed. In the preceding 12 months, 7,273; showing an increase of 529. The licence duty on hackney carriages is £15 a year, or, at the option of the owner, £4 10s. a quarter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to arrange that those taxi-cab drivers who can only afford to pay for licenses quarterly shall pay no more than an exact quarter of the annual sum demanded, and he will thereby help a deserving body of men?

I will take that into consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received during the present year any representations from benches of licensing justices throughout the country asking for legislation dealing with registered clubs; and if he will state the localities from which these representations have come?

During the present year 35 resolutions in the sense indicated in the question have been received from various bodies of county and borough justices. They have come mainly from Yorkshire and adjoining counties.

Do the Government propose to take any action?

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate with the reply the localities from which the representations have come, so that we may know the several licensing benches that are concerned?

asked the Prime Minister when the Bill dealing with eviction orders and other matters will be introduced?

Notice of introduction will be given as soon as possible.

Is the Prime Minister going to incorporate in the Bill the decision concerning rates, as he promised?

The hon. Gentleman must await the Bill itself.

asked the Prime Minister whether the proposed legislation to prevent evictions will extend protection to the tenants of Government property?

The provisions of the proposed Bill will apply to all houses at present within the purview of the Rent Restrictions Acts.

In view of the fact that many houses in the possession of the Government did not come within the old Act, will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions through his Department that the spirit of the Act be put into operation?

On a point of Order. May I point out that I addressed a question to the Lord Privy Seal as to the contents of this Bill, and he said I had better await its introduction. Now the Minister of Health is giving information about the Bill.

There is no point of Order in that.

Having regard to information which I dare say has reached him, will the right hon. Gentleman take care that provisions are made for proper protection for tenants of branches of the Labour party?

I want to make an explanation.

Does the hon. Member desire to make a personal explanation?

Yes—a personal explanation arising out of the question put to the Minister.

Personal explanations usually come at the end of Questions.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to make the same statement outside the House, where it can be challenged?

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether he proposes to deal with the Court of Appeal's decision as to the reduction of rents in proportion to the reduction of rates?

I have been asked whether the Bill will extend protection to Government property, and I have given a reply to that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take into consideration, in connection with his housing proposals, the necessity for a differentiation of design for rural workers' cottages as compared with urban houses, especially as to the provision of outhouses?

I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if his attention has been called to the report of the chief sanitary inspector of Paisley for the year 1923; if he is aware that that report calls attention to the fact that many people in Paisley are occupying houses certified as uninhabitable because there are no other houses available; that the Paisley Public Health Act of 1901, restricting overcrowding, is almost inoperative; that sometimes nine persons are found living in a single room; and that the housing conditions are described as a serious social menace; and if he will undertake that so far as possible the living conditions of Paisley shall be raised to the level of those obtaining in Poplar?

I have received a copy of the report to which my hon. Friend refers. I am hopeful that as a result of the new houses being built and to be built with State assistance under existing and future schemes the defective housing conditions in Paisley will be remedied. As regards the last part of the question, I have no information which would enable me to institute a comparison between conditions in the two places.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange for the police on beat duty in the Metropolis on a given night at an early date to take a note of the number of uninhabited houses, distinguishing as far as possible those to be let and those for sale?

No, Sir, I do not think this is a task the police should be asked to undertake.

In view of the fact that this procedure is adopted once a year for statistical purposes, would not the information be very useful to the House in considering this question?

It might be useful, but we shall have to find another means of getting it.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the case of John Manderson, 22, White Street, Govan, who was sentenced to 21 days' imprisonment for defrauding the Govan Employment Exchange; whether he is aware that Manderson produced medical evidence to prove that he could not have received the money nor signed the receipts; that an employé of the Employment Exchange was several months later convicted of fraud and sentenced to three years' im- prisonment; that Manderson's was one of the signatures forged by this official; that the innocence of Manderson has now been fully established and the King's pardon extended to him; and whether he can state what action the Government propose to take to compensate Manderson for the imprisonment he has had to serve, for the money he had to pay to the Ministry of Labour, and the stigma of fraud placed upon his name?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The facts are substantially as stated in the question, except that Mr. Manderson did not produce at his trial medical evidence to prove that he could not have received the money or signed the receipts. On information submitted to me by the Lord Advocate and the Minister of Labour, I was satisfied that the evidence on which Mr. Manderson was convicted in May, 1922, was false in material particulars. In these circumstances I advised that a free pardon should be granted to Mr. Manderson, which was issued on 25th February last. If he makes application for compensation his claim will certainly receive due consideration. I desire to express my regret that Mr. Manderson has, through the criminal misconduct of others, suffered the indignity of conviction and imprisonment on a charge of which he was entirely innocent.

asked the Prime Minister whether the House of Representatives at Washington has adopted an amendment to the Naval Appropriations Bill requesting President Coolidge to take steps for an international conference to consider the further limitation of competition in naval armaments; what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government to such a proposal; and whether he will consider retarding the British naval programme, pending the decision to call such a conference one way or the other?

As the Prime Minister has already stated to the House such a Resolution has, I understand, been passed and now I am informed that the President has made a reply. I know of neither officially.

Can we not wait until we hear officially about this before proceeding with our present naval programme?

The attitude of the Government towards any movement of the kind mentioned in the question is well known, and I have nothing to add to my reply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that ever since the Armistice we have been laying down war vessels and then scrapping them? Is the present Government prepared to continue that policy?

This subject has been discussed in the House already.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received confirmation from the British Ambassador at Washington of the report that the United States Senate has requested the President to call a conference with a view to naval disarmament; if so, whether he will await the decision of the President before placing the orders for the five new light cruisers which the Government contemplates constructing at a cost of approximately £12,500,000; and whether he will, through the usual diplomatic channels, intimate the willingness of the British nation to co-operate in any attempt to reduce armaments by at once suspending orders for all new naval vessels?

This question has not yet come before the United States Senate, and in the circumstances I can only refer to the reply to the hon. Member on the 24th March.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether inquiry has been made to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington?

That is not a course which is usually taken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to delay this subject until it has come before United States?

It is not our intention to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the inevitable delay in the commencement of an airship service to India, he will state what steps are being taken to accelerate the mail service only to and from India over the whole or part of the air route by aeroplanes; and whether this is to be taken in hand by the Royal Air Force or by commercial companies?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member on the 20th March, research is being carried on with a view to developing types of aircraft and engines suitable for air mail work. The establishment of a heavier-than-air service to India, although desirable, would be a costly undertaking which at the present moment could not be justified, especially in view of possible airship developments. At present the second part of the question does not arise.

Does not the hon. Member know that there are many types of aircraft which habitually carry mails?—craft belonging to the Royal Air Force. Why should not they be put on this route?

The whole matter is being investigated.

Will the Under-Secretary take an early opportunity of making a statement concerning the offer made by the Daimler Company to co-operate in carrying the mails?

The hon. and gallant Member had better put that question on the Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what fees are charged for air cadets or air students under training for the officers' corps of the French, American, and Japanese Air Forces, respectively, reduced to sterling?

There are no air cadet colleges in any of the countries referred to. Officers entering the French Air Service pass through the Army schools at St. Cyr and the Ecole Polytechnique, and the charges made at these schools were given in the reply of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to the hon. and gallant Member on the 25th March. In Japan and the United States of America officers are selected from the Army and Navy and undergo air training at their respective Army and Navy air training stations.

Is the hon. Member aware that in both the Japanese and American Armies and Navies no fees are charged, and therefore poor boys can go into the service, and cannot go into our Air Service?

I did not know that.

You know now.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether steps are actually being taken to establish the temporary ex-service staff in the directorate of works and buildings or to secure a further establishment; and, if so, can he give an approximate date by which the arrangement will come into effect?

As I informed the hon. Member on Thursday last, the question of the percentage of established posts will be considered during the financial year just commencing. I am not at present in a position to state the date more precisely.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that many ex-service hired writers, who are expected to sit at the forthcoming Admiralty Departmental clerical class examination, have completed over seven years' Civil Service, are 25 years of age, with responsibilities, are disabled, and are to compete with hired writers with less years' service to their credit, and who were either too young or would not join His Majesty's forces; why the claims put forward on behalf of these men by the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants have been ignored by the Treasury; and whether he will follow the example of the South African Government by establishing these men who have already passed a Civil Service examination and served in His Majesty's forces?

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

The reply is as follows:

There are, broadly speaking, three classes of candidates who are eligible to compete at the Admiralty Departmental clerical class examination, provided they satisfy the regulations regarding age and qualifying service:

(1) Unestablished writers, hitherto regarded as a quasi-permanent class, who were entered by Civil Service examination in accordance with a pre-War scheme of recruitment.

(2) Temporary ex-service clerks.

(3) Temporary non-service clerks.

Some of the candidates in the first category are also ex-service men, and many of them have longer service under the Admiralty than the temporary clerks who are competing.

Candidates in the second category are not strictly in competition with candidates in classes (1) and (3), the arrangement being that one-half of the vacancies will be reserved for temporary ex-service clerks, who will compete amongst themselves for the appointments, and that the remaining half will be allocated to the first and third categories. It is a matter of administrative convenience that the examination for both of these groups is the same and is to be held at the same time.

The examination was decided on in January, 1923, and the representations of all the Staff Associations concerned were borne in mind in framing the regulations for it.

The last part of the question appears to refer to a general claim which has been put forward by the ex-service Staff Associations, and which is understood to be engaging the attention of Lord South-borough's Committee. I am unable to anticipate the recommendations which that Committee will submit to His Majesty's Government in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that ex-service men who were appointed to the Civil Service through the Lytton examination, whose average age is 33, are being paid at the rates received by men of 20 who entered the Service by this channel; and whether, seeing that the ex-service men concerned are nearly all married men with heavy responsibilities, he will take steps to re-investigate the question with a view to a substantial improvement?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the 25th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the appointment on the National Debt Enquiry Committee of a financial expert who has had experience in financial matters as affecting co-operation in national and international affairs?

The Committee has already been constituted, and I regret that it is now too late to consider the appointment of additional members.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of interest accrued on outstanding War Savings Certificates as on 31st March, 1923; and whether any provision is made annually for meeting this liability, or in what other way interest is provided for?

The amount of interest accrued on outstanding National Savings Certificates on 31st March, 1923, was estimated at approximately £65,000,000. Annual provision is made to meet such part of the liability as is anticipated to mature in the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will materially relax the present severe restrictions on home brewing in rural areas?

As at present advised, I am not prepared further to relax the conditions under which home brewing is allowed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now prepared to advise that loans under Section 1 of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, should be granted at 4 per cent., in view of the fact that loans under other Sections are granted at that rate?

No, Sir. I cannot admit any analogy between the loans under Section 1, which are 60-year loans, and the loans under Section 2, which are for purely temporary advances.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this Act was introduced to help farmers who were hit hard by the repeal of the Corn Production Act, and is he aware that security for a long-term loan very often is much better than the security for a short-term loan, and will he promise to reconsider the whole question?

It would be very difficult to promise that, because if the right hon. Gentleman looks at the first two Sections of the Act he will see that they are really intended to deal with cases of a different class. I will look into it, but there is very little chance of reviewing the Act.

If I bring some hard cases to the notice of my hon. Friend will he consider the matter?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated loss of revenue, if any, consequent upon a reduction of the stamp on cheques from 2d. to 1d.?

It is estimated that the reduction of the Stamp Duty on cheques from 2d. to 1d. would involve a loss of revenue, in a full year, of approximately £1,500,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the exports of British and Irish spirits during the calendar years 1922 and 1923 to China,

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the estimated amount of club duty paid by registered clubs in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, in respect of purchases of alcoholic liquors during the calendar year 1923?

The information asked for by the hon. Member will not be available for some months.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the many important subjects discussed in the House of Lords which deal also with questions discussed in this House, he can arrange to have the Reports of those Debates included amongst the Parliamentary Papers circulated to Members of this House?

Japan, United States, Philippine Islands and Guam, Cuba, Hayti, Mexico, Canada, Bermudas, Bahamas and British West Indies?

As the information asked for is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The particulars are as follow:

Copies of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Debates in the House of Lords are already obtainable by Members at the Vote Office of the House of Commons. The extent to which Members avail themselves of this facility does not lead me to think that there is any necessity for incurring the additional expense of circulating the Report to all Members.

Considering that the effect of a number of Labour Peers in the House of Lords is to add interest to the Debates in that assembly, does not the hon. Gentleman consider that the time has now arrived to adopt the suggestion which I make? Sometimes it is very difficult for hon. Members of this House to know when subjects of interest are being discussed in the other House, and they find it difficult to get copies of the OFFICIAL REPORT.

There should be no difficulty in getting copies of the OFFICIAL REPORT, but I am satisfied that the demand is so slight that the cost of providing them for all the Members of this House would not be justified.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of centres where the Ministry is dealing with foot-and-mouth disease at which lay and unqualified inspectors are in charge; how many of such inspectors have qualified veterinary inspectors serving under them; and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing only qualified members of the veterinary profession to posts dealing with matters of animal epizootics, and of transferring unqualified men from the animals branch of the Ministry to some other Department?

There are 38 staff centres in various parts of the country in connection with foot-and-mouth disease. Ten of these are in charge of lay inspectors, all senior officers with many years' service and experience. For some years past the inspectorate of the diseases of animals division has been recruited exclusively from qualified persons, and although it was found practicable to transfer some of the junior lay inspectors to other branches of the Ministry, it has not been so with regard to a certain number of senior lay inspectors. These lay inspectors do not deal with questions requiring professional training.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can make any statement as to the proposed roadway from Coventry to Manchester?

If, as I assume is the case, the hon. Member is referring to the project known as the northern and western motorway, I would refer him to the answer given on 11th March to the hon. Member for Rotherhithe Division, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether any recent tables have been published showing the comparative cost of Poor Law administration in each of the Metropolitan unions; and, if not, whether he will consider the possibility of publishing the figures?

I may refer my hon. Friend to the table on pages 28 and 29 of Part I of the Annual Local Taxation Returns for 1920–21, a copy of which I am sending to him. The corresponding Returns for 1921–22 will be issued shortly. I am also sending my hon. Friend a statement showing the average weekly cost of maintenance, per head, in the several Metropolitan Poor Law institutions in the year 1922–23.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of obtaining powers for local authorities administering tuberculosis Regulations to take steps to prevent persons suffering from infectious tuberculosis from dealing directly with the distribution and sale of milk?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health if it is proposed to issue a circular to boards of guardians operating in areas suffering from unemployment, instructing them when granting out-door relief to unemployed men and women, to take into consideration the question of rent, so that the administration of out-door relief to the unemployed may be uniform in all parts of the country?

A circular was issued by my Department in 1921 in which attention was called to the powers of guardians to take rent into consideration. I do not think that a further circular is needed at the present time. A large number of boards are, I am informed, actually making allowances in respect of rent.

asked the Minister of Health if the inquiries which he promised to make into the social and industrial condition of the unemployed resident, in the Cleator Moor area have yet been completed; and, if so, what action he proposes to take to ameliorate the long-standing privation and suffering which has been and is being endured by a large number of the people resident in this area?

I have obtained a Report from which I gather that the conditions in this area are due to depression in the iron-ore mining and the iron-working industries, and I am afraid that no real amelioration can be effected except by an improvement in these local industries. In the meantime, I shall be glad to do anything I can to assist the local authorities in measures for the relief of distress

I beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment on Tuesday night.

88. The hon. Member also asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the names of those who are said to represent the employers and employés on the Cleator Moor Local Unemployment Committee; when and by whom they were appointed; what attendances they have put in during the past six months; and is he aware that the insurance officer can, and does, cancel their decisions?

I am obtaining this information and will communicate it to my hon. Friend as soon as possible. I am also looking into the point referred to in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that local unemployment committees are demanding, as a requisite for the payment of unemployment benefit, the production of a line from managers and foremen to the effect that the applicant has been seeking work, and that these lines are being refused as there is no legal obligation upon managers and foremen to supply them; and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider the advisability of issuing instructions to unemployment committees that the failure to produce such lines is not to be deemed a reason for refusing benefit?

The local employment committees have to satisfy themselves that the applicant for uncovenanted benefit satisfies the statutory requirement that he must be genuinely seeking whole-time employment and unable to obtain it. The memoranda issued to the committees for their guidance in this connection include a statement that they should call for documentary evidence only when they have grave doubts whether the applicant is genuinely seeking work and are not prepared to recommend benefit unless he can produce sufficient evidence to remove the doubt. This appears to me to be a reasonable requirement, but if my hon. Friend is aware of any specific cases in which he thinks it has operated unfairly I shall be glad to make inquiry on hearing from him.

Will the right hon. Gentleman suggest, if these managers or foremen do not give certificates, what other documents applicants can produce?

I have just said that if any case is brought to my notice in which this Regulation has operated unfairly I am willing to consider the case.

How can the right hon. Gentleman expect documentary evidence when the man has been out of work for four years? Who is to give the documentary evidence?

I do not need documentary evidence to look into any specific case which is brought to my notice. If the hon. Member will give me any specific instance of a man unfairly treated I will deal with the case at once.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the dissatisfaction arising from the administration of this particular point in the Act and the Regulations, and will he review the entire matter?