asked the Minister of Labour if, when introducing an eight hours' day for various industries, he will give special consideration to attendants and staff in all mental hospitals?

As I have already announced, the Bill which I propose to introduce will be based upon the Washington Hours Convention and will, therefore, apply to industrial undertakings only.

asked the Minister of Health what number of hours per day are worked by the asylum workers, inclusive of meal times; and whether he will arrange to bring these workers within the scope of a projected Eight Hours Bill?

There is no general rule, but the hours usually range from 48 to 60 per week. There is considerable difference of opinion among medical superintendents as to what hours are best for the patients and the nurses, and the subject is now under consideration of a Departmental Committee appointed to consider the nursing service in county and borough mental hospitals and in what directions it can be improved. I should prefer to await their Report before-answering the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is yet in a position to make any statement with regard to the schemes to be adopted by his Department for the relief of unemployment in the skilled engineering and shipbuilding trades?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer, of which I am sending him a copy, given to the hon. Member for Newcastle East (Sir R. Aske) on the 17th March.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state, since the inception of the fund, the amount contributed by the State towards working the Unemployment Insurance Act; whether he will give the various changes which have been made in the receipt of benefit by the respective classes of beneficiaries; and what is the amount of uncovenanted benefit drawn each month since such benefit was first instituted?

The amount contributed to the Unemployment Fund by the Exchequer since 1912 is approximately £40,880,000. I am not quite clear what the hon. Member has in mind in the second part of his question. I may, perhaps, refer him to the Report on Unemployment Insurance up to July, 1923, which gives details of the legislative and administrative changes which have been made from time to time in regard to the receipt of benefit. I regret that figures showing separately the amount paid as uncovenanted benefit are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the present indebtedness to the Treasury of the Unemployment Insurance Fund for money advanced; and whether he can give the amount of benefit which would be now payable under the Unemployment Insurance Act weekly were such advances not made?

The debt of the Unemployment Fund in respect of loans advanced by the Exchequer was £10,030,000 on 3rd April. As regards the last part of the question, I should explain that fresh advances of money by the Exchequer have not for some time been made: on the contrary, some part of the outstanding advances is paid off week by week.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has received a protest from the Melbourne Parish Council against the removal of the branch employment office from Melbourne to Castle Donington; and, if so, can he see his way to arrange that the branch officer attends at Melbourne one day per week?

I have received a letter from the Melbourne Parish Council regarding the provision of employment office facilities. I am making inquiries immediately into the position, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether an insured contributor under the Unemployment Insurance Act who is entitled, on attaining the age of 60, to a repayment in accordance with Section 25 of the Act of 1920, is refused repayment if, by reason of having served for three years during the War, the necessary 500 weekly payments have not been made; whether the Government continued these payments for men who voluntarily left their jobs to undertake war work; and, if not, will he take steps to see that men are not penalised by losing this refund owing to war service?

It is one of the statutory Conditions for these repayments that at least 500 contributions (or in the case of contributors entering insurance after the age of 55 a certain lower number of contributions) should have been paid. The Unemployment Insurance Acts make no provision for the payment of contributions from the Exchequer in respect of war service in order to make up this qualifying requirement. As all benefit drawn is deducted in the calculation of these repayments, they are confined to persons who have suffered little or no unemployment. I do not think, therefore, that there would be justification for a grant of public money for the purpose of enabling persons who have paid fewer than the qualifying number of contributions to obtain these repayments.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government proposes to extend the system of unemployment donation to classes not now under the operation of the Insurance Acts; whether, in that case, he will specify the classes to be thus affected; and whether boys leaving school are to be brought within its purview?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the proposals contained in the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill introduced last Thursday.

asked the Prime Minister whether documents have been received by His Majesty's Government with reference to the military training of large numbers of volunteers in Germany; and whether, in view of this evasion of the Treaty of Versailles by Germany, any action is proposed by Great Britain or the Allied Governments?

I have been asked to reply. Reports have been received from various sources with reference to military training of volunteers in Germany, contrary to the Treaty of Versailles. For this, amongst other reasons, the Allies are insisting on the execution of a series of visits of inspection to see whether the military state of Germany is what it was when the work of the Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control was broken off in January, 1923.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House of any alteration of policy with regard to the Ruhr occupation following the recent change in the French Cabinet?

The recent change in the French Cabinet has occasioned no alteration in the policy of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether it has been decided to salve the scuttled German fleet at Scapa Flow; what is the estimated cost of this work; when is it hoped to complete the operation; and what is it intended shall be done with any of these war vessels which may be raised?

I have been asked to reply. It has not been decided to salve the ex-German vessels at Scapa Flow. The Admiralty have sold some of the vessels to firms who are required by their contracts to break them up after they have been raised.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is considerable difficulty in obtaining supplies of bricks for new houses in the Cleveland Division of Yorkshire owing to the demand in connection with the erection of the new camp at Catterick, in Yorkshire; and whether he will make special arrangements so that bricks for the camp may be obtained from an outside source so as to leave the local supply available for housing purposes on Tees-side, where there is a crying need for houses for the working classes?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that a War Department contract has been let for the work at Catterick Camp, and the contractor has, in ordinary course, made his local arrangements for the supply of bricks. I have no power to interfere with these arrangements, and I am not aware of any special reasons why bricks required for private building in the neighbourhood should not be obtained from sources other than those on which the War Department contractor is1 drawing. As my hon. Friend is aware, there is a great shortage of accommodation in respect of married quarters, and at Catterick we are endeavouring to supply that shortage to the extent of £400,000, which is in itself a considerable housing scheme.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, wherever a coal mine is sunk in a rural area, rural councils fail to meet the housing needs, with the inevitable result that serious overcrowding exists, and that the failure of rural councils to supply houses compels colliery companies or public utility societies, which are the same thing, to erect houses, and in many cases they are built without regard to the health or comfort of future tenants; and will he embody in his new Housing Bill safeguards for prospective tenants in these areas?

I am fully aware of the importance of securing proper housing accommodation where colliery developments are taking place, and I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Health if he is able to state the cost of house repairs now and in each of the last three years and in 1913; and, if not, whether he will state this information, in view of the legislation now before Parliament?

It is not possible to give general figures as to the actual cost of house repairs, as this cost varies with the character and age of different buildings, but the increase in rates and wages, and prices of materials used in connection with house repairs, would account for an increase in the cost of repairs in the years 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924 of 170 per cent., 95 per cent., 78 per cent. and 80 per cent., respectively, as compared with the year 1913–14.

asked the Minister of Health the average increase per house in the cost of building since the end of April last year and the present time?

The latest figures available showing the cost of building (excluding cost of land and development) are in respect of contracts let during the month of February last. Compared with the figures for contracts for April, 1923, the average increase is £41 for a non-parlour house and £68 for a parlour house.

asked the Minister of Health what is the highest and lowest cost per house built by local authorities up to the maximum of 950 feet under the 1923 Act, such cost not to include land, drains, and street works?

The highest and lowest prices of houses, exclusive of cost of land, street works and sewers, included in contracts let by local authorities up to the 1st March last in connection with schemes under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, were:

asked the Minister of Health the number of evictions that have taken place in Devonport under the Rent Restrictions Act, 1923?

Separate returns for Devonport, which is a part of the district of Plymouth County Court, are not available. Between the 1st August, 1923, and 31st March, 1924, nine warrants of possession were issued in Plymouth County Court and four were executed within that period. It is not possible to say how many of the warrants were in respect of actions affected by the Rent Restrictions Act, 1923.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of warrants for ejectment granted at the instance of owners of house property in cases where, owing to unemployment, the tenants have been unable to pay their rent in Glasgow or other industrial centres in Scotland, for which the figures are available during the years 1923 and 1924 to date; the number of cases in which such warrants have been executed and the tenants have been removed from the premises; and the number of such cases in which continued occupation of the premises has been allowed on payment of instalments of arrears of rent or on other grounds?

The records kept of ejection cases, which are tried summarily without written pleadings, do not distinguish the various reasons put forward against granting Decree, and I am consequently unable to say in what number of cases inability to pay rent may have been due to unemployment. The total number of ejection orders granted in the Glasgow Court in 1923 was 2,962 and in 1924 to date 1,472. The number of ejections carried out in the 1923 cases was 657 and in the 1924 cases to date 322. The number of cases continued to enable reasonable payments to be made was 15,155 for 1923, and for 1924, 4,664. In this Court special consideration is shown where a plea of unemployment is put forward. Figures in regard to other industrial centres are not at present available.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can give any official figures as to the number of eviction orders that have been made in Scotland; and, if so, what are the sources of his information, and how far has the accuracy of the reports been checked?

I am making inquiry in regard to the number of eviction orders granted in the Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland since the 1st August last. The figures will be supplied from Court records.

asked the Attorney-General the numbers of orders of possession given at Bow County Court since the 1st January, 1924?

The number of orders of possession made at the Bow County Court since 1st January last is 349, of which 210 were suspended indefinitely on terms.

asked the Minister of Health the present percentage of cases of measles per thousand of the population; what is the percentage of similar cases in other countries which compile statistics on the subject; and whether there is any explanation of the frequency of the malady in this country as compared with other countries?

No complete statistics are available as to the incidence of measles in this country, as the disease is no longer notifiable except in a small number of districts, and the statistics available in regard to certain foreign countries in which the disease is notifiable do not enable me to give the figures asked for by the hon. Member. As regards the third part of the question, I may say that recent information indicates a somewhat widespread increase in the prevalence of measles in other European countries and the United States, as in this country.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in 28 Metropolitan borough areas the poor rate, including the overseers, varies from 2s. 10¾d. in the pound in Wandsworth to 10s. 1¼d. in Poplar; that in the other 26 Metropolitan borough areas the same rates vary from 2s. 11d. in the pound at Battersea to 5s. 5¾d. at Deptford; and whether the Government intend having such rates equalized?

I am aware of the variation in the amount of the Poor Rate in the several Metropolitan boroughs. A large measure of equalisation has already been obtained by means of the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund, and the question of a further measure of equalisation will be considered in connection with the proposals for the reform of the London Poor Law system.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons between the ages of 16 and 70 whose National Health Insurance policies have lapsed owing to their being unable to find work for 12 months; and the number who have been compelled to rejoin and serve a further waiting period of two years?

Under the Prolongation of Insurance Act, 1921, any insured person who had been in regular employment prior to the present period of industrial depression is safeguarded from lapsing from insurance by reason of prolonged unemployment. There should not, therefore, be any cases of the kind referred to by the hon. Member amongst workers who are normally in regular employment, but if he is aware of any particular cases in which the provisions of the Act referred to above have not been applied, I will have inquiries made and see that the necessary action is taken.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider favourably any requests from health committees to be allowed to provide maternity outfits in necessitous cases?

I am prepared to consider any such applications.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state when the Spahlinger treatment will be available for ex-service men who desire it?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject on the 12th March to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece). When supplies of M. Spahlinger's remedies become available in this country, it will be open to the medical officers responsible for the treatment of ex-service men to utilise these remedies in the treatment of their patients if they consider it desirable.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to state the number of ex-service men and their dependants receiving outdoor relief, those resident in workhouses, and those charged to local rates who are in mental institutions?

I have asked the boards of guardians to supply the information required, but it will necessarily take some time to obtain and collate the particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the voluntary allotment made by Gunner E. Cook, No. 1,053,824, 107/8th brigade, Royal Field Artillery, to his mother, Mrs. E. M. Cook, 47, West Street, Eston, Yorkshire, ceased on the 25th February owing, it was stated, to the account of this soldier showing a debtor balance; that this soldier does not know of any debt: and how this soldier comes to be in debt, and to what amount, as all other means of inquiry have failed?

I have no information regarding this case, but I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the feeling that Army Order 325 of 1919 does not cancel paragraph 11 of the National Reserve Regulations, 1913, he has referred the matter to the Law Officers of the Crown; and, if not, whether he will do so at the earliest possible date?

I am aware that Army Order 325 does not cancel paragraph 11 of the National Reserve Regulations, and, as I have stated in reply to previous questions, there is no intention of excluding from the benefit of that paragraph any man who re-enlisted whilst it was still in force, and who would benefit by being dealt with under it rather than under later Regulations. Army Order 325 of 1919 laid down the conditions under which pensions might be reassessed, and I would draw attention in particular to the indication in paragraph 11 of Table 5 of that Army Order that the pensions are to be "re-assessed. … according to service on original discharge to pension." This excludes from, re-assessment pensions calculated on re-enlisted service during the Great War. In these circumstances it is open to any National Reservist who re-enlisted before the cancellation of paragraph 11 of the National Reserve Regulations, either under that paragraph to count his re-enlisted service towards an increase of his original pension, or to have such original pension re-assessed under Army Order 325 of 1919. He cannot, however, benefit by a combination of the two rules. The necessary legal advice on the subject was obtained some time ago, and the action taken accords therewith.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the national members of the Bengal Legislative Council are entitled to, and do in fact, draw first-class travelling allowances in connection with their legislative duties?

I am not sure to whom the hon. Member refers as "national members," but so far as I am aware, all members of the Bengal Legislative Council are eligible for travelling and halting allowances if attendance involves travelling. I understand that first-class travelling allowances are sanctioned, and have no reason to suppose that individual members have abstained from drawing the allowances to which they are entitled.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information connected with the strike of Indian workers now taking place in Cawnpore; how many men and women are involved; the causes of the dispute; whether the armed forces of the Crown are being used against the strikers and, as a result, many persons have been wounded and killed; and will he tell the House what steps the Indian Government are taking to remove the causes which lead to disorder?

"1. Dated 6th April.

Disturbances arose at Cawnpore Cotton Mill evening of Friday, 4th April, in which City Magistrate, after repeated warnings, was compelled to order the police to open tire. Telegraphic reports of District Magistrate indicate that there were four fatal casualties amongst the rioters and 19 others undergoing treatment. Amongst the police, 35 officers and men received injuries from stones and brickbats, 12 being in hospital, two seriously injured."

"2. Dated 8th April.

From communique issued by District Magistrate, it appears that work started as usual on Friday morning. There was no reason to apprehend any disturbance until about 9 a.m., when a number of men from Carding Department struck work and went round other departments. As a result a large crowd gathered in front of mill office where men were harangued by leaders and demanded payment of bonus, also payment of March wages immediately instead of on 15th April as customary, also additional month's pay to compensate for alleged dismissals. Strikers were informed that no one was dismissed and invited to resume work, but refused to work or to leave premises. Manager had unsuccessful conference with men's representatives before applying for police who had to disperse forcibly more violent section of the strikers with results already reported."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he would consider the desirability for investigating the conditions of men and women labourers in the mines of India and the inadequacy of their wages and arrangements for healthy living; and whether he will call for a comparative return of the annual deaths due to coal-dust explosions, and of the steps taken to minimise the increasing loss of life among men and women workers underground?

The suggestions contained in the question will be communicated to the Government of India, but my Noble Friend is not at present aware of a need for special investigation into the points referred to. The regulation of mines is governed by the Indian Mines Act (amended in 1923), which contains provisions for the inspection of mines and for the health and safety of the workers. The report of the chief inspectors of mines for 1923 has not yet been received from India. It was reported that in 1922 the number of fatal accidents from gas explosions was 21. The Government of India are consulting local governments on the question of eventually prohibiting the employment of women underground. It may be mentioned that the Act of 1923 prescribes a maximum working week for all persons of 60 hours, or 54 hours below ground. The Washington Hours of Work Convention, which India has ratified, laid down a maximum 60 hours week for India.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many men and women, respectively, in his Department reached the efficiency-bar point in the lower clerical class scale during the years 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923, and what number of men and women, respectively, failed to pass the efficiency barrier during each of the years referred to; whether any men or women, respectively, were promoted during the period referred to prior to reaching the efficiency-bar point in the lower clerical scale; and, if so, what was the total number of each sex so promoted during each year?

The information desired is as follows:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many men and women, respectively, in his Department reached the efficiency-bar point in the lower clerical class scale during the years 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923; what number of men and women, respectively, failed to pass the efficiency barrier during each of the years referred to; whether any men or women, respectively, were promoted during the period referred to prior to reaching the efficiency-bar point in the lower clerical scale; and, if so, what was the total number of each sex so promoted during each year?

The numbers asked for in the first part of the question are:—

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed to reduce the hours of temporary clerks in the Civil Service to those worked by the permanent civil servants; what is the weekly wage of a temporary third-grade clerk in the Civil Service, London area; whether, if the hours are reduced from 44 to 42 per week, it is proposed to make any reduction in the wages of the third-grade temporary clerks; and, if so, what will be the amount of the weekly reduction?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The weekly rates of pay of temporary male clerks, Grade III, in the London area are

42-hour week—56s. 3d. rising to 62s. l0d. (with overtime pay for attendance in excess of 42 hours).

44-hour week—60s. 8d. rising to 67s. 3d. (inclusive of overtime).

48-hour week—65s. rising to 71s. 7d. (inclusive of overtime).

Claims for an increase in these rates are under discussion. At the instance of the staff organisations, it has recently been agreed that where practicable the hours of those conditioned to a longer working week than 42 hours should be reduced to 42 a week, with corresponding adjustments in pay.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the explanation of the reduction of the ex-service male staff at the Ministry of Labour, between 1st March, 1923, and 1st March, 1924, by 1,086, while the reduction of the female staff during the same period was only 52; and why 40 times more men than women have been dispensed with during this period?

The comparative smallness of the reduction in women's staff is due to the fact that between 1st March, 1923, and 1st March, 1924, there was an increase of over 6,000 in the number of unemployed women registered at Employment Exchanges. This increase necessitated a corresponding increase in the staff of the women's departments of the Exchanges, which for obvious reasons are staffed by women. During the same period the registers of unemployed men were reduced by nearly 200,000, this necessitating a considerable reduction in the male staffs at Exchanges. In the other branches of the Ministry a larger proportional reduction of the temporary staff in post at let March, 1923, was effected among female staff than among male staff The hon. Member will doubtless have noticed that for the figure "40" in the last Clause of his question, the figure "20" should be substituted.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that Mr. William Jackson, of Bacup, purchased from the Disposal Board, by public auction at Lancaster in July, 1922, 15 tons of diamond shot for £29; that he had considerable expense in grading and cleaning the material; and that when he had resold the material and wanted delivery, the auctioneers informed him that the shot had been privately sold previous to the date of auction and was included in the sale by mistake, and offering to return the purchase money which Mr. Jackson has paid; is he aware that Mr. Jackson claimed compensation for loss of profit on his contracts for resale or, alternatively, payment of his expenses in dealing with the material, and that the Disposal Board now definitely refuse to compensate him in any way and only offer the return of the original purchase price; and will he inquire into the circumstances, with a view to a more reasonable offer being made to Mr. Jackson, as the blunder at the auction is admitted to be due to the Disposal Board?

The particulars of the pale are, approximately, as stated. The matter has been exhaustively considered and, having regard to the fact that the legal advisers of the Department hold that, under the conditions of the auction sale, Mr. Jackson is not entitled to more than the return of his purchase money, which has already been sent to him, I am not prepared to take any further action.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now state an approximate date on which he intends to introduce the Bill to improve the position of pre-War pensioners?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given by the Prime Minister on the 24th March, in answer to questions by the hon. Member for Tottenham North (Mr. R. Morrison) and the right hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Macpherson).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any loans and, if so, how much have been advanced to Portugal or her colonies through the export credits; and, if so, what is the security?

No advances have been made to Portugal or her colonies under the export credits scheme.

In 1922 a credit of £3,000,000 was sanctioned in favour of the Banco Nacional Ultramarino to cover purchases of British goods on account of the Government, and/or private firms in Portugal and the Portuguese colonies, the Export Credits Department agreeing to guarantee bills of exchange up to this amount. It is a condition of the sanction that repayment of the said bills should be made in London in approximate equal monthly instalments, so that a percentage of the amount utilised should be paid off annually.

Other conditions relating to this credit were:

(1) That Portuguese Treasury bills to the value of £3,000,000 should be lodged in the custody of the Export Credits Department

(2) That the remittances from the Portuguese Financial Agency in Brazil should be charged to provide for the liquidation of the Treasury bills referred to above.

(3) That the Portuguese Government should undertake to make up any deficiency under heading (2) from the General State revenue.

(4) That the Banco Nacional Ultra marino should give an undertaking providing an absolute guarantee for the fulfilment of all clauses of the contract.

Credits to the amount of £1,733,933 have been specifically authorised under this credit. All payments in reduction of the bills have been made at due dates, and the other conditions have been carried out.

In addition and apart from the £3,000,000 credit, credits have been sanctioned to the amount of £578,392, of which £374,730 has been taken up, in connection with other transactions between British exporters and private firms and companies in Portugal and its colonies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports of manufactured goods in 1923 to Europe and to the British Empire, respectively?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the information desired. The detailed trade statistics for 1923 are now in course of preparation, and it is expected that it will be some time before that section of the statistics will be completed, which shows by countries of consignment the aggregate exports of different categories of goods.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many technical schools have been closed down as a result of the policy of economy initiated by the Geddes Committee; whether the said policy has been abandoned by the present Government; and, if so, will the schools which have been closed be re-opened?

If the hon. Member has in mind schools conducted in premises exclusively used for the teaching of science or technology, the answer is that, though some items in the programmes of a small number of such schools have been abandoned since 1921, and the work of a few quite unimportant schools has disappeared, no technical school of any significance to the trade and industry of the country has been closed. As the Board informed local education authorities in Circular 1328, issued on 23rd April last, they are now prepared to consider on their merits all proposals in respect of the provision of technical as well as of other types of schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many welfare clinics are in existence, how many have been established, and how many have been abandoned in the last two years; and what is the policy of the Board in respect to these clinics?

I am not quite sure what the hon. and gallant Member means by the expression "welfare clinics." If he is thinking of school clinics, there are in existence at the present time 1,066. Since 1st April, 1922, 90 new clinics have been established, and seven have been abandoned; and, in addition to those already in existence, the Board have given their sanction to the establishment of five school clinics, which have not yet been opened, and proposals for the establishment of 29 additional school clinics are now before them. The policy of the Board is to encourage the establishment of these clinics wherever they are needed. It is possible, however, that the hon. and gallant Member may be thinking of infant welfare centres; in that case he should address his question to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is now prepared to consider specific programmes submitted by local education authorities for the development, over the next two or three years, of educational facilities, particularly for the purpose of establishing a more effective co-ordination of elementary and advanced education?

I shall be quite ready to consider such programmes sympathetically.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is prepared, pending the Report of the Departmental Committee, to extend for a further year Article 2 of Grant Regulations No. 4, providing for a special grant, not exceeding £70,000 for the year 1923–24, to local education authorities maintaining training colleges?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has consented to the extension of this grant for a further period of one year as from 1st April last, on the conditions stated in the Article referred to. It must be clearly understood that this concession is made for one year only, and that it must not in any way be used to prejudice the questions now before the Departmental Committee or any action which may subsequently be taken in the result of their recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that at the time of the Lausanne Treaty negotiations the Greek Government solemnly undertook that Albanian Moslems domiciled in Greece should not be assimilated to Turkish Moslems in Greece for the purposes of the exchange of populations scheme between Turkey and Greece; that at the present time the Greek authorities are seizing the lands and property of the 60,000 Albanian Moslems resident in the district of Tchameria, installing Greek immigrants from Asia Minor in these Albanians' houses, and telling them that they must go to Turkey; and that, although the League of Nations have recommended the Mixed Commission for the Exchange of Populations to deal with this matter, nothing has yet been done; and whether His Majesty's Government will consider making friendly representations to the Government of the Greek Republic with a view to the protection of these Albanians?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, my information is that no unfair discrimination against the Albanian residents in Epirus is taking place in the matter of expropriation of estates in accordance with Greek law. This question is entirely distinct from that of the exchange of populations, which is in the hands of the Mixed Commission established for the purpose, who are at present engaged on making inquiries as to the origin of the population of Epirus with the object of excluding from exchange after 1st May next all persons who can establish a claim of Albanian origin. Up to the present, none have been exchanged. The statement in the third part of the question is not, therefore, in accordance with the facts, and His Majesty's Government do not consider that there is any warrant for action such as is suggested in the last part.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement with regard to the hitch that has taken place in the settlement of the controversy over the status of Memel; what is this hitch due to; whether the matter is being brought before the Ambassadors' Conference; and whether the British representative will be instructed to adhere to the standpoint already taken up by the Davis Commission?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister on the 7th instant to the hon. Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the American Government has laid before the Committee of Preparation for the League of Nations Opium Conferences proposals providing that no State shall rely on revenue from the production or sale of narcotic drugs except to finance the control of traffic in such narcotics; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to endorse this principle?

I am informed that certain suggestions have been submitted to the Committee of Preparation by the United States representative for their consideration. It would be premature, and would prejudice the work of the Committee, for His Majesty's Government to express any views with regard to these or any other proposals that may be put before the Committee while they are still under the consideration of the Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, in view of Admiralty Fleet Order No. 756/24, which authorises the assembly of the welfare committees at the three Home ports, he will issue instructions that will give the delegates elected the option of being paid lodging allowance and provision allowance in lieu of naval messing during the period of their function in order that every obstacle to free discussion and investigation may be removed?

Under the Regulations, lodging and provision allowances are payable if the ratings cannot be accommodated and victualled in His Majesty's ships or establishments, and no departure from this rule is considered necessary. Ample facilities exist in the barracks for informal discussion among the delegates.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that large numbers of naval ratings in their last 12 months of service are being sent to sea-going billets, and are therefore debarred from taking advantage of the vocational training classes which are arranged for their instruction with a view to aiding their resettlement; and will he consider the possibility of increasing the drafting margin to meet this exigency?

With regard to the first part of the question, existing orders state that men in their last 12 months of pensionable service should not be sent to sea-service unless the ratings required are not otherwise available. With regard to the second part, vocational training facilities are provided on the distinct understanding that they are not to interfere with drafting arrangements. It is regretted that further additions to Vote A for the purpose of increasing the drafting margin cannot be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will furnish the names of those nautical charities and institutions to which grants have been allocated from the surplus of the Naval Prize Fund, together with the sum allotted in each case; whether he will define particularly what allocations have been made to those funds which deal with cases of distress arising out of long unemployment which exists amongst merchant service captains and officers and their dependants, especially having regard to the fact that the great majority of these officers served during the War in commissioned rank in the Royal Navy; and whether a letter on this subject, addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty by the Imperial Merchant Service Guild, has been brought to his notice and is now under consideration?

The names of the nautical charities and institutions and the sums allotted were promulgated in Admiralty Fleet Order No. 697 of the 21st March, which was communicated to the Press. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. Grants of £27,500 and £500 were made to the Officers' Association of the British Legion and the Trinity House Special Bounty Fund respectively, both of which deal with cases of distress among Merchant Service officers who served in the Royal Navy during the War. A letter on this subject has been received from the Imperial Merchant Service Guild, but having regard to the amounts already allocated for the purpose a reply is being sent that it is regretted that a grant to the Imperial Merchant Service Guild cannot be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of chief shipwrights, first and second class, allowed for the Portsmouth Port Division; and whether he is aware that these ratings are heavily penalised owing to shortage of numbers and the peculiar methods adopted for drafting to foreign service, and that in some cases it is impossible to observe the instructions laid down in the drafting Regulations regarding home service?

Forty chief shipwrights were allowed last year for the Portsmouth Port Division and 39 were borne on the 15th March. The point raised in the second part of the question will be investigated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps, if any, are being taken to remedy the shortage of mechanician ratings; whether he is aware that if the present situation continues mechanician ratings will be called upon to put in 95 per cent, of their total service on foreign service; and whether, until this shortage is remedied, he will authorise the extra foreign service of these ratings to be considered as double time for the purpose of pension?

As stated in the reply of the 22nd January to the hon. Member, steps have already been taken to increase the number of mechanicians. The mechanician branch is now nearly up to strength and engine-room artificers are drafted in lieu of mechanicians when the latter are not available in the ordinary course. There is, therefore, no reason why mechanicians should spend 95 per cent, of their time on foreign service. It is not possible to allow foreign service for any rating to count as double time for pension.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether any further claims are being considered in respect of the distribution of prize money; whether any such claims are still being received; and whether any recent official announcement has been made on the subject?

Claims for prize money are still being received and are dealt with in the usual way. The most recent official announcement on the subject was made on the 22nd December last.

asked the Secretary for Mines if it is his intention to appoint a number of extra horse inspectors for the mines; and, if so, when and by what method does he propose to make these appointments?

No, Sir; but the appointment of additional inspectors of coal mines that I am about to make will naturally lead to increased inspection of horses and their working conditions. Moreover, I am considering the temporary appointment of a veterinary surgeon to visit collieries and look into the present arrangements for the protection of horses underground from overwork and ill-treatment.

asked the Home Secretary the countries which have tried summer-time and abandoned it, those which have tried it and reduced the period; and those which have tried it and extended the period since the first date of introduction?

Summer-time was adopted in a number of countries as a war measure, and so far as my information goes the countries which did so adopt it and have since abandoned it are Germany, Denmark, Spain and Portugal. In the countries in which summer-time is at present put into operation the periods have varied from year to year and it is impossible to say categorically whether they have been reduced or extended since the war period.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the unsatisfactory condition of the legislation relating to shops, he proposes to introduce a Measure dealing with the question?

I agree that the present position is not satisfactory and that a Bill to amend and consolidate the Acts is wanted, but I am afraid that it will not be practicable to undertake legislation during the present Session.

asked the Postmaster-General when work will be begun on the building of the new post office at Bath; and, having regard to the need for increased facilities in the city, if he will expedite the work as much as possible?

The legal formalities in connection with the acquisition of I he site from the Bath Corporation are on the point of completion. When this is done, tenders will be invited for the demolition of the buildings at present on the site and for the erection of the new building. I anticipate that a start on the work will be possible within the next few months. The need for the new office is fully recognised, and the hon. Member may rest assured that there will be no avoidable delay in carrying out the work.