asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that considerable hardship occurs in the cases of pensioners who have finished their training, and find it impossible to maintain themselves and their families on their pensions during the time which elapses between the stoppage of their treatment allowances and their earnings begin in their new occupation; and will he authorise the continuation of family allowances until the pensioner is established in his new occupation?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the hon. Member has in mind cases of trainees who have completed their training under the Industrial Training Scheme, and have not yet found employment in their trade. Every effort is made to find suitable employment for such men, by means of the special canvassing staff and through the Employment Exchanges where they are registered. I have no power to pay to such men when unemployed any special allowances, in addition to their pensions and such unemployment benefit as they may be entitled to receive.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a serious gap between the time they are drawing their full pay in the new avocation and the stoppage of training allowance, and can he confer with the Minister of Pensions and get some supplementary grant?

I am aware of the facts, and will confer with my right hon. Friend, and see what it is possible to do.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men now receiving out-door relief; of those resident in workhouses and of those charged on local rates who are in mental institutions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given yesterday in reply to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills).

asked the Minister of Pensions by whom the members of the Special Grants Committee were appointed; and when their appointments will come up for revision?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving in detail the information asked for in the first part of this question. Under Section 8 of the War Pensions Act, 1918, the Minister of Pensions has the power, by regulations, to limit the term of office (which must not be less than three years) of members of the Committee, but up to the present this power has not been exercised.

Following is the information promised:

Members of the Special Grants Committee.

Appointed by right hon. G. N. Barnes:

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

Sir Bertram Cubitt, K.C.B.

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

Mrs. Reginald McKenna, J.P.

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

Lieut.-General The Hon. Sir Frederick Stopford, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Dame Ethel Shakespear, D.B.E., D.Sc, J.P.

Appointed by the right hon. Member for Colchester:

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

Mrs. Ivor Bevan, O.B.E.

Appointed by the right hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty:

Sir Reginald H. Brade, G.C.B.

Brigadier-General L. Banon, C.B.

S. Chorlton, Esq.

Alderman Hardaker, J.P.

J. H. Knaggs, Esq.

A. G. Webb, Esq.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that applications made to the special grants committee for education grants to enable children of men killed in the War to attend trade schools have recently been turned down even when supported by the local war pensions committees; and whether this has been done with his sanction?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 7th April to the hon. Member for South Islington, of which I am sending him a copy.

If I send my right hon. Friend particulars of a few specially hard cases of orphans and widows of soldiers and sailors who desire to attend trade schools, will he consider them?

Yes, I will certainly do so.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in cases where the pension for the loss of an ex-service son has not been continued to the surviving parent, instructions will now be issued for all such pensions to be restored?

I am glad to announce that it has now been decided that a pre-War dependence or flat-rate pension may be transferred to the surviving parent. The necessary amendment of the Royal Warrant will be obtained as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this Report is circulated, so that everyone may see it?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the dissatisfaction with the excessive delay being at present experienced by Members in obtaining replies from his Department with regard to pension cases brought to his notice; and whether he will take steps to ensure that in future every effort will be made to deal more promptly with grievances which he is asked to inquire into?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Bilston on the 20th ultimo, there has recently been a considerable increase in the number of individual pension cases submitted to me by Members of this House, and many of these require careful consideration or refer to important questions of policy still under consideration. There has been a falling off in the number of such cases during the last few days, and I am, therefore, hopeful of being able to reply more promptly in a large proportion of the cases.

Is it a fact that the Ministry are considering the re-opening of cases which have so far been considered closed?

I am afraid I cannot specifically answer the question which has been indicated.

asked the Home Secretary how many asylums there are in England which are administered for private gain; the number of inmates in these asylums; and how many of the proprietors have degrees in psychological medicine?

There are 56 such institutions in England. On the 1st January, 1924, there were 170 voluntary boarders and 2,797 certified patients resident. Information as to how many of the proporietors have degrees in psychological medicine is not available. My hon. Friend is, no doubt, aware that the proprietors are not necessarily the licensees and need not be medical men.

Will the committee that is inquiring into asylums consider the administration and organisation of private asylums?

I think the hon. Member had better wait till he sees the terms of reference, and then put another question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received during the year 1923 any protests against the summoning of grand juries at quarter sessions and assizes?

Protests have been received at the Home Office during 1923 from the quarter sessions of two counties and two boroughs.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that the girls now serving Borstal sentences in Holloway prison are confined in an ordinary wing of that gaol and have only a prison yard in which to take exercise, though many of the girls are undergoing long sentences, he will consider the advisability of removing these young people to a more suitable place of detention where they could receive a more efficient training and one more in keeping with the objects of the Borstal system.

As already explained in reply to previous questions, the girls at Holloway are all girls who have not proved amenable to the normal regime at Aylesbury. They are few in number, I am glad to say, and are provided with the most suitable accommodation available. Each case is specially considered with a view to discharge after five months at Holloway.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these girls have only a kind of prison yard in which to exercise and they are also in a part of the prison which was formerly used for ordinary prisoners, and does be consider this likely to have a beneficial effect on these girls, who are there more for reformation than for punishment?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these conditions are not at all consistent with the Borstal system?

I will go into the suggestions contained in the supplementary questions.

asked the Home Secretary whether, considering that it is provided by the Treaty that the status of the Irish Free State shall be the same as that of the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa, and considering that a British subject going to reside in any part of His Majesty's Dominions is entitled to exercise the Parliamentary franchise on completion of the residentiary qualification, with the exception of the Irish Free State, he will take the necessary steps to debar citizens of the Irish Free State from enjoying the franchise in Great Britain till such time as the authorities of the Irish Free State grant the franchise to British subjects in the Free State?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government is not prepared to place any obstacle in the way of the acquisition of the franchise in this country by British subjects from the Dominions who may take up their residence here.

What steps does the hon. Gentleman propose to take to put British subjects on an equality with citizens of the Irish Free State in this respect?

This is a very technical subject, and I should like to have notice.

asked the Home Secretary the number of convictions for cruelty to animals in England and Wales during 1922; how many of these convictions were the result of police prosecutions; and how many were the result of action taken by humane societies or private individuals?

The number of convictions for cruelty to animals in England and Wales during 1922 was 4,861. I have no information on the other points.

asked the Home Secretary what response has been made by the Isle of Man to the request made by the Imperial authorities for a further financial contribution?

The island was asked to contribute a capital sum of £150,000, and to increase their annual contribution to £150,000. In reply, they have offered to contribute a capital sum of £200,000 on certain conditions, one of which would reduce the sum of £200,000 by a substantial amount.

Are they not prepared to do it annually? An annual sum is asked for.

The whole problem is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the statement of counsel, on behalf of the Commissioners of Police, in a case at Marlborough Street Police Court, that the Commissioners considered that legislation relating to clubs was urgently necessary; and what steps does he propose to take to introduce the legislation which the Commissioners of Police find to be necessary?

Yes, Sir. The possibility of fresh legislation in regard to clubs is engaging the attention of my right hon. Friend, but I cannot at present make any statement in regard to it.

May I repeat the question after Easter?

I cannot prevent the hon. Member repeating the question.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the sentence of two months' imprisonment with hard labour imposed on the 26th March upon Mr. James Hart by the Kettering magistrates for receiving 2s. worth of rivets which had been stolen; and if, in view of the fact that Mr. Hart is 67 years of age, is recovering from illness, and has no previous convictions against him, he will arrange for his immediate discharge?

My right hon. Friend has had a full report of the facts of this case, and on a careful consideration of them he finds no sufficient ground for recommending any reduction of the sentence. The prisoner admitted having been guilty of receiving stolen property over a long period.

Is my hon. Friend not prepared to recommend to the Home Secretary, copying the example of his predecessor, Mr. Churchill, giving every possible facility for the First Offenders Act?

Is this the first time the man has been charged with receiving stolen property?

Yes, this is the first time he has been charged with an offence, and, of course, the first time he has been convicted.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the strong feeling on all sides of the House that this is a case for leniency, and, on consideration, might not this be treated as a first offence?

Is there any case within the hon. Gentleman's knowledge where an old man of 67 for a first offence got such a savage sentence?

May I have your leave, Sir, to raise this on the Adjournment to-night?

I understood the hon. Gentleman to admit that this man had been guilty of a long series of offences before he was convicted. Is that so?

Is it proper that this sentence should be retained because of offences with which he has not been charged?

Further questions must be put on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary if the police intend to arrest the Communist leaders who incited to riot and intimidation the men working at the British Empire Exhibition?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on Monday last to the hon. Member for the Isle of Thanet. No proceedings are contemplated.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to alter the present system which precludes Scotland Yard officers taking up the investigation of murders locally until invited to do so by the police authorities in the district where the murder is committed?

I do not think that the present system could be altered with advantage in the sense indicated.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that certain counties openly boast that they will never call in Scotland Yard?

Would it not be inadvisable to set the provincial detective officers against the detective officers of Scotland Yard, and are not the present arrangements quite satisfactory under which the Scotland Yard officers are available for the localities if they so desire?

My right hon. Friend has all these points in mind when he deals with these cases.

In view of the fact that a criminal at large is a source of danger to the community at large, and not specifically to the locality where the murder was committed, will the Home Secretary insist on the calling in of the advice of Scotland Yard?

Is there any censorship of Press reports in anticipation of investigations being carried out by Scotland Yard, which reports very often give information to people who can help and hide the criminal?

That is the question on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the recent action of the Kingston Borough Bench in sentencing Leonard Hide and William Piper, two Teddington youths, to two months' imprisonment with hard labour for stealing cigarettes, valued 3s., from their employer; and if, in view of the character that William Piper had hitherto borne, he will reduce the sentence?

My right lion. Friend has given the case his most careful consideration, and regrets that, having regard to all the facts before him, he could not see his way to recommend any reduction of the sentence.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is a probation officer attached to this Court?

What is the age of these two youths?

Is it proper, Mr. Speaker, for this House to discuss the findings of different Courts of Law when this House has no evidence whatever on which to go, whereas the findings have been the result of a full investigation of the cases?

No criticism of magistrates can be allowed in this House. This is a question of the Home Secretary's discretion.

Can the Under-Secretary say what is the age of these two youths?

If I remember rightly they were both under 20. In the case of Piper, I may perhaps be allowed to say from the information I have that it would have been quite competent for the magistrates to have placed him on probation, and that would have been in accordance with the principle adopted by most courts of summary jurisdiction.

Is it not correct that the Home Office have sent out frequent circulars to magistrates requesting them to give the benefit of the First Offenders Act and not to send youths to prison for the first time?

Is it a fact that when Mr. Churchill was Home Secretary his best work was done in pleading that men should be given the benefit of the First Offenders Act?

Is the hon. Member aware that a very strongly-worded petition, signed by large numbers of residents in the district of all classes, has been sent to the Home Secretary petitioning against the severity of the sentence in both cases and not only in the case of the man.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state, approximately, how many men the Metropolitan Police Force is short of its maximum numbers; and whether, in view of the large number of extra, police required for the British Empire Exhibition, it is proposed to fill up the total force with recruits forthwith?

The force is at present 1.113 below establishment. These vacancies are in part maintained as a measure of economy; the balance are being filled as rapidly as suitable candidates can be secured and trained.

asked the Home Secretary what is the approximate number of the Metropolitan Police who are employed on traffic duties only; and can he state what is the percentage of the total police force used for traffic control?

The answer to this question, which appeared on the Paper for the first time yesterday, involves a somewhat detailed investigation, and I would ask the hon. Member to repeat his question next Wednesday or Thursday, when I hope it will be possible to give him a complete reply.

Will the hon. Gentleman include in the information the number of mounted police officers engaged on traffic duty?

I will see about that.

asked the Home Secretary whether all the Metropolitan Police Force have now been withdrawn from the Royal dockyards; if not, how many still remain attached to dockyard services; and is it the intention to eventually withdraw all Metropolitan Police from this service?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the negative. The present establishment of Metropolitan Police in dockyards is 852.

asked the Home Secretary whether special remission is ever granted to prisoners, in addition to the usual good conduct remission, in cases of special service or general excellence of conduct; and whether the Prison Commissioners have considered any scheme by which prisoners could be further encouraged by being able to earn additional remissions of their sentences?

Special remission is sometimes given for special services rendered in prison, and the Prison Commissioners are now considering whether some method cannot be devised whereby the earning of the present rate of remission may demand a higher standard of industry and conduct than at present required.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that effective blackmail depends upon threatened publicity, he will consider introducing legislation to provide that oases of alleged blackmail be tried in camera, so that persons blackmailed will be less afraid to defend themselves?

I do not think the advantages that would be gained by the adoption of this interesting suggestion would be sufficient to outweigh the objections to the course suggested.

Is there any power to keep the names of persons blackmailed out of the papers, while reporting the whole case?

I must have notice of that question.

What advantage would it be to the person who would bring a blackmail charge to have publicity?

Has the hon. Gentleman consulted legal opinion, as represented by the Lord Chief Justice and the chief magistrates of this great city?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the number of applications which have been received by the Board from local education authorities for permission to build new elementary schools and new secondary schools since 1920; the number of these applications which have been granted by the Board; and the number which have been refused?

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

The figures are as follow :

These figures, of course, afford no indication of the number of cases in which local education authorities have refrained from submitting proposals, because they anticipated or were informed, on a preliminary consideration of their programmes of capital expenditure, that proposals were unlikely to receive approval.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state, in terms of school places, how many new elementary schools and extensions of existing elementary schools he has authorised local education authorities to commence building during the financial year 1924–25?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the letters addressed by the Director of Education of the Glasgow Education Authority to parents and teachers on the subject of betting and gambling; and whether he proposes to take any action in the way of suggesting to education authorities in England and Wales that similar letters should be addressed to parents and teachers?

I have seen references in the newspapers to the letter referred to by my hon. Friend. The suggestion put forward in the last part of his question will be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of school children under 10 years of age in secondary schools at the present time?

The latest complete figures at my disposal are those relating to the 1st October, 1923, which show that there were on that date 23,519 pupils under 10 years of age in grant-aided secondary schools. There has, however, been a considerable decline in this number since that date, and I doubt if it now exceeds 20,000.

the Noble Lord's permission, circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer :

Since the Government took office, the number of cases in which the Board have formally approved plans for the erection by local education authorities of new public elementary schools or for such enlargements of existing schools as, for the purpose of Section 18 (2) of the Education Act, 1921, are treated as new schools, is as follows:

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of excluding these young children from school in view of the shortage of places for older children?

I have no reason to think that these children exclude to any great extent the older children.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the total number of children attending secondary schools; and how many of these are children who have gained scholarships?

The total number of children in attendance at grant-aided secondary schools on the 1st October last was about 359,000, of whom about 128,000 were free place scholars within the meaning of Article 20 of the Regulations. In addition to these there are a number of pupils, estimated, roughly, at 8,000, who hold foundation and other scholarships not falling under the terms that article.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that figure represents a decline on the figure of last year?

I could not say without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has sanctioned the institution of the demonstration school for the training of infants' assistants by the London County Council; and whether it will rank for grant by the Board?

The Board have approved the proposal of the London County Council to conduct a demonstration class in the Chicksand Street Public Elementary School, for infants' assistants already in the service of the London County Council. The Council's expenditure in respect of the maintenance of the demonstration class will be taken into account by the Board for grant.

May we take it that the sanctioning of the school does not mean a change of policy in regard to assistants, or the employment of uncertificated teachers?

There has been no change since my last declaration.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is now in a position to announce any decision with regard to the holding of the acting teachers' certificate examination after November, 1924?

As I told the hon. Members for Thornbury and Wednesbury on the 14th February last, I shall make no definite decision as to the holding of any further examination until I have received and considered the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Training of Teachers.

Can the right lion. Gentleman give any idea when the Committee is likely to report?

It is almost certain to report during the summer; very soon, I hope.

asked the President of the Board of Education to what extent, if any, broadcasting as a medium of education is being used in British schools?

It is too early to make any estimate of the value of broadcasting as a means of education. Listening-in sets have been installed in a certain number of schools. At present a series of experimental lectures have bean organised by the British Broadcasting Company. I have arranged for reports to be made to me on the results of this experiment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman studying what is being done in foreign countries?

I am having inquiries made.

As far as possible, will the students be encouraged to make their own sets, so as to familiarise them with the details? [HON. MEMBERS: "They do!"]

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Civil Aviation Department has been approached by the Messageries Transaeriennes, a French company subsidised by the French Government, with a view to a joint air service to India, by means of hydroplanes from Marseilles, via Alexandretta, to Bombay; if so, whether, in view of the halving of the expense to ourselves of such a service, the Air Ministry is giving careful and sympathetic attention to this offer; and what has been the cause of the delay heretofore?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative, but under the terms of the agreement with the Imperial Air Transport Company, the Air Ministry is precluded, as from 1st April, 1924, from granting subsidies to any other commercial company in respect of a heavier-than-air transport service in Europe, including the Mediterranean Sea. So far, therefore, as the western portion of the proposed Marseilles-Bombay service is concerned, the only way in which British assistance could be given would be by means of some working arrangement between the new Imperial Company and the "Messageries Transaeriennes." It has, therefore, been necessary to await the formation of the new Imperial Company, and no avoidable delay has occurred.

Will an answer now be sent to this company? Does my hon. Friend realise that here is one opportunity in which we can co-operate with our French friends very successfully?

There is no doubt that the company and our French friends know our difficulties in this matter quite well.

asked the under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that experiments with powerful aeroplane engines have recently taken place in North London during the night to the great annoyance and disturbance of rest of the inhabitants; and whether he will issue instructions for these to cease?

In answer to the first part of the question, I understand that on one night experiments which may have caused the annoyance and disturbance referred to were continued until a late hour, but, as regards the second part, arrangements have now been made which will obviate a recurrence of the cause of complaint.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the third international air exhibition will be held in Prague, on 31st May to 9th June, under the patronage of the President of the Republic, and that no arrangements have been made for exhibits from this country, although practically every other important country in the industry is represented; and whether any steps have been taken to represent the British aircraft industry in the exhibition to be held in this country?

The question referred to by the hon. and gallant Member has been under discussion with the Society of British Aircraft Constructors for some time past, and I hope that the industry will be found to be represented at the Prague exhibition, but no decision in the matter has yet been reached. If the last part of the question refers to the Wembley exhibition, I understand that some of the British aircraft firms are to be represented there.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the activities of the Civil branch of his Department, because I certainly am not?

The point is which are the activities with which the hon. Member is dissatisfied?

This is one of them.

Will the hon. Gentleman do what he can to expedite this matter, as the Exhibition is to open at the end of next month? France, Italy, Holland and Germany have all thought it worth their while to send exhibits?

I have been interviewing representatives of the trade, in order to secure something being done in this matter, and I think they will admit that the responsibility for delay is theirs, not ours.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether any decision has yet been reached with regard to proposals for an Empire airship service?

The answer is in the negative.

Could the hon. Gentleman give me some idea as to when the Government will be able to arrive at a decision on this matter?

As a very large sum of money is involved in this decision, the Committee is taking great pains to examine the whole problem very carefully.

Has the Committee yet heard the evidence of the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Uxbridge (Lieut.-Commander Burney)?

If I put down a question in three weeks' time, shall I be able to get an answer?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received complaints from the residents in the neighbourhood of the Waddon aeroplane factory of the great nuisance caused by testing aeroplane engines; whether it is proposed to erect an underground testing place; and, if so, when the work is to be put in hand?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The factory is leased to the Aircraft Disposal Company. I am making inquiries of that company, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that under a recent ruling of His Majesty's Commissioners for Customs and Excise, the department of modern languages in Armstrong College, Newcastle, has been compelled to pay Entertainments Duty in respect of its performances in French of two of Molièr's plays; and whether, seeing that an entertainment which is provided for partly educational purposes by a society not conducted for profit is exempted from the duty, can he say why the performance in French of a classical French play by a university department does not come under this exemption?

I am informed that the Commissioners of Customs and Excise have had before them a further communication from the promoters of this entertainment, and that they are now able to grant the exemption sought.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the reports of Income Tax cases are paid for by the State, he will arrange that the general public shall be placed in as good a position as the servants of the Crown in having equally early access to all such reports?

I am unable to agree that there is any inequality of treatment in this matter. The collections of reports published by the Stationery Office are issued in "Part" form and each part is available to the general public on the day of publication. Current reports of decisions appear in the newspaper Press, professional journals and the recognised law reporting publications.

Have not the surveyors of taxes books in their possession to which chartered accountants have not access?

The hon. Member is now stating the purpose which he has in view. It is true that the inspectors of taxes have official instructions arising out of legal decisions, but these are private for the information of the surveyor of taxes only, and certainly could not be made public.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the widows of officers who died as the result of their war services in the Great War are being charged Income Tax on their war pensions; and whether he will have the tax remitted in such cases?

I am aware that the pensions to which the hon. Member refers are required to be included in the computation of the recipient's total income for Income Tax purposes. I would point out that, apart from other considerations, the concession suggested would merely benefit the well-to-do pensioners while the majority would receive no benefit at all, their total income being in any event below the limit of exemption from Income Tax.

Why are these poor people subject to this tax?

I have already stated—I am afraid that the hon. Member did not listen very carefully—that the total income of the majority of pensioners is below the limit of exemption?

What is that?

£150.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a certain number of cases the widows of non-commissioned' ranks just come in for Income Tax, and will he take that into consideration?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the growing practice of limited companies making loans to their shareholders instead of declaring dividends and forming subsidiary companies abroad, in each case for the purpose of evading taxation in this country; and whether he is considering measures to prevent this evasion?

I would ask the hon. Member to await my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the large number of cases in which licensing justices grant removal orders for licensed houses of comparatively small size and value to new sites where large and lucrative premises are erected, thereby saving the local compensation fund the cost of compensating the old and redundant houses at the expense of the Exchequer which is deprived of the monopoly value of the new houses; and whether he will instruct his representatives at licensing sessions to oppose such removals?

I am advised that there is no power in law to take the action suggested. Under Section 87 (2) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, any person authorised by the Commissioners of Customs1 and Excise is entitled to be heard by the Licensing Justices or by the Confirming Authority on the question of the amount of monopoly value to be imposed on the grant or confirmation of a new "on" licence, but there is no similar provision in the case of an application for the removal of a licence, and consequently the Commissioners are not entitled to be heard in opposition to applications for such removals.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to get powers?

That would have to be done under the Finance Bill, and I cannot express any opinion as to that.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to propose to the Russian dele- gation, which is expected here to discuss outstanding questions between the two Governments, that the meetings be held in public or otherwise; and, if it is decided not to hold the sitttings in public, whether an agreed statement will be published at the end of each day's proceedings?

The final settlement of this can be made only after the conference meets, but it is not proposed that the meetings shall be held in public, nor would it be desirable to issue a statement after each sitting. The representatives of the Press will, however, be kept acquainted with the general progress of the negotiations.

Will not the first session be held in public?

I am afraid that the chamber in which it will be held would not have accommodation fop the Press.

Who objects to publicity—the Russians or we?

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that this would be an admirable occasion for an experiment in open diplomacy?

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that summons for eviction have been issued on behalf of a Government Department, he will state the policy of the Government with reference to evictions of tenants from Government estates on the ground of non-payment of rent?

The general principle is that if a tenant's record is a bad one, an eviction order should be allowed to take its course, subject to such warning to the tenant as the Department, having regard to the circumstances of the case, may think desirable to issue.

Having regard to the fact that a number of evictions are being attempted, will the right hon. Gentleman, in the present Bill now going upstairs, consider whether he cannot give further protection to individual tenants, inasmuch as they are not now within the operation of the Act?

As to Government policy on this issue, I would say that under the present Government no evictions have been authorised. Some cases of eviction have taken place under preceding Governments. A further view of the Government, as stated in the speech of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, on Monday last, is that we cannot permit tenants in some cases to shelter behind instances of real hardship, and fail to pay rent under any circumstances, even if they are able to do so.

The right hon. Gentleman has said that the present Government have not obtained any orders for evictions. Is he aware that they have done their best to obtain them, and that it has been only the intervention of the County Court Judge that has prevented eight people being evicted?

That matter was debated last night.

asked the Minister of Health the number of tenants of houses ejected under warrants issued during and since August, 1922?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister on Monday to the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Sir W. Joynson-Hicks).

Can the hon. Gentleman say when these figures will be available? Will they be available before the Standing Committee deals with the matter on Tuesday next?

That I cannot say. As has been pointed out, these statistics are not being collected by the Ministry of Health.

Has the hon. Gentleman any reason to suppose that the statistics which have been published and have been frequently quoted in this House, are in any way inaccurate?

That I am sure I could not say. All these figures have been partial figures.

Would it be correct to say that the total number for 1922 does not exceed 100?

asked the Attorney-General if he can inform this House as to the number of orders for possession of, and warrants for eviction from, houses applied for and issued since the 1st August, 1923; and whether any such figures are available for the years 1920, 1921 and 1922?

Between the 1st August, 1923, and 31st March, 1924, 35,001 actions for possession and ejectment were entered in County Courts in England and Wales, of which 24,271 were heard. In the same period 21,326 orders for possession were made and 3,835 Warrants of possession were issued, of which 2,134 were in respect of actions entered on or after 1st August, 1923. I will circulate the figures for the years 1920, 1921 and 1922 in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman state the corresponding figures for Scotland?

I have not got the figures for Scotland here, but if the hon. and gallant Member gives me notice I will endeavour to procure them.

How many evictions were actually carried out? How many warrants were actually executed?

I cannot answer that question. If the hon. Member gives me notice I will have inquiries made.

Do I understand that the total number of warrants issued for possession in cases arising out of the 1923 Act is hardly more than 1,000 in nine months.

I cannot say as to the nine months. The figure for the months from 1st August until to-day is more than double that. The figure for that period is 2,134.

Does not that figure of over 2,000 relate to causes for eviction arising before 1st August, 1923?

The answer I have given contains all the information I have on the subject, and it shows that 2,134 cases were in respect of actions entered on or after the 1st August, 1923.

Following are the figures referred to:

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to initiate legislation that will result in the occupation of 250,000 houses at present held for sale, in view of the present overcrowding of the people?

No statistics are available as to the number of vacant houses held for sale, but the suggestion of the hon. Member will be considered.

As these figures have been established by a competent housing association will the Department consider the problem from that point of view?

These statistics must be an estimate. They are not based on an inquiry.

Has the Minister made inquiry with a view to obtaining statistics as to the number of inhabited houses; and would not that enable him to give the information which is sought for?

It would not answer the question of the number of houses held for sale.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that building material prices continue to increase and that success or failure of any new Housing Bill depends upon his control of building material prices; and will he state what steps he intends to take to ensure adequate supplies at equitable prices for all municipalities who under take housing schemes under the various Housing Acts?