asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that the period provided for carrying into effect the housing schemes in Scotland approved under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc. (Scotland), Act, 1919, which was extended to five instead of three years by the Assisted Housing Schemes Amendment Regulations (Scotland), 1921, made by the Scottish Board of Health with the approval of the Treasury, lapses on 19th August, 1924, and that there are stil1 about 3,500 of the houses allocated under schemes approved under the Act which are either not yet completed or commenced, the Scottish Board of Health will issue further Regulations and obtain Treasury sanction to extend further the period within which these houses may be completed?

In view of the Scottish Board of Health's power of extension of the time-limit under Article III of the Local Authorities (Assisted Housing Schemes) Regulations (Scotland), 1919, the issue of further Regulations is not considered necessary. Any application under that provision by a local authority who can show good cause why their scheme has not been completed by 19th August next will receive the favourable consideration of the Scottish Board of Health.

Is it not the case that the Regulations already issued had relation to the previous period, and is it not necessary to have a general Regulation passed to deal with the extension of the period?

asked the Secretary for Scotland the result of his inquiries with regard to the failure of the local education authority to provide secondary education in the island of Arran?

I hope to be able to reply to the hon. Member's question shortly after the next meeting of the Education Authority for the County of Bute on 7th May next.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is now in a position to announce the policy of the Government in regard to the provision of gear for Scottish fishermen?

I regret that I am not yet able to announce a decision, but I hope to do so at an early date.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say now whether he will be able to make a definite statement before the opening of the summer herring fishing?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that he promised before the House adjourned that he would give this urgent question his immediate consideration?

It is perfectly true that I said that I would give this matter my immediate consideration, and I have given my reply.

When may we expect an answer?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fishing season will start at the very end of next month, and, in fact, on the West Coast of Scotland, in the middle of next month, and can he not give a reply before then?

I am as well aware of the difficulties as my hon. and gallant Friend, and I will give a reply at as early a date as possible.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health if there are any working-class representatives on the Rent Tribunals which fixes the rentals for houses built under the Addison housing schemes?

The Rents Tribunal referred to consists of two members nominated by the Scottish Board of Health, one member nominated by the Convention of Royal Burghs, and one member nominated by the Association of County Councils in Scotland, and the Association of District Committees in Scotland jointly, and of a chairman appointed by the four members so nominated. The tribunal functions only in cases of difference of opinion between the Board and the local authority, by whom the rents fall to be fixed in the first instance, having regard to the rents of working-class houses in the locality. The members are appointed for their special knowledge of the matters referred to them for decision, and no attempt is made to secure the representation on the tribunal of any particular class.

In view of the fact that these are exclusively working-class houses, would it not be advisable that at least one person who has to dwell in such, or any similar, houses, should be a member of this tribunal?

I will consider, along with other Departments concerned, the question of amending the Local Authorities Assisted Housing Schemes Amending Regulations, Scotland, 1921, which prescribe the composition of the tribunal

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of classes in public schools in Scotland containing between 50 and 60 pupils and over 60 pupils on the roll?

I have already provided the hon. Member with the full particulars he desires, but am arranging for the statement to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the Statement:

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware that the housing subsidy is being refused to individuals whose houses have been built a few superficial feet over the maximum fixed by his Department; that the entire subsidy is refused to a man whose house is five superficial feet over the maximum; and if, in view of the hardship a recent decision of his Department has caused and that his Department is penalising some men for increasing by a few feet the housing standard, he will have the whole matter reconsidered?

The maximum superficial area for houses eligible for subsidy under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, is fixed by Statute. The matter is not, therefore, one in which I have any discretionary power.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has no power to make a pro rata reduction in the case where a man's house is five feet better than the houses laid down in this Regulation?

As I have already explained, I have no discretionary power in this matter. It is fixed by Statute.

Did not the Minister of Health state the other day in the House that no private enterprise houses had been built in Scotland under the 1923 Act?

May I ask whether this one comes under the 1923 Act?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the persons comprising the Advisory Committee which settles the conditions and the prices of sale to the British Dyestuffs Corporation of the reparation dyes received from Germany; whether any representatives of the British Dyestuffs Corporation are included in such Advisory Committee; and whether the Committee settles the prices at which the German reparation dyes are sold by the British Dyestuffs Corporation to the British traders?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. No reparation dyestuffs, with the exception of samples for experimental purposes, are sold to the British Dyestuffs Corporation. The prices at which reparation dyestuffs are sold to merchants and consumers are fixed by the Board of Trade, with the help of an informal committee consisting of two representatives of the British Dyestuffs Corporation, as selling agents, and two representatives of the Colour Users Association.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of applications for licences to import dyestuffs received by the Advisory Licensing Committee for the three months ending 31st March, 1924; and the number of applications refused and outstanding in the same period?

The total number of applications for licences received during the three months ended on the 31st March was 1,420, to which must be added 17 outstanding at the beginning of the period. Of the total of 1,437, 1,152 were granted, in 56 cases applicants were referred to reparation supplies, 207 were refused, and 22 were outstanding at the end of the quarter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that policy holders in Irish insurance companies now residing in England view with grave concern the effect of the Industrial Assurance Act of 1923, which renders illegal all insurance done by Irish companies or societies in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland; that a large volume of insurance business is transacted in all parts of Ireland by English insurance companies; and whether he will consent to some reciprocal arrangements by which the British companies would be allowed to carry on their business as usual in the Free State, and that Free State companies or societies should be allowed to carry on their business as usual in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

I have been asked to reply. The Industrial Assurance Act, 1923, makes it illegal for a society or company not registered in England or Scotland to transact industrial assurance business in England or Scotland, and companies and societies situated in the Irish Free State are thereby debarred from transacting this class of business only in this country, though they are not excluded from operating in Northern Ireland. I am exploring the possibility of arriving at a reciprocal arrangement with the Irish Free State Government which would enable companies and societies in the Irish Free State to carry on industrial assurance business in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the average declared values, during the month of March, of German box and willow calf leather and German glazed and machine-glazed packing and wrapping paper imported into this country?

The average declared value of imported box and willow calf leather registered during March, 1924, as consigned from Germany was £30 12s. 5d. per cwt., and the average declared value of imported glazed and machine-glazed packing and wrapping paper registered as consigned from Germany during the same period was £l 2s. 2d. per cwt.

In view of that answer, I beg to give notice that I will refer to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment this evening.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the result of his inquiries into the alleged refusal of the German Government to allow Germans to buy sterling to pay for goods ordered and manufactured in Bradford?

His Majesty's Embassy at Berlin are being requested to furnish, a report on the matter, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as this report is received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing nuisance arising from the fact that oil discharged from vessels outside the three-mile limit is not dispersed and eventually reaches the shore; and if he will reconsider existing Regulations on this subject with a view to abating the nuisance?

Complaints still reach the Board of Trade from time to time about the nuisance caused by oil discharged from vessels, but I cannot confirm the statement that the nuisance is an increasing one, and should be glad to receive any specific information which the hon. Member can supply. If the nuisance originates outside the three-mile limit it can only be dealt with effectively by international action, and as other nations are studying the question, it is hoped that in course of time it may be possible to arrive at an international agreement. In the meantime progress is being made in the invention and use of apparatus for separating the oil from the oily water in ships' tanks, and the more apparatus of this kind is used, the less occasion will there be for pumping out tanks outside territorial limits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last few months more gulls have been found killed off Dungeness from oil than ever before, and will he, therefore, make representations to the watchers to see that precautions are taken to prevent this serious damage to bird life?

I will see what can be done.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever tried bathing at fashionable East Coast resorts, to see how very severe is the oil nuisance?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the reduction on the pay of officers of 5½ per cent, from 1st July next is, on the whole, pay or pension of officers or only on the increase granted since the War?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on the 14th instant to the hon. Member for Deritend (Mr. Smedley Crooke).

asked the Secretary of State for War what British troops are at present stationed in Egypt and the Sudan, respectively: whether he anticipates reducing the British troops in Egypt; what is the cost of the British troops in Egypt; and on whom this cost falls?

The approximate number of British troops borne on Army Estimates, at present stationed in Egypt and the Sudan is 10,000 and 950, respectively, and no reduction in the number of troops stationed in Egypt is at present con- templated. The estimated cost of the troops in Egypt, excluding the Sudan, for the year 1924–25 is, approximately, £2,500,000, towards which a payment of £150,000 is made by the Government of Egypt, the remaining cost falling on Army funds.

Are we to gain no advantage at all from the grant of self-government to Egypt, by being able to reduce the garrison there?

As a matter of fact, I think my hon. and gallant Friend will remember that a certain, I will not say substantial, but appreciable, reduction has been made, and I made the statement, in introducing the Army Estimate that for the moment no further reduction is contemplated.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the unsatisfactory replies made by the London coal merchants to his representations about the discrepancy between pit-head and retail prices of household coal, he is now prepared to take further steps to prevent profiteering in the retail coal trade?

Since publishing the papers on this subject, I have been informed by the Coal Merchants' Federation that they propose to supplement their answers to my questions by furnishing me with certain figures. I shall await these figures before taking any further action.

asked the Postmaster-General what decision has been come to with regard to the Donald Committee Report on the wireless question?

The report is still under consideration, but it is hoped that a decision will be reached shortly.

May I ask whether every Dominion has been heard from on this matter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received any further representations as to the inadequacy of the accommodation at the post office buildings at Rugby; and whether he is prepared to receive a deputation at an early date?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and, in the circumstances stated in my reply to the hon. Member's previous question on the 14th instant, I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose to receive a deputation on the subject.

Would it serve any useful purpose if the right hon. Gentleman would form part of the usual queue outside Rugby Post Office at an early date?

As I say, no further representation has been received.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the statement, on page 17 of the Post Office Guide, that samples cannot be sent by inland post at any rates other than the letter and parcel rates; and whether, having regard to the great facilities offered by the pre-War sample post, he will consider the desirability of reintroducing such a service?

I regret that I cannot see my way to re-establish the inland sample post, which was abolished in 1897, and again, after a brief revival, in 1918. Its reintroduction at the present time would lead to a sacrifice of revenue which could not be justified; and, financial considerations apart, experience has shown that it is impossible to prevent the use of an inland sample post for articles of merchandise which are not samples at all, and for small parcels sent from one individual to another, except by imposing restrictive regulations which are both harassing to the public and very troublesome to the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to remove the transmitting apparatus of 2 LO from Marconi House to the roof of a leading West End store; whether the removal had been designed to advertise the firm owning the store in question; what is the value placed upon the advertising value of the presence of the transmitting station; and whether the sum so paid will be wholly transferred to the revenue of the Broadcasting Company?

The use for broadcasting purposes of an existing wireless station at Marconi House was agreed to in 1922 as a temporary measure, in order to obviate delay in the introduction of the service; but its continued use for these purposes is open to serious objections, among which may be mentioned interference with the neighbouring Air Ministry Station in Kingsway. The broadcasting company propose to construct the permanent London station on the roof of a West End store, which was chosen not for the purpose of advertising the store in question, but as being, for technical reasons, the most suitable spot available within the limited area within which the station must be placed. The transmitting station will be private and customers of the stores will not normally be allowed to visit it. I understand that no payment in respect of any supposed advertising advantages is being made to the broadcasting company by the proprietors of the stores. At the request of the British Broadcasting Company, I am consulting the Broadcasting Board in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the reasonable needs of Dulwich are not served on Sundays by the present postal arrangements, owing to the fact that no post office whatever is open on Sundays; and whether, considering the inconvenience caused to a large number of people living in the densely populated district of Dulwich, he will at once take steps to remedy the complaint by giving instructions for one office to be opened in Dulwich on Sundays?

As I stated on the 27th March, in reply to a similar question from the hon. Member, I am aware that there is no post office open in Dulwich on Sunday. Telegraph facilities are, however, available at several railway stations during train times and several licensed stamp vendors' premises are open for the greater part of the day. These facilities compare not unfavourably with those afforded in similar districts of London, and are regarded as adequate to the reasonable needs of the locality.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the people living in the Division are not of his opinion, that they are desirous of having other facilities, and will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration that the stations to which he has referred are entirely outside Dulwich, and will he not consider the need of some improvement?

I may say that I am considering the whole situation; but I do not think, so far as Dulwich is concerned, it has any claim at present.

asked the Postmaster-General the names of the steamship companies carrying His Majesty's mails from this country to Shanghai and intermediate ports and the amount of subsidy paid by the Government for carrying His Majesty's mails to these foreign ports?

The only contract mail service from this country to Shanghai and intermediate ports is by the steamships of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company; and the payment is included in the cost of the mail service to India, Ceylon, the Far East and Australasia which is shown under Sub-head E 4 in the Post Office Estimates, 1924–25.

asked the Post master-General if he will arrange for His Majesty's mails to be sent by the Siberian route to the Far East so that traders can get the advantage of a much quicker despatch?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question from him on the 15th of this month.

Mr. Speaker, I would like an answer to the question I put. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that what he has said is not an answer to my present question, which is a question that has never been asked?

And I have replied by referring the hon. Gentleman to a previous reply.

This is not an answer to my question.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman had better put the question down again.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. F. C. Cates, an employé in the Post Office, who, after five hearings at the police court on a charge brought against him by the Post Office, was found not guilty, the Recorder of London expressing the opinion that the charge ought never to have been brought; and whether, seeing that he has reinstated Mr. Cates, he will give directions that he be compensated and refunded his legal expenses, amounting to £250?

I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave in reply to his question on the same subject on the 11th instant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reply was that this unfortunate man had no legal claim against the Government Department, whereas obviously he had a claim against a private individual: seeing that he has undergone five trials, and seeing it was a, mistake on the right hon. Gentleman's Department, cannot he see his way to give him compensation?

I have gone very carefully into this matter, and, having regard to the facts, I should not feel justified in recommending any compensation in this case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, having gone into the facts, say that the man has any equitable claim?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that, is he aware that he has admitted that the man was wrongly charged by reinstating him: does he not, therefore, think that he is under a moral obligation to pay the expenses of the trials and some compensation?

I consider that the Post Office was perfectly justified in taking the action they did against this man, and I am quite satisfied that if the facts were laid before the House hon. Members would approve of the action taken.

Why did the right hon. Gentleman reinstate him?

Is the right hon. Gentleman basing his decision upon considerations of law or equity?

I have based my decision upon a consideration of the facts of the case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to retry a. case that has been tried before?

No; it is not a question of retrying the case. I am asked if I am prepared, having regard to the decision given, to pay this man's legal costs and to give him compensation. I say, having gone carefully into the facts of the case, that I should not be justified in doing so.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, by reference from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he has received from 11 national motor organisations, representing all classes of motor-vehicle owners and every branch of the motor-vehicle industry in Great Britain, a request that, in view of the forthcoming Finance Bill, a deputation may wait upon him for the purpose of discussing the question of a reversion to motor-spirit taxation from the present method and the equitable readjustment of the existing scale pending such reversion, respectively; and why he has refused to receive a deputation, in view of the fact that the long-delayed Report of the Departmental Committee will not be ready until June?

I have received the request referred to on the part of these motoring organisations whose alternative scheme of taxation is now being investigated by the Departmental Committee. These organisations are adequately represented on the Committee, and, in my view, no useful purpose would be served by receiving a deputation before I have had an opportunity of considering the Committee's Report.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the last Minister of Transport received a deputation on a similar subject; otherwise the recommendations of this Committee cannot come into force until January, 1926? This is to get them to come into force in January, 1925. Cannot the hon. Gentleman reeive a deputation?

If the hon. Gentleman cannot receive this deputation, will he take steps to accelerate the Report of this Committee, which has been outstanding about three years?

I am accelerating the Report of the Committee, but I should like to see the Report before I receive a deputation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, having regard to the delay in the Report of the Departmental Committee on the taxation of motor vehicles, and the dissatisfaction of the motoring community with the manner in which the question of motor taxation has been dealt with by this Committee, he will consider the desirability of appointing a small Committee of Members of this House immediately to investigate the subject from the point of view of the unreasonably heavy taxation of the owners of light motor cars and motor cycles, the substantial excess of gross revenue over the amount which it was estimated should be produced from this source, and the inclusion of remedial legislation in the forthcoming Finance Bill?

The matters referred to in the hon. Member's question are far too complex for any Committee to investigate adequately, and to report upon, in time for their conclusions to be given effect to in this year's Finance Bill. The Departmental Committee's Report is in course of preparation, and will be available in June. In my view, it would be useless at this stage to set up another Committee to cover the same ground.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman do something to bring these Regulations into force on the 1st January, 1925?

I will look into that.

Is it not a fact that difficulties arose in this matter owing to the differences of opinion between motor manufacturers and motor users, and will the hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure that the motor manufacturers do not prejudice the interests of the users?

asked the Minister of Transport the estimated total expenditure on the maintenance, improvement and cleansing of roads and bridges (including loan charges, but excluding expenditure out of loans) for England, Wales, and Scotland for the year 1921–22 and for the year 1922–23; what proportion of the total expenditure in each year ranked for assistance from the Road Fund; and what was the total sum contributed each year from the Road Fund towards such proportion?

The latest returns available, as supplied to the Ministry of Health and to the Scottish Office, are for the financial year 1920–21. The total expenditure for that year was £38,138,506 for England and Wales, and £3,418,531 for Scotland. It is not possible to state what proportion of this expenditure ranked for grants from the Road Fund. The total grants made from the Road Fund have been as follow:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inconvenience and unnecessary expense occasioned to the agricultural community by the continuance in operation of. Section 5 (1) ( b ) of the Locomotives Act, by which three men have to be in attendance on locomotives driven on the highways; and whether, since the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles recommended the repeal of that Section, he will introduce legislation for the purpose of carrying that recommendation into effect?

The recommendations of the Departmental Committee on this point, in common with many others contained in their Second Interim Report, are under consideration, with a view to the introduction of the necessary legislation as soon as an opportunity occurs.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the large number of ex-service men and dependants of ex-service men who are not aware that the last date for appeal to the assessment appeal tribunal against their final awards was the 6th Februry, 1924, he will reconsider his decision and extend the date until the 30th June next?

The time limit referred to operates only in the case of one class of award to disabled men and does not affect dependants. I fear that as my right hon. Friend indicated in his reply of the 20th March on the same subject, the period of appeal is fixed by Statute, and legislation would be necessary to give effect to the suggestion. It is in the last resort for the tribunal to determine, subject to the statutory provisions, whether it is empowered to entertain an appeal. Cases in which it is claimed that the man was prejudiced in making his appeal within the statutory time limit by such unavoidable cause as, for example, illness, will be put to the tribunals. Otherwise, such cases can, so far as they are cases in which the last award proves to have been erroneous, be dealt with by way of amendment of the award on the lines indicated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the hon. and gallant Member for East Rhondda.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in his recent proposals for revision of the pension Regulations, he proposes to consider the cases of ex-service men to whom final awards have been granted, but whose maladies in respect of such pensions have now become seriously worse; and whether he is aware that there are a very large number of such cases in which the ex-service men concerned are receiving no assistance whatever from the State?

Cases of the kind referred to are eligible for, and in fact receive, medical treatment from the Ministry, together (if necessary) with allowances. If, as the result of treatment, it should be ascertained that the award previously made was erroneously declared final, the case is dealt with by way of amendment of the award in the manner indicated in my reply of the 27th March to the hon. and gallant Member for East Rhondda (Lieut.-Colonel Watts-Morgan) of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that men who volunteered for service abroad received a definite promise that if they returned from the War they would not be penalised for having volunteered, and though the award has been made and said to be final men are penalised? Surely the country is going to see that the men are not penalised?

Why did you not do something when you were in power?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now considered the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the desirability or otherwise of bringing agricultural workers within the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act; and whether, in view of the smaller earnings and less average unemployment in the agricultural industry, he could arrange to provide for payment of smaller contributions by agricultural labourers than those paid at present by other workers under this Act?

The question of making some provision for the insurance of agricultural workers against unemployment is receiving consideration, but it is not proposed to bring them within the terms of the existing Unemployment Insurance Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can see his way to reduce the rate of interest on long-term loans under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, to 4 per cent., the rate charged on short-term loans?

I can add nothing to the answer I gave on the 27th March last to a similar question put to me by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Ross and Cromarty Division (Mr. Macpherson).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the terms of reference of the Committee, over which Sir William Birdwood has been appointed as Chairman, which is to inquire into the religious grievances of the Sikhs?

The summary of the terms of reference is as follows:

"To ascertain the wishes of those competent to advise, and to report on the principles on which measures might now be framed for dealing with the administration and management of Sikh Gurdwaras and Shrines; also to report as to the best mode of dealing with the question of kirpans. "

Will the Committee go into this question of religious grievances?

Yes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will state, in regard to Royal Air Force flying accidents during the period 1st January, 1920, to 31st March, 1924, the numbers attributed to engine failure, error of judgment on the part of the pilot, a combination of engine failure and pilot's error of judgment, defect in aircraft construction, defect in aircraft design, and other causes, respectively?

As the reply involves a list of figures, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The official records do not enable a classification of the causes of accidents exactly corresponding with that requested by the hon. and gallant Member to be made, but I think the following table will give him approximately the figures which he desires.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether, having regard to the comparative efficiency of aircraft engines maintained under the systems employed by established civil air transport undertakings, the Air Council have considered the advisability of arranging suitable courses in aero-engine maintenance to be undertaken by Royal Air Force personnel under the direction of such civil organizations?

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

Following is the reply :

I am unable to accept the hon. and gallant Member's premises that the Royal Air Force compares unfavourably with civil firms as regards efficiency of engine maintenance. The problem of such firms in maintaining with a handful of mechanics a very few aeroplanes carrying out routine flights from two or three aerodromes bears no relation to that of the Royal Air Force in maintaining many hundreds of aeroplanes at stations all over the world. The system of maintenance and inspection employed in the Royal Air Force is, as a matter of fact, very similar to that employed by civil firms, with which the officers of the Service side of the Air Ministry are fully acquainted. The problem of the Air Ministry, however, is to train mechanics in the large numbers required for the Royal Air Force, and very complete arrangements exist for doing this. Civil instructors are largely used, and, in the case of new types, valuable supplementary instruction is given to selected airmen by engine designing firms at their works. I am unable to regard the suggestion that air transport firms should be asked to co-operate in the training of airmen as either practicable or advantageous.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he has received representations from the staff of the Royal Aircraft establishment at Farnborough protesting against the substitution of Mr. Lawson Mackay, who is responsible for the welfare work; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir; the Secretary of State has received a strongly worded representation from the local branch of the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants, protesting against the substitution of Mr. Mackay. After reviewing the case in all its aspects, the Secretary of State, in exercise of the discretion vested in him, has decided that no further step to replace this gentleman should be taken.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether any appointment has yet been made to the post of Director of Aeronautical Research contemplated under the proposal to reorganise the Department of Supply and Research; and, if not, what official is now directly responsible to the Air Member for Supply and Research in respect of aeronautical research questions?

The answer to the first part of the question is that no appointment has as yet been made to the post of Director of Scientific Research; to the second, that an established senior assist ant is at present temporarily responsible to the Air Member for Supply and Research for aeronautical research questions.

On a point of Order. Before this question is answered, may I submit that it is a hypothetical question and, therefore, out of order?

I am afraid that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any surplus on the Budget of the Island of Cyprus; and whether any sums are found by the British Treasury towards the administration and expenses of the island, or whether any sums accrue to the British Treasury from the revenues of the island?

The current Estimates for the Island of Cyprus disclose a deficit of £43,000, which will be met from accumulated balances. The revenue includes the annual grant-in-aid of £50,000 voted by Parliament, and the expenditure of the sum of £92,800 to be paid to the Treasury under the heading of "Share of Cyprus of the Turkish Debt Charge."

asked the Prime Minister whether the inhabitants of Cyprus have been consulted or will be consulted as to the future political status of the island?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister in reply to his question of the 14th April. I may add that no change would be made without due consideration of the wishes of the inhabitants.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is the part of my question which the Prime Minister did not answer, and I have put it down again as I did not wish to press him with a Supplementary Question at that time? Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether the inhabitants have been in any way consulted up to date?

I must have notice of that question.

When a question is on the Paper, especially for the second time, I would like to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether a, Minister of the Crown requires still further notice before giving an answer?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government intend to bring forward proposals for dealing with unemployment, to supplement the remedial measures already taken, such as the increase of unemployment pay, the grant of uncovenanted benefits to aliens, and the removal of the restrictions under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act; and if he will say when such proposals will be submitted to the House for consideration?

As has already been stated, the Government are attacking this problem from many sides and aspects and have already made some substantial contributions to its treatment. More will follow.

What are the "substantial contributions" to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred, and amongst the chief of them does he include uncovenanted benefit for aliens?

called upon Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy to put the next question on the paper.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I remind you that my next question on the Paper will only be my third, because my first question was ruled out of Order.

The hon. Baronet should not have put that question down.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the declaration of the Government that the charge for unemployment shall be met from national and not from local funds, he will state to what extent the steps taken by the Government to meet the claims of necessitous local authorities fulfil this obligation; and what are the respective proportions of the burden borne by local rates and by the national Exchequer?

Particulars as to the incidence of the burden of unemployment borne by the Exchequer and local authorities from the Armistice to March last are set out in Command Paper 2082. The burden of necessitous areas has been and is being diminished by the provision made in the Vote for the Relief of Unemployment, and the Measures either already passed into law or now before Parliament amending the Unemployment Insurance Scheme will further relieve the charges that would otherwise fall on the rates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that none of the things referred to affect in any way the inequality of the incidence of this burden on different areas, and will the Government do something to equalise the burden of unemployment in these different areas?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the so-called relief given under the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill cannot amount to more than about 4 per cent. of the expenditure of boards of guardians in necessitous areas?

Does the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill represent the full and complete policy of the Government in connection with necessitous areas?

The answer to my right hon. Friend's supplementary question is in the negative. So far as the claim put forward by the Noble Lord the Member for Hastings (Lord E. Percy) is concerned, we are giving it consideration. With reference to the supplementary question put by the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson), I hold quite the contrary view.

Is the right ton. Gentleman aware that after due allowance has been made and will be made in this connection under the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill, so far as my division is concerned, we shall be left with a burden of £840,000?

asked the Prime Minister if he can make a statement to the House upon the progress of the negotiations between the Government and the representatives of Soviet Russia?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the recent conferences between himself and the Russian delegation?

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Commander Kenworthy) on the 10th April. The official information which has been supplied to the Press in connection with the conference accurately represents the general progress of the negotiations.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now give the House any information with regard to the Burney airship scheme?

This question is still under consideration.

In view of the great importance of this matter to the country, may I ask whether, if this question be put down for this day week, I shall be likely to receive an answer?

A little later on I hope to give a more definite answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a recorded decision of Mr. Bonar Law's Cabinet that Ministers of the Crown, while holding office, should refrain from writing articles for publica- tion in the Press; and whether he will adopt this practice in the case of the present Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the remainder, it is impossible to distinguish between the application of the written and the spoken word, but Ministers will exercise their discretion in making public statements in any form.

Is that a question of individual or collective discretion?

Individual discretion.

Will newspaper articles written by Ministers in future be regarded as binding the Government as a whole?

That depends on what they say.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman realises the importance of the statement which he has just made? Do the Government abandon or maintain the doctrine of Cabinet responsibility?

Of course we do not abandon that doctrine.

Then I understand that if a Cabinet Minister write it will bind a Government just as much as if he speaks?

I can only repeat that that depends on what he says.

I am sorry, but the matter is of such consequence that I ask leave to press it further. Do not the Government apply to themselves the rule which has been applied by all previous Governments, that no Minister has the right to dissociate himself from the Government of which he is a Member, or to preach doctrines contrary to those of the Government of which he is a Member?

These supplementary questions are really broaching a new subject on which I am propounding no new doctrine. The question put to me related to signed newspaper articles, and I have answered it.

I wish to know whether the doctrine of Cabinet respon- sibility applies to newspaper articles as it does to speeches and every form of utterance, or whether for the first time the doctrine of Cabinet responsibility has been abandoned?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask if he recollects having heard of the "unauthorised programme" of 1884?

May I press for an answer to my question?

Is there no limit to the number of supplementary questions?

I would suggest that, if this subject is to be pursued further, it would be best done by putting a further considered question on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister if he can state the attitude of the Allies as a whole towards the recommendations contained in the Experts' Report on the economic position of Germany as applied to the payment of reparations?

The attitude of His Majesty's Government and of the French, Belgian and Italian Governments is defined in the replies which the respective Governments have sent to the Reparation Commission's letter of the 17th April. I do not think I can usefully summarise or amplify such important documents, the wording of which has evidently been carefully chosen in every case. I would, therefore, refer the hon. Member to the full texts, which were issued for publication by the Reparation Commission on the 26th April. The replies of the Japanese and Jugo-Slav Governments are still awaited.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement as to the payment of interest on Allied debts prior to the passing of the Budget, so that the British taxpayer may receive relief?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await my right hon. Friend's speech later to-day.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the grave anxiety in the minds of many English people as to the present state of non-payment?

I think my hon. Friend will find that that will be referred to in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's speech to-day. He has it constantly in view.

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make any statement as to those portions of the War debts owing to Great Britain which are payable in dollar currency?

In general, War debts due to Great Britain by the Allies are due in sterling. But, under certain agreements of 1917, this country financed French purchases in neutral countries, and France agreed to repay these advances in dollars. The sum not so repaid amounts, including interest, to $42,811,742, the sterling equivalent of which, at par of exchange, is included in the published statements of French debt to this country.

Are any steps being taken to collect these advances?

For many reasons I cannot give the hon. Member a reply now, and I would ask him, if he thinks fit, to put that question down later, but the difficulties of reply are, I think, obvious.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total cost for the last three years, respectively, of the collection of the Land Tax?

The administration of the Land Tax is inseparably bound up with that of other Inland Revenue duties, especially the Income Tax, and it is not possible to apportion the total cost of assessment and collection between the various duties. The amount of fiscal machinery maintained for the special purpose of the Land Tax and involving expenditure is, however, very small.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the total amounts brought in by the McKenna Duties during the past two years?

The net amount collected in Great Britain and Northern Ireland under these duties, in the year ended 31st March, 1923, was £2,427,000. As regards the receipts for the year ended 31st March 1924, I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to defer his question until after the Budget statement.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the very great advantages that these duties have brought to this country?

On that I can promise a statement to-day, and, I should think, a good deal of discussion subsequently.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what proportion of this revenue was derived from the duty on pianos?