asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now in a position to state the result of his conferences with those concerned as to the best means Parliament can adopt for securing to all men who served in the Great War, and who are now suffering disability, such pensions and allowances as will enable them to maintain themselves and their dependants without being forced to accept the status of paupers by being obliged to apply to the guardians for relief?

The compensation due to ex-service men in respect of disability sustained in consequence of their war service cannot be equitably granted on considerations other than the degree of disablement resulting from their war service, but it is my firm intention that justice shall be secured in all cases to the fullest extent of my powers. Perhaps I may remind my hon. Friend, with regard to the latter part of his question, that all boards of guardians have, within the last few months, been advised by Circular of their duty to refer to the Ministry any case in which an applicant for poor relief claims to have a disability for which compensation has not been awarded.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that boards of guardians have referred thousands of cases to his Department, and they have been turned down owing to the final Appeal Tribunal?

I am aware that a number of cases have been referred, but whether the exact quotation given by my hon. Friend is right I cannot say. If he will bring cases to my notice, they shall be looked into.

Has the right hon. Gentleman forgotten the numberless cases that I have referred to him of men who ate suffering from disability, and claiming to be treated under the provisions of a Bill similar to that which he introduced last year—"fit for service, fit for pension"?

I am endeavouring to meet the requirements of all the cases which my hon. Friend brings to my notice.

But they are all being turned down.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to close the gymnasium at the Bulinga Street Neurological Clinic; if so, what steps will be taken to provide facilities for remedial exercises; whether he is aware that administrative officers, medical men, have been appointed to exercise control at this clinic, though they have no neurological experience; and whether, in view of the difficulty in dealing with cases of war neuroses, he will arrange that all medical officers in this clinic shall be men who are experts in the treatment of neurological diseases?

I am glad to assure my hon. Friend that there is no intention of closing the gymnasium at the Bulinga Street Clinic. On the contrary, it is proposed to make increased use of it. The control of the neurological section of the clinic has been, is, and will continue to be undertaken by an experienced neurologist. As regards the last part of the question, none but neurological specialists are, or will be, employed in the special treatment of war neuroses.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that instructions were issued that no treatment was to be given to men suffering from neurasthenia if their assessment was 20 per cent. or less; whether, in all cases of men suffering from war neuroses, the pensioner was given the benefit of the doubt; whether, in the interests of economy, any definite action has been taken to reduce the length and expense of treatment in neurasthenic cases; and, if so, whether he will issue instructions that in all cases sympathetic consideration shall be given to men suffering from war neuroses, and that treatment shall be provided where the man is likely to benefit from the same?

No instructions of the nature suggested have been issued regarding the treatment of neurasthenia. If my hon. Friend has in mind the instructions regarding the treatment of aggravated disabilities of less than 20 per cent. which were issued in August of last year, I would remind him that, as already stated, these instructions have since been modified in such a manner as to admit to treatment any case of this kind in which it is justified. Men suffering from neurasthenia due to service, whatever their assessment may be, continue to receive the appropriate treatment which in the judgment of my medical advisers the circumstances of the case require. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third part in the negative. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to have an opportunity of looking into it.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to extend the present Ministry of Pensions hospital at Grantham into a hospital for neurasthenics?

Patients suffering from neurasthenia have for some time past been admitted to this hospital for treatment. It is proposed, when accommodation is no longer required there for medical and surgical cases, to use the institution solely for neurological cases.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is his intention to provide training and treatment for those ex-soldiers who applied too late to be brought within the last scheme, or who are now in need of such training and treatment?

This matter has already been under consideration, and I hope shortly to be in a position to make an announcement.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of men called up at the outbreak of war, and who, having completed four years' continuous war service, were granted pensions on leaving the Army, especially men who were passed A 1 on mobilisation and left the Army B 3, and who have had their pensions upheld by three successive medical boards, he will grant these men life pensions, it being quite clear that in the case of men passed A 1 on mobilisation and B 3 on discharge the causes of their disabilities are entirely due to war service; and whether, in the case of men who have successfully appealed against a final allowance, he will empower the appeals tribunal board to assess the damages immediately instead of putting the men forward for a further medical board, seeing that the policy suggested would save the country annually a very large sum of money in administrative expenses?

The case of every officer or man who has been on the pension list for four years or more has to be considered for a final award under the provisions of Section 4 of the War Pensions Act, 1921. Wherever the case is found to be suitable for a final award, such an award is made. I am glad to say that in about 250,000 cases final awards of life pension have already been granted. With regard to the last part of the question, I may point out that wherever the Appeal Tribunal are able to assess compensation finally they do so, and their finding is acted upon by my Department. It is only in cases where they are uncertain as to the prognosis of the case that they set aside the award made by the Ministry. The suggestion made by the hon. Member would not be practicable without legislation, and would very frequently not be in accordance with the best interests of the man concerned.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has now had an opportunity of thoroughly considering the question of final awards made in respect of the less seriously disabled men; whether he has road the pamphlet published by the British Legion in this connection in January this year; and what steps he proposes to take to give the disabled men concerned a fair opportunity of receiving pension should their disability reassert itself in the future?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think I can usefully add anything to the answers which I gave on the same subject to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. E. Brown) on the 8th and again on the 12th instant. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member copies of both answers.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the hardship caused to disabled men by Section 5 of the War Pensions Act, 1921, whereby no disabled man is entitled to receive a pension unless a claim is submitted within seven years from the discharge; and does he propose to take steps to remove this hardship?

The effect of the Section referred to, which, however, cannot operate to any material extent until 1926, will be carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the hardship caused to certain widows and dependants by the wording of Article 17 b of the Royal Warrant of January, 1924, inasmuch as widows of men who died more than seven years from their first removal from duty and who were not actually receiving a pension at the time of their death are ineligible for pension; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this injustice?

The liability of the State for compensation in respect of death was defined after prolonged consideration in the Royal Warrant to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, and the concession then made in respect of widows has now been extended at my instance to dependent parents. Until further experience has been gained of the working of the existing provisions, I am not prepared to agree that the further modification suggested by the question is desirable.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a decision has been reached with regard to the former powers of the Special Grants Committee to make grants to widows of ex-service men suffering from serious and prolonged illness.

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. and gallant Member that the Government are prepared to authorise the making of grants by the Special Grants Committee to widows and children in cases of hardship due to serious and prolonged illness, under suitable conditions, the details of which will be settled in conjunction with the Treasury.

In thanking the hon. Gentleman for his satisfactory answer, may I also ask, up to what limit this grant is made?

I cannot state a definite or specific limit pending consideration.

Will it apply to the provision of education?

No, Sir; only to the sickness grant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now give the total figures as to orders for possession of, and ejectment from, houses since 1st August, 1923, as far as they concern the Summary Jurisdiction Courts?

The figures given to me by police authorities for ejectment proceedings in Courts of Summary Jurisdiction in England and Wales during the period from August, 1923, to March, 1924, both months inclusive, are as follow: Applications for Orders of Ejectment 14,796 Orders made 9,846 Orders executed 2,685

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the orders executed were in respect of houses of which the Government is the landlord?

I am afraid I cannot give the information to the hon. Member, but if he will put down a question I will get it for him.

Do these figures refer only to England and Wales?

That is so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to proceed to evict Mr. Arthur Oakey, an ex-soldier with 10 children, from 15, C Block, Artillery Place, Woolwich?

Mr. Oakey was discharged on 7th January last, and has, therefore, been in irregular occupation of a quarter in barracks for more than four months. The quarter is urgently required for a serving soldier who is entitled to it, and, deeply as I regret the necessity for requiring Mr. Oakey to vacate the quarter, I have no right to allow him to remain there to the exclusion of its proper occupant. I would add that Mr. Oakey has had, in all, six months' notice, and that two written warnings have been given to him, on 8th November and 7th January last, respectively.

Will the Secretary of State give an undertaking, before he evicts this soldier, who has served his country for 21 years and has a family of 10, that he will find alternative accommodation for him?

I do not know that the number of the family is very material. As a matter of fact, the State Department has a definite obligation for the housing of married soldiers and their families. The obligation to house the soldiers is just as great to-day as it ever has been, and my hon. Friend knows the great deficiency of married men's quarters. Men who are upon the married strength have a right to that accommo- dation, and it must be found for them. I have an obligation to find the accommodation when it exists.

Seeing that the man has 10 children, is not this a time for the Government to show a little of that broader humanity of which they talk so much?

I beg to give notice that, at the earliest opportunity, I shall raise this matter again.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state those urban centres of over 50,000 population which are at the present time building houses up to their maximum available capacity in respect of labour and materials?

Outside the London district there are 83 urban authorities whose population exceeds 50,000 and practically all of them have had schemes approved under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, the total number of houses authorised being 45,325. In none of the districts is there any appreciable unemployment in the essential skilled trades required for house building.

Can the hon. Gentleman give me a more definite answer. I asked specifically how many towns cannot proceed with building owing to the shortage of labour?

Pardon me. That does not seem to be the question. The question was what are those urban centres which are at present building houses up to their maximum available capacity in respect of labour and materials. My answer is that, as regards labour, practically all of them. The question of material does not arise, because you cannot test that figure, but there is the fact that the available labour is fully employed.

They are building up to the present maximum of the labour supply, and they could not increase the output of houses in these centres owing to the want of men.

Are there some of the 83 authorities which have not yet submitted any schemes?

I understand that there are probably one or two. Practically all of them have submitted schemes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the housing scheme in Sherborne has been held up through scarcity of bricks; that there are a number of derelict brickyards in the vicinity that could conveniently be opened for the purpose of supplying the bricks required in the neighbourhood; and what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of bricks at reasonable prices?

My right hon. Friend's attention had not previously been drawn to the facts stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the supply of bricks at a reasonable cost is one of the matters which are under consideration by the Government in connection with their general housing proposals.

Is it the intention of the Government to develop brickyards?

Give them time.

In view of the seriousness of this matter, will the Minister recommend to the President of the Board of Trade that the derelict brickyards, as well as the derelict shipyards, should be granted facilities under the Trade Facilities Act?

Is the Minister aware that the London County Council did for some time manufacture bricks at Norbury, and very successfully, and that some of the houses built of those bricks were the cheapest ever erected?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the injurious working conditions of boy-sealers at the Merseyside docks; and, if so, what action he proposes to take to remedy this evil?

Yes, Sir, and I am proposing to deal with the matter in the forthcoming Factory Bill.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received representations from a number of residents at Otley protesting against the organisation of a large public sweepstake at Otley Conservative Club and asking for his intervention; whether he has formed any opinion as to the promotion of this widely advertised sweepstake inviting subscriptions from the general public; and what action he proposes to take?

The question of taking proceedings in respect of this sweepstake is now under consideration.

Have the test cases which, I think, were to come before the High Court about this time, with regard to other similar lotteries, been tried yet?

No. I think there were three test cases in all. In two of them I think they have admitted their guilt and arranged to pay the penalties, and in the third I think an application is being made to be considered now in the same direction.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the fact that last year proceedings were taken too late, having regard to the distribution of the money, and will he hasten the decision of the Home Office in this respect?

It is possible, in cases of this description, to proceed too late, but it is also possible to proceed too early. If you are going to have the law properly applied, you must have the in formation upon which to act.

Has the right hon. Gentleman definitely decided whether this particular sweepstake is illegal or not?

I am afraid that that will have to be settled somewhere else.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue instructions to ensure that Press photographers are excluded when the police have control of premises for the purpose of investigating alleged crimes?

I fear I have no authority to give such directions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain such authority by legislation?

I think it would be very unwise for me to make a definite promise in that respect, at present at any rate, until I get further information.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman power where either the Criminal Investigation Department or the Metropolitan Police are in charge?

No; my information is that we have not the power.

Are we to understand that there is no redress against the large crowds and the disgraceful scenes that have occurred recently? Can nothing be done at all in the matter?

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that there is no Department which has any control?

I think the question raised in this question is that of Press photographers, and I have already intimated that we have no power.

My question was as to whether, where the police have control, the right hon. Gentleman will issue instructions that Press photographers shall be excluded? This raises the question of the police.

My information is that I have no power to issue the very instructions that my hon. and gallant Friend is suggesting.

Can the right hon. Gentleman exercise his influence with the Leader of the House to give facilities for the Bill introduced yesterday by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Nottingham (Captain Berkeley)?

I will consider that question.

In the case of the county police, have not the chief constables power?

My information is that we have not the power.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Geological Museum is overcrowded; and whether he has considered the advisability of moving the collection to South Kensington, where other national scientific collections are housed, and selling the valuable site in Piccadilly?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The questions involved in the development of the museums at South Kensington were all necessarily postponed during the War. Steps are now being taken to put the existing Geological Museum into constructional and decorative repair, but the Beard of Education and the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Research intend in due course to reconsider the Bell Committee's Report which proposed to house the Geological Museum on a site contiguous to the collections of the Natural History and Science Museums.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the withdrawal by the Board of Education Circular 1,190, issued on the 11th January, 1921, by the Circular 1,328 (3rd April, 1924), the general effect of which was to postpone expenditure on the development of educational facilities and the provision of sites and buildings, and to the statement of the Board of Education as conveyed to local education authorities throughout the country by Circular 1,328, that the Board of Education are prepared to revert to their old practice of considering on their merits all proposals in respects of elementary, technical, and nursery schools, the Board of Education are prepared to support their revival policy by amending their Grant Regulations, No. 1 (1924–25), Education Act, 1921, so as to provide for placing expenditure on sites and buildings upon the same footing as expenditure on special services, i.e., one-half instead of one-fifth as at present?

If occasion arises for a revision of the established system of grants, this suggestion, which has from time to time been made to the Board, will no doubt receive consideration. But I cannot commit myself to deal with it separately, or in advance of the Report of Lord Meston's Committee, which has not yet been received.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received any representations as to the proportion of the cost of secondary schools which falls upon local rates; and whether he will make any statement as to the present Exchequer grants?

I have not received any such representations. The Exchequer grants payable in aid of secondary schools are set out in the Board's Regulations for secondary schools and in the regulations for the payment of grants for higher education, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member. I may also refer him to the explanatory notes upon the Board's estimates contained on pages 27 to 30 of the Estimates for Civil Services for the year ending 31st March, 1925.

Would it not have been better to keep on the Entertainments Duty and have some more secondary schools?

That does not arise.

also asked the President of the Board of Education (1) the total cost per pupil in the secondary schools of the Administrative County of Warwick in the years 1910–11, 1917–18, and 1922–23, respectively, and the amount of the Board of Education's grants per pupil in the same periods;

(2) the total contributions of the Board of Education towards secondary schools in the Administrative County of Warwick in the years 1910–11, 1917–18 and 1922–23, respectively; and the total cost of this service in this area in the same periods?

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

Following is the answer: Financial Year. No. of Schools. Total number of Pupils. Total expenditure on School maintenance. Board's Grant. Cost per pupil. Grant per pupil. L.E.A. Non-L.E.A. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) £ £ £ s. £ s. 1910–11 … 1 13 2,000 31,735 8,012 15 17 4 0 1917–18 … 2 11 2,195 43,493 12 118 19 16 5 10 1922–23 … 5 9 3,445 106,253 37,570 30 17 10 18 NOTE 1.—In 1910–11 and 1917–18 the Board's grants were based upon the number of pupils. In 1922–23, in addition to grants based upon the number of pupils in schools not provided by the Authority, a percentage grant was also paid based on the Authority's expenditure on Higher Education, of which expenditure on Secondary Education formed a part. In addition to the Board's grants in each of the years the Authority received under the Residue Giant money amounting to roughly £7,000 to be used for purposes of Higher Education generally, but I have no figures to show how much of this was allocated for purposes of Secondary Education. 2. The Board's grants for 1922–23 (so far as the expenditure grant to the Authority is concerned) can only be stated as an estimate of the portion of the total grant for Higher Education, which is referable to Secondary Education. 3. In order to make the figures for the three years given in Column 5 comparable, rent, loan charges, capital expenditure and cost of administration have been omitted. For the same reason no allowance has been made for these items of the Authority's expenditure in estimating the amount of grant for 1922–23 entered in Column 6. If, however, allowance is made for these items, the figures for 1922–23 in Columns 5, 6, 7 and 8 would be approximately:— £ £ Column 5 … … 114,000 Column 7 … … … 33 Column 6 … … 41,500 Column 8 … … … 12

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have applied for powers to raise the school-leaving age in their areas to 15, and if representations have been received from any education authorities to the effect that, while wishing to raise the school-leaving age to 15, they are unable to do so unless this age is fixed for the whole country?

The Board have at different times since October, 1919, received proposals from 15 local education authorities for the approval of bye-laws raising the school-leaving age to 15. They have also received a resolution from one authority to the effect that the raising of the age should be of general application throughout the country, and suggesting legislation for that purpose.

Is not now the time for the Labour Government to put into practice what they always preached and raise the school age to 15 owing to the unemployment throughout the country?

I should be very glad to assist any local authorities who wish to raise the school age.

That was part of your official programme, to raise the school age.

I have no doubt when we have time we shall do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he will be in a position to make a statement on the progress of the negotiations with the Soviet delegation?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to the supplementary questions asked by the hon. Members for Kingston-upon-Thames and Grantham on the 13th of May, and to the replies given by the Prime Minister yesterday.

Does the hon. Gentleman expect that the Prime Minister, before we rise for the Whitsuntide Recess, will be able to give us any idea what progress is being made?

I will ask my right hon. Friend.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us any idea of the length of time the negotiations are likely to take?

The negotiations naturally cover a very large field, and it would be unreasonable to expect an announcement just yet.

Is it possible to stop the sabotage that is taking place against the Russian envoys?

Has the hon. Gentleman received any apology from the Russian Government for the attacks they have made?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Soviet Government have repudiated all paper money issued by them in 1923, and that a proportion of this currency is held by British subjects; and will steps be taken to protect their interests and to ensure payment of such notes?

It is understood that the Soviet Government is carrying through a series of financial reforms, which include the redemption of the previous issues of Soviet paper money in rouble denominations at a rate to be fixed by decree. In reply to the latter part of the question, His Majesty's Government, while naturally taking all steps to protect British interests, have no power to ensure that Soviet currency any more than any other foreign currency is redeemed at its face value.

Is it not a fact that previous reforms of a similar character have resulted in utter disaster?

Is this one of the questions which have been discussed at the present Conference?

No.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent summonses of motorists on the Fenny Stratford Road for exceeding the five-mile limit; whether he is aware that the notice respecting the speed limit is placed between houses and a telegraph pole and is under regulation size and is so painted that a motorist is quite unable to distinguish it when coming along this part of the road; and whether he will give instructions that, should it be necessary to enforce the five-mile regulation in this instance, a clearer notice should be placed on the road?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am making inquiries into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has noted in the Report of the Select Committee on Betting that police officers are not mentally equipped to deal with the street bookmakers; whether he has taken any steps to remedy this; whether he is aware that much activity has recently been shown by the police of the Somers Town Sub-division of the Y Division, Metropolitan Police; and will he say how many arrests have been made in connection with street betting by the Somers Town and Kentish Town Sub-divisions of the Y Division, respectively, during the three months ended 30th April last?

Yes, Sir; but I do not think that the difficulty of dealing effectively with street bookmakers can be pub down to any lack of mental equipment on the part of the police. The total number of arrests for street betting during the three months ending the 30th April, 1924, was, in the Somers Town Sub-division, 10, and in the Kentish Town Sub-division, 13. There has been no unusual activity on the part of the police, but the number of persons engaged in street betting is increasing and arrests are likely to increase proportionately.

Is not any difficulty that is experienced in administering the betting laws not actually due to anomalies established by the law itself, and is it not important that we should have a revision of the law, so that the public and the police should know where they stand?

Yes, I am inclined to agree with that opinion, but it depends upon what direction you want the revision to take.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Carlisle Labour party is represented upon the local Advisory Committee of the State Management Districts Scheme, and, if so, the number of representatives; and whether other political patties are represented upon that Committee and the number of representatives from each party, and who are the present members of that Committee, and the political party, public body, specific organisation, or particular interest of which each member of the Advisory Committee is the representative?

As the answer is necessarily long, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The Carlisle Local Advisory Committee, of which the constitution has not changed since the administration of the Carlisle undertaking was transferred to the Secretary of State by the Licensing Act, 1921, is composed as follows:

The Earl of Lonsdale (President), the Mayor of Carlisle (Major H. W. Sewell) ex-officio, Sir Frederick Chance, Mr. Waters Butler, Sir William Towle, Sir Robert Allison, Mrs. Sewell, and the following members nominated by the public bodies specified, viz.: The Chairman, Mr. G. A. Rimington (Cumberland Licensing Committee); Major Salkeld (Cumberland Standing Joint Committee); Mr. R. Dalton and Mr. J. R. Potts (Carlisle City Council); Miss Creighton; Mr. J. P. Buck; Mr. W. P. Gibbings and Mr. George White (Carlisle Licensing Committee); Mr. Bertram Carr (Carlisle Watch Committee); Mrs. Fyfe and Mr. T. Winder (Carlisle Trades Council and Labour Party, formerly known as the Carlisle Trades and Labour Council); Mr. T. Hardy (Maryport Urban District Council); Mr. T. Carey (Maryport Licensing Justices); and Mr. W. Parkin-Moore (Wigton Licensing Justices) with Mr. H. S. Cartmell, Honorary Secretary.

asked the Home Secretary why it is necessary to hold up traffic in Trafalgar Square and the vicinity for 35 minutes before a procession passes; and whether he will take steps to introduce a better system of communication to report the progress of a procession, so as to avoid such a long delay for large numbers of people and for large fleets of vehicles?

I find on inquiry that the traffic was held up on Tuesday last for an unnecessarily long time owing to a misunderstanding. I have no reason to think that such a mistake is likely to recur.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of his intention of taking steps to speed up the naturalisation of aliens desiring to settle in this country and having regard to the present serious unemployment, he will consider as to appointing a Departmental Committee, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, to inquire and report on the effect on labour conditions here of removing or further weakening restrictions on alien immigration?

The aliens whose applications for naturalisation I am anxious to deal with as expeditiously as possible have all been settled here for long periods; and no question as to restrictions on alien immigration arises in connection therewith.

Is it the intention of the Government to make it easier for these aliens to take up their abode here?

Is it not a fact that all papers now relating to the naturalisation of aliens apply to aliens who came into the country before the War?

My hon. Friend must be aware that aliens cannot be admitted to-day unless on the conditions I stated in answer to a question two days ago, and one of these is that if they are coming for employment they must have the certificate of the Minister of Labour.

Are any efforts to be put forth to make it easier for these aliens to be naturalised?

asked the Home Secretary how many workshops and factories have not been visited by His Majesty's factory inspectors for more than a year, and how many for more than two years?

The figures for 1923 were, in the case of factories, 24,065 and 1,776; in the case of workshops, 59,948 and 35,280.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the wording of the charge against Prison Officer Henry Fardon, Winchester Prison, who was subsequently dismissed?

In the course of an inquiry held by a prison inspector into occurrences at Winchester Prison, information came to light pointing to trafficking by Fardon, and he was formally reported for trafficking with a prisoner between 1st January and 17th September, 1923. He denied the charge, and it was, in fact, not proved; but familiarity with a prisoner, contrary to the rules, was clearly established, and it was decided that he must be dismissed.

Was Pardon actually tried on the charge on which he was dismissed, and was any of the evidence on which he was discharged evidence taken from a neurasthenic criminal, and therefore unreliable in so far as the officer's conduct was concerned?

I must have notice of these supplementary questions, because this case occurred last year under another Government.

asked the Prime Minister when the Pre-War Pensions Bill will be introduced?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will await the statement on Business which it is proposed to make after Questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce a Bill for the public ownership of minerals?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will await the statement of the Government's policy which will be made in the course of the Debate to-morrow.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, before he makes a statement, that the party on this side have declared themselves in favour of such public ownership?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if his attention has been drawn to the great speeds of which foreign aeroplanes are capable; of we have any aeroplanes which are capable of speeds exceeding 160 miles per hour; if so, how many different types; and what is the total number of aeroplanes in commission which can fly at these speeds?

My attention has been drawn to a statement in the Press to the effect referred to, but it would not be in the public interest to make an official pronouncement in regard to its accuracy, nor to give the information requested.

Does that mean that we have no aeroplanes that can fly at these speeds?

Nothing of the sort.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether we have aeroplanes capable of flights at the speed attained by aeroplanes belonging to other nations?

I am not prepared to answer that question, but the hon. Member ought not to disturb himself about it.

Does the hon. Member recognise that the reason why we are disturbed on this side of the House is because we know the feelings of the hon. I Member in regard to the matter?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state what trades are directly and indirectly affected by the withdrawal of the McKenna Duties?

I have been asked to reply. Various industries and branches of industries are concerned directly or indirectly in the manufacture of the articles on which the duties are levied, but their interest in the duties is, in many cases, only slight, and consequently it is not practicable to draw up a list of the kind the hon. Member has in mind which would serve any very useful purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider granting to widowed mothers who have to employ managers for their businesses relief from Income Tax similar to that accorded to widowed fathers who have to employ housekeepers?

The Income Tax allowance in respect of a housekeeper can be claimed by the widow equally with the widower. The salary of a business manager whether employed by a man or a woman is a working expense in arriving at the profits of a business for Income Tax purposes. I can see no logical ground for the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether he can see his way to exempt from Income Tax those who have suffered from damage by enemy action in respect to any sums paid out of the ex gratia grant for revenue loss as distinct from capital loss, seeing that only a small percentage of the assessed total of the claims can be paid, as the sum allocated for relief is insufficient to meet the losses?

I am not aware of the cases to which the hon. Member refers, but if he will let me have the necessary particulars I will gladly have the matter investigated and will communicate to him the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the expenditure incurred by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, in connection with the Royal Commission on the Importation of Store Cattle, which in 1921 inquired into the question of the embargo on Canadian cattle, and at which inquiry the said Department was represented by counsel instructed by the Chief Crown Solicitor for Ireland.

As the hon. Member is aware, the administration and records of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland have been transferred to the Irish Free State. So far as the records of my Department show, however, the special expenditure incurred on this account amounted to £1,823 3s. 10d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of owners of coal royalties in the county of York; the number receiving £3,000, and over per year, and the number receiving below £3,000, before deduction of Income Tax; and the total amount paid to such owners during the years 1922–23 and 1923–24?

I am sorry that I am not in a position to give my hon. Friend the information asked for to-day. Perhaps he will put down his question again in a week's time, when I hope to be in a position to give him a reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the British Empire Sugar Machinery Association deny that manufacturers on the Clyde are with one or two exceptions doing a normal trade; that the association, which comprises in its membership all the important firms engaged in this industry, have ascertained that no inquiries in regard to conditions in the industry have been made on behalf of any Government Department; whether he will state, in these circumstances, on what grounds his previous reply was based; and whether he will institute further inquiries with a view to eliciting the exact conditions prevailing in this industry?

In reply to the first three parts of the question, the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member on the 26th February was based on the result of specific inquiries made at his request by the Ministry of Labour. As regards the last part of the question, I received on Tuesday last a deputation of workers from the Clyde who laid before me very fully their views as to the conditions prevailing in the industry referred to.

In making inquiries of this sort, will the hon. Gentleman ask the Minister of Labour to refer to the association immediately concerned, which will give him a great deal of reliable information?

I can assure my hon. Friend that very full inquiry has been made. Strictly speaking, this is an issue for the standardisation of Preference, and it is only narrowly an industrial question in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that for many years the bulk of the spinning section of the Lancashire cotton trade has been financed by means of unsecured loans repayable at short notice, and that the continued depression in the cotton trade has caused a large amount of loan money to be withdrawn? is he aware that spinning companies are now experiencing serious difficulty in meeting the demands for repayment of loans, and that operatives may be thrown out of employment by the compulsory closing of mills unless steps are taken to give confidence to loan holders; and will he consult with those bankers who have knowledge of the difficulties and with the Master Spinners' Federation and the trades unions sections affected, with a view to prevent further hardships in the cotton trade?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question, but as regards the second part, I understand that, speaking generally, there has recently been an improvement in the position of those sections of the spinning industry which have been affected by the depression, and that the outlook is more encouraging. The position is being closely watched, but, as at present advised, I do not think that the step proposed would be likely to serve any useful purpose.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, with a view to encouraging aerial transport as well as providing additional convenience to Members of this House, he will grant facilities to enable Members to take advantage of aerial services, providing Members pay the difference between the present allowance and the cost of aerial fares?

The number of Members who are so fortunate as to have the option of visiting their constituencies by air instead of by rail is at present so small that it is not worth while, pending further developments, to make special arrangements on this point.

Will the Government consider running an aerial omnibus to take certain Members to their constituencies?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider whether an ordinary omnibus would suffice?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the firm of E. J. Smith and Company are to receive compensation on the sale of brass to the British Metal Corporation which they themselves had contracted to take over at about £40 per ton more than the price paid by that corporation, but broke their contract and defaulted?

I would refer the hon. Baronet to the reply given to him to a similar question on the 29th April last. I would remind him this matter was fully gone into by the Public Accounts Committee of this House last year, and after consideration I see no grounds for reopening it.

Is the hon. Member aware that in the inquiry to which he has referred, the accuser in the case was not called before the Court, and that only one side, and that the interested side, was heard? How could that be called a court of inquiry?

My hon. Friend has asked a great many questions on this matter. My predecessors in office have made very full inquiry and I have inquired personally. The matter has been considered at length by the Public Accounts Committee, and I am afraid I cannot go beyond that.

They have never heard the other side. Is the hon. Member aware of the conditions which were imposed for the purpose of having the last inquiry into these matters, namely, that they should be considered private and confidential and that no information in reference to them should be given to the public? I think it is a scandal.

Is the hon. Member aware of the very bad impression which these transactions have made throughout the whole of the non-ferrous metal industry in this country?

The difficulty is that there is bound to be difference of opinion among contractors and others regarding these arrangements. I have always asked for any specific charge. If that can be made, it will be investigated.

Does the hon. Member consider that the payment of over £90,000 in commission on work which was not carried out by this firm of Smith amp; Co., is a proper and fair arrangement as regards the taxpayers of this country?

I can only repeat that the matter was considered by the Committee. If my hon. Friend will give me any additional information, it will be looked into. I can assure him that we have tried to meet every point he has put.

Will the hon. Member personally look into it if I give him me information?

Is there any reason why relevant facts should not be submitted to the public?

I cannot think of any reason, but it all turns on what was done by the Public Accounts Committee. If hon. Members refer to that Report, they will see at once that a very full inquiry was made at great length.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what financial guarantees were received by the Disposal Board from Messrs. Aldridge and Hughes for the purchase of Andruicq and three other depots in France for £1,050,000; were such guarantees enforced; if not, whether he approves of the re-sale of these depots to one of these defaulting contractors with a loss of £928,000, and will he appoint an independent Committee to inquire into this and other contracts made by the Disposal Board?

The general position in regard to this contract was set out in the reply given to the hon. Baronet by the right hon. Member for Twickenham on the 19th June last and in my reply of the 29th April last. This is one of a number of contracts which were readjusted by the Disposal Board with the approval of the Advisory Committee appointed by the Treasury. These contracts were dealt with in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on the account for the financial year 1921–22, and came before the Public Accounts Committee of this House last year. In the circumstances, I do not think it is necessary—nor, indeed, is it possible within the limits of a question and answer—to discuss the details of a contract made in 1920, and in respect of which a revised agreement was entered into in 1922 and is still in operation The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider it fair to the British taxpayer to put defaulting contractors into a better position after they have defaulted than they were in before?

There is no desire to put the taxpayers in a bad position, but these matters were in the hands of the Disposal Board, which, after all, would do their best and, I am satisfied, did their best in the interests of the country in a very difficult position.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a test action known as the United Post Office Workers v . Rex is now pending in the High Court; whether this action relates to arrears of war bonus for all categories of ex-service single men and Royal Engineers (special section) who enlisted after 7th September, 1915; and whether, in view of the nature of this case and the interest it has for so many ex-service men, he can state when a decision is likely to be given?

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects the cases of the men in the special sections will be decided finally?

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Postmaster-General to Question 73 and to answer at the same time the similar question asked by the right hon. Member for the Colchester Division of Essex. My right hon. Friend is aware that a number of Petitions of Right are about to be lodged; that the preliminary arrangements have been made through the solicitors acting for the staff; and that the Petitions have been designed with a view to ascertaining the position of certain civil servants who claim that they are entitled to War bonus in addition to the civil pay granted to them during their War service. The date upon which a final decision will be obtained depends on factors over which my right hon. Friend has no control, and a reliable forecast of the date cannot be given. I can only say that the Court will be asked to expedite the hearing as much as possible.

Is it not possible that Question 79 does not refer specifically to the cases referred to by hon. Friend, and might it not be in reference to the grievances of the manipulative grades of Post Office workers, many of whom have passed examinations and—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

The hon. Member can hardly expect anybody else to say what was in the mind of the Member who put down Question 79.

Is it not a fact that the Union of Post Office Workers is one of the specially-favoured trade unions of this country?

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any information regarding the reported discovery of the bacillus of foot-and-mouth disease announced by Professor Paul Frosch?

A communication was made recently by Professor Frosch to a scientific society in Berlin, but the professor did not fully disclose his method of procedure, and it is therefore impossible for others to confirm his experiments. It is understood, however, that full details will not be long delayed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the land purchased for allotments in 1921 was paid for out of loans raised at 6¼ per cent. interest and repayable in 50 years; that, in consequence of these terms of borrowing, the allotments cannot be let at a lower rent than about £6 per acre; and that, owing to these rentals, allotments cannot be made to pay, and there is a risk that these allotments will become a heavy charge upon the parishes in which they are situated; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to have the rate of interest reduced?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am informed by the Treasury that it is impossible to reduce the rate of interest on loans made by the Public Works Loan Board. The rate charged depends on the rate at which the money can be raised. Any reduction would involve loss to the Local Loans Fund, which has to pay interest to holders of Local Loans Stock raised at the then market rates. The rate of interest on money borrowed for the purchase of land for allotments at the present time is 4¾ per cent., and the maximum period of repayment is now 80 years. The rent per acre must obviously depend not only on the rate of interest but also on the purchase price of the land. A rent of £6 per acre such as is mentioned by the hon. Member would represent a purchase price of about £80 per acre, and for land of this value a rent of 9½d. per pole for allotments would not be considered an excessive rent in an urban district, although it is no doubt higher than the usual charge in a rural district.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these allotments have been given up on account of the high rates changed, and does he consider that such rates of interest charged over 50 years are likely to encourage small holdings?

This has occurred in some cases, but the Act of 1922 laid down that the rent must cover the expenses, with certain important exceptions.

Is it not the case that working class money only gets 2¾ per cent. on deposit in the Post Office or other trustee savings banks and why cannot this money be offered for purposes of this kind at that low rate of interest?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Treasury.

Can these rents be taken as an example of the rents payable when the land of England is nationalised?

That question is rather hypothetical.

Does not this go to prove that the only remedy is the nationalisation of the land?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received from the King Edward's Hospital Fund for London the Report of its special committee, of which Sir William Collins was chairman, on street accidents in London and the mode of dealing with them; and what action, if any, he proposes to take arising out of the Report and its recommendations?