asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Members of this House are continually bringing to the notice of his Department cases of disabled ex-service men and dependants of men who lost their lives in the late War whose claims for pensions have been rejected on the ground that the disability or death was not due or attributable to service in the War, and that in all these cases the final appeal tribunal has also decided against the applicants; and whether, in view of the grave suffering inflicted on such persons by the refusal of his Department to reopen such cases owing to the decision of this House that such appeals must be final, he will inform the House what steps he proposes to take to reopen such cases without further legislation, or, alternatively, tell the House when he will introduce such an Amendment of the Royal Warrant as will enable him to give to every disabled, or partially disabled, man, or the dependants of such men, as were passed fit for service, such pensions and allowances as will enable them to maintain themselves without recourse to the Poor Law?

I am aware that among the cases referred to there are some which on merits call for reconsideration. I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that, by an extention of arrangements initiated by my predecessors, I have now been enabled to secure that all cases in which additional evidence is furnished shall be fully considered and a suitable grant made, with the assistance of the Treasury, if the disability or death is now found, in the light of all the evidence available, to be due to service in the late War. The necessary arrangements are being made to enable such cases, if they are referred to local or regional offices, to be dealt with.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received letters from ex-service men in the Rhymney Valley protesting against the removal of the pensions office from Aberbargoed, or even making it a part-time office; and is he aware that this is the centre of a large industrial area, where the need of such an office is great and its convenience badly needed; and will he take steps to secure that this be done?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is not, at present, proposed to alter the status of the sub-office in question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of William Wallis, of Langbourne, late Royal Berkshire Regiment, private, No. 13,051, Ministry of Pensions No. 11/M/235,762, who enlisted on the outbreak of war, received a gunshot wound in the chest in the vicinity of the heart on the 27th September, 1915, was reported on the 10th August, 1916, by the invaliding board as suffering from that wound and from breathlessness on slight exertion attributable to a severe dose of gas which he got while lying wounded, and never likely again to be fit for soldiering; whether he is aware that the medical board has awarded a final assessment of 6–14 per cent. indeterminate duration, amounting to 7s. 6d. a week for two years and £20 gratuity, in respect of the gunshot wound in the chest, but, has not and never did award anything in respect of his having been gassed; whether he is aware that the ground put forward for refusal of the board is the statement that the records of the hospitals in which he served during the War do not furnish evidence that he ever received treatment for such a condition; and whether, in view of the evidence of his medical attendant that his heart is in an extremely unsatisfactory state and the report of the invaliding board that his breathlessness was attributable to a severe dose of gas, a medical board may be directed to re-assess his disability?

I fear that the hon. Member has misapprehended the information conveyed to him. Mr. Wallis was wounded in the chest, and the symptoms claimed by him as due to gassing have in fact been taken full congnizance of, accepted as associated with his gunshot wound, and included in the assessments for the wounds. The final award, which has been confirmed on appeal within the past few months by the independent Appeal Tribunal, was based on an assessment of disablement in which full account was taken of all the symptoms of the case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the tribunal said there was no evidence that there was any gas injury at all, whereas the documents showed that the gas injury had occurred?

If the hon. Member will submit to me further information on that point, I will have it looked into.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the grave inconvenience and loss of employment which would be caused among the staff of the Ministry now employed at Acton, he can give any assurance to the House that it is not proposed to decentralise the issue of pensions to the regions?

There is no present intention of making this change, but I am, of course, unable to give a pledge that, should such a step be found advantageous at some future date, it would not be taken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at page 275 of this year's Labour Year Book, where be will find this change outlined, and may I press him to reconsider it, as it will throw out of employment many hard-working people in my constituency?

I think that that point is well covered by the answer which I have given.

I am very nervous about it.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any proposals are under consideration for the staffing of area offices of the Ministry with permanent civil servants; and whether, seeing that the chief area officers, deputy chief area officers, and clerks at area offices are all ex-service men, many of them disabled, and that these temporary civil servants have had years of intimate association with pensioners, he will, in the interests of the ex-service men employed in the area offices, restrict employment, other than typists and cleaners, in those offices to the men who have efficiently carried on their duties for many years?

Proposals for staffing the area offices on a permanent basis have been put forward by the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council, and are at present under consideration by the Council. I recognise the importance of the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend, and they will not be overlooked when taking a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in view of recent legislation in the United States of America under which a foreign woman does not on marriage to an American acquire American nationality, certain Continental countries, including France, have passed legislation allowing women to retain their nationality on marriage to American subjects; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing a Measure according similar treatment to British-born women who marry Americans?

I am not aware that France or any other country has passed any such legislation since the American law was changed. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for the Louth Division (Mrs. Wintringham) on 3rd March last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to find out whether it is not the case that other Governments have passed this legislation?

I have made inquiries, and cannot find anything in the direction that the hon. Member indicates.

asked the Home Secretary if he will inform the House what reforms in the conditions under which prisoners serve their sentences have been introduced into His Majesty's prisons and penal settlements during the past three years?

It would be difficult to summarise the information asked for so that it could he given in answer to a question, and I would refer the hon. Member to the Annual Reports of the Prison Commissioners, issued as Parliamentary Papers.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, 18 months ago, a child of seven named Reggie Ford was sentenced to eight years' detention in an industrial school by the magistrates of Weston-super-Mare for taking money from a shop on the instigation of other boys his senior; whether he is aware that the child is now lying dangerously ill in Bath; and whether the entire remission of the child's sentence will now be recommended?

The attention of the Home Office was drawn to this case last October, and inquiry was made, but at that time the managers of the school, after considering the circumstances, were unable to recommend the boy's release on licence. It was ascertained that he had stolen money from a shop, and had previously been before the Court for stealing. At the request of his father, the magistrates decided to send him to a residential school. A few weeks ago the boy was sent to hospital, but he was not seriously ill, and he is now reported to be convalescent. In order to satisfy myself as to the course which it is desirable to take in the best interests of the boy, I have sent an inspector to investigate the circumstances on the spot.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has come to a decision as to the intervention asked for by local residents in respect of the Otley sweepstake; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

Proceedings are being taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Home Secretary whether, before the mail addressed to the Otley Conservative Club Derby sweepstakes organisation or to the Actors' Association at Liverpool was intercepted under orders from his Department and proceedings initiated against the promoters, the chief constable or police authorities gave official notification to the promoters that a breach of the law was being committed; and whether the procedure adopted in the case of the two organisations alluded to was identical with what followed in the case of the mammoth draw organised by the Bootle Trades and Labour Council?

A warning was given by the police to the promoters of the sweepstakes organised by the Otley Unionist Club and the Liverpool Branch of the Actors' Association before any action was taken. The procedure adopted in these two cases, and in the case of the mammoth draw organised by the Bootle Trades and Labour Council, has been substantially the same.

asked the Home Secretary (I) whether his attention has been called to a grand draw organised by the Kingswinford Divisional Labour Party, offering prizes of a pair of lady's hoots, six pounds of pork, a fowl, a bottle of port, a bottle of whisky, and a half-a-dozen tumblers; and whether he proposes to take any action against the organisers;

(2) whether the Post Office are confiscating the in-coming mail addressed to W. Willetts, the chairman of the Kingswinford Divisional Labour party in respect of the grand draw organised by that party for, inter alia, a gent's suit, a lady's costume, a ton of coal, a ham about 32 pounds, and a shaving outfit?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter, and I am making inquiry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman deal with the question of the bottle of port and the bottle of whisky?

Will he inquire if any Member of the House has won the gent's suit?

asked the Horne Secretary whether he is aware that nearly 500 German music-hall performers have obtained permission to appear in England shortly; and whether, in view of the prevailing unemployment, this matter can be reconsidered?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise. Only five permits under the Aliens' Order, to enable German music-hall artistes to work in Great Britain, have been issued during the last 17 months, and these permits have been for short periods.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he proposes to take to bring the remuneration of the police force into line with the generally-reduced remuneration of workers in the various trades and in view of the big drop in the cost of living, as shown by the Board of Trade figures?

Certain substantial deductions were made from the pay and allowances of the police in 1922, when the cost of living index figures was not much higher than it is now, and it was recently decided to continue these for the present at the same rates as heretofore.

Is it not the case that adequate machinery exists for dealing with this proposal, and moreover, in view of the fact that to bring the police down will not help other workers, should not the policy be to bring the other workers up?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that a pre-War police pensioner, to obtain an increase under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, is obliged to fill up forms stating his income from all sources and also the income of his wife, while a pensioner under the Desborough Report is not so obliged however large his income may be and if he can see his way to withdraw this requirement in the case of the pre-War pensioner so that both classes may be placed on equal terms?

The increases granted under the Pensions (In. crease) Act represent a voluntary addition made by Parliament to the normal service pensions, subject to the pensioner satisfying the pension authority under Section 2 (3) of the Act that his means are within the statutory limits. A statement of income from all sources is therefore obligatory under the terms of that Act if a pensioner is to satisfy the pension authority, whereas pensions granted under the Police (Pensions) Act are normal service pensions which are awarded, like service pensions generally, without reference to pecuniary need, and therfore without a statement of income.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to remove this anomaly?

No. I cannot give a pledge of that kind, because the cases are on an entirely different footing.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any steps whereby those members of the police force who were advised to retire before the 1st April, 1919, after which date the new scales of pay and pension came into force, shall be given pensions on the increased scale which they would have enjoyed had they remained a little longer in the force?

In certain cases where a member of the force agreed to advance the date of his retirement in order to meet the convenience of the police authority, the pension has been reassessed as though the man had continued to serve after 1st April, 1919.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any steps whereby police pensioners who were compelled to continue their service in the force during the War, although they had completed their 26 years' service, shall be given their pensions retrospectively for the time during which they served, in order to put them on the same basis as sailors and soldiers?

No Sir; I do not think there is any analogy between the two cases. Police pensions like other civil pensions are regulated by Statute upon principles which. I understand, are quite different from those which apply to naval or military pensions.

asked the Home Secretary how many courts of summary jurisdiction have appointed probation officers, and how many have failed to make such provision?

A recent return shows that, out of 1,029 petty sessional divisions in England and Wales, about 170 have not appointed probation officers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate taking any action to bring those authorities into line with the rest?

We are constantly taking action, and bringing all the influence we can to bear upon them in the direction indicated.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on Tuesday evening, 20th May, a number of individuals, styling themselves as British Fascisti, raided a meeting of the Young Communist League being held on the premises of the Labour Hall, Katherine Road, East Ham; and whether, since such action is likely to lead to a breach of the peace, he will inform the House what steps he proposes to take to prevent incidents of this description from becoming a practice?

The police will deal impartially with any disturbance or breach of the peace that comes to their notice. I have made inquiry in regard to the incident referred to in the question, and am informed that the police have no knowledge of any such raid, and that no disturbance was brought to their notice.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any representations made to him as to Members of this House receiving threats from any persons styling themselves thus?

I have not.

I have had a lot front the Communists.

Are not the Young Communists always inciting the bleaches of the peace?

Is it the fact that these so-called British Fascisti go about with the badge "B.F." on their arms?

So they are

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a baronet is issuing circulars inviting British subjects to participate in financing cargoes of whisky to be sold on the high seas just outside the radius of the treaty recently concluded with the United States of America; and whether he intends to introduce legislation to make this practice illegal?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answers given by the Prime Minister yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for East Renfrew (Mr. Nichol) and to supplementary questions on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that a widely-circulated appeal is being made over the name of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Brodrick Hartwell, Baronet, for investments to enable him to import liquor into the United States; and whether the Government can take any steps to check this effort to evade the law of a friendly State?

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to circulars recently issued by Sir Broderick Hartwell, Baronet, inviting contributions from members of the public towards the shipment of liquor from this country for delivery on the high seas to vessels b longing to the American rum-running fleet, and guaranteeing a return of 25 per cent. on the money contributed within 60 days from the date the shipment leaves the United Kingdom; and whether, in view of the incitement which such traffic constitutes towards the breach of the laws of a friendly nation and the disturbance thereby created of the existing good relations between the United States and this country, he is prepared to institute an immediate inquiry into the matter, and to take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether such practices constitute a, breach of the provisions of Section 81 of the Spirits Act, 1880, and of the Regulations issued by the Commissioners of Customs under that Act?

His Majesty's Government are advised that the trans-shipment on the high seas of spirits exported without payment of duty is not of itself an infringement of the provisions of the Spirits Act, 1880. But I would refer both hon. Members to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for East Renfrew and to other hon. Members yesterday.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider in this circular if the title of Lieut.-Colonel and Baronet is being used as a cover for reprehensible practices, and, if so, whether any mark of His Majesty's disfavour can be shown?

I am afraid the Foreign Office have no control over baronets as such.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake.to consult with those interested in the matter in the House with a view to an amendment of the Regulations of the Commissioners of Customs under the Spirits Act in order to prevent this practice?

To check this practice, will the Government subsidise the importation of sweetened table waters?

Are not the profits of this industry liable to diminution by the appearance of third parties in other vessels who appropriate the cargo without compensation?

Is it not almost an international scandal of a very grave character?

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Board of Education has made no arrangements for the examination of acting teachers for their certificates beyond November, 1924; and, inasmuch as there are many teachers now preparing who, through circumstances, may be prevented from taking their examinations in 1924, or who may fail and desire to try again. and in view of the fact that there are many candidates who are not eligible to sit until after 1924, and who, through pressure of home responsibilities and financial circumstances, are unable to proceed to a training college, will he take steps to arrange for an extension of the teachers' examination beyond 1924?

I am fully aware of all the relevant factors in this matter, but, as I have already explained in answer to questions in this House, I propose to await the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Training of Teachers before arriving at a final decision.

Seeing that this will fall mainly upon the sons and daughters of hard-working people, will the right hon. Gentleman kindly give it his favourable and special consideration?

I have said that I will wait until. I get the Report, which I am expecting.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, considering his removal of the restrictions on free places in secondary schools and giving school authorities liberty to raise the percentage of these free places to 40 per cent., he will state what are the conditions prescribed for the grant of a free place; and whether he requires a certificate from the master of the elementary school that, in his opinion, the child whom he recommends for a free place in a secondary school will be capable of passing on to a university if given the opportunity?

The rules governing the award of free places are set out in the Appendix to the Regulations for Secondary Schools, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. A certificate of capacity of passing on to a university is not required.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, in the Maes-y-Cwmmer area, Monmouthshire, 200 children passed the examination which qualified them for a place in a secondary school, but that places could only be found for 35 of them, and that these children are prevented through this cause from receiving this higher education, notwithstanding the fact that many of their parents are prepared to pay for them; and will he take steps to see that some temporary accommodation is made for this purpose until permanent schools are provided?

I am aware that the demand for secondary school accommodation in the Rhymney Valley has been for some time in excess of the supply. The Board, however, have recently sanctioned the provision of a new secondary school for 150 children at Rhymney in a commodious house purchased by the local education authority, and I understand that this school will be opened in September next. A classroom for 30 children was also added to the Rhymney Valley secondary school last November with the approval of the Board, and I hope that this increased provision of secondary school places will materially relieve the pressure on the existing accommodation.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to a speech made on the 23rd instant to the children at the Deal central schools on the lessons of Empire Day, containing the statement that another war was certain, and that it was their duty to prepare for it; and will he take steps to prevent such addresses being delivered to children in public elementary schools?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a speech made to the children at Deal central schools on Friday last; and, if so, will he take such steps as he is able to prevent in the future the giving of militarist speeches in schools maintained at the public expense?

I have seen a short Press report of the speech referred to. I am certain that what the majority of the House would like to see impressed upon the mind of the rising generation in our schools is the hope of permanent peace between nations secured under the League of Nations, and not the inevitability of future wars. But I believe that local education authorities have no sympathy with militarism, and therefore that it may safely be left to their discretion to guard against any expression of it in the schools.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his address on peace, what steps is he taking to stop this sort of stuff being taught in the schools?

I have not got control over the schools and of those people who are allowed to make speeches in them by the local education authorities.

In attempting to stop the teaching of militarism, will the right hon. Gentleman also stop the teaching of Communism?

Is my hon. Friend aware that not a single instance in a single school by a single teacher has been proved of the teaching of Communism?

asked the President of the Board of Education how many necessitous children received meals in elementary schools; how many meals were served in 1923; and what was the cost per meal?

The latest period for which my right hon. Friend has complete figures is the year ending 31st March, 1923. During that year 149,676 children received school meals under the provisions of the Education Act, 1921; of these, 127,636 received free meals. The total number of meals provided was 17,171,298, of which 14,991,798 were provided free. The average total cost per meal was 3.6d. During the calendar year 1913, 11,463,487 meals were provided, of which 9,357,5:57 were provided free.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared, when he is considering the removal of restrictions on old age pensions, to also consider the provision of medical assistance apart from the Poor Law?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the introduction of the Government's proposals.

When does my right hon. Friend hope to introduce his proposals?

I had hoped to be able to introduce them by Whitsuntide, hut I am afraid the pressure of other business will prevent me doing so. I expect to put them before the House immediately after the Recess.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of import taxation now levied on one pound of the cheapest tobacco sold in this country?

As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, the Tobacco Duty is levied on the raw leaf before manufacture, aid the rate of duty depends on the moisture it then contains. I am not, therefore, in a position to state definitely the amount of duty levied on a pound of tobacco which has undergone the process of manufacture, but I estimate that it would be about 5s. 9d. per pound on the cheapest varieties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in a particular case Super-tax paid a year too soon on 6 per cent. Exchequer Bonds has been assessed again for the following year, although the amount due has been paid the year previously; and will he give instructions to the Inland Revenue Department to withdraw this claim?

If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with particulars of the case to which he refers, I will cause inquiry to be made, and will communicate the results to him in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will lay a Paper showing the accounts as between the Irish Free State and the British Treasury op to 31st March this year and if the statement will give details under the items in the accounts and of any sums of money outstanding?

I hope that the Paper which is being prepared will be ready for presentation next week. Details of the amounts paid, and the sums outstanding, will be given under the heads of Part I of the Financial Statement presented to Parliament by the late Government last year (Command Paper 1930).

Is not the Command Paper inadequate, its details not being sufficient to give a real view of the situation?

Is account taken in the White Paper of spirits imported from the Free State into this country?

I urn afraid that does not arise out of the question. Might I ask the hon. Member opposite to await the publication of this Paper next week, and if there is any further information he requires, I shall be happy to obtain it.

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement of the Secretary of Stale for India as to the desirability of the Imperial Government getting into closer touch with the Non-Co-operation party in India was made with the approval of the Cabinet; if he will state whether the Government propose to take action in the direction of an extension of Home Rule in India; and when he proposes to make a statement as to the Government's policy in this matter?

I am not aware that the Secretary of State for India has made any statement in the language set out in the hon. and gallant Member's question. My noble Friend, with the approval of his colleagues in the Government, said in another place, on the 26th February last that His Majesty's Government were earnestly desirous of availing themselves of any disposition towards effective con sultation, and were open to consider any practical proposals for establishing closer contact and betters understanding. In reply to the second part of the question, the Government are not at present prepared to make any proposals for action in the direction of an extension of Home Rule in India.

Is this an example of the new methods of the Government communicating Cabinet decisions to the people in India?

It is not.

Are we to understand that the Government view with approval the action of the Secretary of State in communicating direct with this extremist leader in India?

My Noble Friend has not made any statement in the language set out in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether, in future, probationers for the Indian Forest Service will still continue to be able to be trained at any university having a forestry department, or whether they will be compelled to be trained at Oxford; and what sum it is proposed should be spent on the training of such probationers during the present financial year from the Estimates and from the funds of the Forestry Committee;

(2) whether any and what new arrangements have been made, or are proposed, for the selection of probationers for the Indian Forest Service; whether graduates of any university will still continue to be eligible for selection without further conditions being imposed; and whether any new Regulations will be allowed to be discussed in the House before they come into force?

I will answers these questions together. The Government of India have proposed that from the autumn of 1925 onwards probationers for the Indian Forest Service shall be trained at Dehra Dun. This proposal is still under consideration. No change is proposed in the qualifications for appointment, and graduates of any university in the United Kingdom or India will continue to be eligible. The Royal Commission on the Superior Civil Services in India has recommended that no further recruitment should be made for the Indian Forest Service in Bombay and Burma, in which provinces forest administration is a transferred subject, and that the Governments of those two provinces should in future reruit their own forest officers. I cannot say what arrangements will be made, if this recommendation is accepted, for training probationers for the two provinces in question. The cost of training probationers is borne by Indian revenues, and no change is contemplated in this respect.

Do I understand from the answer that no change is to be made at present in the selection of probationers, and that they will not be compelled in any way to reside at one particular university?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the evidence afforded by the prosecution, at the instance of the German Ministry of Defence, of Dr. Zeigner, the late Premier of Saxony, for high treason for his disclosure of the association between the Army and certain illegal police and defence forces, that Germany is evading her disarmament obligations, he will state what action is being taken by the Allies to resume the control of military arrangements in Germany reserved to them by the Peace Treaty?

His Majesty's Government have no official information respecting the prosecution of Dr. Zeigner, but they are giving their fullest attention to the whole subject of military control in Germany. Their endeavour is that the Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control shall resume its legitimate activities so as to complete its mission within a measurable distance of time.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is necessary that the Departments should be able to communicate and keep them in touch with matters of this important nature?

My answer implies that the Government have only acted on official information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get in touch with the German Government owing to the importance of the matter and ask whether there is any truth in the statements contained in the question I have put on the Paper to-day?

The second part of my answer implies it.

Then you will do so?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what sums are still due by Germany to this country under the head of reparation payments other than comprised in pensions and allowances?

The Reparation Commission did not assess individual items in the Allied Powers' Reparation claims on Germany, and it is impossible to allo- cate the obligations of Germany to particular heads. The total British Empire share of Germany's reparation obligation is 22 per cent. of £6,600 millions spread over a long period of years. The amount so far received is approximately £15 millions.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us whether the Germans have paid any reparations towards the British subjects whose property was totally destroyed in the war area?

On questions of that kind I cannot make a statement at the moment. I should be obliged if the hon. Member would put a question on the Paper.

Can the hon. Gentleman say, roughly, what the British charge for pensions is, compared with other charges? Is it not a fact that M. Poincaré has made such an allocation for the French?

I am not familiar with statements made elsewhere. All I can say is that the particular heads are not made out in that way, and I cannot give any information on the spur of the moment which would be worth anything.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps he is taking to increase the number of suitable landing-places for aeroplanes; whether there are any arrangements for utilising racecourses, recreation fields, golf-courses, etc., for this purpose; and whether he will consider, or has considered, the paying of a small subsidy to the owners of such spaces who will keep a certain area clear of obstacles and provide wind-cones to indicate the wind direction near the ground?

The subject of the hon. and gallant Member's question is receiving the fullest consideration in connection with the scheme for the air defence of Great Britain, anti it has already been examined by an Inter-Departmental Committee which is dealing with the home defence organisation. It is not yet possible to give details of the measures which it is proposed to adopt, but the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that those suggested by him are being given due consideration.

The hon. Gentleman says this is being considered from the point of view of home defence. Is it also being considered from the point of view of commercial aviation and aviation fey pleasure?

Yes, that is so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the case of Leading-aircraftsman H. S. Nicholls, who met his death in the course of his duty through the crashing of an aeroplane; whether he has received from the mother of the deceased aircraftsman a claim asking that she may be refunded the expenses to which she was put in connection with the funeral and for a pension, upon the ground that her deceased son made her a regular allowance of 14s. a week; whether he is aware that these claims have been rejected by the Air Ministy because the Air Council have only power to grant a small weekly allowance to the parents of deceased airmen if their pecuniary circumstances are desperate and whether, seeing that a pension would have been granted to the parents of the deceased aircraftsman if he had met his death on active service, and in view of the fact that the parents of the deceased were partially dependent upon the allotment made to them by their son, he can see his way to grant the claim made or to alter the regulations?

With the hon. and gallant Gentleman's permission, I will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

If the hon. Gentleman's answer contains a refusal, would he undertake to look into the whole subject in view of the fact that the parents of this man were dependent upon his earnings?

I have gone into the matter very carefully already.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state how many men it is proposed to employ in the reclamation of a portion of the Wash; and how many of these will be drawn from the ranks of the unemployed?

It is anticipated that not less than 200 men will be required. They will be entirely drawn from the ranks of the unemployed with the exception of certain skilled men.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the unemployed he anticipates being able to use on this work?

This work will be completed in the course of two years. Until it is further advanced it is impossible to say how many will be employed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that the unemployed proposals of the Government are a wash-out?

When will these men begin work?

The surveyors are proceeding as quickly as possible, and are not waiting until the autumn to begin.

Will it be months, weeks or years?

Is this one of the many important schemes which the Government are contemplating?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the estimated expenditure upon this scheme?

About £32,000.

Is this to be the main plank of the Government's platform in the forthcoming Election?

What will be the rates of pay for these men? Will they be the agricultural rates of the locality, or what?

It is not yet decided

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information showing that the continuance of the present series of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease is in any way due to delay or failure on the part of farmers to report cases of the disease?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the experimental treatment of foot-and-mouth disease which broke out in the herd of cattle belonging to Mr. S. C. Lindsay, of Aitkenbrae, in Ayrshire, was successful; and, if so, whether any recognition of the fact was sent to Mrs. Thomson, of Annan, who provided the remedy?

Yes, Sir; the animals affected with foot-and-mouth disease on the premises of Mr. S C. Lindsay, of

I regret to say that the Ministry is experiencing considerable difficulties in consequence of delay in report-mg case of foot-and-mouth disease. Seven recent cases, particulars of which I will have circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, have been brought to the notice of the Ministry, in which delays in reporting foot-and-mouth disease have occurred since the 24th April, 1929. Six of these are new centres of diseases in areas for some time previously apparently free from infection. The delays in reporting varied from three days to 37 days, and the outbreaks in these seven cases were responsible for six further outbreaks. It is significant that these delays have occurred notwithstanding the serious nature of the disease and the widespread knowledge of its symptoms which must now prevail in consequence of the unprecedented magnitude of the recent outbreaks which have occurred in Great Britain.

Can my right hon. Friend take action in consequence of the serious delay in some of these cases?

Proceedings are being taken in one case, and others are under consideration.

Was the treatment successful? Was there any greater success attending this treatment than other treatments?

I understand that the treatment was successful, and that it has been successful in some other cases.

is the Ministry doing anything to extend the treatment to other cases?

In selected cases this has already been considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that prime fish is being sold as low as a farthing a pound in Hull for making cattle food, and that this practice has the effect of reducing the earnings of fishermen and removes the possibility of cheap fish to poor people; and whether he is prepared to take such action as will ensure that all fresh fish shall be placed upon the markets and thus reach the consumer?

I am aware that fish is occasionally landed at the principal ports in such quantity that it is difficult to dispose of all of it for human food. Sometimes, also, especially during the summer months, its quality is such as to make its disposal for food purposes undesirable. In such cases, the surplus fish is usually sold to the local fish meal and manure works, or, if there are no such works or other corresponding means of disposal, is taken out to sea again and thrown overboard. I have no information which would suggest that any fish, which could properly be described as prime fish, has been sold at such a price as the question suggests. All fish is sold at the ports in open auction. I have no authority to take such action as is suggested in the second part of the question, even if such action were practicable.

Is it not a fact that the organisation of buyers in the fish markets are definitely limiting the amount of fish to be purchased and keeping the prices up, and, as the fishermen are paid on a share basis, automatically bringing down the fishermen's wages to such an extent that the men are often in debt as a result of a trip and cannot the State undertake to sell the fish to the people?

There is no reason to doubt the facts given by my hon. Friend, but under the present law the action he suggests is not possible.

Will the Government consider if it is desirable to provide cheap food for oxen?

Ts the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the whole of the trouble is caused by the difference between the price given to the fishermen and the price charged to the consumer, and will he look into that matter?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention of the Government to alter the law so as to bring it in accordance with the suggestion made by the hon. Member for Rotherhithe (Mr. B. Smith)?

It is beyond my scope to say.

Is it not a fact that the high railway rates make the widespread distribution of this surplus fish almost impossible?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in an official broadsheet it is claimed that none but Australian butter is used in the various restaurants in the grounds at the British Empire Exhibition, and that the fact is advertised on every menu on every restaurant table; and, if so, whether this discrimination against home produce was sanctioned by his Department?

I have been asked to reply. I am much obliged to the hon. Member for calling my attention to this matter, into which I am making inquiries. As soon as they are complete, I will communicate with him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the wages paid by Messrs. J. Lyons and Company, Limited, at the British Empire Exhibition are such as would satisfy the conditions of the Fair Wages Clause?

I have no information regarding the wages paid by Messrs. J. Lyons and Company, Limited, at the British Empire Exhibition. I may perhaps in this connection refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 26th May in answer to a question asked by the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. E. Harvey), and in which I alluded to the probable constitution of a works council to investigate such matters.

asked the Minister of Agriculture by what means help can be given to the British fishing industry, in view of its distressed condition and of the considerable Government grant which is being made for loans to Scottish herring fishers?

I do not think that the case of the Scottish herring fishermen and that of the British fishing industry are strictly comparable. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave on the 26th instant to the question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member for the North-Western Division of Kingston-upon-Hull.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fishing industry in England is suffering partly from bad transport and partly from profiteering on the part of those who sell the fish, and will he set up a Committee on the lines of the Linlithgow Committee to look into this question?

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that it is in accordance with Free Trade principles to subsidise Scottish fishermen in order to compete with English fishermen?

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to grant an extension of the Trade Facilities Act to those who are most deserving? In the case of my Own town—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]—as the Minister is already aware, there are fleets of vessels no: employed, and by such means he would employ the men on the fishing boats.

Are the Liberals asking for Protection?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to enable farmers to conduct their business to the best advantage, he will consider whether the high telephone rates often charged in rural districts can be reduced?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. New rural exchanges are established and rural party lines provided very much below cost price, where the necessary minimum of subscribers is forthcoming. In other cases, the charges are based upon the costs incurred, and in sparsely-populated areas these are necessarily somewhat high. My right hon. Friend regrets that he does not at present see his way to recommend any relaxation of the conditions under which the special rates are applied, in view of the heavy loss which would result.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of relaxing the rules, having regard to the fact that where the need is greatest the cost is greatest?

I will convey that to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the authorities have yet come to an agreement with regard to the proposed bridge at Thorne, near Doncaster; if so, when the work of construction is likely to commence and will he take steps to speed up this work which is necessary for the facilitation of road transport and the general convenience of this fact developing district

Proposals for the reconstruction of the two bridges at Thorne are now assuming definite form after prolonged negotiations, and I hope the work will be put in hand without further delay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring whatever pressure he can for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out of this work?

asked the Minister of Transport how the work of electrifying the railway between Manchester and Oldham on the London, Midland and Scottish Railway is progressing; and when does he estimate the job will be complete?

I understand from the railway company that the specifications in connection with the electrification scheme to which the hon. Member refers have not yet been completed. The latter part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether this project is definitely abandoned?

Is it not a much simpler matter to electrify the House than to electrify a railway?

Has not the London, Midland and Scottish Railway responded in every way to the representations that have been made?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether there is any substantial difference in the price charged to the public for coal by coal merchants and cooperative societies, respectively?

So far as my information goes there does not seem to be much difference between the prices charged by merchants and co-operative societies in London, though in some provincial districts the co-operative prices are rather lower than the merchants. But it must of course be remembered that the profits made by co- operative societies are returned to their members in the form of dividends.

Has the hon. Gentleman ascertained that in certain districts in Yorkshire the co-operative societies are charging 7s. 9d. a ton more than the ordinary traders?

I have no such information, and if the hon. Member will read the report of the proceedings of the co-operative societies he will find that that is not so.

Is it not a fact that the price charged for coal by the co-operative societies is cheaper than the price charged by the merchants because the societies do not pay their proper share of taxes, and will he take steps to amend that unjust law?

In reference to the profits of co-operative societies, is the hon. Gentleman aware that in some of these societies some of the profits are used to finance Socialist candidates?

I am aware that the profits are used for many purposes. I have not made any inquiries of the coal merchants as to how their profits are used. Such information as I have been able to obtain will be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to frauds in the sale of coke, and that in a number of cases the public do not get the quantities they pay for and expect to receive; and whether he is taking any action in the matter?

No recent representations on this subject have been made to my Department, though I have seen Press references to it. Any definite information that may be submitted as to the practices alleged will be carefully considered. I may add that a number of local authorities have acquired powers to deal with the sale of coke with a. view to the prevention of fraud.

Has the hon. Gentleman received a report from the London County Council calling attention to this scandal, and does he not intend to do anything in the matter?

I imagine that if the London County Council have any representations to make they will make them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of owners

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount received in Income Tax and Super-tax from the owners of coal royalties in the County of York for the years 1922–23 and 1923–24, respectively?

I regret that it is not possible to earmark any part of the produce of the Income Tax as contributed by any particular source of income. The amount of Income Tax and Super-tax borne by any individual depends, not upon the particular sources from which his income is derived, but upon his total income, his family responsibilities and other factors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) in view of the fact that an 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?

As the answer is in tabular form I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I have been asked to take over the first of these questions. My reply will incorporate the answer to the second question on the same subject addressed to me by the hon. Member. The Colonial Office at present make no grants to British Universities in respect of forestry education. The Forestry Commissioners have no responsibility for the selection and training of Indian and Colonial Forest probationers, but make grants of £500 per annum both to Oxford and Cambridge Universities in respect of the degree and diploma courses for forestry. In addition the Commissioners and the Secretary of State for the Colonies are collaborating with the University of Oxford to set up an Imperial Forestry Institute at Oxford as recommended by the British Empire Forestry Conference and endorsed by the Imperial Economic Conference. The functions of the institute will be distinct from those of the existing schools of forestry, which remain unaltered, and will be to provide post-graduate training for selected probationers, special courses for senior officers in the various Forest Services, and, where required, the training of specialists in the methods of forestry research. It is proposed that the Forestry Commissioners and the Colonial Governments concerned shall contribute £2,000 and £3,000 respectively towards the annual cost of the institute.

In choosing the students under this particular scheme, will any consideration be shown to children from the elementary schools as distinct from Oxford and Cambridge?

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question which asks

"whether a guarantee can be given that students chosen as probationers for Indian and Colonial forest services shall still continue to have the option of choosing their own centre of education in forestry, and that there shall be no preference shown to Oxford to the detriment of the other universities at which men have previously been trained in forestry for the Indian and Colonial services?"

is the right hon. Gentleman going to give a grant to the other Universities, such as Edinburgh, which has specialised for many years in forestry?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider Dublin University in this connection?