asked the Minister of Pensions whether the question of altering the Regulations which govern the making of education grants by the Special Grants Committee has been under his consideration; and whether any alteration is proposed?

Representations have been made to me on certain points connected with the grants that may be made by the Special Grants Committee for the care and education of children, and these are having my consideration. I am not yet in a position to say whether any alteration of the present procedure can properly be made.

If I put down a similar question in a fortnight's time, will the Minister then be in a position to make a definite announcement on this matter?

Yes: I hope to be able to do so by that time.

asked the Minister of Pensions when a reassessment of pension on the Jerram scale will be made in the case of those pre-War naval invalided pensioners who were called up for service and served during the great War?

An Order in Council dealing with reassessment in these cases has been under discussion with the Departments concerned. In am taking steps to secure the issue of the Order at the earliest possible date.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will direct that the retired pay of naval officers who had retired before the War, were employed during the War, and died or were disabled as the result of their war service should be reckoned as earned income, as is done by the Treasury for purposes of Income Tax assessment, thus permitting such officers or their widows to reckon such retired pay when claiming alternative pension?

For alternative pension, the question to be determined is the loss of earning capacity consequent on the disablement or death of the officer or man concerned. For this purpose, in accordance with legal advice, service-retired pay or pension is properly regarded as income and not as earnings, the latter term being used in its ordinary sense of remuneration for work performed concurrently with the earnings. I am assured that this interpretation is, on the whole, of greater advantage to officers and men than the interpretation suggested.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that considerable hardship and irritation is being caused by the officer in charge at Edenhall Hospital, Musselburgh, in imposing unnecessary and unreasonable restrictions on the men under his charge and in using questionable methods in applying the Regulations dealing with ordinary breaches of discipline; and, if not, will he cause inquiry to be made with a view to securing greater harmony than at present prevails?

At a recent inspection of this institution by medical officers, including a neurologist, two cases of complaint were brought forward, but in neither instance was the complaint established. I am not aware of any justification for the general charge made against this officer, whose conduct of the institution, which I have personally inspected within the past few days, appears to be highly efficient. I should add that neurasthenic patients to whose treatment the hospital in question is devoted, at all times offer special difficulties in management, and the recent medical inspection showed that cases of varying types which could not suitably be associated with others had been admitted to the institution. This has now been put right by the transfer of certain cases to more suitable institutions under the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any compensation has been given to British ex-prisoners in Germany; if so, under what circumstances and to what extent?

Time spent as a prisoner of war by a member of the armed forces of the Crown is regarded as within the active service rendered by him for the purpose of Ministry Warrants, and any disability shown to be attributable to or aggravated by such imprisonment can be considered for the grant of compensation under the conditions laid down in the Warrants.

Had anything been granted to civilians?

That I cannot say, but if the hon. Member wants the information I shall try to get it.

On what basis is the compensation awarded?

I cannot give that information off-hand, but I shall be pleased to get it if the hon. Gentleman puts a question down.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his personal attention has been called to the case of George Harry Hawkins, of 4, Great Western Street, Barton Bill, Bristol; whether he is aware that Mr. Hawkins enlisted on 15th February, 1917, and served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment for two years and one month, including 15 months in France; that he was admitted to hospital in France on 11th October, 1918, suffering from neurasthenia, due to being blown up by a shell: that he was found to be unfit for military service, and was discharged in March, 1919, the disability being assessed at rates varying from 30 per cent. to 50 per cent. during the period between that date and October, 1922; that the Ministry decided in October, 1922, that he was suffering from congenital amentia at the time of his enlistment: whether he is aware that Mr. Hawkins has developed tuberculosis, which is becoming rapidly worse: and whether, seeing that Mr. Hawkins was accepted as sound on enlistment, he will make some special provision for the compassionate treatment of this case?

I am looking into the facts of this case and will communicate later with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the new advisory councils it is proposed to set up; how these councils are constituted; what are their exact functions: and what proportion of ex-service men it is proposed to appoint to each council?

It is proposed to establish eight of these councils composed of representatives of war pensions committees, disabled ex-service officers and men, and such other persons as I may appoint. The total membership of the councils will vary, but in every case there will be at least five representatives of ex-service organisations. The councils will consider reports of various kinds upon the work of the Ministry, and it will be open to them to make recommendations to me on matters of policy or administration.

Will Members of this House be represented on these councils as in the case of the old councils?

Yes, Sir: they will be included in the persons indicated that I myself may appoint.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many orphan children his Department is responsible for, and in what manner they are dealt with: how many of them are in schools: how many are otherwise provided for: and is his Department responsible for the whole cost of maintenance of such children?

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind children taken under my care under Section 9 of the War Pensions Act, 1918. There are 3,181 such children, of whom 2,413 are boarded out in private homes and 768 are in institutions because of mental or physical infirmities, for training or for other reasons. These children, so far as they are of school age, are attending elementary schools or are receiving appropriate education in the institutions. The pensions payable for these children are in accordance with the terms of the Royal Warrant, and are supplemented where it is necessary in order that proper provision may be made.

Are any reports received from time to time from the institutions in which these children are?

Yes, Sir; every care is exercised to get full information as to their treatment.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the failure of many appellants to the final appeals court to understand the medical precis supplied them by the Ministry in preparation for such appeal, and also their inability, owing to illness or the effect of wounds, to adequately present their case, he can now say that the pension authorities will make some suitable provision by which the appellant in presenting his claim may have the assistance of his local doctor, who is in most instances familiar with the case?

Under the rules made by the Lord Chancellor, the tribunal is required to assist any appellant who, through ignorance or otherwise, is unable to make the best of his case. Moreover, the tribunal is empowered at its discretion to summon before it expert or other witnesses to give oral evidence. Any question as to an extension of this provision would be a matter for the consideration of the Lord Chancellor.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these privileges of which he has spoken as having been granted to these men are of very little avail, and that, despite them, there is a real demand, particularly in the case of the ex-service men themselves, in favour of having an independent representative apart from the tribunal itself?

I will take note of what my hon. Friend says, and make the necessary inquiries.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any ex-service men have been discharged from the staff of the Ministry of Pensions since 1st March, 1924; and, if so, how many?

The number of ex-service men employed in the Ministry of Pensions on the 1st March last was 12,283 and on the 1st instant the number was 11,691. The decrease in the numbers was due largely to normal wastage by resignation, etc., the number of discharges the same period due to reduced volume of work and changes in administration being approximately 220.

How many of these men were transferred to other Government Departments, and how many of them had the chance of being transferred to other Government Departments?

I cannot give any explanation of that to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the specific acts of cruelty charged against the officials of the Rodeo at Wembley in respect of which the police are applying for summonses?

While the cases are pending I cannot make any statement but can only refer the Noble Lord to Press reports.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman, in answering a question the other day, say that there had been no warrants taken out against the cowboys, yet I see in the paper yesterday that three or four of these gallant men have had summonses issued against them?

I am afraid the memory of the noble Lord is at fault. I did not say that no summonses had been taken out. What I said was that it had been suggested that I had the power to take them out, but that I said that I wished to proceed against somebody higher than the cowboys.

asked the Home Secretary what is the position with regard to the bullock-roping and bullock-wrestling competitions at Wembley; whether he is aware that last week a large number of police who attended the Stadium in the morning under his orders either to witness or prevent the competitions were turned out of the premises: and what action he proposes to take?

Steer-roping as previously carried out has been discontinued, but I understand that the exhibition authorities have given sanction to a modified form of steer-roping, named the "break away," which was introduced yesterday for the first time. I am informed that in this form of contest the steer is not thrown, as the rope which is thrown round his horns is attached to the sadde by a piece of string which breaks as soon as pressure is brought to bear and the steer goes free. Steer-wrestling has not been discontinued. No attempt was made to interfere with the police in the execution of their duty on the occasion referred to, and the, last part of the question therefore does not arise.

Is it a fact that the police were turned out last week to the number of between 100 and 150 as stated in the papers?

I thought I had answered that point.

Would the right hon. Gentleman think of applying the same method to the patient oxen." [HON. MEMBERS: "Chestnut!"]

asked the Home Secretary whether the police are making arrangements for an eyesight test for drivers of omnibuses?

For many years the production of a certificate of physical fitness has been required, and this certificate includes the question of vision.

Are there not a good many men able to drive quite safely with spectacles, and would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of these men wearing spectacles while their tests are being taken?

Well, my hon. Friend knows the difficulty almost better than I do. I can only say I will look into that aspect of the case.

asked the Home Secretary, whether the Wood-Renton Committee has completed its inquiries into the recent Queenstown outrage and decided upon the amount of compensation payable to the victims?

I have been asked to reply. The Wood-Renton Commission is dealing with these cases as the victims of the outrage become convalescent. It would be against the interests of the patient to assess the compensation before ascertaining the full effect of the injury, and it will consequently be some time before all the cases are dealt with. Awards have been made in five cases of minor injury as well as in the case of the man who was killed, and other cases have been heard this week.

Would the right hob. Gentleman say whether any ex gratia payments are being made to the victims on account?

Yes: there is the case of a mother and the sister £1,250 has been paid in that case. I know there are other cases where amounts have been paid in anticipation.

asked the Home Secretary whether an order has been issued to a Russian violinist, M. Edvard Soermus, to leave this country by 31st July; and what is the reason for this order of expulsion?

The position is that Mr. Soermus was removed from this country in 1919 under a deportation order, and that the effect of such an order is to require the alien to remain out of this country. At the beginning of this year I was strongly urged to allow him to come here for a month to visit his wife and children, and as the grounds put forward for allowing this seemed to me in all the circumstances to be exceptionally strong, I went the length of revoking the deportation order so as to make such a visit possible. Soermus came here for a few days in February, but had to leave at once to give some concerts abroad, so another visit of one month to see his family was authorised in April. He then started giving concerts, and an application was made to me to alter the conditions of his landing to enable him to stay here till 31st July. I acceded to this also, though it involved allowing a visit more than three times as long as, and for a different purpose from, that for which he was given leave to land: but I felt that I had really reached the limit of exceptional concessions which I could properly give in this case and intimated that I could not give him any more. If, however, Mr. Soermus will apply to me, giving his definite plans for the future, I am prepared to consider whether the public interest in his concert performances is sufficient to justify my postponing the date for the termination of his visit.

While appreciating my right hon. Friend's courtesy and consideration in this matter, will he state what is the objection to this violinist remaining here, and is he aware that he plays to working-class audiences and the receipts of his concerts go to support starving children in Leipzig?

Is it fair that this man should have been deported and the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) allowed to remain here?

What was the reason for the expulsion of this man in 1919?

The expulsion was not carried out under me, and I have not even taken the trouble to inquire. If I receive an application for him to stay on here permanently I will look into the whole of the facts.

Should it not have been an essential point preceding all inquiries on the matter to investigate what was the reason for his original deportation?

Yes, in the event of a permanent application.

No.

That is where we differ. When a man's wife and family are here, if the man wishes to come over for a temporary period, it seems to me to be a strong case for allowing him a temporary permit.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the wife of Soermus is an English woman who has lived in this country all her life, and that his child was born in this country; and further, that he was deported in 1918 under a general Order under which no charge was brought against any particular individual, because of the general condition of Russia?

Is this man not taking a job away from an English violinist?

In reply to the last supplementary question, I do not think he has taken a job away from any Englishman. All the points stated by the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil (Mr. Wall-head) are strictly accurate.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the conditions under which French, Italian, German, Belgian or Polish artists, musicians and singers are allowed to enter this country and remain indefinitely, according to the success or failure of their performance; and whether, in view of the non-political conduct of M. Edvard Soermus, he will accord to him the privileges open to the nationals of other countries?

The conditions depend on the circumstances of each case: in some cases of the kind indicated a Ministry of Labour permit may be necessary. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply just given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.

Is it within the right hon. Gentleman's knowledge that the deportation of this particular artist was in no way due to political activities of any kind?

I have already intimated to the House that, if I receive an application for a permanent residence, the whole of the circumstances will be taken into consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether there exists any Court of Appeal for the inmates of the criminal asylum at Broadmoor similar to the Court of Criminal Appeal provided for prisoners; and, if not, will this question be included in the terms of reference for the Royal Commission on Lunacy?

No, Sir. A verdict of guilty but insane is technically a verdict of acquittal from which no appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal can lie. The proper authority to consider representations with respect to such a case is the Home Secretary. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Questions of criminal responsibility are, I understand, outside the scope of the Royal Commission on Lunacy.

Would it be possible for the Home Secretary to take one representative case, such as the person named True, and examine whether or not this man is in a fit condition to be tried for his crime, in view of the newspaper statement as to his activities recently?

I think it is very important that I should have notice of such a question as that.

asked the Home Secretary whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the prisoner, Horatio Bottomley, in connection with writing the Press articles and the smuggling of the articles out of the prison: whether Bottomley has been allowed the usual one-fourth remission for good conduct appropriate to the part of his sentence he has served; can he say if the Press articles were smuggled out of Maidstone Prison, and by whom: whether action, if any, has been taken against any individual for smuggling the articles out of the prison; and if he is prepared to reconsider the cases of the two officers who were dismissed for another minor offence?

No disciplinary action has been taken against Bottomley in connection with the incident referred to. With regard to the second part of the question, remission depends upon the number of marks earned by good conduct and industry, and the convict's release on licence will be considered when he has earned the necessary number of marks. I have no information as regards the third part of the question. The answer to the fourth part is in the negative. As regards the fifth part, I find no ground, on the information in my possession, for reopening the case of the two officers referred to who were dismissed for a grave offence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present regulations make provision for the punishment of a prisoner where warders have been dismissed in cases like this?

Are the Socialist Members afraid of Bottomley coming back to the House?

Was it not the hon. Member's party who brought Bottomley here?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that since the closing of the Derby gaol prisoners for trial at Derby assizes are conveyed from Nottingham gaol to Derby by train, and that they are marched through Nottingham and Derby stations handcuffed together; and whether, in view of the fact that Derby and Nottingham are only 15 miles apart, he could arrange for these prisoners to be conveyed by motor-van and so avoid exposing men, a proportion of whom are subsequently found not guilty, to the disgrace of a public appearance in chains?

This is mainly a matter of expense, but the Prison Commissioners are now considering whether any alternative arrangements are practicable.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fatal accident which occurred at the south-west corner of Belgrave Square on Friday last; is he aware that the Home Office had been previously warned by the late Sir J. D. Rees, a former Member of this House, about the dangers arising from traffic at this particular place; and whether any and, if so, what precautions have since then been taken to minimise the danger?

The circumstances attending the fatality are well known, and as both drivers were at the time taken into custody and stand remanded on a charge of causing the death of the lady, no further comment is at this time desirable. The previous questions by the late Sir J. D. Rees have been borne in mind and instructions given to the police to be on the alert to prevent fast or inconsiderate driving. It is difficult to see what further steps can be taken, but the matter will be further carefully considered.

Has an officer been stationed at that point?

I cannot answer that off-hand.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received a petition from the Monmouthshire County Council and other public authorities against the withdrawal of the licence of the Quaker's Yard truant school; is he aware that this institution has been in existence since 1894 without a complaint against it, that it affords easy facilities to parents to visit their boys while detained at this school, and that the population served by this school has increased by half-a-million since it was erected; and will he, therefore, in deference to the strong feeling on this question, agree to withdraw the request for the surrender of the licence?

I have received the petition referred to, and it is under my consideration, and I am receiving a deputation on the subject to-day. I cannot make any further statement at present.

asked the President of the Board of. Education whether he is now able to announce the date on which the building of a new school in the St. Philip's Marsh area, Bristol, will be commenced; whether he is aware that the site was purchased in 1913, and that there has been an urgent necessity for increased accommodation during the whole of the intervening period; and whether, having regard to the bad conditions under which the teachers and scholars are working, he will do everything possible to expedite the commencement of work on the new school?

The Board have long been aware of the unsatisfactory conditions in the area in question. Plans both for the new infants' school and for the re-arrangement and improvement of the present school have been submitted, but require further consideration by the authority and the managers. I shall continue to do everything possible to expedite the commencement of work on the new school.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the large number of children resident at Thornhill have to travel over a mile of dangerous road to Egremont (Cumberland) in order to attend school; and, having regard to the necessity of having the proposed new school at Thornhill completed before the winter weather sets in, will he have the plans of the new school, which are now said to he in his Department, passed at the earliest possible moment?

The Board are aware that a large number of children resident at Thornhill attend school at Egremont. Full details of the local education authority's proposals for the provision of a new public elementary school at Thornhill have only recently been submitted to the Board, and are now receiving their careful consideration. I have given instructions that the case shall be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education, in view of the fact that the teaching of the English language to deaf mutes, whether by means of the finger alphabet or by the more difficult method of speech and lip-reading, is a work which demands a specially trained teacher, what steps his Department is taking to provide an adequate supply of teachers who are fully qualified to undertake this important work?

The University of Manchester provides a special course of training for teachers of the deaf, which is recognised and assisted by the Board. Teachers who do not take this course before taking a post in a school for deaf children are expected, as a rule, to qualify themselves by passing an examination approved by the Board in the methods of teaching in schools for deaf children.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the case of local education authorities desirous of raising the school-leaving age to 15 years, he will consider sympathetically the grant of maintenance allowances for children over 14 years of age in those cases where the family income is below a reasonable standard to be fixed by the local education authority in consultation with the Board of Education?

I should certainly view with sympathy proposals for increased provision of maintenance allowances for children over 14, in accordance with the provisions of Schedule VII of the Code, which are designed to secure that the children receiving them shall derive educational advantage from the prolongation of their school life.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the reason for not starting these maintenance allowances until the age of 14? Why should they not start from birth?

That is a question of policy which we can discuss on the Estimates.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the last inquiry into the whole question of technical education dates back to the year 1881: and whether, in view of the importance of the subject, he will consider the advisability of instituting a new inquiry into the whole question of technical instruction in relation to the problem of education generally?

It is true that no general investigation into technical education has been undertaken since the year 1881; but I have no reason to suppose that there is any widespread demand for the institution of a similar inquiry now, and I am myself of opinion that more advantage is to be expected from the sectional inquiries into different departments of technical education which are now being undertaken in many places than from a general investigation of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be advisable to hold such an inquiry, in view of the necessity of training boys for the building trade and similar trades?

Is it not the fact that for 40 years since that inquiry great attention has been paid to the whole subject, and a great advance in knowledge has been made, and that a general in- quiry of this sort might much more hinder than advance the operations of the local authorities?

I am perfectly prepared to consider the matter, but at present there is no great demand for it. Sectional inquiries, such as that suggested by the hon. Member for Barrow (Mr. D. G. Somerville) are going on.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any deputation from any of the technical colleges, or from the Association of Technical Institutions?

Not on that question. I have not been asked for such an inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the certain proportion of scholars that school authorities are required by Regulation to admit free to secondary schools; whether these scholars are admitted free at the cost of the local ratepayers, whether their educational abilities are certified to be fit for it or not; and what proportion of these scholars complete their full time at the secondary schools?

The minimum percentage of free places required to be offered annually is ordinarily 25 per cent. of the total number of pupils admitted to the school during the previous year, but a lower percentage is allowed in particular cases. The primary responsibility for offering free places rests upon the local education authority or governing body providing the school. Whether the cost of a free place at a school not provided by an authority falls upon the rates depends upon the nature and extent of the rate aid, if any, given to the particular school. No candidates, whether free-place or fee-paying, may be admitted unless they pass the necessary entrance test. All pupils are expected to stay at least until the age of 16. Of the 25,000 free-place pupils who left in the school year 1921–22, 61·5 per cent. were over 36, the average age of leaving being 16 years 5 months. These figures represent an improvement on previous years, and the improvement is still continuing.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any power to compel some local authorities who charge extraordinary fees for secondary education to reduce them?

That is a different question, but I am considering it.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the feepaying pupils in secondary schools are inferior in calibre to those given free places?

I think that that is too bold a generalisation.

Is the test imposed on entrants to these schools one that is really commensurate with their benefiting by their studies?

Yes, Sir, the test is quite an effective one, taking the country all round.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will give particulars of the conditions under which commissions are obtained from the ranks in the Royal Air Force: if it has been decided that commissions shall be given to non-commissioned pilots: whether such commissions will be open to competition among the non-commissioned officer pilots at home and abroad: and if such commissions are permanent?

As the reply is rather long, T will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Mr. Mackay, a canteen manager at Farnborough, who had been declared substitutable and the vacancy advertised by the joint substitution board, has now been declared non-substitutable without any reference to that board: and whether he can state the record of service of Mr. Mackay during the War and the reason for the reversal of the previous decision?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part., the reason for the retention of Mr. Mackay, who was medically unfit for service in His Majesty's Forces in the War, was given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Spring-burn (Mr. Hardie), on 29th April last.

May I ask, from the point of view of Mr. Mackay—I do not want it to be said that I am reflecting in any way on his services—whether there was not an ex-service man who might have taken his place?

There was not one who was regarded as substitutable, but in view of the representations made to me by the officers at Farnborough and the local ex-service Civil Service. Associations, I think I did right to retain him.

Does the chairman of the Joint Substitution Board approve of the action taken by the Air Ministry?

I could not say.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement on the Mexican position: whether it, is intended now to send the Hohler Mission to Mexico: and, if so, when?

I have at present nothing to add to the replies which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to hon. Members on the 23rd instant in regard to this matter.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House any information about the position of Mrs. Evans?

I have had no further information about Mrs. Evans, but one of the staff of the Consul-General is being sent to investigate and report.

Are we to understand that no decision has been arrived at with regard to the Hohler Mission?

Not yet.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Income Tax in regard to the taxation of agents on behalf of non-resident principals; and, if so, when?

It is not the intention of the Government to introduce at present legislation dealing with the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax on the subject to which the hon. Member refers.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why

The hon. Gentleman's question was whether we had any intention at present. We have no intention to do so at present. As the hon. Gentleman knows, this is a highly technical subject—(HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"] —and, from those cheers, I think it is one which may very easily be highly controversial.

asked the Prime Minister what are the functions and duties of the Conference of Ambassadors; what purpose is served by the continued existence of this body: and whether or not he proposes to maintain indefinitely a British representative on the Council??

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to a reply given to the hon. Member for Hackney North (Mr. J Harris) on the 25th February. The British representative will continue to take part in the discussions of the Ambassadors' Conference so long as its work is unfinished.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that a lot of the work done by the Conference of Ambassadors could be better dealt with by the League of Nations?

I think the question of the functions of the Conference was covered in the reply given by the Prime Minister some time ago.

When is it anticipated that the work of the Conference will come to an end?

I could not answer that question without notice.

Was it not the pre-Election policy of the Labour party to dispense with the Conference of Ambassadors altogether?

There is no change in the Election policy of the Labour party.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how often the Conference of Ambassadors has sat during the last month?

Not without notice.

Is there any likelihood of the post-Election policy of the Labour party being put into operation?

asked the Prime Minister whether there is still a British representative on the Military Inter-Allied Committee at Versailles under Marshal Foch; what functions are discharged by this Committee and whether the British military attaché in Paris is a member of the Committee?

I have been asked to reply. The answers to the first and third parts of the question are in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Committee act in an advisory capacity to the Conference of Ambassadors on all military matters referred to that body.

Are we to take it that our military attaché is a subordinate of Marshal Foch?

I do not know why the hon. and gallant Gentleman should take that.

If the Ambassadors' Conference was dispensed with, should we not get rid of these costly officials?

You would still have a military attaché at Paris. There is only one extra officer involved in the duties performed in connection with the Inter-Allied Committee.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see if it is not possible for the Ambassador to agree to take on, dilutees?

That question should be put to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman accurate in stating that only one officer is attached to this Committee? Is it not, rather, that there is one officer attached to the military staff of the military attaché?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is quite correct and I am equally correct. What I said was, that there were two officers who would be there whether this work was being done or not, but only one additional to the ordinary establishment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount received for the month of May from the German Reparation Recovery Act, and the amount received for May, 1923?

In May, 1924, £138,000; in May, 1923, £688,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the difference?

It is in exact proportion to the reduction in the percentage.

Roughly half a million?

Just over half a million.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what compensating advantage the country has derived from this loss of revenue?

If the Noble Lord will address that question to the innumerable commercial associations which made representations in regard to this matter, I have no doubt that they will be able to inform him that they have got considerable advantage.

asked the Prime Minister if he will arrange that adequate facilities be given to the inmates of asylums to bring to the notice of the Royal Commission circumstances and conditions which, owing to the secrecy prevailing in lunacy institutions, do not usually come under the cognisance of the medical officers in charge thereof?

It will rest with the Royal Commission to decide what procedure they will adopt to inquire into the points to which my hon. Friend refers or receive evidence upon them. The Royal Commission will also have full power to visit mental hospitals in order to acquaint themselves with the conditions prevailing.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give some indication as to how soon it is his intention to appoint the promised Royal Commission to inquire into the defects in the Lunacy Law and administration and what are to be its composition and terms of reference?

A statement was published on Tuesday giving the composition and the terms of reference of the Royal Commission and a copy will be sent to my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists among hon. Members regarding the allocation of time for Debate between Members of the Front Benches and other Members of the House; and whether he will appoint a Committee to inquire and report as to the best method of allocation of time so as to secure that private Members have full opportunities for taking part in Debate?

I can only speak for the Members of the Government Front Bench, who are fully sensible of the desirability of making their speeches as brief as circumstances permit: bat I have no doubt that right hon. Gentlemen opposite and below the Gangway will be equally prepared to co-operate in this matter. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think that the appointment of a Committee would serve the purpose my hon. Friend has in view.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the recent Debate on the Housing Bill not one word was said about the state of rural housing, although numbers of Members wished to raise that question

The question I am asked relates not to quality, but to length.

Is it not the case that it is not in accordance with the recent practice of the House that when a Bill originates in Committee the Minister should make a long speech in moving the Second Reading, but should formally move it and reserve himself for a reply to the Debate?

The hon. Member was the first recently to complain of the brevity of a speech made by the President of the Board of Trade.

The right hon. Gentleman must be aware that he is introducing a totally irrelevant matter. May I ask him whether on the irrelevant occasion to which he refers it was unnecessary for the Minister to open, but if he did open be should have done something better than he did.

Is it not the sense of Members generally that speeches should be restricted to 15 minutes?

May I ask you, Sir, whether it is in order for any hon. Member of the House to impute motives?

No, but I do not discern an imputation here.

May I put it to you, Sir, that this matter should be carried a little further? We now have three Front Benches and a swollen list of Privy Councillors. I think some sort of Committee under your Presidency might look into the question of the length of speeches and the order of Debate.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is now making a speech at the wrong time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that at the cricket match between Surrey and Derbyshire at the Oval Cricket Ground on Wednesday and Thursday, 18th and 19th June, the charge for admission to the ground was is., including Entertainments Duty, the same as it was before the tax was reduced; and why this concession has not been passed on to the public?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to a similar question on the 19th June, I have no information as to the reasons for the charges levied by particular entertainment proprietors.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in this case, as is others, he would make full inquiry, and on the Finance Bill be prepared to make a full statement of the position?

As I have informed the hon. Member more than once, I am making inquiries into the matter. I understand he has put down an Amendment to the Finance Bill with the object of raising the matter, and I shall then be prepared to make a statement.

What progress, if any, has the right hon. Gentleman made?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any scheme ready for the use of the factory at Gretna for the purpose of industrial production on the lines of the Pearson Committee's Report in event of a fair price not being realised at the public sale of Gretna properties?

If the contingency referred to by the hon. Member should arise, the position regarding the property at Gretna will be further considered.

In the event of these buildings not being sold, will the hon. Gentleman consider letting them, in view of the numerous applications there are to rent houses?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any reserve price has been placed upon the public sale of Gretna factory?

Yes, Sir. A reserve price will be placed on each lot.

Has any valuation been ordered of the break-up value of any of these buildings in order to ascertain what can be obtained for them in any other way supposing the reserve price should not be reached?

I need hardly say the fullest information is in possession of the Department, but obviously it would be very wrong to divulge it.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think it is a violation of Socialist principles to sell this property?

I think not, because at present, if any attempt were made to deal with it, it would only be at very considerable national loss, and we are anxious to avoid that.

On what ground does the hon. Gentleman state that it would be a considerable loss, since they have made no investigation as to what could be manufactured there at a profit?

Would it be a violation of Socialist principles to run them at a loss?

rose—

This is becoming a debate.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the serious waste and deterioration of national property at Gretna, he will appoint a small committee composed of Members of this House to visit Gretna and report upon the best uses to which the properties could be put in the national interest?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs on the 12th May.

Is the hon. Member aware of the extraordinary divergence between the facts and figures with which he appears to be supplied on this question and the statements made by the people on the spot?

It is true that there is considerable difference of opinion, but I have looked into the matter very carefully and I am satisfied that we have given an accurate statement of the case. The decision to dispose of Gretna was taken in 1921. No offer has been received for the whole of the property, but small parts have been sold. An auction will be held next month, and if that fails we shall have to consider the whole position.

Is the hon. Member aware that the Pearson Committee examined this question and gave a list of industries that could be profitably carried out at Gretna, and has he looked into the report of that Committee and seen how far it applies at the present moment?

Will the Minister give an undertaking that the buildings will not be sold until his Department gets an instruction from this House that they have to sell them?

In deference to the views which prevail amongst hon. Members behind him, will the hon. Member consider the application of Gretna to a scheme of nationalisation of industry?

If the House will forgive me, I will only say this, especially in view of the auction which must take place next month, that an hon. Member opposite is putting down a question on this subject a night or two hence and on that occasion I intend to make a full statement regarding Gretna.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the arrangement entered into with the Russian Government for the coinage of money at the Mint; will he state what is the amount of coins to be minted here; whether the British Government supply the silver; whether the Russian Government pay to the Mint the full cost of the work; and whether any profit on the transaction is made by the Treasury?

The Royal Mint are striking 40,000,000 silver half-rouble or "poltinnik "coins for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from bullion which has been purchased by the Soviet Union. The agreed charges for manufacture are based on the charges made for analogous coinages struck at the Mint for Colonial or foreign Governments, and allow of a fair profit to the Mint. The manufacturing charges are met by the Soviet Union on each shipment of five million pieces, half in advance, and half on delivery in Russia.

Is the ordinary staff of the Mint being employed, or have extra men been pint on to do the work?

I cannot pledge myself, but as far as I know the ordinary staff of the Mint are quite capable of doing the work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his Department has any details of the airship which has been built in Germany for America; and can he give any details as to its size, passenger-carrying capacity, speed, number of its crew, and its probable cost?

As the reply is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the present financial condition of Yugo-Slavia, which has balanced its budget and stabilised its currency, he is prepared to advise the Trade Facilities Act Committee to extent the same sympathetic consideration to projects relating to the development of British trade in Yugo-Slavia as now obtains in the case of other European countries?

It is presumed that the hon. Member has in mind the Exports Credits rather than the Trade Facilities scheme and I have, therefore, been asked to reply. The Advisory Committee of the Export Credits Department are giving sympathetic consideration to applications respecting business with Yugo-Slavia. In the past three months sanctions have been granted in respect of 12 applications relating to that country, and only one application has been refused.

Is the hon. Member aware that the natural resources and possibilities of this country are very great, and that the Committee ought to be in fullest sympathy with any application that is made?

I do not think I could add anything beyond what I have said in my answer, that practically all the applications have been granted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the widely held opinion that the policy of a return to a gold standard by further deflation, as laid down by the Cunliffe Committee, is likely to result in an increase of unemployment, the Government will reconsider their policy on this question?

Before this question is answered, may I point out, Mr. Speaker, that it contains a statement of opinion on a very controversial subject. Is it right to say in a question that there is a "widely held opinion"?

I do not see the objection. Hon. Members often think that their opinions are widely held—even the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.

Is it not a rule of the House that matters of argument are excluded from questions?

I do not think there is anything objectionable in the statement. The hon. Member suggests that there is a widely held opinion. He takes the responsibility for that statement.

Are we to understand that such expressions of opinion will be permitted in other questions?

I shall use my discretion in each case. I see nothing harmful in this question.