asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that in 1860 leases of land were acquired, in accordance with treaty, by the British Government on terms of perpetual lease and, for the purpose of convenience, sub-leased to firms in Tientsin, Hankow, Chinkiang, Canton, Amoy and Kiukang on 99 years' leases; whether, in view of the approach of the end of this period, the British Government is now proposing to enforce higher terms for the extension of leases of all these properties; whether, seeing that it was the original intention that such land should be held in perpetuity, that foreign nations similarly interested to ourselves leased the land to their nationals in perpetuity, and that the land at other treaty ports in China, including Shanghai, is held on terms of perpetual lease, he will consider the effect of any demand for increased payments on the said British firms in competition with the said foreign firms, who will not be burdened by such additional charges; and whether, therefore, he will carry out the undoubted intention of the British Government of the time regarding these leases as granted in perpetuity?

I have been asked to reply to this question. It is the case that the original leases were granted to the British Government in perpetuity. The sub-leases, however, were granted to firms on 99 years' tenure on ordinary commercial terms, and not for the purpose of convenience, and the price paid by the firms was based on this tenure. A scheme for the renewal of the leases has been approved by the Government, who are satisfied that the terms offered are fair and reasonable. The points to which the hon. Member draws attention were carefully weighed by the Government in arriving at their decision.

In view of the great importance of the subject to British merchants in China, I should like to inquire whether the Secretary of State fur Foreign Affairs will be prepared to receive a deputation on the subject?

That will be for the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to determine; but the matter comes within the jurisdiction of tie First Commissioner of Works.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of ill-feeling has been created by the decision of the British authorities, and that they regard the action of the British authorities as a breach of faith? In view of that, will the right hon. Gentleman, in order to save time and further friction, appoint a Committee of three Members of this House, one from each party, to look into the matter.

On the contrary, the holders of some 64 per cent. of the lots have expressed their willingness to accept the terms, and the holders of only 6½ per cent. are opposed to the scheme. The lot holders of the remaining 29 per cent. have not said anything. What is asked for by the holders of 6½ per cent. of the lots is that they should be given a free gift of £40,000 a year. These lot holders bought their lots by auction on 99 years' leases. They now wish to convert these 99 years' leases into perpetual leases. To that I cannot agree.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to bring a deputation to him, to show him that he has been misinformed on this matter?

I will see any deputation, but there is no question of altering this decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any reports from China showing support from the British and Chinese to the project of building a railway for commercial development with the balance of the Boxer indemnity, the proceeds from the work of which should be devoted to education; whether the Government has received any official Report on the subject from His Majesty's Minister at Pekin; what is the opinion of the Chinese Government on the project; and what is the opinion of His Majesty's Government?

A proposal of this kind has been brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government, but not from any official source. It will be submitted to the Committee which is to advise on the utilisation of the funds, and by whose opinion His Majesty's Government will be guided. I do not know what is the opinion of the Chinese Government.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that this money goes to the benefit of Britishers, either in China or in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that 19 cases containing rifles and revolvers have been recently seized as contraband on board the German vessel "Schlesien," at Colombo, on the 8th July, the consignment being marked machinery for Kobé, but being apparently intended for China; whether, in view of the embargo upon the importation of arms into China, he will take steps to ascertain whether this consignment was in fact intended for China; and, if so, by whom it, was despatched?

The Governor of Ceylon has reported that the steamship "Schlesien," on arrival at Colombo, was found to have on board certain cases, manifested as machinery, but found on examination to contain firearms and ammunition. The cases were forfeited and the master fined. No doubt the local authorities will take any necessary steps to ascertain the origin and destination of the cargo.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send instructions to his representatives in Ceylon to take care that no consignments of this kind shall get through, without very careful examination?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since this case there has been another one of a similar kind, where more ammunition has been found?

The noble Lord will observe how very general my answer was. It was made very general, deliberately, not to play into the hands of those who were guilty. I will say no more than that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Council of the League of Nations at its last meeting ordered that copies of a draft treaty of disarmament and security prepared by an influential American committee should be circulated to States members of the Council; whether a copy of this document has been received by His Majesty's Government; and, if so, whether it can be made available to Members of the House of Commons?

I am aware of the decision referred to, but the draft treaty has not yet reached His Majesty's Government.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the Government propose making the promised statement on this question of the. Treaty of Mutual Guarantee?

That is the subject of another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that, at the annual meeting of the Association of the League of Nations Unions at Lyons, a proposal favouring the adoption of the geographic principle in respect of the election of non-permanent members of the Council of the League was rejected; whether the British delegation to the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva has always supported the adoption of this principle in filling the seats specified; whether this is still the policy of the British Government, and will be recommended to its delegates to the coming meeting of the Assembly in September; and whether the British Government has any responsibility for the resolutions or recommendations of the British League of Nations Unions?

My information, taken from the French Press, is that a resolution of the kind referred to was adopted, and not rejected. The answer to the second and third parts of the question is in the affirmative, subject to the proviso that the geographical factor is only one of several to be considered. His Majesty's Government have, of course, no responsibility whatever for the actions of any League of Nations Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the differences over the Mosul question have yet been referred to the League of Nations, or whether it is proposed to carry on further negotiations directly with the Turkish Government?

The British case for submission to the League is being prepared. Pending its actual submission to the League, His Majesty's Government have expressed their readiness to consider any new proposals which the Turkish Government may wish to make.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can supply Members of the House of Commons with any information as to the proceedings of the International Labour Conference, held this year at Geneva, giving the names of the British representatives, the subjects discussed, and the results of the discussions?

The July issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," of which I will send the right hon. Gentleman a copy, will contain a short article on the discussion at the recent International Labour Conference. I am also sending the right hon. Gentleman a list or the British representatives at the Conference. A Command Paper referring to the only recommendation finally adopted by the Conference will be published as soon as the authenticated text is available.

Is it not a fact that in order to get all the publications of the International Labour Office you have to pay a subscription of £8 a year? That is beyond my means and the means of many people. Would the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing a short account of what took place in the form of a White Paper, so that Members can know what is going on and, if they are interested in any particular subject, can apply for a particular volume and read it in detail?

I am willing to consider the suggestion, but I must see to what it amounts before I Call give a definite answer. If I have to publish everything in which everybody is interested, obviously the publication will be as extensive as the publications of the International Labour Office itself.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that if the House of Commons has to discuss Bills based upon recommendations of the Labour Conference, Members are entitled to have the information which is at the disposal of the Government?

I have told the right hon. Gentleman where he will get information on the point raised in the question. I am sending him a copy, with descriptive article, of the proceedings, and as soon as the recommendation itself is ready, the authenticated text will be issued.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange that the same information as is sent to the right hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Bridgeman) is sent also to all Members of the House?

Is it not the fact that the International Labour Office will send free of charge a very considerable quantity of literature to those who wish to receive it, with a reference to other documents I hat can be seen in London?

I would be pleased to send a copy of this Gazette to any Member who desires to have it. With regard to the second question, it is a fact that the International Labour Office issues free of charge to any applicant extensive and voluminous documents concerning its work.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is that, when I have applied to the League of Nations Office for this information, they have told me that I could get it only by subscribing £8 a year, or £1 a year?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to whether the Russo-Caucasian Company, Limited, which has been ordered by the Soviet Government to liquidate its business and withdraw its capital and its manager, Mr. Thomas Carr, from Russia, will be allowed after all to continue trading with Russia; and, if not, why not?

I understand that the liquidation and expulsion orders are suspended pending the result of fresh negotiations between the Russo-Caucasian Company and the Soviet authorities.

Is it not the general policy of the Soviet Government to prevent private companies trailing with Russia, in order that the State may have a monopoly?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the money agreed to be paid by the Russian Government in compensation for the arrest of the British trawlers on the Murmansk coast has been paid; what is the amount; who is administering the distribution of the money; and what is the amount to be paid to the dependants of those fishermen who lost their lives?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second part, £30,103 has been paid by the Soviet Government; to the third part, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, to whom the last part of the question should be addressed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of an Irish Free State passport control office being set up in New York to deal with the very large number of foreign subjects applying for visas for the Irish Free, State, he will state what measures he proposes to take to prevent undesirable aliens from entering Great Britain via the Free State?

In cases where it is known that an applicant intends to visit the United Kingdom as well as the Irish Free State, he will be required to obtain a supplementary British Consular visa. It is not anticipated that undesirable aliens will succeed in entering the United Kingdom by obtaining an Irish Free State visa without declaring their intention of going on to this country, since the Irish Free State passport control office will be in possession of the same information as the British passport control office, and will proceed on the same lines.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how it is possible to prevent a foreigner coming over to Ireland and then coming to this country, quite unknown to the Irish Free State passport office in New York? How is it possible to prevent that without having passports between the Free State and this country?

The Irish passport control office may be trusted not to allow any undesirable aliens to come over to Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make a statement as to the attitude of the Egyptian Government with respect to the payment of annuities of the Turkish Tribute Loan; and whether the Foreign Office was or has since been notified that the financial adviser to the Egyptian Government, in remitting the first instalment due after Turkey's entrance into the War, informed the Bank of England that Egypt would continue to make these payments provisionally, but that at the end of the War the matter would have to be reconsidered?

I understand that the Egyptian Minister has been instructed to present a memorandum explaining the attitude which the Egyptian Government have seen fit to adopt. There is nothing in the records of the Foreign Office to show that a communication of the nature indicated in the question was made to the Bank of England, but His Majesty's Government have never accepted the validity of any suggestion that Egypt is not under the obligation to continue to meet the service of these loans.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Treaty of Lausanne has been ratified by His Majesty?

The reply is in the affirmative, and the instrument is being sent to Paris for immediate deposit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the American Government has issued new emigration regulations by which every adult, child, or infant entering the United States of America will be required to furnish a visa certificate, which costs about £2 10s. (10 dollars); if he is aware that two birth certificates are now demanded from every person entering the United States of America, as well as two marriage certificates from married persons; and whether he intends to make any representation regarding the new regulations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The immigrant is required to submit a duly completed application form in duplicate. The United States visa is to be affixed to one of these, instead of to the passport, as in the case of non-immigrants. No further endorsement is required, and the fee is the same as that charged for an ordinary visa. The position in regard to certificates is as stated by the hon. Member. It is not open to His Majesty's Government to make representations on this subject, since it is the prerogative of every Government to decide the conditions upon which foreign nationals may enter their territories.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that three married men were discharged from the Admiralty Department at Janson Street, Sheffield, on the 5th of July, whilst a single man who started at the same time as the married men was kept on; and whether be can state the reason for preference being given to single men?

No inquiries were male as to whether the men were married or unmarried. The man retained was the most suitable for the work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the deliberations of the Committee which is considering post-War widows' pensions are likely to be concluded?

I presume that in referring to a committee the Noble Lady has in mind the conference between representatives of the three Services indicated in my reply of 30th April last to the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth, regarding the promulgation of the post-War Regulations governing awards to widows, etc., of seamen and marines. Agreement has not yet been reached on certain of the outstanding points, but I hope that this will be effected and the full Regulations promulgated at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in assessing compassionate allowances for children, A.F.O. 708/21, providing £16 per annum in ordinary circumstances, and £25 per annum in the case of motherless children, irrespective of the officer's rank, will be taken into consideration?

Allowances to children of commissioned officers at the rate of £16 per annum in ordinary circumstances, and £25 in motherless cases, have been in force since the 13th August, 1920. The rates for children of mates, commissioned officers from warrant rank, warrant officers, Royal Navy and Royal Marines, coastguard officers and quartermasters, Royal Marines, are still under consideration, and when settled awards already made to the children of such officers who died on or after the 13th August, 1920, will be re-assessed as from that date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can make any further statement with reference to the granting of marriage allowances to naval officers, in view of the hardships already arising as a result of recent cuts in naval pay?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that numbers of married naval officers, faced by a reduction in pay, with boys at school and two homes to keep up, have no alternative ahead of them but to withdraw the sons from school, and in some cases to allow their wives to undertake work, unless an allowance in respect of marriage can be granted, as in the case of the officers and men of the Royal Air Force and the Army, and to the lower deck of the Navy; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement?

The matter is one of great complexity, but there will be no delay in announcing a decision when once it has been reached.

When will that be?

As soon as possible.

Can we have an assurance that a decision upon this matter, which cannot wait, will be reached before the end of the Session?

I cannot give any such undertaking.

Is it a fact that the naval officer is still the worst paid of the public servants of this country?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that on the 31st July next the 300th anniversary of the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers from the Humber will be celebrated by a commemoration service at Old Killingholme Creek, near Immingham Dock lock, from where they embarked, and by the unveiling of a monument which has been erected by the Anglo-American Society; that an American man-of-war will be present; and that the proceedings have aroused great interest in the United States of America; and whether it will be possible for the British Navy to be represented at this important historical ceremony?

It has been decided that His Majesty's ship "Godetia" will represent the British Navy at the ceremony in question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that while the organisers of the ceremony welcome the presence of any warship they would have much preferred a more modern and powerful vessel?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that I have gone to considerable trouble in this respect and that this is the very best that can be done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that an established man, on discharge from the dockyard, cannot draw unemployment benefit, but that the hired man in like circumstances can do so; and if he will arrange that established men shall be allowed, previous to discharge, to contribute toward unemployment benefit while serving, as they do to national health, and so become eligible for benefit between the time of discharge and the finding of work?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the Unemployment Insurance Acts do not permit of the payment of contributions in respect of persons such as the established men referred to, who are engaged in an "excepted" employment; nor do they provide for the payment of contributions voluntarily. I have, therefore, no power to make the arrangement suggested.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. E. W. Pascoe, of 59, Gloucester Street, Devonport, who had been employed in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, as a rivet boy and as a riveter from the age of 15 until the age of 30, has now been reverted to labourer in the paint shop, with a loss of 9s. per week in wages, and this, although during the period of his service he invented a riveting machine, which is in present use by the Admiralty, and a pneumatic sweating machine; and whether he will take steps to encourage the abilities of Mr. Pascoe and generally of those who have shown remarkable aptitude?

As this question refers to an individual, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the hon. Member guarantee to us that skilled men who have shown a particular aptitude are not degraded in Government establishments to the status of unskilled labourers, with the result that there is a considerable loss of pay and a considerable loss of protection while they are in the service of the country?

The hon. Member cannot enter into an argument.

I have asked that as a question, and that is why I want an answer.

Following is the answer:

The capabilities of Mr. Pascoe are known to the dockyard officers, but he could not be retained as a riveter without injustice to men of much greater seniority and of equal merit as riveters, as there was not enough riveting work to provide employment for all the qualified men in the yard.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the cast of the acting subordinate officers of the C.M.'s and E.M.'s Department of His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, who have been carrying out the duties of acting inspectors of trades and also in higher ranks for a considerable period and particularly during the War, are threatened with supersession and reversion to a, lower rank, although they all qualified with a good percentage of marks at the 1908 and/or 1912 examinations and would in the ordinary course have been confirmed in their ranks after five years' acting time; whether he is aware that these men were compelled to compete again in the 1023 examinations with all entrants above 25 years of age (approximately 700 in one trade alone), and to ensure the retention of their appointments they had to attain the topmost position on the new lists; and whether he will see that none of these acting inspectors are reverted until the whole question has been further considered?

It is not the case that all acting inspectors who had qualified at an examination and who had held their acting ranks for a period of five years would in the ordinary course have been confirmed in their ranks. Confirmation after five years' continuous acting service is, in fact, granted only in those cases where subordinate professional officers have acted in lieu of confirmed officers of the rank detached from the dockyards on overseeing duties. As regards the last part of the question, it is not contemplated that officers acting in lieu of confirmed officers on overseeing duties shall be reverted or superseded. Certain officers, holding acting appointments were reverted, however, upon the application of post-War complements when the posts were filled by confirmed officers.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to revise this system of submitting men who have done long and consistent service to new examinations, at a time when they are getting on in years, and thus depriving them of their jobs?

All these questions are considered very carefully by the organisations concerned, and, as far as I am able to gather, this form of treatment is quite in harmony with the wishes of the parties generally.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the average service engine-room artificers will have completed during the financial year 1923–24 before being promoted to chief engine-room artificer (second class); whether it will be possible for engine-room artificers promoted to chief engine-room artificers this year to become chief engine-room artificers (first class) before discharge to pension; and, if not, will he consider amending the Regulations to permit chief engine-room artificers (second class) to be promoted to chief engine-room artificers (first class) after two years' confirmed service in the former rating?

The answer to the first of the question is 14 years 11 months. With regard to the second part, it is not possible to know in advance which particular ratings will be promoted this financial year, but it is anticipated that nearly all engine-room artificers advanced to chief engine-room artificers, second class, this year will become chief engine-room artificers, first class, before discharge to pension. With regard to the third part, it is not proposed to amend the Regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is proposed in future to publish the unit costs of manufacture at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory and at the Royal Naval Cordite Factory?

In the public interest it is not proposed to publish the unit costs in future, but the information is avail- able for the Public Accounts Committee if they desire it.

Is the reason for not publishing these figures the anxiety of the Government to conceal the results of State trading?

Will the Government not extend this State manufacture of munitions so as to cut out altogether the private manufacturer?

I will convey that suggestion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state the exact loss incurred in connection with the two oil tankers built by the Admiralty for a private firm; and what percentage the loss bears to the contract price?

I am not yet in a position to state the exact loss, but the Provisional Account to 31st December, 1923, included in the Volume of Trading Accounts and Balance Sheets, 1922–23 (House of Commons Paper No. 109) shows the net loss, after taking into account the overhead charges of the yards and allowances for insurance and interest, as £208,275. The final account is not expected to show any material variation. On the basis of the figure of £208,275, the loss is, approximately, 33⅓ per cent. of the amount paid by the purchasers of the vessels.

Will the Admiralty take care not to repeat an experiment of this kind?

The same circumstances are not likely to arise. The work was given in response to an appeal, in order that the men might be kept at work.

Why is it that the Royal Dockyards should not be able to turn out this work at a lower cost than 33⅓ per cent. in excess of the cost in a private yard?

My right hon. Friend should remember that we have got to deduct the overhead charges, etc., which would reduce the amount to something like £60,000, and further that this work was given in response to an urgent request to keep the yards employed, regardless of whether there was a profit or not.

Is it not the case that about the same time the cost of shipping fell, and that the private yards which were building suffered a severe loss just as the Government yards did on these vessels?

My impression is that that is the fact.

Does not my hon. Friend think that he could keep the national yards employed by ceasing to send Government work to private yards?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in view of the fact that the director of contracts in his Department issued tender forms for supplies of fresh vegetables to the victualling yards of Gosport and Plymouth to run from 1st November, 1923, to 31st October, 1924, and that contracts were accepted by tenderers for the whole of this period, and that in spite of this new tenders were invited on 23rd April last to operate during the months of May and June last, if he will say why a step of this kind, which is in the interests of private contractors who had agreed to perform a definite contract and against the interests of the State, should have been taken?

The step taken was justified by the change in market prices since the contract was entered into, and this was properly taken into account as a matter of fair dealing between the Department and the contractors.

Does the converse also apply, so that when prices change in favour of the contractor, the Admiralty in its turn can have the advantage?

If the circumstances arose as suggested by my right hon. Friend, I would of course go into the matter.

Would this sort of transaction be tolerated in any private firm?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if an officer in receipt of disability retired pay will suffer any reduction in his retired pay as from the 1st July last, observing that another officer with a similar disability but not being a regular officer would not suffer any reduction?

All rates of service retired pay are being reduced by 5½ per cent. approximately, and consequently the service element in any award of retired pay to a disabled officer has been reduced. Disablement elements are unaffected by the reduction, and consequently the retired pay of a disabled officer which includes no service element, will not be reduced.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the apprenticeship system is becoming almost extinct; and if he is willing to take any steps in order to revive it, in view of the fact that many lads between 14 and 18 who have never been taught any skilled trade are at present drawing unemployment benefit?

I am aware that changes in the organisation of method of production in conjunction with industrial depression have tended of late years to reduce the extent to which apprenticeship prevails, but I am not in a position to say whether this tendency will continue to operate. I am, however, as opportunity offers, encouraging the appropriate industrial organisations to consider the subject. The hon. and gallant Member will no doubt appreciate that, even in the most favourable circumstances, only a comparatively small proportion of youths can become apprentices. The hon. and gallant Member will be aware that boys under 16 cannot draw unemployment benefit.

Can the right hon. Gentleman call together the Members of all parties in the House for a conference on this question of juvenile unemployment, which is national, and must be dealt with before the winter comes?

Regarding apprenticeship, is it not a fact that an unskilled man to-day is usually as well paid as, if not better paid than, the man who has served his time?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has, until recently, been the policy of the Admiralty to put apprentices out of the Royal dockyards and to force them to go to America?

I cannot give an answer to the first supplementary question on the spur of the moment. In regard to the second question, it is a fact that, in many cases, highly skilled men are being paid a wage a little above or as low as what is known as unskilled pay. The third question, regarding the Admiralty, might be put to the appropriate Department.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the collapse of the Severn barrage scheme and the decision of the Government not to proceed with the Channel Tunnel, he can indicate exactly what solution the Government have in mind for the unemployment problem?

There is no ground for the statement that the Severn barrage scheme has collapsed; on the contrary the initial steps necessary for determining whether it is likely to be a practicable scheme are progressing satisfactorily. The further plans of the Government for the relief of unemployment cannot be dealt with by way of question and answer, but an opportunity for discussing them will, no doubt, arise before the Recess.

In view of the decision not to proceed—

Too many supplementary questions are being put to-day.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any instructions are issued to Employment Exchanges with a view to checking the supply of cheap labour to catering employers; and what is the minimum rate of wages below Which work is not now offered to women at these Exchanges?

No such instructions have been issued. It is no part of the duty of Exchanges to inquire as to whether wages are suitable, provided always that there is no minimum rate fixed by law which is being infringed. When the question of stoppage of benefit arises, there are rules with which no doubt my hon. Friend is familiar.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that recently, at one of the Exchanges, a woman was offered a job at 10s. a week for work in a picture-house cafe from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and that she had her benefit stopped because she refused the job? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that that is suitable employment within the meaning of the rules?

I am not aware of that case, but if the hon. Member will give me particulars I will have inquiries made.

It is quite a common case.

That is a statement; want the facts. If details of the case are supplied to me, I will look into it, and see exactly what can be done. Certainly the rules that are laid down for Committees do not at any rate prescribe that they shall act in a manner like that.

When is the right hon. Gentleman going to set up a trade board, and stop the sweating in this industry?

We are now considering the matter in every case where a definite application is made, and the possibility shows itself that a trade desires a trade board.

The trade does not desire it, but the country does.

My right hon. Friend has ample information.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that under a scheme sanctioned by his Department the Salisbury City Council built houses on which 79 per cent. of the labour employed was unskilled; that such houses were in all respects excellent; that their cost was £200 each less than that of similar houses built by contract at the same place and time; and whether he will publish the details of the scheme under which they were built?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the Salisbury City Council, under a special direct labour scheme for training ex-service men, built 20 houses of concrete. The cost of these houses was approximately £792 each, and an estimate of the labour costs shows a saving of £75 a house over the labour costs if the houses had been built at contract prices. The total difference in cost as compared with brick houses built by contract during the same period quoted by the hon. Member seems to need adjustment for difference in the size of the houses, but it was substantial. The houses were built of concrete blocks or slabs made on the site, and a large proportion of labour by trainees unskilled in the building trades was employed. The conditions in this case were somewhat special. My right hon. Friend has no doubt that the city council will be pleased to furnish information on points of detail to anyone interested.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think, in view of the very heavy expenditure on building which this House is asked to sanction, that any information which would lead to economy should be placed at the disposal of the House?

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that co-operative societies, building societies, and other benevolent institutions have hitherto advanced large sums of money whereby housing schemes have been carried through, he will consider approaching these bodies with the suggestion that in order to encourage house building they should set an example to banks and other money-lending institutions by advancing money free of interest for the purpose of building houses to be let at low rents?

No, Sir.

Does the negative apply to the first part or the second part of the question?

The answer which I gave covers the whole of the question.

Surely the hon. Gentleman dues not return a negative to the statement that co-operative societies have lent money for assisting housing schemes.

Has the Minister made any comparison between the rates of interest charged by co-operative societies and those charged by banks and other money-lending institutions?

asked the Minister of Health if he will state his reasons for refusing to circularise the chairmen of housing committees of all local authorities in Great Britain in order to ascertain their views on the proposed limitation in the size of houses in respect of which contributions may be paid under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill?

My right hon. Friend's reason is that the question has already been adequately discussed with authorised representatives of the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that the size of houses specified in the Government's Housing Bill is smaller than he himself desired because of the supposed wishes of local authorities, he will now take steps to increase the size, in view of the fact that at the annual meeting of the Municipal Corporations Association, held on the 9th instant, a resolution was passed in favour of local authorities being allowed greater latitude as to the maximum size of houses required in their areas?

The proposals on this matter in the Housing Bill are based on the recommendation made by the representatives of the Local Authorities Associations authorised to negotiate with me. My right hon. Friend cannot at this stage contemplate varying these proposals.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the annual meeting of the Municipal Corporations Association has not confirmed these negotiations and, in view of that fact, will he take steps either at the end of the trace-year period or earlier, to have this question reviewed.

I understand the Municipal Corporations Association, at the annual conference, took the action stated by the hon. Member, but there are certain other representative associations of local authorities which have taken no such action, and a general question of policy like this is a matter to be raised in Debate.

asked the Minister of Health whether any document is in the possession of his Department showing the number of hospitals, isolation hospitals, tubercular sanatoria, asylums for the mentally defective, and Poor Law institutions situated in agricultural parishes; and if he will make it available to Members of this House who sit for county constituencies?

My right hon. Friend is afraid that no document giving the information which the hon. Member has in mind is available. He will be glad, however, to endeavour to obtain information as regards any particular parish for which hon. Members may ask.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that the village of Hatton, in the county of Warwick, had in 1911 a population of 1,524, of which more than 1,200 were officials of and inmates in the county mental hospital, this village is therefore ineligible for the £12 10s. subsidy proposed under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill?

My right hon. Friend will endeavour to obtain the latest information regarding the properties in this parish and will communicate it to the hon. Member.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the position revealed in the question?

The information contained in the question is insufficient to form any conclusion.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to express an opinion upon the new method of laying bricks in cottage construction which is being tried at Ton-bridge; and, if not, when he will be in a position to do so, in view of its important bearing upon the new housing proposals?

My right hon. Friend understands that this new method is still in an experimental stage and steps are being taken to improve its working. Up to the present, it has only been tried on a small scale, and it is not possible yet to express any opinion on it.

asked the Minister of Health whether the building trade and the several trades unions concerned have explicitly accepted the Housing Bill as constituting a guarantee in return for which they are prepared to carry out the various undertakings specified in the Report of the National House Building Committee?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now had an opportunity of consulting the trade unions regarding the, Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill; whether they have accepted the Bill as fulfilling the conditions asked for by them in the Housing Bill Committee's Report; and whether they have given any pledge that if the Bill is passed they will undertake to arrange both for an increase of apprenticeship and for the upgrading of men experienced in the building trade, as promised in that Report?

The Housing Bill has been public property for some time and no objection has been raised to it by the authorised representatives of the building trade on the ground of inconsistency with the proposals of the National House Building Committee. On the contrary, the leaders of the operatives have assured my right hon. Friend during the last few days that they will promote it enthusiastically. Some criticisms of the Bill by the National Federation of Building Trades Employers have just reached my right hon. Friend, but these seem largely based on misunderstandings of the actual proposals and on forecasts of probable results which he cannot accept.

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly reply to that part of the question which asks whether the building trade and the several trade unions concerned have explicitly accepted the Bill.

They have never been asked.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the protection of out-tenants and the general advantage that would accrue by the fixing of rents for rooms let furnished and unfurnished; and whether he will introduce legislation to give effect to the same?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. B. Turner) on the 4th instant in reply to a similar question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the East End of London houses are being converted into small works or places of business; that housing shortage is particularly acute in that locality; whether he will state for the years 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924 the number of houses so converted in Bethnal Green, Finsbury, Hackney, Poplar, Stepney and Shoreditch; and whether he will, during the housing shortage, prohibit such conversion of houses, or any portion thereof, into works or business houses?

My right hon. Friend has no figures showing the extent of the progress referred to by the hon. Member. He has previously stated that he cannot in any case deal with the matter this Session.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that each local authority has power to prevent this kind of work being done?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many of the subsidised houses in the Mosspark district of Glasgow provided by the corporation of that city are let to tenants who are in receipt of substantial incomes; and whether he will recommend to the Corporation of Glasgow the advisability in future of making inquiries as to the means of those applying for houses, in order that preference may be given to the poorer applicants?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information as to the financial position of tenants at Mosspark, but I understand that the Corporation of Glasgow have recently had under consideration the question of the letting of houses in their housing scheme, and have adopted certain rules for the regulation of such letting in future which provide inter alia for a maximum family income of £350. The houses in question are provided for the working classes generally, and I should hesitate to interfere with the discretion of the local authority in the matter.

May I ask if it is a fact that they are provided for the working classes, seeing that the lowest rent chargeable, including rates, amounts to almost £1 a week? Does not that prove that they are denied to the working classes and that only people with substantial incomes can occupy these houses?

Is it true that some of the occupants of these houses are in fact registered owners of private motor cars?

The right hon. Gentleman said these houses are for working-class people, but I want to ask, if the rents and rates charged approximate £1 a week, how can working-class people pay that rent, and are they not reserved for well-to-do people?

I have no information as to whether any of the tenants at Moss-park have motor cars.

They have.

I have no such information, although the hon. Member may have. With regard to the other point, it is very difficult for certain sections of the working classes to meet a rent of £1 a week.

Does it not depend on the size of the family?

asked the Minister of Health who are to form the committee which are to guarantee the building of the municipal houses under his housing scheme; whether they are to be representatives of the Building Committee whose Report is published in Cmd. 2104; whether representatives of the House Builders' Committee will be included; and whether its sub-committees are to have the power of rationing municipalities with labour and squeezing out builders who do not conform to its conditions as suggested in the Report?

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make an announcement as to the constitution of the committee to which the right hon. Gentleman refers, but he may take it that representatives of all branches of the building industry will be included. The principal duties of the sub-committees will be to see that sufficient labour and materials are available for the number of houses to be erected in the locality under the housing scheme. They will have no power to squeeze out any type of builder.

Will my hon. Friend's right hon. Friend be in a position to make a statement before the Housing Bill leaves this House?

An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to the number of applicants who have had previous experience, e.g., building trade labourers, who will be permitted to become skilled craftsmen under the scheme for building municipal houses guaranteed by the Building Committee in Command Paper 2104, which he has accepted as the basis of his Housing Bill?

My right hon. Friend has no information on the point referred to by the right hon. Gentleman. If will be a condition of every contract that apprentices up to a total ratio of one apprentice to three craftsmen shall be employed in certain trades, and in considering applications special consideration will be given to men with previous experience in the trade.

Does that refer to apprentices under 20 or to builders' labourers who may become trained and fully skilled craftsmen?

I think men in training would be included.

Are they limited to the age of 20?

Provision is made in the Report accepted by the industry for taking in, for special training, people already in the industry.

Over 20?

Yes.

When the hon. Gentleman says "certain trades," does that include both bricklayers and plasterers?

Yes.

Is it not a fact that the Bricklayers' Union refused to allow apprentices or builders' labourers over 20 to join?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the absence of skilled men in the building industry adequate to carry out the programme outlined in the Housing Bill, he will grant assistance to local authorities who wish to train selected unemployed ex-service men, trade unionists, and others, in order to supplement the limited supply of skilled labour now available for the building of the municipal houses?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend thinks that the only practical way of securing the necessary augmentation of building labour is by a scheme of apprenticeship on the lines recommended by the National House Building Committee.

Then we are to take it that the policy of the Government is to exclude from the building trade, which requires these men, all men over 20, ex-service men and others, not already in?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. F. S. Clarke, an ex-service man, against whom an ejectment order was granted by the Magistrates at Attleborough, Norfolk, on 14th April last; under what Section of the Act such an order can be made without alternative accommodation being provided; and, seeing that this man is suffering as a result of war service, will he take steps to prevent this hardship being imposed upon him and his family?

My right hon. Friend's attention had not been previously drawn to this case. He has no authority to intervene. He is writing to the hon. Member, in reply to a letter he has received from him, to-day.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps, if any, have been taken by his Department to re-open the vacant State factory at Woolwich and equip it with machinery in order to carry nut the engineering requirements of the Russian Government, who are prepared to place sufficient orders in this country to provide 70,000 engineering workers with employment for at least 12 months?

I regret that, from the description given, I have not been able to identify the factory referred to, and perhaps my hon. Friend will let me have further particulars.

Before he prepared that reply, did the right hon. Gentleman refer to the many promises which the Prime Minister made on this subject when he was last in Woolwich?

That was the time when you were fighting in Horatio Bottomley's candidature.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a poison gas factory at Sutton, St. Helens, Lancashire, closed down since the declaration of peace, is again showing signs of activity; and, as this works is situated in a thickly populated district, will he make inquiry with a view to the selection of a site more appropriate for such a purpose?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware that this factory is showing any special signs of activity. A wall to enclose War Department property is being built there, and some experiments are being carried out, but these are less extensive than they were some little time ago. The factory is in the main a war reserve factory and is not doing any manufacturing work. With regard to the last part of the question, full inquiry was made before the site was chosen, and I am not aware of any equally suitable site. Though the surrounding country is thickly populated, the factory itself is somewhat isolated, and its presence involves nor more risk to the neighbourhood than would any other munition or chemical establishment. No complaints were received in the past, even when the factory was producing on a war scale.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the great hardship and the consequent breaking up of the homes of persons in receipt of Poor Law assistance caused by the action of certain boards of guardians in refusing to authorise nonresident relief; and will he secure legislation whereby it shall be made compulsory upon all Poor Law authorities to grant non-resident relief, thus obviating the removal of recipients to other legal places of settlement?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in consequence of the refusal of certain boards of guardians to authorise nonresident relief great hardship, and even breaking up of homes, has been caused to many people in receipt of Poor Law assistance; and will he take steps to secure legislation whereby it shall be compulsory upon all Poor Law authorities to grant non-resident relief, thus obviating the removal of recipients to their legal place of settlement?

My right hon. Friend understands that this matter is engaging the attention of the Association of Poor Law Unions in England and Wales, and he will be prepared to consider any proposals which the Association think it desirable to submit to him.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state what steps the Government have taken to stop the trans-shipment of whiskey from this country to the United States of America, in accordance with his recent promise?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs) on 16th June, this matter is receiving consideration by the Departments concerned. I am not at present in a position to add anything to that statement. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that the extent of my undertaking was that I would consult my colleagues to see whether anything could be done in this matter. This is being done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman also considering the question of the trans-shipment of whiskey to America via Hamburg and Antwerp?

Obviously, that is not my job. All I can do is to transmit my desire that the matter should be very carefully considered by the Departments concerned.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman ask the help of Lord Stevenson, who has been so successful at Wembley?

Would it not be wise to let America look after its own affairs?