asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreement has been sought with the French Government with regard to the money raised by the French Customs levies on British goods entering the Ruhr during the recent occupation; and whether it has been decided what is to become of this money obtained from British merchants?

:The question of the disposal of receipts obtained from the Ruhr occupation will be dealt with at the Conference of Finance Ministers to be held in Paris next month.

:Has nothing been done by the last three Governments on this matter? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have been periodically asking questions for two years now?

:I am afraid I have not looked up the hon. and gallant Gentleman's record.

:It has nothing to do with my record. It has to do with money taken from British merchants. Has anything been done by the last three Governments?

:I must have notice of that. It is not in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he suggested to M. Herriot that he should discuss with M. Briand in Rome the formation of a pact between France and Great Britain against the dangers which might come from Bolshevism, Germany, and the Moslem world, and if he is aware that such action is likely to cause offence to our Moslem fellow-subjects?

:The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. I made no such suggestion to M. Herriot.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any recent news has been received from Montenegro; and whether he is in a position to lay Papers before the House?

:The information recently received from Montenegro is scarcely of sufficient interest to lay before the House. There does not appear to be anything abnormal in conditions in that country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons have been executed and how many imprisoned for political crimes in the Sudan or in Egypt, directly or indirectly, under orders of British officers, during the months of November and December (part)?

:No persons have been executed for political crimes either in Egypt or the Sudan during the period mentioned. In the Sudan three officers were convicted of mutiny, and were shot on the 5th of December. No arrests and imprisonments have been made by the Sudan Government except in the ordinary process of law. In Egypt three persons suspected of an intention to provoke political—why should I call it "political" —murder were arrested by the British military authorities, but were handed over immediately to the Egyptian authorities at the request of the Egyptian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that British holders of the Ottoman four per cent, loan of 1891, the prospectus of which stated that His Highness the Khedive of Egypt had undertaken to pay the annual sum of £280,622 18s. 4d. for the service of this loan and that this engagement would continue until the whole of the loan had been redeemed, are likely to lose their dividends because the Egyptian Government contend that their liability to make such payment came to an end when Egypt became an independent State; and whether His Majesty's; Government propose to take any steps in the matter?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, I regret that I can add nothing to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ilford on the 11th instant.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the advice of the British Financial Adviser to the Egyptian Government has been to the effect that the Egyptian Government should pay this money, or whether the Egyptian Government have not taken his advice at all?

:I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the recent mutiny of the 11th Sudanese battalion was largely caused by propaganda instigated by the Communist International, that revolutionary leaflets emanating from this source were distributed among the soldiers, and that the International is under the control and direction of the Soviet Government, he will state what steps are being taken to prevent this anti-British propaganda, in breach of the undertakings repeatedly given by the Soviet Government?

:I am not yet fully informed of all the circumstances connected with the mutiny in the Sudan, but all the information in my possession leads me to think that it was due entirely to Egyptian provocation.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that from Moscow propaganda of a revolutionary nature is being disseminated amongst coloured people throughout the country, and can he say what steps the Government propose to take to prevent it?

:That is not the question which my hon. and gallant Friend put on the Paper. He asked me about mutiny in a Sudanese battalion in the Sudan. That, I do not attribute to any propaganda from the Soviet, but to Egyptian provocation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received the Report of the British-Norwegian Conference on the question of territorial waters, coast fisheries, and trawling?

:The British experts have just returned from Christiania, and I am expecting their report, which will be strictly confidential, in a few days' time.

:Has the right hon. Gentleman seen in the Press a report that three British representatives proposed to respect the mouth of every Norwegian Fiord, whatever its breadth, and will he demand reciprocal treatment for this country with regard to the Moray Firth?

:I have not seen the report in the Press, and I will express no opinion on the negotiations till I have considered the report, which is not yet in my hands.

:Do we understand that this House will have no opportunity of discussing this report?

:The right hon. Gentleman will no doubt be able to find an opportunity of discussing the action of the Government, but I cannot give him an opportunity of discussing the strictly confidential report, which will therefore not be laid before the House.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no action will be taken on this report until such time as the House has had an opportunity of discussing the proposals?

:I cannot give that pledge, certainly offhand.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government is prepared to support the proposal in favour of the Second Conference at Geneva dealing with the opium problem; and, if so, will he use all his influence to this end in order that a definite step forward may be taken towards the suppression of the opium traffic?

:His Majesty's Government are anxious to do everything in their power to suppress the opium traffic, but there are serious practical difficulties of which account has to be taken. The situation created by certain proposals put forward at the Geneva Conference is now under consideration.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this country gives a lead in the matter?

:I think I had better say no more until the Government have had an opportunity of consulting with their representatives at Geneva. The whole subject is one of very considerable difficulty, as I know, having just come back from a meeting of the Council of the League, whose assistance was invoked in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the total number of persons employed in the various Soviet trade organisations in London; and what are the terms and conditions under which they are permitted to remain in this country?

:I have been asked to reply to this question. There are considerable numbers of British subjects employed in this connection; but I presume that the hon. Member is mainly concerned with the aliens so employed. Since the conclusion of the Russian Trade Agreement, 315 visas have, after full inquiry in all cases, been authorised for Soviet citizens to travel to this country for the purpose of joining the staffs of the various Soviet organisations in London. It is estimated that rather more than one-half of the persons concerned are now in the United Kingdom. With few exceptions, all these persons have been allowed to land, subject to a time condition, and if extensions are asked for they are granted —again after full inquiry—when the authorities are satisfied that the alien concerned is still employed in one or other of the various organisations.

:Are there any sealed bags or sealed luggage not open to inspection?

:I am afraid I cannot answer that point, but I can say that at the moment the Home Secretary is very carefully considering all the conditions arising.

:Are any sealed bags going continually from Great Britain to Russia?

:Why shouldn't they?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any intention of drawing up a new agreement with regard to Morocco between France and Spain to which Great Britain is to be a party; and whether this was the subject of any discussion between him and the French Prime Minister?

:The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

:Since the Government declared their intention not to submit agreements and commitments to other nations, is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman's visits abroad must be regarded with some anxiety and, possibly, with suspicion?

:I cannot control the feelings of the hon. Gentleman, nor can I ask him to express unlimited confidence in me, but I hope he will not trouble himself too much.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the reason for cancelling the invitations sent to Mr. Bertand Russell and Mr. Lowes Dickinson asking them to serve on the Committee to be set up under the China Indemnity Bill?

:The reason is that, on reconsideration, it was found that the composition of the Committee— the numbers of which it is important to keep small—was not sufficiently representative, and, in particular, that it included no member with practical experience of educational organisation in China.

:Considering that these gentlemen were both very well qualified for the post which had been offered them, was this decision really only because of their association with the Labour party?

:I am not anxious to discuss the qualifications of these gentlemen unless the hon. Gentleman forces me to do so. I have given a sufficient reason, in my opinion, for altering the composition of the Committee.

:Have any other persons who were appointed to serve on the Committee been excluded in addition to the two persons mentioned in the question?

:No.

:Is this an instance of the class war?

:I beg to give notice that I intend to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to give any information in regard to recent events in Albania and on the Jugo-Slav-Albanian frontier; whether he is aware that a mixed force of Russian and Bulgarian refugees, commanded by a Russian ex-general, armed, equipped, and paid by the Jugo-Slav Government, is operating on the frontier; and whether any representation has been made to the Jugo-Slav Government?

:I have nothing to add to the statement which my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs made to the right hon. Member for the Northern Division of Norfolk in reply to a similar question yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the extension of the passport to five years applies to passports which have already been issued and are now in the possession of British nationals?

:A passport issued before the 1st of December can be renewed for a period up to five years, provided that the total period does not exceed 10 years from the original date of issue.

:Will it be renewed without condition of payment?

:I am afraid that I do not carry the Regulations in my head, but I think not.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is taking any steps in the matter of the recognition of Mexico?

:No, Sir; not at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British Government has given notice to the Secretariat of the League of Nations stating that matters affecting the Irish Free State are not in their opinion within the ambit of the League's authority; will he state the reasons which actuated His Majesty's Government in arriving at such a decision; whether any intimation of the Government's view has been circulated to the Governments which are members of the League; and what replies, if any, have been received?

:His Majesty's Government have made no such statement. They have, however, informed the Secretary-General of the League of Nations that in their opinion the terms of Article 18 of the Covenant are not applicable to the articles of agreement for a treaty between Great Britain and Ireland signed on the 6th December, 1921. The ground for this action as stated in the letter addressed by His Majesty's Government to the Secretary-General was that since the Covenant came into force His Majesty's Government have consistently taken the view that neither it, nor any conventions concluded under the auspices of the League, are intended to govern the relations inter se of the various parts of the British Commonwealth. The letter from His Majesty's Government to the Secretary-General has been circulated to members of the League in the usual manner.

:Is it not a fact that this treaty was registered with the League of Nations on 11th July. [HON. MEMBERS: "It is not a treaty."] It is a treaty. In that case why should not the high-contracting parties to that treaty be entitled to appeal to the League if they so desire?

:I have given an answer already. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will study it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the old wooden hulk, "Marlborough," when lost at sea recently, was still the property of the Admiralty; and, if not, will he state the name and address of the owners and the price paid by them to the Admiralty?

:The "Marlborough" was not the property of the Admiralty at the time she was lost at sea. She had been sold to Messrs. A. Butcher & Son, Limited, of Heybridge, Maldon, Essex. I do not propose to depart from the usual practice of not publishing the price at which a vessel is sold.

:Is it a fact that this old ship had her back broken, and that it was common knowledge that that was so before she went to sea?

:Is it not a fact that the ship was in such a bad state of repair as to be unsafe to put to sea, and that four men lost their lives as a result of that? Is there not to be an inquiry, and someone brought to book in the matter?

:So far as the matter rests with the Admiralty, I can only say that those who were responsible for moving the ship were warned that a gale warning had been received, and were advised not to start. I think the other part of the question clearly comes under the Board of Trade rather than the Admiralty

:As the ship was not the property of the Admiralty, would it not be a question of her seaworthiness or unseaworthiness being registered by the inspector of the Board of Trade?

:It is a matter for the Board of Trade.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty will take steps to reinstate the ex-apprentices who were discharged from His Majesty's dockyards during the last Conservative administration?

:Before answering this question, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration that tens of thousands of men were discharged under Liberal administration, from 1905 onwards?

:I regret that it is not possible to make special arrangements to re-engage the large number of ex-apprentices who were discharged prior to the last Conservative Administration. I may add, however, that ex-dockyard apprentices are generally given preference both for retention and re-entry in the Royal Yards.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the practice of discharging these apprentices is entirely a new one, and has never been initiated by any other Government? Is he aware of the great demoralisation that has ensued to many of these young men, who were entitled to look forward to a career in the dockyard and have had to go to America?

:I referred to the large number of apprentices discharged before the last Conservative Administration. The discharges arose out of the great diminution of employes immediately after the Armistice.

:Will the hon. Gentleman consider this question, and see whether it is possible to reinstate some of these young men? It is much more difficult for them to get a job at a trade than it is for a man who has served his full apprenticeship.

:We generally do give preference to the ex-apprentices.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has been reached on the question of marriage allowance for officers in the Royal Navy; how long this matter has been under consideration by his Department; and whether he is aware of the urgency of this problem, particularly in view of the recent reductions in officers' pay?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can make any statement on the subject of marriage allowance?

:Although this subject has been continuously engaging my attention since I came to the Admiralty a month ago, I regret that I am not at present in a position to make a statement.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is considering this question, as I understand the last Minister did?

:Will the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Navy expects greater consideration from our Government than from any other Government?

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Navy is the only service in which this allowance is not given?

:I am aware of that. As I have said, I am considering the question.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that we have had "consideration" for two years?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the Committee of Inquiry into the question of the retired naval officers' pensions reported, by three to two, against the payment of such pensions during war service and that the late Government accepted the opinion of the three; and if he can state if the present Government will accept the Minority Report or appoint a new Committee of Inquiry?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

:Is the decision of the Admiralty absolutely final, as far as the right hon. Gentleman is concerned, or will he receive a deputation on the point?

:I regret that I cannot.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the legal aspect of the claim was never examined by this Committee, and that in the opinion of a great many gentlemen learned in the law there is a good claim on legal grounds; and will he examine into the legality of the claim?

:Before my right hon. Friend replies may I ask whether he is aware that there is no attempt on the part of this House to ask for a legal inquiry, and that a lay Committee would be sufficient?

:I would like to see both those questions on the Paper before I answer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has now received the report from the officers concerned relating to the action of the officer iii charge of His Majesty's Ship "Cockchafer" who, on his own authority, threatened to bombard Wan Hsien unless the leading authorities of the town followed the funeral of Mr. Hawley, an American citizen, to the grave, and also demanded the execution without trial of two men said to have been the murderers of Mr. Hawley; and will he also state what period of time elapsed?

:A report on this incident has been received from the commanding officer of His Majesty's Ship "Cockchafer" through the Commander-in-Chief on the China Station. From this and from other reports it is clear that the pressure put by the commanding officer on the local authorities to take the action indicated was entirely justified, that a trial was held in accordance with Chinese law, and that there is no reason to doubt that the men who were sentenced to death under an article in the Chinese New Criminal Code were those primarily responsible for the murder of Mr. Hawley. A period of 48 hours elapsed between the murder and the execution.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of rewarding these officers for maintaining British prestige?

:Will the right hon. Gentleman publish that report so that Members of the House and the country generally may understand all the reasons which led a British officer to threaten a declaration of war and bombardment of the city? Would we take the same action against France or America or Russia?

:I am not prepared to publish the report. The incident occurred a long time ago and we know quite enough about it to make up our minds.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we do not know enough about it? Why should not this House have the whole of the information?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that his predecessor was examining into the question of the abolition of the fees for young men entering the Royal Navy as cadets; what is his intention with regard to this matter; and if he is aware that under the present system many promising lads, including sons of serving naval and military officers, are barred out on account of lack of means?

:I am aware that my predecessor was examining the question referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, and I hope to be able to complete a detailed examination into this question in the next few weeks.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman look upon this proposal favourably?

:That is rather anticipating the result of my consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many British warships, and of what types, are now stationed or cruising in the Baltic and the Black Seas; and what is the purpose of keeping British warships in these regions?

:No British warships of any type are stationed or cruising in either the Baltic or the Black Sea.

:Would it be possible for British warships to cruise in the Baltic Sea and pay a visit to our firm friends in Latvia, Esthonia and Lithuania?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the usual procedure in regard to detailing officers of the War Staff to advise British delegations when questions affecting the naval armaments, their strength, use, and distribution, come up at the League of Nations meetings; whether the War Staff were represented throughout the discussions which led to the Geneva Protocols in such a way as to ensure the considered judgment of the Admiralty to be developed, as was the case at the Washington Conference; and whether he will state the ranks of the War Staff officers present throughout the Washington Conference and throughout the discussion of the Geneva Protocols?

:Officers of the War Staff are not normally detailed; a special officer of flag rank with a small staff is permanently detailed in connection with League of Nations matters. The War Staff were represented during a period of the discussions which led to the Geneva Protocol, but not throughout nor in such a manner as in the case of the Washington Conference. At the Washing Conference the War Staff were represented by

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, seeing that in the opinion of the Admiralty there is no authority for payment of arrears in the case of pre^War naval pensioners who died previous to 7th August, 1924, he will, in view of the promise given that the Increase of Pensions Act should be retrospective to July, 1923, obtain the authority necessary?

:Arrangements will be made for the payment of arrears in such cases.

:Thank you.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that between 1920 and 1924 no promotions of writing assistants and typists to the clerical class took place in his Department, although an agreement had been arrived at on the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service under which promotions of suitable writing assistants and typists were to take place pari passu with the appointment of candidates from the limited competitions, and that other Departments, including the War Office, had not only made a number of promotions during those years, but that some have made a number of promotions recently; and whether he will look into the matter with a view to placing his women staff in a less disadvantageous position compared to similar staffs in other Departments than hitherto.

:Machinery has been instituted in the Admiralty for the consideration, periodically, of recommendations for the promotion to the clerical class of writing assistants, typists and shorthand typists serving in the Department; and as a result of the first review of these three grades four promotions were made in April, 1924. The question of making further promotions from the grades referred to will be considered early in the coming year.

:Will the hon. Gentleman consider the women when he deals with the matter?

:Certainly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is prepared to issue a statement showing the prospects of promotion in the case of women clerical officers employed in his Department?

:The women clerical officers employed in the Admiralty were appointed to that grade between May, 1921, and April, 1924, and are consequently junior to large numbers of male clerical officers of long service and proved ability. Promotion is by merit and not by seniority, and the women clerical officers will be considered for promotion with the men clerical officers, but for the reason above stated it is evident that a considerable time must elapse before any members of the class can, in the normal course, expect promotion.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that during 1923 no promotions to clerical officerships of writing assistants or typists took place in his Department, although under Whitley settlements these grades should have been considered for appointment to the clerical class pari passu with limited competition entrants; whether he is aware that, while other Departments have made a number of such promotions recently, the only offer made to writing assistants and typists in his Department has been of transfer to exchange vacancies in a grade paid less than clerical officers; whether he is aware that over 100 writing assistants in the claims and records office have proved themselves on clerical work; and whether he will authorise a full inquiry into the promotion position of these women and those at the Ministry headquarters?

:Opportunities have been afforded since the War to the temporary women clerks and typists in the Ministry of Labour to qualify for permanent clerical posts, and a consider-abel number secured clerical posts in this way. In addition, 8 promotions of writing assistants to clerical posts were made in 1921, 20 in 1922, and, though there were none in 1923, further promotions are now in immediate prospect. The clerical posts in exchanges to which the question refers, are being offered to writing assistants regarded as suitable for the work, but they are under no obligation to accept them. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by an inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, whereas the number of unemployed is decreasing throughout the country, in Middlesbrough and certain other towns on the North-East Coast it is increasing; and will he recommend the Government to appoint a committee of inquiry to explore means whereby special assistance may be given in such exceptional cases?

:I am aware that within recent months the trend of the unemployment figures for the North-East Coast has not been as favourable as that for the country generally. The course of these figures, however, is governed by the nature of the main industries in the area, the facts with regard to which are fairly well known, and I do not think an inquiry by a committee would be of assistance. Local authorities in the area have the best knowledge of schemes for relief of unemployment which might be put in hand, and any such schemes submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee will be sympathetically considered.

:May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman, coming with a fresh mind to this problem, will direct his consideration to giving special assistance to these most necessitous areas?

:Most certainly, and I happen to know the Middlesbrough district personally fairly well.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the increasingly grave industrial outlook on Teeside and in Cleveland; and whether he is prepared to recommend as a special case, with a view to finding employment for the thousands of men now receiving assistance through the Employment Exchanges, that assistance from State funds shall be given for the provision of increased trade facilities on the Tees by the creation of new docks between Eston and Redcar?

:I have been asked to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the somewhat similar question which he asked yesterday.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the docks have already been begun in this area?

:I think my hon. Friend is misinformed. The Tees Conservancy tell me that they cannot do anything because technical difficulties have arisen.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the openings which exist for women and girls to enter domestic service, he will take steps to ensure that the payment of unemployment benefit shall not be extended to cases which are eligible for domestic service?

:Standing instructions already provide that unemployment benefit shall not be paid to women who refuse suitable offers of domestic work. If my hon. Friend has any individual cases in mind and will give me particulars, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the most definite promises have been given by his predecessor that girls would not be forced into domestic service if they were already skilled workers and there was a reasonable opportunity of their getting skilled work?

:Perhaps the hon. Member will bring to my mind any of these cases and I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that unemployed men in Sheffield who are over 45 years of age are severely handicapped in their search for employment, because preference is given to men under that age, on the ground that insurance companies charge lower premiums for insurance against industrial risks in the case of younger men; and whether he proposes to arrange alternative insurance arrangements for the older men?

:I have been asked to reply. I am assured that insurance companies do not generally make any discrimination on the ground of age, and the manager of the Employment Exchange at Sheffield reports that inquiries made locally have failed to elicit any evidence in support of the allegation. It appears that a very large proportion of the workmen in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit at Sheffield are between 20 and 30 years of age and that in the skilled trades the older men are in a favourable position owing to the shortage of younger men with the necessary training. If, however, the honourable Member can furnish particulars of any cases where discrimination is alleged, further inquiry will be made.

:Does the answer include risks covered by mutual associations of employers carrying their own risks?

:No. Mutual associations do not come under the control of the Government at all.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to acknowledgment form U.I. 560, issued by his Department, which states that claims for refundment of unemployment contributions cannot receive decision, nor can any inquiries be answered, within three months of the date on the form; whether he can state the reason for such a procedure; and whether he will take immediate steps to ensure that claims for repayment shall receive more prompt attention?

:Each applicant for compensation under Section 9 of the Unemployment Insurance Act of last session, to which the hon. Member refers, is given a receipt for his claim, which contains a statement of the kind mentioned. This is necessary because dealing with the compensation claims in question is an abnormal piece of work arising quite out of the ordinary course. A very large number of claims have been and are being sent in within a short space of time, and in fact nearly 500,000 have been received. To extemporize a staff which could deal with them all at once would be impossible, and also, even if possible, would not be justified from the point of view of public economy. The only proper course is to try and work them off as quickly as is consistent with good administration. This is the reason why, as the hon. Member possible knows, the late Minister of Labour, when explaining the clause in Standing Committee, indicated that a period of three or four months' delay might be necessary. I can assure the hon. Member that no effort has been or will be spared to expedite payment. Additional staff has been engaged and 80,000 claims have already been paid.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that once a claim has been submitted, if the person making the claim becomes unemployed, he is denied benefit while the claim is being considered; and will he take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

:I will go into that question.

:In view of the approach of the Christmas season will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that steps will be taken to accelerate this work and adjust, at any rate, some of these claims?

:Every effort is being made to deal with them as quickly as possible, but I am sure hon. Members will understand that if an attempt were made to take on staff to enable them to be dealt with at extraordinary speed, it would only mean that the work would be done uneconomically from the public point of view, the staff would be again dismissed quickly and, on the whole, it would be an unsatisfactory proceeding. We are getting through with them as quickly as possible, subject to the work being done decently from the point of view of public economy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the problem of juvenile employment is aggravated by the fact that children now leave school only at the end of terms, and thus a number of children have to seek employment at the same moment; and whether he will diecuss the matter with the Board of Education with a view to finding a remedy?

:I am aware that the fact that children leave the elementary school at the end of the term in which they become 14 may make it more difficult for some of them immediately to obtain employment. On the other hand, the release of children from school at an earlier age would increase the total number of children seeking employment, and, on the whole, I do not think I should be justified in suggesting to my right hon. Friend that the statutory provisions in this respect should be reconsidered.

:Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the possibility of releasing them at a slightly later age?

:We have merely been trying to go into the question from all points of view. It is the balance of the advantages with the disadvantages which will decide the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Sherburn miners, County of Durham, have been dismissed through refusing to break the county wage conditions, and have been refused unemployment insurance benefit; and, seeing that this is contrary to the spirit of the Unemployment Insurance Act passed this year, will he state what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

:If the hon. Member is referring to a stoppage which took place in the first half of last August, the position is that the claims for unemployment benefit were considered, and, after full examination of all the circumstances, were disallowed by the Umpire. I have no power to intervene. If the hon. Member is referring to some other stoppage, and will give me full particulars, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now able to state whether an applicant for unemployment benefit will be entitled to be informed, if he or she so desires, of the names of the members of the committee judging the claim to benefit?

:As I promised during the Debate last Thursday, I have carefully considered this question. It is not the existing practice to supply to an applicant for extended benefit the names of the members of the rota committee which deals with his claim and I do not think the practice should be altered.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us of some of the reasons why an applicant is not to get this consideration which even a criminal gets in a Court of Justice?

:I think the chief reason is that as members of the rota committee are sitting in a quasi-judicial position—I think it is just as well to be perfectly frank—they should not be exposed to canvassing. The claim made by the claimant can be quite well put before them so that the whole merits of the case may be properly considered.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Act states that when rejection of a claim is going to be given there must be present a trade union representative? If that be so, how is a person to know whether one is a trade union representative or not unless he has the name before him?

:If the hon. Member will put down that question, I will consider it.

:What does the right hon. Gentleman mean in his reply by extended benefit? Does he mean uncovenanted benefit or does he mean unemployment benefit?

:Uncovenanted benefit in the strict original sense no longer exists as compared with standard benefit, and extended benefit now takes its place.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women were refused benefit in the area covered by the Liverpool Employment Exchanges during the last three months; and how many of the rejected applicants were over 60 years of age?

:During the three months ended 8th December, the numbers of applications for extended benefits refused by the local committees in the Liverpool area were 6,190 from men and 2,105 from women. No statistics are available showing the ages of claimants whose applications were rejected.

:In view of the fact that in a large number of these rejected cases the applicants are over 60 years of age, will the Minister allow a little wider latitude to the committee, having regard to the proximity of the festive season?

:I am not aware that the ages are such as the hon. Member suggests, because under the present system we have no means of finding out the exact ages and classifying them.

:If the right hon. Gentleman will come and stay with me for a few days, I will show him cases of men over 60.

:My holidays are very short.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will grant an official inquiry into and ascertainment of the increase since 1914 in the cost of living in middle-class households?

:The difficulties which would be encountered in making an inquiry of this kind on such a scale as to yield satisfactory statistics would be very great. In view of the great diversity in the incomes and manner of living of middle-class households, I doubt whether the results would have a practical value commensurate with the expense that would be involved. In any case it would now be almost impossible to ascertain comparable figures for 1914.

asked the Minister of Labour the total membership of trade unions at the latest date for returns; what decrease has taken place since 1920; and, in view of the legislation in 1913 sanctioning political levies, what is the total membership of those unions which are affiiliated to a political party?

:The total membership of all tirade unions in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as shown by the statistics compiled by the Ministry of Labour, was approximately 5,405,000 at the end of 1923 (the latest date for which figures are available), compared with 8,336,000 at the end of 1920. Detailed figures are given in the Ministry of Labour Gazette for October, 1924, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member. I have no official statistics with regard to the affiliation of trade unions to a political party.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the decline?

:Yes, but not on the spur of the moment.

:Is he not aware that there is a shadow of unemployment in the country?

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the introduction of a Bill to protect members of slate, loan, and similar sharing-out clubs by compelling their registration, with certain compulsory rules, preventing the constantly recurring defalcations which occur near Christmas and the heavy losses to those who had been depending on the amounts which had been the results of thrift during the year?

:As stated by one of my predecessors in reply to a similar question on 7th March, 1922, legislation on the lines suggested would probably be quite ineffective to secure the object in view. The obvious remedy is that persons should invest their savings judiciously.

:Is it a fact, however, that many societies have to be registered at present, and where they are registered their rules go before the Registrar-General? Is there any reason why a similar course should not be adopted in regard to these clubs?

:There is such a great diversity among these sharing-out clubs, which include fowl clubs, turkey clubs, goose clubs and so forth, that it would be difficult to frame effective legislation.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government intend to introduce a Bill dealing with leasehold enfranchisement during the next Session of Parliament?

asked the Minister of Health (1) if his attention has been drawn to the practice of speculation in freehold interests in urban property, in which the procedure generally begins with the speculator purchasing the freehold interests and then putting pressure upon the leaseholder, either to spend large sums upon repairs, decorations, etc., or alternatively purchase the freehold at an enhanced price; and, in view of the feeling of insecurity and hardship which this form of exploitation is causing, will he consider the institution of immediate steps to counteract the practice;

(2) whether the Government will consider the early introduction during this Parliament of legislation for compulsory arbitration in the purchase of freehold by occupying leaseholders?

:His Majesty's Government have not yet had an opportunity of examining the complicated problems to which these questions give rise, and they are, therefore, unable to promise to introduce legislation.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government would consider a scheme for the narrowing of the River Thames with the double object of reclaiming much valuable land and, at the same time, finding reproductive work for thousands of the unemployed without the necessity of placing additional burdens on the taxpayer?

:If my hon. Friend will furnish me with some details of the scheme he has in view, I shall be happy to look into it.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many eminent engineers consider this scheme perfectly feasible?

:I have no knowledge as to the feasibility or otherwise of the scheme. It is obvious that what you add to the land you must take off the water.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation with the object of giving the vote to women on the same terms as those on which it is at present given to men?

:This subject is receiving consideration, but it is not possible to make a statement at present.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to do away with hereditary peerages?

:The answer is in the negative.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the continuance of these peerages is a violation of the principle of democratic government?

:This is not the time for argument or debate.

asked the Minister of Health how many tenants of the houses now being built under the Act of 1923 are permitted to take lodgers if they wish to do so; and whether the present Government intend to prohibit such lodgers being domiciled in houses built under either of the recent Acts?

:The conditions under which the taking of lodgers may be permitted in houses provided under the Housing Acts by local authorities are within the discretion of the local authorities themselves, and it is not proposed to interfere with this discretion. No statistics are available as to the extent to which such permission has been granted.

asked the Minister of Health whether there exists an official definition of slums; whether in that case the local authorities possess an official record of the slums in their districts; and whether such a notification is made public to enable the owners of such slum property to realise their responsibilities?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the definition in Section 4 of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. All local authorities are required to make periodical inspection of their districts, to keep appropriate records showing the conditions of the houses, and, so far as may be necessary, to take these records into consideration at each of their ordinary meetings, thereby giving them publicity. I may also refer my hon. Friend to Section 17 of the Housing Act, 1909, which enables local authorities in certain circumstances to make closing orders and to the provisions of the Housing Acts, especially Section 28 of the Act of 1919 and Section 10 of the Act of 1923, under which local authorities are empowered to require repairs of dwelling houses, or to carry out such repairs themselves and recover the cost in the event of failure of the landlord to comply with notices served upon him by the local authority. In the last year for which statistics are available the reports of medical officers of health show that 1,115,394 houses were inspected and repairs secured in 542,834 cases as a result of the intervention of the local authorities.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when a local authority get a closing order, they have no power to make the landlords pull down the bad houses?

:Are any steps being taken to keep in decent order those houses which have been condemned and are not being closed, because there is nowhere else for the people to go to?

:If the hon. Member will refer to my reply, I think he will see that that is dealt with.

:Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to have placed on record the names of all owners of slum property, so that they may be known?

:That does not arise on this question.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the experiment in Australia, where the unskilled unemployed have been taken off the streets this year and, after a three months' training in technical schools, have passed a test of laying over 1,000 bricks on straight work in an eight hours' day; whether he is aware, that this year classes for plasterers have been started, and can he say with what success; and whether he will consider adopting similar methods in this country?

:I am aware of the experiment to which the hon. Member refers. Schemes of special training are being considered in connection with the arrangements made by the building industry for increasing the supply of skilled labour in the industry.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether it has been reported to him that the rents of council houses erected or under erection in rural areas are often beyond the means of agricultural workers earning 27s. or 30s. weekly: and what measures he has in view to adapt the housing provisions more closely to the urgent need for better and more houses in many villages;

(2) whether he is aware of the slow progress being made under the housing subsidy schemes in many rural areas; and whether he will take counsel with rural district councils and other authoritative persons in order to remove the difficulties in the way of a more speedy provision of houses at rents which agricultural workers can pay?

:I am aware of the difficulties which have been experienced in rural areas in providing houses for agricultural workers at rents which they can afford, and there was a full discussion on the subject during the passage of the 1924 Housing Act. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that provision was made in this Act for an additional subsidy for houses built in agricultural areas. As my right hon. Friend informed the House yesterday, his intention is to allow the Act a full and fair trial, and he will give particular attention to this part of it.

:Is an opportunity being taken to consult with those who under- stand rural conditions and the immediate difficulties that face them?

:My right hon. Friend will be glad to have any suggestion from the hon. Member or from anybody else.

:Will the hon. Gentleman consult the rural district councils or their association?

:I will be glad to consider that if my hon. Friend will communicate with me on the point.

:May I ask if the only provision for houses for this type of people are the houses contemplated under the Wheatley Act of this year?

:No, this is an additional suggestion in 1924.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that one of his inspectors held an inquiry in Poplar, on the 18th July, 1924, into a scheme prepared by the London County Council for the clearance of the Bakers Alley, Birchfield Street, and Bromley Place areas, under Part I of the Housing Act, 1890; whether any decision has been given to the London County Council; and, if so, when?

:Yes, Sir. The Order confirming the scheme was made on the 10th December,. and copies were sent to the London County Council on the 12th December.