asked the Minister of Pensions if he proposes to introduce legislation authorising appellants who have allowed their one year of right of appeal to pass to secure the reopening of their cases; and whether, if he has not decided on this policy, he will leave the matter to the free vote of the House?

I would remind my hon. Friend that, as was stated in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Hulme Division of Manchester on the 11th instant, arrangements are already in effective operation whereby cases, in which an appellant has been prevented by some unavoidable cause from appealing within the statutory year of appeal, are put to the appeal tribunals. I would further point out that, as regards cases of disputed title to pension (whether an appeal was made within the statutory period or not), arrangements are in force whereby all cases in which additional evidence is furnished are fully considered; and that, as regards cases of assessment for final award, where medical observation and treatment disclose the fact that the award has been erroneously declared final, amendment of it can be effected. Cases are being satisfactorily dealt with under these arrangements, though experience will, no doubt, show whether they are susceptible of improvement. In the circumstances, my right hon. Friend does not think that legislation is called for. The suggestion in the last part of the question is not a matter for my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the appeal tribunal refuses to hear cases, however strong the cases may be, because 12 months period has elapsed?

It is always put to the appeal tribunal if the man concerned presses, but it is for them to say whether they accept it or not.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider cases which have arisen very largely through ignorance on the part of the men, that it is necessary to appeal within a year? I am sure there is no wish to take any advantage of the ex-service men.

There is no intention to take advantage of them. I am answering a question on that subject later. The men are informed that they have to appeal within a year if they wish to exercise their rights.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the feeling of Pension Committees that the time limit on appeals in connection with final awards should not apply in any case where a statutory award was made before the 19th August, 1921, having regard to the fact that no individual notice was sent direct to the pensioner informing him of his right of appeal in these cases; and will he take steps to abolish the application of this time-limit where no individual notice has been served upon the pensioner?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the number of pensioners who received final awards from the Ministry but were not personally informed of the time-limit within which they were entitled to appeal other than by the statutory notice in the Press, which a number of them failed to see, and have consequently been debarred from appealing to the pensions appeal tribunals; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to enable bona-fide cases, which are out of time owing to the pensioner having failed to see the Press notice, to be reinstated for hearing by the appeal tribunals?

The right of appeal in these cases is limited by Statute, and my right hon. Friend has no authority to modify this. It was not practicable at the time, nor would it be so now, to serve individual notice upon all the past cases of the class referred to, for the reason that the Ministry has not necessarily any knowledge of the men to whom compensation has ceased to be payable. The fullest publicity possible was, however, given by the Ministry to the right of appeal in these cases, not only by the statutory notice in the Press, but by posters and other forms of advertisement. In this connection, I would refer to the very full answer given by the late Minister of Pensions, the right hon. Member for West Bromwich, to the hon. Member for West Ham on 31st July last. At the same time, I would remind the hon. Gentleman that, as has already been stated in the House, arrangements are in operation to put to tribunals all cases in which the appellant can show that on account of illness, or other unavoidable cause, he was prevented from exercising his right of appeal within the statutory period, and for this purpose the circumstances of each case are determined on its merits. Concurrently with these arrangements, effective steps are taken to deal with exceptional cases in which it is found that error has occurred in the making of the final award.

asked the Attorney-General the number of appeals submitted to the appeals tribunal by appellants who have exceeded the allotted year wherein to make such appeals, and the number of cases in which their explanations have been accepted as valid and their cases heard?

Up to the 8th December the number of appeals submitted to the Pensions Appeal Tribunals for England and Wales by appellants who have exceeded the statutory time for appealing is 3,142. In 2,605 cases the tribunals found that they had no jurisdiction to hear the merits of the case, and in 521 cases the appeals were heard. In 16 cases the appeals were withdrawn by the appellants. Where the appeals were heard either no evidence was offered that the claim was out of time, or the tribunal was not satisfied, on the evidence placed before it, that the appeal was, in fact, out of time.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will investigate the possibility of issuing railway travelling warrants and the payment of expenses to the legal adviser or friend who is permitted to accompany persons appealing against the Ministry of Pensions' decision in order to secure that every case will be fully represented without unnecessary expense to the person appealing?

asked the Minister of Pensions if, in view of the opinion expressed by many advisory councils that the expenses of a relation or friend accompanying pensioners before the appeal tribunal should be allowed, he will reconsider this matter, as, in the absence of such assistance, the appellant is often unable to do justice to his claim?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to adopt the suggestion. It has always been the duty of the tribunal, under the rules made by the Lord Chancellor, to assist any appellant who, through ignorance or otherwise, is unable to make the best of his case. Moreover, the tribunal is empowered at its discretion to summon before it expert or other witnesses to give oral evidence and to pay their expenses. Any extension of these provisions in the direction, suggested would be a matter affecting the rules of procedure of the tribunals, and, consequently, for the consideration of the Lord Chancellor.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make representations to the Minister that facilities already given for assisting the pensioner have proved to be inadequate, and that when the pensioner goes before the appeal tribunal, unless he has someone with him to state the case, he does not get a full statement put before the appeal tribunal? It is a most serious matter. Will the Minister reconsider it?

If the hon. Member will study my reply, he will see that it is a question for the Lord Chancellor. The Ministry's officers have nothing to do with it.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the chief recommendations made by the different advisory councils of his Department and indicate at the same time whether he has accepted and acted on any of them, and, if so, on which?

A large number of resolutions have been received from advisory councils which, however, my right hon. Friend has not yet had an opportunity of fully considering. I will add, however, that my right hon. Friend is making arrangements to summon a meeting of his central advisory committee towards the end of January, when he will take the opportunity of consulting them on points which have been raised.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is the practice of his Department to date an award of pension from the date on which it is determined the man's condition justifies that award, or from the date of the finding of the tribunal; and whether, having regard to the hardship in many of these appeal cases, he will give instructions that the award, in the case of a successful appeal, shall be given as from the date on which the appeal was lodged?

In every case where the decision of the tribunal is to grant an increased award, payment is made from the date the appeal was lodged, and not from the date of the tribunal's decision.

asked the Minister of Pensions when the Royal Warrant embodying the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1924, as it applies to pre-War disability pensions, will be issued; and if he will state the cause of the delay?

The preparation of the Warrant referred to has been delayed by technical difficulties, but it is hoped to issue it very shortly. In the meantime, the cases likely to be affected by the Warrant are already in hand.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the charge for a pensioner suffering from mental instability due to War service in a Ministry institution is £3 10s. a week and that the county mental hospital, Colney Hatch, New Southgate, and other institutions under the London County Council Mental Hospitals Department only charge 22s. 9d. per week, it is possible to effect any reduction in the charge made in the Ministry of Pensions institution; and whether, seeing that in-patients, other than mental, under treatment in Ministry of Pensions institutions are only charged 19s. a week for maintenance, he will take steps to amend Article 6 of the Royal Warrant of 1919, which provides that in the case of a lunatic the total cost of his treatment shall be paid before he receives any treatment allowances?

I am not clear what institution the hon. and gallant Member has in mind. If he refers to the institution at Kirkburton, I am glad to be able to inform him that the cost of maintenance is not so high as he assumes. The cost of maintenance is now 52s. 6d. a week in that institution as compared with 28s. 3d. in Colney Hatch. The cost of maintenance in institutions for those mentally defective necessarily varies according to the character of the arrangements for medical treatment provided for the cases, and the cost both at Kirkburton and the other mental institution (of which the expense is borne by the Ministry), both of which are provided for special types of cases, is, on this account, necessarily somewhat higher than the average. The provisions of Article 6 of the Royal Warrant referred to in the last part of the question, apply only to certified cases which have no wife, child, or other person dependent upon them.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has under consideration the closing of the area office at Gateshead; if so, whether action may be deferred until the local area committee has been asked for its opinion; whether it is proposed to reduce further the number of area pension offices throughout the country; what was the number of area offices on 31st March, 1924; and what will be the number on 1st April, 1925?

There is no proposal to close the area office at Gateshead. With the reduction in the volume of the Ministry's work, consideration has necessarily to be given to the question of amalgamating the staffs in area offices. The number of area offices on the 31st March, 1924, was 142. It is possible that this number may be slightly reduced by the 1st April, 1925.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of pensions that have been awarded to widows whose husbands died while in receipt of a pension for a disability assessed at 40 per cent. or over during the past 12 months; and what is the number of claims for pensions from widows whose husbands died while in receipt of a pension based on an assessment of 40 per cent. or over that have been rejected during the same period?

The records of the Ministry do not enable the precise information required to be given. As to the operation of Article 17 of the Warrant of the 14th January last, generally, I may, however, refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Fairfield on the 15th instant, of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that the House was led to believe, last January, that a pension would be granted to the widow in all cases where the pensioner died while in receipt of a pension of 40 per cent., but that, in fact, they are only granted where it is proved that the man's death was accelerated by his disability?

I am not aware of what the House was given to understand last year, because I was not here. We were not responsible for the administration. I can only repeat the answer I have given. If the hon. Member has any specific case in mind and he will give me particulars, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that numbers of ex-service men who are certified by panel doctors as totally unfit for work and recommended to see the Ministry medical officers are being returned by the latter for treatment by their panel doctors and are not receiving any treatment allowances, although they are unfit for work; and will he take steps to see that these men receive allowances according to their disability?

I would remind the hon. Member that medical certification for the purpose of Health Insurance Acts and for the grant of allowances under Article 6 of the Royal Warrant, respectively, are governed by wholly different conditions and directed to wholly different purposes. Allowances under the Royal Warrant are, by the terms of the Warrant, payable only when it is certified by a medical officer of the Ministry that the course of treatment considered necessary in the man's interests is such as to prevent the man from providing for his own support and that of his family.

Is the hon. and galant Member not aware that the panel doctor, having certified the men as unfit to follow their employment, and the Ministry's doctors having stated otherwise, full advantage is being taken by the Ministry's medical officers to deprive these men of what they are entitled to.

It is perfectly obvious that where money has to be administered by a particular Minister, he must depend upon the report of his medical officer, where that is essential, as to the course that is to be pursued.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the staff capacity of the Pensions Issue Office at Acton; and how many are employed at that office at present by his Department?

I understand from my Noble Friend the First Commissioner of Works that the Government premises in Bromyard Avenue, Acton, can accommodate from 5,000 to 6,000 staff, according to the class of work they are performing and the bulk of their records. The Ministry of Pensions staffs accommodated in portions of those premises amount at present to 4,047.

Is there not great competition to be admitted into this Department in this very healthy district?

I can quite understand there being competition to get into a district represented by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that over 180 temporary clerks in the service of the Valuation Office of the Board of Inland Revenue, who first entered that service within the period 1910–14, have been graded with, and are paid the salaries appropriate to, post-War temporary clerks, and that the duties on which they are engaged are of a permanent nature; and will he take steps to ensure that paragraph 8 of the final Report of the Re-organisation Committee, dated 28th January, 1921, which states that pre-War temporary officers engaged on duties of a permanent nature are entitled to immediate absorption in the establishment without being required to sit for the limited competitions for temporary clerks, shall be put into effect?

The pre-War temporary staff referred to numbers approximately 160. The grading of these officers for purposes of pay follows the terms of a formal agreement to which representatives of their association were signatories. The question of establishing members of the pre-War staff is under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that nearly all of these officials are ex-service men or ex-officers, and that one's natural sympathy with their claim and their case is strengthened by the fact that the ex-chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue recognised the validity of their claim?

I can only say it is under consideration. They are pre-War clerks, and they had certain recommendations on their case in the Re-organisation Committee, but as those recommendations were framed at a time when it was anticipated that there would be a larger Civil Service than it has since been found possible to retain, obviously the whole thing has to be reconsidered.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will look up the files and see what the late chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue said with reference to these men's claim?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what basis broken periods of years service are dealt with in the calculation of Civil Service pensions; if they are ignored; and whether he will consider altering the practice in the interest of the pensioner?

Civil Service pensions are, in accordance with the scales embodied in the Superannuation Acts, computed on completed years of service only, and I do not consider any alteration in the law to be necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman follow the example of the Air Force in this matter, and allow those who have rendered service to benefit by the period served, even though it may be uncompleted years?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of assault or of sexual offences committed in regard to children and girls below the age of 16 were reported to the police in England, in Scotland, and in Wales, respectively, during the last four years; in how many of these cases convictions were obtained; how many children were concerned in these cases; how many of the children were below the age of five years; and in how many of these cases there were records of previous convictions for similar offences?

No such figures as the hon. Member desires are available, but a Committee is at present inquiring into the whole subject of sexual offences committed on young persons and when it has reported we shall, no doubt, know more.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the last Parliament figures were given?

I was not aware of that fact, but as my hon. Friend says so I will have the matter looked into.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult his colleague, the Secretary for Scotland, on this question and have the Committee extended to include Scotland?

Most certainly, I will consult with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary the number of aliens admitted into this country up to the end of November this year as compared with those admitted up to the end of November last year?

Published Returns show that the number of aliens who were given leave to land in this country during the first three quarters of the present year was 321,451. The corresponding figure in 1923 was 259,943. It is to be remembered that large numbers of aliens came this year to visit the Wembley Exhibition and that, as against the figure of 321,451 landings, there has to be set already, for the same period, a figure of 311,576 departures, and experience shows that departures increase during the latter months of the year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the numbers are growing less now?

There are fewer coming in, and, I hope, more going out.

Has the visit of these aliens to Wembley not resulted in a lot of extra business?

I think that those aliens who were in a position to do business benefited by their visit to Wembley.

That is not the kind of alien to whom we object.

What about the "class war"?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that out of every 59 persons convicted of indictable offences in 1922, one was an alien; and whether, by administrative order or, if necessary, by legislation, he will propose that deportation be the penalty imposed upon every convicted alien?

I am not aware of any available figures on which the statement in the first part of the question could be based. I may say, however, that statistics of the number of receptions into prison in England and Wales during 1922 of persons convicted of indictable offences show that in one case out of every 68 the person was an alien. I am afraid that I could not adopt the proposal in the second part of the question, but I may point out that the Courts have power in the case of most serious offences to recommend the convicted alien for deportation, and that every possible effort is made, as a rule, to give effect to such recommendation, and that in many other cases deportation orders have been made where the public interest has justified such a course against aliens not so recommended, in pursuance of the general power vested in the Secretary of State by Article 12 (6) ( c ) of the Aliens Order, 1920.

asked the Home Secretary the numbers of naturalised aliens and unnaturalised aliens, respectively, convicted in the Courts of this country during the years 1922, 1923 and 1924; and a similar return in connection with judgments in the Civil Courts?

No, Sir, I have no such figures. The only relevant and available information I can give is as to the number of receptions of convicted aliens in prisons in England. Wales and Scotland. During 1922, 1,048 such prisoners were received in England and Wales, and 104 in Scotland. During 1923, 1,115 were received in England and Wales. I cannot at the moment give the Scottish figures for 1923; and no figures for 1924 are yet available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to the extent to which aliens are employed by local authorities?

I regret that I have no information on this subject, but I should doubt whether there is any appreciable number of aliens employed by local authorities.

( reading a M.S .): Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of issuing instructions to local authorities that no person who is not a British subject should be employed by them, and——

As the hon. Member's question appears to be already in writing, it had better be handed in at the Table.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the character of the teaching now given to children in proletarian and Communist Sunday schools; and whether he will take action in the matter so as to protect children from such influences?

My Department has received a number of representations in regard to these institutions, and they will be duly considered, but I cannot at present forecast any action which it may be found expedient to take.

What is meant by this word "proletarian?" Is not the proletariat the working class?

I do not carry a dictionary with me, but no doubt the hon. and gallant Gentleman will find one in the Library.

Have these inquiries been made by the Secret Service?

I did not say that any inquiries were being undertaken. My answer was that representations had been received and were being, considered.

Will my right hon. Friend make those inquiries immediately?

Before I commit myself, I must have time to consider the matter.

By whom have representations been made to the Department?

"Old women" of both sexes.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the number of places where Communist Sunday school teaching is carried on in London and other parts of the United Kingdom?

I presume my hon. Friend has in mind the children's sections of the Young Communist League and the Proletarian Schools, but I hope he will not press me to publish the particulars which are in my possession.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consult the President of the Board of Education with a view to having inspectors appointed to visit these schools and report upon the teaching?

I will consult with the President of the Board of Education, but I cannot pledge myself as to whether he will take any action.

Is it not a fact that all the information is available in the offices of the Primrose League?

I believe that that excellent organisation has very full information.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the Report of the Committee of Inquiry which was set up on 4th July of this year to investigate the case of the dismissed police and prison officers?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave on Tuesday to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Stratford Division.

What action is being taken on the Report?

I am now considering the Report.

Can we expect to have printed copies?

It has been laid in dummy, and I hope will be ready to-morrow, though I am not quite sure. The report will be printed as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give a list of the local authorities who have not yet paid the war bonus to their police forces; for how long payment has been withheld; and what steps he proposes to take to bring defaulting authorities into line with those who have paid?

There are only two forces in England and Wales, namely, the Cardigan County and the Tyne River Police, where no payment has been made by way of bonus. In another case the bonus was paid for only half the period for which the scheme was in operation, namely, from October, 1920, to September, 1921. In the case of the two county forces a deduction has been made from the Exchequer Grant, but in the case of the Tyne River Force there is no Exchequer Grant, and I am not in a position to take any similar action.

In the case of a local authority which may not have fulfilled its obligation in this respect, will the Home Office or the Exchequer make up to the men the amount of which they have been deprived by the local authority?

I do not think I could have the power to do so.

Cannot we put in the bailiffs?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is in favour of serving out white overalls or white gloves to constables on point duty; and, if so, how many are so equipped?

White gloves are supplied to all constables engaged on traffic duty in the Metropolitan police district, but white overalls are considered unnecessary.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman, who is himself well acquainted with motoring needs, consult with his colleague the Minister of Trans port on this subject?

I am always only too ready to consult my colleague the Minister of Transport.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the appointment of women police for special duty on Mitcham Common?

The Commissioner of Police is of opinion that at the present time the women police can be better employed elsewhere. The matter is one which I must leave to his discretion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to increase the number of women police in the Metropolitan Police Force, and to carry out the other recommendations made by the Committee recently appointed to report on the subject?

As already stated in reply to a question on 11th instant, steps are being taken to increase the number of Metropolitan police women to 50. The Committee's recommendations have been brought to the notice of all police authorities and most of them deal with matters which I must leave to the local authorities' discretion.

asked the Home Secretary the number of murders known to the police from the end of 1905 to the present time; the number of persons brought to trial; the number of persons sentenced to death; and the number of persons executed in connection with those murders?

I am sending to the hon. Member a Table giving the relevant figures.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the epidemic of burglaries, especially in May-fair, he can see his way to offer a reward to private citizens who may be instrumental in the detection or capture of the guilty parties?

No. There are serious objections to offering rewards in such circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the large number of burglaries that have taken place recently; whether any arrests have yet been made; and whether, since it is not advisable that full descriptions of persons assumed to have taken part in the same should be published in the Press, he will give instructions that such particulars be withheld from publication?

As the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. and gallant Gentleman's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The number of housebreakings and burglaries that have been committed during the months of October and November is not appreciably in excess of the number that was committed during the corresponding period of last year. Nor have these offences been more numerous during this month than they were during this time last year. During the period of fog last week several cases of housebreaking occurred in the vicinity of Park Lane and Mayfair; these were effected by the thief or thieves gaining access to the premises by climbing a stack-pipe, or some other similar means. Some of the offences of this description have been committed with particular daring and for this reason much has been made of them by the Press. This method of committing crime is not new. Three persons have been arrested, and two of them have been found in possession of a large quantity of jewellery and other articles, part of which has been identified as proceeds of five cases of housebreaking, etc., and some of these offences were committed by the person or persons who have been designated by the Press "cat burglars." The police sometimes find it necessary to issue to the Press descriptions of persons who are wanted for offences, but such descriptions are given only by the responsible police authorities after due consideration. I do not think it would be wise to give instructions that such particulars should be withheld from publication.

I may add that this morning a burglar in possession of housebreaking tools and operating in the same manner as the so-called "cat burglar" has been caught in Westminster and will be duly charged.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider bringing forward legislation to amend the Lottery Acts, whereby schemes promoted for benevolent and charitable purposes which have inadvertently contravened the law may be permitted to complete the draw, provided the promoters are able to satisfy a duly constituted authority as to the bona fides of the object of which the lottery is in aid?

I do not see my way to initiate any legislation on the subject, and I doubt if any legislation is required in the public interest.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has issued any special instructions affecting police action in connection with Christmas draws; and, if not, will he do so with a view to securing a uniformity of policy throughout the country?

No general instructions have been issued by my Department as to the action of the police in connection with Christmas draws, but the attention of the force concerned has been called to cases which have been brought to the notice of the Home Office. Such schemes would appear to be in contravention of the Lottery Acts, and to issue any directions relieving parties acting in contravention of the law in such cases at Christmas time would be improper and inadvisable. The police authorities may well be left to exercise their general powers in regard to such cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the police regard the law with regard to lotteries as very unsatisfactory? The law was made 100 or 200 years ago. Cannot we have legislation to amend it, to bring it into line with modern thought?

In view of the short time I have been in office I am not in a position to start any legislation on this very thorny question.

Is it not the case that representations are made to the police by civilians, and that otherwise the police do not take action? Is not that the failure of the law? Is it not unfair handling? Do not prosecutions follow only where representations are made against a particular organisation?

No; the hon. Member has no right to make that statement.

May I ask whether a lottery taking place in a Royal palace is illegal?

asked the Home Secretary if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation dealing with the question of sweepstakes?

The answer as at present advised is in the negative.

May I take it there is no truth in the rumour that the Government regard sweepstakes as being highly immoral?

I said in answer to the question that, as at present advised, I do not propose to bring in any legislation on the subject

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of George Clarke, who was sentenced last week to six months' imprisonment at Clerkenwell for a criminal assault on a girl of five years of age; and whether he can assure the House that inquiries will be made into the mental condition of the prisoner before his sentence expires and he is again at large?

This man's mental condition is now under the special observation of the medical officer of the prison to which he was committed with a view to any action which it may be necessary to take in the light of the medical officer's report.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will grant facilities to enable prisoners who are first offenders to send or receive one letter weekly from the time of sentence until discharge?

The frequency with which letters are now allowed to prisoners depends on their classification, and first offenders receive treatment according to the division in which they have been placed by the Court. I would point out that first offences vary considerably in degree of gravity, and that all first offenders are not entitled to special privileges.

Will this question be made the subject of inquiry by the Committee which the right hon. Gentleman is going to set up to consider prison reform; and, further, has the right hon. Gentleman any intention of announcing the names of that Committee at an early date?

This point will, I have no doubt, be considered by the Committee. With regard to the personnel of the Committee, I have sent out letters to-day asking various persons to join, and I hope to be able to announce the names very shortly.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered Scotland?

asked the Prime Minister which Member of his Government is responsible to the House for the administration of the Forestry Commission: and, if this Commission does not at present come under any Minister, whether he will consider the convenience of the House by placing it under the charge of one of his Ministers so that questions upon its administration and its expenditure of public money can be brought properly before the House?

No Minister is directly responsible to the House for the administration of the Forestry Commission, which is a statutory body under the Forestry Act, 1919. My hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Forestier-Walker) has been appointed under Section 1 (6) of that Act an unpaid member of the Commission, and questions upon the administration of the Commission and its expenditure of public money may be brought before the House by questions addressed to him. The Treasury is, of course, responsible for the Estimates laid before the House.

Will the hon. Gentleman, to whom the Prime Minister refers, answer questions which are addressed to him, as in the past questions addressed to members of that Commission have been ignored by them, and they have taken upon themselves to answer just if they like?

I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension, because I remember distinctly questions being answered by the Forestry Commissioner. Of course it is his duty to answer any questions which may be put down.

asked the Prime Minister whether Mr. A. McManus, one of the alleged signatories of the so-called Zinovieff letter, was called before the Cabinet Committee to give evidence as to its authenticity or otherwise; and, if not, will he state the reason for the omission of this important witness?

I have nothing to add to the statement with regard to the Zinovieff letter which I made in the course of the Debate on Monday.

With great respect, the right hon. Gentleman did not deal with that aspect of the case in his reply. Would he mind giving me an answer to my question?

I stated on Monday all I thought it desirable in the public interest that I should say, and I announced that it was all I was going to say. I must ask the House to permit me to maintain that attitude.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, as the Government are absolutely convinced of the authenticity of this letter and as the letter has been signed by a British subject, whether the Government intend to take proceedings against that British subject for signing a treasonable document?

It is no part of my case, and I have not alleged one way or the other that the signature of Mr. McManus to that letter was or was not affixed by himself. The Government are satisfied of the genuineness of the letter. I have said all I can say and all I will say as a responsible Minister upon the evidence which convinced me.

As the public has given its verdict on the matter without the evidence, might not the public now be furnished with the evidence?

No, Sir. It is quite impossible to produce this evidence, as the right hon. Gentleman will learn from the Leader of the Opposition who is sitting beside him.

On a point of Order. If a question is permitted by you, Mr. Speaker, to be placed on the Order Paper, is it not, at any rate, the custom of this House, as I believe it is the rule, that an answer must be given unless it is stated that it is not in the public interest to do so. In this case, the right hon. Gentleman has not stated that as the reason for refusing the information. I asked him whether a witness was called before a certain Cabinet Committee, and is it not in order for me to press for an answer, and must not an answer be given?

Before you answer that question, Sir, may I say, speaking with full responsibility, that I think it is contrary to the public interest that I should make any statement as to the witnesses who were heard by that Committee?

Apart from that, I have often answered the hon. and gallant Member's question. Members may ask questions, but there is no law to compel Ministers to reply.

Arising out of that point of Order, as applied by the Foreign Secretary, may I ask, since it is not in the public interest to disclose whether or not McManus was invited to attend, can anything be done in regard to the public interest, to prevent McManus himself saying whether he was invited to attend or not?

It is a matter of perfect indifference to me whether he makes any statement or not.

Arising out of the supplementary answer of the Foreign Secretary, may I ask whether he has any doubts as to the authenticity of McManus's signature to that letter?

I do not propose to make any further statement on the subject.

Have you any statement to make?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the French Government has included in the Army Estimates an additional credit for 150,000,000 francs, to be used ostensibly for the creation of a stock of army wheat, but really of a stock to be utilised as a weapon against grain speculators, with a view to stabilising wheat and flour prices; and whether he is prepared to take action on somewhat similar lines in this country?

I have been asked to reply. My attention has been called to a statement that the French Government has included in the Army Estimates an additional credit for 150 million francs for the creation of a stock of wheat for army purposes, but I have no knowledge in regard to the correctness of the further suggestions contained in the hon. Member's question. In view of the fact that a Royal Commission is investigating the whole question of food prices, and has been asked to submit an Interim Report on wheat, I am not prepared to anticipate their deliberations.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many manual instructors are employed in elementary schools; how many of these give instruction in metal-work and woodwork; whether they are skilled craftsmen who have served an apprenticeship to the trades they teach; and, if not, will he say what experience and qualifications are necessary for those appointed to the position of manual instructor?

As the answer to the hon. Member's question is rather long, I will, with his permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The answer is as follows:

The number of manual instructors employed in public elementary schools and centres in England and Wales was, on the 31st March, 1023 (the latest date for which any figures have been tabulated) about 1,950. I have no figures showing how many of these instructors gave instruction in metal-work and woodwork; but I understand that the great majority of them taught the latter subject. With regard to the third and fourth parts of the question, manual instructors in elementary schools are not employed to teach trades, but to give general instruction in handicraft. Before sanctioning their appointment, the Board require to be satisfied that they have sufficient skill in handicraft for this purpose. The qualifications now required for future appointments are that the candidate should either have completed satisfactorily a course of training in handicraft, or should have passed an examination in handicraft conducted by the City and Guilds of London Institute. In addition, he is expected to have passed an examination qualifying him for recognition either as a certificated or as an uncertificated teacher.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider taking steps to give effect to the Clauses of the Education Act, 1918, not yet in operation, either with regard to the compulsory raising of the school age to 15 or to the setting up of continuation schools; and whether he is in consultation with the Minister of Labour with regard to the provision of educational facilities for unemployed juveniles?

The provisions of the Education Act, 1918 (now embodied in the Education Act, 1921) with regard to the raising of the school age to 15 are now in operation. I do not propose, in present circumstances, to require local education authorities to undertake the provision of day continuation schools on a basis of compulsory attendance. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative.

Did not the Prime Minister say he would do everything he could to encourage education, and will the Government please remember that the anti-waste policy of 1920 had disastrous effects on education?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.

Yes!

asked the President of the Board of Education what measures he has in view, in collaboration with the county council education authorities, to bring the elementary and secondary school system in rural areas more closely into touch with the practice of husbandry, and especially through continuation and evening classes to give farm workers a fuller chance than they now have to become conversant with the mechanism of farm machinery, and in other ways raise the value of their labour and their wage?

I have this matter under consideration, but it is, in the first place, for the county education authorities and governing bodies to consider how far the curricula of schools should be adapted to serve special local interests. I hope to consult with them on this sub- ject and also with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, with whom responsibility for technical instruction in agriculture at present rests.

Does the Noble Lord remember the case of the farm labourer?

Is the Noble Lord considering the establishment of central rural schools as the best means of obtaining the object desired?

Yes, I am considering that subject, but, as my hon. Friend knows, the establishment of central schools in rural areas is exposed to a good many practical difficulties.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the Departmental Committee set up by the late Minister of Education on the question of public libraries has commenced its investigation; and, if so, when the Committee is expected to present its Report?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am unable to state when the Committee may be expected to present its Report.

If a Report is presented to the Minister, will he have it printed and circulated?

I have every intention, certainly, of doing so, but I do not think I can answer a hypothetical question of that kind at the moment.

asked the Minister of Health whether any suggestion has been made to the Unemployment Grants Committee by which preliminary work in connection with the suggested new docks on the south bank of the Tees should be undertaken with the co-operation of the local authorities: and whether the Committee would be willing to discuss these proposals with representatives of the councils interested?

No suggestion has been received by the Committee with regard to new docks on the south bank of the Tees. A tentative application has been received for a dock by a private firm on the north bank, but the powers of the Committee to make grants to companies extend only to public utility undertakings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any money and, if so, what amount is available for grants in relief to necessitous areas suffering from excessive unemployment; and whether, in view of the fact that excessive burdens have been thrown upon local rates by Poor Law relief and relief work schemes, he will bring fresh consideration to bear on this problem with a view to diminishing this handicap on industrial undertakings in these areas?

No special grants are given for the relief of necessitous areas as such, but the various Government schemes for relieving unemployment, being specially directed to giving assistance where unemployment is most severe, do in fact represent a very large measure of help from the general taxpayers to these areas. In my opinion this is the best method of dealing with this most difficult problem.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the burdens thrown on local authorities by previous Governments in certain localities have existed for at least 30 years?

I think I have covered that aspect by the general scope of my answer.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses there are still inhabited which have been condemned and which have not been closed because the occupants are unable to find other accommodation?

Statistics are not available giving the information desired by the hon. Member. According to the Reports of Medical Officers for 1922–23, representations were made during the year with a view to closing orders in respect of 3,155 houses. Closing orders were made in respect of 2,331 houses, and in 640 cases closing orders were determined after works of repair had been carried out. I may add that in the same period repairs were secured in the case of 542,834 houses as a result of the intervention of local authorities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making inquiries of local authorities and collecting the information asked for in this question, to enable him to form a conclusion as to the urgent need for extra houses?

I hardly think it would be necessary to do that. Everybody knows that there is urgent need. We do not require further evidence of that, and to get this evidence would perhaps entail a considerable amount of expense and labour.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to issue an order in the case of condemned houses in which people are still living, that the owners will not be permitted to increase the rent or to draw any rent so long as those houses stand condemned?

The hon. Member, I think, is aware that there is already power for the tenant to get a certificate to the effect that the houses are uninhabitable, and that then they are not obliged to pay increased rent.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that unless those figures are obtained, an entirely misleading idea of the housing requirements of the country is given, and will he not take steps to get this information in respect of each borough?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what progress his Department has made in the survey of alternative suitable accommodation, which he has secured legislative powers from this House to make?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister what steps have been, or are being, taken to bring into operation the Imperial Economic Committee, as recommended by the last Imperial Conference?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made yesterday on this subject in the course of the Debate.

Is it not a fact that the Prime Minister did not say yesterday what steps had been taken or were being taken to bring into operation this Committee?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will remember that I said the Committee was in course of formation, and that invitations had been issued for the nomination of members, but we had not yet had them answered.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government intends to introduce a Bill giving the franchise to women on the same terms as men?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the monthly revenue from the reduced Entertainments' Duty since reduction came into force, and compare each monthly return with the corresponding monthly figure for 1923?

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures:

The net Revenue from Entertainments Duty for the periods in question was, approximately, as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated national wealth and national income at the outbreak of war, on the date of the Armistice, and at the present time, respectively?

I have no official estimate. The national income just before the outbreak of war was usually estimated by statisticians at about £2,200 millions. The "Economist" of 4th October last published an estimate of £3,800 millions for 1923. I am not aware of any recent estimates of national wealth, but the best pre-War estimate was £14,300 millions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of the payment on 15th December to the United States Government of our external loan; how much was capital; and how much was interest?

The payment on the 15th December was $91,655,000, of which $23,000,000 was on account of principal and $68,655,000 interest.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what amount was paid in Liberty Bonds?

That is a very proper question to ask, but I could not answer it without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how this sum was affected by the appreciation of the £?

I could with notice. Of course, it would beneficially affect us.

I would like to know the amount.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount paid out in reparation claims to seamen and others out of the £5,000,000 allotted to claimants other than belated claimants?

I have been asked to reply. The total amount for which payable orders have been issued out of the £5,000,000 reparation fund to date is £4,469,033.

May I ask whether the remainder of the £5,000,000 will be allocated to the belated claimants, who have only had the inadequate sum of £300,000?

Part of the balance is unexpended, owing to the difficulty of tracing people to whom payments are due. As regards whether any further sum is to be awarded to claimants, that formed the subject of a question addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer a day or two ago, in which he replied he was taking the whole matter into consideration, and would make an announcement when the House reassembled.

Are any of these original claimants receiving the full amount of their claims, or, if not, what is the percentage being granted?