asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can see his way to extend to widowed mothers of ex-service men the concession with regard to the seven years' time limit already granted to the widows of deceased men?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Royal Warrant of 2nd September last, which made provision of the nature mentioned.

also asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will now revise the regulations which prevent an ex-service man who is undergoing out patient treatment from receiving any monetary allowance even when the disability for which he is being treated prevents him from following his normal occupation?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension as to the effect of the regulations governing the grant of allowances during treatment. There are, in fact, at the present tune some 6,000 men on an average undergoing courses of out-patient treatment, who are in receipt of full allowances Under Article 6 of the Royal Warrant.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why certain cases are refused and others granted? If a man is undergoing out-patient treatment, and unable to follow his work, will he in future be entitled to treatment allowance?

That, of course, depends entirely on the nature of the treatment given.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the number of people receiving such treatment, and getting no pension whatever

People who are receiving treatment in hospital receive, instead of pension, full rate of total disablement.

Of these patients, what number are not getting any allowance at?

If the hon. Member wishes to have that information, and will put a question down, I will be prepared to get it.

asked the Minister of Pensions why only men who have been actually invalided from the service under paragraph 392, XVI, of the King's Regulations or transferred to Class P Reserve are eligible for the award of 8d. per day for life for service-cum-disability, while men who in many cases have 14 to 19 years' service and were demobilised or transferred to Class Z Reserve are not eligible for this award though disability pension was claimed and granted at a later date?

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind Article 1163 of the Royal Warrant of 1914, which is common to the Ministry and the Service Departments. This Article provides special rates of compensation for service in the case of regular soldiers who had been prevented by discharge on account of disability from completing the service necessary to qualify for long service pension. Men serving on short time engagements during the War and demobilised when their services were no longer required are not within the scope of the Article.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there are any exceptions to the rule that there is no appeal against a final award after the period allowed has elapsed; and, if so, what machinery is there for dealing with such cases?

As I intimated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Hulme Division of Manchester (Sir J. Nall) on the 11th December last, an arrangement is in operation whereby eases in which it is shown that an appellant was prevented by unavoidable cause from entering his appeal within the statutory period are put to the appeal tribunals and may be heard by them on their merits. Such cases, like all other cases, are transmitted through the area offices of the Ministry in the first instance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many ex-service men undergoing treatment in the hospitals are told to refer their rights to the pension appeal tribunal on their discharge, that when this treatment is prolonged, the statutory time has elapsed, and when these men are discharged they have no right of appeal to the pension appeal tribunal, and their case is gone? Will the right hon. Gentleman make some provision so that the time for appealing is extended?

If the hon. Gentleman will send me a case of that sort I will go into it and also give him a reply not on that specific example, but on the general principle.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some tribunals, when these cases come before them and the Ministry's representative tells them they are out of time, refuse to deal with them?

Is it not true that happens in every case?

That is not the case. In certain cases where it is quite clear that there are good reasons, we waive our objection, but leave the tribunal to settle the matter. I may remind the House that if the House passes a law by which there is a time limit, that time limit must be upheld.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the dissatisfaction amongst ex-service men in regard to final awards being given to pensioners of under 20 per cent., and because of the hardship caused thereby, he has considered recommending to this House the setting up of a Select Committee to consider the whole question?

The Government have carefully considered the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend, but they do not consider that it can suitably be adopted. The statutory remedy of appeal to the independent appeal tribunals is available in the cases to which he refers, as well as in the case of final awards of life pension, and this remedy has been very freely exercised. So far as any just ground of grievance may remain the difficulty is essentially one affecting particular cases, not the whole system of final awards. As such it is, in the view of the Government, properly met by administrative action. Such action, with a view to the correction of awards that are demonstrated exceptionally to have been made final in error, was initiated by me in 1923, and this solution was accepted and extended by the late Government on lines which are working satisfactorily. I am giving careful attention to the whole matter with a view to facilitating the smooth working of the arrangements.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that, after questions, I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Minister of Pensions what decision, if any, has been arrived at with regard to the future of the regional office in Wales of the Ministry of Pensions; and whether he is aware that the closing down of this office will place a large number of men and women out of employment, with the result that the persons displaced in many cases will be compelled to have resource to unemployment pay, and, possibly, to the rates?

I have decided to transfer the awards work from the Wales region to London, and arrangements are already in progress for carrying out the tansfer. The administrative advantages which will accrue from the change are such that I should not be justified in delaying it. Alternative employment will be offered in this Ministry to the large majority of the staff now employed in the Wales Regional Headquarters Office, and endeavour will be made to place the remainder in other Government Departments.

I wish to thank the right hon. Gentleman for his very courteous reply, and to ask him whether he will say where it is proposed to find this alternative employment in Wales?

I have known cases of Welsh people finding employment in London and of English people finding it in Wales. We shall do our best for these men, because we recognise we must do what we can for them, but I cannot maintain an unnecessary complication in working merely to relieve unemployment.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to treat Wales differently from any other part of the country?

No, the Ministry in this question propose to treat Wales exactly in the same way as Ireland, both North and South, has been already treated, with successful results.

But what about Scotland? Is Wales to be treated differently from Scotland?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the fact that the London County Council are contemplating proceedings to enforce payment by boards of guardians who have refused payment hitherto for the maintenance in mental hospitals of ex-service patients who have become chargeable to the boards; and whether he will consider taking such steps as may be necessary to ensure that ex-service patients mentally affected as the result of service in the War should be maintained at the expense of the nation?

The cost of maintenance in mental hospitals of ex-service men, whose condition was caused by their war service, is, and always has been, borne by my Department. If, however, as I gather, the cases which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind are certain cases in which the men's unfortunate condition has been ascertained not to be due in any way to war service, the suggestion made is riot one which concerns my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the desirability of conceding the principle that temporary full-time medical men in the service of the Ministry of Pensions who served overseas during the late War, and especially if they were invalided or disabled in consequence of their service, should be retained when it is found necessary to reduce the numbers serving, in preference to those temporary full-time medical men who did not serve overseas?

The chief considerations in determining the continued employment of medical officers in the Ministry of Pensions are efficiency and the possession of the necessary qualifications for the duties required to be performed. Subject to those considerations, preference is given to an officer with over- seas service, more especially if he has a war disability, over one with home service only.

How many of these doctors have served overseas?

Out of 378 whole-time officers, 288 have served overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, by administrative order, he will cause records to be kept of the number of aliens and naturalised aliens who may be convicted of indictable offences or have judgments delivered against them in civil Courts?

Statistics of receptions of aliens into prisons such as I gave in reply to the hon. Member for the Isle of Thanet on the 18th December last go far, I think, in the direction desired by the hon. Member, and I do not think that such further records as it would be in my power to require would be of sufficient value to justify the taking of special measures to obtain them.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the traffic in aliens reported to be carried on by the help of the crews of British ships and to the resolution of the Leeds Board of Guardians on this subject; whether he is aware that six aliens were recently landed at Goole without papers; and what steps he is taking to prevent the landing of aliens in this way in this country?

I am aware that many attempts are made by aliens to land in this country as stowaways, in some cases with the connivance of members of the crews of the ships in which they arrive. The majority of these stowaways are detected by the Immigration Staff, refused leave to land and removed by the ships in which they came; while those who succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the officers are usually detected and are then removed from the United Kingdom. Where necessary I am ready to make Deportation Orders in these cases. I am satisfied that all possible steps are being taken to prevent these illegal landings. I have not seen the resolution of the Leeds Board of Guardians on this subject, but the case of five or six aliens who recently succeeded in evading the control at Goole and landed illegally has been engaging the attention of my Department. One of them has already been caught and is about to be deported.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will, in conjunction with the Foreign Office, take steps to counteract the activities of alien importing agents who, durng the season of steamer day excursions from our southern and eastern seaside towns to Continental ports, afford facilities for the entry of numbers of aliens, owing to the waiving of passport regulations?

I have no knowledge of any such activities of alien importing agents as are suggested, and I am confident that the concessions under which passports may be dispensed with in connection with the excursion traffic to Continental ports are in the public interests. This traffic is regulated by the issue of a special form of ticket, and is carefully supervised by the immigration staff, who check the passengers on the outward and return journeys with a view to preventing any evasion of the provisions of the Aliens Order.

Arising out of that answer, is the right hon. Gentleman aware—

I would ask hon. Members to have a little regard to those whose questions come later on the Order Paper to-day.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received representations from the Gun Makers' Association with regard to the exclusion from the Fire Arms Act of rook and rabbit rifles of 22 calibre and 300; and whether, in view of the inconvenience and expense which is caused to the trade and the Department on account of certificates being required for these sporting weapons and ammunition for them, he will consider their exclusion from the provisions of that Act?

I have received such representations. The purpose of the Firearms Act is to control the use of lethal weapons, and recent information in my possession does not suggest that a distinction based merely upon calibre could be justified. I should be prepared to consider any practical proposals directed to simplifying the Act while maintaining its principles.

asked the Home. Secretary if his attention has been called to the recent decision of the West Ham stipendiary magistrate that the presence of a child in arms on licensed premises was not against law; whether he will consider the effect such decision will have upon the country generally: and whether he will take the necessary steps to so tighten the existing laws that such a practice is made illegal?

My attention has been called to the newspaper reports of the remarks made by the magistrate, and I have been in communication with him on the subject. He informs me that his remarks have been misunderstood, and that what he had in mind was that the circumstances of the particular case did not call for any punishment. I am advised that Section 120, read with the definition of "child" in Section 131 of the Children Act, 1908, applies to all children under 14 including infants in arms, and there is no necessity for any amendment of the law in this respect.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say why there is exclusion of children from an institution that may he freely entered by both parents

That is another question.

asked the Home Secretary, seeing that the general conditions prescribed for the acceptance of omnibuses still preclude the attachment of a canopy to the top deck; that the Committee of the Ministry of Transport made any recommendations to the contrary, sufficient to permit experiments by the London General Omnibus Company in permanent top-deck structures; and, further, that his Department in July, 1923, refused to give permission for the use of an all-weather patent collapsible hood; whether, as such protection against the weather would be a boon, he will cause investigation to be made of the hood in question to see if it can be beneficially used?

I have been asked to answer this question. No alteration has been made by the Commissioner of Police in the conditions referred to in the first part of the question. At my request the Commissioner is prepared to grant experimental licences for a few omnibuses of the low-platform type, fitted with rigid top-deck covers. The hood to which the hon. Member refers in the last part of his question has been examined. The Commissioner however, is not in favour of the use of collapsible hoods on omnibuses, at any rate at the present time, and I concur with his views.

asked the Home Secretary whether young female offenders on remand are at any time associated in the prison with older prisoners; whether there are any means of communication between the two classes of prisoners on their way from the Court to the prison; and, if so, whether he can give the House the assurance that this matter is receiving the attention of the Committee which is 'now considering the subject of the treatment of young offenders?

There is no association between such prisoners and older women in prison except in the hospital ward. In such cases, however, the women are never left alone, but a trained nurse is always present by day and night. Communication is sometimes no doubt possible when prisoners are being conveyed from a Police Court to prison. The question whether any further precautions are possible and desirable will be brought to the notice of the Committee referred to and will not doubt receive their careful consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to statements made by Sir William Horwood, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, on 11th January last, to the effect that the recent increase in the number of burglaries in the Metropolitan Area must not be attributed to any lack of vigilance on the part of the uniform branch of the police; that this branch is considerably under strength, and that there are men in the uniform branch working three, and sometimes four, beats at the same time; and whether, in view of these statements, he proposes to bring the uniform branch up to adequate strength?

The figures the Commissioner quoted indicated that there were fewer burglaries in 1924 than in 1923 or 1922; but the uniform branch is at present considerably under strength, and I am giving the whole question my careful consideration.

Is it not a fact that recruiting for the Metropolitan Police is very much below what it used to be, and that the whole of the police forces throughout the country are under strength?

As to the whole of the police forces, I cannot give a definite answer; but the Metropolitan Police Force is under strength; the City Police Force is under strength; and some of the other forces are under strength.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the conviction at Chesterfield of a man for deliberately throwing a live dog into a blazing furnace, when the defendant was sent to prison for two months with hard labour; and whether he will consider the matter of introducing legislation empowering the infliction of heavier sentences and penalties in bad cases of ill-treatment of animals?

I have seen newspaper reports of this case. I will consider the question of initiating legislation in the sense suggested, but can give no pledge.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that at the Hertfordshire quarter sessions, on 6th January last, it was established that in law there was no right of appeal by Mr. Edwards against an order by local magistrates to have his dog, which was alleged to be dangerous, destroyed; and whether, having regard to the circumstance that there have been successful appeals in the past, he will consider the matter of introducing a short Bill providing for the right of appeal against orders made under Section 2 of the Dogs Act, 1871?

I am afraid that I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary when he intends to introduce the promised Factories Bill: and if, in the framing of that Bill, he will give his consideration to the conditions of labour applying to those engaged in boiler scaling and the cleaning of oil tanks in oil-carrying ships, and the present employment of boys under 16 in these occupations?

I am afraid that I cannot at present indicate any date for the introduction of this Bill. I will certainly consider the point raised in the latter part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give for the year 1923–24 the number of persons sent to prison in default of a fine who were given no time in which to pay the fine?

The number of persons received in prison during the year ended the 31st March, 1924, in default of payment of a fine who were allowed no time for payment was 11,874.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of persons under the age of 21 years who go to prison in default of paying a fine; and whether he will recommend to the Courts that in all cases where an offender under the age of 21 years, who has been given time in which to pay a fine, fails to pay lie should be brought before the Court again before going to prison?

A defendant under 21 years of age, who has been fined and allowed time for payment, may apply to the Court for an extension of time or may be placed by the Court under supervision, but the Court has no power to compel his appearance before it again before committing him to prison. I could not, therefore, make the recommendation suggested by the hon. Member.

Would the right hon. Gentleman make some suggestion to see that the persons in these cases are informed of their rights? Does he not think a number of them do go to prison unwittingly?

The "large number" mentioned in the question of the hon. Gentleman is a little misleading. Only 484 were last year committed in default of paying their fines. Of these, 198 were allowed time to pay and 169 paid their fines after reaching prison; so it is not quite so bad as it seems.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that there is a large number of questions on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give directions that, in future, when a young woman, on account of bad behaviour in a Borstal institution, is transferred to prison, the Court should be consulted as to the length of sentence to be served there instead of the unexpired residue of her Borstal sentence being automatically imposed?

When a girl is transferred from a Borstal institution to a prison, she is not necessarily held to serve a period equal to the unexpired part of her sentence. The duration of her imprisonment is determined by the Secretary of State in the light of all the circumstances and of her conduct both in the Borstal institution and in prison, and her prospects on discharge. The Court is consulted whenever circumstances require such consultation.

As a matter of fact have there been any cases in which a different term has been imposed than would have been the unexpired sentence?

I think so I had a case the other day, and I was trying to charge my memory as to what exactly I decided. But if the hon. Gentleman would be good enough to put a question down in respect to a definite case I will give him an answer. I know I considered, in making my decision, all the points that are mentioned here.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to take any legislative action upon any of the recommendations in the Report of the Royal Commission on Fire Brigades and Fire Prevention appointed in January, 1921?

I have not yet been able to examine in detail the recommendations of this Commission, which cover a very wide field. It may be possible to deal with some of the recommendations in Bills already promised. So far, however, as the general question of the organisation of fire brigades is concerned, I can bold out no prospect of legislation this year.

asked the Home Secretary what action the Government proposes to take in regard to the Report of the Mackenzie Committee on the question of reinstatement of the police prison strikers?

I have considered the whole question very carefully, and have come to the conclusion that reinstatement in any form is nut of the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take cognisance of that recommendation of the Committee respecting a cash payment—

No!

I am asking the right hon. Gentleman. What decision has the Government arrived at on that point?

The latter part of the recommendation of the Committee was unanimous. Therefore, I am taking it very carefully into my consideration. I cannot state what my decision will be.

May I ask also, in view of the fact that that recommendation was quite outside the terms of reference in the Report, and that no case was argued in respect of a cash payment., that an opportunity should be given for the case for a cash payment to be argued by the Committee or by another Committee to be appointed?

Having regard to the fact that the hon. Gentleman himself says that the matter was outside the purview of the Report of the Committee, I think he had better leave it where it stands in my hands, and after the statement I have made that I am considering very carefully the suggestion made by the Committee.

asked the Home Secretary whether the occurrence of the comparatively rare disease of polyeythœmia in direct connection with workers in ammonium sulphate production constitutes this disease an industrial disease; and, if so, will he have the disease scheduled as such under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, so that these very painful cases can receive some compensation

I have only heard of one case of this disease, the cause of which is obscure, and there is no information at present before me which would justify its being classed as an industrial disease.

If it can be shown that this disease is actually the result of working under these conditions and could not come from any other cause, would the right hon. Gentleman then consider the advisability of adding this to the list of classified diseases?

I do not want to acid to the number of classified diseases. The only case mentioned is one sent to me by the right hon. Gentleman. In the case of these very obscure diseases one must look very carefully into the question before taking action.

The fewer the cases of injustice, the more easy it is to remedy them.

asked the Home Secretary if he intends to take any action against the "Workers' Weekly" newspaper in respect of an article entitled, "The Programme for the Army"

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether he is prepared to take action against the editor of the "Workers' Weekly" for inciting the population to rebellion

My attention has been called to the article in question, but as at present advised I do not propose to take any action in regard to it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the present case is in any way different from the previous case of the "Workers' Weekly," in which the action was wisely withdrawn?

It is perhaps a little difficult to express an opinion as to various grades of wickedness.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he declared emphatically his opinion at Deptford in a public speech, without carefuly considering the matter first?

Not at all.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the existing law makes adequate provision for the defence of poor prisoners; and, if not, will he undertake to introduce such new legislation as he may consider necessary?

I understand that the Committee which has been considering the position of poor litigants in the High Court, will shortly complete its task, and I propose as soon as the Report is available to confer with the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney-General as to the steps which it may be desirable to take with reference to the position of poor persons in proceedings taken in the lower Courts.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the publication in detail of evidence in criminal trials by various newspapers in this country; if any expert reports have been supplied to him which tend to show that such reports have an injurious effect upon public morals and increase of criminal eases; and whether he will adopt measures to prevent publication of news of this nature?

My attention has been drawn to publications of this kind, but no expert reports to the effect suggested have been supplied to me. Legislation to prohibit the publication of reports of these proceedings would be difficult.

But does my right hon. Friend confess to the House that he is helpless to prevent a grave public scandal of this kind being continued from Sunday to Sunday throughout this country?

I did not say that I was powerless. What I said was that legislation, which means passing a Measure through this House, would be very difficult, and I think my hon. Friend realises that any attempt to interfere with the freedom of the Press, however much I deprecate these papers, and I do very strongly, is a question of very great difficulty.

Would it not be better to stop the publication of Sunday papers altogether? They are all printed on Friday?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the benefits of the Courts of Emergency Power Act come to an end automatically on the 17th March next: if he is aware that there are a number of claims under the Act pending which cannot come before the Court before the 17th March; and what action the Government proposes to take to enable these people, many of whom are ex-service men, to preserve their rights?

I am sorry to say there is a wrong date in this question, and I apologise to my right hon. Friend. The date should be 17th June.

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will be good enough to put his question to my Friend the Solicitor-General, who knows more about the matter than I do.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Departmental Committee on Child Adoption, presided over by Mr. Justice Tomlin, has presented a Report; and, if not, when such Report may be expected?

The Committee has not yet presented a Report, and I am unable to say when the Report may be expected. I understand that the Committee has not yet finished taking evidence.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is prepared to introduce into the system of grants-in-aid of higher education the same principle of differentiation between areas with high and low rates as is embodied in the Regulation for grants-in-aid of elementary education, so as to prevent children living in highly-rated industrial areas being penalised by an insufficiency of facilities for higher education?

My right hon. Friend is afraid that he is not in a position at the present time to consider an alteration of the grant system, but I can assure the hon. Member that the point raised by him has not been overlooked.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the advisability o' appointing a committee to inquire into the question of State-provided scholarships in secondary schools, particularly with regard to the restriction of the scholarships to pupils in State-aided schools; and whether such scholarships might now he thrown open to all efficient secondary schools not having, or able to provide, such leaving scholarships?

The scheme of State scholarships for pupils in grant-aided schools was only revived last year, and my right hon. Friend does not think there is at present sufficient material to make it worth while to set up a Committee to consider its working.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the restriction of free places in secondary schools to children who have previously attended elementary schools for a certain period can now be suspended as not being in the best interests of education as a whole; and is he aware that the parents of many children attending elementary schools are as capable of paying secondary school fees as the parents of those who do not come from the elementary schools?

Though the Regulations expressly provide only for the award of a specified minimum proportion of free places to pupils who have previously attended an elementary school, there is nothing in the Regulations to prevent the admission without payment of fees of other pupils also who are in need of financial assistance, and such pupils are not infrequently admitted at present.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Memorandum of the League of Nations, which the Board of Education was preparing, has yet been completed; and, if so, when he proposes to issue it?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not able to add anything to the answer which he gave the hon. Member on the 18th December last.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will recognise the principle of additional State grants to local authorities who have had heavy burdens thrown upon the local rates for the relief of the unemployed; and whether he will call a conference of representatives of necessitous areas as soon as possible in order that an equitable basis of additional grants may be arranged?

I do not think that there is at the present time a case for a further increase in the amount of the Exchequer assistance to local authorities, as suggested by the hon. Member. I would point out that the Exchequer grant in respect of unemployment relief works was recently increased and that the local rates have received material relief from the passing of the Unemployment Insurance Act of last year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the burden placed on industrial undertakings in certain areas constitute a very grave burden, and a very unjust burden as compared with other areas which are not bearing their proper proportion of the cost of unemployment.

I do not think the position is worse to-day than it has been at any time during the last few years.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that in certain districts the rate of unemployment is considerably higher to-day than it was 12 months ago, and can he give special consideration to those districts?

Will my hon. Friend put a question down?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the heavy burdens imposed upon local ratepayers as the result of the relief to unemployed persons in the country; whether he is by statistics informed as to the numbers of such men and women, able-bodied and willing to work; and whether he will take steps with the Government to ensure that schemes for productive employment will be introduced this year?

I have been asked to reply. Figures with regard to the extent of unemployment, as the hon. Member knows, are obtained and published each week. I am aware of the burden falling on local rates, but I would point out that this burden has been, and is, greatly relieved by the assistance given by unemployment benefit and by grants-in-aid of relief works from the Exchequer and the Road Fund. The question of making further provision for relief works continues to receive careful attention from the Government Departments concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the estimated amount of the savings of the people of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1924: and what sum was devoted to schemes for the relief of unemployment?

I know of no reliable estimate of savings. As regards the expenditure on unemployment relief I would refer my hon. Friend to Command Paper 2082. Similar figures for the current financial year are not yet available.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now name the date on which the House will be afforded the opportunity of an unemployment debate?

This is a matter for arrangement through the usual channels.

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the great importance of the preservation of open spaces in the rapidly-growing districts of Greater London, he will consider whether his department can give or obtain some financial assistance in the proposed purchase of Gunnersbury Park for the benefit of the public?

I regret that there are no funds at my disposal which are available for this purpose.

The right hon. Gentleman has already promised me assistance under certain conditions. Is that assistance to be merely moral?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of concrete houses now being put up; whether this substance is in every way satisfactory; and what other materials are being used at present for the construction of houses in addition to bricks and mortar?

The available statistics as to house building do not distinguish between houses erected with concrete and those of other forms of construction, but in the last few years many thousands of houses have been built in concrete. There is no reason to doubt the suitability of concrete for house building, and in this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the Second Interim Report of the Committee on New Methods of House Construction (Cmd. 2310) recently issued. The principal other materials in addition to bricks and mortar and concrete which are, at present in use for house building are stone, timber and steel.

Can I not ask Question 41, Sir?

No, certainly not. The hon. Member has exceeded his ration.

The last question was my second.

This is the fourth. The hon. Member has postponed one.

asked the Minister of Health whether, before promoting fresh legislation for the extension or alteration of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, the Government will consider the advisability of calling a conference to be attended by representatives of His Majesty's Judges, by representatives of the Judges of the County Court, and by the President or an appointed representative of the Surveyors' Institute, and of the Auctioneers' and Estate Agents' Institute, with a view to obtaining their views and, if thought fit, embodying the same into any proposed.

I am afraid that I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the immense amount of litigation arising out of the Rent Restriction Act, and in view of that litigation will he not, before next bringing forward other legislation, obtain expert opinions?

I am not at all sure that the course suggested by my hon. Friend would lead to a diminution in the amount of work.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is contemplated that houses recently recommended by the Moir Committee for demonstration purposes will be erected in districts other than those selected for the Weir houses, so as to give wider opportunities of inspection by the public?

It is my intention that the arrangements for the erection of demonstration houses shall give the widest possible opportunities for inspection, and while, in some cases, houses of more than one type may be erected in an important centre, this will not generally be the case.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the fact that in certain districts the high cost of land and materials is raising the price of new dwellings to such an extent that the subsidy is not obtainable by those wishing to build; and whether, in view of the unsatisfied demand for houses in these districts, he proposes to introduce amending Regulations or legislation?

No further legislation or Regulation is required to enable local authorities to subsidise the erection of working-class houses which cannot be provided without assistance, and in sanctioning a scheme for any particular place full regard is paid to the prevailing costs in the locality.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to meet the representations of local authorities in London urging the passage of a Bill to prevent the user of dwelling-houses as factories or workshops.

I have had under consideration the representations referred to. One effect of the Rent Restriction Acts is that conversions of this kind are strictly limited. It would appear, therefore, that the matter is not of urgency, but I should be prepared to look into it further on receipt of evidence to the contrary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in many local areas in London the demolition of slums and insanitary areas is being held up by lack of alternative accommodation, and that this alternative accommodation would he provided if this Bill were introduced and carried through the House?

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to encourage the quicker provision of new cottages and the repair of existing cottages at rents which farm workers can pay; and whether he is aware of the failure of existing arrangements to meet these needs in many districts?

I am fully aware of the difficulties which have been experienced in rural areas in regard to the provision of houses at rents which farm workers can pay. The Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, provided that in agricultural parishes a special Exchequer grant of £3 10s. a year a house for 40 years should be available in addition to the ordinary subsidy of 29 a year for 40 years. Advantage is beginning to be taken of this provision, and I hope that it will be increasingly used, especially as new and cheaper methods of building are developed. My hon. Friend will be aware that, apart from the ordinary powers at local authorities to enforce the carrying out of needed repairs, they are empowered to lend money to owners proposing t3 reconstruct, enlarge or improve cottage property.

Is it not the fact that the Ministry of Health is now sanctioning houses in rural areas up to a cost of 2500, entailing a rent which no farm labourer, with only 30s. a week, can possibly pay?

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the question of helping labourers financially, so that they can construct their own houses in their spare time?

That should form the subject of a separate question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will ascertain from local authorities and railway companies in rural areas the numbers of their employés who are at present housed in cottages belonging to farms or to private agricultural owners: and whether he will introduce legislation making it compulsory for local authorities and railway companies to build houses in rural areas for their own employés, thereby freeing numerous cottages for the housing of agricultural workers and enabling owners to develop their estates?

I do not think the value of information on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member would be commensurate with the cost and labour involved in compiling a return. I may mention that some railway companies are already promoting the erection of houses for their employés, but I do not consider it is desirable to promote legislation making compulsory the provision of houses by local authorities and railway companies for their employés.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the principle that employers should be responsible for the housing of their own employés, and, if so, will he not circularise the rural authorities?

I certainly think it is desirable that employers should house, their own employés if there is not already housing accommodation for them, but the provision of compulsory legislation for this purpose is quite another matter.

rose —

We must not delay other questions.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the large number of unoccupied houses in London and elsewhere suitable for conversion into flats; whether he is aware that the owners are deterred from converting them because local authorities have refused to comply with the section of the Housing and Town Planning Act of 1923 in respect of the refund of rates in such cases; and, if so, will he direct local authorities to carry out the provision?

I should welcome any steps taken by local authorities under the powers which they have to facilitate the conversion of large unoccupied houses into separate tenements; but I am afraid that I have no power to give directions to local authorities on a matter which has been left by Parliament to their discretion.

asked the Minister of Health if he could undertake to have a census taken of the number of unoccupied houses in the Boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, and in the City of Westminster, at the end of this month?

I am afraid that a special census would entail labour and expense which would not be justified by any result likely to follow from it.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this information would be of great public interest?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the suggestion that rates should have to be paid on unoccupied houses after a certain period? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear !" and "Answer !"1

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the possibility of issuing regulations to ensure that where houses are built with the aid of a Government subsidy by local authorities, such authorities should keep a rota, open to public inspection, of applications for vacant houses so as to prevent the possibility of such applications being considered in relation to the political opinions of the applicants?

By Section 61 of the, housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, the general management, regulation, and control of houses erected by local authorities under the Housing Acts is vested in the local authority. and I have no doubt that local authorities generally fully consider the claims of ail applicants for tenancies of houses erected by them. I do not propose to interfere with the discretion of local authorities in the matter. I would point out that, under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, local authorities are required to give reasonable preference to large families in letting houses built under that Act.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the great difficulty being experienced by the London County Council, in connection with its slum clearance schemes, in finding temporary accommodation for the dehoused inhabitants of such areas, although there are large numbers of empty houses in the West End of London; and can he take steps to assist the London County Council in this matter?

The London County Council already has power to acquire empty houses which might he made suitable as houses for the working classes, and it does not appear that further assistance from me is needed.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent bricks are being imported into this country from France and Belgium; and whether he proposes to take steps to safeguard the employment of unskilled men engaged in making both bricks and concrete blocks for house construction who may be displaced by the import of these materials produced by foreign unskilled labour?

I have been asked to reply. The number of bricks of brick earth or clay registered as imported during the month of December last amounted to 8,543,000, and for the whole year 1924 to 85,012,000. The greater part of the imports were from the countries named. Local authorities have been urged by the Government, in the absence of special circumstances, to place contracts for material in this country, and. in view of the activity in the brick-making and cement industries, I do not think any further action is called for.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider bringing this industry under the safeguarding of industries scheme?

Will he undertake to utilise his good offices in destroying the trusts that now exist in this country for the limitation of output?

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether building materials would be eligible for protection under his safeguarding proposals?

That does not now arise.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the burden thrown on local authorities by the withdrawal of the Old Age Pension from those who have for more than three months been inmates of an institution infirmary under 9 and 10 Geo. V., ch. 102, s. 1 ( a ); and if he is prepared to give this matter his sympathetic consideration when framing his Bill to amend the present law?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to amend the Old Age, Pensions Act so as to remove the disqualification of a pensioner from receiving a pension after treatment in an institutional infirmary for three months where such patient continues an inmate of such institution; and will he arrange that such pension be paid to the guardians so long as the pensioner is chargeable, so as to ensure better care and attention than may otherwise obtain

The provision in the Old Age Pension law to which reference is made was enacted as the result of a recommendation by the Departmental Committee on Old Age Pensions of 1919, and the Government's not prepared to introduce legislation to alter it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Government of the United States of America is pressing Germany for war damages for losses incurred by private American citizens; and will he see that the same pressure is brought to bear upon the German Government to secure full compensation to private individuals, especially men of the mercantile marine, in this country for the damages they have suffered from enemy action?

May I point out, Mr. Speaker, that there are two questions standing in my name below this one, and this one was put down in error not my myself.

The position of the United States Government and of His Majesty's Government is the same, and under the Paris Agreement the claims of the United States Government, like those of His Majesty's Government, are being met from the Dawes Annuities, which cannot be increased. In neither case have individual claimants for damage by enemy action a claim under the Treaty of Versailles or under the Dawes Scheme against the German Government; and no such claim can be made on that Government.

Do I understand that no individual claim comes under the Versailles Treaty?

No individual claims for damage by enemy action can be made against the German Government under the Versailles Treaty.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce as soon as possible the Legitimacy Bill?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I hope that it may be possible to introduce this Bill in another place at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the congestion caused by the number of cases in the Admiralty Court; and whether he will consider the appointment of an additional Judge to relieve the present situation and to enable the Court to maintain its high standard and reputation?

I have been asked to reply. The Government have given very serious consideration to this subject and have determined to ask Parliament to confer upon His Majesty the necessary power for the appointment of an additional Judge of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division. My right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor yesterday introduced in another place a Bill making provision for this purpose.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to continue the policy of His Majesty's former Government, or whether it will support an appeal of the British Red Crescent Society to the French and Spanish Governments to give facilities for sending a medical mission and medical supplies to the Riffis, as it is reported that the sick and wounded are without medical aid, seeing that Article 2 of The Hague Convention (Laws and Customs of War on Land) gives belligerent rights to fighting men in a levee en masse of the population, providing that they carry their weapons openly and conform to the laws and usages of war?

His Majesty's Government are not prepared to intervene in such a matter respecting which it is entirely for the Spanish and French Governments to make their decision. By Article 2 of The Hague Convention the provisions of the Land Warfare Regulations apply only as between the signatory parties, but even if the insurgent tribes in the Spanish and French protectorates were signatories, I must point out that facilities for sending a medical mission and medical supplies to the Riffis have nothing to do with the Land Warfare Regulations.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgency of the matter, the Royal Commission on Food Prices intends to publish an Interim Report; and, if so, when it may be expected and on what aspects of the problem which it is considering?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed that the Royal Commission on Food Prices intend to furnish an Interim Report on the wheat, flour, bread and meat trades. This Report will be published at the earliest possible date.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government is considering a new pact of alliance and security with France; and whether this House will be fully consulted before this nation is in any way committed to an alliance involving us in the risk of war?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any discussions are going on with the French and Belgian Governments regarding a British guarantee for the security of their frontiers; and whether this House will be given an opportunity of discussing any such proposals before the Government of the country are finally committed to them?

No negotiations for a separate pact with any country have been entered upon by H.M. Government. They are earnestly engaged in the consideration of the great questions raised by the Protocol of Geneva. Whatever their decision in respect of that Protocol, or on questions arising out of it, His Majesty's Government would not think of committing this country to the Protocol itself, or to any fresh obligation of a comparable character, without the assent of Parliament.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to introduce legislation in the present Session to give effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Merchandise Marks, which sat under the chairmanship of Sir Harry Greer, and which reported to Parliament in 1920?

I have been asked to reply. The question of amending the existing Merchandise Marks Laws is under consideration, and I hope to be in a position to make a statement on the subject at a later date.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the national importance of St. Paul's Cathedral, the Government is prepared to take any and, if so, what steps to contribute to the work of restoration?

No application so far as I am aware has been made by the responsible authorities for Government assistance to the work of restoration of St. Paul's Cathedral. If such an application were put forward, the Government would not fail to give it the serious consideration which the importance of the subject deserves, but I am quite unable in present circumstances to indicate what decision would be reached.

In view of the great importance of this subject throughout the whole English-speaking world, will the Government suggest to the Office of Works that they should offer its services in a consultative capacity?

asked the Prime Minister if he will cause inquiry to be made into the allegation published by an ex-Minister of Shipping to the effect that in 1916 he was instrumental in preventing the success of an attempt to sell our reserve stocks of food to countries adjacent to Germany; and if any person or persons implicated in this project will he prosecuted?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the reference is to a statement in a book published by Sir. L. Chiozza Money under the title "The Triumph of Nationalisation." I read the statement as meaning that the author succeeded in securing that the exportation of certain foodstuffs, which had formerly been free, should be made subject to a licence. There is no suggestion that the traders were breaking the law, and the question of prosecution therefore does not arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a statement has been published in the daily Press under the signature of Sir Leo Chiozza Money in a considerably different form and expressed more strongly than the right hon. Gentleman appears to think?