asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when it is likely that the Reforms Enquiry Committee presided over by Sir Alexander Ruddiman will present its Report?

I have been asked to answer these questions, in the absence of my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State (Earl Winterton). The Committee have presented their Report. My Noble Friend hopes to be in a position to publish it about the middle of March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the figures of recruitment for the higher Civil Services in India are now satisfactory; and whether the class of candidates coming forward is equal to that previously secured?

The quality of the successful candidates recently ap- pointed to the Indian Civil Service has been distinctly good, and in the case of the other major services a satisfactory standard has been maintained. An increase in the number of men offering themselves for appointment is, however, urgently required, and it is hoped that the concessions now approved for the Superior Civil Services as a consequence of the Report of the recent Commission presided over by Viscount Lee of Fare-ham, to which the attention of the universities is being drawn, will produce a steadily increasing supply of candidates.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman cannot do it, but can he give us any idea as to the number of candidates now coming forward?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the agrarian riots in the native State of Suket; whether he has any information as to the reasons of the peasants demonstrating against their landlord and rajah; why British troops were sent into this independent native. State to protect the rajah; and whether the rents or taxes to be collected from the tenants have now been reduced or are still being exacted at the enhanced rate?

It appears from reports received from the Government of India that the people of the State put forward various grievances, of which the new land revenue assessment was one of the most important. A small number of British troops were sent to establish control of the situation when the British political officer, who proceeded to the State in the first instance with a police escort, reported further disturbances and found himself faced by a large and truculent mob. The British authorities, who assumed control of the administration owing to the departure of the Raja, announced that the new settlement would be held in abeyance until it had been thoroughly checked, and that the other grievances put forward would receive full consideration. No further trouble has been reported.

May we understand from that that the Raja was not reinstated, or that if he is reinstated he will not be allowed to force up the rents of his people?

The right hon. Gentleman will naturally put that question down.

Could the hon. Gentleman say what is the size of the State of Suket?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any representations have recently been made to him as to discontent amongst the natives of Kenya in regard to land tenure; and, if so, what steps, if any, he is taking in the matter?

The question of native lands and native land tenure in Kenya was brought to the notice of the East Africa Commission on frequent occasions during their visit. These repre- sentations are being dealt with in their Report. In addition, I have just received proposals on the subject from the late Governor of Kenya, whose death we all deplore. My hon. Friend may rest assured that the importance of the problems involved is fully appreciated, and that it is my intention to deal with them at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to give any information regarding the removal of the Wakamba, with their cattle from the Yatta plains in Kenya?

No, Sir. I have not yet received a reply to the despatch which I sent to the late Governor of Kenya on this subject in December last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to state the conditions under which the records of the Supreme Court of Kenya are housed at Nairobi; and whether they are adequately protected against danger by fire?

I have not yet received a reply to the despatch which I sent to the Governor in December last as a result of the hon. and learned Member's previous question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has seen the petition sent by the Archbishop of Cyprus to Mr. Speaker; and what steps, if any, are being taken in respect of the complaints contained in that petition?

The matters referred to in the petition had, for the most part, formed the subject of similar petitions addressed to my predecessors which had been duly answered, and I did not, therefore, consider it necessary to take any action upon it, beyond notifying the petitioners that Mr. Speaker was unable to take the action requested.

Es the right hon. Gentleman examining into the situation in Cyprus with a view to trying to satisfy the majority of the inhabitants of the island?

I think my answer made it clear that the matter had been examined very closely on more than one occasion, not only by myself but by my predecessors.

Is it not a fact that a large majority of the inhabitants of Cyprus are quite content to remain under British rule?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the new emigration scheme recently accented in principle at the Conference of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth with the Premiers of the States, the British Government has offered to pay half the interest for a period of five years on loans not exceeding £20,000,000, in addition to loans which might be raised in the Commonwealth under existing schemes, together with one-third of the interest for a further period of five years; whether it is stipulated that, for each £1,000 lent, the Australian Government should settle at least one family and whether he can estimate how many settlers the new scheme will provide for within the next 10 years?

The scheme in question at present under discussion between the Commonwealth and the State Governments. I do not feel that I can usefully make any reply to my hon. Friend's question until I am informed of the outcome of this discussion, when I shall be very happy to give him full information as to the final form of the scheme.

Are we to understand that this scheme, which I think was announced by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department last May, has been modified?

I am still awaiting any representations that may reach me from the Commonwealth Government as the result of their discussion with the States.

Is the right hon. Gentleman waiting for Mr. Collier to come across here, as there are several cases held up by the Australian Government—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speak up!"] You be quiet.—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] You can hear the voice of a Welshman anywhere.

Will the hon. Member get on with his question?

I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is waiting for Mr. Collier, the Premier of Western Australia, to come across here and discuss the arrangements, because I know of several cases which have been held up by the Australian Government on account of the arrangements?

As I understand the position, the point of view of Western Australia is being represented in these discussions to which I have referred in Mr. Collier's absence, and he will no doubt he informed of the views of his Government before he arrives here.

Is it a fact that certain suggestions have been made to the Commonwealth Government in regard to this scheme on behalf of His Majesty's Government which have not proved acceptable to the Commonwealth?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any steps are being taken to encourage a motor-car journey from Nigeria to the Sudan, seeing that such an expedition is now being made, via Lake Chad, by the French?

So far as I am aware, no steps are being taken by the Nigerian Government to encourage such a journey.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he contemplates the dissolution of the Southborough Committee and for what reasons, seeing that the Committee was set up to devise measures for the permanent protection of the natives of our East African Colonies and mandated territories; and whether he will obtain the approval of this House before reversing the action of his predecessor in office?

As the right hon. and gallant Member was informed on the 10th instant, I have come to no decision regarding the future of the Southborough Committee, which stands adjourned until I have received the Report of the Commission which has recently visited East Africa. This Report will be published as a Parliamentary Paper and I can make no further statement until then. If after the publication of the Report there is a general desire for a discussion on this subject, it could be arranged on the Colonial Office Vote, when I shall be in a better position to make any statement regarding the desirability of further inquiry into matters dealt with in the Report.

May we take it that the Southborough Committee will not be dissolved without the House being informed first?

It stands adjourned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a Report with regard to Mr. Venkataram, the manager of the newspaper "Swarayja," who was recently detained by the Ceylon police as a destitute Indian immigrant on the ground that he was dressed in khaddar; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action?

I have received a report in this case. Mr. Venkataram arrived at Talaimannar with no credentials and with only 10 rupees in his possession. Under the provisions of the Ceylon Ordinance governing the admission of destitute immigrants, he was detained until a bond had been signed on his behalf as required under the Ordinance, when he was allowed to enter the Colony. I do not propose to take any action in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what European medical assistance is available for the families of British officials employed in the mandated territory of Palestine; and whether facilities can be given to one or more of the Government medical officers to accept as patients members of the families of such officials?

The medical practitioners licensed by the Palestine Government include 30 British doctors and some 150 others of European and American extraction. I therefore see no need for any special action on the lines suggested in the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the grounds for prohibiting the election of women to the legislative councils of St. Vincent and Grenada?

The provision excluding women from election to the legislative councils of Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent was adopted on the recommendation of the local committees, representative of both official and unofficial opinion, which considered and reported on the details of the new constitutions of those islands. In accordance with the recommendations of Mr. Wood's Report the settlement of all but a few essential points was left to local opinion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it might be left to the electors to decide these matters in each individual case?

I think the opinion of the Committee, which went very fully into this question, is that by which we would naturally be guided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any expenditure from Colonial Government funds has taken place in connection with the visit of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York to East Africa?

On a point of Order. May I ask if an hon. Member is in order in asking for an explanation in this House of expenditure made by a Colonial Government

I think the hon. Member is entitled to ask for information, as it is not one of the self-governing Colonies

I have no official information, but am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he possesses any statistics showing the amount of large-scale contract work placed by the Dominions and Crown Colonies in this country during the last year, especially as compared with the amount of such work placed by them in other countries?

So far as the Dominions are concerned no definite or complete statistics are available here. The Crown Agents for the Colonies placed practically the whole of their orders in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that awards in respect of compensation for damage to property made by the Wood-Renton Commission do not in all cases reach the persons for whom they are intended; and whether he can state what provisions exist for ensuring that the agreement between Great Britain and the Irish Free State is carried out on both sides?

I have no information which would suggest that the agreement with the Government, of the Irish tree State regarding the payment of awards made by the Compensation (Ireland) Commission is not being carried out on both sides; but if the hon. Member will give me details of any cases of the kind referred to in the first part of his question, I will make inquiry into them.

Has the Colonial Secretary any information as to a Proclamation issued by the Governor-General of the Irish Free State last Monday and published in the "Dublin Gazette" purporting to vary and enlarge the powers of the Wood-Renton Commission and to amend the Indemnity Act of 1920?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice of that question.

Can the Colonial Secretary say whether the payments by the British Government have been carried out on a 50–50 basis?

I think my hon. Friend ought to give me notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the agreement with the Irish Free State, by which money was paid for the purpose of discharging the British liability for pre-truce damage, contained any provisions by which the British Government could satisfy itself that compensation was actually paid to those who suffered damage at the hands of persons for whose activities the Free State Government assumed responsibility; and what steps are taken to enforce the carrying out of the agreement?

The agreement, provides that the sun' agreed upon shall be paid to the Government of the Irish Free State as and when awards to that amount are issued by the Compensation (Ireland) Commission and satisfied by that Government. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the taxation to which commercial travellers entering Norway, Sweden and Denmark are subjected; whether he is aware that since 29th March last the licence fees in Denmark have been considerably increased, and that the Norwegian authorities are considering similar changes; that it costs a manufacturing firm in this country £1 a day in licence fees to send a representative to Denmark for a fortnight's visit and whether, seeing that the nationals of Norway, Sweden and Denmark are free to sell their commodities here without payment of any fee or tax, he will consider the advisability of approaching the Governments of these countries with a view to securing, if not the abolition, at any rate the lessening, of these burdens upon British trade?

Thu answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative, except that I am not aware of the precise proposals of the Norwegian Government, and an inquiry has been addressed to His Majesty's Legation at Oslo. As regards the last part of the question, the whole matter is under consideration. Representations have already been addressed to the Danish Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, instead of advertising Russian raw materials for Arcos, Limited, Soviet House, 49, Moor-gate Street, London, E.C.2, as is now being done on the backs of Government, publications for the Department of Overseas Trade, he will consider inserting matter connected with the British Empire, such as reports on the trade and commerce of East Africa, and some other similar publications?

It has been decided not to renew the contract entered into last year for advertisements from the undertaking referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. The advertising space in the Economic Reports isued by my Department is always available for the publication of information calculated to promote the trade of the British Empire.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the number of beet sugar factories in this country; the number under construction or contemplation, and the total amount advanced or authorised under the Trade Facilities Act for this purpose; and whether he is in a position to state the amount of foreign capital invested in these undertakings?

The number of beet sugar factories in this country is three. The number under construction or in contemplation is seven. The total amount so far guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act is £90,000. Further guarantees are under consideration. The amount of foreign capital invested in the above factories is £473,208.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of factories proposed to be erected for the manufacture of beet sugar this year; where will they be situated; the names of the companies which will operate the respective factories and the names of the directors of the companies?

As the reply is rather long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The number of factories proposed to be erected for the manufacture of sugar beet this year of which I have definite information is five; one by the Anglo-Scottish Beet Sugar Corporation at Spalding, one by the West Midland Beet Sugar Company at Kidderminster, one by the Ely Beet Sugar Factory at Ely, one by the Ipswich Beet Sugar Factory at Ipswich, and one by the United Sugar Company at Bury St. Edmunds. The names of the directors of these companies are given as follows:—

Anglo-Scottish Beet Sugar Corporation .—Lord Weir, Lord Invernairn, Sir John Baird, Sir Ernest Jardine, and Mr. J. B. Talbot Crosbie.

West Midland Beet Sugar Company .—Lord Weir, Lord Invernairn, Sir John Baird, Sir Ernest Jardine, Mr. J. B. Talbot Crosbie, Mr. Cecil Brinton, and Mr. Counciller Woodward.

Ely Beet Sugar Factory .—Sir James Martin, Sir Frederick Hiam, Colonel Courthope, Mr. J. P. Van Rossum, Dr. A. Wijnberg, and Dr. J. A. Van Loon.

Ipswich Beet Sugar Factory.—Colonel Courthope, Sir James Martin, Sir Edward Packard, Mr. J. P. Van Rossum, Dr. A. Wijnberg, and Dr. J. A. Van Loon.

The United Sugar Company. —Sir Ernest Tate, Sir Leonard Lyle, Mr. Charles Lyle, the Earl of Denbigh, Sir Douglas Newton, Dr. Albert Hirsch, Dr. Edward Aczel, Baron Paul Korfeld.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the high price of meat, he is taking special steps to increase British livestock; and, if so, of what nature they are?

I am glad to be able to tell my hon. Friend that all classes of livestock used for food have increased in numbers during the past few years, sheep being more numerous than in any year since 1918, while the number of pigs last year was the largest recorded since returns were first collected in 1867. In addition, I would remind my hon. Friend that my Department, through its livestock improvement scheme, has been for several years past, and still is, encouraging the breeding of high grade stock, which, of course, bears directly upon the economic production of livestock in this country.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the price of pork is so high?

I think my hon. Friend ought to address that question to another Department.

Is it not the fact that there are 1,000,000 less sheep in the country now than there were two years ago, correct?

I cannot deny those figures without notice, but I am aware that there has been a large reduction. All I said was that the number was increasing as compared with 1918.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that there ought to be some revision of the regulations for the inspection of store cattle from Canada?

That is a question which should be put on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the terms of reference and names of the Committee which he proposes to set up to consider the export of live horses for butchery purposes?

The terms of reference are:—

"To inquire into the conditions of the export trade in horses from Great Britain to the Continent and to advise whether, having regard to the necessity of ensuring that no avoidable suffering is inflicted on such horses, any further restrictions should be imposed on the trade."

The personnel of the Committee is not finally settled, but an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the terms of reference will cover an Inquiry into the fate of the horses after exportation?

Yes, I think so. That was certainly my intention.

Pending the report of this Committee, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the agreements with Belgium and France for the slaughtering in this country of horses intended for food are working properly?

Yes. Whatever arrangement, is now in force by way of restriction is working satisfactorily. It is in order to see if any further provision is necessary that I have appointed this Committee.

Will the report be forthcoming in time for legislation this Session, should legislation be found to be necessary?

I cannot anticipate the work of the Committee, but I should not think it would be a very long Inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the imprisonment in French Guiana of the captain, chief officer, and chief engineer of the British steamer "Edith Cavell," on 13th January last, following upon the wreck of that vessel at St. Laurent du Maroni; whether he is aware that the remainder of the ship's crew were forcibly detained and billeted in the negro quarter of the town, although there was a considerable white population; and what steps have been taken to secure the release, repatriation and reparation of these British merchant seamen?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by me to the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Mr. Peto) on the 11th instant. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the information which I have does not indicate that the crew were forcibly detained. I understand that they were sent home from St. Laurent on the 25th January, and I am unaware of any grounds which would justify a request for reparation on their behalf.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to whether any assistance has reached Abdul Krim from British sources?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that it is widely believed, both in Spain and Morocco, that British interests are supporting Abdul Krim in his campaign against the Spanish army, and that this belief is impairing the friendly relations that exist between England and Spain; and if he will take steps to make it clear that His Majesty's Government will in no way countenance any relations that have been entered into by private persons in this country with Abdul Krim?

I am glad to have this opportunity of denying publicly reports which I am told are current at Tangier and in the Spanish zone of Morocco, that the Riffis have the sympathy and support of His Majesty's Government in their campaign against the Spaniards. These stories contain no truth whatever. His Majesty's Government sympathise with the Spanish Government in the difficulties confronting them in Morocco, and have consistently refused, and will continue to refuse, to give any countenance to relations or communications between British subjects and Abdul Krim.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that an ultimatum has been issued by the Prime Minister of Persia, Rise. Khan, to the Majliss, with reference to the position of the Shah; and whether he can give any information as to the steps which are being taken to safeguard British interests in any eventualities that may arise?

Information to this effect has been received, but there is at present no threat to British interests which would necessitate the adoption of special measures?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the full Report of the International Commission of Control in Germany is to be presented to the German Government; and whether it will be published?

Until the Report has been received and considered by the Allied Governments it would clearly be improper for me to make any statement regarding its publication, or the action to be taken upon it.

When is it expected that the Report will be received by the Allied Governments?

Expectations in these matters are apt to be disappointed, and I should, therefore, prefer to express none.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Germany has communicated to the League of Nations the terms under which she would join that body and, if so, what are the terms?

Presumably the hon. Member has in mind the Note which the German Government addressed to the Secretary-General of the League on the 12th December, of which summaries have appeared in the Press, and of which I understand that copies may be obtained on request from the League of Nations office in London. I do not understand that Note to be in any sense a statement of the terms upon which Germany would he prepared to apply for membership of the League, but rather the formulation of certain apprehensions, more particularly concerning the application of Article 16 of the Covenant, which unqualified membership might entail upon Germany in the special circumstances in which she is situated.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to make a statement with regard to the non-evacuation of the Cologne area by His Majesty's troops; and what is the next step His Majesty's Government proposes to take towards the fulfilment of the Versailles Treaty in this respect?

The communications which have passed with the German Government on the subject have been published. I am not in a position to add anything to these at the present juncture. In regard to the second part of this question, when the further communication to the German Government promised in the Allied Notes is made, it will be for the German Government to make good the defaults to which their attention is directed in order that the conditions upon which evacuation is made to depend by the Treaty of Versailles may be fulfilled and the evacuation itself take place.

With regard to these defaults, are we going to have the Report of the Control Commission in which these defaults are referred to?

My right hon. Friend has already said that we are waiting for the Report. He said he could not say when it will come.

In view of the fact that our troops are being kept in Cologne may we have his Report when it is received

I have answered that question already. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the answer I gave.

Does not the Prime Minister recognise that the position is invidious if we withhold the charges and yet continue to occupy, despite the Treaty?

That situation has not arisen.

asked the Prime Minister if the issue of the Report of the Inter-allied Control Commission is being deferred in deference to the wishes of the British Government?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to inform the House with regard to European countries where compulsory voting for Parliamentary elections is in practice; and whether this practice that all electors should exercise the privilege of the franchise has worked satisfactorily?

I am in possession of the information desired by the hon. Member only in so far as it relates to Belgium and the Netherlands. Copies of reports made in 1922 on the working of the compulsory voting system in those two countries, which were given to the hon. Member at that time, have been placed in the Library of the House. Whether the system works satisfactorily is a matter of opinion about which I may have my own ideas, but on which I am not in a position to express an opinion officially as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider schemes whereby unemployment grant may be capitalised in any industry and utilised by such industry under the direction of committees formed in equal representation of both masters' federations and employés' trades unions on the condition that such industry carry its own unemployed?

I am afraid I do not understand precisely what the hon. Member means by the capitalisation of the unemployment grant. In any case, however, a scheme of the nature indicated would be a form of unemployment insurance by industry. Under existing legislation special schemes for this purpose such as are contemplated by Section 18 of the 1920 Act cannot be put into operation earlier than one year after the end of the deficiency period of the Unemployment Fund, and the reason for this postponement would apply equally to any other kind of scheme which would separate the financial responsibility of any one industry for that of the others.

Would the hon. Gentleman, in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, give opportunities for legislation on such schemes to be presented and debated in respect of any or general industries?

With regard to an opportunity for debating such a scheme, no doubt that will arise on the Estimates, but, as the Act stands, no special scheme can be entertained until one year after the end of the deficiency period. New legislation would, therefore, be required to carry out the object which the hon. Gentleman has in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give instructions to his representatives in the Employment Exchanges over the country that they be allowed to accept evidence of desire to obtain employment from unemployed applicants other than a signed statement from the solicited firms, as this ofttimes is difficult and inconvenient both to applicants and business firms to whom such applicants come?

There is no instruction that documentary evidence must always be supplied. As a rule, local employment committees, in whose discretion the matter rests, only call for documentary evidence when they have grave doubt whether the applicant is genuinely seeking work, and are not prepared to recommend benefit unless he can produce sufficient evidence to remove that doubt. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Memorandum to committees, which deals with the matter.

If I give the hon. Gentleman evidence that this practice is obtaining in the North of England in many centres, will he take steps to minimise the difficulties and hardships which rest upon genuinely unemployed people in respect of the same?

Certainly; I will willingly consider any such cases which the hon. Gentleman, or any other hon. Member, may care to send to me.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability, especially in view of the constant overlapping that occurs, of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the whole problem of the working of the Employment Exchanges and the present administration of the Poor Law?

This question appeared on the Paper on Thursday last, and a reply was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of that date.

Unfortunately I did not see it. Will my hon. Friend tell me what it was?

That would be waste of time.

Is it not the duty of a Minister to answer a question to the best of his ability, and not refer hon. Members to questions which have been answered before?

On the contrary, it is the duty of Ministers not to repeat themselves.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a man by the name of David Wells, Rochester, was allowed unemployment benefit by the rota committee; that the insurance officers objected to payment being made to the man on the grounds that he had not been doing sufficient insurable work within a given period, although the man had done some other work; that the case came before the appeals committee, and the appeals committee upheld the decision of the rota committee that the man should be paid; that the authorities in London still refuse payment of the benefit; that the case was further considered by the appeals committee and again upheld, in consequence of which the under-manager paid one week's benefit; that in consequence of the case again being sent to London instructions were given that the man was not to be given any further payment; that the whole question was considered at a full meeting of the Rochester unemployment committee, and a resolution was unanimously passed by the committee asking the authorities in London to reconsider their decision; and whether he intends to take any action in the matter, in consequence of the appeals committee deciding on three separate occasions that the man is entitled to unemployment benefit?

I am having inquiry made and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible. I may add that notice of the question was only given on Saturday, but having regard to the representations made by the hon. Member I thought it right to obtain, through the Divisional Officer, all documents relating to this case. There has not been time as yet to fully examine them, but it shall be done.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give some indication of the Government's plans for dealing with the increasing unemployment in the mining industry?

Unemployment in the coal mining industry has in fact fallen during the last three months from 130,000 persons in October, 1924, to 100,000 in January, 1925. The hon. Member is no doubt aware of the various schemes of financial assistance for the relief of unemployment now in operation. No practicable suggestions for special relief in the coal mining industry have, so far as I am aware, been submitted to the Departments concerned.

Can the hon. Member say in what districts the unemployment has decreased

I have not before me the districts to which these figures refer, I only give the figures in the aggregate, I cannot allocate them.

May I ask whether the numbers given are the numbers of those receiving benefit, or the numbers of those registered at the exchange, or in what way the figures were obtained?

These will be the figures, I think, registering at the exchange.

Is the hon. Member aware that large numbers of miners have been struck off the benefit roll simply because they were unable, on a miner's wage, to leave their families, and go to work in other parts of the country? It does not mean that they are employed now where they were unemployed before, but simply that they are not getting benefit.

Speech!

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in view of information brought to his notice, he is now prepared to say what facilities he will grant to discuss the proposals as to the future employment of ex-service temporary civil servants?

There will be ample opportunities for such a discussion during the Debates on the forthcoming Estimates.

Are we to understand that these arrangements will not be put into operation until they have been fully discussed in this House?

No, Sir.

Are we now to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is going back on his pledged word?

No, Sir.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has been able to give attention to the letter which I showed to him, in which there is an explicit statement that nothing will be done until full opportunity has been given to the House to discuss the matter?

Did the right hon. Gentleman, before coming to this agreement, consult those parties who might be considered to be justly entitled to a voice in this matter, and whose positions were involved?

I think that that question should be addressed to the Treasury.

May I ask for a reply as to whether or not the right hon. Gentleman is going to observe the terms of the letter which he has addressed to the Civil Service organisations, namely, that nothing would be done until a full discussion had taken place in this House?

I will make inquiries of the Treasury as to the exact position, but I think I have referred to it as the position is, and, in regard to the pledges that I gave, I think that they have been fully and consistently maintained.

May I again ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is not aware that I, at his own request, brought the letter to his attention, and whether he did not expressly state that that altered the situation, and an opportunity for discussion would be arranged? What is his reply on that?

There will be an opportunity for discussion on the forthcoming Estimates, and the hon. Gentleman will have the opportunity of making his position perfectly clear.

rose ——

We cannot have a Debate now.

I want to submit to you, Sir, as a point of Order, that the Prime Minister has stated that we can discuss this on the Estimates, whereas in a letter he has stated that before anything is done it will be discussed. Is it not right that a reply should be given?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the accounts of Cabinet meetings recently published in certain newspapers; whether any account of Cabinet proceedings has been issued officially; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action with regard to the newspapers in question?

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

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any definite statement as to the intentions of the Government with regard to what is known as the all-in scheme of insurance?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to make a statement as to the progress of the comprehensive insurance scheme; and is it the Government's intention to proceed with it?

The inquiries referred to in the King's Speech are proceeding, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether it is proposed that any duties leviable for the safeguarding of industries shall be imposed upon commodities of Empire origin

(2) whether the Government has decided what rate of duty is to be charged under the new proposals for the safeguarding of industries?

I have been asked to answer these questions. The rate of duty to be recommended to Parliament in any particular case will, as indicated in the White Paper, be determined after consideration of the Report of the Committee appointed to consider the application. The intention is that, in accordance with the usual practice, any duties shall be imposed upon imports from all soures, but subject to a preferential rebate upon imports of Empire origin.

Does the Prime Minister consider it part of his Imperial Preference policy to impose new duties upon Empire trade?

There will be opportunities of debating that upon the Budget.

asked the Prime Minister if he is prepared to introduce legislation with a view to giving legal sanction to the principle of one man (or one woman), one vote?

I cannot undertake to introduce legislation as suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the number of limited liability companies operating in jute and registered in this country which have cancelled their British registration during the past 20 years and have secured registration in India?

The Board of Trade have no information which would enable them to give the figures asked for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total tonnage of steel bars of all kinds other than rails and constructional material manufactured in 1913 and 1924, and the number of workpeople employed on this work for the same periods?

I regret that figures are not obtainable which would put me in a position to furnish the information desired for either of the years specified in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give particulars of the imports of semifinished steel in 1913 and in 1924 which was subsequently re-rolled and exported as tinplates and galvanised sheets, and the number of workpeople employed in tinplate and galvanised sheet works for the same period?

The total quantity of steel sheet bars and tinplate bars imported into the United Kingdom in 1913 amounted to 345,503 tons, and the quantity imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1924, to 377,901 tons. I am unable to state what proportion of these imports was subsequently re-rolled and exported as tinplate and galvanised sheets. According to information published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette, the estimated average number of work-people employed in tinplate works (including steel sheet works) in 1913 was about 26,500. The number of insured persons employed in the tinplate trade was 29,260 in 1924. Similar information respecting the number of persons employed in galvanised sheet works is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will supply the highest and the lowest and the average total amount per ton of mineral royalty and wayleave rents on West Cumberland iron ore, Cleveland iron stone, and iron ores in other parts of Great Britain, respectively?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the quantities and value of arms, ammunition, and military and naval stores exported during each of the years 1922, 1923 and 1924; and what was the destination, other than the British Empire, to which such stores were sent?

I would refer the hon. Member to Volume III of the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom, pages 514–533, in which particulars are given, in considerable detail, of the exports of arms, ammunition and military and naval stores of United Kingdom manufacture—in the years 1922 and 1923. Corresponding details for 1924 are not yet available, but the total exports of arms, etc., in that year are shown in the monthly Accounts relating to the Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom for December, 1924, page 177. If it will save the hon. Member any trouble, I shall be very pleased to lend him my copy of the Blue Book with the information, in which all the pages are flagged for reference.

Is it a fact that during last year considerable sums were paid by the Russians for the sale of English machine guns to them?

I have no knowledge of the matter. If my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question, I will do my best to answer it.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the increased rate of wages per hour obtained by the building trade employés since February, 1924; and how much this increase would represent in additional cost of an average working-class house?

Including the increase which took place in February, 1924, the total increase has varied, according to districts and grades, from ¾d. to 2d. per hour. Twopence applies to London; and the most general increase has been 1d. The effect on the cost of the house varies according to the character of the building and the output of work; but, assuming reasonable conditions, a general variation of ½d. per hour would represent between £4 and £5 variation in the cost of erecting the house.

What does the hon. Gentleman mean by saying "including the rise in February, 1924"? Does not my question ask what the increase is since February, 1924? Does he include anything before that period?

In the answer I have given I have taken the increase which has been made in February, 1924, and the subsequent increase, and the amount of the increase is ¾d. to 2d.

Making an average of £5 per house?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Health whether there has been any increase in wages paid to labour engaged in brick-making since February, 1924; and, if so, does any such increase yet enter into the cost of materials actually used?

In many brickfields there was, my right hon. Friend understands, an increase in wages of adult men of 4s. per week, with proportionate amounts for women and boys, from 24th June, 1924. A rise of 5s. per 1,000 in the price of bricks took place in many places subsequently to the increase in brick-makers' wages.

Does that mean that the brickmakers make only 1,000 bricks a week, if the increase is 5s. per 1,000 in the price of bricks and wages are 5s. a week extra? Can he explain it?

No. 5s. per 1,000 increase in the price of bricks corresponds roughly to an increase of £4 10s. in the case of a non-parlour cottage.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us the increased cost per 1,000 bricks

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Bethnal Green Borough Council, in inviting applications for the post of woman clerk-dispenser in connection with maternity and child welfare, stipulates that candidates in addition to possessing pharmaceutical qualifications must be, or agree to become, members of a trade union; whether he is aware that most women pharmacists are not trade unionists and do not know of any trade union appropriate to their profession; if any public money is applied towards the pay of this post; and if he will take action to prevent the imposition of the above condition?

My right hon. Friend has already approved the proposal of the borough council to appoint a clerk-dispenser, and the Exchequer grant of 50 per cent. will be payable in aid of the salary of this officer. My right hon. Friend was not previously aware that the council proposed to attach to this appointment any condition as to membership of a trade union, but his Department have had occasion in the past to deprecate the action of the council in attaching a similar condition to the appointment of a health visitor. It is proposed to communicate with the borough council in regard to the present appointment.

Have any solicitors been appointed who are not members of the Law Society to any Government post?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that officers and men discharged from the Navy after 30th September, 1921, are not allowed to appeal to the independent tribunal regarding either entitlement to disability pension or the amount of pension and whether he will take steps to extend to these men the same right of appeal that was granted to those ratings discharged during the great War on account of disability?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of the 15th December, to the hon. Member for North Portsmouth.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the length of ships of war and their number in Malta has reached the stage at which they have occasionally to be tied up double banked, it being then necessary to displace a ship to enable another to get out; whether he has considered that with the rapid growth of Australian and Eastern trade those difficulties will increase and add to the inevitable overlapping of the needs of the King's ships and merchant vessels; whether since the grounds that induced the construction of the Valletta breakwater in 1902 have been reproduced with accentuated urgency he is now prepared to call for reports as to the advisability of connecting Marsa Sirrocco with the dockyard by rail, as suggested by Admiral and Commander-in-Chief Sir Michael Culme Seymour, and of constructing a breakwater in Marsa, Sirrocco Bay, starting 600 yards north of Benghaisa Point and ending 1,200 yards thence to a spat bearing 145 degrees from Fort St. Julian at 1,400 yards therefrom in 11 fathoms of water?

The restricted facilities for ships in the Grand Harbour and in Marsa Muscietto are realised, and measures to meet the requirements of the Fleet are under consideration. It is not considered that the great expense of making Marsa Sirrocco a protected harbour is necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that standard primary sorting tables utilised for direct sorting have recently been introduced at Belfast and that 90 postmen are employed thereat on work proper to the class of sorting clerk and telegraphist; that the employment of postmen on this work is contrary to the practice in operation at other Class A and B offices and is at variance with an undertaking given to the representatives of the indoor staff by the Post Office authorities at headquarters; and that the sorting of the postmen is afterwards checked by sorting clerks and telegraphists; and whether, in order to expedite the handling of public correspondence, he will undertake to authorise the employment of indoor staff exclusively on all outward sorting work at Belfast?

I am aware that new fittings for primary sorting have been introduced at Belfast; but the character of the work required of the postmen has not been changed, and there is no intention to effect a departure from any undertaking given to the staff. I am not prepared to make the change suggested.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state what was the pit-head price for Derby Brights on or about the 20th January, 1925?

I have been asked to reply. I have no official information on this subject, but according to the trade papers the pit-head price of Derby Brights about this date was 25s. to 27s. for the London market.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has read the remarks of the Lord Chief Justice in the Hobbs case; and what steps he proposes to take with regard to the trial?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am satisfied that the learned Judge who hears the case will ensure that the defendant has a fair trial. I am considering whether the circumstances render it desirable that I should myself conduct the prosecution, but I have not yet reached a decision on this point.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that the appointment to the London Recordership is in the hands of the Aldermen of the City of London?

That does not arise out; of this question.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received a proposal from the Surrey County Council to include a secondary school for girls at Mitcham in the county programme of capital expenditure on education; if he is aware that the urban district of Mitcham has a population of over 35,000 persons, which on a basis of 10 secondary school places for girls per 1,000 of the population would point to the desirability of a girls' secondary school of not less than 350 places; if he is aware that, owing to the difficulty and expense of travelling to the other secondary schools for girls provided by the Surrey County Council, only 46 girls from the urban district of Mitcham are receiving education in secondary schools provided by the local education authority; and if he will allow the Surrey County Council to proceed with the proposal to erect a school at Mitcham?

A proposal to purchase a site for a girls' secondary school at Mitcham has been received, and will be considered. No proposals for building have yet been submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received from any local authorities resolutions in favour of requiring the provision of red rear lights on all cycles and motor-cycles; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. I have received many representations both in favour of and against the carrying of red rear-lights by all bicycles. As I have already stated, the Government hope to introduce a Bill dealing generally with the Regulation, including lighting, of road vehicles, and I would prefer not to state in advance what provisions may be included in the Bill on this particular point.