asked the Minister of Pensions if interest is paid on the accumulated credits of an ex-service man and pensioner while in hospital; and, if so, at what rate?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary think it unjust and unfair that a man who has given his mind for his country in the War, and who is £ 100 in credit, should be deprived of any accumulated interest if he recovers his mental balance, or that his next-of-kin should be deprived of it if he dies: and will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to see that this is put right?

Will the same principles apply in cases where retrospective awards are made, which often go as far back as 10 or 12 months?

The second supplementary question does not arise out of the question on the Paper. It is not the policy of the State to allow interest on any payments paid by it, and that applies to all Departments. In such a case as is now referred to, the money is held while the man is in hospital—unless, as is generally the case, he wishes to allot it to his wife and family—so that he may have a nest-egg to assist him to tide over any time that may elapse before he gets employment.

rose —

We cannot argue the matter. This is not the time for Debate.

asked the Minister of Pensions if, by arrangesment with the Lord Chancellor, he will issue regulations to permit local pension committees to authorise the payment of the railway fare of anyone who is prepared to assist an appellant in stating his case,-when, in the opinion of the local pensions committee the appellant, through his disability, is incapable of adequately presenting his case before Appeal Tribunals?

My right hon. Friend would have no power to authorise payment of the expenses suggested, the matter being entirely one for the Lord Chancellor. My right hon. Friend desires, however, to add that the suggestion made by the hon. Member has previously been most carefully considered, both by himself and other Ministers of Pensions, with the Lord Chancellor, but it was their considered opinion that the introduction of a system of State-paid advocacy would not be in the best interests of appellants. It may further be pointed out that it is already an instruction, under the Regulations issued by the Lord Chancellor regarding the procedure of appeals, that the tribunal shall assist any appellant who, for any cause, is unable to make the best of his case, and my right hon. Friend has every reason to believe that this instruction is fully and sympathetically complied with.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that my question relates, not to the payment of advocates, but to the payment of the travelling expenses of a witness to support the appellant when he is unable to state his own case, and could not the hon. and gallant Gentleman differentiate and make representations to the Lord Chancellor that travelling expenses should be paid in this limited number of cases?

I have already informed the hon. Member that that is entirely a question for the Lord Chancellor. In addition to that, under the rules laid down by the Lord Chancellor for these tribunals, expert witnesses or other witnesses that may be necessary can be called by the tribunal, and their expenses are paid.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that cases have been known in which discharged soldiers have had their tongues taken out, and no opportunity has been provided for their bringing someone to assist them in staring their case?

That is precisely the kind of case in which the tribunal has power to call witnesses to help the man if it is necessary, and one of the intimations laid clown to them is that they are to do their utmost to help the man in presenting his case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that many ex-service men and their dependants are unable to pay the necessary expenses of securing assistance when making their appeals before the House of Lords Tribunal, and are not able themselves to do justice to their own cases in a Court of that character, he will place at the disposal of appellants an official from his Department in order to ensure that no claim shall suffer from inadequate presentation?

As in these cases the issue before the Tribunal on appeal is a decision of the Ministry itself, my right hon. Friend fears that the hon. Member's suggestion would be impracticable. My right hon. Friend desires, however, to point out that the case for the appellant is fairly and fully set out in the précis before the Court, a copy of which is supplied to the appellant, and he has no evidence that the procedure of the Tribunal, the members of which assist the appellant to make the best of his case, would be improved in the interests of appellants by the institution of paid advocacy.

Is not the British Legion both able and willing to help all such cases?

Yes, Sir.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that it is a very costly matter for the British Legion?

I cannot answer that.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many Members of this House receive evidence almost daily of the total failure of this system?

No, Sir, not at all.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many orphans of soldiers, sailors and airmen killed in the late. War are in orphanages and similar institutions, and how many are in the Poor Law schools; and has he undertaken the complete financial responsibility of all children thus placed?

I assume That the hon. Member has in mind children taken under my care under Section 9 of the War Pensions Act, 1918. There are 3,291 such children, of whom 2,539 are boarded out in private homes and 752 are in institutions because of mental or physical infirmities, for training or for other reasons. These children, so far as they are of school age, are attending elementary schools or are receiving appropriate education in the institutions. The pensions payable for these children are in accordance with the terms of the Royal Warrant, and are supplemented where it is necessary in order that proper provision may be made.

In cases where soldiers have been removed from pauper lunatic asylums and are now chargeable to the Pension Fund, will their children and other dependants who are now dependent on the Poor Law be paid for by the Ministry of Pensions, or are they classed as paupers while their fathers are now removed from pauperism?

Is it not the fact that the practice of the Ministry is to board out the children of deceased ex-service men in respectable families wherever it is possible?

That is so. As to the question of the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury), I must ask for notice; I cannot give him the information off-hand.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many of these children are in Poor Law institutions?

I inquired about that, and, as a general rule, there are none. Every now and then it may occasionally happen that, while they are waiting to be boarded out, they may be placed in an institution, but it is only for a short time, and they are removed from the institution as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the possibility of allowing men who are granted a final award for a disability assessed as under 20 per cent. to appeal within 12 months of the termination of the pension award instead of within 12 months of the grant of the award; and whether he will make this right retrospective in all cases of disability below 20 per cent. in which appeals have not already been lodged?

Having regard to the provisions of Section 4 of the War Pensions Act, 1921, the suggestion made in this question could not be carried out without legislation. In any event, however, my right hon. Friend could not, in fairness to the general body of officers and men to whom final awards have been made, give an extended period of appeal to one class alone. My right hon. Friend would point out that the right of appeal is freely exercised in the class of case referred to, since, up to the present date, appeal has been made by slightly more than one out of every four cases in which a final award of this class has been notified.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that many of these men who are unable, on account of disability, to earn a full wage, feel a sense of grievance, and will he have their grievances inquired into with a view to settling them, and repaying these men the debt that we owe them?

These men have been given awards according to the amount of disability they have sustained, and they have a year in which to appeal. It is entirely in their own discretion whether they make use of that year or not.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the urgent need for amending the Royal Warrant, and will he make representations that legislation ought at once to be introduced in that direction?

No, Sir, I do not think so. My right hon. Friend, under a previous Government, carried through arrangements which were continued by the last Government in order, where serious error existed, to correct it, and, as far as the Ministry knows—and we watch it very carefully—this is working satisfactorily.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that out of 400 cases in Wales it was only possible to re-open one under these Regulations?

I shall be glad to have any information on that subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the financial position in which many widows of pre-War constables are situated owing to the fact that they have no pensions; and if the Government are prepared to take any measures to remedy this state of affairs?

I regret that I can hold out no prospect of legislation on this question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the tender forms issued by the Broad moor criminal lunatic asylum specify that the cheese is to be American or Canadian and the bacon to be Danish, and that the tendering firms must be on the King a Boll; and whether in future he will arrange, so far as may be possible, that the produce specified should be British, so that the producers, as well as the merchants, should be on the King's Roll?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative I have decided to alter the tender form.

Will the right hon. Baronet undertake to see that future tender forms specify Chinese liquid eggs?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the difficulties arising from the licensing laws controlling stage plays and singing and dancing licences at theatres, variety theatres, and carabet entertainments at hotels and night clubs, he will consider setting up a commission to investigate and report on the whole situation, with a view of introducing legislation to make licences governing places of entertainment uniform throughout Great Britain?

I am aware of anomalies in the existing law relating to the licensing of places of entertainment, but I have not heard of any serious difficulties in its administration. I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind, but I do not think the circumstances would warrant my instituting a comprehensive inquiry of this kind at the present time.

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that all theatres which hold singing and dancing licences are committing breaches of the law nightly, and will he consider introducing some legislation for the purpose of legalising the entertainments that they have been giving for years?

I am certainly not aware of what is stated by the hon. and gallant Member, and I would suggest that he should supply me with full information on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of all variety theatres that hold either a singing or dancing licence, if more than two people appear on the scage together in a singing or dancing entertainment they are liable to have summonses taken out against them by any common informer?

It is obvious that I have not the acquaintance with the laws in reference to variety entertainments which the hon. Member possesses.

rose —

The hon. Member can give the information which he possesses to the Minister at another time.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has given his approval for the expenditure of any sums of public money in rebuilding and making alterations to public-houses in Carlisle; what is the total amount involved; and what are the special circumstances which render it necessary for such expenditure of public funds to be incurred in that city?

I do not take the view that special circumstances must be shown in order to justify the schemes of rebuilding and alteration which, with my approval, are being considered or carried out^* in Carlisle at the present time. The progressive improvement of public-houses is an essential element in the general policy of the undertaking, and provision for the expenditure involved is made from year to year in the Estimates.

In all these alterations to houses in Carlisle is provision made for women's baths which are always crowded?

I have not the details of the alterations. The whole question can be raised on the Home Office Estimates.

Is not the cost of these repairs more than covered by the large profits at present being made by the sale of drink in Carlisle?

I am afraid that I cannot say.

Was not that profit subject to—

That is a matter for debate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the loss of funds to local hospitals at Hungerford, owing to the action of the police authorities in forbidding a tombola, he will introduce a system of licences whereby a local bench of magistrates can authorise tombolas when satisfied that they are for purely charitable purposes?

I do not contemplate legislation for the purpose of legalising public lotteries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a tombola was carried out very satisfactorily in Liverpool without police interference, and whether he cannot refrain from police interference in proper tombolas run elsewhere?

Liverpool is lucky.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has made further inquiries into the alleged kidnapping of Mr. Harry Pollitt, at Edgehill Station, on Saturday last; and with what result?

Warrants have been issued by the Magistrate in Liverpool to-day for the arrest of certain of the persons suspected of having taken part in the detention of Mr. Pollitt, and three of them are already in custody.

asked the Home Secretary the number of licences to drive motor vehicles issued during the year 1924?

I have been asked to reply. The numbers of driving licences issued during 1924 were approximately as follow:

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of instituting a test before licences are issued?

I do not think that that arises out of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the amount of money received from fines inflicted on motorists for exceeding the speed limit in the United Kingdom, during each quarter of the year 1924; and to what purpose these moneys were devoted?

The amounts received in respect of the particular offence of exceeding the speed limit cannot be stated. Fines inflicted for offences under the Motor Car Acts and the Roads Act are paid into the Motor Tax Account, after deduction of Court and police fees.

Who decides whether a police trap is to be set on a particular piece of road, and will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to the Metropolitan Police to cease this practice?

The decision is in the hands of the Commissioner of Police in the Metropolis. I do not think that it would be right for me, while the law is as it is, to give instructions to the Metropolitan Police to abstain from enforcing it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring pressure to bear on the Prime Minister and the Government to alter the law?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the different fees charged by secondary schools in various parts of England and Wales, varying from £ 8 and more in some counties to £ 1 Is., or less, in others, he will confer with local education authorities with a view to reducing these fees so that the children of poorer parents should be given a better chance of secondary education?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, I am inviting all authorities to submit to me programmes covering the needs of their area over a period of three or five years. The point raised in the question is one which authorities will, no doubt, consider when drawing up these programmes.

asked the President of the Board of Education what proportion of pupils entering secondary schools with free places do so at the age of 13 plus; and has the Board any information as to the success of these pupils, as compared with those who enter at the age of 11 plus?

Exact figures are not available, but on the information before me I do not think that the number of free-place pupils who are admitted at 13 years of age or later represents more than 10 per cent. of the free-place admissions. As regards the second part of the question, I have no particulars as to the attainments of these late entrants which would enable me to institute such a comparison as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the President of the Board of Education what elementary school accommodation there is at Dunscroft and Stainforth, near Don-caster; how many children are being taught in temporary schools; the number of temporary schools; and how many children of school age are receiving no education at all?

As the reply to this question is rather long, and contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The district of Stainforth (Thorne), near Doncaster, is served at present by the Stainforth Council School, which provides 644 places, of which 370 are in a temporary iron building, and 100 are in a Sunday school and Church room. All these places are filled, and information in the Board's possession, about a year ago, suggests that there were then nearly 150 children of school age awaiting admission. Owing to the rapid colliery developments in the neighbourhood this number may have subsequently increased. Plans for a new school for about 1,000 children have been approved, and the first instalment of 500 places is understood to be nearing completion. As regards Dunscroft, which is situated in the adjoining civil parish of Hatfield, the public elementary school accommodation consists of the council school at Hatfield Woodhouse and the Travis Church of England school, which together provide 262 places (150 and 112 respectively). In addition, the local authority have recently re-opened a small school near the Travis school, providing 57 places for infants. Against this total accommodation of 319 places, the average number of children on the registers for the year ended 31st March, 1924, was 225. In order to meet the needs of Dunscroft itself, the authority issued in November last public notice of their intention to provide a new school for about 600 children, and I understand that they are now in active negotiation for a suitable site.

The hon. Member may rest assured that the question of school supply in this and other rapidly developing mining areas of the West Riding is receiving, and will continue to receive, the constant and active attention of the Board and the local authority, and that all possible steps will be taken, so far as the existing shortage of labour and materials permit, to see that the provision of schools keeps pace with housing developments.

also asked the President of the Board of Education what provision, if any, is being made to prepare for the elementary school requirements in the town of Thorne, near Doncaster?

The local authority gave public notice on 31st January last of their intention to provide additional public elementary school accommodation for about 350 children, and it is understood that plans are now in the course of preparation for submission to my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is prepared to consider the encouragement of private firms in an extension of the apprenticeship system based upon lines which meet with the approval of his Department?

I have been asked to reply. As I stilted yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stratford, I have already arranged for an inquiry to be made in the near, future into the state of apprenticeship in the various trades, and as soon as this inquiry is completed I will consider, in the light of the information thus obtained, what action can usefully be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Education what machinery exists at present to assist pupils leaving public elementary schools to obtain suitable employment, i.e., employment not of a blind-alley nature; and is it his intention to confer with the Minister of Labour as to the possibility of improving such machinery?

In a substantial number of areas in England and Wales the work of advising and helping school children to obtain suitable employment is undertaken by the local education authorities in exercise of their powers under Section 107 of the Education Act, 1921. In the remaining areas the Minister of Labour is responsible for the work, and the Minister normally sets up a Juvenile Advisory Committee, containing representatives of the various interests concerned, to assist the Employment Exchanges. These Committees cooperate closely, I believe, in all cases, with the local education authority. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular (No. 1322) showing the usual methods of administration adopted by authorities, and also a document describing the work of juvenile advisory committees. I am in constant conference with my right hon. Friend on this matter. As an instance of the manner in which this work is being developed, I may mention that I understand a committee of teachers has recently been formed, representing three counties in the Midlands, for the purpose of advising the Minister of Labour.

Would it be possible to get a return showing the number of boys and girls who are placed by the various committees and the sorts of situations that are obtained: that is, how many are put into blind alleys and how many get regular work?

Is not the best means of keeping the children out of blind alleys to extend the school age?

No doubt the noble Lady will represent that to her local authority.

I have done so.

I will look into the question of the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury). I think that figures would be available for certain areas, but not for all.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is in a position to state when the conference on juvenile employment will take place; and what will be the constitution of the conference and the terms of reference?

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour upon this matter. We are anxious that the conference or inquiry which I suggested in general terms on the 24th February should take a form which will ensure a practical result; that it should not merely go over ground already covered by the inquiries of previous Committees or by inquiries now being conducted by the Ministry of Labour; and that it should be able to take into account, not only the varied requirements of different industries, but also the varied local conditions and customs within the industries themselves. At the moment I can only assure my hon. Friend that we will proceed as expeditiously as possible in a matter which we regard as of the very first importance.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the present proportion of uncertificated

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the requirements of the Education Acts as to religious instruction in a State-provided elementary school, he will say whether there are any local education authority areas in England, and, if so, how many, in which religious instruction is not given in provided elementary schools?

I find that the Board have no official information on this subject as they do not inspect religious instruction in public elementary schools. The regulation of such instruction in provided schools has been left entirely to the discretion of the local authorities, who are under no obligation to bring the matter to the official cognisance of the Board in the ordinary course of administration.

Could not the right hon. Gentlemen get the figures for the information for the House, by asking for them from the various local authorities? teachers in public elementary schools in London, in county boroughs, in boroughs and urban districts, and in areas under county councils, respectively; and what steps, if any, are being taken by the Board to reduce these proportions?

As the reply to this question contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

On 31st December last the percentage of certificated, uncertificated and supplementary teachers, respectively, to the total number of such teachers employed in each of the different types of area were:

I could no doubt send out a request for them. A return was made some 20 years ago. I am a little bit shy about asking local authorities on the point.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board will proceed to determine for the recipients of its teachers' scholarships a fixed grant, payable at dates also fixed, inconvenience being caused by the fluctuation of both?

I am not clear to what teachers' scholarships the hon. and gallant Member refers, but if he will furnish me with particulars of any cases in which he considers that inconvenience or hardship has arisen under the present system of payment of grants, I will inquire into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the number of university tutorial classes which have been provisionally recognised for grant this Session under the new regulations: how does this number compare with the number of classes working under the old regulations in 1923-24; and what number of preparatory tutorial classes have been provisionally recognised for grant?

Three hundred and seventy-five three-year tutorial classes and six advanced tutorial classes have already been recognised under the new Adult Education Regulations for the current session, whilst applications for recognition of 41 three-year classes and three advanced classes are under consideration. For the year 1923-24, 362 three-year, and five advanced, classes were recognised. Sixty-eight preparatory tutorial classes have already been recognised for the current session, and five applications are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if it is the intention of the Government to advance money to approved building societies at a low rate of interest and for a fixed period of years, to enable such societies to accelerate advances required for the erection of houses for the working classes: and, if so, what amount will be advanced, at what rate of interest, and for what period?

No, Sir. The Housing Acts already make provisions for assisting the erection of houses by the grant of subsidies and by providing facilities for the raising of capital, including arrangements for the guaranteeing by local authorities of part of the advances by building societies.

Does my right hon. Friend not think it advisable to use these well-known organisations for the purpose of facilitating the building of houses for the working classes?

Yes, Sir. That is the purpose of the provisions to which I have referred.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any return from the building societies of the number of houses erected, up to 31st December last, with the assistance of financial aid from such societies and without, respectively?

have made inquiries of the Registrar of Friendly Societies and of the Building Societies Association, but statistics on the point referred to by my hon. Friend are not available.

asked the Minister of Health the date when the last Wednesbury municipal housing scheme was completed; and whether any new municipal housing scheme has been adopted, and the number of houses involved?

The last scheme for the erection of houses by the Wednesbury Corporation was completed on 1st September, 1922. Three hundred and fifty-eight houses were erected under that scheme. The council's scheme under the Housing, &c, Act, 1923, for the assistance of private persons building houses was approved on 30th October, 1923. Under this scheme, which is still in force, promise of assistance has been given up to date in respect of 35 houses. I understand that the council have under consideration a scheme for the erection by the corporation of 150 houses.

asked the Minister of Health if the Wednesbury Town Council applied for sanction to build houses on a site now used for recreation purposes: the date of such application: and what, if any, was the nature of his reply?

The town council made application on the 6th January last for consent to the appropriation for housing purposes of the land referred to in the question. It was necessary for a local inquiry to be held upon this application and, after consideration of the inspector's report, I have decided to consent to the appropriation.

asked the Minister of Health if he will have Returns made to show the number of building trade operatives employed from time to time on work under the Housing Acts, 1923 and 1924?

I had previously considered the question of obtaining Returns on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. I find that such Returns would involve considerable labour in regard to local authorities' schemes and would be incomplete owing to the impracticability of obtaining statistics of men employed on private enterprise work. I am afraid, therefore, that it will not be possible to adopt the suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that men employed on the Leicester Corporation housing contract are forced to use pieces of wood or slate to lay the cement bedding for concrete blocks owing to the fact that the Bricklayers' Union will not permit them to use trowels; and, in view of the fact that this action is prejudicial to the weather-proof quality of the work, impedes progress, thereby tending to increase the burden on the ratepayers, and is of no advantage to the bricklayers, he will take steps to get this restriction withdrawn?

I have made inquiries into the matter to which my hon. Friend refers. I am informed that the method adopted is not the result of any prohibition of the use of trowels by the Bricklayers' Union, but that it has been found to be the method best adapted to the particular system of building in use.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I asked one of the men using this tool, and he said he could greatly increase his production if he was allowed to use a trowel, but that the union prevented him?

Are these men members of the Bricklayers' Union? If not, why not? If they are, when did the Bricklayers' Union prevent bricklayers from using trowels?

We cannot now discuss that subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether plans have been submitted for the erection of houses in Liverpool during 1925; if so, how many houses were involved, the type of house to be erected, and the cost of the houses; and whether they are being constructed under the 1923 or 1924 Housing Acts?

During the present year approval has been given to the erection of 3,000 houses by the Liverpool Corporation. The types of houses are normally non-parlour houses with three bedrooms or parlour houses with three bedrooms: the area of the former type is about 814 superficial feet, and of the parlour houses approximately 950 square feet. The latest accepted tender prices covering 1,000 houses are £ 406 for the non-parlour house and £ 405 for the parlour house. Probably the whole of these 3,000 houses will be erected under the terms of financial assistance provided by the Act of 1924.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the vigour with which the housing question is being dealt with in Liverpool, and is he also satisfied on the ground of economy?

I would not like to answer that question without notice.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built in Liverpool during the year 1924?

The number of State-assisted houses completed in Liverpool during the year 1924 was 505 of which 243 were erected by the Corporation and 262 by private enterprise. Information is not available for the calendar year as to the number of houses erected with State assistance, but during the 12 months ended the 30th September. 1924, the number completed was 275.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a copy of the resolution passed by the Sheffield City Council at its meeting on the 11th instant, urging that legislation be promoted in the present Session of Parliament providing that in the event of any dwelling-house remaining unoccupied for a period of six months rates thereon shall be payable by the owner in respect of any further period during which such house shall remain unoccupied unless it can be proved before a competent tribunal, legal or otherwise, that the owner of such dwelling-house has used all reasonable efforts to let the same at a fair and reasonable rent; and whether with a view to relieving the serious housing shortage in Sheffield and elsewhere, he proposes to take any action on the lines suggested?

I have received a copy of this Resolution. As regards the last part of the question I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 19th February to the hon. Member for St. George's (Mr. Erskine). I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that reply.

asked the Minister of Health whether the

Year ending March.	Total Expenditure in England and Wales on the relief of the poor and purposes connected therewith.	Amount (included in Column 2) in respect, of purely administrative charges not allocated to Institutional and Domiciliary relief (e.g., salaries and other remuneration and superannuation of Clerks and Treasurers to Boards of Guardians and their assistants, stationery and other office expenses, upkeep of hoard rooms, fees for certificates under the Lunacy Acts).
1.	2.	1.
	£	£
1921	31,924,954	1,186,919
1922	42,272,555	1,236,243
1923	41,934,437	1,182,302
1924	38,000,000	1,185,000
The amounts entered for 1923–24 are estimates.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases he has exercised his powers to defer payment of interest and the repayment of principal of temporary loans made to boards of guardians for the relief of the able-bodied unemployed: and, in view of the extra burden placed on local authorities by the increase in the bank rate, will ho use his powers more freely in this direction in the future?

Out of eight cases in which loans have been advanced to boards of guardians in England and Wales on the recommendation of the Gosehen Committee, payment of interest has been deferred in three cases and repayment of principal deferred in seven cases. I have no doubt that in considering any future applications the Committee will continue, subject to the conditions prescribed by the Treasury, to take all relevant considerations into account.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount expended in Poor Law relief and the proportion thereof absorbed in purely administrative charges during each of the last four years?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following in the information:

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the deferment of payments in cases of loans, the expense of which has already increased on account of the rise in the bank rate and in view of the heavy charges on these overburdened districts in respect of existing loans?

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to introduce legislation for the assistance of areas which are overburdened by rates because of the provision of Poor Law relief for unemployed men: and is he aware that in the Borough of Merthyr there is likely to be an increase in the rates of 2s. in the £ owing to unemployment relief?

In answer to the first supplementary question, any application made with the object which the hon. Member has in mind will receive due consideration. In answer to the second supplementary question, I do not know exactly what kind of legislation the hon. Member has in mind, but I think the best way of dealing with this matter is to increase employment.

Why do you not do so?.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that shipbuilding con-tracts are being lost all over the country owing to the fact that the wages of foreign labour and the rates of exchange are generally lower and that British shipbuilding in greatly handicapped?

asked the Minister of Health in what way local authorities whose poor rate is excessive on account of abnormal unemployment are receiving special assistance from the Government, which is not available for other local authorities where the rate of unemployment is normal?

As the hon. Member knows, the Unemployment Grants Committee, in sanctioning schemes for the relief of unemployment, give special consideration to areas in which the burden of unemployment is heaviest.

In view of the increasing amount, of unemployment in certain areas, cannot the right hon. Gentleman see his way to recommend the Unemployment Grants Committee to give increased assistance commensurate with this increased unemployment?

It is not my custom to make recommendations to the Unemployment Grants Committee.

To whom is the Unemployment Grants Committee responsible, if not to the right hon. Gentleman?

The question of policy has been laid down by Statute and not by me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not consider the waiving of the interest that has accrued up to date on loans already made?

That is a hypothetical question. If the hon. Gentleman has any particular proposition to put before me I will consider it.

It arises out of the promise which you made.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that about 70 per cent. of air pollution is the result of smoke from industrial chimneys; whether his Department has taken any steps to investigate the problem of smoke prevention by the use of smoke-filtering apparatus and with what result: and whether he will inquire what has been done by way of experiment by the corporations of our larger cities?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that 06 per cent. of the air pollution is due to smoke from industrial chimneys and that such air pollution is known to be injurious to health, any legislation is contemplated which would make the use of smoke-filters in factories compulsory?

For the country generally, the proportions of industrial smoke stated by the hon. Members appear to be much too high. I hope to introduce a Bill on the subject next Session. T have no special information about smoke filters, but if the hon. Members have any device in mind, I shall be pleased to receive particulars from them.

Do I understand that the National Physical Laboratory is not now conducting experiments on this matter?

I am afraid that I have no information on that point.

Is it not a fact that the greatest contributor to smoke pollution is the domestic fire?

I think that that is so.

asked the Minister of Health in what unions stone-pounding is now employed as a task; and whether he will abolish it when he. makes new regulations for the casual wards?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the unions in which, according to the recent survey of casual wards, stone-pounding is now employed as a task. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a previous question by the hon. Member for Rotherhithe, of which I am sending him a copy.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that stone-pounding is both useless and expensive, and that it ought to be abolished, and cannot work of another character be given?

Perhaps the hon. Member will make a suggestion as to an alternative task?

I suggest that some land be purchased and that the men be put on it.

44. The hon. Member further asked the Minister of Health the names of the unions where, before the decision of Rex v. Baddely, the guardians had power to give stone-pounding as a task, and the dates of and the means whereby they obtained the power; whether the guardians sought and the Local Government Board, or previous authority, gave the power with the object of preventing destitute wayfarers from obtaining relief or, if not, with what other object?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the unions in which the Local Government Board had approved stone-pounding as an alternative task for casuals before the decision to which he refers, and the years in which approval was given. The law contemplates that casuals shall be required to perform v task before discharge, and stone-pounding was recommended for this purpose by the Departmental Committee on Vagrancy which reported in 1906.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information as to the present position of the question of Cologne; and whether the evacuation is now connected in any way with the question of French security as a result of conversations in Paris or Geneva?

In regard to the first part of this question, the Report of the Military Commission of Control is being subjected to a close technical scrutiny in order to enable the Allied Governments to formulate their demands upon Germany in respect of her disarmament obligations. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

May I ask when we are likely to get the publication of this Report or such parts of it as the Government think would conduce to an understanding by this country and by Germany of the default?

I could not answer that question without notice, but my hon. and gallant Friend knows that there will be a Debate on Tuesday, when these points can be raised.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he anticipates that this technical scrutiny will be complete?

I am afraid that I cannot.

asked the Prime Minister if he can give a date when the decision of the Cabinet as to new naval construction will be made known to the House; and if in view of the impossibility of the House adequately discussing naval policy until such decision is known, he will do all he can to hasten the decision of the Cabinet on this question?

As has already been announced, a Cabinet Committee is inquiring into the naval shipbuilding position, but my hon. and gallant Friend will, I am sure, realise that the subject is one of such great importance and of such wide scope that it must inevitably be some considerable time before a final decision is reached.

With regard to an inquiry of a precisely similar nature which the Labour Government announced in a White Paper last March, may we know whether any records of that inquiry were left behind?

I could not answer that question without notice.

Will Supplementary Estimates be submitted to the House immediately after the inquiry?

I think a statement has already been made to the effect that, if the results of the inquiry-need Supplementary Estimates, they will be presented, I hope, before Parliament rises for the summer holiday.

In view of the paragraph on this subject in the statement of the. First Lord, is it a fact that new construction will be made this year?

That must largely depend on the result of the inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will set up a committee to investigate the possibilities of combining the Air Ministry and the Admiralty into one department for the purpose of obtaining a reduction of administrative expenses, together with a greater concentration of defence effort upon vital points both at Home and Overseas?

An exhaustive inquiry into the co-ordination of the Services was made as recently as 1923 by a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, and I do not think that the question could be profitably reopened at this stage.

Has the right hon. Gentleman looked into the question of a combined staff for the three services which would be charged with the placing of orders for material and supplies among other matters?

I am not quite sure. I would be glad to look into that matter.

Is it not a fact that the co-ordination asked for by the Imperial Defence Committee did not extend to the matter of the co-ordination of supplies?

I do not think so.

Can the Prime Minister give any indication of the results of the investigation of the Committee of Imperial Defence on this question?

I should requite notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether any arrangements are in force in the various spending Departments whereby no goods of foreign manufacture are to be purchased by them in cases in which such goods are manufactured under conditions of labour less satisfactory as regards rates of pay and hours of labour than the conditions obtaining in the same trades in this country; and, if not, will he consider as to taking steps to ensure this policy being followed?

The general contract policy of His Majesty's Government is to give a preference to the home over the foreign manufacturer. Departments are instructed to explore every possibility of obtaining home supplies before placing orders with foreign manufacturers and, generally speaking, such orders are only placed for special articles which cannot be obtained in this country.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in that case, he will make inquiry of his colleague, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and ask him as to the use of foreign three-ply wood in his Department?

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases in the Liverpool district the old age pensions have been found to be insufficient and have been supplemented by the Poor Law guardians, and the minimum and maximum of the relief so granted?

On the 1st January, 1925, the number of old age pensioners in receipt of Poor Law relief, who were chargeable to the West Derby Union, was 1,004. All these pensioners, with 30 exceptions, were suffering from sickness, accident or bodily or mental infirmity. Precise figures as to the minimum and maximum amounts of relief granted in individual cases are not available.

asked the Minister of Health for how many years bedsteads and bedding have been provided for the women casuals at the Bridport Poor Law Institution; and whether night-clothes are always provided?

I am informed that bedsteads, bedding and night-clothes have for many years been provided for the use of women casuals at Bridport. I am glad to have this opportunity of correcting the list circulated with the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Oxford (Captain Bourne) on the 17th February, and to be able to make a similar correction in the case of the Burton-on-Trent, Dorchester, Sculcoates and Settle Unions.

asked the Minister of Health whether steps can be taken to impress upon local authorities who have to obtain the sanction of his Department to borrowings for capital expenditure the importance of giving preference to goods of British manufacture, where there is competition with foreign goods produced at much lower labour costs?

In a circular issued during my previous term of office at the Ministry of Health, local authorities were informed that where grants were given in aid of works, contracts for the work must be placed in this country, and they were urged in the absence of special circumstances to adopt the same principle in all works carried out by them. A further circular is about to be issued urging that preference should, wherever practicable, be given to goods produced within the Empire. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of both circulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made any approaches to the Italian Government in reference to the Italian War debt to this country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for the Stroud Division (Sir F. Nelson) on the 12th February and to the hon. and gallant Member for South Hackney (Captain Garro-Jones) on the 24th February, to which I can add nothing at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount on German reparation account he is estimating for in the forthcoming year?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give an estimate as to the amount it would cost to allow civil servants, including postmen, to reckon service with the Army and Navy towards pension; and whether he will be prepared to grant this privilege to ex-service civil servants?

There are so many unknown factors involved in this calculation that I am unable to give a reliable estimate of the approximate cost, but it would clearly be very large. The Government is not prepared to depart from the decision of previous Governments that the proposal, which would require legislation, cannot be accepted.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what proportion of the candidates on the un-appointed list arising from the open competition of 1921 for the administrative class of the Civil Service were ex-service men; and how many of these ex-service men obtained higher marks than the 39th candidate on the general list, who has been appointed to the Indian Civil Service?

I am informed that out of 41 candidates for appointment to the administrative class of the home Civil Service who failed to secure appointments at the open competition of 1921, 29 were ex-service men. Of these, 11 obtained higher marks than were obtained by the 39th candidate on the general list.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that 10 men training in the Watch and Clock Department, G.I.F., Ayres Road, Old Trafford, Manchester, were given four weeks' notice in writing on 3rd March to terminate their course on 31st March, and that they were afterwards informed that they must finish on 10th March, so depriving them of three weeks' training and wages; and will he explain the reason for this action?

I regret that I cannot give this information without local inquiry. I am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the members of the visiting committee of His Majesty's prison at Cardiff have been refused free copies of the Report of the Commissioners of Prisons; that individual Commissioners have to buy copies of their own Report; and, in view of these circumstances, will he give instructions for an adequate number of copies to be printed in the future in order to ensure every Commissioner and member of a visiting committee receiving one free copy?

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has asked me to answer this question. The Prison Commissioners are supplied with sufficient free copies for their own use and for a fairly wide distribution. The question of increasing the supply is under consideration in consulta- tion with the Treasury, and it may be possible to arrange that such individual members of visiting committees as desire separate copies may be supplied.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of ex-service men and others who have been settled on small holdings under the land settlement scheme and the cost of such settlement; and whether his Department has any information to lead to a conclusion that the men who have so settled will succeed in making a satisfactory livelihood?

The total number of men who have been provided with small holdings since the Armistice by county councils, councils of county boroughs, and by the Ministry direct is 23,124, of whom 20,502 are ex-service men. The capital expenditure in respect of the purchase and equipment of land for this purpose amounts to approximately 15 million pounds. In reply to the last part of the hon. Member's question, it is estimated that, with the exception of about 10 per cent., the men settled are likely to succeed in their enterprise.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think this number is very small, considering the enormous number of men who fought for their country, many of whom desire land and have not been able to obtain it?

I do not think I can express an opinion in the form of a short answer. Obviously there are a great many factors involved.

How much of the £ 15,000,000 is for the purchase of land and how much for equipment?

I could not say without notice, but if my right hon. and gallant Friend will put a question down, I shall be glad to answer it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to take any action on the Report of the Departmental Committee on Foot-and-Mouth Disease in 1923 in cases where the Report shows negligence in reporting outbreaks by owners or carelessness by professional men employed in dealing with cases?

My Department has already communicated with local authorities in cases of negligence by inspectors appointed by such authorities, and in a number of cases owners have been prosecuted for failure to report. The recommendations of the Departmental Committee are now receiving my consideration.

Is not the question of carelessness one rather of inference than of fact? I am referring to the recent Blackpool case.