asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the estimated amount of labour required for the construction of the Singapore base; from whence will this labour be obtained; and whether, in view of the shortage of houses in Singapore, he can say what steps will be taken to provide accommodation for the anticipated influx of workers?

I am not yet in a position to make any definite statement upon this subject, but I can assure my Noble Friend that I shall give every consideration to the provision of necessary accommodation.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is an intimate connection between the shortage of housing and the appalling amount of venereal disease prevalent in Singapore?

Yes, certainly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give particulars of the number of persons employed on the Admiralty staff to-day and the corresponding number in 1913, and the total personnel of the Navy on each of these dates?

The Admiralty Staff (Headquarters and Outports) on 31st December, 1913, numbered 5,311. On the 1st March, 1925, the comparable figure was 7,971. The numbers borne on Vote A were 144,419 on the 15th December, 1913, and 100,104 on the 15th March, 1925. As the question appears to assume that the numbers of the personnel of the Fleet are the main factor governing the numbers of Admiralty staff, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to a very full answer exposing this fallacy, which was given to the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. Trevelyan Thomson) on the 12th March, 1924, by my predecessor.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been reached in the case of Colour-sergeant Barnett, of the naval recruiting station, Cowley Road, Oxford?

I anticipate that this matter will be decided at an early date.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the reasons which induced the Ministry to refuse to allow the obsolete battleship "Monarch" to be broken up, thus providing work; and why, as the Washington Agreement leaves the method of destruction to the different Governments concerned, the Admiralty preferred to sink the vessel?

It was considered necessary to use one of the capital ships due for scrapping under the Washington Treaty for certain important experiments, and the "Monarch" was selected for the purpose. I may add that a large amount of material, the value of which justified the cost of removal, was taken out of the ship before she was sunk.

Could this vessel not have been used to snake a harbour or a breakwater at some port where such a thing is required?

No, I think not.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any decision was arrived at between himself and M. Herriot as to whether the Report of the Inter-Allied Military Mission of Control should be published or not?

The answer is in the negative. M. Herriot and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, agreed in principle that it would eventually be necessary to publish the exact grounds on which the Allies based their contention that Germany was in serious default over the, military clauses of the Treaty. No decision, however, was leached as to the exact form or date of such publication.

Will the Government endeavour to see that it is published before any action is taken on the Report of this Commission?

I cannot say. Of course, it must be done by agreement with the French Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that we have a Treaty obligation to evacuate on a certain date and that we are not yet supplied with the grounds on which we have not done so?

I do not think that modifies the answer I have given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether permission has been given to the Bulgarian Government to increase their military forces beyond that to which it was limited in the Peace Treaty?

No, Sir. The proposal is not to increase the armed forces of Bulgaria beyond the limit allowed by the Treaty of Neuilly, but to permit the Bulgarian Government to enrol a small proportion of these forces for a provisional term as distinct from the 12 years' basis laid down in the Treaty.

Has permission been given to Bulgaria to increase this particular force?

A temporary permission has been given, but it has to be confirmed by the Council of Ambassadors, and that is under their consideration.

Will the Government consider in this matter the present state of terror in Bulgaria and the relations between the present Bulgarian Government and their predecessors?

I will convey that suggestion to my right hon. Friend. Of course, I could not answer the question myself.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the de jure recognition of the Soviet Government and the entry into possession by their diplomatic representatives of the former Imperial Russian embassy as Chesham House, to what extent, if any, the Soviet Government have handed back the property of His Majesty's Government and the personal belongings of the former Ambassador and diplomatic staff of His Majesty's embassy at Leningrad?

His Majesty's Government have officially requested the return of this property from the Soviet Government, but the latter have so far not acceded to the request.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in which parts of the world our general relations with the Russian Government are not amicable; and what steps are being taken to remove or reduce causes of friction by His Majesty's Government?

This subject is too wide to be satisfactorily dealt with by means of question and answer. It must be reserved for debate on some suitable occasion.

Is there any definite area in which there can be friction?

That is the question on the Paper which I have answered.

There are only two or three places where we touch Russian territory, and surely that information can be given.

I have already answered the question.

Surely if there is friction, the House is entitled to know without having to wait two or three days.

Is it not much more important to be friendly with the Russian people who are not at all friendly to the Russian Government, which is not a democratic Government?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the reluctance on the part of many firms to give documentary evidence to the effect that persons have applied for work and of the consequent hardship upon applicants for unemployment benefit, who have to prove that they are genuinely seeking work when they appear before the local rota committee; and whether he will consider some further Regulation whereby evidence of desire to obtain work will be accepted by the Employment Exchanges, other than a signed statement from the representative of a firm to whom a person has made application?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me on the 12th March. As has already been pointed out, failure to produce a signed statement from employers is not necessarily regarded by local employment committees as proof that the applicant is not genuinely seeking work, and in the circumstances I do not think that any Regulation of the kind suggested is necessary.

If I can produce evidence affecting my own area, will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter, if I can prove that this question is accepted by the rota committee as being against the applicant?

Certainly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Springburn last week applicants were being asked to produce evidence of having been looking for work, and will he have that stopped at once? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] You will get to know why before long.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, as a result of the new Regulations which he has issued, 189 cases, representing 547 persons, have been dealt with by the Sheffield Guardians and 42 cases by the Ecclesall Guardians; and whether, if he regards the total number of cases as small, he will ascertain the ages of the cases?

I am aware that a number of applicants for benefit in the Sheffield area fail to satisfy the condition regarding payment of contributions, but I do not know how many of them may have applied to the local guardians for relief. Nor have I any information as to the ages of recent applicants for relief. That information would be in the possession of the guardians and not of my Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large numbers of these men are between 50 and 60, and some even over 60 years of age, and is it his intention that they should be sent to the guardians rather than be found work?

I do not think the hon. Member must draw any inference of that kind from what I have said.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this particular district it is almost impossible for any man, of whatever age, to get any sort of a job?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that at Southampton, on the 8th February last, a girl of 18 years of age was disqualified for unemployment benefit on the ground that she had refused employment at an isolated military canteen on Salisbury Plain; whether, before the girl was disqualified, careful inquiry was made into the conditions of the employment; and whether, in view of those conditions, he will have the decision in this and similar cases reviewed?

The hon. Member's question presumably refers to Miss Evelyn May Fulcher, of Southampton, who, on the 5th February, last, refused employment in the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes, Salisbury, and, further, declined to accept domestic training. Her benefit was disallowed by the insurance officer and her appeal to the Court of Referees was dismissed, the Court being of opinion that she was not genuinely seeking work. The Court gave her leave to appeal to the umpire should she desire to do so. I have no authority to intervene.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not an isolated case, and that girls of 18 are asked, on seeking work at the canteen, to accept the condition that they are liable to be called upon to serve at any place, whether at home or abroad, to serve on board sea-going ships, or to live under canvas, and does he approve of the non-acceptance of those conditions as a reason for disqualification for benefit?

I know that these conditions have been looked into by the umpire on a previous occasion. If there is anything in them which the hon. Member thinks he would like to call to my notice, so as to make me suggest any alteration or look into the matter further, I will gladly go into it with him.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the employ- ment of young girls in isolated military canteens of this character is a desirable thing?

I cannot give a general answer in a general way. One has to go into the circumstances in a particular case. The only thing I can say is that on a previous occasion, when the umpire did go into it, he was satisfied in that case that there was really no objection. Each case has to be taken on its merits.

Is it not possible to employ men, at men's wages?

Does it mean that the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied in sending girls of 18 to isolated military canteens?

The hon. Member must put down another question.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of youths under 18 years of age in Great Britain who are at present drawing unemployment benefit, and the number under 18 years of age that have never had any employment of any kind through not having been taught any specific trade; and will he instruct the Employment Exchanges throughout the country to make a special effort to place these youths in some trade or employment??

On 9th March, the number of boys between the ages of 16 and 18 who had claims to benefit current at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was 17,981. There are no statistics available to show the number who have never had employment of any kind through not having been taught a specific trade. Every possible effort is already made by the Exchanges to place such boys and other boys on their registers in suitable employment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the jute industry 95 per cent. of the boys are discharged when they reach the age of 18 years; and what steps is he taking through the local Employment Exchanges to deal with that fact?

I will certainly look into that case if the hon Member will speak to me about it

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the estimated number of males and females, respectively, between the ages of 18 and 25 years of age who are unemployed; and whether, if the information is not now available upon which to base an estimate, he will have such information collected?

In the unemployment statistics which are regularly compiled the ages of claimants are not distinguished, but from a sample analysis based on about 11,000 claimants to unemployment benefit made at the end of November, 1924, it would appear that at that date there were about 181,600 male claimants and 88,800 female claimants, between the ages of 18 and 25 years.

asked the Minister of Labour if any arrangements have been made for the taking over by his Department of the Unemployment Insurance Department of the Government of Northern Ireland; and, if so, when the transfer is likely to take place?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that prominent members of the Government of Northern Ireland have made such a statement?

Yes, I am quite aware of that.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the setting up of a scheme of training for the unemployed in their own trades to prevent their losing their skill while out of work?

I am afraid it is not practicable to carry out this suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour if, taking 1922, 1923 and 1924, he will state the number of cases in which extended benefit has been refused to men between 60 and 70 on the ground that, in normal times, employment suited to their capabilities would not be likely to be available for them; and whether, in any revised scheme of insurance, the Government will take into consideration the hard plight of these aged men thus forced to have recourse to the Poor Law?

No statistics are available to show the number of men between the ages of 60 and 70 who have been refused extended benefit on the ground that employment suited to their capabilities was not likely to be available. As I explained recently, I do not think persons disqualified under this condition can properly be recipients of benefit under an Unemployment Insurance Act.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, considering that the employability of the aged is much less than that of the young, the Government will consider the desirability of legislation providing, instead of a standard rate of unemployment benefit, a sliding-scale system of payment, lower in the case of the young and higher with advancing age, with the object of mitigating the hardships resulting from frequent unemployment in the case of older workers?

The hon. Member is no doubt aware that there are already separate scales of benefit and of contribution for persons under 18 and persons of or above that age respectively. I do not think it would be practicable to have different scales for persons of various ages above the age of 18.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it possible to issue some instructions in the case of men who are, say, over 60 years of age to the effect that they should be dealt with in a specially lenient manner? These men regard it as a great hardship that young men of 25 should be receiving extended benefit, which has in fact become a dole—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]—while they are refused?

asked the Minister of Labour, with reference to a circular sent to the exchanges regarding the payment of standard and extended benefit, respectively, in the case of unemployed men who have returned to this country from one of the Dominions or America, whither they had gone in the hope of finding employment, if he will say if there is any difference in the conditions governing payment in the case of standard and extended benefit in such cases?

An insured contributor is not disqualified for standard benefit on account of previous absence abroad if in addition to having a credit of contributions he can satisfy the usual statutory requirement of having paid at least 20 contributions since the beginning of the last preceding insurance year. The special rule applying to extended benefit is explained in a reply given to the hon. Member for Dundee on 4th March, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Has there been a special circular sent out to the Committees dealing with these cases?

Yes, Sir; there has been a circular with respect to extended benefit so far as I—but, perhaps I had better verify it—to the best of my recollection, a circular has been sent out, or suggestions made, in repard to extended benefit in relation to those who have returned from abroad. That class of case has never yet been settled, and some general rule seemed to be necessary for the guidance of the Committees.

Would the right hon. Gentleman see that a copy of the circular, or instructions, is placed in the Library?

I shall be very glad to do so, and to send the hon. Gentleman a copy.

Could a copy be sent to each member of the local Committees?

No, not to each member, because that would mean an incredibly large post; but the local Committees are made well aware of these documents, so that any member of a Committee may have a copy placed at his disposal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of aliens who are at present drawing unemployment insurance relief; and whether he proposes to discontinue the practice of paying such relief to aliens?

Statistics are not regularly compiled in respect of the number of aliens in receipt of unemployment benefit, but the results of a special analysis of claimants to benefit in November, 1924, indicate that of the 1,090,373 claimants at that date about 3,000 were aliens. I have no authority to refuse benefit to unemployed aliens who satisfy the conditions imposed by the Unemployment Insurance Acts.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that in view of the congested state of the labour market it is time he refused to encourage the immigration of aliens into this country where they can come and live on the dole?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the resolution of the Council of Agriculture for England urging immediate action by the Government to provide a large number of houses for agricultural workers in rural districts, as a national social question of first-class urgency and importance, he will bring in early legislation on the subject, or whether he will give special facilities for a Second Reading of the Rural Cottages Bill now before the House?

My right hon. Friend is fully alive to the importance of the rural housing problem, and he is giving the matter his close attention. He cannot, however, promise early legislation on the subject, and does not think that it will be practicable to give the facilities for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give the House an opportunity of deciding the desirability of giving permission to the British Broadcasting Company for the broadcasting of the forthcoming speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the introduction of the Budget; and if he will also consider the whole question of permitting certain proceedings of this House to be broadcast?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. But I think the time is come when the whole question should be considered, and for that purpose I am thinking of setting up a Select Committee of both Houses.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making representations, with a view to reducing the price of the OFFICIAL REPORT, if we are not going to broadcast?

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a number of listeners to wireless programmes have much of their pleasure destroyed by interference; and if he will utilise a portion of the profit which he holds as a result of his Department's share of broadcast licence fees for the purpose of causing a full administrative and technical inquiry into all interference with broadcasting caused by service, commercial, and other transmissions, or electro-magnetic radiations of the frequencies used for broadcasting, and will cause such research as is necessary to be undertaken for the proper prosecution of such an inquiry?

The question of interference with broadcast programmes has received and is still receiving close consideration, and much improvement has been effected as regards service and commercial transmissions. With regard to interference caused by electro-magnetic radiations, I am always willing, when complaint is made, to give advice and to use such influence as I possess to secure an abatement of the nuisance. I do not think, however, that the time is ripe for such an inquiry as that suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Can my hon. Friend assure the House that he will not utilise any portion of these profits, which rightly belong to listeners, by way of reducing taxation?

That is obviously a question which should be addressed to another Minister.

Would not the newly-formed Wireless League be an excellent body to take up this subject?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is prepared to call a conference of experts for the purpose of considering the practical utilisation of compound rubber-paving on certain roads and crossings in order to obviate the damage to valuable modern, as well as ancient, buildings caused by heavy swift-moving commercial vehicles passing along such roads and crossings now built with either concrete or granite facings?

As the staff of the Ministry keep under constant observation the experiments that are being made in the utilisation of rubber as a paving material, it is not considered necessary to call the suggested conference.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the general dissatisfaction caused by the continuance in force of an obsolete speed limit of 20 miles per hour for all motor vehicles, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to alter or abolish this limit?

This matter is under consideration it connection with the proposed legislation with regard to road vehicles.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many people are now being prosecuted for exceeding this obsolete speed limit; and may I also ask when it is proposed to bring in this Bill?

I am aware that a number of people are being prosecuted. I cannot guarantee Parliamentary time for the Bill, but it will be introduced as soon as possible.

Has the Minister of Transport had his attention called to what is taking place in Glasgow with respect to postal vans, and can he take steps to prevent his murdering of children in the streets by postal vans?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that a large number of motor accidents occur through the inexperience and incompetence of the drivers, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to make it compulsory for all prospective drivers to pass a driving test and an oral examination on the rules of the road before a licence to drive is granted?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Fiend to the answer which was given on the 18th February to the hon. Member for the Hallam Division (Sir F. H. Sykes), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the Edinburgh Town Council to the effect that the office of the deputy clerk register should now be filled, that the public records of Scotland should remain in the country, and that the deputy clerk register should have jurisdiction over local records where this is desirable, with the object of securing their preservation and accessibility to the public; and whether he is able to announce any official action in connection with it?

I have received a copy of the resolution which the Corporation passed on these subjects on the 9th March. As I stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member on the 17th February, the idea of removing any documents from the Record Office in Edinburgh has never been contemplated I am not in a position at present to make any statement in regard to the other points referred to in the question, except that I am in course of appointing a Committee to inquire and report on the question of the Sheriff Court Records.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this office is one of great antiquity and dignity, and that a decision might by this time have been expected as to whether the office is to be continued or the reverse?

I would like to emphasise that there has never been any intention of discontinuing the office.

What about the officials?

That is entirely another question.

Can the Secretary for Scotland say whether the Committee appointed is going to decide if there is to be an appointment of a deputy clerk register, or whether that is outside the terms of reference?

No, Sir; what the Committee has to inquire into is the case of the records in sheriff courts in various parts of the country.

When will the right hon. Gentleman appoint a deputy clerk register?

As soon as a definite decision has been arrived at.

Will the Committee consider the very important question of the continuance of this ancient office?

The Committee will be appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the records of the sheriff courts.

Who is going to decide with regard to the continuance of this office?

The Government.

When?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any information to the effect that the German railways have been given a credit in New York?

I have been asked to answer this question. Full statements have appeared in the German Press to the effect that an agreement has been concluded between the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft and a consortium of British and American bankers for a revolving credit of 15,000,000 dollars at 7 per cent., the credit to be available up to the 31st January, 1926.

Can the hon. Gentleman state what is the position of the railway bondholders whose bonds were issued under the Dawes Report? Are they a first charge?

I do not think the two questions are cognate. So far as I understand it, the rolling-credit loan to be issued by the consortium of banks is for equipment and other similar things. I do not think the new loan touches any details of the Dawes plan, but I shall be glad to go into the matter for my hon. Friend.

I do not mind so long as there is a first charge.