asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men have been discharged in his Department in the four months ending 28th February; and what steps are taken with a view to ensuring to ex-service men employed by the Ministry of Pensions permanency of employment?

During the four months ended 28th February, 1925, the temporary ex-service staff was reduced by 868, but this number includes voluntary resignations. The hon. Member is doubtless aware of the settlement in regard to the permanent employment of temporary ex-service grades, which was debated in this House on Thursday last. The terms of that settlement will be applied to the staff of the Ministry of Pensions. When men become redundant, and there are no posts available in other branches of the Ministry, reports on the men concerned are furnished to the Joint Substitution Board or the local Divisional Committees of the Ministry of Labour for considera- tion for vacancies arising in other Departments, and under this arrangement it has been possible to provide further employment for a considerable number of the redundant men. The Ministry cannot, of course, retain staff in excess of that necessary for the performance of the work.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the removal expenses of the permanent civil servants are borne by the State when they are transferred, he can secure the same advantage for all ex-service men in his Departments, who are under notice of dismissal, if alternative employment is found for them in other districts?

Removal expenses of civil servants are not paid in the case of voluntary transfers, i.e., transfers made at the instance of, or in the interests of, the individual. The offer of further temporary employment to temporary Government employés whose previous work has disappeared is usually made in the interests of the officer concerned, and removal expenses can only be paid in those special cases where the transfer can be stated to be primarily in the interests of the Service. A contribution towards removal expenses is made as an exceptional arrangement where temporary staff are transferred with their work.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many plans for new secondary schools were passed by the Board during last year; what was the proposed accommodation to be provided; how many of such schools have actually been started; and what will be their capacity?

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.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as alternative tasks to stone-pounding and oakum picking for casual paupers, he will recommend work on the land and in the garden, washing of garments, towels, and other materials provided by the guardians for the casual ward, scrubbing and cleansing and chopping wood?

The tasks suggested by the hon. Member for casual paupers are already in common use.

also asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the number of provincial unions which, after the decision in Rex. v. Baddeley in 1906, sought for and obtained power to impose the task of stone-pounding upon casual paupers was 48, and that more than eight per cent. of them were Berkshire unions, he will take steps to stop this practice in this and other counties?

As the hon. Member has already been informed, my right hon. Friend will consider how far it is necessary or desirable to retain this particular task.

asked the Minister of Health what number of cases in Berkshire appear in the starvation lists for the years 1906 to 1914, inclusive; how many of these were tramps or homeless persons; will he give the numbers also for the rest of the provinces; and will he state, approximately, the percentages, having regard to the population of Berkshire and the rest of the provinces?

My right hon. Friend regrets that this information is not available for years previous to 1908. In the years 1908–14 the number of cases in Berkshire in which a verdict of death from starvation or death accelerated by privation was returned, was nine, of whom seven would appear to have been tramps or homeless persons. For the rest of England and Wales outside London and Berkshire the number was 386 of whom 185 would appear to have been tramps or homeless persons. Expressed as percentages of the population, these numbers represent ·0032 and ·0024 for Berkshire and ·0012 and ·0005 for the rest of the provinces.

asked the Home Secretary how many police officers lost their lives while on duty in London during last year?

The answer is two. In addition, one constable died last year as the result of injuries received on duty in 1923.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has initiated any prosecutions for coursing rabbits or hares on Sundays?

The answer is in the negative.

Why have no prosecutions taken place for coursing for game on Sunday? Is it not illegal to course on the Sabbath?

As a sportsman the hon. and gallant Gentleman will know that rabbits are not game.

I am quite aware of that fact, but I was asking about hares. I wanted to know whether it was not illegal to course for rabbits or hares on Sunday?

As I told the hon. and gallant Gentleman the other day, I have received only one complaint in regard to this matter. If he will forward me any complaints I will have it inquired into.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that cruelty on Sunday is any more reprehensible than cruelty on a Saturday?

No.

asked the Home Secretary when the proposed Bill to regulate bogus night clubs will be introduced?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will repeat his question after the holidays?

But did not the right hon. Gentleman hold out strong hopes that this important Bill would be introduced before Easter? Cannot we be told what progress is being made with the Bill, seeing that the scandal continues?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman has already had experience of the fact that "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick."

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—

We cannot have a number of supplementaries on each question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will amend the present Spirit Acts to permit the continuous working of plants producing industrial alcohol and save the three days in each week at present lost?

I assume that the honourable Member refers to the existing statutory prohibition against concurrent brewing and distilling at distilleries. An amendment of the Spirits Act in the direction indicated could not be made without involving other amendments of a far-reaching nature, and I am not prepared to introduce such legislation at the present time.

Is the hon. Member aware that industrial alcohol is being made apart from ordinary distillery methods, and is he further aware that the Spirit Act prevents the development of trade; might I further ask, seeing his party is always calling for an increase of industrial production, whether they might not do something to allow continuous industrial alcohol production, and so get on with work to cheapen the product?

If I understand the case put by the hon. Gentleman, it means that a certain amount of illicit distilling is going on. [HON MEMBERS: "No!"] That, however, does not really justify us in waiving the existing Regulations, which enable us to prevent fraud by checking the amount after fermentation, and not before, in a distillery.

Is the hon. Gentleman familiar with the 1880 Spirit Act as applied to the conditions of making industrial alcohol?

I think the hon. Gentleman must wait for an opportunity to discuss this matter till the 28th April.

But Mr. Deputy-Speaker, is it fair to a Member like myself, who puts a question from a deep knowledge of the subject, to be fobbed off with an answer by someone who does not even understand the Act?

It is impossible, I think, for the Secretary to the Treasury to get knowledge of an Act in the interval between the first question and the supplementary.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the practice of arresting persons at the gates of prisons on discharge, consequent upon courts declining to take cognizance of charges other than those immediately before the court; and what steps he is taking to eliminate this procedure?

I do not think the few occurrences can be called a practice; indeed, I think such arrests are rare. If I find that the hon. Member's question is justified on fresh inquiry, I will consider what I can do to stop what I admit is an undesirable practice.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the opinion recently expressed on this matter by the Liverpool Stipendiary?

Yes.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, owing to their occupation, thousands of commercial travellers are unable to vote on election days, and that there is considerable dissatisfaction caused thereby: and whether he will consider introducing legislation to enable them to vote by proxy?

I am told that in some cases commercial travellers have experienced difficulty in voting at Parliamentary elections, but I do not think there is need for legislation. In my opinion commercial travellers, as well as other classes of electors who are likely to be away from home at a Parliamentary election, are entitled to the benefit of Rule 16 in Schedule I to the Representation of the People Act, 1918, which enables electors in such circumstances to claim to be placed on the absent voters list so that they may vote by post, and the information in my Department is that Registration Officers ordinarily act on this view. Each claim under the Rule, however, has to be decided by the Registration Officer according to the circumstances of the particular case; in some cases I believe decisions adverse to electors have been reversed on appeal to the County Court.

asked the Home Secretary whether any decision has been come to with respect to the promised Factories Bill; and whether it is intended to introduce the Bill without delay and pass it. this Session?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will repeat his question after the holidays.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the action of certain clerks to licensing justices in different parts of the country in taking exception to a member of the local community opposing the granting of a new licence, informing him that because he is not a solicitor he can only give evidence; and whether information can be sent to all clerks to licensing justices informing them of the words of Lord Herschell and Lord Halsbury, in the case of Boulter versus Kent in 1897, to the effect that every person may object to a grant, of a licence on public grounds, and that in respect of the application for a licence, as the justices do not occupy the position of Judges, but only exercise discretionary jurisdiction, they may receive representations not on oath?

I have not had my attention drawn to any facts of the nature indicated in the first paragraph of the Question, but I think that the law, as laid down in this case, is well known.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Public Health (Meat) Regulations are being interpreted in varying ways by different local authorities; and whether, under those circumstances, he is prepared to issue a memorandum to local authorities in order to ensure a reasonable interpretation of the regulations in all districts?

My right hon. Friend is not in a position to give any directions to local authorities as to the interpretation of the Regulations, and on the information at present before him he does not think that he could usefully add anything to the Circular Letter issued with the Regulations, a copy of which is being sent to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to co-operate with the Mines Department in the scientific treatment of coal, so as to eliminate the smoke now existent in every city and town in the country, and to conserve the valuable dye products which are wasted to-day?

The treatment of coal is not within my right hon. Friend's province, but he is watching with much interest the work which is being done to obtain a satisfactory smokeless fuel at a commercial price.

May I ask if the hon. Gentleman has had his attention drawn to a very interesting speech by the Secretary for Mines on this subject?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present internal, external, and nominal values, respectively, of the German mark?

The value of the present German mark is defined in terms of gold at 2,790 marks to a kilogramme of fine gold. Its actual value, as tested by the foreign exchange market, coincides very closely with the above Mint par. According to the official index number for last February, internal wholesale prices in Germany were then 36½ per cent. above the level of 1913, an increase less than the average world increase. But owing to changes in German import duties, particularly on wheat since that date, it is not possible to compare this figure without qualification with the increases elsewhere.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the import duties have caused prices to rise in Germany?

asked the Prime Minister what steps it is proposed to take to fill up the vacancy at present existing in the ranks of the Irish representative peers?

This matter is receiving the consideration of the Government, who are taking advice upon it.

To whom will the writ of summons be sent?

When we have had advice, I hope I may be able to tell the hon. Gentleman.

How is it that this breach of the Constitution has been made, and allowed to continue for so long?

It is to avoid making a breach that I am taking advice.

Is it not the fact that the difficulty of the Prime Minister arises from the fact that he has to send the writ to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, who does not exist?

I beg my hon. and gallant Friend not to imagine that I am in any difficulty.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that armament firms have since 1918 kept considerable quantities of plant available for possible Government requirements and at Government request; and that much of the plant has lain idle but that rates have been charged upon it; and whether he proposes either to sanction the conversion of such plant or to make some allowance to the firms, or whether they will be expected to recoup themselves in the event of a call being made upon the plant?

I have been asked to reply. The Admiralty have this matter constantly under consideration with reference to the amount of naval work available. I may say, however, that, apart from the fact that some of the plant has been diverted to the manufacture of commercial products, much of it has been utilised in the manufacture of armour and armaments of ships constructed, reconstructed or laid down since 1918.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what countries outside Europe, and excluding the United States and Russia, owe money to British investors; to what extent such countries have defaulted; and what steps are being taken by the Government to secure payment of the debts due and to defend the interests of British investors?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply. I am not in a position to give a list of the foreign Governments, States, municipalities, etc. which are in default on loans held by British investors, since questions arising out of such a default are primarily matters to be settled between representatives of the bondholders and the defaulting borrower, and are in many cases dealt with without the Foreign Office being asked to intervene. Detailed information on the matter will be found in the reports of the Council of the Corporation of Foreign Bondholders, which are published annually, and, as regards any special loan, details are given in the "Stock Exchange Intelligence," and similar publications. It is the general practice of the Foreign Office to give support by diplomatic action to authorised representatives of British bondholders when requested to do so by them. The terms of my hon. Friend's question might be held by a casual reader to suggest that the Government of the United States of America have defaulted in respect of some of their obligations. I am sure that this is not my hon. Friend's intention, and I have already expressly dissociated myself from any such charge.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the House quite realises that the default is not on the part of the United States, but on the part of certain States which now form part of the United States?

I know that certain States are in default, but not the United States of America, and I was sure that my hon. Friend did not intend to imply that the United States were in default.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the States of the United States of America are in arrears in the payment of interest and the return of principal of money borrowed from British investors; what is the total amount owing to this country in respect of interest and prin- cipal from these States; which of the States have definitely defaulted; and which have legislated to prohibit recognition of the debts?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Burton (Colonel Gretton) on the 1st April. With regard to the second part of the question, attempts have been made in the past to gather accurate figures but it has been found impossible to secure complete or accurate information. As far as can be ascertained, the approximate amount in default with compound interest accrued at five per cent., would be about £180,000,000 but it has not been possible to ascertain what part of this sum is owing to British subjects. There is no information on the third and last parts of the question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if the bondholders desire this body to take action, he will support any representations they may make to the United States as the only Government now representing, however indirectly, the original defaulting States?

The United States Government does not control those States, and I am afraid that representations to the United States Government would be useless. I think, therefore, it is inexpedient that I should make them.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if there is any other body he can suggest to whom the bondholders can make any representation?

The British bondholders are in the same position as the American bondholders, and have the same means, or absence of means, of getting redress.

Except that we owe them money.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the increasing tendency on the part of inspectors of taxes to demand, in accord- ance with the circular from the Board of Inland Revenue, dated 23rd October, 1924, personal attendance and the production of securities from persons who cannot be suspected of any intention to defraud, and whose identity has already been satisfactorily established, he will take steps to ensure that the paragraph in that circular stating that this procedure will normally be applied only in a relatively small number of cases in which the inspector finds it impracticable otherwise to establish satisfactorily the identity of the claimant, is strictly complied with?

I am not aware that the terms of the circular to which the hon. and gallant Member refers are not being strictly complied with; if, however, he will give me particulars of any cases in which it is alleged that taxpayers have been improperly troubled, I will cause inquiry to be made and communicate the result to him in due course

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that it is the practice of certain Income Tax officers to issue summonses in respect of Income Tax in the cases of manual workers at a period of the year when they are in a position to know that on the total annual earnings no Income Tax is payable; that in these cases the local collector compels the person assessed to pay the cost of the summons, 5s., though no money is due to the State; will he issue instructions that in no case shall a summons be issued if it is evident that no tax is due in respect of the whole year; and will he instruct Mr. J. E. Taylor, Collector, of 4, Middlesbrough Road, South Bank, to return the 5s. cost of summons that he obtained from Mr. T. Speakman, 23, Station Road, South Bank, though that gentleman is not liable for Income Tax for the year 1924–25?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension as to the practice of the Inland Revenue Department in this matter. In making the assessment to Income Tax for any quarter, due regard is had to the previous quarters of the year of assessment and the charge is limited by reference to the liability on the earnings for the whole period. Moreover, as soon as possible after the fourth quarter's earnings have been ascertained the assessments for the earlier quarters are reviewed, and any adjustment is made without waiting for any application by the wage-earner. I am having inquiry made into the particular case to which the hon. Member refers, and I will communicate the result to her in due course.

May I ask why the Income Tax of the wage-earners is based on a quarterly assessment, while the business man has a three years' average because in many cases these people would not be liable to Income Tax if the whole year's earnings were taken into account?

:I have explained that that matter is readjusted on the full year.

The point I was making was that the business man's income is averaged on the three years, while we are assessing working men on a quarter's income, and I want to know why that differentiation is made?

Is it not the fact that all earned incomes are assessed on a yearly basis, and not on a three years' average?

May I have an answer to my question?

If the hon. Member will put a question on the Paper, it shall be looked into.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the Government's total gross rentals from Crown properties in Regent Street in 1913, 1920, and 1925?

The total of the gross rentals from Crown properties in Regent Street in the year ended 31st March, 1913, was £44,070 4s. The corresponding total for the year ended 31st. March, 1920, was £192,786 14s. 6d., and for the year to 31st March. 1925, £315,229 5s. 6d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will undertake that no rebuilding or repairs, except such as are urgently necessary, shall be carried out in future on Crown properties until the housing shortage is overtaken?

Due regard will be had to the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member where such work would be likely to conflict with house-building requirements, but work of the kind referred to provides employment for a large number of men in the building and allied industries, who would not in any event be employed on house-building, and, in the circumstances, I cannot, therefore, give the undertaking suggested.

Was the right hon. Gentleman consulted before the Regent Street rebuilding took place last year?

I think Regent Street has been in the process of being rebuilt for more years than I was allowed to be consulted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been far more rebuilding done during the last year than could have been done in the last 20 or 30 years combined?

The only part of last year for which I was responsible was from about the beginning of November to the end of the year, and by that time it was completed.

That is why I asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was consulted before these extensive building operations were undertaken?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the promised Interim Report of the Food Commission is to be presented before Easter; if not, can he state the reason for the delay; and when the publication of the Report may be expected?

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Report of the Commission on High Prices is expected; and whether he will endeavour to expedite the presentation of this document if he has not already received it?

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. and gallant Member for South Hackney (Captain Garro-Jones) on Tuesday, a copy of which I am sending them.

May I ask whether the delay has been caused by an unbridgeable division amongst the members of the Commission, and the Government are finding it inconvenient to publish a minority Report?

I do not know anything beyond what was in the question to which I referred, which says that the Report may be expected in about three weeks' time.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the promise which was made, that we should have it before Easter—I think the hon. Gentleman said it would be an. Easter egg—and has he seen the article of the political correspondent of the "Evening Standard" on this question?

I can only say that every effort is being made to get out the Report as early as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether all workers in the engineering branch and other technical sections, as distinct from the postal and clerical staffs, are paid not less than the trade union rate of wages current in the district where they are employed?

The great majority of the workers referred to are paid at special rates agreed upon with the Post Office Staff Associations, plus the usual Civil Service bonus; the remaining workers are paid at trade rates where such rates exist.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the law-abiding nature of the Arab protest in Palestine on the occasion of Lord Balfour's visit, he will inquire into and take measures to remove their grievances, in order to maintain their traditional friendship with, and confidence in, this country?

It is not clear what special measures are intended. Palestine is being administered in strict accordance with the man date, and I am not aware that the civil or religious rights of the Arabs are being in any way prejudiced.

Is it not a fact that the Arabs have, or think they have, a grievance that they are lacking representation on the Legislative Council in Palestine?

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, various efforts have been made by successive Governments to secure their co-operation in the Legislative Council, but so far without any success.

Will the hon. Gentleman make a further attempt?

Does the hon. Member think the way to get grievances remedied by a Conserva- tive Government is to offer an affront to one of the leading Conservative states men on a visit to that country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the military garrison of Palestine was specially reinforced on account of Lord Balfour's visit to that country?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the appointment of 19 new Magistrates for the County of Durham and that only two representing the interests of Labour are included in the list, who are appointed because of being members of the advisory committee; and whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter to see that Labour opinion is more adequately represented, in view of the already small number of such representatives in the existing lists of Magistrates?

I understand that the appointments referred to in the question were made on the recommendation of the Durham County Advisory Committee, upon which all interests are fully represented. The Lord Chancellor has drawn the attention of the advisory committee to the desirability of including an adequate number of representatives of the point of view of labour when they are recommending persons for appointment to the Durham County Bench, and he has no doubt that they will give careful consideration to this point in the future.

Is the Attorney-General aware that in this particular list there is a person aged 21 years, who has never rendered any public service at all?

No, Sir, I have no idea whether it is so or not.

Is he aware that this young man is the son of a lord?

I do not in the least. know what names were before the committee which recommended certain names to the Lord Chancellor. All I know is that certain recommendations were made by the committee, and the Lord Chancellor gave effect to them.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that the composition of this committee shows that the members representing Labour ideas are in a very small minority, and they have not power to decide these things?

I do not in the least know what is the composition of this particular committee, but as the House knows, these committees are set up in the various counties by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, after consultation with the Lord Chancellor, and the Lord Chancellor has drawn the attention of the Advisory Committee to the desirability of including all points of view

Is the Attorney-General aware that the packing of the local Police Courts will result in them being more Tory in the County of Durham?

75. To ask the Minister of Labour how many men are employed as engineers and seamen on board the steamships run by the railway companies during the summer months; and what steps he proposes to take to stop the excessive number of hours these men are worked?

I addressed this question to the President of the Board of Trade, but it is down on the Order Paper as addressed to the Minister of Labour. I want to know how it is that the Question which was handed in by me as addressed to the President of the Board of Trade appears on the Order Paper as addressed to the Minister of Labour?

I presume that the Clerk at the Table transferred it to the relevant department?

I have been asked to reply. No figures are readily available of the number of firemen and seamen employed in all railway-owned steamers during the summer months, and their compilation would take some time. The Board of Trade have no power to regulate hours of labour on board ship, and can only intervene if there be reason to think that the arrangements are such as to cause inefficiency or danger.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that last year the Board of Trade admitted in this House that there were instances known to them of men being employed for 90 hours a week upon these steamers, and is not that detrimental to the public interest?

I can understand that the Board of Trade may or may not have made certain admissions, but it seems to me that these representations can always be heard, and heard sympathetically, if they are brought to the proper quarter and through the proper channel—the men's representatives.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have done everything that we possibly can in the proper quarters, and will he not use his influence, and the influence of the Government, to see that engineers are employed here when we have so many unemployed engineers and when the engineers on board these steamers are working as many as 90 hours a week? The Government have the power to see that the Fair Wages Clause is put into operation.

All I can say is that that has not been represented to my Department since I have been in office. If representations were made, one would give them a sympathetic hearing, and do anything that one possibly could.

If I give the hon. Gentleman the information, will he do it?

I will give it sympathetic consideration.

Then I will let the hon. Gentleman have the information.