asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received information that the Swedish Government has placed the question of the nationality of married women before the legal committee of the League of Nations; and whether, in view of the recent decision of this House, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

There is no legal committee of the League of Nations. I presume the hon. Member is referring to the committee appointed by the last Assembly of the League of Nations to consider the codification of international law. I can make no statement on the proceedings of that committee until I have received a report from the British member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any reply has been received from the Greek Government by the League of Nations with reference to the communication sent by the League to the Greek Government in March of this year regarding the settlement of minorities in Greece and Bulgaria; and, if so, can he give the nature of the reply?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inform the House of the names of the British delegation to the Arms Traffic Conference which is to be held at Geneva this month; and whether the delegation will be instructed to support the Draft Arms Traffic Convention as proposed by the Temporary Mixed Commission?

The British delegate to the Arms Traffic Conference is the Under-Secretary of State for War. He has been instructed to propose a number of amendments to the draft Arms Traffic Convention drawn up by the Temporary Mixed Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of Russian subjects in this country recognised as attached in any way to the Soviet diplomatic mission; and how this number compared with the recognised staffs of other diplomatic missions in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons connected with the Russian trade delegations in this country have been given diplomatic status by the British Government; if there is any limitation of the number of persons so privileged; and, if so, will he say what is such limitation?

The number of persons on the staff of the Soviet Mission in this country who enjoy diplomatic immunity is four; the Soviet Charge d'Affaires is treated in the same manner as other duly accredited diplomatic representatives, who are allowed diplomatic immunity for a staff sufficient to enable them to carry out their duties adequately. The diplomatic staffs of other foreign missions vary in number between one (in the case of some of the smaller countries) and 24.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has made protests to any foreign Government. whose subjects are buying the produce of British-owned property in Russia, in view of the fact that such purchases are a breach of the resolution passed at the Hague Conference in July, 1922?

The answer is in the negative. Apart from any other consideration, if the hon. Member will look at the terms of the resolution to which he refers, he will see that it affords no grounds for such a protest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many British companies, firms, and individuals who have claims against the Soviet Government in respect of nationalised property have exhausted their resources during seven years of waiting, and have either become insolvent or are likely to become insolvent; and whether he can recommend that assistance be given to them to maintain their claims, having regard to the magnitude of British claims against Russia?

Yes, Sir, I realise the extent to which certain classes of creditors of Russia have suffered as a result of the failure of the Soviet Government to meet its obligations. I regret, however, that. I cannot suggest any other method by which claimants can at the moment maintain their claims, than by recording them with the Russian Claims Department.

Is it not possible even now to try to enter into negotiations whereby some of these claimants may get some of their dues?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any conversations have recently taken place between His Majesty's Government and the representatives of the Soviet Government with the object of obtaining a settlement of the claims of British nationals in respect of property confiscated from them and Russian loans held by them which have been repudiated; and if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to re-open negotiations with a view to obtaining a settlement of British claims against Russia which have been outstanding for the past seven years?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on the 11th March to the hon. Member for Brightside and to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to inform the German Government of the matters in which it is in default under the disarmament clauses of the Treaty?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is the intention of the Allies to present Germany with a statement of her defaults under the disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles?

I trust that the Allies will very shortly be in a position to present a Note on this subject to the German Government, although I can give no indication of the exact date.

Will it be accompanied by a statement showing details of matters in which Germany is in default?

Certainly. We hope that this Note will be presented very quickly, and made available as soon as it is presented.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any indication of the reason for the very long delay?

Various circumstances have combined. A matter of that kind required considerable attention. I think that I must plead guilty myself to responsibility for some part of the delay. The last meeting of Ambassadors could not consider the matter, because our representative had not received his instructions from me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Regulations made under Articles 89 and 98 of the Treaty of Versailles come in any way under the control of the Council of Ambassadors; whether it is under the terms of these Articles that the carriage doors of German trains passing through the Polish Corridor are locked; and whether his attention has been called to the recent railway disaster in the Corridor and to other previous disasters in the same neighbourhood?

In reply to parts one and two of the question I would explain that Articles 89 and 98 of the Treaty of Versailles, in common with other Articles of the Treaty in general, come under the supervision of the Conference of Ambassadors. In accordance with Article 98, Germany on the one part and Poland and the Free City of Danzig on the other, signed on the 21st April, 1921, a convention concerning freedom of transit between Eastern Prussian and the rest of Germany. It is provided by Article 11 of this convention that difficulties of interpretation may be submitted to a permanent arbitral tribunal sitting at Danzig. Article 4 of the convention would appear to provide for the exemption from Customs and passport examination of travellers on so-called privileged trains, the means of ensuring this (e.g. by the locking of doors) being presumably in the hands of the authorities operating the railway. The reply to part three of the question is in the affirmative.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is very undesirable that trains should be run through the Polish Corridor with doors locked, and that very serious increase of danger is caused; this, especially in view of the three accidents which have taken place already?

The people who are concerned have to reconcile conflicting objects. The object of the locked door is to facilitate travel from one part of Germany to another without Polish Customs officials' examination. I think any proposals for change if such be necessary might well be left to those immediately concerned.

Englishmen travel in these trains sometimes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present position in regard to petrol exchange with the United States Navy during the War; whether the Government of the United States of America has accepted the revised statement by the Admiralty referred to in page x of the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on the Navy Appropriation Account, 1923-24; and whether he will state the amount at present due from the United States of America for petrol supplied to the Navy of that nation?

The United States naval authorities have not yet accepted the revised statement prepared by the Admiralty, and the matter is still under correspondence. Until an agreement is come to it is not possible to state what financial adjustments will be necessary.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether an officer lent to a Dominion Government and ordered to proceed to the Dominion to act for that Government in a consultative capacity counts his service there in all respects as if still serving with the Imperial Navy, so far as seniority and pension or widows' pension are concerned?

So far as officers lent to Dominion navies are concerned the answer is in the affirmative. Where, however, officers are lent to a Dominion Government the circumstances of each case must be taken into account, and I cannot therefore make any definite statement of a general character.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what effect the introduction of oil fuel into the Royal Navy, and the extension of its use, has had upon the stoker branch both as regards numbers and promotion; whether he has considered the prospective effect of oil-fuel development upon this branch of the Royal Navy; and whether he will state the views of the Admiralty upon this important matter?

As the result of the introduction of oil fuel into the Royal Navy, smaller numbers of stoker ratings are required in ships' complements. The proportion of higher to lower stoker ratings has, however, increased, and this naturally tends to increase the prospects of advancement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the anxiety felt in the Royal Navy as regards the stagnation in promotion, which influences the minds not only of serving officers and men, but of prospective entrants to the Service, he will cause a Report to be prepared and issued upon the whole subject of promotion, reviewing the position of the past few years and forecasting, as far as possible, the future prospects?

There is no general stagnation in promotion in the case of officers, although promotion in a few of the branches is to some extent affected by the special conditions which exist, while as regards men, the prospects of promotion or advancement depend on a variety of considerations which it is impossible to forecast. I am afraid, therefore, that it would not be practicable to issue any useful Report on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the considerable anxiety which is felt on this subject, and would it not be possible to allay it by some scheme?

If there were some anxiety, I would be very glad to allay it, but I do not know that that can be done by the issue of such a report as is suggested.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the floating dock surrendered to Britain under the Treaty of Versailles is to be sold to the highest bidder, without restriction as to what country it shall ultimately be destined; whether any offer made by British commercial shipowners will have preferential treatment as against any offers by late enemy nations; and what was the cost of the work that was done at the new naval base at Singapore to fit it ready for this floating dock as at one time intended?

One of the three ex German floating docks now remaining in the possession of His Majesty's Government, and not required for naval purposes, has been offered for sale at home and abroad without restriction, and no decision can be given as to the final allocation of the dock until all tenders, which are shortly due, have been received. I may add that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that this is the dock which was intended for Singapore.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to continue the appointment of an assistant naval attaché at Washington.

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that since the visit to Malta of the Board of Admiralty the superintendent civil engineer has obtained more data on which to form a rough estimate of the cost of an additional breakwater and whether a date can be named when such an estimate may be ordered, in view of the fact that Malta is bound to be the most important naval base overseas, and because of the added importance thereof as a link with Singapore?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative, and I have nothing to add to the replies already given to my hon. Friend on the 16th and 25 February.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a gratuity is given to the Royal Fleet Reserve men with the long service and good conduct medal, and, if so, how much it is; whether this gratuity is given to the Royal Naval Reserve men with the long service and good conduct medal, and, if so, how much it is; and what is the reason for the difference in the treatment of the two classes of reservists?

Neither the Royal Fleet Reserve nor the Royal Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal carries with it any monetary grant. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can explain to what the delay is due in the granting of marriage allowances to officers in the Royal Navy, seeing that the money for these allowances has been granted by the House of Commons; and whether he will state at what rates these will be payable?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what basis the Admiralty was able to estimate the cost of the marriage allowance to officers at £350,000 for the current year, in view of the fact that a scheme has not yet been adopted?

I will answer these questions together. The Estimate was based on the proposals of the Admiralty which, as has been already stated, were referred to a Committee by the Cabinet. As no decision has yet been taken, I regret I am not able to add to the observations I made in my statement on the Navy Estimates. (OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th March, cols. 2522-2523.) It will be seen from the note appended to Vote 1, Sub-head F, of the Navy Estimates, 1925-26, that the conditions governing payment had not been settled.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say how the Admiralty were able to arrive at the figure of £350,000 if they were not aware what the allowances were to be?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman had been here when the Navy Estimates were discussed—I remember that he was not—he would have heard me say that the £350,000 was the sum which would be required if the proposals put forward by the Admiralty were eventually accepted by the Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not recognise that the Committee of Supply has granted the money for a purpose, and can the aim be thwarted by indefinite delay on the part of the Admiralty?

It is not delay of the Admiralty, at any rate. The Committee of Supply heard what I said before they voted the money.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, in connection with the construction of a new cruiser at Barrow-in-Furness, a dispute respecting prices exists between the constructing firm and the members of the Boilermakers' Society; that the firm is seeking to enforce their conditions, despite the protests of the employes concerned; that a stoppage of work is probable; and, if so, what steps does he propose to take?

I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, but there would be no justification for the Admiralty interfering in this dispute unless there is a violation of the Fair Wages Clause of the contract.

Is it not a fact that this firm is the only firm responsible for the construction of these cruisers which is seeking to impose these new prices, and is not that a good reason for intervening and preventing a stoppage?

I am not aware of that.

Will the hon. Gentleman make himself aware of these facts?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if His Majesty's Government contemplate a reduction of pay in His Majesty's Navy on the lines recommended by the Anderson Committee, or alternative proposals; if he is aware that apprehension exists in the minds of the naval personnel; and will he take the pledge given 24th October, 1924, into consideration?

There is no intention of interfering with any existing contracts.

asked the Minister of Labour what amount has been distributed in benefit by the Gateshead Employment Exchange since the Armistice?

The approximate amount of unemployment benefit paid by the Gateshead Employment Exchange since the Armistice (including an estimated figure for benefit paid through associations) was £1,230,000. In addition, a sum of approximately £306,000 was paid in respect of out-of-work donation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Frederick Nixon, of Brierley, was recently refused his unemployment insurance benefit, amounting to the sum of 4s. 6d., on account of the fact that he had, on the day for which this money was stopped, attended an inquest on a man whom he had attempted to rescue from drowning and had received a witness fee of 2s. 6d.; and, as this man has been penalised by his endeavour to save life, is he prepared to cause greater discrimination to be exercised when such cases arise?

Mr. Nixon was not refused benefit. The local office quite properly raised the question of eligibility. It was dealt with promptly and payment was made on the day on which it would have been made had no question arisen.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that members of the crews of yachts who ordinarily reside in the cities and industrial areas of the South are entitled to draw unemployment benefit at the end of the yachting season, if no other employment is available, while members of the crews who ordinarily reside in the Highlands are refused unemployment benefit when they become unemployed, even though they have been genuinely seeking employment and have paid all the contributions required of them when employed; and will he have this grievance remedied?

The position is not quite as stated by the right hon. Member. Unemployment benefit is only payable when the applicant is genuinely seeking work. The question whether this condition is fulfilled is one for determination not by me but by the statutory authorities, and, as a general rule, seasonal workers cannot be regarded as fulfilling this condition between seasons. Each case is, of course, considered on its merits; it may be possible for a seasonal worker to show by a record of other work in the "off" seasons that he does fulfil this condition between seasons, and it is probably the case that a dweller in an industrial area would be more likely to be able to prove this than a worker who resides in a non-industrial area. In each case, however, the determining factor would be, not the locality but the genuineness of the search for work.

Does my right hon. Friend think it reasonable that these men should be compelled to pay unemployment insurance contributions during their period of service and then not receive any benefit in return?

That is a different point. If the right hon. Gentleman will put a question on the Paper I will answer it. I think that the practice as I have stated it is the fairest. You have to judge, so long as the people are in employment, whether they are purely seasonal workers, whether they get work out of the season, and whether benefit should be paid.

Is it not a fact that all the men who come from the industrial areas of the South, when the season is over get their benefits in every case, but that if these yachtsmen belong to the Highlands, which is not an industrial area, and there is no likelihood of very much employment, they are debarred from getting any money?

The right hon. Gentleman has really asked his original question again. It is not a question of locality; it is a question whether the person concerned does genuinely seek work, or has been in the habit of seeking, or been presumed to seek work during the "off" season. It is obviously both right and equitable that if he is in the habit of, and can be presumed to be, seeking work in the off season, then he should have the right to benefit, but if as a rule he does not naturally seek work in the off season, he is not entitled to benefit.

What is the test for seeking work? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is very easy for a man in an industrial area to prove in some form or other that he is seeking work, but that in the Highlands that is quite impossible?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that entire communities, like the fisher girls in the north of the Moray Firth coast, are forbidden to receive benefit, and that there is no way in which these girls can prove that they are seeking employment? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how his answer will apply to Buckie?

If the hon. Member will put a question on the Paper, and the facts connected with it, I shall be glad to reply.

May I move "that this Debate be now postponed "?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that applicants for benefit when signing on at the Wednesbury Employment Exchange have to stand in queues in all kinds of weather; and will he take steps to obviate the continuance of such a practice?

I am informed that there was unavoidable congestion on certain days between 15th April and 1st May which was due to the local extension of the Easter holidays and the closing down of a large firm. Generally speaking, the timing system in operation at the Wednesbury Exchange obviates any necessity for queues, and waiting as a rule is only occasioned because some applicants persist in ignoring the timing arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount distributed in unemployment benefit in the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney for each of the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924?

The approximate amounts of unemployment benefit (including an estimated figure for benefit paid through associations) paid by the Stepney Employment Exchange in the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924, were £18,000, £366,000, £268,000, £270,000 and £288,000 respectively. In addition a sum of approximately £224,000 was paid in respect of out-of-work donation in 1920 and 1921.

asked the Minister of Labour how many juvenile unemployment centres are in operation in Scotland; how many pupils are receiving instruction in these centres; and the numbers of boys and girls, respectively?

Forty-three centres are open in Scotland in the areas of five local education authorities; the proposals of one authority are under consideration. The average atendances at 41 of these centres during the week which ended on 24th April was 2,106 (1,219 boys and 887 girls). The remaining two centres, which have an average attendance of about 50, did not re-open after the Easter holidays until 27th April. 14,400 boys and girls passed through the Scottish centres during the year which ended on 31st March, last.

Would it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman, in reply to a further question, to state the cost per pupil and per centre of maintaining this scheme?

I will gladly try to give the hon. Member any information of that kind which he wishes to have communicated.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many juvenile unemployment centres are in operation in England and Wales; the average number of juveniles who attend and the average period of continuous attendance; what are the subjects taught and the daily hours of attendance; are the teachers certificated and entitled to pension and are they paid the same salaries as teachers in ordinary central or secondary schools; is it possible to say how many of those who attend these centres obtain permanent employment; and is it part of the duty of teachers to see that frequent applications are made by the students to the Labour Exchanges for work?

I have been asked to reply, and, as the answer is necessarily of considerable length, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, are now receiving uncovenanted benefit in respect of which contributions to the Insurance Fund have not been paid; and what were the numbers a year ago?

The only available figures are those obtained from a special analysis made in November, 1924, in respect of 1 per cent. of the claimants to benefit. This analysis showed thatabout 51 per cent. of the men and 32 per cent. of the women to whom benefit was being paid were then in receipt of extended benefit.

Does that answer mean that at the end of October all these men and women will be cut away from unemployment benefit?

No, that is not necessarily an inference from the answer. I have often stated the position with regard to this matter, and although it does not really arise on this question, I may state that the strict rule of 30 contributions will come into operation upon 1st October, unless some "carrying over" Act is passed in the meantime.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it will be impossible for the men and women in question to have 30 stamps between now and October?

That question should be put down.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of times the Darlaston rota committee have met since 1st January, 1925; whether in all cases the workers' representatives have been summoned; and how many meetings have been held when workers' representatives have been absent;

(2) whether he has received evidence of dissatisfaction respecting the constitution of the various rota committees summoned by the Darlaston Employment Exchange and the fact that the workers' representatives are seldom summoned, and that the decisions recorded are frequently those of employers' representatives only; and will he cause inquiry with a view to remedying this grievance?

The inquiries I am making into the matter contained in these questions are not yet complete, but I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to enable local authorities to put in hand a larger amount of useful work for the absorption of the unemployed, the Government are prepared to undertake the necessary steps to enable local authorities to put in hand extended schemes of public utility works and, with the consent of the unemployed workers engaged thereon, utilise their unemployment benefit as a contribution towards their wages while so employed?

Substantial grants-in-aid of relief works put in hand by local authorities are already made through the Unemployment Grants Committee and otherwise. The procedure suggested by the hon. Member would be equivalent to an increased grant, and I do not think there is justification for this apart from any question of diverting the unemployment insurance funds to this purpose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many localities are unable to carry on at the present rate of grant, and is he not able to do something for them in view of their increasing burdens?

The question has already been considered by the Minister of Health and myself in connection with a deputation from the municipal corporations, and we have already stated that we have considered the matter carefully and have given our answer.

Does the answer imply that the scheme proposed by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carmarthen (Sir A. Mond) has been definitely rejected?

The hon. and gallant Member should put down that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether aliens who have not contributed to the Unemployment Fund are receiving relief from it; and, if so, whether he will put a stop to this practice?

No alien who has not contributed to the Unemployment Fund is entitled to benefit unless he is a disabled ex-service man whose disability is the reason for his failure to have contributed?

asked the Minister of Labour if there are any cases of workers who are being paid unemployment benefit to which they are not entitled under the existing regulations; and, if so, will he state the numbers?

Benefit is not paid in any case where, according to the facts as known to the Department, the claimant is not entitled to it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the ground of the sustained propaganda which has been going on during recent months in regard to the administration of the unemployment insurance fund, particularly in certain newspapers and certain quarters of the House?

No, Sir. I do not know to which newspapers the hon. Member refers because it has been criticisd from both sides with almost the same acerbity.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of insured workers; and what is the number convicted of wrongly obtaining insurance benefit since 1st November, 1924?

The total number of persons in Great Britain insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts is estimated at 11,256,000. The number of persons convicted after prosecution between the 1st November, 1924, and the 31st March, 1925, on charges of knowingly making false representations for the purpose of obtaining unemployment benefit was 757. In a further 72 cases the defendant was bound over or admonished.

In view of these figures, will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to stop the practice of suggesting that there is a general habit on the part of the unemployed of wrongfully obtaining benefit?

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain how this return compares with the number of prosecutions for false Income Tax returns?

That question would be for another Minister.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of the debt of the unemployment fund last August and at present; and how the present revenue of the fund compares with the expenditure?

The debt of the unemployment fund was £4,770,000 on 15th August, 1924, and £7,650,000 on 30th April, 1925. For the past three months the average weekly revenue and expenditure of the unemployment fund have been respectively £938,000 and £1,059,000. The expenditure has included about £65,000 weekly of non-recurrent expenditure on refunds and compensation for future abolition of refunds.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is the intention of the Government to appoint a Committee to inquire into the working of the National Unemployment Insurance Acts; and, if so, what is to be the personnel of such Committee and its terms of reference?

I am not at present in a position to answer the hon. Member, but hope to give him a reply shortly.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the growing dissatisfaction among the poor people of the County Borough of West Ham in regard to the recent imposition by the West Ham Board of Guardians of a system of relief work equal in financial results only to the amount of relief that the person would otherwise be drawing; that it is, in itself, the duty of the guardians to relieve the poor and prevent destitution and not to promote schemes of work for the sake of work itself; and whether he will instruct the guardians to at once cease these tasks and refer the matter of relief schemes to the Ministry of Labour?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to a question he put on this subject. The arrangements by the West Ham Guardians enable them to set to work a certain number of men who would otherwise merely receive relief without work. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to instruct the guardians in the sense suggested.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that now the position is that the men merely receive work which will give them wages only equal to the money they would otherwise draw in relief, and can he not so arrange that the work shall be augmented, so that the men may have a full week's work at trade union rates?

I am not aware of those facts, but if the hon. Member will submit them to me, I will endeavour to give him a reply.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the effect upon the rent payers and the shopkeepers of West Ham as the result of the high poor rate necessarily levied within this area; and whether he proposes collaboration with the Ministry of Labour respecting the introduction of schemes of work, thereby absorbing the able-bodied and willing workers and reducing the demand for Poor Law purposes?

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the high rates levied in West Ham. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the circular letter recently issued by the Unemployment Grants Committee, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons in receipt of the unemployment insurance grants are on any given days of 1925 also in receipt of Poor Law relief other than medical treatment?

Statistics are not regularly compiled in respect of claimants to benefit who are also in receipt of Poor Law relief, but the results of a special analysis made in November, 1924, in respect of 1 per cent. of the claimants to benefit at that date show that 4.7 per cent. of the male claimants and 0.3 per cent. of the female were then in receipt of Poor Law relief.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the displacement of horse mail-drivers, he is proposing to find other employment for them or allowing some compensation for loss of position or superannuation for services rendered?

The drivers to whom the hon. Member refers are the employes of contractors, and I have no power to pay them compensation for unemployment or superannuation from Post Office funds. I regret that, as there are no horse mail-drivers directly employed by the Post Office, I am unable to find them employment.

Is it not a fact that the Post Office takes sole charge and control, and the regulation and dictation of these men immediately they leave the contractor's yard until they return to the contractor's yard, and, therefore, they become morally responsible for these men?

These men are employed by the contractor, and the contract with the contractor is now terminated.

Would it not be possible, having regard to the moral obligation of the Postmaster-General, having employed them for so many years, to give these men an opportunity of training for posts?

There is no post for mail drivers for which they can qualify. If they could be employed in other Post Office work, I am sure their claims would be considered sympathetically.

But are there not a number of men capable of being trained?

I shall be glad to look into the matter from that point of view.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the practice of the Post Office to require that in the appointment of postmen a height of 5 feet 4 inches is necessary; and whether there have been instances of ex-service men being turned down on this ground after they have been appointed?

The minimum height limit for the appointment of candidates as postmen is fixed at 5 feet 4 inches, on account of the nature of the work which they are liable to perform within the office. I am not aware of any instances in which an ex-service man has been dismissed on this ground after appointment to an established position, but I shall be glad to have inquiry made into any particular case that the hon. Member may have in mind.

May I ask whether the height of a man forms his capacity for each different class of work?

It is necessary to have some standard, because the sorting frames are all constructed on the assumption that postmen and sorters are of moderate dimensions. The hon. Member would not find it very easy to sort a letter into a pigeon hole if he could not reach it.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health stand a chance, should he lose his job?

Is not the breadth of a postman far more important than his height?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that in appointing medical officers to the Post Office the three qualifications stated to be required are professional skill, service in the War, and length of residence, why in a recent appointment made in Dunoon some of these desiderata were ignored and an appointment made on apparently other grounds, and contrary to the ballot of those members of the postal service who were to have the benefit of the medical man's services?

The qualifications mentioned by my hon. Friend are not the only factors taken into consideration. The medical officer appointed at Dunoon had previously been Post Office Medical Officer at a neighbouring office, and was familiar with the official requirements; and his professional qualifications were of a high order. He was regarded as the most suitable of the candidates for the post.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the number of tolls which contribute to road maintenance in England, Wales, and Scotland; how much do they contribute annually; and what would be the total cost of freeing roads from tolls as contemplated in Section 2 of the Roads Improvement Bill?

In England and Wales there are 64 toll roads and 127 toll bridges. Tolls on roads and bridges in Scotland were abolished by the Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Act of 1878. No information is available as to the yield of tolls in England and Wales, or of the probable cost of extinguishing them. I may add that the extinction of all tolls is not necessarily contemplated in Clause 2 of the Roads Improvement Bill.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is taking power to free these tolls without knowing the amount involved, and without making any limitation whatever as to the amount spent?