asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the general position existing in regard to the system of making final awards to pensioners whose disabilities are assessed at less than 20 per cent., he will take steps to abolish this system at an early date?

The hon. and gallant Member's suggestion would involve very far-reaching amendments both of Warrant and Statute, and I know of no grounds sufficient to justify its adoption

:In view of the hardships which some of these pensioners suffer, will the right hon. Gentleman consider allowing them to have the right of appeal?

:The hon. and gallant Gentleman has not made his point very clear. The right of appeal was conferred by Parliament and it has been exercised in a very large number of cases, which shows that it is generally known

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the nature of the qualifications necessary for an applicant to secure a grant from the Voluntary Funds under the control of the Ministry?

:Grants are made from the Voluntary Funds referred to at the discretion of the Minister after full consideration of all the circumstances of the case, and subject to the conditions under which the funds were created. It would not be parcticable to set out in detail the conditions applicable to the various types of case. But it may be said in general that in all cases disablement or death by war service is a condition precedent to the grant of assistance from these funds

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the Ministry of Pensions Circular No. 31 provides that, in cases where members of area war pensions committees and advisory councils claim for loss of time and subsistence, the maximum payment for a day shall be 10s. 6d. and, in the cases where the member is absent from home for a night, 20s., and that this results in members not receiving compensation for the full amount of wages lost, he will withdraw the circular and issue instructions that in future members of the war pensions committees and/or advisory councils shall receive full compensation for wages lost plus subsistence allowance where, owing to long absence from home, they may be entitled to the same?

:Composite maximum rates of payment, where both loss of time and subsistence allowance are claimed, are in my judgment reasonable, and experience has not shown any ground for a general increase of them.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that in the case of a workman who is compelled to lose a day's work to attend these committees and whose day's wage may amount to, say, 8s. this is a big reduction, and, including his expenses, it would come to about 12s. or 13s.?

I understand that the maximum amount, including the subsistence allowance for a whole day and night, comes to £1, and I think that is not an unreasonable contribution from the State

If a night is spent away from home in the case of a man attending a committee does the right hon. Gentleman not think that an extra grant might be made?

That is provided for, and under those circumstances the individual concerned can draw up to £1 for the whole period. I do not think that is an unreasonable contribution

asked the Minister of Pensions for what reason Mr. Gilroy Dunstan, 134, Markfield Road, Tottenham, who lost both legs as a result of war service and whose wife is an invalid, has had his constant attendance allowance entirely stopped

Repeated endeavours have been made to induce the pensioner to enter an institution in order that he may receive the attention to his injured limb, which my medical advisers are satisfied is essential for his case, and without which his condition is liable to serious deterioration. Instructions have been given to continue the allowance pending a further effort in the same direction. If the hon. Member can render any assistance in the man's own interests, I hope that he will do so

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the man's objection to going into an institution is because his constant attendance allowance was suddenly stopped and he got into debt because of that, and he was unaware of it. He also had a small debt amounting to £7 10s., and if the Ministry met that point the man would be perfectly willing to go into the hospital?

In any case, the man's health is the first consideration, and if the hon. Gentleman would use his influence to get this man to undergo treatment in his own interest he will be doing the best service he can do for this man.

Pending the hon. Member doing his best, will the right hon. Gentleman see that this man is not punished by having his constant attendance allowance stopped?

I understand that it is now being paid, but the main consideration is the man's health

:asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give instructions that in the preparation of the agenda for the meetings of the Central Advisory Committee or Area War Pensions Committees any matters submitted by Committee members shall be included?

In the case of War Pensions Committees the matters to be discussed at their meetings are within the discretion of the Committee under their rules of procedure, and no instructions are, in my judgment, required. It is the function of the Central Advisory Committee, under the terms of Section 3 of the War Pensions Act, 1921, to consider such matters as may be put before them by the Minister for their advice

asked the Minister of Pensions why pensioners filling in the special identification form for persons in receipt of pension have to furnish particulars of members of their family who are not in receipt of pension; and whether he will have the form revised and questions as to Christian name of parents, wife's maiden name and date of birth, date of marriage and place, and similar questions deleted?

I would refer the hon Member to the reply given to the similar question put by the hon. Member for Stratford on the 30th ultimo, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that under the Royal Warrant a man with a 20 per cent. degree of disablement may be given a life pension, he will give the reason for fixing 30 per cent, as the degree of disablement necessary to enable a man whose final award has expired and who is suffering from a recurrence of his war disability to be granted a reissue of pension under the Regulations governing erroneous awards?

:The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. No such percentage has been fixed.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the hardship and loss caused to ex-service men in consequence of allowances not being granted after reporting for treatment until the ex-service man is actually admitted into hospital; and will he consider payment being made from the date of report in all cases where hospital treatment is subsequently given?

:Whenever it is certified that, in the interests of treatment, a man should cease work pending admission, treatment allowances are paid in respect of the waiting period. I would remind the hon. Member that there is frequently no necessity for a man who is recommended in-patient treatment to cease work before the day on which he enters hospital.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the difficulty which arises in the case of ex-service men living in a district where the pensions officer only comes once a week, and if the ex-service man does not happen to be at home on that particular day he has to enter into correspondence, and the pensioner has to wait until his certificate is sent to him?

:I shall be very glad to consider the point raised by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. R. Payne, of Leicester, MP 2817, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, has been on pension for debility since 1917; that application has been made for revision of pension owing to the fact that he is now suffering from tuberculosis, claimed by medical testimony to be a sequel of his War disability; and that he has been turned down owing to the seven years' limit; and whether he can see his way to have the case reviewed?

:I am enquiring into the facts of this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Treasurer of the Household if he is aware that many ex-service men and their dependants feel that they are unable to adequately express themselves when appearing before the appeals tribunals; and will he make inquiries and, if these fears are well founded, will he take steps to remove the same?

:Inquiries have failed to bring to light any serious complaint of the liability of ex-service men and their dependants adequately to express themselves when appearing before the tribunals. The rules provide that the tribunals shall assist any applicant who, through ignorance or otherwise, is unable to make the best of his case The tri bunals are further instructed to be careful to bring out every point in favour of an appellant which may have been overlooked by him or her, and the chairmen are instructed to grant adjournments if they think by so doing evidence may be obtained which will assist the appellant.

:Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the result of his inquiries differs considerably from the findings of the Pension Committees, and will he have further inquiries made in view of what the Pension Committees themselves have reported on this particular question?

Certainly, I will.

Is it not wrong to "adequately express "oneself with a split infinitive?

Will further inquiries be made as to whether the medical members of these tribunals refuse to assist appellants in their case when a medical point occurs?

:Iwill convey that to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of new full beer and spirit licences granted in 1924; and the total amount of the monopoly value assessed on these licences?

According to the figures in course of preparation for the forthcoming Volume of Licensing Statistics, there were granted and confirmed in England and Wales in 1924 66 full or publicans' licences (20 of which were re-grants of licences previosuly granted for a term of years), and a total sum of &£57,904 was fixed in respect of monopoly value

:asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists in con- sequence of inquests on persons killed by motor vehicles being held without a jury; and can he see his way to introduce legislation compelling coroners to empanel a jury at every inquest into the death of a person as the result of a road accident?

The subject has engaged my attention, and provision will be included in the new Coroners Bill.

Will the right hon. Gentleman stiffen up these penalties to the people who drive to the public danger, and run over lieges?

rose—

I am afraid that question does not arise at all.

asked the Home Secretary what is the system of selection adopted by the Metropolitan police in choosing a particular road on which to set a police trap for motorists?

Roads are selected for control where the exigencies of the traffic seem to demand it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of publishing where the traps are set?

Can the Home Secretary arrange for someone to walk in front with a red flag?

I would remind the hon. Member of the saying, "In vain is the net set in sight of any bird."

asked the Home Secretary what instructions are issued to the Metropolitan police with regard to prosecutions for dangerous driving under the Motor Car Act, 1903, so as to make sure that all relevant considerations, such as the braking efficiency of the car and the amount of traffic on the road at the time, are taken into account before prosecution?

I think the hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The duty of the constable is to report occurrences which appear to him to suggest that an offence has been committed, but no prosecution is ordered without the authority of the Commissioner of Police, acting through one of the Assistant Commissioners or his immediate Deputy, and all relevant considerations are taken into account by him. While speed may be a factor it is only one of the considerations taken into account before instituting proceedings for dangerous driving.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability in his replies of not giving any information that will lead to the evasion of the law and assist the law breakers?

I do not think my answer bears that interpretation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a large number of cases of traps in the Metropolitan police area that speed only is considered before a prosecution is undertaken?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman asked me that question a week ago. I have since caused a full investigation to be made in all the records of prosecutions for dangerous driving this year, and there is not one of them that comes within his definition of dangerous driving for speed only.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be far better if Members of Parliament found breaking the law were to take their punishment and pay up?

asked the President of the Board of Education if, when children are absent from school owing to their attendance at school clinics, hospitals, sanatoria, or any other medical treatment ordered by the school medical officer, such occasions rank with those specified in paragraph 23(c)of Schedule 4 of the Code; and are they counted as attendances under Article 44(h)of the Code?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative in so far as the attendances are made, or the medical treatment is given, in accordance with arrangements approved under Section 80 (1) of the Education Act, 1921.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of blind and crippled children, respectively, throughout the country for whom no educational provision is made; and what action he proposes to take with local educational authorities who refuse to meet their obligations in this matter?

:As the answer to this question is rather long, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

:May I ask whether, if the Noble Lord proposes any additional arrangements with regard to blind children at present in schools, he would be good enough to see that there are not more than 15 in a class, or, if he does not contemplate any fresh arrangements in that direction, will he be good enough to receive a deputation of teachers interested in the instruction of blind children?

:I have already asked local authorities to give special attention to these matters, and I am sure that they are doing so.

Following is the answer:

According to the returns of local authorities in England and Wales for the year ended 31st December last-, there were 567 blind children (including 287 partially blind), and 4,301 crippled children (other than those suffering from active non-pulmonary tuberculosis), attending no recognised school or institution during the year. I may, perhaps, mention that large numbers of the crippled children not at present in special schools do not need to attend such schools, but rather require orthopædic treatment which will enable them to continue in attendance at ordinary public elementary schools, and I am taking all practicable steps to encourage the development of such treatment. As regards special school accommodation for blind and crippled children who need it, I have already asked all authorities to give their careful attention to the problem and to inform me what progress they are making.

asked the President of the Board of Education what number of local education authorities have opened schools for physically defective children, either day schools or residential, and the number of each; what number of local education authorities are making adequate provision for physically defective children in their area to receive suitable education in accordance with Section 56 of the Education Act, 1921; and what number of local education authorities are setting on foot inquiries called for in the Board's Circular 1,349 of the 12th January, 1925?

:Forty-eight local education authorities have provided schools for physically defective children. One hundred and thirteen of these schools are day schools and 37 are residential schools. There are also one day school and 71 residential schools for children of this type provided by voluntary bodies. As regards the second part of the question, the actual number of such authorities would be a matter of opinion. With regard to the last part, the material for a, specific answer is not at the moment available, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the matter is receiving the close and active attention of my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of local education authorities who have not established clinics for the treatment of physically defective children; and what action he proposes to take if those authorities continue to refuse to make adequate arrangements?

Out of 318 local education authorities, only seven have not yet provided any school clinics, and, of these seven, five have submitted proposals which are now before my Department. One of the remaining two cases is that of a small area where no clinic is required, and in the other case the authority have been requested to give the matter their urgent attention. I do not, of course, desire to suggest that in all cases the arrangements made in this respect are entirely adequate.

asked the President of the Board of Education what provision is made by the West Riding (Yorks) County Council Education Authority for the training of mentally defective children of school age; and whether such provision is sufficient to meet the needs of the area?

According to returns furnished by the West Riding Local Education Authority for the year 1924, there were in the area 528 children ascertained to be mentally defective within the meaning of the Education Act, 1921. The local authority have no school of their own for mentally defective children, but they have sent 23 children to special schools certified by the Board.

Are the local authority taking any steps to provide schools in the West Riding for these children?

Are we to take it from the answer that in Yorkshire there are 470 or more defective children for whom no provision has been made?

The number is 528. As the hon. Member knows, the West Riding has a very large educational programme, which it has outlined in the rough. I cannot say without notice how far that programme provides for special school accommodation.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any steps have been taken to call a joint conference between the Board of Education, employers and trade unions to discuss the arrangements of industry for receiving juveniles and educational arrangements for keeping them at school?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any further statement to make to the House as to the projected conference with representatives of the Ministry of Labour on the subject of juvenile unemployment?

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he had any further statement to make to the House as to the projected conference with representatives of the Ministry of Labour on the subject of juvenile unemployment?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I hope to appoint a Committee very shortly to inquire into certain aspects of the relation between education and industry, but I am not yet in a position to define the scope of the inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps to relax the policy of not permitting children, although they have reached the age of 14 years, to leave school until the end of a school term in those cases in which apprenticeship vacancies or other good opportunities of employment, which may not readily recur, have been found for them?

:This matter is not one of administrative policy, but of statutory requirement. The relevant provisions of the Act of 1921 are Section 138 (1) and Sections 42-45.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the difficulty which exists in industrial areas is that of boys or girls getting employment when they all leave at one definite period, as against the old system of leaving at the age of 14?

Is the Noble Lord aware that these 'children spend the intervening period in running errands for teachers, cleaning slates and inkpots, and so on?

With regard to the first supplementary question, I am aware that in many areas difficulty arises from that cause. The matter has been discussed by the Association of Education Authorities, and perhaps my hon. Friend would look at the Report of that discussion. As to the second supplementary question, I am not aware of the facts stated, but if my hon. Friend can give me information as to schools where that is the case, I shall be glad to go into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education, with reference to the position of the superannuated teachers who retired before 1919 and whose average pension is £37 per annum, whether there is any other reason for refusing to improve their position, except the ground of economy?

These teachers have received the same treatment as other classes of pensioners under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, and it would pot, in my view, be just to give them differential treatment now.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the service of qualified teachers in appointments overseas, obtained under the auspices of the Colonial Office, is admissible for pension purposes?

Service as a teacher in any school or other educational institutioninany British Colony or Dependency or in India, which is maintained, aided, or under regular inspection by the Government, is regarded as qualifying service for the purposes of the Act of 1918. Perhaps I might also refer the hon. Member to Clause 20 (1) (c) of the Teachers (Superannuation) Bill now before the House. The Board also have arrangements for exchanges of teachers for one year, during which time service overseas is treated as recognised service.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many teachers have exercised their option of retiring after completing 30 years' service before attaining the age of 60, and have thereafter on attaining the age of 60 received a pension and retiring allowance?

The number of teachers who, having retired from service before reaching the age of 60, received superannuation allowances on the ground of age under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, after attaining the age of 60, is about 1,360, of whom, approximately, 850 had completed 30 years' service. The remainder were eligible for benefits under Section 1 (1) (a) (ii) of the Act on less than 30 years' service.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is prepared to consider favourably the Amendment put forward by the four associations of teachers in secondary schools in the Teachers Superannuation Bill?

:I am not clear which particular Amendment my hon. Friend has in mind, but all the Amendments put forward by the four associations are receiving my careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education to what extent expenditure by local education authorities upon organised school excursions is admissible for grant?

In the case of public elementary schools, such arrangements may be approved under the Code if the. excursions take place during school hours, or under Section 86 of the Education Act, 1921, if the excursions take place outside school hours. In either case expenditure, by local authorities is eligible for grant, under Article 2 of the Substantive Grant Regulations, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member. In the sphere of higher education, expenditure by local authorities for this purpose is eligible for grant under Grant Regulations No. 4, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member also.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any information as to the extent to which swimming and organised out-door games are included in the curricula of elementary schools: and how the position to-day compares with the position 10 years ago?

No statistics upon this subject have been specially collected by my Department, but swimming and out-door games form an important part of the school activities in many areas, and provision for them is increasingly recognised by local authorities as desirable.

Owing to the increasing importance attached to this side of the school syllabus, will the Noble Lord endeavour to collect that information, which would be a very valuable guide to educational authorities?

I am constantly sending to local authorities circulars requesting statistics, and I would beg the hon. Member not to increase the number.

Will the Noble Lord send still one more, urging that every child that is passed as medically fit should have the opportunity of learning this most useful and healthy art?

No, Sir, I do not think that that would be desirable, because already there are complaints from all parts of the country that the Board's requirements involve a great deal too much interference with the curricula of the schools, and I do not think it would be desirable to add other requirements.

May I say that my idea was not that it should be put in the form of a requirement, but of a suggestion?

:I do not think that really any suggestion of that kind is needed; the local authorities are doing it.

asked the President of the Board of Eduation whether the necessity of the provision of better playing fields than are at present available for children attending elementary schools in urban areas is receiving the attention of the Board; and, if so, whether the Board is taking any steps to urge the necessity of developing playgrounds and playing fields, wherever possible, upon the attention of local authorities?

:I am quite prepared, as I think local authorities are aware, to consider sympathetically proposals for the purpose suggested by the hon. Member, and I have no doubt that the matter will be kept in view by authorities in the preparation of the programmes of development which I have asked them to submit to me.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the decision of the Cabinet upon the naval shipbuilding programme; whether he is aware that, unless the plans of construction deemed by him to be necessary in his speech at Plymouth in October, 1923, are undertaken, there will be unemployment in the near future in His Majesty's dockyards and other shipbuilding centres: and whether, in these circumstances, he will expedite the undertaking of the programme foreshadowed by him on the date mentioned above?

:I cannot, add anything to the answer which I gave on the 28th April, in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs).

Will the right lion. Gentleman expedite the decision?

:I gave an undertaking that the results of the deliberations of the Committee should be made public this Session. While I am always delighted to answer my hon. and gallant Friend's questions, I am afraid that their repetition will neither expedite nor impede the consideration of the matter.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman's party last year urge in Debate that new construction was very urgently needed eight or 10 cruisers?

:That is quite true, but no one will recognise more than the hon. and gallant Gentleman that circumstances as to the rapidity with which construction should proceed change from year to year.

As the naval programme may involve a very large sum of money, may we have the results of the deliberations of the Cabinet before the Second Reading of the Finance Bill?

:I do not think that that is necessary. As my hon. and gallant Friend will remember, undertook that the results of the Committee's deliberations should be announced in sufficient time to enable any necessary Estimate to be taken before the House rises.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has yet come to any decision as to the Lace Report; and whether his statement that the only avenue open to industries seeking the protection of a duty is the Safeguarding of Industries Act will preclude the imposition of a duty for the protection of any industry which does not conform to the terms of the White Paper?

:I regret I am not yet in a position to announce a definite decision; but I will certainly see that a decision is announced at such a time as not to preclude the insertion of the necessary Clause or Clauses in this year's Finance Bill in the event of the recommendation of the Committee being accepted. I may add that I should not regard the imposition of a duty in this case as being in conflict with any undertaking given by His Majesty's Government.

:Arising out of the latter part of the reply, what does the right hon. Gentleman mean by saying that there is only one avenue, and yet showing many other avenues which can be entered?

I should have said that, if a decision was taken to give effect to the Report of this Committee, that, surely, would be the avenue.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the conditions laid down in the White Paper are the conditions to which an industry must conform if it is to have the duty?

:I think that that is a matter whicih would be well worthy of debate, if a Debate ensued, on our making the recommendations.

asked the Prime Minister if he will take the initiative in calling a World Conference on the question of general disarmament?

:The reduction of armaments, as the hon. Member is aware, is still under the consideration of the League of Nations, and I do not think that any initiative at present on the part of His Majesty's Government would be advantageous.

asked the Prime Minister the nature of the proposed inquiry into the abuse of unemployment; the personnel of the inquiring body; and the terms of reference to it?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to give the Government's view with regard to instituting an inquiry into the administration and distribution of unemployment benefit; and, if so, will he inform the House what form the inquiry will take?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend hopes to have an opportunity of dealing with the questions in the course of the Debate this evening.

:The Chancellor of the Exchequer referred definitely to inquiries as to whether such abuses were going on. My inquiry is, what is the nature of those inquiries? Surely that can be answered?

:The proper time will be during the Debate.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange for the issue free, or at a cheap rate, to the Members of the House of Commons of the minutes of evidence and appendices of evidence given before the Royal Commission on Food Prices?

The general position with regard to the supply of non-Parliamentary publications to Members was set out in the reply given by my predecessor to Mr. Sturrock on the 1st April, 1924. Members who desire copies of the volumes containing the minutes of evidence and appendices will be supplied with copies if they apply as suggested in that reply to the Controller of the Stationery Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the inconvenience to Members in not being able to get copies of various Papers at the Vote Office and having to apply for same in writing to the Comptroller-General?

:The matter was gone into very carefully last year by my predecessor and arrangements are now in force under which all publications which are likely to be in demand by Members of Parliament are included in the Parliamentary Pink List, and it is obviously desirable, in the interests of economy, not to encourage the circulation of exceptional publications.

Is it not a, fact that the list issued in the Pink Paper is a, very short one, and does not include many important papers which are necessary to our duties here as Members of Parliament?

As I stated in my answer, any Stationery Office Paper which is reasonably necessary to any individual Member for the carrying out of his Parliamentary duties will be supplied.

Is it possible for Members to see a list of these Stationery Office Papers?

:I think it is kept in the Library.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Metropolitan Asylums Board have recently decided to discontinue the supply of butter to inmates during the summer months on the ground that, whilst butter contains the vitamines necessary for bodily health, this form of food is to be omitted during the summer months as sunshine supplies the vita-mines required; and will he recommend that the allowance of butter he continued irrespective of season?

I am advised that the use of margarine is quite compatible with a good diet, provided that the other constituents of the diet are satisfactory; and that the dietary adopted by the Metropolitan Asylums Board satisfies this condition, and further makes adequate provision for adjusting the diet to suit the needs of any particular case. In these circumstances I could not properly intervene in the manner suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that medical officers of health throughout the country state that the children who are now leaving school are suffering from a low standard of health through being fed on margarine during the War.

I am aware that there is difference of opinion between doctors on many subjects.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, in Poor Law schools medical officers have reported that children did suffer through having to eat margarine and that in most, if not all of them butter has been substituted, and will he tell us whether any of our children or grandchildren have margarine in the summer and butter at other times?

:I have no information as to the diet of our grandchildren.

That is not what I asked. Does the right hon. Gentleman's wife change from butter to margarine in the summer time?

:Domestic diet questions cannot now he argued.

:I will ask you, Sir, to allow me to put this question, because it is important. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Metropolitan Asylums Board are dealing with children who are ailing children and only go to them because they are ailing, and would any hon. Member, when his children were sick, give them less value in food than when they are well?

:I am afraid the hon. Member did not attend to the answer I gave, in which I said the Metropolitan Asylums Board makes adequate provision for adjusting the diet to suit the needs of the children.

:But they do not do anything of the kind.

The hon. Member keeps putting things in the form of assertions, which is not proper at Question Time.

May I put this as a question? is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Metropolitan Asylums Board has passed a resolution that, as it is Summer Time and the sun is shining, these children shall not have butter, and do well-to-do people trust the sun to cure their children instead of giving them decent food?

That is exactly what was asked by the hen. Member who put the original question.

asked the Minister of health whether he is aware that a Departmental Committee on Prisons in 181)5 reported that oakum picking should be abolished except for penal offences; whether he will appoint another Departmental Committee to inquire and report whether oakum picking should be abolished for both men and women in casual wards; and will he arrange for placing on the committee representatives of the Ministry of Health, of the Home Office, and of the Prison Commissioners?

:I am aware of the Report of the Departmental Cornmittee on Prisons. I do not think that the appointment of a committee on this subject is necessary, but I am considering how far it is necessary or desirable to retain this particular task.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the task of oakum picking prescribed by the new Casual Poor (Relief) Order for a female destitute wayfarer, who remains for one night only, is to be not less than one-third of two pounds of unbeaten oakum or of four pounds of beaten oakum, while under the Order of 1882 it was half a pound of unbeaten or one pound of beaten oakum; and why the alloted task has been altered?

The alteration in the Order to which my hon. Friend alludes is made merely to bring the task for one night into the same relation to that prescribed for two nights, as is laid down in the Order of 1882, for the time to be occupied in the task, viz., three hours and nine hours respectively.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of exhibiting in the precincts a quantity of oakum which a casual female pauper is asked to pick?

:I do not see that any advantage would be served by that. The hon. and gallant Gentleman can always make experiments.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise, putting aside the humorous aspect of the subject, that there is a great deal of interest in this reactionary circular, and would it not be desirable to make the exhibit for which I have asked?

:That question has been answered.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Navy oakum picking is given as a punishment, and the maximum allowed to be given to an able seaman as a punishment is 1 lb.?

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prison Commissioners are steadily trying to get the punishment of oakum picking removed from prison, and to substitute something more sensible and humane?

No, the ground on which the Committee to which the hon. Member refers recommended the abolition of oakum picking in prisons was not that it was not humane, but that it was unproductive. I am, however, taking into consideration the point raised by the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken-worthy) that oakum picking has been used as a punishment in certain cases, and it is in relation to that fact that I am considering whether it is necessary or desirable to continue the task in casual wards.

:When he is considering oakum, will the right hon. Gentleman also consider stone-pounding and stone-breaking operations?

:Was this oakum picking carried out under the recent Liberal and Labour Governments?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is ware that the Wednesbury Corporation recently enforced a Closing Order respecting occupied houses situated at Hitchen's Croft; whether he can state the date when the property was originally condemned as unfit for habitation; whether the corporation offered the tenants at any time alternative accommodation, such as the rental of any of the new municipal houses being erected during this period; whether he can state the number of families, with the ages and the sex of the persons, ejected, their present place of abode, and the nature of the conveniences provided; and whether the corporation is taking any action to provide them with suitable accommodation?

:I am aware that the Wednesbury Corporation have recently taken proceedings for the enforcement of Closing Orders made in respect of four houses at Hitchen's Croft. The Closing Orders were made on 1st December, 1919. I understand that on the day when the corporation obtained possession of the houses one of the tenants, his wife and seven children were given possession of one of the new houses belonging to the corporation and that the corporation intend to provide similar accommodation for the remaining tenants as and when such houses a-re available. Four families, comprising a total of 33 persons, were ejected from the condemned houses. I have no information as to the ages and sex of these persons. I am informed that three of the families are at present residing in the adult school, Lower High Street, but I have no information as to the nature of the convenience provided.

:Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say the corporation intends to provide them with alternative accommodation?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Health how many authorities have had a money allocation for the building of demonstration houses; how many have started to build same; and how many houses are nearing completion or have been completed?

:Of the £50,000 voted for the purpose of special grants for demonstration houses, £34,000 has been allocated, covering houses to be erected by 56 local authorities. According to the latest information the work of construction has been started in the case of 10 local authorities; four of the houses have actually been completed.

:How many different types of houses have been erected under the scheme?

:I believe the four houses which have actually been completed are all of one type.

asked the Minister of Health if he has been informed of the ejectment of a family from a house in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, and that this family, consisting of father, mother, and nine children, had to be accommodated in a hut, six feet by six feet, on the council allotments, no other accommodation being available; and if he will consider using his special powers to supersede the local authority in the erection of houses for the working classes?

I have no information as to the particular ease to which the hon. Member refers. I have no power to supersede a local authority in the erection of houses except where I am satisfied that they have failed to fulfil their obligations under the Housing Acts. The local authority in this case have already erected a substantial number of houses, and further schemes are in progress both by private enterprise under the Act of 1923 and by the local authority under the Act of 1924.

Is not the fact that a hut on an allotment was the only available accommodation for a family of 11 fair evidence that there is no accommodation available for the working classes?

I have told the hon. Member I have no information on the particular case.

:In how many cases has the right hon. Gentleman taken this matter case of the hands of local authoritieson the grounds he mentioned?

Is not this a case of the want of steel houses?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received the Report of the Committee on Prices of Building Materials with reference to their investigations into the recent increase in prices by the National Light Castings Association; and what action he proposes to take?

:The Committee on Prices of Building Materials is engaged upon the matter to which the hon. Member refers, but they have not yet completed their investigations and have, therefore, not yet reported.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that when he promised an inquiry into these increased prices, it was not expected that the matter would be allowed to drift on for months, as it has done; and is it not very unsatisfactory even now that no decision has been arrived at?

The hon. Member is well aware that there was delay in consequence of the fact that the gentleman who I hoped would be able to undertake the Chairmanship was not able to undertake that office. The Committee are engaged on this case now.

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision is to be expected in the near future in reference to the proposed clearance of the George Road and Brand Street slum areas, Islington?

:Yes, Sir. I hope to be able to give a decision on this scheme at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider granting exemption from the payment of State Health Insurance to those workers who are already covered by payment to superannuation and provident funds ac a condition of their employment?

:This is a matter within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance, and I am referring it to the Commission for their consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that the assistance of X-ray examination is not one of the benefits provided under the National Health Insurance Act; and, seeing that this is now essential to correct a diagnosis in many cases, and in view of the fact that the development of radiography is approximately coeval with the Act, he will amend the Act to give the advantages to insured persons?

asked the Minister of Health why, among the benefits provided under the National Health Insurance Act, no provision is made for X-ray examination; and whether he will take steps to see that. this omission is remedied?

:Payment for an X-ray examination can at present be made under the National Health Insurance Act only where the examination is incidental to a service, such as dental or hospital treatment, made available to members under an Approved Society's Scheme of Additional Benefits. The question of any extension or development of the benefit,: of the Act. is now under consideration by the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance, to whom am forwarding my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the inequalities which will arise on 6th July, 1925, as a result of the division of the valuation of approved societies under the National Health Insurance Acts into two sections, whereby that section whose valuation took place in 1922 will be in a position to distribute additional benefits, if any are due. to their members a year in advance of the societies valued in 1923; and can the question be considered of postponing the coming into operation of the additional benefits declared in respect of societies valued in 1922, so that all additional benefits of all societies will come into operation on the same date, and thus removing inequalities?

:Such inequalities as are suggested in the question are merely temporary and the present arrangement has been agreed to by the Consultative Council, which is representative of approved societies, as being the best method of procedure and for the valuation of some 9,000 societies and branches. As regards the second part of the question, the work in connection with valuation and the preparation of schemes by approved societies necessitates an interval of 2i years elapsing between the date of valuation and the date on which members begin to enjoy the additional benefits provided as the result of the valuation, and I do not think it desirable that this interval should be prolonged by another year.

asked the Minister of Health if he had had representations from the guardians of the Hungerford and Ramsbury and other unions urging that legislation be passed to empower hoards of guardians to take legal proceedings, prior to the birth of a child, against the putative father of illegitimate children for payment of the cost of the maintenance of the woman during such time as she shall be in the Poor Law institution before the birth of her child and for the expenses of her confinement; and whether he will see if facilities can be. given for the Second Reading of the Bastardy Bill now before this House so that the matter may be fully discussed?

:The Minister of Health has asked me to answer this question, but I am afraid I am not in a position to hold out any hope of special facilities being given for progress with this Bill.

Will the right. hon. Gentieman say whether he has received representations, as stated in the first part of the question?