asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the married officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps, the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, and the Army Dental Corps, serving in India, are still excluded from the increased pay and allowances, including quarters, recently granted to other branches of the British Army, by which exclusion a major of the Royal Army Medical Corps receives 75 rupees per month less than a senior captain of the Royal Engineers, and five rupees less than a captain of the Royal Army Service Corps; and if he will assure the House that members of these three Services will not eventually suffer by reason of the delay involved in the consideration of their case?

The case of the Services mentioned has been reserved for separate consideration in view of the possibility of changes affecting them in the near future. If the examination of the case reveals sufficient grounds increases will be given from such date as may be appropriate.

Will the Government take steps to accelerate this matter, in order to try to get some of the officers for the examination to be held in July?

The matter does not depend upon my Noble Friend the Secretary of State, nor the Government of India, because the considerations which I mentioned in my answer had reference to the possibility of changes affecting the Home pay rates of these Services, and until a decision has been come to in the latter case, it will be difficult to arrive at a decision as regards rates of pay for the same Services in India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the recent alterations in the pay of British officers serving in India have brought little benefit to single officers; whether he has received any representations on the point; and, if not, whether he will make any inquiries as to how the new system is working?

The revised scale, which constitutes a substantial improvement for the service as a whole, was designed primarily to benefit married officers, who, under the old scale drew no more than single officers, and it has never been represented by any responsible authority that the pay of the latter require improvement. One or two representations have been received from individuals relating to specific points of detail, and if my hon. and gallant Friend has a case of hardship in mind perhaps he will confer with me.

Is the noble Lord not aware that there have been recent reductions in pay, and do not these bear very hardly on Indian Army officers, particularly as the reduction is made in accordance with the fall in the British cost of living?

No, the alterations in the scale were designed primarily to benefit married officers. I do not admit, taking one consideration with another, that unmarried officers are worse off than they were.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, if, in view of the partial restoration of a gold standard to this country, he is now in a position to state if a committee has been appointed to examine and report upon the present position! of Indian exchange and currency; and, if not, when such a committee is to be appointed?

In his statement of the 20th January, referred to in my reply of the 29th April, the Viceroy expressed the anticipation that, if the movement towards more stable economic conditions continued, the appointment of the Committee should be possible not later than 12 months from that date. As my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury remarked last week, the re-establishment of the gold standard in this country has removed one of the difficulties in the way of dealing with the question of the rupee exchange.

Does that mean that the Committee will be set up before next January?

I cannot do more than refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Viceroy. He must put his own interpretation upon it. What I said in my reply was that the fact that the gold standard had been re-established in this country would seem to fulfil one of the conditions precedent to the creation of a Committee to which the Viceroy referred.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government of India to ask the Legislative Assembly to express its opinion with regard to the construction and maintenance of the Singapore base?

As I stated in the House last Monday, I am not aware of any such intention.

How do the Government expect to get the opinion of the Indian people on this subject if not through the Legislative Assembly?

It is a delicate matter. I think, if the hon. Member looks at all the circumstances, he will see that it really is not a matter which primarily concerns the Legislative Assembly. He is not suggesting, for example, that they should contribute to the cost.

Is it not a fact that some of the British Dominions are contributing, and is it not possible that the Indian people will be asked, and if they are, will they be consulted?

The question of a discussion in the Assembly is clearly one over which the Secretary of State has very little power. It is a matter for the Government of India and the Assembly to decide whether there shall be a discussion on the subject. So far as I know there has been no demand for it.

asked the UnderSecretary of State for India whether he can state the amounts of the sterling balance in the hands of the Secretary of State for India during the past five years; and whether interest on these balances is credited to the revenue of the Government of India and at what rate per cent.?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the Official Report a statement showing the amounts of the balance at the end of each month during the past five years. With the exception of the amounts held on current account at the Bank of England or by sub-accountants, the balances are invested in Treasury Bills or other securities, mainly short-dated, of the British and Dominion Governments. The rate of interest received necessarily varies with the yield on securities of this class. The statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT will show the actual amounts of interest received during each year. The whole of the interest is at present being credited to revenue.

Following is the statement:

asked the Under, Secretary of State for India the total value of contracts for public works placed by the Government of India during the year 1924, and the proportion of these contracts placed with British, Native Indian and foreign contractors?

I have no information on the subject. It might be obtained from the Government of India if my hon. Friend presses for it, but as the number of petty contracts placed annually by the officers of the different provinces for the various parts of the works undertaken must be extremely large, its collection would probably be very troublesome.

Is there any machinery at the India Office whereby British manufacturers can get a fair share of Indian contracts as they arise?

The British manufacturer has exactly the same chance as he has had for the last four or five years. In point of fact, the British manufacturer gets, speaking from memory, something like 88 per cent. of the whole. The British manufacturer has to take his chance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that a passport has been refused by the Government of India to Alokananda Mahabharali and Professor Jadunath Sinha, M.A., P.R.S., although the granting of the passport had been recommended by the sub-divisional officer of Deoghar, the district superintendent of police, and the deputy commissioner of the district; that the two gentlemen named are connected with the Arunchal Mission, which is a religious society and has no connection with politics; that the passport was required in order that the religious tenets of the mission might be placed before other nations; and if he will inquire into the matter with a view to a reconsideration of the matter?

I have no information in the matter. The grant of a passport is a matter within the discretion of the local government concerned and if that government has refused a passport to these two persons it no doubt had good reasons for doing so.

Will the Noble Lord make inquiries?

I shall be glad to inquire of the local government their reason for refusing the passport, but I cannot give any undertaking on behalf of my Noble Friend to interfere with their descretion in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) what is the annual revenue of the sub-state of Sikar; how much of this revenue is derived from the land; and what is the amount of money spent annually on public education and public health?

(2) Whether there has recently been an increase of 25 per cent. in the Land Tax levied on the peasants in the sub-State of Sikar; whether a number of them who expressed their unwillingness or inability to pay this increased amount were arrested and punished; and what was the nature of the punishments inflicted upon them;

(3) Whether 18 peasants in the sub-State of Sikar, who had assembled on 5th March for the purpose of proceeding to Jaipur to lay their grievances before the authorities, were arrested without warrant; whether any charge has been preferred against them in a court of law; whether two of their leaders have been flogged; and will he cause full inquiries to be made into the whole circumstances?

I have no official information in regard to the matters as to which he inquires; and, as I stated on the 4th May, my Noble Friend sees no reason at present to take any action. But if the hon. Member so desires, I will ask the Government of India to let me have any available information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that on the Eastern Bengal Railway of India, which is a State railway, assistant sationmasters are paid the equivalent of 16s. 8d. to 25s. 4d. per week, stationmasters 26s. 8d. per week, clerks from 6s. 8d. to 13s. 4d. per week, and porters and pointsmen from 3s. 8d. to 5s. 8d. per week; and whether similar wages obtain on other State railways in India?

I have not the complete scales of pay of the subordinate employés of the Eastern Bengal State Railway, but if the hon. Member so desires I will obtain the information from the Indian Railway Board.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the delays occurring in the settlement of commercial suits in civil courts in India, causing losses to British shippers; and whether he is prepared to make representations with the object of insuring the effectual application of the Indian Arbitration Act, 1899?

This subject has been exhaustively examined in Chapters 12 and 13 of the excellent Report of the Civil Justice Committee presided over by Sir George Rankin which was recently presented to Parliament. The Report is now under consideration by the Government of India.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he is aware that about 40 per cent. of the revenue of the Government of Assam is derived from the sale of opium; that the consumption of opium by the population of different districts of Assam varies between 173 seers to 273 seers per 10,000 of the population as compared with 0·9 seer per 10,000 in Bengal; that resolutions have on several occasions been passed by the Legislative Council of Assam for the prohibition of opium; and that the Governor-in-Council of Assam has so far refused to adopt these resolutions; and what steps the Secretary of State proposes to take to give effect to the wishes of the elected representatives of the people of Assam in the eradication of this evil?

In 1923–24 the percentage of Assam revenues derived from opium (licence fees and gain on sale proceeds) was about 18 per cent. (gross). The rate of district consumption varied from about 2 seers per 10,000 inhabitants to about 173 seers. The rate for the whole province was about 45 seers per 10,000; in Bengal it was about eight per 10,000. A resolution in favour of rationing of consumers was passed by the Legislative Council in 1921. The provincial Government have taken steps to reduce consumption; a system of registration has been introduced and an experiment is being made with rationing. The amount of opium issued has fallen by nearly 50 per cent. in the five years from 1919–20 to 1923–24. The Government of India has recently addressed inquiries to local Governments regarding the question of the high rates of consumption in some areas. The Secretary of State proposes to await the result of these inquiries.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India if he is aware that the seats of two interned members of the Bengal Legislative Council have been declared vacant and new elections ordered; if he is able to state the reason for this action; and if he can state whether or not the nominations of the two unseated members will be accepted for the new elections?

I am aware of the fact stated in the first part of the question. The action was taken under Section 93 of the Government of India Act, which enables the Governor to declare vacant the seat of any member of a legislative council who is unable for a period of two consecutive months to attend to the duties of his office. I have not the information sought in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the ex-enemy restriction ordinance of the Tanganyika territory lapses on 4th June next, the Imperial Government will take such steps as may be necessary to renew the ordinance until Germany has become a member of the League of Nations and is thereby entitled to demand admittance for her nationals to the territory in question?

His Majesty's Government have come to the conclusion that it is not necessary that this ordinance should be continued beyond the date on which it expires.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to appoint a fully-qualified harbour expert to report on the whole question of the improvement and equipment of the harbours of Dares-Salaam and Msasani Bay?

An inquiry of this nature has been suggested in the Report of the East Africa Commission and will receive full consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of setting up an expert committee to consider the question of the development and administration of all these East African ports?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to state, in regard to Kenya Colony, the extent and value of public works authorised or under consideration for the development of the colony and for the stimulation of British undertakings?

The assisted loan of £3,500,000 voted by Parliament last year for transport purposes with a view to developing the cotton industry in Uganda, and as far as possible in the Kavirondo district of Kenya, is the most direct instance of what I understand the hon. Member to have in mind. The allocation proposed is as follows:

Is the right hon. Gentleman's Department taking every possible care in the case of all available contracts there to see that British manufacturers are informed as early as possible of the possibilities?

Certainly; I will keep that in view.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has recently sanctioned, or proposes to sanction, under the Kenya Native Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 1922, or otherwise, the conscription of 4,000 native labourers for work on the Thika-Nyeri railways; and whether such labour is recruited only or mainly in the reserves, thus penalising labourers in the reserves as compared with labourers for white settlers?

In view of the urgency of completing the railway through to Uganda as soon as possible, approval has been given for the compulsory recruitment of labour for railway construction generally up to a maximum of 4,000 at any one time, but there is no present indication that the full power will be used. The number so recruited up to March was 1,620, of whom only 59 are employed on the Thika-Nyeri work. This labour is recruited in the reserves, and it would not be possible to recruit men who are under contract to perform other work for Government or other employers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the withdrawal of these natives from their own lands is not detrimental to their own interests?

Yes, Sir. I would not sanction any withdrawal that would be detrimental.

In view of the serious nature of the admission which the right hon. Gentleman has just made, will he see that the House is given an opportunity of discussing this conscription of labour?

I think it would be desirable if I made a fuller statement on the matter on the Colonial Office Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what new railway construction is now being carried out in Kenya; how many native labourers are engaged on this work; and how many of these labourers are respectively voluntary and compelled.

The following figures are for March:

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what penalties are imposed if this industrial conscription is resisted by the natives?

This is all in pursuance of the normal administration under the Ordinance of 1921.

Have I not heard the right hon. Gentleman on public platforms denouncing conscription of labour in Russia?

I was never aware that I had the privilege of the hon. and gallant Member among my audience.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what penalties are imposed in the event of non-compliance?

They are in the actual Ordinance of 1921. I will look them up, and let the hon. Member know.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman does not give permission without being aware of what the penalties are?

What is the method of compulsion?

The House was made fully aware of the conditions of the Ordinance when it was discussed in the House.

Am I to understand that the Government are doing in our Colonies what they are afraid to do in England, namely, conscripting labour compulsorily?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has given his assent to the Kenya Defence Force Bill; and whether this Bill deals with the compulsory recruitment of natives as well as white settlers?

The Measure, which relates only to the white population, is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make any statement with regard to the preference on British goods entering the Union of South Africa?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the supplement to the Board of Trade Journal of 14th May, in which details of the proposed Union Customs Tariff are given. The classes of goods from Great Britain on which it is proposed to grant preference are specified in the Board of Trade Journal of 16th April. I may add that I understand that the Minister of Finance for the Union intimated in the House of Assembly on 5th May that the Union Government had no intention of entering into any trade agreement with a foreign country under which Great Britain would be placed, in a less favourable position than such foreign country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the recent statement of the Canadian official Press Bureau that of 190 persons who took up free grants of land in Canada during March, only 16 were from the British Isles; and, in view of this statement, can he take any steps to encourage more persons from the homeland to avail themselves of the Canadian offer of free grants of 160 acres?

In addition to the 16 persons who proceeded direct from the British Isles, the 190 persons included 106 Canadians, many of whom presumably came originally from this country. As regards the last part of my hon. Friend's question, I would invite attention to the scheme for the settlement of 3,000 families in Canada negotiated last autumn between the Dominion Government and the hon. Member for Rothwell, at that time chairman of the Oversea Settlement Committee.

How many families of the 3,000 have been settled?

I think about 1,600. If my hon. Friend requires the exact figures, perhaps he will give me notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position with regard to the West Australian migration scheme; and whether His Majesty's Government has reached a definite decision as to the revision suggested by the West Australian Government?

It is intended that the Western Australian scheme should be brought under the recent Agreement with the Commonwealth Government, and it is hoped that the Agreement will go far to remove the difficulties which have recently interfered with the progress of group settlement in Western Australia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the constitution of Malta requires that the trades unions shall have two elected representatives in the Upper House; that these two seats have been kept vacant for 10 months, on the plea of legislation excluding from representation Maltese unions affiliated to English unions; and whether, in view of the fact that the legal adviser to the military governor or the civilian staff officer share with the Colonial Office the responsibility of this suspension in the constitution, an inquiry into their action or inaction will be ordered?

I am aware of the provisions of the Constitution of Malta. I have received a full report from the Governor of the vacancies referred to, and understand that the Bill for the legal constitution of the Trade Union Council who under the constitution are to nominate the two members referred to, was due for Third Reading on 14th May. I see no reason for any inquiry into the matter.

I beg to give notice that I will call attention to the reply of the right hon. Gentleman next "Wednesday, on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department who is responsible for the design of the British building at the Paris Exhibition; and whether the plans were selected as the result of an open competition?

An HON. MEMBER: Before this question is answered may I ask whether it is not a fact that this is far and away the best building in the exhibition?

The British Government Pavilion at the Paris Exhibition was designed by Messrs. Easton and Robertson. These gentlemen were selected by means of a competition carried out with the assistance of an assessor recommended by the President of the Royal Institute of British architects, and of the Royal Fine Art Commission. The Commission concurred with the assessor in recommending Messrs. Easton and Robertson's design.

On a point of personal explanation, may I say that this question does not suggest anything otherwise?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department why the custom introduced last year of admitting evening visitors to the British Empire Exhibition at a reduced price has not been continued this year?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that the number of visitors who in 1924 took advantage of the concession referred to by the hon. Member was not sufficient to warrant its reintroduction this year.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that people who pay 4s., 5s. or 6s. for admission to the Stadium also have to pay 1s. 6d. at the door and 1s. for a programme, which makes it almost prohibitive?

asked the President of the Board of Education if his Department has received any representations in favour of permission being accorded to elementary schools to visit Wembley in the interests of education; and what attitude he is taking up with regard to such visits?

I may refer my hon. and gallant Friend to Circular 1361, a copy of which and of the other documents referred to therein, I am sending him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if his attention has been called to the marked fall in our exports for the month of April and to the marked increase in our exports to Russia for the first quarter of this year; and can he state the class of commodities in which the increases are greatest?

Yes, Sir; I am aware of the fall in the value of our exports for the Easter month of April. In the first quarter of this year, however, the value of our exports was greater than in the preceding quarter. The fluctuations in the values of our foreign trade can be seen in the table on page 1 of the current monthly accounts relating to trade and navigation. As regards our trade with Russia, I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures as to recent quarterly periods. It will be seen that in the last quarter the increase to which the hon. Member refers took place in our re-exports. In the exports of British produce there was a decrease as compared with the preceding quarter. I regret

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government is contemplating, or has decided, to open conversations with the Governments of France and other Allied countries, with a view of jointly breaking off diplomatic relations with the Russian Government?

No, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Government are satisfied that the Clauses in the trade agreement prohibiting propaganda against the British Empire have been loyally carried out by the Soviet authorities?

Can the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs say whether foreign Governments have approached His Majesty's Government with a view to joint agreement to change our policy towards Russia?

No, Sir.

that I cannot state the commodities in which the principal changes have occurred.

Is the hon. Gentleman watching very carefully the development of trade between Germany and America?

I am not answerable for that.

The following are the figures referred to:

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs stated to a, deputation led by an hon. Member opposite, on or about 12th May, that they were in fact contemplating this in association with other Governments?

I am not aware that what my right hon. Friend said was inconsistent with the answer that I have given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the speech of M. Tchitcherin, the Russian Foreign Secretary, reiterating the declaration made by him to the late Lord Curzon at Lausanne that the Soviet Government is ready to assume all the obligations arising from a complete resumption of diplomatic relations; and if, in view of this statement, His Majesty's Government is prepared to re-open negotiations with a. view to effecting a complete settlement of all issues still outstanding between the two Governments?

I have seen a report in the Press of the speech referred to. As regards the second part of the question, I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 11th March to the hon. Member for Brightside and the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.

In view of the desperate state of British trade and the often expressed desire of His Majesty's Government to come to trade relations with Russia, will the right hon. Gentleman give his best considerations to this proposal?

My right hon. Friend has stated on former occasions that any proposal made will receive consideration.

Is this gentleman correctly described as Russian Foreign Secretary?

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the Report of the Departmental Committee set up to inquire into the export traffic in worn-out horses may be expected to be ready?

I regret that records are not normally kept of the various classes of cattle slaughtered, but during the period 27th August, 1923, to 31st May, 1924, particulars were obtained of the number of cows and heifers slaughtered in the counties of Cheshire, Denbigh, Flint and Salop, as shown in the statement below. A statement is also appended showing the total number of cattle slaughtered in England, Scotland and Wales from 4th June, 1923, to 13th May, 1925.

I understand that the Committee hope to be in a position to present their Report about the end of June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the numbers of cows and heifers in milk, cows in calf but not in milk, heifers in calf with first calf, and other cattle in England, Wales and Scotland, respectively, in June, 1924; and the numbers of each class of the above animals slaughtered in each of these countries on account of being affected with foot-and-mouth disease or exposed to infection as from 4th June, 1923, to date?

As the reply is in the form of a statistical statement, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

With regard to the first part of the question, the number of cattle in England, Wales and Scotland, respectively, as returned on 4th June, 1924, was as follows:

Cattle slaughtered in Cheshire, Denbigh, Flint and Salop from 27th August, 1923, to 31st May, 1924:

from 4th June, 1923, to 13th May, 1925, was as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the successful treatment of foot-and-mouth disease recorded in the case of the Aitkenbrae herd, in Isolation Case B, page 7, of the Report of the Commission on the Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak of 1923–24, the Ministry would be prepared to submit this treatment to a scientific investigation and test?

The aim of the Ministry is, if possible, to discover a preventive agent for foot-and-mouth disease and the efforts of the Department must be concentrated on that object rather than on trials of curative methods. Many successful curative agents are known, but they cannot be recommended for adoption in this country except in the most exceptional circumstances owing to the risk of spreading infection.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of foreign machinery recently imported into this country in connection with the proposed sugar-beet factories?

I am informed by the companies now erecting sugar-beet factories that the value of foreign machinery recently imported is approximately £120,000.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to recommend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce the subsidy as there is to be an increased preference on sugar?

Is it not possible to secure the machinery in this country instead of going abroad to get it?

I do not believe that it is impossible, but my hon. Friend will remember that during the Debate on the Sugar Subsidy Bill I was careful to point -out that the provision requiring British machinery to be used in the factories was a new condition which had been imposed by this Government when it entered office, and that consequently I did not feel at liberty, without exposing the Government to a charge of breach of faith, to upset the contract already entered into.

What proportion does the total amount of the foreign machinery bear to the British machinery?

I will be very glad to tell the hon. Gentleman if he puts down a question. I cannot tell off-hand.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that his action in the matter is governed by Statute?

I am as well aware of my duties under the Statute as the hon. Gentleman is. My duties under the Statute are governed by the limit of 75 per cent., but I am not restricted in my latitude within the limits laid down by the Statute.

Is it not a fact that this machinery has been allowed to come into the country to be ready for the campaign of sugar beet production in October?

The Noble Lord had better put down a question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, when it is proposed to commence the erection of street lamps along the road in Hyde Park running parallel with the Bayswater Road?

( for the FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): The lamp standards have been delivered, and work on the site will be commenced forthwith.

Does this mean that we are getting on with it straightaway?

The only reason for delay is that permanent refuges are being put up on the same road with lamp standards, and it was thought more economical to do both jobs at the same time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the effects of seamen on merchant vessels are seldom insured; and whether he will inaugurate a scheme of all-in insurance, whereby this risk will be covered by shipowners, and a fair amount of compensation paid in all cases to men and officers employed in the merchant service?

I am aware that the effects of seamen are seldom insured, but a compulsory scheme of the kind suggested in the question would require legislation, which I do not think it would be practicable to introduce at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of relief given last year by boards of guardians to widows and children dependent on them?

My right hon. Friend regrets that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what provision is made, or will be made, under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill for the granting of pensions to women who have to maintain a sick husband, permanently disabled, and children?

Contributors under the National Health Insurance Act are entitled to the sickness and disablement benefits provided thereby. Contributors under this Bill must also be contributors under the National Health Insurance Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an opportunity to the House to record a free vote on the question of whether the new State pensions scheme shall be contributory or non-contributory?

No, Sir.

also asked the Minister of Health whether provision will be made for the grant of an old age pension to the casual worker who is 65 years of age and who, though an insured person, has not been able, owing to the scarcity of employment, due in part to age and infirmity, to pay one year's contributions under the new scheme; if not, will he consider the desirability of reducing the qualifying period during which payments must have been made to secure the issue of pension?

In the case of persons already insured under the National Health Insurance Act, health insurance contributions paid before the commencement of the new scheme will count for qualifying purposes. The qualifications are continuous insurance under the Health Insurance Act for a period: of five years, payment of 104 contributions and payment on average of 39 contributions during the last three years of insurance. In calculating the last condition, weeks of sickness and of genuine unemployment will be reckoned as weeks for which contributions have been paid. In these circumstances, my right hon. Friend does not consider it desirable to reduce the qualifying period.

Am I to understand that a casual dock labourer, who is genuinely unemployed but nevertheless unable to get sufficient stamps on his card, will receive any benefit to qualify for his pension?

I must ask the hon. Member to give me more particulars in such a case. If he has any case in mind I will go into it with him, and in any event must ask him to await the Debate on the Second Reading this afternoon.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the heavy burden of taxation in this country, the Government will consider the desirability of giving France and other of the Allied debtors a time limit in which to formulate proposals for the settlement of their War-debt obligations to us?

I do not think that, at the present time at least, any advantage would be gained by adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion, but he may rest assured that every opportunity will be taken to press for the settlement of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain agents of these debtor countries are taking advantage of this delay to promote propaganda in favour of the cancellation of these debts?

I am much obliged for the information.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government proposes to take any action on the interim Reports of the Royal Commission on Food Prices?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has considered the interim Report of the Royal Commission on Food Prices; whether any of the recommendations have been accepted by the Government; whether he can state if the Government intend to place any proposals before the House for legislative enactment; and when the Report or its findings or the proposals of the Government are likely to be discussed by the House?

The Report is being carefully considered by the Government, and I will make an announcement as soon as the Government have taken a decision.

asked the Prime Minister whether an agreement has been come to between the Allies to send felicitations on his election to the new President of Germany?

The answer is in the negative.

Are His Majesty's Government sending a message on behalf of this country?

The procedure usual in such cases is being followed.

Does that mean that we are not sending a message?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman likes, he can ascertain what is the usual procedure.

Are we sending the usual felicitations or not?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution passed by the Bradford, Shipley, and district area war pensions committee asking for a Select Committee to inquire into the administration of the Ministry of Pensions, specially in reference to final awards, treatment, and treatment allowances, the pensions of epileptics and chronic neurasthenics, tuberculous ex-service men, the abolition of the seven years' time limit as applied to claims to pension by disabled men, widows and dependants, motherless children and after-care, and dependants' pensions; and whether, in view of the numerous changes that have been made since the issue of the Royal Warrant of 1919, in some cases on Departmental Orders or Regulations, he will appoint a Select Committee of the House to inquire into the whole administration of the Ministry of Pensions?

I can add nothing to the replies which I have given to identical questions addressed to me on this subject.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Albert Wylie, 33, Hill Street, Springburn, Glasgow, is suffering from the presence of shrapnel in his body, and that at his final appeal on 24th April, 1925, he was disallowed on the grounds of his disability being non-attributable to service; and whether he will grant a special independent medical examination in this case.

The hon. Member is, I fear, under a misapprehension with regard to this case. The man's claim was in respect of a lumbar abscess and the decision both of the Ministry and of the Appeal Tribunal was arrived at only after full consideration of medical evidence obtained from hospital and otherwise as to the causation of the ailment. In these circumstances, there is no ground for adopting the suggestion in the last part of the question.

Will the X-ray plate taken at Stob Hill Hospital, Springburn, Glasgow, be produced as evidence as to whether there are parts of shrapnel in that man's body or not? I want to know now.

The claim is not in respect of parts of shrapnel in the man's body. There was an X-ray plate, which was produced before the tribunal, that body having adjourned in order to obtain the evidence. It is clear from that photograph, I understand, that this shrapnel has nothing to do with the abscess.

Since the answer to the last part of the question admits the presence of shrapnel, could the hon. and gallant Gentleman produce the letter from the man's application asking for consideration of his case? Is it not a fact that he is claiming against the presence of the shrapnel, which it is now admitted is in his body?

No, Sir. What he has been claiming for is the abscess. The medical board decided that this was not due to the wound which he had received. He went to the appeal tribunal, who, before confirming that, decided to have a report from the hospital and an X-ray photograph in order to make sure that this was not the result of the wound, and they confirmed the decision of the medical board.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answers, and the admission that there is shrapnel in the man's body, I propose to raise this subject again at the first opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed at an early date to cancel all Regulations prohibiting the industrial staff in all Departments of the State from becoming candidates for Parliament?

The question of the Parliamentary candidature of Government industrial employés is dealt with in the Report of the Blanesburgh Committee (Cmd. 2408), on which I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 11th instant to the hon. Member for Rotherhithe.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to announce the Government's policy in reference to the Parliament Act?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the large number of people who are desirous of possessing the ground upon which their homes are built and of the many thousands who have purchased houses as a consequence of the house shortage, the Government will consider the introduction of such legislation as will secure to these people leasehold enfranchisement?

It is impossible in the present state of public business to deal with this important matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give sympathetic consideration to a proposal for a Measure that would apply to Wales only?

That is a matter obviously which must engage attention.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any official information showing that the military equipment of the Riffian Army has been provided from British sources and that British pilots are flying the Riffian aeroplanes; and whether he can make any statement as to what steps, if any, have been taken to prevent any breach of neutrality on the part of British subjects?

I have no information in regard to the first part of the question; the second part, therefore, does not arise.

Will the Prime Minister let me send him a copy of a French newspaper in which these allegations are made, so that there may be no mistake on the subject?

I shall be glad to receive any communication which my hon. and gallant Friend may send me.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increasing difficulty of our maintaining a balance of trade, he will consider the question of appointing a Committee to consider and report on what can be done to increase the home-grow food supply of the country?

I have been asked to reply. This question has been under almost continuous consideration during the last few years, and was the subject of an exhaustive report by the Agricultural Tribunal of Economists so recently as a year ago. I doubt, therefore, whether any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of another committee of inquiry. I am, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, in consultation on the whole agricultural position with representative organisations, all of which, with one exception, have been willing to place me in possession of their experience and knowledge. I hope that as a result it may be possible in due course for the Government to secure a wide measure of agreement upon positive proposals.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the only way to deal with the matter is to nationalise the land?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the name of the organisation to which he referred?

The organisation that was unwilling to come to consult with me was the National Union of Agricultural Workers.