asked the Minister of Pensions what is the total cost of administration, and what is the average cost per pensioner, omitting any estimate for the wives and children of pensioners in receipt of disability pensions, and the children of widows in receipt of widows' pensions?

If I understand the hon. Member's question aright, he desires information as to the annual cost of administering pensions for each family unit, and not for each beneficiary?

Yes.

On this basis the cost of administration (excluding medical services) is, for the year 1926, estimated to amount to £2,104,100, or £l 16s. per unit, or about 8d. in the £ of the Ministry's expenditure.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the desirability of making provision for the issue of modified pensions to the widows of men who die as the result of their invalidating disability in cases where the marriage took place after the man's discharge?

The liability of the State in respect of death resulting from war service has always been defined by the Royal Pension Warrants as limited to the man's family obligations as existing at the date of the contraction on service of the fatal disability. I could not therefore agree to the hon. and gallant Member's proposal.

As this is rather exceptional and these widows experience very great hardship, could not the Minister see some way to meet them in the matter?

I am not prepared to recommend an alteration of the rules which have been invariable under successive Parliaments and under all Governments.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not at his disposal a voluntary fund out of which grants may be made in cases of exceptional hardship?

There are certain voluntary funds, but they are, of course, governed by the rules applying to the trust on which they are based.

In view of the hardship to a man who has served in the Army and been disabled, and is condemned to perpetual celibacy, could not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the decision of past Governments?

I am not prepared to recommend any alteration of a policy which has been accepted as correct by successive Governments.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. F. Edwards, widow of the late Corporal Walter Edwards, No. 72,162, Labour Corps, has been granted a pension from 1st August, 1924, although her husband died on 6th April, 1924, and that the reason given is that no application was made until 1st August, 1924; whether he is aware that the delay was due entirely to the applicant's ignorance of her rights; and whether, in view of the fact that the applicant had to maintain herself and her two children during the period April to August, he will take steps to secure that her pension will date back to 6th April, 1924?

Pension in this case was paid in accordance with the long established practice of the Ministry (which applies to claims both in respect of death and of disablement) as from the date when the claim was made. With regard to the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the fullest publicity is given by the Ministry to the machinery available for making of claims of all kinds upon the Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. Walter Teague Grahame, private, No. 2486, Highland Light Infantry, applied for an increase of pension on 7th September, 1920, under The Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, and that this claim was rejected on the grounds that Mr. Grahame resided in Canada; whether he is aware that the application was made under the direction of the Canadian pension authorities, and that Mr. Grahame, had he been correctly advised, should have applied for an increase under the Royal Warrant of 1st November, 1920; that such an increase was actually granted from 1st August, 1924, the date of the subsequent application under that Warrant, but that an increase was refused for the period 1st April, 1919, to 1st August, 1924; and whether, in view of the initial error in application, due in no way to the fault of Mr. Grahame, he will take steps to secure increased pension for the whole period since 1st April, 1919, under the Royal Warrant?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It was open to Mr. Grahame to apply at any time after the subsequent issue of the Former Wars Warrants for consideration of his case, but no such application was made until the 1st August, 1924. The award of increased pension made in this case was made in accordance with the provisions of the Former Wars Warrants as from the date of application. It is not considered that there are any grounds for a departure from the provisions of the Warrant.

Is this not a case in which the Minister can exercise a discretion, where a man has not obtained the full rights to which he is entitled, seeing that he was wrongly advised by the pension authorities?

I do not see that there are circumstances in this case to suggest that I could deal with it differently from other similar cases.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. Thomas Winston, of 21, Russell Town Avenue, Redfield, Bristol, enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry in August, 1914, and was passed A 1; that as a result of rigorous training he developed valvular disease of the heart and was discharged from his regiment in January, 1915, but subsequently undertook Home service with the Royal Army Medical Corps; that Mr. Winston was awarded a pension in 1919 for valvular disease of the heart, officially stated to have been caused by military service; that the pension was stopped in January, 1923; that Mr. Winston is now only able to undertake very light employment, and that he is subject to frequent heart attacks; and whether, seeing that Mr. Winston tries to keep at work because he has to support a wife and four children, whilst he is really unfit, he will take steps to reconsider this case?

The decision of the Ministry in this case was that the malady from which Mr. Winston suffered was not attributable to war service, though it was temporarily worsened by it, and this decision was confirmed on appeal by the Independent Appeal Tribunal. No fresh evidence has, I fear, been submitted which would justify the adoption of the course suggested By the hon. Member.

If the man's condition was worsened by war service, surely his present serious health condition is a matter for the Ministry?

This man was not passed Al, as is stated in the question. There was no such classification at the time. The original service was for a short time at home and the final decision rests by law, not with the Ministry, but with the appeal tribunal, which decided against him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is in a position tot state the constitution of the Committee of Inquiry into the Carlisle system and the conditions under which it will be conducted?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Monday last to a question by the hon. Member for the Westhoughton Division (Mr. Rhys Davies).

asked the Home Secretary if he has received any communications from the Dominions on the subject of the nationality of British women who marry aliens?

The hon. and gallant Member, no doubt, refers to the Resolution which he moved on the 18th February last, and I am informed that no communication has yet been received from any of the self-governing Dominions directly referring to that Resolution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Resolution in similar terms to the one which I have moved has been, or is being, moved in the Federal Parliament of Australia?

I was not aware of that. That will probably mean that we will get some information very shortly from Australia.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to bring in legislation in regard to Englishwomen who marry foreigners, because, in the case of an Englishwoman who marries an American, she has no nationality at all. Will the Home Secretary entertain the idea of some legislation that will move that defect?

As the House knows, I have been trying to get general agreement on the subject of nationality, and we are in communication with the Dominions. Until we hear from them, I think it would be wrong to bring a Bill into this House dealing with a subject which we desire to deal with throughout the whole Empire.

Is it not a great wrong that an Englishwoman should have no nationality?

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to ascertain the opinion of the Dominions otherwise than by circulating to them the printed proceedings of this House?

Yes; a despatch was sent to the Dominions some time ago. I must confess that I cannot remember the terms. I will consider whether a further despatch might be sent.

asked the Home Secretary whether the diplomatic privileges afforded motor-cars belonging to the various foreign embassies and legations relieve them from the necessity of complying with the ordinary police traffic Regulations?

The hon. Member is no doubt aware that, in accordance with international law and custom, immunity from civil and criminal process is accorded to the persons entitled to diplomatic privileges. Such persons are expected to conform with the general traffic Regulations, and if in any instance these Regulations are not observed representations are made through the Foreign Office to the embassy or legation concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Regulations exist which render medical doctors liable to prosecution if they leave a motor-car unattended in the street; and whether he proposes to issue a Regulation exempting them when these circumstances arise in the course of their professional duties?

Medical practitioners are not exempt from the ordinary law as to driving offences, and I understand that the Minister of Transport does not think it practicable to make exceptions to the existing law or Regulations in favour of any particular class of persons. The police, of course, exercise discretion in regard to prosecuting for obstruction when it is caused by a doctor's attendance on a patient.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that practitioners who are visiting sick patients have been summoned, and that it is only owing to the good sense of the magistrate—even after the constable had explained the case—that they were saved from a conviction? Will the right hon. Gentleman not make some Regulation which will enable a medical practitioner to have the particular privilege when visiting sick people of leaving his car unattended?

I do not think it is desirable to make such a regulation. I have said that the police act with discretion. Quite conceivably it might happen that someone was ill in Bond Street and a medical practitioner might block the whole place for a couple of hours.

It would be a very big car then!

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the accident to a motor coach which took place near Grassington on 10th June, and which resulted in the death of seven persons and serious injury to many others; whether he is aware that the accident took place at some distance from medical aid; and whether, in view of similar accidents which are constantly occurring to motor coaches, motor omni- buses, and chars-a-banc, he will take steps to see that these vehicles are compelled to carry a first-aid outfit?

I have been asked to reply. My attention has been drawn to the very serious and regrettable accident to which my hon. Friend refers, but I do not expect to have complete details until the coroner's inquest has taken place. With regard to the last part of the question, I understand that the Departmental Committee have already considered the matter, and are not satisfied that the circumstances warrant the making of a special Regulation requiring the provision of a first-aid equipment on all public service vehicles.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these accidents are getting more and more frequent and, with the speed at which these chars-a-banc travel, there is much more likelihood of accidents occurring in future, with very serious loss of life, which might be avoided by the use of first-aid outfits?

That is a matter of argument.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the two serious omnibus accidents which took place in Kingsland Road and Commercial Road yesterday, resulting in one omnibus being overturned and another nearly overturned, and in the death of one passenger and injuries to many others, and in view of the alarm which these accidents have caused to the public whether he proposes to hold an inquiry into the circumstances?

I caused inquiries to be made at once into the circumstances of both of the unfortunate accidents to which the hon. Member refers, and am awaiting more detailed reports before deciding what action to take. As the hon. Member is aware, the powers of inquiry conferred upon the Minister of Transport under the London Traffic Act are limited to cases where either the character of the road, or a defect in the vehicle, appears to Rave been a contributory cause of the accident.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make inquiries into the construction of the vehicles in order to satisfy the public that some of these omnibuses are not easily overbalanced?

Until we have come to a conclusion as to whether the accident was due to an error of judgment or a technical defect it would be impossible to say whether there shall be an inquiry on the technical side.

Has the attention of the hon. and gallant Gentleman been drawn to the feeling of alarm which has been created in consequence of the fact that in hot weather the lower deck is empty and the top deck is full and that that makes the design unsound?

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a person meeting with an accident in the streets of London, however serious his condition may be, is compelled to await the arrival of an official ambulance before he can be removed; and will he examine these Regulations, with a view to the betterment of these conditions?

I know of no such Regulation. The instructions to the police are to give the sufferer the first consideration, and if an ambulance is not readily available to employ a cab or other vehicle if the patient's condition appears to justify it. It must, however, be borne in mind that it is dangerous to move cases of many common types of injury in any vehicle but an ambulance.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the police will not allow people who have been injured in the streets to be taken to hospital in a private motor car, and they have to wait until the ambulance comes along?

No, Sir. I was not aware of that. I have said in the answer to the question that the police are authorised to take such steps as are desirable. If the hon. Gentleman will give me an instance where it was desirable to remove a patient quickly, and a refusal was given, I will look into it.

Is it not a fact that the police are always ready to take advantage of the offer of a private motor car in cases of the sort?

I thought so. It is news to me, the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member, that the police refused the offer of a private car.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Manor Place, South-wark, a fortnight ago, a boy was rather seriously injured and he was not allowed to be taken?

The hon. and gallant Member had better put that question down.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to introduce legislation to compel all societies or organisations which solicit subscriptions for charitable objects to be registered, and to publish an annual balance sheet properly audited and certified by chartered accountants?

I have recently appointed a Departmental Committee to inquire into this question. I will await their Report before coming to any decision as to legislation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a recent case of a charity the income was £84,000, of which only £10,000 was available for the charity. Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is necessary that the Committee should report at the very earliest moment?

A Committee has been appointed, a very representative and important Committee. They are going into the whole of the matter, and I do not think it is desirable to legislate until they have reported.

In view of the suggestion in the Press and generally about a very lengthy list of salaries paid in many of these cases, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is important to urge the Committee to hurry up?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that applicants for maintenance at the Thames Police Court are crowded into a narrow passage into which the men's lavatory opens; whether he is aware that the only suggested alternative is that of basement rooms under the police section building, approached by a narrow twisting staircase very difficult for women with babies in their arms; and whether he will make full inquiry with a view to providing more suitable premises?

I am well aware of the difficulties of accommodation at this Court, and it is not easy to find a satisfactory solution. Further inquiry is being made. Perhaps later the hon. Member will put down another question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether arrangements could be made through county councils for boys between the ages of 13 and 14 in agricultural districts to undergo an elementary training in repairs to agricultural machinery under village blacksmiths or other persons having suitable establishments?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my. right hon. Friend on 21st May last to the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd), and to Circular 1365, copies of both of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Health if he will submit figures showing the approximate immediate effect on the local rates of the chief industrial towns in England and Wales as the result of the exemption of machinery from rates as proposed in the Rating and Valuation Bill now in Committee?

The Inter-Departmental Committee on the Rating of Machinery reported that it was difficult to put forward an estimate of the ratio of value of relieved machinery and the total rateable value of an area, as figures are not as a rule available as to separate values placed upon land, buildings and machinery. On the basis of figures supplied by the National Conference of Assessment Committees for a selected number of places, however, they estimated that if the proposals of the Bill of 1923 were carried into effect the average increase in rates over the whole country might amount to 6d. in the £, and that in a few large towns it might reach to as much as 1s. 6d. The proposals in the Rating and Valuation Bill differ somewhat from those of the 1923 Bill, but the difference is not great, and I do not think they would materially alter the Committee's estimate. At the same time it must be remembered that the relief to industry must affect unemployment beneficially, thus reducing the charge upon the rates which has been a principal cause of their increase in the large towns referred to in the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that several towns have taken out figures, and that these show a considerably greater increase on the rates than he suggests? Would he have those figures investigated?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that, but, of course, those figures are very largely a matter of opinion at the present time, and I do not know whether any of them have taken into account the considerations which I mentioned in the last part of my answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in West Ham the borough treasurer has stated that, if the Bill is passed into law, it will mean an addition of at least 6d. to the rate in West Ham, and the rates are now 24s. and some odd coppers in the £?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole matter has been carefully investigated in Sheffield, with the result that it is estimated that there will be an increase of 2s. in the £ in the rates?

asked the Minister of Health whether before the making of the Casual Poor (Relief) Order, 1925, the Department had received from the council of the Women's Local Government Society a communication, dated 4th February, 1924, asking him to omit the oakum picking for women from the new order about to be made; whether the Department had received communications from any, and, if so, what hoards of guardians, vagrancy committees, or other public bodies to the same effect; whether any communications had been received from any, and, if so, what, boards, committees, or bodies such as aforesaid, asking or suggesting that it should be retained or increased; and whether, before making such order, he consulted the medical women or his staff as to whether oakum picking was a suitable task for women who were destitute wayfarers?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Similar communications were received from the Union and Rural District Clerks' Association, the National Association of Masters and Matrons, the National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship, and the National Council of Women of Great Britain and Ireland. No communications were received of the kind mentioned in the third part of the question, but a draft of the Order was shown to a number of associations, who made no suggestion for the abolition of the task. In the preparation of the Order full consideration was, of course, given to the medical aspects of the matter by my expert advisers, though I cannot say that women medical inspectors were specially consulted.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will amend the Casual Pauper (Relief) Order, 1925, No. 291, by declaring that oakum picking and stone-pounding be no longer prescribed or permitted tasks; and will he also withdraw the task of stone-breaking by amount and replace it by six hours' stone-breaking for casuals detained for an entire day and not more than two hours' for those detained for one night only?

I would refer the hon. Member, as regards the first part of his question, to the reply given to a question put by the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. R. Richardson) on Thursday last. With regard to the stone-breaking task, the Order allows the guardians a fairly wide discretion as to the amount of stone to be broken, and further provides specifically that a casual shall be excused from the whole or any part of a task if it shall appear that the task is not suited to his age, strength or capacity. It does not appear to me to be necessary to make any further modification.

Is the letter the right hon. Gentleman issued the other day going to be embodied in the present regulations, so that workhouse masters will have some authority behind them for the abolition of oakum picking beyond the promise given in this House?

No, Sir. I do not think it is necessary to embody it in an Order. Workhouse masters will receive the letter, and I have no reason to suppose that they will not carry it out.

They have not done it yet.

How does the right hon. Gentleman distinguish between oakum picking and stone-pounding, both of which are degrading in character?

I do not agree that they are degrading in character. I was of opinion that there were certain associations connected with the task of oakum picking which did render it, in the eyes of many people, akin to the tasks imposed upon criminals and felons, and it was for that reason that I abolished it.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that oakum picking was abolished in prisons because it was a degrading task?

As I have already abolished it I do not see what complaint the hon. Member has.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the number of unions which had power to use stone-pounding at the time when the official survey of 1923–24 was made was about 70 and the number of those which actually used it was about 12; whether departmental sanction to stone-pounding has been given; and, if so, in what unions since the official survey?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, no further applications were received from boards of guardians for the approval of such a task.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make arrangements to give Parliament an opportunity of directing that maternity centres provided at the cost of public funds shall be free to give information on birth control to such married women as may desire it?

Any question as to the possibility of arrangements being made for the discussion of this question on the Floor of the House should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Minister of Health how many parishes in the 598 rural districts are agricultural parishes within the meaning of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, Section 2 (2); and what proportion is this number to the total number of parishes?

I regret that the information in the complete form asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend is not available, and could only be obtained by the expenditure of considerable time and labour. The matter has, however, been investigated for a number of counties of representative type, and the results show an average of 80 per cent. of the rural parishes in those counties to be agricultural parishes within the definition quoted.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many parishes have taken advantage of the 1924 Act?

If the hon. Member will put down the question, I will get the information.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the early introduction of legislation to amend the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, in order that the definition of an agricultural parish under Section 2 (2) of that Act may be altered and enable more parishes to take advantage of that Act for the provision of houses at rents which the people can afford to pay, in view of the fact that in one rural district council area in a typical agricultural part of the country out of the 33 parishes in the district only five are agricultural within the meaning of the Act?

The Clause defining agricultural parishes was debated at considerable length during the passage of the 1924 Housing Bill, and Amendments were made which had the effect of considerably widening the scope of the Clause as originally drafted. I am afraid that it will not be possible to promote further legislation on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health the value of bricks, roofing and drainage tiles, imported into this country from Europe during the last six months?

I have been asked to reply. During the six months ended May, 1925, the imports of bricks, of brick earth or clay, amounted to £166,000 in value; and those of tiles (including quarries, roofing tiles and street paving tiles, but excluding glazed wall and hearth tiles), amounted to £173,000 in value. Figures distinguishing the imports from Europe during this period are not available, but it may be assumed that the great bulk of the imports were consigned from Europe.

Has there been a request to put this industry under the Safeguarding of Industries Order?

I am not sure, but had there been I should not be able to inform my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that many parts of the country are now infested with mosquitoes and other flies, the bites of which often have very serious and occasionally fatal consequences; and whether his Department is taking any steps to deal with the situation?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. This subject has received expert study in my Department for some years, the results of which are put at the disposal of local authorities and individual enquirers, and are to be published shortly in collaboration with the entomologists of the British Museum (Natural History). I may add that it has been shown that the destruction of mosquitoes and the prevention of bites by these insects cannot be secured by the adoption of any single or simple formula. Any useful action must depend upon the identification of the species of mosquito prevalent in the area, and the adoption of measures appropriate to the natural history of that species.

May I ask whether local authorities are taking specific measures to deal with large open areas of water where these insects are believed to breed?

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to put clown a question, I will try to get the information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain species of mosquitoes are to be found in this House?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the hardships resulting to applicants for old age pensions by reason of their being required to pay the full fee for a copy of their certificate of birth or marriage and also in respect to a search for the same; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to provide for the issue of such certificates to, and the searching of records for, applicants for old age pensions free of cost or, in the alternative, at a nominal charge?

Arrangements have, for a number of years, been in force whereby searches are made gratui- tously by the General Register Office in the birth registers at Somerset House upon reference from the pensions officer, and particulars supplied to him in verification of the date of birth of applicants for old age pensions. Applicants are not themselves required to produce a birth certificate in support of a claim, and it does not appear that there is any necessity for provision such as is suggested in the question, which would, in any event, require legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any information to show that France and Italy have entered into an understanding to act jointly and not severally in their negotiations with Britain and America on the subject of their debts?

The answer is in the negative.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to an article under the signature of M. Poincarè in a Sunday newspaper the week before last, in which he stated that it would be incumbent on the French Government to act in association with the Italian Government?

I am afraid I am not able always to read all articles by eminent foreign statesmen in newspapers.

May I further ask whether M. Poincarè made it clear in the article that M. Briand—

The right hon. Gentleman has already said that he has not read it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that certain alien importers of foreign matches are paying duty on 45 sticks to the box; that such boxes are subsequently being retailed to the public at the same price as British matches which contain a uniform 50 sticks to the box; and whether he is prepared to take any action to protect the public?

I am not aware that importers of foreign matches are acting in the manner suggested, but I would point out that under Section 3 (4) of the Finance (New Duties) Act, 1916, boxes of imported matches must bear, on each box, a statement as to the minimum number of matches contained therein, or the average contents of the boxes, in any particular consignment. A prospective purchaser is by this means afforded information as to the actual number of matches in any box of imported matches purchased by him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these matches do not strike?

That is a matter of which the consumer must be the judge, according to his experience.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can see his way to give instructions that His Majesty's Stationery Office, in issuing specifications for the supply of paper and boards, shall specify that these must be of British make, having in view the serious shortage of orders for these goods which has been experienced for a considerable time since the War, and, as a consequence, the unemployment which results therefrom?

Orders for the supply of paper to His Majesty's Stationery Office are placed with British mills only and the necessity for specifying that the paper made in those mills should be British-made does not arise. With regard to boards (cardboards, straw-boards and millboards) tenderers are required to state whether the supply will be of home, Colonial or foreign make, and the origin is taken into account in considering tenders.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that foreign boards are used to the detriment of British manufacturers, and also to the detriment of the employés?

A very considerable number of orders have been given for these goods.

Are they compelled to use British raw material.

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the numbers of his staff throughout the country for the years 1913, 1919, and 1924, and state what numbers have been added with respect to further duties passed along to his administration in respect of further social legislation; and will he state which Acts of social reform have caused such increases and the numbers concerned with each such Act?

The answer to this question is necessarily long, and I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The staff of the Ministry of Labour numbered 22,925 on 1st April, 1919, and 13,327 on 1st April, 1924. So far as can (at present) be ascertained, the Board of Trade employed a staff of about 4,150 in 1913 on the branches of work subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Labour on its creation by the New Ministries and Secretaries Act, 1916. The increased staff in 1919 was necessitated principally by temporary work arising from the demobilisation of the Forces and the discharge of munition workers, including the scheme of out-of-work donation, and by the training scheme for disabled ex-service men and other schemes of a similar nature. The bulk of the staff in 1924 were engaged in the administration of the Unemployment Insurance scheme, out of which practically the whole of the salaries of the staff so engaged was paid. As my hon. Friend is aware, this scheme was greatly extended in 1920, and there has for the past five years been a very high level of unemployment, necessitating a corresponding staff to deal with claims for unemployment benefit. In other respects also, including various items of work arising from the War, there have been increases in the work of the Department, but that arising from Unemployment Insurance is by far the largest.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Civil Service Commissioners intend arranging for a further examination in order to afford women clerks, at present temporarily employed, the opportunity of establishment?

No, Sir. I see no sufficient reason for adding to the liberal opportunities of establishment already afforded to these temporary women clerks.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can grant a Return showing a complete list of all articles subject to Customs Duty, together with the rate of duty in each case?

I am forwarding to the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the current issue of the Customs and Excise Tariff, which will, I think, give him the information he desires.

As that list will be out of date, can he say how many there are at the present time?

I am afraid that I have not counted them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of prosecutions for the pollution of rivers undertaken by fishery districts in England and Wales in 1924; the cost of these prosecutions; and the amount of fines imposed?

No prosecutions for the pollution of rivers were undertaken by fishery boards in England and Wales in 1924.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, in view of the fact that so many fishermen are affected, that further steps should be taken to prevent the pollution of these rivers?

I should be glad to take any steps I could in regard to the prevention of the pollution of rivers, and if the hon. Member has any steps in mind, perhaps he will communicate with me.

asked the Prime Minister (1) what will be the constitution of the Food Council; whether it is proposed that the chairman shall be a paid official; and how many members will be nominated to the council?

(2) whether the proposed Food Council will include representatives of producers, distributors, and consumers; and whether nominations for membership will be invited from each party in the House, or whether he proposes to appoint the members of the Food Council exclusively from Members of the Conservative party?

I have been asked to reply, and will answer this question and the next together. The composition of the Food Council is at present under consideration. I will make an announcement when the arrangements are complete.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware of the great interest that is being taken in this matter and the desire to have a statement at the earliest opportunity? I would also like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has seen the statement made in the "Sunday Times" on this point?

Can the Minister of Agriculture state whether he has taken steps to secure the representation upon the Food Council of working women who understand this question, and who know, by actual experience, what a small wage can buy?

Yes, that matter has been taken into consideration.

Will the Council have any powers which are not already possessed by the Board of Trade?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will lay down a rule that no member of the Government shall engage in paid journalism?

asked the Prime Minister whether, with the view of enabling the Crown to command the whole-time services of Ministers in fact as well as in appearance, he will take steps to ensure that no Minister of the Crown during his tenure of office shall engage in the pursuit of any other occupation for private profit or gain?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has decided that no Minister of the Crown during his tenure of office shall contribute to the newspaper Press articles upon matters of public policy for which payment is made; and, if so, from what date the decision is to take effect?

I have discussed this matter very fully with Lord Birkenhead. He is under a contract to complete certain historical articles in monthly magazines to the completion of which I think no objection can, in the circumstances, be taken. My Noble Friend has most readily fallen in with my desire that he should make no further contributions to journalism. The rule, therefore, may hereafter be taken to be established that Ministers during their period of office will observe this same practice.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has imposed any rules upon Members of the Government that they shall not engage, by directorships or any other way, in outside employment while holding their offices?

No, Sir; the observance of the traditional practice in this respect makes the imposition of rules unnecessary.

asked the Prime Minister if he is prepared to take steps to secure legal authority to punish any individual, director of trusts, combines, or syndicates, who are keeping up the price of any staple food by restricting supply?

I have been asked to reply. I think it would be unwise to adopt a suggestion of this kind without clear proof of its necessity and its practicability.

Has the right hon. Gentleman read the Report issued upon this subject?

The hon. Gentleman must know that there are no practical suggestions whatever in his question which have not already been under the careful consideration of the Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the number of convictions for illegal trawling within the territorial waters of Great Britain and Iceland, respectively, during the last six months?

One British skipper was convicted during the past six months for illegal trawling within Icelandic territorial waters, the conviction referring to an offence committed in 1923. No foreign fishermen have been convicted during that period for illegal trawling within British territorial waters, but there have been two convictions of French fishermen for setting lobster pots in British territorial waters.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the numbers of unemployed persons between the ages of 14 and 18, and state how many of the Employment Exchanges are instituting educational programmes to deal with the same; what arrangements for technical instruction in day continuation classes obtain in industrial areas; and will he state the number of towns and cities so operating?

As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask my hon. Friend to represent to the Minister of Labour that he will closer collaborate with the Minister of Education, in order to see that a speeding-up process should obtain between the technical authorities and the Board, in order that these youths should be provided with a proper opportunity of preserving their trade training and general morale?

On 1st June, there were 62,300 boys. I will certainly represent that to my right hon. Friend, but I may say that he is already in close collaboration with the Minister of Education.

The reply is as follows:

On 1st June there was 62,300 boys and girls registered for employment at Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux in Great Britain. As regards "educational programmes," I assume that the hon. Member has in mind juvenile unemployment centres operated by local education authorities, of which, on 29th May, 122 in 40 towns were open, four in four towns were approved but not open, and eight in eight towns were under consideration by the local education authorities concerned.

As regards the third and fourth parts of the question, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education that there are part-time day continuation schools or classes in London in 15 county boroughs and in 25 large or small towns in county areas. The majority of these schools and classes outside Greater London are for young persons who are actually in employment, and, except in such special cases as day classes for trade apprentices, the instruction tends to be general rather than technical. In London, where the day continuation schools are largely attended by young persons who have not been employed, some attempts are being made to give a preliminary training in connection with the employment desired by the young persons.

As regards Scotland, I am informed that day continuation classes are held in two of the large burghs and seven of the towns in county areas, in addition to a number of isolated classes in single subjects conducted in various parts of the country. These are, in general, for persons in employment and are chiefly of a technical or commercial nature, but it is, of course, open to unemployed persons to attend them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is considering any schemes of relief work which can be put in hand before the winter to relieve the long-continued unemployment in the Middlesbrough and Tees Side area which is steadily growing worse; and whether he can make any statement on the position?

Schemes of work for the relief of persons unemployed are put in hand by local authorities, with financial assistance from the Government. As stated in the answer given to the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough yesterday, my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to make a statement on the general position. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the schemes promoted by the Middlesbrough Council for the relief of unemployment, in aid of which grants have been made from the Road Fund and by the Unemployment Grants Committee.

Has the hon. Gentleman recently received a further communication with regard to the Tees Dock Scheme, and is it not a fact that that work can only be done by Government assistance?

I must ask the hon. Member to give me notice of that question.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are 260,000 people more out of employment this week than there were last year at this time; and is he prepared to have a conversation with the Prime Minister to see if there is any possibility of making a wholesale reduction in that number in various parts of the country?

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the Middlesbrough Road Authority have decided that they cannot put any more schemes in hand unless they have increased financial assistance, and will he give careful consideration to this question?

I am aware of that, but I hope that their decision on that question is not final.

Is it not a fact that the dock accommodation on the East Coast is already more-than is necessary to meet the requirements?

I cannot answer that question.

Following is the list referred to: Schemes assisted from Road Fund. Estimated Cost. Grant. £ £ 1. New road construction … … … … 21,580 10,790 Martin Road to Ormsby Road … … … … 70,115 35,057 *2. North Ormsby Road—Widening … … … … 4,168 2,084 3. Newport Road … … … … 16,416 8,208 4. Middlesbrough—Saltburn Road … … … … 28,799 14,399 5. Middlesbrough—Redcar Road. Section from Normanby Road to Middlesbrough County Borough Boundary. 33,582 16,791 6. West Auckland Road—Widening … … … … 2,990 1,495 7. Oxbridge Avenue—Extension … … … … 12,781 6,390 * All in progress except No. 2.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the costs per person, during the years 1922, 1923, and 1924, of placing in employment applicants by the Employment Exchanges of the country; and the numbers of both men and women and youths of both sexes so placed during the period mentioned, the costs to include all the establishment charges, buildings, etc., of the Employment Exchanges, allowing and stating the percentage costs of such allowance of other duties which they perform?

I am afraid that it is not practicable to allocate administrative cost to one item in administration in this manner. The numbers of vacancies filled during the financial years 1922–23, 1923–24, 1924–25 were 678,999, 932,844 and 1,073,250 respectively. The total cost of the Employment Exchange service during the same periods, including all establishment charges, buildings, etc., of Employ- ment Exchanges, and cost of all services rendered by other Government Departments, was £4,853,492, £4,155,238 and £4,498,343; but about 95 per cent. of this cost was allocated as the cost of administering unemployment insurance and charged against the Unemployment Fund, leaving sums of £168,004, £137,067 and £170,990 not so allocated, and representing all services of the Exchanges other than administration of unemployment insurance.

May I ask my hon. Friend if he will institute further suggestive inquiries to improve the mechanism of the Employment Exchanges which have not progressed in regard to the work they are supposed to do, viz., first to place men and women in employment for the last 10 years; and secondly, will he also—

The hon. Member should give notice of an elaborate question of that kind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any additional sum is obtainable from the Reparation Commission that can be distributed as compensation among those civilians who suffered from air raids or other war damage?

The answer is in the negative.

Is there not a. sum left over beyond the amount already distributed?

Not from the Reparation Commission. We have advanced a far larger sum than we shall receive for many years to come.

Is it not the fact that the sum advanced was only part of that which was to be used, and that the general impression made when that statement was issued was that a still larger sum would eventually be available for distribution?

I do not know what impression may have been caused in certain quarters, but certainly there is no foundation for it as far the British taxpayer is concerned.

asked the Postmaster General the names of post offices that have Metropolitan status?

The only head post office outside London at which the pay of the post office staff is provided for out of the Vote for Metropolitan Establishments is Edinburgh.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received from the manœuvre area, near Andover, representations from the military authorities as to the inadequate payments made to innkeepers in the district for the billeting of troops; and whether it is intended to revise the existing rates, in order that persons providing billets may be secured against loss?

I have received no representations from the military authorities regarding the payments for billeting. The present rates, which have only recently been sanctioned by Parliament, are considered fair and adequate, and I have furnished my hon. and gallant Friend with full particulars as to how the rates are arrived at. They will come forward for review, as usual, in connection with next year's Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill, when full consideration will be given to any representations that may be received on the question of their adequacy.

Is it not the fact that these prices were based on wholesale purchases, and that small innkeepers are unable to purchase wholesale?

That is not the only thing upon which they are based. I have given my hon. and gallant Friend full particulars of the basis.

Does it not involve them in a great loss?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Army pensioned ranker officers would be entitled to claim admission to the Royal Hospital at Chelsea under the rules governing admission to that institution; and, if so, whether they would be allowed to retain their rank, with suitable provision for their treatment as officers?

Army pensioned ranker officers are eligible, equally with other Army pensioners, for admission to Chelsea Hospital. Like other temporary officers, they retain their rank after ceasing to hold their temporary commissions, but this does not alter their Army status, which is that of pensioned warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men. If admitted to Chelsea Hospital, which is not an institution for the reception of officers, they would be in the same position as other pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government will undertake not to commit Britain to any liability to enter upon hostilities in Europe without first securing the general concurrence of the Dominions to the terms of that liability?

As explained by the Prime Minister in his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd) on 15th June, the Dominion Governments have been kept in the closest touch with the position up to the present time, and the same course will be followed as the negotiations proceed. I do not think, however, that so broad a question of general principle as that involved in the hon. and gallant Member's question can best be dealt with by way of question and answer.

Are communications still in progress with the Dominions, and in particular with Canada, in this matter?

Yes, Sir. If my hon. Friend will read my answer afterwards, he will see that I have stated that that is so.

If the closest touch is being kept with Canada, how was it that the right hon. Gentleman was not aware that the Prime Minister of Canada stated that he did not concur in any of these obligations?

No official statement was sent with reference to the answer given in the Canadian House of Commons.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that children under 10 years old work in British-owned mills in Shanghai; what action His Majesty's Government have taken; what action they propose to take; and will Papers be laid?

I have been informed that in certain British mills there are regulations prohibiting the employment of boys under 10 and girls under 12. I have no other specific information, but steps are being taken to obtain full particulars. For some time past His Majesty's Government have exerted pressure to secure the adoption of the recommendations of the Child Labour Commission by the Shanghai Municipal Council. Papers dealing fully with industrial conditions in Shanghai and in China generally will be laid as soon as possible℄it is hoped in the course of next week.

Will the hon. Gentleman direct the attention of the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Russell) to the letter which appeared in the "Times" of yesterday from Mr. Mackay, the late chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council, in which he described the conditions under which children accompany their mothers?

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware of the statement published by the International Labour Office at Geneva, that contractors are sent round the villages to bring in these child labourers into the mills in Shanghai, and that the children are working for no wages at all?

I am not aware of that fact. This present Question deals with British-owned mills, and I am fully assured that, so far as British-owned mills in the Shanghai international area are concerned, those responsible for them are very anxious to have regulations passed prohibiting the employment of boys under 10 and girls under 12. Papers will probably be laid next week which will give the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Johnston), and the whole House, full information about this subject.

If the proprietors of these mills, and the British Government, are so anxious to get these cruel malpractices stopped, will the right hon. Gentleman say why it was that a quorum did not turn up to enforce these regulations?

So far as possible, the British representatives on the Council, I am given to understand, did turn up, and they were most anxious in the fullest sense, without any reservation, to give effect to these proposed regulations. This was before 30th May. On the second occasion when the matter came up for confirmation, these recent unhappy and terrible circumstances prevented people, presumably for fear of their lives, from attending the meeting. Otherwise I have every reason to believe that the necessary regulation would have been passed.

If the Minister is making investigations as to the control of the best managed British mills, will he also make investigations as to the conditions in the best managed Chinese-owned mills?

Outside the international district, it is utterly impossible for the British Government or the British community to interfere.

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