asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the reasons why the example of other countries is not followed and an Ambassador to the Soviet Union appointed by His Majesty's Government?

The hon. Member is mistaken if he supposes that all other countries, or even all the great Powers, have acted alike in this matter. Some countries have appointed Ambassadors and some have no diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government. His Majesty's Government take the course which seems to them best suited to British interests.

How long do the Government intend to continue this attitude of undignified sulkiness towards the Soviet Government?

Adjectives are not permissible in questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Government recognise the authority of Soviet Russia to extend to Georgia; and, if so, seeing that Russia, Great Britain and many other States recognised the independence of Georgia in 1920, what grounds are there for withdrawing such recognition?

The Republic of Georgia is recognised to be a constituent part of the Trans-Caucasian Federative Republic which is itself a member of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Official recognition of a government which no longer exists de facto naturally lapses.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the lack of information from the Far East, he will state exactly what the 13 demands by the Chinese Government in connection with the shooting at Shanghai really are; and if any of them have been approved by the British Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give the full text of the 13 demands made by the Chinese Government to the diplomatic body at Pekin?

The 13 demands are as follow: (1) Cancellation of state of emergency. (2) Release of all Chinese arrested in connection with the incident and restoration to original state of all educational institutions in the international settlement sealed and occupied by the authorities. (3) Punishment of offenders to be suspended pending investigations and thereafter to be seriously dealt with. (4) Compensation for the damage sustained by the labourers, merchants and students in connection with this incident. (5) Apology. (6) Rendition of Mixed Court. (7) All employés of foreigners, seamen and workers of mills or factories and others who turned out on strike in sympathy shall be re-instated and their wages during the period of the strike shall not be deducted. (8) Better conditions for the labourers. Any labourer may work or not on his own accord and shall not be punishable for refusal to work. 2494 (9) Municipal franchise. ( a ) The Chinese may participate in the municipal council and the ratepayers' meetings, the ratepayers' representation in the council shall be in proportion to the amount of the rate payable and paid to the municipal revenue, and the qualifications for franchise of the Chinese shall be similar to those of the foreigners. ( b ) For the purpose of the franchise distinction shall be made as to the beneficial and trust or legal interests of property, with the beneficial interest the right of franchise shall accompany and in the case of the trust interest, such right shall be exercised by the beneficial owner thereof. (10) Restraint to construct road beyond boundaries. The Shanghai Municipal Council shall not construct roads beyond the settlement boundaries. Those roads which are already so constructed shall be unconditionally handed over to the Chinese Government. (11) Withdrawal of the resolutions concerning printed matter; increase of wharfage dues and licensing of exchanges. (12) All Chinese residents of the settlement shall have liberty of speech, assembly and publication. (13) Dismissal of the secretary of the municipal council. Until they have been examined by the diplomatic body, I prefer to make no comments.

What is being done with regard to demand No. 8? Is the right hon. Gentleman having special inquiries made?

I think that is covered by a later question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has received two Notes from the Chinese Government, the first relating to the Shanghai incidents and containing 13 demands, and the second dealing with the general relations between China and Great Britain, and urging the revision of the treaties concerning extra-terri- toriality, concessions, and special privileges, on the grounds that they were out of date; whether he will immediately publish these Notes; and whether any reply has yet been sent?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the last part in the negative. The text of the 13 demands is given in my reply to a question to-day by the hon. Member for Saffron Walden, and summaries of the Notes will probably appear in the Press. I doubt whether it would be worth while to have them specially published as a Parliamentary Paper at this stage.

In view of the fact of the great national interest taken in this matter, would it not be as well to know if we are to have an official Note published?

I think probably the time to publish a Note will be when the correspondence is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by whom the Commissioners were nominated to collaborate with the Chinese Commission in the inquiry into the Shanghai disturbance; and what are the names and nationality of the Commissioners?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any, and, if so, what Commission has been appointed to investigate the recent disturbances in Shanghai?

The Commission was appointed by the Diplomatic Body at Peking, and consisted of representatives of the British, American, French, Japanese, Italian and Belgian Legations. The head of the Commission was Monsieur Tripier, Counsellor of the French Legation, and the British representative was Mr. Vereker, First Secretary of His Majesty's Legation at Peking. I have not yet been informed of the names of the other members of the Commission. The primary purpose of the Commission was to examine the situation and report to the Diplomatic Body, but they were also authorised to collaborate in any way they could with the Chinese officials appointed by the Government at Peking to make a similar inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that newspapers in this country are stating that Europeans have been killed in those recent disorders, whereas the only death was that of Mr. Mackenzie, which was outside of Shanghai, and will he take steps to contradict those statements?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there has yet been any Report from the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Shanghai disturbances; and to whom the Report is being made in the first instance?

The Commissioners have returned to Peking and reported to the Diplomatic Body, which is considering their Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will take the initiative in proposing immediately to the other Treaty Powers that a conference of all Powers concerned, including China, should be organised forthwith, such conference to discuss the question of extraterritoriality and the revision of the treaties by which the concessions and foreign settlements were obtained?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government is prepared to intimate to the Chinese Government that they are willing to meet in conference at an early date for the purpose of discussing questions of extra-territoriality, concessions, and other special privileges held in China by Britain and British nationals?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will forthwith call a conference of the Treaty Powers with a view to the liquidation of the present differences with the Chinese people on the basis of a revision of the treaties in so far as territorial concessions and extraterritorial privileges are concerned in a spirit of equality and reciprocity?

His Majesty's Government are consulting with the other Governments concerned, with whom they intend to act in close collaboration, as to the reply to be returned to the request which the Chinese Government have made that the matters mentioned in the question should be considered. In the meantime, I can make no statement on the subject beyond saying that any discussion of these large issues is impossible until the Chinese Government have taken steps to put an end to the present anti-foreign agitations and have shown their ability to enforce law and order and respect for the treaty rights of the Powers.

If it is true, as the right hon. Gentleman said in Debate, that there is no real Government with any real power to do these things in China, how could he expect them to be done?

I do not know really what the hon. Gentleman intends to suggest by that question. It is not my desire to interfere in Chinese domestic concerns. But for the purpose of negotiation it is necessary that the Chinese themselves should constitute some Government that can protect foreigners, keep law and order, and deal with negotiations.

When the right hon. Gentleman is in a position to give accurate information, may I ask whether he proposes to publish or circulate any statement in regard to the disturbances which have taken place recently?

I think the House will desire from time to time to be given any information that can be given upon the situation, but I really cannot speak about any particular publication in circumstances which are still hypothetical.

Seeing it is the desire of the right hon. Gentleman that there should be a stable central Government in China with which he can deal, will he say what steps his Government are prepared to take to enforce the decision taken at the Washington Conference that China should be allowed to raise her revenue to 5 per cent. on the Customs as against the 2½ per cent. previously enjoyed?

As soon as this anti-foreign agitation ceases and as soon as foreign property and the life of nationals are safe, I hope that the Conference contemplated by Washington will take place. It cannot, however, take place in circumstances in which it might be exposed to anti-foreign demonstrations and conditions under which the life and property of the nationals of the Powers concerned are in danger.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the situation in China, he will submit the question of extra-territorial agreements in that country to the League of Nations under Article 19 of the Covenant?

The question of extra-territoriality was carefully investigated by the principal Powers concerned at the Washington Conference in 1922. It was agreed (China concurring) to appoint an international commission to inquire into the position and assist the Chinese Government to effect such reforms as would justify the relinquishment of extraterritorial rights. The meeting of this Commission has been thrice postponed, on the first occasion at the request of the Chinese Government, on the two latter occasions at the instance of the Powers on account of the Civil War and the chaotic conditions in China. But His Majesty's Government believe that this method of procedure, inasmuch as it has already been accepted by the Powers and by China, is a more suitable way of dealing with the question than by a reference to the League of Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that international trading influences in China are demanding forcible representations and stern measures in regard to the situation in China; and whether the British Government will adopt every possible precaution to prevent active measures being taken for any purpose except the protection of British lives?

The policy of His Majesty's Government was stated by me in the Debate on the 18th of June. Nothing has occurred to change it since I spoke.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Indians are eligible for appointment as diplomatic representatives in any Asiatic country or elsewhere; and whether any Indian has been appointed to any such post?

The Regulations prescribe that candidates for the Diplomatic Service must be natural-born British subjects, and born within the United Kingdom or in one of the self-governing Dominions of parents also born within those territories.

Is the right hon. Gentleman contemplating any change in those conditions?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position with regard to the Iraq boundary; and when it is expected that this question will be settled?

The position has not altered since I replied to the somewhat similar question by the hon. and gallant Gentleman on the 27th May, but I anticipate that the question will be ready for settlement and will be settled at the September meeting of the Council of the League of Nations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Commission's final Report will be in hand?

That I cannot say. I do not know, and I do not think it proper to press for a Report before the Commission is ready to present it, but it is anticipated by the Council that it will be presented in time for their consideration and for them to take a decision at the September meeting.

I was only asking for information. I was not making any hostile suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the amount to pay the coupons on the Egyptian tribute loans has now been paid?

I presume that my hon. Friend has in mind the judgment given in favour of the bondholders in the Egyptian Mixed Court of First Instance on the 15th June. So far as His Majesty's Government are aware, no payment has yet been made, nor is it known whether the Egyptian Government intend to file a notice of appeal, which they are entitled to do within 60 days of the service of the judgment on them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is intended, in view of the forthcoming expiration of the Anglo-Portuguese Commercial Treaty, to take steps in connection with any negotiations for its renewal, to secure that the Portuguese Government shall alter its arrangements for certifying wines which may be exported to this country under the name of port, so as to ensure a return to the general practice prior to the treaty of 1914, whereby ports exported from Portugal were mainly of a strength exceeding 30 degrees of proof spirit, with a view to the prevention of the present loss of British revenue due to the shipping of largely increasing quantities of wines from Portugal described as port at a. strength below 30 degrees and chargeable, therefore, with a wine duty in Great Britain of 2s. 6d. per gallon instead of 6s. per gallon?

I have been asked to reply. The question of the proper strength of the wine which can legally be described as "Port" is at present under discussion with the Portuguese Government. In order to remove a misapprehension, I would explain that the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of Commerce and Navigation is in any event binding on the parties until 23rd September, 1926, and only ceases to operate after that date if either contracting party gives notice of its intention to terminate it.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the early expiration of the treaty, steps can be taken either to continue it or to open negotiations for enlarging it, in view of the heavy duties imposed by the Portuguese Government on the imports from this country into Portugal of our manufactured articles?

It is true that representations have been made to my Department about the Portuguese duties on our steel goods. If we reopen the question with regard to the treaty, I will bear in mind the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet carried out the suggestion made by the British representative at Buenos Aires in February, 1923, to appoint a Consul for the Chubut Valley, Argentine; and, if not, will he give the matter immediate consideration?

The appointment in question was deferred owing to the absence from the territory of Chubut of the gentleman to whom it was proposed to offer the appointment. His Majesty's Minister at Buenos Aires has been asked by telegraph whether the appointment can now be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the reply will be given to the wages petition of the men employed in His Majesty's Dockyard, Malta; and will he give a list of the weekly wage rate of men employed at Malta Dockyard as labourers, skilled labourers, and fitters?

A petition concerning the wages of the local workmen at Malta is at present under consideration, and a reply will be given as soon as possible; the predominant weekly rates of wages, inclusive of temporary increases, at present being paid to labourers, skilled labourers, and fitters in Malta Dockyard, are 25s., 28s., and 44s., respectively.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether at Chatham Dockyard instructions have been given to the engineering manager that overtime must be worked to clear up arrears; and, if so, whether, in view of the large number of men unemployed, he will consider the advisability of taking on additional men instead of keeping the present staff on overtime?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the normal working week of men engaged in the yardcraft service, and when such normal week was fixed in accordance with the award of the industrial court?

The conditions of service of the crews of the dockyard tugs and other vessels of the yardcraft service are similar to those of other seafaring men; there is no fixed number of hours of duty to make up a normal working week, and there is no award prescribing a working week for the employees in question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have recently placed abroad order for considerable quantities of copper-wire gauze and whether any condition was included in the contract with the supplier in regard to the wages to be paid by the firms manufacturing this material?

An order for copper-wire gauze of a value of about £300 was recently given to a British firm, who imported the material from the Continent. A substantial preference is given to British manufacturers, but this particular gauze could only have been made in this country at an extra cost of about 50 per cent. After every opportunity had been given to the British firms to supply at lower prices the order was reluctantly placed for foreign-made gauze owing to the great difference in price. The remaining items of the contract were placed for British-made gauzes. The contract contained the usual fair-wages clause embodied in Government contracts, but this clause can only be enforced as regards labour employed in this country by the contractors.

Is it not a fact that the navy steams on oil imported from Persia?

To a certain extent, that is so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the practice by which sea boots were served to sailors during the War is now discontinued?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The issue has not been discontinued, and sea boots are carried in all ships.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the hardships endured by officers and men serving in His Majesty's destroyers during the recent spring manœuvres; and whether, in relation to such conditions of service, he will recommend the payment of hard-lying money to those in that Service?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. The Regulations regarding hard-lying money are considered adequate under existing conditions, and payment cannot be authorised to destroyers during peace exercises.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the matter raised on the 8th of April, 1925, has been considered regarding the unsatisfactory messes allotted in His Majesty's destroyers to chief and engine-room artificers; and whether, seeing the structural alterations made to make room for special fittings have deprived the men of sleeping accommodation and necessary privacy, other suitable messes will be provided for them?

These ratings are as well off for messing and sleeping space as ratings of other branches, and I regret that no other permanent accommodation is available. I may add the accommodation in modern destroyers is much superior to that in destroyers and torpedo-boats of earlier types.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he promised to look into the matter of spare cabins? Has he done so?

Yes, I did look into that matter, but it has been found that the cabins are quite unsuitable for messes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that during an open-air meeting held at Deal on Saturday, 20th June, and addressed by a Labour party speaker, members of the Royal Marines who were in the audience were removed by the Marine Military Police; if the marines are forbidder to listen to political speeches; if so, does the prohibition extend to officers as well as privates and non-commissioned officers and to the meetings of all political parties; and whether, seeing that Service men are now entitled to vote, they will in future be afforded the same facilities as members of the general public to inform themselves as to the issues on which they may be called upon to vote?

I am informed that no Royal Marines were removed by the Royal Marine Military Police from any Labour open-air meeting at Deal on 21st June. I see by to-day's Order Paper that the date there is 20th June, although it was the 21st in the Blue Papers. The hon. Gentleman must take my answer as applying to the 21st. As regards the other points raised, the attendance of officers and men at political meetings and demonstrations is governed by paragraph 507, King's Regulations for the Army and Army Reserve, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to Saturday, 20th?

Certainly. I only wanted to prevent there being any confusion about my answer, because I think the hon. Gentleman will agree that the 21st was the date in the Blue Papers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman wish me to put another question?

No, Sir, I will inquire.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the speaker was a man who had served in the Royal Marines originally, and that he and his two sons served in the late War?

If so, I am rather sorry to hear it.

Why?

Is it to be implied from the answer of the right hon. Gentleman that Marines are not to attend these meetings?

No, Sir. The answer refers to the King's Regulations, and what is stated there.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what he meant by saying that he is sorry to hear of an ex-service man belonging to one or other of the political parties?

Who the speaker was really does not affect the present matter. The first question on the point was irregular, and I deprecate very much going into personalities. It is a matter of principle, and not of personalities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the announcement upon the question of marriage allowance, the money for which has already been granted by the House of Commons, is still delayed?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the co-ordinating Committee of the Cabinet has now reached any decision regarding the Admiralty proposals in respect of marriage allowances to naval officers; and, if so, what that decision is?

I will, with the hon. Members' permission, answer these questions together. No decision has yet been reached on this subject.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether this matter is daily under discussion and deliberation, and, if so, when he expects that an announcement will be made, in view of the interest that is felt?

I cannot say more. All I can say is, that I am doing nothing to prevent its being decided, and we shall only be too glad when it is.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the question on the Order Paper, as to why there is this delay?

Answer!

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any additional vessels will be commissioned or completed with full crews for the training of Reservists' during the present year; and, if so, which vessels will be so used?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the position of a temporary masseuse in regard to charge and supervision of chief petty officers, petty officers, and other ratings of the sick-berth branch employed as qualified masseurs; whether the head and other nursing sisters in naval hospitals have authority over sick-berth ratings under the provisions of the Naval Discipline Act; and whether he will take steps to prevent any ratings of the sick-berth branch from being placed in a false position by reason of females in naval hospitals not understanding their position?

Temporary masseuses have no charge or supervision of ratings of the sick-berth branch qualified as masseurs. Head and other nursing sisters have no authority, under the Naval Discipline Act, over naval ratings; but it is competent for the medical officer of a hospital to place a massage sister in charge of cases, just as could be done with a male civilian specialist, and to direct the sick-berth staff to follow her directions while in charge of such cases. The Admiralty is not aware of dissatisfaction with the existing arrangements in this matter.

Can the hon. Gentleman say under what Regulation this is done?

It is not a Regulation, it is a matter of expediency.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if there is any truth in the last part of the question, that the ratings are in a false position by reason of these females?

No truth whatever.

asked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Cabinet Committee on Naval Shipbuilding will be ready; and when an announcement as to the Government's decision will be made to the House?

I can add nothing to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Bradford East on the 17th June.

May I ask whether it is expected that this Report will be ready by the time the House rises in August, and will he undertake that the Estimates will be presented before we rise?

I think it would be premature to have any presumption about the time this House will rise.

As the Prime Minister has undertaken that the Supplementary Estimates required would be presented before we rise, may I ask if that can possibly be carried out?

I am not familiar with the pledge which the Prime Minister gave, and I think I had better leave it as it stands. I have no reason to doubt that any statement which the Prime Minister made holds good for all time, or at any rate for as long a time as he himself may hold good for.

Does the right hon. Gentleman, speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, think it is fair to treat so cynically the emphatic pledge which was given by the Prime Minister on this subject? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government have been invited to join Spain and France in blockading the Riff; whether it is proposing to do so; and under what conditions?

It is not proposed by the French and Spanish Governments to declare a blockade, but merely to concert in taking measures for the policing of certain of their territorial waters and of the waters of the Tangier zone. His Majesty's Government have received in invitation from the Spanish Government to join in these measures, and I would ask the hon. Gentleman to defer any further questions while consideration is being given to the matter.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the Government have taken no steps in regard to the request from these foreign nations?

The only request I have yet received has been from the Spanish Government. We have taken no steps except to assure the Spanish Government that we shall at once consider any proposals they have to make.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government will be able to announce their decision as regards the blockade by sea and the passage of troops through the Tangier zone?

I cannot say when I shall be able to announce the decision, but I shall be happy to give the House information as soon as the decision has been arrived at. Let me repeat that there is no question of blockade.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say, then, where is the necessity for policing the territorial waters?

Well, Sir, the Tangier Convention provides for the neutrality of the territorial waters of Tangier, and that they should not be used for supplies to the Riffian troops.

With regard to the blockade, is it not a fact that there should be, under international law, a blockade declared before our ships are stopped and seized as prizes? What is the position in regard to that?

There is, I repeat, no question of a blockade. There is the question of the policing or the supervising of contraband traffic within territorial waters, which is a wholly different thing—as I need not point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, who is a naval officer.

Does that territorial waters neutrality apply to the use of the Tangier front by the Spanish forces?

That does not arise.

May I ask one further question? Does what has been said mean that the right hon. Gentleman has protested against any of our vessels being stopped and searched outside the three miles limit?

Yes, Sir. There can be no right of search on the high seas except in the case of a regular blockade, and under the conditions of strict international law. That is not suggested by the Powers concerned. What is under discussion is the supervision of the territorial waters. We have under the Tangier Convention certain obligations in respect to the territorial water? in the Tangier zone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now investigated the report of the presence of members or officials of the Soviet Legation or other Soviet officials at Poplar at a function when Soviet officials expressed a desire to see a republic in this country at an early date; if so, whether officials of the Russian Legation or other Soviet officials are to be allowed to interfere in politics in this country; and what action is proposed to be taken?

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that this was a private meeting about which the police had no information. In these circumstances I cannot take any action.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of alien musicians to whom permits have been granted to land in Great Britain for the 12 months ending 31st May, 1925; if applications have been received from any further alien musicians to land in Great Britain in June, July, August and September; and, if so, will he state the number of applications so received and for what period they are required and will be granted?

During the 12 months ended 31st May, 1925, permits under Article 1 (3) ( b ) of the Aliens Order, 1920, were granted in respect of 131 musicians. This figure does not include vocalists, but includes all players of musical instruments, whether stage performers, vaudeville artists, concert artists or members of bands or orchestras. The permission given in each case was limited as to time, the periods varying from one week to six months. Applications have been received for permission to engage 32 alien musicians for periods during June, July, August and September. Of these 10 have been granted for six weeks and one for one week, 11 will shortly be granted for eight weeks and 10 have been refused.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the bringing in of these foreign bands is creating an enormous amount of unemployment among our own bands?

This policy has often been considered, and an attempt has been made to harmonise it with the existing position of affairs by making arrangements so that bands should consist of equal numbers of persons brought in and otherwise, so as to make the best of both worlds—to serve the interests of music and to give employment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British bands that he speaks of which are supposed to be given employment when these permits are granted to foreign bands generally consist of a majority of aliens?

No, Sir.

Are not we to suppose that people want to listen to this music —that if they did not these bands would have to go back, because people would not pay to hear them?

Are there not fewer of these bands coming in now than came in under the late Government?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of coal miners on the books of the colliery companies and the number registered as unemployed on the latest date for which both figures are available, and the corresponding figures for the same date of last year?

According to the information of the Mines Department, the number of wage-earners on the colliery books on 23rd May, 1925, was 1,095,744 as compared with 1,191,816 on 24th May, 1924. The number of persons insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in Great Britain who were recorded at Employment Exchanges as unemployed on 25th May, 1925, was 199,154, as compared with 38,052 on 26th May, 1924. Statistics for a later date are not yet available.

As I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend's question on 13th May last, the two sets of figures are not mutually exclusive, and the total number of workers in the coal mining industry cannot be obtained by adding the number on the colliery books to the number recorded as unemployed.

Am I entitled to assume that some of the men are returned as both employed and unemployed on the same date?

No, sir. The hon. Member may assume that some men are returned as being on the colliery books and as unemployed on the same date.

May I ask whether the figures the right hon. Gentleman has given include the number of men who are out of work because of the owners trying to break through agreements and throw the men idle?

I could not give any answer to that question. It raises a presumption. This is the total number of men out of work, so far as they are recorded as unemployed from any cause.

Would the right hon. Gentleman—

Will the hon. Member put his question down? Then he will get an answer.

asked the Minister of Labour if the fact that an unskilled labourer has been employed for 26 weeks on relief work would be taken into account by a local employment committee in deciding whether or not such a man had been employed for a reasonable period during the two years of which the 26 weeks formed part?

The performance of relief work is not regarded as having any bearing on the satisfaction of the conditions for the grant of extended benefit, and the employment on relief work in the case referred to by the hon. Member should not be taken into account by the local employment committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this relief work involves unskilled labour, and it will have to be done some time or other; and does he not think this should be taken into account in considering whether a man has been employed for a reasonable period during the last two years?

The whole principle on which local employment committees are supposed to judge is whether the amount the man has done is reasonable in view of all of the circumstances and whether he is genuinely seeking work. That is a matter of judgment as regards what he would have done under ordinary conditions, and therefore the performance of relief work cannot be taken as giving any indication one way or the other. He might quite well be regarded as satisfying the conditions if he had done no other work at all besides relief work. Of course it depends upon the judgment in regard to individual cases.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into account that a man ordered by the board of guardians or the borough council to go on to relief work, if he left that work for any reason, his relief would immediately stop and that therefore, during 26 weeks he is really prohibited from looking for other work, and does he not think that that should be taken into consideration?

I have no doubt at all, but I speak subject to verification which I prefer to do instead of misleading the hon. Member. The fact that a man is not able during a certain period of time to look for work is no doubt a factor in the situation that the committee would have in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour how many claims for unemployment benefit have been rejected during the months of March, April, and May, respectively, of this year, and the corresponding figures for last year?

The numbers of applications for extended benefit which were rejected by local employment committees in Great Britain in the months ended 13th April, 11th May and 8th June, 1925, were respectively 33,039, 27,757 and 27,249, as compared with 19,690, 15,083, and 13,926 in the corresponding periods in 1924.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for the increase in the number of rejections this year as compared with last year?

Certainly. The increase in the number of rejections was the result of last year's Act, because in the months that followed that Act the number of rejections was pretty much the same per month as at present.

asked the Minister of Labour how many uninsured persons were registered as unemployed on the latest date for which figures are available?

The number of uninsured persons on the registers of the Employment Exchanges on 22nd June is estimated at 47,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applications by employers for workpeople, and the number of vacancies filled by the Employment Exchanges during the years 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures: Year Vacancies notified by Employers. Vacancies filled by Employment Exchanges. 1921 986,266 807,328 1922 839,633 697,036 1923 1,056,970 893,713 1924 1,345,394 1,143,742 These figures exclude vacancies of a casual nature—such as dock labourers and coal porters—which amounted to between 20 and 30 thousand in each of the years in question.

further asked the Minister of Labour the average number of persons receiving unemployment benefit during the years 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924; and what percentage of these persons were, in each year, convicted of fraud in connection with benefit?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer:

The weekly average number of claims current in Great Britain in the years mentioned were: 1921 1,595,776 1922 1,485,540 1923 1,198,899 1924 1,058,406

As the hon. Member will appreciate, the number of convictions for fraud over a whole year is not strictly comparable with the figure for claimants to benefit taken as an average over the year, but subject to this caution, the percentages for which he asks are approximately 005 in 1921, 0.1 in 1922, and 0.2 in 1923 and 1924.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the official figures that there were on 25th May last 29,244 unemployed in hotel, boarding houses, and club services, he will state exactly what kind of work these persons normally do; and why, in view of the shortage of workers of this nature, there are so many unemployed?

I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the occupations in this group, from which he will see that it covers a considerable variety of employments, in many of which, so far as I am aware, there is not a shortage of workers.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed registered for the year ending 31st March, 1925, at Employment Exchanges in the County of London and the approximate number of men, women, and young persons for whom employment was found through these exchanges during that period?

It is not possible to say how many individuals were, at one time or another, on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the course of a year, but the average number of persons who were on the registers in the County of London at any one time in the 12 months ended March, 1925, was 171,590 (men, 129,369; women, 32,337, and juveniles, 9,884). The number of vacancies filled in the 12 months ended 6th April, 1925, was 240,387 (men, 97,411; women, 60,795, and juveniles, 82,181).

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of Employment Exchanges in the County of London; the total staff employed therein; the proportion of ex-service men employed; and the estimated annual cost of these exchanges, including cost of premises and other charges not borne on the Ministry of Labour Vote?

There are 23 Employment Exchanges in the County of London. On the 25th June, 1925, 963 persons were employed. Eighty-one per cent. of the male staff are ex-service men. The annual cost falling on the Votes for these exchanges is estimated at £263,500. It is not practicable to give an exact estimate of the cost of premises and other charges not borne on the Ministry's Vote, but it amounts to, approximately, £92,000. Almost the whole of the cost of these exchanges is attributable to administration of unemployment insurance, and is recovered from the Unemployment Fund.

Is it not a fact that the men employed in these exchanges are not sufficient to help the men to find work, because all their time is occupied disbursing insurance money?

That is not the case. There are quite a number who are occupied at the present moment in trying to find work for the unemployed, and an immense amount of work is being done by them in actually placing persons in employment.

May I ask whether the capital cost is recovered from the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down on the Order Paper?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has issued a Circular to Employment Exchange managers ordering that no payment of dependants' benefit be paid in respect of any dependant in receipt of an old age pension; and whether, in view of the declared policy of the Government to remove restrictions and penalties upon old age pensions, he will have Circular 82/15 withdrawn?

Presumably, the hon. Member refers to paragraph 128 of Memorandum L.E.C. 82/15. I consider that any other procedure would be in breach of Sub- section (1) of Section 1 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1922, and I cannot therefore withdraw the Circular.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the payment of a grant to any Dominion Government for any unemployed man willing to emigrate for whom they will guarantee to find work overseas?

The Empire Settlement Act, 1922, empowers His Majesty's Government to co-operate financially with any Dominion Government in agreed schemes of migration and settlement. Such schemes are already in operation in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Persons are only assisted under these schemes provided that they are likely to make suitable settlers and that employment is available for them. It would be undesirable that the Act should be regarded as a means of directly relieving abnormal unemployment in this country. Its object is to distribute our population to the best advantage of the Empire as a whole, and thus to promote its development, trade and security.

Is it not a fact that more applications from people in this country who wish to emigrate under this scheme have been received than the scheme actually provides for?

Yes, at the present moment there are actually more people who are anxious to go to the Dominions than we can arrange the finance and reception for overseas.

Are any new schemes for encouraging people to emigrate being considered at the present time?

Yes, there are some being considered at the present moment.

With regard to the existing scheme, is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that there are agencies in the Dominions trying to find opportunities for work for this particular class?

Yes, there are a good many organisations actively working in the Dominions to this end.

Could the Government not provide more money for these schemes?

The amount of the money is limited by the Vote of this House, but we did not spend either last year or the preceding year the amount that has been voted.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, having regard to the difficulty of obtaining information about the International Labour Organisation and the prohibitive cost of their publications, to which the attention of the House was called by the right hon. Member for the Oswestry Division of Shropshire on the 16th July last, he will arrange for all the periodical and other publications of the International Labour Office to be put in the Library of this House?

I understand that arrangements were made last April for the regular supply to the Library of this House of all the publications of the International Labour Office, and that all publications issued since the 1st January have already been placed in the Library.

Is it not the case that, if one wishes to get the whole of the publications of the International Labour Office, one has to subscribe £8 per annum, and would not the procedure suggested give everybody the opportunity of getting the whole of the information?

As I have said, the information is at present placed in the Library, and anyone, like the hon. and gallant Member, who is interested, will doubtless be able to see the whole of the documents.

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet considered the suggestion, in view of the growing importance of the work of the International Labour Office, that copies of the daily records of the International Labour Conference should be placed in the Library of the House of Commons?

I will certainly consider that. The point was raised, but I am not quite certain about the answer as yet.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the policy of the British Government delegates at the recent International Labour Conference in regard to the proposed draft convention as to night-work in bakeries was that of the British Government delegates at the 1924 Conference, as stated in the White Paper containing the Report of the late Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, or that advocated by the resolution in support of that convention recently issued over the signatures of the late Prime Minister and the late Home Secretary on behalf of the Parliamentary Labour party and the National Executive of the Labour party?

The British Government delegates to the recent International Labour Conference acted in accordance with the policy of the present Government, which I stated on the 13th May, in reply to a question asked by the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck). I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of this reply.

Is it not the fact that the opinions expressed by the workers' representatives were in contradiction to those of the Government?

I never like to make a statement without making sure of the facts, but if the hon. Member will put down a question I will find out.

asked the Minister of Labour whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any step to refer to the Permanent Court of International Justice the question whether the draft convention in regard to night work in bakeries proposed by the recent International Labour Conference, which relates to an industry which is not the subject of international industrial competition and which prohibits nightwork by master bakers as well as by persons employed, is consistent with the purpose of Part XIII of the Versailles Treaty of Peace, and also the question of the competence of the Conference to pass such a draft convention?

This Convention, as finally presented to the recent International Labour Conference, was not acceptable to His Majesty's Government, and their representatives voted against it. It is not the intention of the Government to take any further steps with regard to the Convention in the direction indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Was the British Government the only Government that voted against the Convention?

I cannot answer that question off-hand.

Were the British Government carrying out Clause 13, which is inconsistent with protecting only employés?

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken, with the view of relieving unemployment, to secure the orders for railway material, and to expedite the placing of orders for the same, necessary in Africa for the opening up of the cotton fields?

I have been asked to answer this question. In Nigeria all material, rolling stock, etc., required for the railways under construction have been ordered, and in the Tanganyika Territory all material, for which provision has been made in the Estimates, has been, or is being, ordered. For the extension of the Uganda railway system into Uganda (for which provision is made under the assisted loan voted by Parliament in 1924), 150 miles of track have been ordered and are being shipped out in instalments of 1,600 tons a month. Much bridgework has been ordered and is being expedited, but it is probable that, pending the fixing of all the river crossings, the requisitions for bridgework are not yet complete. All the above material is British-made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet instituted an inquiry into the cost-of-living index figures?