asked the Minister of Pensions whether the principal officers of areas employed by the Ministry are paid on a population basis; if so, what is the number of grades into which the areas are divided and the range of salary of each grade; and why a number of these officers are paid less than the minimum rate for their respective grades?

On the institution of areas in 1922 they were divided into three main groups on a population basis, the normal minimum salaries of the chief area officers in the groups being £650, £500 and £400 respectively. There were, however, some instances in which the relative importance of the work of the area office or other considerations did not justify the payment of this normal minimum, and the number of such instances has increased in consequence of the considerable decline in the volume of work. The need for review of the rates of salary and the principles on which they have been fixed has, consequently, arisen, and the matter has recently been referred to the Departmental Whitley Council for discussion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, apart from any question of misconduct or loss of salary, civil servants have at any time been liable to be or have been arbitrarily degraded from the class for which a Civil Service certificate has been granted by the Civil Service Commission to any inferior class; if so, in what circumstances; and whether a civil servant would have been informed of the fact of and the reason for his degradation at the time?

I an afraid that I do not understand what the hon. and gallant Member has in mind when he refers to "arbitrary degradation." If he has any particular case before him and will give me details I will have inquiries made.

Would it not be arbitrary degradation for a man who had received a first-class certificate suddenly to be told that he had not one?

If he had not got a certificate, I take it he cannot have been degraded' from any grade which he had not ever entered.

If I produce cases running into double figures, will the right hon. Gentleman go into them?

I will be glad to go into them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to a question put at a recent examination of ex-service men for permanent posts in the Civil Service requiring the candidates to compose a letter designed to persuade a friend to join the Labour party; and whether he will make representations to the Civil Service Commissioners that it is undesirable that questions be asked at an examination for the Civil Service which may create the impression that political party considerations affect the appointments?

The hon. Member does not accurately quote the question referred to, which was as follows:

"Taking the standpoint either of a keen supporter or of a keen opponent of the Labour party, write a letter in which you try to persuade a friend who holds opinions opposed to yours to come round to your point of view. Sign the letter with a fictitious name."

Will the right hon. Gentleman at the next examination suggest that it should be the Conservative party instead of the Labour party?

May I ask the light hon. Gentleman whether he will have the answers compiled into a handbook for speakers?

Does the Financial Secretary not see at once that this is a sort of question which is open to very grave abuse which would enable the examiners to exercise political bias, and will he have future questions of this sort prevented?

The hon. and gallant Member must not understand from my answer that the examiners know the identity of those who are answering. It is part of the examination to show general knowledge and to show facility of expression, which such a letter would naturally do.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not even see that, without knowing the name, it would be possible to undermark or over-mark according to the political colour of the person asking the question, and is it not most improper in the Civil Service? [Laughter.] I notice the right hon. Gentleman laughs, but this is no laughing matter, and it should not be treated as a joke. I would like to ask you, Mr. Speaker, if it is right for a Minister to treat this matter of importance as a joke?

The hon. and gallant Member is speaking as if he were on the platform. Of course he is entitled to ask a supplementary question, and I have allowed him to do so. But he must wait and see if there is an answer.

Quite apart from whether it is going to be used or abused, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is a type of' question that it would be far better to avoid in these examinations?

As far as possible I think it is undesirable to interfere with the discretion of the Civil Service Commissioners, and it would be very difficult to lay down a hard and fast rule that no reference to politics is to be made in general knowledge questions.

May I ask the Financial Secretary whether, in view of the great interest taken in this matter at Question Time to-day, and the very strong feeling expressed in all quarters of the House, he will draw the attention of the Civil Service Commissioners to the feeling of a large section of this House about this particular question for their future guidance?

The Civil Service Commissioners will no doubt see the questions which have been asked in this House.

I asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will draw their attention to it instead of leaving it to chance.

The answer has already been given.

On a point or Order. I wish to point out that I have not had an answer to my question. I put a question to the Financial Secretary, and he was good enough to laugh at it, but he did not give me an answer.

It may have been that the question was bound up with too many other things. Will the hon. and gallant Member put his simple question?

My simple question was—[Interruption.]

I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that I was not laughing at him in any way.

I do not mind the right hon. Gentleman laughing at me.

I am sure the Civil Service Commissioners did not wish to show any bias against the Liberal party.

I do not care whether the right hon. Gentleman was laughing at me or not, but I think I am entitled to an answer and not to be laughed at. It is the question I object to being laughed at.

It is more than I can do to try to control the risible faculties of Ministers.

Is it incumbent on a Minister to answer any supplementary question, however stupid?

Ministers are not bound to answer supplementary questions.

I put a question to the Minister before supplementary questions were put by any other hon. Members asking whether in future examinations the word "Conservative" would be used instead of "Labour"?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that many persons who have been granted licences by the London County Council for the purpose of running employment agencies, and have subsequently had such licences cancelled by this body on account of the breach of their regulations through improper practices and other causes, have imme- diately re-started this business outside the area under the control of the London County Council; and will he take steps to introduce the necessary legislation which shall apply generally to the licensing of employment agencies throughout Great Britain?

I understand there have been a certain number of such cases. I am already considering a proposal which was recently placed before me by the Trades Union Congress that powers for licensing theatrical agencies should be extended throughout the country: but the suggestion that powers should be given for licensing all employment agencies is a much bigger question. I think it had better wait until the narrower question has been dealt with. Provision for the registration of female domestic servants' agencies is already made in the Public Health Act, 1907.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that until licences for theatrical agencies are made general, there will be no protection for girls who are liable to be engaged by bogus managers throughout the country?

I have already said that in this matter the General Council of the Trade Union Congress approached me only a fortnight ago, and I am already considering whether I cannot introduce legislation for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by many local authorities at the small percentage of representatives which they have on the Committee he has appointed to consider the question of deductions from police pay and allowances; and, in view of the desirability of the Committee's findings being generally accepted by those concerned, will he consider the desirability of increasing the size of the Committee so as to give the direct representatives of the ratepayers and taxpayers a larger representation than four out of 16 members as at present?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from any watch committees of municipal corporations, or other police authorities, representations as to the constitution of the Committee set up by him to consider the question of police pay and allowances; and whether he will be prepared to increase the non-official representation on that Committee?

The Committee have already completed their labours, having presented on 9th June a Report which, I am happy to say, was unanimous.

Is it not correct to say that the representation on this Committee is really 12, representing the taxpayers and the ratepayers, as against four from the rank and file of the police service?

I do not think that my hon. Friend's figures are quite accurate. I have tried, in forming this Committee, to get a representation of the whole of the parties without a very strict reference to the arithmetical proportion. I am glad to say that the Committee has been most successful, and that they have presented a unanimous Report with acclamation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the representatives of the police rank and file are only four as against a total of 16? Does he not depreciate the attempt now being made to reconstitute the police council from which this Committee is drawn?

I think that it would be a very great pity to attack this Committee, because it has done so well.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has called for and received a Report on the allegations made at the Central Criminal Court this week against the conduct of the police at Vine Street police station; and, if so, what are its contents?

Yes, Sir. The Commissioner of Police has asked me to direct an independent inquiry into the action of the police in this case. I concur in his recommendation, and have given directions accordingly, and I am glad to say my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Rawlinson) has accepted my invitation to hold the inquiry.

Will the officers concerned in this matter be allowed to be represented?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question later. I only heard of the case two or three days ago, when it was finished in the Court. I at once communicated with the Commissioner of Police. I then communicated with my right hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge University, who yesterday afternoon very kindly consented to hold an inquiry. I wish, necessarily, to see him and discuss the method in which the inquiry will be held, but I have no doubt that every arrangement will be made for every one concerned being represented.

Will the inquiry be held in public?

Will the inquiry be confined within the narrow limits of the particular case, or, will a general inquiry be made?

I think for the moment, certainly, that it should be confined to the narrow limits of the individual case. So far, however, as I know at present there is no general charge levied against the police. Therefore, there would be nothing to inquire upon in that respect. With respect to the suggestion of holding the inquiry in public I have a view on that, but I think until I have consulted my right hon. Friend I prefer to say nothing.

Will the evidence be taken on oath?

To all these questions I could have said, by way of reply, that I would make a statement later. I thought it desirable in the interest of the police and the public to make at the earliest moment the announcement that the inquiry will take place. I am sure the House will give me time to consult my right hon. Friend before saying anything further.

Surely the Minister might decide whether this should be a public or private inquiry? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]

asked the Home Secretary the number of prosecutions which have taken place in connection with steam tractors which emit smoke and sparks to the annoyance and danger of the public for each month during the last two years?

I am sorry that I have not got this information in my possession.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of fatal accidents have recently been caused by children running in front of motor cars to ascertain their licence numbers in order to win a prize in some competition; and whether he will consider taking some action to bring to the attention of the public, and particularly children in the schools, the danger involved?

Only one fatality is known to the Metropolitan police during the present year. The objections to the practice have already been brought prominently before the public, and the police have written to all the education authorities in the Metropolitan police district.

Has the Home Secretary any knowledge of such a practice?

Honestly, I have not. But one does know that children do rush about in front of motor cars, and we are doing all we can through the educational authorities to prevent what is a very dangerous practice.

asked the Home Secretary the total strength of W. Division of the Metropolitan police in police officers; and how many of these officers were employed dressed in civilian attire to prosecute motorists for infringements of the Motor Car Acts and Roads Acts during the week-ends 16th to 18th May, 13th to 15th June, and 11th to 13th July, respectively?

The total strength of the division is about 910 men. The maximum number of officers employed for the purpose indicated was six.

Will the hon. Gentleman, in the public interest, continue to apply the Motor Car Acts more rigidly?

Do I understand that there were only six officers in the whole of the W Division of the Metropolitan police in plain clothes during those four week-ends?

In answer to the first supplementary question, the Acts are carried out as far as I know. The reply to the second supplementary question is in the affirmative.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Sutton trap is in operation and also the Mitcham trap, and that they employ more than that?

The hon. and gallant Member seems to know morn about it than the Minister.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the cases of excessive hours worked by women and young persons quoted in the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories; and whether it is his intention to prevent the continuance of such practices by introducing a statutory 48-hour week for women and young persons?

In the cases referred to by the noble Lord the hours worked by the women and young persons were in flagrant contravention of the maximum limits prescribed by the present Act, and I fail to see how a reduction of those limits could have any effect in stopping such practices. Cases of this kind will, I am afraid, always be liable to occur from time to time, but I am glad to say they are quite exceptional.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chief Factory Inspector's Report alludes to the fact that a great many complaints of overwork are found on investigation to be well within the legislative limits?

I am afraid my Noble Friend is referring to a particular section. I thought it was a question of the hours being beyond the present maximum. That, I say, is exceptional and would not be met by an alteration of the maximum.

I will put another question later.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increase of industrial accidents for 1924, given in the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories, in which it is stated that there is an increase of 44,172 industrial accidents over the previous year; and whether he is satisfied that the inspectors of factories are numerically adequate to see that the Home Office Regulations are properly carried out?

I am aware of the increase, but it was attributable, I have no doubt, to the causes assigned by the Chief Inspector in pages 11 to 13 of the Report, namely, increased activity in the industries chiefly responsible for accidents and the changes in the standard of notification introduced by the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1923. As to the adequacy, generally, of the factory staff, I am not altogether satisfied, but I agree with the view of my predecessor in office, that it would not be advisable to deal with this question pending the passage of the Factories Bill.

Has the increased activity in these industries and the excessive hours that are being worked to execute orders anything to do with the number of accidents?

I do not quite know. I cannot really carry in my mind the full Report of the Factory Inspector. I cannot recall that there is any evidence as to the increased hours meaning an increased number of accidents in the industries, but simply, as it were, the increased work has meant an increased proportion of accidents.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman's two predecessors admit that the factory inspectorate was very inadequate. Is it not time that some legislation to deal with the obvious injustice to the industrial workers of the country should be attempted?

If my predecessors said it was inadequate, they did not remedy it. I have indicated that I am not altogether satisfied. When the Factories Bill is introduced and more work is cast upon the inspectors, there will be good ground for more inspectors.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether head teachers of London County Council elementary schools are held responsible in any way for accidents to children, should such accidents occur, during the time such children are being escorted with the aid of school machinery and finance to places of historical interest under the provisions laid down by the Educational Code?

My right hon. Friend understands that the London County Council take the view that the matter is not one which admits of being made the subject of a general rule, and they have accordingly made no Regulation with regard to it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that the Regulations of the Board of Education prevent children when they reach the age of 14 years from attending play centres, ho will consider the possibility of extending these advantages to children up to 16 years of age?

The limitation, which the hon. Member no doubt has in mind, is a statutory limitation imposed by Section 22 of the Act, which gives power to local education authorities for elementary education to provide play centres only for children attending public elementary schools. Attendance at a public elementary school is not, however, limited to children up to the age of 14 years. As regards the hon. Member's suggestion for an extension of the facilities, my right hon. Friend would refer him to Section 86 of the Act, under which authorities for higher education are already enabled to make arrangements, with the approval of my Department, for promoting the social and physical training of older boys and girls attending educational institutions.

asked the President of the Board of Education why 50 is fixed as the age limit for assistant inspectors of schools; whether he is aware that there are very competent men over that age who are quite qualified to fill that position; and will he consider removing the age limit so that the Board can have the services of the most competent men available to fill such positions?

The general Regulations respecting appointments to His Majesty's Civil Establishments under the Order in Council of the 22nd July, 1920, prescribe that no person not already holding an established post shall be appointed to an established situation at an age exceeding 50 without the consent of the Treasury, and the Treasury have informed the Board that they are averse from sanctioning the establishment of a person over 50 unless he will have sufficient reckonable service to qualify for pension at the age of 60. Apart from these considerations, my right hon. Friend regards it as essential that assistant inspectors should be recruited at an age when they are likely to retain their adaptability for new work, which on physical grounds alone is of a trying character, and for this purpose he regards the age limit of 50 as by no means too low. My right hon. Friend is, therefore, unable to accept the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

Does not the Noble Lady realise that it is rather serious policy to lay it down that a person is too old at 50? At that age some teachers are at the height of their experience, and much more likely to be experienced as inspectors than at any other period?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the names of the new Roman Catholic schools which he has sanctioned since he took office; the names of those to which he has refused sanction; and the names of those in respect of which the applications were withdrawn; and whether he will state the reasons for which he refused to sanction two schools?

As the reply to this question is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask whether the Noble Lady could not give us the total sanctioned?

The hon. Member will find it will not take very long to read the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

But would the Noble Lady give us the figure? I wanted to ask how the number compared with the number sanctioned last year.

The Noble Lady could not be expected to say that without notice.

asked the Minister of Health the number of employed persons in this country who are not insured under the National Health Insurance Acts?

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

asked the Minister of Health the difference between optical treatment, which was previously allowed to be given as an additional benefit under the Health Insurance Acts, and ophthalmic treatment, as now allowed?

The difference is that with the new definition of the benefit it has been possible to make arrangements whereby an insured person is in a position to obtain the advice of an ophthalmic specialist when it is required in the opinion of his medical practitioner. Under the previous definition it was a matter of doubt how far this could be done.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the growing increase in the number of charges against persons accused of performing illegal operations; and will he consider the introduction of legislation that will empower local authorities to provide the necessary knowledge of birth-control methods to working-class mothers?

No, Sir. I have consulted the Secretary of State, who has no evidence of any growing increase in the number of charges. There has, in fact, been a substantial decrease since 1919. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) on the 11th June.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Dorset County Council is advertising for a health visitor at a salary of £148 a year, out of which the person appointed has to contribute £7 15s. a year towards the superannuation funds and to find her own bicycle; and whether, seeing that this salary, with its yearly increments, is far below the normal scale, he will draw this council's attention to the effect of its action upon the standard of trained nurses likely to be attracted into the public health service?

Yes. Sir, I am in communication with the county council on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether Colonel Harrison, a permanent official of the Ministry of Health, was acting under instructions when, at the recent Congress of the Royal Institute of Public Health, held at Brighton, he prevented Dr. Wansey Bayley, the honorary secretary of the Society for the Prevention of Venereal Diseases, from quoting evidence which was given before the Trevethin Committee, on the ground that such evidence was confidential; whether this evidence was, in fact, confidential; and will he undertake that permanent officials of his Department, except when acting under his instructions, will not prevent valuable information on important health subjects from being given to the public by competent medical men?

No instructions in this matter were given to the officer referred to. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that no pledge was given to witnesses before the Trevethin Committee that their evidence would be regarded as confidential and not published, but the evidence has not been published and was not available to members of the congress, and its chair- man ruled that quotations from such evidence would be out of order. I am unable to accept the implication conveyed in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received from local authorities representations as to the expense imposed upon applicants for old age pensions by demands for the production of birth and marriage certificates; and whether he has considered the possibility of closer inter-communication between registrars and pensions committees with a view of minimising expense to the applicants?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the hardship caused to applicants for old age pensions by reason of their being required to pay the full fee for a, copy of their certificates of birth or marriage, and also in respect of a search for the same; and will he take into consideration the question of providing for the issue of such certificates to applicants for old age pensions free of cost or at a nominal charge?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave on the 14th July in answer to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for South Portsmouth (Sir H. Cayzer).

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Sedgefield Board of Guardians are holding their meetings on licensed premises, although protests have been made on account of there being other accomodation; and, seeing that it is contrary to Section 61 of the Local Government Act, 1894, what steps does he intend to take in the matter.

I have been informed that the meetings of a committee of this board of guardians have been held on licensed premises. There may be some doubt whether this action is contrary to the enactment cited, which applies to meetings of the board of guardians itself, but the arrangement is certainly an undesirable one, and I am so informing the guardians.

May I call your attention, Sir, to the fact that this question contains an imputation which, as far as personal inquiries show, has no foundation? Will it be in order to ask the Minister what is the justification for this question, and if the deaths referred to are not those of tramps, and not people belonging to the county?

If the question be asked later on, the hon. Member can ask a supplementary question.

As the hon. Member is aware, inquiries were made into all the cases which he mentions. In no case which arose in the county of Berkshire was there any ground for suggesting that the death was due to a failure of Poor Law administration. No special investigation was made on the lines which he suggests. I would point; out that the total number of deaths from starvation or of deaths accelerated by privation in Berkshire in the seven years 1908-14 was nine, and no general comparison with the rest of the country could reasonably be based on such a very small number of cases.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a number of insurance companies already have adequate pension schemes for their employés, including provision for widows and dependants and that these are already in operation or. a more generous scale than that proposed in the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill; and if it is intended to make it possible for these persons to obtain exemption from the provisions of the said Bill?

The power to grant exception from the provisions of the Contributory Pensions Bill is, in effect, limited to the permanent employés of local or public authorities and statutory companies, and there is no intention of extending this power to the employés of insurance or any other non-statutory companies. Where, however, any of these companies have superannuation schemes providing benefits corresponding to the benefits secured by the Bill, the new Clause after Clause 26 which has been added to the Bill in Committee will facilitate the modification of the schemes so far as they affect persons who will be insured under the Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet sanctioned the scheme of the Wednesbury Borough Council for the erection of houses on the recreation ground appropriated for this purpose; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay?

The proposals of the town council for the erection of houses on the site referred to were approved on the 6th April last. I understand that some difficulty has arisen between the contractor and the corporation as to the terms of the contract, and I have arranged a conference with the parties.

Is the delay due to the action of the Department of the right hon. Gentleman?

No, Sir; I understand the delay is due to a difficulty between the contractor and the corporation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, if it is not due to his Depart- merit, why it is necessary for him to interfere?

I do not know that it is necessary, but I am using my good offices to try to overcome the difficulty.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that houses of the Telford, Atholl and Wilde types are constructed with a steel framework and are made largely of steel, whilst the Weir house is constructed mainly of wood, the last named can in future be described appropriately so as to avoid confusion in the minds of the public?

The extent to which steel is used in the construction of the houses to which the hon. Member refers no doubt varies with the particular type, but the general description of steel houses is, I think, sufficiently convenient and is well understood.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a dispute between the plumbers and the heating engineers has held up the erection of a large number of houses on the East Hull housing site for some weeks; and whether, in view of the fact that it is in the public interest that these houses should be erected as soon as possible, he will endeavour to effect a settlement of this dispute?

I am aware of the dispute to which my hon. Friend refers, and my Department is in touch with the organisations concerned with a view to promoting a settlement.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there were some houses built at Chilton Lane, Ferry-hill Station, County Durham, on which the subsidy was paid over three months ago, and two of the houses are still un-tenanted waiting for a purchaser to buy them; and will he consider the desirability of withholding the subsidy on houses until they are likely to be occupied?

I have made inquiries and gather that the two houses to which the hon. Member refers have been sold and will be occupied shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Samuel Payton, residing at 1, Old Cross Street, Tipton, having had his unemployment benefit disallowed by the Tipton Employment Exchange, applied to the Dudley Board of Guardians for relief; that the board offered him a ticket to go into the workhouse; that Payton is an ex-service man with a wife and two children dependent upon him: and whether he will inquire into this case?

My attention has not been called to this case; but, as the hon. Member is aware, the grant of out-door relief in individual cases is a matter for the discretion of the board of guardians after full consideration of the circumstances of the particular case.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Norwich Employment Exchange has refused further unemployed pay to Mr. C. G. Chead, on the around that ho is an organiser for the unemployed; and whether instructions have been given to Employment Exchanges to refuse unemployment benefit to those who take part in organising the unemployed?

I am having inquiries made regarding this case, as described in the hon. Member's question and in a letter received this morning which he has been good enough to send me. I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a similar case has just happened in Southwark, where a man who was taken off the unemployment register there applied to the guardians for relief and was refused, and, as his children were crying for food, he committed suicide this week, and is being buried only to-day?

No, Sir. I am not aware of that case, nor do I think it arises on this question.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

If the hon. and gallant Member will either write to me or put down a question, I will, of course, inquire into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what charges will fall on the Budget of 1926-27 in respect of the Exchequer contribution to unemployment insurance?

The estimated Exchequer contribution to the Unemployment Fund for the current year is £13,105,000. The additional charges to be incurred in 1926–27 are dependent on the decisions taken on the Bill now before Parliament and the course of unemployment, as to which I would refer the hon. Member to the Report of the Government Actuary on the Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Civil Research Committee has under consideration any aspects of the unemployment problem and, if so, what; and whether the Committee has yet made any proposals for action?

No, Sir; but the question of unemployment is clearly an important factor in the consideration of the position of the- iron and steel industry on which the Committee is at present engaged.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Messrs. Chance and Hunt, chemical manufacturers, Wednesbury, deposit chemical refuse on a tip near their works; that the tip is open to the public, and that certain children have suffered injury by being burnt about the feet; and will he exercise his powers to arrange for the tip to be fenced?

I am inform.nl that this refuse is tipped on private land, and that there is no danger to anyone unless he is trespassing. I have no authority to direct that the tip be fenced, and it seems doubtful whether it would be reasonable to expect this to be done, but I am communicating with the town council on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total amount of revenue for 1924-25 applicable to meeting the charge for interest on the Turkish Four Per Cent. Guaranteed Loan of 1855; and was there any surplus remaining after meeting such interest; and, if so, how much did the surplus amount to;

The contributions received in 1924–25 were insufficient to cover the interest on the guaranteed loan; the remainder of the question does not therefore arise. I do not think it is desirable to state, in what precise securities the, past surpluses are invested.

asked the Prime Minister if the Committee on Trade and Industry has yet submitted any Reports to the Government?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend will be aware that the Survey of Overseas Markets which the Committee have-prepared was published yesterday. The Prime Minister has also received a memorandum from the Committee on the subject of Transport Development and Cotton growing in East Africa, which it is proposed to lay before Parliament and to publish shortly.

Is the information available at the Vote Office?

No, because it is a Stationery Office pub- lication; but in accordance with the ordinary practice, the hon. Member can find it in the Pink Paper regularly sent round, and he can obtain it by return of post on application.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered farther the question of inviting the principal naval powers to a further conference on naval armaments: and whether any communication has been received from, or sent to, the President of the. United States of America on this subject?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made in this House by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the 34th June, that if the question of a further conference on naval disarmament was to be treated separately from that fo a conference on land disarmament it would seem best that the initiative should come from the Power which summoned the Washington Conference. The answer with regard to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is conferring with the Minister of Labour and the National Farmers' Union in order to ensure an adequate supply of casual labour for work on the, sugar-beet crop?

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to labour which will be required for the lifting of the sugar beet crop. I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friend on this question and I am inviting representatives of the factories and of the National Farmers' Union to consider what steps can usefully be taken to provide for labour over and above what is available locally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much agricultural land, distinguishing arable from pasture, has been drained under the grants scheme since the War; what is the further acreage which it is estimated should be drained in the national interest; and whether, in order to prevent the dispersion of adapted labour and to save expense, an announcement of the Government's policy will be made in the immediate future?

As the reply is rather long, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does my right hon. Friend realise the necessity of an early decision in this matter, and an early announcement, if the object is not to be frustrated?

Yes, I can assure my hon. Friend that I am quite alive to that, and I hope to make an announcement very soon.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that prohibitive prices are being charged for this drainage work, and, seeing that it is part of the Government's programme to stop profiteering, will they apply that to drainage and so assist landowners to drain their land?

I do not think that that arises out of the question, but perhaps my Noble Friend will await the announcement I have promised.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, seeing that children's allowances are stopped in addition to marriage allowance when an airman refuses to live with his wife, through no fault on the wife's part, but are payable to a guardian other than the wife, whereas it was obviously not the intention of the Regulation to penalize a- mother who is better qualified to look after her children than any guardian, he will take steps to confer with the other Service Departments concerned with a view to modifying this Regulation?

The question of modifying the Regulation referred to by the hon. and gallant Member has already been considered by the Inter-Departmental Committee which deals with such questions, and it was found that there were difficulties in the way of admitting marriage allowance in these cases. The question is being further considered, however, and I will let the hon. and gallant Member know whether it is found possible to modify the present Regulation in any respect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage and value of the 71 steamers constructed for British owners on the Continent during the past three years?

Of the 71 ships built on the Continent and placed on the British register during the last three years, 42, with a gross tonnage of 02,898 tons, were steamships; 3, with a gross tonnage of 186 tons, were motor ships; and 26, with a gross tonnage of 5,028 tons, were sailing ships. Information as to their value is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is a Board of Trade Regulation that British-owned steamers of foreign construction must show in a prominent place an indication of the country of origin?

Even-British ship has to have a certificate of registry, which shows, amongst other things, where the ship was built, but that certificate is generally kept amongst the ship's papers. There is no legal requirement that the country of origin must be prominently marked on a ship.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be useful to have the country of origin marked in a prominent place on the steamer, so that those who travel by it might know whether they are travelling in a British-built ship or in one of foreign construction?

Would it be a good thing to advertise foreign shipbuilding in this country?

I think there are a good many considerations on both sides in regard to the suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to safeguarding the interests of British nationals in the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunals in Berlin and London and seeing that the German Government through its officials watches the interests of German nationals in these tribunals, he will make similar arrangements for British nationals?

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. The British Government Agents are always in attendance at the sittings of the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal in London, in order that they may represent the views of the British Clearing Office and safeguard the interests of British nationals. There is no division of the tribunal sitting in Berlin.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great dissatisfaction has been caused by certain recent decisions of these tribunals, which appear to be based upon no established rule of English law?

I really am not in a position to criticise the decisions of an international Court established under the Peace Treaty.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the National Organisation of the Insurance Clerical Staffs has approached the insurance companies requesting that a committee of inquiry be set up to consider the question of a Whitley Council for the insurance industry; can he state the present position of the negotiations; and if he will use his good offices to assist in a Whitley Council being set up for the insurance industry?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the Guild of Insurance Officials. I am aware of the approach made by the guild to the companies, but I understand that this organisation is not fully representative of the employés of the companies. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware. Joint Industrial Councils can only be established by the voluntary agreement of organisations representing the majority of employers and employed, and I do not think that at present there is any useful action that, I can take.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that while the sailing yacht "Noresca" was in the Channel ea6t of Dover on Saturday last she was struck by several bullets which apeared to come from the military rifle range on the cliffs; and whether he proposes to take special precautions to prevent this danger in future?

My attention had not previously been called to this incident. I am having it inquired into, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that a large number of British subjects, including a considerable proportion of ex-service men and their dependants, have, during the last few years, taken up positions of employment in the Rhineland, directly or indirectly connected with the Army of Occupation, he will inform the House what steps His Majesty's Government proposes to take to provide for the repatriation of these persons in the event of the withdrawal of the British Army of Occupation from the Rhineland?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will supply me with more detailed particulars of the cases which he has in mind, I shall be happy to go into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State or Foreign Affairs whether any reply his been sent to the request of the United States Government that diplomatic immunities should be granted to investigators sent by it to study the production casts of private concerns in this country; and, if so, the general character of the reply?

A reply has been sent to the United States Government in which His Majesty's Government express regret at being unable- to accede to the request that diplomatic status should be accorded to the representatives of the Customs Division of the United States Treasury Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to protect British missionaries and their families in China; and has his attention been called to the recent outrages committed on the Rev. Dr. Murdoch MacKenzie and his associate as well as two women missionaries?

The Chinese authorities have been reminded of their responsibility for the safety of British subjects in China, and His Majesty's Consular officers and naval forces in China will afford British subjects all the protection in their power. As regards the latter half of the question, I am glad to be able to inform the hon. and gallant Member that all the missionaries referred to have arrived safely at Swatow, but I have not yet received an official report on the outrages.

Would it not be possible for the Foreign Office to issue an official statement when these outrages take place, instead of leaving the public to depend upon newspaper reports? In this case Dr. MacKenzie happens to be my brother-in-law, but there are thousands of people in this country who are left in suspense after reading the newspaper reports, whereas an official statement from the Foreign Office would relieve their anxiety.

As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, the whole condition of affaire in China, at the present moment is both complicated and difficult, and I could not possibly give an answer at this moment with regard to any announcement of news, which has to be verified to a certain extent before it is officially issued.

Does not the trouble arise because the Chinese authorities are practically powerless?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any request for compensation for Chinese killed and wounded was included in the demands presented by the Peking Government; whether he will state the number of Chinese killed and wounded; and the total of the Boxer indemnity and the number of lives for which this compensation was obtained?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, although the version first received omitted any reference to such a request. As already stated in reply to the hon. Member for Leicester West on the 15th June last, the number of Chinese killed and wounded was 21 and 65, respectively. The total of the Boxer Indemnity was 450,000,000 taels (£67,500,000). This sum did not represent only compensation for lives lost, but repayment of the expenditure incurred by the Powers in restoring order, as well as an equitable indemnity for the companies and individuals, including Chinese in foreign employment, who suffered in consequence of the Boxer outbreak.

Would the British Government have paid the indemnity promptly if the Chinese Foreign Office had adopted the same method as the British Foreign Office adopted towards Egypt?

I could not give that as an undertaking.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now make a statement on the subject of marriage allowances for naval officers?

No. Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that ho will continue to press the Cabinet in this matter, and even adopt a menacing attitude if necessary?

I adopt the attitude which I think is most likely to succeed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the First Lord of the Admiralty on three occasions made a statement on this subject, and that, therefore, the Cabinet must know what that statement is, and is ho prepared to abide by that statement, for his own sake?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this subject is causing almost as much anxiety to naval officers as it is to him, and that they express the view that it would be better to give a clear-cut decision one way or the other, seeing that the money has been voted?

Yes, Sir; I am quite aware of that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the approximate difference in the cost of the Navy Estimates provided in 1914 and 1925, exclusive of the air arm, after allowance has been made for the rise in prices and wages and the non-effective Vote "has been deducted, so as to make a true pre-War comparison?

The provision in the Navy Estimates for the current year, exclusive of the Grant-in-Aid of the Fleet Air Arm and of the cost of non-effective services, is £51,049,200. If the amount thus provided were calculated on the basis of pre-War prices and wages, it is estimated that the figure would be approximately .£31,860,000, which is £15,900,000 less than the provision made for corresponding services in the Estimates for 1914–15.

asked the Home Secretary in how many cases his test investigations of alien hotel employés' papers in the last three years have revealed irregularities in the method of entering or remaining in this country?

No detailed particulars as to any such irregularities on the part of alien hotel employés are available; but I may say that such special inquiries as have been made tend to show that, generally speaking, alien employés at hotels are in order so far as the Regulations applicable to aliens are concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increase of traffic on unclassified roads repairable by district councils, he will extend the principle of contributions hitherto limited to classified roads by making grants out of the Road Fund?

Without admitting that the principle governing the distribution of grants towards the ordinary maintenance and improvement of Class I and Class II roads can be extended to unclassified roads, I am considering whether additional assistance can be given from the Road Fund towards the expenditure on unclassified roads, supplementing the grants already made.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it essential that the local authorities should get some assistance for unclassified roads, especially when Class I and Class II roads are so much under repair, causing the traffic to-run on unclassified roads?

As I have already-said, I am considering that, and have been for some weeks.

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether the time has arrived when third-class loads should be scheduled, so that a regular grant may be made for them?

That is one proposal, but I think that what the local authorities really want is something to deal with their present unclassified roads, and that they do not much mind in what form it comes.

Dors not this problem in reference to unclassified roads largely arise because there are no Class III roads?

asked the. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the town of Akaba has been recognised as Egyptian territory: and whether the principal Allied Powers have been consulted in reference to the alteration of the frontier of Trans jordania?

Although between 1841 and 1892 the Porte permitted the establishment of Egyptian police posts at certain places on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Akaba, including Akaba itself, for the protection of Egyptian pilgrims, the Sultan resumed possession of these posts in 1892 and no objection was raised from the Egyptian side. The line dividing the territories under Egyptian and Turkish administration respectively was defined in 1906 by a boundary commission and has not since been modified. Akaba lies a few miles to the east of this line. In reply to the second part of the question, the formal definition of the frontiers of Transjordan with the Hedjaz and Nejd has still to take place, as stated by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the 6th of July. A definition of these frontiers will eventually be communicated to the League of Nations. No consultation of the principal Allied Powers has taken place or is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who are to go to Geneva in September to attend the Assembly of the League of Nations as representatives of Great Britain.

His Majesty's Government will be represented by the Foreign Secretary: Lord Cecil of Chelwood; Sir George Grahame, G.C.V.O., His Majesty's Ambassador at Brussels; Duchess of Atholl; Mr. A. M. Samuel and Sir Cecil Hurst, K.C.B.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any information showing that any of the Poor Law inspectors have interfered to prevent unfit tasks being given to casuals; and, if so, when, where and under what circumstances?

I have no Reports of cases of this kind having come before the inspectors of the Department.