asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has information that the Chinese chamber of commerce at Shanghai has pledged itself to continue the anti-British boycott for a year; and whether, in view of the fact that British trade is being seriously hampered and interfered with and, as a result, our nationals are not obtaining the business which they ordinarily secure, the Government can expedite the judicial inquiry into the situation in order to arrive at a prompt decision on the Shanghai shootings and controversy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, everything possible is being done, and not for commercial reasons only, to expedite the meeting of a judicial commission of inquiry.

Is it intended to summon an international conference to deal with the whole question of extra-territoriality?

That is quite a different question, and has nothing to do with the inquiry at Shanghai.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to give any information bearing upon the question whether the British millowners at Shanghai have agreed to adopt the Regulations of the Child Labour Commission, whether or not these Regulations were adopted in the other factories in Shanghai?

The Regulations proposed by the Child Labour Commission have not been voluntarily adopted by any of the mills in the International Settlement at Shanghai pending enforcement by bye-law, but the Cotton Millowners' Association, including all British mills, have expressed approval of their main provisions. I am informed that since September, 1923, the British millowners in Shanghai have endeavoured to keep out boys under 10 years and girls under 12 years of age.

How did the Secretary of State come to have such erroneous information in his possession during the recent Debate upon the Chinese situation?

I think that arose from a confusion in the accounts that came home between the attitude of the mill-owners and their action in voluntarily adopting the Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Report of the Mosul Commission will be published?

It has now been arranged that the Secretariat-General of the League of Nations at Geneva will release the Report for publication as soon as it learns that the copies sent to the Turkish Government have been received at Angora.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the prospects of ratification by the French Government of the Root resolutions, providing for the safety of the passengers and crews of merchant vessels against air, surface, or submarine operations, which was agreed to by M. Briand's delegation at Washington?

Nothing further has been done in the matter since my reply to the hon. and gallant Member of the 9th June.

Does the failure of France to ratify absolve the other Powers from the consequences of their ratification? Do they all have to ratify?

I think they all have to ratify together.

The right hon. Gentleman said the Powers would have to convene a conference to make any remonstrance to France. Has he had any official communication of any remonstrance being addressed to France because of the four years' delay?

So far as I recollect, there has been no such remonstrance.

Can we not have a war with France and have done with in?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the obligations undertaken by the Powers that have ratified the Root Resolutions, agreed to at Washington, are conditional upon their ratification by all the signatories; and if he has received any official notification of any representations made by the Government of the United States of America to France with regard to the delay in ratifying the Root Resolutions as signed by all the Powers at the Washington Conference?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the recently-appointed High Commissioner is proceeding to Egypt; and whether any negotiations have been in progress with the Egyptian Prime Minister while in London regarding the questions still at issue between the British and Egyptian Governments?

Sir George Lloyd expects to arrive in Egypt in October. The reply to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

In a case like this, are salary and allowances payable on appointment or on arrival?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Egyptian elections are to be held?

It is unlikely that the date of the Egyptian elections will be fixed before the promulgation of the new electoral law, which is still under consideration by the Egyptian Government.

Was this subject discussed by the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister of Egypt in their recent conversation?

Not so far as I am aware.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inform the House of the composition of the British delegation to the Assembly of the League of Nations in September?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 16th July to the right hon. Member for Aberavon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the reply of the French Government to the last German Note with regard to the security pact will be issued as a White Paper after it has been despatched; and whether the method of conducting further negotiations by means of a conference is yet contemplated?

Pending the result of the discussions now in progress regarding the security treaties, no useful purpose would be served at present by giving a definite answer to either part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the increasing scale of military operations, and particularly aerial bombardment, in Morocco, and the suffering likely to be caused through lack of medical stores, he is now prepared to support the claim of the British Red Crescent Society to be allowed to supply the Riffs with such stores?

His Majesty's Government are not prepared to intervene in a matter respecting which it is entirely for the Spanish and French Governments to make a decision.

What is the status of the Riffs? Have they the status of belligerents?

No, I think not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the British Government under the Treaty of Versailles has been collecting from British subjects moneys owing by them to German citizens and insisting on interest on these debts as from the date upon which they were contracted, he will apply this principle to the debts due by other nationals and Foreign Governments to British subjects and claim on behalf of the latter moneys and interest due to them by the former, thereby placing them in the same favourable position as that occupied by the German creditor in respect of debts owing by British subjects?

I find it difficult to follow the precise purport of the hon. and gallant Member's question, but the special provisions governing the settlement of pre-War debts laid down in the Treaty of Versailles obviously cannot be applied to pre-War debts, which do not fall under that Treaty.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider, having Government support to the claim of a British subject against the United States Government for deferred initerest?

I could not answer without notice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is prepared to assist in giving effect to a promise, conveyed by his predecessor in 1923 to the Parliament of Malta, that the Malta Naval Reserve would be reestablished: and whether he can inform the House of the steps taken towards that end?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that any such promise was given. I am not in a position to make any statement at the present time as to the establishment of a Malta Naval Reserve.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the promise referred to was contained in a despatch from his predecessor, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, read publicly in the Parliament of Malta?

I can find no trace of any promise of that nature having been given. The question, of course, is still open to further consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the annual cost of the upkeep of a battleship of the "Rodney" class, including pay of the personnel, food, stores, overhauling engines, repairs, docking, spares, and share of dockyard charges, etc., to keep her in an efficient state; the cost, approximately, of the oil used by a battleship of the "Rodney" class when in commission and carrying out normal peace duties; and if he will state the annual cost of practice and battle-firing of a battleship of the "Rodney" class?

The annual cost of upkeep is £432,960, which includes £22,150 for cost of oil fuel and £40,990 for cost of practice firing.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will send inquiries for cost of building to shipyards in the Hartlepools and the East Coast, in view of the proved fact that in the past private yards can do this work cheaper than and as well as Government dockyards; seeing that certain private yards elsewhere have been found lately to have fixed foreign materials in battleships, will he see that these yards be not invited to tender until the shipyards on the East Coast have been offered some work; and is he aware that the unemployment on the North-East Coast of shipyard workers is the highest in the country, namely, 45 per cent., whereas in Scotland it is 35 per cent., and in the West of England 30 per cent.?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to his question of 17th June last (OFFICIAL REPORT, 17th June, Column 479–80). The Admiralty cannot undertake to restrict invitations to tender to any particular district.

Not even when in other districts they have not followed the terms of the contract as to British material?

No, I think everyone will agree in a case of that kind the terms are the same to everyone.

When they have not followed the contract terms for British material should they not be penalised for their wrongdoing?

Names, Names!

I do not think a statement like that ought to be made unless they are prepared to give the names.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will arrange for medical advice and treatment to be given to wives of naval officers whenever possible?

The wives of a few naval officers serving in shore establishments and paid out of Vote. 8 may be attended, free of charge, by the naval medical officer of the establishment, provided his duties permit, but I regret that, in view of the urgent need for economy, it is not possible to arrange for the extension of this privilege to the wives of naval officers generally.

Is this privilege at present extended to the families of naval officers, and in view of the fact that it is extended to the wives of Army officers generally, can he not reconsider the matter?

I am afraid it would cost a considerable amount of money to extend it, and at present we cannot do it even if other Services do it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the reply will be given to the wages petition presented on 17th October, 1924, by the men employed at Malta Dockyard?

I hope very shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement upon naval officers' marriage allowances?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what decision has been reached in the matter of the payment of marriage allowances to officers in the Navy?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now make an announcement on the subject of marriage allowances?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement with regard to marriage allowances for officers of the Royal Navy?

The Government have made a most careful and prolonged inquiry into the relative position in pay and allowances of all kinds of officers of the three fighting services. They have reached the conclusion that the position of naval officers, whether married or single, taken as a whole, is not inferior to that of officers in the other two services. In these circumstances they consider that no case has been made out for granting the additional allowance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman in these circumstances say why the House of Commons was asked to grant the money for this purpose?

The hon. and gallant Member will recollect that the money was granted provisionally. There is no difficulty in this matter, because there are many cases where money is not spent even when it has been voted.

Is it not a fact that naval officers alone amongst the services, either of men or officers, do not draw marriage allowances?

To answer that question fully would be entering into Debate. That is a fact; and it is also a fact that at the time when the pay was settled a few years ago all these considerations were taken into account.

May we take it that this question is definitely at an end now?

Anyone can raise it on the Adjournment or, if there is time, on the Appropriation Bill.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when It is anticipated that the cruiser now completing at Devonport will be launched?

A definite date for the launch of "Cornwall" has not yet been fixed, but as at present arranged the vessel will be launched in February, 1926.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he can say where it is intended to lay down the new cruisers?

I cannot now give a reply to this question, but I hope to be able to give a decision at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state the position to-day of negotiations, if any, between himself and the French Government on behalf of those British subscribers to the French Five Per Cent. War Bonds who by reason of the depreciation of the franc find their investments reduced by 80 per cent. of the capital value, and are suffering heavy reduction in interest as well?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewisham on the 20th July and to the hon. Member for Darwen yesterday.

Do we stand exactly as we did at that time, because, if so, virtually there will be a further reduction which will make the security of patriotic British people subscribing to the French War Loan of the value of only 10 per cent. of what they put in?

asked the Minister of Labour the number and the details of schemes for the relief of unemployment sanctioned for the three months ended 31st March, 1925; how many men were engaged under these schemes; and what are the average rates of pay?

As the answer is necessarily long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer:

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to cases of direct financial

It should be noted that a number of these schemes will not have commenced until after the 31st March. Particulars of the number of men employed on individual schemes are not available, but, according to returns received, the total numbers of men directly employed on works put in hand with Government assistance for the relief of unemployment on the dates given were as follows:— 31st January, 1925 … 109,399 28th February … 117,963 28th March … 117,097

In view of the varying nature and locality of the works I cannot give any average rate of pay.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the evidence that unemployment will be acute this winter, the Government will undertake comprehensive national schemes for works of public utility in which skilled as well as unskilled labour will be appropriately employed, such works to be financed nationally and to be administered in local areas or groups of areas by the local authorities under such general control by the Government as may be found desirable; and, to this end, whether he will call conferences of local ^authorities to consider schemes of suitable work?

assistance, and not to such schemes as trade facilities and export credits. During the period, sanction was given by the Departments mentioned to the following numbers of schemes submitted by local authorities and others:—

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my Noble Friend to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, given on 29th July to a similar question by the hon. Member for South-wark (South-East).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the staff at the Leicester Employment Exchange, women's branch, are subjected to frequent and extensive overtime, and that many of them have to work all day by artificial light; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy these conditions?

I am aware that the unemployment position in Leicester has caused considerable pressure of work in the women's department of the Exchange during the past few months and that overtime1 has been necessary. The nature of much of the work has prevented its delegation to inexperienced staff, and the pressure has, therefore, fallen mainly on the supervisory staff. This staff has already been strengthened, and if there is any increase in the volume of work, further assistance will be sent. The premises are generally satisfactory, but in one part of the women's room artificial light is unavoidable. The lighting is by electricity, and I am satisfied that the conditions cannot be regarded as detrimental to the health of the staff.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state an approximate date when the erection of new premises for the purpose of an Unemployment Exchange at Leigh will be commenced; whether, in view of the inconvenience being caused at the present time both to the staff and to those signing on, he is prepared to empower the manager of the Exchange to engage a schoolroom in the vicinity on days when it is known that large numbers of people will be dealt with; and if he has received a communication from the trades unions in Leigh drawing his attention to the un-suitability of the present premises?

Representations as to the inadequacy of the existing Exchange premises at Leigh have been made, and, as I informed the hon. Member on the 22nd July, plans for alternative premises are in preparation. I am afraid I cannot say when it will be possible to begin the new building. I am having further inquiry made as to whether there is need for additional temporary accommodation in the meantime.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the defective accommodation at the Gourock Employment Exchange, where the heating and ventilation are both bad and the light very poor; and whether, having regard to the health of the staff, he can take any steps with a view to improving the existing conditions of work?

The Gourock Exchange premises are purely temporary and are used on only four mornings a week. I have no information that the heating and ventilation are unsatisfactory, but immediate inquiries are being made, and any necessary improvements will be carried out. I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Employment Exchange at Renfrew is constructionally very unsuitable for the work transacted in it; and whether, having regard to the health of the staff, he can take any steps with a view to improving the existing conditions of work?

Yes, Sir. Negotiations for the acquisition of alternative accommodation are already in hand, and will be hastened as much as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to a statement, made by an official of the Ministry of Labour at the Tower Bridge Police Court last week, that a man making £1,000 a year from a business under management could draw unemployment pay if he were a motor driver out of a job; whether he is aware that out-of-work miners in South Wales, while running small farms and keeping live stock, have at the same time been drawing unemployment benefit; and will he take steps for an immediate amendment of the regulations to protect the Unemployment Fund from such abuses?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to a case at the Tower Bridge Police Court on Wednesday last the 29th ultimo, in which a man was prosecuted and sent to prison for false pretences, in that he had been drawing the dole, with allowances for his wife and children, since March last while conducting, at the same time, with his wife, a profitable grocery business, the man having claimed the dole on the ground that he was unable to obtain work as a motor driver, which was his registered occupation when he left the Army in 1921; and whether, in view of the evidence of the official from the Labour Ministry to the effect that the man was entitled to continue to draw the dole if not engaged on his registered occupation, such steps as are necessary may be taken to prevent a continuance of this practice in the future?

Certain condensed Press reports of the replies given by an official to the magistrate in the case referred to have given rise to misapprehension. The rule on the subject, as laid down in Section 7 (2) ( a ) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, is that ordinarily a person following any occupation from which he derives any remuneration or profit is disqualified for benefit; the only exception is that a person may without being so disqualified continue to carry on a subsidiary employment, outside his ordinary working hours, bringing in not more than a pound a week or 3s. 4d. a day.

Has the Minister been able to find a reply to that part of Question 30 which refers to miners in South Wales keeping farms and drawing unemployment relief 1

No, Sir.

It is not true.

It is very publicly stated in the newspapers. [HON. MEMBERS: "The Daily Mail!"]

I would ask hon. Members not to ask questions too lightly on statements which appear in the newspapers.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed on State-aided schemes of work ' on 29th July, 1925?

The latest figures available are those for the 27th June, at which date, according to returns received, the number of men directly employed on State-aided schemes of relief work was 100,753. The figures take no account of the employment provided indirectly, e.g ., in the preparation and transport of materials, etc.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many papers published in agricultural districts now contain advertisements for agricultural workers; whether it is the policy of the local Employment Ex changes to reply to these advertisements offering the services of unemployed men; and, if not, will he say why?

Yes, Sir. Under current instructions Exchanges submit the names of suitable persons on the register of unemployed to employers advertising in the newspapers for labour.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is the intention of the Ministry of Labour to undertake instructional training of 600 fit ex-service men for work in the Colonies, and if new instructional factories are to be equipped, together with hostels, for the purpose at Birmingham and at Clayden, Suffolk; and if, as at least 500 of those men could be taken at once at the Government instructional factory at Saris-bury Court, Hants, with no additional overhead charges, and as that factory is already complete, and in every respect adapted for the purpose, he will consider the advisability of utilising the existing facilities of that factory before incurring increased expenditure?

My right hon. Friend proposes to make a statement on this subject this evening.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men and their dependants who were inmates of the casual and tramp wards of England and Wales on the night of 31st July?

I regret that this information is not available.

The hon. Gentleman did give me the information up to date some months ago; Why should it be impossible to get it now?

I will inquire. I am informed that my Department has not got it now.

I do not mind it not being available to-day, but will not the hon. Gentleman get it for me? It was given to me already from an earlier date.

I will inquire further.

You will have to wake them up.

asked the Minister of Health whether any distinction is made between ex-service men and other patients during their stay in mental hospitals; whether he will state the average cost of the food supplied to each ex service patient at present in the mental hospitals throughout the country; whether he is aware that bread and margarine are given for breakfast and tea without variation throughout the year in many of these institutions; and whether he will consider the possibility of increasing the standard of comfort of the men who are under the control of his Department?

"Service" patients are classified in the private class during their stay in mental hospitals, and a weekly allowance of 2s. 6d. is provided to each man for additional comforts. The limited class of ex-service patients for whom the Ministry of Pensions do not accept responsibility are also treated as private patients but receive no weekly allowance. It is not possible to state th.fi average cost of the food supplied to "Service" patients separately from the other patients in the mental hospitals. With regard to the last part of the question, I am informed that since the publication of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Dietaries in Mental Hospitals, the breakfast and tea meals have been considerably varied. I may add that the welfare and comfort of the inmates of mental hospitals are subjects, which are constantly in the minds of the authorities responsible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any statement as to the suggestions, unofficial or official, of negotiations to settle the dispute in the heavy textile trade; and whether he has made, or will make, inquiries as to the effect on production of the proposed 5 per cent. reduction?

Attempts have been made both by the Minister of Labour and by other persons, and are still being made, to bring together the parties in this dispute, but so far without success. The effect on production of the proposed reduction in wage rates is a matter of argument between the two parties, on which I cannot express an opinion.

Is it not a fact that the workpeople are quite willing that this matter should be referred to the Industrial Council? Are we to understand that the obstacle to these negotiations is on the part of the employers, and, in these circumstances, will the hon. Member renew his pressure upon the employers to induce them to agree to the matter being referred to the Industrial Council?

I cannot answer definitely the specific point put with regard to the Industrial Council, but the representative of the Ministry is at this moment in Bradford, and I am quite certain—I can say with assurance—that anything he sees can be done in that direction will be done by him. This point will be borne in mind by him.

( Later ): Does the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) wish to put his private notice question, in view of the answer given to Question No. 39;

Yes, Sir.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken, or have been taken, to deal with the dispute in the woollen and worsted trade in. the West Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire; and whether the Prime Minister, in view of the present deadlock, is prepared to institute an inquiry into the situation or invite the two parties to meet him with a view to finding a basis for settlement?

I have been asked to reply. An officer of my Department has gone to Bradford and is in communication with both sides in the dispute in order to ascertain whether a meeting can be arranged. I do not consider that an inquiry would serve any useful purpose at the present moment.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in this case the refusal to go to arbitration is the employers' absolutely? When the workers refuse, great publicity is given to the fact, and could not the Government now say of their own accord—as they have the power to do so—that they will institute an independent inquiry, at least to give some encouragement to those who believe in conciliation?

As I have already said, my right hon. Friend does not think at present the inquiry suggested by the right hon. Gentleman would serve any useful purpose.

The present dispute has already lasted a week—[HON. MEMBERS: "A fortnight!"]—and it is likely to spread. Surely, if any inquiry is to be held, the sooner it is held the better.

My right Ron. Friend had all these considerations in mind in arriving at the conclusion which I have just indicated.

When does the Eon. Gentleman consider that an inquiry will serve any useful purpose?

Has any report been sent from the Ministry's officer stating that he has approached the employers and suggested an inquiry or a conference or any organisation for conciliation, and that the employers have refused whilst the workers have accepted?

I have not myself seen such a report, and I do not know whether there is such a report in existence. The officer in question is still there, and therefore a final report has not yet been received.

Cannot the Government themselves institute an inquiry before this dispute spreads? If the employers refuse to take part, surely the Government have precedents for setting up an inquiry themselves?

That is really the same question which the right hon. Gentleman put previously, and the answer is that my right hon. Friend has considered this, and he does not think that an inquiry would serve any useful purpose at the present time.

Will the Government consider bringing forward proposals for compulsory arbitration in these trade disputes?

That is an entirely different question, raising very broad issues which cannot be dealt with by question and answer.

When is the Labour Ministry going to make some contribution to industrial peace? So far they have only knocked people off unemployment benefit.

Does the Minister appreciate the situation which exists in the West Riding—that there are now over 1,000 mills standing idle, and 200,000 men, women and children involved, and does he recognise that great suffering is likely to occur unless a settlement is arrived at? May I also ask if, in his replies, the hon. Gentleman has borne in mind the fact that his officer has been there for 10 days and that further steps might now be taken.

My right hon. Friend is cognisant of the seriousness of the dispute and its consequences, and for that reason he sent the officer up to Bradford, and the officer is there now doing what he can to bring this unfortunate dispute to a close.

May we not bring this to a very definite issue? Is the decision of the Minister not to establish a court of inquiry the result of inquiries made by his officer at Bradford to which the. answer from the employers was that they did not want an inquiry?

The right hon. Gentleman must not read more into my answer than there is in it. My answer was, "I do not consider that an inquiry would serve any useful purpose at the present moment."

Does it require a stoppage of the entire industry of the country before the Government take any action? Is it because this industry cannot stop every other industry that the Government are not going to do anything?

What are the grounds upon which the Minister would consider that an inquiry should be held? Why is it at this moment, when a very important section of our trade is involved in a serious dispute, no inquiry can be considered, whilst in another matter an inquiry has been agreed to? What are the conditions which prevent the institution of an inquiry in this case?

Conditions obviously vary in different cases, and in the present case, as I have said, my right hon. Friend thinks no useful purpose could be served at the moment by an inquiry—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] —

Because the miners have instilled fear into those in power.

—or that an inquiry would be likely to bring any useful results at present.

May we ask whether this matter will not be considered during to-day, so that there might be a chance of a different reply to this question if it is repeated to-morrow?

I will certainly go into it, and with your consent, Mr. Speaker, if the right hon. Gentleman cares to put down a private notice question for to-morrow, I am sure my right hon. Friend will be only too ready to answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the scheme transmitted last year by the Officer Commanding the Air Force in Malta for increasing the Auxiliary Air Force at that base is receiving favourable consideration?

So far as I am aware, the only scheme of this kind is that referred to in my hon. Friend's question of 30th July, and I have nothing to add to the reply which I then gave.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that at the present time over 400 poor persons' cases, where leave has been given under the Poor Persons Rules and where the reporting solicitor has reported favourably as to each case, are waiting and are unable to be dealt with by the Courts because no conducting solicitor will take them up, on the ground that the poor persons concerned cannot provide the out-of-pocket expenses; and whether there is any method or provision, either in the existing Rules or in the Rules now proposed, whereby a poor person having no means can sue or defend himself in the High Court?

There are a number of poor persons' cases which have been favourably reported upon but cannot be dealt with at present because the supply of conducting solicitors is insufficient. The difficulty of finding conducting solicitors for these cases is not due, as suggested in the question, to the inability of these persons to find money for out-of-pocket expenses, but to causes set out in the Report of Mr. Justice P. 0. Lawrence's Committee (Command Paper 2358). It is hoped that when the new system proposed by that Committee comes into operation the difficulty will disappear.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet appointed the departmental committee to inquire into the possibility of finding a satisfactory formula for the basis of grants in aid of rates for necessitous areas where unemployment is abnormal, and, if so, will he state the personnel and the terms of reference?

Steps are now being taken to appoint this committee, but I am not yet in a position to announce the personnel and terms of reference.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make an announcement before the House rises?

I hope so. We are trying now to get the personnel together.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to the electrification proposals of the Government?

No, Sir. This question is still under consideration.

May I take it that no statement will be made before the House rises?

I am afraid it will not be possible before the House rises.

asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of reference to the Royal Commission on the coal situation will enable that body to inquire into the reasonableness or otherwise of the charges added to the ton by merchants, factors, and agents?

The terms of reference will have to be the subject of consultation with the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation, and I can make no statement at present.

In view of the fact that it will be too late to make representatives on this subject when the terms of reference are issued, may I ask whether, whatever the coal merchants or the coal owners say, he will insist that this shall be one of the terms of reference to the Royal Commission in the public interest?

All relevant points will be taken into consideration.

May I take it also that the terms of reference will include reference to the iron and steel trade?

It is impossible to say until we have had time to consider the matter.

Will the House know the terms of reference before it is asked to grant the subsidy?

That is clearly impossible..

asked the Prime Minister what proportion, if any, of the cost of the Government subvention to the coal industry is to be raised by a special tax on mining royalties derived from the output of British coal?

It is not proposed to introduce a special tax on mining royalties.

In view of the statement of the Prime Minister that we are to go into the roots of the depression in the coal industry, and that royalties are admitted to be one of the root causes of depression, why cannot the Prime Minister see his way to place a tax of 50 per cent. on these royalties, so that in five or six years we could secure the money required?

It would be quite open to the Commission to consider this matter with all other matters.

The Government have expressed a desire to solve this question, and it is well known that royalties—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]

Do we understand that the Commission will be enabled to consider the continuation of some tax for continuing the subsidy to the industry?

That is quite a different question.

Are we to understand that this Commission will have powers to consider the question of a subsidy, and how the money for the subsidy should be raised?

No; the question referred to mining royalties and the Commission can naturally consider any of these questions.

Is it not a fact that a majority of Members of the Tory-party have been threatening to go on strike on this particular question.?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the extent to which confusion and overcrowding prevailed last Saturday at Victoria Station; and whether he has received a report on the matter?

I believe that the conditions at Victoria and at other railway stations were quite abnormal on Saturday last, but I have no special information in the matter. If my hon. Friend has any particular suggestions or criticisms, I shall be glad to communicate with the railway company in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in the outlying parts in the county of Surrey there were no prosecutions of public vehicles for exceeding the speed limit during the first three months of this year, whereas there were 466 prosecutions of owners of light cars; and whether offences against the law as to speed limit are confined to vehicles other than public vehicles plying for hire?

Yes, Sir; the figures quoted are from a recent Home Office return, but the explanation is certainly not that suggested in the last part of the question. Public vehicles plying for hire are, like other vehicles, subject to the general law.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any statement on the progress which has been achieved in the past six months in the development of railway electrification with the object of reducing unemployment; whether he has received a series of Reports, prepared by experts, all of which tend to prove that the increase of railway transport facilities through electrification would be economically advantageous to the railways themselves and a great convenience to the travelling public, while providing orders for the electrical industry which is now suffering from foreign competition; and whether he is aware that the schemes of electrification which are regarded as necessary would, if proceeded with, provide employment for upwards of 20,000 skilled artisans during the next few years?

I am aware that the views referred to in this question are widely held by persons whose opinion is entitled to respect. So far as the general question of railway electrification is concerned, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, to a question on the subject asked on 30th June by the hon. Member for Penistone, and to the remarks I made when the Ministry of Transport Vote was under discussion on the 21st May, since which date electrical working has been started on several sections of the Southern Railway.

May I ask whether the Government is not really keeping treating this matter too lightly, and whether they are using their influence with the railway companies to encourage electrification and thus to provide employment for the skilled artisans who are now leaving the country?

We are continuing to impress on the companies that electrification will be a desirable thing, and I hope that when the Government proposals with regard to electrification become law they may increase the supply and distribution of electricity, and thereby improve the chances of electrification for the companies.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate to the House what he is doing with the railway companies?

When is the Department going to take into consideration the electrification of the underground railway system in and around the West of Scot-land?

May I ask whether the Southern Railway Company is the only company which has recently made decisions to electrify parts of its line, and whether any other company has come to any such decision?

Not that I know.

May I ask whether there is any reason to suppose that the electrification of railways is delayed by any question affecting the supply of current?

That is a matter of opinion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that last May a scheme was promised by the Government, and that a scheme was then before the Cabinet?

Surely the hon. Member will agree that it is much better to have a well thought out scheme.

May we take it that on all these matters the Government's policy is now to wait for "a well thought out scheme"?

Yes, it is better. The Government are hastening by going slowly.

Is it not a fact that the companies promised Mr. Bonar Law in 1922 that they would prepare schemes for electrification, in order to relieve unemployment in the winter of 1922–23?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether evidence has been submitted to him showing that the present tonnage measurements tend to discourage the use of Diesel machinery through the increased cargo space being to a large extent neutralised by increased tonnage dues; and whether he proposes to take any action to meet this objection?

The suggestion made in the Question has been put forward on more than one occasion, and has been examined by the Board of Trade. The conclusion come to was that there is no evidence that the tonnage measurement rules discourage the use of internal combustion engines, and the probability is that a comprehensive revision of those rules would produce a result which on balance would be lees favourable to that type of engine.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if a medical officer has recently been, or is being, appointed by the Board of Health; what salary was offered; and whether or not the vacancy was advertised?

No appointment has recently been made to the medical staff of the Board of Health. They have, however, under consideration the question of filling a vacancy caused by the death of one of their medical officers, together with the appointment of an additional district medical officer. When a decision has been reached these vacancies will be advertised in accordance with the usual practice, and all necessary particulars will be available to intending applicants.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to amend the law by which widows are disfranchised for six months after the death of their husbands?

It is by no means clear that the law is as stated in the question, but the point will be considered when the general question of the franchise is taken up.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 53 widows in my division who are entitled to the franchise have been excluded?

I am very sorry. The question of franchise will probably be considered next year, and I will see that the point is considered by whatever committee is set up.