asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the post of inspector of doorkeepers at the General Post Office has been temporarily filled by the senior sergeant for one year and that this officer acted as reserve for many years previously; that the vacancy has now been filled, not by the senior sergeant, but by an ex-inspector of City Police; whether this ex-inspector is in receipt of police pension and, if so, how much; if he is aware that this ex-inspector has been trained, at least in part, by the senior sergeant; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused among the staff by the passing over of the senior sergeant and by the limitation of promotion avenues involved; and if he will take steps to secure a settlement of this case and the principle involved more in keeping with the normal procedure in regard to promotion?

The appointment in question is in accordance with the previous practice, which is to appoint to this post an ex-inspector of the police not above the age of 50. The senior sergeant is over 62 years of age, and the other sergeants are over 55. I will review the matter in connection with future appointments to this post.

asked the Postmaster-General at which offices unestablished motor drivers and unestablished skilled workmen are employed as drivers on Post Office-owned motor vehicles?

Unestablished motor drivers are employed on Post Office mail vans at Birmingham and Glasgow and in the Post Office Stores Department in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh. Motor driving is one of the duties assigned to skilled workmen in the engineering department. Workmen are employed on this duty in the majority of the engineering sections, but there is no information readily available which would show the number of such duties at present performed by unestablished force.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephone exchanges, call offices, party lines, and telephones were installed in the County of Lindsey during the last six months; and how many have been given up?

I regret I am not in a position to give my hon. and gallant Friend the precise information he requires, as no telephone area coincides exactly with the County of Lindsey. The following particulars, however, are in respect of the area which comprises almost the whole of the County of Lindsey, and, in addition, one or two places outside the county:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give particulars of the various ships, including depot ships and repair ships, which the Admiralty decided during the Recess to dispense with; and whether these ships will have to be replaced in the event of the Fleet having to conduct operations in distant seas?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for South Hackney (Captain Garro-Jones). With regard to the second part, the hon. Member may rest assured that all the implications arising out of the disposal of these ships were fully considered before any decision was come to.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the submarine Ml, which was lost on 12th November, had to put into Plymouth because of the stormy weather, and that when she was ordered out for exercise off Start Point the weather was still too stormy to permit of the continuing of her voyage; and whether he intends to have a public inquiry into the circumstances which caused the Ml to be included among those ordered out?

Submarine "M.1," in company with other vessels, was engaged in carrying out routine exercises in the waters of the English Channel during the 10th, 11th, and 12th of November. Certain of these vessels, including Submarine "M.1," anchored at Plymouth on the night of 11th-12th November, the anchorage previously arranged in Falmouth Bay being considered unfavourable in the prevailing E.N. Easterly wind. The weather conditions on the morning of the 12th November were in no way unsuitable for "M.1," and the other vessels engaged, to proceed to sea, and continue the programme of exercises as previously arranged. Submarines of the "M" Class have on many previous occasions proved themselves to be both exceptionally good sea boats and very handy submarines, and it is not considered that there is any reason to convene an inquiry into the circumstances under which "M.l" was participating in these exercises.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that the saving of £500,000 for the present year which was announced during the Debate on the Supplementary Estimate in July will be effected?

I have no reason to believe that the undertaking to which the hon. Member refers will not be fulfilled.

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of men who enter the Army are allowed to re-engage to complete time for pension?

There is no fixed percentage. Men who have been allowed to extend their service with the Colours to 12 years are allowed subsequently to re-engage to complete time for pension without any special restriction; but the number of extensions to 12 years' Colour service is limited annually with reference to the state of the Army Reserve, the requirements of drafting and other considerations. A table showing the re-engagements and extensions of service during the past few years will be found on page 40 of the General Annual Report on the British Army for 1924 (Cmd. 2342).

asked the Secretary of State for War for what offences Jesse Edgar Bishop, one of the persons recently charged in connection with the seizure of a lorry containing issues of the "Daily Herald" newspaper, was discharged from the Lincolnshire Regiment for offences against military regulations while serving in Ireland in 1922; and whether there are any other offences on his military record?

It is not the practice to disclose the military record of soldiers unless it be required in the public interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what stage of development has been reached in the construction of the two new airships?

The preliminary research and design stage may be regarded as completed, but, before construction can commence, there are certain further tests to be carried out both by the Airship Guarantee Company and by the Air Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will explain why the Royal Air Force aeroplanes used on the flight from Cairo to Kano, Nigeria, to show the British flag, were fitted with American engines, and whether no machines fitted with the latest British engine were available for this flight?

The flight referred to was intended as a training exercise on an extended scale for a detachment of a squadron normally stationed at Cairo, using the ordinary service equipment of the squadron. The object would not have been met if a, specially equipped squadron had been sent out for the flight, and greater expense would have been involved. I may add that the present use of Liberty engines in service squadrons is due to the existence of large war stocks of such engines, which are still being utilised in the interests of economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give an assurance to the House that in the Cape to Cairo flight, which it is understood will be undertaken next spring, only British machines and British engines will be used; and whether he will see that the Air Ministry do not give large air contracts to foreign countries when they can be placed at home, and that the foreign orders are confined to experimental machines, engines, and sustenants only?

I am glad to be able to give my hon. and gallant Friend an assurance that British engines and machines will be used in the forthcoming flight from Cairo to the Cape by the Royal Air Force. As regards the second part, it is the general policy of the Air Ministry to obtain their requirements from British sources, wherever possible, and this policy is only departed from for experimental purposes. The Ministry must naturally reserve to themselves the power to profit by any aeronautical advance, even if a purchase from a foreign country is thereby rendered necessary, but in such cases it is my intention to ensure that further production shall be carried out in British territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether an order has been placed by the Government with American firms for the supply of aeroplane engines; whether this type is different from any which can be obtained in Britain; whether any British firm was asked to tender; whether there was any difference in the price; and, if so, by how much was the British firm lower or higher than the American firms?

The facts of this case are as follows: An experimental order has been placed for certain aircraft complete with engines with a British firm who elaborated the design of the machines on the basis of incorporating certain features dependent on the use of an American engine, differing in certain respects from the standards laid down for British engines. The order necessitated the purchase from this British firm of a certain number of American engines. No direct order was placed by the Air Ministry with an American firm, and as no other type of engine was suitable for the aircraft, the question of comparative prices does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air for what offence Edward Lionel Batson-James, one of the persons recently charged in connection with the seizure of a lorry containing issues of the "Daily Herald" newspaper, was dismissed from the Air Force by order of a general court martial, as announced in the "London Gazette" for 14th July, 1925?

I do not think that any public interest would be served by giving this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the instructions given in 1923 on the relations of the Air Force to the Navy are working quite satisfactorily; and if any changes are considered desirable?

According to my information the answer to the first part of the question is broadly in the affirmative, but it is always possible that further experience may disclose the desirability of some modifications in the method of carrying out these instructions in practice.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the feeling aroused in Scotland by the intimation that the Scottish Regional Office of the Ministry of Pensions is to be closed, and the work now being done there transferred to London; and if he will concede the request of the Scottish Advisory Council that the decision to transfer the widows and dependants section to London should be delayed pending Parliamentary discussion of this proposal?

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the exact nature and extent of the work formerly done in Scotland, and now transferred to the Ministry of Pensions in London; is it intended to carry this process further within any definite period; and will the Scottish Advisory Council be consulted before, any such steps are taken in the future?

The work transferred from the Ministry's sub-office in Edinburgh to London consisted in the handling of claims of widows and dependants referred from the area offices. The work involved formed only a small section of the work of the regional office in Edinburgh, as may be gauged by the fact that it occupied the time of only 22 clerks, or less than one-tenth of the regional office staff. The transfer of this small branch of the work, which has now been carried out, was directed by my right hon. Friend for technical reasons. My right hon. Friend must hold himself free, in the exercise of his responsibility as a Minister, to make any change in administrative routine which he is satisfied will make for efficiency of administration consistently with the interests of pensioners. The recentralisation of the entire work of the regional office in Edinburgh is, as already publicly stated, not in issue at the present moment, though the time is probably not far distant, according to present indications, when the decline in the volume of the Ministry's work will render the retention of a sub-office unjustifiable in Edinburgh, as has already been found to be the case in other parts of the United Kingdom. When, however, the time arrives for a decision to be taken, it is my right hon. Friend's intention to give his Scottish Advisory Council an opportunity of expressing their views.

also asked the Minister of Pensions if he has considered the resolution passed by the Fifeshire War Pensions Committee, urging that no further action he taken with regard to the amalgamation of the Fifeshire area with that of the Lothians and South-Eastern Scotland area for at least six months, and until the committee had again been consulted; and if he will consider the desirability of such changes not being brought about without first consulting the area committees concerned?

My right hon. Friend considered fully the representations made by the Fifeshire War Pensions Committee, but they afforded no sufficient ground for adopting the suggested postponement of the decision. It is already the practice of the Ministry in all such cases to give the war pensions committees concerned an opportunity of expressing their views.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Committee dealing with the payment of pensions to emigrants to the Dominions has reported; and, if so, what action he proposes to take on their Report?

The Inter-departmental Committee which is considering the effect on migration of pensions schemes and similar legislation has not yet submitted its Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the House will be informed of the contents of the Boundary Report of Northern Ireland and the Free State?

No, Sir, I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to inform the House of the results of the Conference held at Itimbi on 10th October last between non-official Europeans, headed by Lord Delamere, and Government officials?

The Conference was unofficial, and so far as I am aware no Government official was present. I received a telegram from the Chairman promising that a copy of the Conference's resolutions should be sent to me by mail, but until I receive them I am dependent on public sources of information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the decision not to remove as from 1st November the restrictions on rubber exports imposed under the Stevenson Scheme; and, having regard to the increased price of rubber since that date, with the consequent handicap to manufacturers, will he give further consideration to the matter, with a view to the early removal of all export restrictions?

I am aware that in certain quarters the abolition of the Rubber Exports Restriction Scheme is desired. I am in constant touch with the Governments in Ceylon and Malaya with a view to full consideration being given to every aspect of this question, but the early removal of all export restrictions, as suggested by my hon. Friend, would not I think be desirable and is not under contemplation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British Government were not represented at the leave-taking of M. Rakovsky?

Similar questions were answered orally to-day. The reply will be found on an earlier page.— [OFFICIAL REPORT; cols. 345–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why no representative of the British Government was present at the Soviet Embassy at their official reception on 7th November?

Similar questions were answered orally to-day. The reply will be found on the same page.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to call an international conference to deal with extra-territorial rights in China?

Yes, Sir. Commissioners have been appointed by Belgium, the British Empire, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United States of America to meet at Peking on the 18th December to inquire into the present practice of extraterritorial jurisdiction in China in accordance with the undertaking given by the Powers at the Washington Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the transfer of troops from Cologne to Wiesbaden is for any stipulated time or for an indefinite period?

The terms of the occupation is fixed by the provisions of Section 1 of Part XIV of the Treaty of Versailles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which of the Powers have ratified the Opium Convention, signed at Geneva on 19th February, 1925?

No information has yet been received as to which Powers, if any, have ratified the Convention. The period for signature only closed on the 30th of September last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as citizens of this country whose property was damaged by enemy action during the War were encouraged to expect that the damage they suffered would be fully made good out of payments provided by the wrongdoer, he is prepared to state what action the Government proposes to take to satisfy the claims of sufferers who have not yet been compensated for their losses?

I cannot accept the suggestion made by the hon. Member that persons whose property was damaged by enemy action were encouraged to expect that the damage would be fully made good to them. On the contrary, when these claims were registered, it was specifically stated that no undertaking could be given that they would be paid, and the forms issued by the Reparation Claims Department stated that "His Majesty's Government can give no guarantee that compensation will be received in whole or in part" by the claimants. A large sum has already been applied to meet such claims, in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission, and I can hold out no expectation that this sum can be further increased at the expense of the general taxpayer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many tons of coal were exported from this country to the United States during October and the first two weeks of November, 1925; and will he give the figures for the same period in 1924?

Approximately 73,000 tons of coal were exported from this country to the United States during October and the first two weeks of November, 1925, and 11,000 tons during the corresponding period of 1924.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of subsidy paid in the months of August, September and October to coalowners for pits that are closed and producing no coal?

It would be very laborious to extract particulars of the subvention paid in respect of the wages bills of collieries temporarily idle, and I do not think that the value of the information would justify the labour. Obviously, the amount thus paid must be a quite insignificant fraction of the total amount paid in subvention.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has information indicating that any Governments of coal-producing countries are now financing experiments to obtain the best methods of oil extraction; and, if so, what is in each case the amount set aside for the purpose as compared with similar assistance given by His Majesty's Government?

I believe that in several countries financial assistance for this purpose is given by the Government, but I have no detailed information. As regards the assistance given by His Majesty's Government towards similar research in this country, I would refer the hon. Member to the Reports for the year 1924–25 of the Committee for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Fuel Research Board. During the period in question, the expenditure on Fuel Research generally amounted to £50,471; but it is not possible to give any separate figure representing expenditure on research into the problem of oil extraction alone.

asked the Secretary for Mines the name and the number of collieries closed this year in the county of Monmouth, the number of men and boys thrown out of employment by the closing of these collieries, and the amount of the Government subsidy, if any, paid to the owners on these closed mines?

Twenty-seven mines in the county of Monmouth, normally employing 11,500 wage-earners, have been closed and not reopened since 1st January, 1925. I will have a list of these prepared and sent to the hon. Member. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to-day to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey).

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he proposes to call for the production of the books of retail coal merchants in London to ascertain why coal is being sold at 42s. per ton retail which costs only 10s. to 15s. per ton at the pithead?

I have no evidence that coal that costs only 10s.-15s. a ton is being sold at 42s. a ton retail. The question of retail distribution of coal will, I understand, be investigated by the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry, and until they have done so it will be difficult to take any such action as is suggested in the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any details about the Government plans for the clearing of slums?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. Albery).

asked the Minister of Health whether, in all cases in which bricks or steel are to be used for the erection of houses under the Housing Acts, he will require as a condition of the granting of subsidies for such houses that only British bricks and British steel shall be used, having regard to the amount of unemployment existing in these two industries?

Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1924, provides that, in approving proposals for the construction of houses, the Minister of Health shall not impose any conditions which would prevent the materials required being pur-chased in the cheapest market at home or abroad. The Government have, however. urged local authorities to arrange that all contracts for or incidental to works carried out by them should, in the absence of special circumstances, be placed in this country.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the prac- tice of panel doctors to Charge for a medical certificate for a patient's private employer, such certificate being additional to that required by the patient's approved society; whether any provision is made under the Health Insurance Act for providing such additional certificate free of charge; and, if not, whether he will take steps to secure that some such provision is made?

My right hon. Friend is aware that such a charge is sometimes made, though he has no information as to the extent to which the practice prevails. There is no statutory provision for the issue of certificates other than those required for National Health Insurance purposes, and the hon. Member's proposal would require legislation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a definite statement as to the intentions of the Government regarding the proposal to reduce the contributions under the National Health Insurance Act?

The answer is in the negative. It will be remembered that a Royal Commission is at present investigating the National Health Insurance scheme.

asked the Minister of Health what are the types of benefits which are now being given by the approved societies, and especially how many of them provide dental benefit; and whether he is in a position to make specific recommendations to the societies as to the directions in which benefits should be given?

The additional benefits which are now being provided by approved societies out of surpluses disclosed on a valuation include, in addition to increases of the standard rates of sickness, disablement and maternity benefits, dental benefit, ophthalmic benefit, treatment in convalescent homes, the provision of medical and surgical appliances, and payments to hospitals and for nursing. Dental benefit has already been adopted in England by 794 societies and 2,662 branches, and these numbers will no doubt be increased when the whole of the schemes following the second valua- tion have been formulated. As regards the last part of the question, it rests with each society to consider which of the additional benefits are best suited to the needs of its members, but any scheme adopted requires the sanction of the Department before it can be brought into operation, and where a society's proposals are thought for any reason to be inappropriate recommendations for amendment are made to the society.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now appoint a Committee to inquire into the desirability of legislation for the purpose of registering and supervising nursing homes?

In view of the present pressure of work and the difficulty of completing the inquiry before the end of the Session it is not proposed to proceed with the appointment of a Select Committee this year, but steps will be taken to set up the Committee at the earliest practicable date in next Session.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position yet to give any reply to the joint deputation of the National Council for Combating Venereal Disease and the Society for the Prevention of Venereal Disease received by him on 5th March, 1925, in relation to the alteration of the law regarding the sale by chemists of preventatives for venereal disease?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to his question of the 22nd June. I am still awaiting a reply to the letter which I addressed to the two societies on the 15th May last.

asked the Minister of Health what is the amount of the grant given to the British Social Hygiene Council; and what, if any, stipulations are made as to the manner in which it is expended?

The amount of the grant paid to date during the current financial year is £5,500. The grant is expended on the carrying out of a programme of educational work, the details of which have received the prior approval of my Department.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of men and women, respectively, appointed or promoted to posts carrying a salary of £400 or over in connection with the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act?

Three men and three women have, at present, been appointed or promoted to posts with a substantive salary of £400 or over, for work in connection with the Pensions Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Italy's capacity to meet her debt to this country has been made the subject of investigation; and, if so, can he state the result?

My right hon. Friend does not think he should make any statement on this subject, pending the forthcoming discussion with the Italian representatives, but my hon. Friend may be sure that all relevant considerations are under constant review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Anglo-Persian Oil Company are paying their workmen employed at their Albanian oil wells the wage of 1s. 6d. per day; and if, seeing that the British Government is a shareholder in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, he can take steps to have a higher wage paid?

As has been frequently stated in the House, the Government are under obligation not to interfere in the administration of the Anglo-Persian Company and therefore cannot intervene in the matter referred to; but I am informed that the company's Albanian workmen are paid at a much higher rate than that mentioned in the question, and also at a higher rate than the prevailing local scale.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the hardship to many applicants for the old age pension in connection with the charge for birth certificates; and whether he will arrange that this amount should either be very substantially reduced or remitted altogether?

Applicants for old age pensions are not required to obtain and furnish birth certificates, and no hardship is, therefore, imposed upon them by the present charges for such certificates.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many cases of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred amongst cattle imported from Ireland within a week of their arrival in this country; and whether the outbreak at Edithweston, in Rutland, is attributed to cattle imported from Ireland?

I have been asked to reply. No case of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred during the present series of outbreaks amongst cattle imported from Ireland within a week of their arrival in this country. The outbreak at Edith Weston occurred amongst Irish cattle which left Holyhead on the 15th October. Disease was reported on the 26th October and confirmed on the 27th by the Ministry's Inspector. The lesions were recent and it is considered from inquiries which have been made that infection was picked up by these animals after arrival in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cases of foot-and-mouth disease which have occurred in the Midland Counties since the beginning of October; and whether he has any particulars to prove that the outbreak was originally caused by the importation of infected cattle from abroad?

Thirty-six outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred since the beginning of October in certain Midland Counties, particulars of which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I understand that there is no evidence which would indicate that infection in the case of any of these outbreaks was introduced by cattle imported from abroad. The following outbreaks have occurred in Midland Counties since 1st October last:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to prevent the importation of articles packed in straw and other similar packings from those countries known to be infected by foot-and-mouth disease?

While my right hon. Friend cannot undertake at present to make an Order of the extent indicated in the question, he is carefully considering the means of preventing risk of infection through the agency of packing material. In this connection an Order has just been issued, to become operative on the 19th instant, which prohibits hay and straw from whatever source, which has been used for packing, from being brought into contact with animals in this country. Such material may not be removed from any premises (unless used again as packing), except for the purpose of destruction.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many proved cases of swine fever have been reported in the County of Lindsay, Lincolnshire, during the past three months?

The total number of outbreaks of swine fever confirmed by the Ministry in the Lindsay Division of Lincolnshire since 1st August last is eight, namely, three in August, three in September, and two in October.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to an incident which occurred on 16th October at the headquarters of the South Islington Conservative and Unionist Association, Upper Street, Islington, when a man belonging to an organisation known as the National Fascists was wounded by a revolver shot; and whether he will furnish the House with full details of the police report on the affair?

Yes, Sir. The incident occurred at the close of a meeting of the local branch of Fascisti who rent rooms from the Conservative Club at 132, Upper Street, Islington. A man named Williams was showing a revolver, which he had that morning borrowed, to a friend, who pulled the trigger. The revolver went off and Williams was wounded. The police, who were called in immediately and have made full inquiries, are satisfied that the affair was a pure accident. Williams, who was not in possession of a firearms certificate, has been fined 20s. and the revolver and' ammunition have been confiscated.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, seeing that his Department has a considerable amount of work available for the relief of unemployment, but is unable to proceed with it because of the usual grant not being forthcoming from the Treasury, and seeing that for the past few years this relief work has absorbed a large number of men temporarily, of whom many have recently been discharged owing to the exhaustion of last year's grant, whereas large grants have been made for similar work in the London County Council and other parks, he will press the Treasury for a continuance of the grant for work in connection with the royal parks?

The First Commissioner considers that this matter can only be dealt with as part of the general problem of relieving unemployment, which the Government are dealing with. He cannot press the case for carrying out further works in the Royal Parks at this juncture, in view of the considerable expenditure already incurred on such works.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workpeople registered as unemployed who are normally employed in those industries affected by

asked the Minister of Labour how many building operatives were out of work on the last date when unemployment figures were available; and the proportion of skilled and unskilled labour represented by these figures?

At 26th October the number of insured workpeople in the building trade of Great Britain recorded as unemployed was 69,392, classified as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles placed in employment by the Wednesbury, Tipton, and Darlaston Employment Exchanges, respectively, during the current year?

During the period 6th January, 1925, to 9th

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with the permission of my hon. Friend, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are at least 300,000 young persons between the ages of 14 years and 17 years who have been unable to find employment since leaving school; whether he has any schemes under consideration whereby those young persons can receive either vocational or technical training; and, it so, whether these schemes propose some form of maintenance allowance to those taking advantage of the schemes?

The information in possession of the Ministry of Labour as to the numbers of young persons aged 14 to 18 who are unemployed is not complete, since the lower age limit for insurance is 16. Such information as is available, however, goes to show that the figure of 300,000 mentioned by the hon. Member is much above the mark. The hon. Member is no doubt aware of the appointment of committees on the question of juvenile employment for England and Scotland, respectively, whose terms of reference would cover the second and third parts of his question. He is also no doubt aware of the existence of the juvenile unemployment centres in many parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles under the age of 18 years registered as unemployed at the Walworth Road Employment Exchange at the latest convenient date, together with the number registered at the same period last year?

At 9th November, 1925, there were on the register of the Borough Employment Exchange 188 boys and 256 girls, as compared with 321 boys and 326 girls at 10th November, 1924.

asked the Minister of Labour what amount of income, wages or salary coming into a home where employed and unemployed relatives are living together disentitles an unemployed man or woman or short-time worker from receiving extended benefit owing to the issue of instructions by his Department to Unemployment Insurance officials and committees that extended benefit shall not be paid to single persons living at home with parents who are in a position to maintain them, to married women or married men living with husbands or wives who are in work and whose earnings are sufficient to maintain wife or husband, or to short-time workers whose incomes are such that a refusal of benefit will not inflict hardship?

Up to the present this is a matter which has been left to the discretion of the local employment committees to be dealt with in the light of their knowledge of local conditions and the circumstances of the particular case.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applications for unemployment benefit at Walworth Road, Southwark, Employment Exchange, which have been referred to the Chief Insurance Officer during the last six months, together with the number of cases in which he has allowed benefit?

During the six months ended 31st October the number of applications for unemployment benefit referred by the Borough Employment Exchange to the Chief Insurance Officer on the ground that some question arose as to the title for benefit was 3,056 and the number in which he allowed benefit was 529. In addition, 182 cases were subsequently allowed by the Court of Referees.

asked the Minister of Labour what provision, if any, is being made for established men of His Majesty's dockyards to recover the contributions paid by them under the National Unemployment Insurance Act, seeing that these men have contributed towards unemployment benefit for many years prior to their becoming established, and on establishment they cease to subscribe, and on discharge they are ineligible for the unemployment benefit; and, seeing that most of these men are under the age of 50 and cannot now claim a refund, will he provide some means whereby these men will be able to recover some of the contributions paid by them before establishment?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer I gave on 15th July to a question in identical terms asked by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the usual conditions under which night watchmen are employed, as regards hours of duty, as regards a weekly holiday, and as regards an annual holiday?

I regret that the information in my possession is insufficient to enable me to state the usual conditions, as regards hours and holidays, under which night watchmen are employed.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has recently been made with the efforts under the King's Roll to help disabled ex-service men?

The progress made with the King's Roll scheme to find employment for disabled ex-service men has been appreciable. I will cause a statement to be prepared and circulated.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workpeople involved in industrial disputes causing stoppage of work during the six months ended 31st October; and what were the corresponding figures for 1924?

The approximate numbers of workpeople involved in industrial disputes, causing stoppage of work, in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the six months ended 31st October, 1935, and 31st October, 1924, were 330,000 and 270,000 respectively. The figures include workpeople rendered idle owing to the disputes at the establishments where the disputes occurred, in addition to those actually on strike or locked-out.

asked the Minister of Transport whether stipulations are attached to the grant of £750,000 for rural roads that allotments will only be made for definite improvements sanctioned by the Ministry and not for maintenance; whether these improvements necessitate any increased contributions from the rates; and whether the rural ratepayer will obtain therefrom any relief in the rates he now pays for the upkeep of four-fifths of the roads in this country?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which the Minister made in the House on the 5th August last, on the subject of the special allocation from the Road Fund of £750,000, during the year 1926–27, for rural roads. My right hon. Friend hopes to issue very shortly a circular letter on the subject to all highway authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that funds have already been promised to the bridges and roads committee of the Kent County Council for nine schemes of road improvement, and that, up to date, these funds have not yet been allocated; whether the Ministry of Transport has received from the Treasury demands upon the Road Fund for purposes other than road making; and how soon the funds promised for the schemes referred to in the first part of the question will be available?

My hon. and gallant Friend seems to be under a misapprehension, as no promise of assistance has been made to the nine schemes which he, apparently, has in mind. No further moneys are available for grants to schemes of this nature until the allocations for the financial year 1926–27 have been decided on. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport if any decision has been reached on the subject of diverting any part of the Road Fund, permanently or temporarily, to purposes other than those for which the fund was established?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the danger caused to traffic on country roads from heavy lorries without reflectors; and if he will take steps to compel all motor vehicles to carry reflecting mirrors?

I am aware of the inconvenience and danger arising from the fact that the drivers of heavy lorries cannot in many cases be made aware of overtaking traffic. The point will be considered in connection with the Road Vehicles Bill which my right hon. Friend hopes to introduce as soon as Parliamentary time can be found.

asked the Home Secretary whether the recommendation of Sir William Rhys, magistrate at the Wood Green Police Court, to the Commissioner of Police, suggesting that a police point should be made where the north circular arterial road crosses the Green Lanes main road, on the Enfield-London road, has been received; and whether such police point has yet been made?

The Commissioner of Police duly received Sir William Rhys's recommendation, but, after careful consideration and examination of traffic conditions at the point in question, came to the conclusion that the volume of traffic is not such as to justify the permanent employment of a constable for traffic control. Arrangements, however, have been made for white lines and the word "slow" to be painted on the roadway, and it is understood that certain property which at present obstructs the road at this corner will be demolished in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the danger to cyclists riding without a rear light on country roads from overtaking motor cars, and if he will consider the advisability of legislation to compel cyclists to carry a red reflector on the rear of bicycles after dark?

I have received many representations on the subject referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, the Minister is not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to pass the Legitimacy Bill into law before Christmas?

Yes, Sir; I hope that this may be possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether a report has been received from the Committee of three dealing with the expenditure of the Fighting Services; and, if so, what reductions in the expenditure for next year are recommended?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Monday last in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Hackney South (Captain Garro-Jones).

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has taken steps, in conjunction with the Government of the United States or otherwise, for the calling of a disarmament conference?

The Council of the League of Nations has been invited by resolution of the last Assembly to make a preparatory study with a view to a Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments, in order that, as soon as satisfactory conditions have been assured from the point of view of general security, the conference may be convened. In pursuance of this resolution, the Council have instructed a committee of the Council to make the necessary studies for determining the questions which need to be examined before a conference can be held, and to submit definite proposals.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have any intimation that Signor Mussolini will visit England on the occasion of the signature of the Locarno Treaties in December?

His Majesty's Government have invited all those who initialled the Treaties of Locarno, together with their national delegations to the Locarno Conference, to be present at their signature on the 1st of December. I hope that it may be possible for all of them to do so, but I cannot yet speak with certainty.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the Report of the Poor Persons Rules Committee, presided over by Mr. Justice Lawrence, recommended, and the Rules of the Supreme Court (Poor Persons), 1925, subsequently provided, a privilege with regard to sex, in connection with legal aid to poor persons in the Supreme Court, by abolishing, so far as married women are concerned, the rigid poverty test limit, and by retaining a rigid poverty test limit so far as poor married men or other kind of poor person is concerned; and whether he will extend the scope of the reference to the Committee as to legal aid to the poor, presided over by Mr. Justice Finlay, so as to enable that Committee to consider the desirability or otherwise of recommending the abolition of the rigid poverty test limit, so far at any rate as poor married men are concerned, in High Court litigation?

Mr. Justice Lawrence's Committee recommended that the test as to means should remain the same as under the Rules of 1919. It is impossible in the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question to state fully and exactly the respective rights and obligations of a husband and wife engaged in matrimonial proceedings. The only effect of the Rule now in force and that proposed to be substituted for it is to apply the ordinary law to poor persons. I am not prepared to suggest that the reference to Mr. Justice Finlay's Committee should be extended.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the Report of Mr. Justice P. O. Lawrence's Committee on the Poor Persons Rules (Command Paper 2358) did not consider or provide for anything other than administration; and whether, as the terms of reference to the Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Finlay as to legal aid to the poor included the provision of further aid to poor persons in the conduct of civil proceedings other than such civil proceedings in the Supreme Court as fall within the scope of the existing Poor Persons Rules, he will consider whether Mr. Justice Finlay's Committee may be empowered to inquire and, if thought desirable, recommend the provision of legal aid for those poor persons not now within the scope of the Poor Persons Rules and whose need was not considered nor was any recommendation made thereon by the said Committee presided over by Mr. Justice P. O. Lawrence, so that provision may be made for poor persons unable to find any out-of-pocket expenses?

No, Sir; I am not prepared to suggest to the Lord Chancellor or to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State that the reference to Mr. Justice Finlay's Committee should be extended. The subjects with which that Committee has to deal are already sufficiently extensive.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the Report of Mr. Justice P. O. Lawrence's Committee to inquire into the Poor Persons Rules, and dated 29th October, 1919 (Command Paper 430), found that the out-of-pocket expenses other than Court fees for poor persons in ordinary matrimonial cases amounted on an average to £10, and in ordinary nullity cases amounted on an average to £25; and that in addition to these ordinary expenses there are sometimes additional out-of-pocket expenses for service and obtaining evidence in the Colonies and abroad, amounting, according to the estimate made by the secretary of the Poor Person's Department to at least £5 for service and at least £20 for obtaining evidence; whether he is aware that the Report of Mr. Justice P. O. Lawrence's Committee as to the Poor Persons Rules, dated 17th February, 1925 (Command Paper 2358), suggested that the maximum deposit payable by poor persons to cover their out-of-pocket expenses should be £10; and whether he can suggest any source or fund from which these large and necessary out-of-pocket expenses can be paid, and how under the Poor Persons Rules can a poor person having no means petition or defend a nullity suit involving service and the taking of evidence abroad?

Mr. Justice Lawrence's Report of 1919 estimated the out-of-pocket expenses for a poor person in an ordinary matrimonial case at £5 (excluding office expenses, a charge for which is not permitted) and not £10 as stated in the question, and the cost of a nullity case—subject to the same exclusion—at £20 and not £25. The Rules now in force require a deposit of £5 or £15, as the case may be. The now proposed Rules enable the Solicitors' Committee to require a deposit in the first place of £5, and, if that sum be found insufficient, a further £5. It is hoped that the measures of decentralisation proposed in the Report and the draft Rules will diminish considerably the out-of-pocket expenses.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the Report of the Poor Persons Rules Committee, presided over by Mr. Justice P. O. Lawrence (Command Paper 2,358), recommended that the Poor Person's Department should be abolished, the work of that Department to be taken over by the Law Societies, who were to obtain an honorary secretary, or a librarian, or a clerk, with power to pay a small honorarium, unless the clerk (or librarian) was willing to do the work in his spare time, the work being mainly that now done by the secretary of the Poor Person's Department, and that the accommodation of the clerk (or librarian) and the Committee should be a single room at the local courts or in some public building; whether it is intended that the clerk (or librarian) should give legal advice in the one room used as inquiry room, writing room, and consulting room; and whether he will ask the Committee as to legal aid to the poor, presided over by Mr. Justice Finlay, to inquire, and if necessary make recommendations, as to the librarian and his accommodation?

It is not intended that the official employed by the Law Society or local Law Society should give legal advice. His duties will be purely administrative. The arrangements as to the accommodation of the Solicitors' Committee will differ according to the local circumstances. They are in an advanced state of preparation, and it is not necessary, nor would it be possible, to make them the subject of an inquiry by Mr. Justice Finlay's Committee.

asked the Attorney-General why the Public Prosecutor withdrew the charge which he, the Public Prosecutor, had originally made against the four men who borrowed the "Daily Herald" motor-van and 8,000 copies of that paper; and whether that was the only charge that could be made against them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the House yesterday, in reply to the right hon. Member for Derby (Mr. J. H. Thomas).

asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Public Prosecutor to withdraw the original charges against the men alleged to have held up a "Daily Herald" van; whether the Cabinet or any member of the Government was consulted prior to this action being taken; and whether he is in a position to make any statement upon the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to these questions yesterday in reply to the right hon. Member for Derby (Mr. J. H. Thomas) and to the hon. Member for the Bosworth division of Leicester (Captain Gee).