asked the Minister of Pensions if he has inquired into the circumstances under which Daniel Dean, No. 4/2,848, Manchester Regiment, Pensions Reference 3 M.D. 4,645, came to leave hospital on Thursday, 28th January, and died at home on Sunday, 31st January; whether the deceased was in receipt of a disability pension at the date of his death, and what was the cause of the delay in awarding a pension which resulted in him being dependent upon the Poor Law for two years; and what provision is now being made for his widow?

I find that the man referred to left the hospital of his own accord and contrary to advice, stating that he wished to go home, and that he had no complaint against the hospital. He was in receipt of a disability pension at the date of his death, this pension having been awarded on a claim made by him in March of last year. The Ministry had no knowledge of Dean's condition for some years prior to the making of his, claim, no application having been received from him during the period. With regard to the widow, a claim is, I understand, being made and will receive immediate consideration as soon as it is received.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of awards made since the introduction of the 1924 Warrant to widows, under Articles 17A and 17B, and the number of claims from widows that have been rejected under Articles 17A and 17B since the introduction of the 1924 Warrant?

The net total of awards made under both parts A and B of Article 17 from the introduction of the Royal Warrant of January, 1924, to the 31st December last is 1,983, of which 993 were awards under Article 17B. The total number of claims rejected under the Article during the same period is 1,427.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of widows in England and Wales, and Scotland, respectively, whose pensions were stopped during last year for alleged misconduct; whether it is the practice of the Ministry to reconsider such stoppage of pensions within a reasonable period; and, if so, what means are available to enable widows to have their claims impartially considered?

It is not possible to give figures separately for England and Wales and Scotland, but the total number of cases in which pensions were declared forfeited during the year was 585. The decision as to whether the pension of a widow has become forfeited by reason of misconduct is a statutory function, not of the Ministry, but of the Special Grants Committee. It is the practice of the Committee carefully to consider at all times representations made directly by a widow or on her behalf by a war pensions committee in any cases of forfeiture where mitigating circumstances are adduced. During the year in question pensions were, in fact, restored in 194 cases.

May I ask whether the pensions are stopped on receipt of anonymous communications, or not until after inquiries have been made, and whether, where inquiry is made, the widow is allowed to be accompanied by a friend to represent her?

As the hon. Member must know, pensions can only be stopped by this committee after inquiry.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what opportunities the widow has of being represented at this inquiry?

I should like to have notice of any question as to the exact procedure of the Special Grants Committee. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question, I shall be very happy to give him the information.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing amongst limbless ex-service men owing to the curtailment of the list of limb makers from 14 to 2; and is he prepared to consider the advisability of returning to the former position of having the 14 firms, thereby giving the limbless ex-service men the opportunity of a free choice of limb?

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among ex-service men who lost limbs during the War, owing to his decision in curtailing the list of artificial limb makers, which prevents them having artificial limbs supplied equal in quality to those supplied before the list was limited; and if he will reconsider the decision, with a view to giving these men a wider choice?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that his recent decision in curtailing the list of limb makers limits the choice to a very narrow list; that complaints arising since such decision are on the increase; and whether he is prepared to revert to the practice in operation during the last five years?

I would refer hon. Members to the very full answer which I gave on this subject on the 19th November last of which I am sending them copies. The present arrangements for the supply of artificial metal legs are working quite satisfactorily, and I am not prepared to reconsider them. The few cases in which representations are made for a special make of limb not covered by the present contracts are considered by a Board of Surgeons constituted for the purpose, and, where necessary, in accordance with their advice arrangements are made for the supply of an artificial limb similar to that previously used by the man, though not covered by the present contract.

Is not the result of the present policy practically to create a monopoly, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that a monopoly of the kind is unsatisfactory, and against the interests of the community?

The hon. Gentleman will be well advised to look at the Report of the Committee where it deals with the question of monopoly. I would remind him that this action of the Government was taken in consequence of the combined refusal of the present firms to tender under the old arrangement.

While it is perfectly true that the existing arrangement may be working perfectly smoothly, is it not, the claim of the ex-service men that the limbs do not work smoothly, and the men want to be able to go to other firms?

If the hon. Gentleman will read the Report of the Committee, upon which ex-service and disabled ex-service men were represented, he will see that the present type of limbs is excedingly good.

Is it not the case that the Committee that sat gave careful consideration to the matter and came to a unanimous decision advantageous to the ex-service men?

In reply to that it is the case, as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests, that the Committee realised the importance of the matter with which they were dealing and took into full consideration the point of view of the ex-service men. Their report was unanimous.

Is it true that certain firms are prevented from tendering?

No, Sir!

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, as appellants under the Pensions Regulations resident in North Wales have now to appear before tribunals in Liverpool, he will say whether members of that tribunal, and particularly the officials, are able to speak with the appellants in their own language?

By hearing appeals from North Wales at Liverpool instead of Wrexham, serious delay in deciding these appeals is avoided. The change has involved no alteration in the personnel of the Courts deputed to deal with these appeals, which includes Welsh-speaking members and secretary.

Are any of the members of the tribunal or officials concerned able to speak the Welsh language?

Yes, Sir; the hon. Member may gather that from the answer.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many grants made by the Special Grants Committee towards the cost of education of the children of deceased and disabled officers have been made during the past year; and how many in respect of the children of deceased and disabled men?

Grants towards the cost of education were made out of the Vote of the Ministry of Pensions during the year ended 31st December, 1925, in 444 cases of children of deceased and disabled officers, and 1,419 cases of children of deceased or disabled non-commissioned officers and men.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give the amount involved?

Not, without notice.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the importance of the questions of time limits and final awards, he will circulate to Members of this House the explanatory memoranda which he has sent to war pensions cornmittees?

I shall be very glad to fall in with my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestions by making copies of the memoranda suggested available at the Vote Office on application.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of staff now being employed by his Department at the Issue Office at Acton; the total number employed in the building; and from what Departments the remainder are drawn?

In the building at Acton the number of persons employed by my Department at the present time is 3,306, of which 2,086 are attached to the Issue Office. I understand that, in addition to the foregoing, there is a staff of 1,180 persons employed by the Ministry of Health in the same building.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is his intention to deprive ex-service men of the right to direct representation on the Central Advisory Council; and, if so, if he will say for what reason this is to be done?

There is no such intention. Representation of ex-service men on the Central Advisory Committee is provided for by the provisions of Section 3 of the War Pensions Act, 1921, under which the Committee is constituted, and will be secured in the same manner as heretofore.

asked the Minister of Pensions the composition of the new Central Advisory Council; whether it is proposed that all the War Pensions Committees are to be directly represented; or, if not, how he proposes to allocate the representation so as to secure that co-ordination that is presumed by the Ministry to be desirable and necessary?

The Central Advisory Committee is, as required by Section 3 of the War Pensions Act, 1921, composed of representatives of War Pensions Committees, of ex-service men and officials of the Ministry, central and local. In order to secure its practical efficiency as an advisory body, its membership has been strictly limited in point of numbers both by myself and my predecessors. To give each of the 169 War Pensions Committees a representative on the Central Committee would enlarge the Committee beyond all practical limits, but in appointing representatives of War Pensions Committees I am having regard not only to the importance of securing representatives of areas of all types, including London (which had no direct representative under the arrangements which have now been superseded), but also to the primary purpose, which I indicated to the House on the 17th December last, of securing the advice and assistance of persons acquainted by direct knowledge and experience as active members of the War Pensions Committees, with various branches of the work of my Department affecting pensions.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has accepted the recommendations, or given effect to the recommendations, of these advisory councils at any time?

I think that hardly arises out of the answer.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the position of his Department with respect to the continuance of the present regional advisory councils; whether any change is contemplated; and, if so, whether he will state the form the proposed changes are intended to take?

No decision has been reached upon this question. The matter will have my careful consideration before any decision is arrived at.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that C. Hughes, No. 150,165, D Battery, has had an operation in the War Memorial Hospital, Newton-le-Willows, for the removal of bone from his left leg; that he is likely to undergo another operation; and that these operations are stated by the doctor to be the result of war wounds and whether, as an application was made by him for a pension, he will state on what grounds it was refused?

There is no trace of any application having been made by the man referred to, but I am having inquiries made locally into the case, and will communicate later with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has now given consideration to the question of fixing auto-wheels to the invalid chairs used by permanently disabled men; and whether, in view of the resultant convenience to men who are compelled to rely solely on these chairs in order to get about the streets, if he can see his way to grant the free fixing of auto-wheels in cases which are suitable for such facilities?

I have further considered my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, but I regret that I am unable to adopt it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is not struck by the manner in which some of these poor men have to propel these chairs through busy thoroughfares, and cannot something be done to alleviate their difficulties?

I quite realise my hon. and gallant Friend's sympathy with the object he is putting forward. I have myself gone into the matter with the men.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether instructions have been issued to local officers to accept applications for pension from men suffering from wounds or injuries due to war service in cases where the applicant has been discharged more than seven years; and whether in these cases it is proposed to award pensions if the degree of disablement justifies the issue of a pension?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 10th December last to the hon. Member for King's Norton (Mr. Dennison), of which I am sending him a copy.

I have issued instructions that in the rare case where an old wound, thought to have been healed, has now broken down, and the man is in need of urgent surgical treatment, immediate steps shall be taken to provide such treatment. I am advised that such cases are, for the most part, restored by treatment, but if in any such case the man is found after treatment to be seriously incapacitated, consideration will be given to the making of a grant appropriate to the case.

Will that new policy apply to all forms of disability and not only to wounds and other injuries—will it apply also to the general physical condition of the man?

I cannot state the whole policy of the Ministry in reply to a supplementary question. It only means that the policy which the Government said they were going to carry out has been carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Captain Royds was removed from the active list of the Royal Navy on taking up his duties as Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police?

I have been asked to reply. In accordance with the usual procedure in such cases, Captain Royds has not been removed from the active list, but placed on half pay. He will, in due course, be retired in accordance with the regulations,

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider setting up a special branch of the Metropolitan Police for traffic regulation over and above the present establishment, or a new force for this purpose, and so release more constables for the prevention of burglaries street robberies, shop breaking, and other crimes which are unduly prevalent?

No, Sir; I should not favour any measures of this kind.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of putting up signposts to indicate single direction roads instead of using policemen as at present?

Before the new directions are made permanent—at present they are in the experimental stage—I want to have the fullest investigation made to see whether they are a success or not.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider replacing the policeman at the end of Long Acre by a sign post as this has now been a single direction road for over a year?

Is it not a fact that the question has already been settled?

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for giving me that information.

Would it be too much to ask his Department to give a return of the cases for 1914 and 1925?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

asked the Home Secretary whether any steps have yet been taken to fill the vacancy at Scotland Yard caused by the death of the late Chief Constable Passom

The answer is in the negative. The rank which Mr. Bassom held was personal to himself.

asked the Prime Minister if the payment of subsidy on Weir houses is subject to any safeguard against the use of materials or fittings of foreign origin; and if he will inquire whether Messrs. Weir use British baths, rain water pipes and gutters, and steel in the houses erected by that firm?

Under the Housing Act, 1924, the Government are prohibited from discriminating against imported goods in any scheme on which subsidy is being paid under that Act. I understand that hitherto a certain proportion of the baths provided in houses erected by Messrs. Weir have not been of British make, but that the rainwater pipes and gutters have been of British manufacture. British steel will be used in all houses erected by Messrs. Weir for the Scottish National Housing Company.

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, I desire to raise a point of Order. The question on the Paper is not, either in form or in substance, the question which I handed in. My question referred specifically to the use of German baths, German drainpipes and gutters, and Belgian steel and I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can answer those specific points.

I will inquire what are the reasons for the change in the question.

Is not the only way to protect those who want houses from rings and trusts in this country to throw open the ports to supplies from any source?

With regard to the question of baths, I know that Lord Weir is very anxious to put in British baths, but it is a question of the price which is quoted.

Is there not a combine already in connection with the construction of baths in this country, and is that not the reason for the high price?

Is it not advisable even that a little more money should be paid for these baths, in order that British workmen may be employed?

asked the Minister of Health how many towns have begun any slum clearances under the Housing Act of 1919 and subsequent Acts?

The position in regard to the clearance of slum areas in England and Wales is as follows: 83 schemes relating to 66 local authorities have been confirmed since 1919. On the 1st January last tenders had been approved, or loans sanctioned, in respect of 48 schemes for the erection of new houses in order to provide accommodation for the displaced population and to enable clearances of the areas to be commenced. In the case of 54 schemes the areas had been wholly or partially acquired, and clearance was in progress in the case of 34 schemes.

In view of the small amount of slum clearance that is going on, have the Government any proposals to make to local authorities to encourage them to get on with the work?

The matter is under consideration now.

asked the Minister of Health how many steel houses have been built to date, and in what districts; and how many are now in course of construction or have been sanctioned?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of the Ministry publishing their decisions given upon appeals made to them under Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1925, in order that local authorities may know the construction placed by the Ministry upon the Section?

The matter referred to by my hon. Friend has been engaging my attention. The great majority of appeals under the Housing Act are concerned with questions of fact, the decisions on which depend on the particular circumstances of individual cases and which, therefore, it would be unreasonable to treat as precedents necessarily binding in all cases. I however, considering whether it will be practicable to bring to the notice of local authorities through the Annual Report of the Ministry and otherwise, any decision which appears to involve any new and large question of principle.

asked the Minister of Health how many towns have begun to formulate town-planning schemes; and how many towns with a population of 10,000 or more have done nothing in the matter?

267 urban authorities have prepared or are preparing town-planning schemes, a number of which extend to portions of other urban areas. The number of urban authorities with a population of 10,000 or over in whose areas formal steps have not, so far as I am aware, been taken in the preparation of town-planning schemes is 289.

What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to encourage local authorities to get on with this important work?

I cannot keep on nagging the local authorities, but I am watching the work and I am very much convinced of the importance of it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to promote such legislation as may be necessary to amend Section 46 of The Housing (Consolidation) Act, 1925, so as to provide for payment of fair and reasonable compensation to the owners of property acquired under an improvement scheme made in pursuance of such Act?

The question of legislation to amend in some respects the section of the Act of 1925 referred to has been receiving my attention, but I am unable to make any statement in regard to the matter at the present moment.

Pending the question of amending legislation, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of giving instructions that in respect of any inquiry which has to be held under the scheme, notice shall be specifically given to the owners that their properties are scheduled as insanitary and that they will remain as insanitary unless they appear at the public inquiry and show proof to the contrary?

I do not think I can promise to do that. It would mean a very great addition to the expense of these inquiries. I think the present provision which causes public notice to be given of the inquiry, and which gives every opportunity for those who are interested to appear and make representations at the inquiry, ought to be sufficient. I am aware that as this procedure is comparatively new there have been cases where persons interested have not taken advantage of their opportunity and have afterwards complained that they did not know anything about it. I cannot help thinking that as the procedure gets better known these cases will be very few.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state the age at which compulsory school attendance commences in the following countries, United States, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Australia and New Zealand?

In France attendance is obligatory from six to 13, in Italy from six to 14, and in New Zealand from seven to 15. In the United States, Germany, Canada and Australia there is seine variety of practice as between one State or province and another, and will send my hon. Friend such information as I have on the subject.

Is there not, in some of the States of America, a compulsory leaving age of 16, and even 18?

Yes, and I think, speaking without the book, that in all those cases the lower age limit is as high as seven or eight.

Will the Noble Lord arrange to have this information circulated, and not merely sent privately?

I will see that the information is available.

Is there any country except this in which the compulsory starting age is five?

Not as far as I know, but I would prefer to have notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can inform the House as to the amount spent per head upon education in Great Britain, France, Switzerland, and Norway, respectively

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

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any control over the appointment of teachers in the public elementary and secondary schools; and is he prepared to introduce legislation for the purpose of securing control by the Board of Education?

The requirements laid down in the Regulations for Public Elementary and Secondary Schools appear to me to afford the board adequate control over the staffing of the schools for the purpose of ensuring that they are efficiently and properly conducted, and I do not consider that there is any need for legislation in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education the average cost per child for elementary education in the counties of England and Wales and the cost per child for the county of Leicester?

According to the figures for the last completed year (1924–25), the not expenditure per child for elementary education in the counties of England and Wales (excluding London) was £10 10s. 1d.; the corresponding figure for Leicestershire was £9 3s. 11d.

Will particular attention be given to those counties which provide very good education at a lower cost, in going into the block grant system?

Yes, all those matters will be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Education the approximate cost of the education of a child in 1913–14 and the estimated cost in 1925–26 in England and Wales?

I assume that my hon. Frond is referring to public elementary school children. I would refer him to paragraph 6, on page 9, of the Memorandom on the Board's Estimates (1925–26) a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board are refusing their approval of maintenance grants in the Country of Carnarvon?

I have intimated to the authority that, apart from the question whether it is desirable that maintenance grants should be made to children whose attendance at school is compulsory, it does not appear to me consistent with the intention of paragraph 4 of Administrative Memorardum 44 that they should include in their estimates for the year 1926–27 provision for a new scheme of maintenance allowances applicable to pupils attending public elementary schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the change in educational policy, fore—shadowed in Circular 1371 and Memorandum 44 will in any way affect the grants made on behalf of adult education, and especially the Workers' Educational Association tutorial class movement; and whether he contemplates any changes in the future, either of a progressive or retrogressive character?

The Circular and the Allemorandum will in no way affect the direct grants payable by the Board in aid or the programme of classes for the present academic year which was submitted to me by the responsible bodies and which I have approved. I cannot say to what extent local authorities are including provision for additional aid to such classes in their revised estimates, but the total amount of money involved is so small that I do not think the Circular and Memorandum need have any appreciable effect on the policy of local authorities in this matter. As regards the second part of the question, I have arranged to meet representatives of the various bodies interested in adult education, on 26th February, and I should prefer to make no statement in advance, but I anticipate that there will in any case he some increase in the amount of the Board's direct grants for the next two academic years.

Did the Memorandum 44 advise local education authorities not to build any more schools for the next two or three years, and if that is so, what is going to become of the children who are becoming of school age?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.