asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state any progress in the negotiations with Turkey; who is conducting these negotiations; whether the representatives of His Majesty's Government have a free hand in these negotiations; or whether they have been instructed to treat only on the basis of the League of Nations' decision on the Mosul question?

His Majesty's Ambassador in Turkey has now returned to this country in order to consult with His Majesty's Government on this subject, and, pending the result of these consultations, I should prefer to make no statement on the question.

asks d the First Lord of the Admiralty if his Department is making arrangements for the recruitment of native labour for the construction of the Singapore Dockyard; and what steps have been taken to ensure that the available supply of labour for local industries is not unduly depleted?

It is not necessary to make any special arrangements at present, as the numbers of men now employed are sufficient for immediate requirements. The Admiralty officers will consult with the Colonial Government if it becomes necessary to engage any considerable additional number of men.

What wages do these men receive?

I must have notice of that question.

Is there anything of a compulsory nature about the recruitment?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the nationalities of the labourers employed upon the construction of the naval base at Singapore how many of each nationality have been recruited locally; and how many of them have been specially imported for Admiralty work?

I regret that I could not reply to the first part of the question without inquiry from Signapore. The laborers employed are all recruited locally.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, in placing contracts for the supply of biscuits, he will insert a Clause that will ensure a proportion of British-grown wheat, barley or other grain being employed?

Biscuits for Navy use are made from wheat flour. They are purchased to general trade standards, and it is not considered desirable to introduce any stipulation as to the wheat from which the flour is produced. I may add that the requirements of biscuit are comparatively small.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the total expenditure in the last financial year on naval organisation and services in Scotland; and what proportion it bears to the total expenditure on the Navy in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland during the same year?

I regret that the accounts of the Navy are not kept in a way which enables an analysis of this kind to be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many deaths have occurred during the past six months at the Royal Marine Depot, Deal, Kent; how many have met their deaths by drowning; how many have died in hospital; and whether any and, if so, how many, recruits have committed suicide?

During the past six months there have been two deaths at the Depot, Royal Marines, Dead Hospital. No deaths by drowning or suicide have occurred. One determined attempt at suicide has been made, and there have been three pretended attempts at suicide.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state, in order to alleviate anxiety in this matter, if a decision has been arrived at with regard to the question of reduction in the present rates of naval pensions, and when it is contemplated that a decision will be reached?

The question of revising the scale of pensions for new entrants is still under consideration, and I am afraid I am not in a position to say how soon a decision will be reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the numbers of men established in His Majesty's dockyards in the years 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925 are considerably short of the numbers established in the years immediately prior to the War, he can hold out any hope that more men will be able to look forward to establishment in the near future?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the new short-service men will be taught a trade or trades during their seven years' service; or if the vocational training at the end of their service will be so extended as to give the men a chance of qualifying for work when time-expired?

The existing scheme of vocational training is intended primarily for men in the second period of their engagement, and under existing Orders special service seamen and continuous service men in their first period are on the same footing, in that receive less advantage from the scheme than do second period men. I am unable to say to what extent it may be possible to extend the benefits of the vocational training scheme by the time the first new system special service seamen are drafted to the Royal Fleet Reserve in seven years' time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if it is intended to introduce two standards of efficiency between boys trained from the age of 15 and rated as men at 18, and the new short-service men taken on at 18; if he has considered the difficulties that will arise from the existence of these two standards; if he will give the age limit of entrance of the new short-service men; and if they will be trained afloat or ashore?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore arise. As regards the third and fourth parts, the age limit will be from 18 to 25, and preliminary training will be given on shore.

My hon. Friend says it does not arise. Does he mean that the men who were taken at 18 were in the same position at that age as the boys who were taken at 15 and trained?

That is the opinion.

Three years' training goes for nothing ! Then why train them?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that on 23rd January there appeared in the Press a report that a naval officer, whose name was given, and four seamen, had been drowned in Malta Harbour; that this information was broadcast; that two days later the Admiralty published a denial of the statement, in which there was no truth; and can he take steps to prevent the publication of incorrect statements of this character in future?

I am aware of this regrettable incident, the responsibility for which rests with a news agency which circulated a false report without taking any steps to get official confirmation. The falsehood was published in the Saturday evening papers. The Admiralty having obtained a telegraphic report from Malta during Saturday night, circulated a, denial on Sunday, which was broadcast by the British Broadcasting Company the same evening, but the Press could not publish it until Monday. I understand the relatives had been informed, that there was doubt about the report.

No power exists to compel the Press to authenticate rumours before publishing them, but arrangements have existed for many years at the Admiralty, and are well known to the Press, by which inquiries as to reports of this kind can be dealt with at any hour of the day or night. The Admiralty can only urge the importance of making use of these arrangements in the public interest. The failure to do so in this instance inflicted the most cruel distress as well as considerable expense on a number of people.

As the Admiralty received this news on the Saturday, could not they have broadcast it on Saturday evening?

What I said was that they had received the false news on Saturday. They saw it in the newspapers an Saturday, and made inquiries on Saturday night. On Sunday—which was the first time they could do anything—they broadcast the correct news. In the meantime, I understand, they had also informed the relatives that there was grave doubt about this report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman point out to these relatives that they have probably a very good claim for damages against the newspaper for the shock inflicted on them?

I do not think that is a matter for me.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to Command Paper 2590, whether he is aware that French official documents give only 41 submarines as against 45 on the Paper; that the German constructive programme includes one cruiser and six destroyers not mentioned on the Paper, and that these and other statistics are the subject of unfavourable comment in France; and whether he will make further investigations, and correct any mistakes that are verified?

The Admiralty are not aware of any French official documents which give the figures for submarines quoted in the question, although I know the figures in the White Paper have been called in question in the French Press. As regards Germany, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 9th March to the hon. Member for Torquay (O.R. 2129).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will explain the reason of the increase in the estimated cost of stationery and printing from £186,000 in 1925 to £210,000 for 1926?

The Estimate of £186,000 for 1925–26 was too optimistic. It is now estimated that the expenditure for the current financial year will be about £202,000. The actual expenditure for the previous year amounted to about £207,000. In the forthcoming year there is an addition of £8,800 for the cost of engraving charts, which is transferred for the first time from Navy Vote 6 to the Vote for Stationery and Printing. This accounts for the Estimate of £210,000 for the next financial year.

Is there any special reason for the increase?

I have just given my hon. Friend the reason.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any definite reason for the large increase in printing and stationery, and is it not possible to reduce it?

It was under-estimated last year.

Is not my right hon. Friend of opinion that he would get greater efficiency, greater economy and greater despatch if he would put the work out to contract?

Is it necessary that so much stationery should be issued to Members of the House?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, the percentage value of all foreign materials and stores purchased during the last financial year?

Figures are not available for the last financial year, but from returns compiled for the 12 months ended 31st October, 1925, the value of foreign materials and stores purchased by the Office of Works was approximately 1 per cent. of the total purchases made directly by this Department. A proportion of these purchases was for buildings abroad.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what economy, if any, he anticipates will be made by the building of the new offices on the Thames Embankment at the hack of Montage House; what is the estimated cost of the new buildings; and what is their expected life?

I would refer my hon. and gallant. Friend to the replies that I made to questions upon this subject upon the 8th instant.

What was the reduction in the expenditure?

That was stated in my last reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has received any application from the London County Council asking his Department to convert the gardens at the rear of the offices in Whitehall Gardens into an open space; and, if so, whether he can make any statement in regard to this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, before the final staffing arrangements of Government Departments are completed, he proposes to extend to the temporary typing staff facilities for entry into the permanent Civil Service similar to those already granted to the temporary shorthand typing staff, namely, by means of a limited competitive examination open to all temporary typists up to the age of 40 years?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the question of offering to the temporary typists and shorthand typists some sort of security of tenure in the same way as he has done for the temporary women clerks?

With the permission of the hon. Members, I will answer these questions together, and I would refer them to the reply which I gave on the 15th March to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves).

May I ask in reference to that reply whether the right hon. Gentleman does not think that Government Departments are already greatly over-staffed, and ought to be cut down?

No, Sir, I have not said so.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what proportion of waitresses are shown by the results of his recent investigation in the light refreshment and dining-room section of the catering trade to be receiving wages, exclusive of tips, of 20s. per week or less, 15s. per week or less, and 15s. per week or less respectively; and what is the average amount of tips received per week by such waitresses in the light refreshment section of the trade and in the dining-room section of the trade respectively;

(2) whether, in view of his decision that wages and conditions in the grocery, catering, drapery, and meat distributive trades do not call for action under the Trade Boards Acts, he will state what evidence is required to prove the existence of sweating in any trade?

The reports shortly to be published will contain a summary of the information available with regard to wages and conditions in the catering trade and the other trades mentioned, and will disclose the facts on the basis of which the Government came to their decision.

Will that report contain information showing not only the tips which may or may not be granted to these people, but the deductions made by the employers for various reasons out of their weekly wages?

Yes, the question of tipping is gone into.

Is it considered that there is no sweating in these trades?

I would ask the hon. Member to wait till he sees the Report, which embraces the whole subject.

When will the Report be available to Members of the House?

Will it be laid before the Easter Recess?

With regard to two—meat and drapery—in a few days. The other two Reports will follow shortly after.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men registered as unemployed at the Newcastle-on-Tyne Employment Exchange who have been refused benefit during the last three months on the ground that they are not genuinely seeking employment?

During the period 15th December, 1925, to 8th March, 1926, 353 applications by men for extended benefit were recommended for disallowance by the Newcastle-on-Tyne Local Employment Committee, on the ground that the applicants were not making every reasonable effort to secure suitable employment. I am unable to state how many applications for standard benefit were rejected on the ground that the applicants were not genuinely seeking work.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a very large body of Teen are daily marching through the gates of the Tyneside shipbuilding and engineering works for work they cannot get, and still they are being refused benefit on that ground?

No doubt all those questions are taken into consideration by the local committees.

asked the Minister of Labour why Mr. E. Shiers, of 77, Rippoth Road, Bow, has been refused unemployment standard benefit by the Hackney Employment Exchange?

The applicant, who is 20 years of age and single, had no title to standard benefit, having already received more than all the benefit for which he had paid contributions. The claim to extended benefit was disallowed by the committee under the administrative rules relating to persons living at home with relatives.

Will the hon. Gentleman go into the ease again, because the information I have is that he had 30 stamps on his card.

My right hon. Friend went into the case, and it appears he had 90 days' benefit since 1923.

asked the Minister of Labour on what evidence the Exchange authorities decided that Mr. A. Danby, of 35, Candy Street, Bow, was not genuinely seeking work; is he aware that when summoned before the committee the main question asked this man was how old he was, and that the investigation lasted only three minutes; and whether, in view of the man's declaration that he has proof of his diligent search for work, he will allow an appeal to the Umpire?

I assume the reference is to Mr. A. Davey. His claim which was for extended benefit, was disallowed by the Committee on the ground that he could not show a reasonable period of employment in the last two years. There is no provision for appeal to the Umpire in such cases. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member by letter on 25th February, he has looked into this case and sees no ground for disagreeing with the recommendations of the Committee.

If they are seeking work and give the time and date and place where they made application, will that be taken into consideration?

With regard to this particular case, the disallowance was not on the ground stated in the question, that he was not genuinely seeking work, but on the other statutory ground, that he had not had a reasonable amount of employment, under Section 1, Sub-section (3) of the Act.

Has there been a new order issued that unemployment benefit paid, say, two years ago is taken into consideration, say, for this last year—that you set against the payments paid out the payments the man pays in during the current year?

I think the hon. Member is referring to the question before this. That, I think, has always been the rule.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of separate individuals who have been disallowed benefit since the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1925, came into operation; how many of these persons are now in employment; how many are now on the live register; and how many are not on the live register and are not believed to be in employment?

Statistics do not exist with regard to the number of separate individuals whose claims to benefit have been disallowed. The only statistics in this connection are for numbers of applications disallowed, and as the same person may have repeated claims disallowed, these numbers are considerably larger than the numbers of separate individuals concerned. On 8th February, 81,450 persons, whose claims remained disallowed at that date, were still on the registers of Employment Exchanges. It is calculated that at the end of January the number of disqualified persons not on the register though remaining unemployed was approximately 10,000 greater than at the end of the previous July.

Can the hon. Member tell us whether his Department keeps any record of the number of those who were refused benefit solely on the ground of not genuinely seeking employment?

I am not sure, but I will let my hon. Friend know. I think we have a record, but I would not like to trust to my memory.

It is very important that the House and the country should get accurate information—

"Speech:"

The hon. Member had better put down a Question.

Am I accurate in assuming that the difference between the total number of unemployed and the number on the live register is not more than 10,000?

I said in my answer that at the end of January it was calculated that the number of disqualified persons not, on the register, though remaining unemployed, was, approximately, 10,000 greater than at the end of the previous July.

asked the Minister of Labour the actual number of disabled ex-service men who have been refused extended benefit in Aberdeen for the period 1st July, 1925, to the 18th March, 1926?

Separate statistics of the disallowance of claims for extended benefit made by disabled ex-service men are not available.

Is the hon. Member aware of the universal discontent about this matter, and will not his Department and the Ministry of Health make some effort to try to deal with it?

That matter is now under the consideration of my right hon. Friend, as he stated the other day in the House.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state to the House the name of the firm, the rates of pay, and conditions offered to the 12 women dealt with at the Mansell Street Exchange, in order to test their willingness to work; how many women to whom extended benefit had been refused were offered similar work or training; and how many, if any, accepted or refused such work?

The offer of work to which I referred in my speech on the 10th March was with Messrs. Glanfield and Sons, Limited, at not less than the minimum Trade Board rates, with a promise of special tuition for fur workers. Between 22nd February and 12th March 11 women who had been refused extended benefit were offered this or similar work: five refused the offer, two of the others are understood to be still in the job; one left after three and a-half clays, and another after four hours. One was not accepted by the employer. As regards the eleventh, it is not yet known whether the firm have engaged the applicant. I regret that in the Debate on 10th March I stated incorrectly that the 12 women were those whose names have been given by the hon. Member in two recent questions: only two of these women were included among the 12.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of girls under 18 years of age who are now receiving unemployment benefit?

At 1st March, 10,457 girls in Great Britain aged 16 and 17 had claims to unemployment benefit current, but I cannot say how many of them were actually in receipt of benefit at that date.

Can the hon. Member say how many boys are out of employment?

That is not the Question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the selection of premises for Employment Exchanges is based upon a policy of permanent or a policy of temporary Exchanges being provided?

The general policy in towns in which Exchanges are situated is to secure the minimum accommodation likely to be required over a period of years. In many places, owing to the volume of unemployment, this minimum accommodation is insufficient and the additional accommodation necessary is provided as far as possible by temporary hirings.

Does the Department take into consideration the districts where there has been more or less permanent unemployment on a large scale for the last few years, and that many of the buildings where people have to wait in queues in all kinds of weather are not adequate for shelter?

It is true that some of the buildings are not as desirable as we could wish. This is a matter which is constantly under consideration, in conjunction with the Office of Works.

Are not some of the temporary wooden buildings used in London liable to be burned down and the records destroyed? Would not that be a serious matter?

No doubt all temporary building are liable to that danger.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make more use of Hollesley Bay farm colony for the training of men; and whether he can use the services of the central unemployed body to develop other schemes for the training and employment of out-of-work men in the London area?

My right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any suggestions which the hon. Member may feel able to make, but doubts whether it will be practicable to make more use of the colony than at present. With regard to the last part of the question, perhaps I may refer to the last paragraph of the reply to the hon. Member's previous similar question of the 11th March. My right hon. Friend regrets that he does not see any way in which the activities of the central body can usefully be extended.

Is it not a fact that Hollesley Bay is run at a very small charge, and that the men turned out do become wage-earners and get jobs? Does it not seem unreasonable that more men should not be taken on at this colony so as to extend the scope of the work?

The first supplementary question is a matter of opinion. With regard to the second, I doubt very much whether it is possible to make any further use of the colony at the present time.

Will the hon. Gentleman consult the Minister of Labour to see what can be done?

I am always happy to consult my right hon. Friend.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the central unemployed body to give a report of the work done since 1919?

I will look into that matter. As far as I remember— I used to be a member of that body— it used to make an annual report.

Cannot the report be made available for Members of the House, so that they can judge of the value of the work?

I do not think there will be any difficulty in obtaining a report.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applications for extended benefit in the Middlesbrough area during the last six months, and the number granted and refused, and similar figures for corresponding period a year ago?

During the six months ended 8th March, 1926, the number of applications for extended benefit considered by the Middlesbrough Local Employment Committee was 25,776, of which, 21,923 were recommended for allowance and 3,853 for disallowance. The corresponding figures for the six months ended 9th March, 1925, were: applications considered 22,485, allowed 21,151, disallowed 1,334.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how much of the total expenditure on aircraft and engines provided for in the Estimates is to be used on the construction of new aircraft and new engines and how much on the doing up of existing machines and engines; and is it intended that a considerable percentage of the money should be spent on wartime machines?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the sum of £2,888,000, provided in the Air Estimates for 1926–27 for complete machines, represents contemplated expenditure on entirely new aeroplanes and seaplanes; and, if so, will he state what number of machines of each of these classes will be provided for this sum?

I will answer these questions together, the same considerations being applicable to aircraft and to engines. I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave on 10th March to the hon. Member for Middleton and Prestwich.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman answer the last part of my question—" what number of machines of each of these classes will be provided for this sum "?

Foreign Powers do not publish the amount they spend on engines, and it has not been the practice of the Air Ministry to do so either.

Are we not to have the information?

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many aeroplanes there are in commission and in reserve in the Royal Air Force?

The present first line strength of aircraft in regular squadrons of the Royal Air Force is 658 machines. In addition, the existing auxiliary and special reserve squadrons have an establishment of 58 first line machines. It would not be in the public interest to state the number of aircraft in reserve.

Are we right in assuming that the information that we lave not more then 2,424 is still correct?

I believe that some figure did appear, but I am afraid that I cannot give any more information than I have.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of American-built aeroplanes flying over the Allied lines on the date of the Armistice?

I have no official information upon this subject, hut I am informed that in a book by an American author who had access to official records it is stated that 10 of the American squadrons (of 18 machines each) at the front were equipped with American-built machines on 1st November, 1918.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in placing contracts for the supply of biscuits, he will insert a Clause that will ensure a proportion of British-grown wheat, barley, or other grain being employed?

Contracts for biscuits are not placed by the Air Ministry, supplies being drawn under Army contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) the amount of timber used at Halton by the mechanics for 1925; and where it was purchased;

(2) the tonnage of steel used by the mechanics at Halton in 1925; and where it was purchased?

The approximate quantities used at Halton in 1925 were: steel, 16 tons; steel tubing, 470 feet; timber, 7,750 cubic feet; plywood, 3,000 superficial feet. I regret that it is not possible without undue labour to give particulars of origin of the many parcels of material involved.

Can the hon. and gallant Member state the principal place where the steel is purchased?

I think that most of the material comes from this country. I cannot, without notice, give the names of the exact contractors who supply it.

That is asked in my question.

We had great difficulty in the short time available in getting the information for which the hon. Member asked. If he will put dawn another question, I will try to get the information.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether in their Second Report the Public Accounts Committee comment upon the average cost of training cadets at Cranwell as materially higher than that at military training colleges; and whether, as the number of cadets has been reduced, the number of the staff has decreased in like proportion?

I am aware of the disproportion of cost referred to in the fast part of my hon. Friend's question, and I explained the reasons for it in my reply to the hon. Member for Rusholme on 24th February. The establishment of Cranwell has been reduced, and I hope that the figure of average cost will be less in future, but with our smaller numbers and the more technical character of the instruction given, the cost per cadet is inevitably higher than at Sandhurst or the more comparable military establishment at Woolwich. As regards the second part of the question, the average strength of cadets during the two last financial years has been 106, and the number estimated for in the coming financial year is 109. There is thus no reduction in the number of cadets, but, on the other hand, the staff has been reduced since June, 1925.

Is it a fact, is stated in this House, that the number of cadets has been reduced by 30 per cent. and the staff by 7½ per cent.; and in view of that fact is it not possible to reduce the staff to the same amount?

As I say in my answer, it has been reduced.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this reduction does not include the cost of flying, but simply the cost of looking after the cadets, the same as at Woolwich and Sandhurst, and can he give any explanation why it is so much higher?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any action is contemplated with a view to greater freedom being afforded to those who desire to use their own aeroplanes for purposes of experimental tests, business, or pleasure; and whether the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Air League will be asked for their opinions as to a greater measure of freedom from official interference?

The question of the possible relaxation of some of the existing Regulations governing private civil flying has been the subject of discussion with representatives of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Air League and other aeronautical bodies, and the views expressed are now being most carefully considered by the. Air Ministry.

Is it not a fact that the restrictive Regulations of the Air Ministry are the cause of private flying being hampered, and that they are in such a moribund condition?

As I said in my answer, the whole matter is being looked into.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say when he hopes to be able to give us definite information?

We are inquiring into the subject and I hope we shall be able to report in a short time.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, following the successful flights which have been and are being made from North to South Africa, and vice versa, it is the intention of his Department to develop further aviation in that continent; and, if so, whether he can give the House any outline of future plans?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for raising this question. As I stated when introducing the Air Estimates, I am most anxious to further by all possible means the development of Empire air communications. Something has already been done in this direction in Africa. Proposals are under consideration for the establishment of an air service from Khartum to Kisumu, and I understand that a recent conference of Colonial Governors at Nairobi approved in principle the granting of financial assistance for an experimental service on this route. The question of the establishment of a regular service, with an extension in due course to Cairo, will depend upon the result of the experiment and the prospects of adequate financial support. The development of aviation in the Union of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia is, of course, primarily a matter for the Governments concerned, but I propose to take the opportunity afforded by the Imperial Conference next October to discuss with the Dominion representatives the question of Imperial air routes and their future development.

May I ask the hon. and gallant Member whether there will be a regular plan laid before the Imperial Conference for this service?

I should imagine so. The whole matter will be thrashed out

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any negotiations have taken place between this country and France in respect of a service of British seaplanes between English and French ports; and what is the situation to-day?

No, Sir; there has been no development since my reply of 18th February last.

Will the hon. Member try to create a service between Southampton and the French ports, as it would be a very great convenience.

The Imperial Airways Company, who would deal with this question, are confining themselves at present to the line between Southampton and the Channel Islands.

asked the Prime Minster if the Government has yet decided when they will introduce the Legitimacy Bill in another place?

My Noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor hopes to introduce this Bill at an early date.