asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the approximate advantage a French and Belgian manufacturer possesses through the depreciated exchange and rate of wages in quoting per ton of steel on the British market?

The answer contains a table of figures, and my hon. and gallant Friend will perhaps agree to my circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

I regret that I am unable to estimate the effects of the depreciated exchanges and lower wages on the cost of producing steel in France and Belgium compared with that in this country. The following table, based on figures given in the Iron and Coal Trades Review, shows the quotations for certain descriptions of steel f.o.b. French and Belgian ports, and delivered in the Birmingham district, together with corresponding quotations for home-produced steel:—

any foreign powers; when these transactions took place; and what was their exact nature?

A large number of licences are issued for small quantities of war material. I am, however, arranging to have particulars of all licences for material of or over a value of approximately £500, which were issued during 1925, circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT So soon as the particulars can be compiled.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there was an increase in 1925 over 1924?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much coal from abroad has entered the United Kingdom from the 1st May last to the present or nearest convenient date?

219,000 tons of foreign coal reached Great Britain between 1st May and 12th June. I have no information as to arrivals in Ireland.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say from where the bulk of this coal came?

No, Sir. I am afraid I must have notice of that question. The coal comes from various parts of the Continent, including Germany.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware

give the imports of woollen and worsted goods for the quarter ending March last and the corresponding period of the year 1925?

As the answer involves a table of figures, I propose, with the concurrence of my hon. Friend, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The reply is as follows:

The following statement shows the total quantities and declared values of woollen and worsted manufactures (except apparel) registered as imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the three months January-March, 1925, and 1926, respectively.

that coal is now being sold in Dundee at 4s. per cwt.; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such profiteering?

I have been asked to reply. I have received a complaint that excessive prices are being charged for coal in Dundee and I am looking into the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this has been going on for the past fortnight and is he also aware that the price being charged for the coal that was actually produced at the pithead was 23s.; and what steps is he going to take to stop it?

The hon. Gentleman has not given me any particulars. If he will do so, I will certainly go into the matter.

I have already sent the hon. Gentleman a whole list of these cases, and I wish now to ask him whether he has completed his inquiries into these detailed cases, and whether he is prepared to recommend a general policy for stopping profiteering?

No, Sir, I am not prepared to recommend any general policy for stopping profiteering; but in cases where it is clearly proved that there has been profiteering then certainly action will be required. I think it would be a great mistake to set up a general system where there are only individual cases of profiteering.

If I give the right hon. Gentleman the official invoices in these cases will he take action?

Yes, I will if action is wanted. I will certainly inquire fully into anything the hon. Member puts before me.

Has any case been actually proved up to the present, and, if so, has any action been taken?

I am inquiring into several cases. Many cases have been gone into, and have been found to have no foundation. I have already issued a circular to all collieries warning them that if undue prices are charged it will be necessary for the Government to take drastic action.

Is it not a fact that supply and demand has something to do with the price of this commodity?

The Secretary for Mines said that he would take action. I want to ask him, in the event of his finding that profiteering has been going on as described by the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Johnston) what action will he take?

I have power to requisition the stocks of anybody who is selling coal at an improper price, but I must first of all find out who is responsible, whether it is the colliery owner or the retailer.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will give the average figures of the persons working in or about coal mines for the 12 months of 1925; and the number employed on the surface, the number employed underground, and the percentage of the underground workers who are on piece rates?

The average number of wage-earners employed at coal mines during the year 1925 was 1,086,300, including a few persons who were engaged, in raising or handling minerals other than coal. Of this number it is estimated that 888,600 were employed below-ground and that one-half of the underground workers were on piece rates.

Does that include all piece-rate workers, not differentiating between coal workers and repair workers?

Yes, it includes all piece-workers underground.

In view of the fact that, according to the right hon. Gentleman's figures, the piece-rate workers represent about 35 per cent., is he aware that an hon. Member opposite, in the Debate on 1st June, stated that the percentage of piece-rate workers was 61, and will the right hon. Gentleman put that matter right?

I am afraid I do not remember inaccurate figures being given in this House on either side, but we are all liable to make mistakes.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the agreement which is in operation in the Northumberland and Cumberland mining areas, namely, that, if in the operation of the piece rates of hewers their earnings are more than 10 per cent, above county average, employers may demand reduction of piece rates, is in existence in other areas; and, if so, in which areas?

My Noble Friend is doubtless referring to the Northumberland and Durham agreements originally made in the year 1879. Under these, if the earnings of the piece-workers in any place in a mine are more than 10 per cent. above the county average figure, the owners may ask for a reduction; if they are more than 5 per cent. below, the workmen may ask for an increase. In point of fact, the average earnings of hewers in these counties have for many years been very substantially above the county average figure. I do not know of a similar agreement in any other coalfield.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Durham that principle has not been working since the war, except in a few individual collieries?

Yes, I said it had only been working in a few collieries. I did not say it was working in the whole coalfield.

asked the Prime Minister whether, at any time during the period of the general strike, he indicated that he was willing to accept the memorandum of Sir Herbert Samuel as a basis of settlement in the mining dispute; and whether he is prepared to accept the memorandum now, contingent upon its acceptance by the Miners' Federation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part, I would ask the right hon. Member to await my speech in the Debate this afternoon.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the fact that public opinion must play a large part in the ultimate settlement of the coal dispute, he will consider the immediate publication, in pamphlet form, at the price of one penny, of the last two chapters, 21 and 22, of the Royal Commission's Report, which, whilst stating fully the findings of the Commission, are sufficiently concise to be read in half an hour, whereas, to read the whole Report, would be a matter of days?

I will certainly consider this suggestion, but I am not sure that it is desirable to extract a part of the Report and publish it apart from its context.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman recollect that these two chapters are a complete summary of the whole Report?

Yes; otherwise it would be impossible to consider the suggestion.

( by Private Notice ) asked the President of the Board of Education, if he is aware that 527 school children at Armthorpe, near Don-caster, are deprived of school feeding on account of their not being on the registers, due to lack of accommodation; and, if so, has he taken any steps to ensure that these children shall not suffer because of circumstances entirely beyond their control?

I have no information as to the actual number of children at Armthorpe not attending school owing to lack of accommodation. I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on the 3rd June regarding the statutory powers of local education authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for every three children attending school, there are five children walking the streets, and is he also aware that because of neglect, either on the part of the local education committee or of his Department, these children are deprived of any advantage under the Feeding of School Children Act? Does he not think that his Department could do something to relieve a very acute situation?

No. I do not think that my Department or the local education authority can do anything to relieve the situation, because their powers are limited by the Act. They can only provide meals for children who are in attendance at school, and then only under certain limitations.

In view of the present situation, could not these school children be placed upon the register, so that they would come within the terms of the Feeding of School Children Act?

I do not think it is a question of being placed upon the register. The wording of the Act is: "In attendance at school."

Was it not the intention that the Act should not apply to children who were staying away from school mainly through the negligence of their parents, or for similar causes? In this case, where the children are away from school because the education authority have not provided school accommodation for them, and where no complaint can be levied against the parents of the children, could not something be done to feed these children, many of whom are starving?

Are not children presumed to be attending school up to a certain legal age, whether there is accommodation for them or not?

The reply to the last Supplementary Question is that it is a legal question, of which I should like to have notice. I cannot say. That is not my advice at the moment. In regard to the other Supplementary Question, if the hon. Member would consult the Act he will see that that is not so.

The children will have to go on starving. It is shocking.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men trained at Catterick have since emigrated to one of the Dominions?

The number of men trained at the vocational training centre at Catterick who have since emigrated to the Dominions is, so far as can be ascertained, approximately 130.

asked the Secretary of State for War which regiments of His Majesty's Army have returned to the wearing of pre-War full-dress uniform; what is the number of soldiers concerned; and whether all officers are required to provide themselves with full-dress uniforms?

Full-dress uniform is worn by all ranks of the Household Cavalry and the Brigade of Guards, who number approximately 8,300. In addition, full-dress is worn by the bands of units of the Regular Army while Serving in the United Kingdom or with the British Army of the Rhine. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

With regard to the full-dress uniform for officers, may I take it that all officers are permitted to provide themselves will full-dress uniform, if they desire it?

Yes, if they wish to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War what changes, if any, will be made as the result of the recommendations of the Committee appointed to consider the question of promotion of artificers in the Royal Artillery?

The Report of the Committee in question is at present under consideration. No decisions have yet been reached thereon.

I have been asking specific questions for a year, and the right hon. Gentleman has said he is going to await the Report of the Committee. I understand the Committee has now reported. Cannot he make any statement?

The Committee has reported and the hon. Member will not need to wait another year for the information he desires.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the medical evidence given in the case of Laughlan McIntyre, who was recently sentenced in Edinburgh to one month's imprisonment; and whether, in view of the evidence, he can see his way to recommend the man's release?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. After consideration of a report by the sheriff and the medical officer, I did not feel justified in recommending any remission, and prisoner served his sentence, which expired on the 11th June.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if it has been decided to grant any financial assistance to the Shetland Woollen Industries' Association to enable that association to advertise the trade mark adopted by it for the protection of the Home industry of knitting, which is of vital importance to the islands?

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have offered a grant of £400 to the Shetland Woollen Industries' Association in aid of the cost of advertising the trade mark, which has been registered for use in the marking of Shetland hand-knit goods.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the discretionary power can be exercised and approval given for a small portion of the service in the Ordnance Survey Department of Mr. W. J. Evans, late head store-warder, Duke Street Prison, to count for pension purposes, in order that the maximum pension may be payable?

I am afraid that the well-established practice in the administration of Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, precludes the reckoning for pension of dissimilar unestablished service in a different department. In the circumstances Mr. Evans has been awarded the maximum pension to which his service entitles him.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to announce the Government's decision upon the several recommendations of the Scottish Agricultural Conference, 1925?

As the statement which I propose to make with regard to the recommendations of the Scottish Conference on Agricultural Policy is necessarily long, I shall, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been drawn to the discovery of a seam of anthracite coal near Bideford, Devon; and whether any steps to develop this seam have come to the knowledge of his Department?

I am aware that operations have been in progress in this neighbourhood with the object of opening out workable seams of anthracite.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the complaints from county authorities that where sugar-beet factories have been established the condition of the

roads has been consistently aggravated by the extensive carting of beet sugar, he is arranging for an increased grant to be made to the local authorities for road maintenance in all such districts?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask whether the sentence in the question "the extensive carting of beet sugar" should not read "the extensive carting of sugar-beet?

I am not the censor of the form in which questions are put down, and I can only answer them as they are put to me. While I cannot accord preferential treatment to local authorities in whose neighbourhood sugar-beet factories are established, I hope that the large allocation made from the Road Fund during the current financial year for the benefit of rural roads will prove of assistance in the cases to which my hon. Friend refers.

Is it not a fact that the local authorities in these areas get the advantage of this increased rateable value?

I think that is so.

Would not that be an additional subsidy to beet sugar?

asked the Minister of Transport what the total commitments upon the Road Fund amount to for the year 1925–26?

In addition to sums set aside towards meeting commitments already existing, the amount allocated from the Road Fund during 1925–26 for new commitments was £14,000,000, including £1,000,000 anticipated in the previous year for rural roads from the 1925–26 revenue. Out of this total, grants have been definitely promised or indicated to the amount of £13,694,189.

Can the Minister say if that shows any increase on the figures for 1924–25?

I think there is an increase, but I should like notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if any conditions are set out that public bodies such as county councils must pay rates of wages agreed upon by joint industrial councils when they are engaged upon work such as road-making for which the Ministry of Transport has made a grant of money;

(2) if he is aware that the Warwickshire County Council are paying the rate of 31s. per week to men engaged upon road-making; and is he prepared to withdraw the grant for this work, seeing that the Warwickshire County Council refuses to pay the rate agreed upon by the appropriate Joint Industrial Council?

My Department does not impose upon local authorities any conditions affecting the rates of wages to be paid to their employés on their ordinary works of road improvement and maintenance. There does not, therefore, appear to be any ground for the withdrawal of the grant mentioned.

Are we to understand that, while public money is being used in this way, the Minister of Transport takes no precaution to see that the Fair Wages Clause attaches to it?

What the hon. Member is to understand is that the local authorities are the people to decide these matters.

asked the Post master-General the number of cash-on-delivery parcels carried by his Department since this system was instituted?

The number of parcels carried under the inland cash-on-delivery system, from the inception of the service on the 29th March up to and including the 7th June, is 127,400. The service was suspended during the general strike.

Can the, Postmaster-General say how many of those were parcels that had any reference to agriculture?

I cannot possibly answer that question.

asked the Postmaster-General the total amount of unclaimed deposit money held by the telephone service from persons who have previously paid the same in advance on account of this service?

The amount is £15,044.

May I ask what steps are being taken to see that the depositors of this money get their money back?

Every possible step was taken at the time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what those steps are? Are these people notified that they are to have this money back?

Yes. This money is only the result of accumulations where it has proved impossible to trace the depositors.

May I ask how much of this money is due to Scotland?

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how many persons have applied to be connected to the telephone service, and are at present waiting for installation;

(2) what sum of money was spent during the last financial year in advertising the telephone service in order to increase the number of subscribers;

(3) if, in view of the fact that the telephone service is profitable, he intends to try and secure an increased number of subscribers with a view to making the present service cheaper and more useful to present subscribers and to the community as a whole, seeing that a development will, besides helping to relieve un-employment, improve the efficiency of British business?

In the year ending 31st March last, 222,494 telephones were installed. During April, orders were obtained at the rate of over 5,300 per week, and at the end of that month, omitting those orders for which subscribers were not then ready for service, there were in hand 13,600 orders, representing lees than three weeks' work. At the same date, some 800 applications for service were outstanding which could not be met pending the completion of certain engineering works. Telephone publicity work is carried out by a canvassing staff of about 400 and by the exhibition of posters, the distribution of leaflets and booklets through the post, from Post Office counters and through the agency of canvassers. The wages and commission paid to the canvassing staff in the year 1925–26 amounted to about £136,000, but part of this sum is chargeable to other duties which the staff perform.

Will my right hon. Friend consider initiating a really big campaign with a view to putting the telephone within the reach of persons who cannot now afford it, or do not know of its immense advantages?

I am fully desirous of extending the service in every way possible, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that I am at the present moment spending £1,000,000 a month on development.

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted the President of the Board of Education, whom I see beside him, as to the use of the schools for the purpose of giving a little practical instruction in regard to the telephone?

That has been more than once considered.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will further consider the re-opening of the Pembroke Street Post Office, Devonport, in view of the petition sent by the inhabitants of that district protesting against the inconvenience caused?

The business transacted at the sub-office in question was small, and was almost entirely drawn from the district between Pembroke Street and Fore Street, the principal shopping centre. The district is reported to be conveniently served by the1 branch office in Fore Street, and I am sorry that I can find no sufficient grounds for re-establishing the Pembroke Street Post Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the majority of the clientele, though small in number, were old age pensioners, who find some difficulty in walking?

The distances, relatively speaking, are very small.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that James Reid, Larkhall, Lanarkshire, Ministry Reference 1/MR/3, 108 (PL), has had the allowance, payable in addition to pension for wife and child, withdrawn though the same had been paid for several years under the regime of previous Ministers; and is he aware that Mr. Reid was wounded in 1914, certified for permanent service at home, was married in 1915, passed fit for service overseas in 1917 and sent to France, taking part in the Battle of Arras and other engagements, being wounded again in April, 1918; and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Reid was passed fit for active service two years after marriage and drew separation allowances until after the Armistice, he will authorise the issue of allowances for the family, as Mr. Reid is in receipt of a life pension based in part on the disability resulting from the wound in 1918?

I have carefully considered the circumstances of Mr. Reid's case, but I regret that it is not possible to grant family allowances. The wound which has given rise to much the greater part of Mr. Reid's disablement, and without which he would not be in receipt of pension at all, was sustained before his marriage. The Royal Warrant expressly excludes from the definition of a wife, in respect of whom allowance can be granted, "a wife whose marriage to the man took place after the receipt of the wound for which he receives pension."

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated total loss to the country and to the agricultural industry by outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in recent years; and if he can make any statement as to the progress of the different national and international investigations to discover a remedy?

So far as the cost to public funds is concerned, the loss due to foot-and-mouth disease since January, 1922, has amounted to, approximately, £4,750,000. This figure does not take account of consequential losses of farmers and others, of which it is impossible to form any estimate. With regard to the last part of the question, it is improbable that any practical means of immunising animals against foot-and-mouth disease will be found until a means for cultivating the virus has been discovered, and it is to this aspect of the subject that research, both at home and abroad, is being directed. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Progress Report of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee, published last year.

Are there complete arrangements between the different national and international investigations?

Oh, yes; and we are publishing a further Progress Report in September of this year, which will give my hon. and gallant Friend further information.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken by his Department in connection with the Plymouth housing shortage?

My right hon. Friend has recently had some local investigation made into the possibilities of dealing with the situation, and the whole matter is engaging his attention. He is not, however, in a position to make any statement at present.

Seeing that the hon. Gentleman's attention has been engaged on this matter for a very considerable time, could he say when it is thought that some practical steps will be taken to deal with this very great shortage?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the matter is very complex and difficult, but no time will be lost if a solution can be found.

Were any of these schemes held up during the General Strike?

asked the Prime Minister if the Government have arrived at any decision as to the recruiting of medical officers for the Navy, Army and Air Force?

Yes, Sir. The Government have considered the Report of the Committee appointed last autumn to consider questions relating to pay and other matters affecting recruitment of officers and nurses to the medcial branches of the Fighting Services, and have decided to give effect to its recommendations as from 1st July next.

Are the Government contemplating the amalgamation of the three medical services, in the interests of economy and efficiency?

Not that I am aware of, but I should require notice of that question.

Shall we be able to see any details of these decisions?

The necessary Orders are, I understand, going to be published forthwith, and I assume that they will give the information required.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what extra staff, approximately, will be required to carry on the administration of the proposed tax on betting?

Apart from headquarters, the work will be performed by the local Customs and Excise staff along with their other duties so far as the duty is paid on returns. It is contemplated that the police will co-operate with the Revenue authorities in the Revenue control of bookmakers on racecourses, but whether and to what extent this will necessitate the employment of extra police cannot be indicated pending discussions with the police authorities. The number of extra Customs and Excise staff required cannot be forecast with accuracy, but on present information it is probable that the extra Revenue staff that would be required would number from 150 to 200, at a cost not exceeding £80,000. These figures exclude the cost of the police assistance, but the total cost should be below the figure of £150,000 a year which was furnished to the Select Committee of 1923.

If the right hon. Gentleman is recruiting special officers for racecourse duties during the racing season, will he consider recruiting officers with special knowledge of racing and betting?

I will see that that suggestion is brought to the notice of the authorities.

Will they receive extra pay for this extra work?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in offering for sale certain plots of land in the town the Mombasa District Committee have stipulated that though Indians may purchase the plots and build thereon they shall not reside in them; and whether, in view of the non-segregation policy laid down in the White Paper of July, 1923, he will have the matter inquired into?

I would refer to the reply given to the similar question asked by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on 10th June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the Iraq boundary question is now settled, he will proceed to open negotiations with the Turkish Government on the settlement of their debt?

The settlement of Turkey's obligations in respect of the Ottoman Public Debt is a matter to be dealt with by direct negotiations between the Turkish Government and the foreign bondholders. It is the intention of His Majesty's Government, in concert with the other Governments concerned, to support the just claims of the bondholders in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health how many casual wards closed down during the period of the War; how many have not been reopened since the end of the War; how many of these wards have been closed since the year ending 31st December, 1919; will he take the necessary steps to have an inspection made of the Malton and Amersham wards; is he aware that, although there is a continual number of destitute persons passing through Penrith, the casual ward in that union is closed; and can he inform the House why, when the need is so great, the guardians have closed this establishment?

235 casual wards were closed on various dates during the War. Sixty-five of these have not been reopened. Sixteen further wards have been closed as from a date subsequent to 31st December, 1919. In seven of these cases the closing has been approved for a definite and limited period. Both the Malton and Amersham wards have recently been inspected. My right hon. Friend is aware that the Penrith wards are nominally closed, but in fact no destitute casual is refused admission to those wards. He is considering whether a formal reopening of the ward is desirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the formation of companies for the purpose of controlling landed properties; and whether, as the formation of such companies is likely to result in diminished returns in taxation on such properties, he will take steps to safeguard the revenue in this respect?

As stated in answer to a question put to me on 29th April, 1926, by the hon. Member for North-East Bethnal Green, my attention has been drawn to cases of the type referred to. The effect on the Revenue is being carefully watched.

Is it not the case, supposing all the land was nationalised, that the right hon. Gentleman has always the super-rich to fall back upon and tax to the very utmost, which I know he has delight in doing?

If all the land were nationalised, we should find a great falling off in revenue.

Is it not the case that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has recourse to the super-rich and he could tax them if necessary, which he has a delight in doing, out of existence?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Industrial Court in connection with the Government chemists, who are employed upon an agreed scale of pay; if he is aware that the Department sought to reduce the agreed amount of increments of the scale; that the Court stated that it was high handed action on the part of the Department, and that the Department should have taken the matter to Court before taking any administrative action; and if he can give any reasons why the Department departed from the usual course of procedure?

I have seen the decision of the Industrial Court on a claim brought before them by the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council of the Government Laboratory regarding the rate of annual increment of chemists, Class II, in that Department, by which the Court confirm, as from the date of their award, the view of the official side of the council. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in describing the increment and scale as agreed amounts, and the Court did not state that the action of the Department was high-handed. With regard to the last part of the question, I am unable to accept the view implied by the hon. Member that the procedure adopted was irregular.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that Mr. F. O. Freeman, overseer of the white paper warehouse at His Majesty's Stationery Office, Harrow, who came out on strike in response to the call of his trade union, has not been taken back; if he is aware that Mr. Freeman has a long record of service for his country in various branches of the Army; and if, in these circumstances, he will endeavour to see that further employment is found for this man?

Mr. Freeman's position was that of foreman in the paper store of His Majesty's Stationery Office Press, Harrow, and his wage was £5 5s. a week. In Mr. Freeman's absence on strike it became necessary to appoint another employéto this post. The work has been carried out satisfactorily, and it is not proposed to displace the present occupant in favour of Mr. Freeman. He has, however, been offered further employment at the press—as a cutter at a wage of £4 2s. 6d, a week—but he has not yet accepted the offer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this very old soldier who has now been victimised had his photograph used for recruiting purposes all over the country during the War, and does the right hon. Gentleman recognise the photograph?

I do not recognise the photograph, but I think the facts the hon. Member has disclosed make it more unintelligible than ever why he left his work.

Is there any reason why these men who were loyal during the strike and those who volunteered should be victimised to make places for those who went out on strike?

Did not this man fail in his loyalty to the State, who were his employers, and will the right hon. Gentleman see, if he is taken on in some other capacity, that something is done which will prevent his failing in his loyalty to the State again?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that permanently disabled ex-service men have been discharged from the Royal Mint, and that the principle of last comers being the first to be discharged has not been carried out; that the officials of the Royal Mint admit that in the case of one man, with eight years and four months' service, there is no complaint as to his ability to perform his work, yet they refuse to give this man priority consideration for a restart when work increases; and what is the reason why the Government has departed from its pledge to give priority of employment to ex-service disabled men in this case?

Only one disabled ex-service man has recently been discharged from the Mint. Preference is given as far as possible to disabled ex-service men, but, subject to this rule, it is the practice to regulate discharges and re-engagements of temporary staff at the Mint with reference to efficiency rather than length of service, and for this reason I regret that in the case of the man referred to, it has not been possible to give him priority of consideration for re-employment.

If this man has been in the service of the Royal Mint for so many years, why is it only now that they find that he is inferior to the other people whom they are taking on?

Because it has been necessary to reduce the staff. A considerable reduction has taken place, and it is necessary to keep those who are most efficient.

Why is it that, these men having been discharged during the general strike, preference is being shown to certain people who were not service men?

I do not recognise the facts as implied by the hon. Member. If he has any further questions dealing with the facts, perhaps he will put them on the Paper.

How many ex-service men have been discharged since the general strike?

I think only this one disabled ex-service man. There may be others who were not disabled.

Will the Government apply the same ruling in regard to all other Departments?