asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been tailed to the case of an ex-service man, William Richardson, 1, Down Terrace, Brighton, who, while a patient, at the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Orpington, in 1921, was knocked down and run over by a motor car within the grounds of the institution; whether he is aware that the examining doctor stated that Richardson had a badly bruised leg; that it was two days before Richardson was examined by a hospital surgeon; that as the result of such treatment in the hospital the limb had to be amputated; and whether, in the circumstances, a compensation grant can be made to this ex-soldier whose war pension is only on a 20 per cent, scale?

The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed as to the facts of the case. The accident referred to occurred at the hospital gates and was occasioned by a private motor lorry which had no connection whatever with the Ministry. The Ministry was, therefore, under no liability in the matter, but in view of the emergency all necessary treatment was immediately given in the hospital. The man was, in fact, kept in the hospital for some four months until he was in a fit condition to be removed to his home. At that date the injury was progressing satisfactorily and the prognosis was favourable. The Ministry had no responsibility for or knowledge of the subsequent medical history of the injured leg, nor of the circumstances which led to amputation being considered necessary about a year later. I have inquired into this case very fully, but I can find no grounds that would in any way support the suggestion of neglect or improper treatment on the part of the hospital staff, and I regret that I should have no authority to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question.

In view of the fact that this ex-service man was at a Ministry of Pensions hospital due to disability arising out of War service, does not the Ministry accept some responsibility for his present condition and any accident that may happen to him, and also was the setting of the fracture performed by an unqualified person and not by a hospital surgeon?

No. The Labour Government stated on this question that the Ministry could accept no liability in the matter, and that it was quite clear that the man received every care and attention, and there is no doubt that decision of my predecessor was correct.

Has a statement been taken from the man himself, and has he had an opportunity of examining wit nesses?

I have myself carefully gone into the question since the Labour Government went into it, and I have no doubt that their reply was correct.

Was compensation given to the man by the owner of the private motor car?

No. He first endeavoured to obtain damages against the owner of the car which had injured him, and it was only subsequently that he endeavoured to obtain damages from the Government.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I will raise the matter at the first opportunity on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Pensions what number of pensioners are receiving treatment for war neurosis and other shell-shock complaints; and whether the treatment given is wholly in Ministry of Pensions hospitals or otherwise?

In April last there were some 3,350 of these cases undergoing treatment. Of these cases, with the exception of 300 who are receiving treatment in their own homes and 61 being treated in or at civil institutions medically approved by the Ministry, all the cases were being treated in hospitals or at clinics owned or under the medical control of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that under Section 7 of the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1918, every man suffering from a disability attributable to,or aggravated by, service has a statutory right to pension, he will introduce an amending warrant providing that in cases where the pension has ceased and is re-issued under the Dispensing Warrant of 1884, the pension shall be re-issued in accordance with the statutory right, and not as an act of grace?

The hon. Member has, I think, misapprehended the purport of the Section referred to. That Section gives a statutory right to receive such pension, gratuity or allowance, as may have been awarded under, and subject to, the conditions contained in the Warrant under which it was awarded.

Is it not understood that these men who were injured in the War, and in whose case all the warrants that have been passed during and since the War are in operation, will not be prejudicially affected by any warrants passed prior to the War?

I have informed the hon. Member that this dispensing warrant never takes anything away from the pensioner. On the contrary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support has been forthcoming following his appeal for the scheme of seaside camps as a feature of Borstal treatment?

£326 14s. 6d. has been received since the appeal was published.

To what extent has the appeal been successful?

It has been a most successful appeal, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman can help me still further, I shall be grateful.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he has yet received the Report of the official investigation into the causes of the Dolgarrog dam disaster; whether he proposes to publish this Report; and, if so, when;

(2) whether he has yet received the Report of the official investigation into the condition of the dams adjacent to the Dolgarrog dam; whether he proposes to publish this Report; and, if so, when?

I regret that the completion of the Report has been delayed. The firm of engineers who are making the investigations have come to the conclusion that they must carry out some further examination of the foundations of the Eigian dam, one of the two dams which gave way. I am assured that the work will be expedited as much as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of remitting sentences in suitable cases of convicted persons suffering from incurable diseases so as to avoid the additional ignominy to the relatives of the prisoner having died in gaol?

Such cases are always considered upon their merits, and if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to consider it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the strong comments of the coroner for the Isle of Wight on a case that happened in Parkhurst Prison the other day, where a man died from cancer?

No, I have not had it called to my notice, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the close personal contact at prison establishments between officers and governors and the consequent reticence of officers to represent others when reported by the governor for disciplinary offences, he will consider the extension to the prison service of any proposals for appeal tribunals in the police?

The answer is in the negative. Prison officers have a right of appeal to the Commissioners. If they are in danger of dismissal (otherwise than on account of conviction by a Court of a serious offence) they can have a personal hearing by the Commissioners, or one of them, before a decision is formed; and can, if a decision to dismiss is taken by the Commissioners, have any written appeal considered by the Secretary of State.

Seeing that proposals for appeal tribunals in the police force are being considered, on the ground that such tribunals are in the interest of and for the welfare of the service, will the right hon. Gentleman not consider similar proposals on the same ground for the prison service?

The question of an appeal tribunal for the police is not yet settled, and I have decided that there is no real analogy between the two services.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position- to make a statement with regard to the circumstances attending the death of Mr. Reginald Russell, in Bedford Prison, on 23rd May?

If the hon. Member will put down his question for a week to-day, I hope I shall then be in a position to answer.

asked the Home Secretary if he will consider legislation, which has been found practicable in other parts of the Empire, to obtain pecuniary guarantees ensuring behaviour satisfactory to the police on the part of aliens or of those without nationality; and will he provide that police regulations may be made at discretion to ascertain from time to time the means of subsistence of such persons, with power to prescribe their place of residence?

I think the existing powers go as far as is practicable, but perhaps my Hon. Friend will refer me to the specific provisions which he suggests might be adopted here. I would point out that I have already power to impose restrictions as to an alien's residence, and any person who offends against the law can be required by the Courts to give pecuniary guarantees.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that other European countries have amended the legislation tracing nationality by place of birth instead of racial descent; whether he is aware of the effect upon this country of allowing the children born in England from aliens or enemies of the Empire to elect, at 21 years of age, to enjoy all the rights of British citizenship, notwithstanding racial hostility thereto; and whether he will appoint a committee to adopt remedies which other countries have found practicable?

I know that the nationality of many European countries depends on descent rather than on place of birth, but I am not aware of any urgent demand to change the law of this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is England, a country with fairly decent traditions of liberty, and will he remember that it is his duty to preserve those traditions?

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that this is also a Scottish question? It is not England, but Britain.

The two supplementary questions cancel each other.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the refusal of the Russian Government to take back David Backer, one of their own nationals, who has been repeatedly ordered for deportation as a criminal alien, he has now come to any decision as to what means are to be adopted to rid the country of him?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Acton on Monday last.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman is not in a position to deal with this, and does he not know that already the procedure has been adopted of taking people like that outside the three-mile limit, putting them on a seaworthy raft and letting them find their way home?

I do not know of any case in which that course has been adopted.

Is there any other European or other country which will not take back their own citizens when discharged from another country?

I am afraid that occasionally we have trouble with countries besides Russia. I have communicated with the Soviet Government, and I hope to have an answer shortly with regard to this case.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the case of an offence against Section 22 of the Electric Lighting Act, 1882, by unlawfully or maliciously cutting or injuring any electric line or work with intent to cut off any supply of electricity, which is punishable as felony and liable to penal servitude or imprisonment, the Home Office takes the initiative in prosecuting or, if not, what procedure is adopted?

The normal course, in this as in any other case of felony, would be for the police to take the necessary action on receiving information that an offence had been committed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in the police baton charge in Poplar on 12th May the police forced their way into a committee room where the mayor of the borough was presiding; that when he informed them who he was they cursed and swore at him and belaboured him over the head and right arm, which caused him to be laid up for over a week; that the police also batoned a number of men in the room, went upstairs and batoned a young woman who was waiting up there for her father, who was at the meeting, and also deliberately broke the electric bulbs in the room and the billiard cues before they left the place; and that the refusal to receive a deputation from the council is causing dissatisfaction amongst many of the inhabitants of the borough; and will he reconsider his decision?

I had not previously received any allegations to this effect, and since the question appeared on the Order Paper I have not been able to discover any confirmation of them. A claim has been made by a woman who states she was struck by a police baton inside the premises in question. This is being investigated, and any specific statements submitted by persons who feel themselves aggrieved by the action of the police will also receive full investigation. The matters referred to in the question were not mentioned in the application which I received from the borough council, and I do not think a deputation is an appropriate method of dealing with such complaints.

Owing to the very unsatisfactory statement made by the Home Secretary, I beg to give notice that I will raise this question at the earliest possible date on the Adjournment of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the hard ship inflicted upon elementary school teachers who are now unable to qualify after the November examination; and whether he will consider the substitution of some other examination to enable elementary school teachers to qualify as such?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the certificate examination for acting teachers. As I have already stated, it is, I think, generally agreed that a written examination is not a suitable method of promoting uncertificated teachers to certificated grade, but it was because I was anxious not to treat existing uncertificated teachers in a way which might be regarded as unfair to their legitimate expectations that I decided to hold the examination once more in November, 1926. It is made clear in paragraph 3 of Circular 1377, a copy of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend, that uncertificated teachers will still be eligible for admission to training colleges.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider having some other examination—one of the University examinations or one of the minor examinations—for a certificate for these people?

I am willing to consider anything in order to find an examination suitable for these people, but I do not think the examination itself is a very good way. However, I will consider any proposal made by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Education the present position with regard to explaining the work of the League of Nations in elementary and secondary schools; whether such teaching is compulsory or permissive; and the extent to which such teaching is carried out?

My Department circulated, early in 1924, a memorandum to local authorities and governing bodies of schools recommending to their favourable consideration the resolution of the Fourth Assembly of the League of Nations on this subject. I understand that, last year, the Association of Education Committees recommended its members to send a letter to all elementary and secondary schools in their areas, containing a summary of the various methods by which such instruction might be encouraged in the schools. There is no question of making such instruction compulsory. I find it difficult to answer (he last part of the question, since this can hardly be regarded as a separate subject of instruction.

In view of the importance of this matter could we have a more definite statement in regard to the latter part of the question?

My difficulty about the latter part of the question is that I do not think any of us would want to keep out the League of Nations except in connection with history or general instruction. There can be no doubt that making it a compulsory subject, including in the curriculum to be variable by examination and inspection, would not be desirable.

May I take it that there is a considerable amount of teaching in history, and will that include teaching about the League of Nations?

I think in an increasing number of our schools the League of Nations is brought into the general teaching.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of teaching peace and conciliation at home as well as abroad?

Does the Noble Lord not think that it is equally important to have a League of Nations Day in the schools as an Empire Day?

rose —

We must not now debate the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether before the proposed new code comes into force the House of Commons will have an opportunity of approving it?

The new Regulations will, as required by Section 118 (5) of the Education Act, 1921, be laid before Parliament as soon as possible after they have been made.

Will the House have a chance of discussing them before they come into force to replace the old code?

If the hon. Member is asking whether time will be given for discussion, he must address his quetsion to someone else. The matter can be discussed on the Estimates

Will the Noble Lord consider the advisability of having an examination for Members of Parliament?

Can the Regulations be discussed on the Estimates in time?

The Regulations will not come into operation before the 1st August, and I can rely upon hon. Members to see that the Estimates come on before then.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that of the 864 children of school age at Armthorpe, near Doncaster, accommodation has only been provided for 337, while 527 are receiving no education at all; and will he insist on the provision of an open-air school at once so that the children can obtain both education and any advantages under the Feeding of School Children Act?

I am informed by the local authority that it has been ascertained, as a result of a recent census of children of school age in Armthorpe, that there are 236 for whom no school accommodation is at present available. The authority are now providing temporary accommodation for 150 of these children and are considering the provision of another temporary building for the remainder.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a more recent census than the one taken by the West Riding County Council shows that there are 527 children for whom no accommodation has been provided, and will he insist upon the earliest possible provision being made for these children?

I must rely upon the latest information I can get from the local authorities'. The hon. Member, very rightly and naturally, is very persistent on this subject, but I think I can assure him that the education authority of the West Riding are doing everything possible to meet the difficulties of the situation.

Does the noble Lord think that the best that the West Riding Education Committee can do has been done by leaving these children without any accommodation?

Is the Noble Lord aware of the enormous improvement in the education of the children in the United States by using out-of-door schools?

Yes, but an open-air school is not a school in the open-air, and buildings must still be provided.

asked the Minister of Health if the Farnham Rural District Council have submitted plans for the establishment of sewage works in the Frensham Ponds area; and, in view of the popularity of this district among tourists from overcrowded London districts, will he take such action as will retain this beauty spot as an open space?

I have not received any application. If an application be made, all considerations will be taken fully into account before a decision is given.

Has any offer been made of accommodation for this effluvium in the adjoining district of Churt?

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the decision of the Brigg Board of Guardians to postpone for 12 months the question of the improvement of their casual ward; and will he take steps to urge them to proceed at once with the work?

I have not received any communication to the effect suggested from this board of guardians, but I do not propose to allow the matter to drop.

asked the Minister of Health if it is the policy of the Ministry to secure the replacement of general medical practitioners by specialist medical officers of health throughout the country as and when possible; what was the proportion of whole-time to part-time medical officers of health when this policy was originally adopted by the Local Government Board in 1872; and what is the proportion now?

It is the general practice of my Department to approve, where possible, the appointment by local authorities of whole-time medical officers. As regards the remainder of the question, a Parliamentary Return published in 1873 shows that for England and Wales the proportion of whole-time appointments was about one-quarter. At the present time the proportion is slightly over one-third, the number of authorities having considerably increased.

Does the Minister think that shows that the policy of getting whole-timers is an impossible one?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health if he proposes to utilise general medical practitioners for the prevention as well as cure of disease in the community in his reorganization of the public health system and his proposals for reform of the Poor Law; and what steps he is taking to improve education in the medical curriculum accordingly?

In common with my predecessors I have always been anxious that general practitioners should take their full share in preventive medicine, but the proposals for the reform of the Poor Law will not affect the responsibilities of general practitioners in this regard, and as at present advised I see no necessity to invite my Noble Friend the Lord President to advise the General Medical Council to consider any further modification of the medical curriculum with this object in view.

Is it not a fact that the Sanitary Commission of 1869–71 originally suggested that the Poor Law medical officers should be the basis of the sanitary arrangements of this country, for which they are not at present fully educated; and would it not be an advantage that they should be so educated?

I am all in favour of education for everybody.

Is it not a fact that their education is almost entirely therapeutic?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a resolution passed by a meeting of ratepayers in the village of Risley, Lancashire, concerning the danger to their health arising from a shortage of water supply; whether he is aware that the wells of the Warrington Water Corporation are draining the springs in the district, and that the said corporation hold themselves responsible for the water supply; and will he inquire why the expense of the suggested extension of water mains to meet the necessary needs of the inhabitants should be charged to the owners and occupiers when all previous extensions have been charged upon the rates, which the said owners and occupiers have paid?

I have received a copy of the resolution and am aware that the village is within the limits of supply of the Warrington Corporation. I am making inquiries in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a lad named Leonard Gordon Bint, aged 21, who was resident in the institution for mental defectives, Calderstone's, near Blackburn, was released on the intervention of the hon. Member for North Lambeth on licence on 12th April, who undertook to supervise the lad on his release and, in accordance with that promise, had seen him two or three times each week; that on 7th June he was, without previous notice to his mother or to the hon. Member, forcibly fetched from his home and taken back to Calderstone's, although he was about to start work; if inquiry will be made as to the reason for this action; and if it is intended to retain the lad at an institution without a more prolonged trial as to his capacity to take his place in ordinary life?

I will make inquiries into the case, and communicate with the hon. Member upon the points to which he draws attention.

Is it necessary, when taking a lad like this back to an institution, to send an officer accompanied by a police constable?

asked the Minister of Health the number of maternity and child welfare centres in existence in England and Wales at the present time, and the figures at this time last year?

On the 1st June, 1926, there were 2,463 maternity and child welfare centres known to my Department in England and Wales, as compared with 2,385 on the corresponding date last year.

asked the Minister of Health how many days were lost in the housing schemes under the Acts of 1923 and 1924, respectively, through men leaving work during the genera] strike in the Torquay area?

I have not the information asked for by my hon. Friend, but am making inquiries. Perhaps he will put down another question in about a fortnight's time.

asked the Minister of Health whether, under the powers given him in Section 36 of the-Widows,' Orphans,' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, he will consider the desirability of permitting persons of any age who have contributed to the National Health Insurance for a period of five years or more to become voluntary contributors under the Act?

Section 36 of the Act does not give me power to alter the Act in the manner suggested. But I may inform the hon. Member that under Section 13 any person under 70 years of age, other than a married woman, who has contributed to the National Health Insurance scheme for a period of two years is already able to become a voluntary contributor.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that for the year ended 31st December, 1924, the hours worked in excess of normal by the established non-overtime grades in the taxes branch amounted to 80,242, and for the six months ended 30th June, 1925, the total was 94,324, and that paid and unpaid overtime is still being worked in tax offices up and down the country; and, if so, whether he will explain the reason for the dismissal of a number of temporary clerks owing to alleged redundancy?

I accept the hon. Member's figures, which work out over the periods in question at just over an hour per week of the grades referred to, but I must correct the apparent assumption that the work of the grades in question, which requires considerable experience and training, could be performed by temporary clerical staff. Overtime is occasionally unavoidable owing to special seasonal pressure of work, and as the staff are located in separate district offices, the necessity for such overtime may well synchronise with redundancy of staff as a whole.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are taken by his Department to secure situations for students who are granted agricultural scholarships?

All applicants for the agricultural workers' scholarships are informed that the Ministry cannot guarantee them a better-paid position or an offer of employment at the termination of the scholarship; and no special arrangements for their benefit are made by the Ministry, though it does, if necessary, give all the assistance in its power. I have no reason to think that ex-scholars are unable to hold their own in open competition with other applicants for suitable situations. As a matter of fact, the majority of scholars who have completed their training are known to have found employment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much condensed skimmed milk has been imported this year from countries where animal diseases are rife; what this volume represents in liquid milk; and how it compares with the imports from those countries for the corresponding period in 1925 and 1924?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures desired by my hon. Friend. I am advised that the temperatures to which this condensed milk is subjected in factories on the Continent are sufficient to destroy the virus of foot-and-mouth disease and the tubercle bacillus.

Following are the figures promised:

The imports of sweetened condensed skimmed milk from countries in which there has been a considerable amount of foot-and-mouth disease have been as follow:

condensed skimmed milk. So far as I am aware, other animal diseases are not especially prevalent in countries from which imports of condensed milk are obtained.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if before authorising the prohibition of the import of fresh meat from the Continent he consulted the National Farmers' Union; what other bodies, if any, were consulted; and if he has received and considered any representations from any section of London meat traders regarding the measures to be taken to protect the public against inconvenience and increase of prices arising from the cutting off of nearly 50 per cent, of the fresh meat supply of London?

The prohibition of importations of fresh meat from the Continent was imposed when I became satisfied that the infection of foot-and-mouth disease was being conveyed by that means. I did not consult the National Farmers' Union nor any other interested body. I have since received deputations from the London traders engaged in the importation and sale of foreign meat. While I regret the losses to which some of them have been put by the dislocation of their trade, I see no reason to doubt that the requirements of London will be fully met from other sources and that prices will adjust themselves.

What has been the increase in price so far?

The main stress was laid upon the cost of pork, and pork went up from 7s. 4d. to 8s. 7d. in a week, but since then it has fallen to 8s. 4d. That is in London only. If you take the cost of pork in Manchester, it has kept steady at 8s. 8d., and in Birmingham it has fallen in that same period from 9s. 4d. to 8s. 8d.

Is it not very essential that the public of this country should have meat free from any sort of disease?

Yes, and I think the general acceptance of these Regulations and the temporary inconvenience involved undoubtedly shows that the public do recognise the danger to their health as well as to the health of the flocks and herds of this country.

Is the inspection here, as well as on the other side, as -efficient and as stringent as in the case of pork?

Yes, but the embargo now applies not only to the case of pork, but to the case of all fresh meat from Europe which comes from countries where there is a chance of foot-and-mouth disease, and therefore the question of inspection in the case of -these supplies does not arise.

What about the Manchurian supplies?

There is no evidence that foot-and-mouth disease could be conveyed in frozen meat.

Then is the inspection as stringent as in the case of the Dutch supplies?

Most certainly. The Ministry of Health inspect all imports of frozen meat, but they do not inspect them from the point of view of foot-and-mouth disease, and in the case of the Manchurian supply they inspect them to see that they do not convey evidence of disease which would be dangerous to human life.

What grounds has the right hon. Gentleman for making the statement that there is no evidence of frozen meat carrying foot-and-mouth disease?

Of course, it is negative evidence. The late Sir Stewart Stockman went to the Argentine, and he gave a very satisfactory account of the arrangements there for the sterilisation of all the offal and the treatment of the frozen meat which comes over. The hon. Member no doubt realises that the danger is chiefly in the blood, and Argentine meat is free from that. We are taking further steps with the Argentine Government to see that proper precautions are taken to prevent the slaughter and export of animals suffering from foot-and-mouth disease, in case they should convey disease, although we have no evidence that they do so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that no outbreak of disease has been traceable to the trade in mutton, pork or veal, between Smithfield Market and London during the last 20 years, he is prepared to amend the Order issued on 2nd June to the extent of exempting from its provisions consignments under Dutch inspection guarantees in wooden crates and sent from Dutch ports to Smithfield Market, subject to the condition that calves and sheep are sent without skins or head, and that all pigs have been scalded?

It is impossible by inspection here or in Holland to guarantee that carcases have not been derived from animals that are in an infectious stage of foot-and-mouth disease. The conditions that the hon. Member suggests—scalding and the removal of skins and heads—would not eliminate the infectivity, though they might render the previous existence of disease in the animal more difficult to detect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has noted the recommendation made by the Acting Governor of Kenya Colony, in the Report of his official tour through the provinces in 1922, that it would be both unwise and unjust to restrict Government expenditure for educational and medical services, on the ground that the people are taxing themselves for these purposes through their native councils; and how far the principle thus recommended has been observed?

Yes, Sir. I have noted the recommendation, and while I cannot give a categorical reply to the last part of the question, I can assure the hon. Member that the expenditure on native educational and medical services is increasing.

May we take it that in the expenditure on medical services there is no restriction in favour of the white population as against the Indian population?

There is no question of any restriction of the medical services in connection with the natives, and it is being steadily improved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the native councils in Kikuyu Province, in Kenya Colony, are being utilised to raise levies from the natives for medical services; and how much money has been raised for this purpose?

I have no information, later than that contained in Cmd. 2573 on these levies, but I will inquire of the Governor. The suggestion that the native councils are being utilised by the Government to raise levies from the natives is unfounded.

also asked what steps have been taken to meet the recommendations made by the Kenya Economic and Finance Committee in its Interim Report on Native Labour in 1925, that steps should be taken to lessen the high death rate among the natives by an increase of the medical services in the reserves?

The total medical provision has been increased in the 1926 Estimates from £134,031 to £178,964. Among the increases are 10 medical officers and two sanitary overseers for the native reserves, and six nurses, two male orderlies, and a large number of native attendants for native hospitals.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the measures taken have been effective in decreasing the death rate in the reserves.

This is an increase in the Estimates for 1926, and it is a little difficult to appreciate their full effect at the moment.

May I ask, in view of the serious mortality amongst the Kikuyu and other tribes in the reserves, where white influence is not able to direct and instruct the natives, whether the right hon. Gentleman will consider an increase in the hut tax, the whole of which should be spent on this service?

That is a question which requires notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in the publicity campaign projected for the greater consumption of Empire-grown fruit, he will display and contrast prominently the wages rates and describe the labour conditions of the British and foreign fruit workers?

I have no doubt that the considerations suggested in the hon. Member's question will be kept in view by the Empire Marketing Board when we come to work out the details of any specific publicity campaign.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the OFFICIAL REPORT presented to him last week it was shown that we were purchasing a large proportion of our fruit from employers who were paying their workers 3d. per hour? What steps is he taking to stop that?

We hope to enlist the support of the public in preferring to buy their fruit supplies from our own people.

(1) asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, seeing that in the Report of the Imperial Economic Committee the average price paid to the banana grower in Jamaica is stated to be about 2s. per bunch of 120 bananas, he will say what are the wholesale and retail prices of these bananas;

(2) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Imperial Economic Committee, wherein it is stated that the supply of bananas to this country and their market here is almost entirely controlled by an American company; and if he can give the average retail price of bananas in Britain and the United States of America?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. I have seen the statements to which the hon. Member refers. The wholesale prices of Jamaican bananas in this country have this year ranged from £22 10s. to £25 10s. per ton. The retail price has. averaged 1½d. per banana. According to official American figures, the average retail price in the United States of America has been about 3 cents each.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us how these figures work out by weight of banana?

I bought a banana coming to the House, in anticipation of such a question, and had it weighed. Although I have given the price as l½d. on the average, I was charged 2d., and the one banana weighed about one -quarter of a pound. I work it out in this way: The price, according to the hon. Gentleman's figure and my reply, works out so that the Jamaican grower gets one-fifth of a penny per banana. The wholesaler pays for that, landed here with all charges paid about ¾d., and the public here pay l½d. on an average. I paid 2d.

Is not that a clear case of profiteering?

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the restriction of services on the railways has taken place at the request of the Government, the Government intends to compensate the railway companies financially for the loss resulting from the decreased services?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any decisions have been reached with regard to the findings of the Commission on Broadcasting; and when he will be in a position to state the Government's intentions, and/or introduce legislation?

I cannot at the moment add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 4th May upon this subject.

Will the Noble Lord let me know when he is in a position to make a statement?

I will let the hon. and gallant Member know when I am in a position to do so.

Can we hope for an answer before the end of the Session?

The hon. Member can hope for anything he likes.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Postmaster-General if it is a fact that the employers and the workers in the National Boot and Shoe Trade had agreed to broadcast a description of their conciliation scheme, which had prevented any general upheaval for upwards of 31 years; whether the Independent Chairman of the Conciliation Board in the industry had agreed to broadcast; and for what reason the Postmaster-General refused to allow the broadcasting to take place?

The facts are as stated. The only point of such a broadcast at this moment was that it should imply the advocacy that a similar scheme could and should be forthwith applied to the Mining Industry. A suggestion of this nature may or may not be desirable, but it is undoubtedly controversial, and consequently was not permitted as a broadcast.

May I ask if there was a single word in the message which it was proposed to broadcast, which in any way even gave the impression that the scheme might be applied to the mining dispute?

If that be the fact, then- I do not think the broadcasting will suffer by being delayed a little.

Will not the Postmaster-General reconsider his decision, in view of the fact that this is interesting information which the country ought to have; and if it is prevented from being broadcast, does not that show that the broadcasting company is being controlled for political purposes?

There is not a shadow of foundation for that suggestion. I have to do the best I can to try to keep matters of political controversy out of broadcasting. May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that this matter is very closely allied to a Debate which took place a couple of years ago upon the Industrial Councils Bill, which was very largely supported by those who sit on this side of the House, and opposition to which, if I remember aright, came entirely from the right hon. Gentleman's side of the House. There is no doubt whatever—and I do not think the right hon. Gentleman will dispute this—that arbitration which is compulsory to the extent that it depends upon the forfeiture of a guarantee is a subject of political controversy, and in my judgment as long as the rule about subjects of political controversy stands, I must enforce it.

In view "of the unsatisfactory nature of the Postmaster-General's answer, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible date.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what number of planes, and how many different types, will take part in the forthcoming display at Hendon?

180 aeroplanes of 28 different types will take part in the Royal Air Force display.

Will the squadron of the Royal Air Force which is now returning from the Cairo-Cape-Cairo flight take part in this display?

It is hoped that the officers of the squadron and, possibly, the machines as well will take some part in the course of the display.

Are all these machines the property of the Air Service?

As far as I can remember I think they are; but if the hon. and gallant Member puts down a question, I will give him a more accurate answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when it is expected that the first airship flight will be made to India; where mooring masts have been erected or are in process of erection; and what negotiations are in progress with regard to continuing communication through to Australia?

The answer to the first part of the question is that the first flight to India may be expected to take place in the summer or autumn of 1928. As regards the second part, mooring masts are being erected at Cardington and Ismailia; it has been found necessary, for reasons of economy, to postpone for the present the erection of a mast at Karachi, where, however, a shed will be available. As regards the last part, no actual negotiations are in progress, but I have every hope that the present scheme of airship development will lead to a regular airship service to Australia.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an official Report on Officers' Training Corps is to be published as a White Paper?

The answer is in the negative. I will, however, if hon. Members wish, have copies of the Report for the year ending 30th September. 1925, placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that no compensation has yet been paid by the Russian Government to any private persons who supplied goods or services to Russia as undertaken by the Russian Soviet Government in the Trade Agreement of 16th March, 1921: if not, whether he will recommend that the said Agreement be abrogated; and whether he can now indicate the steps that have- been taken to obtain such payment?

I cannot say definitely that no compensation has been paid in any instance, but it is a fact that the great bulk of the claims remain unsatisfied. As is well known, the Soviet Government have hitherto refused to satisfy the just claims against them, except on conditions which are not acceptable to His Majesty's Government. His Majesty's Government do not think that the abrogation of the Trade Agreement would in itself secure the object which my hon. and gallant Friend has in view.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made careful investigation into all the claims made against the Soviet Government; and, if so, is he or his Department satisfied that all the claims so investigated are just claims?

Before my right hon. Friend replies to that question, will he tell the House whether he is aware that British citizens, some of them my own constituents, have actually seen their own marked property sold in London through the agency of Arcos and money paid to Arcos, while not a penny is paid to them in respect of their own property?

I have heard my hon. Friend make that statement in this House, and I have no reason to doubt it. I have not myself seen objects so marked, but I have no reason to doubt the facts are as he states. Regarding the question put by the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean), I would not pretend that I personally have investigated the whole range of the claims, nor will I say that no unfounded claim has, possibly, been presented by some British citizens at some time. My answer is confined to the just claims of British subjects.

Is it not the case that millions of people in our own native land at this moment have just claims against the Government which the right hon. Gentleman represents here to-day, and that they are not getting satisfaction?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now say, with reference to the men employed in the Armament Supply Department, Bombay, if the Admiralty can see its way to adopt the course practised by the Army Department, and pay the wages of these employés at the standard rate of rupees, namely, 15 to the £ sterling?

As my right hon. Friend the First Lord promised on the 6th May, he has looked into the matter, and a full explanation of the situation has been sent to my hon. and gallant Friend by letter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the reason why naval officers berthed in a ship should receive the use of official cabin furniture free and when accommodated in a shore establishment be charged a daily sum for the use of precisely the same furniture; and whether he will cause steps to be taken to adjust this anomaly?

A small charge is made against naval officers accommodated in R.N. barracks and shore establishments in respect of the cost and upkeep of certain items of their cabin furniture, which it was formerly the practice for officers to provide at their own expense. A similar charge used also to be made some years ago against officers when afloat, but the charge was discontinued as a partial set-off against certain allowances which were abolished at the same time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain approved societies have made arrangements with the Joint Council of Qualified Opticians and the National Association of Opticians for the supply of spectacles to their members; and whether he will see that the free choice of an optician by members is not interfered with?

I am aware that some approved societies have made arrangements with organisations of opticians for regulating the quality and price of optical appliances to be supplied to members of the societies who are entitled to ophthalmic benefit as an additional benefit under the National Health Insurance Scheme. Having regard to the fact that at present it is open to any person to supply spectacles to the public although possessing no particular qualifications, I see no reason, as at present advised, to interfere with arrangements which are designed to protect the interests of insured persons by securing that articles of a satisfactory quality shall be obtained at a reasonable price.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take respecting the offer of money by the Soviet commissariat of finance for the general strike; and whether he will consider the advisability of withdrawing the recognition of the Soviet Government?

I have also received a Private Notice question on this subject, and, as the answer is a long one, perhaps it will be convenient to the House if I give it at the end of Questions.

Provided we have our right of asking supplementary questions.

Is the description of the Soviet Commissariat of Finance offering money for the general strike an accurate one?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will await the answer—I am prepared to give it now, but I thought it would be for the convenience of the House to reply at the end of Questions.

Later:

repeated his question.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Home Secretary whether any sums of money have been transferred from Russian sources in aid of the coal strike in this country, and what steps he pro- poses to take in regard to any further transfers?

On a point of Order. May I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that the question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Burton (Colonel Gretton) is an abuse of the Rule dealing with Private Notice questions? I understand the Rule to be that Private Notice questions should deal with matters of urgency, or should be questions which cannot be put upon the Order Paper in time. This, Sir, is a subject which has been before Parliament ever since we re-assembled, and I put it to you that the Private Notice question is also out of order in view of the fact that another hon. and gallant Member has a similar question on the Paper.

Further to the point of Order. May I ask, in view of the previous question put here—where the insinuation was that these Russian moneys came from the Russian Government, and this question to-day is not an emergency question—whether the hon. and gallant Gentleman has not reduced the charge to "Russian sources," without any reference to the Russian Government?

Members can judge for themselves.

I will reply to these questions together.

His Majesty's Government is satisfied—as stated by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on Monday last—that the Soviet Government waived the Regulations for the export of money, in order to enable the All-Russian Central Council of Trade Unions to transmit certain funds to this country in aid of the general strike and subsequently in aid of the miners' strike. They are further satisfied that for all practical purposes in this connection the Government of Soviet Russia and the various Communist and Trade Union Organisations in that country are instruments of a single controlling authority, and. this view is in accord with the statements in the note of the right hon. Gentleman the present Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Ramsey MacDonald) which he sent to the Russian Government on the 24th October, 1924.

The first sum of £26,427, which came to one of our London banks, was refused by the Trades Union Congress. A second sum of £200,000 was sent from Moscow by transfers of £175,000 from the Deutsche Bank of Berlin and £25,000 from an American bank, with instructions from Russia immediately to transfer £100,000, part of this sum, to the Trades Union Congress.

His Majesty's Government have been under no illusions as to the motives which inspire these professedly eleemosynary gifts, and as soon as I received this information I gave directions to the London bank in question not to make such transfer, and the money was, with my assent, returned to Moscow. The views that I have already expressed in regard to the money which came for the Trades Union Congress apply equally to that sent from Russia to the Miners' Federation. I find that the following sums have been transmitted from Russia to the Federation:

From the All-Russian Central Council of Trade Unions:

From the Ukraine Co-operatives:

From Centrosoyus and the Agricultural Co-operatives:

And the statements made by the Federation's Secretary coincide with my own information. May I add that the attitude of all the London banks has been perfectly correct.

As I stated in the House on the 20th ultimo, His Majesty's Government draw a distinction between money contributed to support an illegal and unconstitutional movement such as the General Strike, and support for an industrial dispute. They have again reviewed the question in all its aspects. They are not blind to the motives which inspire these contributions, and which can be read in countless declarations by Soviet leaders and in the Soviet press. But the General Strike was happily of short duration, and, having made their protest in the most formal manner to the Soviet Government, His Majesty's Government do not propose, at present at all events, to take the step indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Handsworth (Commander Locker-Lampson). Equally they are not disposed to forbid so-called charitable gifts to those who are concerned in an industrial dispute. At the same time, it is my duty to say that His Majesty's Government are continually and carefully watching the further action of the Soviet Government and its affiliated organisations, and if at any time they should be convinced that British interests required a change of policy, they would not hesitate to take the necessary steps.

The first question I should like to put, arising out of the answer we have just heard, is this: Will the Home Secretary now state quite specifically whether the statement he made to this House a few days ago [ Thursday, 10 th June ], that the Russian Government itself did send money to this country, is true or untrue?

I stated that His Majesty's Government is satisfied that the Russian Government and the various Communist and Trade Union Organisations there are subject to one controlling centre, and I am satisfied that, whether the money comes by cheque of the Russian Government or by cheque of the Central Council of Trade Unions, it is one and the same thing.

I do not know if the right hon. Gentleman can answer this question, but am I to understand that that was the nature of the diplomatic representation made to the Russian Government?

I think the right hon. Gentleman must put any question relating to diplomatic representations to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Before the right hon. Gentleman referred to a certain despatch which I sent to the Russian Government, did he see that despatch, and when he saw it, did he find that the reference in that despatch was to the Trade Unions or to the Third International?

Here is the despatch ( reading ):

"No one who understands the constitution and the relationships of the Communist International will doubt its intimate connection and contact with the Soviet Government. No Government will ever tolerate an arrangement with a foreign Government by which the latter is in formal diplomatic relations of a correct kind with it, whilst at the same time a propagandist body organically connected with that foreign Government encourages, and even orders, subjects of the former to plot and plan revolutions for its overthrow."

I leave the matter here, with this further question: Is the right hon. Gentleman under the impression that the characterisation quite accurately made by me—at least, I still hold to it—was a characterisation that related to trade unionism, or to the political organisation known as the Third International?