asked the Minister of Pensions whether in any circumstances the widow and children of a man who died of his war disability are eligible for pension, or allowances from the Special Grants Committee, if the marriage took place after the origin of the disability or the man's discharge from the Services?

It has always been a principle of the Pension Warrants that the responsibility of the State should be limited to the man's family obligations as existing at the date of contraction of the war disability. Clearly, therefore, no pension or allowance can be granted, either by the Ministry or the Special Grants Committee, where the marriage took place after the man's discharge or demobilisation. This must also be the normal position where the marriage took place before discharge, but after the man had been removed from duty on account of the fatal disability, but very exceptional cases of this kind would be specially considered.

Do I understand that the Minister means by that reply that if a man marries after his disability, he only does so at the risk of placing his wife at a greater disadvantage than would have been the case had he not joined the Army and fought for his country?

The responsibility of the State is limited to the man's family obligations at the date that he contracted the disability.

Is not the responsibility to the man and to the man's wife, and if the man's wife is to be treated in this way, is she not at a disadvantage as compared with one who has married a civilian?

Does not the reply given by the right hon. Gentleman go to show that this man is penalised because he was a soldier in the British Army during the War?

No. It shows that, he was fully compensated according to the Warrant for the disability he incurred during the War.

(for Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKE) asked the Minister of Pensions if he will make a grant to Private Morris Jones, No. 1,375, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 258, Bolton Road, Small Heath, to cover the cost of frequent renewal of trousers, caused by the wear and tear of the artificial limbs supplied by the Ministry after amputation?

I am unable to trace any application of this nature from the man. I may say that the continued improvements in the type of limbs supplied has reduced the extent of wear to clothing to a minimum and that the rate of pension in the case of limbless men has been fixed specially high to cover all ordinary consequences of having to wear an artificial limb. I am, however, having this case investigated to make sure that there is no defect in the limbs supplied that would cause abnormal wear to the man's clothing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the death of Joseph Floyd, who was killed by being caught in a revolving shaft whilst working at Cadby Hall, W.; and whether the shafting had been fenced in as laid down by the Factories Act?

Yes, Sir, I have received a report on this case. It would appear that the shafting was not fenced as required by the Act, and I have authorised proceedings being taken against the occupiers for the offence.

In view of the number of accidents which have happened in this way lately, will the right hon. Gentleman ask his inspectors to take particular notice of this sort of thing in different factories?

The answer I have given shows that they do take particular notice. I think in this case they have taken particular notice and reported the matter to me, and I have authorised a prosecution.

How did the accident happen if they took particular notice? Should not the shafting have been properly fenced in before the accident and not after?

Does the right. hon. Gentleman think that he has sufficient inspectors in that area?

I have said more than once that I am not satisfied that I have sufficient inspectors, and I hope that when the Factory Bill passes into law we shall have a further staff of inspectors.

Is it the practice of the Department to inspect a new factory before it is put into operation?

I think so, but perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a child, six years of age, was permitted recently to be taken to Strangeways Prison, Manchester, to see his mother on the eve of her execution; and why, as this is the second execution of a woman in England during the last three years after 15 years without such executions, he has departed from the previous practice of the Home Office in this respect?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. There has been no departure from the Home Office practice in this matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason why, for 15 or 20 years, no such execution has taken place, and now there have been two during the last three years? Were these crimes fewer during that 15 years than they are now?

There has only been one such case since I have been Home Secretary, and it is a very disagreeable duty to have to deal with these cases. There has only been one case of a woman in which I thought it absolutely essential that the law should take its course, and that is the only one since I have been Home Secretary.

Is it the case that there has been a greater disposition not to grant reprieves since the present Home Secretary has been in office?

Withdraw!

Questions with regard to advice given to the Crown are not permissible.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the circumstances surrounding the arrest and subsequent conviction of Mr. William Jones, 3, Wagstaffe Buildings, Sumner Street, Southwark; whether he is aware that Police Constable 478, M Division, Charles Hutchings, who declined to give evidence in support of the sergeant who effected the arrest, but who was not called upon to give evidence either for or against the prisoner, has been fined, reprimanded, and transferred as the result of disciplinary proceedings taken against him; that the police constable has resigned rather than submit to the alleged unjust treatment; and whether, in view of the effect of police evidence upon which the prisoner was convicted and sentenced, he will consider the establishment of a tribunal under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, to inquire fully into this matter, on the ground that it is one of definite and urgent public importance?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that since the arrest of William Jones in Sumner Street, Southwark, on 8th May, for an alleged offence under the Emergency Powers Regulations, and for which, on police evidence, he was found guilty and sentenced to three months' imprisonment, Police Constable Charles Hutchings has resigned from the Metropolitan Police rather than submit to disciplinary action taken against him for matters arising out of his protest against the manner of the arrest of, and the evidence given against, Jones; and whether, in view of the issues raised in respect of both the constable and the convicted man, and in order that there shall be no question of a miscarriage of justice in either case, he will authorise the whole matter to be inquired into by a tribunal set up under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921?

I am inquiring into the case referred to in this and the following question, and shall be obliged if the hon. Members will put the questions down again next week.

Will the right hon. Gentleman then be in a position to say anything about the necessary legislation for giving this appeal tribunal—which, if it has not been definitely promised, has at all events been many times spoken of—with the object of preventing cases like this arising?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will postpone his supplementary question until I have completed my inquiries.

Will the officer I have referred to have an opportunity of being heard at the court of inquiry, and will the inquiry be without prejudice to his case?

I think the hon. Member had better allow me to make my own inquiries first, because the question involves a great deal of detail, and I want to be satisfied on this question before I give an answer.

On what day shall I repeat my question?

This day week.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the average width of the road on that part of the Great West Road where the Metropolitan Police trap was operating recently, when 243 persons were summoned for exceeding the speed limit?

Fifty feet, Sir.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is really a reasonable place to have a trap where 10 cars at least can go abreast?

When local authorities complain of excessive speed of cars on any road under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police, it is my duty to call the attention of the police to the complaint I have received, and it is their duty to take such steps as they think proper.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really think that a police trap where the police are hidden stops people from going fast?

Is it not essential that the speed should be moderate just where the roads are wide, because of the temptation of cars overtaking and so leading to accidents?

These are arguments, and the only question here is the width of the road.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the 243 persons recently trapped on the Great West Road were summoned for driving to the danger of the public; and how many, for merely exceeding the statutory limit of 20 miles an hour?

The 243 persons recently proceeded against were summoned as follow:

Do I understand from that answer that the people who have exceeded the speed limit were prosecuted for two offences?

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that a man may be driving at a speed greater than is allowed by law, and may also at the same time be driving at a speed dangerous to the public.

Will the Home Secretary give instructions that where people are stopped in these traps, the officer shall show them where the traps are, so that they can verify the distances?

In view of the very large number of prosecutions the law does not seem to have any deterrent effect upon excessive speed, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of introducing legislation to increase the penalties?

Does the right hon. Gentleman or the police know of any motorist who habitually drives within the speed limit?

I think my hon. Friend has got a good many of us into a difficulty over that question, but in these cases I am informed by the police that the speed limit was very considerably exceeded.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury whether he will discourage the Conservative party from making these reflections upon the officers of the law?

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to state the total number of houses completed in Great Britain in the 12 months ended 31st March, 1926?

The total number of houses completed in England and Wales during the year ended 31st March, 1926, was 173,426— 106,987 with State assistance and 66,439 without State assistance. As regards figures for Scotland, I would suggest that the hon. Member should address a similar question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

Is that number larger than the number for the previous 12 months?

Yes, Sir; considerably larger.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding in the Enfield district; and what action is being taken by the local authority concerned to overcome the existing housing shortage?

I am aware of the need for houses in the Enfield district. The local authority have obtained my approval to a scheme for the erection of 609 houses under the Housing Act, 1923. Of this number, contracts have been arranged for 563, and 221 have been completed. The local authority have also undertaken, so far, to pay subsidy in respect of 171 houses to be built by private enterprise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to tell the House whether any subsidy will be granted after October next?

That is another question.

Is it not the case that the overcrowding in the Southern districts is far greater in proportion than it is at Enfield?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Minister of Health the number of dwelling-houses pulled down in the boroughs of Finsbury, Shoreditch and Holborn during the year 1925, and the number of new dwelling-houses erected?

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

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the recent decision in the case of Northwood and another v. the London County Council; and whether he intends to take any steps to mitigate the hardship caused to persons whose lands and premises are acquired compulsorily under Section 46 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1925, under such circumstances as those in the above decision of the High Court?

My attention has been called to this case. The question of legislation to amend in some respects Section 46 of the Act of 1925 has been receiving my attention, but I am unable to make a statement in regard to the matter at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made by county authorities in England in arranging to build houses for their own police, and thus lessen the housing shortage in the villages?

A number of County councils are carrying out schemes for the provision of police cottages both in connection with subsidy schemes and otherwise. I will have particulars of both classes got out and will send the information to my hon. Friend.

Would it be possible to give the same powers to the Commissioner of Police in London, as there is the same difficulty in London of getting houses for the police?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that approximately 200 unemployed men have to walk each week from Golborne to Atherton, a return journey of 10 miles, for the purpose of seeking relief from the board of guardians, and whether he can take any steps to mitigate this hardship while the present condition of unemployment lasts?

I understand that the facts are as suggested in the first part of the question. The guardians have arranged that relief for the men's families shall be paid immediately after the men have appeared before the Relief Committee, thus avoiding a second weekly journey, and since this system has been introduced no complaints have been received.

asked the Minister of Health whether any instructions have been given to boards of guardians to make the granting of relief conditional on the recipient undertaking to repay the amount granted; whether he is aware that Golborne residents, when applying for relief, have been asked to sign an agreement undertaking to pay back the relief granted and empowering his employer to deduct sums up to 5s. per week from his wages and hand the same to the collector of the guardians; and, if not, will he inquire why this is being done and issue instructions that every recipient of relief, before signing such an agreement, be informed that the signing of it is not compulsory for the purpose of receiving relief?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The question whether relief should be given on loan is a matter for the decision of the guardians themselves. In the case of the Leigh Union, I am informed that the recipients are asked at what rate per week they are prepared to repay the relief, and ordinarily sign an agreement such as is suggested. The ordinary rate of repayment is 1s. or 1s. 6d. per week, and the Clerk to the guardians has no knowledge of any case in which the rate is more than 2s. 6d. per week. I see no reason to interfere with the manner in which the guardians are exercising their discretion.

Was the right hon. Gentleman informed that one recipient was refused because he would not sign this agreement?

No, Sir; I was not informed of that.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of cash in the Fund formerly known as the Lascar Fund at the date of transference, and the amount now standing to the credit of the Fund; and how many pensions have been awarded to aged seamen since the date of the transference?

I am informed by the governing body of the Seamen's Pension Fund, formerly known as the Lascar Fund, that the amount of the Fund taken over as at 30th June, 1918, was £108,658 12s. 5d., and at 31st December, 1925, the total amount of the Fund was £657,347 8s. 11d. The number of pensions awarded up to 31st December, 1925, was 2,097. The Report of the Governing Body for the year 1925 will, it is anticipated, be published in the course of the present month.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a case in which the owners of Brennand Bill, Burnley, required a weaver in their employ to purchase a piece of cloth as an alternative to dismissal; whether he is aware that His Majesty's inspector of factories has expressed the opinion that the firm's action was a breach of the Truck Acts; can he state why the firm has not been prosecuted; and whether he has any further statement to make on the matter?

I have received a report from the chief inspector of factories. It is clear that the firm were guilty of a breach of the Truck Acts, but as there was considerable fault on the part of the worker I contented myself with cautioning the firm, who have undertaken that the offence shall not be repeated.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the fault on the part of the worker, and whether it was a breach of the law?

The worker had been making faulty cloth. The matter has been referred to the trade union concerned, and I think the course I have taken has met with universal satisfaction.

May I ask whether the inquiry was conducted before a Court, and whether the right hon. Gentleman's inspectors have instructions to see that the law is observed?

It is not in every case that a prosecution takes place. In this case the offence was a first offence. A caution has been administered, and an undertaking has been given that the offence will not be repeated. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that if it is repeated a prosecution will follow.

That, if I may say so, does not answer the first part of my supplementary question. I asked the Home Secretary whether the investigation in which he says the worker was proved to be at fault was conducted before any legal authority, or who conducted it?

My Department.

Is the Home Secretary aware that Lancashire people are always glad to buy a piece of damaged cloth, which they can get at very low rates?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many processions of the unemployed have marched from the Bow and Bromley Division of Poplar to take part in demonstrations held in Trafalgar Square or Hyde Park during the past three years; on how many of these occasions did disorder or riot take place; how many persons were arrested and charged with offences; and is he now in a position to inform the House of the nature of the evidence which led him to consider that the proposed demonstration on 11th July would lead to disorder?

It would be difficult without much research to give the details asked for in the first part of the question, but I readily admit that the demonstrations to which the hon. Member refers have been on the whole orderly. There have, however, on occasions been breaches of the peace, and the demonstration proposed was prohibited under the Emergency Regulations on the ground that there was reason during the present emergency to apprehend that it would conduce to a breach of the peace, and thereby cause undue demands to be made upon the police.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House the evidence on which that decision was arrived at, and, further, is it not the fact that the Bow and Bromley Division has been for years one of the most peaceful and law-abiding Divisions in the country?

I can only say that I act upon the advice and representations to myself of the Commissioner of Police, who is responsible. If he assures me that he apprehends a breach of the peace, I act on that. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, I will, if he desires it, pay special attention to Bow and Bromley, and see what the result is.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the best way to create disorder is to prevent the holding of public meetings; and will he give to the House and to the people in Bow the evidence on which the police have told him that they are too dangerous to be allowed to hold a meeting?

The police have not told me anything of the kind. The police came to me and stated that in their opinion this was a demonstration which was likely to lead to a breach of the peace. They are responsible. If, however, the hon. Member says his people are law-abiding, I will endeavour to see whether they can hold meetings. I do not desire to prohibit meetings, or anything of that kind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of making it a condition of the employment of the agents of voluntary societies as probation officers that they should not be required to take part in the collection from private charity of that part of their emoluments which is received from the voluntary society?

I agree that such a practice as that referred to would be very undesirable, and, while I do not anticipate that under the new conditions it will continue, I shall be prepared if necessary to take steps to discourage it.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he proposes to take, whether by the appointment of inspectors or otherwise, to secure that grants from public funds shall not be paid to any probation authority which is not efficiently performing its duties under Part I of the Criminal Justice Act, 1925?

The Probation Grant, which will only be payable in respect of approved expenditure, will be carefully administered by the Children's Branch of the Home Office, with the assistance of the financial officers and the probation and other inspectors attached to that branch. It is not at present proposed to appoint any additional inspectors.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the heading given by him as Statement of Expenditure, to Document No. 26, on page 58 of the Communist Papers published by his Department, is not a correct description of such a rough memorandum of some estimate; and if he will take steps to correct the same in any future editions?

If the hon. Member will suggest a more appropriate note to describe the nature of Document 26, I shall be glad to consider it. Perhaps the addition of the word "contemplated" would meet his wishes

May I ask who is responsible for the headings to these documents? For example, there is one alleging participation by Arcos, which is not borne out by the document. Who is responsible for that?

The Secretary of State is responsible.

May I ask whether there are documents, other than those published, to support the veracity of that heading?

Might not the Home Secretary also look through some of the various Liberal publications?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Blue Book containing the Communist Papers is now out of print, and that the public are awaiting the second edition; and whether he can say what was the number of the first edition printed, and what is the reason for the delay in the production of a further supply for the public?

Owing to unexpectedly heavy demands, I regret that this publication was out of print for a short time last week, but copies are now available. The first edition was of 2,500 copies.

Will the headings that were inserted on the authority of the Home Secretary be substantially altered in the document?

I cannot say.

Is there a profit out of the first edition of the book, and what use will the right hon. Gentleman make of it?

I must have notice of that question.

Will some measures be adopted to see that the Government description will be made more accurate, and would the Government be prepared to reduce the price and make a public edition if the Communist party are prepared to take over a certain number?

I am not aware of any inaccuracy in the publication.

How many will the second edition comprise?

asked the Minister of Health the number of pensions which have been awarded to widows and orphans up to the end of June?

Up to the end of June the figures for England, Scotland and Wales were 148,897 widows' pensions covering, with children's allowances, about 420,000 persons and 13,505 orphans' pensions.

How does that compare with the Estimate?

It is considerably less than the Estimate we had originally been given of the number, but the claims are still coming in.

What is the total number of applications?

I could not give that without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making some further provision for the many exceptionally hard cases?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received the resolutions passed by the Association of Approved Insurance Societies at the annual conference on 4th and 5th June, 1926, requesting the Government to abolish the means limit in every case under the Old Age Pensions Act, and to establish the principle that insurance under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act shall be open to all persons on equal terms; and will he introduce legislation at an early date to give effect to these principles?

I have not received the resolutions referred to in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to extend the period in which voluntary contributors can take advantage of the scheme, in accordance with the reply he gave on 30th March to a question in my name?

I do not think that arises out of the question.

asked the Minister of Health what amount has been saved in rates during the first six months of the operation of The Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925; and how much, approximately, he is expecting will be saved in rates during the next six months by the operation of that part of the Act giving full old age pension irrespective of means?

According to returns which I received from boards of guardians in England and Wales in respect of the period to 27th March last the direct saving to the poor rates by reason of the grant of pensions and allowances under the Contributory Pensions Act was at the rate of £1,768,000 per annum. When account is taken of the saving in Scotland, the total figure may be taken at approximately £2,000,000 per annum. As regards the second part of the question, I expect that there will be a further substantial saving but materials are not at present available on which a reliable estimate can be based.

Does the Minister desire to effect further savings in the rates by an additional tax on wages?

asked the Minister of Health whether his approval has now been given to the appointment of a medical officer of health for Golborne, Lancashire; and whether the gentleman appointed has the Diploma of Public Health qualification, in conformity with the terms of the advertisement when candidates for the position were sought?

I have informed the council that, as the candidate selected by them does not possess the requisite qualifications, I am not at present prepared to give a sanction to his appointment, which would enable them to obtain repayment from the County Fund of one-half of the salary of the officer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the subsequent political changes in the French Government, he is in a position to confirm that Great Britain would receive, during the current financial year from France, the sum of £4,000,000 on account of the French War Debt, as promised in April last by M. Péret, the then French Finance Minister?

I have no doubt whatever that the promise given to me by M. Péret in the name of the French Government will be duly fulfilled.

May we. understand that the promise is absolutely conditional?

When a promise is definitely made by a responsible Minister of a foreign Government, one has every reason to believe it will be adhered to. That is certainly my hope.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will issue a complete and detailed statement of the expenditure and revenue in connection with the publication and distribution of the "British Gazette"?

In due course an appropriation account will be presented for the Emergency Services Vote, which includes this service. The account will be subject to the audit of the Comptroller and Auditor-General, who will report thereon to Parliament.

Will that report contain the number of copies issued?

I cannot say.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the total sum paid in rates and taxes on offices used by Government Departments within the Metropolitan area, and how many such offices are leased; and what is the total sum paid in rent?

A sum of £635,000 was paid during the last financial year in respect of contributions in lieu of rates to the rating authorities in the County of London on account of premises owned or hired by the Crown. The Crown does not pay taxes. The annual sum paid in rent in respect of 559 hired or leased premises in the Metropolitan area is £483,000.

Why does not the Crown pay taxes?

Because taxes are paid to the Crown.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department as representing the First Commissioner of Works whether he has been able to acquire better accommodation for the purposes of the Maidstone Tax Office, especially since it is officially admitted that the present accommodation is defective from the point of view both of the public and of the staff?

Premises in which better accommodation for the Maidstone Tax Office can be provided are at present under consideration with a view to their acquisition.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that recently a Belgian was fined at Crewe Police Court for allowing foreign meat-wrappings to come into contact with live stock on his farm; that the defendant imported bacon from the Continent, the wrappings of which were the subject of the charge; that he had mixed imported bacon with the pigs' food on his farm; and that as a result of these acts there has been an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the district; and if he will now undertake to revise the existing prohibition so as to make it applicable only in reference to bacon imported in wrappings and pigs with hair on?

I am aware that a man was fined £15 at Crewe for allowing wrappings in which bacon had been imported to come in contact with swine. The Order infringed was the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Packing Materials) Order of 1925. This Order was designed to prevent wrappings of all imported meat (beef, mutton, bacon, etc.) from being brought into contact with British animals. Foreign meat and bacon may itself be free from disease but, because it is packed in places receiving live animals, the wrappings may become contaminated after the meat is packed. Had this Order been obeyed, it is possible that the outbreak at Crewe would not have occurred. I, therefore, see no reason to modify the existing prohibition on the entry of fresh carcases into this country from the continent, but I intend to give the widest publicity to the conviction at Crewe in order to call the attention of stock owners to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Packing Materials) Order of 1925.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give the official prices for Scotch short sides, English long sides, Argentine chilled hind and fore quarters of beef, Scotch mutton, New Zealand lamb, the two grades of veal, and the two grades of pork for the first Thursday of the week in 1924 in which the Royal Commission on Food Prices commenced their public sittings and for the first Thursday in July, 1925, and for the first Thursday of July, 1926, respectively; and if he will show the percentage increase or decrease as between the period at which it was felt necessary to hold a public investigation into alleged profiteering in the meat trade and those ruling at the last of these dates?

With the hon. Members' permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the required particulars.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of applications to county councils and county borough councils from ex-service men and others for land for small holdings waiting to be dealt with on 31st March, 1926?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total additional acreage

As the reply contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member' permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT,

The area acquired by county councils during the period stated was 697 acres, and the number of holdings provided on such area 57. No land was acquired by councils of county boroughs or the Ministry, but 884 acres of land previously acquired by the Ministry for farm settlements and let on lease as ordinary farms came in hand, and an area of 696 acres was divided into 22 small holdings, the remainder being added to existing holdings.

Is the amount of the land referred to likely to be at all adequate to supply the applicants who are waiting?

No, certainly not; and that is why we are proposing to make further legislative provision for the supply of holdings. The hon. Member's question covered the period at the end of the ex-service men's settlement scheme which we are now winding up.

When are we going to get this legislation which is going to present an opportunity to thousands of these men who are anxious to get on the land?

I hope we shall introduce a Bill in a week or two.

Should we not get the Bill a little quicker if there was more order on the other side?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give figures showing how much agricultural land has been taken for building purposes from the area returned as agricultural land between the years 1900–1914, and 1914–1925?

I regret that I am not in possession of this information.

asked the Postmaster-General in which exchange areas outside the London district and the Hull district there is a delay of more than three weeks in installing new telephones; and in which areas are applicants informed that their orders cannot be extended owing to shortage of plant?

The extension of the telephone service is proceeding in all districts, but although every endeavour is made to forecast future developments, in a certain percentage of streets or areas the demand from time to time temporarily overtakes the supply, and occasionally extensive works, such as the laying of a new main cable, are necessary and involve a delay of some weeks. The list of areas in which there is a shortage of telephone plant therefore fluctuates from day to day, but every endeavour is made to overtake arrears as speedily as possible.

Is there any delay through lack of capital at the disposal of the Department?

I suppose if the Government had an unlimited amount of money we could supply everyone with telephones at a very reduced rate.

Is not the service remunerative?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the inland penny letter rate, which came into force in Canada on the 1st July, is also to apply to Canadian letters to the United States and Mexico; and whether he will enter into negotiations for a similar reduction from three to two cents per ounce on Canadian letters to Great Britain?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I am making inquiries as to the conditions under which this arrangement has been made and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

Could not letters be carried more cheaply from Canada to Great Britain than from Canada to Mexico?

Yes, I think they could.

Is not this a form of Imperial Preference?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the per-

asked the Prime Minister if he will give the figures for the latest year available of the total amount of arms and ammunition manufactured in this country for all the fighting services; and the amounts manufactured under private and Government firms, respectively?

It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for by the hon. Member.

Are we not under a pledge in the Covenant of the League of Nations to see that the private manufacture of arms ceases?

I do not think so.

Cannot we possibly have any figures?

My answer is that it has never been the practice to give the amount of ammunition and arms manufactured in the country, because it

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

Is the Prime Minister not aware that the League of Nations has indicated that the private manufacture of arms and ammunition should cease, and is it not therefore desirable that the practise of refusing to give these figures should cease?

That is another question.