asked the Home Secretary whether any prisoners are allowed, if desirous, to indulge in any form of literary composition when in gaol and, if so, under what conditions; and whether there is any official supervision to utilise the value of this educational exercise?

Well-behaved prisoners who have completed six months of their sentences, or less in suitable cases, are encouraged to make notes and write essays on subjects taught, or lectures given, in prisons under the adult education scheme in order that they may take full advantage of any approved course of study they may be following. Such literary composition is under the supervision of the teachers attached to the prisons, and is subject to the general control of the governor and chaplain.

In the interest of the prisoners, as well as of the public, will the right hon. Gentleman remember the words of the Psalmist: Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Would that apply to the Durham prison, where the commissioner preached a sermon against the general strike and against the miners?

This question does not relate to sermons at all, but to compositions written by the prisoners themselves, in order, I presume, to express their own views.

asked the Home Secretary what action he proposes to take with regard to David Backer, a Russian Communist engaged on treasonable propaganda work, with reference to whom a number of deportation orders have been made but who is still in this country owing to the refusal of the Soviet Government to take him back?

This man has now been sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment as an incorrigible rogue. The question of his ultimate disposal is not therefore of immediate urgency, but as I explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain) on 14th June, application has again been made to the Soviet Government with a view to Backer's recognition as a Soviet citizen.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that the magistrate said this case showed a monstrous state of affairs, and that he regarded this man as a criminal of the worst type who was preying on the poor people of this country; and will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to see that when this man has completed his sentence he is deported to Russia? Let them have their own criminals back.

I have explained to my hon. and gallant Friend that I want to deport this man. He is a very undesirable person here, but I cannot compel Russia to take him if they are unwilling to do so.

Well, drown him!

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider sending a bill to Russia for the cost of keeping this incorrigible rogue for the next 12 months?

Are not all Russian Communists incorrigible rogues?

asked the Home Secretary when the Factories Bill will be introduced?

The Bill will be introduced next week.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the case of an officer who has been sentenced to one month's imprisonment for living in a tent at Shoreham; and will he consider advising the remission of this officer's sentence?

The defendant was sentenced, not for living in a tent, but for committing a violent assault. I see no grounds whatever for advising remission of sentence in the case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the assault was committed because six men tried to throw him out of the tent and he defended himself?

If the hon. Member knew as much about this case as I do, I think he would not press for a remission of the sentence.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons convicted under the Protection of Animals Act, 1911, for cruelty to rabbits in rabbit coursing since 1918?

It is impossible to give the number, as such offences are not separately given in the Police Returns of Crime, but are returned under the general heading "Cruelty to Animals."

Has the right hon. Gentleman had brought to his notice the excellencies of the newly-invented electrical hare?

I do not know that it would be useful for cooking purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many proposals he has received from the County Council of Durham for sanction to the purchase of sites for new schools, for the building of new schools or the subsequent remodelling of existing schools, and for the purchase of furniture, respectively; how many of such proposals will be sanctioned; and what is the position with regard to the provision of improved school accommodation in the County of Durham as provided for in the Estimates for the current year and in the programme submitted for the triennial period 1927–30?

My right hon. Friend has received, in connection with the authority's revised forecast of expenditure for the current year proposals covering 19 sites, 14 new schools and 11 remodellings, together with the furniture necessary in some cases. Early in the year my right hon. Friend intimated to the authority that he saw no reason to object to their main building programme, subject, of course, to the consideration of individual items upon details. The financial position has unfortunately been seriously prejudiced by the present industrial difficulties, but, after consultation with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, the President has been able to give definite approval to the purchase of two sites, the building of two new schools and the supply of furniture for two schools, and he expects to be able to approve another new school shortly. The estimated expenditure involved in these proposals is about £70,000, in addition to which the authority's estimates provide for the outlay of about £30,000 upon the completion of work previously sanctioned by the Department. So soon as the financial position allows, my right hon. Friend hopes to proceed with the consideration of other proposals of the authority for the current year and for their programme for 1927–30.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the formation, under the direction of the Young Comrades League, of Communist groups in certain public elementary schools in this country; is he aware that in some cases small typed sheets are circulated among the children containing revolutionary and other objectionable matter; and if he will state what steps will be taken to put a stop to this campaign in schools maintained at the expense of the taxpayers and ratepayers?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the activities of the body to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, which he thinks are unanimously condemned by everyone who is interested in the welfare of the children. As regards the last part of the question, it is open to local authorities to give instructions, when necessary, to the head teachers of public elementary schools as to the introduction of newspapers and similar matter into the schools in their area, and my right hon. Friend is confident that they and the teachers can be relied upon to prevent the schools being used as a medium of objectionable propaganda.

Where the schools are known where this Communist propaganda is being circulated, will the President of the Board of Education get in touch with the authorities of those schools?

Is there any case within the knowledge of the President of the Board where leaflets of that description have actually been circulated to children, either inside or very near to an elementary school?

I think my right hon. Friend would want notice of that question.

Is the President of the Board of Education aware that the greater part of this organisation of "Young Comrades" is arranged in Moscow or by alien Communists in this country?

Arising out of the reply of the Noble Lady that the President would require notice of the question whether any of these things have been circulated, did she not, in her original reply, say that her right hon. Friend was aware of these things being done, and, consequently, has he not got the information already?

The question I asked was whether the Board would get in touch with the authorities where they know that these leaflets have been circulated. Will that be done?

Is it not possible to set up some test of loyalty to the Crown on the part of teachers in the elementary schools?

If there were a test of intelligence, you would never pass it.

Order!

Cannot something be done to stop the elementary schools being used for any kind of political propaganda whatever?

On a point of Order. Is an hon. Member opposite in order in making the remark that if there were a test of intelligence, another Member would never pass it?

Such an observation is not worth noticing.

Cannot the Board of Education trust the teachers to look after their schools?

Will the Noble Lady deprecate the suggestion contained in the question until real evidence is forthcoming?

The hon. Member who has last spoken put a question in a more specific form than the question on the Paper, and that is why I asked for further notice of it. As t the question put by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall), I do not think I can undertake to answer what action my right hon. Friend might take in hypothetical circumstances. Finally, I think that part of the answer I have given is very much to the effect of the suggestion made by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Central Newcastle (Mr. Trevelyan).

asked the President of the Board of Education how much of Circular 1360, of 3rd April, 1926, is now valid in view of the disappearance of the articles in the new Code to which it refers; to what documents any local education authority is expected to look in order to know what ought to be the minimum standard of staffing and the maximum size of classes in a given school; or whether the standard is to be decided in future by general arrangements between the Board and the authorities, which settle the numbers of the total staff of the authority but leave the distribution of the staff through their schools to the discretion of the authority?

It is explicitly stated in paragraph 5 of Circular 1375, a copy of which my right hon. Friend is sending the right hon. Member, that if the Board have occasion to examine the distribution of the staff on an authority's establishment among individual schools, they will continue to be guided by the views expressed in Circular 1360 as indicating a general level below which an authority might reasonably be expected not to fall without some special justification. In settling the arrangements to be made for individual schools, authorities will naturally, therefore, continue to have regard to what is said in Circular 1360 as indicating minimum standards both as regards teaching staff and size of classes. As regards the last part of the question, the right hon. Member will be aware that, by Article 11 of the Code, authorities are required, if called upon, to satisfy the Board as to the distribution of their approved establishment.

Then I understand that the standard which existed in the previous code has not been withdrawn at all?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the case of each local education authority, he will make a statement showing the number of classes with over 50 on the roll?

As the reply to this question consists of a very large number of figures, my right hon. Friend will, with the right hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

On 31st March, 1925, the latest date for which the returns are complete, the numbers were as follow:

asked the Minister of Health whether the appointed guardians for the West Ham union under the Boards of Guardians (Default) Act interview all applicants for relief, or whether 96 this is left entirely in the hands of the relieving officers and relief granted or refused on their reports?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am informed that the practice adopted for the present is that a member of the staff is associated with the relieving officer for the district in administering out-relief. The order made by this member of the staff is reported to the board for confirmation. In addition, all cases presenting special features are reported to the Board for decision.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the Bill which he proposes to introduce for the reform of the administration of relief under the Poor Law, he will take care that the remedies and securities which the law gives to ensure that the necessitous poor shall obtain relief shall not in any way be diminished, and especially that the personal responsibility and liability of the relieving officer for neglect of his duty of relieving the poor, imposed by the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834, sections 43 and 98, and the General Consolidated Order, 24th July, 1847, Article 215, shall be fully preserved and maintained?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question put by him on the 12th instant.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the total persons benefiting from outdoor Poor Law relief are unemployed persons as distinct from the dependants of such persons?

It is estimated that, during the month of June, 1926, about 20 per cent. of the total number of persons in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief in England and Wales were unemployed persons as distinct from the dependants of such persons.

also asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to circulate the draft of the Poor Law Reform Bill?

I regret that I am not in a position to make any statement at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he, has received any representations from local authorities as to the need of applying the provisions of the Housing and Town Planning Acts to built-up areas, and, if so, whether he proposes to introduce legislation upon the matter?

I have received a number of representations, and hope to introduce legislation at a favourable opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the rise in the cost of building, especially of subsidised houses; whether he can explain the causes for such rise; and whether there is any counter action which his Department propose to take?

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken, if any, to prevent any further increase in the cost, of house building?

With regard to the first two parts of the question of the hon. Member for Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece), I would refer to the reply which was given to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on the 20th instant. I can assure the hon. Members that I keep a careful watch on house building polices, and in cases where local authorities' tenders appear to me to be unreasonably high I decline to sanction loans.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman made public statements to the effect that there has been a persistent rise in the cost of materials or in the cost of building for the past two years, and does lie not think, seeing that the increase has now reached 11 per cent., he ought to take some steps to prevent any further increase?

The hon. Member does not suggest what steps should be taken.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the growing anxiety in Devonport owing to the delay of the Government in making an announcement about the housing proposals to alleviate the shortage, and whether he can see his way to make a statement before the Recess?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the question of housing the transferred dockyard employés. I regret that it is not yet possible for me to say when a statement can be made.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are any theatres or places of entertainment that are exempted from the public safety Regulations as laid down by the London County Council and other authorities in respect of theatres and music halls; and, if so, will he consider legislation with a view to these places of amusement being brought within the scope of the Regulations enacted in regard to the safety of the public and the structural condition of the buildings?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The hon. Member has, perhaps, in mind the two patent theatres in London. Though the ordinary safety Regulations do not apply to these theatres, the Lord Chamberlain has a general jurisdiction over them and has taken Care to see that the necessary precautions are adopted. I am afraid I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave the hon. Member in March of last year as to the possibility of legislation on this subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are any other places of amusement in London that have the same rights?

I do not think k, o off-hand, but if the hon. Member has anything in his mind and will let me know, I will look into it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Royal Albert. Hall comes under that category?

I will inquire, but I could not really make out quite at what the hon. Member was driving.

asked the Minister of Health what are the names of the referees appointed under the Contributory Pensions (References) Regulations, 1925; what are their respective salaries; and if the appointments are whole-time appointments?

The referees are Mr. R. E. Lomax Vaughan Williams, K.C., Mr. B. A. Cohen, K.C., and Mr. Eustace Hill, K.C. The present arrangements cover the first year only and 500 guineas will be paid to each of the referees for that period. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Was there not a promise made when the Bill was passing through this House that women would be appointed as referees, and, if so, what has been done in that connection?

I do not remember any such promise being given. I think the hon. Member must be thinking of the case of assessors.

Is there any further appeal against any decision by this important tribunal, and, if so, to whom should that appeal be addressed?

I think that question requires notice.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases in which pension has been refused to the unmarried wife and children of insured persons who have died since 4th January, 1926; and whether, in view of the fact that the man paid the normal contributions and of hardships inflicted on the women and children, he will make provision under Section 36 of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act for the payment of pension to an unmarried wife who has lived with the insured man for a period of five years or more at his death, plus the allowances for children?

The information required to answer the first part of the question could only be obtained by an examination of all the individual cases where the award of pension has been refused, and the pressure of current work precludes such an examination at the moment. As regards the second part, the proposal involves an extension of the class of persons for whom benefits are provided by the Act, and legislation would be necessary to give effect to it.

asked the Minister of Health the number of men now employed in the preparation of the new Ordnance Survey Maps of Great Britain, together with the approximate cost of the new production?

I have been asked to reply. No new Ordnance Survey Maps are being prepared. The existing maps are continually being revised, and the preparation of these new editions constitutes the great bulk of the work of the Ordnance Survey.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a communication was recently sent to the Board of Control by a bench of magistrates commenting on the lack of a proper scrutiny exercised by that Board into the grounds upon which persons are committed to asylums, instancing the case of a Mrs. Mary de Freville, who was committed last month on a Dr. Dill's certificate to Gloucester County Asylum, placed in a padded cell and, when examined by the doctor in charge, sent home as perfectly sane; and, in view of the fact that the Board has itself admitted in its Report for 1923 that 22 cases committed in the previous year were found to be sane on admission, will he give directions that certification in all these cases should be declared invalid and their names erased from the roll of lunatics, in order to protect them from the detriment attaching to the stigma of lunacy?

Mrs. de Freville was admitted to the Gloucester Mental Hospital on the 9th ultimo on the authority of an order made by a Justice of the Peace. Copies of the reception documents were received by the Board of Control on the 14th ultimo, with an intimation that the patient had been discharged on the 11th, the medical superintendent being of opinion that she was not then of unsound mind. There is no question of any lack of proper scrutiny by the Board, because the patient was, in fact, discharged three days before the documents reached the Board. I should, however, state that in the opinion of the Board the facts observed by the certifying doctor at the time of his examination appear to have afforded ample ground for the conclusion that the patient was at the time of unsound mind and in need of care and control. With regard to the latter part of the question, it is erroneous to assume because symptoms of insanity are not found on admission that, therefore, those symptoms were not present at the time of certification and that the patient was improperly certified. It is not possible to invalidate the certification of the persons referred to in the question. They were sent to mental hospitals under proper legal authority and on discharge their names were removed from the list of certified patients. I appreciate, however, that some amendment of the law may be desirable to facilitate the provisional observation and treatment, without full certification, of doubtful or transitory cases of mental disturbance and this will be considered in connection with the recommendations of the Royal Commission whose Report has just been issued.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I in connection with the last part of the question, urge upon him the necessity of having these names expunged, considering the large amount of injury which would be done to the people whose names appear on the roll as insane because their social position would be jeopardised by it?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any chance of that legislation being brought in next Session.

I am afraid that I am not in a position to make a statement about that just now.

asked the Minister of Health whether if the Bolton Board of Guardians decline relief, inside or outside an institution, to an able-bodied destitute locked-out miner, he will prevent them splitting up the family by admitting the man's wife and children only to an institution?

In the case of a miner the guardians must comply with the law as laid down by the Merthyr Tydvil judgment and it is not open to me to give instructions which would lead to a contravention of the law.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that yesterday the Bolton Board of Guardians decided to continue their policy, and that one of their chief reasons was that they could not alter their decision until six months has elapsed since their last decision?

That does not seem to me to arise out of this question.

asked the Minister of Health what provision has recently been made by the Bolton Board of Guardians for the reception and maintenance of the destitute in their institutions; what number of cases can be so dealt with; whether it is intended to transfer any such persons to institutions outside their own area; and to what areas they may be transferred?

I am informed that the guardians believe that they have made provision for the anticipated admission to their institutions of all the wives and children of miners who are in need of such assistance as a consequence of the dispute. They have not decided to transfer any of these wives and children to institutions outside the area of the union, nor has such a transfer been under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that obviously there were difficulties in connection with the practice of boards of guardians in these cases, and in view of the fact that this board of guardians has decided to continue its policy on the ground that they cannot alter their decision until six months have elapsed, will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with them?

My information is that there are not likely to be difficulties.

Is it in accordance with the law and the practice of the guardians to offer admission to wives and families without the head of the household, and does this mean that the practice of admitting the whole family or none has been abrogated in this case?

I do not think there is anything inconsistent with the law as far as I am advised.

asked the Minister of Health how many miners' wives and children have asked for relief from the Bolton Board of Guardians since their decision to grant institutional relief only, how many have accepted the new conditions; and how many have refused?

I am informed that the number of miners' wives and children who have asked for relief since the decision of the guardians to grant institutional relief only is 172 women and 443 children. Five wives and 14 children have accepted such relief, and the remainder have not made use of the admission orders issued to them.

Is the Minister of Health aware that as a result of the decision of the Bolton Board of Guardians there are children starving to-day in that area?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the event of the Bolton Board of Guardians forcing persons to accept shelter when they are not destitute of shelter as a condition of granting relief in kind in necessitous cases, he will call the attention of his auditors to the possibility of the expenditure of ratepayers' money on shelter which is not asked for?

It is open to any ratepayer to attend an audit of the guardians' accounts and object to any expenditure which he may consider unnecessary or unlawful. It does not seem to me, as at present advised, that an3 intervention on my part is necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the scale of out-relief decided upon by the Lichfield Board of Guardians at its meeting on Friday, 23rd July?

The scale is as follows: wife 2s. 6d., wife and one child 3s. 6d., wife and two children 5s., wife and three children 6s., wife and four and five children 7s. 6d., wife and six children or over 8s. 6d. I understand that extra relief will be given by the relieving officers in any special case and that provision will be made for the feeding of expectant and nursing mothers.

Does the right bon. Gentleman regard that scale as adequate, and does he think the guardians are carrying out their duties under the law with regard to that scale?

It is obvious that the scale is very low, as compared with the scale in force in many districts, but what I have done is to instruct my inspectors to keep a very special watch on the situation in this area and keep me constantly informed of what is going on there.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the scale now works out at less than it would have done if the original resolution had been carried and that if no outdoor relief were to be given to families as such there would, according to the decision of the hoard be 2s. 6d. for each child which would really be worse?

I think it is obvious from the answer I have given that it is not intended that the scale should be rigidly adhered to, but in any case the adoption of the scale would not alter the position as regards relieving officers or relieve them from any responsibility.

Did the right hon. Gentleman not, in Circular 703, which has been sent to all boards of guardians, suggest a scale of 12s. for the wife and 4s. for each child? Since the Lichfield Guardians have gone hopelessly below that scale, will the right hon. Gentleman make similar representations to them as he does to any guardians who exceed the payments he recommends?

It is quite true that I did suggest a scale in the Circular referred to, but it was intended as a guide, and could not be considered as a definite instruction that the scale was to be applied in all cases. In a good many cases the guardians are relieving people on a higher scale than that mentioned in the Circular, and one must leave a certain amount of discretion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in certain cases where the guardians have exceeded the payments recommended in Circular 703, one of the Department's inspectors was sent along and, as a result of that interview, the payments were reduced immediately? Does he not think that an inspector should be sent to the Lichfield Guardians to tell them what is their obvious and plain duty to these people?

I have given my inspectors special instructions to watch the situation there, and I shall certainly take care that no injury is inflicted upon the people of that district.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman admits the lowness of the scale at Lichfield, what action does he propose to take if he satisfies himself on the matter?

I do not think we can pursue this matter any further now. We have given a long time to it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the scale of relief granted by the Pontypool Board of Guardians is adults 10s. per week and children 4s. per week, with a maximum of 30s. per week, with no rent, no boots and no fuel allowance; whether he is aware that the guardians have decided to reduce these allowances by 25 per cent. in the forthcoming week: and whether this scale has received his sanction?

The reply to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. No sanction on my part is required or has been asked for by the guardians.

Is the Minister aware that the 25 per cent. is to be put into operation this week, 50 per cent. the second week, 75 per cent. the third week and it is to be wiped out in the fourth week, and that it is only to apply, accord- ing to the Circular, to the strikers in that Division; will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that the people who are locked out will receive the same treatment as other people; and will he give this Board power to apply for loans?

As far as the first question is concerned, the position of people who are on strike is not the same as that of people who are not on strike. It is governed by the Merthyr Tydvil judgment, and I have no power to interfere in that matter. With regard to the second question, it does not arise out, of the question on the Paper.

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation?

Is not this misery self-inflicted, and is not the burden on the rest of the population large enough?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received particulars of any cases of starvation arising directly out of the coal stoppage from the municipal authorities of Cardiff, Durham, Newcastle or Newport?

No, Sir; I am not aware of any such case.

Is it not the fact that. no distress fund has been formed in any of these great cities?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 700 women from two mining villages recently applied at the offices of the Thorne Guardians for boots for 1,000 children and were informed that the guardians had no power to supply the boots; and whether, in view of the fact that the guardians have power under the Poor Law Acts to supply boots as relief in kind to destitute children, he will communicate with the Thorne Guardians on this matter?

My attention has not previously been called to this incident, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any Reports of contracts for coal for export to Russia having been cancelled owing to the coal stoppage; and, if so, what is the amount and value of the coal involved?

I have no information regarding the cancellation of contracts for the export of coal to Russia, but His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow has reported in a telegram, dated 22nd July, that before the coal strike broke out the Soviet Government were negotiating for the purchase of 1,000,000 tons of British coal Sir Robert Hodgson also refers to a statement in the Russian Press to the effect that 650,000 tons of coal for Leningrad have now been bought in Germany and Poland.

Is not this an instance of how this stoppage operates to the advantage of our foreign competitors, and will my hon. Friend see that this information is sent to the mining districts?

Yes, of course, losing this order is a serious—

Send it to the owners.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the unsightly disposal of rubbish in rural parishes; is he aware that the reason put forward by rural authorities is that Section 42 of the Public Health Act, 1875, does not permit of scavenging over a defined area and charging expenses only on that area; and is he prepared to consider an alteration in the law?

I have received representations from some rural authorities that under the law as it stands the method of charging the cost of scavenging is inequitable, and the matter has been noted for consideration when a favourable opportunity arises for further amending the Public Health Acts.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will pub- lish the results as soon as available of the medical investigations into the recent unknown epidemic in Poplar; and whether he will take all possible steps to secure its elucidation?

All possible steps have been taken to elucidate the cause of this outbreak. Bacteriological investigations are being continued, but so far have yielded no positive result. If and when a. conclusion has been reached as to the nature of the outbreak I shall be glad to have the information published.

Have there been any signs of this disease in other quarters?

No, I think not.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he has yet arranged for a test case to he tried as to the powers of local authorities with regard to office sanitation; and, if not, if he intends to do so this year?

I cannot myself arrange for a test case to be tried, but I hope that it may be found possible through the initiative of local authorities to obtain a. decision in the near future.

May I ask whether it would not be a more satisfactory method of going into this matter to insert Clauses for the removal of doubts in the new Factories Bill shortly to be introduced?

That might mean considerable delay.

Inasmuch as a test case was arranged for about four months ago, may I ask whether it has fallen through or is there any difficulty in arranging for a test case?

I do not think so. I do not quite know to what particular case my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I understand that there are test cases which are likely to be brought.

asked the Minister of Health the number of by-laws against the public use of loud speakers which have been sanctioned during the past six months; and what is the attitude of his Department on the subject?

I have been asked to reply. One borough has made a by-law on this subject, and it has been allowed to come into force. I consider that, where the local authority think that a by-law on the subject is necessary to prevent annoyance or disturbance to residents or passengers, they should be allowed to put it in force, provided it is limited to the use of these things in streets or public places or places which adjoin streets or public places and to which the public arc admitted. Similar nuisances have often been dealt with by by-law.

Does that by-law cover Socialist speakers at the street corners?

Have any applications been made by other municipalities for a by-law such as this?

I do not think so, but any by-laws will be carefully considered.

Would the Home Secretary say which borough it is that has made the by-law?

Is any distinction made between a loud speaker in the street and a loud speaker in a shop?

At present the by-law only deals with loud speakers.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet taken any action with respect to the setting up of the Select Committee referred to in the Resolution passed by this House on 12th July?

No, Sir.

May I take it that in the meantime no steps are going to be taken to alter the arrangement under which Ministers of the Crown hold directorships of companies which have contracts with the Government?

I have answered the question on the Paper, and have nothing more to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a telegram from the Union of Provincial Assemblies in China urging that the British share of the Boxer indemnity should be used for the advancement of education; whether he acquainted the British Advisory Committee in China of this recommendation; and whether His Majesty's Government are taking account of the Chinese objection to the retention in British hands of the allocation of the remitted funds?

I have been asked to reply. A letter dated the 1st June was received from this body and referred to the Foreign Office. In this letter the Union recommended that the funds should be applied to river conservancy railway construction, and educational and hygienic uplift of the labour class. The Union have been informed that their recommendations will be brought to the attention of the Buxton Advisory Committee. It was out of consideration for the Chinese views on the question of the control of these funds that the arrangements for their allocation, as explained in the official statement published in the Press on the 29th May, are being adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there has been any discussion at Peking with the de facto Government of China regarding the possibility of the Tariff Conference reassembling on 23rd July, 1926, or a subsequent date?

The foreign delegates attended an informal meeting on the 23rd July with the new Chinese Tariff Conference delegation recently appointed. The possibility of the Conference reassembling was discussed, but no definite date was fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now report as to the progress of the negotiations for the settlement of the Canton boycott of Hong Kong; and whether he will Wale the attitude of the British Government to the proposal referred to them for an impartial commission to investigate the Shameen shooting?

The present position is that the Conference has been adjourned to enable the two delegations to consult their respective Governments on the proposals put forward by each side. With regard to the Chinese suggestion for an inquiry into the Shameen incident, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer returned yesterday to the hon. Member for North Battersea (Mr. Saklatvala).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many civil servants retired in the financial year 1925–26, and, in addition, whether he could give the numbers retiring in that period at different ages from 55 onwards?

The answer to the first part of the question is 5,061. I regret that the information required by the second part of the question is not available, and could not be obtained without considerable inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will place in the Library for the use of Members the 1926 List of Staff and Duties of the Air Ministry?

I have been asked to reply. The Air Force List, which is published monthly and a copy of which is available in the Library, gives full particulars of the senior staff of the Air Ministry, both service and civil, and their distribution between the several departments and directorates. If the information contained in this publication is insufficient for the hon. Member's purpose, perhaps he will communicate with my right hon. Friend, who will be happy to consider any suggestion he may care to make.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he expects to be in a position to announce the details of the Government schemes for short-term and long-term agricultural credits?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar question put to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Mr. Roy Wilson) on the 1st instant, a copy of which I am sending to him.

May I ask who is holding up the publication of these details? Is it the farmers, or the banks, or both?

It is not usual to announce the details of legislation till the Bill is introduced.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider making a survey of the roads in the West Highlands where the population is too scanty to maintain highways for the many motor vehicles which come from all parts of Britain and frequent the West Highland roads, and on completion of such survey proceed to reconstruct the principal roads in these areas at the, cost of the Road Fund?

I explained in reply to my hon. Friend's previous question on the 20th instant that surveys and works were being undertaken along the course of the Inverness-Glasgow road in Argyllshire and adjoining counties, but I am not in a position to extend this exceptional treatment to the whole of the roads in the West Highlands. My hon. Friend will doubtless be aware that substantial grants are made year by year from the Road Fund to assist the highway authorities, and particularly those in sparsely populated areas, in the maintenance and improvement of their roads.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the long stretches of road in mid-Argyll, where a penny rate only yields £160, and where there are many miles of roads in a very deplorable condition, requiring substantial grants—in particular, the main road between Glasgow and Campbeltown?

Extra assistance is being given to rural authorities for the maintenance of their unclassified roads.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the memorial presented to the Governor of Kenya by a deputation representing the Indian and Arab communities in that Colony, on the subject of the proposed sale by public auction of 21 residential plots in Mombasa, for which neither Indians nor Arabs will be allowed to bid and on which members of neither community will be allowed to live; whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the Governor, in his answer to the deputation, that the decision to restrict the sale was made by the Secretary of State on legal grounds; and whether, in view of the importance of the matter, he will give the House further information?

I have no information as to the memorial or the Governor's reply. The position was explained in the answer to the question Q f the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on the 10th June. The question of publishing locally the correspondence on the subject is now under my consideration: if it is published, a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Is it the fact that this proposal for segregation in Mombasa originated with the Secretary of State?

It arises out of the existing law. The legal point was taken by the legal adviser, and it was carried out by the Governor.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is the first case in which this segregation has been proposed in Mombasa in the sale of Government land?

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Mombasa the neighbouring Indians and natives of the soil much prefer to live together, and that the general mass of the population would naturally approve of this policy?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in deciding to allow a loan of £4,500,000 to be raised for Palestine, His Majesty's Government have acted in consultation with any representative body of the inhabitants of the country; whether they have taken any measures to ascertain the opinion of the Arabs, on whom, as forming about 90 per cent, of the population, the chief burden of meeting the charges of the debt will fall; and whether they will inform the House as to how they intend to raise the annual charge required for interest and sinking fund?

The reply to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. The House is aware of the circumstances in which the proposals of His Majesty's Government for the creation of a Legislative Council in Palestine led to no result. In the absence of such a Council, there is no body representative of Palestinians as El whole that could be consulted. With reference to the third part, it is hoped to meet the annual charges from the ordinary revenues of the country.

Does the hon. Gentleman know whether there will be another opportunity of continuing the Debate on this loan, which was cut short the other night?

I do not think that arises out of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that the Government of New Zealand has protested against the extent of facilities allowed to foreigners to slaughter whales in seas around New Zealand; whether an appeal has been made to the Imperial authorities to co-operate with New Zealand in the protection of whales; and whether a policy of discrimination against foreign whaling ships in British ports will be countenanced or allowed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second and third parts, the question of co-operation between the different Governments of the Empire which are concerned in the protection of whales is under discussion. As regard the question of flag discrimination, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Resolution of the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923, which will be found on page 11 of Cmd. 1990.

Has my hon. Friend seen the report in the Press to the effect that the statement in the first part of this question is accurate?

I am advised by my Department to the effect indicated in the reply I have given. I am not sure that the report to which the hon. Member refers is necessarily accurate.

Is it in the interests of this House that the Department should he considered infallible?

Is not the hon. Member practically qualifying for the post of "Prince of Whales"?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mine workers reported as suffering from silicosis in each of the years from 1915 to 1925, inclusive?

Silicosis among mine workers is not a disease required to be reported, and detailed information is therefore not available, but the number of cases is known to be small and, so far as coal mines are concerned, is almost negligible.