asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of Mr. George Fullerton, late Royal Irish Rifles, which was considered by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in 1924, any statements were received from Dr. Killen and other medical men to the effect that, in their opinion, Mr. Fullerton's condition was due to war service; whether any of these medical men were given an opportunity of giving oral testimony before the tribunal; and, if not, can he arrange for a re-hearing of the case so that the oral evidence of these doctors can be taken?

Mr. George Fullerton, late Royal Irish Rifles, appealed on the 7th July, 1924, against the final award made on the 19th July, 1921, for his disability, gunshot wound, neck. His appeal came before a pensions appeal tribunal on the 16th October, 1924, when the tribunal held that it had no jurisdiction as the appeal had not been made within the statutory period of one year after the notification of the final award. In February, 1925, Mr. Fullerton appealed against the decision of the Minister of Pensions that his disabilities, nervous prostration, sleeplessness, stomach trouble and psychasthenia, were neither attributable to nor aggravated by service, and this appeal was heard by the pensions appeal tribunal on the 7th April, 1925. At the hearing of the appeal certificates were before the tribunal from Dr. Killen and another medical man, in which they expressed the opinion that the appellant's condition was due to war service. These certificates were duly considered by the tribunal before arriving at the decision to disallow the appeal.

Had the appellant desired to call these medical men as witnesses he was entitled to do so under the Statutory Rules of the pensions appeal tribunals and the tribunal would have been ready to grant an adjournment to enable them to attend. The pensions appeal tribunals can also adjourn any case on their own motion and request, although they cannot compel, the attendance of any witness whose oral evidence will, in their opinion, be of real assistance in deciding the case.

By the War Pensions (Administrative. Provisions) Act, 1919, the decisions of the pensions appeal tribunals are final and, therefore, there is no power to arrange for a re-hearing of the case.

Is the effect of that answer that nothing further can be done for this man, although before the War he was perfectly healthy and is now a complete physical wreck?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is prepared to take steps in order to ensure that the funeral grant, now available under children's regulations for Section nine children, shall be available in all eases of motherless children who die whilst in receipt of pension?

I have no general authority to pay the funeral expenses of children or of other dependants. The circumstances which make it necessary to pay such additional expenses in the ease of the small class of neglected children, who are under the entire care of the Ministry in consequence usually of an Order of Court, do not obtain in the case of other classes of children.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman thinks it would be necessary to change the Royal Warrant to enable him to do this?

I must have notice of the exact form in which the change would have to be made. It has always been the policy of successive Governments to maintain this distinction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any representations adverse to the present practice of inspection of factories where only men are employed by women inspectors; and whether, in view of the objection to this practice both on the part of employers and workmen, he can arrange that this practice is discontinued in future?

Some, but not many, representations of this nature have reached me from employers, and I should like to inform my hon. Friend that in March of this year I issued directions to the Factory Department that generally speaking industries of a heavy nature should be inspected by men only; similarly that certain kinds of work in connection with women's employment should be left to the women inspectors. I am always prepared to consider special eases, and if my hon. Friend will communicate with me as to any particular case, I will endeavour, if it can be done without detriment to the service, to fall in with his wishes.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state, for the period from 1st May to 1st November, the number of persons against whom proceedings have been taken by the Sheffield police for offences arising out of the coal dispute and dealt with under the common law and the Emergency Powers Act, respectively?

Proceedings have been taken against 169 persons under the ordinary law, namely, in five cases fur offences against the person and in 164 cases for stealing coal or wood hum railways, etc. Proceedings have been taken against 56 persons under the Coal Directions Regulation, and against 23 persons under Emergency Regulations 20 or 21.

May I ask the home Secretary whether he intends to institute proceedings under the Emergency Regulations against, the members of the Stock Exchange who booed one of their members a few days ago?

That does not arise here.

Is it not a fact that those who were prosecuted under the Emergency Powers Act might equally well have been prosecuted under the common law?

That does not arise out of this question.

also asked the Home Secretary whether it was by his instructions that the meeting at Swallow-nest, which is two miles to the east of Woodhouse and one mile beyond the city boundary, and the meeting at Halfway, which is two miles south of Woodhouse and one mile beyond the city boundary, were both banned on 14th November, whereas a meeting at Woodhouse, which is one mile within the Sheffield city boundary, was not banned?

The meeting at Halfway was prohibited by the Chief Constable of Derbyshire under the general authority given by me on the 19th October in pursuance of No. 22 of the Emergency Regulations. As regards the other two meetings I would refer to my reply to the hon. Member for the Rother Valley on the 22nd instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether it was under his instructions that the step was taken of refusing to allow Mr. V. Williams, a member of the Derbyshire Miners' Association, to address a meeting of miners at Ripley, Derbyshire, on 17th November or thereabouts; and, in view of Mr. Williams' good record during the dispute and the number of miners' meetings he has addressed without any complaint from the police, he will state the reason for this prohibition?

As I stated on the 22nd instant in a reply to a question by the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire, I have issued no specific instructions in regard to Vincent Williams. Action has been taken by the Chief Constable under the general authority granted by me on the 19th October in pursuance of No. 22 of the Emergency Regulations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why this man was prohibited from speaking at this particular meeting when his record is such as would warrant him being allowed to speak?

I am not quite sure whether the hon. Member is aware of the record of Mr. Vincent Williams.

Yes, I am.

He was prosecuted in May during the General Strike for issuing one of those lying bulletins, which are w e11 known to hon. Members, and he was convicted and sent to prison for it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the issuing of a bulletin during the General Strike is any justification for prohibiting this man from speaking on the miners' dispute at a miners' meeting, he being a member of the miners' association?

It depends entirely upon the circumstances. I do not mind telling the hon. Member that the bulletin was one stating that the Welsh Guards had mutinied.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that Mr. Williams had spoken probably at 100 meetings, and why should ha be prohibited from speaking at the 101st meeting?

That may be so, but I do not know. Perhaps the authority responsible in the 100 meetings was not quite certain of the identity of this gentleman, but it so happens that he fell in with a chief constable who was very much up to the mark.

Is it not the case that this man was prohibited from addressing this meeting because of instructions from the Conservative Association in the district?

Certainly not.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the 100 meetings this man addressed have all been in one area where he is fairly well known to the police round about where he lives, and there has been no prohibition or record of anything against him?

I can only repeat what I have said, that the particular chief constable who was responsible, with a full knowledge of the facts, came to the conclusion that it was not desirable to allow this meeting to take place.

asked the Home Secretary whether it was on his instructions or with his knowledge that a Mr. H. Pollitt was prohibited by the local Chief Constable from addressing a public meeting in Derby on Sunday, 21st November, 1926; and whether he will state the grounds for such action?

This meeting was prohibited by the Chief Constable of Derby under the general authority given by me on the 19th October, in pursuance of No. 22 of the Emergency Regulations. Mr. Pollitt was one of the speakers advertised by the Communist party to take part in their intensive campaign to prevent the miners from returning to work.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any complaints from local authorities within the area of the Doncaster Board of Guardians against his insistence upon immediate repayment of all loans which have been sanctioned for special relief during the mining dispute; is he aware that this action has caused an increase in the rates for the current half year of several shillings in the pound; that the rents of ordinary workmen's dwellings have increased from two to three shillings a week; and, in view of the embarrassment of all sections of the community, will he consider spreading repayment of these special loans over a longer period?

I have received one such complaint against the increase in the rate levied by the guardians, but no such representations have been made to me by the guardians themselves. I understand that the rates have already been levied, and see no reason for my intervention, even if this were otherwise desirable.

Is the Minister not aware that this exceptional rate at the present moment is being felt much more than would be the ease in ordinary circumstances, and does he not think that loans for such a very special purpose as this ought to be spread over a longer period than is permitted in this case?

If the guardians had approached the Ministry, their representations would, of course, have been taken into consideration, but no such representations were made.

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that every local authority in the area Covered by this board of guardians has protested against the shortness of the loan; and, seeing that the rents of miners all over the country have been increased by 2s. or 3s. a week, does he not think that some of the miners are going to pay back directly what they are now being called upon to pay indirectly through their rent?

also asked the Secretary for Mines how many fatal accidents have occurred at outcrops from 30th April, 1926, to the latest date for which figures are available?

I have been asked to reply. From the information in the possession of my right hon. and gallant Friend, from 30th April to 24th November 43 accidents, resulting in the death of 50 persons, have occurred in connection with the working of outcrops.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, in order to ascertain how far the latest Regulations of the Board for the training of teachers was likely to determine the supply of pupil teachers and student teachers, a statement setting forth the Board's new scheme was submitted to the parents of all student teachers appointed to commence duty in Sheffield in August, 1926, inquiring whether under the new scheme

I am aware of the inquiry referred to in the first part of the question. The Board's Regulations provide for a continuance of existing arrangements in areas where continuance is desirable, and, in circulating the Regulations, I invited local authorities to make proposals accordingly.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give the number of schofarships to universities awarded by the State in 1924, 1925 and 1926; and the number of competitors in each year, men and women?

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

asked the President of the Board of Education if his atten- tion has been drawn to the School strike on the Downham estate, within the area of the Bromley, Kent, Education Committee, where parents are refusing to send their children to School on account of the distance that has to be travelled; and whether any steps are being taken to-provide accommodation at a reasonable distance?

I am aware of the difficulties referred to. A new School for about 1,000 children is being provided by the local authority on the estate, and I see no reason to doubt that they are making the best interim arrangements which are feasible in the circumstances for the temporary accommodation of the children.

asked the Minister of Health what was the aggregate amount of sickness and disablement benefit paid to members of approved societies for the first nine months of this year; what was the corresponding amount paid during the first nine months of last year; what was the income from contributions during the same period this year and last year; and what was the amount of the State contribution during the same period this year and last year?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health what action he will take with reference to the Report of the National Insurance Audit Department as to the financial irregularities therein revealed?

Every matter referred to in the Annual Report of the National Insurance Audit. Department has previously formed the subject of individual report by the Government Auditor of the society or branch or insurance committee concerned. A copy of each such report is supplied by the National Insurance Audit Department to the appropriate central department, where the whole course of administration is under continuous surveillance, and, upon receipt of any report of a Government Auditor drawing attention to defects or irregularities of any kind, such steps are immediately taken as the circumstances of the case require.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain approved societies have refused to pay dentists the new Regulation fees; and what steps he proposes to take to bring these approved societies into line with the majority?

The new scale of fees for dental treatment has not been laid down by Regulations, but has been arrived at by agreement between representatives of approved societies and the dental profession. I am aware that a few societies have not yet adopted the scale. I am watching the position, and, in the event of its becoming clear that the adoption of the scale by a society is essential to the provision of a satisfactory service for its members. I will take such steps as are necessary to deal with the matter.

Is it not the case that some approved societies have declined to operate the scale because they have not sufficient money to operate it?

I should not like to answer that question without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action has been taken with a view to the manufacture of alcohol, for power purposes, from sugar-beet?

The manufacture of alcohol for power purposes from sugar-beet has been fully considered by the Government this year, and a small Expert Committee was appointed to consider certain technical questions, including the probable cost of production. The Report of the Committee (published by the Stationery Office in July last) lends no support to the belief that the production of power alcohol would be a profitable undertaking at the present time, even with the assistance of the same proportionate subsidy as is now given for the production of beet sugar, and the Government accordingly decided that they could not adopt the proposal.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a development of this process would cause the price of petrol to decline?

That is a matter of opinion on which I could hardly be expected to commit myself.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the Committee's decision on that matter?

If the hon. Member wishes to go into that, I think that, as the question is a technical one, he had better read their Report?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will obtain reports on the results of recent researchs into foot-and-mouth disease carried out under official auspices in France, Germany, and the Netherlands, which are reported to prove that the formation of lactic acid in the meat within 24 hours of the death of an infected animal destroys the virus; and, if so, will he consider the removal of the embargo on the importation of con- tinental meat, provided such meat has been killed at least 24 hours before importation?

The experiments referred to in the question were carried out by scientific workers in Holland, and the Netherlands Government has been good enough to provide the Ministry with details. The experiments claim to show that the virus of foot-arid-mouth disease, existing in the flesh of animals infected with that disease, is destroyed by the lactic acid which in a short time develops in the dead tissues. It is argued that carcases of animals imported from the Continent to Great Britain cannot carry infection, since sufficient time would have elapsed between slaughter and exposure here to permit of the destruction of the virus. The Ministry, however, possesses conclusive evidence that disease was introduced into Lanarkshire by imported carcases of pigs, and, again, that disease has been spread in this country by means of carcases of animals drawn from all infected farm but which showed no visible indications of disease. The Dutch experiments deal with flesh only, but the Ministry is conducting experiments on the duration of the virus in all parts of the animal, and results have already been obtained indicating that certain parts of the carcase remain infective. Under these circumstances I am not prepared to remove the prohibition of the import of fresh carcases from countries infected with foot-and-mouth disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now state the number of people who can be regarded, in the light of the experience of 1926, as being engaged in permanent employment on the land in connection with sugar beet cultivation?

Employment on the land on sugar beet cultivation is mostly seasonal. I have no information as to the number of persons permanently engaged.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any Report has yet been received from Lord Blanesburgh's Committee on Unemployment Insurance with regard to the position of women workers in the fishing industry; and, if so, what action the Government proposes to take?

The Committee has not yet made a Report.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have passed through the day and residential training establishments organised by his Department; the weekly cost per head, including all charges, in each establishment; how many men have been found regular and permanent employment, and the nature of such employment in this country; how many have emigrated; and to which Colonies or Dominions?

Up to 10th November, 1926, 1,646 men had passed through a course of training at the four centres, exclusive of 492 others who either Voluntarily withdrew from training or were discharged for unsatisfactory conduct. Of the total of 1,646, 989 are known to have found employment in this country, and 250 proceeded overseas—98 to Canada and 152 to Australia. I am unable to state to what extent the employment found in this country, which covers about 30 different occupations, is permanent.

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement of the weekly cost per head.

Are any of the men now at the Essex Colony farmed out to farmers for work?

The Colony, of course, is not in Essex but in Suffolk. As it is a different question perhaps the hon. Member will put it down.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a number of employers in the Manchester district refuse to sign any papers presented to them by men seeking employment, thereby destroying the only evidence an applicant for employment could produce to satisfy the rota committees or Employment Exchanges, and the men are thereby charged as not genuinely seeking employment and are refused insurance benefits; and will he cause inquiries to be made immediately into the matter?

I will inquire into the matter, if the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any specific cases which he has in mind where benefit has been refused on account of the failure of the applicant to produce notes from employers. I must, however, dissent from the view that such notes are the only possible evidence an applicant for employment could produce to satisfy a rota committee, and this is made perfectly clear in the current directions to committees.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that rota committees are insisting on written proof of attempts to find work by the unemployed?

No, I am certainly not aware of that.

Could not spine scheme be devised by the Ministry to place the onus of proof on the rota committees if they dispute the statement of the workmen?

That is an entirely different point. If the hon. Member will look at the directions to local committees, which are in the Library, he will find the instructions in paragraph 48 which meet the point he has in mind.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman is not aware that it is not the workman who is not carrying out the instructions, but the rota committee not standing by them.

If the hon. Member can bring any such cases to my notice I will gladly go into them.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, male and female, who were registered at the Manchester Employment Exchanges on 30th October or a later date if possible; the number of persons who claimed unemployment insurance benefit; the number sanctioned; and the number refused?

On Monday, 15th November, there were 25,952 males and 10,534 females on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the Manchester area. Of this number, there were claims to unemployment benefit in respect of 24,809 males and 9,751 females, including claims disallowed or disqualified in the case of 1,989 males and 418 females, and others in which a decision had not yet been given.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who have applied for unemployment benefit in the City of Glasgow during the past three months and the number of persons refused the same in that period; and if he will state the number of women affected by such decisions and the number of men?

During the three months ended 15th November, 1920, a total of 96,460 fresh and repeat claims for unemployment benefit were lodged at Employment Exchanges in Glasgow. During this period 72,686 claims for extended benefit were considered by the local committees, of which 61,700 were recommended for allowance and 10,986 for disallowance. The recommendations for disallowance numbered 7,400 in the case of men and 2,899 in the ease of women. Statistics are not available regarding the decisions on the claims for standard benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons drawing unemployed benefit in Glasgow who are below the age of 18, and the number of persons below that age who have been refused benefit during the past three mouths?

At 15th November, 1926, there were 1,918 claims for benefit current at Employment Exchanges in the Glasgow area in respect of persons under 18 years of age. During the period 10th August, 1926, to 15th November, 1926, 3,426 claims to extended benefit by persons under 18 were considered by the local committees in Glasgow, of which 687 were recommended for disallowance. Corresponding statistics are not available regarding the disallowance of claims to standard benefit.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount of poor relief paid to able-bodied unemployed from the date of the Armistice to the present time?

Figures based on the classification of "able-bodied unemployed" are not available for the period specified. The total amount of out-relief in money and kind paid to persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants from the date of the Armistice to the 25th September, 1926, is approximately, £46,000,000.