asked the Minister of Pensions (1), whether any awards in payment to disabled officers who have lost limbs in the service of the country and are in receipt of wound pensions plus half-pay are being reviewed; whether any have been reduced; and, if so, on what grounds;

No general reduction of disabled officers' pensions or of pensions of other ranks is either in process or in contemplation. I am glad to say that the majority of cases are now in receipt of final awards. The exceptional provision alluded to by my hon. and gallant Friend, by which under the Royal Warrants of 1917 and 1920 a temporary officer may in certain circumstances be awarded a specially favourable pension in the form of half-pay in addition to a wound pension, instead of the ordinary disability retired pay, is subject to the condition, imposed by the Army Council Pay Warrant of 1919, that the earning capacity of the officer must be shown to be seriously affected by his wound or injury. To ensure that this condition continues to be fulfilled, cases of this class have necessarily to be reviewed by my Department from time to time. I have no record of the total number of cases which have been adversely affected in consequence of this review, because, while in some cases the officer is placed on the normal rate of disability retired pay because the governing condition of the previous award is found to be no longer fulfilled, in other cases the more favourable award is restored on its being shown by the officer that his earning capacity is now seriously affected by his wound.

In view of the difficulty of discussing this matter by question and answer, I beg leave to state that I will raise it on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the parents of Private J. M. Peebles, No. S/12376, Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in the War, were awarded a pension in respect thereof; that an investigator visited them on the 19th November, and on 24th November a letter was received by them intimating that the pension would terminate on 17th January, 1927; whether he can state what was the income of this family in 1914 and the income now; and whether, in view of the small income at present received by these people, he will reconsider his decision and continue payment of the pension?

The only pension which could be granted in any circumstances in this case would be one based on need. This class of pension is determined, not by comparison with pre-War income, but by reference solely to the circumstances of the applicant at the present time. In the present instance I understand that the income of the applicants, which has increased since the pension previously in issue was granted, is now slightly over 32s. a week, and in these circumstances the applicants are not eligible for a pension based on need. Should the applicant's circumstances change for the worse the case would, of course, be reconsidered.

Are we to understand that, with a family of this size, the Minister of Pensions considers that an income of 31s. 6d. a week, from which rent and rates have to be deducted, does not constitute a just right to a pension on behalf of a son who was killed in the War, and which has been in operation since 1919, I understand?

The limit which forms the basis of this calculation is one which was fixed by the late Government.

What is the limit?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will cause, an inquiry to be held regarding the administration of His Majesty's prison, Parkhurst, relative to recent disturbances?

As I stated yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies), the reports of disturbance that appeared last week were unfounded. There is no ground for directing the holding of any inquiry.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many disturbances have occurred during the last 12 months, and whether it is on account of tightening up the discipline at Parkhurst?

There has been nothing unusual at all in this prison. There are frequently minor disturbances at any prison, but there has been nothing at all unusual in this case.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the recent number of attacks upon pedestrians by dogs of the Alsatian breed, any further action is being taken by his Department with a view to public safety?

My right hon. Friend has no power to take any special action in this matter, and, on the information before him, he sees no reason to suppose that the ordinary law as to dogs is not sufficient for the public safety.

Have there not been numerous complaints to the police lately about the savagery of these dogs?

That is not in connection with the Alsatian breed.

I particularly refer to the Alsatian breed; have there been many complaints to the police lately?

Not to my knowledge, but I think I had better have notice of that question.

Is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman of opinion that the public safety is more menaced by the Alsatian breed than by any other breed?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary the number of motor cars reported to the Metropolitan police as having been stolen within the London police area within each of the completed 11 months of the present year, and how many have been recovered?

As the answer consist of a large number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the numerous accidents that have recently happened in the Metropolitan police district through the difference of opinion existing between motorists as to the advisability of dimming or turning out their headlights while in the suburbs; and will he consider giving instructions to the Metropolitan police to make this practice uniform in the Metropolitan area?

No, Sir. The police would have no power to enforce any such uniform practice, even if it were desirable to require it in every case.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman had his attention called to the remarks of a learned Judge this week on this practice, and would he consider introducing legislation either one way or the other, either that all motorists should have their lights out or all dim them in London?

My attention has been called to the observations to which the hon. Member refers, but I cannot promise any legislation at present.

Would it be possible for the Home Office to issue Regulations forbidding the use of headlights in well-lighted streets in the Metropolis?

No; I do not think we possess that power at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will furnish a Return showing the number of prosecutions and convictions under the Emergency Powers Act and Regulations, classified according to the nature of the offence, for the period from 16th October?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Tuesday to a similar question by the hon. Member for South Leeds (Mr. Charleton). A final return will be prepared as soon as all figures are available.

Will it be possible to include the actual words of the charge, where the charge relates to treasonable speech?

No, Sir, I do not think it would he possible: it would make the return too unwieldy.

Have so many people been convicted for the use of such language?

No, Sir, but the reports are so large, as people have said so much, that it would be very difficult to publish them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that on a number of occasions during the course of the mining lock-out propaganda leaflets issued by the coalowners and Unionist Associations were distributed from the post office at Chryston, Lanarkshire; whether the postal officials in so doing were acting on his instructions; and, if not, what action his Department proposes to take in the matter?

I have no knowledge of this matter, but am having inquiry made and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will publish full records of his official conversations and correspondence with the London Coal Merchants Federation since January, 1925?

No, Sir. I do not think that the publication of these documents would serve any useful purpose.

Would it not be a useful purpose for the Government to dispel the suspicion, if that be possible, that the right hon. Gentleman was very partial to the coal merchants?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will ask me any questions, in an effort to dispel that suspicion, I will do my best to answer him.

Is not this the best effort I can make to help the right hon. Gentleman to dispel the suspicion? What is the objection to publishing the document?

I think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman can do better than that.

asked the Secretary for Mines the tonnage of foreign coal imported into Britain during the industrial trouble and the approximate average price?

About 19,500,000 'tons of foreign coal arrived at ports in Great Britain from the commencement of the stoppage to 4th December. I regret that I am unable to state the average price.

Can my right hon. Friend state approximately the amount in hand now?

No, Sir, because the greater part of this coal is in the hands of private undertakings and persons. The Government coal has been disposed of.

Is it possible for us to be given the price?

No, the prices vary over a long period of time and they differ in different circumstances.

What proportion of this coal came from Germany?

I cannot say offhand. If the hon. Member will put a question on the Paper, I will see if I can get the information.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the hours of work fixed for boys of from 14 to 18 years of age at some mines in the counties of Northumberland and Durham; that boys descend at 3 a.m. in the first shift and ascend at 3 a.m. in the third shift, and work from 10.30 p.m. to 7 a.m. in a fourth shift; and what action, if any, he proposes to take to prevent the employers fixing such hours for children in mines, especially viewing the fact that boys of that age are protected in other industries?

If the hon. Member supplies me with particulars of any cases in which it is alleged that the law is being broken, I will have them investigated.

I am not saying that the law has been broken, but I am putting to the right hon. Gentleman the conditions which are obtaining at the present time and asking him if he will do anything?

Yes, Sir; if the hon. Member will furnish me with full particulars, I will see what can be done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to convey this information to the Prime Minister, so that he may reflect upon the results of the Eight Hours Act?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the communication made by his Department to the Isle of Wight Coal Emergency Committee has brought about any reduction in the price of 95s. per ton charged to the residents, as against 70s. in Portsmouth; and whether, in order to counteract the retailing of foreign coal at speculative rates, he will take steps to see that British coal is available in the Isle of Wight?

I am informed that British coal is now available in the Isle of Wight, and that the price is being reduced to 70s. per ton as from today.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps have been taken in pursuance of his assurance that in any settlement of the coal dispute the Government would endeavour to see that there was no victimisation on either side?

The Government have taken no such steps. The hon. Member will remember that, after the date of the assurance to which he refers, decisions were taken within the industry resulting in the Government having no part in settling the terms or conditions upon which work is resumed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether that in itself would justify the Government taking no steps to stop the victimisation which is taking place?

The hon. Gentleman's question referred to a particular answer which I gave in this House. Since then, as I say, the conditions have entirely altered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Prime Minister to issue an appeal to the coalowners to stop the victimisation which is taking place in the coal industry and so help to establish some foundation for peace?

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the statement that victimisation is taking place?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in one colliery in Durham men who were wounded in the great War have been refused work?

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether, in his opinion, the chief culprits with regard to victimisation are not the Miners' Federation or the Miners' Union who have victimised consistently those men who have been loyal to their employers?

Hon. Members are giving their opinions.

asked the Home Secretary the number of convictions, for the last year of which he has statistics, for sleeping out and similar offences, for larcenies by tramps or destitute wayfarers, for workhouse offences generally, and for offences connected with the casual wards, respectively?

As regards all classes of paupers detained in Poor Law institutions in England and Wales, 553 were convicted in 1924 of misbehaviour and 134 of stealing or destroying workhouse clothes. As regards offences under. the Vagrancy Acts, 805 persons were convicted by Courts of Summary Jurisdiction in 1924, of sleeping out. Larcenies committed by tramps and wayfarers are not distinguished in the returns from larcenies by others.

In view of the terrible shortage of accommodation in casual wards, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see if some provision can be made, or withdraw the Act altogether?

The next question on the Paper, which deals with this subject, will perhaps clear the matter up.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange for an Inter-Departmental Committee of the. Home Office and the Ministry of Health to consider what improvements can be made in casual wards so as to encourage tramps to enter them rather than steal?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of any increase of crime committed by tramps, and I do not think that at the present time the appointment of such a Committee as is suggested would serve any useful purpose. The condition of casual wards has received my constant attention. A special survey of casual wards was made in 1923, and all such wards are regularly inspected. Where defects have been brought to light, steps have been taken to secure that they shall he remedied. Substantial improvements have in fact been effected, and are still being made.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a case which occurred quite recently at Stamford, where a man was convicted for stealing because he wished to be imprisoned rather than go to the casual ward?

No, Sir, I do not remember the case. It seems to be a tribute to the prison.

Is it not at the same time a condemnation of the casual ward?

asked the Minister of Health what were the most recent dates when the inspector of casual wards inspected Stamford and the neighbouring casual wards when the tramps were in bed?

I regret that I cannot, at such short notice, give the information the hon. Member requires, but I will communicate with him.

asked the Minister of Health which are the casual wards available for men on the tramp searching for work in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and how many permit of the men leaving after breakfast to assist them to obtain employment?

There are 29 casual wards open in this county, and I will send the hon. Member a list of them. A casual desirous of seeking work who has completed his task is entitled in all cases to take his discharge at 6.30 in the morning of the day on which he is discharged.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing such regulations as may be necessary in aid of public funds to enable boards of guardians to take credit for any sums receivable by persons admitted to Poor Law infirmaries in respect of old age pensions and/or State insurance benefits?

For the reasons set out in my written reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Islington East on the 6th instant, I am not prepared to introduce such legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have made complete provision for the number of physically defective children under their jurisdiction: how many have made partial provision; and how many have not yet made any provision?

The question whether complete provision exists in any particular area for dealing with physically defective children is a matter of opinion, as it depends upon the thoroughness of ascertainment and on the nature of the standards adopted. In 263 areas provision is made for the education of substantial numbers of physically defective children at special schools, and in about 140 areas provision is made for the treatment of cripple children by way of orthopædic or similar schemes. In about 40 areas no provision has so far been made.

Does the noble Lord intend to put any pressure on local authorities who are as yet failing to carry out their duties in view of the recent Mental Deficiency Bill?

The Mental Deficiency Bill has nothing whatever to do with the question on the Paper, which refers to physically defective children. As regards the other part of the question, I shall certainly press local authorities to carry out their duties where they are not doing so.

also asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give the present estimated number of physically defective children who might benefit by admission to special schools; how many of these children are at present in special schools; how many in public elementary schools; how many in other institutions; and how many are not attending any School?

The total number of children ascertained by local education authorities in 1925, the latest year for which complete returns are available, as physically defective within the meaning of Section 55 of the Education Act, 1921 (including those suffering from some form of tuberculosis, those classed as cripples, and those classed as "delicate"), was 142,889. Of these, 25,769 attended special schools during that year, 94,332 were at public elementary schools, and 3,857 were in other institutions, while 18,931 were not attending any School. As regards the children attending public elementary schools, it should be remembered that most of the delicate children require only a relatively short period at an open-air School, and the majority of the cripples can be so far benefited by orthopædic treatment as to render them capable of profiting from the instruction in ordinary elementary schools.

Does not the Noble Lord think these figures sufficiently alarming to approach local authorities with a view to some better provision being made for these children?

I think if the hon. Member examines the figures closely he will see they are not really alarming. What we need is a very much better development of ascertainment and orthopædic treatment, but it would be a very large assumption, and quite out of harmony with present medical opinion, and the tendency of medical opinion, to suppose that all these children who are ascertained as physically defective ought to be taken to special schools.

Does it not strike the Noble Lord as alarming that there are such large numbers of defective children, and if he would make inquiry he would find that it is largely owing to bad housing conditions and starvation?

That question concerns another Minister.

asked the President of the Board of Education what action he proposes to take to ensure further education by evening classes to boys working in the mines in the County of Durham, owing to the fact that their working hours will only allow of their being able to attend every third week?

The matter is primarily one for the local education authority. Their programme includes proposals for special centres at West Stanley and Bishop Auckland, and I understand that the Miners' Welfare Committee are prepared to make capital grants for the provision of these, and of similar, centres in the county.

My point is not as to the provision that is made, but how the boys are to be able to take advantage of it.

I do not quite understand why the hull. Member puts the question to me. The provision will be there. The question of what arrangements will be made for boys to be able to take advantage of it is surely one for settlement in the industry itself, and surely no Minister of State can bring boys to centres of Voluntary education when they do not wish to come or by the conditions of their employment are prevented from coming.

Has the Noble Lord not power to compel the employers to give the boys time to attend? He has the power for elementary education.

This would need legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is in a position to make any further statement with regard to the refusal of food to a miner's children at the canteen of Hedley Hill Council School and the action of the headmaster?

In the case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, a summons for assaulting the boys was taken out by the parent against the headmaster, who appeared before the Petty Sessions on Thursday last. He was found guilty of assault and was fined 20 shillings in respect of each offence and £7 17s. 6d. costs. In view of this conviction the Board will take the usual steps to inquire into the conduct of the teacher concerned.

Is it not a fact that this headmaster is well known in the neighbourhood as holding extreme Socialist views?

Is it not a fact that the education authority have already passed a Resolution of confidence in this headmaster?

Can the Noble Lord say there is any question at all whether this man will be kept at his present post or any post in connection with education, considering what he has done?

I think it would be very much better if a case like this were not discussed now in any sense. I have to exercise judicial duties in a case of this kind, and I do not want to express any opinion or say anything at the moment.

asked the Home Secretary how many employés are employed in Great Britain by Arcos and its subsidiary companies; how many are Russians; and the number of those of Russian nationality who were resident in Great Britain before the signing of the trade agreement in 1921?

The answer to the first part of the question is 1,215, as I am informed. Of these 400 are, as I have said before, Soviet citizens, but I am sorry that, without prolonged search, I could not give figures in answer to the last part of the question. I can, however, assure the House that applications for visas from Soviet citizens seeking to join any of these companies are, and always have been, considered very carefully before they are granted.

Has the Department had occasion to make any complaint against any of these citizens for interfering in British political affairs or taking part in propaganda?

In a matter of detail like that, I must have notice.

Do they take the same care in allowing aliens to come into the country? The Home Secretary has frequently stated that none is allowed in except after consultation with the Ministry of Labour.

We are frequently in consultation with the Ministry of Labour in matters of this kind.

In what business is this very large number of people employed?

I have not details with me. Perhaps I can find out if my right hon. and gallant Friend wants to know.

How many of the British employés are ex-police strikers?

I cannot say without notice.

Is there, in the opinion of the Home Office, anything discreditable in any ex-member of the police force being engaged in a bona fide undertaking?

I really must have notice of a question like that, which does not arise out of the question.

Since a general accusation has been made against these people, cannot the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether or not he has any evidence that any of these employés have been guilty of interfering with political propaganda in this country?

That does not arise out of the question asked me. I have answered the question on the Paper. If the hon. Member cares to put down another question, I will do my best to answer it.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the continual increases in the price of bricks and all other building materials, he will consider the appointment at an early date of a Committee of Inquiry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given yesterday to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Dewsbury.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the building trade at the present time there are over 86,000 unemployed workers; whether his Department knows if any actual or anticipated housing schemes are held up in consequence of an inadequate number of workers; if so, which these are; and what steps he is taking to stimulate the transport of such labour from one district to another?

According to the last return the number of unemployed persons connected with the building trade in Great. Britain was 88,064. Of this number the total of bricklayers, slaters and plasterers was 4,063, while the great bulk, amounting to 84,001, were painters, labourers and others. I am not aware that housing schemes are being held up by a shortage of labour of which there is any material surplus elsewhere, and I do not think that any serious difficulty arises in securing the transfer of labour to areas where it is required.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the total of 4,000 bricklayers and plasterers unemployed is higher than the figure at any other time during the last three years?

I should require notice of that question.