asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will specify the agreements, treaties, and pacts concluded between European nations (other than Russia) which have not yet been registered and deposited with the League of Nations?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which he received on the 8th December, in answer to a similar question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in that reply there was no information, but only an expression of a pious hope? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the House some more definite in formation than a hope that the law is being complied with?

I cannot make a statement as to all the engagements of other Powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the League of Nations disarmament conference will discuss all questions of limitation of armaments before negotiations are entered into independently by the Government with any foreign Powers?

I presume that my Noble Friend's question arises out of the communication received last Thursday from the Government of the United States. I am unable at present to make any statement on the subject.

Is it not a question as to whether we have faith in the League of Nations or not?

I have said that I am at present unable to make any statement on the subject, and I must adhere to that answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have yet decided what concrete proposals for disarmament it will lay before the forthcoming Disarmament Conference on behalf of Great Britain?

No, Sir. The time has not yet come for a final decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many members of the Far Eastern Department of the Foreign Office have any personal knowledge of China; and whether he is encouraging the policy already adopted by one Government Department of enabling its chief members to visit those parts of the. world with the affairs of which they are more especially connected in their work in London?

Three members of the present staff of the Far Eastern Department. of the Foreign Office have personal knowledge of China, two being members of the China Consular Service with an expert knowledge of the country, extending over, I believe, 29 years' and 20 years' residence in that country. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. and gallant Member is perhaps not aware that the posts filled by Foreign Office officials in London and members of the Diplomatic Service abroad are interchangeable. The service of His Majesty's present Minister at Peking, to take only one example, combines two periods of service in the Far East, with service both in junior and senior posts at the Foreign Office.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, in regard to the members of the Chinese Consular Service in London to whom he refers, how long they have been back from China, and whether they have experience of the present China?

I must have notice of a question as to exactly how long they have been back here.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether there is any standard of temperature fixed for rooms used by clerical workers in Government offices; and whether such rooms are provided with thermometers or what steps are taken to ensure that the temperature maintained is adequate for the health of the workers?

The varying nature of the accommodation occupied by Government clerical staffs and the variable climatic conditions are such that it is impracticable to fix a rigid standard of temperature; thermometers are not supplied; heating apparatus or fires which are considered to be sufficient to maintain a temperature adequate for the health of the occupants are provided, and generally prove to be reasonably adequate.

Is it not a fact that the Government insist that factories and workshops should be adequately heated, and if so, why not Government offices?

Because they are not included in the Workshops Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a telegram has been received by him from the Shanghai Bankers' Association and the Shanghai District Chamber of Commerce relative to the despatch of troops, and asking for their withdrawal?

Yes, Sir. I have received a telegram bearing the names of various Chinese public bodies in Shanghai, including the two mentioned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has had any other communication from representatives of Europeans in Shanghai, advising this course of action?

I think not. I do not like answering these questions without notice lest I mislead.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us the terms of the communications and societies which have signed?

If the hon. Member had put that question on the Paper, I should certainly have given her the terms, but as she did not ask for them, I have not brought them with me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider using Singapore as well as Hong-Kong as a place of diversion for the extra military forces which have been despatched to China?

I can make no further statement as to troop movements at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what treaty rights are British troops to be landed on Chinese soil?

The right of a State to protect the lives of its nationals abroad is not dependent on any Treaty provision.

Are we to understand that British forces will be landed in violation of international law, and that an Act of war will then have been committed?

No, Sir. Certainly not.

If there is no Treaty right, will not the landing of these troops be a violation of international law?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether permission has been granted by the authorities controlling the international settlement at Shanghai for the landing in the settlement of all or my of the British troops which have been despatched to that city?

I am advised that the permission of the municipal council is not necessary, and it has not been requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names and the nationality of the members of the Shanghai Municipal Council?

The members of the Municipal Council of the International Settlement at Shanghai, elected in March last, are:

• Mr. S. Sakuragi (Japanese).
• Mr. S. Fessenden (American) (Chairman).
• Mr. H. R. Roe (British).
• Mr. V. G. Lyman (American).
• Mr. A. D. Bell (British).
• Mr. E. B. Macnaghten (British).
• Mr. J. J. Paterson (British).
• Mr. P. W. Massey (British).
• Mr. W. R. B. McBain (British).

Is not the fact that so many representatives on the council are British a sufficient explanation of the way in which Chinese opinion concentrates against the British?

I think not.

The hon. Member is using an argument, not asking a question.

A very mischievous argument.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in regard to the Chinese situation, he will now consider the desirability of applying Article 11 of the Covenant, so that the League can take any action that may be deemed wise and effectual to safeguard the peace of nations?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of Mr. Chu at Geneva that he is authorised to speak for both the Pekin and the Canton Governments; and whether, in view of this statement, he will now bring the question of Anglo-Chinese relations before the Council of the League?

I will answer these questions together. I have seen in the Press the statement to which the hon Member for Peckham (Mr. Dalton) refers. His Majesty's Government have already made a full statement to the League of Nations of their policy in China, in a letter to the Secretary-General, dated the 8th February, which was published in the Press in this country on the 12th February. The last paragraph of that letter reads:

"His Majesty's Government have felt it right to make this communication to the League of Nations so that its members may have before them a full statement of His Majesty's Government's policy in China and may understand how completely it is in accord with both the letter and the spirit of the Covenant. His Majesty's Government deeply regret, that there does not appear to be any way in which the assistance of the League in the settlement of the difficulties in China can be sought at present. But, if any opportunity should arise of invoking the good offices of the League, His Majesty's Government will gladly avail themselves of it."

Has the right hon. Gentleman been able to get into touch with Mr. Chu with regard to the pospossibility of a new situation having arisen?

No, Sir. I have not endeavoured to communicate with him or be with me.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that a new situation has arisen now that there is a Chinese representative at Geneva able to speak for the whole of China?

I am not aware that he is able to speak for any Government having authority throughout China.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any inquiry into this claim?

Yes, I did make inquiries on one occasion, which was after his extraordinary outburst last September, when he attacked the British Government, and was replied to by my Noble Friend Lord Cecil. I was then informed by the Government at Peking that he was not acting upon instructions.

Is it not the case that when he was said to have made an extraordinary outburst he was attempt-in o- to make a statement with regard to Wanhsien which the Government has since made no attempt to correct by issuing a White Paper?

My Noble Friend Lord Cecil said all that was necessary at the moment with regard to the intervention of Mr. Chu, which was in defiance of the rules of the society, as was pointed out by the President of the Assembly at the next sitting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which Powers are still interested with our-selves in Chinese treaty ports and concessions; acid which Powers have relinquished such privileges?

As the Treaty Ports of China are the only places in the country where foreign merchants can reside and establish businesses, all nations having commercial relations with China are alike interested in them. Concessions exist at only a few of the Treaty Ports. The Powers, other than Great Britain, which hold such Concessions, are Japan, France, Italy and Belgium, the last named of whom has recently announced her readiness to return to China her undeveloped concession at Tientsin. The Austrian, Russian and German concessions at Tientsin and the Russian and German concession at Hankow have reverted to Chinese control.

Are negotiations still in progress with Mr. Chen?

There has been some delay, not for the first time, in the transmission of telegrams from Mr. O'Malley at Hankow, and I do not yet know what is the position, but I understand from statements that I have read in the Press that Mr. O'Malley felt it necessary to refer home for further instructions. I have had some telegrams from him, but they all relate to a telegram which only came this morning, and is not yet deciphered.

Cannot he use the wireless on our ships at Hankow?

I think wireless has been used.

Are there any limitations of the rights of Chinamen in this country corresponding to the limitation of the rights of Britons in China?

No, Sir.

In the case of those Powers which have either voluntarily or otherwise given up their privilege in China, is there any evidence that their trade has suffered in China or that they have not been deal with fairly in submitting cases in the Chinese courts?

I have heard conflicting reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Italy has despatched any forces to Shanghai?

Yes, Sir. Italy has at present one cruiser at Shanghai and two gunboats on the Yangtse. An Italian destroyer is due to arrive shortly to reinforce this squadron, and I understand that further reinforcements will be despatched if necessary.

Were these forces despatched at the request of His Majesty's Government?

No, Sir.

Was the despatch of these forces discussed in any way by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on his recent visit to Rome?

I think I heard that question answered some time ago.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has yet taken any steps for the protection of British subjects in China not residing in Shanghai?

British warships are, and have been for some time, stationed at all important centres in the Yangtse basin, where British subjects are resident, from Chungking down to Shanghai. British warships are also stationed at Canton, and visit the ports on the coast when occasion arises. British missionaries residing in the interior, in Provinces where disturbances are to be apprehended, have been advised to withdraw to the Treaty Ports, and but a few of them have acted on this advice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make as to the attempts recently made to distribute Communist propaganda among naval ratings about to embark for the Far East; and whether any action has been taken against the persons concerned?

I have been asked to reply to this question, and would refer to the answer which the Home Secretary gave yesterday to similar questions by the hon. and gallant Members for Everton (Colonel Woodcock) and for Stirling and Clackmannan Western (Commander Fanshawe).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the number of the Admiralty headquarter's staff, and the numbers serving under the Admiralty command in February, 1914, and the corresponding figures for the present time?

I regret that figures for 1st February, 1914, are not available. The figures for 1st August, 1914, are 2,072 and 215,331 re spectively; and for 1st January, 1927, 3,193 and 174,473. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the details in the OFFICIAL PEPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to ask for an increase of the personnel of the Royal Navy, in view of the international conditions?

I trust that the international conditions referred to by the hon. Member will not be so prolonged as to make it necessary to ask for an increase.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men have been discharged from each of His Majesty's dockyards or establishments since January, 1926; how many men are under notice discharge in each place; whether it is contemplated making further discharges in the coming financial year; and, if so, whether the Admiralty has any idea of the number to be discharged?

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

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give the -answer to the last part of the question, which does not involve any figures?

I think I should prefer to leave it all to be circulated in the OFFICIAL, REPORT, if the hon. Member does not mind.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider permitting established men in His Majesty's dockyards to take a modified pension at the age of 55 and upwards should they so desire, and relieve the present congestion in the yards and the necessity of wholesale discharges?

I regret that the suggestion that established men in His Majesty's dockyards should be given the, option of retiring prematurely with modified pensions cannot be entertained.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is already very considerable distress in His Majesty's dockyards; that in these dockyard areas there is practically no other work outside the dockyards, and that, therefore, a large number of men arc going to be thrown on the insurance?

I hope they will be able to find employment elsewhere. I regret very much that, owing to the necessity for economy, these discharges have to be made. Nobody regrets it more than I do, but I am glad to think that, owing to better prospects of trade at the present moment, there is more chance of employment in other yards than there was.

In making these discharges, will consideration be given to the retention of those men who are house owners at Sheerness and other dockyard towns, and who, therefore, will find great difficulty in being able to get away to other employ-merit?

I think that is already done, but if not, I certainly will take notice of what my hon. and gallant Friend has said, and remind the authorities of that point.

Is it not a fact that exactly the procedure suggested in this question was followed when there were discharges from the Royal Navy, and that officers were allowed to take their pensions before they were due? Would it not be economy to adopt the same procedure here?

The hon. Member is confusing the question between hired men and established men. If the hired men aye discharged, established men remain. Therefore, the only point of the question is to enable established men to go and hired men to stay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to utilise the money saved in naval construction as a result of the strike during the current financial year for new construction during the coming year?

No, Sir. Money voted by this House to defray expenses coming in course of payment during the current financial year must, in so far as it is not so spent, revert to the Exchequer. The House will in due course be asked to vote fresh provision, for the naval services, including naval construction, in the year 1927.

In view of the unemployment in the dockyards arising out of the discharges made by the Government, could not some means be discovered of utilising this money which has already been voted?

Would the right hon. Gentleman at the same time consider the possibility of effecting economies?

It is perfectly obvious, if the money has not been spent, it has been economised.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to President Coolidge's message to Congress of 10th February last, in which it is stated that a memorandum has been addressed to various Governments, including His Majesty's Government, suggesting a further conference for the purpose of limiting the building of war vessels not already limited by the Washington Treaty of 1921; and whether, in view of this and the postponement of cruiser-building in the United States, he proposes to cease work on further shipbuilding for the present and until the outcome of the proposed conference?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Prime Minister's reply of the 14th February to the hon. Members for Penistone (Mr. Rennie Smith) and South Hackney (Captain Garro-Jones) (OFFICIAL REPORT, Columns 552–3).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that. the reply—which I heard—does not deal at all with naval shipbuilding, with which the question is most concerned and will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of my question?

I think if the hon. and gallant Member refers to the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will find that question was dealt with. The Prime Minister said the whole point was under consideration.

Is the Foreign Office working in active consultation with the Admiralty on this question, and has the Admiralty made representations as to the connection between air armaments and naval armaments and the possibility of separating the two?

There will be an early opportunity of debating that question on the Estimates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the percentage value of all foodstuffs and of all other stores and materials of any kind purchased by his Department during the year 1926 and which were of foreign origin?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that most of the foodstuffs and stores, etc., purchased from foreign countries are unobtainable in the British Empire. To give an exact percentage of stores so purchased would involve a greater amount of labour than would probably be considered justified by the circumstances. But I may say that the percentage value oz foreign foodstuffs bought in 1926 was between 1 per cent. and 2 per cent., whilst the corresponding percentage for all other stores and materials would be considerably less than 1 per cent. This latter figure excludes oil fuel (which must inevitably be largely of foreign production), and also excludes special purchases of foreign coal which were necessitated by the national coal stoppage.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of sailors discharged from the Navy in 1926 suffering from tuberculosis; and how many of those men were granted disablement pensions?

The number of men so discharged was 197. Of these, six were found to be attributable to the conditions of service, and pensions on the attributable scale were awarded.

If these seamen all pass the medical test prior to joining the naval forces, how does the hon. and gallant Gentleman explain the fact that only 3 per cent, of them have obtained pensions, and 97 per cent, have been refused?

Presumably all ratings are examined before joining the Service, but as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, complaints of this kind develop later on, and are therefore somewhat difficult to attribute to service. It is a matter which is exercising the earnest attention of the Board of Admiralty, who naturally are most anxious to see that all the men are satisfied as far as possible. If the hon. Member asks me to explain the particular reasons for a particular circumstance I am afraid I cannot satisfy him.

Is there any appeal against these decisions?

There is an appeal to the Board of Admiralty.

Have the Admiralty decided how many years a man must be in the Service before a disease is held to be attributable to service?

I think the hon. Member should give me notice of that question.

In view of these facts, will the Admiralty consider once again the necessity for establishing an appeal tribunal, before which the invalided person might appear, personally or through a representative.?

As at present advised, the Admiralty consider that the Board is by far the best final appeal tribunal.

Has the applicant for a pension the right of personal appearenee at that Court, or appearance through a deputy or solicitor?

I think I should have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men employed on works instituted by local authorities and others under schemes sanctioned by the Unemployment Grants Committee; the total amount of expenditure involved; and the corresponding figures for a year ago?

The number of men employed on the 29th January, 1927, on schemes assisted by the Unemployment Grants Committee was 14,510, as compared with 33,273 men employed on the 30th January, 1926. The total estimated cost of schemes approved by the Committee during the 12 months ended 31st January, 1927, was £6,355,979, as compared with £19,532,111 during the year ended 31st January, 1926.

In view of the great increase in the number of unemployed, is it not possible to increase the number of men employed on this class of work?

That raises a question of policy, with which I cannot deal in answer to a question.

Is it the policy of the Department to reduce the sum of money for this purpose year by year, as has been done?

The question does not raise the matter of policy.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of complaints being made that a. large number of persons are now being disqualified in Glasgow for not having a reasonable period of work during the past two years; if such refusal is authorised by any circular or letter issued either from his Department in London or Edinburgh, and, if so, will he state the nature of same; and if this circular or letter is applying in particular to the Glasgow Exchange?

Representations with regard to these disallowances were made recently to the Divisional Controller by the Glasgow Trades and Labour Council. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, this ground of disallowance is a statutory one. Explanatory directions are contained in L.E.C. Memoranda with which, I think, the hon. Member is familiar. No special instructions have been issued for Glasgow as to the considerations to be applied in determining these cases. I may mention, however, that as a result of a recent scrutiny of claims with large debit balances in Scotland generally, a certain number of cases were referred to Committees and disallowed by them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at certain employment, exchanges in Glasgow procedure is being taken which is not uniform throughout the whole of the Glasgow area, and will he state why there is a difference between exchange and exchange?

No, I was not aware of that, and if the hon. Gentleman will come and see me, or give me particulars, I will go into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that an inspector called at the Finnestoun Employment Exchange, Glasgow, and examined the papers of certain persons who had been passed for benefit by rota committees; that he afterwards decided to call the applicants before him and in certain cases stopped the decision of the rota committee from taking effect, and sent the cases back to he reheard; and that the committee again granted payment, but that benefit is not yet paid, and during interviews the inspector treated the applicants for benefit inconsiderately; if he has made inquiry; and what is the result of the same?

I have made inquiry, and find that the usual periodical test of extended benefit claims was recently made at this exchange. What took place was substantially as stated in the question, except that I am assured that no claimant was treated inconsiderately.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries into the conditions in which an inspector has a right to stop payment at least on two occasions when the rota committee have decided to allow it? What statutory right has an inspector to over-rule a rota committee?

The statutory right is the right in the Act of 1924, which imposes on the Minister himself the ultimate decision whether or not a case for extended benefit is to be allowed.

On account of the widespread interest in this matter, will the hon. Gentleman say what takes place after a committee twice allows benefit, and the area officer turns it down?

Can I give notice that I intend to raise this question on the first opportunity on the Adjournment?

I would like an answer to my question.

I would like to see the hon. Member's question in writing, because it does not deal with this specific case. It is evidently a general question.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have completed the full six months' course of training under the new scheme for young unemployed at Claydon, Birmingham, Brandon, and Wallsend-on-Tyne centres, respectively; how many have left before the end of their course in order to take up employment; how many are now in training; how many have been placed on farms overseas; and whether the establishment of any more of these training centres is contemplated?

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the desired information.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of men have to stand in the public streets for a long period of time, often in inclement weather, in order to obtain their unemployment pay; and if, under these circumstances, he will consult the managers of Labour and Insurance Departments as to the possibility of adopting some method which will remove this hardship from the unemployed?

A great deal of attention has been given to this point and, in general, by means of the timing system, the periods of waiting are reduced to a. minimum. From time to time, when such large numbers are being dealt with, cases of delay are almost unavoidable, particularly if there are sudden increases in the numbers attending, but I think I can say that, taken on the whole, such cases are rare. If my hon. Friend will let me have a note of any particular case he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

Is the hon. Member aware that in the Walworth Road, at the Borough Exchange, the men have to wait an interminable time in the rain?

No, I am not aware of that. As I have said, if the hon. Member or any hon. Member has any case of the kind arid will bring it to my notice, I will be happy to look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of juvenile unemployment centres now in existence; the number of authorities in whose areas they exist; and the average number of students attending per week?

On 4th February, 91 juvenile unemployment centres were open in the areas of 34 local education authorities. The average weekly attendance was 6,966. In addition an average of 145 juveniles attend day continuation classes in Edinburgh as a condition of the receipt of unemployment benefit.

Is the number less during the last year? Has the tendency been to decrease?

I could answer that question quite easily with notice, but I am afraid I cannot without.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government proposes to embody all the recommendations of the Report of the Unemployment Insurance Committee in its Unemployment Insurance Bill; and when he proposes to introduce this Measure?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Monday to the hon. Member for the Gorbals Division (Mr. Buchanan). I cannot yet give a date for the introduction of the Unemployment Insurance Bill.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether, before any legislation is introduced, the Ministry will give special attention to the position of seasonal workers in certain classes of industry?

Yes, Sir. That point, of course, is dealt with in the Report itself. The whole Report will be considered by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour how many mine workers were registered as unemployed on the last convenient date, and will he give the figures for the same date in 1925 and 1926?

The number of persons classified as belonging to the coal-mining industry who were recorded as unemployed on 24th January, 1927, was 200,476. The corresponding figure for 25th January, 1926, was 125,669 and for 26th January, 1925, 100,061.

Have the hon. Gentleman's Department or the Government taken any steps to provide useful work for these 200,000 miners out of work?

We are doing our best to provide for everybody out of work. That, of course, involves a statement of policy, and I cannot give an answer.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House exactly what the Government have done to find these men work since the Eight Hours Act was passed?

asked the Minister of Labour how many bricklayers, plasterers, joiners and plumbers were unemployed at the latest convenient date; and the figures for the same date in 1926?

On 24th January, 1927, there were 10,038 carpenters and joiners, 4,807 bricklayers, 874 plasterers, and 2,894 plumbers classified as belonging to the building industry recorded as unemployed in Great Britain. The corresponding figures for 25th January, 1926, were 7,525 carpenters and joiners, 2,953 bricklayers, 653 plasterers and 2,167 plumbers.

May I ask whether the increase in the number of skilled operatives out of work has any relation to the financial proposals of the Government?

No, I think not. As far as I can judge, it is one of the repercussions of the coal stoppage.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a shortage of bricklayers and plasterers on the London County Council housing estates? Is his Department prepared to bear the expense of moving these men to where they are required?

There are bricklayers and bricklayers.

I will certainly bring that before my right hon Friend, but I am not very hopeful that the Government can incur expense in the matter.