asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what was the cost involved in the re-issue of Card. Paper 2774?

After the presentation to Parliament of the Report of the Commission on Extra-Territoriality in China, Command Paper 2774, information was received from the Secretaries-General of the Commission that the copy of the British text supplied to the Foreign Office was not complete. In these circumstances it was deemed advisable to reissue the Command Paper in a complete form. The added passages will be found on pages 7 and 128 of the re-issued Command Paper. The cost involved in the re-issue of the Paper amounts to £18 1s. 6d.

Could not this information have been given on a single sheet of paper?

With a document of some consequence like this, I thought it would be for the convenience of everybody concerned to have all the information correct and complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French Government have recently moved any troops or ships to China?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British and Indian troops have been landed in Shanghai luring the last two months, and on which part of the International Concession the troops are housed; and has any protest been received from the Chinese Governments against the landing of these troops?

Before my right hon. Friend answers this question, I would like to ask whether it is in the public interest that information of this kind should be given to persons who opposed giving protection to British citizens abroad?

As regards the number of troops, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by the Prime Minister on the 10th instant. Such troops as have been landed are all accommodated in various British properties in the International Settlement. In my reply on the 21st February to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Platting and my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff East, I read the text of Mr. Chen's protest against the despatch of British troops to Shanghai. A protest has also been made by the Peking Government.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give us any information about the rumours of a mutiny among a battalion of Punjabis?

There is no foundation whatever for them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government has received any complaint or other communication from the Chinese Government relating to the bombardment of the city of Wanhsien in September last, a bombardment which resulted in the loss of many lives and the destruction of much property, including damage to the Roman Catholic cathedral; if any Report has been received from the British officers who ordered and carried out this bombardment or from the admiral in command in Chinese waters; and will he lay upon the Table of the House copies of any correspondence which has passed between the F reign Office and the Chinese Government in connection with this incident and any Reports that have been received from the officers in charge of the ship or ships which carried out the bombardment?

As regards the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to the replies given to the hon. Members for Motherwell (Mr. Barr) for Attercliffe (Mr. C. Wilson) and for Camlachie (Mr. Stephen) on the 1st December last. The third part of his question is covered by the reply given to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Newcastle Central (Mr. Trevelyan) on the 21st instant.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he considers it conducive to friendly feelings towards British people that the House of Commons should not have any particulars of these incidents after six months?

Yes, Sir, I think the course I have ventured to advise the House to take is more conducive to friendly relations with the Chinese people than that which is being taken by the hon. Gentleman.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he thinks the bombardment of a city of a friendly Power is conducive to friendly relations with the Government that allows such a thing to be done, without giving its Parliament any information?

The hon. Gentleman's description of the event bears no relation to the facts of the case.

Then may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to give the House and the country the true particulars from the officers on the spot?

I have already said I do not think it serves the interests of peace or good relations between ourselves and the Chinese people to stir this matter up.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his refusal to publish these papers is giving rise to the impression that this country has a great deal to hide in this matter?

No.

That would not be the case if it were not for the kind of questions put in this House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to publish in this country the Report of the Consular Com- mittee which inquired into the disturbances which occurred in Shanghai during the month of May, 1925; whether any protest in connection with this incident has been received by the Foreign Office from the Chinese Government, of has any correspondence taken place between the Chinese authorities in Shanghai and His Majesty's Government, and, if so, will he lay copies of all correspondence which has take place between Chinese authorities and the British Government upon the Table of this House?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the Report of the Commission sent by the Diplomatic Body to Shanghai in June, 1925. This Report was published, together with summaries of the reports of the International Commission of Judges, in December of that year. The hon. Member will find it on page 938 of the China Year Book for 1926. Two notes of protest were addressed by the Chinese Government to the Diplomatic Body on the 1st June and the 4th June respectively, to which a reply was returned This correspondence has also been published, and will be found in the China Year Book, page 930. There has been no correspondence on this subject between His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government, apart from that conducted jointly with other governments concerned through the Diplomatic Body. As these documents have been published and are available, it appears unnecessary to lay them.

Would it be convenient for the right hon. Gentleman to give the House any information regarding the bombardment of Shanghai?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a British-owned newspaper, the "Peoples Tribune," published daily in Peking in the English language, has been ordered to stop printing in Peking; and whether he can make any statement as to the reasons given for this action on the part of the authorities in Peking?

I am making inquiries, but have not yet received any information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can inform the House of the nature of the administration of the ex-Russian concession at Hankow dining the last few years; whether it is similar to the administration proposed regarding the British concession there; and whether it has worked to the satisfaction of the foreign interests concerned?

The regulations for the ex-Russian concession at Hankow provide for a municipal council consisting of a chairman nominated by the Civil Governor, three elected foreign, and three elected Chinese members. They also provide for the discussion of the annual balance sheet and budget by the general meeting of ratepayers, and for the submission of new by-laws to the general meeting of ratepayers for approval. In its general character this administration is similar to that agreed upon for the British Concession.

In his despatch forwarding the Report of the working of this administration for the year 1925, His Majesty's Minister says that it "has proved highly satisfactory," and His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow remarks in the same connection that "the future can be looked forward to with confidence."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the agreement which has been signed regarding Hankow will be made available for public information; and whether it contains provisions for compensation for losses suffered by British subjects, for the recognition of the rights of private property, and for the continuation in employment of the staff of the British Municipal Council there?

I have already given to the House the text of all the documents that have reached me relating to the agreement regarding the British Concession at Hankow. As only insignificant damage was done to property, the question of compensation for damage does not arise. I am not yet in a position to deal with the other points of detail raised by my hon. Friend.

May I ask if we have had the full text of the Chinese agreement entered into at Hankow?

No, Sir; I have not myself got the full text of the agreement, but I shall be glad to communicate it to the House when I receive it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the women and children turned out of Hankow, and who received accommodation at Shanghai have been put to considerable expense; and are we to understand that no compensation is to (be made to them for that expense?

Of course, when families are displaced in that way, they are put to great expense, and it is a great hardship to the people concerned. That, however, is not a matter upon which I feel that I can make a claim for compensation, and no claim was made in the negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position with regard to negotiations for Chinese representation on the Shanghai Municipal Council?

On the 11th of January His Majesty's Minister reported that the Diplomatic Body had authorised the Consular Body in Shanghai to endeavour to reach an immediate temporary arrangement with the local Chinese authorities for the addition of three Chinese representatives to the Municipal Council, in anticipation of the formal steps which must be taken in order to introduce the necessary alterations in the Land Regulations.

Have there been any further developments in those negotiations with regard to the proportion of representation on the Shanghai Municipal Council?

I think I must ask for notice of that question.

In view of the fact that there is a majority of British representatives on the council, would the Foreign Secretary be prepared to suggest that one or two of the British Chinese representatives should stand down in favour of Chinese, in order to make negotiations more possible in the circumstances?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put his question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which European countries are parties to the China Arms Embargo Agreement of May, 1919; and with which country or countries have there arisen differences in the interpretation of the agreement?

The following countries are parties to the Agreement; Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, United States of America, Brazil, France, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. The object of the Agreement was to restrain the nationals of the Powers concerned from importing into China arms and munitions of war and material destined exclusively for their manufacture. Differences of opinion have arisen as to the degree of strictness with which these terms should be interpreted. The French and Italian Governments have asserted their freedom to export aircraft to China, and Denmark has exported machinery to be used for arsenal equipment.

May I ask whether any country has exported aeroplanes or aeroplane armaments to the Cantonese forces?

Oh, yes, Sir. I think Russia undoubtedly has.

Are we to understand that aeroplanes have actually been sent by France and Italy to the Cantonese forces?

I cannot say whether, up to the present time, anything is being supplied. But to distinguish between civil and military aircraft is a very difficult thing, as those who have given attention to the subject know; and some difference of opinion arose between us and other Powers as to what were to be considered military aircraft, and what were not. I believe that aircraft have been supplied to the Peking Government by some of the Powers concerned.

May I ask whether the French and Italian Governments are asserting their freedom to export aeroplanes to China, including freedom to export aeroplanes to the Cantonese forces?

It is not a question of exporting to this force or to that, but of exporting to China.

Is not the complaint against Russia that she is arming the Cantonese?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the disciplinary Navy regulations on H.M.S. "Vindictive," and other naval vessels in Chinese waters, require officers and other ranks to return to their ships before midnight, or before any earlier or later hour?

The hours at which shore leave expire must necessarily be left to the discretion of the senior naval officer.

asked the Prime Minister whether invitations have been sent to the Governments of His Majesty's self-governing Dominions to send troops to China to co-operate with the British troops; what replies have been received; and whether it is intended to lay the correspondence upon the Table?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and, accordingly, the remainder of the question does not arise.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the Reports of the Debates in the Canadian Parliament, in which it is stated that there have been communications?

I have not seen them myself, but I was told that no statement of any kind was made. In any case, there has been no correspondence at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that at its meeting on 25th September, 1926, the Assembly of the League of Nations unanimously adopted a resolution requesting the Council of the League to instruct the secretariat to study a system of the single transferable vote and the principle of proportional representation in general in connection with the problem of the election of the non-permanent members of the Council, in order that this question may be laid before the next ordinary session of the Assembly, he will say what action the Council took at the last meeting in the matter; what was the attitude of the representative of His Majesty's Government; and what were the grounds on which that action was founded?

The Council considered this question at their last meeting, and decided to adjourn consideration until the next session of the Council. I expressed the opinion that a Memorandum prepared by the Norwegian Government gave all the necessary information, and that the expenditure of 2,500 Swiss franca on the employment of experts, if such existed, would be a waste of money.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what were the views put forward by the British delegates on civil aviation in the committee appointed by the League Preparatory Commission for the disarmament conference?

It would be inadvisable to make any statement on this subject at the present time, when the Report of the Commitee in question has not yet been considered by the League of Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will have inquiries made into the case of David Scott, a British mercantile marine fireman, who was imprisoned in Novorrossisk, Russia, for 12 months, without trial, from December, 1925, to December, 1926, by the Russian authorities, and then deported from the country?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply was given by the Soviet Government to the protest of His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow concerning the detention in prison without trial of Mr. David Scott; whether any complaint was laid against Mr. Scott by the Soviet authorities; and, if not, will any reparation be made to him for wrongful imprisonment?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affair, whether any reply has yet been received to the protest made by His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow to the Soviet Government regarding the prolonged detention in gaol without trial and ultimate deportation of Mr. David Scott; and, if no reply has been received, what steps he proposes to take to obtain compensation?

My attention was called to this case some little time ago, and His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow has protested to the Soviet Government against Mr. Scott's prolonged detention without trial. The charge against Mr. Scott was that of agitation against the Soviet Government, and he was deported from Russia as an undesirable alien. The Soviet Government, in their reply to Sir R. Hodgson's protest, stated that Mr. Scott had been accused of actions contrary to the laws of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and that every step was taken to ensure a speedy investigation of his case.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if it is the practice in Soviet Russia for a prisoner to be detained for a long time without trial?

Has the attention of the Foreign Secretary been drawn to the fact that Mr. Scott in his printed statement says that he deserted his ship, and entered Soviet Russia by that means, and can the Foreign Secretary tell us what would be the proceedings of the Home Secretary in regard to a similar incident in England?

I certainly could not answer those questions without the notice which they deserve. I am afraid it is the case that the process of bringing people to trial is not so rapid in all other countries as it is habitually in our own country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has taken any steps whatever to obtain compensation for Mr. Scott?

No, Sir, I do not think this is a case in which I could claim compensation.

May I ask whether any tangible evidence was adduced by the Soviet Government to substantiate their charges against Mr. Scott?

I think notice ought to be given of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inform the House of the date when he last protested to the Russian Soviet authorities with regard to breaches by them of the terms of the trade agreement; what was the nature of the protest; and what result was obtained?

On the 11th October last, in a conversation with the late M. Krassin, I protested against the Soviet propaganda throughout the British Empire, and during an interview with the present Russian Chargé d'Affaires, on the 14th instant, I again referred, with some emphasis, to the same subject. I regret to say that I have not noticed, as a result of these protests, any diminution in the hostility openly shown to the British Empire by the Soviet authorities.

In view of the recent very serious events in China, is my right hon. Friend aware of the serious loss of prestige which Great Britain has suffered in having an agreement specially dealing with this matter, the terms of which are not enforced?

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that there is a great deal of feeling in the whole country on this matter, and on the general matter of the trade agreement?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many recruiting depots are maintained by the Admiralty; and at what annual cost?

There are seven Headquarter Recruiting Stations and 29 Recruiting Out-stations. The estimated annual cost, including the salaries of the Director of Naval Recruiting and Headquarters Staff, is shown under Vote 1.D. of the Navy Estimates, and amounts to £26,000. In addition, a sum of £3,000 is provided under Vote 11.Q. for advertising purposes.

Is it intended to increase these recruiting depots?

No, not so far as I am aware.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that the naval recruiting service is under the control of the Royal Marines, and that 10 district staff officers, officers, and medical officers, in addition to 55 at Whitehall, are maintained, he will consider whether chief petty officers with the rank of acting warrant- officer could efficiently perform these duties at a saving of public funds?

The Naval Recruiting Service is under the control of the Board of Admiralty, and is administered by a Royal Marine officer as Director of Naval Recruiting, assisted by an Assistant-Director, seven naval and Royal Marines recruiting staff officers, and seven naval medical officers. It is not considered that chief petty officers with acting warrant rank could carry out the work of recruiting staff officers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the cost of maintaining medical officers at naval recruiting centres; and will he consider whether a saving could be effected by arranging for medical officers from naval depots to visit these centres once or twice weekly for the purpose of medically examining candidates for entry into His Majesty's Navy?

There is a retired naval medical officer in receipt of a salary of £300 per annum at each of the six provincial headquarter recruiting stations. At the London headquarter recruiting station an active service surgeon-commander is employed, and receives the pay of his rank. The travelling expenses, including subsistence, of medical officers travelling from the home ports twice weekly to Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester and Southampton, would be far greater than the salares paid. Moreover, the attendance of a medical officer only twice a week at a headquarter station would not meet requirements, as intending recruits must be examined when putting in an appearance, and this necessitates the attendance of a medical officer the whole of each working day.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements have been made at Devonport, with the assistance of the Admiralty and the local authority, to provide houses for those civilian employés who, having been employed on naval dockyard work at Rosyth, were transferred to Devonport when the northern dockyard was closed down; how many men are affected; and what is the financial aid that is being given by the Admiralty in kind or cash, and how much money is being provided by the local authority?

A scheme has been drawn up for the erection of some 174 houses by a public utility society which I understand is now in process of formation by the dockyard employés, and the Admiralty have expressed their willingness to convey the necessary land for the erection of the houses. The Corporation of Plymouth are, I understand, prepared to accept the proposed houses as eligible for subsidy, and to advance money to the society under Section 92 of the Housing Act, 1925. The value of the land is equivalent to about £25 per house.

Did the Treasury offer any objection to that arrangement?

No, Sir; this was done after consultation with the Treasury. I dare say there may possibly have been differences of opinion at one time, but it is done by agreement with them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether leading ratings of the seamen and stoker branches are placed on the roster for promotion to petty officer from the date of being rated leading rates or from the date of finally passing for petty officer?

Leading seamen are placed on the advancement roster according to the date of passing for petty officer. Leading stokers are placed on the advancement roster according to seniority as acting leading stoker. If passed afloat for stoker petty officer after failure at the mechanical training establishment course, seniority as acting leading stoker is retarded by the period which has elapsed between such failure and the date of passing afloat.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, whether the present facilities for training and messing artificer apprentices at Chatham are adequate for the 600 apprentices to be transferred; whether any further extension of workshops and messes is contemplated; and, if so, what is to be the approximate cost?

It is under consideration to transfer the entire training of artificer apprentices to Chatham, which will involve increased workshop and living accommodation for them at that port. The proposal has not yet proceeded far enough for an estimate of cost to be stated.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of those drawing unemployment benefit have received 13 weeks' benefit in the last 26 weeks?

I regret that there are no statistics available giving the information desired.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases in the Middlesbrough area in which he was unable to accept the decision of the rota committee as regards applications for extended benefit during the past three months?

During the three months ended 14th February, 1927, out of 14,074 applications for extended benefit considered by local committees in the Middlesbrough area, the recommendations of the committees were not accepted in 61 cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that R. Thomson, 319, Main Street, Alexandria, Dumbartonshire, has been refused benefit under Clauses 1 and 4 of Form U.I. 503; that this man was employed as caretaker of the Quarter Mines Welfare Society from 24th January, 1924, until 21st March, 1924, when he had to resign owing to ill-health, for which he has a medical certificate; that he started work on 27th March, 1926, as green-keeper with the East Kilbride Bowling Club and worked until 25th September, 1926, when he was dismissed at the end of the season; that he attended two committee meetings and has been informed that on both occasions benefit was recommended; and that the words, the committee consider, have been scored out in Clauses 1 and 4 and the words, it is considered, written in in both clauses; and whether he can state what the recommendations of the committee were, who altered the wording of the clauses, and by whose authority?

The answer to the first part of the question is that benefit should be allowed and to the second that the decision by which the recommendation was not accepted was communicated to the applicant by a letter from the local office, which enclosed a printed form, suitably amended, to indicate the grounds upon which the claim was disallowed and tie fact that the disallowance had not been recommended by the Committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware whether this letter was delivered or returned?

The letter was delivered, but perhaps I should caution the hon. Member, who is asking the question on behalf of the hon. Member who is absent, that the facts do not entirely correspond with those stated in the question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of five men who were fined at Greenock Sheriff Court on 8th February, 1927, for alleged fraud on the Labour Exchange arising out of their employment as enumerators at the counting of the votes at the municipal election in November, 1926; whether he is aware that these men were sent to the corporation for this work by the Exchange officials and that no intimation that acceptance of the work, which was for one evening only, would disqualify them from receiving benefit; whether he is aware that one of the men charged had done similar work in 1925, and on that occasion had been informed by the Exchange officials that it would not affect his benefit; whether any new Regulation has been issued on this matter since 1925; and, if so, why the men were not informed that acceptance of evening work for one night only would disqualify them from receiving benefit?

I am making inquiries into the circumstances, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mr. J. M. Bagshaw, 396, Market Street, Shawforth, Lancashire, a cotton spinner, on short time owing to the depressed state of trade in the cotton industry, was refused extended benefit by the Rochdale employment insurance officer on the ground that he had not fulfilled the statutory condition that he was genuinely seeking work, although he produced two certificates from quarry owners stating that he had applied to them for work, which is much more laborious than work in a cotton mill, and that as he was not a member of a trade union or similar society he had no right of appeal from this decision; and will he take the necessary steps to see that right of appeal shall be given to non-trade unionists to put them on an equality with trade unionists in application for extended benefit?

As regards the individual case, I am afraid that I can add nothing to the letter sent on my behalf to my hon. Friend on 11th December last. As regards the right to appeal, Lord Blanesburgh's Committee have made a recommendation on this point which I am considering.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the importance of the subject, he proposes to publish, in addition to the Report of the Unemployment Insurance Committee and the memorandum submitted to the Committee, the full oral evidence and examination of witnesses?

Volume II of the Report of the Unemployment Insurance Committee, containing the oral and written evidence furnished to the Committee, was issued on Friday last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for a supply of copies to be placed at the disposal of Members in the Vote Office?

I will inquire into that, and see if I can meet the convenience of anybody.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the figures showing the aggregate number of days lost for which benefit was claimed by insured persons under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in the calendar years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924,, 1925 and 1926, respectively?

The information desired, as far as the years 1919 to 1925 inclusive, are concerned, is contained in the reply which I gave on the 24th November, 1926, to a similar question by the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. D. Grenfell). I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The total number of days of unemployment in 1926 for which unemployment benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts was paid was approximately 303,000,000. As explained in the previous reply, the above figure does not include days of unemployment for which benefit was not paid.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that professional footballers can draw unemployment pay during the summer when they receive no retaining fee between the seasons or happen to be temporarily unengaged, on the ground that their occupation has ceased during that period, without being under an obligation to seek for work; and will he cause inquiries to be made into the matter?

It is a condition for the receipt of unemployment benefit that the applicant must show that he is genuinely seeking work. This condition is statutory, and it is not waived, nor, in fact, is there any power to waive it in any circumstances whatever. My hon. Friend has furnished me with particulars of an individual case which he has in mind, and I will communicate with him regarding it.

Are we to understand from my right hon. Friend that the principle that professional players of games are entitled to unemployment benefit in the off-season is recognised by his Department?

I do not make any such assumption whatsoever.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any definition at all of what "genuinely seeking work" really means?

If the hon. Member will consult the Report of the Blanesburgh Committee, he will see that the question is there gone into at some considerable length.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that young men who are summoned to appear before committees at the Govan Employment Exchange, after exhaustive inquiries are made as to where they have been looking for employment, are then asked by an inspector whether or not they have tried the Army; if Exchange officials are being instructed to ask this question; and, where the claimants' answer is in the negative, what effect such a reply will have upon the granting of benefit?

I am not aware of what is suggested. No instructions to ask such a question have been issued, and I am informed that there is no knowledge of such a question ever having been asked. If the hon. Member will supply me with detailed particulars of the eases to which he refers, I shall be happy to look into them.

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate percentage of foreigners employed in the various sugar-beet factories?

I have been asked to reply. The percentage of foreigners employed in the 14 beet sugar factories during the past manufacturing season was 2·3 per cent.

Is the proportion lower than it was the year before?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make inquiries as to the number of small holdings in the West Riding of Yorkshire; whether any applications for small holdings have been refused; and if there is a waiting list of persons desirous of obtaining small holdings in the county?

The number of agricultural holdings above one acre, and not exceeding 50 acres, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, as recorded in the Agricultural Returns for 1926, was 15,388. The number of small holdings provided by the County Council since 1st January, 1908, is 503. The latest available figures show that up to the 31st March, 1926, 31 applicants had been rejected as unsuitable, while on the same date there were 377 approved applicants who had not been provided with holdings.

Is it not a fact that a number of these 377 are ex-service men who were approved as being fit for small holdings, and have been waiting from about 1920?

I cannot give any details about the West Riding of Yorkshire without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give the rates of wages and hours of labour worked in the State-subsidised beet-sugar factory at Cupar, Fife, in December last, for crane men, locomotive men, engineers, and labourers, respectively?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot at present give the information requested in the question, but I am making inquiry on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, when making his investigation, that the British State-subsidised works in Po and are getting labour at under 1s. a day?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of Air Force personnel killed and injured in flying accidents since the 1st January last to the last convenient date, together with the figures for the corresponding period of last year?

The casualties to Royal Air Force personnel during the period 1st January to 20th February, 1927, were eight killed and 14 injured; further, one naval officer and one naval rating were killed during this period. The figures for the corresponding period of 1926 were five killed and 15 injured. I should add that four of the deaths in 1927 were the result of a single accident.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the

The gas containers of the Government airship R.101 are being made at the Royal Airship Works, Cardington. Those for the R.100 are being made in Germany, as stated in the reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Hull, Central, on 17th February, and I have no information in regard to the cost which would be involved to the Airship Guarantee Company, Limited, if they cancelled the order.

If the Airship Guarantee Company cancelled the order for their gas containers, cannot the Government cancel the order for theirs? I understood the hon. Baronet to say that the Airship Guarantee Company cancelled the order.

No; I did not say that.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many recruiting depots are maintained by the Air Ministry and at what annual cost?

One recruiting depot is maintained by the Air Ministry and information in regard to the annual cost of the recruiting service will be found under Vote 1, subhead G, of the Air Estimates.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has considered making any alteration in the elevation or site of the statue of the late Mr. Joseph Chamberlain recently erected in the Members' Lobby?

The answer is in the negative. The statue was designed for the plinth on which it stands, and it does not seem practicable to alter the plinth for this particular statue.

Did the artist have an opportunity of seeing the statue in position before it was unveiled?

Perhaps it is fair to the sculptor to say he had not the opportunity, through indisposition, of seeing the statue in its present position before it was unveiled. He only saw it two days ago, and, at his request, the statue has been darkened this morning. It will be again darkened in a day or two, and I would ask hon. Members to reserve any further criticism until they see the effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state what progress is being made in the paintings for the eight panels to be placed in St. Stephen's Hall; and whether he can give an approximate date as to when they will be ready?

All the paintings are in hand, and it is hoped that they will be completed during the coming summer.

asked the Minister of Health if the Kingsbridge casual ward had been properly and satisfactorily conducted and maintained before it was closed; whether his Department has received an application for the reopening of the Kingsbridge casual ward; whether he will inform the House the grounds upon which such application is made; and whether he proposes to grant such application?

These wards were not satisfactory when, with the concurrence of the Devonshire Vagrancy Committee, they were temporarily closed. My right hon. Friend has received an application for the wards to be re-opened on the ground that the number of persons making application for admission to the wards has increased, and he is in communication with the Devonshire Vagrancy Committee and the Kingsbridge Guardians on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the published statements of those responsible for the conduct of the Dulverton Council ward that they were accommodating twice the average number of tramps, and that it was ridiculous to suppose that their accommodation could provide for such a number; and whether he will inform the House of the date when an inspector of the Ministry last visited the Dulverton casual ward, and will cause representations to be made to the guardians concerned to provide alternative accommodation?

My right hon. Friend has seen the statements to which the hon. Member refers. The general inspector for this district visited Dulverton last month and indicated to the guardians how they could, without incurring any considerable expenditure, make further provision for dealing with the increased number of casuals who are making use of these casual wards, and my right hon. Friend understands that the guardians now have the inspector's suggestions under their consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that from February, 1925, to January, 1927, the Sheffield Board of Guardians have been compelled to expend £241,500 on Poor Law relief to men who were on the local unemployment exchange register but have been placed out of benefit; and, in view of this burden on the rates, and consequently upon the productive costs of Sheffield industry, what steps the Government propose to take to bring some relief to Sheffield in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has received representations from this board of guardians complaining of the amount expended in outdoor relief to persons no longer receiving benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. As regards the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend has made, and is continuing to make, very considerable advances on the recommendations of the Goschen Committee for the assistance of the guardians.

Now that the Government are giving a grant to Scotland, will they make a direct grant to English Poor Law guardians?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Woodstock guardians sent casual vagrants three miles to exchange bread tickets for bread, although there are bakers' shops within a quarter of a mile; and whether he will take steps to put an end to this practice?

My right hon. Friend understands that the hon. Member is referring to the tickets given to casuals entitling them to a mid-day meal on presentation at a bread station on their way from one casual ward to another. Such a station would naturally be at least three miles from a casual ward.