asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensioners who were permanently disabled in the South African war are still under treatment by the Ministry for their war disabilities; and whether, on grounds of equity, he will favourably consider the grant of treatment allowances in respect of their wives and children?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. The suggestion made in the second part of the question was fully considered in 1919 and 1920 when the rates of disability pension generally were under consideration. The Government then decided that, while the rates of pension available to men disabled in former wars should be raised to the level of those of the Great War, they would not be justified in extending pre-war Warrants by the inclusion of family and other allowances which were not within the scheme of those Warrants. I should not be prepared to recommend that that decision should be reconsidered. I would remind the hon. Member, at the same time, that the pension may be raised to the maximum, subject to the prescribed conditions, when a, disabled former-war pensioner is obliged to undergo a course of treatment for his war disability.

Was any estimate made, of the cost in giving allowances to wives and children? Would it not be small in view of the fact that many of these men are now advanced in years?

The question raised refers to a very small number of pensioners, but I could not say what figures were before the Government of that time, as the matter refers to 1919.

asked the Minister of Pensions what number of Ministry of Pensions hospitals he proposes to retain definitely to ensure that adequate facilities for in-patient treatment are available for so long as such may be necessary?

It is not possible as yet to determine what will prove to be the definite, that is the ultimate, requirements of the Ministry in regard to hospital treatment, nor in what manner those requirements should best be met.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the total number of hospitals utilised for the treatment of war disabilities and the total bed accommodation provided as at the 1st February, 1927?

On the date referred to there were 20 hospitals under the entire control of the Ministry with 4,388 beds, and 17 other hospitals, not under the control of the Ministry, whose accommodation was wholly reserved for pensioners containing 2,158 beds. In addition, 8,152 beds were occupied by pensioners under treatment at the charge of the Ministry of Pensions in sanatoria and general or special civil hospitals.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will give the number of applicants for pensions, and the number refused, during 1926?

The total number of claims for pensions of all classes in 1926 was 21,750. The number of these claims which were refused both by the Ministry and, where appeal was made, by the independent Appeal Tribunal also, is approximately 14,500.

In view of the fact that, speaking quickly, nearly 70 per cent. of the applications were refused, and in view of the fact, that the ex-service men and their dependants are in distress all over the country, cannot the right hon. Gentleman consider having an inquiry into the subject?

No, Sir. As the War becomes more distant the number of valid claims naturally becomes less.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of pensioners on the 1st February, 1926, and 1927, respectively; and the number who have died during that period?

On the 31st December, 1925 and 1926—the nearest dates to those stated in the question for which figures can be given—the number was 1,058,000 at the earlier date and 1.022,000 at the later date. The number of pensioners whose deaths were notified during the year 1926 was 19,550.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman, according to these figures, is rather rapidly engaged in depriving these men of their pensions—

That is not a proper question to put.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often a sample of the glaze is taken for testing purposes when a pottery firm changes from lead glaze to leadless or low solubility; and how many samples of glaze were taken for analysis in the years 1924, 1925 and 1926?

It is not the practice to take a sample immediately after a change, but before the change takes place the inspector mutt be satisfied that the glaze will conform to the prescribed standard. After that, reliance is placed mainly upon systematic routine sampling. The total number of samples taken under the Regulations was, it 1924, 83; in 1925, 97; and in 1926, 84.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received representations from the Minister of Transport respecting the danger caused by the emission of smoke, steam and sparks by steam tractors; and what action he has taken or proposes to take?

Yes, Sir, and I propose to issue a memorandum to Chief Constables reminding them of their powers.

In view of the very great difficulty which exists on the outskirts of London, will the Home Secretary draw the special attention of the police to those roads which are running out of London?

I am going to issue A Circular to Chief Constables and that will include notification to the Chief of the Metropolitan Police.

Will my right hon. Friend state briefly what are the powers which Chief Constables have?

They may rake any steps they think fit.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to an incident at the Willesden Police Court in which a defendant stated that he paid his fine as he left the Court; whether he is aware that the magistrate was informed by the warrant officer that no receipts are given for fines; and, Whether, seeing that the man in question had no proof of payment and was ordered to pay the money forthwith or be committed to prison, he will consider the desirability of issuing receipts for all moneys paid?

Yes, Sir. On inquiry I find that the defendant in this case said he would not be able to identify the officer to whom he alleged he had paid the fine. The Justices, after he had been confronted with the warrant officers and had admitted he had not paid the fine to any of them, told him that in their opinion the fine had not been paid. The money was then paid and a receipt, given. The general question involved is receiving attention.

asked the Home, Secretary when it is proposed to introduce the cheaper taximeter cabs on the London streets; and whether he has any information with regard to the effect of the cheapening of the taximeter cab fares in New York?

I understand that one or two firms have been proceeding with the designing and con- struction of a two-seater taxi-cab, but, they have progressed so slowly in the direction of making available to the public a cheaper form of taxi-cab that I now propose to inform them that unless they are in a position to place upon the market, within the next three months, two-seater taxi-cabs in reasonable numbers, I shall hold myself free to reopen the whole question of taxi-cab fares.

With regard to the last part of the question, could my right hon. Friend give any information about New York? Is he aware that the number of taxi-cab users there has more than doubled since the charge was reduced, and that the drivers realise that it is much more profitable to have numerous trips than to have only part occupation?

That is true, but I understand that a great deal of the profit in New York arises from the taxi-cabs standing still, owing to the congestion of traffic.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any practical steps to improve the condition of taximeter cabs in London and to reduce their fares?

Every taxicab is required at the time of the renewal of its annual licence to be thoroughly overhauled and renovated. If on inspection and trial the engines of any taxi-cab are found not to conform to the Commissioner's standard of fitness its licence is not renewed until the defects are satisfactorily rectified. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 10th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, despite the fact that he has been talking about this question for nearly two years, the taxi-cabs of London remain the most uncomfortable and expensive in the world and will he take steps to bring about an improvement?

Hon. Members seem inclined to give their own answers to questions.

asked the Home Secretary the total payments made to local police authorities, together with the names of such authorities, as a result of the loan of police drafted into the mining districts during the recent mining lock-out?

Police were borrowed by the police authorities of nine forces from over 30 other forces; their total payments amounting to about £96,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of these forces has made a profit?

I do not think so. The charge was only for ordinary expenses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Devon County Council has stated that a big profit has been made?

I was not aware of that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much of the £96,000 was paid to coal companies for the imported police?

I cannot give any details without notice.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there are many bogus self-styled cinema schools in operation in London and some of the principal towns in the provinces; and if he will consider the introduction of legislation for the purpose of regulating these establishments?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter. If the hon. Member will kindly let me have any information which he possesses I will consider it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that we do not all want to he regulated by this House?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that there is a great deal of fraud going on with these cinema schools in which the public are being defrauded, and will he take precautions to stop it?

I will bear in mind both views of the Labour party.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that this country is the only part of the Empire without a State censorship of films; and whether he will consider the desirability of transferring this function from the hands of the film trade to the State?

The statement contained in the first part of the question is, I understand, substantially correct. As regards the second part of the question, the change suggested could not be made without legislation, and, as I have stated in reply to similar questions, there is not sufficient evidence that the present system of censorship (which I would point out includes an important element of control by local authorities) fails to secure on the whole an adequate standard.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether it is not the case that the present Censor is both appointed and paid by the film trade?

That is true.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there will be very great opposition in this House to the Government, and especially this Government, having this power in its hands?

That is true, as far as I am concerned—unless the hon. and gallant Gentleman brings in a Bill.

Is it not a fact that the present censorship has worked very successfully up to the present time?

Does my right hon. Friend not think that legislation is necessary, in view of the fact that the present censorship is largely exercised in the interest of foreign exhibitors?

I was not aware of the latter point. The question is a difficult one, but I thought that on the whole there wasp a desire not to impose too much restriction, and that the present system was working fairly well—I do not say more than that.

On a point of Order. Is it not a serious allegation against what is practically a national censorship to cay that it is used mainly in the interests of foreign exhibitors; and should not the hon. Member have bad the decency, which is usual among colleagues in this House, to have notified the right hon. Gentleman who is Censor of films before making that allegation? It is an abuse of privilege.

And the Father of the House too.

I thought the suggestion inadvisable.

May I ask your permission, Mr. Speaker, to say a personal word? There was a question on the Paper asking the Home Secretary to transfer the film censorship from the film trade to the State, and on the spur of the moment when I asked a question I had forgotten that the head of the censorship was the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. T. P. O'Connor), the Father of the House for whom we all feel so much respect and affection. The facts on which I base my question are these. The staff of the censorship is paid by the trade and 92 per cent. of the capital of the film trade in this country is American. If the House does not think that these facts justify my question, I beg to express my sincere regret.

Referring to my hon. Friend's remark about the supplementary question which he put arising out of a question put by myself in regard to the film censorship, I should like to say that, in suggesting that the Film Censor should be appointed and paid by the Government, I did not intend for one moment to reflect upon the present Censor, the Father of the House, a Member whom we all respect and admire.

asked the Home Secretary how many Russian subjects, suspected of Communist propaganda in this country have been imprisoned during the past 10 years for longer than six months without being brought for examination or trial before any magistrate, Justice, or Court of Law of any kind; and whether such persons so detained were examined only by police officers before deportation on the order of the Home Secretary?

None, Sir.

Under the Aliens Act has not the right hon. Gentleman the power, and does he not exercise the power, of detaining persons without trial and deporting them if he feels it is in the interest of the country so to do?

That is not the question.

It is quite a separate matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the speech of the Secretary of State for India at the Birkenhead Hippodrome on Saturday evening last, in which he described Russia as a by-word in the world, a place where there was no law, and where murders, were weekly and daily ordained by a subterranean revolutionary committee, and further described the Russian Government as a junta of swollen frogs; whether these epithets were applied to a Government with whom we have official relations, after consultation with the Cabinet; and, if not, whether they represent the policy of the Government?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies might I ask him whether Lord Birkenhead said anything which Lord Curzon did not say four years ago, which the Foreign Secretary has not in substance said; and whether there is a single statement in Lord Birkenhead's speech which is not indisputably true?

The hon. and gallant Member wants to argue the matter.

My attention has not been called to the speech in question. The policy of the Government upon a given topic is to be collected from the speeches generally of Ministers. It is not customary nor would it be possible for individual Ministers to consult the Cabinet upon the terms of their forthcoming speeches. Upon the general matter referred to in the question the policy and views of the Government have just been very elaborately explained in a Note to the Union of Soviet Republics by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

May I ask whether it was not in a speech that the Secretary of State for India committed the same offence which His Majesty's Government charged against the Soviet Government, namely, abuse by a Minister of another Government?

It is a matter which should be argued in debate. We must not anticipate the debate.

asked the Home Secretary the dates of the conferences held since 15th December, 1926, with representatives of the painting and decorating industry, for the purpose of arriving at agreement in connection with the circular recently issued for the regulation of the use of white lead in paint; and whether there was unanimity on the points raised in the circular?

As the answer is a long one I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the increase in Sunday trading, he can see his way to widen the scope of the Departmental Committee on Shop Hours in order that the question of the Sunday opening of shops may be considered and dealt with in the Report?

No, Sir. I am afraid I cannot adopt this suggestion. As I explained in reply to a question on Thursday last by the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Taylor) I considered very carefully the scope of the Inquiry in settling the terms of reference, and decided that it would be best to restrict it to the specific quest on on which serious public controversy has arisen, and on which an early decision is necessary.

In view of the alarming increase in the amount of Sunday trading, will the right lion. Gentleman consider setting up a separate Committee to go into the question of the number of shops open on Sundays?

That is an entirely different question.

At the same time as the right hon. Gentleman is considering Sunday trading will he take into account the sale of literature on Sundays at political meetings?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is yet in a position to give the names of the members of the Departmental Committee which he has undertaken to appoint to inquire into the Shops Acts, 1920 and 1921?

I have not Yet received replies from all of those to whom I have sent invitations to serve on this Committee, but I hope to be in a position to announce its composition in a few days.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that if here is much more delay in setting up his Committee, it will make it more difficult to carry into effect any recommendations which the Committee make?

I know all the difficulties and perhaps my hon. Friend does not realise the difficulty of getting members to answer letters quickly and to say "Yes" or "No"

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the total expenditure by the Wednesbury Education Committee upon elementary and secondary education, respectively, during 1926, or for the latest available period?

In 1925–26 the net expenditure of the Wednesbury Authority on elementary education was £41,578, and on higher education, £392. This authority is not a local authority for the purposes of higher education.

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the number of elementary schools in Wednesbury; the date when the most recently built school was opened; and the total number of school children then attending such schools?

There are 10 public elementary schools in Wednesbury, the most recently built of which was opened on the 1st April, 1912, and the number of pupils on the registers in January of that year was 5,195. Plans for a new school for 250 infants, to replace existing unsatisfactory accommodation, were approved by my Department in January of last year.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the case of the Wednesbury Boys' High School, he will state the number of scholars now in attendance, the number of free places occupied, the number of fee payers, and the local areas catered for?

The number of pupils on the 1st October, 1926, was 129, of whom 66 were free pupils and 63 fee-payers. The pupils are drawn from the following areas: Wednesbury, Willenhall, Bilston, Walsall, Tipton, Darlaston and Coseley.

asked the President of the Board of Education what action he is taking to establish courses of training for teachers interested in country life and occupations?

The Board have been recently considering the best means of offering to intending teachers courses of training which will meet the special needs of country schools in the way of practical instruction, while at the same time maintaining a high general standard of education among teachers serving in country schools. I have now appointed a Departmental Committee, under the Chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr. Lamb), to consider the whole question. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names and terms of reference of this Committee.

Is it not a fact that there is no elementary school teacher on this Committee; and will the noble Lord consider the advisability of having a practical elementary school teacher on it?

That matter was considered. I would ask the hon. Member to remember the difficulty of keeping a Committee within manageable dimensions and in this case the Committee has to represent the training colleges as well as local authorities, so that there is ample teachers' representation.

Is it right, in the judgment of the noble Lord, that a Committee which has to deal with this question should not include a representative of the elementary teachers with practical experience?

I think the Committee will have the full advantage of evidence from elementary school teachers on their experience in the schools and the needs of the schools. I think if the hon. Member looks into the membership of the Committee he will see that it ensures ample knowledge of the needs of the schools.

Will the Noble Lord consider representations upon that point?

Certainly.

Does the Noble Lord suggest that the inclusion of an elementary school teacher on that Committee would make it unmanageable?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that students leaving training colleges in England and Wales are experiencing difficulty n finding employment; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

asked the President of the Board of Education the exact amount per head expended from public funds during the two years' course at training colleges for teachers of men and women students, respectively; and if he can give the number of male and female teachers who have left training colleges last year and who have not secured employment as teachers?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT some statistics bearing on this question. The conclusion from these figures would seem to be that the state of unemployment among teachers has been much exaggerated. The percentage of teachers who are absorbed within 18 months after leaving college has, in fact, improved in the last two years, though teachers who left college last July are being absorbed somewhat less rapidly than those who left in July, 1925. The number of teachers retiring annually on account of age, death or infirmity has fallen by over 1,000 since September, 1924, while in the same period the number of certificated posts has increased by over 3,000, but it is evident from the statistics that prospects in the profession depend not only upon these calculable factors but also upon the annual wastage due to teachers quitting the profession for private reasons, as to which no safe estimate can be made.

Has the Noble Lord anything to say at out uncertificated teachers?

That hardly arises out of the question. The teachers leaving training colleges are certificated teachers.

Can the Noble Lord say what is the percentage of teachers absorbed?

That will be found in the statistics which I am publishing in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can say in how many schools in this country a War Office booklet entitled The Army of To-day is being circulated?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that school medical officers of the Lancashire education authority are accompanied by a nurse and a secretary when they examine children at a school; if there is any other authority in the country which provides secretaries for their school medical officers; and what are the conditions in Lancashire which make this extra help necessary?

I am aware of the arrangement referred to. According to the information in the possession of my Department it appears to be exceptional. I am not aware of any special reason for its adoption in Lancashire, and I am making inquiries of the local authority.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the average cost throughout the country is £1 per head for each examination?

No, I am not aware of anything of the sort, but if my hon. and gallant Friend puts down a question, I will try to get the figure.

Why are these services not undertaken by the medical officer for the district concerned?

In the case of Lancashire the medical officer of health and the senior school medical officer are the same.

Will the Noble Lord take it that the cost of these examinations is as stated; and, in view of the great expense, will he endeavour to make a saving?

No. I assure my hon. and gallant Friend that his statistics are wholly inaccurate.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the activities of the Lancashire and Cheshire Conservative Teachers' Circle; whether he is aware that the annual meeting, held recently at the Constitutional Club, Manchester, was addressed by the chairman of the Conservative party; and will he take steps to secure that the members of this organisation do not take advantage of their position in the schools to influence the scholars in favour of their political party?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I gather, from what I have seen in the Press, that it is the main aim of this organisation to assert the right and the duty of teachers rigidly to exclude from the schools all party politics and every sort of political propaganda. If the hon. Member has any reason to believe that any member of the organisation is infringing this principle, I shall he glad if he will supply me with the necessary information.

Has the Noble Lord seen that the chairman of the Conservative party, a Member of this House, in his speech, told these teachers that they had reached a stage when it was no good pretending to be non-political and that it was they duty of the members to save the children from being contaminated by the proposals of Labour organizations? Is this the Noble Lord's interpretation of his widely reported utterances about keeping politics out of school, that it only means the politics of other parties, and not of his own?

rose—

Answer!

I will answer the supplementary questions together, which I have a perfect right to do.

In view of what is happening throughout the country, is not this a very impertinent question?

Is it not a, fact that there is an organisation called the Teachers' Labour League?

On a point of Order. Is it in order for an hon. Member to characterise the question of another hon. Member as an impertinent question?

It seemed to me without point. Probably, I could not see the point.

With regard to the first supplementary question, I will leave it to the hon. Member, and all other hon. Members in the House, to read the speech to which he refers and to compare it with the speeches of his own party—

Two blacks do not make a white!

—and to see whether he does not consider the speech to which he refers as not only wholly unobjectionable in itself, but in the strongest contrast to the tone of the speeches of the hon. Member's own colleagues.

asked the President of the Beard of Education whether, seeing that the Carnarvonshire County Council decided to raise the school age to 15, and that, in order to make this possible for poor parents compelled to keep their children in school over 14, they also decided to give maintenance grants in the case of such children, he will state for what reason he has now refused to recognise this expenditure for grant?

As regards my attitude on this point last year, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Central Newcastle (Mr. Trevelyan), of the 11th February, 1926, of which I am sending him a copy. The authority have included pro- vision for these maintenance allowances in their three-year programme, which I am now considering.

Does the Noble Lord agree that the possibility arising from this decision of his may be the withdrawal of the by-law raising the school age?

I do not know to what the hon. Member refers as my decision.The point of my answer is that I have taken none.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in new schools now being built by the London County Council the sanitary accommodation is below that of the Board's Building Regulations of 1914; and whether he will take steps to see that the standard hitherto enforced in respect of the building and remodelling of public elementary schools is pre

I am aware that, in the case of some girls' departments, the County Council have provided rather less sanitary accommodation than that previously required under the Building Regulations of 1914. Authorities are free to suggest a departure from the current practice where it appears to them desirable to do so; but no individual proposal is approved until the Board are satisfied that the accommodation of all kinds to be provided is adequate having regard to the particular circumstances of the case.

Will the Noble Lord take the opinion of a competent medical authority before sanctioning any reduction in the sanitary accommodation of the schools?

I always take the opinion of very competent medical authority.

Will the Noble Lord act upon it?

Yes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reductions that have been suggested by the local authority are largely the result of the pressure he has put upon them by his Circulars?

No, I am not aware of that at all, and I should have thought that an attitude of dealing with this question on the basis of the merits of the actual case, and not on the basis of paper Regulations, was one to which no reasonable person could object.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Special Report on the work done by the fuel research station during 1926 has been published; and, if not, when the same will be published or, alternatively, some clear statement on the authority of fuel technologists showing the present position regarding smoke prevention?

The Special Report on the Work on Low Temperature Carbonisation carried out at the fuel research station during 1926 was published this morning.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider legislation to provide that rates shall be chargeable in respect of house-boats moored in tidal waters, but adjacent to land?

I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the point to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of outdoor poor relief paid to able-bodied unemployed persons between December, 1918, and December, 1926, or the nearest available date?

Figures based on the classification of "able-bodied unemployed" are not available. The total amount of out-relief in money and kind paid to persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants from the date of the Armistice to December, 1926, is approximately £50,270,000.

asked the Minister of Health the average amount of the poor rate levied in the Middlesbrough Poor Law Union for the three years ending 31st December, 1914, and for the three years ending 31st December, 1926?

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

asked the Minister of Health what was his reply to the Gateshead Board of Guardians as to the propriety of taking into consideration naval and military pensions when fixing Poor Law relief; and whether he has been consulted on this question by any other boards of guardians?

I informed the guardians that it was their duty, in determining what amount of relief should be afforded in any particular case, to take into consideration the whole of the resources of the applicant's household from whatever source derived, with certain statutory exceptions, which did not include pensions to children of fathers killed in the War. Inquiries on the same subject have occasionally been addressed to me by other boards of guardians.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that in the case of an orphan child, with neither father nor mother, living in somebody else's home, the few shillings a week given in pension leaves any margin for the rest of the household?

I cannot go beyond the law which I have explained to the board of guardians.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that there is any law which obliges 4s. 6d. a week for an infant child to be used for the support of the rest of the family?

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what law there is to charge persons other than in the relation of father and child, and what law there is for charging maintenance on brothers and cousins or the general members of the household? Will he explain that?

That had better be put on the Order Paper.

rose

This relates to naval and military pensions. The hon. Gentleman's question seems to be a separate question, and I think he might put it down.

The point is that the child of whom I am speaking was the child of a soldier who had been killed in the War, whose mother was also dead, and was receiving a m litany pension. My question was strictly to do with the military pension.

I think we had better have it defined on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the names of the boards of guardians which are paying relief to ex-service men of the late War; and if he can give the numbers of men receiving relief in each case?

Statistics are not available distinguishing ex-service men from other persons in receipt of relief.

asked the Minister of Health how many able-bodied persons, men and women and young persons over the age of 16, were in receipt of Poor Law relief during each of the 12 months ending 31st December, 1926, showing the miners and their dependants apart from the rest?

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

asked the Minister of Health the number of men, women, and children who received assistance in tramp and casual wards in England and Wales during the months of October, November, December, and January, 1925–26, and the same months for 1926–27, respectively?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, a statement giving the required particulars so far as they are available.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether his attention has been called to the published report of the Lampeter Board of Guardians urging the need to reopen some of the closed casual wards in Wales; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

(2) what action is to be taken in view of the fact as stated by the chairman of the West Wales Vagrancy Committee that, in consequence of the Newcastle Emlyn casual ward being closed with the sanction of the Minister, the board of guardians are dependent, to discharge their duty, on the charity of two farmers, who are accommodating large numbers of casual vagrants in one barn, irrespective of sex?

There are three institutions within the area of the West Wales Vagrancy Committee at which the casual wards are at present closed. Newcastle-in-Emlyn is one of these, and I am having special inquiry made as to the position in this union. I am not at present satisfied that it is desirable to reopen these casual wards, or that their reopening would afford any substantial relief to the wards at Lampeter. I am, however, in communication with the vagrancy committee on the subject, and with all the boards of guardians who are more immediately concerned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Camberwell Board of Guardians urging the Government to promote immediate legislation to define the position of persons in receipt of relief and who are subsequently able to repay the cost of such relief; and whether it is proposed to take any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative; the matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has sanctioned the provision for unemployed men made jointly by the Town Council and Board of Guardians for Salford, under which such men are found partial employment at normal hourly wage rates by the town council as supernumeraries, the guardians recouping the council for their whole cost, while the younger men not so employed the guardians give outdoor relief in return for attendance for two hours daily at educational classes provided by the guardians, leaving the remainder of the day for search for employment; and whether he will take steps to make this example known to other boards of guardians?

I have sanctioned at Salford, as in other cases, proposals of the guardians to contribute to the cost of a scheme of work to be provided by the corporation a sum not exceeding the amount which would be saved by the Guardians as the result of the removal of persons from the relief list. I have also sanctioned for an experimental period of six months, a scheme under which young men in receipt of outdoor relief are required to attend classes for a prescribed number of hours. The latter scheme must be regarded as experimental, and it would be premature to press similar schemes on other boards of guardians until experience has been obtained of its successful working. I shall, however, be willing to consider sympathetically any similar applications which may be made to me.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government contemplates further schemes for works of public utility, to be administered by local authorities, to provide employment for unemployed persons and so obviate the necessity of paying away sums of public money in relief and for which there is no return?

I have been asked to reply. The policy of the Government was communicated by circular to local authorities in December, 1925. It has not varied since. It is open to authorities in areas where unemployment is exceptional to apply for financial assistance in respect of works accelerated by at least five years. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the circular referred to.

Since there is only, approximately, one-third of the number of people employed on these relief schemes to-day compared with 12 months since, will not the right hon. Gentleman relax these Regulations to enable local authorities to put work in hand for the unemployed?

Not as at present advised, but the matter is one for Debate, if anyone wishes to raise it on a suitable occasion.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the last five years, there have been any appreciable reductions in the number of parks, recreation grounds, open spaces, and playing fields in the metropolitan boroughs of London; and, if so, what localities are chiefly affected?

I am informed that there has been no reduction in the number of parks, recreation grounds and open spaces of London during the past five years, but that, on the contrary, large additions have been made. Information