asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any notification of the declaration of warning to the leaders of the Chinese factions concerning the Shanghai opera- tions, which has been unanimously adopted by the diplomatic body in Peking; and can he state the exact terms of this declaration?

Yes, Sir. The following are the terms of the declaration:

"In the light of the military events which are at present taking place in the region of Shanghai, and which may at any moment have serious consequences for the safety of the life and property of their respective nationals, as was apparent from the bombardment of the 22nd of this month, the interested diplomatic representatives feel compelled to recall that the international settlement at Shanghai, like other concessions in China, was established in virtue of regular agreements with the Chinese Government in order to make it possible for foreigners to reside there freely and to carry on their trade.

"In the course of party strife, of which that region has been the scene, the authorities of the international settlement have scrupulously abstained from favouring any of the conflicting parties involved, and, in spite of the difficulties of the situation, they are maintaining in that respect the strict neutrality imposed upon them by the nature of the state of affairs thus established.

"The interested diplomatic representatives are thus warranted in expecting, on the part of the Chinese authorities, observance of the same rule of conduct, and they look to the heads of the armies involved to take all measures necessary to avoid incidents which would constrain the foreign authorities themselves to take measures indispensable for ensuring the safety of the persons and property of their nationals."

Would the hon. Gentleman say whether a similar declaration has been made by the French Minister with regard to the French concession?

I should have to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any armoured cars under the orders of the officer commanding the Shanghai Defence Force have been used on the roads outside the settlement; and, if so, for what purpose?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any new roads have recently been constructed by the Shanghai municipality outside the limits of the international settlement; and, if so, whether the sanction of the Chinese authorities was obtained for the construction of such roads?

The Land Regulations of the international settlement at Shanghai give the municipal council the power to acquire land and construct roads outside settlement limits. The last occasion of which I have any knowledge when arty such roads were constructed was the winter of 1924–25.

Does the Treaty give the concessionnaires the right to occupy roads outside the limit?

Could the hon. Gentleman say ashen the work which was carried out in 1924 and 1925 was approved?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Hsu Yuan, a Chinese Commissioner for Foreign Affairs at Shanghai, has protested to the senior Consul against British troops being stationed outside the concession; and what answer has been sent to this protest?

When the Chinese authorities were informed of the pending stationing of troops on the outskirts of the international settlement at Shanghai, the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs entered a pro forms protest, but in conversation with His Majesty's Consul-General he expressed himself as satisfied with the explanations given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any fresh Note has been received from Mr. Chen in relation to the British occupation of Shanghai; and whether any reply has been made?

Yes, Sir. Mr. Chen and Mr. O'Malley have ex- changed communications on this subject, but the texts are not available. In any case the substance adds nothing to the statement made to the House by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 21st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the fact that the city of Shanghai has been successively captured by General Chang Tsung-Chang and Marshal Sun Chuan-Fang within the last few years; is he aware that the Shanghai international settlement was adequately protected on these occasions without the assistance of British troops; and will he state on what grounds similar arrangements for the security of the settlement have not been made and British armed forces employed at Shanghai during the present civil wars in China?

When Shanghai was captured by Chang Tsung-Chang in January, 1925, it was necessary to land a large number of naval forces to assist the local volunteers in a safeguarding of the international settlement, and the despatch of troops from Hong Kong was authorised. The town was peacefully occupied by Sun Chuan-Fang in October, 1925, on the retirement of the Mukden troops. There was no fighting on this occasion, and no special precautions were found necessary. As regards the third part of his question, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's speech in this House on 10th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the towns in China where British Consular officers are stationer; and whether any of these gentlemen have been molested?

For the names of British Consular posts in China I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Foreign Office List. During the last two years cases of direct molestation of His Majesty's Consular officers have been reported from Chinkiang, Swatow, Chungking, Têngyuëh, Hankow and Amoy. There have also been various instances of indirect molestation of Consular officers through boycotts and strikes.

How is it proposed to prevent these gentlemen being molested further at these inland ports and stations?

We very much hope that they will not be molested.

I know the hon. Gentleman hopes that, but how is it proposed to prevent these gentlemen being molested? Are we, for example, entering into negotiations with the National forces to prevent them being molested?

I do not think there is any indication at the moment that they will be molested.

Were any of the persons who were molested seriously injured?

So far as the persons referred to by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) are concerned, they were not seriously injured.

Were those Consular officers not told to go to places of safety at the same time as British nationals?

It is the business of His Majesty's representatives, as far as possible, to remain at the places where they have to carry on their duties.

Will the Minister tell us under what circumstances the molestations took place?

Some of the molestations took place during strikes. Strike pickets did a certain amount of injury, and a certain number of agitators did some injury, and some of it was owing to mob violence.

Will the Minister tell us whether we are taking any action with regard to breaking these strikes?

I should like to see that question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the circumstances of all the British concessions in China from the point of view of their retrocession to China are similar; and, if not, will he state in detail what the differences are?

While the circumstances of all British concessions in China are on the whole fundamentally similar, from the point of view of their retrocession to China various differences arise in respect of their locality, population, development and general importance. In view of the fact that negotiations regarding the future of the concessions are in progress, I do not consider it would be desirable to state the differences in detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. O'Malley or Sir Miles Lampson are engaged in any further negotiations with the Cantonese or any other Government in China?

Mr. O'Malley left Hankow on 2nd March to return to Peking to report to His Majesty's Minister. The Chinese Secretary of the Legation at Peking, who accompanied Mr. O'Malley to Hankow, remains there to attend to the execution of the details of the Hankow and Kiukiang concession agreements and to maintain contact with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Nationalist Government on behalf of His Majesty's Minister. Sir M. Lampson has opened conversations with the Peking Government in regard to the proposals communicated by him to Dr. Koo on 27th January, but the discussions have not advanced beyond questions of general principle.

Would it be possible to have an English representative permanently stationed at Hankow with the Southern Government at the present time?

That raises racier a larger question. I imagine that certainly for some little time we shall have a representative at Hankow.

Will Sir Miles Lampson be there or English deputy?

When I said "the Chinese Secretary" he is not a Chinaman, but a member of the Legation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that General Sutton is now in Mukden, serving with Marshal Ohang Tso-lin; if he has satisfied himself as to whether or not this officer is transgressing Article 15 of the Chinese Order in Council, 1925; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ilkeston on 7th March. We are still waiting for the information asked for from our Minister at Pekin.

In view of the grave nature of the statements and the grave damage that this gentleman may do, cannot the Under-Secretary do something in the matter?

I believe the gentleman in question has already left, and we are not at all certain whether what he has actually done comes under this Order.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the fact that the Nationalist Government of China is appointed by the central executive committee of the Kuomintang party and that the Kuomintang party consists of associations of intellectuals, of manual workers, and of peasants; and whether he will call for detailed Reports from His Majesty's consular officers in Nationalist China regarding the working of this new system of government?

There is at the moment no Nationalist Government for the whole of China. So far as the Southern Government is concerned the position is, I believe, substantially as described in the first part of the question, though membership of the party is not, so far as I am aware, confined to the classes mentioned by the lion. Member. Reports are already being received from time to time from His Majesty's consular officers residing in territory administered by the Southern Government, and therefore I do not think it necessary to call for special information.

May I ask whether any of these reports will be laid on the Table of the House in the course of the next few days?

I will consult my right hon. Friend when he comes back.

Will the Under-Secretary tell us what is "an association of intellectuals"?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any pourparlers or negotiations have been entered into with the Government of Italy having for their object the surrendering of the mandated territory in Somaliland to Italy?

I fear the hon. Member must be under some misapprehension. British Somaliland is a protectorate and not a mandated territory. There have been no negotiations with Italy for the alteration of the protectorate's frontiers.

Was this matter discussed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on his recent visit to Italy.

I do not know what was discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether it, is the intention of His Majesty's Government to support the application of the Egyptian Government, when made, for membership of the League of Nations; and whether a request has been received from the Egyptian Government for the support of His Majesty's Government when such application is made?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), on 5th July of last year, His Majesty's Government are unable to define their attitude in what is at, present a purely hypothetical contingency. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Who represents the interests of Egypt on the League of Nations now?

I should have to have notice of that question.

Have His Majesty's Government made up their minds not to support an application by the Egyptian Government?

This is an entirely hypothetical question. We must wait until we see what is going to happen. The Egyptian Government have as yet taken no action.

Have His Majesty's Government any objection to the Egyptian Government making the application?

As I pointed out before, the Egyptian Government have as yet taken no action, and we must wait until we see what happens.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the voting that took place on the Saar Governing Commission, as reported to the League of Nations Council, on the question of the establishment of an international defence force to take the place of the Trench garrison?

The last paragraph of the Report to which the hon. Member refers states that one member of the Saar Governing Commission did not vote for it. The name of the member is not indicated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay before the House in a White Paper the Reports of the sub-committees of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference of the League of Nations?

The Reports are voluminous, and it was not considered that the cost of printing them would be justified. A copy of each Report can be seen in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what stage has been reached in the deliberations of the sub-committee of the Council of the League of Nations which is dealing with the amendment to Article XI. of the Covenant?

The committee of three members have prepared a report which will be considered by the Committee of the Council next week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has supplied material to the preparation commission for the forthcoming Economic Conference; whether it is proposed, by means of documents or otherwise, to assist in the work of the said conference; and, if so, whether such material will be published?

Yes, Sir. The British Government Departments concerned have given such help as they can, and the documentation prepared from the information available from all the various sources is being published by the League of Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Papers will be laid containing the Note to the Soviet Republics and the reply?

I am awaiting the receipt from His Majesty's representative at Moscow of the official text of the Soviet Government's reply. As soon as it reaches me, the White Paper containing the texts of the two Notes will be laid. I may add that it takes nine days for the bag to come from Moscow.

Will the hon. Gentleman also lay the last speech of Lord Birkenhead?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the date on which M. Kamanev made the speech alluded to in the Note and a, reference to any Rus- sian newspaper; whether the only authority, when compiling the Note, possessed by the Foreign Office was a report from Riga in the "Times" of 15th December, reproduced verbatim and extenso in the Note; and, if so, whether he will take steps to ensure that in future, where important diplomatic communications are concerned, care shall be taken to consult authoritative reports?

The exact date of the speech is not known to me. It was commented upon in the foreign Press as well as by the "Times," and the Soviet Government have not denied the accuracy of the allusion in our Note. The text of the "Times" report was not reproduced in the Note, as the hon. Lady supposes. The Note merely stated that M. Kamanev was recently reported as using the language attributed to him.

Is it the case that the Soviet Government did not discuss the authenticity of Mr. Kameneff's speech, but merely said that it was no concern of the Government?

I am not aware of that.

Will the Minister be so kind as to answer the latter part of the question, whether in future when important diplomatic documents are concerned, original and not third-hand reports will be consulted?

If the hon. Member means by authoritative reports the Russian report, I would say that it is very often the case that these Russian reports are very heavily censored, and it does not necessarily mean that because the report comes from Russia you are getting a really accurate or complete report.

The under-Secretary does not understand what I mean. What I want him to do is to disclaim in future news from Russia, from "Our Riga correspondent" and to consult Russian papers instead.

Are we to understand that the very important Note to Russia was partly based on foreign newspapers' reports of the speech?

This speech was reported, and it appeared in the foreign Press. It appeared not only in our own Press, but in the Italian and other Press.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that His Majesty's Government has returned a favourable reply to President Collidge's invitation to a conference on naval armaments, it is proposed to commence the building of any new warships this year; and whether it is proposed to continue work on the 'ships now under construction at the same speed and rate of work as if no naval conference had been called and accepted?

it is not intended to lay down any of the vessels of the 1927 quota of new construction until late in the year, by which time it is hoped that the result of the proposed conference will be known. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.

Will the First Lord consider again the point raised in the second part of my question, so that we may avoid unnecessary expenditure in the future agreements?

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the number and annual cost of the staff at headquarters in the year 1913–14, and what are the numbers and cost for the year 1926–27; whether there has been any saving on the provision made in the Estimates for the current year; and if it is anticipated that the staff of the Admiralty will be reduced to pre-War dimensions at, an early date?

The numbers and cost of the staff employed at the Admiralty Headquarters Establishment on the 1st January, 1914, and 1st January, 1927, were 2,062 and 3,193 respectively. The annual cost of the staff at Headquarters during 1913–14 was £463,602. The cost for corresponding staff for the current financial year may be taken as The figure of cost for the current year £1,271,632, shows a saving of £14,500 on the provision made in the Estimates. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of the 18th November, 1925, to the hon. Member for Central Nottingham (Mr. Bennett) [OFFICIAL REPORT, colo. 358–364], where he will find a detailed explanation why the number of civilian staff cannot be reduced to the pre-War level.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give any information from the records of the Admiralty, such as the special signals records, as to the time at which on the night of the Battle of Jutland the "Lion" warned her consorts of her intention to turn about?

Is not the hon. Gentleman turning day into night?

I must confess that I was a little puzzled by the word "night" in the question, but I do not think it has any special significance. I must refer the hon. Member to the Admiralty Narrative of the Battle of Jutland published in 1924 which gives the chronology of all the movements in the battle as accurately as the Admiralty can fix it from the signal logs and other records.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the definite denial of this statement made publicly by Sir Euan Evans Thomas, and can he say whether the statement made by this gentleman or the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer is correct?

If the hon. Gentleman will read the narrative, he will find, on page 12, that at 2.31 the "Barham" had received the signal indicating the course which the Vice-Admiral (Admiral Beatty) intended to steer. The actual executive signal is logged as having been received at 2.37 p.m. by the "Barham."

How was that signal sent; was it by flag or searchlight?

I think it, would be better to have any further questions put down on the Paper. Perhaps hon. Members who are anxious for further information will refer to the official narrative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that all the gyro-compasses in the Fleet are of foreign origin; that the essential gyroscopical units were made abroad; that instructions to officers at the compass observatory and in the Admiralty manual are limited to this particular apparatus; and will he have inquiries made into this matter?

The standard gyro-compass used in the Fleet is the Sperry type (American). At the end of 1913, as a result of competitive trial, it was decided to adopt this type instead of the Anschutz (German), the only two gyro-compasses then on the market. From that time until the end of the War, as a result of the above decision, the Sperry Company, of Brooklyn, supplied the British Fleet with gyro-compasses. The scrapping policy after the armistice released a large number of these compasses; they have been reconditioned and used for further service. As this is the only type of compass in use in the Navy no object is seen in describing other types in the Admiralty manual nor in giving instruction on such types unless or until they are adopted. When it again becomes necessary for the Admiralty to purchase any considerable number of gyro-compasses they will, as in 1913, offer to firms who are willing to tender an opportunity to submit instruments for competitive tests at sea.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that there is a British-owned concern making a British compass by British labour at the present time, at a price which is half of that which this foreign concern is charging; and at the present moment that compass is in use on 16 ships of the Canadian Pacific, it is used on the Cunard ships and other vessels, and on the last and the biggest vessel built by the French nation; and will he give a chance to British labour?

The hon. Member must recollect that, in these days of stringent economy, the Admiralty, like any other Department, must work through its existing stocks, and I have definitely said that when the opportunity arises, we shall give every opportunity to British firms.

rose—

We cannot have two speeches.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been drawn to a contract given to a foreign-owned organisation to supply a number of units for completing a quantity of gyro-compasses; and, seeing that the gyro-compass was on the 25th January last included under the provisions of the Key Industries Act, will he take steps in future to make use of the British-owned and British-made product?

The foreign-owned organisation (The British Sperry Company) employs British labour and material, and any compasses manufactured by them for the Royal Navy are now made in this country. The contract in question consisted in completing a number of Sperry master compasses which had been left partially manufactured at the Armistice. The Admiralty are fully alive to the desirability of using the products of British-owned firms where suitable, and has already made exhaustive trial of one such type of compass. A further trial in one of His Majesty's ships of a gyro-compass, made by a British-owned firm, will shortly be instituted.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this so-called British concern consists of 100,000 shares, 99,997 of which are held by foreigners and only three by Englishmen—one by each English director—and will he give a chance to this British-made compass to be tested for His Majesty's Fleet?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government that any naval forces and vessels raised and provided by the Governor-General of India in Council should be placed at his disposal to be employed otherwise than upon Indian naval defence?

The Bill makes provision for the possibility that the Royal Indian Navy, after being placed at the disposal of His Majesty, may be employed for purposes other than the purely local defence of India. Circumstances may arise in which it may be desirable to take advantage of this provision.

Will the Indian National Assembly be consulted before these ships are moved?

I think the hon. Member will find that there are ample safeguards in the Bill down for consideration this afternoon.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question?

That question can be debated on the Bill.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the names of the five cruisers building for the United States of America, as stated in the Return of Fleets (Cmd. 2809); and whether the failure of the American Congress to approve of appropriations for three cruisers this year affects these figures?

Two only of the cruisers building have been given names, namely, No. 24, "Pensacola," and No. 25, "Salt Lake City"; the names of Nos. 26, 27 and 28 have not yet been reported. As regards the second part of the question, Congress has appropriated 450,000 dollars for commencement of Nos. 29, 30 and 31, the three remaining cruisers of the 1924 programme, the Bill having been signed by the President on 2nd March, 1927.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Congress rose without appropriating for these cruisers, and will he make inquiries again of his Intelligence Department as to the accuracy of this?

I will certainly make further inquiries, but should be rather glad to have a little evidence from the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

This is in the ordinary Press messages in the newspapers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Regulations governing the administration of extended benefit have operated so as to throw a large number of unemployed on to the Poor Law relief and thus increased the local rates; and can he see his way to modify these Regulations in view of the already heavy burden of local rates?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total cost of the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Acts for the financial year ending 31st March, 1926?

The total cost was approximately £4,820,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amounts paid by the State, employers and insured persons, respectively, under the Unemployment Insurance Acts during 1926?

The amounts paid for unemployment insurance contributions during the year ended 31st December, 1926, were approximately as follow:

	£
By employers	15,540,000
By employed persons	13,290,000
By Exchequer	11,800,000
Total	40,630,000

asked the Minister of Labour whether, with a view to assisting the unemployed and providing playing-fields for school children attending the elementary schools of Wednesbury, Tipton and Darlaston, he will recommend the Unemployment Grants Committee to provide the local authorities with funds to enable them to clear and level the pit mounds existing in these localities?

I understand that proposals of this nature have previously been considered, but that, in the absence of any definite application for a grant, no decision was reached by the Unemployment Grants Committee. If the local authorities concerned are of opinion that they can satisfy the conditions for grant now obtaining, as indicated in the Committee's Circular Letter of the 15th December, 1925, an application to the Committee would be considered.

asked the Minister of Labour how many decisions of rota committees were reversed by his Department during 1926; and what number of these alterations were in favour of the appellant?

Out of 3,835,868 applications for extended unemployment benefit considered by local committees in Great Britain during the period 12th January, 1926, to 10th January, 1927, the recommendations were not accepted in 18,038 cases (rather less than 0.48 per cent.). Of this number the revision was in favour of the applicant in 1,248 cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these men find very great difficulty in putting their cases in writing, as they have to do when the case goes to his Department, and will he not exercise very great care in revising these decisions?

Every possible care is exercised in reviewing cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he would be prepared, in conjunction with the Minister of Health, to supplement the monthly table relating to Poor Law relief published in the "Labour Gazette," to include a column showing the percentage of insured persons who are unemployed in each of the selected Poor Law areas to which the Poor Law relief statistics relate?

I doubt if this is practicable, but I will consider the suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour the amounts paid by the Unemployment Grants Committee within each of the last six months; and the main lines upon which the money has been expended?

In view of the number of figures to be given, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the policy of his Department to refuse employment to any ex-Government employé who has been dismissed for an offence against some Regulation; and, if so, how such a person would stand with regard to unemployment pay?

In general, the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but each case is considered on its merits. In the case of established officers who do not pay unemployment insurance contributions, unemployment benefit would not be payable; other cases would be determined in accordance with the ordinary procedure.

In the case of temporary officials who commence, and are then dismissed because of a previous alleged offence, would they be immediately entitled to unemployment pay?

Not necessarily. If the hon. Member will read my answer, he will see that as a rule they would not be, but each ease is considered on its merits. It is Impossible to give one answer that will cover all the cases.

If the Department are unwilling to employ one of these persons after a technical offence, how does the right hon. Gentleman expect private employers to employ them, and, in case they do not, why should they not be immediately entitled to unemployment pay?

I can only say that it is not possible to give an answer of this kind as a generality, without having the individual eases. If the hon. Member has any individual case, and will communicate it to me, I will go into it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, when the Unemployment Act Amendment Bill is introduced, he proposes to deal with the case of seasonal workers on the lines of the Blanesburgh Report recommendations?

I am afraid that I cannot anticipate the proposals of the Bill, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the recommendation of the Committee will receive the most careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has taken legal opinion as to whether the hours now being worked by any men or boys in or about the British coal mines under any district agreement are in excess of those permitted under the Washington Hours Convention; and, if so, whether he will communicate this opinion to the House?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.

Would it not be desirable, in view of the opinions that have been expressed on the matter, to take legal opinion, so as to be quite sure that the Government are not responsible, owing to the Act that was passed last Session?

I am considering the question at this moment.

Is it not a fact that, owing to the Eight Hours Act, the hours worked by underground workers exceed eight, and, therefore, exceed the number laid down in the Washington Convention?

The hon. Member is giving me the legal opinion himself.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is a fact? I know that it is a fact.

rose—

The hon. Member must wait, to give facts until he is on the Treasury Bench.

A fact remains a fact, whether one is in Opposition or in the Government.

It is not a matter for Question Time.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman state recently that the Miners Eight Hours Bill was not a contravention of the Washington Convention, and had he taken legal opinion before he made that statement?

I never made that statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Secretary of the International Labour Office at Geneva warned the Government and the country that the imposition of an Eight Hours Act in this country would seriously endanger the recognition of the Washington Convention?

Notice should be given of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether His Majesty's Government intends to ratify the Geneva Convention on the weekly rest day in industrial undertakings; and, if so, when they propose to introduce the necessary legislation?

The British Government delegates voted against this Convention at Geneva in 1921, and their action was subsequently confirmed by the decision of the Government not to ratify it. It is not proposed to reconsider that decision.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a dispute has arisen between the building trade operatives and a small section of employers over a wage reduction; that housing schemes and works of public utility are being held up; and what steps his Department are taking to bring about a settlement?

I am aware of this dispute. Conferences have proceeded between the parties during the last few days, but I understand that yesterday afternoon they failed to reach agreement. I am considering what action can usefully be taken by my Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this dispute has arisen because of the fact that a small section of employers have broken away from a national agreement which is in existence between the Scottish Regional Council of the Employers' Federation and the trade union, and they are imposing a reduction in wages of 2d. per hour upon the labourers, and at the same time increasing the wages of the bricklayers?

I cannot at this moment, in answer to a question, discuss the whole matter across the Floor of the House. I may be mistaken, but I am not aware that the employers in this case were parties to the national agreement with the rest of the employers in Scotland. It is not a very complicated matter, and my Department have already been in touch with them, and the parties have been in negotiation. It is really a question as to how far action, if it be taken, will be a help in order to get the parties together. We are watching it from that point of view.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether or not it is the case that his Department has had submitted to it proposals from the workers' side to resume work on the status quo, pending a Government inquiry into the whole of the circumstances; and whether it is the case that he has power to hold an inquiry when one side has approached him? This means 6s. 5d. a week off poor workers, while the employers have already had their contracts fixed for a long time, and are going to snake large profits.

If the hon. Member will put down a question in detail, I will try to answer it. A number of proposals have been made on either side. I could not commit myself forthwith to an answer on a point of detail.

Will the right hon. Gentleman admit that his Department has the power to hold an inquiry, and if a demand for an inquiry has been made by the employés, could he not concede it?

I certainly could not concede it as a general principle in any case. Of course, my Department have the power to set up a court of inquiry; that is well known; but it is also quite well known that to state in advance that you will set up a court of inquiry is not necessarily the course that is likely to lead to the earliest termination of the dispute. I have to use my discretion in each Case, and it would be in the exercise of my discretion that I should or should not take a decision to set up a court of inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this body of employers who are reducing the wages of the labourers have contracts for houses from the Glasgow Corporation, who have laid down a recommendation to them to pay the standard rate of 1s. 3½.?

I think that further question should be put down. The Minister cannot have this in his mind without notice.

The right hon. Gentleman has had quite a lot of information sent to his Department. They are fully aware of all these facts.

Is it the case that the workers have asked for an inquiry and are prepared to resume work in the status quo pending the inquiry?

I cannot answer without notice. I will obtain the exact facts about that and communicate with the hon. Member or the House if he wishes at once, but as I was going to remark on the other question, I must have notice with regard to some details which it is really for the municipality itself to carry out.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter to-night on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a dispute has arisen between the building trade workers and a section of the employés in several places in Scotland over a wage reduction; if any housing schemes are affected and, if so, how many, and where; and whether the Government are taking any steps to see that the Fair Wages Clause is being observed on schemes that are being assisted with Government subsidies?

I am aware of this dispute and I am advised that certain housing schemes in Glasgow and the surrounding district are affected. As the hon. Member is aware the housing schemes are conducted by the local authorities themselves, and I am not therefore able to give the desired information without calling for a special return. With regard to the last part the responsibility there also rests primarily with the local authority, though I am in close touch with the Minister of Labour on the whole situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether all pilots are now given a complete course of instruction in the use of the parachute; and if separate parachutes are fitted on all aeroplanes for pilots and mechanics?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, the policy is to provide a parachute for every pilot, observer or other member of the crew of an aircraft while on flying duty and effect is being given, and to a large extent has already been given, to this policy throughout the Royal Air Force.

Is it not the fact that it is not necessary to descend in a parachute to understand how it works?

I think probably it would be better to make a practice descent.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the responsibility for the due enforcement of mess regulations rests upon the officers commanding stations; and whether there is any higher supervision in this sphere?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. The higher supervision is provided in the shape of the periodical inspections and general control of group and area commanders.

Has a committee of inquiry been inquiring into the expense of the Air Force, and what decision have they arrived at?

There has been no special inquiry. As I informed the hon. and gallant Gentleman the other day, I have no reason to think the expenses are excessive.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to abolish the Ministry of Transport during the coming financial year?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 10th February in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Heywood and Radcliffe.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to abolish the Department of Mines and absorb it in the Board of Trade during the coming financial year?

No, Sir.

Have the Government considered the question of abolishing the Board of Trade and absorbing it in the Mines Department?

No, Sir.

Is the Mines Department in danger of being absorbed by the Coal Merchants' Federation?

asked the Prime Minister when the Government proposals on the subject of leasehold tenure will be made known?

It is hoped that the Second Reading of this Bill will be taken before Easter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will set up a committee of inquiry into the transport system in the country with a view to co-ordinating and regulating the powers and responsibilities of local authorities, railways, and private companies, and the creation of an effective transport service to meet the industrial needs of the country?

I have been asked to answer this question. The problems connected with the relations of different forms of transport are engaging my attention, and provisions in the draft Road Bill, to he published shortly, deal with the better regulation of passenger vehicles on roads.

Did the right hon. Gentleman consult with all parties interested with regard to the Bill before it was drafted?

No, but the whole object of the publication of the Bill is that there shall be consultation with interested parties.

Has there been consultation with someone before the Bill was drafted, and, if so, with whom?

I have consulted with myself.

Is the Bill going to deal with the co-ordination of traffic on the lines of the question?

"The provisions in the draft Road Bill to be published shortly"—not brought before the House, but published—"deal with the better regulation of passenger vehicles on roads."

I am asking whether there will he co-ordination on the lines of the question.

I think the hon. Member had better wait for the Bill.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the whole of the é1,300,000 allocated for the upkeep of unclassified roads (luring the current financial year has been distributed to local authorities?

Practically the whole of the £1,300,000 made available for the upkeep of unclassified roads in rural areas during the current financial year has been allocated to individual authorities, but the distribution of the final instalments must await the submission by the authorities of certificates of expenditure at the close of the financial year.

asked the Minister of Transport for how many miles of unclassified road has assistance been given from the Road Fund during the current financial year; what proportion that mileage bears to the total mileage of unclassified roads; and what proportion the sum allocated bears to the total expenditure by local authorities on those roads?

The moneys made available during 1926–27 for maintenance grants to rural roads have enabled me to give assistance to 34,072 miles of unclassified roads in England and Wales, representing 35 per cent. of the total mileage of unclassified roads in rural areas. In addition grants have also been made towards unclassified roads in urban areas, but I am unable to ascertain without considerable labour the mileage thus assisted, and I hope my hon. Friend will not press for the information. I am unable to answer the third part of the question as I have no information as to the total expenditure of local authorities on unclassified roads.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain the figures of the total expense incurred by the local authorities on these roads?

I will see what can be done.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, as the three traffic Reports on London and district have now been issued, he will state what he now proposes to do in connection with the problem?

Officers of my Department have been, and are still, in consultation with the railway companies concerned, with a view to effect being given to certain of the recommendations contained in the three Reports of the London Traffic Advisory Committee referred to in the question. As regards some of the major works recommended by the Committee, the companies state that they are not in a position to incur the large capital expenditure involved under the present conditions. At my request the Committee are now exploring the possibility of securing some measure of co-ordination, or co-operation, between the respective transport agencies.

Who are on this new Committee?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the approximate cost, and what is the value of these Reports if they are not used?

My hon. Friend must not assume that they are not going to be used. The last one was only published a fortnight ago.

Is another Report to be issued?

We have just issued one.