asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number and amount of the grants made by the Special Grants Committee for the education of children of deceased and disabled officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, respectively, during 1926?

The total number of grants (including both first and subsequent grants) made by the Special Grants Committee under their regulations for the education of children, during the year 1926, was, in the case of deceased and disabled officers, 736, and in the case of deceased and disabled non-commissioned officers and men, 6,318. The actual amount of these grants cannot be stated, but the expenditure by the Special Grants Committee on grants for education during 1926, was, in the case of officers, £12,926, and in the case of non-commissioned officers and men, £79,232.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the advisability of revising the regulations to make it necessary, in cases of applicants far disability pensions, for the Ministry to prove that the disability was not caused or aggravated by war service, rather than the applicant should he made to prove that the disability was caused or aggravated by war service?

My hon. Friend is, I think, under a misapprehension. The admission of a claim under the Royal Warrants is not dependent on the production of proof by the claimant. On the contrary, the claim in every case is considered on its merits as a question of fact and it is the practice of the Ministry to seek all such evidence as may be obtainable in regard to the validity of the claim. I could not recommend that the fundamental principle of pensions administration should be altered in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend for the reasons which I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham on the 19th April, 1923, in a reply of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider this matter again in view of the fact that last year nearly 70 per cent, of these appeals were turned down?

The proposal would mean that, in the absence of any evidence, we should have to pension any man who had served for even one single day in England during the Great War which legally ended in September, 1921, whenever he fell ill of almost any complaint at any time in his subsequent life.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the estimated amount of savings which will result from the reduction of the pensions of those ex-officers who were awarded a wound pension and retired pay equal to the half-pay of their rank, under the provisions of Article 539, Royal Warrant of 1914?

For the reasons given in my reply of the 9th December last to my hon. and gallant Friend, it is not possible to give any reliable estimate of the results of the procedure of review which is part of the normal work of my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of ex-officers who, having been awarded a wound pension and retired pay under Article 539, Royal Warrant of 1914, have been allowed to commute any portion of their pension?

No classified record of pensions commuted has been kept by my Department and I regret therefore that I am not in a position to furnish the desired information.

Am I right in understanding that in commuting a pension the Ministry take into consideration these two joint things retired pay and wound pension, or is it based on only one of them?

Commutation in any case can only take place on a pension which is secured, and that is the regular rule.

Is there any case in which a wound pension has been commuted?

The general feeling in all parts of the House is against commutation.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of ex-officers whose pensions have been reduced after they have been allowed to commute a portion of their pension awarded under Article 539, Royal Warrant of 1914?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that under the normal rules of working, commutation is not allowed unless the Ministry is satisfied that the retired pay or pension should be regarded as permament. It has not been part of the general practice to review decisions thus arrived at and there is no intention of introducing such a review.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has any statistics or whether he can give an estimate for each year up to the present, as to the number of ex-service men who, having failed either before his Department or before the appeal tribunal, stated separately, have died of the complaint as to which they applied for a pension in the same year, and also at any time up to the present?

The records of mortality in my Department relate only to the deaths of pensioners. I regret therefore that I am unable to give statistics with regard to the cases referred to in this question, nor is there any material on which an estimate could be framed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there is adequate hospital accommodation for the immediate treatment of all ex-service men who are entitled to such treatment; and whether there have been any cases during the last six months, and, if so, how many, where, before treatment is given, a waiting period has been inraosed?

I am satisfied that the accommodation available is fully adequate to the requirements of the Ministry. There is, in fact, always a margin of beds over and above the average demand. With regard to the second part of the question my hon. Friend will understand that a brief interval is in ordinary cases necessary in order to secure accommodation of a type appropriate to the particular case, and also, to meet the convenience of the pensioner who is not usully prepared to leave his home at a moment's notice. But notwithstanding this, the average waiting period for admission to hospital does not exceed three to four days.

If any accommodation is arranged for will it be provided at a reasonable distance from the residence of the pensioners?

I am not sure that I follow the hon. Member's question, but I think the geographical distribution of our hospitals is as good as we can get it, and we always keep that point in mind.

I know a case where a roan has been stationed in Durham and has been called upon to go to Kendal for treatment.

The hon. Member seems to be giving information in regard to a particular case. I think he had better put that question down.

Of course I cannot answer a supplementary question with regard to a particular case without knowing the name of the man. But if the hon. Member will give me the necessary particulars, I shall be very happy to go into the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the salary and bonus payable to pensionable officers appointed as chief or deputy chief area officers is considerably in excess of the amount payable to non-pensionable officers occupying similar posts in other areas, he will consider the desirability of raising the salaries of the latter officers who are performing similar duties in areas of equal importance elsewhere?

The question of the salaries of permanent unestablished officials and temporary officials throughout the Ministry is already under discussion with representatives of the staff concerned, and I am not, at the present moment, in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the general discontent amongst ex-service men due to the long period of time which expires between a medical board and the result being communicated to the applicant; and will he explain the reason for this, and take what action is necessary to expedite decisions in future?

I have no evidence of the existence of any such general discontent as is suggested by the hon. Member. I am satisfied that in the vast majority of cases any decision that has to be conveyed to a claimant is so conveyed without avoidable delay. In a few eases, as the hon. Member will appreciate, expert opinion or additional evidence may have to be obtained, and some unavoidable delay may ensue, but the number of such cases is steadily decreasing and every effort is made to reduce the delay to a minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the series of articles appearing in the "People" newspaper over the name of a pensioned ex-chief inspector of Scotland Yard; and whether, having regard to the effect of such literature, he will see whether it is possible to prevent pensioned officers writing such articles?

I dislike this kind of journalism, but at present it is not illegal. I am, however, considering the whole matter.

Is not the material for these articles really a Departmental matter, which comes under the official Secrets Act?

The hon. Member will probably recollect drat I did prosecute in a recent case, and I was successful; but in this case, as far as, I have the information at present, it is not of sufficient importance to put the machinery of the Official Secrets Act into operation.

Is there any difference between this ease and the book published by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which has many official secrets in it?

asked the Rome Secretary whether, in view of the Report of the Commission on Juvenile Delinquency, he is now prepared to introduce legislation giving effect to the Commission's recommendation that no person may suffer the extreme death penalty under the age of 18 years?

I have not yet received the Committee's Report.

asked the Home Secretary in how many towns in England sidecar taximeter cabs have been licensed; and whether he has any information as to the success or other wise of these experiments?

I have been asked to reply. Outside the Metropolitan police district, the licensing of hackney carraiges is for the local authority. I know that some local authorities have licensed these vehicles, but I have no information as to their number or the success achieved.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is taking any steps to deal with the crawling taximeter cab nuisance?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The subject of crawling taximeter cabs has been under consideration by the London Traffic Committee for some time past, and I am awaiting a Report from them, which I hope to receive very shortly. I am afraid I cannot make any statement on the subject until I have had an opportunity of considering any advice the Committee may offer.

asked the Home Secretary what measures he has undertaken during the past 12 months to deal with alien Communists; and what proportion of those convicted of anti-British propaganda have been deported?

I am afraid I cannot attempt to deal with so large and general a subject by way of question and answer. I will only say that the policy of His Majesty's Government is based upon the principle that an alien who engages in subversive activity of any kind while here is abusing the hospitality of this country and' merits expulsion. This policy I have steadily pursued for the last two years, with the result that it is most rare to find an alien at the present time who indulges in such propaganda.

Does the right hon. Gentleman include in that description ordinary political activities?

I certainly do not, unless the hon. and gallant Member considers that ordinary political activities are subversive. The expression I used was "subversive propaganda," and where I find aliens abusing the hospitalities of this country by engaging in subversive propaganda I turn them out.

I ask the right hon. Gentleman to believe that his answer is entirely satisfactory, and will he now turn his attention to the home-bred variety?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all Socialist propaganda is intended to be subversive of the capitalist system of society?

asked the home Secretary whether he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent larks being exposed for sale for food in this country during their close season, thus extending to them the same protection during their close season that is provided for certain other birds?

The Wild Birds Protection Acts, 1880 and 1881. already place certain restrictions upon the sale of larks during the close time. There is no power at present to acid to those restrictions but as the House may shortly be considering a Private Member's Bill on the subject of wild birds' protection, an opportunity should be afforded to my hon. Friend to raise the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to give Government facilities for this Bill, in order to protect these birds?

The hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many education authorities have made special provision for the education of blind and partially blind children under their jurisdiction; how many have made partial provision; and how many have not yet made any provision?

It is not possible to give exact figures. The provision made in certified special schools for totally blind children between the ages of five and sixteen is, generally speaking, complete. In the case of partially blind children the provision is not generally complete. Thirteen authorities have provided special schools for their partially blind children, and, in addition, there are some 15 to 20 authorities who either admit all their partially blind children to, their own schools for the blind or send them to other blind schools or institutions. In a number of the smaller areas no partially blind children have been ascertained.

also asked the President of the Board of Education the present estimated number of blind or partially blind children who might benefit by admission to special schools; how many of these children are at present in special schools; how many in public elementary schools; how many in residential institutions; and how many are not attending any school?

As the reply to this question consists largely of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the number of sightless children of elementary school age on the 31st December, 1926?

The number of totally blind children between the ages of five and 16 ascertained by the local authorities during the year ended 31st December, 1925, the last year for which complete returns are available, was 2,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of certificated teachers who are unemployed?

Information is not available as to the total number, but the hon. Member will find some statistics bearing on the question in the reply which I gave, on 3rd March, to my hon. Friends the Members for Romford (Mr. Rhys) and Moseley (Mr. Hannon), a copy of hich I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many elementary schools, provided and non-provided, there are in the County of Durham which fall short of the Board's standard set for sanitary provisions?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to schools on the Black List. There are 26 provided and eight non-provided schools in Class A, and 37 provided and 38 non-provided schools in Class B.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of new schools and the number to be re-modelled, respectively, in the schedule submitted to him by the Durham County Local Education Authority for 1926 and 1927, or the latest date, and the number where the Board have given sanction to them to proceed with for the same period?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 29th July last, the authority's proposals for 1926–27 included the provision of 14 new schools and the remodelling of 11 others; and the bulk of these proposals have been carried forward to 1927–28. The uncertainty as to the financial position of the county, owing to the coal stoppage, has hitherto prevented the Board from giving the same general approval of the authority's proposals for the first programme year as they have been able to give to most other authorities; but I have approved four new schools and the extension of two others, and I have informed the authority recently that I am prepared to approve their building proposals up to a stated sum, pending the outcome of the inquiry now proceeding into their resources and capital commitments on their various services.

Has the Noble Lord given that approval for the procuring of sites for other schools?

In regard to this stated sum for which I gave them authority, I gave them complete freedom as to what they were to spend the money upon. I thought that that was the best thing to do.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is in a position to publish the Report of the Board's Committee of Inquiry into technical education; and whether he proposes to make any recommendation to education authorities as to the steps to be taken so that such industrial districts should be in a position to meet the requirements of their area in technical education?

No such Committee of Inquiry has been set up by my Department. Possibly the hon. Member is referring to the unofficial Committee over which the late Lord Emmott presided. I am not aware that that Committee has yet issued a Report of its findings.

Is the Committee still considering the problem, and will it in due course advise the President?

I really do not know. This is a Committee which was set up purely on voluntary initiative. I have some information about it unofficially, but I have no official knowledge.

Is it functioning?

I really do not know.

Will the Noble Lord make inquiries?

I will make any inquiries I can, but I think the hon. Member would be able, from his intimate acquaintance with certain members of the Committee, to find out for himself.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many pupils were awarded grants under the London County Council's training college scheme for teachers in 1921–26; how many received appointments on completion of the training; and whether, in view of the smallness of the percentage of those who find appointments commensurate with their qualifications, he will consider any steps to improve the position?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table based on information supplied to me by the London County Council, showing the numbers of students awarded Senior (Teachers') Scholarships in the years in question. A considerable number of these students attend training colleges outside the area of the county council, and no figures are available as to their success in securing employment other than those circulated with the reply given by me on 3rd March to my hon. Friends the Members for Romford (Mr. Rhys) and Moseley (Mr. Hannon), a copy of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member. I am not however, aware of any evidence which would support the assumption made in the last part of the question.

Would it not be well to keep track of those who take their training outside the area of the London County Council so that we may, know how effective the scheme is in securing employment?

If the hon. and gallant Member will look at the previous reply to which I have referred, he will see that we do do our best to keep track of all training college students; but I cannot allocate particular training college students to the particular authorities who may have given them scholarships.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received from the Brighouse Town Council a resolution protesting against the proposed abolition of Part III authorities; and whether it is intended to submit proposals to this House in connection with the training of the adolescent?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me on 14th February last to the hon. Member for Peckham (Mr. Dalton), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there is still a large number of empty houses withheld from occupation in overcrowded areas; and will he reconsider the desirability of taking further steps to secure the use of such houses?

I am aware that there is always a certain number of unoccupied houses which are held for sale. I would point out that local authorities already have power to purchase or lease houses suitable for the working classes, and I do not consider that it would practicable to promote further legislation on the subject.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the proposal of the London County Council that empty houses should be subjected to half rates?

Yes, I have considered various proposals at different times. The difficulty about most of them is that it would appear probable that they would exercise some hampering effect upon the building of new houses.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it a scandal that houses should be held up for sale for three or foul months at a time when people cannot rent houses, and cannot he do something in the matter?

I do not know that I would call it a scandal. I think it is a pity, which is quite a different thing.

Is the right hon Gentleman aware that local authorities have no power to make a landlord change his position from selling to leasing?

Why should they?

asked the Minister of Health what is the total number of houses decontrolled under the operation of the Rents Restriction Acts: and, failing exact data, will he state what is the approximate estimate of his Department of the number of houses decontrolled from the commencement of the operation of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1923, to the end of 1926?

There are no statistics on the point referred to by the hon. Member, and there is not sufficient material available to enable such an estimate as is suggested to be made.

Is it not a matter of common knowledge throughout the country that, ever since the decontrol of houses under the Rent Restrictions Act, 1923, house-owners have taken advantage of the Clause regarding decontrol, and have deliberately held up houses from being let, so that they can be sold at exorbitant prices? Is not that part of the housing scandal arising out of the administration of this Government?

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the policy of the Government to allow Part II of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1923, to come into operation in due course, or whether it is proposed to extend the operation of Part I of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1923, for a further period of years?

The policy to be adopted by the Government in regard to the Act in question is under consideration, but I am not at present able to make any announcement on the subject.

In view of the fact that there are hundreds of thousands at least, if not millions, of tenants coming under the Rent Restrictions Act, who are anxiously awaiting some decision, is it not advisable to take an early decition, especially in view of the fact that the Minister must lay on the Table Regulations under Part II if he is not going to continue Part I of the Act of 1923?

Part I of the Act does not expire until December of the present year, and I think, therefore, it is desirable to wait a little longer and see what the conditions are nearer that time before taking any final decision.

Is it not a condition that the Regulations that may be made under Part II must be placed on the Table of both Houses of Parliament for discussion, and Resolutions passed by both Houses to make them operative? That is going to take some time, and there are plenty of data now available.

Will my right hon. Friend give grave consideration to the hardship to owners of single houses who come under these Acts?

Yes, Sir. I have been having a considerable number of letters from owners of the character described by my hon. Friend, and I shall have to give that matter consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in connection with the expiration of the Rent Restrictions Act this year, he is considering the desirability of gradual decontrol, especially in the cases of houses which have been long since purchased by those wishing to live in them?

I can assure my hon. Friend that, before deciding on their policy in regard to a continuance of rent restriction, the Government will very carefully consider all aspects of the question.

asked the Minister of Health the number of housing schemes at present under consideration by his Department; and how many of these have been under consideration for three months or more?

Decisions applications for approval of proposals under the Housing Acts are given by my Department as soon as possible after their receipt. The number of applicacations outstanding necessarily varies from day to day, but I am not aware of any which have been under consideration for three months or longer. If the hon Member has any case in mind and will send me particulars I will inquire into it.

asked the Minister of Health if the Rochford Rural District Council is now granting subsidy certificates for the building of houses in their area?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that single young men who are unemployed and unable to get relief from the Employment Exchanges, having exhausted their unemployment insurance money, are not eligible for out-relief, he will consider the introduction of legislation to amend the law so that those persons could be granted out-relief?

I am not prepared to introduce legislation to amend the law in the sense suggested. The grant of outdoor relief to all able-bodied persons, including the class referred to, is prohibited, but provision is made under which the guardians may, subject to certain conditions, depart from the Regulations upon consideration of the special circumstances of any particular case.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the statements made by guardians all over the country with regard to the contents of this question?

I have not seen any comments on this question by guardians.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increase in the amount of the Poor Rate in many industrial areas in England and Wales, he will recommend the Government to make grants to the Poor Law authorities in England and Wales similar to those granted to the Scottish parish councils?

No, Sir. As has been fully explained in recent Debates, the considerations which led the Government to make provision for grants to Scottish Poor Law authorities in no way apply to England and Wales.

Why should Scotland have preferential treatment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Debate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a grant to England similar to that made to Scotland?

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Debate to which he refers there was no satisfactory answer given to the question why Scotland should have preferential treatment?

I am afraid the answer did not satisfy the hon. Member.

Do the Government contemplate making any block grant to these industrial areas at an early date?

Is it the case that this is a small reparation to Scotland for the, fact that for generations she has been supporting the able-bodied poor in England?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the fact that the casual ward at Chippenham is unheated and so cold that casual vagrants have absconded; and whether the matter will be investigated?

These casual wards are, where necessary, heated by three open fires. I have not received any complaints on the subject, but will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the serious increase in the rates and consequent depression in the trade of Newcastle-upon-Tyne if the enforcement of the ultimatum to the guardians becomes effective, he can see his way to extend the period for repay ment of the £266,000 outstanding to five instead of three years?

I have given this question my careful consideration, but it seems to me that, having regard to all the local circumstances, three years is a reasonable, if not indeed a generous period to allow, and I cannot see my way to extend it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the expression of opinion of every branch and section of opinion in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on the point, and may I not press him to give this relief?

I am afraid my experience shows that there is always unanimity among ratepayers as to the desirability of keeping down the rates, but I have to consider broader issues than that.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think a complete cancellation of these debts is necessary?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the Report issued by the board appointed by him last September to take over control from the Chesterle-Street Guardians; and whether, as this Report contains charges of maladministration and other irregularities, he will state what action he proposes to take?

The Report is receiving my consideration, but my hon. Friend will realise that I have already taken the most effective action by removing the former guardians from office.

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to institute any proceedings, in view of the terms of the Report, against these people?

It will not be for me to institute proceedings, but, if anyone, for the Public Prosecutor.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have already put down two questions on this point, one to the Attorney-General and the other to the representative of the Public Prosecutor, neither of which was allowed at the Table? I should like to know to whom I am to address my questions on the matter.

I cannot answer that question.

Is it not the fact that a Court of Law would require something more than an ex parte statement?

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the amount of relief administered by the overseers in England and Wales during the last five years was less than £500 in all; why he has done away with the system by which an order for medical or other relief could he obtained in every parish in case of sudden urgent necessity or dangerous illness, in view of the delay while an application is being made to the relieving officer, seeing that often a village is four or five miles from a relieving officer, and sometimes eight or ten?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Royal Commission on Poor Laws reported that one reason why applications were not made more frequently to the overseers for emergency relief was that in many parts of the country the poor did not know that the overseers had these powers and that the Commission pointed out the mischief arising from non-resort to the overseers and recommended

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement containing the desired information.

Yes, Sir. I may say that the Commission also reported that this particular function of the overseers was hardly ever exercised and then badly, adding that in these circumstances it was questionable whether, so far as the Poor Law was concerned, there was any necessity for continuing the office of overseer as a separate office. Under the Rating and Valuation Act the overseers will cease to exist on the 31st instant and their functions are being transferred to the relieving officers, whose powers and duties are well known throughout the country. It must be remembered that means of communication and transport in rural areas have- been much improved in recent years, and I see no reason to anti- cipate any serious delay in obtaining relief in urgent cases by reason of the transfer of powers to the relieving officers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is as much as nine or ten miles distance between some villages and the office of the relieving officer and what is to happen in the case of an emergency that might result m the loss of a life?

I can only point to the fact that these powers which have hitherto existed in the hands of the overseers have been used to a very small extent and I do not think they will be used to any larger extent in the future than they have been in the past.

Is not the saving of one life worth all the money you would save?

I have no reason to suppose one life will be lost.

Would not the risk be very much reduced if the right hon. Gentleman considered with his colleague the Postmaster-General an increase in rural telephones?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Croydon Guardians in future to include a Clause in their contracts that Empire produce shall be supplied wherever this is possible; and whether he will take steps to draw the attention of other boards of guardians to the desirability of following this example?

My attention has not been drawn to the decision of the Croydon Guardians, but that decision is evidently based upon a view which I have more than once communicated to, local authorities. I do not think any further action on my part is necessary.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received a copy of a Resolution, passed by the Leigh Local Pension Committee, urging the Govern- ment to introduce legislation to amend the Old Age Pensions Act by providing that uninsured persons shall be entitled to a pension on attaining the age of 65; and what steps he intends to take on this question?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Miss Wilkinson) on the 3rd March.

Is the right hon. Gentleman sending me a copy of that answer?

I can send the hon. Member a copy, but he will find it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that, by the refusal of the French and Italian Governments to accept the disarmament proposal of President Coolidge and thereby permit the forthcoming meeting of the preparatory commission to be turned into a plenary body, the American proposal in its original form is nullified, he will institute inquiries o amend and, if necessary, to expedite the arrangements for a meeting of the three Powers, Japan, the United States, and Great Britain?

As the initiative in this matter was taken by the Government of the United States, His Majesty's Government must await the consideration by that Government of the replies returned to their proposal by the four Governments concerned.

Because the initiative has once been taken by the United States for disarmament proposals, is it to rest for ever with them, or will the right hon. Gentleman take some initiative action himself in this and correlated questions of disarmament?

There may be several initiatives, but the first initiative has been with the United States, and His Majesty's Government must await the consideration which the United States Government will give to the replies to their proposals.

asked the Prime Minister if, in addition to the question of the extension of the franchise to women on the same terms as men, he is also considering the question of the reform of the electoral system?

The answer is in the negative, unless the hon. Member has in mind certain minor or consequential amendments of the electoral machinery.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to lay the agricultural policy of the Government before Parliament?

The agricultural policy of the Government was presented to Parliament in the form of a White Paper—Cmd. 2581—on 2nd February, 1926.

Is that the last word of the Government in regard to agriculture?

That is a very much more effective word than any that has been said by any other political party.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of another bribe on the eve of the next General Election?

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the duties of the public cleansing and salvage inspector; and whether it is proposed to abolish this post?

The duties of this officer comprise the holding of public inquiries into, and giving advice on, questons relating to refuse collection and disposal, and other kindred subjects. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that such outside bodies as the Industrial Fatigue Board are examining civil servants on official premises, and of the desire of the staff side of the National Whitley Council that this procedure should not be permitted, except after discussion and agreement through the appropriate machinery of national or departmental Whitley Councils; and whether he win make inquiries with the object of meeting the views of the staff on this matter?

Representations have recently been received from the staff side of the National Whitley Council on this matter and are now under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the chief of the Civil Aviation Branch of the Air Ministry is a director of the Trindad Frendship Petroleum Company, Limited, which is to be or has been renamed the Venezuelan Consolidated Oilfields; and whether such an interest is allowable under the rules and policy of his Department?

The reply to both parts of the question is in tie affirmative.

May I ask whether the policy of the Air Ministry in this respect is in line with the policy of other Departments as regards the Civil Service generally?

Yes, exactly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in connection with a recent promotion in the engineer-in-chiefs Department of the Post Office, an officer reported as eminentiy fitted for special and early promotion was passed over, and that an officer certified as fitted for promotion, but not for exceptional promotion, was promoted; and why all officers declared to be within range for promotion were not given equal consideration by the promotions board?

I am not aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers, but if he will furnish me with fuller particulars I will have inquiry made in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of local authorities who have availed themselves of the provisions of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and provided schemes for the welfare of the blind; and the number of persons involved?

There are 145 local authorities in England and Wales under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and all of them have made, and put into operation, schemes for promoting the welfare of the blind. These schemes cover all the registered blind persons in the country.

asked the Minister of Health if any action is being taken to incorporate the Report of the Royal Commission on Lunacy and Mental Disorder in an Act of Parliament?

Steps are being taken to examine the Report with a view to incorporating in a Bill such of the recommendations as the Government are able to adopt. It will not, however, be practicable to prepare such a Measure in time for introduction in the present Session.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received representations from the Abertillery Urban District Council urging that the use of mechanically-operated instruments for the purpose of slaughtering cattle should not rest on and be optional to local authorities but should be dealt with by national legislation; and will he therefore promote legislation placing the matter on a national basis at the earliest possible date?

I have received a copy of the resolution passed by the district council, but I do not see reason to introduce the legislation suggested in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is prepared to set up a Committee to consider proposals submitted to him by various betting asso- ciations suggesting an alternative scheme of taxation that would stop illegal betting?

No, Sir; I do not consider such procedure necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the enormous amount of illegal betting that is going on, and will not the Department take any action to stop it?

Everyone has been aware for the last 50 years of the amount of illegal betting that has gone on.

Is it not a fact that the whole of the police evidence before the Select Committee went to prove that it is quite impossible to stop illegal betting?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that since payment of Members of Parliament, was introduced free railway travelling facilities to their constituencies have been granted, and that this is an increasing burden on public funds, he will consider reducing the Parliamentary salaries by 10 per cent., and thus give a lead to the movement for national economy?

No, Sir. The main justification for the provision of free travelling facilities was the inequality of the necessary expenditure on travelling as between Member and Member, and that inequality is reflected in the large variations in the extent to which those facilities are used by Members. Apart altogether, therefore, from any question of the sufficiency or otherwise of the payment made to Members, any all-round reduction of that payment would bear no relation to the facts of individual cases; it would be particularly unjustifiable in the case of those Members who do not use the free travelling facilities at all.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider reducing by 10 per cent, the salaries of Army officers who also enjoy private incomes for which they perform no services?

Is it not a fact that any Member of this House is at perfect liberty to refuse his salary?

Is it not a fact that Members of this House enjoy fewer facilities than are enjoyed by Members of any other House of Parliament in the world?

I believe that is, in the main, true. As to the question of Army officers, their pay has been reduced on several occasions, and certainly no taunt at their expense can be made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many Members of Parliament are refusing their pay at the present time?

That is another matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the quantity of raw spirit sold as whisky; and if he will consider the possibility of reducing the duty on spirits which have been matured six years, with a further reduction for spirits matured 10 years?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I would point out to the hon. Member that under the Immature Spirits (Restriction) Act, 1915, whisky may not be delivered for home consumption as a beverage unless it has been matured for three years. With regard to the general question it is my duty always to consider every tax in all its aspects.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the sale of ferro-silicon by the Surplus Stores Department at £4 per ton and its repurchase by his Department at £22 and £20 14s. per ton, respectively; and whether he will state the steps he has taken to tighten up the machinery in his Department?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but as regards the difference of price I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to, the Treasury to the hon. Member for Dundee on the 16th February. As regards the second part, the Public Accounts Committee, who accepted the assurance that the Departmental officers concerned in the transaction were endeavouring to supply the public service in the most economical manner, came to the conclusion that further inquiries should have been made before the ferro-silicon was purchased. Note has been made of this conclusion, and it will be borne in mind in any future similar cases that may arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his official witness stated that the price secured by the Disposal Board had no relevance to his Department?

I cannot keep that in mind off-hand, but if that statement was made, it was certainly accurate. I do not think that any ferro-silicon has been sold by the Disposal Board for a considerable time before.

asked the Attorney-General the total number of borough and county justices of the peace on the 1st January, 1923, 1924, 1925 and 1926, respectively?

It is net possible to give the information asked for by the hon. Member.

The number of magistrates appointed in the years 1924 to 1926 was given in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Melton Division on the 7th instant. The number of appointments for 1923 is 1,001, particulars of which shall be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether before the appointment of a man as a magistrate any steps are taken to ascertain whether he proposes to give reasonable time to the discharge of his duties?

asked the Attorney-General if any record is kept of non-effective justices of the peace, i.e., those who do not sit, and have not for some time sat, on the bench for reasons of illness, infirmity, old age, or by reason of their having left the area?

No record is kept by the Lord Chancellor of non-effective justices of the peace, and my Noble Friend does not think it possible to prepare such a record. The Lord Chancellor receives annually a list of the names of those magistrates who have died during the year, as far as this information is known to clerks of the peace and town clerks.

Will the Attorney-General take steps, through the Lord Chancellor, to see into the effectiveness of these Justices, on the ground of the inadequacy of their service and the cost to the various guardians of getting their services when necessary?

Is it not a fact that, besides sitting on the Bench, Justices do a great deal of other useful work?