asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now had an opportunity of reading the Report of the League of Nations Committee on the traffic in women; and can he state whether the Government are considering any further safeguards to prevent British women, especially minors, being attracted abroad by false pretences?

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Home Secretary. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton on the 21st March. Precautions are taken as far as practicable to prevent British women being attracted abroad by false pretences. The Report referred to does not disclose grounds for anxiety so far as this country is concerned.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that a portion of the Report is so horrible that it has not been published yet? Will he make representations to see that the whole of the Report is published?

I am referring to the whole Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action our representative to the League of Nations has taken to combat the traffic in slaves still going on in Abyssinia and elsewhere?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Reports of the British delegates to the Sixth and Seventh Assemblies of the League of Nations in September, 1925 and 1926, (Miscellaneous No. 1, 1926, Command 2576, and Miscellaneous No. 12, 1926, Command 2780).

Is there anything more recent?

I think not.

Is there slave traffic going on in Abyssinia?

I must ask for notice of that question.

Does the Report say that there is slave traffic going on in China among the Chinese?

I do not know.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Report prepared by the British representative and other members of the committee of the Council of the League of Nations on Article XI of the Covenant has been published; and whether he will lay the Report as a White Paper?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. The Report will be published by the League of Nations in the usual way after it has been considered by the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can inform the House of the nature of any communications with the United States Government as to any modification of the reservations in connection with their membership of the Permanent Court of International Justice?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington has addressed a Note to the United States Government embodying textually the decisions reached by the League Conference held at Geneva in September last to consider the United States reservations. The minutes of this Conference have been published.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he proposes to make a statement with regard to the Preparative Commission for the Disarmament Conference; and what opportunity will be given to this House for discussing the work of this Commission?

I think it will be best to wait till Lord Cecil returns and is able to present a complete account of the proceedings. It would obviously be premature to make any statement at this stage when the Preparatory Committee has only just resumed its meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the interest of Great Britain in Danube shipping, he can give any information as to the work of the Danube Commission; and whether the work of that body will in any way come up for consideration by the Economic Conference of the League of Nations?

I have been asked to answer this question. There are two Commissions for the Danube; the European Commission for the maritime part of the river, and the International for the upper part. Information as to the work of these bodies is contained in a recent Report on Danube Navigation made to the League of Nations. I cannot say whether the work of either body will be considered at the forthcoming International Economic Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Signor Orazio Pedrassi has yet been appointed Italian Consul-General in Jerusalem; and whether, in view of his previously expressed views on British policy in Palestine, His Majesty's Government has assented to this appointment?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government do not raise any objection to this appointment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman acquainted with the views of this gentleman on the British Empire and the Zionist movement?

I know something about the views he has expressed in the past, but I think I am entitled to assume that the Italian Government would not appoint a Consul-General who would use his appointment contrary to the interests of the country to which he was accredited.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether negotiations have yet been opened with the Chinese Nationalist Government as to the future of the International Settlement at Shanghai; and, if so, in whose hands these negotiations are?

No such negotiations have been opened.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state his policy on this matter? Is it intended to open up negotiations as soon as possible?

I have nothing to add to what I have said. The moment is not propitious for negotiations.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gen- tleman's declared policy in this House a few weeks ago—to negotiate where possible—has been altered?

No, Sir. The hon. and gallant Member is asking about negotiations in regard to the International Settlement at Shanghai. There have been no such negotiations up to the present time, and the moment is not propitious for negotiations.

Am I to understand that there has been no change of policy so far as the right hon. Gentleman is concerned in connection with a pacific settlement of these troubles?

The purposes of His Majesty's Government's policy remain unchanged, but the execution of the policy must depend upon circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman defer further negotiations in regard to the International Settlement until it is clear that the Nationalist party is not dominated by enemies of this country?

The right hon. Gentleman says that there have been no negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what is the property qualification for the franchise in the International Settlement at Shanghai; how plurality of votes is obtained; and how many of the ratepayers are not in enjoyment of the franchise;

(2) how many of the British ratepayers in the International Settlement at Shanghai are plural voters; what is the total number of British voters upon the register; and what numbers of ratepayers of other nationalities have plural votes?

The following persons are qualified as voters:

(1) Owners of land of not less than 500 taels in value whose annual payment of assessment on land or houses or both amounts to 10 taels; or,

(2) Householders paying on an assessed rental of not less than 500 taels per annum.

There are no plural voters. Ratepayers attending meetings may have more than one voting ticket but such extra votes are in respect of powers of proxy held by them for absent ratepayers or for separate and distinct interests. There are no statistics as to the number of votes so held nor of the number of ratepayers not qualified to vote. The latest available figures showing the number of British voters were given in my answer to the hon. Member on 21st March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received representations from the Bar Committee at Shanghai relating to the future of the International Settlement there and to the dangers which may arise if the administration of the Settlement is taken out of foreign control?

My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General communicated to me the telegram which he received from the British Bar Committee at Shanghai embodying their views on these points.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the policy followed at Hankow is not followed at Shanghai?

I have already dealt with the question of the situation at Shanghai, and I have nothing to add to or to change in my previous reply.

Has anything been done by this Government or any other Government to put an end to the quarrel between the north and south in China?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to recognise the Cantonese or Nationalist Government as de facto Government of Southern China?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gateshead by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the danger of a similar situation arising at Tientsin to that which exists in Hankow, he will state what precautions are contemplated for the protection of the British community there?

The question of what, if any, special precautions it may be necessary to adopt at Tientsin is under consideration. There are, I understand, United States, French, Japanese, Italian and British forces already there amounting to a total of 4,740 officers and men.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any further information as to the attack on foreigners at Nanking?

I wish to supplement my statement of the other day by facts derived in part directly from British sources, and in part from information supplied to His Majesty's Minister at Peking by the American and Japanese-representatives.

The looting was carried out by soldiers in uniform belonging to formations under the command of General Cheng Chien. This fact is sworn to by His Majesty's Consul-General, the United States Consul and numerous responsible British and American residents. The looters were in small parties controlled by the blowing of whistles, and they were called off by bugle shortly after the firing from the meu-of-war began. The British Consulate-General was surrounded before being entered and sentries wore posted. About 30 soldiers spent the previous night in the vice-consular house, which was unoccupied at the time, and raised the revolutionary flag on the entry of the looters. Foreign women, including Mrs. Giles, the wife of His Majesty's Consul-General, were thoroughly searched and rudely stripped of valuables. Many had their clothes torn off them and two American women were saved from attempted violation. These facts can be established by sworn depositions.

I learn further that foreigners were not molested by the Northern troops nor the local inhabitants; and that the latter were friendly throughout and assisted foreigners to escape. The looting and destruction were worse than at first realised and the attack on foreigners was carefully organised. The British Consulate-General was a special objective. The consular party have lost everything and were robbed of valuables at the point of the gun, the houses were burnt after being looted, and the furniture used for firewood. Mr. Huber, the harbour master, was killed.

The following is the treatment suffered by the Americans in Nanking: About noon, after the murder of an American missionary and the attempted murder of many others by Nationalist soldiers, the Chinese police warned the American Consul that his party would be destroyed unless he could escape. Accordingly, his party of one officer, eleven sailors, nine civilians and two children escaped under constant fire across country to Socony House on the Standard Oil Company's hill above the city walls, where many Americans and British already were. Although repeatedly robbed and threatened by Nationalist soldiers, he, the Vice-Consul and the Standard Oil Company's manager, managed to keep them out of the house for two hours, but finally they broke in and, seeing the number of people within the house, retired and commenced firing on them in ever increasing numbers. The United States and British vessels then dropped shells immediately around the house and the party escaped over the wall.

The Nationalist soldiers deliberately fired at the United States Consul, knowing him to be such, and with intention to kill. When this happened he had just given them his card and asked to see their officer. The United States Consulate was deliberately looted, and although this was known by the Nationalist officers, no effective steps were taken to afford protection up to the time of the firing from the vessels in the river for the rescue of the party in the Standard Oil Company's house. Murder, robbery and other outrages were committed upon American and other foreigners in all parts of the city from 8 a.m. with no attempt at official restraint until after the naval barrage at 4.30 p.m. The American Consul tried all day, through the police officials and other channels, to see some responsible officer but no one would see him. From statements made to him and many other Americans by soldiers, and from the fact that the soldiers proceeded in bands whose movements were under direction, and were promptly assembled by bugle calls upon the commencement of the naval barrage, he was convinced that the outrages were planned and could not possibly have been the result of the accidental getting out of hand of a few troops.

As regards the Japanese, the following is the position: On the morning of 24th March about 150 soldiers belonging to the Nationalist second and sixth armies occupied the Japanese Consulate for four and a half hours. They were dressed in uniform and military caps and armed with rifles, and they started looting at once. One party attacked the offices and the residences of the staff. The other attacked the residence of the Consul who was ill in bed, and fired shots at him, at members of his staff, at a naval officer and marines and at Japanese civilians who were at the Consulate, and threatened them with bayonets. Two Japanese received bayonet wounds. The troops also molested the women. They were followed by a mob who took away everything belonging to members of the Consulate and to the civilians. A Japanese school, hotel and two private hospitals were completely looted and turned into military headquarters. The soldiers at length threatened to set fre to the Consulate. At this point the chief of the political bureau of the sixth division of the Second Nationalist Army intervened. He was followed by the commander of the sixth division, and guards were posted for the protection of the Consulate. Next afternoon the Consular party made their way to the Japanese destroyers in the river.

I have here also a sworn statement by Mrs. Giles, the wife of His Majesty's Consul-General, and by Mr. Brown, a British citizen.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what is the next step he proposes to take in this matter? Is he making representations, has a Note been sent, or what is being done? [Interruption.] What good have your troops done?

The steps which it may be proper for His Majesty's Government and the other Governments whose citizens have thus been treated and whose flags have thus been outraged to take are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the offer of the Foreign Minister of Yugoslavia to submit the Albanian frontier question to the investigation of the League of Nations; and whether he can see his way to support this reference to the League of Nations?

I would invite the hon. Member to refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for South Hackney on 23rd March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in regard to the Treaty of Tirana between Italy and Albania, signed on 27th November, 1926, he has received from the Government of the Serb-Croat-Slovene Kingdom any communication as to the effect of that Treaty upon Yugoslav interests in the Balkan Peninsula; and, if so, what is the nature of that communication, and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government thereto?

His Majesty's Government are in communication with other interested Governments on various questions which have recently arisen in connection with Albania, but I am not in a position to make any further statement about them at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Yugoslav Government has proposed a League of Nations' inquiry into the military preparations on the Albanian frontier?

The Yugoslav Government are, I understand, content to leave the form of inquiry, if any, to be decided by the British, French, and German Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the cruiser "Colombo" is still in Nicaraguan waters; and what is the number of nationals who have taken it as a place of refuge?

His Majesty's Ships "Colombo" left Nicaragua on 5th March. No British subject took refuge on her during the short time it was found necessary for her to be in those waters.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any grant, bonus or other payment is made to industrial schools or to any member of the staff of such schools for each boy who on discharge joins the Navy; and, if so, whether he can state what the amount of such payment is and the conditions applicable to its receipt?

No such payments are made to industrial schools or to any members of their staffs except that, if a Naval or Marine pensioner should be employed on the staff, he would be eligible to receive a recruiting gratuity of 5s. for each man or boy finally entered through his instrumentality in the Royal Navy in certain ratings or in the Royal Marines.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what naval missions have been sent by His Majesty's Government to assist the Governments of foreign countries since 1914; and what has been the duration of their service in each case?

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

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the recently introduced compulsory system of manning submarines is proving satisfactory, or if experience is showing that the older system was more efficient and led to greater contentment; and whether he will consider reverting to the older system, particularly for those ratings who joined up when the service in submarines was voluntary?

The present system of manning submarines is proving quite satisfactory, and no reason is seen for any change.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has taken into consideration the large amount of public expenditure involved in assisting to maintain the five armour-plate manufacturing plants which are not now required, but will be required to resume certain classes of shipbuilding when the Washington Convention expires in 1931; and what steps he proposes to avoid this expenditure?

The hon. Member's question appears to be based on a misapprehension. The Admiralty are only paying for armour actually ordered and are paying for this at a reasonable rate considering the smallness of the quantities. I think the country is to be congratulated on being able to retain a plant which is of immense national importance on such terms.

When a question purports to give the information that the Washington Convention expires in 1931, should it not be accurate, and say that it expires at the end of 1936?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why a grant in aid of the expenses of cricket at the Royal Naval College at Greenwich is made to the extent of £60; whether he is aware that there are ample unofficial sports funds in the Navy which might be drawn upon for this purpose; whether cricket is encouraged at the expense of the taxpayer in either the Army or the Royal Air Force; and whether, in view of the present financial stringency, he will recommend the abolition of this particular grant?

The grant referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is made for the purpose of renting a cricket pitch for the use of officers at the college. It is the policy of the Admiralty, in the interest of the health and efficiency of the Naval personnel, to provide facilities for outdoor recreation, either by allowing the use of Admiralty land for the purpose or, where Admiralty land is not available, by renting the necessary accommodation. The position at Greenwich is not peculiar in this respect nor, as far as I am aware, does the policy of the War Office and Air Ministry differ from that of the Admiralty. All expenses connected with games, apart from the provision and maintenance of the grounds, fall on the officers and men themselves.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cricket and football grounds at Greenwich, for which the Admiralty pays, are of the greatest use to the officers, who otherwise would be engaged in much less healthy recreation in London?

I am obliged to the hon. and gallant Member for amplifying the answer which I have given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the English crew of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Dredgol" were paid off and sent home from Malta, and the vessel manned by a Maltese crew?

The employment of locally entered crews in Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels engaged on station duties abroad is in accordance with the usual Admiralty practice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the naval and marine ratings employed in protecting British nationals and British property in China during the present trouble are charged the weekly contribution to the contributory widows' pension, in view of the fact that the widows of naval or marine ratings who have lost their lives in China are not entitled to draw the widows' pension under the 1925 Act?

The reply is in the affirmative. In this connection I would invite my hon. and gallant Friend's attention to the replies given to his questions of the 17th November and the 1st, 9th, and 13th December last.

That docs not alter the fact that these men pay 4½d. a week for these benefits and that their widows cannot receive it.

As the hon. and gallant Member has been told on previous occasions, a widow can receive such benefits if her husband's death was due to causes which were not attributable to his service.

If a man is killed in action his widow gets no benefit from the 4½d.

No. But she would get another form of pension from the State.

But if he is killed in action?

Is it not a decision of the High Court, on 21st October, that these widows are entitled to this benefit?

They do not get it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many sub-controllers were appointed in the various civil departments of the Admiralty during the War period to deal with the congestion of work entailed by the War; how many of these sub-controllers have been demobilised since the War ceased; and whether he will take steps to concentrate the whole of the work in each department under one controller as in pre-War days?

At this date it would require an unjustifiable expenditure of time to collect statistics as to additional posts found necessary during the War. But I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that no post has been retained because it was created during the War. The present establishment is based on careful subsequent investigation of peace requirements, and although there has been an increase of staff due to causes which have been explained on many occasions, the general scheme of organisation as regards control does not differ from that of pre-War days.

How does the hon. Member account for the civil branch of the Admiralty costing five times as much as it did pre-War?

That matter has been discussed many times, and I can assure the hon. Member that we are doing our best to reduce the staff.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many sub-controllers were appointed in the various civil Departments of the War Office during the War period to deal with the congestion of work entailed by the War; how many of these sub-controllers have been demobilised since the War ceased; and whether he will take steps to concentrate the whole of the work in each Department under one controller as in pre-War days?

There are no such appointments in the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Civil Service Clerical Association communicated with his Department on the 25th September, 1925, asking whether the balance of civil pay of a second-class writer serving in the Royal Ordnance Factory, Enfield, might be reassessed; that no less than 14 reminders have been addressed to his Department on the subject; that in December last the Financial Secretary stated, in reply to a Parliamentary question, that the matter would be expedited as far as possible; that the association concerned is still without a definite reply on the matter; whether arrangements will be made to furnish the association concerned with an early reply; and whether steps will be taken to ensure that questions affecting the staff employed in his Department will in future be promptly dealt with?

As I explained to my hon. and gallant Friend in December, the case raises a question of principle, on which it has been necessary to consult other Departments and make local inquiries. Everything possible will be done to expedite a decision, but cases of this kind, which involve investigation into circumstances arising 10 years and more ago, inevitably take considerable time.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend give me any date on which we may expect this decision?

From the nature of my answer my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that I can give no definite date, but I am again urging that the matter should be decided as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, according to Cmd. Paper 2808, his Department employs a smaller percentage of ex-service men than any other Government Department, and that in the case of disabled ex-service men the percentage (6·38 per cent.) is under half the percentage employed by any other Department; and whether he will give his reasons for this state of affaire, and state what steps he proposes to take to increase the total percentage of ex-service men and the percentage of disabled ex-service men employed!

The smaller percentage shown is due to the fact that an unusually large proportion of the Admiralty staff belongs to the shipbuild- ing and engineering industries and the like, which, as my hon. and gallant Friend must be aware, were only allowed to volunter for military service to a very limited extent, because they were urgently required for warship and merchant ship building. If this special feature is allowed for, the Admiralty percentage does not compare unfavourably with other Departments. The Admiralty follows the rules laid down in regard to the employment of ex-service men in every respect.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements exist in the Dominions and in European countries for granting or advancing travelling allowances to unemployed persons who, either as a result of their own initiative or through Employment Exchanges, find employment in other districts?

I regret that I am not in a position to state what arrangements exist in the Dominions and in European countries for advancing travelling allowances to unemployed persons.

Does not the International Labour Office publish the information.

I do not think so, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour the countries of Europe in which compulsory unemployment insurance is in operation; and in which of such countries agriculture is compulsorily insurable?

Systems of compulsory insurance against unemployment are in operation in the following European countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Switzerland (Cantons of Basle-Town, Glarus, Neuchatel and Solo-turn), and Soviet Russia. In Germany, contributions are compulsorily levied on employers and workers; but the system in operation is one of unemployment relief rather than unemployment insurance. An Unemployment Insurance Bill, however, is now under consideration.

Agricultural workers are not insured in any country outside Soviet Russia.

What is the actual payment made in Soviet Russia in the way of unemployment benefit?

I am afraid I cannot tell the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the findings of the Blanesburgh Committee Report, he will state how many insured workers have drawn 13 weeks or more benefit during the last six months?

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

In view of the findings of this Committee, is it not usual to have the information on which their findings are based?

This is similar to the existing practice, which is that benefit is frequently given for a period of 12 or 13 weeks, and they are really continuing to act on the same basis as the existing practice, which has been found to be convenient and suitable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to establish any day-training centres in South Wales and Monmouthshire for the purpose of training young men and women at present unemployed?

There are at present juvenile unemployment centres for unemployed boys and girls from 14-18 years of age in Cardiff and one, for boys only, in Swansea. I am prepared to consider any proposals which other local education authorities may make for the establishment of similar centres, subject to the usual conditions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the establishment of day-training centres similar to those he has established for young men and women in Birmingham and London?

It is a question of the means that are available. In themselves they are very desirable, indeed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask his colleague the Chancellor of the Exchequer to find some money for this estimable work?

I will certainly ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can find money for this work.

He can find it for any old war—[Interruption.]

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed colliery workers in South Wales and Monmouthshire; and the number in the following age groups: below 21 years of age, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, and over 70?

At 21st February, 1927, there were 63,147 insured persons classified as belonging to the coal mining industry recorded as unemployed, including those temporarily stood off, in South Wales and Monmouthshire. Statistics giving the distribution of these workers among various age groups are not available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that statistics are available in some of the Unemployment Exchanges —some have been supplied to me—and I should like to get a complete record for the whole of South Wales and Monmouthshire.

I will certainly make inquiry. The information I have given the hon. Member is all I have at my disposal.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how these figures compare with the number of miners employed before the stoppage?

I cannot say.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the men unemployed are below 21 years of age?

No, I cannot.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the findings of the Blanesburgh Committee Report, he can now state the number of insured workers who have made 30 or more contributions in the preceding two years?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his question on 23rd March, an estimate is being prepared; but it will not be ready before the Recess.

asked the Minister of Labour if the Unemployed Grants Committee have reconsidered the question of giving assistance towards the extension of Leith docks, in view of the percentage of unemployment in Leith and the poverty and privation existing in the district?

An offer of grant was made by the Unemployment Grants Committee to the Leith Docks Commissioners in March, 1926, towards the cost of the extension of Leith Docks. The Commissioners, however, decided to postpone the scheme and the Committee's offer was thereupon withdrawn. No new application has since been received from the Commissioners.

May I ask whether, if an application is made, it would be likely to meet with the same response as it did last year?

Has not the Port of Leith Association made an application in connection with this matter?

The body which can make a responsible application are the Commissioners, and if they make an application it will be considered, but until they make an application it is impossible to say what reception it would get.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Scotland, to see a deputation, if one can be arranged?

The hon. Member had better make a request for a deputation. I do not know from whom it would come, or whom it would represent.

asked the Minister of Labour what figures of the live register will the income and expenditure of the Unemployment Insurance Fund balance, assuming that the ratio of those in receipt of benefit to the total number on the live register remains as at present?

There is a number of special circumstances which may cause temporary variations in the balancing figure, but for general purposes it may at present be taken at about 1,050,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons aged 65 who are at present in receipt of unemployment benefit; and what is the anticipated saving that will be effected in the year 1928, when persons aged 65 will cease to draw unemployment insurance benefit?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Report of the Government Actuary on the financial provisions of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions Bill, paragraph 32. He there estimates the number of unemployed persons over the age of 65 insured under the unemployment, scheme when the age. pensions commence as 65,000, and the net annual savings to the Unemployment Fund as £2,100,000.

Is it not a fact that, when the old age pension comes into operation in 1928, on account of their income being reduced they will have to fall back on the guardians?

My hon. Friend will have to put that question, first of all, to the Minister of Health, and, if need be, to the Government Actuary.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has received a protest from the Barrow-in-Furness Education Committee against his decision to reduce the amount granted by his Department as financial aid to the unemployment centres in the town for the financial year 1927–28; and if, in view of the work done by these centres in Barrow and the fact that his action will either entail the loss of this work or an additional ¼d. on the rates of the town, which has but recently made arrangements for a rate increase of 9d. to meet Poor Law needs, he will reconsider his decision with a view to more sympathetic treatment being given?

I have received a letter from the Barrow-in-Furness Education Authority protesting against the reduction of the rate of grant in aid of the Barrow Juvenile Unemployment Centres. In settling the arrangements for centres for the country generally for the year 1927–28 such modifications were made as appeared to assimilate the conditions as nearly as practicable to those which have been in operation during the current year, regard being had to altered industrial conditions. The effect in the case of Barrow was to reduce the rate of grant for 1927–28 from 100 per cent. to 75 per cent., but I trust this will not result in the centre being discontinued.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can report any progress in the negotiations with the German Government for permission to fly from London to Praque via Cologne; if he is aware that the Czechoslavakian aviation interests are negotiating with a Dutch company for an air line from Prague to Amsterdam; and what steps he is taking to expedite the establishment of the British air line to Prague?

As regards the first and last parts of the question, negotiations in connection with the proposed establishment of an air line to Prague are at present in progress between Imperial Airways Limited and the Czechoslavakian authorities and until they are nearer completion it would be premature to reopen with the German Government the question of permission for a Cologne-Prague air service. As regards the second part, I have seen an announcement in the Press but have no official information on the subject at present.

Is the right hon. Baronet aware that this matter has been held up for three years with the German Government, and will he seek help from the Foreign Office to have these restrictions on our Air service removed?

I think that the hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The negotiations are between the Prague authorities and the Imperial Airways Company. It is not a question of Government intervention.

Is it not a fact that the German Government refused to allow our aeroplanes to fly to Prague over their territory, and that they held us up in that way before?

No, Sir; that is not the obstacle. The obstacle is in the details of the arrangements between the Prague authorities and the Imperial Airways Company, and as soon as they are removed I am ready once again to take up the other question with the German Government.

In the meantime, is there anything the right hon. Gentleman can do to assist in these negotiations, as he will be the first to admit that Prague is very much the centre of the air from this point of view?

It is a question of money. Anything I can do I will do. That is the obstacle.

How much do you want?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any action has been taken by his Department relative to the circumstances in which Leading-aircraftsman Ernest Arthur Dobbs met his death; whether the balloon manufacturers have admitted any liability as to Dobbs being in their service on the day in question; and is he satisfied that adequate precautions were taken at the balloon jumping trials?

As regards the first part of the question the usual Court of Inquiry has been held into this most unfortunate accident which took place at a private aerodrome and not at an Air Force station. As regards the second and last parts the airman was on leave and acting in a purely private capacity, and accordingly the Air Ministry has no locus standi concerning the liability of the firm in question, or responsibility in respect of any of the circumstances attending this fatality.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this aircraftsman was specially warned before he started on this experiment?

I could not say offhand, but so far as I remember we had no knowledge that he was going to undertake it. He was on leave.

In the right hon. Gentleman's opinion does this balloon jumping serve any useful purpose?

I answered that question in the House two or three days ago.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the approximate date when the completion of the improvements and reconstruction of the air port of London at Croydon will take place?

It is expected that the work will be completed by the summer of 1928.

Will that include the special new wireless apparatus that is being erected?

It certainly concerns all the structural alterations. I am not quite sure about that particular detail. I would ask the hon. Member to put the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the British seaplanes intended to take part in the Schneider Cup race are to be loaned by his Department; if they are the high-speed Supermarine-Napier, Gloster-Napier, or Short machines; when these aircraft will be completed; and what steps he will take, having regard to the short time available, to ensure that Great Britain is represented in the competition, if in their trials neither of the three seaplanes now being built attain a speed which would justify their competing in the Schneider Cup race?

Entries for the Schneider Cup race are made by the Royal Aero Club and the Air Ministry has not hitherto accepted responsibility for ensuring the representation of this country in the competition. The question is, however, under consideration of making available for the race certain highspeed aircraft ordered by the Air Ministry of the types mentioned in the question; they are all due for completion well before the date fixed for the race.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not lend aeroplanes to the Aero Club for this race?

Not necessarily. We consider the cases on their merits each year.

These are being lent from the Air Ministry this year?

No, Sir. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read the answer he will see that that is the question which we are considering now.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether personnel trained in all branches of observation balloon work are still on the active list; if so, how many, both as to officers and other ranks; whether any steps are being taken to keep them in training in this branch; whether research is still proceeding to perfect this arm; how soon, after an outbreak of war, could a full complement, consistent with artillery demands, be put into the field; and what is the establishment in this direction per military command?

The answer to the first, third and fourth parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, fifth and last parts of the question, it would not be in the public interest to disclose the proposed war complements of these units or the time which would elapse after the outbreak of war before they could be put in the field, but it can be stated that the existing arrangements and provision in peace time are considered adequate to meet prospective war requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what air missions, if any, have been sent by His Majesty's Government to assist the Governments of foreign countries since 1914; and what has been the duration of their service in each case?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the reply, which is rather long, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will place in the Library copies of the general arrangement plans for each of the two 5,000,000 cubic feet displacement airships to be constructed at Cardington and Howden, respectively?

I regret that I cannot accede to the hon. Member's request. I am advised that it is undesirable at this stage to produce technical engineering drawings of the airships under construction.

Is the right hon. Gentle-man aware that up to date he has claimed and been voted by this House no less than £40,000 for the work of drawing up plans alone, and is he prepared to say that there will be anything like value for the enormous outlay at Cardington alone?

I am carrying out the policy that was initiated by right hon. Gentlemen opposite, and I hope that it will prove very successful.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) if he will place in the Library copies of the general arrangement, side and front elevation, plans of the reconstructed airship sheds at Cardington and Howden;

(2) if he will give the dimensions of the airship sheds at Cardington and Howden prior to the alterations which have been made to adapt them for the construction of the two 5,000,000 cubic feet displacement airships?

I will answer these questions together. The inside clearances of the sheds before alteration were as follow:

			Cardington.	Howden.
			Feet.	Feet.
Length	…	…	700	750
Width	…	…	180	150
Height	…	…	110	130

The length of the Cardington shed has been increased to 812 feet and the height to 156 feet; the width remains unaltered. The height of the Howden shed has been increased to approximately 140 feet by the removal of a girder over the doorway and of the runway at the top of the shed; the length and width remain unaltered. As regards the placing in the Library of plans of these sheds, if there is any widespread desire on the part of hon. Members for plans to be made available, I shall be happly to consider this suggestion, but, so far as I am aware, this is not at present the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Air from what country the silk used in the service parachutes comes; whether it can be procured in this country or the Empire; and whether, if not, any effort is being made to secure that it shall be in future?

As regards the first part of the question, the silk is woven in Japan. As regards the remaining parts, efforts have been made to obtain the silk from sources in this country but so far without success. It is essential to adhere rigidly to the specification in regard to weight and strength and thus to eliminate any risk of failure and consequent loss of life. I may add that the question of a possible British source of supply is still being pursued.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the silk costs?

No, not without notice.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Cabinet has examined the Report of the Committee set up to examine the position in relation to the Washington Convention on hours of labour with a view to coming to an early conclusion; and, if so, whether he can state the policy of the Government with regard to the ratification of this International Convention?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to her on the 23rd March, to which I have nothing to add.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to note that the nature of the business to-morrow may afford an opportunity to refer to this question, and in view of the terms of his answer that is the intention.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as England is the only country in Europe without a national opera house, he will consider the desirability of setting up a committee to formulate proposals for establishing in this country a national opera house on such a basis as regards prices of admission that people of all classes may have the opportunity of hearing the finest performances of grand opera in the English tongue?

In the present state of the country's finances no such proposal as is suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend could be entertained.

As the right hon. Gentleman is not able to meet the point raised in this question, will he insist that in all opera houses in this country the season's programme shall include 25 per cent. of British operas?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give the House any information regarding the outbreak of smallpox in the congested area in Dundee; if the source of infection has been traced; and what precautions are being taken against the spreading of the disease?

I understand that up to this morning 42 cases of smallpox had been diagnosed in Dundee. Of these, four are adults, two are persons of 16 years of age, and the remainder are children of school age or under. With the exception of the four adults, who were vaocinated in infancy, all the cases were unvaccinated. The disease is very mild in type, and the outbreak is confined to a limited area in the east end of the city.

The source of infection has not yet been traced, but a member of the staff of the medical officer of health is wholly engaged in endeavouring to discover how the disease reached Dundee.

All cases are removed to hospital and steps are immediately taken to carry out disinfection. Another pavilion is being erected with the utmost expedition at the hospital; in the meantime a marquee is being used as emergency accommodation, and two others are available if required. Doctors, inspectors and nurses are carrying out a house-to-house visitation in the infected area, to keep the outbreak under control, and cases of contact are removed to a reception house or kept under daily medical observation in their homes. A special staff is engaged on vaccination work under the direction of the medical officer of health who is, in addition, supplying lymph to general practitioners free of charge. Lymph for 16,000 persons has so far been issued. Centres have been established at which anyone may be vaccinated at any hour of the day within reasonable distance of his residence, and arrangements are being made for the vaccination of the staffs of workplaces and the inmates of institutions, etc. Vaccination is also being carried out at schools. As a precautionary measure, steps are also being taken to make chickenpox compulsorily notifiable throughout Scotland without delay, but meantime this is already in operation in Dundee by arrangement with medical practitioners.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that all these cases have arisen in the congested areas in the east end of Dundee; and if so, can he take other steps than merely vaccination to limit or prevent the spread of this disease?

I think my answer will show that every possible step is being taken to deal with the outbreak at the source by the method of vaccination.

I said "other than vaccination." Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps of a sanitary nature to deal with the outbreak?

Yes, Sir. The officers responsible for the health of the city are taking every possible step in every-direction.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to ascertain how many so-called conscientious objectors are now submitting to vaccination?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the old age pension of Mrs. Isabella Clark, 6, Glamis Street, Dundee, has been stopped for the past nine weeks; that she is 83 years of age and that her sole income is 5s. weekly from the pariah council; that a claim for renewal was lodged two months ago; and that letters of inquiry from a local Justice of the Peace and the clerk to the local pension committee to the Scottish Board of Health have remained unanswered; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member, and regret the delay which has taken place, owing to the complicated nature of this case. I understand that pension has been granted as from 21st January, and that notice of the award has now been sent to Mrs. Clark. I am, however, writing the hon. Member more fully on the subject.

While thanking the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his answer, may I ask him if he has any reason to believe that it is a common practice in his Department that letters on these subjects should remain unanswered for six weeks at a time?

The Department is actually proceeding with these inquiries, but it is a matter of policy during the present rush time to reduce mere acknowlegment correspondence as far as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the average landed value of the motor cars imported in the last six months of 1926; and if, for comparison, he will state the average landed value of the motor cars imported in the first six months of 1925?

The average declared value (c.i.f. British port) of the imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland of touring cars, including cabs, was £180 each in the first six months of 1925, and £155 each in the last six months of 1926; and of commercial vehicles £190 each in the first six months of 1925, and £141 each in the last six months of 1926.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also give the correspond- ing figures for motor vehicles produced and sold in this country?

That does not arise out of this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the declared average value of artificial silk yarn imported in 1926 as compared with the average declared value of the artificial silk yarn imported in 1925?

The average declared value (c.i.f. British port) of all artificial silk yarn imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 5s. 4d. a pound during 1925 and 4s. a pound during 1926.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how often the standard list of drugs and appliances which all sea-going ships must take with them is revised in order to keep pace with modern developments?

The last revision of the medical scales for merchant ships was issued in 1924, and the preceding one in 1912.

asked the Secretary of State for War, seeing that many old soldiers have difficulty in obtaining employment between the ages of 60 and 65, if he will amend the Regulations governing the grant of special campaign pensions so that they may be payable from the age of 60 instead of, as at present, 65?

I regret that I am unable to agree to the suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that when the forthcoming elections for urban district councils and boards of guardians take place in April thousands of men who have been obliged to receive Poor Law relief within the last year will be disqualified as candidates; and whether the Government is prepared to take steps to remove the disqualification?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the statutory disqualification to which the hon. Member refers. The Government do not propose to take any action.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what was the net cost to the taxpayer of the British Industries Fair held in London and Birmingham?

No cost was involved to the taxpayer on account of the recent British Industries Fair apart from the special publicity grant of £25,000.

Was not this Fair most successful in advertising the goods of the Empire?

Yes, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a competent organiser could have run this Fair quite successfully without any grant from public funds?

It is generally supposed to have been run very successfully.