asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the reasons which have led up to the reorganisation of the Egyptian Army; what is the nature of the new scheme; and whether, before it is brought into operation, it will require the sanction of the Egyptian Parliament as well as that of the King of Egypt?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement as to the position of affairs in Egypt?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make on the situation in Egypt; and will he state the reason why British warships have been sent to Alexandria?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why His Majesty's ships "Barham," "Malaya," and "Royal Sovereign" have been ordered to Egypt for duty?

asked the First, Lord of the Admiralty whether he will inform the House as to the reason for ordering the battleships "Barham," "Royal Sovereign," and "Malaya" to Egypt?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why certain British warships have recently been ordered to proceed to Egypt?

It will be convenient that I should take these questions together.

For some time past, the Egyptian Army has attracted the attention of a section of Egyptian politicians. The aims of this section are, firstly, to increase the existing numbers of the army, and strengthen its armament, and ultimately to convert it into a weapon at the disposal of one political party, the Wafd.

These projects are a matter of direct concern to His Majesty's Government. The defence of the Suez Canal is one of our vital interests, and protection of foreigners one of our obligations, and we cannot permit our task to be complicated by the presence of a potentially hostile force, such as there is good reason to fear the Egyptian Army might become if subversive influences were to be allowed full play.

Some days ago, the War Committee of the Egyptian Parliament published its recommendations to the Chamber of Deputies. These recommendations included the raising of the establishment of the infantry battalions, an increase in strength and armament of the artillery, the acquisition of numbers of machine guns, and, finally, the cancellation of the budgetary credit for the Sirdarate. The British Inspector-General of the Egyptian Army is at present Acting Sirdar, or Commander-in-Chief. The object of the recommendation in question is to transfer this officer's functions, in the main, to the Minister of War. The party in power would, as a result, be enabled to exercise for their own purposes, unchecked political influence over the army.

After consultation with His Majesty's Government, the High Commissioner addressed a Note to the Egyptian Government on Monday last. In the Note was set forth our view that the whole question was one in which Egypt and Great Britain were both interested and which should properly form the subject of an agreed settlement. This, we considered, could be so framed as to meet the best interests of both countries.

We are ready at once to open negotiations for this purpose, but until agreement has been reached, we must insist upon the maintenance of safeguards which past experience has shown to be effective.

In the meanwhile, reports indicated that efforts were being made to foment political excitement. This, in the past, has led to serious excesses, as at Alexandria in 1921, and it was decided to despatch three warships to Egyptian waters in the belief that their presence would exercise a restraining effect on those disorderly elements which constitute the chief danger to the lives and interests of foreigners.

Conversations between Lord Lloyd and the Egyptian Government are in progress, and in these circumstances it would be undesirable for me to add to the statement which I have just made, and I trust the House will not press me further upon it.

I do not rise to question at this moment the policy of sending warships while agreement is being sought, but I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether at some early date Papers may be laid before the House and an opportunity given to discuss the policy of the Government?

It would have been my desire to communicate to the House to-day the text of the Note which, on instructions from His Majesty's Government, Lord Lloyd addressed to the Government of Egypt, but I felt it was more courteous to the Egyptian Government to leave them time to consider it before any publication and that I should thus be best serving the interests of both countries. I am quite sure I need not say that the Government do not wish to escape discussion at the proper time or the presentation to the House of such information as it may he then possible to lay, but I cannot commit myself more precisely at this moment.

I do not want to press the right hon. Gentleman on the main part of his answer but, accepting the justice of his standpoint, why is it necessary at this stage to send three super-Dreadnoughts to Egyptian ports?

I have given the reasons why this step has been taken, and why it has been thought desirable that warships should be sent. I hope they will prevent the possibility of untoward incidents which could not but re-act to the disadvantage of Egypt and would be regretted by us all.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain to the House why the control of the Egyptian Army by representatives of the authorised Government of Egypt is supposed to be more obnoxious than the governmental and political control of the armies of Great Britain or France or America by their respective Governments?

I do not think it would be convenient that I should attempt to enter into an argument upon this subject. I am quite certain that, if I did so, I should not serve, any more than my questioner, the interests of that friendly settlement which I hope may be obtained.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that before he can have a reply or before out Note has been published and before there is any open disagreement, it is very unfortunate that we should take this initial step of sending these Dreadnoughts?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it best calculated to promote a peaceful settlement, to overturn the decision of the majority of the Egyptian people by the despatch of battleships?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the military situation in China and the position of the respective Chinese armies?

My latest information is that on the Eastern section the Shantung troops, who are being attacked by Chiang Kai-shek's forces, have completely evacuated the Hwai River line. In the West, Chang Tso-lin's forces are being attacked by Tang Sheng-chin from the South, and by Feng Yü-hsiang from the West, and are retreating along the Peking-Hankow railway to Chengchow. West of Chengchow they have re-crossed to the left bank of the Yellow River. At the same time forces opposed to the Wuhan authorities have occupied Ichang, Shasi and Changsha; General Yang Sen is reported as being within a mile of Chengling.

What is the date of the receipt of the information which the right hon. Gentleman has just given to the House?

This information has been brought up to date as near as I could do so. I settled my reply last night and I had not time to correct it if there be any further information this morning.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at Shanghai has protested to His Majesty's Minister to China against aeroplane flights over Chinese territory, he will state if these flights have been made over fortified areas and districts where fighting is progressing; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government will issue instructions for the flights to be discontinued?

I have no information as to the reported protest from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

The Naval Commander-in-Chief has been authorised to use his aircraft in whatever way he thinks most desirable for the defence of the International Settlement at Shanghai. It was foreseen that this might necessarily involve flights over fortified areas and districts where fighting is in progress.

Is it the view of the right hon. Gentleman's expert advisers on air matters that aeroplanes can be used for defence in this way?

Yes, Sir. If it were not the view of those most competent to express an opinion, they would not be so used.

Has it not been stated in this House, and in White Papers, again and again, that the only form of defence in the air is counter-attack?

The hon. Member misunderstands me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement on the progress of the debt settlement negotiations between France and Russia; and whether the Russian representatives have put forward any proposals which would be acceptable as a basis for the reopening of negotiations for the settlement of the debt between Great Britain and Russia?

The negotiations for a debt settlement between France and Russia are still proceeding, but I have no information of any proposals put forward by the Russian representatives which would be acceptable as a basis for the reopening of negotiations for the settlement of the debt between Great Britain and Russia, even were such negotations possible in present circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take an early opportunity of laying down categorically the conditions which he regards as precedent to negotiations for a settlement of this difficulty between ourselves and Russia?

No, Sir, I do not think I could usefully add anything to what I have said at different times to the Soviet representatives in this country, as will appear when my despatches are laid as promised.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in the French negotiations Russia has recognised the principle of trade debts?

What debts?

The principle of debts arising out of trade.

:I do not know what is meant by "the principle of debts arising out of trade." I do not understand the hon. Member's question.

May I explain that French firms, like English firms, have lost money as the result of trading operations where the debts—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

The question had better be put down. We cannot have explanations of questions at Question time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what has been the cost to his Department of the Admiralty compass observatory at Datchet; and what is the amount of its annual upkeep?

The total capital cost since and including the purchase in 1917 has been £75,000, and the net annual cost for the latest year for which I have figures is £20,000. In calculating the annual cost no allowance has been made for the value of the repair work carried out by the Department which would otherwise have to be done by contract and paid for.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that there are several appliances in the nature of oil separators now in use on large ocean-going ships which not only obviate the pollution of the sea but make a considerable economy; and whether the Admiralty intends to use any such appliances?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I have no information regarding the considerable economy effected by the installation of such apparatus. As regards the second part, I am afraid that consideration of space and weight preclude the installation of these appliances in His Majesty's Ships, however desirable that might be, but trials are being made of plants suitable for use at the Royal Dockyards.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the greatest offenders in this respect are merchant ships, and that it is quite uneconomical for those ships to comply with the Regulations requiring them to go outside the 50-miles limit? They cannot afford to do so.

That is a Board of Trade matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the ships of His Majesty's Navy propose to comply with the Board of Trade Regulations that British ships shall not be permitted to discharge oil into the sea within 50 miles of our coast; and whether he is aware that if these instructions are carried out it will necessitate the expense of a voyage from Portsmouth either to 50 miles west of Ushant or into the North Sea?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, the expense of the voyage mentioned by the hon. Member will be avoided by the employment of the special barge equipped with oil separating plant now available for service at Portsmouth.

On a point of Order. I asked the hon. Member whether it was not a fact that the greatest offenders in this respect are merchant ships and that it is uneconomical for them to comply with the Board of Trade Regulations and discharge this oil outside the 50-miles limit.

The hon. Member had no need to repeat the question. I have told him it should be addressed to the Board of Trade.

I beg to give notice that I shall put the question to the Board of Trade.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is a grievance among dockyard men in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, who joined the fighting services during the War, because they feel that by not volunteering for work at Rosyth during the War their claims for establishment have been overlooked; and whether he will inquire into this grievance and remedy it?

The circumstances referred to in the first part of the question afford no ground for grievance; the answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the value of any foreign products or manufactures purchased for or on behalf of his Department during the last financial year; and what percentage they bear to the total purchases?

The value is approximately £150,000 and the percentage well below one per cent. These figures exclude oil fuel and special purchases of foreign coal made last year.

What amount was included for foreign coal last year?

It is something about £250,000.

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

As the result of a sample inquiry made at the beginning of April it is estimated that at 4th April, 1927, exclusive of the new entrants to insurance during the past 30 weeks, about 98 per cent. of insured workers have paid 30 or more contributions during the last two years.

asked the Minister of Labour how many claimants for unemployment insurance benefit have been refused since 1st January, 1925, on the grounds that they are not genuinely seeking employment?

Between 1st January, 1925, and 25th May, 1927, 316,261 claims were disallowed by the chief insurance officer on this ground. In 48,222 of these cases the disallowances were removed on appeal to the Court of Referees.

In addition 720,254 applications for extended benefit were disallowed by local employment committees on the ground that the applicants were not making every reasonable effort to obtain employment suited to their capacities or were not willing to accept such employment.

The number of separate individuals concerned is not known but is certainly much less than the total number of cases.

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications he has received for a definition of the term, not genuinely seeking employment; and what reply he has given to any rota committee which has asked his advice?

The hon. Member is no doubt referring to the term, "making every reasonable effort to obtain employment."

The question of the interpretation to be placed upon this term has been raised from time to time, and instructions on the matter have been issued for the guidance of local employment committees. I am arranging for a copy of these instructions to be sent to the hon. Member.

I put this question to the right hon. Gentleman a few weeks ago and he referred the House to the Blanesburgh Report for a definition. Is he aware that in the Blanesburgh Report the Commission complained that insured contributors cannot be expected to know their way about case law?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the appendix to the Report a definition is given by the umpire, and will he take steps to see that that definition is issued as a guide to both courts of referees and local committees?

I will consider that point.

Are the instructions which the right hon. Gentleman proposes to circulate the decisions which the umpire has already made or instructions from the Minister himself?

The instructions were the instructions that I sent out. The judgment was a judgment given by the umpire.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many men have been refused benefit on the ground that they are not making a sufficient number of calls a day, and has he in the instructions said how many calls have to be made each day?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not treat the issuing of the umpire's decisions as an urgent matter?

I have said that I would consider the issue of the umpire's decision. I will gladly consider whether by issuing that or in any other way I can make things more clear.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons during the past year who have applied for extended benefit in the city of Glasgow, the number refused, and the number of male and female persons affected?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who have applied for standard benefit in Glasgow during the past year and the number refused, and the number who have appeared before the court of referees and the number refused; and how many male and female persons were affected?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

In view of the importance of having all the facts when we are discussing this subject in the House, ought we not to know the number of applications for benefit and the refusals?

I am not sure how far it would bear upon that discussion, but so far as it is possible with out an undue amount of trouble to compile statistics for which the data are, perhaps, not easily available I will gladly afford the hon. Member and any one in the House all the information I can conveniently give which bears on the discussion.

In certain circles vitally interested in the Blanesburgh Report and unemployment insurance, the refusal of standard benefit has already been the subject of hot debate, and in view of that will the right hon. Gentleman not take action?

I cannot promise off hand, but I will consider it and see.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest figure of those unemployed; and what was the last date at which the figure was at the same level since the War?

At 23rd May, 1927, the total number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was 978,200. Statistics of unemployment on a corn parable basis are available only from January, 1921, and the figure I have quoted is the lowest recorded since that date.

Is there any truth in the allegation so frequently made that those reductions are due to the Government's action in tightening up unemployment benefit regulations?

No, Sir, there is no truth in it whatsoever. [HON. MEMBERS: "You know that is not so!"] There was no truth in it whatsoever at any time. An inquiry was made a year ago to see whether, as the result of any stricter administration, there were any number of people who had ceased to register. I have had that inquiry made again for my own purposes recently, and I think the total increase in any such number could not exceed 5,000, if, indeed, it came to as many, and no alteration has been made in the administration since a year ago.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the last White Paper issued by the Minister of Health, in which he states that there are a larger number of paupers in the country than for a very long time?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in certain districts officials under the Employment Exchanges are engaged to go round to the houses to ascertain whether the unemployed persons have left home to look for work; whether this is in accordance with his instructions; whether public money is being spent for this purpose; and will he take steps to put an end to this practice?

Inquiries of this kind may be made at the request of the Rota Committee or otherwise if the circumstances appear to call for investigation. The cost is charged to the Unemployment Fund. I cannot agree that any investigations necessary for safeguarding the Fund should be prohibited.

Is the Minister going to introduce a system of spying on the households of the people?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present state of unemployment in the slate industry; and to what extent the use of roof-covering materials imported from abroad is permitted in the building of Government-assisted houses?

I have been asked to reply on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

At 25th April, 1927, the latest date for which figures are available, 122 insured persons classified as belonging to the slate quarrying and mining industry, or 1·1 per cent. of the numbers insured, were recorded as unemployed in Great Britain. With regard to the last part of the question, the position is that Section 10 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, provides that, in approving proposals for the construction of houses, the Minister of Health shall not impose any conditions which would prevent the materials required being purchased in the cheapest market at home or abroad. The Government have, however, urged local authorities to arrange that all contracts for or incidental to works carried out by them should, in the absence of special circumstances, be placed in this country.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the material imported into this country for roofing purposes is far inferior to the slates obtained from the quarries of North Wales, and will he take an interest in the quality as well as the price?

Will the Government take into consideration the inclusion of the slate industry under the McKenna Duties?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information which would indicate the extent of unemployment in manufacturing industries in the United States?

Although no official statistics of unemployment are issued by the United States Government, it appears to be generally accepted by those competent to express an opinion on the subject that out of a total of 12,000,000 workers engaged in the manufacturing industries, there are at least one and a-half million unemployed at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state what are the corporations operating in Iraq for whom Lord Inch-cape purchased the 48 surplus vessels for £10,000; whether these corporations have the sole right of conducting the river traffic in Iraq; if any other corporations have these rights; whether they were invited to tender for the vessels; and, I so, with what result?

As regards the first part of the question, the offer was made on behalf of the Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation Company, Limited, and the Mesopotamia-Persia Corporation, Limited. The answer to the second part is in the negative. As regards the remaining parts of the question, a number of other invitations to tender were issued but failed to produce any satisfactory offer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the value of any foreign products or manufactures purchased for or on behalf of his Department during the last financial year; and what percentage this bears to the total purchases?

Exclusive of petrol and oil, which are almost entirely of foreign origin, the total value of Air Ministry headquarter contracts for foreign products or manufactures in the financial year 1926–27 was £109,043, or 1·7 per cent. of the total; or, if Continental coal and coke unavoidably purchased during the coal stoppage are excluded, £50,560, reducing the percentage to. 0·8. Similar information is not available in regard to purchases made by other Government Departments on behalf of the Air Ministry and could not be obtained in regard to local purchases at Air Force stations, at home and abroad, without considerable correspondence and labour.

Can the hon. Baronet say whether it would have been possible to have made these purchases in England, and why they were made on the Continent?

I think the fact that they were purchased abroad shows that they could not be purchased in England.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the unestablished messengers employed at His Majesty's Land Registry have applied to that Department for the application of the agreement fixing messengers' rates of pay to them and that, in accordance with the terms of those agreements, they are asking that the whole of their past service as messengers should be allowed to count for increment purposes; whether he is aware that this has been done in all other Departments; and whether he will take steps to have this matter adjusted in His Majesty's Land Registry and all the unestablished messengers' past service allowed to count for increment purposes in accordance with the usual Civil Service practice?

I understand that the messengers in the Land Registry have claimed that their pay should be adjusted in accordance with Award A.81 of the Civil Service Arbitration Board dated 20th September, 1920. The agreement embodied in the award referred to is not applicable to these messengers. Their case was settled by the Reorganisation Scheme of 1923, which was adopted after discussion and in agreement with accredited representatives of the men concerned. There is therefore no case for modifying the pay of these men in the direction desired.

In view of that reply, and the fact that it is some time since this matter was under consideration, will the Attorney-General give consideration to the claim made by these men that all their past service should be allowed to count for increment purposes?

Of course, that is not a matter within my control, but I will pass the suggestion on to the proper Department.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the work performed by the established messengers employed at His Majesty's Land Registry, and who are in charge of groups of unestablished indexers, is work of a special character; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the application which these men have submitted for the scale of salaries laid down for work of a special character such as this in the Treasury letter, dated 11th June, 1921, dealing with the pay of established record keepers, with a view to this scale being granted to the men concerned at His Majesty's Land Registry, and also into the position of the established messengers at His Majesty's Land Registry who are in charge of groups of unestablished indexers, with a view to the status of these established messengers being altered to established record keepers?

The claim of these established messengers that they should have extended to them the special scale approved for certain other Departments by Treasury letter dated the 11th June, 1921, has been carefully examined, but the conclusion has been reached that the duties of the men in question do not justify the application of the special scale. The Land Registry have therefore been unable to admit the claim. Inquiry will be made into the question whether the men should be given the status of established record keepers.

Will this consideration take place in the very near future?

I understand the matter is being considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state the value of any foreign products or manufactures purchased for or on behalf of his Department during the last financial year; and what percentage this bears to the total purchases?

The value of foreign products and manufactures purchased by the Department during the last financial year is about £7,600, representing approximately 1 per cent. of the total purchases. It is not possible to state the value of foreign products purchased by contractors, but whenever possible British manufactured articles are specified in all Office of Works contracts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he is aware that much disappointment is caused to the general public because the chapel of the Pyx, in Westminster Abbey, is not made available to them; and if, seeing that this chapel is not under the control of the Dean of Westminster, but under the control of the Office of Works, he will give instructions for this chapel to be made available to visitors to the Abbey?

The Pyx Chapel is open to the public on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and the public interest in it is not considered sufficient to justify the cost of opening it every day.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that, in the Worcester tax office, the floor spaces are insufficient considering the size of the staff employed and the number of presses used; that the larger portion of the women's lavatory is used as a storeroom; that the men's lavatory is similarly used; that artificial lighting has to be employed throughout the year; that the artificial lighting is insufficient and that reflectors have been asked for and refused; and will be inquire into the circumstances and take steps to remedy such faults as may be proved to exist, in the interest of the health and efficiency of the staff?

The First Commissioner is aware that complaints have been made in regard to the Worcester tax office. These complaints are being investigated, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Health what medical facilities exist in North Wales for the free treatment of children by ultra-violet light, in view of the value of this method of treating rickets, surgical tuberculosis, and other complaints to which children are liable?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the Flintshire and Denbighshire County Councils and the Wrexham Town Council have made arrangements for the provision of artificial light treatment for children at the Orthopædic Hospital at Gobowen, and that other county councils in North Wales occasionally send children to this hospital for treatment. Provision has been made by the Welsh National Memorial Association at the Wrexham Dispensary for artificial light treatment for children suffering from surgical tuberculosis, and it is also proposed to instal the necessary apparatus for this treatment at the North Wales Sanatorium, Denbigh.

asked the Minister of Health the number of men and women in receipt of able-bodied relief in England and Wales during the first three months of 1927?

Figures based on a classification distinguishing "able-bodied" persons are not now obtained. The average numbers of men and women (including young persons over 16 years of age) ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation who were in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief during the months of January, February and March, 1927, and the dependent wives of those persons were as follow:

	Average numbers.
	Men.	Women.
January	177,054	153,800
February	159,451	137,201
March	150,644	129,255

Are we justified in assuming that the bulk of these cases are men who had the unemployment benefit stopped?

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the amount of subsidy spent in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester, respectively, on account of housing schemes under the various Housing Acts since 1918?

The Exchequer subsidy paid since 1918 up to 31st March, 1927, to the local authorities and private individuals on account of housing schemes in the county boroughs named was:

	£
Birmingham	1,254,815
Liverpool	1,582,566
Manchester	854,342

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the large number of tenants upon the London County Council White Hart Lane Estate who are being summoned for non-payment of rates; is he aware that these difficulties are caused by the failure of the London County Council and the Tottenham Urban District Council to come to an arrangement whereby the rates could be collected weekly with the rents; and, in view of the fact that there appears to be no likelihood of these bodies coming to an agreement, will he, in the interests of the tenants, invite them to accept the arbitration of his Department?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of the present position of this matter, but he will make inquiries. The suggestion of arbitration which the hon. Member made some time ago was communicated to the authorities, but one of the authorities concerned was not prepared to accept it.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government has come to any decision with reference to the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate the present licensing laws of Great Britain?

I have been asked to reply. The Government are not at present in a position to make any statement on this subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government will be in a position to make a statement on this very important matter?

They will make a statement as soon as they are in a position to do so, but at present they are not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Prime Minister if, in order to allay anxiety regarding the prospects of certain Private Members' Bills, he is now in a position to state whether or not the present Session will be brought to an end when the House rises for the Summer Recess?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, include the reply to this question in the statement on Business which I propose to make after Questions.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the importance of securing for the nation playing fields throughout Great Britain, he can take any steps to encourage local authorities to use their powers to acquire, lay out, and maintain land for the purposes of games and recreation?

My right hon. Friend can only repeat what has already been said in reply to similar questions. He is willing to consider sympathetically applications for sanction to loans for playing fields from local authorities, and a good deal has in fact been expended in recent years in the acquisition and laying out of land, though heavy rates and the present need for economy have prevented local authorities in some instances from making full use of their powers. My right hon. Friend has also made a practice of urging local authorities to reserve land for open spaces and playing fields in their town planning schemes.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the importance of securing for the school children playing-fields throughout Great Britain, he can take any steps to encourage local education authorities to secure playing-fields for as many elementary and secondary schools as possible?

My right hon. Friend thinks that local authorities are already fully alive to the importance of securing playing-fields for children attending both elementary and secondary schools. In the last two and a half years 343 proposals for the provision of playing-fields, or school sites including playing-fields, have been approved by my Department, and a number of similar proposals are now under consideration.

Have any playing-fields been approved, especially for Southwark and South London?

I shall have to ask for notice of that question.

How many of these are for elementary and how many for secondary schools?

I shall have to ask for notice of that question. I have only the total.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the importance of securing for the nation playing-fields throughout Great Britain, he will take steps to encourage all local authorities in Scotland to use their powers to acquire, lay out, and maintain land for the purposes of games and recreation?

So far as I am aware, the local authorities in Scotland are already alive to the desirability of acquiring land for the purpose of games and recreation. I am in sympathy with any action they may take for this purpose and would be glad to do anything to encourage them, but the exercise of their statutory powers is a matter in the discretion of the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any steps are being taken towards unification of working among the various Metropolitan authorities controlling electricity, gas, water, and any other services which involve the laying of pipes and cables, with a view to reducing to a minimum the public inconvenience caused by the continual breaking up of the streets?

As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, my powers under Section 4 of the London Traffic Act, 1924, in regard to the control of the opening of streets in the London Traffic Area by public utility services are limited. These undertakers, however, voluntarily supply my Department with a considerable amount of information as to any street works of importance which they contemplate carrying out, and every effort is made to co-ordinate them with other street works as far as is reasonably practicable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, apart altogether from the general public, valuable lives of hon. Members of this House are being risked every time they cross a London street?

With regard to the question of co-ordination, may I give an instance. Piccadilly is to be repaved in the near future, and it has been arranged that it should take place in August and September, and at the same time the water company, the gas company, the electricity company and the Post Office are going to do their work at the same time, so that there will be only one road up.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has seen the Trade Barriers Report issued by the International Chamber of Commerce; and whether he intends to publish it in this country or issue any Report on it for the information of British traders?

I have seen this Report, which has been published in this country by the League of Nations.

Does the Department propose to make any comment or recommendation on the Report?

I do not think so. As I undertand it, the report advocates complete international quality in the matter of trade barriers.

Is the Ministry going to study the Report and benefit thereby?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to give the House details of the scheme for the licensing of coal and coke imports into France?

I have no detailed information on the subject at present, but inquiry is being made and particulars will be published as soon as they are available.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a matter of great importance to South Wales, and cannot he facilitate the inquiries and get them hurried on?

I have no detailed information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a recent injunction granted in the Chancery Division restraining a private trader from selling tablets of soap at 5d. instead of an agreed price of 6d.; and whether he proposes to take legislative action to restore freedom to retail traders from the operations of price fixing associations?

I understand that the case to which the hon. Member probably refers was heard only on Thursday and Friday last, and I have not seen the report as yet. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for King's Norton on 8th March, a copy of which I am sending him.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think it about time that the Government, in their desire to retain freedom in this country, should take some action against an organisation that is forcing retailers to sell articles at a higher price than the retailers desire to sell them?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the custom complained of in this question is a very general custom?

I understand the contract that was broken was a very usual trading contract in this country.

Will the hon. Gentleman get the Report, as he stated in his original answer that he has not had a chance to see it?

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that William Edward Dando, an ex-service man, died at Cefn Mably Hospital on 9th January, 1927; that this man suffered from nephritis when in the Army and was discharged from service owing to this disease; that his medical adviser was of opinion that the death was due to disease contracted when on active service; and that his widow, Mrs. Sarah Dando, residing at No. 1, Pantypuddyn Road, Abertillery, Mon., has applied for a pension and the application has been refused; and will he now have the case reinvestigated, with a view to granting a pension to this widow?

This man died of pulmonary tuberculosis, for which he was not at any time in receipt of pension, and his widow is not, therefore, eligible for an award. I may add that the man made an application in respect of tuberculosis during his lifetime, and, although he did this more than seven years after his discharge from service, his case was very carefully considered, but it was not found that any special action was justified. In these circumstances I regret that there are no grounds on which Mrs. Dando's case can be exceptionally dealt with.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Thomas Allen, residing at 6, Bryn View, Nantyglo, Monmouthshire, ex-private in the 3rd battalion South Wales Borderers, was wounded at Ypres on 21st December, 1914; that he was discharged on 22nd April, 1916, on a pension of 13s. 9d. per week, afterwards reduced to 9s. 6d. for a period of 104 weeks; that his disability has recurred; that four medical men certify that Allen is still suffering from the effects of wounds; and will he have this application for pension reconsidered?

This case has recently been considered, and the man's condition in respect of the slight disablement remaining was found to be not otherwise than had been anticipated by the Ministry in making their final award, which was confirmed on appeal by the pensions appeal tribunal. There are, I am advised, no special circumstances in this case which would justify exceptional action.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man has lost an opportunity of going to America, being under a disablement as a consequence of wounds received in the War, and that four doctors have certified that he is still suffering from these wounds?

He has received final compensation in a way that was approved of and confirmed by the pensions appeal tribunal.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reinvestigate the case?

I shall be very happy to consider any further facts if the hon. Member will kindly send them to me.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the cause of the delay in the publication of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Welsh language, and when it is likely to appear?

The delay is due to the loss which the Committee suffered in the death of its Chairman, the late Bishop of St. David's, and of one of its members, the late Principal Thomas Rees, and to the extra time required for the production of a Welsh translation of the Report. I understand that the Committee hope to be able to present both the English and Welsh versions concurrently in the course of the next two months.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give the financial position of the South Wales Permanent Fund and the number of dependants still on the books; whether these have been paid up to date or, if not, up to what date; and what are the future prospects for financing these dependants?

I am informed that this fund was exhausted last year and that 218 dependants were then still on the books. Over a hundred of these are now receiving relief either from other funds administered by the Monmouthshire and South Wales Miners' Permanent Provident Society or from individual collieries. The rest are at present unprovided for, but I understand that the society is continuing its efforts to get relief for them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the cost per pair of white gauntlets now worn by the Metropolitan Police Force on point duty; and if the present pattern of gauntlets has been found satisfactory and efficient?

An extended trial is being given to a type of white gauntlet costing 2s. 8d. a pair. This has proved the most satisfactory of the types already tried and seems likely to prove entirely suitable.

Are these gauntlets being isued to policemen on point duty all over the metropolitan police area?

No, that would be to assume that they are completely successful. But they are being tried on an extensive scale.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the increasing practice of organising sweepstakes in connection with horse races; if he is aware that the legal position in connection with such sweepstakes is obscure; and if he will introduce legislation to remove doubts on the question?

I have no evidence that the number of horse-racing sweepstakes open to the public is increasing, or that legislation is urgently required for the reason suggested in the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the legal position in regard to sweepstakes is quite clear?

The position is a little difficult, but I rather feel it will not be necessary to consider it very much for another 11 months.