asked the Home Secretary on what date the police authorities discovered that Anton Miller was one of the leaders of the Russian spy organisation, in the very closest touch with the actual leader of it; and will he explain to the House for what period of time after the discovery this leader of Russian spies was allowed to remain in this country without interference from the police?

I cannot usefully add anything to the answer given on the 30th May.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why this alleged spy was not arrested and proceeded against?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must know that in the history of our country it has not always been found desirable either to arrest spies or proceed against them at any particular moment.

Is it not a fact that this man has been in the country for six years, and is not the House entitled to know when it was discovered that he was so dangerous a person and the centre of conspiracy of the spy operations in this country; and seeing that this man was registered as an alien and was here with the right hon. Gentleman's permission, when he informed the House that he had discovered a human document was it not a document that he knew thoroughly well was here and had been here for many years?

I knew that this man had been here, but I did not know that I should find this particular man, of whose activities I was aware, acting as a cipher clerk in Arcos.

If the Home Secretary was aware, as he has stated he was aware, that this man was at the centre of the then spy conspiracy in this country, why was he permitted to remain here for six years?

I am not prepared to say why spies are permitted to remain in this country. I take the responsibility. I knew they were here. It is sometimes exceedingly useful that spies who are known to be in this country should be allowed to remain here so that we may be able to get information during the time they are here with regard to other people.

rose—

I will allow the hon. Member one more supplementary question. Obviously this is a matter for debate.

Obviously it is better to raise it now while it is fresh in the public mind. What I want to ask the Home Secretary is why the chief of the spy organisation, as the right hon. Gentleman described this man, was allowed to remain in this country for six years?

"He has answered that."

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered it.

rose—

I have already said I cannot allow any more questions an this subject.

On a point of Order. May I point out that there was practically no chance of putting supplementary questions.

The hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) put three.

asked the Home Secretary if he is now able to state the result of any inquiries into the allegations made to him regarding the visit to this country of a Russian named Diakonoff; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have made such inquiries about, this matter as are practicable, and I find that General Diakonoff was formerly Assistant Military Attaché to the Imperial Russian Embassy. He is now resident in Paris, and the recent application for a visit to the United Kingdom was on the ground that he is the representative of a Rumanian firm dealing in wines and other produce. A request was received from a firm of London merchants that he might be admitted for the purpose of business negotiations. On this ground permission was given for a short visit. He landed on 26th March and left on 1st April. I do not know on what information the hon. Member bases the allegations he made on 19th May, but I have no reason to believe that this visit was utilised for purposes contrary to the interests of this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the name of the firm that made the application, and in connection with that firm are there any persons who, during this Russian's visit to this country, were in communication with the War Office regarding the real object of his visit?

I obviously cannot answer that without notice. That was not one of the points included in the hon. Member's statement on 19th May, but I will take a note of it and make inquiries and let the hon. Member know, or he can put a question down after the Recess.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the constitution of the Board of Education at the present time; and how many times has the Board met during the lifetime of the present Government?

The Board consists of a President, the Lord President of the Council (unless he is appointed President of the Board), His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, the First Commissioner of His Majesty's Treasury, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Board has not met during the period referred to, nor have I any record of a meeting of the Board.

Does not the Noble Lord think the time has arrived when the Board that is responsible for the administration of education should be done away with and that he should assume personal responsibility and get the status of Minister of Education? Would it not be more suitable?

That is a matter of opinion, but I do not think the hon. Member need be very much alarmed at the antiquated forms under which some of our business is carried on.

Does it matter what he is called as long as he does his job?

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the constitution of the Consultative Committee of the Board of Education; when were the present members appointed; how many subjects have been referred to the Consultative Committee since it was first constituted; is there at present any reference to the Sub-Committee and, if so, what are its terms; whether the Consultative Committee has the power to initiate inquiries or to make representations to the Board on educational matters; and whether the Board has ever received representations from the Consultative Committee apart from matters referred by the Board to the Committee?

The Committee consists of 21 members, of whom not less than two-thirds must be persons qualified to represent the views of universities and other bodies interested in education. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the present members with the dates of their appointments. Fourteen subjects have been referred to the Committee since its establishment. I do not know to what Sub-Committee the hon. Member refers in the fourth part of the question, but I am also circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the present terms of reference to the Committee. As regards the last two parts of the question, the Committee is established by statute for the purpose of advising the Board of Education on any matter referred to it by the Board, but it is open to the Committee to make suggestions both as to the subjects of major importance to be referred to them, and also as to subjects of minor but more immediate importance which might form the subject of discussion between them and myself and officers of the Board. Advantage has been taken and will, I hope, increasingly be taken. of the opportunities thus afforded of securing close contact between the Committee and the Board.

Does the Consultative Committee meet at regular intervals at its own discretion or is it summoned by the President?

They arrange their own meetings.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a circular letter signed on behalf of the Incorporated Association of Headmasters, Incorporated Association of Assistant Masters, National Union of Teachers, Association of Assistant Mistresses (incorporated), Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions, and Association of Headmistresses (incorporated), inviting members of the respective associations to warn entrants to the teaching profession of the possible dangers of unemployment with which they may be faced on completing their qualification; and whether, having regard to all the facts and circumstances connected with the recruitment of elementary and secondary school teachers, the expense to the State, to local education authorities and to parents, and the lack of financial resources on the part of many students leaving the training colleges, the Board are prepared to investigate the problem of preventing distress and wastage among qualified candidates for the teaching profession?

I have seen the circular letter referred to, but as it appears to be based upon inaccurate information, the hon. Member will not, I hope, expect me to accept the suggestion which it makes that serious unemployment is to be anticipated among teachers leaving training colleges. Since the letter has given rise to certain misapprehensions in the Press as to the effect of the Board's policy in the matter of staffing, perhaps I may point out that, on 31st March last, there were 530 more teachers in employment than a year previously, that the number of certificated teachers had increased by 996, while the number of supplementary teachers had decreased by 561, and that the approved establishments provide for a further substantial increase in the number of teachers to be employed in the current year.

How many qualified teachers on leaving the training establishments are unemployed?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the answer I gave about a month ago, he will find very full particulars on the subject. Roughly speaking, last year 89 per cent. of those who left training colleges last July obtained immediate employment.

Is the increase in the number of teachers due to the increased number of children at school or for the purpose of reducing the size of the classes?

The general tendency, of course, is for the number of children, at school to increase. I could not without notice say that on 31st March after the number had actually fallen or remained about stationary.

Will the Noble Lord consider whether he can make representations to the training colleges that there should be more co-ordination between them and the local education authorities so that the gap between leaving college and entering the service of an authority should be reduced?

The hon. Member may remember that the Report of the Departmental Committee recommended that the Board should establish arrangements for consultation so that training colleges might receive guidance.

Is it not a fact that the Noble Lord has put pressure on a number of local authorities to increase the size of their classes and dismiss teachers?

No.

Is it not a fact that in particular instances the Noble Lord has pressed local authorities to increase the size of classes?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case in which an anæsthetist in a London hospital gave a patient at an operation gas from the wrong cylinder which caused the death of the patient from asphyxia; and, in view of the similarity of cylinders containing different gases used at operations, will he consider the introduction of legislation compelling the makers of these gas cylinders to have them marked more distinctively, and with a fitting of an entirely different tap?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, no similar accident has been reported, and the case appears to be too exceptional to call for legislation.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of the coroner's remarks in this case?

Yes.

Will he not take note of the recommendations?

The idea that it is necessary to legislate to deal with a case in which only one instance has been reported is perfectly ludicrous.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of money to be raised for poor relief in Poplar during the present half-year and the estimated amount which will be contributed for the same purpose by the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund?

I regret that the precise information sought by my hon. Friend is not available. I may, however, state that the guardians are raising by rate during the current half-year a sum of £292,419 and will receive from the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund during the same period a sum of £1284,775.

asked the Minister of Health the number of additional persons that are now in receipt of old age pensions as a result of the abolition by the Act of 1925, in the case of insured persons, of the means disqualification?

On the latest figures for England, Scotland and Wales, 159,146 new pensions have been awarded by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, to persons of the age of 70 and upwards. It is estimated that in about one-third of these cases the claimant would have been entitled to a pension under the Acts of 1908–1924. Exact information on this point is not, however, procurable since no investigation of the circumstances of the claimant is required in a case where a title to pension under the Act of 1925 has been established.

asked the Minister of Health, seeing that Section 1 (1) (c) of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, provides that pension shall be paid to the wife of an insured man who has attained the age of 65, such wife having attained the age of 65 but not having attained the age of 70, and that Section 2 (2) provides that for the purposes of this Act a person is deemed to be insured during any period during which he is entitled to medical benefit, if he will state why it is proposed not to issue pensions to the wives, aged between 65 and 70, of insured men who are 70 prior to 2nd January, 1928?

I would refer the hon. Member to the introductory words of Section 1 of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, "Subject to the provisions of this Act relating to the payment of contributions … and otherwise," which qualify the general provisions of the Section. The specific provision in the Act which confers an old age pension on a woman, whil between the ages of 65 and 70, who is the wife of an insured man, is contained in paragraph (c) of Sub-section (1) of Section 7 and that paragraph requires, as a condition of her qualification, that her husband should have been entitled to an old age pension while between the ages of 65 and 70.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of misunderstanding in the country about this Section, and is there any simple explanation people can have so that they may know what their rights are? Members of Parliament are receiving letters about this.

The inspectors of my Department have been requested to give any information they can to persons requiring it, and their addresses are to be obtained at all post offices.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that a circular would be of great advantage, because Members of Parliament are receiving a number of letters on the subject?

I am rather afraid the issue of a circular might perhaps tend to complicate matters rather than to clarify them. I think really oral explanations are the most useful where it is a matter of understanding the meaning of perhaps a rather difficult Section of an Act of Parliament.

Are the addresses pasted up in post offices or must applicants go to the counter to inquire?

They are pasted up.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of an insured person who has been disallowed unemployment insurance benefit, but has continued to sign on at the Employment Exchange, the person would be considered to be genuinely unemployed and contributions be deemed to have been paid, so that pension would he payable under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, if the person was aged 65 on or before 2nd January, 1928?

The disallowance of a claim for unemployment benefit would not of itself defeat the title to an old age pension on 2nd January, 1928, nor on the other hand would the fact that the insured person continued to sign on at the Exchange alter such disallowance be conclusive evidence that he satisfied the requirements of the Contributory Pensions Act for the grant of contributions in respect of weeks of genuine unemployment. Before a decision on this point is arrived at in connection with a claim for an old age pension, all the relevant circumstances will be investigated by my Department.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me if, in any publication or Circular of his Department, there are any rules or facts laid down that may guide unemployed men?

I will send the hon. Member the literature which has been issued on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now state the number of males and females, respectively, who were insured under the National Health Insurance Act in England and Wales at the end of 1926, and the increases since the end of 1925?

The approximate number of insured persons in England and Wales at the end of 1926 (inclusive of persons over 70 years of age who have ceased to pay contributions) was:

Males	…	…	…	9,857,000
Females	…	…	…	4,658,000

the increases since the end of 1925 being 251,000 and 68,000, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health when the inter-departmental Committee on the Prices of Building Materials last met?

The last meeting of the main Committee was on the 3rd March last, and I understand that it is meeting again to-day.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, if this Committee is to exercise any effective control over building prices and materials, it ought to meet more frequently than that?

No, Sir. It does not follow that because the Committee has not met at much more frequent intervals it has been idle. A great amount of negotiation and discussion have been going on apart from meetings.

Has the right hon. entleman for ever shelved the recommendations of the Linlithgow Committee, which made certain specific recommendation with regard to the control of prices?

I should have to refresh my memory as to what the recommendations of the Linlithgow Committee were before I answered that question.

asked the Minister of Health if it is the intention of his Department to introduce new legislation for the purpose of expediting the clearance of slum areas?

I would refer the lion. Member to the reply which was given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Finchley on the 14th February last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there have been any defaults on account of the agricultural credits advanced by the Public Works Loan Board; and what is the amount advanced?

On the 31st March last instalments of loans were in arrear to the extent of £6,933 of which £5,961 represented interest. The total advances actually made to date are about £4,200,000 but loans granted and under consideration will raise this total to about £5,000,000.

asked the Minister or Agriculture if he will obtain a Report from the Ouse Drainage Board as to the present conditions of the river and banks in the area for which it is responsible, and as to whether there is any immediate danger of inundation and the return of the whole area to primeval conditions?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend does not consider that there has been any change in the situation since the Ouse Commission reported, which would make a further report necessary, but it will be open to parties interested who hold a contrary view to state their ease when the Ouse Drainage Bill is before the Select Committee.

Is not this body responsible for this area?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue does he estimate will be lost to the State in this and in a full financial year in consequence of the new move of the Midland Bank as to non-stamped cheques for small sums, and on the assumption that other banks act likewise; and whether he proposes taking any steps to safeguard such revenue?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a large joint stock bank has introduced a system of unstamped receipts to supersede, in certain cases, the use of cheques for sums under two pounds; that this innovation will result in an exemption from Stamp Duty which it has not been thought justifiable to confer by direct legislation; that the new receipts give to the bank's customers and the general public none of those safeguards against fraud and that recourse against the drawee in cases of negligence and error which, in the case of cheques, are given by the Bills of Exchange Acts and other legal protections; and whether, in these circumstances, he will either propose the removal of the Stamp Duty on cheques under two pounds or, if that course be deemed undesirable, take any measures necessary to protect the public and the revenue from the disadvantage of this innovation?

I have seen in the Press the statement about the issue of these receipts. The general legal position of these receipts is primarily a matter for the consideration of those who issue them and those who use them. Nevertheless, it involves a number of questions of public interest. The revenue aspects of the proposal are also important. Neither the Board of Inland Revenue nor the Treasury, still less His Majesty's Government, have been consulted upon, or expressed any opinion about, the principles involved. We are consulting counsel upon the question of the liability of these receipts to Stamp Duty. I am not yet in possession of the legal view, nor can I at present form any reliable estimate of the possible loss of revenue. I may, however, say that should it be found necessary to safeguard the Revenue from a serious inroad detrimental to the finances of the year, there will he ample time to deal with the matter before the Committee stage of the Finance Bill is concluded.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Bankers Clearing House Committee is meeting to-day, that a large number of bankers are inaugurating this system, which is spreading rapidly, and can he not expedite some public declaration from the Exchequer as to the advantage and the necessity of protecting the Revenue?

No, Sir. I expect the bankers at their meeting to-day be aware of the tenor of the answer which I have just given, and I think they will be very likely to postpone any action.

Will my right hon. Friend undertake to see that his answer is forwarded at once to the Clearing House Committee for their meeting this afternoon?

I gave directions yesterday for some of the officials of the Treasury to place themselves in communication with some of the representatives of the banks.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to Press paragraphs to the effect that the Treasury authorities are prepared to support this scheme, and are in no way antagonistic to it, that a different view from that appeared at least in two London newspapers, and would it not be better that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should issue a definite statement that the Treasury could not support this scheme?

I am in no way responsible for the statements which have appeared in the Press, and I think that I must wait until I am fortified by counsel's opinion before making a definite statement on the legal position. As I have said, we have not been consulted on the principle involved.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether these banks have not been encouraged by the statement the Chancellor of the Exchequer made to a question of mine in which he said it was not compulsory to put a twopenny stamp on receipts?

They may have been encouraged, but that only shows the grave responsibility which attaches to Members who put questions.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the encouragement of this new system may prove to be a valuable source of revenue to him in the near future, when a suitable tax could be inaugurated in the form of a penny stamp?

I think all these matters ought to be considered, but as far as I have been able to ascertain the consequences of what is at present proposed will not be very satisfactory from the point of view of the Revenue of the year.

We cannot go on with this discussion.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to state whether he intends to introduce legislation this Session based upon the Report of the Blanesburgh Unemployment Insurance Committee?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject.

In view of the importance and urgency of this matter, can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea as to when he is likely to be able to make a statement upon it?

As soon as I am in a position either to make a statement or to say definitely when I shall be able to make a statement, I shall be very glad to inform the hon. Member and shall look forward afterwards to the unqualified support of hon. and right hon. Gentlemen opposite if we are able to bring in a Bill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the present time the whole of unemployment insurance is in a very chaotic state, that all persons interested are looking forward to a new Bill containing further proposals; and, in view of the urgency of the matter, will he rot consider making an early statement?

I will make a statement as soon as I can as to the future but that fact does not indicate chaos at the moment.

We really cannot have a discussion on the matter.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether it is intended to cut any more hardwood trees in the New Forset during the coming autumn and winter; and, if so, if he can specify where such cutting will take place?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Cutting plans have not yet been got out but will be prepared in the course of the summer.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can now give a definite date for the promised inquiry in connection with the South Acton explosion; where the inquiry is to be held; and at what hour it is proposed to commence each day?

Arrangements are being made to open this inquiry at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 16th June, in the Council Chamber, Municipal Offices, Acton.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps, by the use of licences or otherwise, to avoid trees being cut down to make room for new roads or for road alterations unless there is no proper alternative; and whether he will see that all authorities involved in this matter are co-ordinated to avoid committing vandalism?

I have reason to know that local authorities, when planning their road widenings or constructing new highways, usually take great care to avoid or minimise the destruction of timber. In various cases where I considered that a modification of the scheme would enable still further trees to be saved, I have successfully intervened, and I can assure my hon. and Noble Friend that a close watch is kept on this matter by my Department in so far as the work of highway authorities comes under my review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the imports or exports of gold from the 1st January, 1927, to as near a date as possible between Britain and Russia?

I have been asked to reply. The registered values of the imports and exports of gold between this country and Russia during the period 1st January to 31st May, 1927, are:

		£
Imports from Russia	…	80,190
Exports to Russia	…	1,588,820

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken in the interests of the health and comfort of the troops at Shanghai during the coming hot season; and whether he has considered sending the battalions in turn to Wei-hai-wei during the hot weather?

Everything possible is being done for the comfort of the troops, and the necessary precautions have been taken to guard against outbreaks of those diseases which are liable to occur during the hot weather. A convalescent camp is being formed at Wei-hai-wei.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether only the sick will be sent to this camp at Wei-hai-wei, or whether he is considering sending the troops in their turn to Wei-hai-wei?

That suggestion has already occurred to those in command, and it is going to be carried out.

Will the Government consider making use of some part of the Boxer Indemnity in order to provide some additional comfort for our troops in China?

I am afraid that does not arise out of the question.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will make it arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the 100 per cent. disablement rate of pension that would be paid to a private soldier totally incapacitated through service in China?

The rate of pension would depend on the soldier's length of service. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the relevant Article of the Pay Warrant, which gives full particulars.

Am I to understand that disablement pension depends upon length of service?

Certainly. It may consist of the length of service element and the rank element for disablement benefit.

In the event of a man, either from fever or wounds, coming back totally disabled, will the amount of the sustenance he obtains depend upon his length of service?

Not entirely in regard to disablement pension. The actual rate of pension for total disablement depends also on rank and length of service.

What is the highest rate of disablement pension he can get?

The highest rate would depend entirely on the length of service and the rank of the man.

asked the Secretary of State for War why additional British troops are being sent to Peking; and whether it is the intention to deny the city to the Chinese Nationalist armies or only to strengthen the garrison of the Legation Quarter?

Additional troops are being sent to Peking for the sole purpose of strengthening the garrison of the Legation Quarter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer my question. Is it intended to protect the whole city or only to carry out our previous practice of guarding the Legations?

No, I have said that it is intended to protect the Legation Quarter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to introduce legislation to make it illegal for any person or body corporate or unincorporate to receive from a foreign Government or organisation under the control of a foreign Government funds to be used for political purposes in this country?

I have been asked to reply. For the reasons explained by me last February in the Debate on the Second Reading of the Foreign Contributions (Interference with Trade and Industries) Bill, presented by my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon, His Majesty's Government do not propose to promote any legislation dealing with this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to introduce legislation for the purpose of making illegal any political organisation in this country which is directly or indirectly under the control of a foreign Government?

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. As at present advised I do not think the resources of the State need to be reinforced in this way.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will at an early date institute an inquiry into the use of wheelless tubs in the Somerset coalfield?

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements are being made to carry out an inquiry into the use of the form of harness known as the "guss" for hauling wheelless tubs.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has reached any decision with regard to the introduction of legislation dealing with the powers and constitution of the House of Lords; and whether he proposes to deal with the matter during the lifetime of the present Parliament?

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement on this subject.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, in view of what was said in the Debate recently?

I think that is fully covered by my answer.

asked the Prime Minister when it is intended to introduce the proposed Suffrage Bill; and when it is likely to become operative?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on the 13th April in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Leicester, West, to which he has nothing to add.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that a concession of this kind is much more valuable if it is done graciously and swiftly?

I do not think I am called upon to express any opinion upon that.

Is it not a fact that a great many people are disappointed—

I have already called the next question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, before breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia, he consulted the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether the suspension of diplomatic relations between London and Moscow will affect the judgment given on 12th May, 1921, by Lord Justices Bankes, Warrington and Scrutton?

The reply is in the negative. I am advised that the decision of His Majesty's Government to suspend diplomatic relations with the soviet Government does not affect the legal position as regards their recognition of that Government, on which the judgment of the Court of Appeal referred to by the hon. Member was based.

Is it perfectly clear that there is no possibility of action similar to that taken in 1920?

I think I have made it quite clear by my answer that the situation remains as it was when the Court of Appeal gave their decision.

asked the Home Secretary whether, arising out of the declaration of the Prime Minister on the 24th ultimo that the Government were prepared to make all arrangements necessary for ordinary trade facilities between this country and Russia, he can now indicate the policy the Government propose to adopt to this end?

His Majesty's Government have no desire to place any difficulties in the way of trade between Russia and this country, and Russians desiring to come here for the purposes of bona fide trade will have the same facilities accorded to them as the nationals of any other foreign Power. The same machinery with regard to visas and all other matters will apply as heretofore with only this exception, that there will not in future be a British Passport Control Officer within Soviet Russia. It is perhaps unnecessary to add that any such permission to come here for the purpose of trade will be on the implied understanding that the holder of the passport dons not indulge in activities or propaganda detrimental to this country.

May I ask whether Russia will be in the same position as other nations under the Trade Facilities Act?

That question must be addressed elsewhere.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any confirmation of the report that the harbour of Vladivostok has been closed to British ships, and can he say whether any special arrangements are being made with reference to British fishing vessels which frequent that port?

As regards the first question, the answer is that that Government has no information at ali. In regard to the second question, I am afraid I must ask for notice before I can give details.

In view of the absence of Consuls for protecting British shipping interests and British seamen in Russian ports, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will advise British shipping interests to continue to trade in those ports?

I can only say that at the moment complete arrangements are not yet made. I have already stated that the Norwegian Government have been asked to take charge of the interests of British nationals in Russian ports, and I can see no reason whatever why British nationals should not trade with Russian nationals and Russian nationals trade with us.

Have the Norwegian Government the power to visa passports?

That is a question which has not yet been settled. The complete details have not yet been settled.

In view of the fact that the Norwegian and German Governments have regular Consular services in Russian ports, would not British traders be safer if they used Norwegian and German ships?

I do not think so.

May I ask who will be responsible until the time when that matter is settled, so that passports can be visad and Russians come here to trade?

Anybody can apply here for a visa, if he wishes to come here, and any Russian subject can apply in any town in the world where there happens to be a British passport office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to whether the document, which was the occasion for the search of Arcos, Limited, and the offices of the Trade Delegation, has been published by the Soviet Government?

The answer is in the negative.

Mr. Clynes.

Is it not customary to allow a second round of Questions?

Not on this particular occasion, when the House is about to adjourn.

I beg to move, in line 2, to leave out the words "Monday, 13th" and to insert instead thereof the words "Wednesday, 8th."

I am moving this Amendment in order to ventilate a grievance. My complaint is against the policy of the Government in allowing so little time for the discussion of the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Bill.

The hon. Member's Amendment is in order, but his grievance is not, because the question of the Closure and the allotment of time on the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Bill is a decision of the House.

I only want to argue against the very limited amount of time which is allowed in Committee and which has presented some of us ever having the chance of saying a word in Committee.

That is exactly what is not in order. It is not in order to move anything reflecting on the Closure, which in the ordinary sense is an act of the House, or on the allotment of time, which is equally an act of the House, and has been so affirmed by frequent rulings for the last 40 years. The hon. Member may move his Amendment if he wishes, but he cannot argue against the Closure and the allotment of time.

It is no use moving my Amendment unless there is an object.

Do I understand that the hon. Member does or does not move his Amendment?

Oh, yes, I shall move it. My complaint is in regard to the limited amount of time that is given to this Bill; but that was only my first argument. My second argument is this, that the Bill has still to go through Report stage and Third Reading, and I submit that more time should be given to it than has been decided.

The hon. Member is not in order in discussing the amount of time that has been allotted to the Bill, because that is a decision of the House. Does the hon. Member still move?

Oh, yes.

beg to second the Amendment.

In a few words I wish to give some reasons which are perhaps more in order. This House should set an example of short holidays. The holiday now proposed is too long. Hon. Members opposite will expect their workpeople to come back the day after Whit Monday and I submit that it is not a good example for the House to adjourn for this length of time. After all we only work five days a week, and in many cases hon. Members took yesterday off, being Derby Day, and will probably take the rest of the week. [An HON. MEMBER: "Speak for yourself !"] I am speaking for myself, and I am also speaking for the hon. Member for Reading (Mr. H. Williams) because we were both there yesterday, and we are here to-day.

Is it in Order for the hon. and gallant Member to make reflections on the way in which other hon. Members discharge their duties in this House?

It is by no means unusual.

It is notorious that the present Government use their supporters in batches like soldiers and sailors; some of them are deliberately allowed leave owing to the large and unwieldy and docile majority which the Government has in the House. I could give further reasons, but I do not want to rub it in, but agriculture, unemployment in the mining industry, the general trade depression, and extravagance in the public Departments, are subjects which should be considered and discussed and time should be found for their discussion. Yet the energetic Home Secretary, sometimes too energetic, proposes that this House should rise to-day and not come back until Monday week. There is much to be said for the Amendment and that is why I second it.

I wish to support the Amendment. Several hon. Members have put questions to the Minister of Labour within the last month, asking for the early production of the Bill which is to deal with unemployment insurance. This is a vital matter in at least a score of the great cities and towns of the country and we can get no satisfactory information about it. It is a matter which is causing a great deal of anxiety to hundreds and thousands of men who will he affected by the provisions of such a Measure, and an earlier assembly of the House would enable the Government to give an earlier answer as to their intentions, and they could produce a Bill with the prospect of getting it passed into law at an earlier date than that which will now be possible.

There are two reasons why I wish to support the Amendment. To-day I asked the Minister of Labour

That seems hardly a reason why we should come back on Wednesday.

If I had been given a minute to complete the paragraph of my speech you would have seen, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, that there was a reason for coming back on Wednesday. It is very important that we should have an opportunity of asking the Prime Minister whether, in view of the evident dissatisfaction of the people of the country with his administration, he is going to take the voice of the country through a general election.

The hon. Member can ask that question when other topics have been disposed of.

I wish to support the Amendment, because I think it is imperative that we should have an opportunity of keeping in close touch with the Government, which the by-elections have shown is so unpopular in the country.

Seeing that we have made our protest, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.

No!