asked the Minister of Pensions if he can give the results of the conferences between both himself and his Department and representatives of the British Empire Services League?

Representatives of the British Empire Service League discussed with me various matters relating to pensioners resident in the Dominions, and gave me the opportunity of explaining the position of my Department in regard to them. Subsequently, certain members of the Deputation had interviews with officers of the Department on various details of procedure. As a result of these discussions, some difficulties have been removed, and a few improvements have been made, for instance, in the procedure for appeals to the Pensions Appeal Tribunals by pensioners resident overseas. The members concerned intimated that these interviews had been very helpful to them, and they were also of real benefit to my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received complaints from the West Ham Pensions Committee with regard to the Poor Law relief given in West Ham to the parents of pensioned children; and the terms of the communication and the answer given?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Committee were informed that the question had been referred to the Minister of Health as a matter within his province, and that, in reply, the Minister of Health had pointed out that it was the duty of the guardians, in determining what amount of relief should be afforded in any particular case, to take into consideration the whole of the resources of the applicant's household, from whatever source derived, with certain statutory exceptions, which do not include pensions to children of fathers killed in the War, and that he has no power to give any discretion to the guardians in the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in regard to the letter from his Department, dated 16th November, 1922, addressed to Mr. Cribb, 12, Prestbury Road, E.12, stating that the pensions paid to the children of a deceased soldier must be devoted solely to their benefit, he will say whether any and, if so, what action is taken by his Department to enforce this policy?

I am unable to trace the correspondence referred to. I may say, however, that the allowance paid to the parent of a child is designed to provide for the entire maintenance of the child. I am bound to assume that the allowance is normally applied by parents in this manner in the interests of their children, though, in the exceptional event of a case being brought to notice in which the child was found to be suffering seriously from want of proper care by the parent, it would be considered whether the allowance could with advantage be administered, otherwise than by way of payment to the parent, in the interests of the child.

If the sole income of a family is derived from pensions of fatherless children of soldiers, is it the opinion of the Minister of Health that part of such pensions which have been granted to the children can properly be used to support their step-brothers and step-fathers; and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman communicate again with the Minister of Health?

That supplementary question, obviously, refers to the administration of another Department, and, therefore, it would not be in order for me to reply to it.

I understand that these pensions are under the oversight of the Minister of Pensions, and I ask him whether he concurs in an arrangement by which pensions granted by the country to the fatherless children of soldiers who died in the War can be devoted to the support of their step-brothers and stepfathers?

I am certainly not prepared to appoint inspectors to intervene in the affairs of about 500,000 families, but, if any case is brought to my notice in which a child is being neglected, I will go into it, as I have already informed the hon. Member.

Is it not the business of the Ministry of Pensions to see that moneys paid in the form of allowances for the maintenance of children are applied to the purpose for which they are paid?

I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion from the opposite benches that I should interfere in the accounts of all these families, but, as I have said, if any child is not being properly looked after, I shall intervene.

Will the Ministry conduct an inquiry on the representations of the West Ham Pensions Committee, who have written to the Minister of Pensions to complain in regard to this matter?

I shall certainly not conduct an inquiry into the administration of another Department.

As this question obviously refers to an individual case—

No!

—will the Minister consider that case when it is brought definitely before him?

Certainly. If any individual case is brought definitely before me in which a child can be shown to suffering, I shall go into it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government contemplate any changes in the law as to the traffic in women; whether he has considered the proposals set out in Bill 152 of this Session; and his attitude towards the proposed abolition of the flogging penalty?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second and third parts, the proposals in the Bill will, of course, be considered, but it would not be usual for me to express any opinion on these proposals in anticipation of discussion of the Bill in this House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that he does not weaken on this question of flogging?

The right hon. Gentleman is not given to much weakness.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now make any statement as to possible legislative action arising out of the Report of the Committee on Sexual Offences against Young Parsons, now that the Report on Youthful Offenders has been out for some time?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to proposals for legislation. The two Reports referred to cover very wide fields, and raise various questions that require, and are receiving, careful consideration.

Will the right lion. Gentleman still be sitting on this question in the autumn, or can I put a further question then?

I am perfectly open to sit on it in the autumn if necessary, but, as I intend to devote most of my exiguous holiday to the study of these Reports, I hope it will not be necessary.

Has the right hon. Gentleman come to any conclusion as to whether a Bill of this kind should include Scotland; and is he consulting the Secretary of State for Scotland on this subject?

Obviously, I cannot say, until I have arrived at a considered opinion upon the Reports, whether it is desirable to extend the operation of the Bill to Scotland.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now had an opportunity of consulting with the various authorities so that arrangements may be made to enable a person arrested on a Saturday for non-compliance with a judgment order for the payment of a debt in respect of Income Tax on payment of the amount owing to be released previous to the following Monday?

I am still in consultation with the authorities concerned.

Could the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the Governor of any prison to receive the money when a person is arrested?

I am still in consultation with the sheriffs, who are the authorities responsible in the matter, and, until I get some definite opinion from them, I cannot make any arrangements.

Would not all this trouble be prevented if the hon. Gentleman opposite persuaded his friends to pay their just debts?

A good deal of it might be.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether it is correct for an hon. Member opposite to suggest that persons who do not pay their debts are friends of mine?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that his warning, issued to motorists last year, that they must more effectively silence their machines, has not produced any appreciable diminution in the noisiness of a great many machines; and whether he will take further action in the matter?

The hon. Member may be interested to know that, in the first six months of this year, there were over 5,700 prosecutions in the Metropolitan Police District. I hope they have not been entirely without effect. In any event, the police will continue to take such steps as are possible to abate the nuisance in so fat as it still exists.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that these infernal, screeching motor syrens are causing intense mental anguish to hundreds of patients in nursing homes in London, even to the extent, in some cases, of causing death; and does he not realise that it is time for him to take drastic action in the matter?

I do not know what more drastic action I can take than prosecuting 5,700 people in six months. I may say that my definite instructions to the police are that they should do their utmost to stop noise, in the case either of motor cycles or of motor cars.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are tens of thousands of motor cyclists and motor drivers in London, and why should he confine himself to 5,000?

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the case of a man who was reported as long ago as 25th April for recklessly driving a motor car at Cambuslang while under the influence of liquor; and why in this case the trial was postponed until 13th July?

The case referred to by the hon. Member was first reported to the procurator fiscal on 28th April, and on 2nd June the accused was cited to appear on 8th June. The case was dealt with in ordinary course, and owing to pressure of other business and to the fact that cases in which the accused is in custody are given precedence over those in which, as in the case in question, the accused is not in custody, the procurator fiscal was unable to have the case brought before the Court at an earlier date. The case was adjourned by the Court to 13th July at the request of the accused, and on that date was further adjourned to the 21st July on production of a medical certificate that the accused was unable to attend Court.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now considered the scheme submitted to him by the London Traffic Advisory Committee for dealing with the problem of travelling facilities in North and North-East London; whether he has reached any conclusions; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the problem of finding some means for co-ordinating passenger transport services in the London area with a view to the elimination of unnecessary and wasteful competition is engaging close attention at the present time.

Are we to take it that the London Traffic Advisory Committee have not submitted any scheme at all to my right hon. Friend?

Not so far, but I hope to have a report in my hands before the end of the week.

Have the conditions of railway travelling between Liverpool Street and Ilford been considered?

Oh, yes, all that area has been considered.

Is it not the policy of the London Traffic Advisory Committee to make a complete combine or trust, and will the right hon. Gentleman protect the travelling public from getting into the hands of a traffic combine?

The hon. Member can rely upon my doing everything to protect the travelling public.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of omnibuses in use in Glasgow and district and the number of accidents, fatal and otherwise. respectively, in Glasgow for which this traffic was responsible during the first six months of this year?

I am making inquiries to ascertain whether the information asked for by the hon. Member is available, and will let him know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Education what progress is being made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in the development of a method of low-temperature carbonisation of coal which will provide a Home source of fuel oil and allow the production commercially of a smokeless fuel for domestic grates?

As the hon. Member will readily understand, it is not possible within the limits of an answer to a question to give any adequate account of an industrial process. I would, however, refer him to the statement made in this House by the Parliamentary Secretary on 11th May, and to the Report of the Fuel Research Board published a few days ago by the Stationery Office. I think he will gather from these two sources all the information that he desires.

asked the President of the Board of Education, (1) how many authorities have been required to reduce their estimates as a result of Circular 1,388; and what is the total amount of such reductions under each of the following headings, namely: administration and other expenditure (elementary), secondary education and aid to students, and administration (higher education);

(2) if he will state the names of the six authorities whose reductions have been greatest in proportion to their estimates; and what is the amount of the reduction in each case under the three headings, and

(3) what are the names of the authorities which have been required to give up or postpone a proposal to establish a special school?

The Board have intimated to nine authorities that they are not yet satisfied that they would be justified in recognising for grant so large an expenditure as was proposed by the authority under the heading "Administration and Other Expenditure (Elementary)," and they have given a similar intimation to two authorities in regard to the heading "Administration (Higher Education)." The amount of the reductions considered necessary has not been specified. As regards special schools, no authorities have, since the issue of Circular 1388, been required to abandon proposals, but the authorities for Guildford, Hove, Lincoln, and West Ham have been requested to postpone for the present proposals to make such provision during the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of children per class attending schools in the towns of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Greenock, and Perth?

For the year ended 31st July, 1926, the average attendance of children per class in primary schools, including preparatory departments and advanced divisions, was as follows:

Glasgow	…	…	47
Edinburgh	…	…	38
Dundee	…	…	36
Aberdeen	…	…	39

Separate particulars for Greenock and Perth are not available, but the corresponding figures for the education areas within which they are situated were 34 and 24 respectively.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give any reason for the exceptionally high figures for Glasgow?

I am afraid I cannot within the limits of question and answer. The hon. Member is well acquainted with the congestion and overcrowding and other factors, in taking over the schools in Glasgow recently, which account for the high figures.

In view of the fact that school accommodation is one of the big questions in Glasgow, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to secure an early settlement of the problem?

The hon. Member knows that the Secretary of State has this matter under consideration, and he has already replied to one or two Parliamentary questions on the subject.

Are the figures based on the number of children on the books or on the average attendance?

The hon. Member will see by the questions put down that it is the number of children attending.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take to arrange for the reduction of classes in Scottish elementary schools to 50 or under, in view of the fact that there are teachers unemployed whose services could be utilised to secure improvement in this respect in most areas?

In accordance with the notice given in the Prefatory Memorandum to the Regulations for the Training of Teachers, issued in June, 1924, the present provisional maximum of 60 pupils per class will be lowered to a maximum of 50 as from 1st September, 1928.

Can we take it, from the figures which have been given, that the Secretary of State for Scotland will press on the Glasgow Education Authorities the importance of employing some of these techers, and reducing the classes.

That is a matter which my right hon. Friend has very prominently in his mind.

Will the Under-Secretary convey that information to the President of the Board of Education?

My right hon. Friend is in constant communication with the President of the Board of Education.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is in a position to make a statement as to the future policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the raising of the school-leaving age?

The policy of His Majesty's Government remains the same as that which they have consistently followed since they assumed office. They made it clear, in various statements and answers to questions during the first Session of the present Parliament, that they would consider, on its merits, any proposal made by a Local Education Authority to raise the school-leaving age by local by-law under the powers conferred upon Authorities by the Education Act, but that they were not prepared, in existing circumstances, to impose on the country the additional financial burdens which would be entailed by a general raising of the age. His Majesty's Government have seen no reason to depart from the policy thus defined, especially since both the Consultative Committee of the Board and the Association of Education Committees have recently expressed the opinion that Local Authorities cannot, in any case, be ready to provide generally for the proper education of children between 14 and 15 before the year 1932 or 1933. The Consultative Committee has, indeed, recommended that anticipatory legislation raising the school-leaving age as from September, 1932, should be passed immediately, but as my hon. Friend knows, I have already stated, both in this House and elsewhere, that His Majesty's Government are unable to accept this recommendation.

Have any local authorities applied?

Yes, Carnarvon and East Suffolk did apply, and their by-laws were approved at the end of 1924. Plymouth and Cornwall have now applied.

Is the Board of Education anxious to get schemes prepared by local authorities in order to see what their ideas are? Would they favour schemes being worked out as to cost and whether buildings are available?

Yes, I have suggested to the local authorities that in view of the Consultative Committee's report, they should work out some survey of the cost, and local authorities are surveying their probable needs in that direction.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if there is a change in the Board of Education, there will be a change of policy?

I am not aware of that.

There will be.

Is the President of the Board of Education aware that the raising of the school-leaving age would have an enormous effect upon unemployment?

No, Sir. I am not aware of that, and I think that statement is very largely fallacious. I think, if the hon. Member will examine the actual conditions of any particular industry, he will find that in the case of the withdrawal of children between the ages of 14 and 15 the effect on the total employment in the industry at best would be very indirect, but in any case from the educational point of view the question is whether we should compel children to attend school admittedly before we are prepared to give them a proper education.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the complaint made by the coroner at an inquest held on Horace Henry Phillips at Isleworth to the effect that there had been slackness in preparing the patient for an operation at the Brentford Guardians' West Middlesex Hospital; and whether he has taken any action?

Yes, Sir. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the slackness to which the coroner drew attention was found not to be a contributory cause of death. The medical superintendent has taken steps which should be effective in securing proper administration in the future, and I do not propose to take any further action.

What are those steps to be taken by the medical superintendent.

A rearrangement of the rules.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state his reasons for withholding his sanction for the loan to be raised to supply the plant for the generating of electricity for the Brentwood (Essex) Mental Hospital; whether he is aware that this scheme was unanimously passed by the Essex County Council and the Borough of Colchester and can be proved to be the most economical; that his commissioners have complained and reported on the leakage of gas that can be continuously detected when visiting the institution; and whether he is in favour of the only alternative, that of refitting the whole of the institution with new gas piping?

Before giving a decision upon the application for sanction to a loan in this case, I have directed one of my engineering inspectors to visit the mental hospital and report fully upon the scheme. This visit will be paid at an early date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at present they are losing over £400 a year, and will he institute inquiries as soon as possible in view of the delay?

I was not aware that they were losing £400 a year, but it is obvious that before embarking on fresh capital expenditure we must be sure the scheme is a suitable one, and the visit of the inspector will be paid at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that at the beginning of October last Mr. Newton, a telegraphist in the established service of the Government, was certified by a specialist to be suffering from sleeping sickness and was given a month's leave; that on 13th June last Mr. Newton was missing from his home at Manchester and, although full particulars were supplied to the police, who caused information to be published broadcast and inserted notices in the newspapers, he was charged at Longton with sleeping out and was sentenced to a month's imprisonment, without remand or police inquiry; that the first intimation received by Mrs. Newton was sent to her by the Governor of Strangeways Prison, who informed her that her husband would be released on 19th July; and whether, having regard to the dangers disclosed by this incident, he will cause prisoners showing symptoms of this disease to be specially reported upon by the prison doctor on arrival?

I am well aware of the facts of this case about which the hon. Member for Rusholme (Mr. Betterton) communicated with me a month ago. Newton was found by the Longton police asleep on a haystack with a filled pipe and matches. In Court he gave no information about himself, but said he came from Birmingham. Fortunately, the police, after he had been sentenced, gleaned some further information which they communicated to the prison governor. The prison governor reported to me and also sent me a report from the medical officer. I immediately arranged for the man's release, and he was returned to his friends on 25th June. The fact that the prison doctor sent the man to hospital and made a special report to the effect that he was probably suffering from encephalitis lethargica shows that the care which the hon. Member desires is exercised in these cases.

asked the Minister of Health the comparative figures of infant mortality for West and East Ham for the quarters ended, respectively, 30th June, 1926, and 30th June, 1927?

The provisional figures asked for by the hon. Member for the 13 weeks ending 3rd July, 1926, and 2nd July, 1927, are 45 and 57 and 40 and 47 per 1,000 for West Ham and East Ham, respectively. The figures for the separate months making up the period are—for West Ham 59, 46 and 32 in April, May and June, 1926, and 75, 54 and 44 in the same months of 1927; for East Ham, 25, 61 and 35 in 1926, and 100, 26 and 16 in 1927.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention before enforcing the Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations in respect to cream, to introduce the legislation necessary to prohibit the reconstitution of cream so as to give the public the same protection as they now enjoy in the case of milk?

I am informed that It is not necessary to introduce legislation for this purpose, as the existing provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts would prevent the sale of reconstituted cream as cream. The Preservatives Regulations will apply to the substitute equally as to genuine cream.

In view of the fact that milk produced under unhygienic circumstances may be a very great danger to public health, what steps does my right hon. Friend intend to take to see that imported milk is produced under circumstances similar to those required in this country?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice of that question. It is quite different from the one on the Paper.

Can my right hon. Friend say if any action is being taken by the authorities at all on the lines he has suggested, in view of the very large quantity of reconstituted cream now being sold?

If my hon. Friend means whether any proceedings have been taken against persons selling reconstituted cream as cream, I am unaware of any, and I do not know that it is sold as cream.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that, as stated at a meeting of the Great Yarmouth Town Council, large numbers of milk retailers in the Borough of Yarmouth have not yet been registered; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the Milk and Dairies Order is enforced?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this statement, but I am communicating with the town council on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health what money has been allocated by the Treasury to assist slum clearance schemes; if there is any fixed figure provided for this purpose; and whether the £200,000 allocated as an annual grant to help slum clearance has in any one year been spent?

No fixed allocation is made for Exchequer contributions towards the expenses of slum clearance schemes, the actual expenditure each year being dependent on the progress of the schemes sanctioned. The requirement for the year 1927–28, for which provision is included under the general housing grants subhead of the Vote for the Ministry, is estimated at £65,000.

Is it not a fact that in 1923 the Government allocated £200,000 for this purpose as an annual grant?

The £200,000 to which the hon. Member refers was the maximum expenditure that could be devoted to this purpose. When the basis of the housing subsidy was altered in 1923, the limit was removed.

Then the limit has never been reached, and this year it is only £65,000?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the provision of houses for the working classes in the Watford area is being delayed because of the shortage of bricklayers; whether this cause is responsible for the slow progress being made elsewhere with the erection of working-class houses; and if he will state what measures he proposes to take to cope with the difficulty?

I have inquired whether a shortage of bricklayers in the Watford area is retarding the progress of house building, and I am informed by the town council and the rural district council that they have experienced no difficulties in this respect.

The fact that over 217,000 houses were erected in England and Wales during the year ended in March last seems to indicate an improvement in the supply of skilled workers for house building and it is still made a condition of approval of housing schemes of local authorities that the contractors should employ a number of apprentices proportional to the number of building trade craftsmen employed on the schemes.

Does that answer imply that the Minister is now satisfied with the policy of the building trade unions in this matter?

It only implies what it says.

Are we to understand from the Minister's reply that the suggestion contained in the first part of the question was entirely unfounded?

Can the Minister say whether there is any real shortage among slaters throughout the country, and whether that has been keeping back houses for some years?

asked the Minister of Health if any Reports have reached his Department showing whether any council houses built with the aid of the subsidy have already been condemned as uninhabitable or have been subjected to such extensive repairs that their occupants have had to vacate the premises; and, if so, where these structures have been mainly erected?

I cannot trace the receipt of any such Reports.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in fixing the quota of police for the Metropolis, the local authorities who make contributions to the cost of the same are in any way consulted both as to the cost and the number of police allocated to their areas?

Careful consideration is given to the requirements of the various localities, but systematic consultation with so large a number of authorities would be quite impracticable.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that these local authorities have had their contributions very much raised in the last few years, particularly during his administration, and does he not think that under the circumstances they should have some knowledge of where the money is going and on what it is being spent?

If careful consideration be given to local requirements, will the right hon. Gentleman see that they have more women police?

Anyone can find out how the money is spent by looking at the Votes passed in the House, and any question of detail I shall be glad to answer, but I cannot take upon myself the duty of corresponding beforehand with every local authority unless I know there is a question they desire to raise. If there be a question, I shall be glad to answer it and to consult with them. With regard to the second supplementary, so far as the Metropolitan area is concerned I have already increased the number of women police, and I am shortly getting a report.

Is it not true that in 1920 we had 112 women police in the Metropolitan area, and now we have only 42, and even in those days we had not enough?

Was the right hon. Gentleman consulted before extra police were drafted into Littlehampton last Sunday?

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the tariff of reduced fares is being shown in taximeter cabs in such a way as to be invisible to the passengers at night-time, and that in some cases drivers are demanding the fare marked on the meter without the legal deduction; and whether he will take steps to have the tariff of reduced fares placed so as to be more visible at night?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of this difficulty, but I regret that it would not be easy to meet it without requiring cabs to be internally lit. On the whole, the position of the notice is as convenient as any that could be selected for the purpose and it is only a temporary one until the present meters can be altered. I may add that the modification of fares is now well known.

In any new arrangements that may be made, will the right hon. Gentleman take care that the fare properly demanded of the passenger is clearly marked on the meter and not put in such a way that he cannot really know what he has to pay?

When the revision takes place I will communicate my hon. Friend's suggestion to the Chief Commissioner with a view to having a legible meter.

Are there not a few taxis on the street where the figures on the clock are very much larger, so that there is no difficulty, and, when the change is made, could he insist on the figures being larger than at present? Is he also aware that it is not merely a question of seeing in the dark, but that the light strikes the clock in such a way that even in daylight it is often difficult to see?

I am aware of the difficulty in regard to the figures. I have seen one or two that are quite legible, and, if possible, I will suggest to the Commissioner that a better type of taxi-meter should be used, as far as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman defer a decision as to altering these taxi-meters until he has decided whether the present fares should continue or not? Is he aware that the change would cost a tremendous lot to the industry, and will he leave it in abeyance until the end of the year?

When are the new taxi-meters coming into force?

I have received a deputation from London Members on that very subject, and have promised to give the matter consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea how much the conversion of the present meters to new meters showing the new scale of fares will cost?

I think about £24,000.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a large number of London Members were not consulted with regard to the deputation to which he referred?

If the hon. Member desires to make any representation to me, I will carefully consider it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists owing to the fact that licensed houses in certain parts of London are compelled to close at nine o'clock on Sunday evenings; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to put all the licensed houses in the Metropolis on the same basis, closing at 10 o'clock p.m.?

I regret that I am not prepared, without much further consideration, to let loose the floodgates of licensing legislation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that by adopting this method there will be a reduction of one hour of Sunday trading? On one side of Oxford Street they open at 6 and close at 9 and on the other side they open at 7 and close at 10. If they all opened at 7 and closed at 10, that would reduce it by an hour.

In view of the satisfactory experience of Sunday closing in Scotland, will the Government not adopt the same in England?

asked the Minister of Health the amount of contributions for health insurance and for pensions

asked the Minister of Health whether a woman now over 70, and in receipt of some portion of the old age pension under the Old Age Pension Act, will, on her husband attaining 65 and qualifying to receive an old age pension under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act in January, automatically receive the full pension, irrespective of means, by reason of her husband's insurance?

The reply is in the affirmative.

As the answer involves a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of claims still outstanding for the recovery of Excess Profits Duty, and at what figure does he estimate the total sum still to be claimed; and if he will take steps to get these claims settled and cleared up at the earliest possible opportunity, as many business houses are still waiting for these claims to be agreed?

I am unable to furnish the number and estimate asked for in the first part of the question. Every effort is being made to expedite the settlement of outstanding cases, and if my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have particulars of any case in which delay is alleged I shall arrange for inquiry to be made into the circumstances.

Is it the fact that a large number of applications have still to be dealt with, and what steps is he going to take to expedite them?

It is quite true that there are a large number of applications, and they are full of complicated details, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that every expedition possible is being taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the world's annual requirements of new gold will be likely in the near future largely to exceed the available supply, he will consider taking steps to carry out the recommendation of the Genoa Economic Conference in 1922 by co-operating internationally to secure systematic limitation of the monetary demand for gold?

I would refer my Noble Friend to what my right hon. Friend said in the course of the discussion on the Treasury Vote on the 27th June.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of new typewriters at present in stock at the Stationery Office?

The number of new typewriters at present in stock is 216.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these are foreign and how many are British?

156 of them are British.

Can my right hon. Friend tell us how old they are?

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the 156 British typewriters are new ones just put in, and if they have commenced to use British instead of foreign typewriters?

I cannot say. I cannot give these particulars without notice.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the expenditure of £30,000 on calculating and other machines for the use of Government Departments has reduced, or will result in any reduction in, the number of clerical staff?

Yes, Sir. Expenditure on calculating and other machines for use in Government Departments results in appreciable reductions in the numbers of clerical staff required.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the staff will be displaced on account of their introduction?

No, Sir. You cannot earmark particular members of the clerical staff to so many machines.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the members of the staff who will not be required owing to the introduction of these machines will be transferred to another Government Department, or whether they will be discharged?

I cannot say that without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the number of ships cleared at ports in Great Britain has increased in recent years and that the number of inspectors employed to inspect them has decreased; and if he intends taking any steps to increase the number of inspectors to secure adequate inspection?

The figures given to the hon. Member on 18th July show that there has been a decrease in the number of surveyors and also, in the last period, in the number of vessels leaving the ports. I do not admit that inspection is inadequate; and I think it is my duty to see that inspection is as economically conducted as is consistent with efficiency.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that fewer than 200 inspectors can efficiently inspect all the ships which clear at British ports each year?

Yes, Sir, I do. I am satisfied that the economies which were effected have not reduced the vigilance of the inspectors.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in every other Department dealing with human life, including the Home Office, they are increasing the number of inspectors in order to safeguard human life?

I do not think the efficiency of the inspection is necessarily dependent on the number of people engaged.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether his reply is based upon a reduction in the number of complaints received?

My reply is based on the general experience of the Department in carrying out the work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that building operations have commenced on Basing Field, Thames Ditton, he will institute an inquiry to ascertain whether any persons are entitled to Lammas rights over such field with the object of preserving it as an open space?

I have been asked to reply. Whether any persons are entitled to Lammas rights over the land to which my hon. Friend refers could only be settled by a Court of Law, and the Minister has no power to decide the point. In the circumstances my right hon. Friend is not prepared to institute an inquiry such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the acreage of land in Great Britain farmed in all branches of agriculture; and how much of such acreage is owned by the Crown and other public authorities, national and local?

The total area of agricultural land in Great Britain in 1926 was 45,142,888 acres, of which 30,369,281 acres were under crops and grass and 14,773,607 acres were rough grazings. My right hon. Friend will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT before the Summer Adjournment a statement giving such information as is obtainable with regard to the area of agricultural land owned by the Crown and other public authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is preparing an agricultural credit scheme for Scotland?

The matter is under consideration; but my right hon. Friend is not in a position at present to make any statement upon it.

Does that mean that there is to be no agricultural credit scheme for Scotland? Does it mean that while there is to be an agricultural credit scheme for England and Wales, there is to be none for Scotland?

It means what it says, that the matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he intends to introduce legislation to make provision for the assistance of unemployed agricultural workers?

This question was fully considered last year on the Reports presented by the Inter-Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the question of the application of compulsory unemployment insurance to agricultural workers, and the Government decided that no case had been made out for applying unemployment insurance to agriculture. The Unemployment Insurance Committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Blanesburgh, also considered the matter, and recommended that no change should be made.

Are we to understand from that answer that this Government are going to do nothing to assist the agricultural workers and are only going to assist the property owners?

The hon. Member should understand that it was recommended by an eminent member of his own party that no change should be made, and we intend to adhere to that recommendation.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman look at the question? The question is not whether unemployment insurance should apply to agricultural workers, but whether the Government intend to give any kind of assistance to unemployed agricultural workers. Will he kindly try to answer that question?

It is impossible to go into the details of all the schemes which the Government are introducing for the assistance of agricultural workers.

We cannot have a Debate now.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can state an approximate date in the autumn when it is intended to renew the attempt to make a non-stop flight to India?

A further attempt may be made at any time when my advisers are satisfied with the results of certain tests which have yet to be carried out and when meteorological conditions are favourable. I regret I am unable to give an approximate date.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that during the past 12 months an officer, whilst employed as honorary mess secretary at the Record Office, Ruislip, was placed under arrest for having falsified his personal mess account; that he subsequently made a written confession and was posted to another unit; and why this officer has now been promoted to flight-lieutenant and for what reason this preference has been given?

It would not be in accordance with established practice to give the reasons which have led the Air Council, with all the records and facts before them, to select or reject individual officers for promotion, and I could not agree to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will be able to make a statement before the House rises on the result of the Geneva Conference; and whether it is anticipated that any savings realised will take effect in the present financial year?

I think it is doubtful whether any announcement of the result of the Conference can be made before the House adjourns.

Will there be any opportunity to discuss what is going on at Geneva?

Whether it would be desirable to discuss it in the absence of some result or some Government statement is one question, but, of course, the Adjournment Motion gives considerable liberty to hon. Members.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the uneasiness which is being felt by many women at his recent statement that he does not propose to introduce a Measure to equalise the franchise this autumn; and whether, in order to ensure that the younger women shall vote at the next General Election, he will be prepared to reconsider his decision?

It will be possible to make provision in the Franchise Bill for any arrangements which may be necessary in connection with the preparation of the Register to enable new voters to vote at a General Election in 1929.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the Government intend that women under 30 years of age shall vote at the next election?

Statements on this subject have been made by the Prime Minister, and I have nothing to add to the declarations of the Government.

Does the optimism of the Government carry them, as far as office is concerned, until the year 1929?

Constitutionally, we are bound to indulge in that measure of optimism.

Is it the intention of the Government to introduce legislation in the Session of 1928?

My answer deals fully with the question on the Paper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the volume of agitation mentioned in the question is not substantiated by any evidence or fact?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the interest of the payees and with a view to providing a pension scheme for persons of 60 years of age, he will consider the appointment of a Commission to consider the desirability of co-ordinating all friendly society business, health and unemployment insurance, compensation schemes, and all agencies dealing with relief during incapacity from work?

No, Sir; His Majesty's Government do not see their way to adopt the suggestion in the question.

What is the reason for that reply? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think there are great possibilities in some such scheme?

All these questions have many attractions, but they are subject to the limitations of time and money.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what schemes of reclamation have been carried out in Scotland since 1912; what is the total area thus reclaimed; and whether he has formed any estimate of the amount of waste land capable of being reclaimed for productive use in Scotland?

The information which my right hon. Friend has been able to obtain shows that the following reclamation work has been carried out:—

(1) The Board of Agriculture has been experimenting on moss land at Midlocharwoods, Dumfriesshire, with the object of testing methods of converting moss into land suitable for agricultural purposes.

(2) The Forth Conservancy Board are proceeding with the reclamation of portions of foreshore mudflats at Kinneil on the Firth of Forth.

(3) Land has been reclaimed by the Edinburgh and Glasgow Distress Committees and the Glasgow District Board of Control.

The area covered by these schemes is about 760 acres. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative. Certain surveys have been undertaken by or at the instance of the Board of Agriculture and with the assistance of the Development Commission, but as it appears that, generally speaking, schemes of land reclamation under present conditions are not economic, the cost of a comprehensive survey must be regarded as unjustifiable in present circumstances.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say to what extent the value of the land of Scottish landlords has been enhanced by this expenditure of public money?

The schemes are not economic at all. There is a loss on them.

In spite of the fact that there is a loss, is it not the fact that the landlords of Scotland have benefited considerably from them?