asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total figures of the British trade with Russia for the three months of July, August, and September of this year; and what were the total figures for the three months of July, August, and September, 1926?

During the three months July-September, our imports from Russia were, in 1927, £7,600,000; in 1926, £6,400,000. During the same three months our exports, in 1927, were £1,022,000; in 1926, £1,200,000; and in the same three-monthly period of 1827 our re-exports were £800,000 and in that of 1926, £2,200,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman account for the increase of imports, together with the decrease of exports and re-exports?

Yes, Sir. The Russians are selling more here than they are buying.

Then the effect is always to upset the balance of trade?

No, Sir. On the contrary, it shows the unwillingness of the Russians to buy here, inspite of the great trade facilities afforded.

Is it not the case that the present Government have done everything they can to discourage trade with Russia?

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the recently reported heavy purchases of nitrate, leather, and lead by Russia, and if he has any information to impart regarding military preparations by the U.S.S.R.?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to recent purchases amounting to upwards of 50,000 tons by the Russia Soviet Government of high-grade Chilian nitrate, which is used exclusively for the production of explosives, while it is understood that further orders have been given; whether he has any information as to the purposes for which these large purchases are being made: and whether he can inform the House of the source from which they have been financed?

I believe it is true that the Russian Government has purchased 50,000 tons of nitrate presumably for munition purposes. I have also received information that the Russian Government has pur- chased large quantities of leather and tanning material, and also lead, copper, and tungsten. All of these supplies could be used for civil or military purposes.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether he has information as to how these purchases have been financed?

No, Sir, I have not the information. I presume, if they are paid for, they are paid for out of Russian resources.

Can the Minister say from whence the Government in question bought the nitrate; what was the source of the nitrate?

It was bought in Chile.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of passengers and crew lost by wrecks and caualties at sea to vessels belonging to Great Britain, exclusive of vessels of the Royal Navy, for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The number of deaths reported as having occurred at sea from wrecks and other casualties to vessels registered in the United Kingdom was 229 during 1926, namely, 228 members of crews and one passenger.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider the circular which he issued last year advising parish councils to observe the exchange payments as the scale for unemployed persons; and if, in view of the winter with the cost of fuel and light and other needs of life, he will advise the parish councils to resume the former practice of paying a small amount in addition to exchange benefit?

I regret that I cannot see my way to in- struct the Scottish Board of Health to withdraw the advice given in the circular referred to. I have no evidence that the allowances which were generally operative last winter proved to be insufficient.

In view of the fact that many of these persons are unemployed for the second winter in succession, and that originally they had somewhat small resources, will not the right hon. Gentleman give consideration to the point that 29s. a week is totally inadequate to keep five persons, and ask that that sum may be augmented, if the parish council think fit?

The parish councils are in a position to deal with special circumstances in very special cases, and I think they have very wide powers.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons, male and female, respectively, are registered as unemployed at the present time; and how many are working short time?

At 31st October, the number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was 1,106,100, of whom 918,400 were males and 187,700 females. Of this total, 289,400 were temporarily stopped from the service of their employers.

Is there any answer to the last part of the question, about the number working short time?

I cannot give the figure for short-time workers; they are not separately classified. The total given includes short-time workers with others as well.

As there are so many more women unemployed than men, will the Government see that there is no further reduction in their grant—in fact, would they increase it—to the bureau set up for women's training?

The Noble Lady is at fault. On an average, there is only one woman unemployed to between four and five men.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest figures of the total number of unemployed men and women in Great Britain; and the total number of miners registered as unemployed?

At 31st October, 1,106,100 persons were on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain, of whom 885,000 were men, 156,600 women and 64,500 juveniles. At 24th October, the latest date for which an industrial analysis is available, 223,691 persons classified as belonging to the coal-mining industry were recorded as unemployed, including 89,779 who were temporarily stopped from the service of their employers.

In view of the continued rise in the unemployment figures, may I ask what is in the mind of the Government, apart from insurance, in regard to the provision of work for those who are unemployed?

I must correct my hon. Friend—

Policy cannot be discussed now.

Might we ask what the Government intend to do, if anything, to deal with the 230,000 miners whom they have thrown out of work by their Eight Hours Act?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons in the first nine months of 1927 in England, Wales, and Scotland, respectively, who have had claims for benefit disallowed and are now in receipt of Poor Law relief?

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

May I ask whether any attempt has been made, in view of the gravity of this question in certain areas, to ascertain the number of people coming on the rates?

It would not be possible to obtain figures of that kind without an elaborate examination of all the cases in the different classes, and I am afraid it is not feasible.

Are not these figures germane to the discussions to-morrow and on Thursday, and how can the House make up its mind on the subject unless it knows what is likely to be the outcome of the new conditions under which men will draw benefit?

There may be figures that would be germane if procurable, but which simply cannot be procured. If the hon. Member will get into communication with me as to any figures that bear on the subject, I shall be glad to try and give them to him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great many boards of guardians in industrial areas can give him the figures as to the number of men put on the rates since the disallowance of unemployment benefit?

Does not the Ministry of Labour publish every quarter a statement containing this information?

A certain amount.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider working out in a particular area the figures asked for in this question?

I could not promise that particular kind of figure without ascertaining the amount of labour that would be involved and whether it would be typical of the country as a whole. I am perfectly prepared to see if there are any figures which would throw light on this aspect of the situa tion and which it would be possible to procure.

Is it not a fact that boards of guardians in certain areas have given the right hon. Gentleman these figures, and is not their information reliable, seeing that they make very elaborate investigations before they grant relief?

No, Sir. they have not given me those figures.

In view of the fact that this only applies to industrial areas, and that boards of guardians and parish councils have these figures, if the right hon. Gentleman has not got them, does not he think it desirable that we should have them?

They have not those figures.

Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman does not want to get these figures because they would prove to him that there are more unemployed than appear on the register? Is not that the explanation?

This is not the time for psychology.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims to standard and extended benefit, respectively, disallowed from the 1st January, 1927, to, 31st October, 1927?

Between 10th January, 1927, and 10th October, out of 2,448,727 applications for extended benefit considered by local employment committees in Great Britain, 458,446 were recommended for disallowance. In addition, 275,152 applications for benefit were disallowed by the Chief Insurance Officer-during the period 1st January, 1927, to 31st October, including both standard and extended benefit claims, for which separate statistics are not available. In a number of these cases benefit was subsequently allowed on appeal to Courts of Referees and the Umpire. I am unable to state the number of separate individuals included in the figures.

Has any attempt been made, by examination of the books, to get an estimate of the number of persons coming within the categories which would not qualify them for benefit under the proposed new standard?

We have made one inquiry in order to see about what the average effect of the contribution might be.

In view of the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has just given, may I ask whether any attempt is made to trace what happens to the disallowed person? Is any relationship shown between the figures of the Employment Exchanges and the increase in the figures of the parish councils or boards guardians, and, if not, cannot this be given?

I have had one such attempt made, to which I referred last Session. I could not quote the results from memory, but I will give the hon. Member the reference if he wishes.

Are persons who are not likely to get employment in insured trades included in the number given in the answer?

People who are disallowed or not recommended for benefit on grounds analogous to what the hon. Member states—those are not the exact words of the condition—are included.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons who have been refused unemployment benefit in the period 1st June to 30th October, 1927, and how many of these have been refused on the ground of long-standing unemployment?

During the period 14th June to 10th October, 1927, 1,013,464 applications for extended benefit were considered by local employment committees in Great Britain, and 177,910 were recommended for disallowance. In addition, 123,527 applications were disallowed by the chief insurance officer in the period 1st June to 31st October, 1927, but in a number of these cases benefit was subsequently allowed on appeal to Courts of Referees and the Umpire. I am unable to give the number of separate individuals included in these figures. Long-standing unemployment is not by itself necessarily a ground for the disallowance of unemployment benefit, but during the period referred to above 58,368 applications for extended benefit were recommended by committees for disallowance on the ground that the applicants had not had a reasonable period of insurable employment during the preceding two years.

In view of the fact that these cases of long-standing unemployment are coming largely from a few very necessitous areas, is the Department taking any steps to meet the authorities in those areas to train these men or to get them into different employment?

We have made constant endeavours in areas in which unemployment is heaviest to see whether it is possible to transfer men to other areas. That is constantly our preoccupation, and we do it as far as humanly possible. I shall be exceedingly glad to have help from any quarter.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have passed through each of the day-training centres of his Department since the inception of such centres up to and including 31st October; and how many of these men have secured regular employment and what trades they entered after leaving the centres, and the period of training in each case?

Up to the end of October a total of 2,994 men had passed through a course of training at the day-training centres, 1,800 at Birmingham and 1,194 at Wallsend-on-Tyne. Of this number 2,763 or 92 per cent. are known to have secured employment after training. The period of training in no case exceeds 26 weeks and some men find employment after a shorter course. The training is designed generally to improve the men's employability and the employment obtained after training covers more than 30 different occupations.

Why does the Department not increase the number of these training centres?

The question of increase is a question on the one hand of finance and on the other of finding avenues which would be open to the trainees.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that even after training there is not a favourable opportunity for men to get to work, and that that is the reason for not starting more training centres?

There is always a difficulty in getting them employment afterwards under suitable conditions and in suitable occupations, but I am afraid I could not explain the whole of the reasons within the compass of an answer.

Could the Minister definitely state the 30 trades in which there is a shortage of trained men to which 92 per cent. of the trainees have gone?

Not at Question Time.

Is a record kept of the kind of employment obtained?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have passed through the residential training centres connected with his Department since the opening of those centres up to 31st October; how many were discharged as unfit for training owing to physical or other disability; how many have obtained work on the land in Great Britain; how many have emigrated; and what number have obtained employment otherwise than on the land?

Up to the end of October 988 men had passed through a course of training for employment on the land overseas, of whom 976 have been placed on farms in Australia or Canada. 364 men received a general course of training for industrial employment in this country, of whom 309 are known to have secured employment. In addition, 63 men have been discharged as unfit to continue training on medical grounds.

Is any attempt made to get any of these men work on the land in this country?

Those who are intended for employment overseas have been accepted as such. On the other hand, what is known as training or industrial employment fits them for employment as handy men, whether in town. or country, but I am unable to say how many are in the towns and how many in the country without looking the figures up.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman take a leaf out of the Greek Government's book and follow their example in finding men work on the land?

Is it not a fact that a great many more people would be employed on the land if they were used to hard work?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if these men refuse to go abroad and cannot get land work at home, relief is immediately stopped?

If the hon. Member will give me any cases, I will consider them.

Is it not the policy of the Government, when a man tries to learn another occupation, to stop paying relief?

No.

I have given the right hon. Gentleman a case.

asked the Minister of Labour how many young persons and juveniles have attended day training schools in Great Britain during the 12 months ending 31st October; how many are known to have obtained permanent employment; and in what trades?

About 41,000 boys and girls attended Juvenile Unemployment Centres during the year ending 31st October. I understand that practically all these boys and girls, on leaving the centres, entered employment, but no detailed information is available. 2,929 women and 269 girls completed courses of training during the year at centres conducted by the Central Committee for Women's Training and Employment. Of those trained during the first six months, 73 per cent. are known to have entered employment on leaving the centre. Later figures are not available.

Why are there not more of these training centres, in view of the fact that there is such a very large and increasing number of very young people walking the streets?

As this is the only thing the Government are doing for unemployed women—and that is a good deal more than the Socialist Government ever did—might I appeal to the Government not to reduce the grant, but to increase it, so that these women would not come on the dole?

We cannot discuss that question now.

Have the trainees who have obtained employment got references from the Employment Exchanges?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the infantile death rate in Gorbals and Hutchesontown Wards in the Gorbals Parliamentary Division of the quarters ending

Following is the statement: Ward. Deaths of children under 1 year per 1,000 births. 1926. 1927. Quarter ended March. Quarter ended June. Quarter ended September. Quarter ended March. Quarter ended June. Quarter ended September. Gorbals 148 139 69 130 65 97 Hutchesontown 138 82 68 113 134 80

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the infantile mortality rate for the Mile End, Whitevale, and Dennistoun Wards in the Camlachie Parliamentary Division of Glasgow, for the quarter ended September, for the years 1926 and 1927?

As the statement desired includes a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement: Ward. Deaths of children under 1 year per 1,000 births. Quarter ended Sept., 1926. Quarter ended Sept., 1927. Mile End 128 119 Whitevale 48 158 Dennistoun 54 40

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet come to any agreement with the Glasgow education authority regarding the number of new schools to be built to meet the growing needs of the city and replace the schools condemned; and what is the nature of the agreement?

A building programme approved by the Glasgow education authority is at present under the consideration of the Department.

March, June, and September for the years 1926 and 1927?

As the statement desired includes a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman when he is going to take some practical steps? It is two years since I was told that the matter was under consideration, and I should like to know when there is a chance of a recommendation being made?

I hope a decision will be reached within a week.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built under the Housing Acts during the six months ended 30th September, 1927, and, for comparison, the corresponding figures for the previous half-year; and when he will be in a position to state the number of houses built during the same period by private enterprise without any subsidy?

During the six months ended the 30th September last, 134,500 houses were completed under the Housing Acts, as compared with 78,416 in the preceding six months. The numbers completed by private enterprise without subsidy during the same periods were 27,663 and 32,650 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of sub- sidy under the different housing schemes, respectively, which has been spent in Glasgow since 1918?

As the statement desired includes a number of detailed figures I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

The total amount of State subsidy paid from 1918 to the close of the financial year ended 31st March, 1927, in respect of the various housing schemes in Glasgow was £867,529 15s., made up as follows:

The whole of the above payments were made between the financial years 1920–21 and 1926–27, no subsidy having been payable during the years 1918–19 and 1919–20.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made so far this year with the policy of slum clearances?

One hundred and four schemes dealing with slum areas have been confirmed. These schemes cover approximately 14,000 houses, of which 8,694 had been acquired by the 1st of October and 4,363 demolished. Tenders for the erection of 7,776 houses in satisfaction of the rehousing obligations imposed by these schemes had been approved at that date and 5,205 houses actually completed. Since the 1st of January, 11 schemes have been submitted by local authorities and 11 confirmed by my right hon. Friend. If will be appreciated that during the current year local authorities have concentrated their energies on the building of as large a number of houses as possible under their new building programme, and my right hon. Friend has every reason to suppose that an increasing number of them will now turn their attention to the execution of slum clearance schemes which they have already had under consideration for some time past.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, as a result of the inclement weather during the past summer, the Bristol City Council has been unable to complete its programme of houses which it was hoped would be entitled to the full subsidy; and whether, having regard to the many representations which he has received from local authorities he will consider the necessary steps whereby an extension of time may be granted to enable the houses in process of construction to receive the full subsidy?

My right hon. Friend has received a communication from the Bristol Town Council about this matter. I may point out that the number of houses completed by local authorities during the past summer was substantially in excess of the number completed during the previous summer. The number of houses certified by all local authorities in England and Wales as completed by them during the three months ended September, 1927, was 51,730., as compared with 19,660 in the corresponding period in 1926. The total number of all assisted houses certified as completed in the month of September last reached the unprecedented figure of 52,000. As regards Bristol, the number of houses completed by the town council during the three months ended September last was 501, whilst the figure for the corresponding three months in 1926 was 323. My right hon. Friend has no power to grant any extension of time and he would clearly not be justified in proposing any amendment of the law for this purpose.

Are we to take it that that will apply to all authorities who may not have completed their contracts in time.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can now give the name of the new medical adviser to the Mines Department and his qualifications to enable him to deal with the various diseases peculiar to the mining industry?

One of the candidates for the post has been selected and the usual inquiries by the Civil Service Commission are proceeding. If the hon. Member will repeat his question in 10 days' time, I expect then to be able to reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the policy of the Government with regard to the future of the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Mines, and the Department of Overseas Trade, respectively?

It will, I think, be more convenient if I make a statement on this subject somewhat later in the Session.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information as to when the Piccadilly Tube will be extended northwards from Finsbury Park?

I understand that the company are not prepared to proceed further with this matter at the present time. I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the first paragraph of the recently published report of the London Traffic Advisory Committee, which states that under existing conditions the railway companies are not prepared, or are not in a position to raise the capital necessary for substantial schemes of extention or improvement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any statement upon the Report of the London Traffic Advisory Committee dealing with the problem of passenger-carrying transport and what steps he proposes to take to carry out the proposals recommended therein?

I have sent copies of the Report to the passenger transport undertakings in the London Traffic Area, asking for their observations on the Committee's proposals. The Report has also been published and placed on sale. I shall not be in a position to make any statement upon the subject until I have received and considered the replies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of when he is likely to be in a position to give the House any further information on this matter?

No, because it must depend on the time the various bodies take to consider my request for their observations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the statements being made that the Government have decided to introduce the necessary legislation next year?

I know nothing of those statements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the percentage increase in agricultural workers' average earnings over those of 1914; and how this percentage compares with the increase in the cost of living?

No precise comparisons can be made on the subject, as statistics are not available of the actual earnings of the various classes of agricultural workers. The average, however, of the weekly minimum rates of wages at present in force under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act for ordinary adult male workers shows an increase of 76 per cent. on the estimated average weekly wage in 1914. This comparison takes no account of overtime payments nor of extra earnings at special seasons, and no allowance is made for the shorter hours now worked. The statistics compiled by the Ministry of Labour with regard to the cost of living show that the average level of retail prices on the 1st October, 1927, was approximately 67 per cent. above that of July, 1914.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the recommendations of the recent departmental committee on the treatment of young offenders have yet been officially considered or approved; and, in particular, whether it is intended to adopt the policy of erecting a limited number of central remand houses for their detention?

The recommendations are being considered as a whole, and it is not possible yet to announce any conclusion, but I am very sympathetic to a system of remand homes. It is largely a matter of expense.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any information to give to the House with regard to the appointment of the Statutory Commission?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the statement that will be made at the end of Questions.

In assenting to that course, may I take it from you, Mr. Speaker, that I shall not lose any opportunity to put a Supplementary Question?

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has any announcement to make with regard to the appointment of the Indian Statutory Commission?

Yes; and I apologise to the House for the rather long answer. As the House will remember, one of the provisions contained in the Indian Reforms Act of 1919 required "at the expiration of 10 years after the passing" of that Act, the appointment, with the concurrence of both Houses of Parliament, of persons to be a Commission to inquire into the working of the Indian constitution and to consider the desirability of establishing, extending, modifying or restricting the degree of responsible government then existing there. The Government have decided, for various reasons which I need not now specify, that it is desirable to anticipate the date (December, 1929) contemplated by the Act and to appoint this most important Royal Commission forthwith.

Balancing the various considerations and endeavouring to give due weight to each, His Majesty's Government have decided upon the following procedure:

(a) They propose to recommend to His Majesty that the Statutory Commission should be composed as follows:

The right hon. and learned Member for Spen Valley (Sir John Simon) (Chairman);

Lord Burnham;

Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal;

The hon. Member for Finchley (Mr. Cadogan);

The right hon. Member for Ince (Mr. Stephen Walsh);

The right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Mines (Colonel Lane Fox);

The hon. Member for Limehouse (Mr. Attlee).

These names will be submitted to both Houses in Resolutions.

(b) His Majesty's Government cannot, of course, dictate to the Commission what procedure it shall follow, but they are of opinion that its task in taking evidence would be greatly facilitated if it were to invite the Central Indian Legislature to appoint a Joint Select Committee, chosen from its elected and nominated unofficial members, which would draw up its views and proposals in writing and lay them before the Commission for examination in such manner as the latter may decide. This Committee might remain in being for any consultation which the Commission might desire at subsequent stages of the inquiry. It should be clearly understood that the purpose of this suggestion is not to limit the discretion of the Commission in hearing other witnesses.

(c) His Majesty's Government suggest that a similar procedure should be adopted with the provincial legislatures.

(d) The vast area to be covered may make it desirable that the task of taking evidence on the more purely administrative questions involved should be undertaken by some other authority which would be in the closest touch with the Commission. His Majesty's Government suggest that the Commission on arrival in India should consider and decide by what machinery this work may most appropriately be discharged. This will not, of course, debar the Commission from the advantage of taking evidence itself upon these subjects to whatever extent it may think desirable.

(e) When the Commission has reported and its Report has been examined by the Government of India and His Majesty's Government it will be the duty of the latter to present proposals to Parliament. But it is not the intention of His Majesty's Government to ask Parliament to adopt these proposals without first giving a full opportunity for Indian opinion of different schools to contribute its view upon them. And to this end it is intended to invite Parliament to refer these proposals to consideration by a Joint Committee of both Houses and to facilitate the presentation to that Committee both of the views of the Indian Central Legislature by delegations, who will be invited to attend and confer with the Joint Committee, and also of the views of any other bodies whom the Joint Parliamentary Committee may desire to consult.

The ante-dating of the Commission involves an amendment of the Act and a Bill to this end will be introduced at once.

I am sure the whole House will recognise the grave importance of the statement that has just been made. May I ask the Prime Minister when he proposes to take these Resolutions recommending His Majesty's Government to make these appointments, and when we may expect to have the Bill before us? The sooner the better.

I agree. I cannot give the actual date, but it will be our endeavour to have it as soon as possible. We will keep in touch through the usual channels. I understand that the Bill amending the law has to come first; it will be a Bill merely altering the date. It may be for the convenience of the House to say that I think the main discussion will take place better on the Resolutions in which the names are concerned. That will give us a wider scope.

Does the Prime Minister propose to introduce the Bill here or in another place?

I understand the Bill is being introduced in another place to-day.

Is it the intention to fix any date for the termination of the labours of the Commission, or can the Prime Minister give us any indication when he anticipates the Commission will finish its labours?

No, Sir. With regard to questions on details of that kind they can be answered much better when the discussion takes place in this House, and Members have not had time yet to study the answer, which is rather a long one.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the personnel of the Commission he has just announced was apparently known in Calcutta, four days ago and was announced by the entire Press of Great Britain three days ago?

Yes, Sir. I have no information as to how that leakage has occurred. To the best of our belief, it occurred in India.

May I ask whether the cost of the Statutory Commission will fall on the British Budget or the Indian Budget?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question now. Obviously, all these questions can be replied to in the course of the discussion.

Is it too late to include an Indian on the Royal Commission?

That is a broad question of principle which, if the hon. Member feels strongly about, he will be able to raise during the Debate when it takes place.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information with regard to the alleged asault at Spencer's Hotel, Madras?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend has received a full account of the incident from the official concerned and the comments of his official superiors. He is satisfied that no assault was committed on the Indian servant by the official in question and that the admitted assault by the wife of the official was of a trifling nature. As the assault was not committed by a Government officer it rested not with Government, but with the person assaulted to take action. The servant, however, in spite of the assistance of numerous advisers, did not think fit to file a complaint in Court.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Preston (Mr. T. Shaw) was present on the occasion and witnessed the assault?

According to the statement of the official in question, he was not present.

Is it not very undesirable that these unfounded accusations should be made against British officers, and do they not do a great deal of harm?

Arising out of the question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Fareham (Sir J. Davidson), is it not out of Order to put a question relating to the personal integrity or veracity of an hon. Member of this House, in the absence of that hon. Member, when no notice has been given to him of the intention to put the question?

It seems to me that does not arise out of the point under discussion. We are dealing now only with official facts.

But was not the name of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Preston brought into the matter in the Supplementary Question?

In a dirty Tory manner it was brought in.

The question as I heard it was whether the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Preston was present on the same occasion. I think that is merely a matter of fact. I do not think there is any reflection on the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Preston.

That was what the question was put for. You know that quite well.

Will the Noble Lord take steps to make the answer he has given in the House as public in India as was the original statement?

I regret very much that so much attention and so much prominence were given in the first place to what appears to have been a very trivial case of assault, where no British official was concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any further statement on the situation in China?

Since the last summary of affairs in China was given on the 27th of July in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) the civil war has entered on a new phase. The withdrawal of the troops of the Nationalist Government of Nanking southward from North Kiangsu continued during August; they were followed up by Sun Chuan-fang, who occupied Pukow and other places on the Yangtze, and made one or two abortive raids across the river with Nanking as their objective. Pukow was re-occupied by Nanking troops during the first week of September, and Sun Chuan-fang was ultimately forced to retire to a point some 100 miles north of Pukow. Hostilities on this front now appear to be at a standstill.

A conference of the Kuomintang was held at Nanking on the 15th of September, with the object of effecting the reunion of the Hankow and Nanking Governments, but Tang Sheng-chih, the commander-in-chief at Hankow, refused to attend it. On the 20th of September, the formation of a new Nationalist Government of China was announced; this Government made the usual professions of hostility to Communism. Apart from this, it was remarkable for the almost complete exclusion of Sun Yat-sen's family and connections. The Nationalist Government at Hankow passed out of existence, Messrs. Eugene Chen and Borodin having already left for Moscow, and Tang Sheng-chih ruled there as military governor. At the end of September, the Nanking Government declared Tank Sheng-chih a counter-revolutionary and ordered a punitive expedition against him. This punitive expedition is now in progress, but so far no fighting of importance has taken place.

At the end of September, hostilities broke out between Yen Hsi-shan, the military governor of Shansi, and Chang Tso-lin. At the first attack Chang Tsolin's troops were compelled to withdraw, but since the 10th of October he has had a series of successes and has pushed the Shansi invaders back to their own province. At the same time, Feng Yu-hsiang has been attacked in Honan by the Shantung troops of Chang Tsung-Chang, and was at first forced to retire, but is now successfully counter-attacking.

The generally unsettled conditions in the Yangtze Valley and the unstable state of affairs at Hankow have been reflected in the administration of the ex-British Concession at that port. The Chinese Director of the Administration fled to Shanghai on the 26th September in order to avoid arrest by the military authorities. Since that date the administration of the area has been carried on by the remaining British and Chinese members of the council without a director. A new director has been appointed by General Tang Sheng-chih's political council and confirmed by the Nanking authorities; it is uncertain how far this appointment is in conformity with the Chen-O'Malley agreement, and accordingly he has not been recognised, though he has made efforts to force himself on the council

As a result of the investigations of the British Trade Mission on the Yangtze, it has been found possible for British shipping companies to resume a restricted service from Hankow to Changsha, where conditions were found to be distinctly improved, there being no sign of anti- foreign feeling and the Communist element being sternly repressed. Chung-king also was found to be quiet, with little anti-foreign feeling and rigid suppression of Communism. The Consulate at this port is being reopened and that at Ichang will also be reopened as soon as a consular officer is available. British steamer navigation has been experimentally resumed on the Upper Yangtze, and I understand that British merchants are returning to Changsha, Ichang and Chungking.

It is reported that a new independent Nationalist Government, composed of members of the Sun Yat-sen faction, is now being organised in Canton.

His Majesty's Minister has reported the revival of the anti-British boycott at Canton, and His Majesty's Government are considering the steps to be taken to deal with this development. The latest information is to the effect that the local authorities are making endeavours to restrain the pickets, who have not yet functioned afloat.

Can the Foreign Secretary state how many troops we are still keeping at Shanghai, and whether there is any prospect of a reduction?

I shall be glad if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will address his question to the Secretary of State for War.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House which authority is now entitled to appoint a director of the Hankow Municipal Administration under the terms of the Chen-O'Malley Agreement?

No, Sir. That is a question which it is easier to, put than to answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all the Section "A" Reservists who were called up for service with the Shanghai Relief Force have either been brought back or are on their way back to this country; and whether he is in a position to state how many of these men have actually been demobilised, and of those demobolised how many had employment waiting for them?

Of the Section "A" Reservists called up in January, 408 have arrived from China and been re-transferred to the Reserve; the remainder are on their way home. Those called up in April are due to sail during November. I have no definite information how many of those Reservists who have been transferred to the Reserve have found employment.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to assist these men to be reinstated in civilian employment?

I have done all that I personally can by making an appeal to the employers who previously employed them to take them back in their employ, but it must be remembered that a good many of them were not in employment when they were called up. I hope employers who have power to give employment will remember that these men are well deserving of their country.

I should like to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any of these men were brought out of the workhouse, and how many of them have gone back? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh"] Why is there no answer to that question?[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] In my constituency, Sir, men who fought in the War are in the workhouse.

The hon. Member must put a question in the proper way; that is not a proper question.

I put my question in what I considered to be a proper way. I asked a question arising out of the original question, how many men coming back from China had come out of the workhouse, and how many of them were going back to the workhouse. Is not that a proper way to put a question?

That was not the manner in which the hon. Member put his question.

I had no knowledge that there were any such.

asked the Minister of Health what decision, if any, he has come to with regard to the necessity of allowing medical men to preserve professional secrecy in the Law Courts with regard to certain diseases?

This question is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of widows' pensions that have been applied for to 30th September, 1927, and the total number that have been refused?

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows' pensions, orphan allowances, and old age pensions awarded to date under the Act of 1925?

On the latest figures available children's allowances and orphans' pensions have been awarded in approximately 337,200 cases; old age pensions to persons over 70 years of age in 215,743 cases. In addition provisional awards of pensions to persons between the ages of 65 and 70 which will be payable as from January next have been awarded to more than 300,000 persons in England and Wales.

The total number of applications for widows' pensions to 30th September, 1927, was 291,502, and the total number of awards to date is 228,560. Of the applications, 182,281 were from widows whose husbands died before the commencement of the Act, and 109,221 from widows whose husbands died after its commencement; 61,394 were either rejected or withdrawn, 49,774 being of the former category and 11,620 of the latter.

In view of the large number of refusals of which the hon. Member has given us the details, and in view of the very real hardship caused in many of the border-line cases, in regard to which the law is not clear, can we have an assurance that these cases will be reviewed, because a very real hardship is being caused?

We have to comply strictly with the Act of Parliament. I do not agree with the hon. Member when she says that a large proportion of these cases have been refused. It is the policy of the Minister of Health to strain the law where he can in favour of the applicant, and that is confirmed by many thousands of cases in which applicants are drawing pensions for the first time.

If it be the policy of the right hon. Gentleman to strain the law in favour of applicants, why is the practice of the Department not in accord with that policy?

The statement made is that there are now thousands of cases in which the applicants are drawing pensions for the first time.

Is it not a fact that no claims are refused except such as do not come within the scheme of the Act?

Certainly.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that there is a great deal of misunderstanding in the minds of aged persons as to the conditions under which pensions at 65 years of age will be granted, and can he make a short statement showing the conditions under which aged persons are entitled to pensions at 65 years of age?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will endeavour to furnish the information.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say to what extent the granting of these pensions will affect outdoor relief?

If my hon. Friend will put down a question, I will give the figures. There will certainly be a reduction in that respect.

Have the Government in contemplation any amending legislation with a view to bringing in some of these hard cases?

Not at present, but I would remind the hon. Member that he himself voted for the total rejection of the scheme.

asked the Prime Minister if he can make any statement as to the progress of the various negotiations for reduction of armaments; and when the matter will come up, and in what form, for discussion in the House?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the recent Conference on the limitation of naval armaments was unable to reach agreement, and the only discussions for the reduction of armaments now in progress are those of the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament. The last Assembly of the League passed a resolution requesting the Council to urge the Preparatory Commission to hasten the completion of its technical work and to convene the disarmament conference immediately this work has been completed. It also requested the Council to instruct the Preparatory Commission to create a committee which would be placed at the Commission's disposal and would be charged with the duty of considering, on the lines indicated by the Commission, the measures capable of giving States the guarantees of arbitration and security necessary to enable them to fix the level of their armaments at the lowest possible figures. In pursuance of this resolution, the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament will meet on the 30th of this month. The Council holds its usual quarterly meeting at the beginning of December and will, no doubt, give effect to the wish expressed by the Assembly. As regards the second part of the question, I am not in a position at present to make any statement.

In view of the participation of Soviet Russia in the negotiations, has that Power made any communication as to the extent of its own armaments?

I am not aware of that.

Who will take the place of Lord Cecil when the Preparatory Commission meets?

The holder of the same office, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the receipts and repayments of Excess Profits Duty and Munitions Levy during the present financial year to date; and the amount of arrears still outstanding and the amount thereof likely to be realised?

The gross receipt of Excess Profits Duty and Munitions Levy from the 1st April to 31st October, 1927, was, approximately, £3,244,000 and the repayments were £3,187,000, leaving a net receipt of about £57,000. I regret I am unable to furnish any estimate of the arrears of tax remaining to be collected.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total yield to the Treasury from betting taxation for the separate months of July, August, September, and October; and the total yield since the introduction of this duty to the last convenient date?

The approximate revenue derived from betting taxation in the months referred to by the hon. Member is as follows:

The approximate amount derived in the year 1st November, 1926, to 31st October, 1927, is £2,766,700.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how much of this duty was derived from greyhound racing?

Oh, an inconceivably small sum.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statements that have appeared in the Press lately attributing to him that over £750,000 has been derived from greyhound racing are correct?