asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that it is the practice in calculating the amount deducted from pensions in respect of hospital treatment, for the period during which the recipient is undergoing such treatment, to count broken periods of less than a week as a full week; whether he has received complaints in respect of such deductions; and whether he will take steps to see that in future such deductions are only made for the appropriate number of days of the broken period?

Payments under Article 6 of the Royal Warrant and any necessary adjustments in connection with them are made on a weekly basis. I am satisfied that this practice which has always obtained under the Warrant is on the whole of advantage to pensioners and makes for convenience of administration. I am looking into the working of the rule in exceptional cases of the type which my hon. Friend has brought to my notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases when a man is in hospital for nine days a fortnight's allowance is deducted for those nine day? Is that not rather unfair?

It is not, as a rule, a case of deduction. In the great majority of cases the men in hospital are better off financially than those not in hospital.

In the case referred to they are not better off. In the case of a man receiving £1 per week, if his employer pays his wages during illness the Minister of Pensions deducts the cost of treatment in the hospital.

That is not the point of the question on the Paper; it arises on the next question. But I am going to look into the exceptional case mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that deductions for hospital treatment are only made in cases where the recipient of the pension also receives a salary in addition to the pension; and, if so, why any distinction is made between persons who are earning a salary and persons who have no other source of income beyond their pensions?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that a distinction is made as between the man whose salary or wage is continued during a period of in-patient treatment and the man whose salary or wage ceases on his commencing treatment. In both cases the payments to the man are adjusted in respect of the cost of his maintenance in hospital at public cost.

Is it not a fact that where you have cases of treatment in hospital the Department over which the right hon. Gentleman presides informs the local authority that if they care not to make a charge his Department will continue the full payment to the ex-service man and his wife? If that be so, how does the right hon. Gentleman square that with the answer already given

I do not see any relation between the supplementary question and the original question. It is a mistake to think that any distinction is made as between men whose salary or wage is continued during the period, and those whose salary or wage ceases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that ex-service men entering Queen Mary's Hospital at Roe-hampton are asked, on entry, whether their employers are paying their wages, and if they reply in the affirmative, the sum of about 19s. per week is deducted for the cost of their maintenance? If they say they are not receiving wages, the full pension is paid.

In every case the same deduction is made. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension.

Do I understand that my right hon. Friend will look into the particular case I have mentioned and see whether I have been misinformed?

Yes, I will gladly look into any particular case.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that in some cases a woman's pension in respect of a son killed in the late War is stopped on receipt of her old age pension; and what is the reason for this?

Pensions granted by my Department on a basis of need are subject to adjustment if the pensioner's circumstances improve by an access of income from any source, in the same way that they may be increased if the circumstances become worse.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in these cases notice is given that the pension will be stopped altogether and that in some cases it is more than the old age pension, which makes a person worse off?

I made inquiries this morning, and in the particular case the pensioner was better off owing to the addition of the old age pension.

It is the case of a woman with 14s. per week, and notice was given to cut it off altogether if she got the old age pension of 10s.?

My information was to the exact contrary, but I shall be happy to look into the matter.

What is the saving to the pensions if deductions are made on account of old age pensions?

Undoubtedly, there is a very clear gain to the pensioner under the combined schemes.

asked the Minister of Pensions in how many cases pensions are not yet being paid to the widows or other de pendants of ex-service men whose death as the result of wounds received in the War took place three months or more prior to 26th November, 1927?

Pension has been authorised in every case of death established to be the result of wounds received in the Great War in which a claim has been made in the period referred to by a widow or dependant eligible under the Royal Warrants.

May I say that there is none outstanding on the basis of the question?

Yes, on the basis of the question. There are six widows' claims and two dependants' claims, but none of these cases is connected with wounds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the hardship caused to many seamen by the non-extension of the Workmen's Compensation Act to a seaman who suffers from a malignant tropical disease, contracted in the service of the ship, in the same way as it is extended to a seaman disabled by an accident, in order that he may receive compensation; and whether he will consider introducing legislation to allow some extension of the Act to such cases?

I have received no representations on this subject except from the hon. and gallant Member, it would not be possible to treat seamen differently from other classes of workers in this respect, and it would be necessary, in order to give effect to the suggestion, to extend the Act to all cases of illness contracted as a result of employment. I do not, however, regard such an extension as practicable or desirable, and I find that the Holman Gregory Committee reported strongly against it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman initiate inquiries with the Board of Trade and his own officers and look into this matter, in view of the number of people affected?

I have no knowledge of the number affected, but I will communicate with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Home Secretary whether proposals have yet been formulated for submission to the trustees of the National Police Fund in the matter of the unprovided widows of the police pensioners excluded from the operation of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, and the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925; and, if so, can he indicate the nature of such proposals?

The answer is in the negative. The trustees have now laid it down that "beneficiaries" under the fund are to be limited to police who served during or since the general strike or their widows, orphans or dependants.

In view of the fact that the existing widows' relief funds can now be supplemented by the National Police Fund, cannot the grants made be on a more generous scale to those in distress?

This is a purely voluntary fund and I am not sure whether it would be right to allow the widows to be purely dependent on this voluntary fund. I shall have to look into the matter very carefully.

May I communicate with the right hon. Gentleman on the matter?

Certainly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now received the Report of the Home Office inquiry concerning the case of R. A. Ellerington, chief constable of St. Helens; and whether he can make a statement?

I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 24th November to the hon. Member for the Edge Hill Division of Liverpool (Mr. Hayes).

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has had any communication with the Watch Committee?

Yes, the Watch Committee has communicated with me.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman accelerate this matter?

I think the matter is taking its course. As soon as I am in a position to make any statement I shall gladly do so.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the traffic constable stationed at the corner of Sternhold Avenue and Streatham Hill has a difficult task to control the cross traffic owing to the speed of the vehicles using the main road, and because of his inability to see oncoming traffic from London owing to the line of vision being obstructed by stationary tramcars; and whether he will consider the possibility of 0placing a traffic constable on the opposite side of the thoroughfare at the bottom of Leigham Court Road or, alternatively, place a warning notice on the London side of the cross road?

Arrangements have been made to set back the stopping point for southbound tramcars at this junction, and it is hoped that this will obviate the difficulty to which the hon. Member refers. The question of exhibiting a warning notice is being taken up with the local authority concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will inquire into the desirability of employing the recently-invented safety-roller device for omnibuses and commercial vehicles?

The device to which my hon. Friend no doubt refers has been inspected by myself personally and by the Commissioner of Police, and it is proposed to fit it experimentally on a vehicle in daily use.

What approximately will be the cost of this device?

I cannot say. Only one has been made experimentally, and I cannot say whether it is sufficiently good until extended experiments have taken place.

Is it in any way satisfactory?

Has the right hon. Gentleman not parliamentary powers to enforce the use of this device on vehicles?

If in the opinion of the Commissioner of Police the device is so good as to make it necessary in the public welfare, I think he would be entitled to make it a condition of a licence for a vehicle. With regard to the other supplementary question, I think that the experiment which I saw was made only with dummy men, and I cannot express any further opinion as to its actual use.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is taking any steps to examine the accounts of representative taxicab owners and drivers to ascertain whether the new 6d. rate provides them with a reasonable livelihood?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave on the 28th November.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he favoured me with a reply to a question which I never asked. I asked whether he was preparing data so as to be ready to come to a decision when he does re-open the question—not whether he will re-open it or not?

I am not going to re-open the question unless much more information than is at present available is placed before me.

I am trying to find out whether the right hon. Gentleman is taking any steps to get information, such as examining the accounts of some of these drivers to find out what sort of livelihood they earn?

Steps are being taken with great care indeed to ascertain the facts with regard to this matter.

What specific steps are being taken?

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the fact that many of these drivers are not able to take out their cabs on account of the very heavy repair bills which they have to meet?

I do not understand the point of the question. The question of repairs has nothing to do with the matter.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fatal accident which occurred in a Hull factory on 15th November; when the factory was last inspected; and whether he proposes to issue any special instructions to factory inspectors or to require the makers of the machines concerned to take any special action in view of the recommendation of the jury and the remarks of the coroner at the inquest?

I have received reports from the Factory Department which show that this accident was due to an explosion of a steam-heated iron plate. The circumstances were of an unusual character and are being further investigated. The firm have replaced all the existing plates by gas-heated plates. The factory was last inspected on the 21st July last. The attention of the staff will be called to the case and the advisability of providing safeguards will be discussed with the makers. No provision on the subject is contained in the existing Acts, but the point will be considered in the next Bill.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of persons eligible to vote at the last three General Elections and the number of persons who abstained from voting?

I can give my hon. and gallant Friend the number of votes polled in contested constituencies and the number of persons on the register in those constituencies. He will realise that the difference between the two does not accurately represent the number who abstained from voting, though it is probably a sufficiently close approximation for any practical purposes. I will publish the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures: STATEMENT showing the TOTAL NUMBER of ELECTORS on the Register and Votes Polled in all Contested Constituencies inclusive of Undivided Boroughs or Counties returning two Members. — Net number of Electors on Register. Total Votes Polled. November, 1922. England and Wales 16,751,284 12,623,685 Scotland 2,149,479 1,568,361 Northern Ireland 358,212 207,886 Total 19,258,975 14,399,932 December, 1923. England and Wales 17,330,439 12,802,453 Scotland 2,145,326 1,501,327 Northern Ireland 408,169 242,258 Total 19,883,934 14,546,038 October, 1924. England and Wales 17,936,947 14,386,178 Scotland 2,239,612 1,734,727 Northern Ireland 522,320 519,374 Total 20,698,879 16,640,279

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state, assuming the existing Parliamentary franchise to be extended to women upon the same terms as men, how many of the electors would be males and how many females?

On the basis of the most recent available figures it has been estimated that the total electorate for Great Britain will approximately comprise 12,250,000 men and 14,500,000 women.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the good old English words "men" and "women" would be preferable in questions of this character?

The hon. Member will see that in my reply I have used the good old English words.

Assuming that the proposals with regard to women of 21 are carried, we shall have about 2,000,000 more women voting?

If my hon. and gallant Friend had listened carefully to my answer, he would have found that there would be 2,250,000 more.

May I ask the Home Secretary whether he thinks justice has anything to do with sex? Will it make any difference?

I do not think that arithmetic has any sex.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a permanent employé on the staff of the borough corporation of Smethwick has been given permission to be nominated as a candidate for election to the city council who employs him, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12 (1) ( a ) of the Municipal Corporation Act of 1882; and whether he will introduce legislation imposing a penalty in the case of disqualified persons who become members of borough councils?

I may draw the attention of my hon. and gallant Friend to the provisions of Section 41 of the Act he mentions, by which a person who acts in a corporate office whilst disqualified is liable to a penalty of £50.

Can the right hon. Gentleman take steps in the event of an employé becoming a councillor, as the council already have shown their appreciation or, at any rate, have shown that they have no feeling about the matter by saying that they will have no objection to the man becoming a councillor?

Is it not a fact that the Act provides for a common informer coming in on such an occasion; and would not this be a good opportunity for the hon. and gallant Gentleman?

In any case, I cannot assume that an illegal act has arisen until the case is proved. It may be possible that he will resign his other position.

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the long usage of the style of right honourable by several Lord Mayors of the United Kingdom through a misunderstanding which was not definitely made clear until the announcement in July last, he is prepared, in view of the circumstances relating to the misunderstanding, going back in some instances over 34 years, to advise the grant of this titular distinction to be conferred upon Lord Mayors who are not now entitled to use the prefix right honourable?

For the reasons which I gave in my previous answers on this matter on 25th July, I am afraid the answer must be in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that prior to 25th July his own Department habitually committed this error and carried it on; and, in face of that fact, can he not reconsider his decision?

The answer to both parts of the Supplementary question are in the negative.

If I bring to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman cases of peers who use this title wrongly, will he take similar action in those cases? A large number use it without justification.

The hon. and gallant Member should put down another question.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in his proposals for the reform, of the Poor Law and reorganisation of the health services of the country, he contemplates that the voluntary hospitals should or would come under the control of the State or the local authorities?

No, Sir. On the contrary, I regard the preservation of the voluntary hospital system as a matter of essential importance in the health interests of the country. What has been impressed on my mind is the absence as a general rule at present of any systematic arrangements for co-operation in the various areas of the country between the voluntary hospitals and the hospitals and institutions carried on by the local authorities. I have, therefore, suggested that it is advisable that there should be consultation in the various areas with a view to arriving at an agreed plan for institutional provision which would enable each kind of hospital to play its proper part in meeting the ever-increasing need of the people for hospital accommodation. I should anticipate that under such a plan, the position of the voluntary hospitals would he strengthened and not weakened, but I have never contemplated putting any compulsion upon them to come into an arrangement, their participation in which would be a matter for their own determination.

In view of the widespread apprehension in the minds of those responsible for voluntary hospitals in this country, who hold the impression, rightly or wrongly, that the right hon. Gentleman does mean to bring voluntary hospitals in some way under the local authorities, will he be good enough to give the widest publicity possible to the very important statement which he has made in answer to my question?

I hope the fact that I have made a statement in answer to the question of my hon. Friend will have the effect of giving wide publicity to it.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman say that the health interests of the country are bound up with the voluntary system?

That is rather too big a subject to be dealt with by question and answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the voluntary hospital at Blaina is almost closing for want of funds, and in these cases in necessitous areas, will his Department relieve the hospitals?

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the dreadful financial position of voluntary hospitals in many parts of the country to-day, and the failure of voluntary hospital boards to extend to meet the requirements of the many waiting patients; and will the Government consider giving further funds to the Cave Commission, so that they can further assist voluntary hospitals in their difficulties?

I think a review of the circumstances of voluntary hospitals during the past 12 months will show that they have responded in an astonishing manner to the requirements of the country, and, while at one time it did appear to be impossible for them to meet the need for extension, they are, I am very glad to say, now largely overcoming that difficulty; and not only have they been able to find, in most cases, sufficient money for the maintenance of existing beds, but they have even been able to make very considerable additions.

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department has any knowledge of any case of poisoning due to the use of petrol containing tetra-ethyl of lead?

The answer is in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether in cases of a motorist charged with drunkenness who denies the charge it is not possible to have an analysis made of the petrol at his expense, as evidence in the case?

I do not think I have any power to order an analysis of that kind. It is quite clear, unless the hon. Member has information which I have not, the poisoning does not exist.

asked the Minister of Health when the new Regulations will be issued by his Department modifying the details of the Condensed Milk Regulations of 1923, to make it compulsory for the labels on tins of condensed skimmed milk to bear the words "Unfit for babies" in greater prominence than at present in use?

The Regulations have been made, and were circulated to local authorities on the 19th ultimo.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, though he may mark this in larger letters, it does not prevent it being used for babies, and is he also aware that it is a great deal inferior to the home-produced milk?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will give me a suggestion as to how I can prevent it being used for babies.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that wages are increased, so that the people can buy proper milk for their babies?

Would it not be possible to prohibit the importation of it?

asked the Minister of Health whether his suggestion that Metropolitan borough councils should carry out a systematic inspection of offices has been adopted; and, if so, whether any resistance to such inspection has been offered on which a test case can be prepared as to the powers of local authorities with regard to office sanitation?

I have not issued any communication to the metropolitan borough councils on this subject. I am informed that systematic inspection is made in a few of the boroughs, and I have not heard of any case of resistance.

Is it not a fact that last year the Minister did suggest that all the boroughs should undertake this systematic inspection, as very little was being done, and is it not advisable that he should rather stir them up in this direction?

No. I have no recollection of making that suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health if lie will institute a public inquiry into the whole administration of our mental asylums, in view of the resignation of many of the staff, including the medical officer, and upwards of 30 of the nurses of the Park Prewett Mental Hospital at Basingstoke?

The administration of public mental hospitals was dealt with in 1922 in the Report of the Committee under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for West Fulham, and again in 1926 in the Report of the Royal Commission on Lunacy. I see no reason, therefore; to institute the inquiry suggested by the hon. Member. As regards the recent incident at Park Prewett Mental Hospital, I would refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. W. Thorne) on the 10th November.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the frequent curtailing of the supply of water by the Metropolitan Water Board to that part of the Urban District of Mitcham in the vicinity of Streatham Road, more particularly on Sunday; and, having regard to the increased charges, if he will make representations to the Board that the water should be in continuous supply?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am informed that the Water Board do not know of any curtailing of supply in this area, apart from temporary reductions in pressure due to repairs and the like. If particulars of any reduction of supplies are forwarded to the Water Board, they will investigate the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give for the last three years for which statistics are available the number of inspections under the Food and Drugs Act; the number of samples analysed; the percentage of adulterations; and the number of prosecutions in England and Wales?

I have no record of the number of inspections made or prosecutions undertaken under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the number of samples analysed under the Acts, the number reported to be adulterated, and the percentage of adulterations in England and Wales for each of the calendar years 1924, 1925, and 1926.

Following is the statement: Sale of Food and Drugs Acts. — 1924. 1925. 1926. Number of samples analysed. 118,000 118,930 120,617 Number of samples adulterated. 6,987 7,714 7,044 Percentage of samples adulterated. 5.9 6.5 5.8

asked the Home Secretary when the last meeting of the council of the International Prison Commission took place and when the next meeting is due; and whether there is any public record of its principal decisions at its last meeting?

The last meeting of the Commission was in June, 1926, and it was decided then that the next meeting should take place in two years' time unless the bureau should find it desirable to summon an earlier meeting. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the report of the proceedings at the last meeting.

Do I understand that the report is confidential?

No.

asked the President of the Board of Education under whose direction and at what places is research work being carried out in connection with the cold storage of fruit; has it been found that fruit preserved in cold storage is susceptible to any special diseases; and is it proposed to publish information as to the recent results of the investigations made as to the most suitable temperature for the storage of certain varieties of fruit?

Research in connection with the cold storage of fruit is carried out in Great Britain by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The research is planned and supervised by the Food Investigation Board and its committees, and is directed by Sir W. B. Hardy, F.R.S., Director of Food Investigation; it is conducted mainly at the Low Temperature Research Station, Cambridge, and also at the National Physical Laboratory, the Imperial College of Science and Technology, South Kensington, and the Horticultural Research Institute, Long Ashton. It has been found that fruit in cold storage is susceptible to special diseases, and a special report, entitled "Functional Diseases of Apples in Cold Storage," has been published by His Majesty's Stationery Office. As and when information is available as to the temperatures suitable for the storage of fruit, it is published by His Majesty's Stationery Office either in the Annual Reports of the Food Investigation Board or in one of the series of Food Investigation Special Reports.

Is the fruit washed before it is put into cold storage; and, if not, what is the effect of intense cold upon arsenic still retained in the skin of an apple?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the cost of education per head of the population and per head of the scholars in the elementary and secondary schools for the two years ended 31st March, 1914 and 1927, respectively?

As regards elementary education, I would refer my hon. Friend to page 11 of the Memorandum on the Board's Estimates, 1927 (a copy of which I am sending him), and, as regards higher education, to page 13. Stated in terms of population as ascertained at the Censuses of 1911 and 1921, the figures are, for elementary education 14s. 2d. and 30s. 10d., and, for higher education, 2s. 5d. and 6s. 10d., respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any of the authorities controlling primary education in this country have submitted proposals to raise the leaving age to 15; and whether he will represent to such authorities as provide technical education for young people between the ages of 14 and 16 that sessions shall be held morning and afternoon so that a child in receipt of pension, or eligible for pension, if remaining full time at school, under The Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, may continue to draw a pension until the age of 16?

Four local authorities have by local bye-law raised the age of compulsory school attendance in their areas to 15; no further proposals for doing so are at present before the Board. As regards the second part of the question, there seems to be no need to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion as it is the duty of local authorities under the provisions of the Education Act, to provide courses of advanced instruction in public elementary schools for children who stay at such schools beyond the age of 14, and the Board have for the last three years continually advised authorities to discharge this duty by providing central schools.

Will the Minister be kind enough to name the four authorities and state whether any of them have granted maintenance allowances?

The four authorities are Carnarvonshire, East Suffolk, Ply mouth and Cornwall. As to maintenance allowances, I know that Carnarvonshire grants maintenance allowances but I have no information as to the others at present.

Does Carnarvonshire grant maintenance allowances in all cases or only in special cases?

If the hon. Member wants details, I must ask for notice.

Have any local authorities which submitted proposals now withdrawn them as a result of discouragement from the Ministry?

No, Sir, not recently. In 1924, two authorities within my recollection submitted proposals which were refused—one by my predecessor and the other by myself.

Will the Noble Lord urge other authorities to do the same as Carnarvonshire and the other three authorities?

The same as Plymouth.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any Reports to show how the raising of the school age is working in the areas where local authorities have adopted it?

It is, I think, too early to form a considered opinion on this point. The education advantages of prolonging school life must depend upon the extent to which children are given a real opportunity of entering upon a new stage of advanced instruction at the age of 11, and I am not yet in a position to draw a comparison between the progress made in this direction by authorities who have raised the school age and those who have not.

Will the right hon. Gentleman instruct his Inspectors to watch closely these experiments, and in due course to make a full report, so that we shall know how they are working?

No instructions are necessary. The Inspectors do keep them very closely under their observation.

In view of the bearing of this question upon unemployment, will the Noble Lord press other authorities to raise the school leaving age?

May we take it that it is no part of the policy of the Government to encourage an increase in the age of compulsory attendance at school?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any reports on the working of the post-War system of continuation schools in Germany; and, if not, whether he will have an investigation made and issue a Report on the subject, so that its effect on employment and industry may become known in this country?

A substantial amount of published information is already available about the work and aims of the Prussian continuation schools, but no report of the kind referred to has been made to the Board. I will, however, bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind in considering what special inquiries can be undertaken.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state what progress has been made since May last by the Bergius process for the extraction of oil from coal?

Work on the Bergius process has continued steadily at the Fuel Research Station and the results have confirmed that large quantities of liquid fuels can be obtained from coal by this process. A beginning has been made in the investigation of the whole question of the action of hydrogen on coal under different conditions, and interesting results are being gradually accumulated. There can be no doubt about the interest and importance of the process referred to by the hon. Member, but, as the House is aware, it is no part of the duties of the Department to offer opinions on the purely commercial aspects of the inventions which it makes or investigates.

Why has the Department gone so far out of its way to investigate a German system—though I do not disagree with that—when English systems have been left without aid in the matter of investigation?

The hon. Member must not assume that to be the case. If he wants to know what other investigations, besides this are being carried out, I suggest that he should put down a question.

What is done with the results of the investigations—with the information?

A very full statement on the subject was made by my Noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary this summer, to which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member.

I was aware of that statement, but is it not obvious to the Noble Lord that these results are not being taken any notice of by the commercial interests involved?

No, I do not think that is obvious at all. If the hon. and gallant Member would like to know what notice has been taken of them, I suggest that he should put down a question.

Is it intended to publish the results of this process or experiment?

The hon. Member had better put down a question if he wants to know about publication.

Is there any communication between the Noble Lord and the Board of Trade with a view to advertising and making known the results of these inquiries in his Department?

They are not in my Department. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, this Department of Industrial Research is under the Lord President of the Council. As to advertising, I think my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that it is very important that the Government should not in any way commit themselves to an opinion as to the commercial possibilities of any process of this kind.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal mines which were producing coal in this country on the latest available date and for the corresponding date for the years 1924 and 1925; the total wages paid per week to the workpeople employed at the coal mines of this country on the latest available date and for the corresponding date for the years 1924 and 1925; and the number of workpeople employed at the coal mines of this country for the same periods?

I regret that it has not been possible to collect this information in the time available. I hope to supply the figures to the hon. Member on Monday and to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT on that day.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal mines producing coal in South Wales and Monmouthshire on the latest date available and for the corresponding date of the years 1924 and 1925; the total number of wage-earners employed in the same area on the latest available date and for the corresponding date of the years 1924 and 1925; and the total wages paid to the wage-earners employed in the coal mines of South Wales and Monmouthshire on the latest available date and for the corresponding date of the years 1924 and 1925?

At the middle of November, 1927, 467 pits were producing coal in South Wales and Monmouthshire, and 179,500 wage-earners were employed. The corresponding figures for 1924 were 492 and 220,200, and for 1925, 476 and 199,900. During the months of August, September and October, 1927, the latest period for which information is available, the estimated total weekly wage bill was £430,000. The corresponding figures for 1924 and 1925 were £660,000and. £508,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has yet asked for and obtained the views of the trustees of the British Museum and of the trustees of the Central Library on the proposal to reconstitute the Central Library as department of the British Museum; and whether he is going to make provision in the next Estimates for an interim grant to the Central Library, as proposed by the Departmental Committee on Public Libraries?

I have obtained the views of the trustees of the Central Library, and I understand that the trustees of the British Museum expect to be able to acquaint me with their views very shortly. I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer as regards the proposal for an interim grant to the Central Library.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons, exclusive of dependants, insured under the Unemployment Insurance Act, who were in receipt of Poor Law relief at the end of September, 1927, and, for comparison, the numbers at the end of the June and March quarters; and whether these persons were required to sign the register at the Employment Exchanges?

The average number of unemployed persons whose unemployment books had been lodged at the Employment Exchanges and who were in receipt of outdoor Poor Law relief in England and Wales in September, 1927, was 99,556, including 97,085 men and 2,471 women. The corresponding figure for March, 1927, was 118,487 (115,261 men and 3,226 women), and for June, 1927, 104,679 (101,986 men and 2,693 women). No figures in respect of insured persons in receipt of institutional Poor Law relief are available. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to his question on 24th November, regarding persons in receipt of out-door relief.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 21 out of 26 men receiving outdoor relief who were chosen by the Bermondsey Guardians to learn farming refused to go; what are the ages of these men and the amount of relief which they are re- ceiving weekly; whether any of them are in receipt of unemployment benefit; and whether men who refuse an offer of this kind continue to receive public relief?

I have no information upon the subject of this question, but I will make inquiries and communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any representations have been made to the Ministry direct, or through the local authority, about irregularities in connection with the representation on the rota committee of Llandudno; whether he is aware that the workers' representatives on the rota are not called regularly to the meetings and that occasions have arisen on which no workers' representatives have been present; and whether, with a view to securing co-operation between all parties concerned, he will take such action as will ensure that the rota committee will be drawn upon in such a way as to secure an all round representation of the various interests concerned?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is taking any steps to secure the erection of houses to be let at rentals not exceeding 10s. a week, inclusive of rates; and can he make any statement on the matter?

I have already suggested to local authorities that they should in future especially devote themselves to the provision of houses which can be let at rents within the means of the less well-paid workers, and the reduction which has taken place in the prices of houses is undoubtedly facilitating the erection of this type of house.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, in answer to the first part of the question, whether he is taking any other steps than making suggestions to the local authorities?

No.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been erected this year, under which Act, and whether by private or public enterprise;

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received from the council of the metropolitan borough of Woolwich a request for information as to whether the council has a discretionary power to vary the wages paid to workmen employed on roads and sewers on its housing scheme at Eltham up to 10 per cent. above the trade union rates; and whether the council has such a discretionary power?

Yes, Sir. As I have informed the borough council, it is for the council to decide what rates of wages shall be paid by them, subject to the conditions laid down in the law. My jurisdiction in the matter is restricted to deciding on its merits any appeal which may be made to me against an allowance or disallowance by the district auditor.

how many are in course of erection; and how many have been sanctioned in Halesowen, including Cradley and Hill and Cokemore?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

asked the Prime Minister what answer he has given to a recent deputation asking for the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the whole housing problem; if he proposes to appoint a Royal Commission; and, if not, whether he proposes to appoint a special committee to report on the subject at an early date?

The suggestions of the deputation which waited on me have been very carefully considered, but having regard to all the circumstances I do not think that the appointment of a Royal Commission or a special committee would assist in the solution of the housing problems. An official report of the proceedings of the deputation was issued on Thursday evening last and subsequently appeared in the Press.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that in spite of all the efforts of local authorities to build houses, the slum conditions remain very much as they were after the War?

The arguments were set forth very fully in the speeches, which were reported in the Press.

Is it the view of the Prime Minister that the progress that has been made towards solving the housing problem is satisfactory?

It will be a long time before progress is satisfactory, but it is more satisfactory than under any previous Government.

Is it not the case that the Prime Minister said that this was one of the greatest menaces this country had to face; and is he satisfied that his Government is fighting that menace just as effectively as the Germans were fought?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of all those county councils who have not submitted schemes under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, before the end of the present year, he is prepared to declare that the rural district councils should be the authorities for the administration of this Act?

In 12 of the 16 cases in which county councils have not submitted schemes, some or all of the district councils have been declared the authorities under the Act; in the remaining four cases the matter is under the consideration of the county councils, and I hope that they will decide to submit schemes; if it should be necessary, my hon. Friend's suggestion will, of course, receive my serious consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to the steps to be taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance and, in particular, those relating to the abolition of insurance committees and the provision of a specialist and consultant medical service for all insured persons by means of a partial pooling of future surpluses of approved societies?

The various recommendations of the Royal Commission have now been exhaustively discussed with the Consultative Council of Approved Societies, and it is intended pursuant to that discussion to take the first convenient opportunity of introducing an amending Health Insurance Bill embodying most of the recommendations of the Royal Commission. It is not, however, proposed to provide in this Bill for the abolition of insurance committees or for the extension of medical benefit to include a specialist and consultant service by means of a partial pooling of societies' surpluses.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to apply the provisions of the Board of Guardians (Default) Act, 1926, to Bermondsey and Southwark?

I have received Reports on the administration of these two boards of guardians which are in some respects disquieting, and I have communicated the Reports to the guardians for consideration. I am not at present proposing to take action on the lines suggested in the question.

Is it not a fact that the revelations made by the officials of the Ministry showed a state of affairs just as serious as in the case of those other places that have already been brought under the provisions of the Act?

Can the Minister say whether he has had any Report from the Board of Guardians of Shrewsbury?

I should like to have notice of that question.

What principle guides the right hon. Gentleman in instructing his officers to investigate the affairs of particular boards of guardians? What principle guides him in selecting boards?

That question must be put down.

asked the Minister of Health if his inspectors have instructions to advise boards of guardians not to give out-relief to able-bodied men, single or married, but to offer to take them into their institutions?

No, Sir. The Regulations in force prohibit, subject to a power of departure in exceptional cases, the grant of unconditional outdoor relief to able-bodied persons. Where guardians make an unreasonable use of their power of "departing from" the Regulations, my officers are instructed to endeavour to secure that the discretion vested in guardians by the Regulations is properly exercised.

If I give the right hon. Gentleman a case where it has been done, will he inquire into it?

What has been done?

Where this recommendation has been made by inspectors.

Yes, but it does not follow that because it has been done it is contrary to Regulations.

asked the Minister of Health which boards of guardians have reduced their scales of relief since the present Governmnt took office?

Information on this point is not in my possession. I may, however, point out that the cost of living index has fallen during the period to which the question refers from 80 to 69.

Has the right hon. Gentleman no figure available to give us the relative fall in relief as compared with the fall in the cost of living?