asked the Minister of Pensions if he is proposing to take any steps to deal with the question of the seven years' limit; if so, what is the nature of the same; and if he has received any representations on the subject?

As I have already announced, arrangements have been made to consider exceptional cases in which it is clearly shown that a man has been seriously incapacitated by his war service and that a claim could not reasonably have been made by an earlier date. I have not received any representations which show that these arrangements are not working satisfactorily.

Has the Minister of Pensions received any representations from ex-service men's associations with regard to the extension of the seven years' period?

We have received a number of cases, which have all been examined, and a number have gone through.

May I ask whether any records are kept of the number that come outside the seven years' period?

No, Sir. I have a record of the cases sent by the hon. Member himself, and they are very few.

Will the Minister of Pensions inform the House how many cases I have sent him?

Seventeen cases in the last five years.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that out of the 17 cases sent within the last five years 8 per cent. have been sent within the last three months, and that it is only now that these cases are appearing?

No, Sir. That is not the case. The seven years' limit has been in operation for a long time.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has yet come to any decision regarding the future of Bellahouston Hospital; if he has received any representations from the Glasgow Corporation on the subject; and if he will consult the Glasgow Members of Parliament before any final action is taken?

I had the advantage this morning of discussing this question with a deputation from the Corporation of the City of Glasgow, who, as on previous occasions, approached the matter in a most helpful spirit. Certain proposals are under consideration, which I hope will lead to an arrangement satisfactory to all parties.

Before the Minister takes any definite action in this matter, may I ask him to discuss the question with representatives of Glasgow, who are not on the City Corporation but in this House?

I shall be happy to receive representations from anybody who can assist me in this matter.

As this is a question of great importance to the persons in hospitals in Glasgow, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to have the subject discussed here?

I am, of course, happy to receive any representations which the hon. Member thinks fit to bring before me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department upon what grounds Mr. Chao Ting Chi, a Chinese student at the University of Chicago, was refused permission to land at the port of Dover last month, despite the fact that his passport and visa were in order?

This alien was refused leave to land on my instructions, because I was of opinion that it was not in the interests of this country that he should be admitted.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that passport Regulations exist, and that if a passport properly vised is granted a man may take the trouble of travelling; then the Home Secretary arbitrarily and upon some mysterious card G.23 suddenly refuses admission?

The powers of the Home Secretary are not limited at all in this respect by any rule or Regulation. I declined to give permission in this case, because I thought it was not desirable in the interests of the country.

Granted that the powers of the Home Secretary are not limited, have we no right to know whether the wisdom of the Home Secretary is not very limited?

No, Sir. You can only draw your own conclusions.

Do not the same terms apply in the United States of America and is not the hon. Member for Battersea North (Mr. Saklatvala) fully aware of the fact from his own personal experience?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that an organisation exists for forging these passports?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increasing frequency of organised disturbance of public meetings; and whether, particularly in view of the proposed extension of the female franchise, he intends to take power to maintain order and the right of free speech, particularly at General Elections?

Before this question is answered, may I ask your ruling, Mr. Speaker, as to whether it is desirable that implied insults of this character should be included in a Parliamentary Question?

I see nothing objectionable in the question. The facts are common knowledge.

I have for some time had this matter under consideration. I am not sure that the evidence supports the view that such disturbances are increasing, and I do not think it necessary to propose legislation on the subject. I have, however, recently communicated to the police my views as to the steps which might properly be taken to give the fullest effect to the provisions of the existing law.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's well-known interest in the question of the extension of female franchise, will he not realise that a wholly new situation has been created in regard to attendance at public meetings where disorderly scenes take place; that when it is only a question of male electors it does not matter, but that the possibility of Communist and Socialist interruption makes the meetings unfit for women to attend?

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the suggestion in the question, that the new female voters are going to add to the disturbances at public meetings?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the Recorder at Birmingham a recommendation from the grand jury that legislation to enable the eradication of records of convictions against men killed in the late War be introduced; and whether he is considering legislation to this effect?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution of the grand jury at the Birmingham Quarter Sessions held in January last, expressing the view that soldiers and sailors who made the great sacrifice in the War and had a conviction recorded against them should have it erased; and whether he will consider introducing a Bill ordering that such convictions be erased from the records of those who have given their lives for their country, so that any transgressions of these men should be obliterated and nothing to their discredit left on record?

While I sympathise with the object the grand jury had in mind, I regret that I have not been able to discover any practicable method of giving effect to it.

May I ask whether the idea does not appeal to my right hon. Friend as a matter of common justice?

Not common justice, but common mercy. I cannot admit that the convictions were wrong. I should have to get lists and send them round to every petty sessional authority right throughout the country. There would be an enormous number of lists and inquiries, and an enormous amount of work which really, I do not think would be in the public interest.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the suggestion of appealing to the local police authorities to send up the records of these men, whom they probably know, so that they can be kept in the Home Office and not open to public inspection?

I will consider that suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that in the allocation of hours of duty to the London police their times off duty are so arranged that their opportunities for attending religious services are very inadequate, and that attendance at such services is discouraged, he will inquire into this question?

The hours of duty of the Metropolitan Police are so arranged that every officer has the opportunity of attending Divine Service, if he so desires, either in the morning or evening; moreover, on Sundays the percentage of officers on weekly leave is far in excess of the numbers on ordinary leave on week-days.

Has the Home Secretary received any complaints from the police that their duties are not so arranged?

No, Sir.

May I ask whether it is correct to say attendance at such services is discouraged?

Quite in correct. There is no discouragement of any kind. A man can do exactly as he likes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiry, because it is reported that there is some dissatisfaction in this respect?

I have made full inquiry, and I have given the House the answer. If the hon. Member has any information I shall be most grateful to him for it.

asked the Home Secretary what response has been made to his recent appeal for gifts of money to build a new Borstal institution?

I regret that my expectations have not yet been realised.

In view of the fact that his appeal has not been successful, is the right hon. Gentleman going to do what is necessary and pay the expenses out of State funds?

I did not say that I had given up all hope of my expectations being realised; they have not yet been realised. I have not yet approached the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation imposing penalties on jurymen who comment on a case, at any rate between their verdict and the execution of the sentence?

The practice mentioned is most improper, but I am glad to think is very rare, and I do not think any legislation is needed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received protests against the amending scheme for Dulwich College, which will have the effect of considerably reducing the number of scholarships available for pupils from publicly-provided schools; and whether he will refuse to sanction the scheme?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received any representations in opposition to the proposed new scheme for Dulwich College; if so, from whom; and whether he will withhold his consent to the scheme until it is so amended as to safeguard the educational opportunities of the poorer children of South-east London?

I have received representations in regard to one or more of the provisions of the draft amending scheme from 75 bodies (a list of which I am sending the hon. Members), and from 497 individuals. All such representations, including those which relate to the provision of free places at Dulwich College, will receive full consideration before any amending scheme is established. I may perhaps remind the hon. Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon) that the total number of scholarships now open to eligible children from publicly provided schools need not be affected by the approval or otherwise of the draft scheme.

Although, they need not be affected, are we going to have any guarantee that they will not? Is not the whole matter thrown into the dis- cretion of the Government, whereas at the present moment certain duties are prescribed?

The hon. Member is talking about something else. Whether or no Dulwich College continues to receive scholars from the elementary publicly-provided schools, or whether they receive a larger or smaller number, there is no reason why they should restrict the number of junior scholarships given by the London County Council, held at secondary schools.

Is it not a fact that the Governor of Dulwich College has already made a statement that if this scheme goes through it will reduce considerably the number of scholarships.

That has nothing to do with the number of junior scholarships held by pupils at publicly-provided schools in London.

Is it not the case that if the number of county minor scholars received by Dulwich College is reduced, the London County Council will be able for the same expenditure to award more of such scholarships than at present, owing to the fact that the fees at the secondary schools are substantially lower than at Dulwich College?

Is it not a fact that the Education Committee of the London County Council have already said that they have not sufficient places to meet the demand for scholarships?

We cannot have an interminable Debate on the subject.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the-President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the action of the Abertillery Education Authority in serving notices to all the teachers serving in provided schools terminating their engagements on 29th February; whether he or his Department were consulted before such action was taken and, if so, by whom; and whether, in view of the action having been taken and the notices served, he can state what steps he is taking to secure that no interruption in the education of the children concerned will take place?

I am aware of the action taken by the Abertillery Authority. Neither I nor my Department were consulted before the action was taken. I do not think that it would be desirable for me to make a further statement at this stage.

asked the Minister of Health if his Department is issuing circulars to widows, insured persons in their own right and aged 65 or over, informing them that, as they are in receipt of a Service dependant's pension in respect of a son killed in the War of an amount at least equal to the pension payable under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, no pension is payable under this Act; and whether, seeing that the Ministry of Pensions Regulations make provision for a reduction in the need pensions of widows if their income exceeds 25s. a week from all sources, he will withdraw the circular and authorise the issue of old age pension to these widows?

I am advised that no circular in the terms indicated has been issued by my Department. If the hon. Member will furnish me with a copy of the communication to which he refers I will look further into the matter.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of widows who have received the widows' pension since the commencement of the Act, but whose pension has ceased owing to the youngest child reaching 14½ years of age?

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows who have applied and been refused the widows' pension owing to their having married a man who was 60 years of age?

No special record has been kept of the number of widows whose claims have failed because of this provision, but up to the present I am advised that it can safely be put at under 20.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons over 65 years of age ceased to receive National Health Insurance benefits during January owing to the operation of the new Pensions Act?

The benefits under the National Health Insurance scheme which cease at 65 are those relating to sickness and disablement only; medical benefit, that is free medical attendance and medicine, together with additional treatment benefits, remaining available for the rest of the insured person's life. The estimated number of insured persons who had reached the age of 65 on the 2nd of January is 355,000 and the addition during January is estimated at 8,000. All these persons would cease to pay contributions under the Health Insurance scheme and to be entitled to the sickness and disablement benefits referred to. The actual numbers of those who were in receipt of these benefits at the time when their title to them ceased are not accurately known and could only be ascertained by a special examination of the records of each of the 7,000 approved societies and branches.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, in some recent decisions where he has awarded compensation to assistant overseers whose services were not retained by the Bishop Auckland rating authority, he has fixed a higher amount to those who appealed than that paid to others; and can he state on what basis he arrived at his figures?

No, Sir; where claims for compensation are settled by a rating authority and no appeal is made to me I have no information as to the basis of settlement. Five appeals have been made to me from this area and these appeals have been determined by the application of the ordinary rules.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not give the House the authority and the basis on which he founds his figures, so as to do justice to the overseers?

If I have any request from any authorities for that information, I shall be happy to give it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that they have made the request, and it has been refused?

No, I am not aware of it.

They have made the request.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the importance of the incidence of local rating, he will give instructions to have the return dealing with area and rates of all urban authorities, which was presented to Parliament on 7th May, 1913, brought up to date; and if he will arrange to have all areas, both urban and rural, included in such return?

A statement giving a large amount of information with regard to rates and assessments in all boroughs and urban districts and a considerable number of typical rural parishes is already published annually, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the statement for the year 1926–27.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received representations on behalf of 145 single men who are destitute at Blaenavon, and cannot obtain any relief from the Abergavenny Board of Guardians owing to the instructions of his Department with regard to such men; whether he is aware that the steelworks and some of the mines have been closed down for several years, and no work is obtainable in the district; and whether he proposes to take any action with a view of assisting these single men?

I have received such a representation, signed by the officers of the Wesleyan Church, Park Street, Blaenavon. I am not aware that the guardians have refused to grant relief in these cases, though it would appear that they may have refused to grant out-door relief. I am making inquiries into the representation, and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour how many training centres have been established for unemployed persons; where they are situated; and the number of persons attending them on 31st January, 1928?

I think it would be helpful to give as complete a reply as possible to this question, and with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a full answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has anything been done in regard to the training centres that were promised in South Wales for young miners who are out of work?

Yes; anew centre has just been opened, to which it is hoped many of these young men will be sent.

Where?

Dudley.

Following is the reply:

Training centres for unemployed men have been established at Birmingham, Dudley, Wallsend-on-Tyne, Claydon near Ipswich, and Brandon. The number of men in attendance at the end of January was 1,281.

Home training centres for unemployed women and girls are being conducted by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment at Chatham, Ramsgate, Dover, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Gateshead, Jarrow, Newcastle, Sheffield, Leeds, Pontypool, Abertillery, Swansea, Glasgow and Greenock. The number in attendance at the end of January was 882. There is also a centre at Market Harborough for training women as household workers for Australia; 39 were in attendance at the end of January.

Ninety-four Juvenile Unemployment Centres (62 for boys and 32 for girls) have been established by local education authorities in 43 districts. In addition, four centres have been approved but are not yet open, and other centres are in prospect. The number of boys and girls attending during the last week for which figures are available was 8,200, representing an average daily attendance of 7,000 (5,000 boys and 2,000 girls).

Following is a list of the areas in which Juvenile Unemployment Centres are open:—

asked the Minister of Labour if instructions have been issued to the managers of Employment Exchanges that they are not to register men over 65 years of age who are seeking employment?

No, Sir. No such instruction has been given. Applicants over 65 may still register for employment and will be submitted for vacancies for which they are suitable.

Is the hon. Member aware that managers of Employment Exchanges are refusing or have refused men of 65 the right to sign on?

No, I am not aware of that, and if the hon. Member will give me any specific and definite information, I shall be very glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed persons over 65 years of age ceased to receive unemployment benefit during January owing to the operation of the new Pensions Act?

The only available figure is that for the number of persons aged 65 and over with current claims to benefit at the beginning of January, namely, 28,500. The number then in receipt of benefit, which may be taken to be approximately the weekly number whose unemployment benefit ceased on account of the operation of the Pensions Act, was something less than this total, but I cannot give the precise figure.

asked the Minister of Health the number of slum-clearance schemes sanctioned by his Department for the various local authorities in Worcestershire, and the total amount of money granted by his Department in each case?

Three slum clearance schemes have been confirmed in Worcestershire, two at Oldbury and one in the City of Worcester. The annual Exchequer contributions in aid of the schemes have not yet been fixed, but on provisional figures they are estimated at £500 in respect of the three schemes, representing 50 per cent. of the estimated annual loss.

asked the Minister of Health what action he intends to take with reference to the November Report of the inter-departmental committee upon prices of building materials, with particular regard to the large increases shown in the prices of bricks as compared with those of January, 1924?

Although the report referred to by the hon. Member revealed that the prices of common bricks in eight of the areas which reported to the committee were in excess of the prices ruling in January, 1924, in five of the districts the prices were, in fact, lower than the January, 1924, prices. I understand that the prices of bricks continue to show a downward tendency, and in view of this I propose to await the next report of the inter-departmental committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will publish as a White Paper the investigations of the Metropolitan inspector on the administration of outdoor relief in certain London unions as sent to the guardians of those unions?

These investigations are undertaken with the object of assisting the guardians to bring under review and to improve their administration in certain directions; and it is obviously right that reports upon such investigations should be regarded as primarily for the consideration of the guardians. I do not think that the objects which I have in view will be best served by adopting the course suggested. My hon. and gallant Friend will, of course, realise that the consideration of these reports by the guardians necessarily involves a good deal of publicity.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Ministry is on the King's Roll; and the total number of persons employed in the Ministry, the number that served in the Great War, and the number of disabled men?

The name of "His Majesty's Treasury on behalf of all Government Departments" is on the King's Roll for the employment of disabled ex-service men, and it is therefore unnecessary for my Department to be separately registered. The total number of persons employed in my Department is 5,762, of whom 1,946 are women, 3,101 of the men served in the Great War, and 1,014 are disabled men.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty in obtaining replies during the month of January from the Insurance Department, Ministry of Health, Acton; and whether he will consider the desirability of increasing the staff that deals with correspondence?

During the first part of January the daily postal receipts in the Acton Office of the Ministry exceeded 50,000 a day, as compared with a normal figure of some 10,000 a day. In the circumstances, some delay in dealing with correspondence was inevitable. As regards the second part of the question, the difficulty is a purely temporary one which would not be cured by adding officers with no experience of the work. Certain re-arrangements of the staff of the Department have, however, been made with a view to the wiping out of the arrears as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Health if more than 130 ex-service men, clerks at the Ministry of Health, Acton, have been given notice terminating their appointments; if so, what is the average length of employment in the Civil Service since discharge from the forces of the Crown and how many of the men are disabled; and the number of young men and women recruited for his Department, through the Civil Service Commissioners, in the two years ending 31st December, 1928?

One hundred and twenty-one temporary ex-service clerks serving in various branches of the Ministry, including the Acton Office, have been given notice terminating their appointments at the end of March, mainly owing to prospective reduction of work following tin the coming into full effect of the Pensions Act. Their average length of service in this and other Government Departments is six years eight months. Five are disabled men. For the two years ended 31st December, 1927, 568 men and 435 women have been recruited through the Civil Service Commissioners, of whom all the men but five were ex-service men with previous service as temporary clerks.

Why is the right hon. Gentleman getting rid of these ex-service men and thus setting a bad example to the rest of the country?

They were taken on only for temporary employment, and because the employment has come to an end they have been given notice of discharge.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great difficulty these men will have in getting employment in view of the state of trade, and cannot he keep them on?

I do not think I could undertake to do that. I cannot Keep on men for whom there is no work.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the length of the service of these men, and will he not take that into consideration?

It has been taken into consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of staff employed at the present time in the Department of Naval Construction; and what were the corresponding figures for the years 1914 and 1927, respectively?

The total number of staff employed at the present time in the Department of Naval Construction is 215. The corresponding figures provided in the Navy Estimates for 1914℃1915 and 1927, respectively, were 175 and 215.

Why is so large a staff still required, in view of the fact that the anticipated Naval Programme is being curtailed, and that it is anticipated that it will be much more curtailed in the future?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that the present battleships and all war vessels are more complicated in construction than they were before, and that they will gradually become so from year to year; they have become increasingly so in the last few years. Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman been to Portsmouth and seen the "Victory" arid the "Nelson"?

Is it not a fact that the number of ships is very much smaller than in 1914 when the staff was much less?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the collection of Income Tax under Schedule A in one sum entails hardship to those farmer-owners who have suffered losses in their business and to whom repayment of the tax will ultimately be due; that while repayment, judging by past experience, may be delayed for a year the payment of the tax now entails borrowing at interest; and whether he will be able to take any steps to mitigate the hardship?

I think I can confidently assure my hon. Friend that the existing arrangements for meeting cases of serious hardship are adequate for the purpose; but if he will give me particulars of any cases he has in mind, in which he considers the fanner-owners are being unreasonably treated, I shall be happy to make inquiries and let him know the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is still possible to make payment of Income Tax by means of Income Tax stamps; and whether stocks of special cards and stamps for this purpose are obtainable at the post offices?

Arrangements still exist whereby certain weekly wage-earners who are assessed to Income Tax half-yearly may pay their tax by purchasing stamps and affixing them to cards. The stamps are obtainable at any post office, and stocks of the cards are kept by the collectors of taxes, who issue them on request. I may add that the taxpayers concerned make little use of these arrangements at the present time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the method of paying by instalments, by stamps, would be less painful to many Income Tax payers; and would it not be more popular if the right hon. Gentleman made the fact better known throughout the country?

Whether it is less painful to spread the agony over a longer period is a matter for personal judgment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that inspectors of taxes have recently caused much extra expense and trouble to small tradesmen and farmers by insisting that their accounts must be audited by chartered accountants and farm stock valued by professional valuers; and whether, when accounts are shown in a proper manner, he will instruct inspectors of taxes to accept such accounts to be placed for assessment purposes before the Commissioners without their having to be audited by chartered accountants?

I am not aware of the matter to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but if he has in mind any case or cases in which it is alleged that inspectors of taxes are acting in the manner indicated in his question, and will let me have the necessary particulars, I will gladly have the position investigated and will communicate the result to him in due course.

Is it not the case that not only in these industries but in other industries it is very often insisted upon that returns cannot be accepted unless they are sent in by professional men?

No, Sir, I think that is not so, and at any rate it is not the law.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my hands I have the very case to which he refers? I shall be glad to show it to him.

I think that will meet the case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the habitual evasion of the law requiring the use of a 2d. stamp on receipts for amounts exceeding £2; and whether he can see his way to adopt any measures to prevent the revenue being thus defrauded?

The attention of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue is constantly being called to cases where receipts which ought to have been stamped have been given without a stamp, and suitable action is taken by them in each case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what action is actually being taken?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the majority of the department stores vouchers are given, and that when receipts are demanded the customers are told that they can have them only by applying to the secretary?

I have said that suitable action is taken. If the hon. Gentleman wants me to analyse the word "suitable" I should like notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have called his attention to this matter on several occasions and that no action has been taken in the various places that carry on this practice?

It is not often that the Inland Revenue officials are accused of being too lax.

In regard to the word "suitable," does the right hon. Gentleman arrange for an inspection of hotel accounts, small hotels particularly? Is there any system of inspection of hotel receipts?

I have not given my personal attention to this part of the subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not spend his holidays at hotels?

They are not small ones.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to remit part of the Death Duties in respect of the gratuity paid to the late Earl Haig at the end of the last War?

The law gives me no power to make any remission of Death Duties in this case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that by public subscription the estate at Bemersyde was recently presented to Lord Haig and his family and not to the taxpayers, and that it is an unremunerative estate? It was a gift by the public, and will he take these facts into consideration if he is to take any steps in the matter?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that Mr. P. M'Taggart, 278, Mathieson Street, Glasgow, drew for some time two pensions, one from the Army and the other from the Post Office; that this was due to no fault of the man; that both departments were in receipt of all information; that this was found to be a wrong thing to do; that a promise was given that if the mistake was not wilful no refund would be asked for; that a refund of money is now being demanded; and if he will take steps to have the promise kept?

The facts are as stated in the first four parts of the question, except that when the civil pension was awarded it was not known that the period of War service had been already reckoned for military pension. The statement made was that overpayments due to departmental error would not be recovered. If Mr. McTaggart elects to retain his military pension the resulting overpayment of civil pension will not be reclaimed from him. He has however the further option of relinquishing his military service pension with retrospective effect. In that event the war period can be reckoned for civil pension and a larger pension secured. He must however refund the past payments in respect of military pension, the award of which was quite in order and not due to any departmental error. He would be allowed to refund the sum so due by small monthly deductions from his civil pension. This would still leave him in receipt of a slightly larger sum per week than is payable in respect of his military service pension.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor in office in answer to the hon. Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon) promised that if there was no wilful misrepresentation no refund would be asked from the man; that now a refund is being demanded from this man of, roughly speaking, £100 and that it means compelling the man to go on the Poor Law?

I have gone personally into the papers of this case, and I wrote to the hon. Member about it only last night and made a further explanation. It is a very involved matter, and I think when the hon. Gentleman has read my reply to his question and the letter which I have sent to him he will find that there is a solution in one of them. If he does not think so, perhaps he will see me about the matter. I shall be glad to place myself at his service in my room in order to discuss the matter.

I beg to give notice that as I have got no satisfaction I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the cinema film of the Battle of Arras, which was made under the auspices of the War Office, was first exclusively released in a theatre owned by American capital; and will he state whether British renters were first offered an opportunity of exhibiting it?

The official film of the Battle, of Arras was first exhibited publicly at the Scala Theatre (which was British owned) in London in 1917. It was subsequently released for general exhibition and British renters were at liberty to apply for it. In November, 1927, this film was applied for by, and was reissued to, the Tivoli Theatre, which is registered as a British company. Under their hiring contract the Tivoli Theatre enjoyed no exclusive right to the film.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if it is a fact that certain British theatres, run by British capital, have since applied for this film and have not been able to get it?

I cannot answer that question off-hand. If the hon. Member puts down a question, I will try to get the information.

Is if a fact that British theatres have been asked twice as much as was paid by the Tivoli theatre?

I have no knowledge of that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into these matters?

Certainly; I have made inquiries, and the answer which I have given to the hon. Baronet is the result of those inquiries. If he wishes, and will ask further questions, I shall make further inquiries.

Is it the intention of the Government to support or assist the manufacture of any films other than war films?

That is a question which ought not to be addressed to me as it is beyond my knowledge.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the extent to which the National Collection in the Tate Gallery has suffered during the recent floods?

Fortunately, the extent of the damage is not as great as might have been anticipated. Of the 190 oil paintings involved, only 100 suffered material damage, and of these not more than about 20 are thought to be past repair. These belong, almost without exception, to the mid-Victorian period, and none of them can be regarded as of primary importance. The Turner Collection of drawings and water-colours was partially immersed, but the prompt measures taken by the authorities will, it is believed, enable the Collection to be restored almost to its recent condition. All the most important pictures in the gallery, being hung on the ground floor, remained unaffected by the flood.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the directors of this-gallery benefit by their experience; and will he represent to the directors of galleries in general that valuable collections are not meant to be stowed away as lumber in cellars, and that if they cannot use their collections they ought to pass them on to someone else who can?

I will report the hon. Gentleman's suggestion to the proper authorities.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the Lane collection of pictures which were in danger from the Thames floods, will be removed to Dublin where they will be safe?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the serious floods which have occurred on the Essex coast, especially on the estuaries of the rivers Blackwater and Crouch; if he is aware that the sea-walls have suffered severe damage and that their reinstatement constitutes a burden on many farmers which they are quite unable to bear under the existing circumstances of agricultural depression; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have had the advantage of a discussion with representatives of those whose property has been damaged as the result of the serious floods which recently occurred on the Essex coast. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, this is unfortunately by no means an isolated case, and does not differ in principle from erosion by the sea in other parts of the coast. It has been the settled policy of successive Governments for many years not to assume liability for loss of or damage to property in such circumstances. While I fully sympathise with all who have suffered, I regret that in the present financial situation the Government are unable to make an exception in this case, or advise Parliament to provide assistance from State funds.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the allocation of part of the £1,000,000 allocated to land drainage on this ground, and that the encroachment of the sea water obviously impairs the existing system of land drainage?

Has the right hon. Gentleman had conversations with the owners of the land, and can he say whether the owners are prepared to do something to rectify the damage?

The deputation which discussed this matter represented all interests and came primarily, I think, on behalf of the National Farmers' Union.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the serious flooding that recently occurred on the Kingston by-pass road at its termination with the Portsmouth Road, steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence?

Owing to the levels of the ground, it is impossible to guarantee that in such abnormal conditions as recently prevailed slight local flooding can be entirely prevented.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Southern Railway power station at Thames Ditton was recently flooded, and necessitated the attendance of the local fire brigade?

I do not think that arises out of the question.

asked the Prime Minister what action the Government has taken or intends to take to prevent any recurrence of flooding by the waters of the River Thames of the districts in the London area?

I have been asked to reply. The matter is being considered by a Committee appointed at a conference of the Public Authorities and Government Departments concerned, and it is hoped that a report will shortly be ready.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that committee is now sitting regularly, or whether they had two meetings, and then suspended their sittings?

They are not suspended.

Is it a fact that the committee has adjourned, if it has not suspended its sittings? Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the report will be issued, in view of the seriousness of the matter?

The sittings are not adjourned, or suspended. The committee is in operation, and its report will shortly be issued.

Will anything be done before next winter?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, among possible sources of infection, foot-and-mouth disease is considered by the agricultural community to be brought by plants, shrubs, and trees imported from abroad; what means is taken to disinfect the wrappings and earth with these plants; and if he has any information as to what method is adopted by the Irish Free State towards the importation of plants, shrubs, and trees from infected countries?

I am aware that imported plants, shrubs and trees are in some quarters regarded as a possible source of infection of foot-and-mouth disease. On the recommendation of the Departmental Committee on Foot-and-Mouth Disease in 1925 the Foot-and- Mouth Disease (Packing Materials) Order, 1925, was issued which prohibits the holding of sales of these articles on premises used for sales of livestock and requires the destruction of hay and straw used for packing such plants. The Order also prohibits such packing materials from being brought into contact with animals. Pending the destruction of the packing material no steps are required to be taken to disinfect it. I am not aware that the Government of the Irish Free State has made any regulations dealing with the importation of plants, shrubs and trees from infected countries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at many railway stations and ports shrubs and plants are disembarked or put on railway trucks in the same place as cattle, and will he see that this does not occur?

I will go into that matter and see if we cannot find any way in which to lessen the risk.

Is the system of inspection adequate to ensure that these packings are destroyed? What kind of inspection is it?

I do not think we have had any evidence that outbreaks have actually been caused in this way. It is only a matter of suspicion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the continued restrictions in North Lincolnshire due to the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease; if he is aware that the continued closing of markets has been very detrimental to the agricultural interests; and if he will consider the opening of certain markets for the immediate slaughter of animals?

As the reply is rather long; I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The restrictions imposed in consequence of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in North Lincolnshire are similar to those adopted in infected areas in other parts of the country. They are the restrictions which were approved by the Departmental Committees on Foot-and-Mouth Disease as necessary to prevent the spread of infection. The Orders permit markets of fat stock obtained from premises in the infected area to be held by licence of the local authority at any place outside a radius of five miles from any infected premises, provided that the animals are disposed of direct to a slaughterhouse within the area. In addition, farmers may dispose of their fat stock direct to a slaughterhouse in the area if a licence is obtained from a local inspector.

Though the restrictions inevitably cause dislocation of the ordinary markets, the continuance of markets without this restriction would seriously increase the risk of the spread of infection and be far more detrimental to agricultural interests in the long run than the restrictions themselves. Since the commencement of the present outbreak in the Lindsey Division on the 25th December, 15 premises in all have become infected, two of which were notified during the past 14 days, one at Strubby-with-Woodthorpe on the 3rd instant and the other at Scawby on the 4th instant. If no further outbreak occurs, I hope to be able to make some reduction of the area under restrictions in about 10 days.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is contemplating any change in the operation of the Agricultural Wage Regulation Act, 1924?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is proposing to take to stimulate the consumption of milk in accordance with his recent statement to the Council of Agriculture?

The Empire Marketing Board, after consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, propose to undertake next April a publicity campaign in favour of the consumption of fresh milk. The campaign will extend over six months in the first instance, but it may be continued for a further considerable period, if the preliminary results are satisfactory and if producers' and distributors' organisations then show themselves prepared to devote to publicity for the same purpose a sum equal to that contributed by the Board. I need hardly add that I propose to do all I can to promote this scheme and ensure its success.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to guard against a price-raising campaign, because a rise of price occurred in the case of the fruit campaign?

I do not think there ought to be any rise of price. As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, there is a considerable excess of milk which cannot find a fresh market at the present time and that could quite well be absorbed, I should imagine, without any serious effect in a rise of price.