asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has anything to report to this House with regard to the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Egypt?

Discussions are still in progress in Cairo. I hope, however, that they will be concluded in the near future, and that I shall then be in a position to lay papers or make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British officials connected with the telephone service in Egypt have been dismissed; if so, by whom these posts have been filled?

No reports have reached me of any recent dismissals of British officials from the Telegraphs and Telephones Administration in Egypt. I understand, however, that the Deputy-Inspector-General of the Administration has recently resigned his post to take up work elsewhere.

Is it a fact that this position has been filled by a Swede?

Not that I know of, but I should have to have notice of that question.

Is this a case in which contracts for upwards of £1,000,000 for telephone apparatus have been placed recently by the Egyptian Government with Sweden?

That question is entirely outside the scope of the hon. Member's first question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in addition to the draft of a new treaty of arbitration between His Majesty's Government and the United States of America, the Government of the United States of America has also made to His Majesty's Government any proposals for a declaration dealing with the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy, on the lines of the proposals made to the Government of France?

The preamble of the draft Treaty of Arbitration communicated to His Majesty's Government contains a clause condemning war as an instrument of policy in the mutual relations of the two countries. The United States Government have also communicated to His Majesty's Government for consideration only their draft for a Pact of Perpetual Friendship with France.

Will the Foreign Secretary be able to lay papers at an early date?

I cannot say what action will be taken, but the whole subject is under very careful consideration.

May we take it that this submission to us of the proposed treaty between France and America will be taken into consideration during the negotiations connected with our treaty with America, so that it may at any rate be embodied in our new treaty?

Certainly. The whole matter is being considered.

Would a treaty signed with America be deposited with the League of Nations as a treaty with any other country?

I think I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the International Opium Convention, signed at Geneva in February, 1925, has yet come into force; and, if not, how many ratifications are still required before the Convention becomes operative?

The Convention is not yet in force, as three out of the necessary seven ratifications by members of the Council of the League are still lacking.

Have the Government any idea when they will come up to sign—the three members that are lacking? Have the Government any knowledge whether or not they mean to ratify?

It is no particular three countries; three more signatories, three more ratifications, are necessary, and we are doing our best to encourage other countries to follow our example.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to an increase in the quota of British immigrants into the United States of America; and, if so, when he anticipates that the increase will become operative?

I have seen some paragraphs in the Press on this subject, but at present I have no further information.

Is it possible to find out whether this is the proposal of the Government and whether it is likely to be accepted?

I think probably a despatch from Sir Esmé Howard, our Ambassador at Washington, is already on its way.

I presume we would welcome any change in that direction?

Would not the Government encourage an arrangement with Canada rather than with the United States?

May I have an answer to my question? I suppose there is no doubt we would welcome any change in this direction?

I must wait until we see exactly what the Bill is. We have no official information as to what the proposals are.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to certain demands by the Persian Government and, in particular, as to their claims on Bahrein?

The Persian Government protested some weeks ago against the terms of the Treaty of Jeddah between Great Britain and the Hejaz, on the ground that the reference in that treaty to the Islands of Bahrein is contrary to the territorial integrity of Persia. His Majesty's Government are unaware of any valid ground on which the Persian Government could base a claim to sovereignty over these islands and have explained this to the Persian Government.

Is that the only matter at present outstanding with the Persian Government, or are they piling up claims?

No, there are various important questions the subject of negotiation at the present moment.

Is there also any outstanding dispute in regard to the British demand for liberating Sheik Hazaal and installing him in supreme power in a province where the Persian Government find his activities most obnoxious?

Really that matter is quite outside this question.

Is it not one of the outstanding items of serious disputes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Sir Frederick Halliday is remaining in Greece in charge of the town police; and whether the powers of which he was deprived by the Pangalos Government have yet been restored?

Sir Frederick Halliday's contract was renewed last July for a further period of two years. The extent of the powers of the British Police Mission is, I believe, receiving friendly consideration from the Greek Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics have decided to send a delegate to attend meetings of the Security Committee of the League of Nations; and, in view of this, will he state his attitude to the Soviet proposal for a complete disarmament for all nations, in order to enable the committee to achieve useful results?

I understand that the Soviet Government have declined representation on the Security Committee, although they have an- nounced their intention to send an observer. The proposal to which the hon. Member refers was made at the Preparatory Committee on Disarmament, and must be discussed there if that committee desires to discuss it further. On the merits of the proposal I have nothing to add to what was said by the Prime Minister on the 5th of December.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the five years' building programme, what changes are to be made; what vessels of all kinds have been built up to date; what vessels it is still proposed to build; and where?

I would refer the hon. Member to the official statement published in the Press on the 21st of January, as to the changes to be made in the five years' building programme, of which the terms were as follow:—

"The Cabinet have now completed their review of the New Construction Programme for the years 1927–29, and have decided that in addition to the deletion, already announced, of two of the three cruisers belonging to the present financial year, the programme as set forth in the White Paper of 27th July, 1925, shall be further modified by omitting one of the three cruisers intended to be begun in the financial year 1928. Three cruisers in all have therefore been reduced from the full programme. The type of the two cruisers to be begun at the end of the financial year 1928 is not yet finally settled."

Besides the three cruisers thus omitted, four motor launches were omitted from the 1926 programme and two minesweepers were added to the 1927 programme. I am not yet in a position to say what will be the allocation of the vessels to be laid down in 1928 and 1929.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the necessity for building some of these vessels in His Majesty's dockyards, and is he aware of the disappointment that is felt because the destroyers and submarines recently ordered have been placed with private firms, with the exception of one submarine?

The hon. Member knows perfectly well what my views are; I have expressed them over and over again, and I will do what I can.

Is it not more customary to make a statement of this kind in the form of a White Paper instead of through the newspapers?

That is not my affair. This is an Admiralty announcement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to find space in His Majesty's dockyards for the breaking up of obsolete ships; and whether any estimate is being made of the number of dockyard men this work would employ and of the amount of money that would thereby be saved?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member's question on the 17th November last (OFFICIAL REPORT, cols. 1127–28).

In view of the unemployment in the dockyards, has the right hon. Gentleman made any further inquiries into the possibility of employing the men in the dockyards for this work?

I do not know what other new facts can be brought to my notice, but if there are any, I shall be glad to inquire into them, but I know no new circumstances that have arisen.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman look into this question, for soon after the War it came before the Admiralty and the work was given to private firms, some of whom failed and some of whom made a good deal of money in snip-breaking?

My hon. friend has not realised that the date when I gave my last answer was 17th November last, so that it has been considered very recently.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of the special grant paid for salvage work in connection with the salving of gold from the wreck of the "Laurentic," sunk on 25th January, 1917, off Lough Swilly?

The sums paid as bonus to the officers and crew of the Salvage Vessel "Racer" during the seven years of work amounted in all to £6,739 3s. 4d., as my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Major Glyn) was informed on 10th February, 1926 (OFFICIAL REPORT, col. 1027.)

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will reconsider the claim of Commander Unsworth, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.R., for an award for special services rendered in locating the wreck of the "Laurentic," sunk on 25th January, 1917, off Lough Swilly?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will reconsider the decision conveyed to the Imperial Merchant Service Guild in their letter of the 21st January, 1925, and grant to Commander G. Unsworth, Royal Naval Reserve, some recognition of his services in locating the wreck of His Majesty's Ship "Laurentic," in view of the fact that the exposure and hardship undergone in that service involved serious consequences to his health and was essential to the salvage operations which were subsequently successfully carried out?

This claim was fully considered by the Board of Admiralty over seven years ago, and I can find no warrant for the present Board to modify the decision then made.

Would the First Lord of the Admiralty receive a deputation of Members of this House who are interested in this question, and who do think that it has not had proper consideration?

I cannot accept the proposal of my hon. Friend unless he is prepared to produce new facts which were not present to the Board of Admiralty when they reached their decision.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is proposed to hold the 1928 Naval Welfare Conference, and at which port?

Orders were issued on the 10th instant for the 1928 Welfare Conferences to be held at an early date. The dates for the first meetings will be fixed by the Commanders-in-Chief. The Central Port meetings will be held at Chatham.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that at this conference the Fleet is more widely represented than it was at the last, and that representation is not confined to those who happen to be in home ports?

I have not had any complaints about the representation, and I should like to know what the complaints are.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what rent it is intended to pay to the Greenwich Hospital Fund for the occupation of the Royal Hospital School buildings at Greenwich when the school is transferred to the new site?

It is too early to settle details of this kind.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, on page 22a of the Navy Estimates for the year 1927, it is stated that men of the Royal Navy in receipt of ordinary pay are entitled as part of their emoluments to a free supply of necessary food or to allowances in lieu; and will he state whether the victualling allowance of 1s. 4½d. per head paid to the paymaster-commander in charge of a general mess for ratings compulsorily messed under that scheme is an emolument or not, seeing that all surplus cash from a general mess is regarded as the property of the Government although the emoluments from which it arises are the property of the men?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. With reference to the second part of his question, the general mess system provides a free supply of necessary food, the complete messing being undertaken by the Admiralty, as stated on page 22a of the Navy Estimates quoted by my hon. Friend. No allowance is paid to the accountant officer in charge of general messing, and the question of any allowance forming an emolument under this system does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what number of patients can be accommodated in the naval hospitals in the Portsmouth district; what is the average number of patients in residence; up this accommodation?

As the reply is rather a long one containing a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that I have asked for only three figures?

There are three figures for each of the three years, but I will read the answer it hon. Members wish.

No!

Following is the reply:

The only naval hospital in the Portsmouth district is the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport.

The total peace accommodation of Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, is:

The average number of cases daily under treatment during the last three years was:

The annual cost of the hospital during the last three years (ending 30th September in each case) was as follows:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the number of the staff employed at the Admiralty in 1914 prior to the War; what is the num- ber now; and what is the sea-going strength as regards personnel of the Navy now compared with 1914?

The numbers are as follow:

I should like to add that the reasons for the increase of Admiralty staff have been fully explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Central Nottingham (Mr. Bennett) on the 18th November, 1925 (OFFICIAL REPORT, Columns 358–364), and that the Select Committee on Estimates, of which my hon. and gallant Friend is himself a member, has declared that comparisons between the numbers of staff at the Admiralty and the numbers of Naval personnel, in 1914 and at the present time, are misleading.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether those figures include both naval and civilian staff at the Admiralty?

Yes, the numbers I have given are the total staff at the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has received representations from the Deptford Borough Council regarding the collapse of the wall of the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard during the night of the 7th of January, which resulted in the flooding of 150 houses and the ruination of the homes of 200 families; whether the council's representations as to the granting of some compensation to the sufferers have been considered; and, if so, the result?

Representations have been received from the Deptford Borough Council regarding the collapse of the boundary wall of the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard on 7th January as a result of the Thames floods, and the council are being informed that the Admiralty are unable to accept any liability in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London County Council have made allowances to their tenants, and ought not the Government at least to act up to the standard of a local government authority?

I am not aware that the people referred to in the question are our tenants. Perhaps somebody will compensate the Admiralty for what they have lost.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what, if any, films are now being made with the assistance of the Admiralty whereby the use of ships and materials are being granted to the film-producing companies by the Government; and what percentage of the profits derived from the exhibition of these films will be received by the Admiralty for their assistance?

As regards the first part of the question, facilities have not been given for any further films beyond those detailed in my reply of 14th December (OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 2324.) I would again state that the actual percentage of the profits agreed in each case cannot be divulged.

On what grounds of public policy cannot the House of Commons know what profits are made out of these contracts?

I should have thought that the hon. Member, as a business man, realised that it is not a business custom to divulge such matters.

Is it not a fact that only one company has the right to make these films and other films, and that other companies have not the same facilities?

That does not arise from the original question.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the Admiralty make these contracts directly with the film companies or whether some central body is charged with making the contracts for all Government Depart- ments, and whether the conditions are the same for each Department?

I should prefer notice of that question, but, so far as I know, the Admiralty makes its own contracts.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman represent to his Department that it is very undesirable that in these naval films there should be any representation of ships which sail under false colours?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the provisions laid down by the Air Council have been carried out which stipulate that the personnel taking part in any film production shall, in addition, be paid by the film-producing companies at current civilian rates; if so, what amounts have accordingly been paid; and how much each man has received?

The Air Council have laid down no stipulation of the kind suggested in the first part of the question, and the remaining parts do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Labour if he intends making any new members of the courts of referees in the city of Glasgow; if so, how many; and the number of workmen's representatives he intends appointing and by what method he intends selecting them?

It is intended to increase the panels of the courts of referees in Glasgow, but it is not yet possible to say definitely how many additional members will be required. The Act requires that the number of workpeople's representatives shall be equal to that of employers'. In accordance with the usual practice, the appropriate Local Employment Committee will be asked to make recommendations.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to consult any of the trade unions, as representatives of the workmen, in order that he may select names to be submitted?

I have no doubt that there will be consultation with the local employment committee, which includes workmen's representatives.

asked the Minister of Labour if he intends increasing the number of chairmen of the courts of referees throughout the country; if so, by how many; if he intends to advertise, publicly, the vacancies; and, if not, what method of selection he intends adopting?

It is proposed to increase the number of chairmen of courts of referees, but it is not possible yet to say how many additional chairmen will be required. It has been the practice in the past to make these appointments in England and Wales after consulting the County Court Judges or, in certain cases, the Attorney-General, and, in Scotland, the Secretary of State; in view of the character of the posts and qualifications desired it is proposed to continue this practice.

Does that mean that these posts will be filled exclusively by men with legal competence.

I do not know that that is a sine qua non, but the possession of some legal experience is very often a great help in a post which is quasi judicial.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration that there are people who have been taking an active part in this work for many years and understand it thoroughly, even though they have not legal qualifications, and that they would be suitable?

I should be glad to consider any cases of that kind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say by what method anyone who wishes to be appointed can make approaches so that his name may be considered?

I do not know that there is any special avenue of approach. If anyone likes to write to me, I will see that his letter is not neglected.

Would it not be better, instead of applying to the county court Judges for nominations, to apply to some of the local bodies?

No, Sir.

Seeing that the appointment is vested in the right hon. Gentleman, why does he not take the responsibility for the appointment, and not throw it on to somebody else?

asked the Minister of Labour if he intends to set up in the City of Glasgow a training centre similar to the one now operating in the northeast district of England; and, if so, when it is proposed to start operations?

I regret that I do not see my way at present to provide more training centres similar to that at Wallsend beyond those already in existence or in contemplation. Opportunities for training at the Wallsend Centre are, however, given to men from Glasgow and elsewhere in Scotland, of whom there are a number already at the centre; and in order to help them to pay for lodgings an allowance of 5s. a week is granted in addition to unemployment benefit.

In view of the large number of men in the City of Glasgow who for a number of years have been unable to find work and are now existing practically on Poor Law relief, will the right hon. Gentleman not take this suggestion into consideration, seeing that premises were inspected in the Govan and Springburn districts some time ago?

No, Sir. When the question of Scotland came up, I had the claims of Scotland very thoroughly considered by my advisers, and on the whole we came to the conclusion that the existing distribution was fairest, so far as we could see, under all the circumstances, and I cannot press the matter further.

Do I understand from that that Scotland is to get no training centre, and that the City of Glasgow is to be left untouched?

I cannot help what inference the hon. Member draws, but what is important is whether the people who are suitable for that training get it, and I have already indicated that provision is made for that.

Are we to understand that this training centre at Wallsend is sufficient to accommodate all those whom the Minister says are suitable?

Oh, no, I never sugegsted that.

asked the Minister of Labour the reasons for the placing of the training centre for young men from depressed industrial areas at Dudley and Birmingham rather than in places in closer proximity to those areas?

Suitable Government buildings were available at Dudley and Birmingham, and both time and money were saved by using them in preference to acquiring new buildings elsewhere. Moreover, practical experience has shown that men for whom work is not available near their homes find employment after training more readily, if the training centre is in an area where employment is reasonably good.

Are we to understand that these training centres will be increased in number in order to deal with the present problem?

There have been two extensions, as the hon. Member will know, one at Dudley, and the other at Bristol.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is making a grant this next financial year to the Central Committee of Womens' Employment; and, if so, the amount of the grant?

I am glad to say arrangements have been made to give the Central Committee next year a grant of £60,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how that compares with the grant to the same Committee in 1924?

No, I cannot say as to 1924. As regards last year, it is an increase of £10,000, this increase being made specially for the purpose of giving additional help in mining areas.

As £10,000 more has been given on account of the distress in the South Wales area, I would like to ask the Minister whether he is aware of the distress in the North of England and whether he is proposing to give anything to that area?

Considering what great good this committee has done and seeing that it is the only committee dealing with unemployed women, does not the Minister think that the Government might give even a larger sum, and will he in pressing for the grant remind the Chancellor of the Exchequer that there are going to be a good many women voters in the next election?

I will make an inquiry with reference to the statement of the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) and as to whether it is confined to any particular areas, and, if the hon. Member will put down a question, I will let him know. As regards what has been said by the Noble Lady, in the first place this is a most excellent institution, but it is a question of how far money can be spared for many excellent objects which exist. In this case women, in proportion to the amount of unemployment and as compared with training institutions, do not get an unfair share, and I am sure the Noble Lady would be the last to suggest unworthy motives for increasing the grant.

Is it not true that since women have had the vote we have had many more—

Order!

asked the Minister of Labour the number of girls who were refused unemployment benefit at the Cradley Heath Employment Exchange during December, 1927, and January, 1928, on the ground that suitable employment was available; and the names of the firms at which such employment was available and the number of cases refused in connection with each firm?

Statistics giving the information asked for are not available. During the period referred to there was one case only in which a girl was refused extended benefit at this Exchange on the ground that she was not making reasonable efforts to obtain employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the refusal, on 1st February, 1928, of both unemployment benefit and old age pension, although over 65 years of age, to John Harbron, 44, Montrose Street, Darlington, although he was an insured person under the National Health and Unemployment Insurance Acts from their inception until 1917, when he became exempt owing to promotion in his employment, but was again insured from November, 1923, until March, 1926, owing to his being reduced in status, and casually employed since the latter date until 31st January, 1928; and whether he will consider amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Acts so that a man with such a record, and of such an age, would be able to draw unemployment benefits if debarred from receiving an old age pension?

As Mr. Harbron is stated to be over 65 years of age, he is ineligible for unemployment benefit and any question as to his right to draw an old age pension should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many cases there are throughout the country similar to this one?

No, I have not got that information.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any advice as to what a man in those circumstances should do when he is denied both unemployment benefit and the old age pension?

I think these are not matters for me to deal with.

asked the Minister of Labour how many juvenile training centres have been, or are being, established in Scotland, and at what places?

Thirty-one juvenile unemployment centres (20 for boys and 11 for girls) are open in the following places in Scotland; Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock and Motherwell. The centre for boys at Motherwell covers a wide area, including Hamilton, Wishaw and other mining districts. I understand that the establishment of additional centres at Hamilton (for girls), Coatbridge and Airdrie is under consideration by the education authority.

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls, respectively, have taken out unemployment insurance cards for the first time in the last six months; and how they compare with the number who attained the age of 16 during that period?

During the six months August, 1927, to January, 1928, new applications for unemployment books were made by 162,786 boys and 128,519 girls aged 16 and 17 in Great Britain. Separate figures are not available in respect of boys and girls aged 16 but it may be estimated that the numbers who took out books at this age were approximately 140,000 boys and 112,500 girls or 70 per cent. and 56 per cent. respectively of the total numbers of those reaching the age of 16.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the unemployed live register is affected by the operation of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, under which persons aged 65 and over are no longer entitled to unemployment benefit?

It is estimated that, owing to the operation of this Act, about 25,000 persons aged 65 and over have ceased to register on the registers of the Employment Exchanges. Of this total it may, I think, be assumed that a certain number have retired from work, but I have no statistics showing how many have retired and how many are seeking work and still unemployed.

May I ask if the figures can be given weekly in the Ministry of Labour Gazette, of those people of the age of 65 who are working and those who are not working?

I am afraid that is not possible. If it were, I should be glad to do it.

Is there any advantage in these people continuing to register when they get no benefit?

I always encourage everybody to register if possible. What I am anxious to do is to develop the side of the Exchanges in which positions are got for people in order that they may act as a real Exchange.

Is it a fact that persons over 65 are now permitted to register and are given facilities to be engaged?

Certainly.

There is no advantage in doing that.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the statistics of unemployment among London dock workers at the end of 1926 and the corresponding figures for the end of 1927?

The number of persons classified as belonging to the canal, river, dock and harbour service who were recorded as unemployed in Greater London at 20th December, 1926, was 7,080, or 15.4 per cent. of the estimated number of insured workpeople. The corresponding figures for 19th December, 1927, were 7,148, or 16.1 per cent.

Does this include seamen as well?

I do not think so, but I should require notice of the question in order to be quite certain.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of men and boys who are at present undergoing training in agriculture in this country with a view to becoming farmers in the Dominions?

At the two centres administered by my Department 380 men are now undergoing training with a view to farm employment in the Dominions. I have no information as to the number of men and boys in training for farm work overseas at other institutions or centres.

Can the right hon. Gentleman ascertain that information?

I am not sure that I can do that comprehensively, but if there is any item which I can obtain I shall gladly send it on to the hon. Member.

Judging from the experiments which have been made, can the right hon. Gentleman say how long the training takes?

Inquiries are being made, but, as regards the latest figures, I will let the hon. Gentleman know.

Has the Minister of Labour seen a statement made by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Hillhead (Sir R. Horne) who, after having seen some of the conditions obtaining where some of these emigrants have gone, stated that the greatest care should be taken before any more are sent out?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Industrial Transfer Board can be charged with the finding of alternative work for employés displaced in His Majesty's dockyards; and, if not, whether he can see that this or some similar committee is appointed to find employment for these men?

I have been asked to reply. The usual sources of assistance are available in this class of case, and I do not think it would be possible to single it out for special assistance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that nothing whatever is done to find work for displaced dockyard employés, who live in towns where there is no alternative work? If something of this kind is being done for the miners, ought it not to be done for servants of the State, in the case of whom it would be perfectly easy to do it?

The hon. Member is mistaken. Efforts have been and are continually being made by the Employment Exchanges to see where work is available, not necessarily in the same town, but in others. It would be impossible to single out one class like this in order to put it under the Industrial Transference Board without creating difficulties and anomalies.

asked the Minister of Labour what standard he adopts for determining the extent and degree of underpayment necessary in any trade to justify the establishment of a trade board?

I do not think it is possible to specify a standard for this purpose. Each case in which evidence of underpayment is advanced is examined upon its merits, and before a decision is reached regard is had to the degree of organisation in the trade, the extent to which the low wages prevail, and the relative level of such wages in respect of those paid in comparable trades, if any.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain large scale employers are in favour of setting up trade boards in the catering industry, and does he not know that some of the wages paid are absolutely shocking?

I can only say, speaking from memory, that when I looked into the case in question I did so in very great detail, and I examined a great number of individual cases in order to try and reach a conclusion. In view of the points I have mentioned, I think that, on the whole, the conclusion I have drawn is one which was justified.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the policy of the Government is not to set up any more trade boards, no matter what evidence is brought before him?

That question should be asked on another occasion.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government is prepared at an early date to ratify the Washington Eight Hours Convention?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Monday last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister seemed to imply that there was no possibility of the Convention being ratified?

If the hon. Member will read the Prime Minister's statement, he will see what his reply was.

I heard it.

Is the Minister of Labour not aware that the Prime Minister held out no hope, and can he state when we shall know definitely?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made by the Dominion Governments for the erection of standard mooring masts for the use of Empire airships?

His Majesty's Government in Canada have selected a site for a mooring mast base at St. Hubert, Montreal, and work is now in progress there. The head of the tower is being ordered by the Air Ministry on behalf of the Canadian Government, but the rest of the structure and the equipment are being ordered in Canada. His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa have not yet decided which of four possible sites should be selected. They have asked the Air Ministry to order the whole of the equipment necessary, and the masthead has already been ordered. A contract for the tower structure and machinery will be placed when the site has been selected.

Can my hon. Friend say if there are any other Dominions which have promised to erect these mooring masts, and what steps have been taken in that direction? Can he say how far the Union of South Africa has gone?

As I have said in my answer, in the case of the Union of South Africa the masthead has been already ordered.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any motor cars and chassis of foreign design have recently been ordered for the use of his Department; and, if so, whether he will explain why it was found impossible to use British motor cars and chassis for the purpose?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether a number of Ford vehicles have recently been purchased by the Royal Air Force, whether he will state the last date of purchase of vehicles from the Ford company; and whether in future purchases for the Air Force British vehicles will be given preference?

There have been no purchases of cars and chassis of foreign design since last June, when a number of Ford vehicles were ordered, but I should like to make it quite clear that this was not a case of the purchase of a foreign product, since practically the whole of the manufacture and assembly was, in fact, British. Improved types of vehicles have been under trial, and have proved satisfactory for the purposes for which Ford vehicles have hitherto been required, and it is anticipated that future orders will be for these improved types, which are of British design as well as manufacture.

Do I understand that the situation is not expected to arise again when it will be necessary to import cars rather than use cars of completely British design and manufacture?

We hope not.

Is it not the case that these cars were only ordered for experimental purposes?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the net cost per annum of a cadet at Cranwell for the last two years?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the detailed statement given at pages 59a and 59b of the Air Estimates, 1927, where information regarding the cost of a cadet at Cranwell will be found. The figure there given, £585, which was a reduction of £30 on the previous figure, viz., £615, will, it is expected, again be slightly reduced during the financial year 1928. Particulars will be given in the forthcoming Air Estimates.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these figures compare very unfavourably with those of Sandhurst and Woolwich, and that it costs about twice as much to train a boy at Cranwell as it does to train a university student on the commercial side?

The training is not at all comparable.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us how many miners' boys are at Cranwell?

I cannot, off-hand.

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the President of the Board of Education to the standard demanded in the Army, with a view to the same standard being demanded for those who are being trained for civilian life?

asked the Prime Minister whether either the Colonial Office or the advisory committee or representatives of the rubber-producing industry were consulted before the issue of the recent announcement about the rubber restriction scheme?

asked the Prime Minister whether the advisory committee on the Stevenson restriction scheme was consulted before the announcement was issued that the scheme was to be referred to the Committee of Civil Research; and, if so, can he give the names of the members of the Committee and the procedure as regards evidence which will be followed?

Before any announcement was made the Colonial Office informed the advisory committee confidentially that the Government had decided to examine the rubber restriction scheme. Neither the Committee nor the industry could properly have been consulted at that stage, but full opportunities will be given to representatives of all branches of the industry to place their views before the Committee. It is not the practice to give particulars of the composition and procedure of Cabinet Committees.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with regard to the reference to the Civil Research Committee of the question of rubber restriction, he is prepared to make a more detailed statement on the whole position than has hitherto been given, in order to prevent violent fluctuations in the price of the commodity and harmful uncertainty in the great British rubber plantation industry?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave on Monday last to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Sir W. Lane Mitchell).