asked the Minister of Pensions whether stoppages from pensions awarded to aged dependants of ex-service men and other pensioners for alleged defects or inaccuracies in completing life certificates and other documents are imposed by the staff of the issue office at Acton; and, if so, what is the general nature of the offence for which such stoppages are inflicted and under what authority they are enforced?

In accordance with the provisions of the Appropriation Acts, pension is only payable upon completion by the pensioner of the prescribed life certificate and accordingly where a pensioner fails to supply such certificate either at all or in a completed form (as occurs in a relatively small number of cases) pension is necessarily withheld until the statutory requirements are fulfilled.

Do I understand that subsequently the money which has been held back is paid in full with no net deduction as a result of the delay in getting these documents?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the practice of his Department of deducting from treatment allowance of ex-service men the cost of ambulance or other conveyance when such has been incurred; and will he consider the advisability of discontinuing this practice?

The cost of conveyance of pensioners for purposes of treatment prescribed by the Ministry is borne by public funds and is not charged to the patients. Only in the rare case where, owing to the wilful default of the pensioner, expense is needlessly incurred by the Ministry for this purpose would such a charge be made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on at least two occasions I have written to him calling his attention to what I may describe as his parsimony, and that ultimately it has been rectified; and cannot it be the custom and practice of the Ministry to see that these deductions are not made under any circumstances?

I have told the hon. Member the regular practice of the Ministry which is in accordance with his views. I will go further into any case, but I cannot undertake to give detailed replies about individual cases which are not indicated in the original question.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of men in receipt of conditional disability pensions, and the number that have been in receipt of conditional pensions for four years or more; and if he will consider the granting to these men life pensions at their present rate of assessment?

The total number of men in receipt of conditional pensions on the 31st December last was about 146,000, of whom the great majority had been in receipt of pension for four years or more. I agree with the hon. Member about the desirability of making final awards as soon as this can fairly be done, but to make such awards without medical consideration of the individual cases would not be in the best interests of pensioners.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that some of the discontinuances or reductions of pensions are based on strict technicalities rather than on justice?

No; the hon. Member's question is about final awards, in regard to which I am glad to find him in agreement with the views of the Government put forward in debate. Since that debate in which the House of Commons upheld the principle of final awards, 63,000 additional officers and men have been given pensions for life, secure against any reduction of their assessment.

asked the Minister of Pensions, whether the appointment of Mr. Arnold, previously a private secretary, as controller of the Pensions Issue Office, Acton, which has been announced in the press, has taken effect; if so, from what date; what were Mr. Arnold's emoluments before and after promotion to this post; whether he was previously the junior officer of his grade; and, if so, what special reasons justify his advancement?

Mr. Arnold was appointed Controller of the Pensions Issue Office as from 23rd January. His emoluments before that date were £995 11s. 0d.; they are now £1,055 5s. 0d.; He was not the junior officer of his grade. Appointments to important positions such as that of Controller of the Pensions Issue Office are made by selection and not by seniority, and I selected him after careful consideration of all officers of appropriate status and experience because he appeared to me to be the best fitted to carry out the duties of the post.

Is it not a fact that this gentleman has rendered very considerable service over a long period to the Ministry?

I have not all the details, but Mr. Arnold is a civil servant of over thirty years' standing, including three years' military service in the War; he has filled the responsible post of Principal Private Secretary to the Minister of Pensions under four successive Governments over a period of nearly eight years, and I am sure that all those in different parts of the House, who have been connected with War pensions administration, will agree that the ability he has displayed fully justifies the appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that most of the leading restaurants and hotel dining-rooms in London and elsewhere throughout the country are staffed almost entirely by waiters of foreign extraction; whether they are all naturalised British subjects; if not, whether they entered the country and became resident here before August, 1914; and whether he can assure the House that no foreigners have ben permitted to enter this country during the last three years in order to follow this occupation?

I have no information which would enable me to answer the second and third parts of this question; and I am not aware of any statistics which might support the statement in the first part. I doubt, however, whether it is accurate. In the occupation tables of the Census of 1921 the total number of persons in England and Wales described as waiters was 15,390 males and 50,779 females, of whom only 3,536 males and 423 females were shown as foreigners. As regards the last part of the question, no alien would now obtain leave to land for employment as a waiter without a permit from the Ministry of Labour. Such permits are issued only in exceptional cases, and usually for limited periods. If he desires further details, I must refer my honourable and gallant Friend to the Minister of Labour.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is certainly the fact that the plums of the profession usually go to men of foreign extraction, and that a reason for that is that they are trained especially for the work; and will he represent that to the Minister of Labour in order that British waiters can be trained in the same way?

I have no jurisdiction as to whom people shall employ; all I can do is to administer the Aliens Act with the full co-operation of my colleague the Minister of Labour.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very successful training centre under the London County Council at Westminster, and will he make representations to the Minister of Labour that there should be similar training centres in other parts of the country?

I am aware of the admirable training centre of the London County Council, but I am not sure that there is need at the present time for another one.

Are the permits renewed again and again so that waiters may stay permanently?

No. This is really a matter for the Minister of Labour, but my experience is that they are not renewed again and again. Generally speaking, if a foreign waiter wants to come here, arrangements have to be made for an English waiter to leave the country in order to get corresponding tuition and knowledge of the French language, or of some other language, as the case may be.

Does the same thing apply to the foreign staffs of places like the Galeries Lafayette in Regent Street?

asked the Home Secretary whether he contemplates the introduction of legislation in regard to betting in connection with greyhound racing?

I should be glad if an opportunity could be found of testing opinion on this subject, but I can at present hold out no prospect of a Government Bill.

Will my right hon. Friend take into account the fact that the working classes at present are prohibited from betting on the race course, while the well-to-do people can bet anywhere they like?

I do not think that point arises. All I say is that I shall be glad to have the opinion of the House on this important subject.

Will not this proposal necessarily involve an amendment of legislation regarding betting generally?

It depends entirely upon what the proposal is.

Is it not a fact that my question contains no proposal of any kind, but merely asks for information?

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that houses are now being built in Durham city by convict labour; and if he can state the total number of houses to be built and the cost per house?

There is a scheme in progress for the erection of 18 houses for prison officers at Durham at a cost of about £600 a house. In accordance with the general policy of employing prisoners so far as practicable on prison work, use is being made of prisoners' labour in the building of these houses.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these houses consist of two-room flats and whether the price is to be £600 per house?

If the hon. Member wants details of the construction of the houses, he must put down a question. I cannot carry all the details in my head.

Can the Minister tell us from memory what rates of pay the men are getting, and do these comply with the Fair Wages Resolution of this House?

Quite obviously, they are not receiving any pay. They are performing the duties the Prison Commissioners allot to them as part of their punishment for their crimes.

Is that generally understood—that convict labour can be employed on ordinary building work, and that the men get no extra remuneration?

Is the Minister aware that there are experienced bricklayers unemployed in the Durham district, and that they are on the unemployment fund; would they not be better used in building these houses? Would it not be cheaper?

This raises a question which has been decided by the House many times. Prisoners in His Majesty's prisons have to be put on certain employment. To leave them idle would be a form of cruelty to themselves, and they would probably come out of prison worse than when they went in. It is my object, and the object of the Prison Commissioners, to provide the most useful work they can for the men, and to entrench as little as possible on markets outside. These houses form part of the prison, and they are being built by the prisoners, and I am satisfied that it is right to use prison labour for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether there are any houses being built in Great Britain at the present time on which convict labour is used; and what payment, if any, is made to the State for the use of this labour?

At prisons in England or Wales where quarters are being built for prison officers, use is made so far as practicable of prisoners' labour. As such building is Government work, the second part of the question does not arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in what towns these houses are being built?

I have answered a considerable number of supplementary questions on this subject, and if the hon. Member will refer to the OFFICIAL REPORT to-morrow he will get some information.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the House any information concerning the progress made by local authorities in the direction of putting into operation the provisions of the Rural Housing Act; whether any approved schemes for the reconstruction or improvement of cottages and other buildings under the Act have been actually commenced; and, if so, in what areas?

Up to the end of December last, the latest date for which information is available, applications had been received by local authorities for assistance under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, in respect of 599 dwellings. At the same date assistance had been promised in respect of 151 dwellings, and work was in progress on 89 dwellings. With the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the local authorities whose returns show that work of reconstruction or improvement had been commenced on the 31st December last.

The following is the list:

Anglesey County Council.

Chester County Council.

Cumberland County Council.

Devon County Council.

Essex County Council.

Lincoln, Parts of Lindsey County Council.

Northampton County Council.

Nottingham County Council.

Pembroke County Council.

Somerset County Council.

Suffolk, East, County Council.

Worcester County County.

York, North Riding, County Council.

Sutton Coldfield Town Council.

Walsoken Urban District Council.

Atcham Rural District Council.

Downham Rural District Council.

Drayton Rural District Council.

Linton Rural District Council.

Loddon and Clavering Rural District Council.

Rugby Rural District Council.

Spilsby Rural District Council.

Walsingham Rural District Council.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the progress that has been made under this Measure, or is there any way in which he can speed up the action of local authorities?

No, Sir. I am not satisfied with the progress which has been made, and I have recently issued a circular to the local authorities in the hope of stimulating them to be rather more rapid in their operations.

Are we to understand that applications have been made to local authorities to work under this Act and that they have not taken any action?

No, Sir. The hon. Member must not understand that.

Do those figures include the buildings which were not houses before?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are any councils of counties who have not submitted schemes for working the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926; and, if so, whether he will now allocate the powers in those counties, to the rural district councils?

There are four counties for which no schemes have yet been submitted under the Act in question by county councils, and in which none of the district councils have been declared authorities. No applications to be made the authority for the purposes of the Act have been received from the district councils in these counties and the county councils are further considering the matter. In the circumstances I do not think I can at present adopt the suggestion in the last part of my hon. Friend's question.

If there are reasons outside the county councils will the Minister of Health consider putting them to the rural district councils?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what are the names of those councils?

Yes. The Isle of Ely, the Soke of Peterborough, Merioneth, and Radnor.

asked the Minister of Health how the present average contract price of subsidy houses now compares with the price a year ago?

The average price of non-parlour houses included in contracts let by local authorities during the three months ending in January last was £405 compared with £435 for the corresponding period last year. For parlour-type houses, the figures are £457 for 1928, as against £496 for 1927.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the existing uncertainty as to the future rates of Exchequer assistance for houses erected under the 1923 and 1924 Housing Acts is causing a slowing-up of housing progress throughout the country; and whether he can make an early pronouncement to the effect that the present rates of Exchequer assistance will apply for houses actually completed by 30th September, 1929?

I am not aware that progress is being affected in any way by the consideration to which the hon. Member refers. Section 5 of the Housing Act, 1924, requires that the review of the subsidy at present payable shall be undertaken after the 1st October next, and I cannot anticipate the result of a review which must be undertaken some months hence. I appreciate, of course, that apart from the decision as to revision of subsidy, it may become desirable in order to ensure continuity in house production to make some earlier statement on the question whether subsidy at the present rates will remain available for any period after October next, but I am not yet in a position to make such a statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the admitted deceleration of house building on any other ground than that indicated in the question?

Yes, I think I can give several reasons.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses completed by local authorities and by private enterprise with State assistance in the years 1919–20 to 1923–24?

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 Home Secretary how many police are regularly employed upon mounted patrol work in the Metropolitan area and the approximate cost of same?

The number is 221, and the approximate cost is £90,000 a year.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that these mounted police are more ornamental than useful, and that in the interests of economy a good deal of this money might be saved?

I am, of course, responsible for the allocation between the foot and the mounted police. The mounted police have not been increased at all, but I am satisfied that it is very useful to have a certain number. They are very useful in traffic, and they are useful on other occasions to which I need not refer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind what happened on one occasion at Wembley when mounted policemen rendered great service?

rose —

We cannot have so many supplementary questions to every question. It does not give other hon. Members' questions a chance.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has sanctioned the appointment of Major S. H. van Neck as chief constable of Norfolk; is so, what special qualifications this officer possesses for such an appointment; and on what grounds a number of fully qualified serving police officers have been passed over in his favour?

I have approved the appointment, which complies with the requirements of the Police Regulations. Apart from his military police experience, Major van Neck has been Chief of the War Department Constabulary, which he raised and trained, and previously had 3½ years' experience of County Police work. I do not know the grounds on which the committee passed over the other applicants, but they considered Major van Neck to be the best qualified candidate for the post.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the decision to appoint someone who has not served under any police statute reflects upon the very excellent officers of those forces, or that it reflects on the judgment of the Standing Joint Committee who made the appointment?

Is it not a fact that this officer was specially selected by the selection committee from over 100 candidates, and that presumably the selection committee were fully aware of the qualifications of the candidates who appeared before them?

Yes, Sir. It is quite impossible for the Secretary of State to attempt to control these appointments. It is not my duty. The appointment is made by the Standing Joint Committee. They had over 100 applications, they went through them and reduced them to five. I have personally seen the testimonials of all these five, and I am satisfied that there is no reason to veto the appointment. My sole right is a power of veto if I consider a man unfitted for the post.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman deprecate the tendency to appoint people who have not served in the British constabulary?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has taken any action with regard to the letter he received from the Municipal Tramways Association protesting against certain utterances in a recent public speech by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police?

Yes, Sir. My reply to the Association has already been published. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make public the views he has communicated to the police as to the steps which should betaken to secure the right of free speech at public meetings?

Yes, I will have copies placed in the Library, and I will also circulate the material portions of it to the Press.

asked the Home Secretary if he is satisfied with the present Borstal accommodation and that there is sufficient staff for the treatment and training of the persons under 21 ordered to receive such treatment or training; and whether, in view of the number of persons under 21 years of age committed to prison instead of to Borstal institutions during the last 12 months, he is prepared to make a statement on the subject?

If the suggestion in the last part of the question is that youthful offenders are committed to prison because there is insufficient accommodation in Borstal institutions, this is quite mistaken. It is for the Court to decide on the facts of each case whether the offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment or to Borstal detention, and thus far accommodation has been found in Borstal institutions for all whom the Courts have sentenced to such detention. But, as I have previously stated, the numbers in each of the three institutions for males are larger than they should be, in view especially of the desirability of individual attention being given to the inmates by the heads of these institutions; and I should like to start a new institution for males, both to-relieve the present overcrowding and also with the object of developing the Borstal system under more favourable conditions in an institution specially designed for the purpose—and not in adapted prison buildings.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why he does not do this, and why he appealed for some wealthy philanthropist to provide him with £100,000 out of his charity for what is a public need?

That is purely a matter, if I may respectfully say so, for my own discretion. In these times, when economy is necessary, I have not felt justified in pressing the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the money, much as I think this a desirable thing. I did make a public appeal, and I have hopes that it may be responded to.

Will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that this would be a saving in the long run?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any figures showing the total number of domestic servants prosecuted and either discharged or convicted for theft at each of the Metropolitan Police Courts during the year 1927; and the number of domestic servants of Welsh nationality to be found in each category.

Before this question is answered, Mr. Speaker, may I call your attention to the fact that the latter part contains an allegation against a small but friendly nation?

I think it is also capable of the opposite interpretation.

No such figures are available.

Having regard to the fact that no figures are available, will the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Marylebone magistrate to the injustice of his remarks last week concerning girls of Welsh nationality when he said that after obtaining occupations in London they proceeded to steal?

That was part of the original question.

No, Sir, that was not part of my question.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to introduce a Bill during this Session to embody the recommendations of the committees on juvenile offenders and sexual offences against young persons.

I much regret that owing to the pressure of public business I am not at present able to introduce legislation on this subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that several of these committees recommended administrative action and will he look into that subject in order to see what can be done?

Certainly.

asked the Home Secretary when it is intended to publish the next Report of the Children's Branch of the Home Office; and whether it will cover the whole of the period which has elapsed since the publication of the last Report in 1925?

It is hoped that a Report of the Children's Branch of the Home Office will be issued this year which will cover the period since the date of the last Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that theatres holding only a singing and dancing licence can be prosecuted by any common informer on occasions when two or more people appear on the stage in a sketch or dialogue which can be styled a stage play; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to unify theatre and music hall licences in Great Britain?

A stage play can only be publicly produced in a building which has been licensed under the Theatres Act for the production of stage plays, and I see no reason for proposing any alteration of the law in this respect.

asked the Minister of Health the number of insured men or women, 65 years of age, who are in receipt of an old age pension and are still working at their former occupations?

No, Sir. The information asked for could only be obtained by direct inquiry with regard to every insured person to whom an old age pension has been awarded.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows, aged from 50 to 70, who are not qualified to receive a pension under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925?

The information asked for is not available.

asked the Prime Minister the numerical strength of the officers and men in the standing armed forces maintained by the Crown, Army, Navy, and Air Force, both in Great Britain and the Colonies and Dependencies overseas and on service abroad on the following dates, respectively, 1st April, 1914, and 1st April, 1927?

This matter, which is more complicated than would appear at first sight, is being studied in connection with the investigations of the League of Nations into the subject of disarmament, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister hopes before long to be in a position to publish figures which will give the right hon. Member the information for which he asks.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Departmental Committee appointed to consider matters relating to mentally defective children has concluded its task, and when its Report will be published?

I understand that the special investigations instituted by the Committee have now been completed and that the Committee hope to be able to consider the results and to present their Report some time this summer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when that Report will be published?

No, I cannot say at this moment.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will publish, as a Return, a statement showing the number of classes with over 50 on the roll on the latest possible date last year?

I hope it will sufficiently meet the right hon. Member's question if I circulate a list in the OFFICIAL REPOKT on the same lines as that which I circulated in reply to his question of the 29th July, 1926.

On 31st March, 1927, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers were as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) in regard to the proposed closing of the school at Sloothby, Lincolnshire, on the ground of economy, if, in view of the fact that the managers deny that there will be any material saving, he will ask the Lindsey Education Committee to furnish estimates showing what saving they anticipate;

(2) if he will cause inquiries to be made and give the amount of the saving effected by the closing, since the end of 1924, of each of the schools in the area of the Lindsey County Council;

(3) if he will state, in regard to the closing of the school at Cumberworth, Lincolnshire, and the transport of the children to Hattoft, what arrangements have been made to enable the children to obtain a hot or partially hot meal at midday; and if, in respect of the younger children, arrangements have been made for their comfort and supervision?

I am making inquiries into the matters referred to and will communicate further with my hon. Friend, but I may mention that the Board have been informed by the Lindsey Education Authority that the necessary arrangements have been made for the welfare of the children transferred to Hattoft from Cumberworth on the lines of Circular 1357, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of scholarships to universities awarded by the State in 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1927, and an analysis of the academic careers of the holders of such national scholarships, distinguishing between men and women?

As the reply to this question is statistical in character, I will, with the right hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The number of State scholarships awarded in the years in question were:

Of the awards made in 1924, 67 were postponed, the number of scholars actually proceeding to the universities in that year being 198.

The attached table shows the honours degrees obtained by State scholars at universities in the years in question.

In addition, eight boys and three girls obtained pass degrees and one boy and four girls failed to obtain degrees. Taking the four year together, 50.2 per cent. of the boys and 28.4 per cent. of the girls obtained first classes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has consulted the Law Officers of the Crown with regard to the action of his Department in refusing to make grants towards the salaries of county medical officers and other medical persons unless such salaries are in accord with the schedule of the British Medical Association, and, if so, with what result; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by the Lindsey County Council with regard to such a case; and whether his action is now to be modified in view of the terms of the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act of 1927?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative and to the second part in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I am at present unable to see that the Act to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers has any bearing upon this matter.

Does not that Act make it impossible for local authorities to lay down that their employés shall be members of trade unions and does not that apply to the Ministry of Health?

Yes, it does; but I do not think that it applies to this particular case.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the increasing consumption in Great Britain of tinned foods, what steps are taken to ensure that they are sound; and what effect, if any, they have on the national health?

Tinned foods, in common with other foods, are subject to inspection when they are offered for sale, and, in the case of imported commodities, at the time of importation. They may be seized and destroyed if they are found to be unsound or otherwise unfit for human consumption. I am advised that the nutritive value of tinned foods is, in general, comparable with that of other cooked foods.

Are the figures available with regard to the amount of these tinned foods that have been destroyed after inspection?

If the hon. Member will put a question down, I will answer it.

Has the Minister of Health caused any specific inquiries of an expert kind to be made as to the effect of these tinned foods on the public health?

No, Sir. I have no evidence which would make it necessary for me to make such inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any information as to an inquest held on 24th November, regarding the death of a baby born in the Penarth Infirmary on 7th September, when the medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to exposure and want of medical treatment and that the baby had no clothes whatever except a shawl; whether he will inquire as to the date when the baby and its mother and her husband left the Penarth Workhouse; whether the mother was advised to stay there longer with the baby and was told that she and the baby could remain even if the man discharged himself; and whether any clothes were supplied before before the baby left the workhouse?

My attention has only recently been drawn to this case, and I am making inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether a resolution has been passed by the borough, council of Walsall condemning the importation of condensed skimmed milk; whether he is aware that the medical officer of health of this borough considers that this substance is bad for the health of the poorest families; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. I understand that the report of the medical officer of health related to the use of condensed skimmed milk for babies only. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Bury (Major Ainsworth) on the 8th December.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these tins have on them the words "Ministry of Health Standard," and does he realise that that makes people who buy them think there is a Government guarantee with them?

My attention has not been called to this practice, and perhaps my hon. Friend will give me some information.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that poor people buy condensed skimmed milk from choice or from necessity?

Surely the best course to adopt to pursuade people to use fresh milk is to bring down the price within the reach of the pockets of the poorest people.

I did not catch that question.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the report of medical officers of health in various parts of the county of Durham showing increases in the infant mortality rate and in which they have expressed the opinion that such is largely due to want of proper food and nourishment of both mothers and children; and, if so, what remedies he proposes to take?

No reports by medical officers of health for the county or districts of Durham for 1927 have yet been received in the Ministry, but, if the hon. Member will send me particulars of the reports he refers to, I will obtain copies. I may add that no recent evidence which would support the statements mentioned in the question has at present been brought to my notice.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the reports made in December for Chester-le-Street, and in the same month for Houghton-le-Spring, and also in January for Houghton-le-Spring, to the effect that the rate in Houghton-le-Spring was over 200, and in Chester-le-Street 147?

If those are the reports to which the hon. Member is re- ferring, I will obtain copies of them; we have not officially received any reports from those districts.

Have not the medical officers who have to report to the right hon. Gentleman expressed the opinion indicated in the question, that these high rates have been due to underfeeding of mothers and children?

asked the Minister of Health when the inspectors who are urging boards of guardians in the country to reduce their rates of relief were appointed; how many permanent and temporary inspectors there were in 1914 and how many to-day; what salaries they receive and what subsistence allowances; and whether they are interviewing all boards of guardians?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the General and Assistant General Inspectors of the Ministry. In 1914, there were 14 General and four Assistant General Inspectors, all permanent. The present numbers are 12 and six respectively, of whom two General Inspectors and two Assistant General Inspectors hold acting appointments. These officers have been appointed at various dates, going back to 1903. General Inspectors are on a salary scale of £700–£1,000 a year, and Assistant General Inspectors on a scale of £300–£600 a year, with subsistence allowances at normal Civil Service rates. It is the duty of these officers to interview all boards of guardians as and when occasion requires.

Are these inspectors instructed to pay as much attention to cases of distress which are insufficiently relieved as to cases which in their opinion have been over-relieved?

Yes, Sir; it is their duty to call the attention of boards of guardians to all the conditions which can be observed by them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an inspector visited the Northampton Guardians of the poor recently and commented adversely on their scale of relief of 22s. 6d. per week for a man and wife without any means and 25s. for a man. wife, and child, but without stating what rates he considered adequate; that the inspector stated that in the case of a man and wife and four children, where only one child was earning and contributing 10s. per week for his board and lodging, 35s. was excessive relief, and where only two out of six children were earning and contributing together 40s. for their full board and lodging there was no distress at all to relieve; and that the inspector instructed the guardians that the relief of 12s. 6d. per week to single men in lodgings is to cease and the men are to be offered accommodation in the institution, where it cost £1 per week to keep them; whether it is the view of the Ministry that children should be made to keep their parents; and whether, in order to protect the guardians from having action taken against them, he will have his inspectors instructed to state not only what is considered excessive but what is considered by the Ministry to be adequate relief?

I am aware that a general inspector recently conferred with the Northampton Guardians and discussed with them the administration of outdor relief in the union. His report does not enable me to deal with the specific suggestions made in the question, and I have not been able, in the time available, to obtain further information from the inspector. I understand, however, that the inspector advised the guardians that, in accordance with the regulations, indoor relief should be offered to a larger proportion of the single men. As regards the last two parts of the question, it is the duty of a board of guardians, in considering an application for relief, to take into consideration all the circumstances of the case, and the earnings of all members of the household to which the applicant for relief belongs are clearly among those circumstances. The responsibility for deciding in the first instance the amount of relief that is necessary to relieve destitution rests with the guardians, and I do not think, in view of the varying circumstances of the different unions, any new instruction could usefully be given by me.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Poplar Guardians are being strongly pressed to refuse all relief to single men, and is that policy assented to by him?

I am quite confident that the hon. Member is mistaken in saying that that is the policy which is being recommended to the Poplar Guardians.

If I bring the matter to the right hon. Gentleman's attention, will he look into it, because I can assure him that the facts are as I have stated?

I think the hon. Member is confusing indoor and outdoor relief.

It is outdoor relief.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Lewisham Board of Guardians are instituting a scheme whereby able-bodied men in receipt of relief are to be compelled to make breeze blocks from clinkers and work a 40-hour week; that no adequate wages will be paid and that the relief granted will be mainly in kind; and has this scheme the support of his Ministry?

I understand that this board of guardians propose, in pursuance of their duties under the Out Relief Regulations made in 1911, to institute a task of the description indicated in the question for able-bodied men in receipt of relief, and on my present information I propose to approve the scheme.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, if this policy is pursued, it will gravely affect the position of those men who can produce these goods at the ordinary standard of wages, and that it may tend to create unemployment among the employed who want to work at the standard wages?

I do not accept that view.

Is not this Communism in action?

Is it not the fact that in the breezy back-blocks of North Battersea some similar action is contemplated by the guardians there?

asked the Minister of Health the number of casual wards that have been closed in the provinces and in the Metropolis and the names of the unions, and in the case of the provinces the names of the counties in which they were situate and the dates of closure; whether when they were first closed he sent to the guardians of those unions Circulars informing them of their responsibilities with regard to destitute wayfarers who apply for admission, and suggesting what steps the guardians should take to keep their officers informed; whether during the last six months he has sent such guardians any reminder; and, if a Circular was issued, will he state the terms thereof, or lay a copy of it on the Table of the House or place it in the Library?

I will send the hon. Member a note of the available information in regard to the earlier part of his question. As regards the latter part of the question, no Circular Letter has been issued, but every board of guardians is reminded of its responsibilities when consent to the closing of its casual ward is given.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the miners of Durham are to suffer a reduction of 24 per cent, of the percentage on their basis rates; that the subsistence wage of the day workers is to be reduced; and that these follow reductions on piece rates during the past 12 months, while increased hours have been in operation; and whether, in view of these facts, he will say what steps he proposes to take to relieve the workers and the industry from the prevailing conditions?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that awards for further reductions in wages have been issued in Northumberland and Durham; that such reductions bring the miners in those areas below the poverty line; and what steps he proposes to take on behalf of the Government to deal with the situation?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. I am aware of the recent wages awards in Northumberland and Durham respectively. In each district the arbitration proceedings, in which the award was given, were provided for by the district agreement between the owners and the workmen; the arbitrator was an independent person mutually selected by the owners and the workmen's representatives, and the award was given by the independent arbitrator after hearing the views and arguments of both sides. It is not, therefore, a matter in which the Government can intervene.

Are we to understand that, where the wages of highly-skilled workmen underground are reduced to 7s. 8d., and those of boys of 18 to 3s. 8d., the Government are not prepared to accept any responsibility, after having granted the Eight Hours Act to the owners?

As I have said, it is not a question in which the Government can intervene, as it has been done by an independent umpire, approved by both owners and workmen.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this decision practically brings the miners in these two counties down to the 1914 standard, that they still have to work an hour longer, that the owners are satisfied that the men are doing their very best to co-operate in good output, and that, in spite of this decision, the owners now say that they are not satisfied that even this will meet the situation; and, in view of the Government's decision as to the eight-hours' day, are not the men entitled to ask that something should be done to meet the situation?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to my answer; it is not a question in which the Government can intervene.

Owing to the unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

May I ask—

Notice has been given that the question will be raised later.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Economy Act has realised to the Exchequer, and under what heads?

The various amounts stated in the White Paper and the Report of the Government Actuary presented in connection with the Bill have been substantially realised, with the exception that the proposal in Section 17 was not proceeded with.