asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that five great conventions relating to shipping questions, namely, the Freedom of Transit Convention, the Navigable Waters Convention, the Convention relating to the Simplification of Customs Formalities, the Railway Convention, and the Maritime Ports Convention, all of which were agreed to after the War by the States composing the League of Nations, are still unratified by some of the signatory nations; and whether, in the interests of international commerce, he will, through the League, press for ratification by these States?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I learn that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the matter at a meeting of the Council yesterday, and it was decided to instruct the Secretary-General to draw the special attention of all States members of the League thereto.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the international convention on bills of lading, incorporating the Hague rules, which was adopted by the Brussels Diplomatic Conference in 1923, and signed by 14 countries, has not yet been given legislative force by the signatory countries, other than those which are members of the British Empire; and whether he will raise the matter at Geneva in September with a view to obtaining the complete ratification of this convention?

I understand that some of the foreign Governments, signatories to the Bills of Lading Convention, have introduced, although they have not yet passed, legislation to give effect thereto. As the Conference which resulted in the adoption of the convention was summoned by the Belgian Government, and the convention itself signed at Brussels, it is for the Belgian Government, and not for His Majesty's Government, to move in the matter of ratification. It is not a question which in the ordinary course would be raised at Geneva.

Will not the hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Belgian Government to move in the matter?

I think that, as the Conference was called by the Belgian Government, and is entirely within the purview of that Government, it is for the Belgian Government to take the initiative in the matter.

Are the Belgian Government themselves prepared to ratify the Convention?

I think the Belgian Government have ratified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that a large number of members of the League of Nations have now signed, ratified, or acceded to the Slavery Convention, he will consider the advisability of raising again during the Assembly next September the proposal of His Majesty's Government that slave-trading on the high seas should be treated as piracy or, alternatively, that the appropriate commission should be asked to consider whether the time is ripe to take further action under Article 3 of the Convention, in order that an effective international instrument may be created for dealing with slave traffic on the high seas?

It is doubtful whether any useful purpose would be served by repeating the proposal of His Majesty's Government that slave-trading on the high seas should be treated as piracy, in view of the opposition which the suggestion previously encountered. The suggestion contained in the second portion of the hon. Member's question will be carefully considered before the next Assembly of the League.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the 39 slaves set free through the efforts of His Majesty's Consul at Jeddah and landed at Port Sudan are British subjects; and whether he will consider the advisability of recommending the Sudan administration to indicate in future Reports the nationality of any slaves liberated in this way?

I have no information as to the national status of the slaves in question, beyond the fact that they were of African origin. The attention of the Governor-General of the Sudan will be drawn to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the damage done to the war memorial at Hankow by the Chinese on the 4th January, 1927, has yet been repaired by the Chinese authorities?

The damage, I understand, was slight, but I have no information on the particular point raised in the question. My hon. and gallant Friend may be glad to know that arrangements were made last July for removing the memorial to a position within the compound of His Majesty's Consulate-General, a suitable site having been allocated for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the improved relations now existing between this country and all parts of China, he will consider giving effect to the recommendations of the Boxer Indemnity Commission; and whether for this purpose he will endeavour to secure the co-operation of the North and South Governments of China for the purpose of carrying out the proposals of that Commission?

While I welcome the hon. Member's statement that our relations with the various regional administrations in China are greatly improved, I must observe that it is not yet clear that these administrations have yet achieved any degree of permanency, stability or authority, whereas they are in many instances undoubtedly hostile to each other. Apart from the factional quarrels in the Kuomintang ranks, the Party Conference recently held at Shanghai is reported to have declared its resolution to prosecute the campaign against the North and to continue the advance against Peking. In these circumstances, I fear that it would be useless to attempt to give effect to the recommendations of the Boxer Indemnity Commission so long as the present condition of confusion and uncertainty prevails throughout the country.

Can my hon. Friend say what the North and South Governments of China, set out in this question, mean? Are there any defined Governments of North and South China at the present moment?

That is really what I meant when I said in my answer that whatever regional Governments there may be at this moment show very little stability or authority.

Is it not possible to find responsible men in both parts who might undertake this duty?

Under the provisions of the Act relating to the Boxer Indemnity, the money is to be applied for the welfare of the whole of China, and, until we find some kind of central authority to deal with it, it is very difficult to do anything at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the records of the Foreign Office show that Sir Eyre Crowe or Mr. Gregory had grounds to believe that the Zinovieff letter would be published on 24th or 25th October?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether there is any record in the Foreign Office indicating who decided to circulate the Zinovieff letter to the War Office, etc., on 22nd October, 1924; was it marked secret and confidential; and to whom was it to be shown at the War Office;

(2) if there is any record at the Foreign Office showing that Sir Eyre Crowe knew, at the time of the conference at mid-day on 24th October, 1924, when the decision was taken to send the reply to the Zinovieff letter, that the letter itself was in the hands of the Press and might be published the following day?

The Government have undertaken to afford an opportunity to the House for a, discussion on the Report of the Board of Inquiry appointed to investigate certain statements affecting civil servants, a portion of which Report deals with the Zinovieff letter. I think it would be better to deal with the subject of these questions in the course of that Debate, rather than by way of question and answer.

Would it not be as well that we should know, before the Debate, what information the Foreign Office has at its disposal, more particularly as to who gave the orders or initialed the authority to circulate that document on the 22nd to the War Office, and, further, the definite information as to whether Sir Eyre Crowe did or did not know, when he sent the Zinovieff letter to the Press with the reply, that that information was already in the hands of the "Daily Mail"?

The Opposition have asked for a Debate, and the Government have been glad to accede to their request; and I can assure the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that all the information at the disposal of the present Government will be given during the Debate, and any questions asked will be answered at that time. There is great difficulty in anticipating the Debate.

Is it the usual practice to refuse to answer questions put on the Paper because a Debate happens to be taking place at some later date?

We are not refusing to answer questions. Any question will be answered during the Debate. It is not as if the Debate will be very long postponed. It will take place at a very easy date.

Seeing that only half-a-day is allotted for the discussion, would it not be advisable, for the elucidation of this important matter, to give specific answers to these questions now?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a Committee to inquire how the secret and confidential document, circulated to the War Office, Admiralty, Home Office and Foreign Office, and known as the Zinovieff letter, was communicated to the Press on 24th October, 1924; and whether either of the two communications to the Press was made by a civil, military or naval servant of the Crown?

I think it would be better to await the discussion on the Report of the Board of Inquiry appointed to investigate certain statements affecting civil servants, during the course of which the matters raised in the question can be fully dealt with.

Does the Prime Minister realise that he has robbed one of his own followers of the chance of asking a supplementary question?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has received an invitation to a conference of the capitulatory Powers to be held at Cairo to consider the question of capitulatory rights; if so, what is the proposed date of the conference; and whom do His Majesty's Government propose to send as delegates?

Yes, Sir. The Egyptian Government laid various proposals before the Governments of all the Capitulatory Powers, including His Majesty's Government, with the suggestion that they should, if necessary, be discussed at an international conference in Cairo. So far as I am aware, how ever, no date for it has yet been fixed. The British representatives at such a conference would probably be His Majesty's High Commissioner and the Senior British Judge in the Mixed Court of Appeal.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the statement of the decision arrived at by the Board Committee as a result of the investigation of the organisation and methods of the Admiralty Office will be made public?

No, Sir; the investigation is not yet nearly complete.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great importance of this matter in the interests of economy, and will he push forward re-organisation?

I am perfectly aware of the importance of the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman still considering the Report of the Estimates Committee, who agreed that there should be some re-organisation?

The Committee agreed on certain recommendations in two sittings which we have been considering for two or three years.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval hospitals at home and abroad, if any, have been closed during the last three years on account of co-operation with other service hospitals in the vicinity?

No naval hospitals at home and abroad have been closed during the last three years on account of co-operation with other Service hospitals in the vicinity.

Has any disadvantage been found in consequence of this co-operation?

I have not heard of any.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that work formerly done in His Majesty's Dockyards by building trade operatives is now being done by naval ratings; and, if so, will he state the reasons for such a change?

Naval ratings are occasionally employed on simple jobs of decorative and building work undertaken for the benefit of naval personnel when the Commander-in-Chief at the Port is satisfied that they can do the work satisfactorily and can be spared for the purpose. The Board see no reason for stopping the practice.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this has entailed the discharge of a number of building trade operatives from the dockyards?

I have not heard of that. Of course, I could not say without a further question.

Will the Admiralty do all it can to encourage the Navy to rely on its own resources and not a parasitic reliance on naval dockyards?

One of the objects which we have in employing ratings on this work is to give them the vocational training which they require when they go into civil life.

In view of the fact that there is an increase in unemployment among dockyard employés generally, will the Admiralty do all it can to keep these men on work?

There is no need to answer that question. It is obviously our intention.

Is it not a departure from the usual practice of the Admiralty, and, if so, when was it decided?

There is no departure. It is a long-established practice.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that Nelson and his captains prided themselves on keeping out of dockyard hands?

In view of the fact that the hon. and gallant Gentleman says there is no departure from established practice, will he look at a speech made by one of the Admiralty-officials at Devonport last week, who said that this was a new practice?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether seeing that the reasons for which a sum of money was allocated for marriage allowance in the Navy Estimates, 1925, are as urgent to-day, he contemplates restoring this sum in the next Navy Estimates in order that officers may be provided with marriage allowance?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies of 23rd November, and 21st December last (OFFICIAL REPORT, Columns 1772–3 and Column 429) to the hon. Members for North Portsmouth (Sir B. Falle), and Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook).

Does not the right hon. Gentleman admit that the reasons for granting this allowance are as urgent to-day as when the Admiralty decided to make them?

If the hon. Member will only read the answer I have given, he will understand that we are bound by the decision announced by the Prime Minister, I think, in August, 1925.

Why do not the Admiralty look after their own people better?

This is not purely a Labour Department. The Government have to make decisions for all Departments.

Does it never occur to the Tory Government that they should make allowances for the working-class generally?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of the work of repairing and refitting oilers has been carried out in His Majesty's dockyards and private yards, respectively, in the past year; and what has been the expenditure in each case?

In the financial year ended 31st March last the proportion of the work of repairing and refitting oilers which was carried out in His Majesty's dockyards and private yards, respectively, was approximately as five is to eight.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman's attention been drawn to a speech made by an Admiralty official at Devonport, who claimed great credit for the Admiralty in sending more of this work to the dockyards and, in view of the fact that figures show that private yards get more of this work, will he take steps to change the practice, so that it is in accordance with the spirit of that speech?

I cannot say my attention has been drawn to that speech. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at past records, he will see that there is a great deal more work given to dockyards.

Are these speeches by officials of the Department made with the cognisance of the Admiralty or not?

As I do not know anything about the speeches except what the hon. Gentleman tells me now, I am not in a position to answer that question.

Will the Admiralty bear in mind that Devonport dockyard is quite inadequately rated, which comes into the expenses, and that private shipbuilders have to pay Income Tax?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that shipwright officers are now being appointed to do a course of aircraft instruction, he can see his way to allow shipwright ratings, working under the direction of these shipwright officers, to undergo a similar course?

It is not practicable at present to arrange for shipwright ratings to undergo a course of aircraft instruction ashore, as is done for certain shipwright officers. Arrangements are, however, in force for some of these ratings to undergo a somewhat similar course of instruction on board aircraft carriers as opportunity offers.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of males and females between the age of 16 and 21 registered as unemployed in the West Riding of Yorkshire at the latest date possible?

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

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state what is the total number of miners registered as unemployed in the County of Yorkshire, and the total registered as unemployed for the whole of the United Kingdom, at the latest date?

The number of insured persons classified as belonging to the coal mining industry who were recorded as unemployed in Yorkshire at 20th February, 1928, was 21,893, including 12,434 temporarily stopped from the service of their employers. The corresponding figures for the whole of Great Britain were 215,442 and 70,993, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of training establishments in the area covered by the West Riding County Council for juveniles and for youths up to 21 years of age, and where they are situate; and what additional training establishments are to be provided during 1928?

There are no juvenile unemployment centres in the area of the West Riding County Council, though the opening of a centre at Selby and the admission of boys from the council's area to a proposed centre at Barnsley are at present under considera tion. Three centres are open in Sheffield and Leeds, but these are established by the local education authorities in those areas and not by the West Riding County Council. As regards the establishment of additional juvenile unemployment centres I am ready, provided that a sufficient number of juveniles are likely to attend, to consider sympathetically any proposals local education authorities may wish to submit.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress is being made by the Transference Board in the transfer of miners from the distressed areas in South Wales?

As there may be some misapprehension as to the functions of the Industrial Transference Board, perhaps I may point out that the Board was appointed on 7th January last, not to supersede existing departments, but to assist in every way possible the transfers of labour that are already going on through individual initiative, through the machinery of Employment Exchanges, through the Ministry of Labour Training Centres for unemployed adults and juveniles, and through the facilities for migration overseas. The Board, in constant association with the various departments primarily concerned, has been engaged in surveying all the possible means of easing the situation and in effecting closer co-ordination of all departmental activities which may assist transfers.

Is not the reply which the right hon. Gentleman has just given altogether different from the speech delivered by the President of the Board of Trade during the mining debate in December, when he said that the Government had decided to set up this Transference Board in order to transfer men from one district to another?

No, not that I am aware of.

Will the right hon. Gentleman meet the President of the Board of Trade before he answers other questions and try to reconcile his answers with the speech of the President of the Board of Trade?

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to put down a question.

Are we now to understand that the Transference Board is simply a hoax and that it does not exist for the transference of miners?

The hon. Member is giving an opinion.

asked the Minister of Labour if instructions have been issued to Employment Exchanges respecting the selection and transference of persons to another district where they are required; and, if so, what they are?

Where it is necessary to bring workpeople from other districts in order to meet the employers' requirements, the vacancies are circulated to areas in which suitable men are likely to be available, and so far as this is practicable an endeavour is made in appropriate cases to find openings for men from the most hard-hit areas.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of miners who have been transferred from the Wigan Employment Exchange to Manton, Nottingham, since 1st January, 1928; and how many men have refused to be transferred and have had their unemployment benefits stopped as a consequence;

(2) how many of the miners transferred from Wigan to Marton, Nottingham, have refused to accept or have given up the work offered and returned to Wigan; whether they have applied to be reinstated upon unemployment benefit; and, if so, how many have been reinstated and how many refused?

I am having inquiries made into the points raised in these questions and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Has it never occurred to the right hon. Gentleman what a terribly disastrous effect it is going to have upon the country at large, when day after day we hear question after question put regarding the miners, the men who are engaged in the key industry of this country, while they are either on the Employment Exchange or are drawing parish relief? Is it not time this Government took action and did something to relieve the present state of affairs?

The subject cannot be debated now.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men,

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women now receiving training in the City of Glasgow and the number for the same period last year; and if the training is confined to domestic training?

I am informed by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment that there are 40 women at present in attendance at their Glasgow Home Training Centre. In March, 1927, the number was

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state the reason why each year during the past three years there has been a declining number of women who have been offered training in the city of Glasgow?

That is really a matter primarily for the Committee who have charge with regard to women's training? It is a matter in their administration and is largely in their discretion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are any financial restrictions at work, and if any efforts have been made by his Department to reduce the amount spent on this work?

No. The sum at their disposal this year is rather more than last year.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that when a girl is sent to a situation, particularly in domestic service, the Employment Exchange demands a character as to the girl's capacity and honesty; if the same is demanded from the proposed employer; and, if not, what steps are taken to protect the girl when sent to a situation?

In the case of domestic service vacancies references are usually required by the prospective employer, and if the applicant consents the Exchange takes up her references. It is not the practice to require formal references from employers in connection with such vacancies. Employment Exchanges are, however, instructed to satisfy themselves as far as possible that such vacancies are genuine. In the case of girls under the age of 18, the assistance of the Juvenile Advisory Committees is sought, and a parent or guardian is consulted before she is submitted for the vacancy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if, in the case of the women who are sent to employment as barmaids, any inquiry is made into the class of places to which they have to go?

Oh, yes. We do endeavour to satisfy ourselves as far as possible, and I have given what is done with regard to cases of persons under 18. I think on the whole sufficient care is taken to try and see that the places are suitable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether when these vacancies are filled and girls are sent, inquiries are made to see how they are going on or whether they have found suitable places?

I cannot do that in view of the number. I have had inquiries made in individual cases where I had any reason to suspect that inquiries were necessary, but I cannot undertake to do that in all the cases.

Has the right hon. Gentleman, in cases where his Department had knowledge that in the past employés sent by the Employment Exchange have not been treated as they thought desirable, taken any steps to refuse to consider vacancies from those places?

If the hon. Member will put down any instances I will examine them, but, all that I can say is that, speaking in general language, I should certainly not wish to recommend people again in any case where I had really good reason to believe that the situation previously offered was not suitable.

What would happen to a girl who left her employment because it was unsuitable and because the place was not fit to live in—would she be deprived of unemployment benefit?

That seems to be an hypothetical question.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the decision of the official Umpire under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in a test case which has recently come before him, in which a bookmaker may receive benefit during the interval between the end of the flat-racing season and the beginning of the next, if he only acted as a bookmaker during the flat-racing season; and if he is prepared to make any statement on the matter?

In the case to which I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers, the applicant had been accustomed to work as a skilled mechanic during part of the year and to carry on the business of a bookmaker during the flat-racing season. The Umpire decided on the facts given in evidence that the applicant was unemployed at the date when the claim to benefit was made, which was outside the flat-racing season, and was therefore entitled to draw benefit in respect of the contributions he had paid as a mechanic.

Are we to understand that in future bookmakers may always claim the dole during the close season in flat racing?

No, Sir. If the hon. and gallant Member had attended to my answer, he would have found the opposite.

Is it not time that the hon. and gallant Member had enough intelligence not to call it the dole?

Do not bookmakers collect money for the Government?

These are matters for debate.

Is it not a fact that so long as any class of men pay contributions they are entitled to unemployment benefit, no matter what may be their occupation?

That is true provided they satisfy the necessary conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the training ships "Arethusa" and "War-spite," and the Watts Naval Training School, receive youths for training recommended by unemployment committees; and, if so, whether it is made known to such youths that the training given in these schools prepares men for the Royal Navy rather than the Mercantile Marine?

I have been asked to reply. Statistics are not available, but I understand that only in a few cases have boys entered these sea schools after receiving advice from juvenile advisory committees. I understand these schools prepare boys for both the Mercantile Marine and the Royal Navy, and I am not aware that there is any bias in favour of one or the other.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if it is made quite clear to the pupils that these schools chiefly prepare men for the Royal Navy?

It is not necessary for me to do what the hon. Member suggests, because I understand it is known that boys trained in these schools can go to either service.

Is not the right hen. Gentleman aware that these particular schools actually send most of their men into the Royal Navy, and, seeing the Navy has other means of procuring recruits, will he see to it that pupils recommended by the unemployment committees are sent to schools which train for the Merchant Service?

I do not think there is any reason at all for the hon. Member's suggestion. Both Services have every means of getting recruits from these training ships. The boys who go there can at the end of their training go to either Service, and it seems to me that there does not require any further statement.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any particulars or analysis of the various causes of the deaths of the 250 workpeople, other than seamen, who were killed in the course of their employment during the month of January?

These particulars are recorded by the Home Office, Ministry of Transport, and Mines Department. I have obtained from these Departments such information as is available, and am circulating a summary of it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of complaints received and the number of prosecutions that have arisen in Scotland and Glasgow, respectively, last year under the working of the Trade Boards?

The number of complaints received in Scotland during the year ending 31st December last was 156. No separate figures are available for Glasgow. There were prosecutions against two Scottish firms, neither of them in Glasgow.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction about the administration of this Act, particularly in Glasgow, and will he take any steps to see that it is much better enforced in its everyday working?

I am not aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction as to the way it is enforced. If the hon. Member will give me any substantial grounds for believing that it is not enforced properly, I will most certainly have it looked into, but I cannot do it on mere statements.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of firms in the City of Glasgow and in the West of Scotland have not been visited for years by a Trade Boards' inspector, and can he say what steps, if any, he takes to see that the Act is enforced in the case of these firms?

The Trade Board firms are visited by the Trade Boards' Inspectors. They are not all of them visited every year. Unless the staff were increased to a very large number that would be quite impossible. But a fair check is taken on these firms by inspecting them regularly, though not every year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the construction of Airship R100 at Howden is being subjected to constant and systematic inspection by qualified examiners from his Department?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if ample provision is being made on Airships R100 and R101 for the transport of 200 troops and their equipment?

No, Sir; but the airships would be capable of transporting that number of troops if the necessity should arise.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what afforestation has been done in Yorkshire in the years 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1927; what action it is proposed to take during 1928; the number of small holdings that have been set up in connection with afforestation in Yorkshire; and where they are situate?

The area planted by the Forestry Commissioners in Yorkshire in each of the last five seasons was as follows: 642 acres, 526, 932, 666 and 681. The programme for the current season is 880 acres. The number of forest workers' holdings set up by the Commission in Yorkshire is nine at Allerston, one at Selby, and one at Rosedale; in addition eight are in progress at Allerston and 12 at Rosedale, making a total of 31.

asked the Minister of Health whether in the administration of national health insurance a man disabled in the Great War, and in receipt of pension or otherwise in respect of the disability, is treated as eligible for treatment by his panel doctor for the disability; and, if so, whether any payment is made from the Ministry of Pensions to the insurance fund to cover this service?

A man disabled in the Great War who is insured under the National Health Insurance Act is entitled in the ordinary course of his insurance to medical benefit. This includes treatment for his War disability so far as it does not involve the application of special skill and experience of a kind which general practitioners as a class cannot reasonably be expected to possess. A man who is not so insured is entitled by virtue of Regulations under Section 59 (3) of the Act to similar treatment if he is in receipt of a disability pension and his total income does not exceed £160 a year. In neither case is any payment made to National Health Insurance Funds by the Ministry of Pensions towards the cost of the service.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the increasing number of persons using the casual wards in England and Wales, he will request the guardians or other authority in control of the casual wards in London, Sheffield, and Manchester to prepare a Report showing the number of men and women resident in their respective casual wards on the night of Wednesday 14th March, giving age, birthplace, employment, and history since leaving school, with special reference to any service with His Majesty's forces and present medical fitness and conditions of health, and lay these Reports as a White Paper on the Table of the House?

My right hon. Friend will consider whether it is possible to obtain such a Report as the hon. Member suggests and how far the results of the inquiry would justify the very considerable labour involved in its compilation. It would not in any case be possible to secure a Report for so early a date as the hon. Member suggests, or to obtain with any accuracy all the particulars indicated in the question.

Whatever return is decided upon, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the widespread interest which the public takes in this question of the character and physique of the men who are obliged to seek the hospitality of the casual wards, so that we may know what type of men they are?

I will consider what it is possible to do in the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has sanctioned the scheme adopted by the Metropolitan Asylums Board for dealing with persons who desire shelter in casual wards, which proposes to establish certain centres to which male casuals are to be sent for the purpose of subjecting such persons to a task of work known as stone breaking; will he inform the House of the details of the scheme, the amount of stone that is to be broken, the period such men are to be detained, the hour of the day when they will be released, and what punishment will be inflicted on those men unwilling or unable to carry out the task; will he state the food allowance which will be supplied to the men engaged on this work; and has he any information as to whether the Metropolitan Asylums Board propose to institute any tasks, such as oakum picking, for women?

I understand that the Metropolitan Asylums Board propose to introduce a task of the kind described for a limited number of the casuals relieved in London. The proposal does not require my right hon. Friend's sanction unless the managers desire to depart from the requirements of the Casual Poor (Relief) Order, 1925, which deals with the amount of stone to be broken and the other matters referred to by the hon. Member. I will inquire what is the practice of the managers as regards female casuals, but I may say that oakum picking is not now a permitted task.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in the setting down of this scheme his right hon. Friend's sanction has been obtained?

No, Sir, it is not necessary so long as the Order is complied with.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Order lays down that the task must be stone breaking?

I will inquire into that point.

I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his right hon. Friend will consider that this task is one of the most terrible tasks that can be imposed upon men of weak physique and that every Commission that has inquired into the subject has always declared against such a task being inflicted upon persons whose only crime is—

Speech!

As a matter of patriotic duty, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake the task for himself in order to report to the House?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any evidence to the effect that vagrancy is on the increase; and whether he will supply any figures which may be available to illustrate the development of the problem?

The number of vagrants fell substantially after 1911–12 and during the War reached a very low level. The numbers have now increased again to the pre-War level. I am sending the hon. Member a note of the numbers relieved in successive years at the end of January.

Is it not a fact that the casual wards in such places were empty during the War, and is not that evidence that when there is work for men to do they do not need to seek the casual ward?

The hon. Member is advancing an argument and not asking a question.

I want to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will seriously consider putting in Palace Yard or some other place a cartload of the stone that these men are expected to break, and for which—

The hon. Member is going back to a previous question.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the raising of the ban on the broadcasting of controversial matter, the Government will set up a Select Committee of both Houses to consider whether any parts of the proceedings of the Houses of Parliament should be broadcast?

In 1926, after consulting the Leaders of the other parties and obtaining information through the usual channels, I came to the conclusion that there was a greatly preponderating body of opinion against broadcasting the proceedings of this House. I do not think there has been any substantial change of opinion since then, and in these circumstances I do not propose to set up a Committee such as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests.

Would not this Committee be better able to ascertain the proper views on the subject?

Is it not a fact that the House of Commons is a deliberative assembly and not a public meeting?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of ships built abroad, and their tonnage, to the order of British owners and registered in this country during each of the last five years?

The total number of new ships built abroad, and registered as British, during the five years was 127, of a total tonnage of 162,452. With my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures for each year which he desires.

May I ask if the figures at the hon. Member's disposal show a progressive decline?

The figures for 1927 are the highest for any year so far as tonnage is concerned, though not in number.

May I ask whether these are the same British owners who entered into international agreements and rings which deliberately penalise British trade?

That does not seem to arise out of the question.

In view of the fact that his Department have been advertising "Buy British goods," and that the bulk of the people who have bought these ships are members of his own party, will the hon. Gentleman make representations to them?

Is it not a fact that the reason why the figures for last year are higher than before is that it was impossible to build these ships in this country owing to the coal strike of 1926?