asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the 6,642 first awards in 1926–27 were to men who were not in receipt of any other disability pension?

Of the 6,642 first awards made in the year 1926–27, 3,000 were so made to officers and men who were not in receipt of any other disability pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of pensioners affected by the new method of weekly payment of pensions recently introduced by his Department?

The total number of pensioners who will hold pension order books under the new scheme is slightly more than 1,000,000, representing, approximately, 1,500,000 beneficiaries.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what will be the saving owing to the issue of these books?

It is estimated that over £100,000 a year will be saved by the new procedure, mostly in the expendi- ture of the Post Office. At the same time, it is believed that it will be a great convenience to pensioners.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the advisability of returning to Scotland the 105 Scottish disabled ex-service men at present under treatment in various hospitals in England, so that they may be near their own people and have all the necessary medical treatment?

I would remind the hon. Member of the answer which I gave him on the 1st instant. Wherever treatment near the man's home can suitably be arranged, such is and will be given, but I could not advisedly, or in the interests of the patients themselves, adopt the course suggested in all cases, in view of the varied types of disease and the highly specialised character of the treatment required by them which is given in the existing centres.

Does not the Minister agree that we have in Scotland very highly-skilled medical men who are able to deal with all of these cases, and that these men would be happier being treated at home in Scotland than they are exiled in England?

It is not a question of medical skill alone; it is a question also of available hospitals.

May I ask what is the real difficulty in removing these patients to institutions in their own country?

The 105 cases referred to in the question are not such as could be received in ordinary civil hospitals, nor would it be possible to place them all in one institution. Separate hospitals for each type of case would be required, each of which could therefore have only a very small and dwindling number of patients. This would be neither practicable nor in the interests of the pensioners.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that no proportion of these ex-service men could be returned to Scotland, and suitably treated there?

These men are only in England in order that they may avail themselves of special types of treatment in our hospitals. I do not think it would be reasonable or practicable to start four or five separate new hospitals in Scotland in order to deal with the very small number of cases that are now being dealt with in England—a number which is not only small, but dwindling.

Is it not the case that the list which the right hon. Gentleman gave to me the other day did include a number of cases of a kind normally treated in the hospitals in Scotland?

No, Sir; a large proportion of them could not be accepted in civil hospitals. To take an example, the 27 borderline cases could not be treated at Craigleith.

Have any of these ex-service men been undergoing treatment for a long time?

Yes, Sir; many of them have been for a very long time receiving special forms of treatment. I have personally seen some of them in the hospitals in England, and I am glad to say that I have found them to be satisfied.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether medical officers of the Ministry have been instructed, when submitting their recommendations for assessment of pension, to take into consideration the extent to which climatic and other current conditions may be responsible for maintaining the level of disablement in individual cases; if so, whether this instruction is of recent date; and whether he will have copies furnished to Members on application or made available to them in the Library of the House?

No, Sir. It has, however, been found desirable to summarise, for the convenience of medical officers, the principles of the Royal Warrants and previous instructions as to the assessment of disablement by War service with reference to any additional degree of incapacity that may be caused by other ailments or conditions unconnected with War service. With regard to the last part of the question, it is contrary to the long-standing practice of Public Departments—a practice which the right hon. Gentleman himself strongly reaffirmed when in office—to circulate generally in- structions which may be issued from time to time for the guidance of technical officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has made any calculation of the approximate number of new plural voters who will be added to the next register under the Franchise Bill; and, if so, what this number is?

I hope to be able, on the occasion of the Second Reading of the Bill, to give some information on this point.

asked the Home Secretary if he will give a rough estimate of the number of women who will be entitled to vote at Parliamentary elections under the Equal Franchise Bill in the three divisions of Cardiff?

I regret that the materials are not as yet available to enable me to frame estimates of the distribution of the increased electorate among the various constituencies.

asked the Home Secretary whether, inasmuch as on the 21st of April, 1927, he issued and sent to the clerks to the justices of the peace a Circular asking them to call the attention of the justices to certain provisions of the Overseers Order, 1927, which had altered the powers and duties of the justices under the Poor Law Act, 1834, to make orders with respect to Poor Law relief in certain cases, and inasmuch as these powers and duties of the justices were altered by the Poor Law Act, 1927, so that the above Circular has become a mis-statement of the present law, he will now send out a new Circular stating correctly the duties of the justices?

The Poor Law Act, 1927, has been promulgated in the ordinary manner to clerks to justices. It is not my practice to issue Circular Letters to them except in special circumstances, and I do not consider that any Circular Letter from me is required in regard to this Act.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount lent by the Department to boards of guardians, and how the present total compares with that of a year ago?

The total amount outstanding in respect of loans advanced on the recommendation of the Goschen Committee to boards of guardians in England and Wales was £7,260,950 on 31st March, 1927, and is £7,090,214 at the present date. It is expected that a further sum of £189,665 will be repaid by the 31st instant.

Has the right hon. Gentleman sufficient power to. check the more extravagant of these authorities, and is he using his powers to the fullest amount?

That question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons are in receipt of poor relief in the borough of Poplar; how many of these, including dependants, are being relieved on account of unemployment; how many for other reasons; and the corresponding figures in 1913?

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures which have been supplied to me by the guardians.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the effect of the East Sussex (Fulking and Poynings) Confirmation Order, 1928, dated 9th February, 1928, whereby the parishes of Fulking and Poynings are transferred from the rural district of Steyning East to and become part of the rural district of Cuckfield, but are still left in the Steyning Union, and not transferred to and made to form part of the Cuckfield Union, is that the members of the Cuckfield Rural District Council for these two parishes will have to attend the meetings of both the Steyning Board of Guardians and the Cuckfield Board of Guardians; that they decline to attend meetings of both boards of guardians, and that at the end of each six months either the clerk to the Cuckfield Rural District Council will have to report to the clerk of the Steyning Board of Guardians or the clerk to the Steyning Board of Guardians will have to report to the clerk of the Cuckfield Rural District Council that there is a vacancy in these parishes through non-attendance, thus causing casual vacancies and cost of re-elections every six months; that the present position requires, first, a general rate to be levied over the whole of the Cuckfield Rural District Council, secondly, a special rate to be levied on the parishes of Fulking and Poynings to meet the precept of the Steyning Board of Guardians, and thirdly, a special rate to be levied on the remainder of the Cuckfield Rural District Council to meet the precept of the Cuckfield Board of Guardians; and whether he can see his way to putting an end to these inconveniences by amending the Confirmation Order and transferring the two parishes from the Steyning Union to the Cuckfield Union?

Yes, Sir. I had no alternative but to make this Confirming Order in the absence of a petition for disallowance, and an Order of this kind, which is made under Section 57 of the Local Government Act, 1888, cannot extend to the transfer of parishes for Poor Law purposes. As a matter of fact, no objection to the present arrangements has previously been submitted to me. I shall be prepared to consider any representations which the guardians may wish to make in the matter.

Do I understand the Minister has the power, if the guardians make representations, and that he will exercise that power?

I have the power, but I could not undertake to exercise it until I know what the representations are.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange for a cartload of granite blocks, similar to those used in the casual wards of London, to be placed in Palace Yard, and place them in separate quantities showing the amount a man must break as a task; will he cause to be exhibited one of the screens containing the holes through which each piece of broken stone must pass; and show samples of the hammers used by those called upon to fulfil this task?

There is at present no stone breaking task in operation in the casual wards of London, though the Metropolitan Asylums Board propose to introduce such a task for a limited number of casuals, and have the necessary arrangements under their consideration. I do not, however, think that any useful purpose would be served by such an exhibition as is proposed.

In view of the fact that these men are expected to undertake very heavy tasks, would it not only be to the advantage of hon. Members to see the job, but to let those of them who think it can be done easily undertake to do it, so that the public may be convinced that it is a proper task to set starving men to do?

If the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to grant my hon. Friend's request, will he invite a number of Members to go to one of these casual wards and see the men actually at work?

Is the right hon. Gentleman's assent necessary before the Metropolitan Asylums Board introduce the task?

No, Sir.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman can prevent it, as he prevented oakum picking?

I see no reason to prevent it.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are taken to ensure that no casuals are set tasks unsuited to their age, strength or capacity?

The primary responsibility for ensuring that a casual shall be excused from any task not suited to his age, strength or capacity is placed upon the master. That officer is also required to obtain the attendance of the medical officer where any casual appears to require medical attention, and it is always open to any casual to ask to see the medical officer. The provisions of the Casual Poor Order as to the attendance of the medical officer are posted in a conspicuous place in every casual ward.

Does that take into consideration the fact that very few of these men know that they have this right to ask to see a medical officer, and further does it also take into consideration the fact that most of these men are systematically underfed?

I do not accept the statement that most of the men are systematically underfed. I do not know what that means. We give to every casual ward full notice of the right of the casual to ask for medical attendance, and I do not see that we can do anything more.

When I said that these men were systematically underfed, I meant to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is not aware that these men are systematically underfed because of their ordinary life and not necessarily because of the food they are given in these institutions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman conversant with the dietary scale given to these men, and does he not know that it is simply starvation for them?

asked the Minister of Health the amount, of the Poor Law grant allocated to the ex-West Ham Board of Guardians for the year ending March, 1926, and the amounts allocated to the present West Ham Poor Law Commissioners for the years ending March, 1927 and 1928?

The grants paid to the guardians of the West Ham Union out of the Exchequer Contribution Accounts of county and county borough councils in respect of the maintenance of lunatics in county and borough asylums, the cost of union officers and the remuneration of teachers in Poor Law schools amounted in the year ended March, 1926, to £33,156. The corresponding figure for the year ended March, 1927, was £43,273. The figure for the year ending March, 1928, is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of principal and interest paid by the West Ham Poor Law Commissioners in respect to the repayment of loans for the half-years ending Lady Day, 1927, and Michaelmas, respectively; and what is the amount due to be paid in accordance with the agreement made between the Commissioners and his Department for the periods mentioned?

The amounts in respect of loans paid by the West Ham Poor Law Guardians on 31st March, 1927, and 30th September, 1927, were £58,272 5s. 2d. and £138,000, respectively. These sums represent the amounts due on these dates in accordance with the arrangements made with the guardians.

Is it not a fact that for one half-year at any rate the Commissioners did not pay any principal or interest and therefore they have not paid in accordance with the agreement?

The question was what is the amount due to be paid in accordance with the agreement, and I have answered that question.

As a matter of fact, what they ought to have done was to pay so much interest, and in consequence of it not being paid for that half-year they are in arrears.

asked the Minister of Health the amount paid in out-relief to able-bodied persons during each of the last four years by the Poor Law Unions of England and Wales?

The amounts paid in out-relief in money and kind by boards of guardians in England and Wales to persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants during the years 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927 were £5,360,000, £5,600,000, £14,980,000 and £7,320,000, respectively. Figures based on the classification of "able-bodied" persons are not available.

asked the Home Secretary the number of fatal accidents that occurred in the streets of the Metropolitan police area for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, and the number of these accidents that were directly due to motor cars?

During the 12 months ending on 31st December last, there were 1,056 fatalities caused by vehicles in the streets of the Metropolitan police district, and of these 828 were attributed to motor vehicles other than motor cycles.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the nuisance caused recently by the passage to and fro on the Thames in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster of a small boat driven by an exceptionally noisy motor; and will he take powers to enforce the use of silencers on motors used in small boats?

I have been asked to reply. My attention had not previously been called to this matter, and I have received no similar complaints. I have no power to enforce the use of silencers on motors used on small boats on the River Thames, but I will communicate with the Port of London Authority, if the hon. Member so desires.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he takes any part, in conjunction with railway companies, to deal with large influxes of people to London on such occasions as football matches and other sports of national interest?

The provision of adequate travelling facilities on railways is a matter for the railway companies. So far as omnibus traffic is concerned, temporary modifications in the Regulations issued under the London Traffic Act are made on special occasions to permit of additional omnibus journeys on restricted streets when I am advised that such relaxation is desirable.

Are we to understand that the Minister of Transport has no control over railways putting on trains which are too long, with the result that on the following day they have to put on shorter trains and overcrowding takes place? That is usually the case the day after a big football match?

The question which concerns me is safety.

Is it not a question of safety if a railway company is running too many carriages in one train, and, instead of making up two trains, they run one train with two engines? Has the right hon. Gentleman nothing to do with the regulation of this kind of thing?

You cannot generalise on a matter like that. Each case must be taken on its merits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared, in connection with the international match on Saturday week, to pay a visit of inspection to the station and see how things go on?

If I can give the right hon. Gentleman an actual case which came under my observation last Sunday at Euston, following the big rugby match, and certain facts which I noticed, and which were noticed by the inspectors, whom I called in—

The hon. Member must put that question on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can inform the House of his intentions with regard to the Report of the Departmental Committee which inquired into the conditions of licensing taximeter cabs?

I have considered this Report, but understand that some hon. Members desire to make further representations to me. I should therefore be glad if the hon. Member would repeat his question next Thursday.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fire which took place at a nursery school in the village of Salfords, near Horley, Surrey, on Saturday, 17th March, in which five sleeping children lost their lives; and will he consider the appointment of a Departmental Committee, with a view of introducing legislation to improve the standard of fire precautions and safeguards against fire at all private schools?

I have seen reports in the Press of this most unfortunate fire, but, much as I deplore the fatalities involved, I do not think that it is necessary to appoint another Committee. The Royal Commission on Fire Brigades and Fire Prevention considered the question of fire precautions in schools, and made recommendations in their Report. I will make further inquiry as to the circumstances of this particular school, but on my present information it would appear that it was not subject to control by any public authority.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the recommendations made by the Royal Commission have been carried out in all private schools?

I think it would be almost impossible for me to say that with regard to all private schools.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is a matter of great importance that every precaution should be taken for the protection of children at private schools against fire, and will he not make the necessary investigation?

I do, of course, consider that that is a matter of great importance, but I am desirous of not multiplying too much the number of inspectors all over the country. Certain recommendations were made by the Royal Commission, and it is open, of course, to the proprietors of private schools to consult them, but, as to this particular case, I will see whether it was subject to any public authority who ought to have inspected the school, and will let the hon. Member have a further answer.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any power to deal with private schools, and to see that they are proper places for their purpose?

No, I do not think I have; I think it is a matter for the local authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. Wandesforde, of 29, Church Lane, Brighouse, discharged from the teaching staff of Brighouse Grammar School for reasons of economy; whether he is aware that Mr. Wandesforde lost his means of livelihood when he had to close his private school at Scarborough following the bombardment by enemy forces and for this received no compensation; and if it is possible to offer Mr. Wandesforde suitable employment as a teacher or an adequate pension to maintain himself and his family?

I have made inquiries into this case. I understand that Mr. Wandesforde's appointment at Brighouse was terminated owing to the drop in the number of pupils at the school, but that he has been retained for the current term in order to give him an opportunity of securing another post. His further employment is a matter for the local authorities and governing bodies, who are responsible for the appointment of teachers. I am afraid that he has not sufficient years of service to qualify him for a superannuation allowance.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received any reports from education authorities in Lancashire indicating the opening up of nursery schools?

I understand that some of the local authorities are considering this question, but I have no specific proposals before me.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that parents of children attending elementary schools in the county of London are not notified of cases of diphtheria occurring in such schools and given an opportunity of isolating the child who has been attending, and that there is no disinfection of class-rooms in which cases have occurred; and what action he proposes to take?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The arrangements made by the London County Council for dealing with cases of diphtheria occurring in elementary schools are based on experience extending over 20 years, and I am advised that all reasonable precautions are taken. I do not, therefore, think that any intervention on my part is called for.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will inquire into the circumstances of the death of the son of Mrs. Maggie Potts, of Oulton, Wigton, Cumberland, who was a healthy child in Oulton School until, without the consent and in spite of the protests of his mother, he was operated on for tonsils and adenoids with the result that he died; and under what authority was such action taken?

I have already received a report on this case from the school medical officer, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I understand that the concurrence of the boy's mother was obtained before the operation was performed. The boy was operated upon at a hospital by a specialist; be was kept in the hospital for two nights after the operation, and was apparently quite well when discharged. I am advised that death was due to complications which subsequently arose, and that this regret- table occurrence was not due to any defect or failure in the authority's arrangements for treatment.

asked the Home Secretary how many lads of 20 years and under were convicted of various offences during the last three years for which statistics are available; and, of these, how many were placed on probation and how many sent to prison or reformatories?

It is not possible to give the information in the exact form desired, and, as the various figures would take up much space, I am sending a copy of them to the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to increase the reformatory accommodation?

That question really does not arise now.

asked the Home Secretary whether any of the Reports he has received on artificial silk factories from Lancashire and Derbyshire indicate that the occupation is harmful to health?

The answer is in the negative. In the case of the Derbyshire works certain complaints were received in 1925 and 1926, but extensive alterations have since been made both in the plant and buildings, and no further complaints have been received for a considerable time.

Have any cases of blindness due to working in this industry been mentioned in any reports that have been recently received?

I can only say, as I have said in my answer, that no complaints have been received by my Department for some considerable time past. If the hon. Member has information as to anything in the nature of blindness as a result of working in this industry, I think it is his duty, almost, to send it to me, when I will certainly inquire into it.

Are there any facts to show that, in the countries where the artificial silk industry has been established, any definite trade diseases have been developed, and that special precautions are necessary to prevent them?

As the hon. Member knows, it is a new industry. My inspectors are watching it most carefully, and all that I can say at present is that we have no evidence to establish its being dangerous in any particular. As I have said, however, to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Kelly), if he or any other Member has information which would be useful to the inspectors of my Department, I shall be most grateful if he will send it to me.

I will certainly take advantage of the right hon. Gentleman's invitation. May I ask him whether he is aware of any report recently received in which his inspectors have mentioned any cases of people's eyesight being affected, or of people being operated upon for blindness?

No, Sir. The hon. Member, in his question, asked me whether we had received any report in reference to artificial silk factories to indicate that the occupation is harmful to health. The answer is as I have said, in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health the amount collected in rates in England and Wales during the year ended 31st March, 1927; the total of the Exchequer grants to the local authorities during the same period; and, for comparison, the corresponding figures for the year ended the 31st March, 1914?

The amount raised by rates in England and Wales during the year ended 31st March, 1927, was approximately £159,500,000, and the amount of Exchequer grants to local authorities in that year was approximately £87,000,000. The corresponding figures for the year ended 31st March, 1914, were £71,276,158 from rates and £22,617,246 from grants. The term "Exchequer grants" is taken to include, in addition to voted monies, sums paid out of the Local Taxation Account and out of the Road Improvement Fund or the Road Fund.

asked the Minister of Health how many members of his staff have been placed on overtime since 1st March, 1928?

Since 1st March, 74 members of the staff have been placed on overtime in various branches of my Department to deal with special and urgent work. 31 of these officers have already reverted to normal hours and the remaining 43 will similarly revert at the end of the present month.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why notices terminating the employment of 124 ex-service temporary clerks have been issued in his Department while members of his staff are continually being placed on overtime;

(2) how many members of his staff had their leave curtailed during 1927 in order to keep the work entailed by the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, on an up-to-date basis; whether such leave outstanding will be granted this year; and, if so, whether he will consider cancelling the notices issued to ex-service temporary clerks in order to cope with the arrears of work in his Department?

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that in spite of an abnormal amount of overtime, the work in regard to the administration of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, is still much in arrears, he will reconsider the question of dispensing with any of the staffs at present employed by the Ministry of Health, excepting the officers engaged on loan from other Departments?

1,242 members of the staff had their leave curtailed during 1927 in order to deal with the abnormally large number of claims to Old Age Pension accruing as from 2nd January, 1928. Any leave outstanding will be granted during the current year and sufficient staff will be retained to enable this to be done. The number of Old Age Pension claims received since 2nd January largely exceeded the estimate and the staff engaged on that work had therefore, much to my regret, to be employed on overtime. This overtime ceased on 5th March and I do not anticipate any necessity for resuming it. The need for it could not be obviated by the engagement or retention of officers without a special degree of skill in the work. The prospective volume of work for the current year would not afford any justification for cancelling the notices given, but in view of the present position of the work, I have decided to postpone the operation of the notices for a short time.

Does that answer mean that the only section of the right hon. Gentleman's Department in which overtime is worked is the Pensions Department, and that there has not been any overtime in any other Department?

No, that would not be quite correct. There has been some overtime in other sections as well.

asked the Minister of Health, seeing that the pledge given to the women temporary staffs states specifically that if new entrants to the Civil Service cause the displacement, in due course, of women temporary staffs, recourse shall be had by dismissing the least efficient of the temporary staffs, why he has issued notices terminating the employment of 124 ex-service temporary clerks and refused to issue any such notices to the women temporary staff employed in his Department?

The pledge to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was an undertaking that for a period of 12 months, from 1st January, 1928, no efficient temporary woman clerk who has since 1st January, 1926, or earlier, been continuously employed in any headquarter establishment shall be discharged from that establishment to make room for a successful candidate from any open competition for the Established Writing Assistant or Clerical Class (Women) held after 1st January, 1926. This undertaking has no bearing on the issues raised in the latter part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether, in view of the many appeals based on hardship grounds which have been received by the Ministry of Health establishment officers from ex-service temporary clerks under notice terminating their employment, he has considered cancelling such notices and issuing notices to such women temporary clerks who are not employed in his Department on hardship grounds, in order that the pledges given to the ex-service staff by His Majesty's Government may be carried into effect;

(2) as he has issued notices terminating the employment of 124 ex-service temporary clerks in his Department on the lines indicated in the Lytton Report, why he has not carried out the recommendation that temporary women staff shall be dismissed before ex-service men?

The work upon which the temporary women staff are employed is of the class described by the Lytton Committee as specially appropriate to women, and, therefore, as ordinarily non-substitutable by men. The notices with have been given are consequently strictly in accordance with the recommendations of that Committee.

asked the Minister of Health how much longer he estimates that the work of the Central Index Committee will continue?

The Central Index Committee, which ceased to hold office on 4th April, 1927, was responsible for recording the title of insured persons to medical benefit and transmitting to insurance committees notifications affecting the title to such benefit. This work, which is an essential part of the machinery for the administration of medical benefit, is now being carried out in a modified form by the permanent staff of my Department, assisted temporarily by a portion of the staff previously under the control of the Central Index Committee. I am not in a position at the present time to state how long it will be before the work can be done in the ordinary course by Departmental staff, but the temporary staff has already been reduced by about one-third.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain precisely what he means by a modified form?

It would take rather too long to deal with that point in the answer to a question but I will send the hon. Member particulars.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any subsistence allowances are allowed to civil servants when transferred from Ireland to England, or from town to town, if they are unable to find house accommodation?

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the case of established civil servants, removed on transfer from one town to another in the interests of the Service, who are unable to find unfurnished accommodation at their new stations. In the case of married men, and single men with dependants who were householders immediately prior to transfer, provision is made for the grant of an allowance towards the reasonable excess cost of furnished quarters over and above the usual liability for rent and rates.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in making his recent appointment to the post of divisional controller (Ministry of Labour) for the Welsh division, he took into consideration the desirability of appointing someone possessing a knowledge of the Welsh language; and whether, in view of the importance attaching to this qualification for this particular office, he will make arrangements for the division to be served by a controller who has this qualification?

I have been asked to reply. After carefully surveying the requirements of the service in Wales and elsewhere, my right hon. Friend did not find it possible to appoint to the post at Cardiff an officer possessing a knowledge of the Welsh language. The post has been filled by the, transfer of the officer occupying the corresponding post of divisional officer at Bristol.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that the holder of this office is brought into daily contact with a large number of people who habitually use the Welsh language, and is it not the case that part of the great success achieved by the retiring official was due to his having a knowledge of the Welsh language?

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that although the official is in daily touch with Welsh-speaking people, those people speak English as well as Welsh?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the heads of His Majesty's embassies or legations abroad entered the Diplomatic Service, the Foreign Office, or the Civil Service by open competitive examination; how many entered by examination restricted to a nominated or selected group; and how many of the latter were sons of working-class parents?

All the existing heads of His Majesty's missions abroad, with the exception of three who were appointed direct to their present posts from outside the service, entered the Diplomatic Service, Foreign Office or Consular Service, after an examination in which they had received nominations to compete. So far as I am aware, none of these officers comes within the category to which I understand the hon. Member to refer in the last part of her question.

In that connection, may I ask whether the Nomination Board in selecting candidates for this examination rule out the sons of working-class parents?

Oh, no, certainly not. The business of the Board is to choose the best man from whatever class he may come.

Is it the fact that no sons of working-class parents have ever been chosen for these posts?

I made an inquiry this morning, and I find that at the moment the First Secretary of a Legation is the son of an engine driver.

Is it not also the fact that from time to time there have been members of the party opposite on the Board of Selection, including the right hon. Member for Miles Platting (Mr. Clynes), who is no doubt well aware of the qualifications required.

That is perfectly true, and last year we had the advantage of the presence of the hon. Member for South Leeds (Mr. Charleton).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the Assistant Under-Secretaries of State, Counsellors, First Secretaries of the Foreign Office, heads of Embassies, Legations, or missions abroad entered the Foreign Office or Diplomatic Service at a time when an income qualification was required; and how many of those holding these posts entered the service after such income qualification ceased to be required?

The income qualification never applied to the Foreign Office, which was distinct from the Diplomatic Service up to 1919, when the income qualification for the latter service was abolished. Of the officers now serving at the Foreign Office in the categories referred to in the hon. Member's question, seven were originally appointed to the Diplomatic Service and the income qualification therefore applied to them when they entered it. Of the 42 officers now serving as heads of missions abroad, 25 were originally appointed to the Diplomatic Service with an income qualification. Of the remaining 17, six were appointed from outside the Diplomatic Service as heads of missions since the 1st of January, 1919, without any income qualification, and 11 were originally appointed to the Foreign Office, also without any such qualification.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the new Poor Law guardians for the Metropolitan area will not be elected until 2nd April, he will postpone the further stages of the Local Authorities (Emergency Provisions) Bill, which vitally affects their powers, until they have had an opportunity of considering the provi- sion of the Bill and of making representations, if they so wish, with regard to it?

No, Sir.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has not consulted the boards of guardians or the London County Council, will he, before the Third Reading, consult the County Council in view of the report condemning the whole scheme which has been placed before the Council by the clerk and other responsible officers?

If the County Council wish to make any representations to me, I shall be glad to receive them.

What will be the use of representations if the Bill is passed? Why will the right hon. Gentleman not ask the opinion of the County Council and other responsible authorities in London before putting the Bill through?

The County Council will have plenty of time between now and the Third Reading to submit any representations they like.

Why is the House of Commons engaged in the discussion of a Bill in support of which the right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well no authority in London has a word to say?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that His Majesty's Government presented to the Government of the Union of South Africa, following on the close of the Great War, three merchant vessels, two mine-sweepers, and one survey sloop, he will say what were the considerations involved in making this gift to the Union of South Africa; and if any compensation of any kind had been arranged for the benefit of the British taxpayer?

The gifts to which my hon. Friend refers are of two distinct classes, namely, prize ships, and surplus war vessels. In the former class, four ships, of the estimated value of £85,000, were transferred to the Union of South Africa free of charge, in consideration of the fact that the net value of the Droits of Admiralty condemned in the Prize Courts of the Union amounted to at least that sum. Full particulars of this transaction are contained in Treasury Minute of the 21st June, 1926, which was presented to Parliament as a Command Paper (Command 2685). The two mine-sweepers and one survey sloop belong to the latter class. These vessels, which were surplus to naval requirements at the time, were transferred to the Union of South Africa in 1921 for a total payment of £8,500. The lowest possible price was charged in consideration of the fact that the vessels were destined for use in the development of the South African Naval Service and the establishment of a South African Survey Service.

Will my right hon. Friend say who was the officer responsible for the completion of this arrangement with the Government of South Africa at that time?

I could certainly do so if notice were given.

Is it not a fact that this gift of ships was made to a Dominion which performed very great services to the common cause during the War and suffered severely, and will he refute the suggestions underlying these questions from the hon. Member representing the City of Joseph Chamberlain?

I am not aware of any suggestions which are underlying the question at all. I addressed myself simply to answering the questions of fact which have been raised.

Why should the right hon. Gentleman give the name of the officer concerned? Is not that contrary to the practice of this House?

I know nothing which should preclude such a disclosure, but if there should be any reason which would make it contrary to precedent to make such a disclosure, I shall unquestionably adduce that reason when the proper time comes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, as stated by the Minister of Railways in the Parliament of the Union of South Africa on 4th May, 1926, railway rails of the value of £500,000 were presented to the Union by His Majesty's Government; if any consideration has been given by the Union for this concession; and if this action meant a loss of this amount to the British taxpayer?

Yes, Sir. In 1919 His Majesty's Government in Great Britain decided to present His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa with rails and railway material which had been used in France, to the value of £500,000. As the presentation was made in consideration of services rendered by the Union Government of at least an equal value, particularly in connection with the use of the South African Railways for the transport of troops and material during the African campaigns, it cannot be said to have involved a loss of that amount to the British taxpayer.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the services of General Smuts alone were worth this £500,000?

A very conservative estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will prepare a statement, for the information of the House, of the nature and value of the gifts which were made by His Majesty's Government to the Government of the Union of South Africa following upon the close of the Great War, and which will set forth the details of the value of such gifts in relation to defence endowment lands, defence endowment buildings, aircraft and stores, barrack stores, engineer stores, and artillery and stores; if any consideration has been given for these gifts by the Union of South Africa; and what has been the net burden upon the taxpayers of Great Britain consequent upon these concessions?

This statement will require a little time to prepare, and I will circulate it as soon as it is ready.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is necessary to go into details, and whether it is not obvious that the arrangement made was equitable to both parties and altogether a credit both to our own Government and to the Union of South Africa?

On that assumption, I cannot see that any harm would be done by circulation of the information.

May I ask which is now the party of the Little Englanders?

It will take a great many more facts than a few supplementary questions from the hon. and gallant Member to clear his character in that respect.

Is it not eminently desirable to publish the full details of this question?

rose—

The hon. and gallant Member must not pursue this matter further.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to hand over to private enterprise the wireless and external cable systems of the General Post Office?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to transfer any Government cable or wireless services to a private company; and, if so, whether he will give particulars?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Eastern Exchange Cable Company and Marconi Company since their fusion have any understanding with the Post Office for the future control and working of the beam system of telegraphy?

asked the Prime Minister whether the cable companies at the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference applied to the Government for assistance; what was the nature of the assistance asked for and the ground on which the appeal for assistance was based; and whether the cable companies made it a condition of continuing any of the operations of the cable services that some form of assistance should be provided

His Majesty's Government and the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference had no previous knowledge of the details of and have no responsibility for any financial arrangements for the merger of the Eastern Telegraph and Marconi Companies. As regards the general question, I can make no statement in advance of reports from the Imperial Conference, which only on Monday received a proposal from the two companies; but, since hon. Members have specifically inquired as to the attitude of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain, I think it right to say that the Government, while it is prepared to join in discussing measures for a working arrangement, is not committed even in principle, and reserves freedom of action in regard to any proposals for transfer of the operation and control of the Imperial wireless services at present administered by His Majesty's Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, if there is any suggestion of discussing the working arrangements, an opportunity will be given to this House to consider them?

I think I have a question down upon that matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the licence granted to the Marconi Company is sufficiently definite to prevent any transference to a Power other than the British Empire and has he seen the statement made on the 16th of this month that it was on the eve of transference to America when this merger actually took place?

No, Sir, I should require notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference may be expected; whether the evidence submitted to the conference will be published; and whether, before any action is taken, the Report will be brought before Parliament?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me on the 13th March in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs). With regard to the second and third parts, until such time as the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference have submitted their recommendations for consideration by the Governments concerned I am unable to make any statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now say if the Government will allocate a day for the discussion of Imperial defence?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on Thursday last in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the main items which have contributed to the total of £80,000,000 recently estimated as the cost to the Exchequer of the general strike and the coal dispute?

The principal particulars were given in the Budget speech on the 11th April last year. The figure of £80,000,000 referred to includes the expenditure on the coal subsidy. There is unhappily reason to believe that the ultimate aggregate loss will prove even greater.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason he has for three years in succession refused to receive a deputation representing the cinema and entertainment industries?

Deputations from this industry have been received at the Treasury in each of the last four years; by myself in 1925 and in other years by the Financial Secretary. It is necessary, and has always been customary, for some of this work to be undertaken by the Financial Secretary, and the representations of deputations are in no way prejudiced by this arrangement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are to be made in the design and form of new Treasury notes; what reasons have called for such a change; and upon what date he expects the new notes will be put into circulation?

There is no proposal to issue a new design of Treasury notes. As regards the future amalgamation of the Treasury note issue and the Bank of England issue, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the 17th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Montrose (Sir R. Hutchison). I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the large acreage of land in the low-lying districts of the East Riding of Yorkshire which has been under water lately owing to the excessive rainfall; if he has considered the recent Report of the Royal Commission on Land Drainage; and whether he is prepared to make an announcement on the subject as to his intentions towards the recommendations suggested?

I am aware that the area mentioned is subject to flooding. The Report of the Royal Commission is now under consideration, but it raises very complex questions, and I am not in a position to say when I shall be able to make an announcement as to the Government's intentions in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in communication with any of the drainage authorities in the areas reported upon?

I should require notice of that question. We are considering the whole of this problem very carefully.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is likely to take any action within a reasonable time in the areas which were reported upon by the Drainage Commission?

I have already explained that it will not be possible to have a Bill ready for introduction this Session, even if there were Parliamentary time in which to pass it.

Does that mean that nothing it to be done during the next two years?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any official information leading him to suppose that the price, of offals is in any way being maintained by agreement among the port millers?

I have had the question of the price of offals before me for some time, but I have received no information which would justify the supposition that the price of offals is being maintained by any action by or agreement among port millers.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any accidents have occurred through shot-firing where the imperial shield for detonators has been in use; and, if so, how many and where?

My information is that shielded detonators are being used at only one colliery in the country. At that colliery there have been no shot-firing accidents for several years past—a record which, I am glad to say, is equalled at a number of other collieries where unshielded detonators are used.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many coal mines have been closed in Lancashire since 31st January,1927; and how many workers were thrown out of employment as a result of the closing of these mines?

28 pits, normally employing 3,824 wage earners, have been closed and not reopened since 31st January,1927.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his Department has any policy to prevent these constant stoppages of men?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any further information about the aeroplane "Endeavour"; whether it took off from Cranwell aerodrome; whether this aerodrome is Government property; whether the flight to America was commenced with his knowledge and approval; and, if not, when he was first made aware of it?

As regards the first part of the question, I regret that I have no information other than that which has already appeared in the Press. The answer to the second and third parts is in the affirmative, and to the fourth in the negative. As regards the last part, the departure of the aeroplane from Cranwell was reported to the Air Ministry by telegram, but no destination was stated and it was assumed, in fact, that the pilot's intention was to proceed to Baldonnel aerodrome, near Dublin, as had been understood throughout, since no change of plan was notified to the Royal Air Force authorities at Cranwell.

Does that mean that the intention was not to make a start at Cranwell, in any case?

That is so.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what petrol was Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead using when he was killed; and whether there is any evidence to show that the fumes from this petrol disabled the deceased officer?

As regards the first part of the question, the fuel used by Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead was a special fuel which has been used by the Experimental Establishment and by two service squadrons for prolonged tests. It contains a proportion of tetra-ethyl of lead. It is the same fuel as that used in the preliminary practice and in the Schneider Cup race last year. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of tetra-ethyl it contains?

I dare say I could, if notice were given of the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any experiments have taken place in regard to these fumes, whether any reports have been made, and whether any of the reports contain a statement as to what happens to the lead after exhaustion through an engine valve? Is it suspended in the air, or what takes place?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice.

The right hon. Gentleman says that there is no evidence to show that the fumes disabled this deceased officer. Is there evidence to show that he was not disabled by the fumes? Was the evidence thoroughly negative?

I would prefer not to give an answer to that question until the inquest is finished. The inquest has been adjourned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not necessary to have fumes, in order to get the bad effects from the lead?

We are following the question very closely and the medical officers of the Royal Air Force have been instructed to investigate it very carefully. I cannot say more than that.

asked the Postmaster-General why, in view of the large amount of unemployment, the appointment of the position of a doorkeeper at Mount Pleasant is limited to ex-policemen with pensions?

Experience has shown that ex-policemen, who have been accustomed to control the public and to act, when necessary, on their own initiative are particularly fitted to discharge the duties of doorkeepers.

asked the Minister of Labour what rates of wages are paid to blind persons under the Sudbury scheme or other Government scheme; how such rates compete with market prices, particularly from Belgian sources: and if he can give details of prices in respect to the British Cyrr industry?

I have been asked to reply. The Sudbury scheme is a schedule of about 450 different piece prices which was approved by the Eastern District Council for the Coir Mat and Matting Industry in 1919. Since then there have been two awards of the Industrial Court affecting wages in the trade. My right hon. Friend cannot say how far these awards apply to blind workers in the trade, and regrets that he has no information as to the relation between wages and prices in this country or as to wages or prices in Belgium.

Will the hon. and gallant Member represent to the Minister of Labour the terribly unfair competition from the Belgian and the French against our blind people, and will he institute an inquiry to see how that can be counteracted?

I will represent that point to my right hon. Friend.