asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether arrangements have now been made for Chinese representation upon the municipal council of the International Settlement at Shanghai; how many Chinese members of the council there will be; whether the Chinese members will be elected by the Chinese ratepayers or, if not elected, in what manner they will be selected for appointment to the council?

An agreement has been reached between the Shanghai Municipal Council and the Chinese Ratepayers' Association for the appointment by the latter of three Chinese to the council and six Chinese to the Council Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give what information he has available about the military situation in China?

About 1,000 men of the Third Division of the Tenth Southern Army entered Tsinanfu at 10 a.m. on 1st May without fighting. The Northern forces have withdrawn to the north bank of the Yellow River. Apart from this, the military situation in North China is so confused and fluctuating that I am unable to add anything to the information contained in the Press.

Is it a fact that British residents in the Province of Shantung have been ordered to Wei-hai-wei?

I think they were advised to leave in present conditions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that British subjects are now perfectly safe in this area?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British representatives on the Opium Committee of the League of Nations were pursuing the considered policy of the Government in opposing the efforts of the Italian representative to prevent the Opium Control Board being made independent of the League and representative only of the interested governments; and whether he has any information as to the cause of the discrepancy between the figures given for export and import?

The hon. Member has, I think, misinterpreted what took place. The point at issue was the relation of the Secretariat of the Board to the Secretariat of the League. In taking a line opposed to their Italian colleague, the British representative and some of the other members of the Opium Advisory Committee acted in the belief that the views they put forward gave effect to the intention and provisions of the Opium Convention. I am not aware what discrepancy is meant in the last part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the world output of morphine was increased from 30 to 60 tons between 1921 and 1926 and that the Italian representative accused the British Government of hypocrisy in concealing real figures, asserting that the discrepancy between exports and imports represented clandestine traffic.

I cannot answer questions about a matter with the details of which I am not officially concerned. If the hon. Member will put a notice on the Paper, I will try to answer him specifically, but the present question did not direct my attention to the particular point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament is now regarded as defunct?

No, Sir.

If this Preparatory Commission is not to be regarded as defunct, has the right hon. Gentleman any proposals in view for resuscitating meetings of the Preparatory Commission, which was unable to fix a date for its next meeting when it previously met?

They decided that the date of the next meeting should be left to the discretion of the chairman.

May we take it that, if the Commission is not defunct, it is moribund?

I cannot prevent the hon. Member taking anything he can lay his hands on, but I must disclaim all responsibility.

In view of the fact that the chairman has taken no steps for a considerable interval to call a meeting, will the right hon. Gentleman himself take the initiative in the matter?

No, I am inclined to think that the chairman is probably in a better position to decide when a meeting would be useful than either myself or the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the League of Nations has hitherto devoted consideration to international combines and trusts whose operations may result in corners in essential commodities or services; whether any committee of the League is now investigating this question; and, if not, is it on the agenda for consideration at an early date?

I understand that the general question of monopolies was tentatively raised by the Economic Committee of the League some years ago, but was not proceeded with. In May, 1927, the International Economic Conference, in their general survey of economic questions, gave some consideration to international industrial agreements of the kind to which the hon. Member refers, and they stated their view that the League of Nations should closely follow these forms of international industrial co-operation and their economic effects, and should collect the relative data with a view to publishing from time to time such information as may be of general interest. So far as I am aware, the matter is not at the present moment, however, actually on the agenda of any Committee of the League.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to get it on the agenda?

Well, Sir, I would like to know something more about the usefulness of such a proposal before I actually make it. I will consult with my colleagues of the Ministry of Labour and the Board of Trade, as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have decided to appoint a Counsellor of Embassy in Buenos Ayres, in view of the increasing importance of the trade between this country and the Argentine?

His Majesty's Government have decided to create a Counsellor's post at Buenos Ayres as soon as the time arrives for the transfer elsewhere of the present First Secretary to His Majesty's Embassy at Buenos Ayres, who was appointed there in November, 1926.

Is it not a fact that the staff maintained at Buenos Ayres is considerably less than that maintained at any other Embassy and certain other Legations and is not adequate to the work required to be done?

I think it is certainly less than the staff maintained by some others, but I am not prepared to admit that it is for that reason insufficient for its work.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give personal attention to the matter in view of the importance of the trade between that country and our own, and see whether the staff is not inadequate?

No. I have given this matter personal attention. The staff is adequate for the purposes for which it is required. and in the proper time, having regard to the economy that is imperative on my office as well as others, a Counsellor will be appointed.

asked the Prime Minister if he will arrange for the appointment of a Committee to inquire and report as to the extent to which foreign manufactures are used in the various Government Departments, and as to the measures which might be adopted, with due regard to the needs of the public service, with the object of minimising these foreign purchases in the interests of home manufactures?

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements are already in force, under standing instructions, to secure that effective preference is given to British manufactures in contracts by Government Departments. I do not consider that there is any necessity for the appointment of a Committee on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the fact that the staffs of the Civil Departments have been reduced by 7,000 during the three years to 1st April, 1927, and that the suppression of 11,000 more posts is contemplated, if he will state whether steps have been taken, and will be taken, to find other employment for the officials dismissed and, if so, through what channels; and whether ex-service men are retained in preference to others?

It is anticipated that the reduction of 11,000 posts in Civil Departments will be effected to a considerable extent by the restriction of new entrants and the suppression of posts as they fall vacant. In so far as it may be necessary to dispense with the services of temporary staff on the termination of the duties on which they are now employed, every effort will be made to find further employment for them. In the case of temporary ex-service personnel, the machinery of the Joint Substitution Board will continue to be utilised. Special arrangements have recently been made to facilitate the find- ing of further employment for redundant temporary typing staffs. As regards the last part of the question, the existing order of preference will be maintained.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the Government so far have failed to find work for those men whom they sent to China last year?

Do the proposed reductions include those that will be due to the introduction of automatic telephones?

That is a hypothetical question.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that automatic telephones are being installed, and that the Postmaster-General has stated that the change will displace certain numbers of the staff?

The hon. Member has used the phrase "will displace." The contingency has not yet arisen.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these arrangements apply to the 145 ex-service men recently dismissed from the Ministry of Health?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty particulars of the prospective cruise of His Majesty's ships "Amazon" and "Ambuscade" in South American waters?

I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate the programme in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of men and women employed at the Holton Heath works of the Admiralty in March, 1926, 1927 and 1928, respectively?

The numbers of men and women employed at the Royal Naval Cordite Factory on the dates mentioned were as follow:

In view of the increase, has the Admiralty taken on other work than that of cordite manufacture?

No, Sir. The increase is mainly due to certain developments in production and certain safeguards which were introduced to eliminate danger to those engaged in the work.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty it he will give particulars as to the sailing and routes to be followed by His Majesty's ships "Suffolk" and "Cornwall" to Far Eastern waters; and if he will consider the desirability of these ships proceeding in company by South American ports?

asked the Minister of Labour how many claims for unemployment benefit have been rejected at the Barrow-in-Furness Employment Exchange during the 12 months ended 30th March,

Arrangements are being made for His Majesty's ship "Cornwall" to proceed to Far Eastern waters via the Straits of Magellan, calling at various South American ports en route. It is necessary for His Majesty's ship "Suffolk" to proceed direct to China in order to relieve one of the cruisers now on the station, which is required in home waters as soon as possible.

Is it definitely decided that these two ships are not to proceed in company?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women registered as being unemployed at the Employment Exchange, Barrow-in-Furness, on 30th March, 1927, and on 30th March, 1928, respectively?

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

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

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges who are not in receipt of unemployment benefit?

At 23rd April, 1928, out of a total of 1,062,300 persons on the Registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain there were approximately 160,800 who had not made claims to unemployment benefit or whose claims had been disallowed. In addition there would be a number, in respect of whom separate statistics are not available, who would not be in receipt of benefit because the statutory waiting period had not expired.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any information as to how those 100,000 people are existing?

That number, of course, includes a large number of people who are not insured, like charwomen, those engaged in agriculture, domestic servants, and other excluded classes, and a portion of them are engaged in temporary occupations.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us separately the figures of those whose claims have been disallowed?

I have not got them here, but, if the hon. Member puts down a question, I will supply them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health expressed pleasure in his last annual report that at least 121 boards of guardians had refused relief to unemployed persons; and will he take steps to find out exactly how these people are getting a living?

I am afraid I have not yet had an opportunity of reading the report of the Minister of Health. After I have read it, I shall perhaps be in a position to answer the question.

Is the hon. Gentleman giving any encouragement to the men and women who are out of work to register at the Employment Exchanges, so that we can find out the number who are out of work in this country?

Oh, yes, Sir, we are.

asked the Minister of Labour the average weekly amount paid in unemployment benefit during the last convenient 12 months?

The average weekly amounts paid in unemployment benefit during the financial year ended 31st March, 1928, was approximately £690,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention to regard the sugar-beet industry as a seasonal occupation within the terms of the Unemployment Insurance Act, and thus to exempt all workers in that industry from the benefits of the Act?

From the information at present in my possession, it would appear that in the sugar-beet industry there are seasonal occupations within the meaning of the Acts. Workers in such occupations will not, however, automatically become exempt persons. They will become exempt only if they apply for exemption, and then only if they satisfy the condition that they are not ordinarily employed in some other insurable employment.

Does that mean that the individual workman who is engaged in the sugar-beet industry will be entitled to make application for exemption from the Insurance Act?

It means that if the seasonal occupation, as the hon. Member knows, is for a period of 18 weeks or less in a year, then he will be entitled to apply for exemption, assuming, of course, that the rest of his work is uninsured.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether in that case the employer's contribution is payable?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of unemployed as registered at the Wishaw Employment Exchange, according to the most recent available Return, distinguishing men, women, boys, and girls; and the similar

Does that mean that if a man has 17 weeks in one season and 17 weeks in the next season, with perhaps a few weeks of insurable work in the meantime, he will be exempt from benefit?

I would prefer to examine the particular case the hon. Member has in mind, but primaâ facie, on the facts as given, I should say that he was not so exempt.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles unemployed in Yorkshire at the last convenient date; the number of juvenile training centres; and the number of each sex undergoing training?

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

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

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed as registered at the Motherwell Employment Exchange according to the most recent available Return, distinguishing men, women, boys, and girls; and the similar

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, Mr. John Malley, 2, Bodden Street, Lawton, Lancashire, was in receipt of unemployment benefit towards the end of 1927; that his benefit was stopped on account of his applying for an old age pension; and that his application for a pension failed owing to doubts about his age; and whether, seeing that, under these circumstances, he is entitled to payment of unemployment benefit from the date of its cessation, as he is still signing at the employment exchange, he will take steps to expedite the payment of any benefit due to this man?

As was stated in a reply given to the hon. Member yester-

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

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether this man's benefit stopped before his old age pension was granted?

I think the unemployment benefit was not paid. The question of the man's age, and therefore his eligibility for old age pension, had to be decided.

Are we to understand that a man who applies for an old age pension must go without anything until the old age pension has been granted?

No, Sir. If a case is made out for unemployment benefit, of course unemployment benefit is paid, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, until the facts are ascertained, it is impossible to say whether benefit or pension is payable. In this particular case, I understand, there was a doubt as to the man's age—whether he was 65 or 63. If this had been reported by the claimant to the Exchange, benefit would have been continued till the point was settled.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest figures showing the numbers of persons employed in the artificial silk industry; and if he has any statistics to show to what extent the artificial silk industry is absorbing unemployed persons from the cotton industry?

Separate statistics in respect of the artificial silk industry are not available, but at July, 1927, there were in Great Britain 53,553 persons aged 16 to 64, inclusive, insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts who were classified as belonging to the silk and artificial silk industries taken together. At 26th March, 1928, 3,097 such persons were recorded as unemployed. Statistics are not available as to the extent to which workers have transferred from the cotton industry to the artificial silk industry.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any information as to the districts where the unemployed artificial silk workers are?

Certainly not without notice. I am not sure that I could with notice, but I will ascertain if I can, and I will tell the hon. Member.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us how they are classified? Is it in the production of artificial silk or in the using up of artificial silk and making it into fabric? Are they classed together, or are they separate?

I will send the hon. Member a copy of the appropriate number of the "Labour Gazette" which shows under which classification these workers are placed. There are a variety of headings, and the hon. Member had better see it.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that the artificial silk industry is an industry important enough to require a separate classification, and will he proceed as soon as possible to arrange for one?

I will consider that with my adviser in the Department.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women working in industry aged 65 to 70, and over 70, respectively?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 21st December last to the hon. Member for Elland (Mr. Robinson) regarding the number of persons aged 65 and over then insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts and to the reply given on 9th February to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison) regarding the number of such persons unemployed at the beginning of January of this year. No later figures showing the numbers of persons aged 65 and over working in industry are available.

Do the figures distinguish between insured and uninsured?

They relate to insured persons only.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will provide statistics with regard to the Treorchy, Tonypandy, Ferndale and Mardy Exchanges, respectively, as to the number of youths under 18 years of age who have since 19th April, 1928, been deprived of their unemployment benefit as the result of the operation of the new Unemployment Act; and whether any of these youths were members of the juvenile training centres?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 30th April to the hon. Member for Leith (Mr. E. Brown) with regard to the date on which statistics of disallowance of benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1927, will become available. I would suggest that the hon. Member should repeat his question about a fortnight after 14th May.

asked the Minister of Labour if the building of the new Exchange in Glasgow has yet been started; and, if not, when it is proposed to start it?

No, Sir, the building to be erected will house other Government staff besides that of the Employment Exchange, and some necessary arrangements have still to be made with the Departments concerned before final plans can be approved. It is hoped to commence building towards the end of the year.

What Government Department is it proposed to house there, other than the Ministry of Labour?

Probably the Inland Revenue Tax office.

asked the Minister of Labour if the new chairmen of the Court of Referees have been appointed for the city of Glasgow under the new Act, and if the lay members have been appointed; and, if so, will he state the names of the chairmen and lay members?

As regards the chairmen, four, namely, Mr. Reid, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Chalmers and Lieut.-Colonel Menzies-Anderson, D.S.O., M.C., have appointed. It will probably be necessary to appoint two others. As regards the members of the panel, I understand that the appointments are on the eve of completion, and I will send the hon. Member a list of the names in due course.

How many of these are legal gentlemen or are they all legal gentlemen; and has the hon. Gentleman appointed any deputies, or does that constitute the full appointment?

I cannot answer the second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question without notice, but I will let him know. I think all these gentlemen have legal experience.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether ethyl petrol is used by high-speed aircraft during practice flights undertaken by any of the officers in the Air Service?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Can the hon. Baronet say whether there is any more danger attaching to the use of this spirit than to the use of ordinary petrol?

We have been experimenting for the last four years with this special spirit, and there is no evidence to show that it is more dangerous than the ordinary spirit.

Can the hon. Baronet say whether it is just as safe to use this spirit for tests as ordinary spirit?

It is just the same.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of men employed by his Department at Carding-ton in March, 1927 and 1928?

The numbers of industrial male employés on the dates in question were 272 and 354 respectively.

Is not this likely to increase as airship building increases?

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

Can the hon. Baronet say whether the progress which is being made in the building of the airship at Cardington is considered satisfactory?

Quite satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the sum allowed for the development of the air route to India during the current financial year; what development it is hoped to complete during this year, and over what part of the London-to-India route will a regular commercial service be available; and when it is estimated that the complete route from London to India will be available?

As regards the first part of the question, the sum provided in the current Air Estimates in respect of subsidies on the Cairo-Karachi route is £93,600. As regards the remaining parts of the question, as I intimated in the memorandum accompanying the Air Estimates and in my statement in the House on 12th March, it has been decided to substitute a new and comprehensive agreement with Imperial Airways for the agreements at present in force and relating to the European and Eastern services respectively. The new agreement will provide for the operation of a weekly air-mail service between England and India beginning on or about 1st April, 1929, and I am hopeful that it will be possible to adhere to this date. A White Paper will be laid before the House in due course.

Does that mean that we shall now be able to fly over Persian territory, or has another route to be organised?

As the hon. and gallant Member knows, conversations are at present taking place with the Persians on that subject.

Is the hon. Baronet aware that the last information given on the subject was that they had reached a deadlock and no further progress had been made? Is there any progress to report?

I hope the situation does not look too unhopeful.

The hon. Baronet has mentioned the 1st April, 1929. Will that involve a Supplementary Estimate?

I should like notice of that question.

In view of the great importance of this route to the Empire, would it not be advisable to organise an alternative route if the Persian Government still remain obstinate?

We are taking all that into consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he contemplates publishing a new edition of The Approach towards a System of Imperial Air Communications?

The publication in question was specially prepared for the Imperial Conference of 1926 and a new edition is not at present in contemplation. Particulars of any developments, however, will appear in the future Annual Reports on the Progress of Civil Aviation.

Will the hon. Baronet and his colleagues read this publication from time to time in order to see how little the proposals outlined in that publication have been followed by performance?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, and when, he will circulate his local government and rating proposals for discussion by the local authorities and parish councils concerned?

I hope at an early date to circulate a memorandum for consideration by local authorities.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the "local authorities" include parish councils as well as burgh councils and county councils?

I should have to meet representatives of all local authorities.

asked the Prime Minister on what day it is proposed to ask the House by resolution to approve the contract between the Postmaster-General and David MacBrayne, Limited?

asked the Prime Minister if he will state when he proposes to take the discussion on the Resolution in connection with the contract between the Postmaster-General and Messrs. David MacBrayne, Limited, for the maintenance of certain passenger and cargo sea services in the Western Islands and Highlands of Scotland and for the conveyance of mails?

I regret that I cannot yet name a day when this Motion can be taken.

In view of the fact that this question has aroused a great deal of interest in Scotland generally, will the right hon. Gentleman arrange that the discussion of the Resolution shall be taken early in the day, and not after eleven o'clock?

I quite realise that this is a matter which it is very desirable should be taken before eleven o'clock. I will do my best to arrange that. I regret that I cannot say more than that.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has considered the opening of an office in the city of Glasgow for the purpose of dealing with the Trade Boards Acts; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

Under existing arrangements inquiries and complaints about Trade Board matters can be made orally at any Exchange or in writing to the Headquarters Office in Edinburgh, and a local interview with an inspector is readily arranged wherever necessary. In these circumstances, I do not think it is necessary to incur the expense of a special office at Glasgow.

As a new Exchange is being built, would it not be quite easy to place a portion of that building at the disposal of the Trade Boards inspector, in view of the fact that Glasgow is the only large industrial centre in Britain without such an office.

The answer to the hon. Member's question is that if we keep the inspector in an office in Glasgow, he will not be doing his work of inspection elsewhere. We think we can more usefully utilise his services in the work which he has been appointed to do, namely, inspection. As I have said here, a local interview with the inspector can be arranged for whenever any person desires such an interview.

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that large industrial cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool ail have offices to deal with this subject, and that Glasgow is the only large industrial town which has not such an office; and will he not consider the advisability of bringing Glasgow into line with these other cities?

I am not aware that Glasgow is the only large industrial town which has not an office of this kind. This is really a question of utilising the money at our disposal to the best advantage, and at the present time we feel we are best utilising it in the way which I have indicated.

Is it not the fact that wherever there is a member of a Trade Board, they can give any information that is required?

No doubt they can give all the information that is wanted.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Glasgow is the centre of a much bigger industrial area than Edinburgh, and, if there is only to be one office of this kind, would he not consider having it in Glasgow instead of Edinburgh?

I am aware, of course, that Glasgow is a larger centre than Edinburgh, but I am not saying at the moment, at any rate, that that is a sufficient reason for changing this office from Edinburgh.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received further protests from local authorities in North London against recent increases in omnibus fares; whether the London General Omnibus Company has replied to his communication; and whether he proposes to take any further action?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have not yet received the observations of the London General Omnibus Company in the matter.

How long will the company have to fabricate their reply?

I wrote to the company only five days ago, and it is not unreasonable that there should be no reply by now.