asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation enabling or requiring a local building authority to affix to every house unfavourably reported upon by a medical officer of health, and not forthwith repaired or reconditioned to his satisfaction, a notice giving the name and address of the person drawing the rent thereof, and further requiring a list of the names and addresses of such defaulters to be posted at intervals on the doors of parish churches or like public places?

The answer is in the negative. My right hon. Friend does not think that the method proposed is likely to attain the end which the hon. Member has in view, and he would be afraid that it would tend to restrict the already very extensive work which local authorities do in securing the remedying of defects in housing accommodation.

asked the Minister of Health whether the borough council of Chelsea has approached him with a request for his consent to any building or improvement scheme under the Housing Acts, with a view to the amelioration of the existing condition of Feltham Mews and the adjoining area, belonging to the Cadogan Syndicate, No. 3; if so, whether his consent was given or with held; and whether his consent to the scheme or schemes for improvements about to be carried out in the World's End area of Chelsea was in any way accompanied by stipulations or restrictions relating either to the syndicate area referred to or to the repeal of the Rent Restrictions Act?

No scheme for the purpose referred to has been submitted to my right hon. Friend by the borough council and no stipulation or restriction of the nature indicated in the last part of the question was included in the order confirming the World's End Passage Improvement scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received representations from the London Insurance Committee suggesting amendments to the Regulations relating to the transfer of panel patients; if so, what is their nature; and what reply does he propose to make?

These representations, which relate to the conditions under which an insured person who proposes to transfer himself from the list of one insurance practitioner to that of another can obtain immediate treatment from the second practitioner, were received by my right hon. Friend yesterday, and he is therefore not yet in a position to reply to the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the general hostility expressed by the ratepayers and other inhabitants of the Moss Side division of Manchester against the transference to a site at the corner of Oxford Road and Denmark Road of the general tuberculosis dispensary now situate in Hardman Street, in the City of Manchester; if he will consider the dangers and annoyances which the proposed removal will cause, particularly to schoolchildren in the tramcars; and if he will consider local feeling before finally approving of the proposal?

My right hon. Friend has been furnished with certain representations which have been made in this matter, and they will receive his consideration before a decision is given on the proposal for the transfer of this dispensary?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the increases in purchases of Empire produce due to the activities of the Empire Marketing Board?

My hon. Friend's question cannot well be answered in any simple statistical form. The programme of the Board is planned to take effect over a considerable period, and the bulk of its work has not been designed to produce direct and immediately measurable results. The Board has, however, received much evidence that its work has materially strengthened the demand for Empire produce in the United Kingdom and has definitely increased the sale of Empire commodities.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the high proportion of non-British persons in the total number of persons settled in Canada in 1927 under the auspices of the Canadian National Railways; and whether he will make representations to the authorities responsible for this class of immigration with a view to securing a greater inflow of British settlers?

This matter is referred to in the recommendations of the Canadian Parliamentary Immigration Committee, which are under the consideration of the Dominion Government. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Report of this Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the announcement made on 30th June by the Premier of Western Australia regarding the new scheme for the development of 8,000,000 acres of wheat and sheep land in the neighbourhood of Southern Cross, he is able to state what will be the respective obligations of the British, the Common wealth, and the Western Australian Governments; whether the area referred to has been classified; and, if so, what are the proportions of first, second, and third-class lands, how many British migrants would be provided for under the scheme, the approximate area of individual holdings, the average rainfall in the district embraced in the scheme, and the financial obligations that would be incurred by the prospective settler?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a question on 25th June regarding this scheme. The preliminary negotiations with the Development and Migration Commission are still proceeding, but my latest information is to the effect that the scheme will not be put forward officially for about six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Workmen's Compensation Bill in the Malay States has yet been passed; and, if not, whether he can give the reasons for the delay?

A revised draft of the Bill was submitted to me in April, and has been approved. I understand it was contemplated that it would be introduced in the Federal Council early last month, but I have not yet heard whether it has been passed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present situation in the hinterland of the Aden Protectorate; how many air raids have been made on the Imam of Sana and his adherents during the present year; whether the Royal Air Force has suffered any casualties in these operations; and whether negotiations have been conducted, or are in progress, for a peaceful settlement of the troubles in this part of Arabia?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the full statement which I made in the House yesterday.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he receives a report of all floggings of boys under 18 taking place on training ships or other naval institutions; and, if so, whether he can give the number which have taken place in the year ending 1st June, 1928.

The punishment of flogging is by Admiralty order permanently suspended as reference to former questions on this subject will show. If the hon. Member means birching, I am happy to inform her that for the period named, June, 1927, to 1st June, 1928, no birchings have been inflicted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of the number of lieutenant-commanders and lieutenants who have been promoted from the rank of mate are War promotions.

If I understand the hon. Member's question aright, he wishes to know the number selected for mate during the War. That number is 236.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give a classified list of all those ships of His Majesty's Navy which have been withdrawn from commission and disposed of in accordance with the terms of the Washington Treaty.

The following is the list required:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is prepared immediately to signify the assent of His Majesty's Government without qualification or reservation, to the revised proposals for the renunciation of war, put forward by the United States Government and received by his Department on 24th June.

As stated in the reply given to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North Norfolk (Mr. Buxton) on 25th June last, the revised proposals of the United States Government are receiving the careful and sympathetic consideration of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain, who are in communication with His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions and India. It would be premature for the moment to make any further statement in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that the new French law stabilising the franc at 65.5 milligrammes of gold will have the effect of cancelling 80 per cent. of the value of French Government securities, whether the French Government has communicated to him special proposals in regard to the interests of British holders of such securities?

No, Sir; the French Government have made no communication of the kind to us, but the reasons which have impelled them to stabilise the franc at the rate named were explained fully and with great cogency by M. Poincaré in his speech in the Chamber.

asked the Minister of Labour if a court of referees was held at Walsall on Tuesday, 29th May, and, if so, the name of the chairman and the duration of the sitting; whether representatives of employers and employés were present; the number of cases adjudicated upon; and the number allowed and disallowed, respectively?

A court of referees was held at Walsall on 29th May under the chairmanship of Mr. K. C. Berrington. The sitting lasted 1¾ hours. The representatives of employers and of insured contributors who had been summoned to attend the court failed to attend, and as they also failed to notify intended absence there was no opportunity to summon substitutes. In accordance with the Regulations cases may, with the consent of the claimants, be proceeded with in the absence of any members of the court other than the chairman. Eighteen cases of appeal were before the court, which recommended allowance of benefit in one case, and disallowance in 16 cases, one case being adjourned owing to the absence of the appellant.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the employers' and workpeople's representatives on the court of referees panel for Wednesbury and the date of their appointment; and if all such members have been afforded an opportunity of sitting?

For the purpose of determination of claims to unemployment benefit Wednesbury forms part of the area of the West Bromwich court of referees. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the Wednesbury members of the panels of this court, all of whom, with the exception of three recently appointed, have been called upon to serve.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the various boards of guardians in the country who have forwarded to him resolutions asking that the Government should assume full financial responsibility for the maintenance of the unemployed able and willing to work; whether any further replies, in addition to the acknowledgment of the receipt of these resolutions, have been sent to these boards of guardians; and will he give particulars?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the boards of guardians who have forwarded resolutions on this subject since the beginning of 1928. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 13th June.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that large numbers of men recently employed at the Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Senghenydd, found on their discharge that their insurance cards had not been stamped for two weeks by the receiver for the liquidated company; and whether he can give an assurance that the men shall not suffer in regard to unemployment benefit due to circumstances over which they had no control;(2) whether he is aware that a number of boys employed at the Senghenydd Colliery, until recently owned by the Lewis Merthyr Company, are unable to secure unemployment benefit; that when they finally left employment their insurance cards bore two stamps less than these employés were entitled to; and whether, having regard to this deficinecy, which arises through no fault on the part of these employés, he can grant them the unemployment benefit to which they would otherwise be entitled?

I will make inquiry into the matter raised in these questions and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether the Commission has under consideration the desirability of largely increasing the area under afforestation, with a view to providing work for some of the 300,000 miners stated to be surplus to the mining industry?

I have been asked to reply. The desirability of largely increasing the Forestry Commission's planting programme has been considered from time to time, but the extent of the Department's operations is limited by the funds available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the long hours worked in hotels and boarding houses; and whether any steps can be taken to bring this employment under similar protection to that given by the Factories Acts?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Complaints of long hours are received from time to time, but I have no definite information. Waiters and others who are employed wholly or mainly in serving customers in the public restaurants of hotels come within the scope of the Shops Acts, 1912 and 1913, and have the benefit of the weekly half-holiday and other provisions contained in those Acts. The ordinary domestic-work carried on in these establishments stands on quite a different footing, and while I should be prepared, of course, to consider any evidence of unsatisfactory conditions that might be bought to my notice, I do not think it would be practicable to deal with this class of employment on the lines of the Factory Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the recent increase in the French tariff on horse carcases results in horses which would otherwise be killed in this country being exported alive to France; and whether, with a view to preventing traffic in worn-out horses, he will take action to prohibit the export of aged horses of little value?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There has been a small revival of the trade in live horses to France since the imposition of the increased French tariff on horse-meat. According to the Ministry's records, 77 horses were shipped alive to France for the purpose of slaughter during the months of February to May, inclusive, but no shipments have apparently been made since 19th May. The requirements of the Exportation of Horses Acts, 1910 and 1914, which prohibit the shipment of any horse unless it is fit to travel without cruelty and is also capable of being worked without suffering, continue to be rigidly enforced. Under this law it is not possible to ship worn-out horses nor horses so advanced in years as to be unfit for further work.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the report of the Battersea coroner on the resumed inquest on two girls who died in hospital following illness they had contracted whilst employed at a scouring-powder works at Battersea; that the medical evidence showed that the cause of death was industrial silicosis and not tuberculosis, as at first diagnosed; that three girls and a boy employed at the same works have died since 25th January, 1927; and if he will take any action in the matter in consequence of the dangerous nature of the work in handling the powder?

Yes, Sir. A full report has been submitted to me by the medical inspectors of factories who attended the inquest and investigated the circumstances. In the opinion of the medical inspectors these cases originated when the mixing and filling of the powder were done by hand. At the beginning of 1927, on the instructions of the district inspector of factories, mechanical methods of working were introduced. The plant since that date has been totally enclosed and exhaust ventilation applied to all points where dust is liable to escape. I am advised that the present arrangements should prove effective, but they will continue to receive close attention.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the circumstance that the duty is thrown by law upon the police to maintain lost and strayed dogs until such dogs are claimed by their owners or destroyed, he will consider the desirability of issuing a circular to police authorities throughout the country pointing out the necessity for adequate accommodation to be provided at all police stations for the reception of lost and strayed dogs and for arrangements to be made for the humane destruction of such dogs as are not claimed by their owners?

This matter can best be dealt with by His Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary in the course of their inspections and I will ask them to give it their special attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to make a small annual grant to British universities in order to enable representative students to attend the Geneva School of International Studies, before and during the meetings of the Assembly, in accordance with the resolution adopted by the Assembly in 1926 and with the practice of the Governments of Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Roumania, and Sweden?

Aid given by His Majesty's Treasury to universities has always been given in the form of block grants for their general maintenance as centres of teaching and research. The money so provided cannot be spent on grants to individual students such as are contemplated in this question. I understand, however, that the universities have other funds available for such grants, should they consider the expenditure desirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inter-Allied Commission with regard to reparation payments has yet come to any decision in reference to the postponement or remission of the payments by Bulgaria, in view of the situation created in that country by the recent earthquakes?

Yes, Sir. The Inter-Allied Commission at Sofia on 16th June recommended to the Reparation Commission the postponement for six months of the half-yearly instalment of Bulgarian reparation payments, amounting to 5,000,000 gold francs (£200,000) which falls due on 1st October next, and the consequent postponement for a similar period of all subsequent instalments. The Reparation Commission on 23rd June adopted this recommendation and decided to postpone these payments accordingly. The Inter-Allied Commission also stated its intention to propose, if necessary, the further postponement of half the annuity which falls due in 1929. The Reparation Commission decided that it would be prepared to give a favourable reception to a unanimous recommendation in this sense.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in which of the various State pensions a pensioner is disqualified if he takes up residence abroad, and in how many he is not so disqualified?

Payment of pensions granted in respect of service and of War pensions is not affected by residence abroad, subject in certain cases to the permission of the appropriate Department. In the case of pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 to 1924, and the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, residence abroad is not a disqualification for pension. But the pension cannot be paid to the pensioner while outside the United Kingdom, and no pension order can be encashed more than three months after its due date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed to introduce legislation amending Section 4 of the Industrial Insurance Act, 1923, respecting the maximum payments on the death of insured children?

Representations on this subject have been received, and the matter is under consideration.