asked the Minister of Pensions the number of persons that have received treatment for war wounds in an institution or as outpatients, respectively, who have been refused treatment allowances because they had never applied for a pension; and if he will take such action as may be necessary to ensure that men who have saved to the country the expense of paying pensions shall, when undergoing treatment in respect of wounds incurred during the Great War, be paid treatment allowances of the same amount as men who have been granted pensions?

I have no record of the number of cases of the class referred to which do not fall to be dealt with under the Pension Warrants. At the same time, I am empowered, under special sanction, to grant allowances for the support of the men's families during the period of treatment.

Is it not the case that alterations have been made in the Warrants frequently in a direction that is disadvantageous to the ex-service men, and can he see his way to grant an alteration in Article 6 of the Warrant to enable this to be done?

No. This is not an alteration in the Warrant to the disadvantage of the men, but is an additional benefit.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. William R. Campbell, late private No. 6,312 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, of 32, Beach Lane, Musselburgh, at present an in-patient at Edenhall Ministry of Pensions hospital undergoing operative treatment for the removal of shrapnel in his left shoulder; whether he is aware that this man's medical history sheets contain records of treatment for wounds during the War; what steps are being taken to arrange for the maintenance of his lodgings and the meeting of other liabilities, as the payment of treatment allowances has been refused; and, in view of the circumstances, if he will arrange to have the man boarded for pension under the Dispensing Warrant of 1884, seeing that more than seven years have elapsed since the termination of active service?

I find that Mr. Campbell was admitted to hospital on the 23rd May, under the special arrangements made for cases of this kind, and on the 20th June he applied for an allowance on behalf of his mother. Inquiries as to her eligibility were immediately instituted, and authority will be issued for the payment of this allowance if any is found to be due to her.

Is it not the case that, practically as a matter of course, when allowances are claimed for ex-service men who are not pensioners, they are refused, although the Minister says that he has special powers to grant allowances?

The point in this case is that allowances for parents are only granted where there is dependence. If we find there is dependence the allowance will be granted.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Mr. McCarthy, residing at Mathieson Street, Glasgow, had his need pension reduced from 10s. 6d. to 5s. 6d. weekly on receiving an old age pension of 10s., and that 1s. has now been added; that the total income this man now has is 16s. 6d. weekly to maintain him and pay rent; and if, in view of the needs of this man, he will reconsider his case?

The need pension being based on the circumstances of the applicant, the adjustment of it in this case, following a permanent increase of income, is in accordance with the normal practice and was expressly contemplated by the Contributory Pensions Act of 1925. The pensioner in this case, who is drawing a larger amount in the aggregate than before, is not entitled under the present circumstances to a higher rate of pension under the Royal Warrants.

Will the Minister answer the question as to whether he thinks 16s. 6d. a week is a sufficient need pension to maintain a man?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the liability we have in this matter. We endeavour to make a payment in substitution of the amount which would have been contributed by the son if he had survived.

Is it not the fact that investigations are made into the person's need for pension and that the Minister has the right to grant £1 per week, or more; and does he not consider that in this case there is need for a much larger sum than a total income of 16s. 6d. as a pension?

An examination is made by the Ministry as to what might reasonably have been expected from the son had he survived.

A grant of 10s. 6d. was made in the first case on income, now it has been reduced to 6s. 6d. May I ask whether the grant is in regard to pension based on income, or on the question of need; and what is the actual amount which the man is receiving?

The actual amount is in substitution for what the son might have been expected to give.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Pensions in how many cases appeals which have been disallowed for reasons of disabilities not attributable have been referred to his Department for reconsideration during the 12 months ending 30th June, 1928; and in how many cases have the decisions been, reversed by the Ministry?

The records of the Ministry do not enable the information asked for in the first; part of the question to be given. With regard to the second part of the question, in 11 cases of the type referred to the circumstances were considered to be such as to enable a grant under special sanction to be made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware than in many cases the decisions are come to in opposition to the highest medical authority and are purely matters of opinion. Will he reconsider the whole system which is causing injustice to thousands of ex-service men all over the country?

I am not prepared to make any change in the system of tribunals, asked for by ex-service men, which is generally accepted as just.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many branches of the British Legion do not agree with him?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increase in the number of officers of the Metropolitan Police employed in consequence of Ascot Races, from 16 on 20th June, 1922, to 224 on 20th June, 1928; and whether he will state the causes leading to the employment of 208 more officers on this date in 1928 as compared with the corresponding date in 1922?

I regret that my reply to a former question last Thursday was inadvertently misleading. On comparable dates the number of police employed in consequence of the Ascot Races in 1922 was 141 as against 224 this year. The increase was due to the increase in traffic.

Is the cost of the extra police borne by the Ascot authorities?

No. The increase of traffic along the route involves extra police being employed on the ordinary roads of the country, and the cost is borne on police funds.

Is not this a charge on London ratepayers? Are they to bear all this extra cost for the benefit of the whole country?

Most of the traffic to Ascot is from London—London ratepayers.

asked the Home Secretary whether there are any Regulations in the Metropolitan Police governing the question of police officers being Members of either of the Houses of Parliament?

Membership of the House of Commons is clearly debarred by the Police Regulations and Section 18 of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1829, which contains a specific provision prohibiting the Commissioner from being elected or sitting as a Member of the House of Commons. There is no corresponding provision as to the House of Lords.

Do I understand that there will be no objection, in the event of a police constable being elevated to the peerage, to his being allowed to sit in the House of Lords?

I should not only be delighted, but, if I should ever achieve the same high honour, I should be glad to welcome him there.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable that in the case of a dispute between the head of a Department and the political head, that the political head should be answering in this House, and the other head in the other House.

No. Quite definitely that would not be permitted. There have been cases before in which civil servants, who would be in a somewhat similar position to the police in such a case—have been Members of the House of Lords. I remember quite well that Lord Hardinge, after he had been Viceroy of India, was appointed Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He became a civil servant. He never answered in the House of Lords, but, of course, he was represented by his Minister. I am reminded, also, that Earl Beatty, who was First Sea Lord, when he occupied that position, never answered in the House of Lords; and I do not think civil servants have ever answered questions in such circumstances when there was a Minister in existence.

Will regulations be made governing the particular case of Lord Byng, to meet the case of a peer being made head of the London police?

It is not necessary. Lord Byng, if I may say so, as Commissioner of Police, would be under the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State answers in this House for anything done by the Commissioner of Police.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of charges for indecency or soliciting brought by the police under the Hyde Park regulations during the month of June; whether any convictions were recorded, and, if so, how many; and how many of these cases were supported by uncorroborated police evidence?

The answer is "none."

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that police activities in Hyde Park have been hampered by any recent investigation?

I would sooner not make an answer in regard to that matter. I did make a statement last week on the subject, in reply to a question. I think the less said, the sooner normal activity will be resumed.

asked the Home Secretary the nature of the recommendation of the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of the papers forwarded to him in the case of the two constables who arrested Sir Leo Money and Miss Savidge in Hyde Park?

I do not think that I should answer this question until the Report of the Tribunal has been published. Perhaps, therefore, the hon. Member will not press it, but will put it down again on this day week.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the reason for this question is not the Savidge tribunal which, we understood, was set up entirely apart from what transpired in Hyde Park; and is it not the case that normal conditions are much more likely to be resumed if and when the officers know how far they are to receive the measure of justice which is, apparently, being meted out to other people?

I am exceedingly anxious, in the interests of these officers themselves, to arrive at a decision, but I do not think it would be right, in deference to the Commission, that I should express publicly any opinion with regard to these officers until I see whether or not the Commissioners make any remarks concerning them.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's observations, may the House take it that there is no truth in the newspaper report of a decision having already been arrived at?

No. My hon. and gallant Friend must know that I would not state to the House that I was postponing my decision awaiting the report, if I had received the report. I have not received it.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to receive the report of this tribunal, and will it be published immediately on its receipt?

I hope to receive it this week. I am sure my hon. Friend will allow me time to read it before I publish it. I will read it as soon as possible and publish it immediately afterwards.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the steady stream of tendentious propaganda, alleged to issue from someone in connection with the Homo Office, the worst form of which appears in this morning's papers, in reference to which the right hon. Gentleman has just given an emphatic denial?

I have noticed, of course, in the Press cuttings an enormous amount of references to the police and to myself—which I should gladly have escaped—within the last few days. I inquired at the Home Office as to whether anyone there was responsible for a particular article, and I am assured they were not.

asked the Home Secretary the grounds upon which the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has prohibited the use of chewing-gum by police while on duty?

The Commissioner has prohibited the use of chewing-gum by police officers on duty because the practice seemed to him not only to invite unfavourable comment, but also to be likely to impair an officer's capacity to deal promptly and efficiently with many of the situations which are constantly arising in the course of his duties.

Is the order prohibiting the use of chewing-gum to be extended to a prohibition of the consumption of chocolates by the Commissioner; and, if so, will it have any effect on the administration?

Is it not much more difficult to answer questions properly when you are chewing gum?

That is one of the reasons why the Commissioner has prohibited the practice. I am also informed that in blowing a whistle you may blow the gum into the whistle.

There is a serious question involved here. Is the prohibition of the use of chewing-gum extended to a prohibition of the purchase of chewing-gum? In fact, the purchase of chewing-gum has been prohibited in the service canteens, and, that being so, why is an officer, who may not drink beer while on duty, allowed to buy beer in the canteen when he is off duty?

asked the Home Secretary the number of pensioned naval and military officers who are at present holding salaried posts in the Metropolitan Police Force; and the total amount of annual salaries now being drawn by such officers, and the total amount of annual pensions in respect of their previous naval or miltary service?

Five. The aggregate amount of their salaries is £6,300 and of their pensions £2,543 10s.

Is it the case that nine out of 19 of the higher officials of the London police are ex-naval or military officers; and does the right hon. Gentleman think that sufficient chance is given to members of the police force to receive promotion?

In view of the necessity for disciplining the police force, does he not think it most appropriate to employ ex-officers of the Army and Navy?

With great respect to you, Sir, I suggest that these questions raise matters which can more easily be debated on the Floor of the House. I shall be prepared to answer them fully on Wednesday next.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from a solicitor, acting on behalf of Bernard Arthur Beagle, of 29, Brook Mews, Lancaster Gate, London, a copy of a sworn declaration containing allegations regarding the methods adopted by certain specified officers of police in endeavouring to procure from him incriminatory declarations as to a crime committed on 28th July, 1926; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. I have received a copy of the declaration sworn upon 7th June with regard to incidents alleged to have occurred while Beagle was detained in police custody from 13th to 15th February last. I at once communicated with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and have now obtained from him detailed statements by the police officers concerned with regard to what actually occurred. It is not possible for me within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary question to deal fully with the detailed allegations made by Beagle, but I have satisfied myself that his statements are grossly inaccurate. In particular he makes specific allegations against a named officer of oppressive methods during and throughout the night of 13th February, whereas it is conclusively proved that the officer in question did not see him at all until late in the morning of the 14th. Beagle was arrested as a deserter from the Army—a fact not alluded to in his declaration—and his detention from the 13th to the 15th when he was charged before a magistrate was due to his having given false particulars. The crime referred to in the question as having been committed on 28th July, 1926, was what is known as the Bayswater murder, and the fact that Beagle was questioned——

"Mr." Beagle.

If the hon. and gallant Member will look at his colleague's question, he will see that the "Mr." is not included in the main question. The fact that Bernard Arthur Beagle was questioned with regard to that murder was due entirely to his having volunteered a statement that he was near the scene of the crime at the time when it is supposed to have been committed. From beginning to end the statements in the declaration are denied in toto by the police officers concerned, and if he wishes to proceed with his charges I can only refer him to his legal remedies.

Since the right hon. Gentleman is convinced that the statements made in the sworn declaration are grossly inaccurate and untrue, does he propose to take any steps against this man for signing and swearing a false declaration?

That is another question altogether. The man has made this declaration, and, as I say, I am informed that it is grossly inaccurate and in most respects false. It is open to him to take any proceedings he likes, either for damages against the police officers who, he alleges, treated him improperly, or to apply to the Commissioner for a disciplinary inquiry. He has already applied to a magistrate, who was sympathetic with him, but who subsequently withdrew his sympathy and would have nothing further to do with him.

Will not an opportunity he afforded for investigating this allegation and all similar allegations against the police when the right hon. Gentleman appoints his Committee to inquire into police methods generally; and can he now say when he intends to appoint that Committee?

The second Commission is standing over, as it was arranged that it should, until after the Report of the Savidge inquiry. After that, I am quite prepared to consult hon. and right hon. Members opposite and the leaders of the Opposition below the Gangway in reference to the terms of that Commission's inquiry, because I want it to be thoroughly satisfactory. In any case, I agree with the hon. Gentleman that this and similar cases might quite properly be inquired into by that tribunal.

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention, as this sworn declaration is incorrect, to send the papers to the Public Prosecutor?

Eon. Members must leave the police and myself a certain discretion as to whether we should prosecute in every case when charges are improperly made against them. I have answered the question fully, I am satisfied that there is no ground for the charges made, and it is for the man himself to bring forward his case in the proper quarter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board has considered ways and means of reducing the amount of clerical work in schools, and, if so, with what results; and whether, having regard to the improvement in school attendance, the Board has considered the possibility of modifying the present methods of registration of attendance in the direction of recording absences only instead of, as at present, both attendances and absences?

As regards the first part of the question perhaps my right hon. Friend may refer the hon. Member to the reply given by him on the 23rd February last to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook), a copy of which I am sending him. As regards the second part, the Board have already considered the suggestion referred to, and my right hon. Friend would be inclined to consider it again if at any future time statistics of average attendance ceased to be a factor in the calculation of the Board's grants, but at present I fear that we cannot dispense with a high standard of accuracy in registration.

Is the Noble Lady aware that schoolmasters and schoolmistresses generally complain that their time is being occupied at school in filling in forms instead of looking after the education of the children, and cannot something be done to arrange for such information to be given at other times than in school hours?

If the hon. Member looks at the answer to which I have referred, he will see that there has been a considerable reduction in the forms to be filled in.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have provided no accommodation up to the present for mentally defective and physically defective children; and are there any authorities without accommodation who are making provision during the current educational triennium?

According to the information in the possession of my Department, there are 240 local education authorities who have provided no special schools of their own for mentally defective children, and 257 who have provided no special schools of their own for physically defective children; but 131 of of the former authorities and 221 of the latter send children of these types to special schools provided by other authorities or by voluntary managers, and some 200 authorities make provision for the orthopaedic treatment of crippled children. In addition, about 50 authorities have arranged for the supervision of mentally defective children in their areas. As to the second part of the question, the Board already have before them proposals for the provision of five new schools for mentally defective children and 28 new schools for physically defective children.

Is it the policy of the Board to urge the local authorities who are not yet making any provision for these unfortunate children to proceed with making such provision as rapidly as possible?

If the hon. Member will look at the Board's Reports, he will see that very considerable progress has been made in the last three and a half years in the provision of schools for physically defective children; there has been a very marked increase in the number of such schools in the last year or two. As to the question of schools for mentally defective children, the hon. Member is aware that that matter is under consideration at the present time by a Special Committee, which has not yet reported.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the standard adopted by the Board in placing a limit upon expenditure by local education authorities on the provision of maintenance allowances for pupils in public elementary schools; and are the Board prepared to recognise for grant, outside the limits imposed, expenditure on such maintenance allowances where local education authorities can offer adequate reasons, such as an adequate system of contributory central schools providing a four years' course for pupils between the ages of 11 and 15 years?

The limit of one shilling per unit of average attendance relates not to the total expenditure of local authorities on maintenance allowances for elementary school children, but to the expenditure on which grant at the special rate of 50 per cent. is payable. On expenditure in excess of this limit grant at 20 per cent. is payable. The limit was announced by my right hon. Friend's predecessor, the right hon. Member for Central Newcastle (Mr. Trevelyan), in his statement to the House on the 22nd July, 1924, and I may perhaps refer the hon. Member to that statement. It is one of the conditions of grant relating to maintenance allowances for elementary school children that the children should be attending a school which provides a course or courses of advanced and progressive instruction suitable for children over 14 years of age, and is properly organised for that purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board have had under consideration the desirability of encouraging in all possible cases the provision of playing fields for the use of scholars attending post-primary schools; whether there is any reason for the omission of reference to the provision of playing fields in Circular 139V and the New Prospect in Education: and whether it would be possible for the Board to issue a letter of advice or suggestion on the subject to local education authorities?

My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider most sympathetically proposals for remedying the existing shortage of playing-field accommodation, but the circular and pamphlet, to which the hon. Member refers, were concerned with the specific problem of school organisation and school supply, rather than with that of the provision of general facilities for the children, and it would be wrong to regard the absence of reference in these documents to the provision of playing fields as any indication that the Board are not fully alive to the importance of such provision.

In view of the fact that a good many of these schools are going up at present, and that hardly any of them have playing fields provided with them, would it not have been better to have dealt with this question immediately while the ground was being bought on which to build the schools?

The matter is being dealt with in many cases of the new schools that are being put up, and I think the local authorities are generally aware how necessary the Board consider the provision of playing fields to be.

Does the Noble Lady not think it would be better to make it compulsory for the local authorities, when they are building new schools, to provide playing fields for them? Will she watch what they are doing in Vienna?

asked the President of the Board of Education when the Report on Technical Education will be published; and whether the Report will be accompanied by an official circular, as in the case of the "New Prospect in Education"?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Memorandum which is being prepared on the present relations of technical education and industry. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to publish this Memorandum before the Recess. He does not anticipate that there will be any occasion to issue an accompanying circular with it.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increase in the number of small houses built during the last two years, it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to amend the Rent Restrictions Acts in order to enable the owners of single houses purchased for their own occupation to obtain possession of them?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement in regard to the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Acts, but I hope to be able to do so before the end of the present Session.

In view of the enormous increase demanded by certain property owners whose houses have been decontrolled, will the right hon. Gentleman also take that into consideration before reaching a decision?

I shall take all relevant matters into consideration.

Is it not the case that even now, where alternative accommodation is available, the owner of a house may procure possession for his own son?

I am informed that there are often difficulties in the way.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the Rawmarsh urban district council requesting him, in view of the inability of a large percentage of the tenants of the council houses to pay the rents at present charged, to grant them permission to reduce the rents under the assisted housing schemes, and to make a grant to them to enable them to reduce the rents of the houses erected under the various Housing Acts; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?

My attention has been drawn to the resolution of the Rawmarsh urban district council referred to by the hon. Member. As regards houses erected under the Act of 1919 the council have been advised of the steps it is necessary for them to take with a view to the reconsideration of the rents charged by the council. As regards the Acts of 1923 and 1924, the extent to which assistance can be granted is set out in these Acts, and I have no power to vary the grants payable thereunder.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a deputation of Members of Parliament on this question from many other parts of the country, where the same difficulty has arisen, and will continue so long as we have this distress in trade in the country?

I never refuse to see a deputation of Members.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of meeting a deputation of local authorities who are in this unfortunate position, since they happen to know the exact situation better than some Members of Parliament?

The local authorities can make any representations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at least 13 local authorities have made representations, and up to the present all that they have received is merely a copy of the Regulations under the 1919 Act? When will he consider that question?

I will consider it when I get the applications.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will circularise the various boards of guardians requesting them not to press for repayment of relief in those cases in which the production of a medical certificate was made a condition for the granting of such relief?

The question of the action to be taken by the boards of guardians in the recovery of relief granted upon loan must obviously be determined in the light of the circumstances of the particular cases and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the issue of such a circular as is suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the extraordinary hardship on some of these people, who are unable to meet the payments, and will he give the matter his consideration?

It is a matter for the consideration of the boards of guardians themselves.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate increase or decrease in the poor rates of East and West Ham County Boroughs, respectively, if, according to the scheme set out in Cmd. 3134, each county borough is to become a separate Poor Law authority?

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the first paragraph on page 24 of the White Paper, on which the approximate figures for 1926–7 are given.

Is the Minister aware that the position of West Ham is extraordinary and special; in fact, so much is stated in the Report; and will the right hon. Gentleman at the earliest possible opportunity enter into consultation with the boroughs concerned with regard to the application of the scheme to their localities.

The whole matter is under consideration now, as stated in the White Paper.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect a decision?

When I come to a decision as to the proposal.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received an appeal from the Norfolk Vagrancy Committee for assistance in providing extra remuneration for medical officers of Poor Law institutions now called upon, by order of the Ministry, to examine all casuals for small-pox; and, in view of the fact that this work is outside the duties ordinarily performed by these doctors, whether he will undertake to defray all or part of the additional fees involved?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. There are no funds at my disposal out of which such a contribution as is suggested could be paid.

Does my right hon. Friend expect these doctors to do the extra work gratis, or does he expect the local authorities to defray the extra cost?

All that I can say is that I have no power to make any contribution.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the medical officers undertake the inspection of casuals in the evening, and thus give some value to their inspection?

That would certainly involve a claim for an extra fee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider the remission or abolition of the tax which is payable by ex-service men in possession of a motor attachment to their tricycles.

I have been asked to answer this question. I presume the hon. Member refers to disabled ex-service men who use specially constructed invalid tricycles. The annual rate of taxation on such vehicles is 5s., and I do not think there is any ground for remitting this nominal registration fee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the loss to the Exchequer for the financial years 1926–27 and 1927–8 due to agricultural property-being assessed for Estate Duty on the rate provided in the Finance Act, 1919, instead of the current rates for 1926–27 and 1927–8, respectively.

It is estimated that the relief from Estate Duty granted by the Finance Act of 1925 in favour of agricultural property amounted to £144,000 in 1926 and to £237,000 in 1927.

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that on an agricultural estate of £100,000 it means £6,000, as against a non-agricultural estate, and whether, in view of the remission which next year will be given of £4,500,000 additional, he is prepared to recommend the withdrawal of this special advantage?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether representations have recently been made to him by the Scottish Oil Company in respect of the withdrawal of the Kerosene Tax and the need for rendering assistance to the industry, particularly by the granting of favourable Government contracts; and whether he proposes taking any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has considered whether the effect of the withdrawal of the Kerosene Tax on the Scottish shale industry could be offset by the placing of Government contracts, but he regrets that after a very careful examination this was found impracticable.

Is the hon. Member aware that the Chancellor raised the hopes of this depressed industry only to dash them again? Is he aware of the serious position of the industry at the present moment, and will his right hon. Friend not do something now, having regard to the whole situation?

The matter has been under the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor; perhaps the hon. Member will put his question to him.

Is that to say that if I put the question down to the Chancellor it will be answered?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, seeing that sergeant-pilots after five years' flying service are placed on the reserve list of pilots, he will state what means are taken to keep them efficient as pilots?

The Commanding Officer of an airman who has reverted to trade employment after five years' service as a pilot is responsible that the airman maintains himself in regular flying practice and carries out as much flying as possible, and in any case not less than three hours flying each quarter. Airmen who carry out the prescribed minimum and are certified as competent pilots are eligible for a bounty at the rate of £10 a, year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the Air Ministry advertisements for recruits, he will say how many commissions are to be granted to sergeant-pilots before their five years' flying time has expired; and what is the number of commissions designated and the number granted for 1928?

As regards the first part of the question, the number of permanent commissions to be granted to airmen pilots depends upon the requirements of the service and the suitability of the candidates recommended. The number will vary, therefore, from time to time, and is not subject to any arbitrary limit. As regards the second part, no such commissions have been granted so far during 1928; recommendations are to be considered in October next, but I cannot say how many (if any) will then be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is satisfied with the present system of reverting sergeant-pilots, after five years' flying service, to their previous rank, status, and pay; if he has received from official or other sources information disclosing discontent among the ranks affected; and if he is willing to submit for the information of Members the documents in which approval was given for this system to be adopted?

As this answer is rather a long one, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, having regard to the great popular interest shown in the recent display of the Royal Air Force at Hendon, he will give consideration to occasional displays of a similar nature in other parts of the United Kingdom?

My hon. Friend's suggestion has already been adopted within limits, the need for which he will appreciate. Last year at Birmingham the Royal Air Force gave a display in which some 35 aircraft took part, and this year arrangements have been made for some 75 aircraft to take part in a flying display which is to be held at Blackpool on Saturday next.

What about Scot-laud?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state the numbers of fatal accidents to pilots and passengers in the Royal Air Force during the six months ending 30th June, 1923, and the corresponding figures for the six months ending 30th June, 1927?

There were 16 fatal accidents in the Royal Air Force involving the deaths of 14 pilots and 10 passengers during the six months ending 30th June, 1923, and 20 fatal accidents involving the deaths of 20 pilots and 11 passengers during the corresponding period of 1927. I should add, however, that the number of squadrons in 1923 was little more than half that in 1927 and a very much larger amount of flying was in consequence carried out in the latter year.

Can the hon. Baronet account for this great increase in casualties?

I could not discuss that matter by question and answer.