asked the Minister of Pensions why a pension has been refused in the case of Mr. V. E. Preston, ex-private, 66951, Machine Gun Corps, of 11, Oak Street, Newton, Cheshire, who was wounded at Ypres in September, 1917, and demobilised in March, 1919, who applied for pension in respect of a foreign body in the spine in October, 1927; was, after examination by a Ministry medical officer, admitted to Grangethorpe Hospital for operative treatment on 3rd January, 1928; was operated on on 19th January, 1928, and discharged from the hospital on 17th February, 1928, having, while in the hospital, been informed on 6th January, 1928, that he was not entitled to pension, though suffering from war wounds indubitably due to war service?

At the time when the operative treatment which was given by the Ministry for the old war wound was successfully concluded, no sufficient degree of disablement was found to justify a grant of pension. The case is, however, being kept in view and any further action that is found to be called for will be taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when this man had the operation in January this year he received a letter disallowing a pension? Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter, seeing that the man is an absolute wreck after the operation?

My information is to the contrary. When he was in hospital, he would be drawing full allowances, which are higher than full pension. If the man's wound should give further trouble, we should be most happy to give him any further treatment which may be desirable.

If I bring further details to the notice of the Minister, will he attend to them?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Frank Smith, 6/MS/10349, who enlisted voluntarily in the Northamptonshire Regiment on the 31st August, 1914, and was demobilised on the 19th February, 1919, after having served 335 days overseas; that, in addition to minor wounds, he served 74 days in hospital as a result of a gunshot wound in the left chest; that on return to civil life he did not claim a pension, but in 1925 was obliged to submit a claim on account of pulmonary tuberculosis and gunshot wound in the left chest; that the Ministry of Pensions regard his tuberculosis as a post-War infection, in spite of the fact that three independent medical opinions attribute it to war service; whether he will give reconsideration to this particular case; and whether, in view of the number of doubtful cases of this sort in which the opinion of the tribunal and of the Ministry must turn in fact on a matter of medical opinion, he will consider reopening the whole question of the machinery for dealing with these borderline cases by setting up an independent medical appeal tribunal?

All the facts mentioned by the hon. Member were carefully con- sidered by the Ministry before rejecting the claim and were before the independent Appeal Tribunal which disallowed the man's appeal. I am advised that there are no grounds to justify any further action. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the independent tribunal for which he asks already exists in the form of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, to which the man referred to in this case has in fact resorted.

Is it not a fact that the appeal tribunal expressed an opinion which is purely an opinion against that of three independent medical men?

It is not merely a question of expressing an opinion; it is a question of the properly constituted tribunal giving a final decision on this matter, under the law of the country.

What ground has the Minister for saying that three paid servants of the Government know more about this question than three independent medical men?

The matter which the tribunal decided was a later problem, and they are the proper authoritiy to deal with it, as the hon. Member himself suggests.

I beg to give notice that, as this is a matter which cannot be raised conveniently by question and answer, I shall call attention at the earliest possible date to the unsympathetic treatment of some of these men who gave their services to the country.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been ailed to the case of Mrs. J. Stock, 37, Manfield Road, Northampton, Ministry of Pensions No. 11/W/35,593, widow of Frank Lambert Stock, Northants Regiment, who joined up in 1915, was demobilised in 1919, and claimed pension in May, 1926, which was allowed on appeal, it being decided that pernicious anemia was attributable to service, and pension on 100 per cent. disablement being awarded; that Mr. Stock died on the 3rd March, 1928, and that the claim of his widow, Mrs. Stock, under Article 17b has been rejected, thereby overriding the decision of the previous appeal; and whether he will make further inquiries into this case?

The widow in this case has been granted a pension of £1 11s. 8d. a week for herself and her child under Article 17a of the Royal Warrant. Her claim to the higher rate of pension, available under Article 17b in cases where it is found that the husband's death was, in the terms of the Article, wholly due to War service, was not found by the Ministry to be admissible. This decision did not over-ride the finding of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal on her late husband's original claim, and in fact the widow's appeal against the decision on her own claim was disallowed by the tribunal.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is yet in a position to make an announcement as to the stabilisation of pensions?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has under consideration the question of stabilising pensions once and for all; and, if so, whether he will be in a position to announce his proposals before the end of the Session

If, as I presume, the reference intended is to the stabilisation of the pension rates of the Great War Warrants so far as they are at present liable to fluctuation in accordance with the cost of living, I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hexham (Colonel Clifton Brown) on the 23rd May, of which I am sending both hon. Members a copy. I hope to be in a position to make a statement before the end of the present Session.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men are being maintained in mental institutions by the Ministry directly and by means of a special Exchequer grant, respectively; and whether pensions are paid to the dependants of such men?

The number of ex-service patients in mental institutions, whose maintenance is defrayed by my Department under the Royal Warrants as that of patients whose disability is due to Great War service, was, at the end of June, 6,292. The special arrangements made in 1924 for the maintenance by means of Exchequer grants of a certain number of cases of ex-service men in mental institutions, whose condition was not due to War service, does not come within my province, but I understand the number of cases so maintained is rather over 500. The allowances available under the Pension Warrants for the dependants of ex-service patients are, of course, payable in the former class of case only.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the dependants of those who are obviously border-line cases should have an allowance of some kind?

No, Sir, I agree with the decision of the Labour Government on this matter. These are not border-line cases, but cases quite definitely not accepted as being due to the War.

Does the Minister agree that provision should be made for these men through this special Exchequer grant, and does not that fact show that there should be a liability in connection with their dependants?

No, Sir, I do not see why the Government should accept responsibility for these dependants. If they did so, they would have to do the same for the dependants of all ex-service men whose physical disabilities have been found to be not due to war service. That is the decision of the Labour Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me of any other cases where there are these special Exchequer grants, and does not this special Exchequer grant show that there is a connection?

No, Sir, the whole basis of the Exchequer grant is that these cases are not due to War service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the German drug allonal is among those governed by the Dangerous Drugs Act; if not, whether he is aware of the growing demand for this drug and of the danger entailed in its use; and whether he will take steps to ensure that allonal should not be available without a doctor's prescription?

The Dangerous Drugs Acts do not apply to "Allonal" which is understood to be the proprietary name given by a Swiss firm of manufacturing chemists to a derivative of barbituric acid. I am aware of the dangers and have brought the question of the need for further restrictions in the case of these drugs before the Inter-Departmental Committee which has been examining the law relating to poisons.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the recommendations of the House of Commons Local Legislation Committee, of 5th April, 1927, wherein the magistrates of Chepping Wycombe were urged to take steps to transfer their police force to the police force of the county of Buckingham; and what steps have been taken to effect to the recommendation?

I am aware of the observations of the Local Legislation Committee on the subject and an application was made to me by the police authority of the county to take certain steps with a view to merger of the borough force under the provisions of a local Act of 1880. After full consideration, and hearing the representations of the Standing Joint Committee, I came to the conclusion that this particular matter should not be proceeded with until Parliament had had an opportunity to pronounce on the general question of which it forms part.

asked the Home Secretary the practice obtaining in the Metropolitan Police when requests are received from provincial police forces for action in connection with alleged receivers of stolen property; whether he has received any complaints during the past two years that prompt and proper action has not been taken and whether on investigation such complaints have been well-founded or otherwise?

The precise action depends on the circumstances of the case which vary considerably, but it is no less energetic and prompt when the request emanates from a provincial force than it would be if the matter originated in the Metropolitan Police District. No such complaint as that referred to in the second part of the question can be traced, and the third part therefore does not arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether information has yet been supplied to him in regard to a complaint made that a certain county chief constable has made allegations of this kind?

I have received from my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Luton (Captain O'Connor) a long letter of very many pages which I have not completely read, but it does not give the name of the chief constable in question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the importance of this in connection with the new inquiry as affecting every provincial police authority, and that, so long as the chief constable is not named, every chief constable is under suspicion and reciprocity arrangements are thereby endangered?

I entirely agree, but my hon. and gallant Friend is not in the House at the moment. I shall be answering his letter. The position is that when an hon. Member makes a statement and is not prepared to give the name, it places me and the police force in a very great difficulty.

Is it not a fact that the hon. and gallant Member for Luton has already volunteered to give any information at his disposal to the Commission which is proposed to be set up?

I am afraid that my hon. and gallant Friend has not seen the letter which I received last night from the hon. and gallant Member for Luton.

Has the right hon. Gentleman the names of people or firms who are in the habit of receiving stolen property, and if so would he keep a close watch upon them?

One of the main duties of the police is to watch the receivers of stolen goods many of whom are known by name and position, and, whenever a burglary or theft takes place, the first thing the police do is to keep an eye on these people who may be the channel for disposal of the goods.

asked the Home Secretary the number of deaths caused by motor vehicles in each year from 1908 to 1927, inclusive?

I am able to give the number of fatal accidents for the years 1909–1927 inclusive. The number of persons killed—as distinct from the number of accidents—is available for 1926 and 1927 only, and I will cause the available information to be circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman proposing any drastic action to reduce this shocking record?

I do not know what the right hon. Member would suggest.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the plan of limiting licences to those who are qualified to drive?

That is a question which hardly arises out of the question on the Paper. There is a good deal to be said on both sides.

Can the Home Secretary give the number of motor vehicles?

I have not inserted the number of motor vehicles.

Why not?

I was not asked for it.

Following is the information:

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that, following a conference at Scotland Yard, it has been decided that motorists in the Metropolitan police area who are charged with trivial motoring offences are not to be prosecuted provided that they had not offended before, but are to receive a warning letter from the Commissioner, he will give the text of the letter in question?

A certain number of warning letters have been issued, but I am personally reconsidering the terms and will inform my hon. Friend in due course.

Can my right hon. Friend say what offences should result in a warning, otherwise it might result in prejudging a case?

The moderate type of offence of which the hon. and gallant Member has experience.

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements, if any, have now been made to proceed with the construction of the proposed bridge at Dornie, in the Kintail district of Boss-shire?

I understand that the District Committee propose, during the coming autumn, to apply for a provisional order enabling the bridge to be built, and I hope very shortly to be able to intimate what measure of assistance can be given from the Road Fund towards the necessary preliminary expenses.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information as to the number of accidents, fatal and non-fatal, caused to persons boarding or dismounting from stationary tramcars within the Metropolitan area?

I have been asked to reply. The number of fatal accidents during the year to 30th June last was 21. I regret I cannot give the number which had no fatal result.

In view of the frequent requests for regulations to prevent vehicle passing stationary tramcars, is it not important that we should know the exact number of accidents?

It is a very particular form of accident, and up to the present there has been no class in which it could be placed. If an additional class were made, it would involve extra work.

Should not there be a special form of regulations prohibiting vehicles passing stationary tramcars?

Would not the provision of trolleys instead of tramways do much to avoid these accidents, because the cars would be able to pull up to the side of the road?

asked the Home Secretary what is the total number of vacancies for posts with mini- mum salaries of £300 or over which have occurred in the Home Office since 1921, when the Civil Service was declared by Parliament to be equally open to men and women, which have been filled by a transfer from other Departments or by appointments under Clause 7; and how many of these vacancies have been filled by women?

Since 1st January, 1921, 26 vacancies for established posts in the Home Office with minimum salaries of £300 or more have been filled by transfer from other Departments or by appointments under Clause 7. In 13 of the cases the officer was already serving in the Department either in an established or unestablished capacity. Three of the vacancies were filled by the appointment of women.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Board of Inland Revenue has put, or contemplates putting, into operation a scheme for the reduction of offices for the collection of Income Tax; and. if now in operation, what number of offices have been closed, what saving in expenditure has been gained, and how many part-time or other officials have been or will be dispensed with?

The hon. Member is possibly aware that only a small proportion of the appointments of collectors of taxes are made by the Board of Inland Revenue. Within that limited sphere it has been their policy to reduce the number of part-time officials by the merger of small collections, wherever practicable, when vacancies occur. A further step has been made possible by the passing of Section 30 of the Finance Act, 1927. In areas in which the bulk of the appointments are in the hands of the Board, a reorganisation of the collection arrangements is contemplated, which aims at local concentration of the work in a single office staffed on Civil Service lines. One such office has been opened at Southampton, embracing the areas formerly dealt with by 10 collectors. With the exception of one part-time official, the collectors concerned have been allotted posts in the new organisation. It is hoped in the near future to form seven other offices of this sort, the areas formerly dealt with by roughly 50 collectors. The changes proposed are in the interests of efficiency, but a substantial economy will ultimately accrue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the practice for collectors of Income Tax to provide out of their remuneration an office staff and other incidental expenses; and whether he proposes to reorganise the collection service by substituting established civil servants under the Board of Inland Revenue for the existing system?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 10th July to the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. R. Young), of which I am sending him a copy. The second part of the inquiry is covered by the reply which I have given to question No. 55.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if overtime is still being worked in the contributory pensions division of the Scottish Board of Health; if extra duty is contemplated in the alterations branch of that Department; and whether he will reconsider assigning part of the overtime duties to ex-service temporary clerks under notice of dismissal?

Overtime is at present being worked in the pensions issue branch of the Board but in order to reduce its amount as far as possible additional temporary staff is being engaged. So far as the alterations branch is concerned, certain urgent work has to be overtaken in the course of the next few months, and as this work requires special knowledge, it is not possible to employ temporary staff to such an extent as would entirely obviate the need for overtime. As regards the last part of the question, it is not the intention to dispense with the services of any ex-service temporary clerks at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a definite assurance can be given that no new entrants to the clerical or writing assistants grades will be recruited by the Scottish Board of Health, and that no transfers to that Department will be effected while ex-service temporary clerks are under notice of dismissal or are available for further employment?

The only recruitment to the clerical and writing assistant grades in the Scottish Board of Health will be to fill vacancies in the permanent establishment. Additional temporary staff is at present being engaged to the full extent of the suitable candidates available on the books of the Joint Substitution Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the reply to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 14th June regarding the promotion of ex-service P (probationary) class officers in other Departments; and whether he will reconsider the question of promotion of members of that grade in the Scottish Board of Health?

I have seen the reply referred to. The question of the promotion of "P" class men to the clerical grade in the Scottish Board of Health is receiving consideration and the Staff Side of the Departmental Whitley Council have been so informed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the proportion of cases of alleged statelessness which were settled by the intervention of Mr. Kramer as agent for the applicant; whether minutes were kept of the negotiations which led to the release of large sums of money; and whether, seeing that, in the many cases which the legal advisers to the Enemy Debt Department regarded as subject to the charge created by the Treaty of Versailles and St. Germain, the legal advisers informed the applicants that the issue in their claim was open to doubt and would require a decision in the Courts, he will state why these cases were settled with Mr. Samuel Kramer without a decision of the Courts?

Claims for the release of property on the ground of statelessness have been made constantly since 1919. A complete record of these cases could not be made without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour, but their number runs into hundreds. As the hon. Member has already been informed, 19 cases were dealt with by Mr. Kramer acting as agent for the applicant. Minutes were kept of the negotiations which led to the settlement of these cases. With regard to the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on the 3rd July.

Have the Department satisfied themselves with regard to the standing of this gentleman, and have they any knowledge of the conditions under which this Mr. Kramer was acting?

I should like to see that question on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary the number of proved charges, including convictions, in the courts of summary jurisdiction in the county of Devon during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1927; the number of sentences of imprisonment passed; the number of probation orders made; and the number of full-time probation officers employed in the county?

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

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that full use is being made of probation in the country?

That is a terribly big question. The hon. Member knows that I am frequently twitted with preaching more than I ought the desirability of extending the use of probation, but it is undoubtedly being extended throughout the country.

Following is the answer:

According to the annual police returns for 1927, the figures are as follow:—

The number of full-time probation officers is two, both employed by Plymouth County Borough. I may add that the question of the organisation of probation work is under the consideration of the county authorities, and I have at present before me a scheme for the constitution of a combined county probation area submitted by the Court of Quarter Sessions under Section 2 (4) of the Criminal Justice Act, 1925.

asked the Home Secretary on what grounds he advised withholding the Royal Assent to the Old Age, Widows', and Orphans' Pensions Bill passed several months ago by both branches of the Isle of Man Legislature, which action withholds from the Manx people the benefits of insurance under these heads?

The Bill contained a Clause of a novel and unprecedented nature, which, I am advised would have imposed a heavy and indefinite liability on the insular funds. I therefore felt it my duty to inform the Lieutenant-Governor that I could not recommend for the Royal Assent a Measure containing the Clause in question, but that if it were re-submitted without this Clause, I would recommend it immediately for the Royal Assent. I understand that the action of a minority of the House of Keys who voted against the suspension of Standing Orders prevented the reintroduction of the Bill, after the position had been fully explained by the Lieutenant-Governor.

Does the novel part of this Bill to which the right hon. Gentleman refers mean that they are producing a better scheme for pensions than that which operates in this country, and that for that reason the right hon. Gentleman is advising against the Royal Assent being given?

They produced a scheme which would have involved the Island's finances in very great difficulty.

In view of the fact that this Bill was passed by the House of Keys and the Tynwald, and that they realised the expenditure which was involved, did they ask the right hon. Gentleman to save them from that expenditure?

The right hon. Gentleman has certain liabilities, and has to deal with all the Bills which come up from the local legislature of the Isle of Man, and, in accordance with my duties as Home Secretary, I could not put this particular Measure before His Majesty.

As the people of the Island will be called upon to bear the expenditure, why does the right hon. Gentleman interfere with it?

Simply because I happen to have the right.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what is the official relationship between the hon. Member opposite who asked the question and the Isle of Man?

Namesake.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a domestic servant, aged 22, a first offender, who is motherless and homeless, who was recently sen- tenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour by the Norwich Magistrates for stealing £2; and whether he will examine this case with a view to the remission of the sentence?

The Justices themselves drew my attention to this case, and I am considering what will be the best course to take in the interest of the girl herself.

In considering this case, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that at the same time that this young woman was sentenced to six months' hard labour a wealthy lady from Kensington who was charged with stealing a handbag from a store—

Order!

asked the Home Secretary if he can see his way to recommend that the City of Salford should be granted the privilege of having its Chief Magistrate styled Lord Mayor, as was done last week in the case of Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke, and Portsmouth?

The answer is in the negative.

May I ask if the Home Secretary is aware that from the point of view of antiquity, of industrial importance, and population, Salford ranks as high as any of these four other boroughs, and, indeed, was made a city at the same time as one of the four which has now had this honour conferred upon it?

I am aware of all these facts as it was my privilege to advise His Majesty to make it a city, but I have not yet found it possible to advise His Majesty to confer the honour of Lord Mayor on Salford.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider West Ham at the same time?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that an Englishwoman who marries an American living in this country loses her nationality and is unable to obtain American citizenship unless she resides in her husband's country for 12 months; and whether, under such circumstances, he can arrange for the woman to retain her British nationality until she is qualified to obtain the nationality of another country?

Yes, Sir; but any hardships in this connection are the result of changes in the United States law some six years ago. As regards the possibility of any amendment of the longstanding English law that a British woman loses her British nationality by marrying an alien, I can only refer to the answer I gave on the 2nd instant.

As it is only a case with regard to British women marrying Americans, and as they are unable to obtain passports and have no civil rights at all, could not the right hon. Gentleman until they are qualified allow them to retain their British citizenship?

It is a difficult question. I explained on the last occasion that I have no power. It would mean a new Act of Parliament dealing with the nationality laws of Great Britain, and it would create a difference between our laws and the laws of the rest of the Empire. We are anxious to keep the nationality laws the same throughout the Empire.

Is it within the recollection of the right hon. Gentleman that this House in its early days passed a unanimous Resolution asking the Government to take some steps in this direction, and in view of that cannot the Government do something definite?

The Government have done something definite. The matter was raised by them at the Imperial Conference two years ago. I myself was Chairman of the Committee of that Conference which dealt with the whole question, and I think it appears in the Report of the Conference that in consequence of the objection of one of the Dominions we were unable to arrive at a decision.

asked the President of the Board of Education what establishments of teachers have been approved by the Board for 1928–29, as compared with the previous year?

The establishments of teachers approved by the Board for the year 1928–29 are estimated at 170,640, as against 168,951 for the previous year.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the present constitution of the Committee appointed by him to advise upon the planning of school buildings; what are the names of the members of the Committee; what are the terms of reference; is it intended to publish a Report; and, in view of the abrogation of the building regulations, is it proposed to issue a circular or memorandum indicating generally the views of the Board with regard to the planning of school buildings, as in the case of other matters of educational interest and policy?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the members at present constituting this Committee and the terms of reference. I hope that the results of the Committee's inquiries will be published in the autumn. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 5 ( d ) of Circular 1375, a copy of which I am sending him.

Is the list a very long one? Cannot the Noble Lord read it to the House?

Sir Frank Baines, chairman, Sir G. F. N. Clay and Mr. G. Topham Forrest.

Will this Committee be empowered to go into the question of furnishing schools as well as planning them in view of the great expense now being incurred in refurnishing schools?

No; its terms of reference relate to construction, and I do not think it would be wise to extend them.

Following are the names:

The Committee is at present constituted as follows:

Sir Frank Baines, C.V.O., C.B.E., F.R.I.B.A. (Chairman);

Sir G.F.N. Clay, F.R.I.B.A.;

Mr. G. Topham Forrest, F.R.S.E., F.R.I.B.A., F.G.S.; with Mr. A. F. Birch-Jones, M.C. (Secretary).

The late Sir Charles Ruthen, Director-General of Housing, Ministry of Health, was also a member of the Committee.

The terms of reference are: "To inquire and report as to the construction of school buildings with special reference to (i) the use of new materials and methods of construction; and (ii) the reduction of cost."

asked the President of the Board of Education what proportion of the time devoted to geography and history in the elementary schools is given to the study of our Dominions and Colonies; and whether, with a view to dispelling the widespread ignorance and indifference which exist and to encouraging Empire emigration among the next generation, he will initiate a policy of fuller instruction in subjects pertaining to the Dominions and Colonies?

The Board do not prescribe the amount of time to be devoted to individual subjects of the curriculum. They have, however, in the volume of "Suggestions for Teachers," drawn the attention of local authorities and teachers to the importance of instruction in the history and geography of the Empire, and the "Weekly Bulletins," published in connection with the Wembley Exhibition, have added a stimulus to the study of this subject. I have every reason to believe that the importance of a knowledge of the history and development of the Empire is fully recognised by school authorities in the framing of syllabuses of instruction.

Are the children being taught how the American colonies were lost by the Tories?

asked the President of the Board of Education, in view of the fact that his Department has condemned, in England and Wales, 544 schools, accommodating 140,000 scholars, what sum he proposes to devote, during the next financial year, to the partial or complete reconstruction of condemned schools; how many schools will be dealt with; how many of the schools to be reconstructed are in Wales; and, in the case of the latter, how many children will be affected?

The reconstruction or replacement of these schools is a matter for the local authorities, or, in the case of voluntary schools, for the school managers, and grant is payable by the Board on the authorities' approved expenditure for this purpose. The number of schools now remaining to be dealt with is 522, of which 69 are in Wales. Plans for dealing with 113 of these schools (including 12 schools in Wales) have already been approved, and proposals for dealing with a considerable number of other cases have been received and are under consideration. The number of children on the registers of the 12 Welsh schools is 3,185.

Is it a fact that the Noble Lord's Department is insisting upon new benches of a very expensive type in these schools?

No, Sir, that is not the case.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases individual boards of guardians or joint vagrancy committees have adopted the system of bread stations for providing casuals with food en route to the next ward; and whether he is satisfied with the system?

I am afraid this information is not available, there being no necessity for boards of guardians or for vagrancy committees to report their proceedings in the matter to me. The system has certain advantages and certain disadvantages, and I should not be prepared to take steps to require its universal adoption or its universal rejection. The matter is one better left to local discretion.

Will the Minister make inquiries as to those areas where a tramp has to be at a bread station not later than three o'clock; otherwise he cannot get a midday meal? In view of the fact that many of the old men on the road cannot possibly walk the necessary distance to reach a bread station by that hour, will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to see that some arrangement is made for them in that respect?

As I have said, I think this is a matter which has to be decided by the local guardians in each particular case, according to the circumstances of the locality.

If the Minister learns of any places where the guardians will not consider favourably the proposal to make it possible for these old men to get a midday meal, will he take action in the matter?

Perhaps if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, he will give me particulars of it.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to any cases of refusal by casuals to perform the task of stone-breaking when imposed.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to sanction the granting of out-relief in distressed areas to able-bodied unmarried men who have exhausted their benefit under the Unemployment Acts.

I cannot undertake to give any general sanction, but I am always prepared to give consideration to the circumstances of a particular case where the guardians consider that there are special grounds for departing from the regulations.

Is the Minister aware that this is the way in which his Commissioners in West Ham are saving money?

If so, they are complying with regulations passed in 1911 by Mr. John Burns.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to renew the Rent Restrictions Act without amendment and for how long a period.

I propose to make an announcement on the subject before the House rises.

asked the Minister of Health if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, for the information of Members, the notice which he is issuing to local authorities of the formation of advisory panels of architects and others to give free advice upon the reconditioning of cottages and other buildings under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, so as not to destroy their picturesque appearance or their historical associations?

I am proposing to issue a circular to local authorities, drawing their attention to the formation of the advisory panels in question, and it would perhaps meet my hon. Friend's object if, when the circular is sent out, copies were placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent throughout the country the reconstruction and reconditioning of country cottages has taken place under the terms of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926; what has been done in the counties of Lancashire and Hampshire; and what financial help has been given in these counties and in the country, respectively.

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

Following is the reply:

Would it not get a wider circulation if the suggestion in my question were adopted as well?

Perhaps the hon. Member will wait and see the result of the circular.

Is this being done because the county authorities have not taken advantage of this housing scheme?

That has nothing to do with the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can take any action to secure equal consideration for British work in respect of the tenders for 24 houses advertised by the Filey Urban District Council?

I have now been informed by the Filey Urban District Council that they have removed the reservation relating to Swedish doors which was included in error in the specification for the houses in question.

Is it the case that this specification which has now been withdrawn, was, in fact, approved by the right hon. Gentleman's Department.

I think I had better have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health the names of all local authorities who have erected, or are erecting, subsidy houses on the principle of direct labour, and also the numbers of those completed and under erection at the latest available date?

I will have a statement prepared and will send it to the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that foreign coal interests are negotiating for the exclusive rights of a low-carbonisation process for the extraction of oil from coal and the manufacture of smokeless fuel, invented by Mr. Charles Turner and now in experimental operation at Coalburn, Lanarkshire; and whether, in the national interest, he will have immediate inquiries made with a view to the retention of this process in British hands?

I have been asked to reply. His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of the negotiations which the hon. Member mentions, but the Fuel Research Board are aware of the nature of the process, and there appears to be no reason in the national interest to interfere with the owner's freedom to dispose of his rights in it as he thinks fit.

How long is it since the Fuel Research Board made inquiries into this process; and does the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it in the national interest that valuable properties should be acquired by Polish coal interests?

I could not say when it was last seen by the Fuel Research Board. They have visited it, but the promoters of the scheme have not asked for an official inspection of it.

May I ask for a reply to my question as to whether the hon. and gallant Gentleman thinks it in the national interest that Polish coal interests should be allowed to come over here and purchase valuable properties?

That depends on the value of the interests.

Is it not desirable to retain for the nation these valuable processes?

As I have said in my answer, there appears to be no reason in the national interest to interfere with the owner's freedom to dispose of his rights.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now say whether the Government have decided to come to the assistance of distressed mining areas; and what steps they propose to take to give immediate relief?

I am not yet in a position to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. T. Griffiths) on the 12th July.

Will the Chancellor be in a position next week to give me an answer to this question?

I have already said, on behalf of the Government, that a statement will be made before Parliament separates. There is, I understand, a Debate on the question of unemployment next week, and possibly that might be made an opportunity for the statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to give facilities for the passage this Session of the Dog Racing Bill?

In view of the Bill not having yet been reported, I regret that I see no prospect of finding time for the remaining stages.

Does that answer mean that, while we are spending two days, with the prospect of two nights as well, in considering the Totalisator Bill, this Bill, which is intended to give local authorities the right of vetoing unnecessary dog racing, is not to get Government facilities at all?

There are two answers to that question. The first is that this Bill is not yet out of Committee. The second answer is that when there is only a limited time available, the Government have to choose which of the two Bills is the more important in the national interest.

Is it not because one Bill will bring in money and the other Bill will not?

That, in itself, would not be a bad reason.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only nine supporters of the Bill turned up at the Committee to-day; and does he think that shows great keenness for the Bill?

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that the reason why the Committee have made so little progress with the Bill has been the opposition from hon. Members on his own side of the House?

And is it not the case that Members of the Committee were standing in the corridor outside the Committee room?

Is the Prime Minister aware that four of his principal supporters, who voted in favour of the Second Reading of the Bill, voted to wreck it within less than two minutes after the meeting of the Committee, and that they can be named?

May I ask for some further light on this matter? Is the Prime Minister aware that there were certain reasons why hon. Members on this side could not be present at the Committee this morning and that his Chief Whip was informed of those reasons; and is the right hon. Gentleman going to make semi-religious speeches in the country while he is—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

asked the Minister of Health with regard to the application made by Henry Ledger, an unemployed miner residing at No. 16, Sarah Ann Street, Barnsley, for an old age pension at 65 years of age in January, 1928, what is the cause of the delay in the pension decision, having regard to the fact that all necessary information has been promptly supplied?

Mr. Ledger was notified on the 17th instant that he had been awarded a pension. Considerable investigation was necessary before it could be established that the insurance conditions were satisfied, for according to the records of his Approved Society, based on the stamped cards surrendered by him, the necessary number of contributions had not been paid in respect of him.

asked the Minister of Health what is the procedure under the Widows' and Orphans' Old Age Contributory Pensions Act with regard to putting in an appeal against an adverse decision; what is the time limit for putting in such an appeal; and whether, in exceptional cases, he is prepared to consider an extension of the time limit in order that no hardship may be caused by ignorance of the regulations on the part of the applicant?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, the rejection notice issued to an unsuccessful applicant for pension includes a paragraph, printed in italics, to the effect that, if he is dissatisfied with the decision, he may apply to the Registrar of Appeals, stating that he wishes his case to be submitted to a referee, and that such application must be made within four weeks of the date shown on the notice; as regards the third part, I am not aware of any case where hardship has been caused by insistence on the time limit, but if the hon. and gallant Member has any such case in mind and will forward particulars to me I will have it looked into.

asked the Minister of Health what steps, if any, he is proposing to take to implement the administrative recommendations of the Royal Commission on Lunacy and Mental Disorder; and, in particular, whether he can see his way to do anything for those suffering from the effects of sleepy-sickness who are not suitable either for lunatic asylums or Poor Law institutions?

I have arranged that the administrative recommendations of this Commission are borne constantly in mind in the day to day administration of the Lunacy Acts, and are worked to so far as is practicable in present circumstances. The problem presented by the after-effects of encephalitis lethargica is under constant review; and it will no doubt be possible to deal with certain of these patients under the Mental Deficiency Act passed last year, which amended the definition of mental defect for this purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many betting licences have been suspended owing to evasions of paying tax?

The number of orders of disqualification for holding a bookmaker's certificate made by competent courts up to 30th June was 62.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the statement in the prospectus on the issue of Victory Bonds in 1919 that bonds would be accepted at their face value by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue as equivalent of cash in satisfaction of amounts due on account of Death Duties, provided that the bonds surrendered had formed part of the estate passing on the death of the deceased continuously from the date of the original subscription, he will state in what circumstances the Commissioners now refuse to accept bonds in satisfaction of Death Duties?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Victory Bonds are in all cases accepted at their face value when tendered in payment of Death Duties; and, if not, what exceptions are made?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that at the issue of Victory Bonds in 1919 a statement was made that the bonds of that issue would be accepted at their face value by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in payment of Death Duties provided that the bonds surrendered should have formed part of the estate passing on the death of the deceased continuously from the date of the original subscription, he can state what are the reasons for altering these terms and refusing to accept a large number of these bonds?

The conditions under which Victory Bonds are accepted at face value (plus accrued interest) are set out in the Bank of England prospectus of 12th June, 1919, and in Clause 2 (1) of the Statutory Regulations made by the Treasury under Section 34 of the Finance Act, 1917, as amended by Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1918. The essential condition is that the bonds must have formed part of the estate passing on the death of the deceased for a period of not less than six months immediately preceding the date of death. If the hon. Members will furnish me with particulars of any case in which it seems to them that these bonds have been refused in satisfaction of death duties, although the necessary conditions have been complied with, I will have inquiry made into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury ever imposes conditions before accepting gifts or contributions to the National Debt Reduction Fund?

The Treasury can, of course, decline gifts or contributions if made subject to conditions which are unacceptable; but no question of the kind has as yet arisen.

Has the right hon. Gentleman inquired into the circumstances surrounding the gift that Lord Inchcape made, and is he aware that Mrs. Hinchliffe alleges that she has certain moral claims on this money; and, if that is so, will he make her some grant from the Civil List?

No, I have not made any such inquiries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present capital value of the annuity payments due to this country under the funding agreements with Italy, Rumania, Portugal, Yugoslavia, and Greece, respectively; and the capital value of these debts before funding agreements were made?

I would refer the hon. Member to the texts of the various Funding agreements which have been presented to Parliament and which give the figures both of the original debts and of the annuity payments due under the Funding agreements in each case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the capital sum at present owing to this country from France in respect of her War debt; the present capital value of the annuity payments proposed to be made under the Funding agreement now awaiting ratification; and the aggregate of such annuity payments under this agreement

The net War Debt of France to this country as at 12th July, 1926 (the date of the signature of the Funding Agreement), was £600,000,000; the present value as at the same date of the annuities payable under the Funding Agreement, calculated on the 5 per cent. tables, was £227,000,000; and the aggregate of the annuities is £799,500,000. Pending the ratification of the Funding Agreement the full interest accruing due on the original Debt has continued, as before, to be added to the capital and, in consequence, the net War Debt as on 30th June, 1928 (without allowing for the payments made on account of the Funding Agreement) had increased to £658,282,000.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to secure the ratification of that agreement with the French Government?

We are, of course, anxious that ratification should be made as soon as possible in accordance with the understandings which were reached, but I would rather not make any statement as to the steps which we may or may not have thought it right to take.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the book issued by the Ministry of Labour as a guide to the employment of boys and girls may not be sold by the Stationery Office for less than 2s. per copy; and, in view of the interest taken in this publication, will he consider issuing this book at a price which will render possible a circulation that will bring the information to the knowledge of the parents of children who are being placed in industry and commerce?