asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Fred Llewellyn, 63, John Street, Resolven, case No. 5/ML/734, is unable to follow his employment regularly due to injuries received during his period of war service between 1914 and 1918; that as a result of a gunshot wound in 1917 a portion of the bullet was not removed until an operation was performed in 1921; and that he is at present suffering severely from the effects; and will he make inquiries with a view of restoring his pension?

As the hon. Member has already been informed, the award in this case was confirmed on appeal by the Independent Appeal Tribunal, and the recent examination did not disclose any grounds for further action in regard to it. If Mr. Llewellyn's claim is that he requires treatment for his war disability, it is open to him to make application to the local office of the Ministry.

Does not the Minister consider, in view of the great number of questions of this sort dealing with borderline cases, that he ought to consider the whole question of pensions?

No, I am not prepared to re-open the whole question of pensions, which would obviously be a disadvantage to many of the pensioners.

Does not the Minister think that this is one of those cases where new evidence has been disclosed as a result of the operation, and may it not therefore come under the Special Rule?

It is a case that would come under the Special Rule if the new circumstances justified it. But the recent examination did not disclose any ground for further action.

Would it not be better to deal generously with borderline cases d shift the expense from the local rates to the State?

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of disabled men suffering from tuberculosis who have been taken off treatment allowances during the past 12 months; and whether there has been any recent change of policy in the Department in connection with the payment of treatment allowances to this particular type of disabled man?

The number of cases of the class referred to who were discharged from treatment with allowances during the past 12 months is approximately 9,000, whilst during the same period 5,000 cases were admitted to treatment with allowances. The conditions under which allowances are payable are laid down by the Pension Warrants and no change of policy in this respect has taken place I have, however, endeavoured to secure a more effective co-operation between local Tuberculosis Officers and the Medical Officers of the Ministry in regard to the handling of cases of tuberculosis, particularly with reference to their assessment for pension purposes, on the lines I indicated in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Elland Division (Mr. Robinson) on the 10th November last, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

Is it not a fact that many of these unfortunate men, who have had treatment inside some Ministry institution, are quite unable to follow any sort of employment when they return home, and receive no treatment allowances, and will not the right hon. Gentleman look into that side of the case?

Each case can only be considered on its merits, and not criticised in a general way at all, but the arrangements for re-assessing have, as a matter of fact, resulted in a substantial increase in the average rate of pension.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that there is a growing volume of public protest against the noise of urban streets; that it is' endangering the lives of sick people and undermining the fitness even of those in normal health; that it interferes with education and lowers the efficiency of business; that experts estimate that 60 per cent. of the noise is preventible; and that it will continue to increase unless action is taken; and whether he will, in conjunction with the Ministers of Health and Transport, make an effort to deal with these conditions.

I am aware that there is much complaint and I think with good ground. I have done all in my power to see that the nuisance is abated, so far as this is possible by police action under existing powers, and I will certainly consult with my right hon. Friends as to whether anything further can be done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a high medical authority at a meeting of the British Medical Association last week estimated that the loss in efficiency to the nation, owing to these noises, amounts to no less a sum than £1,000,000 a week?

Yes, I have noticed that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Prime Minister about this in view of the probability that the present laws are insufficient to deal with the growing noises?

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the London County Council and ask him to keep the tramway tracks in order and prevent he most infernal noises?

I will communicate with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, whose duty it will be, I think, to communicate with -the London County Council.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the practice, which obtains in the United States, of zoning certain areas where certain noises are prohibited?

I was referring to the Prime Minister, and not to the Minister of Transport, because I believe that legislation will be required, and I wish to address the right hon. Gentleman on that point.

Mr. Robinson.

On a point of Order, This is fearfully important, and I think that we should get from the Minister something more than we have had.

I do not say that it is not an important matter, and I was willing to give every facility to hon. Members to pursue the subject.

When important matters are raised in this House, as a rule you give a fair amount of latitude.

I suggest that that is what I am doing.

Can I put another supplementary question? The Home Secretary said that he would consult his colleagues. Having regard to the importance of this matter, can he do so, and report to the House before the rising of the House?

I will certainly consult with my colleages; one of them is on the Bench by my side. I will take the opportunity of discussing the matter with them, but whether it will be possible to answer a definite question before the House rises, I cannot say.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the proposed establishment of a cancer hospital in Palatine Road, Withington, a residential district of Manchester; and, having regard to the depreciation in the value of propetry in the district which will resulf, will he set up an inquiry into the matter?

The answer to the first question is in the negative. If, as I assume, the reference is to the establish- ment of a voluntary hospital, I am not aware that it is open to me to take any action.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to introduce legislation dealing with those recommendations of the Royal Commission on Lunacy and Mental Disorder which are of an urgent nature?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to similar questions on the 17th May.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Committee which is inquiring into the London Lock Hospital have now finished their labours; and when their Report is likely to be published?

I understand that the Committee are now considering their Report, but I cannot say when it will be ready for publication.

asked the Home Secretary if he has any information as to the number of racecourses where electricity is available for the working of a totalisator or other mechanical appliance for betting; and where are they situated?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether Reports have been received from his inspectors about the increase in injuries suffered by men and women engaged in the artificial silk industry?

I have received Reports by the inspectors which I am glad to state show that, except in one works where there has been a large increase in the number of persons employed, the number of cases of conjunctivitis has, during recent months, been decreasing. As the hon. Member knows, this industry is receiving the closest attention both from the staff generally and from the medical inspectors and much has been, and is being, done to improve the conditions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state if any steps are being taken to prevent executions taking place at Wandsworth Prison while so many young persons are imprisoned there?

I regret that it is not practicable to avoid the carrying out of executions at Wandsworth Prison, but I am considering the possibility of transferring elsewhere young prisoners on remand who at present are detained at Wandsworth.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now make a statement on the appointment of the chief constable of the county of Buckingham?

No, Sir. Not yet.

asked the Home Secretary whether the enclosures for the parking of cars on Epsom Downs are arranged by or in conjunction with the police authorities; whether any instructions are issued to the police in this connection; and whether the police are authorised to take any action in respect of unauthorised enclosures?

The arrangements for the parking of cars are not made by the police or with their collaboration, but are made by the Epsom Grand Stand Association. Certain police are detailed at the expense of those responsible for authorised enclosures, to control traffic and protect property therein. Apart from this the police have no special instructions in the matter. They are not authorised to take any action in respect of unauthorised enclosures.

in view of the allegations that have been made in respect of Epsom Downs, and in view of the fact that there were no free-parking places at all, that it was broadcast on the eve of the Derby that a fee would be charged in respect of every parking enclosure, and that such parking enclosures are auctioned by the Grand Stand Association to the highest bidder, is the right hon. Gentleman now satisfied that sufficient publicity will be given to the refutation of the charges against the police?

I have no doubt whatever that the charges made in regard to the police are quite unfounded. In regard to the other statement made by the hon. Member, I cannot say that all of them are correct, but I have no doubt that they are.

In view of the fact that Epsom Downs is common land, and there is a question of the correctness of the attitude of the Grand Stand Association in roping off, or authorising the roping off, of any portion of the land, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the wisdom of allowing the police to take such steps as has been done in the past for helping such roping off?

Before the next meeting at Epsom, I will ask the police to get in touch with the Grand Stand authorities and see that everything is done to suit the convenience of the public.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that no police are asked to enforce payment in these cases? The police were asked to enforce payment, and it was only by the use of the police that payment was secured.

That is the statement which has been made in regard to one case, but I have not any proof of it. The police had no authority to enforce payment, and, with great respect to the hon. Member, until I get proof of the facts, I shall beg leave to doubt them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was only by the threat of fetching policemen that people paid—sooner than have had the police coming to them. If it had not been for the threat of the use of the police, payment would not have been made.

Is it in the interests of the public that all these aspersions should be thrown upon the police? Is it advisable? Would it not he a great deal better if some of these supplementary questions were not put?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the police themselves have protested against the methods of the Epsom Grand Stand Association as regards the roping off of those enclosures?

There has been difficulty, I quite agree. As regards the supplementary question of the hon. Member for the Gorbals Division (Mr. Buchanan), all I can say is that the police are really not responsible because some unauthorised person said: "I will go and get a policeman." There is no evidence that they did get a policeman, or that the police took any hand in getting payment—no evidence at all.

May we have the assurance of the right hon. Gentleman that the police will not be used for this purpose in future?

Certainly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the circumstances under which Colonel Partridge ceased to act as establishment officer at Scotland Yard; whether any compensation and, if so, of what nature, was paid for loss of office; and whether the officer has been re-engaged in any other capacity?

Colonel Partridge retired on abolition of the office which he had held. He was granted, by way of compensation, a pension and retiring allowance under the provisions of the Metropolitan Police Staff Superannuation Acts and Orders there-under. He has not been re-engaged.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has come to any decision about the broadcasting of the Cenotaph ceremony on 11th November?

Yes, Sir. Permission has been given to the British Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast the service.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether provision is made in the schools under his control for instruction in the purpose and principles of the League of Nations; in what percentage of schools this is done; how frequently lessons are given; and how much time is devoted to it?

I have no particulars which would enable me to give the information asked for in the last three parts of the question, and as teaching about the League cannot be treated as a separate subject of the curriculum, I would deprecate any attempt to estimate the amount of time devoted to it. There is no doubt, however, that such teaching is being increasingly given both in schools and training colleges. The subject is dealt with in the Board's revised volume of "Suggestions to Teachers" and, as a result of the conference held at Caxton Hall last year (a copy of the report of which I am sending the hon. Member), a Joint Committee of representatives of the local authorities and teachers' associations was formed to consider the whole question.

Is it not right to say that the Board thoroughly approve of this teaching in schools?

Of course, the Board thoroughly approve of the teaching in schools, if properly given.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state particulars of the revised scheme to be submitted to the Dominions for the interchange of teachers?

I am afraid that I. cannot give particulars of the draft scheme until the views of the several Governments concerned have been received. I may say, however, that the scheme follows generally the recommendations contained in the report of the Imperial Education Conference Committee on this subject. This report was printed in full in the Report of the Proceedings of the Committee, a copy of which I am sending my hon. Friend.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite this matter, in view of the benefit to the teachers?

I think I am expediting the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will undertake to prevent in future the issuing of invitations by the Board to school children to witness representations of the bombing of native village populations?

I assume that the right hon. Member refers to the invitations isued by the Royal Air Force Display Committee. As I previously stated, I am not prepared to interfere with the attendance of school children at the display, merely because the particular item to which the right hon. Member objects was, on one occasion, included at the end of the programme.

Will the Noble Lord say what particular educational advantage can accrue to children from witnessing these demonstrations?

I think the great educational handicap under which the children of the poor labour is the drab monotony of their surroundings, and I do not think it is fair or right to interfere with the opportunities such children may get of having some relief from that monotony.

Will the Noble Lord take into account the possible effect on the feeling among native populations in the Colonies?

If there is any difference of opinion in this matter, will the Noble Lord take the vote of the children themselves as to whether they would like to see it?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it means something to poor chidren to go and see poor people in other countries being murdered?

Is the Noble Lord aware that the Air Ministry were very careful this year to avoid any possibility of this being said, and that instead of a native village being bombed the object that was bombed was a capitalistic refinery?

Do not these demonstrations take place out of school hours, and is it a fact that the Minister has no power one way or the other to compel or to stop children attending?

I do not know that the demonstration does take place out of school hours. [HON. MEMBERS: "On Saturday afternoon!"] I think last year the rehearsal was on a, Thursday or a Friday afternoon.

asked the President of the Board of Education the reason for the issue by the Board of Education of Regulations to the effect that the services of not more than two teachers employed in a nursery school may count during the period of such employment as recognised service for superannuation purposes?

The Teachers' Superannuation Rules, to 7 (3) of which the hon. Member apparently refers, were issued after consultation with local authorities and teachers under Section 17 of the Superannuation Act. The reason for this rule is that work in nursery schools, involving, as it does, a large amount of time spent in nursing and other duties which cannot properly be regarded as teaching, does not justify the employment of more than a limited number of qualified teachers. The remaining members of the staff, whilst having suitable qualifications for the work on which they are engaged, are not, therefore, expected to possess teaching qualifications which would make them eligible for pension benefits under the Superannuation Act.

Does this not imply an indirect way of the Board trying to prevent qualified teachers beyond a certain number giving teaching in nursery schools? Is that the purpose of this order?

No. The superannuation rule corresponds with the advice given by the Board to local authorities in our original circular on the subject of nursery schools. These rules were discussed, as I informed the House at the time, by a Committee representing the teachers and the local authorities, and the rules were passed by them. So far as I know, this is the first time on which any criticism has been made of those rules.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is now any serious shortage of bricklayers; whether he can state the attitude of his Department now to the use of forms of construction other than brick; and whether he is still encouraging the construction of steel houses?

I am not aware of any serious shortage of bricklayers for house building. With regard to the second and last parts of the question, the conditions in force governing the payment of subsidy under the Housing Acts do not prohibit the grant of assistance in respect of houses constructed with materials other than bricks, and although comparatively few proposals of this nature are now being submitted, I should not withhold my consent to the grant of assistance in respect of any satisfactory schemes for the erection of houses which complied with the conditions laid down.

At a time when there are plenty of bricks available and plenty of bricklayers, is it not the policy of the Minister to discourage the use of less efficient material, which has not such a long life as brick?

I am not aware that local authorities are in the habit of submitting schemes for such material as that when other materials are available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the policy of the Government in reference to the continuation of the housing subsidy; and whether, in order to facilitate the work of local authorities, he will make a statement on the subject at as early a date as possible in order to enable them to make fresh building contracts?

The subsidy payable under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924 will be reviewed, in accordance with the Statutory provisions, after the 1st October next, and I cannot anticipate the result of that review. I have, however, already announced that houses completed by the 31st March, 1929, will, if otherwise eligible, qualify for subsidy at the existing rates.

Does that mean that no announcement will be made before October?

Yes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many people have been thrown out of employment in the brickyards, that many bricklayers are unemployed owing to the withdrawal of the subsidy; and will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole situation?

I do not think that this subject arises on this question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that since the subsidy has been reduced the price of houses has gone down very largely?

Is that not due to the fact that the building rate has fallen more than 50 per cent.?

asked the Minister of Health if he is in a position to announce the intentions of the Government with regard to the Rent Restrictions Acts?

Yes, Sir. It is proposed to provide for the continuance for one year of the Rent Restrictions Acts in their present form by including them in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill.

Does that answer mean that the Minister of Health is not going to take into consideration, until the expiration of that period, the representations which have been made to him from all parts of the country by the owners of single houses, who for three and four years have been deprived of the possession of the houses which they purchased for their own occupation; and will he consider the very great hardship which is imposed in this way upon a very thrifty and deserving portion of the population?

No, Sir, it does not necessarily mean that. What it means is that the Acts will be continued in their present form on the Statute Book, and will be due to expire in December, 1929; and when this Government returns after the General Election —[ Interruption ]—

In the meantime, will there be any opportunity of considering the hard cases which undoubtedly occur all over the country?

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses completed during June, 1928, and the average price for parlour and non-parlour types, respectively, and the number of houses under construction or sanctioned on 1st July, 1927, and 1st July, 1928, under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924?

asked the Minister of Health how many houses were under construction under the various Housing Acts on the 1st July, 1926, 1927, and 1928?

I have no information as to the number of houses completed during June without State assistance but 9,404 houses were completed during the month in connection with subsidy schemes under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924. The average prices of houses included in contracts let by, or in direct labour schemes of, local authorities during the same month (excluding the cost of land and development) were £426 for parlour houses and £356 for non-parlour houses. Under the Acts of 1923 and 1924 the numbers of houses under construction, and authorised but not started were, on the 1st July, 1926, 91,662 and 135,845, on the 1st July, 1927, 115,765 and 96,674, and on the 1st July, 1928, 59,151 and 85,298 respectively. The numbers under construction on the 1st July in each year under the Act of 1919 were 753, 96 and nil.

In view of die figures which the right hon. Gentleman has just given, does he not think that he ought to make a statement in regard to the subsidy, so that local authorities will know what to do in regard to their future plans?

I have made a statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has already intimated that no statement with regard to the subsidy will be made this side of the Autumn Recess; and, in view of the fact that 50 per cent. less houses are being built as compared with one or two years ago, will he not make some further statement with regard to the subsidy?

No, Sir, I have already said that no alteration will be made in the subsidy in regard to houses completed before the 31st March, 1929. I have no reason to think that local authorities will find any difficulty in making such contracts as they wish to make with that knowledge in their minds. I may further remind the hon. Member that, although naturally the number of houses being built at the present time is not so great as when local authorities were racing in order to get in as many contracts as they possibly could before the alteration of the subsidy, nevertheless the rate of building is going up every month.

Is it not the case that the rate of building even now is 30 per cent. lower than it was in 1926? In June, 1926, 12,000 houses were completed as against 9,000 during June this year. Is this not due to the fact that wages are decreasing and that people cannot pay the rents? Under these circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider last year's decision?

Generally, no Sir.

asked the Minister of Health what was the nature of the improvements which were made in the administration of the Torquay housing scheme as a result of his representations?

The improvements in question were designed to ensure more effectively the observance of the conditions of the subsidy scheme as to a maximum selling price, but, as indicated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. A. Greenwood) on the 12th July, the scheme in question was entirely suspended more than two years ago.

asked the Minister of Health the superficial area of the houses built in Torquay under the scheme adopted by the local authority in December, 1923, at a price of £600, inclusive of land, but exclusive of the subsidy of 2120; and in what other districts in England and Wales any contracts for houses of a similar size were let to private builders at prices and on conditions which yielded a total price of 720 per house?

I have no information as to the superficial area of houses built under the local authority's scheme for assisting private enterprise in the erection of houses, but they were required to be within the limits of 620 square feet and 950 square feet, prescribed by the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, in order to qualify for a grant. Information as to the last part of the question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what special circumstances rendered it necessary for the price of houses under the scheme adopted by the Torquay Council in December, 1923, to be £600, plus £120 subsidy; and what was the average price of parlour and non-parlour houses, respectively, included in contracts let by local authorities during the year 1924?

I understand that the local authority fixed the figure referred to in the hon. Member's question as a maximum, after taking account of the costs of building in the circumstances of the district. The average prices of parlour and non-parlour houses in contracts let by local authorities during the year 1924 were £478 and £418, respectively, and the contract price for non-parlour houses built for the Torquay Town Council in 1924 was £542. These figures are exclusive of the cost of land, roads, sewers, and overhead charges.

asked the Minister of Health the average prices for parlour and non-parlour houses for the most recent contracts and the prices for similar houses on the same date in 1927?

The average price of parlour houses included in contracts let by, or in direct labour schemes of local authorities during the month of June, 1928 (excluding the cost of land and development), was £426, compared with £481 in June, 1927. In the same period the corresponding average price of non-parlour houses has fallen from £425 to £356.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that, even at those prices, it would be possible for any urban district or other council to let houses at rents which miners, with their present wages, could afford to pay?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the request of the Armadale town council for reduced rents of council houses has been considered; whether he can state the estimated housing needs of the district; and whether he has any information in respect of housing requirements for the County of West Lothian?

The investigation into the application by the Armadale town council for a reduction in the, rents for the houses erected by the local authority under the Housing, Town Planning, etc. (Scotland), Act, 1919, is expected to be completed this week and a decision by the Scottish Board of Health will be given without delay. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that the latest estimate of the housing shortage in the burgh, as contained in the report of the medical officer of health for the year 1926, showed that 200 new houses were required. As regards the last part of the question it would appear ( a ) from the report of the medical officer of health for the year 1925 that in the Linlithgow district of the County of West Lothian while 83 houses were uninhabitable there was no clamant need for new houses, and ( b ) from the report of the sanitary inspector for the year 1926 that in the Bathgate district of the county 1,182 new houses were required to replace defective houses and to relieve sub-letting. These are the latest estimates availale and since they were framed 250 houses have been completed and 32 houses are in course of erection with State assistance in the two districts.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue a statement showing the principal powers and duties of an urban district council and of a rural district council, respectively, at the present time and on the assumption that his proposals for the reform of local government are in operation?

The powers and duties of the authorities in question are fully set out in the First Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government (Cmd. 2506),. The powers and duties of urban and rural district councils as such will not be affected by the Government's proposals for local government reform published in the White Paper, except for the reforms in highway administration set out in paragraph 14. It would not appear necessary, therefore, to issue any statement such as that suggested by my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many small urban district councils have the idea that they are going to be abolished, and will he take an early opportunity of stating that that is not the case?

There is nothing in the White Paper that will justify any such impression.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will supply to all Members of the House a copy of the Memorandum entitled "The Case for Rating Relief and Revision of the Grants System," recently prepared by his Department and circulated amongst Conservative Members, so that all sections of the House may be in full possession of the facts and arguments in support of the legislation proposed to be introduced next Session?

If the hon. Member refers to a Memorandum circulated by my Parliamentary Private Secretary at my request, the answer is in the negative. The White Paper already circulated to Members sets out and explains the scheme, and I shall hope, at the proper time, to present the whole case for it to the House.

May I ask why the Opposition should be denied the opportunity of perusing this very able and eloquent statement? Some of us have got it; cannot we all have it?

They have not the advantage of belonging to the Conservative party.

Surely, the, right hon. Gentleman will concede that we have the advantage of being Members of this House, and we are only asking that the same courtesy should be extended to us as is extended to other Members. Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it right that a Government Department should prepare such a statement and confine its circulation to those who happen to support the Government?

I do not think I am departing, in this matter, from the practice of previous Governments. Some of my hon. Friends wished to have some additional explanation beyond that contained in the White Paper, and I asked my hon. and gallant Friend to try to satisfy their wishes. Of course, he was obliged to get some help from the Department in order to compile the statement.

Was this Memorandum printed or typewritten in the Ministry of Health by the staff of the Ministry, or was it done entirely at the expense of the right hon. Gentleman?

It was not printed, but was typewritten in the Ministry of Health. Of course, I have to get typewritten in the Ministry of Health answers to a great many hon. Members, including the hon. and gallant Member himself.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really think that a document prepared and typewritten in his Department, paid for by the State, should be circulated only to certain Members? I appeal that it should be circulated to all the Members of the House. It is a small thing to ask. We are not saying that it is not an able production; it is an able production.

I have some reason to suppose that hon. Members opposite have succeeded in obtaining copies of it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he thinks that he is really answering these questions seriously; whether it is true that a party request made to him has been answered by the Department at the public expense, and circulated to a section of this House and not to the whole House; and, if that be so, what objection has he to letting us all, as Members of the House of Commons, know what he has communicated to his followers at the public expense and not at his own expense?

The right hon. Gentleman is not, I think, warranted in putting the matter in the form in which he has put it. He is suggesting, I think, that I am doing something which is a new departure, but I am not doing that in any way whatsoever. It is, of course, quite impossible to satisfy such a request from hon. Members of this House without drawing on the resources of the Department. If the right hon. Gentleman himself makes a point of this, and desires to have this information circulated to Members of his party, I will see whether I cannot get some more copies made, because I certainly—

And circulated to all parties?

Certainly, to all parties. I shall be very pleased that all parties should have an opportunity of seeing how admirable are the arguments it contains.

I am very sorry if I have misunderstood or misrepresented the right hon. Gentleman, but may I ask whether public information, compiled by the Department, which is necessary to enlighten one section of the House, may not be circulated to other sections who ask for it, as I now do?

If, as I understand, not only has the typewriting been done in the right hon. Gentleman's Department, but the time of his officials has been taken up in compiling this document, would it be equally open to Members of other parties in the House to approach the Department and ask for information, not on specific points as in questions, but on general points such as have been raised here?

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's answers, may I ask him if he now regards his office as a branch of the party headquarters?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of national savings certificates sold in each of the six months ended 30th June, 1928; the total amount of savings certificates held; and the amount of interest due at the latest convenient date?

The number of £1 units sold in each month was:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total yield to the latest available date of the duty on hydrocarbon oils; how the yield compares with the original estimate, excluding the remission on kerosene oils; and the cost to date of that remission?

The Ways and Means Resolution and the Finance Bill provide for Excise Duty to be payable on the stocks of oil in hand on 25th April and for the Customs Duty to be payable as from that date, but, though security to cover the ultimate liability is being taken under Section 6 of the Finance Act, 1926, payment cannot be required of either duty until the Finance Bill becomes law. In the circumstances, it is not possible to give the information for which the hon. Member asks. In any case, in the absence of figures of previous consumption for particular months of the year, it would be impossible to make any use- ful comparison with the total estimate for the year 1928–29.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the heavy burdens imposed upon boards of guardians, he will amend the Old Age Pensions Acts, making provision for guardians to draw the pension in respect of any old age pensioner maintained in a rate-aided institution for so long as the person may remain chargeable to the said guardians?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Anglesey (Sir R. Thomas) on the 25th June last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received letters of complaint from various old age pensions committees in respect to the effect of Section 4 (1) ( a ) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919; and whether he can promise early legislation with a view to removing the hardship caused by this section?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Exeter (Sir R. Newman) on 15th December last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if a manual worker is permitted to become an established civil servant entitled to a pension on the completion of the necessary years of service, and, if not, will he consider the desirability of making the 36 employés of the Office of Works engaged in the service of the Palace of Westminster, and who have over 20 years' service, permanent civil servants and allow the unestablished service to count for a pension?

It is not the practice of the Government to grant establish- ment to industrial employés except in the case of the Royal Dockyards, in which a proportion of the workmen are established. I therefore regret that I am unable to recommend the grant of pension rights to the employés mentioned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury which Government Departments give an annual holiday with pay to the industrial workers in their employ; what is the extent of the holiday and what number of men and women are concerned in each Department?

As the particulars asked for include a number of figures,

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that with two exceptions there has been no advance in the salaries attached to Ministerial posts by comparison with the year 1880; and whether, having regard to economic changes of the last 50 years, he will move for the appointment of a Select Committee of Private Members to inquire into the adequacy of the present scales of remuneration?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 21st June in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Sir W. Lane-Mitchell). I have no evidence that there is any general desire for the appointment of such a Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has been able to I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Even if it is necessary to wait for the figures, could the hon. Gentleman name the Departments in which holidays with pay are given?

The Post Office, the Office of Works, the Mint, the Stationery Office, and the Ministry of Agriculture.

And the aggregate number?

Roughly, something under 40,000.

Following are the particulars:

consider the proposals contained in the Report of the Royal Commission appointed to consider the future administration and government of public affairs in Ceylon, especially the portion which advises that in future elective committees, with a Minister as chairman, shall carry on administration instead of, as in this country, through the cabinet system; and whether, in view of the congestion of business and the growing inability of Parliament to control finance and the executive, he will appoint a small Committee to consider the advisability or otherwise of introducing the Committee system into this country?

The Report is still under consideration by the Secretary of State for the Colonies. If my right hon. Friend should decide to adopt the recommendations of the Report, and the system, after adoption, works satisfactorily in Ceylon, the possibility of its application to the very different circumstances of this country could, no doubt, then be considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give particulars of all grants-in-aid which are within the discretion of a Minister and are withdrawn from the control of the Treasury?

The grant to the Empire Marketing Fund is the only grant-in-aid which can be expended on different schemes (within the terms of the Vote) at the discretion of a Minister. The grant-in-aid of the Imperial War Graves Commission is analogous, but the expenditure in that case is at the discretion of the Commission, and not of a Minister. In addition, there are a number of comparatively small grants-in- aid for museums, scientific institutions, learned societies, etc., which are issued, in accordance with the Votes, to the governing bodies and expended by them. But I do not anticipate that my hon. Friend has these in mind.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that for 30 years the London Library has been on the list of institutions to whom free copies of Record publications are allocated; that the library has received notice that this concession is being withdrawn; and whether he will cause this decision to be reconsidered in view of the assistance given by the London Library to Government Departments on various occasions and its services to students generally?

There has been no recent decision to suspend the issue of Government publications to the London Library. I assume, however, that the hon. and gallant Member's question refers to a decision taken so long ago as the year 1922 to discontinue the free 1- sue to this Library of Scottish Record publications. I have received no evidence that this decision has caused serious inconvenience and I therefore do not feel justified in reversing it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what reduction he proposes to make next year in his, demands upon the Exchequer for the requirements of the Royal Air Forcer as a result of the signing of the Kellogg pact by His Majesty's Government?

It is too early as yet to make any forecast of the Air Estimates for 1929.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in the development of civil aviation throughout the Empire, apart from the services arranged by and within the self-governing Dominions, it is intended on all occasions to restrict development to that carried out by Imperial Airways, or whether additional services under British control backed by British capital would receive the consideration of his Department?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and to the second part in the affirmative. It must be added, however, that both under the existing agreements and under the new comprehensive agreement which is to take their place, no other company than Imperial Airways can be subsidised by the British Government in respect of heavier-than-air transport services in Europe or on the Egypt-India air line, and, speaking more generally, I believe that concentration rather than dispersion of any sums which Parliament may be prepared to grant for air transport subsidies will usually be found to be the sounder policy.

Will the (right hon. Gentleman give what encouragement he can to British business men who, for instance, are endeavouring to establish an all-British air route round Africa and a sea-plane route in the West Indies, where it is badly wanted?

Yes, certainly, speaking generally, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, it is a question of money.

In view of the admitted paucity of British civilian air services compared with other countries, will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the whole question?

No, I think experience has shown that it is much better to concentrate the whole sum on a single organisation than disperse it among a number. Speaking generally, that is our policy, but that does not exclude considering exceptions to the rule if a case can be made out.

Is not the proof of the pudding in the eating, and has not experience shown that the present system is failing?

; Not at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any information showing the mileage of internal civilian air routes in Germany, together with comparable figures of internal routes in operation or contemplated in this country?

The mileage of internal civil air routes in Germany is approximately 13,500. No comparable figure can be quoted for Great Britain. British civil air routes have tended, for geographical and other reasons, to develop in a different manner from those of Germany and are all to places outside Great Britain.

Does not the Minister think, in view of the absence of routes in this country, and in view of the decision of the Government to sign the Kellogg Peace proposal, he might divert more money to civil purposes and less to war?

No, and in any case I could not enter into an argument of that kind in answer to a supplementary question.

Is it not a fact that we have not a single mile of regular civil air routes inside this country?

Is it not a fact that the climatic conditions here are very different from those in Germany?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the reasons of the success of the air route in Germany might possibly be the fact that they have aerodromes in almost all their big towns, and has the right hon. Gentleman no money to develop projects of this kind?

I should be very glad if hon. Members, including the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Central Hull (Lieut. - Commander Kenworthy), would use their influence with the municipalities with which they are connected.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at Hull we have a natural floating aerodrome for seaplanes?

Is the right hon. Gentleman in communication with the municipalities of Great Britain?

Yes, we are always trying to do what we can to encourage municipalities to organise aerodromes.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement with regard to the removal of the Persian embargo on British air services passing through Persian territory?

No, Sir; I can only refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. and gallant Member for Hull, Central (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 19th July, and to the hon. Member for Southwark, Central (Mr. Day) on 6th June.

Are we to assume that negotiations have broken down?

Not at all.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the proposals for reform of local government, the Road Fund will provide, as at present, 25 per cent. of the cost of all scheduled unclassified roads in rural areas and give assistance towards the maintenance and minor im- provement of all other roads, or whether assistance for unclassified roads in rural areas will be included in the block grant to be given to counties; and, if so, on what system?

I have been asked to reply. Assistance from the Road Fund towards the cost of maintenance of unclassified roads in rural areas will be included in the block grant to be made to county councils. The system on which this block grant is to be distributed is explained in the Memorandum on the Government's proposals for the Reform of Local Government recently issued by the Ministry of Health.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the cost of road upkeep per mile entailed by the running of a 10-ton motor lorry?

My right hon. Friend is not in a position to arrive at

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the increasing quantities of gin exported from England to West Africa, which is a menace to the prosperity of the people; why the law against the export of this gin for sale to the African subjects of His Majesty is not fully enforced; and what steps are being taken in the matter?

I am aware

the estimate asked for by the hon. Member.

Since we know the cost per mile to build a modern road, do the engineers in the Department not know what weights travelling over it would waste that road?

asked the Minister of Transport what is the annual amount of money spent on the upkeep of roads in Great Britain?