asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the Assembly of the League of Nations has recommended the Council, at its meeting this month, to appoint an advisory commission for the purpose of assisting in the settlement of the Armenians, His Majesty's Government is prepared to give full support to this proposal and to nominate, if desired, a British subject to serve on this advisory commission?

His Majesty's Government are prepared to accord their support to the proposal, but the question of nominating a British delegate to the commission is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement as to engagements hitherto made by States, members of the League of Nations, for the pacific settlement of disputes, either by acceptance of the general Act or by the conclusion of particular conventions, in accordance with the resolution of the last Assembly of the League?

As far as I am aware, no States have yet signed the general Act or adopted any of the model conventions the texts of which were approved by the last Assembly.

Will His Majesty's Government set an example?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any communication from the German Government on the question of linking reparations and evacuation or on the question of his reading of Article 431, together with the letter of the three Prime Ministers; and will he make inquiries as to the views of the American Government on these points?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by making the inquiries suggested by the right hon. and gallant Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister advocated quite recently closer co-operation in ideas with America, and is it not vitally important that in our policy as regards reparations and evacuation, we should know what America. thinks and work in co-operation with her?

The right hon. Gentleman must remember that his question refers to the Treaty of Versailles. The United States of America never ratified that Treaty. They made their own treaty bi-laterally with Germany, and there is no reason to suppose that they wish to be consulted on these matters.

If America did not take part in the Treaty of Versailles, is that any reason for inconveniencing ourselves and our own policy by not now securing their co-operation, particularly as America is represented on the Reparations Commission, and we are asked to send members to this joint Board?

Conversations are now going on between the various Powers at Lugano, and I hope that we shall arrive at an amicable settlement. So far as I know, America does not in the least wish to be consulted on the question of evacuation.

Is it not obvious that a solution at Lugano would be infinitely more in our favour if we had the backing of a party which is not represented, but which is vitally interested in the question of reparations? I know that the right hon. Gentleman agrees with me, but he will not say so.

I do not think that I can add anything to what I have said.

Is there any hope of the British Government arriving at any views of its own instead of constantly adopting the views of France and other countries?

My right hon. Friend has gone to Lugano in order to express our opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the conflict of opinion as to the legal interpretation of Article 431 of the Peace Treaty affecting the withdrawal of troops from the Rhine, he can see his way to recommend that the matter be referred to the World Court for a decision?

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on the 10th December to the questions asked by the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood).

Arising out of this reply and the previous reply, and in view of the fact that the lawyers of the three countries concerned with the interpretation of this Treaty have all been quarrelling with one another as to its interpretation, is not His Majesty's Government prepared to submit this matter to an international Court?

I should have thought the best way of settling this question was in the way in which an attempt is being made to settle it now, that is, by friendly conversations and negotiations between the different Powers.

In view of the fact that the decision of His Majesty's Government last week on this legal point has made the negotiations more difficult, and that it is purely an ex parte judgment of one Government out of three; and, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government have always refrained from committing themselves to arbitration on the ground—

The hon. Member must not abuse the privileges of Question Time.

I am not seeking to abuse the privileges of the House. I am seeking to put the point of view that His Majesty's Government have—

Hon. Members do not seem to understand that Question Time is not the time to put points of view.

Are we to judge from the reply we have received that His Majesty's Government do not attribute much importance to the legal point of view, and think that the practical point of view is of more importance than the legal decision of these matters?

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has stated what in the opinion of His Majesty's Government was the legal point of view, and he went on to add that there was another point of view as to policy, and this is the point of view which is now under discussion at Lugano.

But in view of the fact that the legal interpretation given by His Majesty's Government is hotly disputed and does require, therefore, some international interpretation, and in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government have said over and over again that they were willing to submit all suitable cases—

Mr. Duncan.

Is it, in fact, true that there has been no difference of opinion between the Allied Powers on the legal point?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many military officers, civilian officials, and clerical workers, male and female, are employed under the Rhineland High Commission in controlling the civilian administration of the German occupied territory?

The British department of the Rhineland High Commission at Coblenz numbers 31 all told, of both sexes, of whom 22 are clerks, shorthand-typists, messengers, telephonists, and chauffeurs. There is only one military officer on the British staff who was seconded for service as Deputy High Commissioner, and is shortly retiring from the Army. Fifteen more British subjects are employed on the Inter-Allied Secretariat-General of the High Commission. I have no precise information as to the strength of the French and Belgian departments at Coblenz. I cannot accept the suggestion of the hon. Member that any part of the staff of the Rhineland High Commission is engaged in controlling the civilian administration of the German occupied territory. If he will look at Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Rhineland Agreement of the 28th June, 1919, he will see what are the rights and duties of both the Rhineland High Commission and the German civil administration in connection with the occupation.

Is it not a fact that the Rhineland High Commission is engaged in such enterprises as prohibiting bands of music and confiscating Proclamations?

It does nothing that is contrary to the ordinances which are published.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether permission can he given to chief and petty officers' messes in shore establishments to purchase ales and stouts direct from the brewers, in the same way as the sergeants' messes at Marine headquarters, in order to make up in some measure the financial loss sustained by the compulsory introduction of general messing?

The answer is in the negative.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend give me a reason or an excuse for that answer?

I do not think any excuse is necessary.

But there must be a reason for arriving at that decision, and can I not have it?

The reason is that the Admiralty think the present arrangement the best for all concerned.

Could not these ales and stouts be provided as medical comforts?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any British firms were supplied by the contractors for the Singapore Naval Base contract with any plans or drawings in order to explain the work which the plant required by the contractors would have to perofrm?

The contractors for the base furnished full particulars to two British firms but neither of them asked for plans or drawings, as one sent a representative to the site, where he was given full facilities for investigation, and the other had been furnished with the necessary particulars by another of the competing contractors for whom they were preparing schemes.

Were the plans supplied to the American firm which the hon. and gallant Member has said were seen by responsible advisers before they were sent to America?

Seen by whom?

By your responsible advisers.

So far as I know, yes.

Then may I ask how the hon. and gallant Member squares that with the statement that the Admiralty knew nothing about these excavating contracts before the 2nd November?

I am not quite certain that I understood the hon. Member's question correctly. In my previous answer, I explained the facts of the case—that the American firm had been supplied with the drawings, and that we were convinced that the drawings were of the right kind to send to America; we are satisfied that this was the case. Whether we saw them before they were actually sent to America I am not sure. I said just now that I was under the impression that we had seen them. I am not quite certain—I want to be frank with the House—but what I do know is that the drawings have been seen by our officials at the Admiralty and that they are satisfied that they are perfectly in order.

Were the two English firms named who were able to see the contracts and so forth really English firms, or merely companies registered in England and, in fact, American companies?

They were English companies.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the four large mechanical excavators recently ordered from an American firm for use on the Singapore naval base are standard models built as standard stock by the American firm concerned?

The answer is in the affirmative.

May I ask what justification the hon. and gallant Member had for previous answers in which he stated that cancellation of this contract would involve a very heavy loss to public funds? If these machines are standard stock in America, does it not follow—

All this does not arise out of the answer.

With great respect, I put down questions on this subject previously, and the hon. and gallant Member gave certain answers, and now I am asking, in view of the affirmative reply he has given to this question, whether he can tell us on what he based his previous replies?

On the information supplied to us and which we took to be perfectly sound information.

I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will call attention to this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what information is available to Members of the House in relation to the terms and conditions of contracts entered into by his Department; and what is the established practice in this matter?

The established practice is not to publish specifications of this class of contract and that contract prices are confidential and are not disclosed. If any hon. Member asks for any particular information about the terms or conditions of a contract I endeavour to supply it, in so far as the public interest permits.

Is the hon. and gallant Member referring to the particulars of contracts so far as they relate to excavating machines?

If the hon. Member will put down a definite question I will consider whether we can give an answer, and, if the hon. Member will come to see me about any particular matter, I will also be very glad to help him.

Is it not the fact that the United States, in view of the fact that they built the Panama Canal, lead the world in the matter of excavation?

No.

We have only reached Question 15 on the paper, and there must be a limit to the number of supplementary questions put by hon. Members.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why it is proposed to modify the original plans for the naval base at Singapore?

The only modifications are those announced by my right hon. Friend the First Lord in introducing the Navy Estimates on the 14th of March, 1927, which were made with a desire to reduce the expenditure, and to provide only the minimum essential requirements of the present situation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what total sum has been spent upon the works at Singapore, and precisely from what sources and by what Governments has it been defrayed?

The total expenditure on the naval works at Singapore up to the end of November amounts to £615,000. The whole of this is covered by the contributions received to date from:

So that the Government are committing us to this great plan without coming to the House of Commons to get the necessary financial assistance?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what percentage of machines or pilots of the Naval Air Arm is fitted with parachutes; and how this compares with the corresponding figure for the Royal Air Force?

I have been asked to reply. Machines of the Fleet Air Arm and other seagoing aircraft have not yet been supplied with with parachutes owing to the danger of the wearer becoming entangled in his harness if the machine falls into the sea. Research and experiment with a view to the design of a satisfactory quick release gear have been proceeding continuously, and though certain difficulties remain to be solved, it is hoped these may be overcome in the early future. Is regards the rest of the Royal Air Force, a parachute is now provided for every seat in every first-line machine capable of taking it.

Is not the question of quick release just as important in the case of land machines, and why, then, is that put forward as a reason for not fitting parachutes in the Fleet Air Arm?

No it is not nearly so important, because you cannot get drowned on land.

Does not the possibility of fire make it vitally important that machines should have a contrivance for quick release?

Not so important.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the great percentage of claims for unemployed insurance for which applicants are refused benefits at the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange, on the ground that they are not making every reasonable effort to obtain suitable employment; and whether any special instructions have been issued to this exchange on this subject?

I assume the question relates to claims disallowed on the ground that the claimant is not genuinely seeking work. The percentage of claims so disallowed is not higher than at other comparable exchanges. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any definite rule by which these particular applicants are refused benefits on the ground that they are not genuinely seeking work?

Not that. I am aware of. So far as 1 am aware this Exchange judges these cases after receiving the Umpire's decision like other Exchanges.

But is it not a fact that at this particular Exchange 30 per cent. of the refusals are on those particular grounds?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if any record is kept as to the number of cases heard and the number refused?

I think I can ascertain those figures if the hon. Member will put down another question.

In view of the fact that the number of these cases has steadily grown, will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question as to whether special instructions-have been issued to this particular Exchange?

I have not omitted to give an answer to the second part of the question. The answer is in. the negative.

Is it not a fact that various Employment Exchanges are sending unemployed persons to seek employment in districts where there happens to be already 200 or 300 unemployed, and will the right hon. Gentleman tell us why that is done?

asked the. Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. H. Pillinger, of 3, Reformatory Bristol Road, Kingswood, (Class. No. L482/12,152, Kingswood Exchange), whether he is aware that Mr. Pillinger was employed at the engineering works of Messrs. Douglas. for 10 years; that he left that employment in October, 1924, as the result of illness; that Mr. Pillinger was under medical treatment for three-and-a-half years, and was subsequently certified as fit for work during March, 1928; that, after he had signed on at the Employ- ment Exchange on the 13th March, he drew six weeks' benefit; that Mr. Pillinger's unemployment benefit was then stopped on, the ground that he had had no reasonable period of employment during the previous two years, but that, as a result of representations made on the 10th July by the hon. Member for East Bristol, arrears for a period of 12 weeks were paid; and that, despite this favourable decision, the claim to benefit was again rejected at the beginning of October, Mr. Pillinger being refused permission to appeal to the Umpire on the ground that be had not received official consent for that course; and whether he will state the reason for this last decision?

This claim was reviewed by the Court of Referees in accordance with the usual procedure on 3rd October. The Court recommended disallowance of benefit and did not give leave to appeal to the Umpire. I have no power to intervene.

Is the Minister of Labour prepared to justify the action of his Department in refusing benefit to a man in those circumstances?

I have nothing to justify. When there is any doubt about a claim it is brought before the Court of Referees, and that is a statutory Court to deal with the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man was under medical treatment for 3½ years, and that then he was refused benefit on the ground that he had done insufficient work during the previous two years?

We cannot have a debate on this question.

asked the Minister of Labour how many mineworkers have been disqualified for benefits in the Wigan Employment Exchange district for, as alleged, not genuinely seeking work since 1st January, 1928; and how many mine-workers have had their benefits suspended for the same reason but, after investigation, have been reinstated to benefits?

I regret that statistics of the disallowance of benefit are not available in respect of -particular industries or occupations.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, males and females, respectively, who have had their unemployment benefits stopped in the Wigan Employment Exchange district since 1st January, 1928?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners have been disqualified from extended unemployment benefit in the last six months; and how many men in other classes of work have been similarly disqualified?

Under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1927, extended unemployment benefit was discontinued as from 19th April, 1928. During the six months 14th May to 12th November, 1928, 72,020 claims to benefit have been disallowed, subject to the right of appeal to Courts of Referees, under the transitional conditions prescribed by Section 14 (2) of the Act of 1927. Separate statistics of these disallowances in respect of individual industries or occupations are not available.

In view of the acknowledged statement which has been made by many Ministers, including the Prime Minister, that there are at least 200,000 miners who will never get back to work in the mines, does the right hon. Gentleman think it fair treatment for 72,000 miners to be deprived of their benefit?

Do we understand that the names of these 72,000 miners are now removed from the list from which these weekly unemployment figures are compiled?

In the first place, I have already stated that it cannot be claimed that these are miners. As I indicated in my answer, I cannot state the industries in which they are, because we have not the records. In the next place, they are not removed from the weekly statement of unemployment. So far as they are claiming, or their books are lodged in the Exchange, we can still reckon them among the number unemployed.

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the statement made by the ex-Mayor of Cardiff at the Mansion House meeting last Wednesday, that the Ministry of Labour were cutting off as many men as they could from extended benefit in South Wales; and cannot his Department, at all events, stop contributing in this way to the misery in that district?

I have already given figures in this House which show that any statement of that kind is entirely contrary to the facts.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give any approximate idea as to how many of these 72,000 will necessarily be taken off the live register and not shown as unemployed?

I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman any exact number, but I can assure him that the vast proportion of them, if not every one, will appear in the live register, because, so far as persons make claims, they come into the live register, and, even if they have to apply to the board of guardians, the practice which is becoming almost universal with boards of guardians is to require that a person who comes to them for relief shall also claim and register at the Exchange, which means that they will come into the live register.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is in accordance with his instructions that men who have been disqualified from drawing unemployment benefit for a period of six weeks are compelled to sign for a further six days' waiting period without benefit, the claim being treated as a new one; and, if not, will he issue instructions for this practice to be discontinued?

This matter is governed by the provisions of the Act and not by any instructions issued by me. Normally, a fresh waiting period is not required if a waiting period had been served immediately before the period of disqualification. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any specific case he has in mind, I shall be happy to inquire into it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department have prepared an estimate of the number of unemployed in the woollen textile trade, with the cost to the industry?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how many people have been transferred into distressed areas from other distressed areas?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the practice of inquiry into family incomes is still being carried out by his Department; if he can state the reason why this practice continues; and if it is in any way taken into consideration previous to benefit being granted?

Yes, Sir; in accordance with decisions of the Umpire, such inquiries are relevant in certain classes of claims to benefit.

Whence does the right hon. Gentleman derive his authority under Statute for inquiring into the family income of an unemployed person?

The case generally arises in connection with claims to dependant's benefit. For example, it may be a question whether the wife of a claimant is herself in business or is helping to maintain the children, or whether the claimant would be entitled to dependant's benefit in respect of them. That is the type of case in which such inquiry generally is made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in cases where no such thing as dependant's benefit arises, family income is being inquired into; and may I ask him the question I have put on the Paper, namely, is family income taken into account when benefit is refused or granted?

It cannot be taken into account for diminishing or increasing the amount of benefit granted. It could only be taken into account in deciding how far certain conditions are satisfied. For example, if a claim is made by a woman as a charwoman, the amount of income that is being drawn or enjoyed by her husband may be material in deciding whether she is genuinely seeking work or not. But, as I have said, that is not a usual case; the cases that generally arise are in respect of dependant's benefit.

rose—

Hon. Members must really understand that other hon. Members will not have a chance of putting their questions if we spend too much time over one question.

I have taken very little time on questions.

The hon. Member must remember that he is not the only one.

This is a very important question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give an estimate of the number of single men and single women unemployed between the ages of 20 and 30 in the mining areas; and the number of training centres for men in these areas and the approximate total accommodation therein, and the same figures for women?

The answer is necessarily somewhat long, and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the universities in this connection?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that last week 12 men were discharged from a large building alteration going on at the corner of Commercial Street and White-chapel Road to make room for 12 transferred single men from South Wales and that most of the discharged men are married, with families; and what he proposes to do for these discharged London men?

I understand that the engagement of a number of workers from the depressed areas on this contract was in no way responsible for these discharges. The men discharged were non-unionists, and were replaced by union labour as a result of trade union action. If the discharged men register at their local Exchanges, efforts will be made to find employment for them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that they were all non-unionists, because the one who brought the information to me was a trade unionist belonging to the same organisation as I do?

If the hon. Member will communicate with me and give me any information which would lead me to modify that statement, I shall be glad to receive it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's original answer indicate that the transference scheme does not diminish, but merely redistributes, unemployment?

Is there any truth in the statement that miners from South Wales have been sent to places where there is no employment for them, and are now pushing ice-cream barrows through the streets?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a request from the Bristol Unemployed Association, dated the 6th November, and backed by three of the Members for Bristol, asking him to receive a deputation with regard to the position of un- employed persons in Bristol and the local difficulties arising from the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Act; and whether, having regard to the growth of unemployment and distress in Bristol, he will expedite a decision?

I have received a request for a deputation, and replied asking the Association for a statement of the points upon which representations are to be made, so that I might be in a position to deal with their application. I am repeating my inquiry.

Is it not true to say that the original letter gave the grounds which they desired to represent to the Minister, and that in these circumstances the desire for further information is only a means for pushing the matter over Christmas?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the lack of accommodation at the Employment Exchange at Radcliffe and to the lengthy periods those attending this office have to stand in queues in bad weather; and can he take any steps to lessen this public inconvenience?

I am aware of the congestion which exists here, and have been endeavouring for some time to obtain additional accommodation. This is proving most difficult to find, but every effort will continue to be made to provide more accommodation at the earliest possible moment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many districts people who are brought to the bureau to sign have to stand out in the rain with no cover whatever?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received any representations from the employers or employés in the boot and shoe industry that the conditions of labour in that industry in the Rossendale Valley district are lower than those agreed by the joint industrial council, which are in operation in Leicestershire and other areas; and whether he will introduce legislation to make the agreements of joint industrial councils binding on all sections of the trade?

I have not received any representations on the subject referred to by my hon. Friend. I am advised that as wages do not come within the scope of the Joint Industrial Council for the Boot and Shoe Industry, any legislation providing for the compulsory extension of Joint Industrial Council agreements would not affect this case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the attitude of the employers, and the trade unions in that district which are affiliated to the General Council of Trade Unions, there is a difference of one shilling per pair compared with any other part of the country?

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries to find out whether the wages paid in the Rossendale Valley are not in many cases greater than those paid in Leicestershire, and whether it is not a fact that Rossendale manufacturers have left the Rossendale Valley to set up works in Leicestershire on account of the cheaper labour conditions?

I should be glad to receive information on that point from both my hon. Friends.

asked the Minister of Labour if his Department have received any protest from the Clyde District Committee of the Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades Unions against the transfer of men to the Clyde district from mining areas; if they state that unemployment has been and is still acute in the district; and if he intends to take any steps to remedy the situation?

I have received a protest against certain transfers to Partick, but these transfers do not appear to have been carried out through my Department. I am fully aware of the employment position in the Clyde district, but I cannot deal with the last part of the hon. Member's question within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman's answer is to the effect that these transfers are not being carried out through his Department, will he give an undertaking not to transfer any more men through his Department while distress prevails in the Clyde area?

There is another question on that subject.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that in certain parts of the country, and particularly in the Clyde area, in certain engineering trades men are being called upon to work unduly long hours while other men, in large numbers, are a charge on both local and national funds through not being able to get work; and if he will consider taking steps to take powers to have this practice reduced or finished, or if he will set up an inquiry into the position or approach the employers, either local or national, to reduce this practice?

I am aware that, in accordance with the agreed procedure, discussions have taken place between the employers' organisation and the trade unions concerned on overtime which is being worked in certain cases by pattern makers. I am assured that in the discussions the considerations referred to by the hon. Member were fully present in the minds of those concerned. The agreements between the parties appear to me to offer ample opportunity for such matters to be dealt with.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the total number of miners who have now been transferred to other parts of the country;

Since the Prime Minister's Appeal about 7,000 men (not all of whom, of course, were miners) have been transferred from the depressed areas through the Employment Exchanges to employment in other districts. Statistics are not available as to the number of miners transferred from particular coalfields.

May I ask the Minister of Labour if, after six months' experience of this method of transfer, the Government are satisfied that it is going to meet the situation in the coalfields?

I am quite satisfied that, so far, it is by far the best possible means of meeting the situation in the coalfields at the present time.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken, or will be taken, to accelerate the machinery of the Unemployment Grants Committee when applications are made to them under the terms of the circular letter of 9th November, 1928, or under the terms of grant applicable to areas with exceptional unemployment, in order that there may be as little delay as possible in approving of schemes for doing useful work and finding employment put before it by local authorities; and whether the staff of the Committee, including expert advisers, is to be increased?

The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that there will be no avoidable delay on the part of the Unemployment Grants Committee, and that all necessary staff will be provided.

May I have an answer to the last part of my question as to whether the staff of the Committee, including expert advisers, is to be increased?

I have not ascertained whether they require any increase of staff, but I will find out and let the hon. and gallant Member know. We are always ready to provide additional staff where it is required.

I referred particularly to expert advisers who are most necessary in this matter.

Has the number of applications been settled?

If the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper, I will give him an answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has come to a decision as to what action, if any, it intends to take to relieve the distress in the Welsh and Durham coalfields?

I would ask my Noble Friend to await the further statement I have promised.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is about time he came to a decision?

Can the Prime Minister assure us that we shall get a decision in time to allow of a discussion before Christmas?

The hon. Member was not here on Monday when a statement was made.

Can we expect this statement to be made so that we shall have a chance of debating it before the House adjourns?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information as to the number of persons in the newspaper trade within the Metropolitan area who have been discharged from their employment as a result of the stoppage of football competitions?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the purchasing power of £1 sterling in 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, and in the period of January to September, 1928, based on the Ministry of Labour's retail cost-of-living index, and compared with the value of the pound sterling in 1914?

Calculated in the ratio of the Ministry of Labour cost-of-living index-number, what is popularly known as the purchasing power of the pound sterling in 1924, as compared with 1914, was 11s. 5d. The corresponding figure for 1925 was 11s. 4d., for 1926 11s. 8d., for 1927 11s. 11d. and for 1928 (January to September) 12s. 1d.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number last year in the United Kingdom of persons employed by the brewing, whisky, distilling and tobacco manufacturers?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can we have the total?

Has the Minister applied the policy of transference to these industries?

That does not arise on this question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the statement by the United States Secretary of State to the effect that the United States Government would consider any British proposal for the calling together of an early naval conference to consider cruiser construction; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have seen reports of the statement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, and, while they do not appear to me to be of quite so categorical a nature as he implies, he may rest assured that they will receive careful consideration.

May I understand from that that the question of a Conference, on the narrow issue of cruisers, being called before 1931, is under consideration by the Cabinet?

No, Sir; I must ask the hon. and gallant Member not to conclude anything at the moment.

May I take it that the matter is not being allowed to drift?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can make any statement with regard to the arrangements for establishing an air port at Sheffield?

I am pleased to say that the Sheffield Corporation have notified the Air Ministry that they contemplate taking steps to acquire a site and to obtain a renewal of the powers conferred upon them by the Sheffield Corporation Act, 1920, in regard to the establishment of a municipal aerodrome. An officer of the Air Ministry recently visited Sheffield, at the request of the Corporation, for the purpose of inspecting possible sites and discussing the question of an aerodrome with the municipal officers, and every assistance which my Department can render will be at the disposal of the Corporation for this purpose.

Do I understand that in the event of an air port being established at Sheffield, it will be exclusively for civilian purposes and in no way connected with the military side of the Department?

It will be a municipal aerodrome.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has received any representations as to the transfer of Billingsgate Market to the site now occupied by the Custom House; and, if so, what reply has been given?

In regard to the first part of the question, representations have been received from the Corporation of the City of London. In regard to the second part, the reply has been to the effect that, while the Government are prepared, as far as possible, to assist the Corporation in effecting this urgent and important development of the Billingsgate Market, they can only consider the transfer of the Custom House site in relation to the cost of rehousing on a new site the staff of the Customs and Excise Department. The Corporation were asked last year to indicate any definite proposals they could make to meet this essential requirement, but no reply has yet been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress, if any, has been made with the revision of the 1907 Weights and. Measures Regulations, including the making of Regulations for self-indicating pendulum weighers for counter use (automatic scales) as at present in use; and whether he can now give a date by which the publication of draft Regulations may be expected?

The work of revising these Regulations is proceeding so far as the necessity of dealing with more urgent questions will allow. I regret that I am not yet in a position to say when a revised draft will be available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what the importation in pounds weight of raw and thrown silk retained for home consumption was for the first 10 months in each year of 1924; 1026, 1927, and 1928?

The answer has been prepared in tabular form; and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make any further statement with regard to the proposed alteration in the Spanish tariff on manila rope and other ropes manufactured in England to the detriment of British manufacturers and merchants?

On the general question of the Spanish tariff revision I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade yesterday to the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) a copy of which I am sending him. Manila and other ropes were included amongst the articles of importance to British trade to which His Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid has drawn the special attention of the Spanish Government.