asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made by the committee appointed by the Economic Organisation of the League of Nations to inquire into the coal question?

A meeting; of experts from a number of countries was held at Geneva from 8th to 12th January, to consult with a Sub-Committee of the Economic Committee of the League. I understand that as a result of the meeting the information already collected was supplemented and brought up to date, and that some discussion took place on general aspects of the question. There were no resolutions and no report has been published.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information which goes to show that the results will be fruitful?

I can hardly say what the results will be at the present time. I hope they will be fruitful, but it is only a hope that I can express.

Is any report of the proceedings likely to be circulated?

I think a report will be made by the Committee to the Council of the League when they next meet in March, and in that case no doubt it will be published in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any communication from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations regarding the request made by the Government of the German Reich that the League of Nations guarantee for the provisions relating to the protection of minorities shall be placed on the agenda of the next session of the League of Nations Council; whether he can state what aspects of the minorities question will be raised; and whether His Majesty's representative on the Council will support and, if needful, himself bring forward again, the proposal which was made at the last Assembly of the League, that a Permanent Minorities Commission should be created on the analogy of the Permanent Mandates Commission?

I have received a copy of the provisional agenda for the next meeting of the Council of the League of Nations, on which the matter referred to by the hon. Member appears. I am unable to state in advance to what particular aspects of the minorities question the attention of the Council will be directed. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dewsbury, (Mr. Riley) on 6th December, to the effect that His Majesty's Government were not aware of any intention to revive the suggestion of forming a Permanent Minorities Commission. That is still the position, and His Majesty's Government do not propose to raise the question themselves.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has now received a report from the Devonport dockyard officials who recently went to Valparaiso to inspect the Chilean battleship "Almirante Latorre" with a view to the Admiralty tendering for its refit; and what decision has been reached?

A full report has not yet been received. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when His Majesty's Ship "Hood" re-commissions after her prospective refit, it is intended to man her with a Portsmouth crew; and whether he is aware that this prospect is causing great anxiety in Devonport, seeing that, besides being a sentimental loss, it will mean a material loss to the traders in the town?

The port from which H.M.S. "Hood" will be manned after her prospective refit has not yet been decided, but it will probably be Portsmouth. This change, if made, will be part of corresponding changes in the manning of capital ships, which will leave the existing balance of manning between the two ports practically unchanged.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the con siderations mentioned in the question when he comes to take his decision?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to lay down new vessels in next year's programme early in the year or late, in view of the late ordering and laying down of cruisers, etc., in this year's programme and in view of other considerations?

Proposals with regard to the approximate time of ordering the ships of next year's programme will be submitted to the House with the Navy Estimates for 1929.

Are these considerations being borne in mind, and also the fact that, if they are laid down late, less money may be wasted in the case of a naval agreement of 1931?

Is it not the fact, that, if anyone upsets an arrangement made, it will cost the country very much more than to go on with the programme already arranged?

I believe the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) is referring to a future programme about which he knows nothing, and not to the programme already arranged.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in the new buildings for Springburn Employment Exchange provision has been made for lean-to shelters over entrances?

The new premises will contain more waiting space and better facilities for dealing with applicants and there should be no necessity for applicants to wait outside the premises. It is not considered either necessary or desirable to provide lean-to shelters outside the new building.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, owing to the fact that many of these men have to travel long distances, it is not possible to house them when they arrive, and will he not consider giving a lean-to shelter which would provide accommodation for a wet day?

There is a choice between two alternatives; giving reasonable accommodation for people who arrive or similar accommodation with a lean-to shelter outside. We have chosen the first course, and we hope to be able to give accommodation within the building, with some latitude for people arriving from outside. Lean-to shelters are inadvisable, because other people loiter about them. It is far better to do as we are trying to do.

Is it not the fact that, taking the plan as now drawn and worked upon, you have only a slight increase in floor space inside for working, with no increase in floor space as far as applicants are concerned?

I am advised that there should be reasonable accommodation under the roof for people coming in.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the unemployed in Clydebank have to travel to Glasgow to go before the court of referees; if so, whether he will allow Clydebank a court of referees of its own; and, if not, whether his Department will pay the expenses of the Clydebank unemployed in travelling to and from Clydebank?

There are insufficient cases arising from the area of the Clydebank Exchange to justify the holding of courts at that Exchange. Claimants summoned to the Glasgow court from Clydebank can claim expenses in accordance with the authorised scale.

Then it follows that any constituent of mine who has to travel eight miles to Glasgow to the court of referees will be paid travelling expenses?

They are paid their travelling expenses on an authorised scale, and the summons to the court of referees, which they will be able to see, gives notice in regard to it.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons who have appeared at the court of referees in Glasgow, and whose claims have been refused, since the new Act has operated; and the number of persons not in any organisation who have been granted the right of appeal to the umpire, and the number refused this right?

Between 19th April, 1928, and 14th January, 1929, 36,954 cases were considered by courts of referees in Glasgow. The courts recommended disallowance of benefit in 5,602 of these cases. As regards the second part of the question, I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available for the whole of the period since 19th April, 1928. As I promised the hon. Member on 5th December, a record was specially kept for the period of four weeks ending 12th January, 1929, and shows that out of a total of 660 cases in which the courts of referees in Glasgow recommended disallowance of claims made by persons not known to belong to a trade union, leave to appeal to the umpire was given in four cases.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the court of referees hearings for men are held in Brown Street Exchange, Glasgow, on the sixth flat, to which no hoist is available; that a number of persons claiming benefit are well up in years and others have difficulty in being able to climb the stairs; that the applicants have in some cases to wait for over one hour; that the place where they wait has no door, and that it is not provided with any heat; and if he will take steps to have better arrangements made for the hearing of cases?

The premises at Brown Street are occupied temporarily pending the completion of the new building. The court of referees is held on the fourth (not the sixth) floor of the building, and as the staircase has an easy gradient I do not think there is any cause for complaint in this respect. I am not aware that appellants have to wait an hour. If that has happened it must be quite unusual and probably the result of attending before the time appointed. I am endeavouring, however, to arrange for a waiting room with a fire.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are far better places in the City of Glasgow for the court of referees than this one, and will he ask his staff to make inquiries and see if another place can be found?

I will gladly see if there is anything else which is better, and if the hon. Member knows of any place perhaps he will suggest it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has inquired into the cases of two fitters who were required by the manager of the Derby Employment Exchange to provide medical certificates as to the likelihood of their being able to pass the examination by the medical officer at the Ordnance Depot at Aldershot, where it was proposed to send them with a view to employment whether he is aware that the local doctors required 2s. 6d. and 3s. 6d. from these men, respectively, for such certificates; that having been out of work for some time they were not able to pay these fees, and so did not secure the certificates; and that thereupon their benefit was denied to them; and under what Clause in the Act his officers at Derby have taken this action?

The failure of these men to obtain medical certificates was reported to the Insurance officer, who disallowed benefit. I understand the matter is being made the subject of appeal to the Court of Referees.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise his responsibility to this House for the action of his Department, and can be say under what authority this step was taken?

The step was taken by the Insurance officer, and, while I do not set up to be a judge of the circumstance's so as to influence the decision, it seems to me to be perfectly reasonable. There were six men who, together with others, were applicants for certain posts that were offered at Aldershot. One condition of the application was that they should possess a medical certificate. To save them a possible journey for nothing, it was arranged that they should be examined by their own doctor in Derby. Before the question of appointment came up, four of the six applicants from Derby had obtained local employment through their own trade union secretary. The other two who were still on the applicant list had not obtained medical certificates. Therefore, for the moment, their benefit was suspended, and it is now subject to the decision of the Court of Referees.

Can the right hon. Gentleman—

Mr. Kirkwood.

I want to put another supplementary question.

We are getting on very with questions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a resolution from a meeting of representatives of the county boroughs and boroughs of Burton-upon-Trent, Derby, Ilkeston, Leicester, and Mansfield, and the Leicester Board of Guardians and other local authorities, calling upon him to waive the clause, Not genuinely seeking work, in districts where unemployment is excessive, in view of the fact that disqualifications under this clause are throwing additional burdens upon the local board of guardians; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given last Thursday to the hon. Member for the North-Eastern Division of Derbyshire (Mr. Lee), of which I am sending him a copy.

In one of his replies, will the Minister of Labour give us a statement saying what "genuinely seeking work" means?

asked the Minister of Labour why unemployed persons whose benefits have ceased owing to the operation of the 30-stamp qualification are receiving a special buff form on which Ineffective is written in red ink; and will he state whether such, forms are being issued by all Employment Exchanges?

The instructions do not provide for such an entry on any form issued to claimants for benefit, and I should be obliged if the hon. Member would let me have further particulars.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all men who have been disqualified from benefit on account of the 30-stamp qualification are receiving these forms, and will he ascertain why?

I am making the inquiries which are asked for. If the hon. Member knows of any particular case, perhaps he will give me the particulars.

Is the Minister of Labour aware that a form has been issued to unemployed persons in which no reference is made to the 30-stamp qualification being waived, and will lie see that this form is substituted by one giving unemployed persons all the details?

That does not arise out of the question. Perhaps the hon. Member will put a question down.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the iron foundry labourers at Kirkintillock have been for the last three weeks awaiting payment of unemployment benefit; and if he will say what is the cause of the delay?

The claims of the foundry labourers at Kirkintillock were originally disallowed on the ground that they lost employment by reason of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute. Subsequently, on further information being furnished to the Chief Insurance Officer, he revised his decision and the labourers' claims have now been allowed. Payment of benefit will be made to-day.

asked the Minister of Labour bow the percentage of unemployment is arrived at for the borough of Poplar; and whether it will be possible to apply the same method of arriving at the figures for the borough of Bethnal Green, so that advantage may be taken of the facilities provided by the Unemployment Grants Committee?

The percentage of unemployment in Poplar or any other London borough can only be given on an estimated basis. An estimate of the number unemployed in Bethnal Green was given in the reply to the hon. Member for the North East Division of Bethnal Green (Mr. Windsor) on 7th February; the number then given probably represents a rate of unemployment of 7.7 per cent. at 28th January last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that percentage was arrived at by lumping Hackney, Shoreditch and Stepney with Bethnal Green and the percentage in other boroughs being very much lower, Bethnal Green is deprived of the advantage of the Unemployment Grants Committee's facilities, which go to other areas which are classified as depressed?

I am not sure how far that is the case, but I will look into it again and communicate with the hon. Member, or perhaps he will communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons now being given employment from mining areas under the new scheme for providing employment with the local authorities; and what proportion of the £671,838, which is to be spent on these schemes, will go in wages?

The number of transferred men employed on the 26th January, the date of the last return, was 42. Of the sum of £671,838 it is estimated that approximately one-half will be spent on payment of wages to men directly employed.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of money spent under all heads upon unemployment during each year since 1919; and the average number of persons unemployed under all heads for the same years?

I am having a statement prepared giving such information as is readily available, and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of applicants for unemployment benefit during last year of men, women, boys, and girls, respectively; how many in each class were referred to the chief insurance officer; how many claims were allowed by him; how many of those refused were taken to the court of referees; and how many in each class had their benefit withheld on the ground that they were not genuinely seeking employment?

It has not been possible in the time available to tabulate this information, but I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it is ready.

asked the Minister of Labour the totals of insured men on the books of the Enfield and Tottenham Employment Exchanges on 1st January of this year or the nearest available date; what were the totals of men registered as unemployed at those Exchanges at the same date; and are the managers at these Exchanges still under instructions to endeavour to secure employment for men from other areas whilst local unemployed workers are available?

The nearest date to 31st December for which the figures asked for are available is 17th December. At that date there were 3,862 men aged 18 and over on the registers of the Enfield and Tottenham Employment Exchanges, including 3,635 men insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. That is between 7 and 8 per cent. In reply to the last part, all Exchanges attempt to place as many local men as possible in employment, but I should not feel justified in excluding these areas from the transference scheme, although the number of men it is possible to bring in is not large.

May I ask what percentages of unemployed unskilled workmen are included in these totals?

It all depends on the nature of the district and whether the employment is temporary or continuing. I cannot give a cut-and-dried answer in a case like that.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that he is transferring men into districts which are already carrying more people than they are able to employ?

If anyone studies the actual facts of the case, it will be found that it does not follow that all the people, if there are more out of work in any district, are suitable for the particular kind of work for which the transferee may be brought in. I have to consider all these things, and I always take into account the degree of unemployment in a district.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department is responsible for the apartments occupied by caretakers of Employment Exchanges being kept fit for habitation?

I understand that the hon. Member has communicated details to my Department. I am taking the matter up with my Noble Friend, the First Commissioner of Works.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people in London insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in the years 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, and 1928, respectively; and the number of unemployed people registering at the Employment Exchanges in the same years?

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider instituting a special tax on mineral royalties, the proceeds to be devoted to the miners' relief fund?

No, Sir; the Government do not propose to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House his reasons for giving a negative reply?

I think it would be a very interesting subject for debate, but at the moment I do not think any further tax is required. In the second place, the particular subject which the hon. Member proposes to tax has already a double tax upon it, and there are other things which I think might be considered.

Is not this the real answer to the question: that it is grossly unfair to penalise any one section of the community?

What services to the country do the landlords render for these royalties?

asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the employers at the Nine Mile Point Colliery, owned by the Ocean Coal Company, offered terms to their employés, on or about 3rd November, 1928, which were adjudged by the Umpire, decision 5,672/1928, to entail a breach of the Coal Mines Act, 1908, as amended by the Coal Mines Acts of 1919 and 1926, and that these terms were not withdrawn until 25th January, 1929; and what steps he proposes to take?

I have been asked to reply. For details of the case I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on the 6th February. As the terms of employment to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers were rejected by the men, no question of a breach of the Act arises.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend say whether his Department keeps closely in touch with the Umpire, so that if the Umpire gives any important decisions of this nature with regard to his Department immediate investigation is made to see whether, if an offer is accepted, a breach of the law actually takes place?

The Umpire is in close touch with the Ministry of Labour, and I am always in touch with my right hon. Friend's Department on all questions affecting the mining industry.

May I ask that this point should be made perfectly clear? Supposing the employers make proposals to the men which are illegal, is the Department to take no interest in the industrial action that may follow those proposals?

No, Sir. My duties as Secretary for Mines are laid down in the Coal Mines Act and other Acts. The duty is there laid upon the Secretary for Mines of administering the Act. If there is no breach of the Act, there is no necessity for the Secretary for Mines to interfere.

Is it not a breach of the law to attempt to coerce men to violate the provisions of the Coal Mines Regulation Act; and, if it is a breach of the Act, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman prosecute these owners?

No, Sir, it is not a breach of the Act. It may be illegal in other ways—I do not know—but it certainly is not a breach of the Coal Mines Act.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the terms offered by the mineowners in 1926 were a breach of the Act of Parliament, and that the Government endorsed that by passing the Eight Hours Act?

Will the Government assist in giving the same publicity to breaches of the law by the coal-owners as they do in other cases?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a telegram from Buckie informing him that on the 6th and 7th of January last, the herring drifters, with nearly 1,000 crans of herring, were ordered to proceed out of harbour again and dump their cargoes of 1,000,000 herring into the sea, owing to a ban placed on further landings by an exporters and fish curers' committee, because the Continental markets have been fully supplied; and whether he can propose any emergency measures to prevent further such waste of food, in view of the prevailing distress in many parts of the country, and especially in the raining districts?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that a fish haul totalling 200 tons of herring was caught off the coast of Buckie, Banffshire, during the week-end, the major portion of which was thrown back into the sea; that only one boatload out of seven was transported by the local farmers for use as manure; and whether his Department has any machinery which could deal with the distribution of catches of fish when in excess of the normal supply?

My right hon. Friend received a telegram from Buckie on 8th February in which it was stated that nearly 1,000 crans of herrings would have to be returned to the sea owing to lack of purchasers. I understand that these herrings, which had been caught on the north-west coast and were apparently of indifferent quality, were unsuccessfully offered for sale at Wick on 7th February and at Buckie on 8th February. The curers would not buy them for curing in view of stocks on hand and restricted demand.

My Department has no machinery for dealing with the distribution of surplus catches of fish. As regards the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member with respect to the use of such fish in the mining districts, I am communicating the suggestion to the Scottish Central Advisory Committee for their consideration.

I am sorry, but January in the question should have been February. I have no doubt that the Secretary of State for Scotland understands that. May I ask if he will also communicate with the English Distress Committee under the President of the Board of Education with a view to seeing whether further gluts of fish might be bought and distributed in the distressed areas.

I will draw my right hon. Friend's attention to that suggestion.

Arising out of the answer, may I ask whether it is not a fact that there is good reason to suppose that the ban referred to has been imposed on the herring fishing industry by a small group of curers for purposes of their own, for the purpose of filling their own pockets, and, if that is the case, will the right hon. Gentleman have an inquiry made into the whole position?

May I ask whether this is not an unusual season for the herring to come to Buckie; and cannot my right hon. Friend suggest a remedy by which the fish caught may be preserved for sale in this country instead of sending them to the foreigner to be sold at three for 1d.?

Investigation is constantly being made as to the possibility of adopting fresh curing methods in order to distribute them for sale. With regard to the question of the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby), if he can give me any evidence whatever to support what he has said, I will certainly look into the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that wagon loads of this fish are sold to farmers for manure Can he state what was the price paid?

I could not answer without notice. Probably some of the herring are eventually used as manure.

Is not the difficulty due to the fact that the Germans are permitted to dump their fish into our ports, while our own fishermen are not permitted to take their fish into foreign ports because of a prohibitive embargo?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in answer to a question in this House yesterday it was stated that there had been an alarming decrease in the number of people engaged in the fishing industry, and is that to be wondered at in face of such facts as those stated?

asked the Prime Minister whether there has been an inquiry into the question of extending credit facilities to the fishing industry; if any report of such inquiry is available; and what action the Government proposes to take in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. The Fishery Departments in Great Britain are continually in touch with the industry in all its branches. I am satisfied that the fishing industry does not lack credit facilities, and that such facilities cannot usefully be placed at its disposal by the Government. The Government is always ready to consider any practical suggestions for meeting specific needs of this important industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that such an inquiry as is indicated in the question was definitely promised by the Prime Minister in his election address tin 1924?

We have carefully examined the matter. I remember that the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) was going to bring to me a deputation on the subject, and the Hull Trawlers' Association passed a resolution that credits were neither needed nor desirable, and the matter then dropped. I think that, in view of the evidence we have had, it would be ill-timed to bring forward such a scheme.

Is there not a considerable difference between the steam trawlers and the smaller fishing boats, and is there not a demand for credit in many places that have the smaller type of fishing boat? Will my right hon. Friend particularly look into the matter, having regard to those districts with the smaller boats?

We are always willing to listen to any representations, but I would remind hon. Members that when there was a scheme in force for the provision of credits in Scotland and for the provision of nets very small demand was made on it.

As Hull has been mentioned, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the Hull Trawlers' Association speaks only for certain companies, and not for the men employed in the industry; and is he aware that the whole fishing industry is not concentrated in Hull in any case.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the two credit schemes that have been instituted, one by the Coalition Government and the other by the Labour Government, were dismal failures?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the failure of the scheme to which he referred was owing to the harsh terms imposed by the Treasury; and may I ask further whether there has been any report of such an inquiry as was promised by the Prime Minister?

I think it might well be that people would be glad to have free grants, hut the question is one about credits. Credits on any self-supporting principle do not meet with any considerable demand.

May I have a reply to the central part of my question?

We cannot spend five minutes on every question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if his attention has been drawn to the possibility of considerable damage to the fishing interests of the Bridlington fishermen by the dropping of live bombs from aircraft in Bridlington Bay; and will he make full inquiries with a view to safeguarding the rights of, the fishermen?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. Representations from the local authorities and a petition from the fishermen have been received and a deputation on the subject from the Brid- lington Town Council is shortly to be received by the Air Ministry. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that no decision will be reached without the very fullest inquiry and consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to avoid the imminent monopoly of air transport and development throughout Africa by France and Belgium; and whether any British exploitation is to be anticipated immediately?

I am aware that proposals are on foot for the establishment of new French and Belgian air services in West Africa, but I do not think there is any likelihood of their adoption resulting in the monopoly which my Noble Friend fears. Imperial Airways should be operating a service between London and Alexandria by about the 1st April, and I hope that this air service may be supplemented before long by another between Egypt and the Cape, proposals for which I am already considering.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he cm now make a statement as to the names of the British competitors who will take part in the Schneider cup race; the names of the machines which will take part; and with what engines they will be fitted?

No, Sir. No definite selection is likely to be made for some time, and I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on 6th February.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the announcement will be made?

No, Sir. In any case, I am not sure whether we should announce the names. We regard this work as ordinary service work, and it is not usual to announce the names.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the increased assessments under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, on provincial voluntary hospitals; and whether, in view of the public service rendered by these institutions and of their financial position, he will consider either de-rating them or giving them preferential terms of assessment?

As my right hon. Friend has previously explained, the exemption of hospitals from rating could not be effected without legislation and he does not consider that such a proposal can be considered apart from the similar claims made on behalf of other charitable and public institutions. The same considerations apply to preferential terms of assessment. The Central Valuation Committee have made certain recommendations with respect to the assessment of hospitals and charitable institutions and where these have been adopted there should be no undue hardship.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of introducing legislation to cover all those points which he has mentioned?

I am sure we all desire to do what we can for the voluntary hospitals, but the hon. Gentleman will, no doubt, realise that, if one began to give preferential treatment in this way to voluntary hospitals, one would be immediately confronted with claims on behalf of blind institutions and other institutions. This raises a very big and important question which it is hardly possible to deal with by way of question and answer.