asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that employés of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company, who may be in receipt of salary during sickness, are called upon by the Ministry of Pensions to forfeit war pensions on admittance to the Ministry hospital for treatment of war disability, thus making them pay for their own treatment; and whether he will undertake to stop this practice of taking advantage of conditions of private service which exist independent of any war service consideration?

In any case where in-patient treatment carrying eligibility for allowances is given by the Ministry, it is a standing requirement of the Royal Warrant that pension is suspended for the period of treatment, and any allowances payable are subject to reduction by a sum not exceeding 19s. in respect of the cost of the pensioner's maintenance in the institution. With regard to the last part of the question, I would point out that eligibility for allowances under the Warrant is conditioned by the pensioner being found to be unable, in consequence of undergoing treatment, to provide for the support of himself and his family and that it is, therefore, and has always been, a condition of the grant of these allowances that the amount thereof is offset by any sums received from an employer by way of salary during sickness.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if this man went into an ordinary hospital, he would be entitled to retain his 8s. a week life pension and still be in receipt of the income from the company that he receives while he is sick?

May I point out without discourtesy that the hon. Member mentioned no name whatever in the question, and it is not fair to raise an individual case on a question that is really general. Do I understand that the hon. Member has referred to the case of Robbins?

As a matter of fact, I was anxious to avoid personal cases, and I have only raised the case of the principle. If the question is to be examined, it will be found that in the case of Robbins it is well expressed.

In the case of Bobbins, to which the hon. Member has now referred, the position is that, instead of a pension of 11s., he is getting his keep and housing in hospital, which is always estimated at 19s., and furthermore he is getting £3 15s. from the railway company.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man's life pension, which he would expect, in view of the award, would be available for the rest of his life, has now been deducted, which will leave him with that much loss of his general income when he comes out of hospital?

No, the loss does not occur when he comes out of hospital. The point is that while he is in hospital he is obviously better off than he was before.

Cannot there be some review of those questions in which income from private sources is set off against a man's pension when he is being treated for war disability?

No, because the treatment allowance is a compensation for what he has lost.

rose—

I do not see how we can ever get through Questions if we have a large number of supplementaries on every single question.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Mr. N. Fitzsimmons, 3, Stopford Street, Liverpool, an ex-service man in receipt of a disability pension, has been refused treatment by the Ministry of Pensions, and has been compelled to become an inmate of one of the Poor Law institutions of Liverpool, with the result that the wife has had to seek out-door relief?

The man referred to is in receipt of pension on account of heart trouble which is held to have been aggravated by service. His present condition is an affection of the lungs, believed to be due to influenzal bronchitis, which is in no way connected with his War disability, and for which, therefore, the Ministry have no authority to provide treatment.

Is the Minister aware that this man is in receipt of a 60 per cent. disability pension and that a panel doctor certified the disability for which he is getting the pension?

I have told the hon. Member what the man is actually suffering from. With his pension and family allowance, he is getting 34s. 6d. a week.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will refer the case of S. Hedley, 246, Storforth Lane, Birdholme, to the pensions (entitlement) appeal tribunal; whether he is aware that Hedley enlisted in 1916 and was discharged in 1918 as physically unfit on account of dyspepsia, disablement pension being granted until November, 1923, when a medical board decided the aggravation by War service had passed away; that Hedley has been under medical treatment ever since for stomach troubles; that his complaint is now called dysentery, which would appear to be only another name for the same complaint; and that in 1927 and 1928 he underwent operations, but the stomach trouble is still remaining, and the local doctor believes the complaint to have been continuous?

I have no power to adopt the course suggested. Mr. Hedley was discharged, after two years and 10 months' service performed entirely at home, on account of dyspepsia, which was found to have been slightly aggravated by service. The decision referred to in the question was not made until five years after his discharge and only after a course of in-patient treatment and medical observation, and though informed, at the time, of his right of appeal against the award, Mr. Hedley failed to exercise it. His subsequent medical history has been carefully investigated in response co a request by the hon. Member but, as I have informed him, I am advised that the man's present condition cannot be connected with his War service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. William Phillips, of 126, Tyntyla Road, Llwynypia, Rhondda, an ex-service man, was in May, 1916, invalided home from Egypt on account of valvular disease of heart; was discharged in August, 1917; on 20th August, 1917, and 6th May, 1918, was awarded 30 per cent. pension for cardiac disease and rheumatism; on 25th June, 1920, was awarded 20 per cent. for the same disability; on 14th June, 1921, was awarded 14 per cent. for disorderly action of the heart and rheumatism; that four independent doctors have recently certified that Mr. Phillips is suffering from organic disease of the heart attributable to War service; and will he now consider the advisability of reconsidering this case with a view of correcting the error in the final award?

I am aware of the facts of this case, about which I have been in correspondence with the hon. Member. The medical history of the case shows clearly that organic disease of the heart was not caused by War service, and I am advised that the compensation already granted, culminating in a final award, which was affirmed on the man's appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, is an adequate settlement for any disablement which can properly be ascribed to War service.

On a point of Order. May I ask you, Sir, in regard to these three questions, 2, 3 and 5, whether an understanding was not arrived at that questions relating to individual cases should, as far as possible, be dealt with by the Ministry and not brought before the House?

I should not like to lay down any Ruling on that point. It had better be left to the judgment of Members themselves.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that men who wear surgical boots have to hand over to area headquarters an old pair as soon as it has been ordered to be replaced, and that, as long delays often elapse before a new pair is received, the men are left with only one pair of surgical boots for several months; and whether he will make arrangements to ensure that the old pair need not be handed in until the new pair has been received?

No such general rule as that suggested in the first part of the question exists. Old boots are not required to be surrendered until the new supply is ready, though it may happen that, where application is made for a new pair at a shorter interval than the normal, it might be necessary to see the old pair in order to determine whether the case is one for replacement or repair. I am not aware of any complaint as to delay in the supply of surgical boots, but if the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, and will furnish me with the necessary information, I will make inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered a review of the position of pre-War police pensioners, with a view to abolish the means limit which now applies in respect of the pre-War increase of pensions?

This question has been frequently considered, and I regret I do not see my way to propose any alteration of the present law.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to any changes in the Metropolitan police organisation for dealing with clubs, gaming, and other disorderly houses; and whether such changes will involve any increase in the strength of the Criminal Investigation Department?

No, Sir. The Uniformed Branch will continue to be responsible, with assistance from the C.I.D. as occasion may require. The question of further police powers is being examined, and I understand that the Royal Commission have heard evidence on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the names of the superior officers who were responsible for supervising ex-Sergeant Goddard in the performance of his duties in connection with the control of night clubs and disorderly houses?

The officers of "C" Division who were responsible, in greater or less degree and at one period or another, for the supervision of Ex-Sergeant Goddard between 1914 and his suspension from duty, included four Superintendents, six Chief Inspectors and 11 Sub-divisional Inspectors. I do not think any public interest would be served by my giving their names.

In view of the fact that there are evidently a large number of people who are so responsible, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these extensive frauds could have occurred without the connivance of any of them?

I am quite satisfied that the Commissioner of Police has gone most fully into the whole of this question, and has reported to me. Certain steps have been taken, but I think there is no need to give any names.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the total number of officers involved still remain in the service?

Not without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman allocate to any of the officers responsible the responsibility for dismissing constables who brought charges of irregularity against Sergeant Goddard?

No. A constable who brought charges some years ago was dismissed from Scotland Yard after a very long and full inquiry, but, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, I have that matter in hand.

rose—

The right hon. Gentleman does not wish to give names.

asked the Home Secretary whether clerks in the employ of the Metropolitan Police who usually handle large sums of money are covered by any guarantee policy or bond issued by insurance companies?

The answer is in the negative.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman take precautions and give protection in order to safeguard public money?

No. The public service is of such a character that we believe it is far better and far cheaper in the interests of the nation not to pay insurance premiums.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that upon a burglary taking place in Wandsworth a few days since, the police being notified over the telephone, 35 minutes elapsed before an officer attended on the premises burgled, although a point-duty man was within an eighth of a mile and the police station only about a mile distant; and whether a remedy can be found for such delays?

Yes, Sir. Such delays, which I agree are regrettable, are largely a matter of transport facilities. I have recently taken the whole question up with the Commissioner.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not the only case where a delay of half-an-hour or so occurred before the arrival of the police, after they had been telephoned for, and that they were within easy reach?

It is difficult to say whether I have knowledge of other occasions. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me knowledge. I am doing my best, in conjunction with the new Commissioner of Police, to provide the fullest transport necessary to bring the whole establishment of the Police Force up to the most modern requirements.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the action of the appointed members in the second chamber of the Isle of Man legislature in holding up the work of the Victoria Pier widening and so preventing work necessary to the island, the money for this work having been voted by the House of Keys?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The work for which Tynwald voted funds last autumn is not being held up but is proceeding. The incident he refers to occurred in connection with a proposal for the continuation of the work, which is of the nature of a relief work, after the 31st March next.

Seeing that the relief work is part of the whole scheme, will the right hon. Gentleman use his good offices to help this work forward?

I am not sure whether I have power to give orders to the independent Government of the Isle of Man in this matter. If I did so, I might be attacked for exceeding my own powers.

I understand that the two officers referred to have been appointed by the right hon. Gentleman.

Certain officers who are members of the Tynwald are appointed by me.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the legislature of the Isle of Man the revised Bill dealing with old age and widows' insurance; and is it intended to recommend approval of this Measure, seeing the Clause dealing with small shop-keepers' insurance for the purpose of pension is no longer in the Bill?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and the second part does not therefore arise.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many open-air classes have been regularly held in London schools during the year 1928; how many children attended them; how did the attendance percentage compare with that of indoor classes; and what were the chief results observed as regards health?

One hundred and sixty-seven classes were conducted during the period. No separate records of attendance are available, but it appears to have been at least up to the average. The children are reported to have gained in health and mental alertness.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Halifax Education Committee have made an application to his Department for approval to the erection of manual and cookery instruction rooms, and a swimming bath, on land owned by the Halifax Education Committee adjoining the Salteshebble council school; whether his Department have given approval; and, if not, the reason?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. With regard to the manual and cookery instruction rooms, it is not clear whether they could most suitably be provided in connection with this particular school rather than another school, and I have accordingly asked the authority to suspend their proposal until they are in a position to formulate their reorganisation scheme. With regard to the swimming-bath, I should not feel justified in approving for grant an expenditure estimated at between £9,000 and £10,000 on this provision.

May I ask the Minister whether, when considering the importance of putting down manual and cookery instruction rooms in elementary schools, he will send some representative of his Department to view the site and ascertain the demand in the area before he arrives at a definite decision? Secondly, as far as the construction of the swimming bath is concerned, may I ask the Noble Lord, when he is considering the report that has been submitted to him by the chief medical officer—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

The hon. Member must remember that we have many other Questions on the Paper besides his, and, if all supplementary questions were of the same length, we should never get on.

I submit that this is an important matter, and it has been dealt with by the Board of Education in a very casual way. This is the only way in which we can raise the matter in the House.

There are 103 Questions on the Order Paper, to which every hon. Member attaches equal importance. I cannot distinguish between the importance of one Question and another.

May I respectfully point out to you that, although there may be 103 Questions on the Order Paper which are important, it does not necessarily follow that those whose Questions come first have not the right to have their Questions answered in a satisfactory way?

The hon. Member has not been a Member of the House very long, but he will see that if we took up as much time on each Question we should never get through those on the Paper.

I am quite aware that I have not been long in the House, but I still claim that I have a right to a proper answer to a Question—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]—and, with your consent and approval, I must ask for an answer from the Noble Lord as to whether he will send down a representative of his Department to view this spot or give an undertaking that he will not come to a definite conclusion until—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

The hon. Member must really not take advantage of the latitude given him. I have given him a great deal more latitude than I should have given to older Members of the House.

I do not want to take advantage of any latitude that has been given to me, but I want to ask the Noble Lord if he can give an undertaking that he will not come to a definite conclusion until he has considered the local circumstances?

The hon. Member has not heard the answer which I gave. I have not come to any final decision, and I cannot come to any final decision until the local education authority gets on with its scheme of reorganisation. It is the local education authority which is to blame, not myself.

rose—

Name.

On a point of Order. The question of reorganisation has nothing to do with the production of this scheme.

That is not a point of Order.

asked the President of the Board of Education the names of the local education authorities in whose areas are situated the 66 maintained, and two other secondary schools, stated in the Board's statistics for 1926–27 to charge no fees; and will he state the number of such schools in the area of each of these local education authorities respectively?

As the answer is of a statistical character I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children obtained free places in secondary schools in the West Riding of Yorkshire area in the last year for which figures are available, and the number of places obtained by fee-paying students?

Of the entrants to secondary schools in the West Riding of Yorkshire during the school year 1927–28, 1,963 children obtained free places, 49 were otherwise exempt from the payment of tuition fees, and 1,254 paid fees.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many elementary schools in England have been divided into senior and junior schools under the Board's scheme of reorganisation on this basis; and whether the reorganisation is likely to reduce the number of head teachers required?

If the hon. Member will confer with me, I will try to give him any statistics in the possession of my Department which will throw any light on the points in which he is interested. When an elementary school is divided into two schools the number of head teachers is doubled, but clearly this is not the information which the hon. Member requires.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give the definition of a distressed mining area for the purposes of the Lord Mayor's fund; and if he will explain how these areas are delimited?

Perhaps I may refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Monday, 11th February, to a question by the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. Cecil Wilson), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, under the auspices of the Lord Mayor's fund, soldiers' uniforms and overcoats are being sent into the distressed areas of South Wales to clothe the miners; whether such clothing has been bought from the War Office; who authorised the buying; what was the price paid; and will he take the necessary steps to discontinue buying soldiers' clothes for civilian miners?

I am informed that none of the clothing referred to has been bought. It forms part of a gift of clothing, including boots and underclothing, from the Army and Air Councils.

asked the Minister of Health what it is now proposed to do with Hollesley Bay; whether the Ministry of Labour has refused to take it over; and, if so, in whom it is proposed that it shall be vested?

The Central (Unemployed) body found themselves unable to accept the offer made by the Ministry of Labour to take over the Hollesley Bay Colony in time to enable the Minister of Labour to utilise the Colony for this season's migration to Canada. The Colony accordingly remains the property of the Central (Unemployed) body, and will, on the operation of the Local Government Bill, be transferred to the London County Council.

Will the powers of the Unemployed Workmen's Act be vested in the London County Council so that they can co-operate in the policy?

They will have full powers of co-operation.

Is it not the fact that the Unemployed Workmen's Act is repealed so that they cannot act under the powers of that Act?

asked the Minister of Labour the number on the live register at Abertillery, Blaina, and Crumlin, Monmouthshire, of men, women, and juveniles who have been transferred and found employment in other areas since January, 1928, to the latest available date?

As the information asked for involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Central Midwives Board has directed

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons, men, women, and boys, were registered on 31st January at the Hackney, Poplar, Limehouse, and Stratford Employment Exchanges; and how many were being paid unemployment benefit?

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

Is it possible to give the totals?

I have not the final totals added up, but I can give them separately. Hackney, number on register, 6,390; claims admitted or under consideration, 5,457; Poplar, number on register, 6,187; claims under consideration or admitted, 4,958. Stepney, total on register, 8,750; claims admitted or under consideration, 7,438; the figures for Stratford are, respectively, 4,520 and 3.343.

I am aware generally of the position as stated in the first three parts of the question. This is, however, a matter in which I have no authority to interfere with the discretion of the Central Midwives Board, and I have accordingly not taken the action suggested in the last part of the question.

Can my right hon. Friend think out any means whereby he can prevent such autocratic action being taken by this board?

A departmental committee is considering this matter and a question of this kind will, I think, come within the terms of reference.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has given consideration to the fact that while the general control of the functions of Poor Law guardians is under the direction of his Department there is nevertheless no appeal from the decision of the Central Midwives Board; and whether he will take steps to make the regulations issued by that board subject to his examination and approval?

This matter comes within the purview of the departmental committee appointed to consider the working of the Midwives Acts, and I must await the receipt of its report.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Central Midwives Board has instructed the Kingston-on-Thames Board of Guardians that pupil midwives are not to receive their lectures from the medical superintendent of the Kingston and District Hospital, as for many years past, but that other arrangements must be made; is he aware that this involves pupil midwives in attendance for lectures in London at great expense in fees and travelling expenses and in serious loss of time; and will he direct the Central Midwives Board to withdraw their instruction so that the guardians may continue on the old lines, which resulted in the training of a large number of nurses and in satisfactory examination results?

I am aware generally of the facts stated in the first two parts of the question. As regards the last part, I have no authority to give any such direction, but I understand that the general question involved will receive consideration by the Departmental Committee appointed to consider the working of the Midwives Acts.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now received the report of the committee appointed to inquire into the London Lock Hospital; and whether it is his intention to have it published?

I have received the report and am in communication with the governing body of the hospital with regard to it. In the meantime, I propose to reserve my decision on the question of publication.

If I put a question down in a week's time, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give me an answer?

In a fortnight's time, I shall be more likely to be able to give the hon. Member an answer.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the protest made by the Essex vagrancy committee against the lack of provision in the Local Government Bill for making the vagrancy question a national charge; whether he has received any further protests on this point; and what action he is prepared to take, if any?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third wart the Essex Committee desired that failing a national charge power should be taken to compel all unions within the area of a vagrancy authority to come into its scheme and this can be secured under Clause 3 of the Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, the assessment of provincial hospitals in England and Wales has been increased from £1.56 per patient bed to £2.36 per patient bed; and, in view of the financial difficulties which already hamper the work of these hospitals, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have no general information as to the effect of the revaluation of hospitals. I can only refer to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle).

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether yesterday's reply by his right hon. Friend was the last word on the subject, and whether the Government are not prepared to give any reconsideration to the matter?

It would be very rash to say that it is the last word on the subject. The subject will probably be discussed many times, but, so far as legislation in this Parliament is concerned, it is the last word.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that generally, as a result of the Rating and Valuation Act of 1925, and the present Act, hospitals will be infinitely worse off than before?

I am certainly not aware of that fact.

Is it not possible to divert to the hospitals the £400,000 which it is proposed to give to the brewers?

asked the Minister of Health what is the increase or decrease in the assessment for rating purposes under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, of all the voluntary hospitals in Sheffield and the increased or decreased charge on the basis of present rate poundage?

I am informed that the old assessments of all the voluntary hospitals in Sheffield amounted to £1,518 and that the new assessments under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, amount to £l,529, showing an increase of £11. On the present rate poundage this would involve an increased charge of about £9.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in consequence of the increase of assessments as the result of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, water rates where charged on rateable value will be automatically increased; and whether, seeing that no greater value is given for the increased charge, he proposes to introduce legislation with a view to an equitable adjustment?

I am aware of the position and propose to continue to keep it under review. I hope that water undertakers generally can be relied upon to make reasonable reductions of their water rates and that the need for legislation will not arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the railway freight rebates which came into effect on the 1st December last are adversely affecting merchant and inland millers in their competition for trade as against the port miller; and, for example, that whole maize and barley are distributed from Hull to grist mills within a radius of 70 miles, the carriage on which for this distance is between 11s. and 15s. per ton, while the port miller is sending the ground products of these cereals the same distance with a 10 per cent. rebate equal to 1s. to 1s. 6d. per ton; and whether he will consider amending the Schedule to the Local Government Bill so that the rebate shall cover all whole grain used for stock-feeding purposes?

I have been asked to reply. An Amendment to the Eleventh Schedule of the Local Government Bill, on the lines suggested in the last part of the question was rejected by the House after a full discussion on the 1st February. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to reopen the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Minister whether, if the fears of the millers turn out to be correct, he will consider amending the Bill at a later stage?

I understand that an Amendment on this subject will probably come up for discussion to-night, and I expect that my right hon. Friend will then be able to answer any questions upon it.