asked the Minister of Labour the average daily signings at the Parkhead Exchange, Glasgow; the number of young persons and adults; and how this compares with other Exchanges in the city?

The following statement gives the average daily number of signings for proof of unemployment taken at each Exchange in the Glasgow area in the week ending 15th April, 1929.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the condition of the Parkhead Employment Exchange; that the covered accommodation provided for persons signing is very limited; that large numbers have to wait outside in all kinds of weather; that the waiting-room provided has no covering and is without any heat during the winter months; that at busy hours inside the Exchange the overcrowding is a serious problem to the manager; that little or no accommodation is available for the interviewing of children leaving school; that the accommodation provided for the male and female staff is very limited and dangerous to their health; if he proposes to take any steps to have this state of affairs remedied; and, if so, what action he proposes to take, and when?

I am aware that the accommodation at this Exchange is not in all respects satisfactory, but it is not the case that large numbers of applicants have to wait outside the building. Such waiting as does occur is caused by attendance in advance of proper times. There is no reason to suppose that the premises are dangerous to the health of the staff. The question of re-housing is already under consideration, but no suitable scheme has so far been found. The matter is being actively pursued.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Com- missioner of Works, with regard to the proposal for the purchase of a portion of the offices of Messrs. Beardmore and Company, Parkhead, for conversion into an Employment Exchange, if he can state the result; what was the price asked and the price offered; if any attempt was made to have the buildings valued by an independent person; if so, with what result; and, if not, will he take steps to see that an independent valuer be appointed to give his opinion?

The proposal referred to was dropped as it was considered that the price asked was prohibitive, having regard to the use proposed to be made of the premises. The price asked could not be disclosed without the vendor's consent. In the circumstances, an independent valuation was unnecessary, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workpeople transferred from one area to another through the normal operation of the Employment Exchanges during the year 1924, and whether in connection with seasonal labour, with anticipated changes in the labour market, or otherwise?

The only available figure is that for the number of persons placed in employment in 1924 in the area of some Exchange other than that at which they were registered. The total number of placings of this description was 131,257. This figure, however, includes cases in which the new employment was within daily travelling distance of the worker's home.

asked the Secretary for Mines in how many cases action has been taken by the Department, under Section 21 of the Mining Industry Act, 1926, to secure the establishment at coal mines of joint committees representing employers and employed; and whether any regulations have been made by the Department as contemplated by that section?

There has been no occasion for the exercise of the powers under this section, and it has not been necessary therefore to make any regulations.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give further consideration to the case of 11/M/376,452, T. Cole, 6, Osman Road, Tottenham, who, after receiving a final award, was admitted to a Ministry of Pensions hospital, where he received treatment for his disability for three years and eight months; whether he is aware that Cole has been refused a pension on the ground that he is now suffering from a disability unconnected with his War service; and will he state why the request of the Tottenham and Edmonton War Pensions Committee to be informed as to the nature of the man's present disability has been refused?

I am aware of the circumstances of the case referred to. The case is one in which a statutory settlement was made by final award in 1922 for the effects of War service and the Ministry's decision was confirmed on appeal by the independent Appeal Tribunal. Following the recent period of treatment the position was reviewed, and the conclusion was reached with medical advice that the final award was adequate compensation for such disablement as had been caused by War service. With regard to the last part of the question, there are cases, of which this is an instance, where it is inadvisable to enter into explanations with a third party in regard to the presence of other conditions unconnected with War service which have been found by medical observation to be affecting the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement on the present state of affairs in China?

There has been no appreciable change since my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs) on 15th April. A disturbed state of affairs prevails in the Yangtse valley above Hankow, which is largely in the hands of the defeated Wuhan forces. During the past few days there has been intermittent fighting in the neighbourhood of Changteh, where British property has been looted and destroyed and a British subject seriously ill-treated. Efforts are being made by His Majesty's Navy to evacuate the foreigners there, but owing to the low water in the Tungting Lake the task presents great difficulty. The latest reports from Changteh indicate an improvement in the situation. A strong force of troops belonging to the First (Nanking) Group have been sent north to take part in the operations against Chang Tsung-chang. The departure of the Japanese troops from Shantung, which was to have begun on 16th April, has been postponed at the written request of the Chinese Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, having regard to the problem confronting Europe arising from the economic position of Austria, combined with unstable political conditions, if he will make a general statement regarding the intentions of the League towards that country, the immediate outlook there, and the attitude of the British Government in this matter?

So far as I am aware, no question regarding Austria is at present before the Council of the League of Nations. In any event, the hon. Baronet will appreciate that it is impossible for me to state what the intentions of the Council of the League may be if any question regarding Austria is brought before it, nor can I say what attitude the representative of His Majesty's Government on the Council might adopt towards a proposal of which I have no knowledge. As regards the political situation, I can add nothing to the reports which the hon. Baronet has doubtless read in the daily Press.

asked the Home Secretary if he will inquire into the action of the police at a public meeting held at the recognised meeting place in the Harrow Road, Paddington, on the evening of the 24th instant, when the police intruded and asked Mr. G. O'Leary, 11, Fermoy Road, Paddington, one of the audience, to leave the meeting?

I presume the reference is to a meeting held on 17th April at the junction of Harrow Road and Elgin Avenue. The police constable acted in pursuance of Section 54 (13) of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1839, which relates to the use in any public place of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. I understand that Mr. O'Leary disputes the police constable's version of the incident and that he has been offered an opportunity of attending at an inquiry when his complaint can be investigated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the capitalisation by the railway companies of the amount of the abolished Railway Passenger Duty and its employment on works modernising railway transport, he will consider the desirability of suggesting the partial employment of this money in the direction of reducing the number of level crossings, which are not merely a source of delay and inconvenience but productive of loss of life?

I have been asked to answer this question. During the past financial year a sum of £250,000 was set aside from the Road Fund for providing assistance on special terms to highway authorities towards the expenditure incurred by them in the reconstruction of weak bridges in private ownership and in the construction of bridges to take the place of level crossings on important roads. The sum to be set aside for these purposes in 1929–30 has been increased to £500,000. I am ready to assist any well considered scheme submitted by a highway authority for the abolition of a level crossing, and generally speaking this is, in my opinion, the proper method of dealing with individual cases of this nature as they arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of revenue raised for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date for licences issued for male servants?

The proceeds of the Male Servant Licence Duty for the year ended 31st March, 1928 (the latest period for which figures are at present available), were £140,588. I may add that these receipts do not benefit the Exchequer, as this duty is not an Imperial but a local taxation duty.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the recent mail-bag robberies which have been brought to his notice, he will consider the advisability of having such bags specially guarded while travelling on mail trains and using unemployed ex-service men for such duties?

The expense of introducing the special safeguard suggested by my hon. Friend would be prohibitive.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that No. 21,911, Marine F. J. Goodwin was discharged on 6th March, 1929, after five years and 147 days' service, in consequence of the loss of the thumb of the right hand arising from an accident while on duty; that his character was certified very good, sober, trustworthy, and hard working; that he has been awarded a gratuity of £10 as compensation; and under what Regulation this sum is regarded as adequate for a disability attributable to service?

The facts in regard to Goodwin's discharge and the nature of the injury he had sustained are as stated. Full inquiry was held into the facts, and it was found that the accident was wholly due to the man's carelessness in such circumstances that the Admiralty declined to grant a hurt certificate as for an accident arising out of his duty. This being so, the gratuity is on the non-attributable scale of allowances, namely, £2 a year for each complete year of service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider, in order to stimulate emigration of naval pensioners and their families to the Dominions and Colonies, allowing them, when they desire, to commute their pensions in full to enable them to take their families and effects to the Colonies and invest their money in the countries in which they settle down?

The provision whereby a portion of a Navy pension must be reserved from commutation was framed in the interests of pensioners generally, and I am unable to recommend any variation of this principle for the particular purpose indicated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what were the contributions to the cost of the Singapore Dock during the completed financial year and the two previous years by Great Britain, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the Malay States?

The expenditure on the Singapore Base, including the floating dock now in position there, during the three years in question was:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider increasing the civilian clothing grant to men leaving the service, seeing that the present grant is only 14s.?

The present allowance follows established practice, and it is not considered necessary to make any change.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any information as to a recent inquest at Sudbury where the doctor who gave evidence in that case stated that it was one of starvation; what were the circumstances; whether the deceased applied for medical or other out-relief; whether any of the officers of the guardians or the guardians were cognisant of the deceased being in need; if so, whether and when the officer or the guardians offered such relief; and, if not, why not?

I have received a newspaper report of this inquest and a copy of a report made by the relieving officer to the clerk to the Sudbury guardians. The deceased was 76 years of age. She was in receipt of an old age pension of 10s. a week and a weekly parcel of food, value 5s., from a charitable fund. At the date of her death 14s. 2d. in cash and an adequate supply of fuel and food was found in the house. The deceased was a very independent old lady and would not let anybody do anything for her. The jury's verdict was that death was due to heart failure accelerated by the cold weather, following starvation and self-neglect. The deceased had been an inmate of the Sudbury Poor Law institution but was discharged at her own request on 24th April, 1927, and no application for relief had been made by her since that date. As regards the remaining parts of the question, it will be seen from the information given above that the deceased was not lacking in food, fuel or shelter. I concur in the view reported to have been expressed by the coroner at the inquest, that it did not appear that anyone could be called in question for having neglected the deceased.