asked the Minister of Labour what conditions are imposed upon alien dance-band musicians when permits are granted for them to enter this country for the purpose of carrying on their profession; whether any specific conditions are imposed upon the employers of these bands; whether she can state the number of permits that have been granted to alien band musicians for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and the number of these permits that have been extended?

For the conditions relating to the admission of foreign band musicians to this country for purposes of employment, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Woolwich West (Sir K. Wood) on 2nd June last. During the 12 months ended 30th June, 1930, permits were issued in respect of 95 alien dance and restaurant hand musicians and extensions were granted in 23 of these cases.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these conditions are strictly adhered to or whether the inspectors make inquiries?

Yes, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Musicians' Union have complained that these permits have been continued to the detriment of British musicians?

No, Sir; I think the Musicians' Union are frequently in touch with my office, and that they do investigate every case of complaint.

In view of the unemployment existing among so many musicians in this country, does not the whole matter require reconsideration?

No, Sir, the matter is constantly being reconsidered, and we have to consider the repercussions upon British musicians in foreign parts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that there is no lavatory accommodation at the Hull Employment Exchange; and whether seeing that there are 7,000 daily visitors, she will give immediate orders for this omission to be rectified?

It is not the practice to provide lavatory accommodation for applicants at Employment. Exchanges, and to do so would involve very heavy expense. In the case of the Hull Exchange, I am informed that there is adequate accommodation within 50 or 60 yards of the premises.

asked the Minister of Labour the proportion of the numbers on the registers of the Edinburgh Employment Exchange whose claims to benefit have been admitted under the new Act, and the corresponding proportion under previous legislation?

At 10th March, 1930, out of a total of 9,595 persons on the registers of the Employment Exchange at Edinburgh, 6,685 or 69.7 per cent. had claims to benefit admitted or under consideration. At 30th June, 1930, out of a total of 9,934, the claims admitted or under consideration numbered 8,358 or 84.1 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour the number and percentage of effective benefit claimants at the Blackburn Exchange on comparable dates before and since the passage of the 1929 Act?

At 10th March, 1930, out of a total of 14,792 persons on the registers of the Employment Exchange at Blackburn, 13,947 or 94.3 per cent. had claims to benefit admitted or under consideration. At 14th July, 1930, out of a total of 29,220 the claims admitted or under consideration numbered 28,378 or 97.1 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated percentage of vacancies filled by Employment Exchanges in the last 12 months for which figures are available; whether this percentage shows any signs of increase; and whether she can state the percentage of the entire cost of running the Employment Exchanges which can be credited to the filling of such vacancies?

The proportion of vacancies filled to vacancies notified to the Employment Exchanges was 88.1 per cent. during the period 25th June, 1929, to 7th July, 1930, as compared with 87.6 per cent. in the preceding 12 months. I regret it is not possible to give a figure for the proportion of the total cost of the Employment Exchanges which should be allocated to their work as placing agencies.

(for Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND) asked the Minister of Labour what has been the decrease in the number of uninsured persons registering at the end of June as compared with the same time last year, and what is the reason for the decrease?

At 23rd June, 1930, there were 62,433 uninsured persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain as compared with 65,591 at 24th June, 1929. Precise information with regard to the cause of the decrease is not available. It is probably due to the effect of the new Act in bringing into benefit a number of persons who were previously ineligible and not known to be insured.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a scheme to provide unemployment insurance for farm workers is in course of preparation; and, if so, when it will be presented for legislative action?

I regret that I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Berwick and Haddingtonshire (Mr. Sinkinson) on 3rd July.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is yet in a position to give the names of the new chairmen of the courts of referees in Glasgow; and, if not, when does she expect to be able to state them?

I hope to be able to make these appointments quite shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour the reason why benefit granted by an insurance officer and subsequently paid to a Mr. Early, residing at 80, Rose Street, Glasgow, and signing at the South Side Exchange, has since been stopped, in view of the fact that no interference with payment of benefit should take place until the court of referees has given the person a chance to state his case; if she is aware that the man did not receive any such chance; and if she will take steps to have benefit paid until the man is heard before such court in accordance with the Statute?

Notice of a hearing of his claim by the court of referees on 10th June was sent to Mr. Early to the address given by him when he made his claim. He did not attend the hearing and the claim was disallowed. According to my information payment of benefit was not stopped before this decision was given by the court. Mr. Early subsequently informed the local office that the notice did not reach him. His case was re-heard by the court on 18th July and the claim was again disallowed, but leave to appeal was given.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the address sent to her was not given to the local Exchange by Mr. Early at any time, and that the manager admitted to me that the man never sent the address? Also, seeing that the decision is not unanimous and that leave of appeal to the Umpire has been given, is benefit now being resumed in view of the fact that there cannot be an offence until the Umpire has given a decision?

I will make further inquiries into the two points raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is prepared to set up a Scottish consultative committee representative of the Scottish local authorities to deal with unemployment relief schemes in Scotland and the contributions made from the State towards such purposes, and to provide a simpler form of machinery, either through the Department of Health for Scotland or otherwise, for enabling Scottish unemployment relief schemes and the grants payable for such purposes to be adjusted in Scotland?

I am not clear what exactly the hon. and learned Member has in view, but I may inform him that my right hon. Friend is at the present time discussing with the Ministry of Labour various suggestions for expediting consideration of Scottish unemployment relief schemes.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the suggestion was made at a recent conference of local authorities in Scotland that such a consultative committee should be set up as is suggested in the question? Is he also aware of the desire that unemployment relief schemes should be accelerated by short-circuiting the method of procedure?

Yes, Sir, we know that such a suggestion was made, but the hon. and learned Member's question includes a suggestion that contributions made from the Treasury should be under the control of this consultative committee, and I would draw his attention to the fact that Scotland does not get its grants from the Goschen proportion.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that in the wording of the question there is no suggestion of control, and that it is purely a question of adjusting?

If the Under-Secretary of State cannot set up new machinery, will he at least try to make the existing machinery work a little better, as there is not a single scheme in the whole of the West of Scotland for unemployed women?

The first of the two points put by the hon. Lady is answered in the reply that I have already given, where it is said that my right hon. Friend is discussing the whole question with the Ministry of Labour with a view to expediting Scottish unemployment schemes. The question of particular schemes in the West of Scotland depends largely on the application of the local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will state, as nearly as possible, how much per day (including Sundays and holidays) unemployment relief is costing the nation at the present time?

The expenditure on unemployment benefit at the present time is about £220,500 a day (including Sundays and holidays); the approximate daily expenditure at present on domiciliary relief to persons in England and Wales who are ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants, and on outdoor relief to destitute able-bodied unemployed persons in Scotland, is about £9,300.

(for Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE) asked the Minister of Labour if she will state what number of permits have been given to aliens in the past 12 months to enable them to take up work in this country in the terrazzo and mosaic trade; and whether in all cases in which permits were granted there was need for skilled workers which could not be satisfied by British labour?

In the 12 months ended 30th June, 1930, 27 permits have been issued by my Department in respect of skilled alien terrazzo and mosaic workers; the answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The general conditions subject to which these permits are issued may be of interest to the House, and I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour if she has received any communication with reference to the establishment of a trade board in a section of the Midland drop-forgings industry in Willenhall and district; and whether a resolution passed by men employed in the industry would be treated as evidence of the desirability of an investigation?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. Any request of the kind mentioned in the second part of the question would receive consideration on its merits.

Is not the right hon. Lady aware that there is no effective trade union organisation in this case, and that this method would seem to be the only one that these men can adopt?

I have had no application of any kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the seditious literature being circulated by the Workers' Welfare League of India from an address in London; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have seen specimens of the literature issued by this organisation, but as at present advised I do not think action in regard to it is called for. If the hon. Member has in mind any particular publication which appears to require special attention, I should be obliged if we would send it to me

Will the right hon. Gentleman send the literature which he has already seen to the machinery which has been set up in connection with propaganda from Russia?

I think that the question of the hon. Gentleman is not seriously meant.

Has the attention of the Public Prosecutor been called to an organ called "The Patriot," which in every issue is trying to involve this country in trouble?

That matter does not arise out of this question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this literature is published in England or not?

I can only repeat that on the advice I have received I have seen no cause to take action in this particular case, but, if there be any special instances, I shall be glad to receive them. On the point as to where it is published, I should require notice.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases concerning seditious and subversive publications he has submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions during the last 12 months?

Such publications are brought to the notice of the Director of Public Prosecutions by myself or by others if it seems likely that the matter they contain may justify and necessitate proceedings, but I cannot undertake to give statistical information as to communications of this kind with the Director.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether the publication of 1st May in the "Daily Worker" was submitted to the director?

I cannot, without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of these cases have been discussed by the Cabinet?

None.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to a complaint by the Amalgamated Engineering Union that employers are prevailing upon members of the union to work machines during overtime without another person being in attendance; and whether he will take steps to make it an offence to employ a person in any workshop where machinery is in motion without another person being in attendance?

I have no knowledge of any such complaint. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with the information on which his question is based, I shall be glad to consider it and make any necessary inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the entire question of juvenile offenders and the proceedings of juvenile courts?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the ground has already been covered by the Departmental Committee on the Treatment of Young Offenders, which was appointed by my predecessor in 1925, and which issued its report in 1927. It is the intention of the Government to give effect to the recommendations of this Committee as soon as time can be found for the necessary legislation.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the recent Chelmsford Juvenile Court case, the elder defendant has been sent to an industrial school; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have this boy released and placed on probation?

This boy was remanded until the 4th July for inquiries, and the justices then decided to place him on probation. No question of his release arises.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation to prevent magistrates sentencing children of less than 14 years to corporal punishment by the birch?

I cannot undertake to introduce special legislation on this sub- ject but as stated on previous occasions the Government intends to introduce a Bill to amend the Children Act when the state of public business permits and an opportunity will then be given for discussing this particular proposal.

Does the report to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred include a recommendation for the abolition of corporal punishment in the case of young persons?

I am not certain as to an actual recommendation for its abolition, but the subject is referred to, and I will look into it.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he proposes to take, in view of the increasing number of accidents which occur, to protect from injury shop assistants who are employed in shops where bacon-cutting and other meat-cutting, sausage-making, coffee-roasting, and grinding machinery is in use and the securing of first-aid outfits being available?

I have no statutory powers to intervene except in cases where the part of the premises in which the work is carried on constitutes a factory but the position has been discussed with the National Federation of Meat Traders who fully recognise the need for safeguards for meat-cutting and sausage-making machines and have taken the matter up with their members on several occasions. In a few cases where the Factory Act applies the provisions of the Factory Act relating to fencing and first-aid have been applied. I am not aware of accidents from the other classes of machine mentioned, but if my hon. Friend can furnish me with information I shall be glad to look further into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider issuing cameras to the officers of the new mobile police force, which is to be started shortly, with a view to pictorial evidence of dangerous driving, dangerous parking, and traffic obstruction being obtained by them?

I think the suggestion is one which might well be considered by the police authorities, who will be primarily responsible for the equipment of the officers in question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider what is known as the cine-camera? I think they would be more effective.

I will consider that with the other suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the Advisory Committee on London Traffic in which higher penalties are advocated for contraventions of the parking regulations; and whether, in view of the lack of elasticity in these regulations, he will consider allowing cars to be parked for different periods of time in different parking places according to the congestion or lack of congestion in the particular parking place, as is the practice in Paris?

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Minister of Transport. By Regulations made by him on the 24th December, 1929, after consultation with the London Traffic Advisory Committee, the maximum penalty for contravention of the Regulations was increased in the case of second and subsequent offences, in consequence of the serious abuse of the privileges given under the Regulations. The question of cars being permitted to park for different periods of time on different parking places has been considered and is provided for in the Regulations.

Can the hon. Member say whether different times are allowed at different parking places, so that, for instance, a car may stay at one place two or three hours and at another only half an hour?

It would be impossible for me to say, but I will put the matter before my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport why grants are allowed from the Road Fund to local authorities in respect of the coloured-light system of control and refused to applicants from different parts of the country for the semaphore system as installed at Brighton?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to Memorandum No. 297 (Roads), 1929, on this subject, a copy of which I am sending him. The memorandum was prepared after careful consideration of all known systems, and after consultation with chief constables representing most of the cities and towns in this country where traffic signals had been installed, including Brighton. The conclusion was reached that it was of the utmost importance that these signals should be as uniform in character throughout the country as possible, and that the proposals contained in that circular were the most satisfactory that could at present be devised. In these circumstances the Minister of Transport would not feel justified in making grants to systems other than those which comply with the recommendations set out in the memorandum.

Cannot the Minister change his mind in view of the development of the semaphore system in the last two years and the conviction that has been brought to his mind that motorists more easily understand the single semaphore system than a lot of coloured lights on the top of lamp posts?

The hon. Member will find in the Memorandum information showing that the Minister has gone fully into the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, with a view to increasing the safety of pedestrians crossing the congested thoroughfares in London, he will consider the advisability, when experimenting with traffic light controls, of having pedestrian light controls on the same columns, but with the opposite colours and facing the pathways, so as to show the pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street?

I have been asked to reply. Provision has been carefully made for the protection of the pedestrian in the recommendations contained in Memorandum No. 297 (Roads) issued by the Minister of Transport in September last, detailing the type of light signals which would be approved by him. I would draw the hon. Member's attention to paragraph 13 (b) and paragraph 37, and the diagrams on pages 3 and 4 of that Memorandum, of which I am sending him a copy.

Do I understand that in these diagrams this particular kind of light for pedestrians is included in the suggestion?

Yes, I understand so.

asked the Home Secretary on what ground he has declined to intervene in regard to the sentence of six months' hard labour passed upon Matthew Robson, on the occasion of his first offence, by the Leicester Court, although requested to do so by the Liverpool justices?

It is the long-established practice, which has often been approved by this House, that the Home Secretary does not state publicly the reasons in any particular case for advising or not advising the exercise of the Royal Prerogative.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received from the Durham County Education Committee and the County Councils Association protests expressing their dissatisfaction with his decision not to increase the grant for the conveyance of children in country districts; and whether he will reconsider his decision, in view of reorganisation schemes being either held up to a material extent or else proceeded with on less desirable lines than would otherwise be the case?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received a communication from the County of Somerset Education Committee, pointing out that they are faced with an increase of £40,000 per annum in estimated expenditure for the conveyance of children to school in connection with the reorganisation of public elementary schools, making a revised total for such conveyance of £46,541 per annum; whether, in these circumstances, he is prepared to consider an increase in the percentage grant now made to the committee; and, if not, whether he is prepared to authorise a postponement of the reorganisation in whole or in part until the condition of the agricultural industry improves?

I have received representations from the Somerset Local Education Authority and from the County Councils Association, but I am not at present satisfied that the percentage rate of grant in respect of expenditure on the conveyance of children should be increased. When all the relevant factors are taken into consideration I do not think that there is any valid reason for postponing schemes of reorganisation on this account.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the grievous hardship upon children who are in out-of-the-way country cottages, and who, in all kinds of weather, have to attend school? Could they receive attention even before expenditure is made upon secondary education?

Considerable attention is being paid to the matter, and there are considerable schemes for conveyance. This is simply a question of how it can be paid for.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the less populated country districts are, like my constituency, the heavier is the burden compared with other parts of the country? There is a case, if the right hon. Gentleman will consider it, for favourable consideration to the country districts.

I am aware of the difficulties, but the hon. Member must remember that in other respects grants are being distributed.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation from persons interested, who feel very deeply upon this point and are afraid of the additional expense that would be put upon them?

I have discussed the matter a, good deal with the county councils.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the latest estimate of the cost of making secondary education free for all children now receiving it in State-aided schools?

The estimated cost is about £2,800,000.

Is that per year?

Yes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send that figure to the First Lord of the Admiralty?

asked the President of the Board of Education when he proposes to introduce legislation to amend the Teachers' Superannuation Act so as to give teachers a statutory right to the pension, and to any teacher whose certificate is withdrawn adequate compensation for loss of pension?

A statutory right to pension is already given by the Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1925, subject to the prescribed conditions. When pension is refused on the ground of misconduct, the teacher's own contributions are repaid to him with interest, and I have no proposal in view for giving further compensation in such cases.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the issues involved, he will order an inquiry into the situation now existing owing to the resignation in a body of the managers of the elementary schools in the Walton-on-Thames district?

The matter is primarily the concern of the local education authority, and I do not see any reason for intervention on my part.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many supplementary teachers in England and Wales have been recognised for 10 years or more and how many for less than 10 years?

The service of individual supplementary teachers is not recorded by the Board, and I am, therefore, unable to give the information for which my hon. Friend asks.

asked the President of the Board of Education what number of local authorities are exercising their powers to-day for the feeding of schoolchildren; what is the average number of meals provided daily; and what is the comparison in these respects with the figures of a year ago?

In the week ended 5th July, 135 local education authorities were providing meals and, approximately, 152,000 meals were being provided daily. The corresponding figures for a year ago were 128 authorities and 111,000 meals.

(for Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE)asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to take any action upon the report of the Committee on Education for Salesmanship?

The Committee on Education for Salesmanship have as yet presented interim reports only, and are reserving their conclusions and recommendations for their final report. My right hon. Friend is unable, therefore, to say anything as to the action to be taken until the final report is received.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the emission of dust and soot from the chimney of the Southern Railway carriage works at Lancing, Sussex; whether he is aware of the inconvenience thus caused to the residents at Lancing; can he say whether his inspectors have investigated this nuisance; and whether any action has been taken by his Department in the matter?

I have received a report from the Steyning West Rural District Council on this complaint, of which I had had no previous intimation. The council served upon the company in April a Statutory Notice for the abatement of a nuisance arising from the emission of black smoke at these works, following which an improvement of the conditions was observed. I understand that the council are keeping the premises under observation. The local authority have statutory powers to deal with smoke nuisance, and I see no sufficient reason for the intervention of my Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the nuisance is as bad as ever, and does he not think that, with a view to protecting the amenities of the district, he should take some action in the matter?

As I have pointed out, it is a matter primarily for the local authorities, with whom I have been in communication.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make inquiry into the nuisance obtaining in Blackwall Lane, Greenwich, whereby tenants of cottages are smothered with lamp-black from the lam-black factory?

I have received a report from the Metropolitan Borough Council, and I learn that proceedings were taken by the council in January last under Section 21 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, for the abatement of nuisance, to which the statutory defence was successfully pleaded by the company that they had adopted the best practicable means for abating the nuisance. I am informed, however, that other means are now in process of adoption by the company which may have better results.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, since these representations were made, the nuisance has been aggravated?

I am not aware of that fact, but I know that, as a result of consultations, the company are trying new methods to abate the nuisance.

asked the Minister of Health if he can supply the figures showing the amount of relief payments made by the Greenwich Guardians for the quarter ended June, 1929, as compared with the payments for the quarter ended June, 1930; and will he state what is the relative position for all London boroughs?

The amount of out-relief paid by the Greenwich Guardians during the quarter ended June, 1929, was £40,108. Corresponding figures for the quarter ended June, 1930, cannot be given for Greenwich or any other part of London as the figures furnished to my Department relate to the Administrative County of London as a whole.

asked the Minister of Health when the report of the Committee of Inquiry into matters relating to casuals and test work will be published: and whether he can now state the action he proposes to take with reference to the recommendations of the Committee?

I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) on the 17th instant.

Is the House to understand that stone-breaking is to be permitted to go on during the Summer Recess?

The House is to understand nothing from the answer I have given—[Interruption]—except what it states.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any complaints of incivility by those responsible for administering public assistance; and whether he will take steps to secure the utmost courtesy in all cases under the new system?

I receive a few such complaints from time to time, but I think the matter is best left to the responsible local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in regard to able-bodied men in receipt of relief from the Walsall Public Assistance Committee, one of his inspectors is insisting that these men shall work five days per week on test work irrespective of the amount of relief received; that the public assistance committee is opposed to this policy; that paragraph 6 of the Relief Regulation Order nowhere states that a uniform period of time should be worked by such men; and whether he will instruct the inspector accordingly?

I have no information on this matter other than a Press report, and I am asking the inspector for the facts of the case before expressing any opinion.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built for letting under the 1924 Housing Act and completed in the year ended 30th September, 1927, and the annual rate of building in the six months ended 31st March, 1930, based on the number of similar houses completed during that period?

The number of houses completed in England and Wales under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, during the year ended 30th September, 1927, was 97,316, and during the six months ended 31st March, 1930, was 25,078. I am not prepared to base a figure for 12 months' output on the figures of the six months which include the winter months, and as regards the figure for 1927 it is to be remembered that it includes the abnormal building which preceded the change of subsidy on the 30th of September of that year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the Wheatley Act working-class houses are now being built at half the rate, and will he take some action in view of the tragic situation?

I am aware that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension on this question.

Is it not a fact, as shown by these figures, that there is a considerable decrease, and is not that a most deplorable result?

How about the programme of houses for everybody?

May I ask whether the number of houses built under the Wheatley Act during the 11 (months July to May, 1928, compared with the 11 months of last year, show that there was an increase of 13,000?

asked the Minister of Health the number of State-assisted houses completed under the Housing Act, 1924, for the quarter ended 30th September, 1929, and the number completed for the last quarter for which figures are now available?

The numbers are 17,730 and 11,351. The latter is the number of houses completed in the quarter ended 30th June, 1930.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this is a deplorable result?

No, Sir. I cannot compare the September quarter with the June quarter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman compare satisfactorily any of the periods of three months of last year with the same periods when the Conservative Government were in power?

Yes, certainly.

Which are they? I challenge the right hon. Gentleman to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard on the one hand to the magnitude and complexity of the housing problem and on the other to the burden of other work which devolves on the Ministry of Health, he will consider the advisability of transferring the duty of administering the Housing Acts either to a National Housing Council or to the Minister of Public Works?

I am advised that as hous- ing is primarily a function of the local authorities it would not add to efficient administration if the central responsibility for it were divorced from the Ministry of Health.

Does not the Prime Minister think, having regard to the fact that there are 130,000 builders out of work at the present time, that some special effort, some special system, is necessary?

asked the Minister of Health if he will make inquiry into the hutments at Greenwich and elsewhere purchased from His Majesty's Government by the Holbrook Estate Company, otherwise described as York, Grey, Gillette, and others, with a view to ascertaining whether this type of dwelling is in fact receiving some immunity from the provisions of rent control by reason et being formerly Government property?

I could not usefully undertake such an inquiry as is suggested by my hon. Friend since any question whether the Rent Restrictions Acts apply to any dwelling-house, or as to the rent which may be charged in respect of any dwelling-house to which the Acts apply, is one solely for the determination of the courts.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider taking steps to institute a national housing survey throughout rural England, with a view to providing adequate cottage accommodation in every village at a rent the farm worker can pay and which will also relieve unemployment in the building trade?

Consideration has from time to time been given to the question of such a survey, but I do not think the results would be worth the time and labour involved. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware of the special provision made for rural housing in the Housing (No. 2) Bill now before Parliament. I hope that this Bill will soon be on the Statute Book, and I shall not fail to urge the local authorities concerned to take the utmost possible advantage of it.

Is the Minister of Health satisfied with the progress made in regard to rural housing?

asked the hon. Member for Carlisle, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if his attention has been called to the application of the Council of the County Borough of South Shields to the Commissioners for Land for Housing Purposes; and what action the Commissioners propose taking on the application?

The Commissioners' agents have been instructed to get into negotiation with the borough officials, and with the colliery company working the mines under the land.

asked the Minister of Health whether a preference is given to ex-service men in the engagement of temporary clerks for the purpose of the census of 1931?

Such temporary clerical staff, other than the staff required for machine operations, as may be required at the Census Office for the Census of 1931 will, in accordance with the usual Civil Service practice, be recruited through the Joint Substitution Board from ex-service men. I should add that it is not in any case anticipated that any staff will be required until the middle of 1931.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the nature of the preference given to ex-regular soldiers, sailors, and airmen with regard to employment in industrial branches of Government departments; whether he has received requests for a reconsideration of the existing regulations; and, if so, what reply has been given?

In filling subordinate posts in Government departments for which adult recruitment is the rule, and which can be suitably filled by ex-regulars, consideration is first given to such candidates provided that

(1) They are fully qualified;

(2) The existing ex-service preference, including that to disabled men, is maintained;

(3) Due regard is paid to the claims of candidates already serving in other capacities.

With regard to the latter part of the question, representations have recently been submitted as to the subject to my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works, and I understand that an announcement will be made in the next few days.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what were the numbers of civil servant employés in all Government Departments in the year ended 31st March, 1930; and what was the cost to the Exchequer in salaries and pensions of these employés for that year?

The final figures for the year ended the 31st March, 1930, are not yet available.

When will that information be available? Have the numbers increased very much since 1929, when the hon. Gentleman gave me figure of £80,000,000 to £90,000,000?

I could not say exactly when it will be available, and until it is available I cannot judge how much the figures have increased, if at all.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the Post Office personnel is shown separately from the other Government Departments?

I will see whether that can be done.

How is it that four months have to elapse before the hon. Gentleman knows how many civil servants he has to find money for?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant facilities for the further stages of the Works Councils (No. 2) Bill?

In view of the state of public business, I see no prospect of time being found for this Bill.

Does not the Prime Minister think it desirable to place this section of the Liberal Yellow Book on the Statute Book?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will, during the next Session, initiate legislation with a view to securing for Wales a measure of devolution such as is at present granted to Scotland?

I regret that I am unable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider embodying the consideration of this matter in the Committee which he intends to set up next Session with the Procedure of this House; will he consider the desirability of referring the matter to that Committee?

It is quite obvious that that would be out of order.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware, with his experience as a representative of a Welsh constituency, that the just claims of Wales and the expediency of granting to Wales—

Order!

asked the Prime Minister whether the Governments of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the seas are to be represented at the forthcoming round-table conference on India?

Such an arrangement is not contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the inquiry conducted by Mr. Fitzpatrick, at the instance of the Government of India, into the allegations contained in the Indictment of Patiala has yet finished its work; and whether he has yet received any report from the Government of India on the matter?

I have not yet received any information from the Government of India as to the progress of the inquiry.

Will my right hon. Friend urge upon the Government of India the necessity for getting an early reply in view of the fact that the Maharajah is coming to the Imperial Conference?

My information is that the inquiry was to be opened at Dalhousie on 9th June, and as far as I know it is proceeding, but I have not any information particularly about it.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he does not know that the inquiry finished on 13th of June after calling two witnesses?

I am referring to official information. As far as official information is concerned, the position is as I have stated it in answer to the hon. Gentleman's question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of General Sir Philip Chetwode at the Wiltshire county rally of the British Legion at Devizes recently; and whether, in view of the character of the policy he advocated in regard to India it is still intended that General Chetwode should proceed to India as Commander-in-Chief?

Sir Philip Chetwode is not at present on the Indian Establishment and it is not necessary, therefore, for me to make any comment on the Press report referred to. Questions of policy are, of course, decided by His Majesty's Government and the Governor-General in Council, to whose superintendence, direction and control Sir Philip Chetwode, when he takes up his position as Commander-in-Chief, will become subject. The policy which it is intended to pursue in India was authoritatively set out by the Viceroy in his Speech to the Legislature on the 9th July

Is it not a fact that some of the reports have given a totally false impression of what Sir Philip Chetwode said?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is asking me to commit the indiscretion of commenting upon matters which are not within my sphere.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that in putting any policy into operation it is necessary to have people who are sympathetic towards that policy?

Questions of policy have nothing whatever to do with soldiers. They are settled by the civil government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Sir Philip Chetwode said nothing about policy and that his whole object was to—

Order!

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now prepared to follow the recommendation of the Final Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government by appointing a committee of inquiry to deal with the question of recruitment of local government officers?

I propose to appoint such a committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when he proposes to appoint this committee?

I hope that the personnel will be announced before the end of the Session.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes immediately to arrive at an international agreement for rationing and economising the use of gold in order to stabilise its value in relation to commodity prices?

The causes of the fluctuations in the value of gold are under consideration by a delegation of the Financial Committee of the League of Nations which is expected to make a report to the Council of the League in September. They will also, I have no doubt, be considered by the Committee on Finance and Industry. The question whether further action should be taken in the direction indicated by my hon. Friend must, I think, await the reports of these bodies.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the forthcoming Imperial Conference with a view to rationing and economising gold?

I do not think that that falls within the province of the Imperial Conference. It is not a matter that is confined to the British Empire; it is wholly international.

Is it not a very suitable subject for discussion at the Imperial Economic Conference? Will the right hon. Gentleman at the same time say whether he expects the report of the Committee to which he has referred to be available for that Conference, considering that the Committee has now been sitting for nine months?

In regard to the reference of this matter to the Imperial Conference, I cannot add anything to what I said in reply to the supplementary question. My hon. Friend asked that we might do whatever might be possible to arrive at an international agreement for the rationing of gold, and as I have said it is an international question. In regard to the second part of the question, I have answered quite a number of questions within the last week or two upon that point, and I cannot say when the report will be available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to pay no attention to the Genoa Conference and the Brussels Conference?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the Land Valuation Bill has been printed, he can now state when he will circulate it for the information of Members?

I am circulating a draft of the Bill for the information of Members. I shall, of course, be glad to consider before the time comes for its reintroduction any suggestions which may be made to me and to make any alterations which may seem desirable in the light of those suggestions and of further consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that the films produced with the assistance of the personnel and material of the Admiralty, Army Council, and Air Council are controlled by a Government official in the employ of the Stationery Office, he can state whether this official is charged with making the financial arrangements on behalf of the various services with approved film companies; and can he give the House particulars of any films that have been made with Government material during the previous 12 months?

As the answer is Tong I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my hon. Friend tell me whether this officer is still in the employ of the Stationery Office cinematograph section?

The hon. Member had better await the answer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the advisory committee of Imperial and International Communications, Limited, has made any report as to the present position of that undertaking?

No, Sir.

Have the Government nominees on the advisory committee made any recommendation for clearing out the superfluous directors and dealing with the question of over-capitalisation, which is so flagrant in this instance?

I could not answer that question without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if he has any information with regard to the prevalence of the apple fruit fly in English orchards;

(2) if there is any evidence in recent years of the presence of the apple fruit fly in shipments of raw apples imported from Canada, South Africa, or France?

I am advised that the apple fruit fly is not present in English orchards. The answer to question No. 63 is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make any statement dealing with the intention of the Government to introduce legislation affecting the marketing of farm produce?