asked the Minister of Labour whether any application was made by the relieving officer of the Borough of Southwark to the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange for suitable persons for service in the recent General Election; and can he state the number of names that were submitted and the number selected or engaged for such service?

Application was not made to the Exchange for persons required for this employment in the Borough of Southwark, and consequently no names were submitted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many unemployed workers in Southwark who would have been capable of performing those duties?

I understand that an offer was made by the Exchange to supply suitable persons for this employment, but it was declined on the ground that numerous applications had been received direct from persons the majority of whom had served at previous elections.

Can the right hon. Gentleman in future recommend that unemployed men shall be given preference for this work?

The hon. Member will see from my answer that we have done what we can.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will inquire into the circumstances whereby a seaman, J. Callaghan, was refused unemployment benefit at Barry, Glamorgan, on the ground that he had refused employment on the steamship "Nella," whereas, when he presented himself to the doctor, he was refused examination because he had not got the form, P.C. 5, which had been refused him as he had not got £1 to pay the trade union contributions demanded of him?

This claim was considered by a fully constituted court of referees and unanimously disallowed. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the report of the proceedings.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Department sent out a letter in which they say that Mr. Callaghan was present at the hearing of his case and gave personal evidence? It appeared that he was in arrears with his subscription to the Sailors and Firemen's Union. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Department sent out a letter to this effect, and will he inform the House that, while it is permissible for a union to expel a member for non-payment of dues or to try to prevent his getting a job, it is not permissible to refuse a man unemployment benefit because he is in debt to his union?

I understand that in this case all firemen must be members of the National Sailors and Firemen's Union. This man was in arrear to the extent of 35s. and he was required to pay 10s. of it, and he could have had an advance note of 35s. It has been considered by the court of referees, and I have no further power.

When did the Minister of Labour become responsible for collecting dues for the union?

The answer is that we are not.

I want to know why this man was refused benefit.

The hon. Member had better read the proceedings, which I am sending him.

I will raise the question on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider introducing amendments to the Regulations governing the payment of unemployment benefit whereby workers in the building trade, who normally lose an average of two months' work per year through bad weather conditions, shall not have to wait the normal six days before qualifying for benefit nor have to be stopped three days in one week before qualifying?

The conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit to which the hon. Member refers are of general application, and I have no power to modify them in the case of any particular industry.

Is it not possible to make new Regulations which would meet this demand?

It would depend entirely on whether it was thought better to spend the money in this way or in some other way.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in certain other countries provisions are made that, quite irrespective of weather conditions, the men are protected and materials used that allow the workers regularly to do a full week's work and earn a full week's pay?

asked the Minister of Labour how many claims for benefit have been before the court of referees for Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley during 1935; and the number of claims allowed and the number disallowed?

I am having the figures extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for unemployment benefit that have been submitted to the court of referees during 1935, how many have been granted, and how many have been disallowed.

The number of claims for insurance benefit or unemeployment allowances considered by courts of referees in Great Britain during 1935 was 422,671, of which 115,498 were allowed and 307,173 disallowed. The foregoing figures are exclusive of ( a ) cases considered under the trade dispute disqualification, as to which statistics are not available showing the total number of claims concerned, and ( b ) claims by persons already entitled to benefit, for an increase in the rate of benefit in respect of dependants.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the new employment exchange under construction at Great Harwood will have a larger accommodation than the present one?

The new building as a whole will be larger. The superficial area of the present waiting rooms is greater but much of it is ineffective owing to bad lay-out and other disadvantages.

In view of the fact that the Minister's only criterion for the number of days on which the unemployed have to sign on is the size of the Exchange building, is it not a fact that when this Exchange is in operation the people in Great Harwood will have to sign on more days a week because the building is bigger?

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman is under a misapprehension. It will be a new building specially designed, much superior to the old one, which was a school only occupied part-time.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman remember that he told me himself some time ago that the size of the building was the only criterion?

I think there is a misapprehension there.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of days a week the unemployed are required to sign on at the Exchanges in the following towns, respectively, Blackburn, Burnley, Accrington, Padiham, Clitheroe, and Great Harwood?

The answer is two days a week at the first five Exchanges and three days a week at the last.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see any fairness in that, that in five towns within a few miles of each other the signing-on is two days a week and in the sixth town three days a week, and will he alter this?

The whole question of attendance is being carefully considered by a special committee, and I cannot anticipate its conclusions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman defend that sort of thing?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the communication addressed to him by the honourable Member for Carmarthen regarding the suggestions put forward recently by Professor Marquand, of Cardiff, for dealing with the special area of South Wales; and whether he will take some action to carry out these suggestions for the amelioration of the conditions in South Wales?

I have received a communication from the hon. Member on this subject, and I have drawn the attention of the Commissioner for Special Areas (England and Wales) to the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that James Lloyd Washington, county Durham, was refused assistance by the officer of the Unemployment Assistance Board and has been compelled to enter the institution under the area public assistance committee, so that he has become a charge upon the local rates although he is an unemployed man; that this man has a wife and child who have been deprived of their allowance from the board; what steps he proposes to take about this matter; and whether he can assure the local authority that there will be no repetition of this kind of incident? Mr. E. BROWN: I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that owing to a change in the circumstances of the household to which James Lloyd belonged his allowance was reduced to the sum payable to his separated wife and that this decision was maintained after he left that household because his action in doing so was not regarded as bona fide. The decision was confirmed by the appeal tribunal. Soon afterwards he applied for admission to a public assistance institution and when he was admitted the allowance in respect of his separated wife was necessarily discontinued by the board in accordance with the requirements of the law. The matter is not one in which I have any authority to intervene, and with regard to the last part of the question I would point out that the board is bound to deal with each case according to its particular circumstances, and therefore it is not possible for me to give any general assurance as to the board's decisions in particular cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public assistance committee have been very seriously disturbed about this case? Is there not something gravely wrong with the law when an agent of the board can take such action as practically compels a man to go into the workhouse?

As the hon. Gentleman knows from correspondence on the matter, it raises a very difficult point of principle affecting the bona fides of applicants, which is one of a number of points now under consideration between the board and myself.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Unemployment Assistance Board in the Mansfield area are making reductions in determinations to the unemployed whose children are being fed by the local education authority; and whether this is being done with his knowledge and approval?

The board's practice in the treatment of school meals is set out in the Appendix to the Memorandum on the Unemployment Assistance Regulations, 1934, presented to Parliament in January, 1935 (Cmd. 4791). The question of these deductions is being considered by the board in connection with the whole problem of the future arrangements for the administration of unemployment assistance.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it ought not to be the board's function to aggravate poverty, but rather to relieve it?

When is a decision likely to be arrived at by the board?

It will not be long now.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Unemployment Assistance Board in the Mansfield area are reducing determinations to unemployed miners who have sons working in the pits who have received the increase in daily wage rates under the recent settlement between the Miners' Federation and the coalowners, and whether this is being done with his knowledge and approval?

Under the Unemployment Assistance Acts and Regulations the resources of the applicant's household must be taken into account in determining his unemployment allowance and it follows, therefore, that where the household income is increased, the allowance may be affected. It is open to any applicant who feels that his case has not been properly dealt with, to exercise his rights of appeal under the Acts.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it unfair to ask the public to pay more for their coal and yet the poverty in miners' houses not be alleviated?

It is a question of the determination of need.

Have any fresh instructions been sent to area officers with regard to the matter, and is it right to take into account retrospective pay?

The only instruction that I know about on that point is that where arrears of wages are paid in a lump sum, the board propose to ignore it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it fair that the Treasury should derive a benefit from a miners' campaign for an improved standard of life?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed at each of the Employment Exchanges in Monmouthshire; the number in receipt of statutory benefit; and the number of applications made to the Unemployment Assistance Board?

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is a shortage of weavers for fine voiles in Blackburn; and whether he will take steps to enable operatives to become proficient without sacrifice of unemployment benefit?

I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend when they are completed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that private companies have either ignored or refused the request of the commissioner for special areas to consider establishing or extending new light industries in special areas; and whether he can state the policy of the Government on this matter?

This point is fully discussed in the recent report of the commissioner for the special areas in England and Wales. As the hon. Member knows, the commissioner, in addition to continuing his efforts generally to attract new industries to the special areas, has in hand the formation of trading estates and makes proposals for special assistance for new industries, with regard to which there is a later question on the Paper addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

If the commissioner cannot give any hope, is it not time that the Government did something in the way of large-scale organisation?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will await the answer to the other question, which is on the same point.

asked the Minister of Labour the circumstances in which a father at Sheffield was prosecuted for not sending his son to a training centre?

If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars identifying the case he has in mind, I will make inquiries and communicate with him.

asked the Minister of Labour how many young persons under 16 years of age have been transferred from the Provinces to the City of London for various kinds of employment since the passing of the 1934 Unemployment Insurance Act; and how many of them have returned to their homes?

I am having this information collected and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

May we have an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that when any boy is transferred from the Provinces to the City of London and work is not obtained for him he will be sent home, and not be compelled to stay in London?

I can assure the House that the utmost care is taken in the aftercare of these boys.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the directors of the housing association operating on the Tyneside; the method of selection of these directors; and state to whom they are collectively and individually responsible?

The Council of Management of the North Eastern Housing Association, Limited, is as follows: Special Areas Fund and to agreements made with local authorities with the consent of the Ministry of Health under the Housing Act, 1935.

Are they in any way responsible to the right hon. Gentleman?

They are a voluntary body carrying out their duties in the manner I have stated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question has relation to the one which I have already asked him, and in reply to which he said that he was going to give an answer?

The hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. I asked him to await an answer to be given by the Chancellor of Exchequer, and not by me.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that road workers in the Western Isles are being paid wages from 6d. an hour to as low as 2d. per hour with deductions for insurance contributions, and that in many cases these people, though willing to work and even to give some of their labour free, are worse off than others on poor relief living at the minimum standard; and whether he will investigate with a view of putting an end to such rates of wages?

I have no information with regard to the road workers to whom the hon. Member refers, but if he will be good enough to let me have such detailed particulars as he possesses, I will go further into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of visits made by trade board inspectors during 1934 to Liverpool firms in the milk trade; and what action was taken where breaches of trade board and Factory Act legislation were discovered?

There were 103 inspections in the Liverpool milk trade by trade board inspectors during 1934. One firm was successfully prosecuted on charges of underpayment and failure to keep adequate records and in other less serious cases statutory requirements were enforced by payment of arrears of wages or other appropriate action. Questions regarding breaches of the Factory Acts should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are frequent complaints of friction in provincial branches of his Department due to alleged excessive supervision; and, if so, whether he will make an inquiry into the causes?

No, Sir. I am not aware that such complaints are frequent, or that there is any ground for them. I would remind the hon. Member that the Departmental Whitley Council provides regular machinery for the discussion of all such matters with representatives of the staff.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Whitley Council performs its duty in a satisfactory manner?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that ex-prison officers R. Burt and W. Lloyd, Oxford, have made statements under the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835, affirming on oath the truth of their statements made relating to the time they saw the prisoner Sullivan in his cell before his escape; and do the declarations relate to the statements for which the officers were supposed to be dismissed on the grounds that the statements were false?

I have seen copies of statutory declarations in which these officers repeat their previous statements. These declarations add nothing to the existing information.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give an assurance that all the evidence against Burt and Lloyd at the inquiry that took place at Oxford Prison was shown to them in accordance with the standing order that governs the principle at stake?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave on 12th December last to questions on this subject by the hon. Member for Islington, West (Mr. Montague).

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Sidney Norton, recently employed at the Great Mountain colliery, Tumble, has been certified as suffering from pneumoconiosis in the third stage; that Norton has worked for the last 14 years on the screens but does not come under the Silicosis Order and will therefore not receive compensation; and will he consider amending the above Order to include men who work in or about the mine?

This case has not, I understand, been before the Medical Board and I have no information in regard to it. The Home Office is not in possession of any evidence that work on the coal screens gives rise to silicosis, but if the hon. Member will send me particulars of the case including the medical certificate, I will consider them and, if necessary, inquire further into the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send officials from his Department to this area in order to make inquiries on the spot?

In the first place, I should be obliged if the hon. Gentleman would let me have the particulars which he has in mind, and then we will see what ought to be done.

Will the Home Secretary give attention to the whole question, as there is great dissatisfaction in all areas that these respiratory diseases are leading to this particular form of disability?

As a matter of fact, I have had the matter very much under my attention in connection with various cases, but I was only aware of this particular matter when I saw the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the case recently decided in the High Court, and, if he is, will he further consider revising the Order?

It was to the Court of Appeal that the decision was referred.

To the House of Lords.

No, not the House of Lords. The matter has recently been before the Home Office and gone into very fully with the representatives of the men.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend the present procedure in the courts so as to provide that all evidence of a shocking or offensive character in cases of alleged murder or other serious felonies shall be taken in camera?

No, Sir. I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to amend the law in the sense suggested. If the hon. Member has in mind the control of newspaper reports, I doubt if legislative restrictions could properly go beyond the provisions on the subject in the Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports) Act, 1926.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the publication of some of the details in those cases has a bad influence upon younger minds?

I think that the hon. Gentleman had better look at the Section in the Judicial Proceedings Act, 1926, which will cover a great deal he has in mind.

Is there not a great difference of opinion as to what shocks or offends particular individuals?

asked the Home Secretary whether records are kept of the number of convictions against motorists for exceeding the speed limit in public parks within the London area?

I am informed that the number of convictions in respect of this offence in the Royal Parks during 1935 was 2,793.

asked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions were instituted during 1935 for exceeding the speed limit; how many convictions were obtained; and how many prosecutions were in respect of drivers with no other occupants of the car?

As regards the first two parts of the question I must ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the Annual Return of offences relating to motor vehicles. No statistics are kept which would enable me to answer the third part.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases under the Workmen's Compensation Acts that have come into the Law Courts during last year or the nearest completed period?

The total number of applications for arbitration made to the county or sheriff courts in 1934—the last period for which the statistics are available—was 5,948. This includes many applications for dealing with allowances already granted and also many cases subsequently settled out of court or otherwise disposed of. For further details I would refer the hon. Member to pages 13 and 14 of the Workmen's Compensation Statistics for 1934, and to the tables on pages 28 to 31.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, when the cases are carried forward, the costs are separated in order to show the actual cost of each case?

I doubt whether the return will give all that detail. Perhaps the hon. Member will look at the return.

I have got it.

Then, I am afraid that I must ask that the question be put on the Paper.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in how many cases the local referee was called in to decide the matter?

Not without notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether the suggested new scales of pay for the prison staffs in England and Wales are approved, and whether they will be extended to the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum staff?

New scales of pay for established prison officers in England and Wales have been approved, and are now being introduced, with effect as from the 1st January last. The chief improvements in the scales are the increase of minimum pay which, in the case of male officers, is raised from 45s. 11d. to 50s. a week, exclusive of' lodging and other allowances, and the provision for maximum pay to be reached in future after twelve, instead of twenty, years' service. The question of a revision of the existing scales of pay of the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum staff is being considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will institute an inquiry, as demanded by the mayor and two other magistrates at Gateshead Police Court on 15th January into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a miner; and whether he will call upon the chief constable for a report on the circumstances of the case?

I have already made inquiry in this case and have had full reports before me. The watch committee, as disciplinary authority for the borough force, have gone fully into the matter and decided that no disciplinary action against the police concerned is called for. I see no reason to disagree with that conclusion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that no representative of London is a member of the recently appointed departmental committee on hours of employment of young persons in unregulated occupations; and whether, seeing that the number of such young persons is probably greater in London than in any other area, he will consider adding to the committee one or two persons fully acquainted with social and industrial conditions in the Metropolis?

The departmental committee to which the hon. Member refers has not been constituted on the basis of territorial representation, and I do not think it would be desirable to add to its number by including representatives of any special part of the country. The committee will no doubt obtain full information as to conditions in London from persons acquainted with that area.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that London with such a very large area has particular local conditions and that it is desirable that someone who really understands them should be added to the committee?

I quite agree with the proposition, but I think the committee will be better served by hearing evidence about these conditions than if a representative were actually appointed to the committee.

Is it not the case that prior to the appointment of this committee the complaint was that the provinces were always neglected?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, in certain cases, young people convicted at juvenile courts have had their linger prints taken; whether this is the general practice; for what purpose this is done; and whether he will take steps to have this practice stopped?

The taking of finger prints is not only of assistance for the detection of crime, but is a most valuable means of correcting mistaken identification and so establishing innocence. Finger prints can only be compulsorily taken when persons are committed to prison, but I understand that in certain cases finger prints are taken, with the individual's consent, while in police custody. I have recently asked the chief officers of police to furnish information as to the arrangements for applying this practice in the case of juveniles.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it advisable that all Members of Parliament should have their finger prints taken?

It seems to me an excellent way of proving their attendance at Divisions.

Can we take it from the reply that the taking of finger prints in future is a sign of innocence?

I do not agree with the view that there is any proof of criminality in taking finger prints. The truth is that in the old days there were many cases of mistaken identification; many people said that they recognised the person and very often were mistaken. Now you can prove whether they are mistaken or not if finger prints have been taken.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the psychological effect on juveniles of taking their finger prints?

asked the Home Secretary how many diplomatic representatives represent Germany in this country; and how many Germans, other than Jews, have been afforded entry to this country in the three years ended December, 1935?

It is not the British practice in dealing with foreign visitors to inquire as to their race or religion and it is not therefore possible to give figures of the number of Germans, other than Jews, admitted to this country. The total number of Germans, comprising for the most part, business and holiday visitors, who were admitted to this country for visits of varying length during the three years ended December, 1935, was approximately 167,000. The first part of the question is for the Foreign Office, but I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary that the answer is that the German Ambassador has a staff of 36 persons of whom 22 are clerks and typists.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the recent case when a coroner and the coroner's jury inquiring into the death of a footballer censured the conduct of a football referee, and in view of other such cases, he will introduce legislation to prevent coroners or their juries expressing any such opinions or taking any action other than to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased?

The recent report of the departmental committee on coroners contains recommendations on the subject matter of my hon. Friend's question, and this report is at present under consideration.

May I ask whether from his unrivalled experience as a lawyer and in his present office, the right hon. Gentleman does not think it is desirable that something should be done so that people are not condemned by a coroner in public in their absence, and also that a coroner's jury should not be allowed to express an opinion when the accused has never been invited to attend the inquiry?

The report of the committee on coroners discusses this matter, and these considerations are fully set out.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a jury was only stopped from giving their verdict by very clever handling on the part of the police; that some of us were there on that occasion, and that before he condemns the coroner will he ask for further evidence?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made at Croydon County Licensing Sessions on 13th February that the ease with which young people obtain intoxicants in clubs after permitted hours constitutes a public scandal calling for immediate legislative action; and whether at an early date the Government will be able to announce any proposals to deal with the matter?

I have seen a Press report of the statement referred to. As regards the question of legislative action, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Kennington (Mr. Harvey) on the 13th of this month.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that Croydon labours under sufficient afflictions to be relieved of this one? Is it not time that action in this matter should be speeded up in view of the fact that the Royal Commission on Clubs reported unanimously four years ago.

I have said that this matter is under serious consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a report from the police relative to the accident to two men who were buried while digging a trench 15 feet deep on the Hill Farm Estate, Cuffley, Essex, on 17th February; whether he is aware that one of the men has since died from his injuries and that the other man is seriously injured; and whether he can give the House any information as to whether the trench was properly timbered and the cause of the accident?

No, Sir; and the police would not in the ordinary course send me reports on accidents of such a kind. I will, however, make inquiry as to this case and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a report from his factory inspector relative to the lift accident to a deaf mute at the premises of a cabinet manufacturer in Charles Square, Shoreditch; whether the safety regulations were fully observed; and what action he intends taking in the matter?

I have received a preliminary report on this accident which occurred last Monday, but it has not yet been possible to ascertain the precise cause. The safeguarding of the hoist is reported to be of a high standard, but the question of further action will ha gone into.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of male and female factory inspectors, respectively; and what increase has taken place since June, 1931?

The authorised strength of the factory inspectorate is 254, as compared with 245 in June, 1931, and an addition of nine is proposed in the forthcoming financial year. There are at present 181 men and 66 woman inspectors and seven vacancies. A competition for new appointments is now being held.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to introduce a new Factory Bill?

Yes, Sir. As was announced by the Prime Minister on 3rd December in the Debate on the Address, the Government hope and purpose to introduce a Bill next Session.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Committee of Civil Research is still in existence; and, if so, who is the chairman, how often it meets, and for what purposes;

(2) whether the Economic Advisory Council is still in existence; if so, whether there have been any changes in its personnel; whether it is ever consulted by His Majesty's Government, how often it meets, and whether it issues any reports?

The Committee of Civil Research was absorbed in the Economic Advisory Council by Treasury Minute dated 27th January, 1930, which was presented to Parliament as Cmd. 3478. The work of the Economic Advisory Council is confidential, but I may say that it is regularly carried on through two main standing committees dealing respectively with economic information and scientific research, and through a number of specialist committees. There were 26 meetings of the two standing committees in 1935. The majority of the reports prepared by the various committees are not published, but a few dealing with special subjects have been issued through the Stationery Office. There have been no recent changes in the personnel of the Council.

Is the right hon. Gentleman considering a further reorganisation of the machinery of government on the economic side at the same time as on the defence side, and does he not think that a permanent economic general staff would be of assistance to the Government in formulating a long-term policy?

At the moment I have as much in the way of reconstruction as I can do.

Is this council the same council which the present Minister of Transport once suggested should receive an important addition?

I have not consulted my right hon. Friend on that point.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that some years ago it was decided by the Cabinet that no Minister of the Crown should be allowed to write articles for the Press, he has given permission, as an exception, for the publication of the articles now appearing in a certain Sunday newspaper under the name of the present Secretary of State for War?

As has already been stated, the decision referred to by the hon. Member did not apply to writings of a scientific or historical character. The articles in question are, I understand, excerpts from a historical work.

In view of the fact that these articles are appearing weekly in a Sunday newspaper and that they show that a Minister is editing them, will it not lead people to think that he is evading the honourable understanding arrived at that Ministers should not contribute articles to the Press?

I cannot help the misunderstandings from which people suffer. The practice has been quite clear for many years, and has been observed. As regards the papers in which these excerpts appeared, I am afraid that I cannot offer any opinion because I have not seen them myself.

Are we to take it that Cabinet Ministers in future will be allowed to do this sort of thing in spite of the honourable understanding?

The hon. Member is really quite in error. If he would be good enough to look back to-the previous answers which have been given—I will gladly give him the reference—he will find that excerpts from scientific and historical works have always been excepted. What has been against the rule, and stated plainly, are what may be described as ordinary journalistic articles. Questions have been asked from time to time during the past 10 years on. this matter, and the hon. Member will find that what I am saying to-day is completely in line with those answers,, whether they have been given by a Government of my party or by a Government, of his own party.

Does not the right. hon. Gentleman think that the understanding should be observed in the spirit, as well as in the letter?

The understanding is being observed to-day exactly as it has ever since the first statement was made in this House.

Who is to decide the question whether the article comes within the historical or political sphere?

asked the Prime Minister what duties are being discharged by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in addition to those directly appertaining to the office?

In addition to the duties and functions of his office, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is chairman of the inter-departmental committee which is investigating the measures necessary to accelerate the revision of ordnance survey maps and other kindred matters.

Does the Prime Minister seriously suggest that that, together with the nominal duties of the Chancellor of the Duchy, is a reasonable-return to the public for the substantial salary paid to the holder of the office?

If the public paid the salary to the Minister, I would be glad to answer that question, but the right hon. Gentleman knows that the public do not pay it. The Chancellor of the Duchy is paid out of the revenues of the Duchy. It may be that when the right hon. Gentleman was a Member of a Government he regarded the duties of the Chancellor as nominal. As a matter of fact, it is an office to which a Minister can devote a great deal of time or to which he can devote none. He is the administrative head of very large estates with properties in all parts of the country. The present Minister has devoted a great deal of personal attention to the administration of these estates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement which he has just made, as to the magnitude of the duties attached to this office, is quite contrary to what we understood from a former holder of the office; and can he inform the House whether part of the duties of the Chancellor of the Duchy is to act as liaison officer between the Government and an outside political organisation?

I think the answer I have given is perfectly plain. I wish to make it clear to the House, because there has always been a great deal of misunderstanding on the point, that the salary of this particular office is not subject to Parliamentary control.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider bringing before this House a Motion to amend the Standing Orders of the House by rescinding completely the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)?

No, Sir, not at the present moment.

Are we to understand from that reply that it is the intention of the Prime Minister to continue the present practice of suspending the Eleven o'clock Rule nearly every day on which Government business is put down; and will he not give the House a chance of discussing that action?

The hon. Member may have it within his recollection that at this time of the Session the suspension of the Eleven o'clock Rule is generally not of infrequent occurrence, because there is a lot of necessary business which has to be got through before Easter. If he refreshes his memory he will find that when his Government were in office, he voted regularly for the suspension of the Rule, night after night, when, I may add, I opposed it.

If the Prime Minister opposed it when Labour was in office, why does he not continue to oppose it now?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the publication in the Press, on 17th February, of a report which purports to give the contents of the White Paper to be issued with regard to naval development; whether inquiries are being made into the source of this apparent leakage of confidential information; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?

I have no reason to believe that any of the reports to which my attention has been drawn have been based upon anything but conjecture.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the publication in the "Sheffield Daily Telegraph" on Monday?

Yes.

Does the right hon. Gentleman seriously think that that could be based on anything else but the revelation of private information?

I have looked at it carefully—and I have had a great deal of experience in looking at articles in the Press which have been based on intelligent anticipation—and I see nothing whatever in that article to lead me to believe that it could not have been compiled by an intelligent journalist, with such knowledge as would naturally have been in his possession.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is a feeling of some suspicion on these matters which is strengthened by the kind of publication that appeared this morning regarding the Departmental Committee on Sanc- tions; and will he not do something to prevent this kind of leakage of information which ought first to be supplied to Members of the House of Commons?

Will the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Home Secretary to the leakage of other confidential reports which appear in the foreign Press; and could not the Home Office in conjunction with the Post Office exercise a closer control of telegrams and letters to the foreign Press?

The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Hills-borough (Mr. Alexander) has, of course, been a Member of a Government and he knows as well as I do how occasions do arise in which anxiety is caused to the Members of a Government by what are, obviously, leakages. In this particular case, I have examined the articles and, speaking with some experience, I say that I do not believe that the question of leakage arises. There is nothing in any of these articles that I could not have written myself with the knowledge that I should have possessed, had I had the position and, may I add, the intelligence of the ordinary journalist.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the widespread opinion that some form of co-ordination of the fighting services is essential in order to determine what is the proper function of each of those services, he will place no long-range rearmament Estimates before the House until after a co-ordinating authority has been set up and has considered the matter;

(2) whether in view of the grave doubts expressed in many quarters, expert as well as lay, as to the value of the big battleship, he will defer embarking upon any programme of construction of such ships until after their functions have been investigated by an impartial committee?

The programme which will be presented to the House shortly will be a co-ordinated programme in which the proper functions of the three services have been fully taken into account. But, as my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, any long-range programme must be flexible and subject to continuous review and modification as circumstances may require.

What is the co-ordinating authority by which these inquiries will be taken in hand?

If the hon. and gallant Member will be good enough to wait until the Debate, I think we can make that clear.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the record levels which aircraft, iron, and steel shares have reached coincidently with the Government's examination of re-armament, he will institute some system of costings control, so that the heavy burden which rearmament will lay upon the nation may not afford an opportunity for the making of excessive profits?

Provision is already made for the inclusion of a costings clause in the contracts for aircraft and engines placed in connection with the expansion of the Royal Air Force, and similarly appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that excessive profits are not made in the orders that will be placed to make good deficiencies in the other defence services.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the share market, indicates that excessive profits are already being made, and that excessive profits are anticipated in the future?

I am afraid that, great as the power of the Government is, we cannot control speculators.

Have the Government taken any steps to inform the average investors of the likelihood that they will lose their money owing to the failure of the Government to prevent profiteering?

I should never venture to give advice to a speculator and, if I did so, I am afraid it would be no good.

Is it not the case that the alteration in the value of the shares, makes no difference in the costings?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the provision of pensions for supplementary teachers on their retirement?

The question of the admission of supplementary teachers to the benefits of the Teachers (Superannuation) Acts, which are of national scope and apply to the majority of teachers in schools aided with grant by the Board, was fully considered both in 1918 and 1925 during the passage through Parliament of the Acts of those: years, and I do not see my way to introducing legislation to make the provision my hon. Friend desires. The question of admission of supplementary teachers to the benefits of the superannuation schemes conducted by the local education authorities employing them is one for the local education authorities concerned. I believe that a number of authorities have admitted such teachers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Board makes grants in respect of superannuation contributions paid by the local education authorities?

That is another matter.