asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any records of the number of occasions during the last five years, ending on the nearest convenient date, on which Employment Exchanges have declined, in answer to employers' applications, to send employable children for possible employment on account of the unsuitability of the employment offered, or on account of poor working conditions prevailing where the work offered was carried on, or on account of low wage; and, if so, will he give the figures?

No records are kept of the number of such cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the London Regional Advisory Council for 1935, in which attention was drawn to the facts that at the end of September last 9,300 vacancies were known to exist and that only 6,480 juveniles were then available, but that numbers in the eastern area were unable to take jobs elsewhere on account of the high cost of travelling; and whether he can state what action he proposes to take to deal with this difficulty?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 26th March to the hon. Member for Finchley (Mr. Crowder) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give an assurance to the House that in no circumstances will action be taken for the purpose of making it a condition for the receipt of benefit that all persons who are eligible for enlistment for the Army or Navy shall be refused benefit unless they enlist?

Yes, Sir, so far as the present Government are concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the current report that a committee has been set up in his Department to consult with the War Office in this matter, and is there any truth in that report?

Not concerning this matter. I have already given an answer about the matter of posters, if that is the concern of the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in the county of Durham in receipt of unemployment benefit, and those in receipt of assistance from the Unemployment Assistance Board, at the latest available date?

At 27th April, 1936, there were 31,692 insured persons with claims admitted for unemployment benefit, and 67,379 with applications authorised for unemployment allowances, on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the county of Durham (including the county boroughs).

asked the Minister of Labour the number of individual and household removals of unemployed persons and their families arranged by the Ministry of Labour or the Commis- sioner for the distressed areas from the county of Durham to other areas during 1933, 1934, 1935, and up to the latest available date for 1936?

As the reply contains a, number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that casual labourers at the London docks who are unemployed have to get their insurance cards stamped twice a day at the riverside huts; whether he is aware that, in making this double journey, some men have to walk seven or eight miles daily; and whether he will consider an alteration of the regulations at present in force?

This question is at present being examined by the National Joint Council for Dock Labour, and I must await its conclusions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long this council is likely to be considering this matter?

I am not able to give an answer yet. The hon. Member and the House know that this is a very difficult and complicated matter.

It is a very urgent matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the question of including private gardeners within the scheme of unemployment insurance is now being considered by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee; and what opportunity Members of this House will have of expressing their views?

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in connection with the proposal to insure private gardeners against unemployment; and what arrangements are contemplated for obtaining evidence on the subject?

As required by Section 14 of the Unemployment Insurance (Agriculture) Act, I have referred the question of the inclusion of private gardeners in the Unemployment Insurance scheme to the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee. The committee have published notice of their intention to inquire into it, and of their readiness to receive representations from persons interested in the matter. I understand that the committee are arranging to hear evidence shortly. I would suggest that any Member who wishes to place his views before the committee should comunicate with the secretary of the committee at the Ministry of Labour, Montagu House.

When the committee are ready to receive evidence, will notice of the fact be given in the country districts?

We shall do our best to make it known, and the chairman of the committee recently gave an explanation over the wireless.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements have been made with the Liverpool Employment Exchanges whereby a trainee on completion of four years' service can mutually agree with his employer upon terms of wages to be paid; and whether this arrangement is working satisfactorily?

asked the Minister of Labour the reasons for the issue of special instructions to the manager of the Liverpool Employment Exchange by the north-western divisional controller, having for their object special efforts to secure trainees in an extended range of employments on the understanding that such trainees will be assisted in finding employment, at wages to be settled between the employer and the trainee, regardless of prevailing trade union rates and conditions?

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is upon his instructions or authority that the Liverpool Employment Exchange are now extending the system of training to a number of occupations, including the distributive trades, guaranteeing to find the trainees work when training is completed, the wages and conditions to be negotiated between the trainee and the employer?

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is in accordance with his instructions that the divisional controller in the north-western area has authorised the Liverpool manager to proceed with the enrolment of trainees in all manner of trades; and when these men finish their training at approximately 80 per cent. of efficiency, as compared to fully-trained craftsmen, what arrangements will be made to place them in industry with due regard to established trade union agreements?

The instructions to which the hon. Members refer arise from the decision to extend to unemployed men in the Merseyside area the opportunities for obtaining training in a Government training centre. In view of the continuance of heavy unemployment in this area, I decided that such opportunities should no longer be withheld from these men. The arrangements are the same as those which have applied in other areas for a good many years, and, I may mention, do not include the distributive trades. They will, I hope, have the result of giving to some unemployed men from the Merseyside an opportunity to gain a footing in some occupations in which there is an expanding demand for labour. I might add that since the end of February last, when training facilities were first extended to Merseyside, over 500 men from that area have availed themselves of the opportunity for training thus afforded them.

Do I gather that this is not a question of dilution to jeopardise the position of trade unionists in these occupations?

Certainly not, Sir. This is an attempt to put peroration into practice and to provide work for the workless.

Can the Minister inform the House what trades require the bringing about of an expanding demand for skilled operatives?

If the hon. Gentleman will put that question down, I will gladly give him a long list.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that, as far as possible, the scheme is made voluntary, and not a primary condition for benefit?

That is a misapprehension. The thing is entirely voluntary. I have no means whatever of compelling them to go to training centres. The opportunity is there; it is a very fine opportunity. They get the aptitude they have not had before, and, therefore, a finer chance to get work, and we intend to do all that we can to help them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that these trainees are not used in order to reduce the standard of life of skilled men?

I am certainly fully prepared to discuss with hon. Members any question they may have in mind concerning conditions at any time.

Will the Minister give us the assurance that these trainees will not go into the expanding industry of mining?

The answer to that question is, that I only wish the mining industry were expanding.

Will the Minister give his attention to the answer which he has given in relation to the complaint made in reference to Briggs Bodies, Limited, of Dagenham?

The hon. Member has drawn attention to that matter, and I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour what would be the estimated saving to the Unemployment Fund of taking off the recipients equal in number to the present workers in industry who are 60 years and over?

The number of insured workers in industry aged 60 to 65 is estimated to be about 450,000. The average amount of unemployment benefit paid to the same number of adult recipients is about £25,000,000. The hon. Member no doubt appreciates, however, that the group of workers aged 60 and over are not interchangeable industrially with the same number of adult persons irrespective of age.

asked the Minister of Labour the reason why Mr. George Blackett, residing at Haswell Colliery, county Durham, has suffered a reduction of 1s. per week in his unemployment allowance; whether it is due to the recent increase of 3d. a day in the wages of his son who is aged 16; and whether he is aware that this boy is the only person in the family who is employed and earns on the average 12s. 9d. per week, and that there are six children in the family under the age of 14?

I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that they are making inquiries. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as the result is known.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite the inquiry?

I will do my best.

asked the Minister of Labour why three men were sent on 23rd March through the White-haven Employment Exchange for employment at the Sherwood Colliery, near Mansfield, and were not allowed to commence work until nine days after their arrival in Mansfield; and what was the additional cost incurred by the non-employment of these men?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will be in a position to give a report on the negotiations he is having with the employers on the curtailment of overtime before the House rises for Whitsuntide?

The discussions which my predecessor and I have had with the representatives of various industries were on the general subject of the absorption of more workpeople into employment and their object was mainly to stimulate active consideration within the industries of the various questions which arise. Among these is the possibility of increasing the number of persons in employment by reducing hours of work and by restricting overtime. Last week I met representatives of the distributive trades, this morning I met representatives of the catering trade and this afternoon I am meeting both employers' and trade union representatives in the cotton industry. I am assured that the effect of the discussions has been to cause closer attention to be given to these questions, but I am not at present in a position to make a report which would add materially to the information which I have already given to the House.

If I put a question down after Whitsuntide will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a statement?

I cannot say, but if a subsequent question is put down I will try to bring the information up to date by way of a general report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the declaration widely signed by Members of Parliament, doctors, teachers, etc., and sent to him urging the abolition of the means test; and whether he is prepared to accede to this request?

The reply to the first part of the question is "Yes, Sir," and to the second is "No, Sir."

Is the Department not prepared to take into account the unnecessary suffering already imposed as a consequence of the means test, and end this crime against the masses of the people in this country?

Are we to take it from the Minister's very categorical reply that the Regulations are now in their final form?

(for Mr. LUNN) asked the Minister of Labour if he will make inquiries as to whether any form of means test is being applied at Employment Exchanges in Yorkshire to recipients of statutory unemployment benefit; and will he inform the House at what exchanges these questions into household means have been asked and applied?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that resentment is felt owing to the fact that officials at the Employment Exchanges in the Ripley and Alfreton districts in Derbyshire, when new applications for statutory benefit are being made, put questions to married men with dependants regarding the amount they allow their wives for household expenses and how much they keep for themselves and afterwards spend on drink and tobacco, etc.; has any new regulation been issued to justify any such questions; and will he put a stop to such practices?

No form of means test is applied to claimants for unemployment benefit. If, however, there is a claim for dependants' benefit, the claimant is in certain circumstances required by the Unemployment Insurance Act to show that the dependant is wholly or mainly maintained by him. To enable him to do this, certain questions are put to him about the amounts contributed by himself and other members of his family to the support of the dependants.

Does the Minister not know that, as far as a great crowd of Yorkshire miners who are working part-time are concerned, when they approach the end of their 156 statutory pay days the officers are making inquiries as to their income and everything else, before there is any application whatever for public assistance?

This is a question connected with benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make it clear when he attends the 1936 session of the International Labour Conference that the British Government favour the reduction of hours of work together with the maintenance of wages, and will collaborate actively in bringing about the conclusion of draft convention:, to apply the principle of the 40-hour week to individual industries?

I think that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the proposals to be discussed at the coming International Labour Conference. The subject on the agenda is the application to certain industries of the principle of the general Forty-Hour Week Draft Convention adopted at the last Conference. As was pointed out in the statement sent by His Majesty's Government to the International Labour Office, this general Convention does not provide any safeguard against the reduction of earnings consequent upon the reduction of hours. Draft Conventions, therefore, applying the general Convention to individual industries would not provide for the reduction of hours of work together with the maintenance of wages.

Would it not be within the province of the delegates to insert a Clause in the Convention to protect wages?

No, that was refused last year, when the Convention was adopted. This phrase was voted on and accepted:

"The principle of the 40-hour week shall be applied in such a manner that the standard of living is not reduced."

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether they will be able to maintain output even if they reduce the hours?

All these things, of course, are considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the statement by the Commissioner of Police in the Metropolitan Area that the police are bound to continue to secure evidence against suspected clubs by themselves drinking and gambling until they have seen and heard enough to justify an application for a search warrant; and whether he will take steps to end this practice by introducing into his promised clubs legislation a provision giving the police the right of entry into all clubs under proper safeguards?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in framing his clubs legislation to be introduced next year, he will take into account the recommendation of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in his annual report that all clubs should be registered and the police given the right of entry?

I intend to take all relevant matters into account in this connection.

Can the right hon. Gentleman do anything to mitigate the circumstances in the meantime?

I do not quite understand what the hon. Member means.

The practice that is going on in the meantime is an objectionable one. Is there any action the right hon. Gentleman can take to prevent what is being done now?

I think that the Commissioner of Police must in this matter be allowed discretion. He is only endeavouring to administer the law.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is more gambling done in private houses than there is in these clubs?

I am not myself aware of it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any communications on this subject from the Club and Institute Union, strongly protesting against giving the police the right of entry into clubs, and that most of the clubs affiliated to this union are Radical and Labour clubs?

asked the Home Secretary the names of former Commissioners of the Metropolitan police who have been granted retiring pensions or gratuities and the amounts since the resignation of Sir Edward Henry in 1918, showing the length of appointment in each case?

Of the Commissioners who have left the force since 1918, only Sir William Horwood retired with a pension or gratuity. He was granted a pension of £1,000 a year after 10 years' police service including eight and a half years as commissioner.

asked the Home Secretary whether the recruiting for short-term service men for the Metropolitan police is satisfactory; how far the numbers recruited compare with original estimates; what, number of these men since joining for 10 years' service have been dismissed or discharged the service; what number have applied to join other forces where the 10 years plan does not operate; and how many of such applications were granted or refused?

Yes, Sir; the numbers recruited are well up to requirements. Four short service constables have been required to resign and the services of four others have been dispensed with as not likely to become efficient constables. Eighty-seven of them have made applications to join other forces, and of these 30 have secured appointments. In three cases permission to make a further application has -been refused where an earlier application had proved unsuccessful.

asked the Home Secretary what action he intends to take to re-move the growing dissatisfaction among the younger members of the Metropolitan police that they are debarred from promotion to higher rank than inspector by the procedure governing the Police College?

I am not aware of any such dissatisfaction.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that previous to the formation of the Police College men joining the police force were promised that they would be allowed to obtain by promotion the rank of superintendent?

The actual situation is this. Any Member of the Force who is under 26 years of age, or in exceptional cases is under 28, can apply to be considered for the Police College, and all men who cannot otherwise rise above the rank of inspector are told before joining the police force of the position governing their entry.

Does that apply to men who joined the Force before the Police College was instituted?

asked the Home Secretary particulars of the number of charges and summonses in respect of alleged motoring offences dealt with by the Vine Street sub-division for the. three months ended 31st March, 1935 and 1936, respectively; and, if there is an increase, whether he will state the cause?

I am informed that the number of persons charged or summoned in respect of motor vehicles offences in the Vine Street Sub-Divisional area in the three months ended 31st March, 1936, was 2,843, and that the number in the corresponding period of 1935 was 1,679. The increase this year was due almost entirely to cases of obstruction, lighting and parking-place offences and offences relating to loitering by cab drivers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very widespread opinion, that the police in this section are being urged by those in control to concentrate upon these minor offences to the detriment of putting in work upon more serious cases?

I certainly am not aware of any such general impression, and if it were the case I take the responsibility of saying that there is no truth in it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a motor driver is liable to be summoned for exceeding the speed limit and also for going too slowly?

asked the Home Secretary whether at any stage of the consideration of the zeal and efficiency of a member of the Metropolitan police in respect of long-service increments there is considered the number of arrests, summonses, and cautions made by each officer?

No, Sir. A constable's promotion and remuneration in this country do not depend on multiplying arrests, summonses, or cautions at all.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases in the Metropolitan police in which the long-service increments due to police at 17 and 22 years' service, respectively, have been withheld during the past two years, and the number withdrawn on grounds of alleged lack of zeal in the performance of duty?

During the two years ending on 30th ultimo about 1,100 cases were considered for the grant of a long-service increment and the increment was withheld in 58 cases. In the same period 14 such increments were withdrawn on grounds of lack of zeal and efficiency.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is yet in a position to introduce legislation for the prevention of injury and death due to the numerous everyday articles, particularly toys on sale made of celluloid or other highly inflammable substance, which are purchased mostly by a public ignorant of the danger incurred?

I am afraid that this is a matter which it would be most difficult to deal with by legislation.

asked the Home Secretary what action he is taking to ensure that adequate supplies of bleaching powder would be available for decontamination purposes in the event of a widespread attack upon the civil population by means of mustard gas and lewisite?

Estimates of possible requirements are being prepared, and the Government hope shortly to examine with the manufacturers of the commodity how best the necessary stocks can be accumulated and maintained.

asked the Home Secretary how much of the £4,807,645 referred to in Cmd. 5077, page 7, paid to insurance companies as premiums under the Workmen's Compensation Acts and the Employers' Liability Act, 1880, goes to injured workers and the dependants of workers killed in industry?

I am unable to add anything to the particulars given in the statistics mentioned by the hon. Member except as regards the amount of the legal and medical expenses incurred in connection with the settlement of claims. Precise information is not available, but I understand that for the members of the Accident Offices' Association, which includes most of the larger companies, these expenses are estimated at 4¼ per cent. of the premium income.

asked the Home Secretary on what grounds Warder J. Jelly, of Wandsworth Prison, was refused permission to give a blood transfusion in a serious case at St. James's Hospital, Wandsworth; whether he is aware that Warder Jelly afterwards made arrangements to give the blood transfusion in his own time; and whether he can state the reasons why the warder in question has suffered a reduction in rank?

This officer has asked for an interview with the Prison Commissioners, which will be granted in due course. I should therefore prefer not to make any statement on the matter today, and perhaps the hon. Member would be good enough to repeat his question in a week's time.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the disclosure of the recent activities of Colonel Lopez against the interests of this country, he proposes to revoke the certificate of naturalisation granted to him?

I made immediate inquiries on hearing the Foreign Secretary's statement on Monday, and I am informed that this man is a British subject by birth. No question of revoking any certificate of naturalisation therefore arises.

In view of the serious position which might have arisen as a result of the accusations that this country was supplying dum-dum bullets and ammunition to Abyssinia, is it not possible to check the activities of this man?

The police will do everything they can in that direction. I need hardly say that they will do their best.

Were inquiries made as to the people who employed this man?

I cannot answer that question, which is entirely different from the question on the Paper, with any assurance without notice, but I think the hon. Member may take it that careful inquiries have been made.

Do the police know where this man is?

asked the Attorney-General whether it is the intention of the Government to prosecute the self-styled Colonel Lopez for high treason?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on Monday, 18th May, to which I have nothing to add.

Is the Attorney-General making any attempt to find out what connection there is between Colonel Lopez and the sabotage which took place at the dockyards; and is there any intention of reinstating the shop stewards who were dismissed without any proof of any kind against them?

If the hon. Member has any information with regard to any connection between the gentleman in question and the events to which he has referred, I shall be glad to receive it.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the report of the Director of Public Prosecutions that the subversive activities of Colonel Lopez do not form a satisfactory basis for a prosecution for an indictable offence, legislation will be introduced with the object of constituting such activities an indictable offence?

I am considering this matter in all its aspects, but am unable at present to make any statement.

In view of the fact that the law is apparently unable to cover a case of this description, and that it is leading to a great deal of uneasiness in the minds of many people, more especially having regard to the cynical comments with which the Italian Press have received the statement of the Foreign Secretary, will the Attorney-General bear these facts in mind?

I have already stated that all aspects of the matter are being considered, and if the hon. Member has any suggestions which he would like to be considered in regard to legislation, I shall certainly consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the relations of Colonel Mezler with officials of the Italian Embassy, he will demand an apology from Signor Mussolini or, alternatively, sever diplomatic relations with the Italian Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on Monday last.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman is being ridiculed in the Italian Government-controlled Press, and is there no limit to the insults we are to receive from this foreign Power?

Will the Under-Secretary ask his right hon. Friend to consider what action would have been taken by the Italian Government in parallel circumstances?

asked the President of the Board of Education how the present average cost of education per child in the elementary schools compares with the cost in 1913?

The average cost to public funds of education per child in elementary schools in 1936 is estimated to be £14 14s. 8d. as compared with £4 15s. 2d. in 1913.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the cost is three and a-half times more to-day?

It is partly due to the increased cost of everything—the increase in teachers' salaries, and partly because to-day in schools we are providing opportunities for technical instruction and physical recreation which were not given before the War.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the decision of the Italian Government to annex the whole of Abyssinia and the consequent menace to our position in Africa and the Near East, the British Government will make it clear in unmistakeable terms that in no circumstances will interference on Italy's part with the existing régimes in Egypt and Palestine be permitted, and that any attempt to do so will be considered an unfriendly act and treated accordingly; and whether, in view of the changed conditions caused by developments in the air, the question of strengthening Britain's Defences in the Suez Canal area will be considered in consultation with the Egyptian Government?

My hon. Friend realises, no doubt, that Egypt and Palestine are in separate categories. So far as Egypt is concerned, His Majestys' Government notified foreign Powers including Italy in March, 1922, that they had decided to terminate the protectorate over Egypt and that they recognised that country as a sovereign independent State. In so notifying the Powers, His Majesty's Government made it clear in unmistakeable terms that they would regard as an unfriendly act any attempt at interference in the affairs of Egypt by any Power and that they would consider any aggression against the territory of Egypt as an act to be repelled with all the means at their command. In these circumstances no further public statement appears necessary. As regards the Suez Canal area, preliminary conversations are at present being held in Cairo with a view to the negotiation of a treaty of alliance between this country and Egypt, and questions connected with the protection of the Canal are being taken into account. His Majesty's Government are responsible for the administration and protection of Palestine in accordance with the terms of the Mandate, and intend to discharge that responsibility to the full.

Are the Dominion Governments being kept in touch with all that is being done in that respect?

I think they are in touch with everything so far as I know.

Does that mean that the Government are prepared to act in the same way as they have done in the recent dispute between Italy and Abyssinia?

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that it is the declared policy of the Government that military sanctions are an essential part of collective security, what steps he is taking to apply these in the case of the dispute between the League of Nations and Italy with regard to Abyssinia and in general?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwood (Mr. Sanders) on 5th May, and to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leeds (Mr. V. Adams) yesterday. To these I have nothing to add.

Will the Prime Minister be good enough to say when the Government are prepared to act on the principle which he recently announced?

The Government are supporters of collective action, not unilateral action.

In view of the fact that in the recent dispute the Government ruled out military sanctions altogether, are we to understand that in the future they would be willing to use them?

I should have thought they had been ruled out up to the present by the League of Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the loss of a British diplomatic bag on the Addis Ababa-Jibuti railway; and whether he is taking any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has seen Press reports on this subject. He is making inquiries, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

In view of the fact that interference with diplomatic communications is a very serious matter, will the Foreign Secretary take action which is commensurate with the seriousness of this question?

I have already said that we are making inquiries.

Will the Noble Lord make sure that this bag was lost and not stolen?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. Bonner, a British ambulance officer, who was being rushed to Aden to be treated for a dangerous complaint, has been arrested by the Italians at Dire Dawa; and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Bonner's life may be endangered by this detention, he will demand the immediate release of this British subject?

His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa has reported that Mr. Bonner left Addis Ababa for Jibuti on 13th May on his way to Aden where he intended to complete a course of treatment against rabies which had been interrupted by the destruction of the serum during the disorders at Addis Ababa. On 15th May he saw, in Dire Dawa, His Majesty's Consul at Harar, whom he informed that he had lost, or been deprived of, a bag containing a sum of money. While Mr. Bonner was making inquiries at Dire Dawa the train had left without him. His Majesty's Consul accompanied Mr. Bonner to the Italian authorities and explained the urgency of his case. On subsequently learning in Harar of Mr. Bonner's reported arrest, His Majesty's Consul again on 19th May made urgent representations to the Italian authorities, who maintained that evidence had been found of Mr. Bonner's employment with the Abyssinian forces. This allegation His Majesty's Consul denied. On 20th May he was informed that Mr. Bonner had disappeared from Dire Dawa on the night of 17th-18th May. His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa has asked His Majesty's Vice-Consul at Jibuti to take steps to ascertain whether Mr. Bonner has reached that place by a later train. As soon as Press reports of Mr. Bonner's arrest reached London, my right hon. Friend telegraphed to His Majesty's Minister al Addis Ababa asking him to ascertain the facts. As a consequence we have received the information which I have just given. From this it will be seen that every effort is being made to ascertain Mr. Bonner's whereabouts, but for the present I have no further information.

While thanking the Noble Lord for that information, I would like to ask him whether, in view of the fact that a British subject's life might be in danger, the Government will pursue the most energetic action to obtain his release, if he is arrested; and what right under any international law have the Italians to arrest a British subject in a neutral friendly State?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are taking and will take the most energetic steps to find out where Mr. Bonner is.

asked the Minister of Health whether the remarks and recommendations in the letter sent to the clerk of the Monmouthshire County Council by the Ministry of Health in August, 1933, have been acted upon; and whether the defects referred to in the report have been remedied?

My Department has been in communication with the county council on this subject for some years past. Although the council's arrangements for the administration of public assistance are still open to criticism in certain. respects, I am glad to say that, according to my latest, information, there has been an improvement during the last few months.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to ensure that public works shall be carried out efficiently and without excessive cost, he will insist that all authorities in South Wales and Monmouthshire shall place such works to public tender?

No, Sir, but in all cases in which my consent to a loan is required, I insist on public tenders if I am satisfied that this course is desirable in the interest of economy and efficiency.

asked the Minister of Health whether his recommendation to the Monmouthshire County Council to establish a sound and continuous control over their finances has been adopted; and whether the county council have accepted the Minister's offer of assistance?

The county council have had consultations with officers of my Department and have adopted some of the suggestions which have been, made to them. As I have already informed my hon. Friend, I am shortly to receive a deputation from the county council.

Will the Minister inquire whether the hon. Member's stockbroking business is as sound, and whether it will stand the same publicity as these bodies?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the floating of a loan, or take other steps, to enable a national housing scheme to be carried out for the provision of adequate housing accommodation for working people at rents of 10s. a week, and bungalows for old people at rents of 5s. a week?

The suggestion of the hon. Member has been considered from time to time in the past. Local authorities are now actively engaged in providing low-rented houses in connection with slum clearance schemes and schemes for the abatement of overcrowding, and are experiencing no difficulty in financing their operations at reasonable rates of interest. I am satisfied that the facilities at present available for the purpose are sufficient.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether nothing could be done for the old people to get houses at cheap rents, as 10s. a week for a man and his wife is too much?

A great deal is being done.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the need for a reduction in the rents of all working-class houses, including the abolition of the increase allowed on the pre-War rents, and introduce legislation amending the present Acts?

The Rent Restriction Acts still have more than two years to run, and I think that at the present date it would be premature to consider what, if any, future action may be required.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his reply? In view of the fact that wages have been reduced since 1925 by 50 per cent., is it not time that rents were also reduced?

That is something else.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Heginbottom v. Watts, laying it down that, as a result of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1933, the onus lies upon the tenant of a dwelling-house to show that the house is still controlled, even though the rateable value of the house is less than £20; and whether he will consider the advisability of amending the law in order to obviate the difficulties that will otherwise arise?

I have seen a report of the case in question. As at present advised I do not consider that any action is called for.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that in many cases this will be an absolutely impossible burden for the tenant to shoulder, since he cannot know the history of a house before he takes it, and does he not appreciate that in a large number of cases this will utterly destroy the protection it was intended to give by the Rent Acts?

Perhaps the hon. Member had better wait and see whether any of the things which he anticipates do happen.

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to wait until the mischief is done before taking any action?

No, but I think we had better have some general view of the position.

asked the Minister of Health whether local authorities will qualify for subsidy under the Overcrowding Act by erecting special houses for old people and using the houses vacated by these persons for housing people for whom accommodation has to be provided as a result of the provisions of the Overcrowding Act?

Exchequer subsidy would be available for houses built in the circumstances indicated by my hon. Friend, if the conditions of the Act are otherwise satisfied. I referred to the desirability of building special houses for old people in a Circular which I issued in October last, and I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey to hon. and right hon. Gentlemen opposite what the National Government have done for the housing of the people?

By way of a poster or something of that sort?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the same privilege to each Member of Parliament by letting them have a copy of the Circular he is sending to the hon. Lady?

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of smallpox have been discovered by the port authorities of London, Liverpool, Bristol, and Cardiff on ships arriving at those ports during the last 20 years?

The information available is being compiled and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the persons, other than dependants, in receipt of poor relief are over the age of 65?

On 1st January, 1936, the proportion of the total number of men and women in receipt of poor relief (excluding rate-aided patients in mental hospitals) who were over 65 years of age was 31 per cent. The figure for men and women, excluding dependent wives, is not available, but the corresponding proportion for men only was 34 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give an estimate of the financial loss to the Treasury, for the three years ended to the last convenient date, owing to default of foreign artistes and cinema stars, working in Great Britain, not paying Income Tax on the amounts to which they were assessable; and whether he will consider taking steps to prevent the escape of the collection of similar amounts in the future?

I regret that no statistics are available on which such an estimate as the hon. Member desires could be based.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider consulting his colleagues in the Government as to the possibility of refusing permits to these artistes to appear in this country until some guarantee is given for the payment of their Income Tax?

No, Sir, I do not propose to adopt that course.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Dominions and the United States, alien artistes cannot leave the country until they have supplied evidence that they have paid their Income Tax.

There is no cross-channel traffic to be considered in in those cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what it would cost to concede to all serving Territorial officers their pay and allowances free of Income Tax?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson) on 17th March last, of which I am sending him a copy, from which he will see that the allowances are not charged to tax and that in the case of pay a deduction is allowed in respect of uniform expenses. I am not in a position to say what is the amount of tax actually received by the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as there are over 700,000 persons engaged in industry to-day over 65 years of age, the Government intend taking any steps to increase the amount of pension under the contributory pensions scheme payable at 65 to such a figure as would permit retirement without dependence on other resources, the receipt of this additional pension to be conditional on retirement from work so as to make room for the employment of younger people?

The answer is in the negative. The figure of 700,000 which the hon. Member quotes includes a large number in managerial positions or working on their own account and a further large number who, though not actually in work, describe themselves in the Census returns under the occupations they formerly followed. The number of persons over 65 now working in employment which is within the general scope of the contributory pensions scheme is about 330,000. The retirement of the main proportion of these workers would not, of course, produce anything like an equivalent number of vacancies for younger workers. It is not possible within the scope of a Parliamentary reply to discuss all the difficulties inherent in such proposals as that in the question. It is perhaps sufficient to state that any reasonably fair scheme capable of removing the main proportion of workers over 65 from the field of employment would cost at least £70,000,000 a year which would have to be raised either by additional taxation or by additional contributions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these people have been in industry for over 50 years and, by hard work, have helped to make this nation what it is to-day, and that they are willing to retire to make room for younger men if they had a guarantee of greater financial security which increased pensions would give?

Perhaps the hon. Member will study my answer, and he will see the difficulties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he contemplates opening negotiations with the Government of the United States of America for a new war debt settlement?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the terms of the Note which was addressed to the United States Government on 10th December last (Command Paper 5042) to which at present I am not able to add anything.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the approximate cost to the State of the Commission appointed to investigate the 1936 Budget leakages?

The expenditure in connection with the Tribunal is expected to amount to a relatively small sum only. It is not possible at this stage to be more precise.

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman give the House any approximate estimate of the cost to the Treasury of preparing answers to the questions asked by the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day)?

I should require two or three days' notice before I could answer that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average monthly amount of commercial credits that have been granted by British subjects to Germany during the past three years; and, in view of the effect that the frozen credits in Germany have on the state of trade in this country, will he make further efforts to put an end to them?

In reply to the first part of the question, I cannot add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member on 23rd March and to the hon. Members for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) and Ardwick (Mr. J. Henderson) on 30th April. Since every sale of British goods on terms of payment other than immediate payment in cash involves the grant of some form of commercial credit, it is in the nature of the case not possible to state the average monthly amount of commercial credits granted to Germany during the past three years. As regards the second part of the question, I am not clear what frozen credits the hon. Member has in mind The standstill credits have of course been in existence for a longer period than the three years which he names. If he has in mind the frozen trade debts which existed prior to the conclusion of the Anglo-German Payments Agreement of 1st November, 1934, the answer is that their liquidation is now practically complete. So far as I am aware, none of the commercial credits granted to Germany during the past three years are now frozen.

Is the Chancellor aware of the very serious statement made by the chairman of the Unilever Company that ships were being built in Germany in order to bring food to this country?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether all the motor vehicles used in the public service and purchased by the Government within the last 12 months have been of British manufacture; and, if not, how many foreign vehicles have been bought?

I understand that all motor vehicles purchased in this country by Government Departments in the past 12 months are of British manufacture. It is believed that purchases abroad may include a very small number of second-hand foreign cars.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to extend the period of operation of the Cattle Industry (Emergency Provisions) Acts beyond 1st November, 1936

Negotiations with oversea supplying countries on the Government's proposals with regard to imports of meat are actively proceeding. Pending their completion, I am not in a position to make a statement as desired.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the decision of the Import Duties Advisory Committee not to recommend an increase in the duty on imported barley, he proposes to introduce any legislation to protect barley growers from the present un-remunerative prices of barley?

No, Sir. I think that it is desirable that a full trial should be given to the new arrangements made by the Import Duties Advisory Committee as explained in the communication published in the Press on 15th May.

If these arrangements made by the Import Duties Advisory Committee do not, within a reasonably short time, bring some prosperity to the barley industry will the right hon. Gentleman see that other measures are taken?

I have said that a full trial is to be given to these arrangements, and I think that also answers my hon. Friend's supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of shelters that have been erected at Kew Gardens; and whether indication of their position in the gardens is given on the plan of the lay-out of the gardens which is exhibited at each entrance?

The reply to the first part of the question is three. The position of all buildings in the gardens is indicated on the key plan which is ex- hibited at the entrance gates and of which copies may be purchased there. I am arranging for the exhibition at the entrance gates also of the index, which is printed on the back of the key plan. I am obliged to the hon. Member for drawing my attention to this matter, since it appears that the index is at present concealed by the method of posting.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the balance of population in Australia is only maintained because of the excess of Southern European immigrants over British emigrants, he proposes to take any steps in conjunction with the Government of Australia to encourage British immigiation?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply on this matter which I gave on 12th May to the hon. Member for Moss-side (Mr. Duckworth).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the amenities of the beach from Buckhaven to West Wemyss, on the Fife coast, are being destroyed by the redd and rubbish which is deposited all along the foreshore from the adjacent pits; and whether he will take steps to put an end to this nuisance?

The Department of Health have received no complaints on this subject. I am, however, having inquiry made as to whether any nuisance falling within the Public Health Acts exists, and will communicate with the hon. Member when I have received a report on the matter.