asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether, in connection with the employment of imported Irish labour in this country, he will consider whether it would be possible to arrange for the return to Ireland of these workers in the event of their losing employment or becoming a charge on the Unemployment Insurance Fund;

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, there is no authority to restrict the entry of British subjects into the United Kingdom. Similarly, there is no provision for deporting British subjects from the United Kingdom, from whatever Dominion they may come and, therefore, it is impracticable under existing legislation to remove persons compulsorily to the Irish Free State. At the same time, in cases where the individual concerned is ready to be repatriated to the Irish Free State, arrangements have been made for this to be done.

Has my right hon. Friend prepared any estimate of the cost to this country of the Irish Free State problem in this matter?

I have no figures to give, but the question of the extent of Irish Free State migration into this country is under examination with a view to ascertaining the facts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in which country the bulk of these men are employed, and how is that labour distributed?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour the sources of recruitment for the Bridgend munitions factory; and whether any instruction is issued which debars unemployed persons from Maesteg, Aberkenfig, Pontycymmer, and Ogmore Vale Employment Exchanges?

Preparatory work only is at present being carried out by local contractors to the Office of Works and by the Great Western Railway which employs about 100 men who, with the exception of five permanent employes of the railway company, were engaged from the register of the Employment Exchange at Bridgend. When the building contracts are in operation, vacancies notified to the Bridgend Employment Exchange will be brought to the notice of suitably qualified men locally, or, as necessary, in neighbouring areas, including those mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will stipulate in all contracts that, except for technicians, local labour must be engaged at the preparatory or constructional work at the Bridgend munitions factory?

No, Sir, it is not considered to be in the public interest to include such a condition in contracts. It is, however, the practice of my Department to press contractors to make the utmost use of the employment exchange service in the engagement of both skilled and unskilled labour.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that in the Special Areas in particular, conditions of this kind ought to be inserted in every contract?

In future notification to the exchanges of any vacancies will be made a contractual obligation.

If it is to be incumbent upon contractors to obtain labour from the employment exchanges, will it also be incumbent upon the unemployed to take the employment that is offered?

Since the Minister of Labour, in announcing the Government's programme for the depressed areas to the House, mentioned this and other works, will not the programme be completely negated unless some clause of this sort is put in every contract?

No, I do not think so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that taximeter-cab drivers in training, learning London, are refused benefit at the Employment Exchange, Basing Road, Peckham; and will he take steps to advise the manager that payments should be given in such circumstances?

I have just received a note from the hon. Member which will, I think, enable me to identify the case he has in mind, and I am making inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps his Department are taking to encourage suitable systems for training boys for skilled trades?

The training of boys for skilled trades is primarily a matter for the industry concerned, but my Department are always ready to co-operate. I may add that in discussions with representatives of certain industries, special attention has been drawn in appropriate cases to the need for reviewing the conditions of recruitment and training of young persons for skilled trades.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider consulting the Board of Education to see whether something can be done for the benefit of these boys leaving school?

We are in constant contact with the Board of Education in respect of juvenile employment.

Would it not be an advantage if some of these boys were allowed to come into these firms, instead of having these restrictions which only allow so many boys to enter skilled trades?

That is a matter for the trades concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet approved, or has under his consideration, any schemes for the alleviation of unemployment in Lancashire, particularly in Liverpool, Westhoughton and Skelmersdale?

I presume that the hon. Member has in mind the provisions of the Special Areas Amendment Act, 1937, for affording assistance to certain areas outside the Special Areas. No formal representations have yet been received by me that I should direct that Section 5 of that Act should be applied to any of the areas referred to by the hon. Member.

Does that mean that neither the Minister's own Department nor the local authorities concerned have applied to take steps whereby such companies may be set up?

I have said that no formal representations have been made, but I believe that in Lancashire a good deal of work is being done.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Lilian Ellen Buxton was recently found employment with Marks and Spencer, Bridlington, by the Doncaster Employment Exchange; that the manager of the firm was unaware of her appointment; that provision for lodging had not been made and that her unemployment benefit has now been disallowed; and whether he will make thorough inquiry into the case?

I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will take steps to insert provisions in agreements for work for the Defence Departments whereby private firms would be compelled to engage labour, especially unskilled, through employment exchanges, more particularly exchanges where unemployment is heavy, within reasonable distance of the job?

I have been asked to reply. While it is, of course, the desire of the Government that the fullest use of the employment exchanges should be made by Government contractors, my right hon. Friend is advised that there are considerable practical difficulties in the way of the precise suggestion for compulsory engagement of labour made by the hon. Gentleman. He will, however, be glad to learn that it has recently been decided to make into a contractual obligation the notification of vacancies to the exchanges which was previously appended to contracts only as a recommendation.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman convey to his right hon. Friend the information that some of these Government contractors are actually advertising in Irish newspapers in Ireland for labour that they could get on the spot in this country?

I will call my right hon. Friend's attention to that.

Arising out of the original reply, what are the practical difficulties to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman referred?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of unemployed persons in Glasgow defined as seasonal workers for the year 1936.

The unemployment statistics compiled by my Department do not distinguish separately persons classified as seasonal workers. During the year 1936, 223 claims to benefit made at employment exchanges in the large burgh of Glasgow were considered by courts of referees under the Anomalies (Seasonal Workers) Order. Of these 48 were allowed and 175 were disallowed. These figures may include some cases in which the claimants concerned resided outside Glasgow.

Is the Minister aware that Glasgow being near certain coast resorts, these people are forced to take seasonal employment because of the lack of permanent employment in the city itself; and will he undertake at least to give defined seasonal workers in Glasgow more consideration that they have received up to the present?

The hon. Member has overlooked the fact that recently I passed an Order which alleviated some of these conditions.

Is the Minister aware that there are still many seasonal workers in Glasgow who have taken seasonal employment only because of the lack of permanent employment in Glasgow?

asked the Minister of Labour if he can see his way clear to reduce the percentage of five, normally required to qualify firms for the King's National Roll, as this figure was fixed in 1926 and owing to deaths since that date the numbers of disabled ex-service men have been considerably reduced, and this percentage of suitable men is hard to obtain.

The employment of disabled ex-service men to the extent of not less than 5 per cent. of total staff has been the normal basis of enrolment on the King's National Roll since the scheme was inaugurated in 1919, but enrolment is allowed on other bases in certain trades and the local committees which administer the scheme have a general discretion to effect enrolments on reduced bases in appropriate cases. A comprehensive report presented to the King's Roll National Council in December, 1935, showed that the overall percentage of disabled ex-service men employed by members of the Roll was 4.9 and that local committees had found it necessary to accept reduced quotas from only about 6 per cent. of enrolled firms. In the light of this information, the Council took the view that the normal qualifying basis of 5 per cent. should remain unchanged, but that local committees should be advised of the Council's desire that they should exercise freely their discretion to accept a lower percentage where the circumstances so warrant. The Council confirmed this view at their meeting on 3rd May last, and I do not see sufficient reason for dissenting from their recommendation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Commissioner for the Special Areas will advance grants-in-aid to local authorities to provide alternative accommodation for persons whose houses are demolished by mining subsidence?

If the hon. Member will give me particulars of the type of case which he has in mind, I will bring the matter to the notice of the Commissioner for his consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that housing schemes in Kirkcaldy and building schemes in Falkirk and elsewhere are being held up because of a dispute between joiners and plasterers on the question of fixing plaster-boards; and whether he is now in a position to state when the industrial court to inquire into this dispute is likely to start its work?

I am aware of the position at Kirkcaldy and elsewhere. The Court of Inquiry which I recently set up to inquire into the dispute in connection with the fixing of certain patent boards opened its inquiry in Edinburgh this morning.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to make any statement about the negotiations with the building industry regarding the possibility of increasing the available supply of labour?

I understand that the negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily, and I hope to be in a position to make a more definite statement in about a fortnight's time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of previously registered unemployed who are now on Poor Law relief in Glasgow?

The total number of able-bodied unemployed persons in receipt of poor relief in Glasgow on 15th May, 1937, was 3,495 with 4,646 dependants.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider co-operating with the Minister of Labour in order in future to issue Poor Law relief figures along with the Ministry of Labour's reports on unemployment, so that we can understand the true position of unemployment in Glasgow?

I think there is a very general understanding of the true position of unemployment in Glasgow.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why there are so many able-bodied unemployed receiving poor relief in view of the fact that the Unemployment Assistance Board is now responsible for the able-bodied unemployed?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any statement to make in respect to Government grants for schemes of air raid precautions?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of local authorities are reluctant to incur expenditure on works in connection with air raid precautions until the Government have indicated the amount of grant to be paid; and can he state when the Government will inform the local authorities of the amount of grant to be paid?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave to a number of questions on this subject on 8th April.

asked the Home Secretary how the issue of gas-masks to the public is to be effected; whether these will be stored in all towns; and how, in a case of emergency, access to such stores will be arranged?

The detailed arrangements for the issue of gas masks to the public in the event of an emergency are not yet complete, but it can be stated that the respirators will be stored in all towns or districts likely to be subjected to attack from the air, and will be distributed from the store to the individuals at their homes.

Can my hon. Friend say how many of these respirators or gas masks are now available?

Approximately 8,000,000.

Will these gas masks be available for those who live in the slums to use every day?

They will be issued free of charge by the Government to all in need in the event of an emergency.

Who is to decide whether a town may or may not be involved in air raids?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the alteration of a sentence by the acting Recorder at Birmingham Quarter Sessions, on 3rd May, 1937, at the request of the prisoner, Martin Abel; and what additional cost is involved and upon what funds by the additional term of one year's penal servitude?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The additional cost is estimated to be about £30, which will fall on the Vote for Prisons.

Are there no steps that the Home Office can take to prevent His Majesty's prisons being made a convenience in this Gilbertian manner?

No, Sir I would not admit the assumption contained in "that question. I think that, if the hon. Member will allow me to explain the particular case to him, he will see that there was a reason for this rather exceptional treatment.

In view of the fact that the statements implied in my question were confirmed in several newspapers, is it not desirable that the right hon. Gentleman should give the full facts to the House now?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now announce the constitution of the committee it is proposed to set up for the purpose of considering the administration of the Cinematograph Act, 1909?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I contemplate that the Committee shall consist of three representatives of the London County Council, four representatives of the County Councils' Association, four representatives of the Association of Municipal Corporations, four representatives of Scottish Local Government Associations, two representatives of Justices, one representative each of the Home Office and the Scottish Office, and two or three representatives of the general public, together with an independent Chairman appointed jointly by my right hon. Friend and myself. The necessary steps for the selection of these representatives will be taken forthwith.

Will these names be published?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what will be the total number?

Perhaps the hon. Member will add them up when he sees them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The right hon. Gentleman said that the names will be published. Can he say when?

I cannot say. I do not think there will be any delay. At the moment we are trying to obtain the services of a chairman. As soon as we have a good chairman, there will be no delay in publishing the names.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the order issued by the chief magistrate at Bow Street Police Court that, in future, occupations and addresses of defendants before the court must not be reported unless they are disclosed in court; and whether, in view of the injustice which may be caused by the non-publication of addresses and occupations in many cases through similarity of names between innocent and offending persons, he will consider whether there is any action he can take in the matter?

I have made inquiries about this matter, and I think there may have been some misapprehension as to the position. The Metropolitan Magistrates are anxious not to hamper in any way the legitimate reporting of particulars showing the identity of persons charged in the courts; and in order to assist the Press representatives it is their practice to allow them to see the charge sheets so that they may be able to report accurately the names and other particulars mentioned in the course of the public proceedings in court. The charge sheets, however, are not public documents. They are documents prepared by the police and may contain items of information which ought not to be made public. Accordingly, the magistrates have only felt justified in allowing the Press representatives to see these documents on the understanding that they do not use them for the purpose of supplementing the information given in the courts at the public hearing. This has always been the condition on which the privilege of access to these documents has been granted. If compliance with this condition causes any practical difficulties to the Press in reporting such particulars as are necessary for the identification of defendants, I should be glad to arrange a conference with Press representatives for the purpose of examining in detail the nature of those difficulties.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now name the date of the Government's promised legislation to deal with clubs?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Mr. Rostron Duckworth) on 29th April, to which I am not at present in a position to add anything.

asked the Home Secretary the financial position of the Metropolitan Police Orphanage and the estimated annual income?

With the hon. Member's permission I will send him a copy of the annual report of the Orphanage when it is published shortly: it contains the statement of accounts for the year to 31st December last. The future annual income is estimated at about £26,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Charity Commissioners have been consulted in connection with the proposed sale of the Metropolitan Police Orphanage; whether the sale has been completed; what is the number of resident children affected; and whether suitable leaving outfit was provided?

Yes, Sir: the Charity Commissioners have been consulted, but the sale has not yet been completed. Sixty-eight children will be in residence at the date of closing, and each will be given the usual leaving outfit.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give consideration to the need for a national housing scheme, to be carried out in co-operation with the local authorities, and to include standard houses to be let at rents within the means of the lower-paid wage earners?

Local authorities will be fully occupied during the next year or two in building houses to replace unfit dwellings and to provide the additional accommodation necessary for the abatement of overcrowding, and I do not think there would be any advantage in adopting the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these steps which the local authorities are taking will not deal with the situation adequately? Will he take the initiative in this matter in the same way that he did some time ago in another Department?

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the question of the means test that is exacted by many corporations before they allow the lower-paid workmen to get houses at all?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the copy sent to him of a resolution passed by a conference of local authorities in Lancashire and Cheshire asking the Government to provide adequate Exchequer assistance to enable local authorities to provide houses to let at rents within the means of lower-paid wage earners; and what action he proposes to take for the abatement of overcrowding, in accordance with the terms of the said resolution?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West houghton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on 27th May.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that tenders for the building of houses received by the Liverpool Corporation in recent weeks have shown a big advance in the cost per house, and that other local authorities are experiencing the same upward tendency in their tenders; to what extent such increases are due to shortage of building materials as a result of the Government's rearmament programme; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent profiteering in building materials?

I am aware that in Liverpool and other parts of the country there has been a tendency for building prices to rise. I have no reason to suppose that this is primarily due to the reason suggested in the second part of the question. The position with regard to building materials is being closely watched by the inter-departmental Committee on the Prices of Building Materials with which I am, of course, in close contact.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement made by the president of the British architects, in which he gave the opinion that the prices that are now being charged are completely unreasonable, and that there is no justification for them?

I have not seen that statement, but I am naturally anxious to see prices as low as possible. The Liverpool Corporation have already turned down one set of tenders on account of price.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the hardship recently sustained by small shopkeepers in the city of Birmingham whose businesses have been ruined by the loss of customers caused by the demolition of houses in slum-clearance areas and who are unable to obtain compensation from the local authority; and whether, in view of this, he will consider the advisability of taking such action as is within the Ministry's powers to alleviate the distress of those who are being financially ruined through no fault of their own?

I understand that the corporation have paid allowances in respect of disturbance of trade in 245 out of the total of 253 claims submitted to them, the total amount of compensation paid being £16.927. I have no reason to suppose that the council are not adequately exercising their powers to make grants, but if my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind and will send me particulars, I shall be glad to make further inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has sanctioned a loan on the part of the Burnley Corporation to enable that corporation to build a factory to be let to a foreign company; and, if so, under what Act Burnley is authorised to undertake this form of trade?

Yes, Sir. I am, however, informed that while the company is a subsidiary of a foreign concern, it is registered in England. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to Section 47 of the Burnley Corporation Act, 1925.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the mischief which the increasing surfeit of gold production is causing to commerce, pending absorption by the automatic expansion of international trade, he will confer with the Government of the United States of America with the object of offering jointly to help the Chinese Government to establish a Gold Standard and currency to replace the Chinese silver currency gold to the United States of America?

The Chinese Government has not expressed any desire to establish a Gold Standard in that country, and in the circumstances my hon. Friend's suggestion does not appear to be practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the same assurance to the House which was given by his predecessor to the effect that the country will not return to the Gold Standard system until he is satisfied that the causes which brought about the downfall of the Gold Standard in 1931 are removed and not likely to recur; and, in" view of the great concern of industry and those engaged therein regarding the monetary system, will he consider holding an impartial inquiry before any alteration in the present system is contemplated?

The conditions necessary before a return to the Gold Standard would be possible have been clearly indicated in previous declarations by my predecessor which, of course, continue to represent the policy of the Government on that subject. In reply to the second part of the question, I cannot give any undertaking of the kind suggested.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be desirable to have such an inquiry?

I can assure my hon. Friend that this is one of those difficult subjects which are constantly under review.

Does my right hon. Friend not consider that it is in fact extremely desirable that sterling should be linked with gold as soon as the conditions to which he referred are restored?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the concern in industrial and trading circles is to secure control in the first place of the Bank of England?

None of these important matters can be dealt with in reply to supplementary questions.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman already quite adequate control of the Bank of England?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present contingent liability of the Treasury in respect of any deficit that may arise in connection with the Issue Department of the Bank of England under the provisions of the Currency Act, 1928; and can he furnish an estimate of the notes issued which are held in the United Kingdom and abroad, respectively?

In reply to the first part of the question, no such liability as my hon. Friend alludes to attaches to the Treasury. In reply to the second part, it is not possible to frame the estimate desired.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will assure the House that it will be his policy in the future to maintain cheap money rates in the same way as his predecessor?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply on this subject given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for the Evesham Division of Worcester (Mr. De la Bère) on 12th April last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the approximate cost of the provision of old age pensions to the wives of recipients of old age pensions who fail to qualify because they have not reached the age of 65; and whether, in view of the hardship caused, he will take steps to remove this anomaly in the existing Act?

I estimate that the cost would be £6,500,000 a year rising to £8,000,000 a year in ten years' time. This estimate does not include the consequential extensions if the proposal were adopted which would probably more than double the expenditure. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 27th May last to the hon. Members for Springburn (Mr. Hardie) and Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie).

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask him whether he will represent to the Government that it is desirable that the House of Commons should be given an opportunity of expressing their view, and whether they think this money should be spent? Further, is he aware that there is a growing opinion in the country that this anomaly in our social insurance ought to be removed?

I have taken notice of what the hon. Member says, but I cannot add anything to what I have said.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see any other direction in which money could be better spent than in this direction?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the estimated cost of continuing the widows' pension to those who now lose their pension on their youngest child leaving school or attaining the age of 16 years; and whether, in view of the hardship caused in these cases, he will take steps to remove this anomaly in the existing Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act?

The cost of continuing non-contributory pensions in the case of widows whose pensions cease when their youngest child reaches the limiting age would be a maximum of £160,000 a year reached in some three years' time if the proposal were restricted to pensions now in issue; and would be about £1,000,000 a year if pensions which have ceased to be payable were revived. The Government are not prepared to modify the terms already accorded to the widows of men who died or had attained the age of 70 before the contributory scheme was introduced.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Member think the cost of this trivial compared with the amounts we are constantly spending in other directions, and that we are justified in asking that the Government should give immediate attention to this matter?

This is a matter which could not stand alone.

Is not this a much more deserving subject that Ministers' salaries?

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to take the Supplementary Estimate dealing with an increase of Members' salaries; and whether the decision will be left to a free vote of the House?

It is proposed to embody the Government's proposal in a Resolution which will be placed upon the Paper at an early date. A Supplementary Estimate will be presented in due course. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Are we to understand that as it has been the custom of this House that Members shall not vote on any subject in which their salaries are concerned, that a vote on this matter will be confined to Ministers?

Will hon. Members who choose their fathers and wealthy relations not vote at all?

Will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole matter in view of the opposition on this side of the House and in the country?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are many on this side of the House who have always wanted, if Members of Parliament are to be paid, that they should be paid adequately?

Will the usual practice be followed and Members be allowed to return this increase to the Treasury if they do not want it?

Nobody can have this forced upon them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the fact that the collection of duties upon imported Irish horses was found to be administratively impractical and that they have now been cancelled, he will consider recommending that the remaining outstanding parts of the fines imposed in certain cases of evasion be reviewed by the appropriate authority?

The duties on Irish horses were repealed in accordance with the agreement with the Free State Government announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Dominions on 25th February last. The fines in question were imposed by the magistrates as penalties for false declarations, and the repeal of the duty provides no ground for interfering with their discretion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the condition of many of the pictures in the Tate Gallery and the necessity to prevent these pictures from further deterioration; and what steps are to be taken to deal with the saving of these works of art?

Pictures in the Tate Gallery are periodically inspected by experts with a view to ascertaining their condition and advising what steps are desirable for their preservation. Repair and restoration have been undertaken in the past in ordinary course, and the Trustees would no doubt approach the Treasury if they considered further steps necessary.

Will the Financial Secretary have some investigation made as to the number of pictures which are deteriorating and do something to save these valuable paintings from destruction?

This is a matter in the first instance for the Trustees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the difficult position of the poultry industry, he will consider the desirability of making more effiective use of the Poultry Advisory Committee, or of disbanding this body and making new arrangements whereby the views of the industry can be more effectively represented?

The Poultry Advisory Committee was set up to advise on technical matters relating to the production and marketing of eggs and poultry, and has been of considerable assistance from time to time. I am also kept fully informed of the views of those engaged in the industry through their representative organisations. No new arrangements would, therefore, seem to be necessary.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on how many occasions he has acted on the advice of this Committee in recent months?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now give the House any information as regards the stabilisation of the price of feeding stuffs?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on this subject on 26th April.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am a Conservative, and that the Conservative party were elected to support agriculture? Is he further aware that as a result of the attitude of the Treasury they are losing friends at the rate of a thousand a day?

I do not see what that has to do with the question of the price of feeding stuffs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of licensed houses or hotels that are located on Crown Lands and the total amount of revenue received by the Commissioners from the occupiers in respect of such establishments?

The number of licensed houses or hotels situated on lands under the management of the Commissioners of Crown Lands is 95. The total amount of revenue received by the Commissioners in respect of 88 of these houses is £52,726 per annum; the remaining seven are held with other premises at unapportioned rents.

Is Carlisle included in the figures?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of British coal which has been exported under the trade agreements to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and the Argentine during the years 1936 and 1937?

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

asked the Minister of Transport (1) the present position of the scheme for the by-passing of Selby; and how long it will be before work on the proposed new bridge and road is started;

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Barkston Ash (Colonel Ropner).

May I ask whether the reply was satisfactory? This is the biggest grievance in the North of England, and will the Minister try to do in his new office what other Ministers have failed to do—free this bridge from toll?

Are we to understand that the present bridge is going to be abolished? It is a wretched old structure in any case.

Will the Minister bring pressure to bear on the East Riding County Council? If he will do that, we can get on with the bridge.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that during a large part of the day the omnibuses in the central area of London, where the strain on the drivers is greatest, are occupied to an extent far below their seating capacity; and whether he will represent to the London Passenger Transport Board that in the forthcoming revision of schedules every effort should be made to reduce the number of omnibuses plying in this area during the slack period?

I will bring my hon. Friend's suggestion to the notice of the London Passenger Transport Board.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, since they deal with a matter of direct interest to shareholders, ratepayers, and consumers, he will make available to the public the proposals marked "Confidential" which have been circulated to electricity supply organisations?

I cannot at present add to the full statement which I made on this subject yesterday.

Can the Minister say whether there is any particular reason why this profound secrecy should be maintained?

I explained to the House yesterday that certain negotiations of a confidential character were pending, and that it was a little difficult half-way through those negotiations to alter the character and terms on which they had been commenced. I asked the House to give me an opportunity of looking into the matter.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer represent to the Prime Minister that this puts this House in a ridiculous position, because this document, which is supposed to be confidential, is in the Press, and Members of this House are being invited to attend conferences and discuss it, and yet the House is kept in ignorance of it?

I noticed this when the question was raised yesterday, and I had intended to call the Prime Minister's attention to it, and I will do so. I agree that the position is anomalous, but when negotiations are pending I must not be rash and make an announcement until I know exactly what is involved.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of prosecuting those who have published a document which is marked "Confidential" and which is Crown copyright?

That is a question which should be addressed to the Home Secretary.

On a point of Order. Is this not a question for you, Mr. Speaker, to invite these people to come to the Bar of the House on a matter of Privilege?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement as to the effects of the Oslo trade convention on British trade with the signatory countries?

I have not yet received the text of the Agreement, although I have seen reports in the Press. As soon as the text is received, the question of the effect of the Agreement on United Kingdom trade will he examined.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when he will be in a position to give an answer?

I cannot.

How does the right hon. Gentleman propose to get this Agreement? Will it automatically come to him for his examination?

Up to now we have always received full information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether arrangements will be made for the International Sugar Agreement to be discussed and approved by Parliament before being ratified by this country?

I have been asked to reply. The text of this Agreement was laid before the House on 25th May and, in accordance with the usual procedure, it will remain before the House for 21 Parliamentary days before the Government take any steps for the ratification of the Agreement. If there is a general desire for a Debate before ratification, no doubt the question can be raised through the usual channels.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he has made with the railway companies for cheap transit to London for Sunday, 27th June, on the occasion of His Majesty's review of ex-service men in Hyde Park?

I am informed that the railway companies have already communicated to the ex-service men's associations the terms on which cheap tickets will be obtainable on the occasion in question. Broadly speaking, half-day return fares will be available for people coming from the Midlands and the South, and day return fares for those coming from a greater distance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the advisability, in view of the existing situation in Palestine, of making use of Government subsidies and reserve funds for carrying out road and rail developments, for the extension of Haifa harbour, for the stimulation of municipal undertakings by Government loans, advances, and grants, and other matters recommended in the reports of experts?

The public works programme of Palestine is primarily a matter for the consideration of the High Commissioner whose recommendations are submitted in connection with the annual draft Estimates of the territory. In spite of the serious depletion of reserve funds, due to marked reduction of revenue, and heavy expenditure on security in connection with the recent disturbances, work is proceeding rapidly on certain special road construction, on railway improvement, and the extension of telegraph and telephone facilities, but in view of the changed financial position of Palestine and the uncertainty of future policy 37 pending receipt of the Report of the Royal Commission, I cannot encourage the initiation at the present time of new schemes of development.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the German bombardment of Almeria is a breach of the Kellogg Pact, he will consider approaching the signatories of that Pact with a view to joint representations to Germany against a repetition?

No, Sir. In the present difficult situation it has been the object of His Majesty's Government to prevent by all means in their power the breakdown of the policy of non-intervention in the Spanish struggle, and to avert the very grave situation which would arise if such a breakdown resulted in a renewed influx of foreigners into Spain for the purpose of taking part in the struggle. His Majesty's Government, therefore, consider that the essential aim should be that full international co-operation in the work of the Non-Intervention Committee and the scheme of naval observation of the Spanish coasts should be restored with the least possible delay. With this aim in view His Majesty's Government communicated last night to the Governments concerned proposals which, it is hoped, may provide adequate guarantees against the recurrence of incidents such as those which brought about the existing situation. It is our hope that the proposals in question will enable the policy of non-intervention to be fully resumed by all the Governments concerned. His Majesty's Government attach the more importance to such a development since they are anxious to make progress as fast as possible with the question of the withdrawal of foreign combatants in Spain. They regard this matter as urgent, and hope that in an atmosphere of renewed international collaboration it may be possible to continue to work for agreement on this subject.

While appreciating what the Noble Lord has said, has there not, in fact, been a clear breach of the undertaking given by the present German Government never to seek the solution of international disputes except by pacific means?

I have always admired the hon. Gentleman's principles, but I am not so certain about his wisdom.

Was the bombing of the German battleship by Spanish aircraft in complete conformity with the Kellogg Pact?

Is it the opinion of His Majesty's Government that, in view of incidents of this nature, the Kellogg Pact has no further validity?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with what countries Great Britain still possesses the rights of extra-territoriality; and whether negotiations are in progress for their abandonment in any cases?

His Majesty possesses extra-territorial jurisdiction in the following countries among others: China, Egypt, Abyssinia, the French and Spanish zones of Morocco. In the case of Egypt, a convention was signed at Montreux on 8th May between Egypt and the Capitulatory Powers which provides for the abolition of this jurisdiction except for a right to retain Consular courts for statute personnel cases for 12 years. In the case of the French Zone of Morocco discussions will shortly take place with representatives of the French Government for the abandonment of British extra-territorial jurisdiction in that zone.

(for Mr. E. Dunn) asked the Minister of Labour what assurances, if any, have been given to the temporary clerks whose services have now been made permanent in his Department, whereby this temporary service is counted for pension or superannuation purposes as and when such persons become of pensionable age?

The arrangements in regard to the counting for superannuation purposes of the unestablished service of temporary clerks appointed to the "S" Class in recent years, in the Ministry of Labour as in other Government Departments, are set out in the reports of the Temporary Staffs Committee of the National Whitley Council of 1932 and 1934. Under these arrangements one-half of such unestablished service rendered after 1st June, 1927, and prior to the date of establishment, is reckoned for superannuation purposes, subject to detailed regulations regarding the reckoning of periods of discontinuous service.

(for Mr. Dunn) asked the Minister of Labour what considerations, if any, have led to the exclusion of employès in his Department from superannuation on account of age; what is the age limit whereupon an employè is barred for superannuation; and what account does he propose to take in future of such persons' temporary service?

The general Civil Service rule is applied, namely, that officers cannot be placed on the establishment if their age (after allowance for any period of unestablished service reckonable for pension) exceeds 50 years. Unestablished employès are eligible on retirement provided their service is of sufficient duration, for the gratuities provided by the Superannuation Act, 1887, for unestablished personnel.

(for Mr. Dunn) asked the Minister of Labour whether, under the superannuation scheme of the Ministry, employès in his Department are compelled to retire at 65 years of age; and, if not, upon what terms employès continue?

In the Ministry of Labour, as in the Civil Service generally, officers may be required to retire on grounds of age on reaching the age of 60 or any time thereafter, and cannot be retained, save in exceptional circumstances, beyond 65.

(for Mr. W. H. Green) asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of messengers in the War Office Department have become established and so eligible for pensions during the last 10 years; and what is the average age upon which they became established?

The answer to the first part of the question is "7 per cent." and to the second "43 years 4 months."

(for Mr. Green) asked the Secretary of State for War the rates of pay of ex-Service men employed in the War Office Department as messengers; how they are graded for increases by annual increments; and whether a maximum rate is fixed over which no additional increase is paid?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether there is any machinery whereby regulations can be issued and enforced affecting the hours and con- ditions of employès in the catering industry?

No, Sir. After a full investigation of wages and conditions my predecessor decided in 1932 that there was no sufficient case for applying the Trade Board Acts to this industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that even in this city, the capital of this country, there are girls and men working 12 hours a day in the catering industry and receiving 12s. 6d. per week? Is he further aware that in Messrs. Lyons establishments girls are forced to pay 27s. for a uniform which they cannot take away with them when they leave; and will he introduce some kind of legislation in the near future to deal with the problem of the catering industry?

There has been a long inquiry and investigation about this, covering several years, and if the hon. Member has any evidence of the statements he makes, I shall be glad if he will send it to me.

If we can prove that some of these girls are working as much as from 60 to 70 hours a week, in both licensed and unlicensed hotels, will the right hon. Gentleman do something about it?

I shall be glad to look into any cases which are sent to me, if they are verified.

Do I understand that the very difficult conditions for labour in this trade are not to be included in the inquiry with regard to the distributive trades in general?

I understand that the discussion includes practically all the trades concerned.