asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Report of the Inter-Allied Military Committee on the compliance or otherwise of Germany with the disarmament Clauses of the Peace Treaty has been completed; whether it has been submitted to the Allied Governments; whether it is to be published; and what action it is proposed to take upon it?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Marshal Foch's Committee has reported; and what is the nature of the Report?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the negative. Until the Report of the Military Committee of Versailles has reached the Allied Governments it is obviously not possible to say what action will be taken upon it.

Has this Committee of Marshal Foch any authority, or are the Allies entitled to form their own judgment independent of any report made by the Committee?

The Committee presided over by Marshal Foch undoubtedly has authority, by reason of the members of whom it is composed, but their authority does not extend to imposing their opinions upon the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the evacuation of Cologne is being postponed on account of the negotiations concerning the Five Power Pact?

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the continued delay in publishing the reasons for the non-evacuation of Cologne lends considerable colour to the suggestion that the two questions are interlocked?

I am not aware. I think that, on the whole, matters are proceeding satisfactorily. With patience and good will on all sides, we may yet arrive at a solution of all our troubles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the section of the Pekin-Mukden Railway which was seized by Chang Tso Lin in 1922 is still retained by him; that £1,150,000 of the British issue of the loan of 1898, which is a first charge upon the security of the permanent way, rolling stock, and entire property of the railway, with its freight and earnings, is still outstanding; that the surplus earnings of the railway are hypothecated as security for British loans and their services to the extent of about £2,000,000; and that the cash earnings of the railways were $318,000 in October last as compared with $1,480,000 in October, 1923, and $143,000 in November last as compared with $1,470,000 in November, 1923; and if His Majesty's Government will make such representations as will put an end to the wrongful retention of such 250 miles of the line, its equipment and revenue, which constitutes a serious breach of the railway agreement and impairs the security upon which British capital has been furnished not only for this but for other Chinese lines?

I am aware of the general position. Representations have been and continue to be made both at Pekin and at Mukden to secure the return of the section of the Pekin-Mukden Railway seized by Chang Tso Lin to the control of the railway company.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the article in the "Times" yesterday, from its Pekin correspondent, particularly relating to the position of the railways there at present, and does he not think that the time has arrived for him to consult with the other Powers interested, with a view to taking definite steps to settle the position in China, and is he not further aware—

Speech!

The hon. Member must not make a speech. Supplementary questions ought to be very brief.

I read the article with much interest. I have been in communication with the other Powers concerned, and if I saw an opportunity of advantageously taking any steps, I should do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the general interests of the foreign community in China, he will cause representations to be made to the Chinese Government to speed up the trial or procure the release of the Russian railway officials, Ostroumoff and Gondatti, who, on the taking over of the Chinese Eastern Railway by a joint board of Soviet and Chinese officials on the 3rd October, 1924, were thrown into prison at Harbin, and have since been detained there in spite of the general amnesty proclaimed by the Chinese Government by decree on the 1st January last?

I am asking for a report upon this case, before deciding whether action is possible or desirable in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the State of Czechoslovakia has ratified its signature of the Geneva Protocol; if so, on what date; and if he will have inquiries made to ascertain whether or no any country other than Czechslovakia has ratified its representative signature to the Protocol?

It was announced at a meeting of the Council that the President of the Czechoslovak Republic had ratified the Protocol on the 28th October last, but the ratification has not, I am informed, been deposited at Geneva or, consequently, become effective. No notice of ratification by any other country has been received. Since notice would be sent out without delay by the Secretary-General of the League, I do not think any special inquiry would be useful.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Under-Secretary said in this House last week that no ratification had been made by any of the Governments?

If he did so, he did so with my authority, and in so far as I was inaccurate I tender my apologies to the hon. and gallant Gentleman and the House. The document has been ratified by Czechoslovakia, but the ratification has not been deposited, and it has not yet, therefore, become effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Council of the League of Nations is expected to take its decision regarding the Mosul frontier; whether the British representative at the thirteenth session of the League of Nations Council gave a definite undertaking that the British Government would abide by the Council's decision; if so, whether His Majesty's Government considers itself still bound by that pledge; and whether a similar undertaking was given by the Turkish representative?

As was stated in a reply to a question on the 25th March, the President of the Commission appointed by the Council of the League of Nations to investigate the Iraq frontier question hopes to be able to present his Report to the Council at the June session. I cannot forecast when the decision thereon will be finally taken. The answers to the three remaining parts of the question are in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the amount of £2,350 as the estimated expenses for 1925–26 for travelling and incidentals in connection with the Annual Conference of the. Inter national Labour Organisation; if he will state the number of delegates and technical advisers who attend this conference and for what length of time; and whether he will consider the advisability of curtailing this expense?

Under the Versailles Treaty the Government is bound to send two Government delegates, one employers' delegate and one workers' delegate, who may each be accompanied by advisers, up to a maximum of eight. In the interests of economy, I am trying to secure that this number shall not exceed six. The conference to begin on 19th May next will probably not last more than three weeks. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that every possible effort will be made to curtail expenses consistently with the adequate representation of British interests at the conference.

Could not one of the delegates be a woman?

There is another question on that subject.

May we take it that it is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to do anything to weaken the only organisation that the working classes have got out of the Versailles Treaty?

Instead of weakening the organisation, I asked that the expenses should be reduced, and may I put it that many of us think—

Order, order!

To what extent would the reduction from eight to six advisers bring about an economy?

I think—I have been asked the question and I answer offhand—to the extent of about one sixth.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has yet appointed the representatives of this country to attend the International Labour Organisation at its Annual Conference at Geneva; and, if so, can he give the names of such representatives?

These representatives have not yet been appointed.

Will the Minister endeavour to see that these representatives do not spend £100 each a week in expenses in connection with this matter?

In view of the fact that the inquiry is to be into trades in which women are closely interested, would the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that one of the representatives shall be a woman?

I will certainly consider that point, but the principal object, which I am quite sure would be the desire of all, is to send out as representatives those who are most suitable.

Seeing that this country has only one vote out of 50 upon this international organisation, why is it necessary to send out a large number of representatives?

The number of representatives is four, and they may have certain experts with them. That is a provision, if I remember aright, of the Treaty of Versailles, and I do not think we can be a party to breaking the Treaty.

But is it not the case that we have only one vote out of 50 in that organisation, although we are contributing one-tenth of the money?

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the States who are members of the International Labour Organisation; the proportion of the expenses borne by each State; whether any of these States have been at any time in arrears of their payments; and, if so, which States have not contributed regularly?

I regret that in the short time available it has not been possible to collect the information desired. I am, however, considering what information it will be possible to give on the various points raised, and I will forward a statement to my hon. and gallant friend as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the names of the members of the organisation were read to the Committee only a few days ago, and that, while we have only one vote in 50, we pay one-tenth of the expenses?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also ascertain if the States who do not pay any contribution are allowed to attend the discussions and vote at the Conference at Geneva?

The last supplementary question, if I may say so, does not really arise out of the question put. As regards the first supplementary question, it is perfectly true that some information is already available, and I have been trying to get the whole of the information together. As regards our having only one vote in 50, while we pay a much larger proportion of the expenses, that is perfectly true. It attaches similarly to our membership of the League of Nations, but I have not yet heard that anyone has been disposed to question it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every one of these States pays its delegates £100 a week for expenses?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the structural alterations now being carried out in His Majesty's destroyers are making the chief and engine-room artificers' messes uninhabitable; whether he will consider the advisability of providing, as soon as possible, other suitable messes for the men concerned in these destroyers; and whether, until such proper accommodation is provided, payment of hard-lying allowances will be made in compensation for the discomforts incurred while the work is being carried out?

I am afraid that a certain amount of temporary discomfort is inevitable in all classes of ships when structural alterations are being carried out, but I can assure the hon. Member that everything possible is done to ease the position as far as possible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a spare cabin, or perhaps more than one?

I will certainly look into that.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question which concerns hard-lying allowances?

I am afraid that would be impossible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that the House of Commons has voted the money for the grant of marriage allowance for naval officers, he will state when it is proposed to commence the expenditure of it?

Pending settlement of the conditions under which marriage allowance, if any, is to be paid, I regret I am unable to make any statement.

Can the hon. Gentleman now say it is absolutely certain that these allowances will be paid?

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that it was the intention that H.M.S. "Curlew" should return home in April for recommissioning, and that-there are other ships on the North American and West Indies Stations capable of navigating the River Plata., he can state the reason why H.M.S. "Curlew" has had her period of foreign service extended, thus causing great discontent to the personnel, who have been disappointed in their prospect of seeing their families, and giving rise in many cases to serious inconvenience to their relatives, who have made arrangements to receive them; and whether it is still possible to revise the arrangements?

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that His Majesty's Ship "Curlew" was originally clue to return home in April. It must be remembered that there is only a limited number of ships on the North America and West Indies Station suitable for this service, and the Admiralty are bound to consider the most economical method of carrying it out. For this reason, it was decided that the vessel detailed for the duty should be one due to return to England in the normal course, i.e., His Majesty's Ship "Curlew." Although this will mean that the ship's return will be deferred beyond the date originally contemplated, she will be back in England well within the maximum period of absence, namely, three years. I have no reason to think that this arrangement, which was made only after all the considerations had been taken into account, will lead to any discontent among the personnel on board, and I hope that the fact that the "Curlew" has been selected for this important service, will go some way in mitigation of any inconvenience which may be caused to relatives of the crew by the inevitable extension of her period of commission.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that it was decided by the Admiralty that the length of commission for foreign service was to be two years in all, and that it is now apparently the practice to keep men away for three years, he can state when this Order was promulgated and the reason why the shorter period no longer obtains?

The normal length of commissions of His Majesty's ships on foreign stations was increased, in April, 1922, to a period of not less than 2½ years, exclusive of the time spent by the crews on passage or waiting for suitable opportunity for passage with a maximum time away from home ports of three years. The object of this change was to effect economy in the case of carrying out foreign reliefs, and to reduce the number of men duplicated by "crossing reliefs." I may add that in unhealthy climates the period of commission of ships is less than the normal.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider reverting to the old practice, in view of the feeling amongst married men and their wives?

The practice was instituted after very careful consideration.

Is it not a fact also that when the two years came in as against the four, that arose after careful consideration?

Yes, and I think the latest must hold the field.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, having regard to the amount of unemployment amongst stokers of the Royal Naval Reserve, he can see his way to extend the period of three months' grace in which to obtain employment now granted to Royal Naval Reserve stokers who are unemployed when they apply for re-enrolment, or will he extend the exemption from the employment condition granted to men of three years' sea service during the War to men of a lesser period of war service?

The Admiralty are anxious to do what is possible without detriment to the efficiency of the Reserve, and the matter is being investigated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the present Government has considered the advisability of affording financial assistance to railway companies undertaking large works of public utlity, such as the Grimsby fish dock extension; and, if so, with what result?

The position is that railway companies are eligible for assistance under the Trade Facilities Acts, but not for grants from the Unemployment Grants Committee. It would not be possible, therefore, for a grant to be made from the Unemployment Grants Committee in respect of the Grimsby fish dock extension.

Does that answer mean that railway companies owning docks and harbours will not be able to participate in the grants for such schemes as outlined in Circular U.G.C. 16, Special?

I think in my reply I have answered that point in regard to railway companies.

asked the Minister of Labour what further schemes the Government are prepared to put in hand in order to cope with the increasing numbers of unemployed workers in the heavy iron and steel industries throughout, the country?

The Government are prepared to give assistance towards the cost of approved schemes of public utility put into operation by local authorities in the districts concerned. In addition, as stated in the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Member on the 31st March, preference is given by the Unemployment Grants Committee to proposals by any local authorities for schemes calculated to promote employment in depressed industries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the future, the immediate condition, of the iron and steel trade is viewed with the greatest apprehension by those closely concerned, and will he take some other steps to those he has enumerated to satisfy himself on these points during the Recess?

I am quite aware of the state of affairs, but I think I am right in this: that on the North East Coast things are just a little better according to the last Returns. I am not, however, quite sure how far that affects iron and steel, as distinct from other trades in the North Eastern district.

Will the right hon. Gentleman satisfy himself that there has not been a serious decrease of employment during the last two weeks?

In view of the appalling facts by the hon. Member could he not protect his constituents from the terrible foreign competition to which we are being subjected at the present time?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of bricklayers employed in 1913 and the number employed at the present time; the output of bricks in this country in 1913; and the rate of annual output at the present time?

The number of bricklayers engaged in the building trade in Great Britain who were insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts was 68,924 at December, 1913, and 60,690 at July, 1922. Similar information relating to bricklayers engaged in other industries is not available, but according to the Census of population the total number of bricklayers in 1911 was 99,549, and in 1921 87,574. The comparability of these two figures may, however, be affected to some extent by changes in classification, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that reliable figures are not available for pre-war production of bricks, but that it was estimated that the average production for the three years prior to the war was 2,805 millions per annum. It is estimated that at the present time the output is at the rate of about 5,000 millions per annum.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the total cost to the Government for each year since its inception of the home-training courses for unemployed women promoted through the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment with Government assistance; whether any figures are available, as to the percentage of women taking these courses who have subsequently entered domestic service; and whether he will consider the desirability of stipulating that women admitted for training in these courses shall not, on completion of their training, register at Employment Exchanges for clerical and other employment in which the instruction given in such courses is useless?

As the reply is long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Department of the right hon. Gentleman taking steps to prevent girls trained for domestic service going to the Employment Exchanges and registering for other kinds of labour, clerical and the like?

That is a supplementary question that can really only be elucidated in Debate, but if I were to put it, quite briefly, it would be this: Every encouragement is given to trained girls to enter domestic service, but if they are not fitted for domestic employment at the end of the training, manifestly it would be absurd to prevent them going into any other work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that on Thursday the 26th February a notice was posted outside the Attercliffe Employment- Exchange intimating that labourers (ex-service men only) were required; that two men, named Rooke and Darby, applied, and they were told by one of the clerks to come the following day at 2.30; that they attended the following day at 2 o'clock, and were sent to Messrs. Burrows, South Yorkshire Ironworks, which is not more than five minutes' walk from the Exchange, only to find that the vacancies had been filled; that on both occasions they saw the same clerk; and, seeing that he made out their cards and that the cards of the men who filled the vacancies should have been returned to the Exchange, can an explanation be given as to how it came about that such unnecessary irritation should be caused to applicants at the Exchange in their efforts to obtain employment?

The Exchange had made inquiries and had been unable to ascertain whether the vacancies had, in fact, been filled at the time when Rooke and Darby were sent. As the hon. Member himself points out, the works are only five minutes' walk from the Exchange, and I do not think it was any serious hardship on the men in having to go and see for themselves whether the jobs were still open.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Bishop Auckland Board of Guardians have protested against the conditions governing unemployment benefit which came into operation on 19th February; that the guardians assert that large numbers of miners could not possibly comply with these conditions; that an additional burden of £300 per week will be laid upon the union; and that this view is endorsed by boards of guardians generally in the county of Durham; and whether, in the light of this evidence, he is prepared to withdraw the condition that no unemployment benefit will be paid to persons who have not paid the required number of contributions?

The Bishop Auckland Board of Guardians and other Poor Law authorities have protested against the conditions of waiver of the first statutory condition for unemployment benefit, but for the reasons explained in the Debate of 9th March, I am afraid I cannot relax the requirement referred to.

What is the point of this circular? Is it to make men seek work? It is absolutely impossible in this particular area, because of the unemployment there?

The whole question really has been fully debated. I cannot, in answer to a supplementary question, cover ground that took up the whole Debate a few weeks ago.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that young unemployed girls have recently been sent by the Wednesbury Employment Exchange to Messrs. Kynochs, Limited, Birmingham, where no vacancies have existed; and will he take steps to prevent such incidents recurring?

The Wednesbury Exchange, having recently supplied women workers in response to an order notified by Messrs. Kynochs, learnt that, after cancellation of the vacancies, workers who applied personally to the firm were being engaged. The Wednesbury Exchange accordingly took the course of suggesting to several unemployed women on its register that there might also be an opportunity for them to obtain employment in the same way. It would have been more strictly in accordance with instructions if the Exchange had first verified that vacancies actually existed, but as its action was dictated by a desire to give its women applicants every possible opportunity for obtaining work, I am not disposed to take serious exception to it.

Are there no telephones between Wednesbury and Birmingham, and is it necessary for girls to go from the first to the second place when a telephone call could give the information?

May I ask whether in this case any blame whatever attaches to Kynochs?

There is no question of Kynochs in this matter. The point really was this: that the Exchange in question was telephoned to in the ordinary way to supply some girls to fill vacancies. They did so. After these vacancies were closed they had an application at the Exchange for another girl, and secured no appointment for her. Some women subsequently came back to Wednesbury who had made personal application for themselves, and had found work at Kynochs, and as a result the manager, thinking to do simply a friendly act to one or two of the girls, informed them: "It seems there are still jobs going if you go and look for them." Strictly speaking, that was irregular. But, in the light of all the circumstances, I do not think it was either a wrong or unfriendly act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these girls had to pay their own railway fare between Wednesbury and Birmingham, which is 11d. each way; does he propose to refund that money to these girls?

Would the girls have been struck off the unemployment pay roll if they had refused to go?

That is a purely hypothetical question. In this case should have said, "Certainly not," because it was not submitted in the regular official way.

I. should like to ask the Minister if he is not aware of this point: That the Exchanges tell the girls at night that there will be a job for them next day at such a place. They go home buoyed up by the hope that they are going to get a good start. It is a tragedy when they go next day and find that there is no job. I should like the Minister to be very careful what he is doing.

I think this question has had a fair share of attention.

What about the railway fares?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed boys, girls, and women, respectively, on the live registers of the Wednesbury Employment Exchange?

On 30th March there were on the registers of the Wednesbury Employment Exchange 43 boys, 38 girls and 265 women.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dilapidated nature of the building which houses the Tipton Employment Exchange; and will he consider the desirability of housing the Exchange in more suitable premises?

I am aware of the unsatisfactory condition of these premises. New premises have been taken which, it is anticipated, will be ready for occupation in a few weeks' time.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the prevailing practice of some employers, especially in the catering and amusement trades, to employ on evening work persons who are fully employed in the day; and whether, in view of the present abnormal degree of unemployment, he will legislate for the cessation of such practice?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the fact that some persons work as waiters or in orchestras in the evening, notwithstanding that they are employed in those or other callings during the day. I do not see my way to introduce legislation prohibiting this practice.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the average number of trade unionists upon the staff of the Employment Exchanges administering the unemployment insurance funds throughout the country; and what percentage these numbers form of the total numbers on the staff?

All persons employed at Employment Exchanges are civil servants, permanent or temporary, as the case may be. Perhaps my hon. Friend has in mind the arrangement under which standard benefit or extended benefit granted by an employment committee may be paid through a trade union or other association in cases in which the trade union or association itself also pays unemployment benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a man, describing himself as a painter, was recently fined at Welling-borough for being drunk and disorderly; that he stated that he was out of work, but received unemployment benefit of 33s. a week in addition to a benefit of 19s.; whether there is any lack of work for painters in this district; and, if there is work, why this man continues to receive unemployment benefit?

The case referred to is apparently that of a disabled ex-service man who was recently charged with being drunk and disorderly, and was bound over as it was a first offence. He has a good record of employment, but has recently been on benefit, in respect of contributions, for a considerable time. There appears to be no reason to suppose that he was not properly qualified. Opportunities of work for painters have not been very good owing to seasonal conditions, but the man has been submitted by the local Employment Exchange to three vacancies during the period of his claim to benefit, and has since obtained work by his own efforts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any order has been made bringing Lascars and other coloured Members of the Empire serving in the mercantile marine into the class of non-domiciled seamen under Section 39 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, who are ineligible for the receipt of unemployment benefit?

The Unemployment Insurance (Mercantile Marine) Special Order, 1921, made under Section 39 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, exclude from Unemployment Insurance (save as regards payment of the employers' share of the contribution) seamen who are neither domiciled nor have a place or residence in this country. This Order is general in its provisions but principally affects Lascars. The employers' contribution in such cases are paid into a special fund for the provision of pensions for seamen.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the classification of the reasons for the removal of names from the unemployment register adopted by his Department; and the number of names removed from the register under each head for the years ending December, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924?

Names are not removed from the Employment Exchange registers for any reason except failure of the person concerned to maintain registration, and the only class of case in which the Exchange necessarily knows the reason for failure to maintain registration is where a person is placed in employment by the Exchange. I am afraid therefore I am unable to give tin figures which the hon. Member appears to desire.

In answer to two previous questions, the right hon. Gentleman stated that to give such a classification would involve searching through the various reasons for the removal of names, and he could not, therefore, do it. I ask the right hon. Gentleman now whether there is any grounds for the removal from the register other than that special ground, and, if not, will some provision be made for a record being kept.

I will certainly consider that suggestion, and if there is sufficient reason to warrant the extra trouble and changes that have to be made, perhaps the hon. Member will confer with the Parliamentary Secretary or myself afterwards. All that one wishes is to have as useful a record as possible commensurate with the trouble and expense involved.

asked the Minister of Labour when the London Central Unemployment Committee last met; how many times did it meet during 1924; what are its functions; what funds has it got at its disposal; how much did it spend in 1924; and for how many men during that year did it find work?

I have been asked to reply. As the reply to this question is somewhat long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Am I to understand that this Committee has met more than once a year? Is that not a very simple question?

That is only part of the question, but I will answer it. The last meeting of the central body was held on the 12th December, 1924. It held no other meeting that year.

Following is the reply:

It is assumed that this question relates to the Central (Unemployed) Body for London, established under the Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905. The Central Body last met on the 12th December, 1924. It held no other meeting during that year, but standing and other committees of the body met on 21 occasions. The functions of the body are laid down by the Act of 1905, but in so far as the provision of work for the unemployed is concerned those functions have necessarily been in abeyance since the policy was adopted of making direct grants, towards the cost of the provision of work, to local authorities, and not through the central body. The body is at present chiefly concerned with the management of the Hollesley Bay Farm Colony. The body may receive funds from voluntary contributions and may also levy a. rate upon the City of London and the metropolitan borough councils. In the past nine years only two rates have been so levied, of one-twenty-fourth and one-thirty-second respectively of a penny in the £. The body also receives considerable sums from the sales of farm and garden produce grown at the colony. In the year 1924 the body expended just under £40,000, of which nearly £25,000 represents sales of produce, and the balance was derived mainly from payments made by boards of guardians for the maintenance and training of men at the colony. During the year, work was found at the colony for 947 men.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of unemployed men who have been precluded from drawing unemployment benefit owing to the decision of local committees that they are normally unemployable; and whether there are any ex-service men in this category?

The number of applications for extended benefit which have been recommended for rejection by local employment committees in Great Britain from 1st August, 1924, to 9th March, 19'25, on the ground that insurable employment is not likely to be available is 10,520. I regret that I am unable to state how many of these rejections were in respect of applications by ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is pro- posing to vary the conditions laid down by the boot-and-shoe repairing Trade Board for the indentures of apprentices; if so, will he state what are the changes proposed; and what would be their effect, if adopted, on the large number of apprentices' indentures under the existing agreement?

The boot-and-shoe repairing Trade Board have submitted to me for confirmation certain changes in the rates of wages and conditions of employment of apprentices, and these are now under consideration by the Department. The confirming Order, when made, will give full details, and I will send a copy to my hon. Friend. The proposed changes do not affect existing indentures.

May I ask the Minister whether it is not a fact that the changes with regard to indentures were not proposed by the Trade Board, but sent direct to him by the employers?

I should have to make quite sure, to be able to give an accurate answer.

also asked the Minister of Labour, in view of his letter, dated 23rd March, 1925, to the Grocery and Provisions Trade Board (England and Wales), in which he expressed the view that it is not certain that conditions as to wages and hours in the trade a-re such as to make the operation of statutory conditions advisable, and that he is therefore delaying the fixing of rates, whether he contemplates dissolving the Board; and whether, in view of the evidence given before the Cave Committee, showing the necessity for statutory conditions in this trade, he proposes to hold a public inquiry before taking any further action in the direction indicated?

As stated in the reply on 25th March to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Sir D. Newton), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, I have instituted an inquiry into the conditions in this trade in order to satisfy myself whether the operation of statutory conditions is advisable. The action to be taken with regard to the future of the Board will depend on the results of the inquiry.

Is the inquiry going to be of a public nature, with evidence taken from all over the country, or are there going to be merely itinerant visits by inspectors?

It will be a careful inquiry on the part of the Department. It is not a public inquiry, but if the hon. Member can send. or cause to be sent, any information that is material, we shall be exceedingly glad to have it, because the position of the Board has been unsatisfactory in every way, and things have dragged on for four years, and the reason that I have taken this action is to clear things up one way or the other, so as to try to get a proper condition of affairs.

But did not the Cave Committee suggest in their Report that before a Board is set up there should be a public inquiry, and is it not equally sound to say that before a Board is closed down there should be a public inquiry?

If the result were to show that there was no sweating in the trade, so that it was desirable to close it down—I speak subject to correction on a point like this, because one does not wish to speak too positively without consultation with the authorities—I think it would require legislation in order to put an end to it. Consequently, there would be every opportunity for seeing that an end was not put to it without proper reason for taking that course.

In view of their recent experiences, will co-operative societies be asked to assist in this matter?

asked the Ministry of Labour whether he is aware that the scale of wages laid down in the Order of the Ministry of Labour of 23rd March, 1923, for the milk distributive trade has had the effect in seaside resorts, where the trade is largely seasonal, such as Great Yarmouth, of compelling employers in the milk trade to discharge employés of over 21 years and to engage youths in their place, who in turn are discharged when they reach the age of 21; and whether he will be prepared, in order to prevent unemployment and dis- tress among the men, to consider the revision of the rates of wages laid down in the Order or, alternatively, to classify seaside resorts where trade is proved to be largely seasonal as coming under area A, although the population may exceed 10,000?

In accordance with the Trade Boards Acts the minimum rates in question are fixed by the Milk Distributive Trade Board (England and Wales) which is a body composed of equal numbers of representatives of employers and workers in the trade together with three independent persons of standing. It has not been brought to my notice that the rates have the effect suggested by my hon. Friend, and I shall be glad if he will furnish me with particulars of any cases of which he has knowledge in order that they may be put before the Board.

Is it not also a fact that the employers and employés agreed upon this as well as upon the rate of wages?

Surely that is covered by my answer. I have no knowledge upon the question of wages, and if my hon. Friend will send me the information of which he speaks, I shall be glad to bring it to the notice of the Board.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer to the Minutes of the Board where he can get all the necessary information he requires?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Trade Boards Advisory Council supply on request a complaint form indicating the information required by the inspectorate when cases are reported; and, if so, whether he will take action to advertise where the forms can be obtained in the 65 trades union journals that are published monthly or at more frequent intervals?

A form has been prepared to be used by persons wishing to make complaints under the Trade Boards Acts and copies have been supplied on request to the Trade Boards Advisory Council of the Trade Union Congress and to certain trade unions interested. Copies can be obtained from the headquarters of my Department and from the local offices of the Trade Boards Inspectorate. With regard to the last part of the question, if any trade union journal wishes for a copy of the form, I shall be willing to supply it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any trade board other than the Grocery Trade Board (England and Wales) has been suspended or abolished; and, if so, for what reasons?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the reason why the Grocery Trade Board (England and Wales), established over five years ago, is not functioning; whether the employers concerned have submitted any evidence to show that the need for the trade board does not exist; and whether he is aware that the chairman of the workers' side has resigned from the board as a protest against the treatment meted out to the board by him?

With regard to the first two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Sir D. Newton) on the 25th March, of which I am sending him a copy. With regard to the last part of the question, I regret to say that Mr. Turner has tendered his resignation from the workers' side of the hoard, as a protest against the decision to make an inquiry into the conditions actually prevailing in the trade.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of disabled ex-service men who have received limited benefit since the 1st November, 1924, because they were prevented from seeking whole-time employment by reason of their disablement?

I am afraid I do not understand what is intended by the question of the hon. Member. Perhaps he will confer with me afterwards.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of firms and local authorities, respectively, on the King's Roll, and the number of appeals which have been issued to local authorities on this matter; whether he can give any estimate as to the number of ex-service men thus employed; and whether he can state the number of ex-service men at present seeking employment?

There are approximately 28,000 employers, including 1,373 local authorities, on the King's National Roll. Some eight appeals have been made by Ministers and by the King's Roll National Council to local authorities to enrol. These appeals are, of course, in addition to those made by King's Roll Committees throughout the country.

The Roll relates to the employment of disabled ex-service men, of whom approximately 360,000 are employed by firms on the Roll. The latest statistics available indicate that there are 38,286 disabled ex-service men registered as unemployed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the propriety of publishing the list of those municipal authorities who are not on the King's Roll?