House of Commons debates

Wednesday, 15 June 1921

  • Preamble

    The House met at a Quarter before Three of the Clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.

  • Private Business.

    Eastbourne Waterworks Bill [Lords],

  • New Writs.

    County of Armagh (Mid - Armagh Division) in the room of JAMES ROLSTON LONSDALE, Esquire, deceased.—[Colonel Leslie Wilson.]

  • East India (Financial Statement and Budget).

    Address for "Return of the Indian Financial Statement and Budget for 1921–22, and discussions thereon in the Indian Legislature (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 103, of...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — Santo Domingo.

    2 speeches

    Major C. LOWTHER: 2. asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Government of the United States of America has announced its intention of withdrawing its...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — China (Consortium).

    2 speeches

    4. asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Chinese Government has ever sent to the Powers directly interested any statement of her views on the policy of the Consortium;...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — Greece and Turkey.

    15 speeches

    Sir J. D. REES: 7. asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information regarding the alleged destruction by Greek soldiers of the tomb of Orkhan Ghazi, of the...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — Russia.

    • Trade Delegation.

      4 speeches

      8. asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if a delegation has been, or is to be, sent to Russia with a view to ascertaining the prospects of trade with this country?

    • Eastern Siberia.

      8 speeches

      10. asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what information he has respecting the situation in Vladivostock, the maritime province of Siberia, and the Island of...

      Trade Agreement.

      2 speeches

      99. asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any practical results in the shape of actual trade have, as yet, followed the conclusion of the Anglo-Soviet Agreement?

      British Refugees.

      2 speeches

      9. asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, considering that Russian refugees are maintained in Cyprus at the expense of the State, similar treatment can be accorded to British...

      Nationality Law.

      4 speeches

      11. asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the great urgency of obtaining British citizenship for the children of parents of British blood born in Portugal and...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Navy.

    • H.M.S. "glatton."

      4 speeches

      Sir T. POLSON: 12. asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is now proposed to salve H.M.S. "Glatton," sunk in Dover Harbour in the early days of the late War?

    • His Majesty's Ship "hood" Sister Ships.

      4 speeches

      13. asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how much money is being claimed by the contractors as compensation for the dropping of the contracts for the three sisters of His Majesty's...

      Admiralty, Reorganisation.

      7 speeches

      14. asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a deputy-secretary of the Admiralty has been appointed or is to be appointed; what duties he will undertake, and who is at present...

      South American Squadron.

      5 speeches

      15. asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Committee of Imperial Defence was consulted prior to the withdrawal of the squadron from the south-east coast of America; and...

      Portsmouth Dockyard.

      2 speeches

      16. asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the maximum dimensions of the largest ships than can be constructed at Portsmouth Dockyard at the present time?

      Pre-War Disability Pensions.

      2 speeches

      17. asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to say what conclusions have been reached with regard to increases in the pre-War disability pensions of men...

      Capital Ships (Expenditure).

      2 speeches

      18. asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the total expenditure proposed for this year on the building of capital ships?

  • Oral Answers to Questions — Ex-Service Men.

    • Unemployment Contributions (Refund).

      2 speeches

      20. asked the Minister of Labour whether an ex-service man totally disabled is entitled to any refund of contributions paid by him into the funds governing unemployment under the National...

    • Treatment Allowance.

      2 speeches

      Mr. T. WILSON: 25. asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, when an ex-service man who is or has been in receipt of treatment allowance is certified by the medical referee as fit...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment.

    • Benefit (Disallowance).

      4 speeches

      Mr. YOUNG: 21. asked the Minister of Labour whether a set of rules is issued to Employment Exchange officials for their guidance in determining the amount of benefit due to unemployed persons; if...

    • Employment Exchange, Southwark.

      2 speeches

      24. asked the Minister of Labour whether, considering the number of women who have to sign on at the Borough High Street Employment Exchange, it can be arranged for the office to be open in the...

      Dock Workers.

      2 speeches

      Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALL: 26. asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to a case which occurred recently in which dock men refused to coal a ship on the ground that...

      Unemployment Insurance Fund.

      12 speeches

      Sir F. HALL: 27. asked the Minister of Labour what was the amount of the unemployment allowances paid out during the five months ended 31st May, 1921; what part of such sum was met out of the...

      Trade Board (Aerated Waters).

      2 speeches

      29. asked the Minister of Labour why the warehousing operations performed by firms whose work consists solely in importing mineral waters prepared abroad have been excluded from the scope of the...

      Wages (Regulation).

      4 speeches

      Captain TERRELL: 32. asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the industries or professions, apart from the Civil Service, in which the present rates of pay are governed solely by...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — Housing.

    • Women Inspectors.

      4 speeches

      Mr. T. THOMSON: 37. asked the Minister of Health whether he has decided to dispense with the services of the qualified women inspectors appointed on the staffs of the Housing Commissioners in...

    • Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Act.

      2 speeches

      41. asked the Minister of Health if he is prepared to encourage the acquisition of houses by persons desiring to occupy, and at the same time to lessen the cost of housing to the State, by...

      Schemes (State Assistance).

      2 speeches

      44. asked the Minister of Health whether he has sanctioned the carrying out of any housing schemes beyond the time limit of 31st July, 1922, with a view to qualifying for State assistance under...

      Cost, Metropolitan Police Area.

      10 speeches

      61. asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the average cost of the B 4 type of house on the P. C. form of contract within the metropolitan police area; whether he is aware that some of...

      Revised Requirements.

      7 speeches

      62. asked the Minister of Health to what extent he has authorised the cutting down of the State housing scheme since he took office; whether he will give his reasons for taking such action; and...

      Labour and Health Buildings.

      2 speeches

      39. asked the Minister of Health how many labour and health buildings were provided under the head of expenditure of £206,000 in 1913–14, and how many such buildings are covered by the...

      Vaccination Officer, Bramley.

      2 speeches

      40. asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the case of Mr. Arthur Gaunt, vaccination officer of the Bramley Union, and the definite attempt of the Bramley...

      Outdoor Relief.

      5 speeches

      42. asked the Minister of Health how many Boards of Guardians have notified the Ministry during the period 1st January, 1921, to 31st May, 1921, of a departure from the Order prohibiting the...

      River Lee.

      4 speeches

      Major MALONE: 43. asked the Minister of Health whether he will have inquiry made by his Department into the polluted and offensive state of the River Lee; whether he is aware that complaints have...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — Government Staffs.

    • Bonus.

      2 speeches

      33. asked the Minister of Labour whether there is any other class of workers in the country who are now in receipt of over 90 per cent., increase on their pre-war wages; and whether he can state...

    • War Departments (Winding-Up).

      2 speeches

      60. asked the Lord Privy Seal what decision was arrived at by the Government in reference to the resolution passed in another place on the 7th July last, calling for the appointment of...

      Timber Supplies Department.

      2 speeches

      103. asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Timber Supplies Department still exists; and, if so, what is the staff engaged, the monthly cost, and the duties performed?

      Representation of the People Act.

      3 speeches

      38. asked the Minister of Health approximately what is the increased cost thrown on the rates by the requirements of the Representation of the People Act?

      Overseas Trade (Diplomatic Agreements).

      2 speeches

      45. asked the Prime Minister whether, at the Imperial Conference which will shortly meet, there will be present any special representative of the Department of Overseas Trade to advise on the...

      National Expenditure.

      2 speeches

      47. asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to adopt the recommendation of the Ninth Report of the National Expenditure Committee, 1918, that the Treasury should...

      Anglo-Japanese Treaty.

      2 speeches

      Mr. TYSON WILSON: 51. asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the large amount of unemployment in this country, he will take steps to prevent anything that will prejudice our trade relations...

      Public Bills (Charges).

      8 speeches

      52. asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the recommendations of the Committee on Procedure governing Bills which involve charges; and whether he will recommend to the House the...

      Industrial Council.

      11 speeches

      54. asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the necessity, in the interests of the national welfare, of securing the cooperation of employers and employed in the avoidance of industrial...

      Treasury Joint Parliamentary Secretaries.

      8 speeches

      55. asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government have considered the advisability of discontinuing the War-time practice of appointing two Patronage Secretaries to the Treasury; and what...

      Criminal Law Amendment Bill.

      6 speeches

      57. asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has Deceived copies of two Resolutions passed at a meeting held in the House of Commons in support of the Bishop of London's Criminal Law Amendment Bill,...

      Estimates.

      2 speeches

      Major BARNES: 59. asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government intend to adopt the recommendation of the Ninth Report of the National Expenditure Committee, 1918, that Members should vote...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — Ireland.

    • Military Operations.

      3 speeches

      66. asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total number of houses burnt down or wrecked, and what is the number in which furniture has been destroyed by official orders since 1st...

    • Crown Forces (Murder Charges).

      2 speeches

      69. asked the Chief Secretary whether the two members of the Crown forces arrested in connection with the murder of Mr. J. Whelan, of Bally-rowan, the one in connection with the murder of Mr....

      Shooting, Cork (Thomas O'keeffe).

      2 speeches

      72. asked the Chief Secretary whether a man named Thomas O'Keeffe was shot dead in Cork on the night of the 9th instant; whether an inquiry has yet been held into his death; and with what result?

      Motor Vehicles' Duties.

      5 speeches

      110. asked the Minister of Transport what sums have been collected in Ireland as duties on motor vehicles for the five months ended 31st May, 1921; and how much of the sums so collected has been...

      Water Supply, Belfast.

      1 speech

      (by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary if he has any further information as to the extent of the damage done to the Belfast water supply; if any of the persons responsible for the outrage...

      West Africa (Coinage).

      4 speeches

      74. asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what the alloyed coinage now issued in Nigeria is composed of, and the fineness and intrinsic value of one shilling of this new money; whether...

  • Oral Answers to Questions — British Army.

    • Bostall Heath Camp.

      2 speeches

      77. asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give orders to the authority responsible to put the Clover Field, Bostall Heath (Woolwich Command) in a state comparable with its pre-War...

    • Troops Abroad (Cost).

      13 speeches

      78. asked what is the monthly cost of the Army of Occupation on the Rhine?

      Allotments, Bedfordshire.

      2 speeches

      88. asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the case of applicants for allotments at Northill, Bedfordshire, where the clerk to the parish council has decided...

      Agriculture Act, 1920.

      10 speeches

      Lieut.-Colonel ARTHUR MURRAY: 89. asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has within the last week met in conference representatives of the Scottish and English Farmers' Unions and explained...

      Office of Works.

      2 speeches

      90. asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the expenditure on the Office of Works and public buildings has increased...

      Government Hospitality Fund.

      2 speeches

      92. asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the reason for the large increase in recent years in the Government...

      Cairo (Buildings).

      2 speeches

      93. asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any new buildings are to be erected at Cairo; and what is the approximate cost?

  • Oral Answers to Questions — India.

    • Army, Strength.

      4 speeches

      94. asked the Secretary of State for India what is to be the total strength of the 21 cavalry regiments and 132 infantry battalions to which the Indian Army is to be reduced; and what percentage...

    • Civil Service.

      2 speeches

      95. asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the discontent existing in the Indian Civil Service by reason of the-fact that improvements in pay and pension granted to the...

      Officials (Passages).

      2 speeches

      97. asked the Secretary of State for India if he can now state the result of his communication with the Government of India with regard to the cheapening of the cost of passages of 'Government...

      Pitwood (Portugal).

      10 speeches

      100. asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the recent action of the Portuguese Government not only makes it difficult to obtain a licence to export timber, but has...

      Disturbances, Jaffa.

      4 speeches

      75. asked the Seretary of State for the Colonies whether the Mr. Cormack responsible for the sentences on Lieutenant Jabotinsky and others, and whose presidency of the Court of Inquiry into the...

      West Africa (Natives).

      6 speeches

      76. asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any information from British official sources in West Africa, which confirms the allegations that large numbers of...

      Ex-Enemy Debts (Germany).

      2 speeches

      104. asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade on what ground, under the Treaty, the German clearing house for enemy debts is disputing claims for British-owned money in the custody of German...

      Pensions (Ill-Health Claims).

      2 speeches

      105. asked the Minister of Pensions whether claims are admitted on the part of soldiers who did not, on demobilisation, make complaint of ill-health, either because they did not themselves then...

      Post Office (Telephone Service).

      2 speeches

      107. asked the Postmaster-General whether, in finally settling the amounts due for trunk calls and postal telegrams charged to telephone subscribers on the monthly statement of account, he has...

      Overseas Trade (Export Credits).

      2 speeches

      111. asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the total cost to date of the staff of the Export Credits Department, and the amount of the credits arranged for?

      Cost of Living.

      2 speeches

      101. asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Press, based on actual prices, that the increase in the cost of living since 1914 is...

      Engineering Industry Dispute.

      5 speeches

      (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the breakdown of negotiations between the Engineering Employers' Federation and the trade unions concerned, which will involve...

  • Declaration of Rights.

    3 speeches

    I beg to move, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to declare the right of Parliament alone to decide the matter, manner, measure, and time in respect of which a tax shall be levied." This is...

  • Declaration of Rights Bill,

    "to declare the right of Parliament alone to decide the matter, manner, measure, and time in respect of which a tax shall be levied," presented accordingly, and read the First time; to be read a...

  • Guardianship, etc., of Infants Bill.

    Reported, with Amendments, from Standing Committee D.

  • HOUSING (SCOTLAND) (No. 2) BILL.

    Reported, with an Amendment, from the Standing Committee on Scottish Bills.

  • Message from the Lords.

    That they have agreed to,—

  • Orders of the Day — Unemployment Insurance Bill.

    76 speeches

    Order for Second Reading read.

  • Orders of the Day — Unemployment Insurance [Payments].

    Committee to consider of authorising the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of an increased contribution towards unemployment benefit and any other payments to be made out of the...

  • Orders of the Day — Adjournment.

    Resolved, "That this House do now adjourn."—[Colonel Leslie Wilson.]

What is this?

Debates in the House of Commons are an opportunity for MPs from all parties to scrutinise government legislation and raise important local, national or topical issues.

And sometimes to shout at each other.

June 1921
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