Mr Douglas Pielou: I am like the schoolboy who has been referred to before, with this exception, that I happen to be a Board School boy, and have sat here most of the afternoon, and have heard various reflections cast upon my party. Unfortunately, there were not as many of my party present as I should have liked. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] But I do object to some of the remarks that have been made. I do not think...
Mr Douglas Pielou: I listened all the afternoon and did not interrupt, but when I had a grin on my face I had something to grin about. I appreciated very much hearing the Scottish brogue. Possibly I do not speak as much Scotch as my hon. Friend opposite. On the other hand, perhaps, I do not drink as much. I hope that all sections of the House will unite on this question of unemployment and try to do everything...
Mr Douglas Pielou: 18. asked the Minister of Pensions the number of permanent established officers of the rank of principal clerk and above, and the number of these who served in the Army or Navy during the War and at present employed on the staff of the headquarters of the Ministry?
Mr Douglas Pielou: 73 and 74. asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) the number of ex-service men and the number of non-service men employed in Section R.D. 3 of the Air Ministry; (2) whether non-service men are employed in the most important positions in Section K.D. 3 of the Air Ministry; whether the ex-service men employed in subordinate positions can be given an opportunity to prove by test their greater...
Mr Douglas Pielou: 25. asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what were the sales by the Disposal and Liquidation Commission of machine tools during the years 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922, respectively, giving both weight of machines sold and total value, if both figures are available?
Mr Douglas Pielou: 14. asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the late Mr. It. Mason, of 81, Glover Street, West Bromwich, was granted a final weekly allowance by the Minister of Pensions on the 7th November, 1921, which was confirmed by an Appeal Board on the 18th April, 1922; that this man appealed to the Lord Chancellor's tribunal but the appeal was not heard until the 7th February, 1923, 10...
Mr Douglas Pielou: 75. asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the hours of employment in Government offices for all clerical grades; if overtime work has to be done; and, if so, whether increased payment is made and at what rate?
Mr Douglas Pielou: 6. asked the Minister of Pensions if he will be prepared to grant authority to local officials of the British Legion to attest pensioners' declaration on identity certificates?
Mr Douglas Pielou: 7. asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the great inconvenience caused to pensioners by the fact that identity life certificates have to be renewed every three months; and will he consider the advisability of extending the period?
Mr Douglas Pielou: 10. asked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases brought before the House of Lords Appeal Tribunal, Birmingham, for the six months ending 31st December, 1922, and also for the same period in 1921; and if he will state the result of these appeals?
Mr Douglas Pielou: 58. asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that 19 naval ratings called up by proclamation on the 2nd August, 1914, under the Naval Coast Volunteers Act (15th August), 1853, were eventually sent back to carry on as instructors at the Royal Naval Hospital School, Greenwich; that, despite Admiralty recommendations in their favour, these men have not been permitted to...
Mr Douglas Pielou: 2. asked the Minister of Pensions whether the regulation providing for sickness grants for widows and children was withdrawn at the request of the Special Grants Committee, or whether he received any protests from that Committee against its withdrawal?
Mr Douglas Pielou: 3. asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. C. G. Pearce, late private, No. 203329, Wiltshire Regiment, was treated at the Middlesex Hospital on the 7th November, 1922, for a disability which has since been accepted by his Department as due to service in the Great War; whether his Department has consistently refused to pay treatment allowances for the period during which...
Mr Douglas Pielou: On a point of Order. Every pensioner who appears before the tribunal has the right of representation.
Mr Douglas Pielou: 10. asked the Minister of Pensions if it is his intention to be responsible for some 600 ex-service men who are suffering from mental trouble, who are, at the moment, under the care of the guardians?
Mr Douglas Pielou: 39. asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of aliens permitted to enter this country during the six months ending the 31st January, 1924; from what countries they originate; and is it proposed, in view of the large amount of unemployment existing in this country, to make the Regulations permitting aliens to land more drastic?
Mr Douglas Pielou: I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." First of all, I should like to thank those Members who have spoken on the previous important Bill which has just been read a Second time for curtailing their speeches so that this Bill may be reached to-day. I appreciate the privilege which has been extended to me through my luck in the ballot of presenting this Bill. Perhaps, after...
Mr Douglas Pielou: Trade was good, industry was moving, and yet between 1919 and 1922 the scheme has so little succeeded that the whole system has to be revised. Despite the fact that the persons controlling the scheme were men of extreme ability and men whose zeal was worthy of the utmost admiration, we find that there are large numbers of disabled men out of employment. The Committee of the King's Roll assess...
Mr Douglas Pielou: 9. asked the Minister of Pensions the number of appeals made to the assessment appeals tribunals from 1st January to 31st December, 1924, showing the number allowed by the tribunals and the number disallowed?
Mr Douglas Pielou: I should like to emphasise the remarks which have been made by Members of all parties. I agree that the ex-serviceman's question should not be at all a party political question. I have on different occasions, perhaps not altogether successfully, voiced the problems of ex-service men. I welcomed the news with regard to Old Age Pensions, that income was no longer to be taken into consideration....