Major Abraham Lyons: asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the conditions now obtaining and having regard to the rates of pay of soldiers of the Dominions and United States Forces, he will now re-examine the position and consider an increase of pay for the lower ranks of the British Navy, Army and Air Force?
Major Abraham Lyons: Would my right hon. Friend reconsider the question in this light, that the conditions, economical and otherwise, mean that costs and prices in this country are the same for all ranks in all Forces, and as large numbers of American and Dominion Forces receive pay which puts the British soldier at a great disadvantage, will he take steps to put an end to this manifest injustice to the British...
Major Abraham Lyons: asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Price Regulation Committee for the North Midland region urging an enforceable controlled maximum price for wines and spirits and stating that this was pressed a year ago without action taken; and whether, in view of the ring stated to have been formed to the knowledge of this committee for still further...
Major Abraham Lyons: Is it not a fact that 12 months have elapsed since they made their representations and that nothing has been done up to now to stop this ramp?
Major Abraham Lyons: I merely want, if I may, to endorse the views that have been expressed by the hon. Gentleman opposite on this novelty in legislation. For myself I hope that the temporary period to be covered by this Bill will be made as short as possible and that as soon as possible in the future a comprehensive and consolidating Measure will be introduced. May I make one further protest on the present...
Major Abraham Lyons: Before my right hon. Friend leaves this Clause, could he tell the Committee whether, in approaching that long-term scheme, the Department will give consideration to the question of doing away with all the limitations which compel compensation to be less than the pre-accident rate of earnings?
Major Abraham Lyons: I beg to move, in page 1, line 13, to leave out "authorising," and to insert "permitting." It will be recalled that when this Bill was discussed the other day in a very conciliatory introduction, my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, who is not here at the moment, said in effect that it was merely of a permissive nature and would not weaken or restrict...
Major Abraham Lyons: I desire to thank by hon. and gallant Friend and the Board of Trade for their kindness in meeting me. When I say that a large number of persons have been turned away by the Board of Trade, I speak for the people who have come to me, and not of the generality of cases. I should be very happy to supply my hon. and gallant Friend with the names of some of the persons.
Major Abraham Lyons: I desire to move that a certain two lines of Clause 1 be omitted so that the Clause would apply merely to retail traders.
Major Abraham Lyons: I thought I was right in saying that the words "or otherwise" would bring in more than retail traders.
Major Abraham Lyons: I thought I was right in pointing out that when the Minister explained the Bill on the Second Reading he said it was wanted to cover retail traders in general.
Major Abraham Lyons: That is what I was doing. I understand that these words "or otherwise" are put in to extend the number of persons who would come within the purview of this Bill. My only object in rising was to say that in view of what was said on Second Reading, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman is in a position to say that the same considerations apply right through the transactions, I will not move the...
Major Abraham Lyons: I beg to move, in page line 14, to leave out "or otherwise." I hope my hon. and gallant Friend will give us some explanation of the matter.
Major Abraham Lyons: The question of imposing conditions is already specifically provided for in the Sub-section. If the words "or otherwise" were deleted, there would still be power to enforce conditions, because they are expressly stated in the Clause itself.
Major Abraham Lyons: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has had an opportunity of personally inquiring into the responsibility for the deplorable conditions of health, lack of fresh water, bad drainage and housing at Freetown; and whether he can give the House an assurance that he is satisfied that improvement has been effected and will be sustained until these serious shortcomings have been...
Major Abraham Lyons: Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether the Administration which allowed this shocking state of affairs has been strengthened in any way?
Major Abraham Lyons: Does my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that no Colony can afford the state of affairs I have indicated, and is he satisfied that steps are being taken to bring the position more closely to his notice?
Major Abraham Lyons: asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in view of the changed situation and the extended manufacture of synthetic rubber, some of the necessary road services, both passenger and goods, can be restored; and whether, in the national interest, he can now review the present policy of transfer of traffic to rail?
Major Abraham Lyons: In view of the recent statement made by the proprietor of one of the biggest synthetic rubber plants in America, while in England, will the hon. Gentleman take some steps to review the matter?
Major Abraham Lyons: asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) in relation to the Clifton Colliery, Nottingham, the shares of which are now held by the Treasury, the total monthly output and the output per man-shift, respectively, for each of the 12 months prior to Government acquisition and corresponding figures for each month since that date; (2), the output and the output per man-shift, respectively, for each...
