asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of British officers who were detained in Mesopotamia for three years or over continuously, and who on demobilisation were never granted any leave whatever or any compensation for the absence of such leave?

War Office records are not kept in such a form as to give this number, which could only he ascertained by much research, the cost of which is not, I think, justifiable. I would, however, point out that whilst no temporary officers (except repatriated prisoners of War) were granted leave on demobilisation all of them received a gratuity at the rate of 124 days' pay for the first year's service and 62 days' pay for each subsequent year or part of a year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state, or will he agree to a return showing, the number of officers in the British Army on full pay of and above the rank of colonel commandant and colonel on the staff; what troops they are commanding; or in what manner they are employed?

The details of such a return are not, I think, of sufficient general interest to warrant its being printed, but I am sending the hon. and gallant Member information privately.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state what is the cost to the country per head for a Territorial soldier, including officers, and for a soldier, including officers, in the Regular Army, including the Militia?

As regards the Territorial Army, the hon. Member will find at the foot of page 38 of the Army Estimates just published a table

—						Half Pay.		Retired Pay.
						Nos.	Total Annual Amount.	Nos.	Total Annual Amount.
							£		£
Major - Generals (including Surgeon-Generals).						28	21,674	214	185,945
Colonels	…	…	…	…	…	21	8,098	1,061	713,787

It is essential that there should be a number of officers of these ranks on half pay at any time in order to provide a field of selection for appointments falling vacant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number and rank of the naval officers employed in Paris?

One commander who is employed as Naval Attaché. He is also accredited to Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that it has teen alleged by a leading shipbuilder and public man that recently warship contracts were lost to Clyde yards because of inefficiency; and will he state the prices quoted by the successful firms and the prices quoted by the Clyde firms, and the conditions on which the contracts were accepted?

further asked what is the number of major-generals and colonels, other than lieutenant-colonels, respectively, who are either drawing pensions or who are on half-pay; and what is the cost to the country in each case?

The numbers vary from day to day, but the latest figures available are:

Invitations to tender for these ships were only issued to firms well known to be capable of carrying out the work efficiently, and the two lowest tenders were accepted. It would be undesirable and contrary to established practice to divulge the actual prices quoted by the firms who tender for contracts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is prepared to extend the opportunities, now afforded to certain other ratings, of voluntary retirement with proportionate pension to officers' cooks and stewards?

The sole object of the special discharge scheme was to effect the reduction of certain ratings, of whom there was a surplus, before the end of the financial year. The scheme was applied to all branches and grades where an existing surplus rendered it necessary. Some officers' stewards have been discharged under the scheme, but no officers' cooks were surplus. No further reductions are contemplated for this branch when those in progress are completed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty the total expenditure incurred and estimated to be spent on oil fuel installations in all parts of the world by the British Admiralty?

The approximate expenditure already made is five million pounds. £914,000 is included in the Estimates introduced last Monday and about £1,400,000 will be required to complete in future years the oil storage detailed in these Estimates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the rate of wages being paid by Messrs. Ward, ship-breaking contractors, at Inverkeithing Bay; whether he is aware that the rate paid is lower than the rate ruling in the district; and will be bring pressure to bear upon this firm to pay trade union rates of wages in Government contract work?

A complaint has been received from the Workers' Union (Limekilns branch) that Messrs. Ward are not paying their workmen the recognised rate at Inverkeithing, and the matter is being investigated.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any new order as to dietary, especially special diets, eggs, milk, etc., has been issued to the authorities of the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Orpington, Kent; and, if so, will he inform the House of the particulars of such order?

No such order as that suggested by the hon. Member has been issued.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his Department has received an application from Mr. David Dodds, Provost Road, Linlithgow, for payment of lost time when attending a medical board in Edinburgh; and whether it is proposed to recompense him for the full amount of his earnings when in attendance?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have the papers as to the man's earnings, which, I understand, have been sent to him, I will at once look into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the advisability of allowing men who are entitled to receive a bonus on reaching the age of retirement to withdraw the amount of such bonus before reaching the age limit, in order to allow such persons the opportunity of starling themselves in small businesses?

I fear that I have no power under the Superannuation Acts to adopt this proposal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any appointments have been made under paragraph 51 of the Re-organisation Report; and, if so, how many men have been appointed and how many women?

A number of men and women have been appointed to posts on the Senior Executive scale of pay (£400–£15–£500 for men and £300– £15–£400 for women). They are employed on various duties appropriate to that scale, but no central record is kept of those employed on the duties described in paragraph 51 of the Report of the Re-organisation Committee, nor could it be compiled without a disproportionate amount of labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the syndicate which agreed to purchase from the Disposal Board their stock of brass scrap, amounting to several millions, have carried out the terms of the contract and paid the agreed instalments on the dates stipulated in the contract; whether any alterations or concessions in the contract have been made; and when is the last instalment due?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The last instalment was due on the 25th March, 1922, and was paid on the 24th March, 1922.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the form of the Inquiry into the working of the State twitting works has yet been determined upon; at what date the Inquiry will commence; and whether, in view of the printing works at Harrow being only sanctioned as an experimental measure until June, 1923, instructions can be issued that no further expenditure on plant and machinery is to be incurred until the result of the Inquiry is known?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and as regards the second part, I am unable at present to add anything to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to my hon. and gallant. Friend on the 13th December last. I am anxious to avoid any further capital expenditure on plant and machinery until the result of the Inquiry is known, but I cannot give any undertaking in this respect, as considerations of economy may make further expenditure essential.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps he is taking to remedy the high cost of coal to householders and manufacturers, taking into account the low sum paid to the miner and the small percentage of profit taken by the salesman; and is he aware that in four vitally important industries the cost of coal is the chief factor in unsuccessful competition with foreign nations and thereby causes much unemployment at home?

My predecessor referred to the Coal Advisory Committee the question of the possibility of effecting economies in the costs that make up the price of coal to the consumer. The Advisory Committee, after investigation by a sub-committee, reported that

"The Mines Department no longer possesses statutory powers to regulate coal prices or to control the distribution of supplies, and we do not see what action they can usefully take."

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the Report. I agree with its conclusions.

asked the Secretary for Mines the tonnage of coal exported from British ports, and the average f.o.b. price per ton, for each of the months of December, 1922, January, 1923, and February, 1923?

The information asked for is as follows:

Month.	Quantity of coal Exported.	Average value per ton f.o.b.
	Tons.	s.	d.
December, 1922	5,954,642	22	6
January, 1923	5,611,670	22	5
February,1923	5,902,630	23	2

also asked the Secretary for Mines the production of coal per person employed in and about the mines for the year 1922 as compared with the year 1913: and whether or not the present rate of production, after making due allowance for the 40,000 additional men now employed in the mines, has yet reached that of 1913 either in the aggregate or per person employed?

The production of coal per person employed in and about the mines was approximately 223 tons in the year 1922 as compared with 259 tons in the year 1913. The present annual rate of production, based upon the returns for January and February, falls below the 1913 rate by 12½ million tons in the aggregate and 22 tons per person employed; if 40,000 fewer men were employed and production fell proportionately, the annual rate would be below that of 1913 by 24½ million tons in the aggregate.

asked the Secretary for Mines the proportion of persons employed In and about the mines who did not present themselves for work on the full number of days that the pits were open for work during the months of December, 1922, and January, 1923?

I regret that I cannot give exactly the information for which the hon. Member asks. But during the month of December, 1922, the number of manshifts lost from all causes other than stoppages at the pits was 7½ per cent. of the total number of manshifts which could have been worked (including week-end and overtime shifts). Similar information is not yet available for the month of January, 1923.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average wage received for the weeks ended 9th December and 16th December, 1922, respectively, by persons over 21 years of age employed in and about coal mines who presented themselves for work each day that the mines were open for work during those weeks?

The returns made to my Department do not distinguish between the earnings of persons of 21 years and over and of those under that age, nor between the earnings of persons who present themselves for work each day that the pit is open and those who do not; but, according to information supplied by the Mining Association of Great Britain, covering about 85 per cent. of the industry, the average weekly earnings of colliery workmen over 21 years of age who presented themselves for work each day that the mines were open for work during the weeks ended the 9th and 16th December, 1922, were £3 0s. 6d. and £3 1s. 5d., respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport when the Report of the Departmental Committee on the affairs of the Thames Conservancy will be published?

As I stated on Thursday last, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing (Sir H. Nield), the Report of the Committee is being printed, and will be available within 10 days.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what is the cause of the delay in publishing the Report of the Departmental Committee on the duties of the Thames Conservancy; and when the same will be published?

As I stated on Thursday last in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, the Report of the Committee is being printed and will be available within 10 days.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the amount of British capital invested in Egypt and the Egyptian Soudan, respectively; and what was the figure in each ease in 1914?

So far as I am aware, no such statistical information exists.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what facilities minorities are given in Rumania for education in their own language?

Articles 9 and 10 of the Rumanian Minorities Treaty establish the right of the racial and linguistic minorities in that country to educate their children through the medium of their own language. In accordance with the draft of the new Constitution which was laid before the Rumanian Chamber last month, these rights are to form the subject of special legislative measures the text of which has not yet been communicated to His Majesty's Government.

also asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what percentage of estates belonging to individuals of the minorities in Rumania have been confiscated?

If the hon. Member refers to landed estates affected by the Rumanian agrarian law, I regret I am unable to give exact statistics.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, within the last six months, there has been any diplomatic negotiations with the Allied Governments owing us money in respect of the, repayment of war loans; and what, in that case, was in each case its nature?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the papers relating to the recent meetings in London and Paris which have been laid before Parliament.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of all foreign colonies or possessions lost by Germany as the result of the War of 1914; and the names of the nations now possessing or administering those colonies or possessions, respectively?

As a result of the recent War, Germany lost the undermentioned colonies and possessions. These are now being administered by the countries indicated, under Mandates from the League of Nations, the dates of the Mandates being given in each case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the trade agreement of the Soviet Government is still in existence; whether it is working satisfactorily; whether other Powers have concluded or are concluding similar agreements and, among them, China; and whether these trade agreements will in any way exercise a conflicting effect upon each other?

The trade agreement is still in existence. Although in some respects an imperfect instrument, it has permitted the re-opening of trade between this country and Russia, as shown by the figures which have been given to the House from time to time by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The other Powers which have concluded similar agreements are Norway, Austria, Italy arid Czecho-Slovakia. The answer to the last part of the question is, so far as I am aware, in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of British troops which will be stationed in India if the recommendations of Lord Inchcape's Committee are accepted?

If the proposals of Lord Inchcape's Committee are adopted the total number of British fighting troops in India will be 63,040. These figures do not include administrative services as the proposals in these cases take the form of financial reductions and no proposals for reduction in terms of men are made.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Stanley Steward, of Fordham, Essex, who, while driving a motor-car at night, upset a cycle and sidecar, both the occupants of which were thrown out and one seriously injured; whether he is aware that Steward drove away in the darkness without rendering assistance, but was fortunately identified by a lamp which fell off his car in the collision, and subsequently fined for driving to the common danger; that, though the magistrate had power to fine Steward for dangerous driving, he had no power to punish him for the cowardly act of running away and leaving his victim lying unaided in the high road; and is he now prepared to reconsider his previous decision, and to introduce legislation inflicting special penalties for any such attempt to escape detection by flight?

This case has not been brought to my notice, but from the facts stated by the hon. Member it appears that the driver of the motor-car in question might have been charged with causing bodily harm by driving to the common danger. On a conviction for this offence imprisonment up to two years may be imposed and no doubt the Court in passing sentence would have regarded the offender's conduct after the accident as an aggravation of the offence.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the disinclination of the London County Council to accept his advice that the legality of the use of automatic machines after the hours governing the closing of shops should be tested by a case in the High Courts, he will state what instructions it is proposed to give the Metropolitan Police in this respect in future; and what is the practice of the police authorities in the provinces with regard to the late use of these machines?

I have not yet been informed by the London County Council what action they propose to take in this matter. As the hon. Member is aware, the whole responsibility for enforcing the Shops Acts rests on the, local authorities who appoint inspectors for the purpose, and in the Metropolitan Police area all that the police are instructed to do is to report to the local authorities, if so desired, any infringements of the Acts which they may observe in the course of their ordinary duties. I have no informa- tion as to the practice in the provinces in regard to the use of these machines.

asked the Home Secretary if the Departmental Committee relating to the existing provisions for protection from fire is likely to report in the near future?

I understand that the Royal Commission to which I think the hon. Gentleman refers are considering their Report, and that it may be expected before very long.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Criminal investigation Department charge county authorities for the services of their officers at the following rates, namely, inspectors £2 5s. 8d. per diem, and sergeants £1 11s. 5d. per diem, in addition to subsistence and expenses; and what is the reason for such charges, having regard to the wages actually paid to the officers of these grades?

Detectives lent to assist in elucidating any specially serious crime are not charged for. In cases where a charge is made it is on the scale approved for the loan of police to public departments, public companies and private individuals, and the rates mentioned in the question are in accordance with this scale. The daily charge includes riot only the pay of the men concerned, but also a proportionate charge for allowances, pension and administrative expenses, and is based on the number of working days in the year. If the hon. Member desires to have further details showing exactly how the charge is computed, I shall be glad to arrange for them to be supplied to him.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the frequency of complaint by magistrates in London as to the methods of the Metropolitan police, and the serious condemnation by the learned Recorder o London and by other magistrates of police officers for unnecessary arrests and unsatisfactory evidence; and what steps he proposes to take to restore public confidence?

I am not aware that there is any frequency of complaint or other reason for loss of confidence. On the contrary, I believe that, having regard to the number of cases in which the police are concerned, complaints are very few and far outnumbered by the commendations received.

asked the Home Secretary if he will introduce a Bill to amend the Factory and Workshops Act so as to legalise the maximum working week for women and young persons in textile factories at 48 hours per week; and, if not, will he say why?

No circumstances showing the need of an immediate amendment of the Act in the direction indicated in the question have been brought to my notice, and I do not see my way to introduce any such legislation this Session.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the urgent necessity for reducing the postal rates, especially on printed matter; and whether, in order to diminish unemployment in sections of the printing and allied industries and also stimulate the general trade of the country, he will take steps for this purpose as soon as possible?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any statement as to reduction of postal rates. I can only say that the matter is receiving my careful consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General why, in filling the post of sub-postmaster recently vacant at Newmams post office, Lanarkshire, after it had been intimated to the Wishaw Employment. Exchange that it would provide an opportunity for an ex-soldier or sailor, the appointment was made of a woman from outside the area at a time when so many unemployed persons are on the registers of the local Employment Exchange and the parish council?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that under the Telegraph Act the Government has no power to grant to a private company or firm the right or privilege to transmit public telegraph messages, he will consider the withdrawal of temporary licences granted the Marconi Company to undertake the transmission of telegrams?

The Postmaster-General possesses powers under the Telegraph Acts to grant licences to transmit messages by telegraph, but telegrams to and from places abroad, such as those covered by the temporary licences granted to the Marconi Company, are exempt from the Postmaster-General's ordinary telegraph monopoly. The licences in question have been granted in pursuance of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904, under which no wireless station can be established or worked without the licence of the Postmaster-General.

asked the Postmaster-General what countries in Europe give reduced or preferential postal rates to agricultural produce?

None, so far as I am aware.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the operation of rings and trusts in connection with the building-material industry, which inflate the cost of building; if he is aware that cement, tiles, bricks, timber, and other material are up in price, ranging from 100 per cent. to 250 per cent. above pre-War price; that builders' labourers' rates of pay have been reduced by 10d. per hour, and that bricklayers and other craftsmen in the building trade have had their rates of pay reduced by 8d. per hour; and if he will take action in the matter?

In answer to the first and last parts of the hon. Member's question I may refer to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Oxford (Henley) Division (Captain Terrell) on the 7th instant. The average percentage increase on pre-War prices in recorded market prices of the various materials required for the erection of a workman's house in the London district is at present from 65 to 70. I am aware that in some districts the wages of craftsmen and labourers have, since May, 1921, been reduced by 8d. and 10d. per hour respectively. The increase in rates of wages above pre-War rates has varied in different localities. In London the percentage increases in the rates for skilled and unskilled labour are at present 73·9 per cent. and 87·5 per cent. respectively.

asked the Minister of Health if any estimate has been made of the whole possible output in Great Britain of the materials required in the erection of houses under the housing schemes; and, if so, what it is in respect of each of the materials required?

Type of House.		Description and Quantities of Material
		Floor Area in super feet.	Sand.	Lime.	Cement.	Bricks.	Slates.	Timber.			Lead.
								Carcassing.	Joinery.	Flooring.
			cub.	cub.				cub.	cub.
			yds.	yds.	tons.			ft.	ft.	squares.	cwt.
Parlour	…	1,058	23	6·25	3·1	21,000	1,600	157	122	8·5	6·8
Non-parlour		800	17	4·75	2·45	15,850	1,230	120	114	5·75	5·25

asked the Minister of Health whether the Memorandum on Housing in England and Wales (H.C., No. 89), referred to in paragraph 5, Cd. 9087, 1918, has been published; and, if so, what is the official number and date of publication?

The Memorandum referred to in paragraph 5 of Cd. 9087, appears to have been one prepared by a member of the Advisory Housing Panel of the Ministry of Reconstruction, and so far as I am aware has not been published.

asked the Minister of Health if any estimate has been made of

The only estimate on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member of which I am aware is contained in a report of a Committee appointed by the Minister of Reconstruction, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Health if any estimates have been made of the quantities of the carious materials required for the erection of each or any of the types of houses erected under the housing schemes; and, if so, what they are?

Estimates of the quantities of materials required for the erection of various types of houses erected under the housing schemes have been made. When set out in detail the list of materials required is somewhat lengthy, but a general summary of the quantities of the principal materials required in the erection of two types—a parlour house and a non-parlour house—is as follows:the number of houses required since 1914, based on the number of marriages during the period; if so, what it is; and what was the number of marriages and the increase in the number of houses in each of the decennial periods, 1901–1910 and 1911–1920?

I do not think that the statistics of marriages in themselves give a reliable basis for estimating the number of houses required. The number of marriages in England and Wales between 1901 and 1910 was 2,640,515, and the increase in the number of buildings between the censuses in 1901 and 1911 was 841,000. The number of marriages between 1911 and 1920 was 3,075,903, and the increase in the number of structually separate dwellings between the censuses of 1911 and 1921 was 357,000.

asked the Minister of Health if statistics showing the number of houses built during the 10 years from 1906 to 1916 in 70 of the most important towns of the United Kingdom were placed before the President of the Local Government Board on the 20th September, 1916; and what they were?

The statistics referred to were handed to the President of the Local Government Board on the date in question by a deputation from the National Congress on "Home Problems after the War," convened by the National Housing and Town. Planning Council. The statement showed that in the years 1906–1910 the total number of houses built in these 70 towns was 169,996, while in the period from 1911–1915 the number was 87,654.

—	1920 (1,503 Reports).	1921 (1,665 Reports).
Number of houses in respect of which closing orders became operative under Section 28 (1) of the Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act, 1919.	425	630
Number of houses in respect of which closing orders were made under Section 17 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc Act, 1909.	1,808	2,290
Number of houses in respect of which such closing orders were determined after the houses had been made fit.	754	529
Number of houses in respect of which demolition orders were made under Section 18 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act, 1909.	595	546
Number of such houses demolished	597	640

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that two men were fined 40s. and £5 costs each at Abertillery for sitting as members of Nantyglo and Blaina District Council while being disqualified because they had received Poor Law relief; and if he will take action to remove the disqualification?

This case has not previously been brought to my notice. As regards the last part of the question, I cannot undertake to introduce the suggested legislation.

asked the Minister of Health whether any variolous strains

asked the Minister of Health if any estimate has been made of the number of houses occupied by the working classes that are likely to be closed under the Housing Act as unfit for human habitation during the next five years; and, if so, will he say what the estimate is?

No such estimate has been made, but the following statement obtained from the Annual Reports of medical officers of health, so far as they are available, shows the action taken by local authorities in regard to the closing and demolition of houses under Sections 17 and 18 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act, 1909, and Section 28 (1) of the Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act, 1919:of vaccine lymph are used for seed purposes in the Government lymph establishment; and, if not, what is the precise character and origin of the lymph or lymphs which are used for the purposes in question?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to his previous question on this subject on the 13th December last.

asked the Minister of Health what are the external evidences of a successful vaccination; what steps are taken by his Department to ascertain that public vaccinations are successful; and whether he can give any guarantee as to the length of time vaccination continues to remain successful?

I am advised that the external evidence of successful vaccination is the production at the seat of inoculation of the characteristic and well-defined marks. As regards the second part of the question, the work of public vaccinators is periodically inspected by medical officers of my Department in order to secure that a high standard of public vaccination is attained. As regards the third part, the Royal Commission on Vaccination stated that the protection vaccination affords against attacks of small-pox is greatest during the years immediately succeeding the operation of vaccination; that it is impossible to fix with precision the length of this period; and that, though not in all cases the same, if a period was to be fixed, they thought it, might fairly be said to cover in general a period of 9 or 10 years.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take early action in the direction of reviving those provisions of the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921, which have lapsed?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the lapse of certain provisions of the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921, he can state if early action is contemplated?

asked the Minister of Health whether and, if so, what action he proposes to take with regard to certain provisions in the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921, which have lapsed?

A Bill extending and amending certain provisions of the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921, was introduced by me yesterday.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the names of all local authorities which have adopted Clause 90 of the Ministry of Health bye-laws?

I assume that the model bye-law to which the hon. Member refers is that which requires the use of a mechanical stunning instrument in the slaughter of animals. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the 73 local authorities who have adopted the bye-law in question.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to prevent the imported foreign eggs being sold as English new-laid; and if he is aware that the use of these foreign eggs is having serious effects upon the health of many industrial and city communities?

I have been asked to reply. Under the Sale of Food Order, 1921, which is still in force, no imported eggs may be sold as "fresh" or "new-laid" unless the description also includes the word "imported" or words disclosing the country of origin. I understand that the Minister of Health has not received any information tending to show that the use of foreign eggs involves danger to health.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Miss Ethel Anderton, of 63, Temple Street, West Bromwich, who received treatment at the Lodge Road dispensary, West Bromwich, for nearly two years, and who was sent on 2nd October, 1922, to the Royal National Sanatorium, Bourne-mouth, where she received treatment for about 12 weeks; whether he has received a complaint that the patient was sent home at the end of this period in an unfit state without a suitable attendant, and that, the journey having been too trying for her, she was taken ill and died three weeks later; if he has investigated the ease and with what result; and whether the railway fare to and from the sanatorium, paid by Miss Anderton's sister, will be refunded to her in view of Miss Anderton having received sanatorium treatment as an insured person under the Health Insurance Acts?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A complaint was received that this patient had been sent back to her home from the sanatorium when she was not in a fit condition to travel. My Department communicated with the West Bromwich Town Council in regard to the case, and received a copy of the correspondence which passed between the medical superintendent of the sanatorium and the tuberculosis officer for West Bromwich. The correspondence showed that the medical superintendent asked that the tuberculosis officer would arrange for the removal of the patient as she was making very poor Progress and that the medical superintendent saw no reason why she should not undertake the journey. The tuberculosis officer accordingly agreed that the patient should return to her home in West Bromwich. As regards the last part of the question, I have no authority to direct that the railway fares should be refunded, but I may point out that sanatorium benefit terminated in l921, and this patient was afforded sanatorium treatment by the town council under their scheme for the treatment of tuberculosis which is available for both insured and uninsured persons.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to ensure fit find proper medicines being supplied to panel patients where the price of such medicines is higher than the sums allowed in the contract?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Thu cost of the medicines to which persons insured under the National Health Insurance Acts are entitled are not subject to any such limit as is suggested in the question. Insurance practitioners are required to order for their patients such medicines as are required for their proper treatment without limit of price, though it has been found necessary to take certain precautions against extravagance in prescribing.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Scotland, if his attention has been drawn to the action of a profit-earning company in the Cowdenbeath district claiming a deduction of 100 per cent. in respect of repairs to, and maintenance of, their plant; if he is aware that, should this claim be found in order, no poor or education rate will fall to be paid by this company; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving effect to No. 4 of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Local Taxation in Scotland by taking steps to have Section 37 of the Poor Law (Scotland) Act, 1845, repealed?

My Noble Friend has received a communication from the Beath Parish Council to the effect stated in the first and second parts of the question. He is considering the recommendation of the Departmental Committee with respect to the repeal of Section 37 of the Poor Law (Scotland) Act, 1845, in connection with the proposals for the reform of local taxation in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men in the different branches of the building trade are; now unemployed; and what is the aggregate weekly payment made to them?

The total number of persons unemployed in the various branches of the building trade in Great Britain on 26th February, 1923 (the latest date for which figures are available) was 136,261. The details are appended. Assuming that these workpeople draw the same average per head as unemployed workpeople generally, the weekly amount drawn by them is about £93,800:

Carpenters	13,876
Bricklayers	7,222
Masons	2,017
Slaters	757
Plasterers	2,603
Painters	27,545
Plumbers	4,639
Labourers of above	59,553
All others	18,049
Making a total of	136,261

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of men in each of the building trades, giving labourers separately; and what is the number unemployed in each of these trades at the present time?

The numbers of men in the various building trade occupations in Great Britain and the numbers of men unemployed at 26th February, 1923 (the latest date for which figures are available), are as follow:

Occupation.	Estimated cumber of men insured under the Un employment Insurance Act.	Number of men unemployed at 26th February, 1923.
Carpenters	123,820	13,876
Bricklayers	58,540	7,222
Masons	21,490	2,017
Monumental Masons.	1,520	150
Slaters	5,190	757
Plasterers	16,290	2,603
Painters	109,800	27,545
Plumbers	33,090	4,639
Labourers of above	257,180	50,553
Others	88,630	17,899
	715,550	136,261

asked the Minister of Labour when the decision of the Government will be announced with regard to the making of a grant or loan for restarting the diamond-cutting works at Brighton?

The question whether it is practicable for the Government to give any State assistance to the reopening of the diamond-cutting works at Brighton has been under consideration. A decision will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour who are the representatives of the workmen and employers, respectively, sitting upon the Advisory Committee of the Darlaston Employment Exchange; and what organisations were consulted relative to their appointment?

The following is a list of the members, representing employers and workpeople, respectively, on the Darlaston Local Employment Committee, and of the associations or other bodies by which these members were nominated:—

asked the Minister of Labour whether school attendance officers in Scotland, whose periods of employment by an education authority may amount to only a few days in a year, may, together with the authority employing them, be liable for unemployment insurance contributions amounting to more than the remuneration for their services; and whether he will make some provision to meet this anomaly?

Employment as a part-time school attendance officer is covered by the compulsory provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, and I have no power to except it. In certain cases of part-time employment it is possible to grant exemption to the employé, though not to the employer, and if the hon. Member will furnish me with details of the particular cases which he has in mind, I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons employed in a normal year before the War and the number employed in 1922; and the estimated population for the years under notice?

No statistics are available as to the total number of persons in employment at any time. At the 1911 Census, 16,284,399 persons were returned in England and Wales as engaged in gainful occupations, whether as employers, as persons working for employers, or as persons working on their own account. The 1921 Census County Reports contain corresponding statistics distinguishing persons working for employers; but figures for the whole of England and Wales are not as yet available. The total population of England and Wales in 1911 was 36,070,492, while the corresponding figure for 1921 is provisionally returned as 37,885,242, the population for 1922 being estimated at 38,158,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any protests have been received from the Governments of South Africa and Australia in regard to the deletion of a Clause in the Importation of Animals Bill which provided for the importation of cattle into this country under similar Regulations as provided for in the case of Canada and Ireland; and when the Government propose to introduce legislation enabling the promises made at the Conference to be redeemed?

I am aware that the deletion of the Clause to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers caused disappointment in Australia and South Africa. As to the latter part of the question, I would remind him of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies in another place when the Bill was under discussion, to the effect that, if the question of removing the restrictions in the case of the Dominions other than Canada were raised at the next Imperial Conference, arid a mutually satisfactory arrangement reached, legislation would be introduced by His Majesty's Government to give effect to that arrangement. A communication in this sense has been sent to the Commonwealth and Union Governments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many divisional advisers there are in Mesopotamia, and what is the total amount of their salaries?

On 1st January 12 British officers were employed by the Iraq Government with the rank of Divisional Adviser and nine with the rank of Assistant Divisional Adviser. I regret, that I have not the material for replying to the second part of the question, but I am asking for particulars. My hon. and gallant Friend realises, of course, that the salaries of these advisers are paid from Iraq revenues and not by the British Exchequer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention hays been called to the published statement of Dr. Yeung Shiu Chuen, made in Hong Kong on or about 13th January, that a mui tsai had been sold for 90 dollars, and that the sale had taken place at the office of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs; that, upon the mother wishing to regain control of her child, the purchaser demanded 180 dollars as the redemption price; whether the Secretary for Chinese Affairs referred the mother to the owner; and whether any further action has been taken by the Hong Kong Government to assist the mother in securing the liberation of her child?

I have only seen this statement reported in a local newspaper, and I am asking the Governor for a report on the case.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the issue of an Order under the Milk and Dairies Act to prescribe standards and labelling for imported condensed milk?

Regulations for this purpose have been prepared in my Department and notice of intention to make them, subject to the consideration of any representations or suggestions which may be made by any public body interested, has been given in the London Gazette. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the draft Regulations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will submit a Return to the House showing the output of sugar from the Kelham and Cautley factories from the time they have been free from the Sugar Duty?

I have been asked to reply. The Kelham sugar factory has not operated since the Government consented in March, 1922, to remit the Excise Duty on sugar produced from home-grown beet. The whole of last season's beet crop was worked at the Cautley sugar factory, 7,011 tons of white sugar being produced.

asked the Prime Minister the terms of reference to the Committee to be appointed to consider the co-operation and correlation of the three Services?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on the 8th March in reply to a question by my Noble Friend the Member for Battersea South (Viscount Curzon).