asked the President of the Board of Education when the Departmental Committee sitting under the presidency of Lord Emmott will report on the position of the old teachers' superannuation, many of whom are in great difficulties owing to the smallness of their pension; and whether he will consider putting them on the same basis as those who retired after 1st April, 1919?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I cannot commit myself to any course of action in advance of the Committee's Report.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, under the terms of the reference to the Departmental Committee now sitting to consider the whole question of teachers' superannuation, the consideration by the Committee of the case of the pre-1919 retired teachers is to be included or excluded?

The question raised by my hon. and gallant Friend is one for the Departmental Committee to determine. I am sending a copy of his question and of my reply to the Chairman of the Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of qualified unemployed teachers in Wales and Monmouthshire, and the number of teachers who will leave the colleges in July next fully qualified to take positions in the schools?

I regret I have no information to show the total number of qualified unemployed teachers in Wales and Monmouthshire. According to the latest information in my possession, 205 of the students who left the training colleges in Wales and Monmouthshire last summer had failed to obtain posts. The number of students expected to leave these training colleges next July is 793; but until they have completed their course I cannot say how many of them will be fully qualified.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that the Board has held out inducements since the War for young persons to enter the teaching profession and that there is now so much unemployment amongst this class for which the Board is responsible, he will take steps to provide them with maintenance, since they are ineligible for unemployment pay and are forced through circumstances to apply for poor relief?

It is not in my power to provide maintenance for the teachers who are out of employment.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that many teachers have been put to expense in preparing for the examination announced for November, 1923, which has been cancelled under Circular 1,296; and if he is prepared to make representations in the proper quarter that they should be granted compensation for such expense?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on the 15th March. I do not feel justified in asking my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to provide funds for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children in elementary schools of all types in the Wirral, outside the Birkenhead Corporation area, boys and girls, respectively; the number of applicants for secondary education from such children at the end of the appropriate school term in 1922; the number of places in secondary schools at that date, both free and fee-paying; and whether there is any immediate prospect of increasing the secondary school accommodation in the Wirral?

There are about 11,400 boys and 10,500 girls in the public elementary and special schools of the area referred to by the hon. Member. With regard to the second part of the question, I regret I have no information. The grant-aided secondary schools in the district contain about 630 pupils, of whom about 125 hold free places. In addition, about 240 pupils from the district, of whom 80 hold free places, attend grant-aided secondary schools in Birkenhead, Chester and Wallasey. I have not received any proposals for an early increase of secondary school accommodation in the district.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the disapproval that has been, and is being, expressed of the policy outlined in Circular 1,297, published by the Board of Education on the 29th January last, he will issue instructions either for the withdrawal of the Circular or for its modification in such a way as to remove the causes of complaint?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 1st March to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the reasons that have decided his Department to authorise the importation of breeding stock from Canada; what, if any, demand for such action has come from any section of the agricultural community in this country; and what are the benefits anticipated to agriculture in this country from the action contemplated by the Government?

In view of the pledge given by my predecessor to the Canadian representatives at the Conference in October last, I feel bound to lay an Order before the Houses of Parliament. Particulars of the agreement reached at that Conference were announced in the Press on 4th November, 1922, and included a statement to the effect that the landing of Canadian cattle capable of breeding would require the authority of a general Order which would be made by the Minister of Agriculture and laid in draft before both Houses of Parliament. The Canadian representatives agreed that when the necessary Order came into force they would modify their regulations so as to make the British and Canadian conditions reciprocal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered, or will consider, the desirability of ensuring that the British Consular Representatives in Belgium and Holland shall, from time to time, ascertain by direct observation the treatment of aged horses shipped across to those countries for butchery purposes, so as to afford information to those who in this country hold that even the new Regulations governing this traffic on this side are largely nullified on the other by callous treatment of the animals before they are slaughtered?

Arrangements had already been made for the Consuls-General at Antwerp, Amsterdam and Rotterdam to make inquiries with regard to allegations of cruelty to horses shipped to Holland and Belgium which have been received from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals I would point out, however, that, although I am anxious to prevent any unavoidable suffering to horses exported to the Continent, I have no control over the horses after they leave this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that two horses out of 12, passed fit for work, were landed dead at Amsterdam at the end of a voyage from Leith on the steamer "Roman," 10th to 12th February, whether he can give the House further information as to the qualified attendant who, according to Regulation, travels with each boat to tend the animals properly; and which Government Department takes steps to ensure that such an attendant carries out his duties effectually?

The reply to the first part is in the affirmative. The casualties on the s.s. "Ronan," to which I understand my hon. and gallant Friend to refer, were due to the rough weather which was encountered on the voyage. With regard to the second and third parts it is the duty of the Minister's inspectors to board all ships carrying horses to satisfy themselves that sufficient food and water have been provided for the voyage, and that there is an adequate number of qualified attendants. I may add that on three occasions during the past year the actual voyage was made on the s.s. "Ronan" by members of the Ministry's veterinary staff who reported favourably both on the ship's fittings and on the way the horses were cared for.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether horses can be shipped from British ports on the production of certificates, if demanded, signed by any veterinary surgeon; whether at the port or inland; and how are permits for shipping horses from British ports obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture?

Horses cannot legally be shipped from ports in Great Britain to the continent of Europe on production of certificates of the character referred to. They must be examined at the port of shipment by veterinary inspectors of the Ministry immediately before embarkation and passed as fit in accordance with the Exportation of Horses Acts. The answer to the first two parts of the question is therefore in the negative. Permits arc issued by the Ministry authorising shipment without veterinary examination only in the case of horses of high value, such as polo ponies and hunters, and then only where the shipment is from one of the west coast ports to a port in Europe south of Bordeaux.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has

Year.		Home Production.	Imports.	Production of Total Supply.		Average Price of British Barley.*		Average declared value of Imported Barley.
				Home Produced.	Imported.
						Per Cwt.		Per Cwt.
		Cwts.	Cwts.	Per cent.	Per cent.	s.	d.	s.	d.
1920	…	31,051,000	12,668,000	71	29	25	0	22	10
1921	…	25,971,000	15,813,000	62	38	14	7	13	4
1922	…	24,993,000	12,693,000	66	34	11	2	8	7
* As ascertained from the Returns furnished under the Corn Returns Act, 1882, in respect of purchases made at Scheduled Markets in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture approximately the number of

The answer to the first part is in the negative. I am aware that the Crown may enclose not more than 11,000 acres in the Forest of Dean, but I understand that this area has not been exceeded, and that there is no intention of so doing. The necessity for the action suggested in the last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the ratio of home-grown and foreign imported barley during the last three years; and the average yearly price of each?

The following table gives the production of barley in Great Britain and Ireland, and imports of barley into Great Britain and Ireland in the years 1920, 1921 and 1922, with the average prices of British and imported barley respectively in those years:eggs produced respectively in Great Britain and in Ireland in each of the years 1920, 1921 and 1922?

The information available on which to estimate the production of eggs in Great Britain is very incomplete. Statistics of the numbers of poultry on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in extent were collected in 1921, and on the basis of the Returns received it is estimated that the total production of fowls' eggs in that year (including an estimate for fowls kept on holdings of an acre or less) was 1,750 millions. I am not aware of any official estimates of the production of eggs in Ireland for the years mentioned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the number of boards of guardians which are granting relief in aid of the wages of agricultural labourers?

Cases of this kind have been reported to me by nine boards of guardians, but so far as I am aware six of these boards are not now granting such relief.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received representations from parish councils and other bodies, as, for instance, the parish council of Glutton, that they cannot make ends meet on their allotments undertakings because of the 6¾ percent. interest charged on a 50-years' term on a public works loan, although in the Glutton case Is. per perch is being charged to the allotment holder; and whether he will enable the allotments movement to continue by reducing this charge?

The rates of interest charged for advances from the Local Loans Fund must be such as to meet the service of the stock raised for the fund; and I cannot hold out any hope of reduction in the rate for loans already granted on this basis. With the improvement in the issue price of the stock it is now possible to grant new loans on more favourable terms than 6¾ per cent.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of agricultural holdings (including small landholdings and crofts) in Scotland under 50 acres and under one acre, respectively, in the years 1914 and 1922?

The numbers of agricultural holdings, exceeding one acre and not exceeding 50 acres, as returned on 6th June, 1913, and 3rd June, 1922, are as follows:

Year.	No. of holdings.
1914	51,347
1922	50,278

No returns are made in respect of holdings of one acre or less in extent.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the total number of farm workers in Scotland, other than farmers and crofters and their relatives, giving the number of male and female farm workers separately; the number of farmers employing hired labour; and the number of crofters and small landholders?

The total number of farm workers in Scotland, as shown in the Agricultural Returns for 1922 collected by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, is 124,616, distributed as follows:

Regular workers:
(a) Males, 21 years old and over	58,601
(b) Males under 21 years old	22,923
(c) Women and girls	20,812
Casual workers:
(a) Males, 21 years old and over	7,239
(b) Males under 21 years old	3,942
(c) Women and girls	11,099
Total employed on holdings	124,616
Total males	92,705
Total females	31,911

Information is not available regarding the number of farmers employing hired labour, or the number of crofters and small landholders.Statistics showing the number of persons returned as employed in agricultural occupations at the Census of 1921 are shown in the following table:

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the working hours of agricultural workers which are at present operative in the various Scottish counties, respectively?

No official statistics are available regarding the hours of agricultural workers in Scotland. The normal working day appears to be from 9 to 9½hours (with, in some cases, a half-holiday on Saturday). During seed time and harvest, which cover about 10 weeks of the year, a 10-hour day is worked, with a correspondingly shorter day during the winter months. The average working week is about 50 hours.

asked the Home Secretary the annual number of prosecutions and convictions for criminal assault on girls under 16 in the years 1912–14 and 1920–22, and the maximum and minimum sentences imposed in each of these four years?

I will send the hon. Member the figures for which he asks, as far as they are available.

asked the Home Secretary how many members of the Metropolitan Police Force retired under a police Order issued in 1918 giving men with 28 years' service and over the option of retiring on giving one month's notice;

The number of officers with 28 years' service and upwards who took advantage of the Order was 109. A month's notice to retire on pension was required of officers who had secured their pensions and who subsequently desired to retire on pension.

asked the Home Secretary if he will consider the advisability of making special provision in a separate institution or institutions for boys and girls committed to prison with a view to detention in a Borstal institution or after such sentence, and for those sentenced to a term of imprisonment as young prisoners under a system known until recently as modified Borstal, in order to prevent the detention of either class in local prisons, whether collecting centres or otherwise, whore they are brought into contact with all classes of offenders and criminals?

The Prison Commissioners consider that these young people should be kept quite separate from adult prisoners, and they make such arrangements to this end as the limitations of their present establishments will allow. They would prefer to have separate establishments, but at present funds are not available to provide them.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inadequacy of the sentences inflicted on persons convicted of cruelty to animals; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been directed to the Motion standing in the name of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London, calling attention to the inadequate sentences inflicted on persons convicted of cruelty to animals, and what steps he proposes to take?

I have no doubt that in some cases the sentences passed on offenders of this class are more lenient than many of us would think right. The remedy, however, seems to mo to lie in the development of a proper interest and a healthy public opinion on the subject; and to that end the various unofficial agencies interested, whose activities I welcome, can, I am sure, do much more than any Department of State.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Albert Haydock, of Sheffield, has been imprisoned for refusing to perform task work prescribed for him by the Ecclesall Board of Guardians, and that his unemployed benefit which was withdrawn has now-been restored; and whether, in view of the fact that the guardians were attempting to compel an individual to perform a task work at less than the minimum trade union rates of pay and conditions which is the recognised standard for such work, he will give instructions for Hay-dock's release?

As stated yesterday, I am making inquiry in the case.

asked the Home Secretary if he can give any figures showing the number of girls under the age of 16 years who have been sent abroad by charitable institutions between the years 1921–22; and if he will consider legislation making it compulsory for the permission of the Home Office to be obtained before an orphan child can be sent out of this country?

The information asked for is not in the possession of the Home Office. My consent is required only in the case of children committed by a Court under Section 21 of the Children Act, 1908, to the care of a fit person which includes any society or body corporate established for the reception or protection of poor children or the prevention of cruelty to children. During 1921 and 1922 my predecessor consented to the emigration of 19 girls and one girl respectively by charitable institutions. The suggestion made by the hon. Member in the last part of the question will be considered in the event of any Amendment of the Children Act.

asked the Home Secretary how many plural voters are in the Central Division of Glasgow; is he aware how many of them voted at the General Election; and will he consider the advisability of amending the law so as to prevent any elector having more than one vote?

I have been asked to reply. In the Central Division of Glasgow there arc 8,325 persons who are entitled to vote in more than one constituency at a Parliamentary election. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. I cannot give any undertaking as regards the third part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary the amount of morphia and heroin manufactured in Great Britain in 1921 and the amount exported; and what became of the balance remaining in the country?

The figures, according to the returns furnished to the Home Office, areMorphine manufactured, 147,790 OZS.; exported, 77,364 OZS.Heroin manufactured, 12,385 OZS.; exported, 14,107 OZS.To obtain the balance remaining and used in the country during the year, the stocks in hand at the beginning of the year would have to be added to the amount manufactured; and we have no figures to show these amounts, but, apart from any supplies obtained illicitly in contravention of the Dangerous Drugs Act, the balance would be disposed of for medical and scientific purposes through the wholesale or retail dealers licensed or authorised under the Act.

asked the Home Secretary how many chairmen of quarter sessions have actual legal training or experience other than that which they have acquired in the normal discharge of their duties?

I have no information on this point.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that difficulties in the way of remodelling licensed houses on modern lines arc constantly raised by licensing magistrates opposed to the sale of liquor on principle and without any regard for public advantage or convenience; and whether he will consider whether legislation should be introduced to permit much-needed reforms to be introduced without hindrance?

I cannot subscribe to the general indictment of Licensing Justices contained in the first paragraph of the question; and the matter is not one on which the Government are prepared to undertake legislation at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that both visiting justices and sanitary inspectors are denied admission to the prisons in which the British subjects deported to Ireland are interned; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to ensure the cleanliness of these prisons and take such steps as may be necessary to secure humane conditions for these persons pending their release?

As was explained in the course of the Debate last Monday, apart form those matters of vital importance upon which definite undertakings, already fully explained to the House, were obtained from the Free State Government, the Regulations governing the custody of the deportees have been left to that Government, who, I am sure, can be trusted to make fair Regulations. I am prepared to pass on to the Free State Government any representation from a responsible quarter touching the interests of the deportees, but I cannot impugn the efficiency or the humanity of the arrangements made by them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that neither letters nor parcels have been delivered to the deported prisoners in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, since Saturday last; and that a request to provide Miss Kathleen Brooks with a change of clothing was refused and the applicant informed that if the prisoner made application to the doctor she would be provided with prison clothing; and whether, in view of this state of affairs, he will take such steps as may be required to protect the rights of these deported prisoners?

I am in communication with the Free State Government in regard to the matters referred to in the question. I have not yet received their reply, but when I do, I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mr. Francis Brooks, brother to Miss Kathleen Brooks, now interned in Ireland, proceeded to Dublin a week ago for the purpose of interviewing his sister; that, after making four applications to the acting governor, he was informed that neither ho nor a legal representative could be granted permission to interview Miss Brooks; and whether, in view of the assurance given to the House that facilities would not be denied for such visits as that referred to, he will communicate with the Irish Free State Government and request that the assurances given shall be honourably fulfilled?

I understand that Mr. Brooks, not being the legal representative of the lady interned, was, in accordance with the Rules, refused permission to see her. My assurance to the House related only to legal advisers to interned persons, and I have reason to think that the difficulty in this case arose from the fact that application was made to the wrong authority. If any legal representative intending to proceed from this country for the purpose of interviewing a deportee will communicate the date of his visit to the Home Office beforehand, I can promise that the application will at once be conveyed to the proper quarter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will publish the terms of the agreement with the Free State Government respecting the treatment of the deportees; whether this is an agreement which binds succeeding Free State Governments; whether he will consult the House before permitting the trial of any of these persons by the Free State, in particular trial before the military courts; and whether there is any precedent for internment under Regulation 14b outside the jurisdiction of the Homo Office?

I regret that I cannot add to the very full statements made by the Attorney-General and myself in recent Debates in regard to the arrangements with the Free State Government. I have no reason to think that the undertakings given to me will not be honoured by any succeeding Free State Government. The arrangement in regard to further proceedings against any of the interned persons was fully described by the Attorney-General in reply to a Private Notice question by the hon. Member for Aberavon Monday last. The question whether in a particular instance there is a primả facie case for proceedings is, I venture to think, not one on which I could properly consult the House. With regard to the last part of the question, I would point out that the question of jurisdiction was raised in the ease of Brady which was decided by the Courts. There was also the case of Father Dominic who in July, 1922, was deported under the same procedure and required to reside within the jurisdiction of the Provisional Government.

asked the Home Secretary whether there are 6,000 ex-service men in lunatic asylums; and whether he will consider the provision of more suitable accommodation and treatment for these men?

On the 1st of January last the number of ex-service men in mental hospitals in England and Wales classed as service patients and paid for by the Ministry of Pensions was 4,532. As regards the second part of the question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on the 20th instant by the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Pensions to the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. F. Roberts).

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is now able to state the precise number of ex-service men he has handed over to the Poor Law authorities. to be treated as paupers in Poor Law or other mental asylums?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on the 15th February, to which I have, as yet, nothing to add as a number of appeals are still awaiting hearing by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons with service pensions amounting to £1,000 a year for services in other Departments are filling posts in the Ministry of Pensions with salaries of over £800 a year; whether, in view of the fact that thousands of officers and men trained by the Ministry of Labour for administrative positions are still unemployed, he will represent to the Treasury the desirability of substituting these service pensioners by trained ex-service officers and men for whom no employment whatever has been found?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Hol-brook) on the 6th and 14th December last, of which I am sending him copies.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many non-ex-service doctors and how many ex-service doctors are employed on the pensions medical boards in Glasgow?

The total number of medical practitioners on the panel from which members of medical boards for this area are drawn is 172, of whom 85 per cent. are ex-service doctors.

Region.						Total number of four year cases submitted for consideration for final awards under Section 4 (2) of the War Pensions Act, 1921.	Number and percentage recommended for final awards.
Scotland	…	…	…	…	…	6,870	3,544	or	51·6	per cent.
Northern	…	…	…	…	…	3,302	1,644	„	49·8	„
N. Western		…	…	…	…	9,588	5,509	„	57·5	„
Yorkshire	…	…	…	…	…	2,788	1,676	„	60·1	„
Wales	…	…	…	…	…	2,921	1,431	„	49·0	„
W. Midlands		…	…	…	…	3,726	2,557	„	68·6	„
E. Midlands		…	…	…	…	2,971	1,997	„	67·2	„
S. Western		…	…	…	…	2,789	1,839	„	65·9	„
London	…	…	…	…	…	11,248	6,659	„	59·2	„
Ulster	…	…	…	…	…	793	527	„	66·5	„
Ireland, South		…	…	…	…	1,184	731	„	61·7	„
Totals				…	…	48,180	28,114	„	58·4	„

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the still enhanced cost of living above the index figure of July, 1914, it will be possible to avoid the discontinuance of the bonus on disability and wounds pensions which is timed to take effect as and from the 31st March next; and whether he will consider the possibility of reducing the said bonus in accordance with the fall in the cost of living as evidenced by the index figure published by the Board of Trade?

The hon. and gallant Member is aware that that rate disability pensions and retired pay will not be liable to adjustment till 1926 and his question presumably relates to the honus at present added to the sum of wound pension and retired pay under Article 1 (3)

asked the Minister of Pensions what was the number of cases submitted for consideration for final award, and the percentage of these cases in which final award was made, in each region of the Ministry during the three months ended 31st December, 1922?

The following is the information desired:(

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty if he will consider the desirability of allowing men in His Majesty's dockyards who are so desirous to retire and receive the pension or gratuity to which they are entitled thus avoiding the discharge of younger men now under notice?

The conditions under which pensions or gratuities may be awarded are laid down in the Superannuation Acts, and no provision is made for any such awards to employés whose services are terminated at their own desire. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that gratuities granted by Army Council Instruction 131, of 1919, have not been allowed to be retained by dental surgeons who, at the conclusion of their temporary service, entered the permanent service, notwithstanding the fact that their form of contract was identical with that of contract doctors, by whom gratuities have been retained; and whether this anomaly will now be rectified?

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The contract for medical officers specifically provided for a gratuity, which was not included in the contract for dental officers. The gratuity under Army Council Instruction 131 of 1919 was an act of grace, and the conditions attaching to its refund in the event of any recipient being granted a permanent commission are similar to those generally applicable to officers. The contract for medical officers places them in an exceptional position. I am afraid I can hold out no hope that the decision on this question, which has been carefully and exhaustively considered, will be modified.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what number of candidates competed for appointments to the Royal Army Medical Corps at the last examination; what number of vacancies was advertised; how many candidates passed the examination; how many received commissions; what are the main reasons for this dearth of candidates; and how he proposes to remedy them?

Fifteen vacancies were advertised for appointments to the Royal Army Medical Corps at the last examination, for which four candidates competed and were all successful, subsequently receiving commissions. As regards the last two points in the hon. and gallant Member's question, I would point out that the examination, the first since 1914, was unavoidably held, at the very short notice of one month. Before entering into speculation as to other reasons and remedies, I think it will be best to see what are the results of an examination held under more favourable conditions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state, for men and women, respectively, employed in the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in the Aldershot Command, the number employed inside; the number employed outside; the number receiving over £3 per week in wages; and the number receiving less than that figure?

These employés are not paid from public funds. Their wages are fixed by the Board of management of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in its proper discretion. As I stated on the 20th March in reply to the hon. Member for West Nottingham, if there is reason to think that fair wages are not being paid and evidence in support of that view is communicated to me I shall be happy to make inquiry; but I regret that I am unable to give the details now asked for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of imported bottles and of other imported glassware in the first two months of this year, and the estimated value of the home output of such articles in the same period?

The declared value of glass bottles and jars registered during the first two months of 1923 as imported into the United Kingdom was £133,248, and of other glassware, £554,855. I have no information regarding the value of the output of such articles in this country during the same period.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a British firm sold on the 22nd December, 1922, to a Dutch firm, the Utrecht Trading Company, The Hague, 200 tons of crude whale oil, cash against delivery of the goods at their works at Hanau, in unoccupied Germany; that or arrival at Mainz, two consignments were seized by the Franco-Belgian authorities, who claimed a 10 percent. ad valorem duty, and are still held by them; that the British exporter received on the 16th instant a cable from their Cologne agent, stating that the French Custom authorities would sell by auction unless 10 percent. is paid immediately; that the British authorities in the occupied areas have been appealed to, and are unable to secure the release of these goods; and what action, if any, has already been taken, or is proposed to be taken, to safeguard the rights of British exporters?

I cannot trace the case referred to, as the firm do not appear to have brought it to the notice of either the Board of Trade or the Foreign Office. If the right hon. and learned Member will give me the names of the consignor and consignee, I will have the question taken up at once. As regards the last part of the question, the substitution of a 10 percent. duty for the former German tariff was taken up by His Majesty's Government, and the French Government agreed that pending the reimposition of specific tariff rates, goods on the German free list should be admitted free of duty. The Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission has now decided to adopt for imports into the occupied territories, us from the 25th March, the duties of the German import tariff as it existed in April, 1922, and I issued last night a notice to the Press to this effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he is aware that the despatch of goods under the recent arrangement between the British and Franco-Belgian authorities is still being delayed on account of the German Government's instructions that works forwarding goods, except under German licences, will be severely punished; and if he will make representations to the German Government that it should co-operate with the British commission in Coblentz with the hope of allowing works to forward goods in accordance with the recent B.O.T. announcement F 853?

Yes Sir, negotiations with the German Government are in progress.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government has placed any orders for material in Germany during the past or current year; whether these orders were completed and delivered within the contract time and price; and whether any have been transferred to this country?

It is the case that some orders have been placed, on behalf of the Government of India, in Germany during the past and the current year. They are small in value and they represent only a fraction of the total purchases of the Government of India, the great bulk of which are bought in this country. These orders have, so far, been completed without modification of price and without serious delay. No orders have been transferred to this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government proposes to float any further loan in this country during the current year for development purposes; what is the value of the orders to be placed by the Indian Government for railway material and other constructional work in its present programme of public works; and whether his Department are making representations to ensure that these0 orders are placed in Great Britain?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Apart from any orders that may be placed in 1923–4 for stores to be delivered in subsequent years, the estimated expenditure in 1923–4 on imported rolling stock and stores for the Indian State and guaranteed railways is provisionally put at about 17¾millions. As regards the third part of the question, I would refer to the replies I gave on the 5th March to the hon. Member for Leith and on the 12th December to my hon. and gallant Friend himself.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will assure the House that no suggestion of any guarantee, over and above that already provided for by law, has or will be made towards any deficit on account of the British Empire Exhibition?

My predecessor has already informed the hon. Member that the Department has no reason to anticipate an ultimate loss. In any event, the liability of the Government is limited by Act of Parliament, and the question of an extension of this liability is entirely within the control of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the reorganisation of his Department is yet complete; and, if so, what steps have been taken to open to women opportunities of training in the work of all branches of his Department, in accordance with Clause 2 of the Resolution of the House of 5th August, 1921, which provided that women should be given equality of opportunity with men in the Civil Service?

The reorganisation of my Department is practically complete. Regard has been had throughout to the principle laid down in the Resolution of this House referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the exact numbers of civil servants now employed in the Board of Trade on duties connected with the former Departments of Food and Shipping, which have now been absorbed by the Board of Trade?

At 21st March, 1923, there were 12 permanent and 104 temporary civil servants employed in the: Food Department, and 50 permanent and 189 temporary civil servants employed in the Shipping Liquidation Department. The staff of the Transport Department of the Admiralty, which was transferred to the Board of Trade with the Shipping Liquidation Department, is excluded from these figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he still intends to retain during part of the coming financial year the services of 70 officials in order to deal with the affairs of the Food Control Board; and when he hopes for a final closing down of this war staff?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 27th February to the hon. and gallant Baronet the Member for Holborn (Sir J. Remnant), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Ministry of Health whether the woman establishment officer in his Department is consulted on all questions affecting the women staff and the allocation of work as between men and women; and whether, in view of the need for insuring that an adequate staff of suitable women should be employed in the higher branches of the Ministry of Health, he will consider the advisability of appointing a woman as assistant director of establishments?

The duties of the woman officer serving in the Establishment Division are identical with those of men of the same grade in the Division. They are equally consulted as may be necessary on questions affecting the male and female staff. I see no necessity for appointing a woman as assistant director of establishments.?

asked the Minister of Health what is the total number of male officers employed in his Department and what is the total number of female officers; whether a woman establishment officer has been appointed; if so, what is her rank, salary and duties; and what is the number of men officers of similar rank in the establishment branch?

The total number of male officers employed in the Ministry of Health is 2,805; the total number of female officers is 1,092. There is no woman establishment officer but a woman is employed as a first class clerk in the establishment division of the Ministry at a salary of £300 rising to £400 a year. Her duties are interchangeable with the male officers of her grade serving in the division, of whom there are two.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the medical examination for entrants to the Civil Service is primarily instituted for the protection of the different Departments of the Civil Service which the aspirant desires to enter, and having regard to the hardship that the payment of fees for such examination imposes upon the competitors for the minor branches of the service, he will consider the abolition of such fees?

The abolition of the fee for medical examination payable by candidates prior to appointment to posts in the Civil Service would place a charge upon the Exchequer, which I am not prepared to impose.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the reorganisation of the Inland Revenue Department is yet complete; if so, what is the number of permanent women clerical officers it is intended to employ; and how many posts above the lower clerical have been allocated to women, and in what grades?

The reorganisation is not yet complete, and at present one higher clerical post only has been specially assigned to a woman. The work of the Department does not favour a definite allocation of clerical posts by reference to sex.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that appeals for funds are being made by the Civil Service Clerical Association in the Air Ministry and other branches of Government service for the purpose of mitigating the conditions of serious hardship in which numbers of Lytton entrants to the Civil Service now find themselves, and that the pay of these entrants is inadequate for the barest needs of themselves, their wives, and families; and will he have the rates of pay so adjusted as to put an end to this state of affairs?

I understand that an appeal has been circulated by the association referred to. The minimum starting rate for new entrants to the clerical class in London is at present £144 a year; a large proportion of the entrants receive starting rates in excess of this figure; and they are all eligible for annual increments on a scale of salary rising to a maximum of £250 a year, exclusive of bonus. On the information before me I am not prepared to say that the standard of remuneration at present prescribed is inadequate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that the work of the Development Commission is duplicated by Ministerial Departments, with consequent waste and loss of efficiency; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the matter?

After investigation last autumn by a Sub-committee of the Cabinet on Economy, it was decided that the existing system should be continued. I am not prepared to institute another inquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a result of the discussion between the Departments primarily concerned, he can now say when the necessary steps will be taken to give effect to the proposals of the Crown and Government Lands Committee which made definite recommendations, for economy in Government staffs?

It has been decided in principle to set up a central organisation to deal with valuation and negotiation for sale, purchase, etc., of lands and buildings, and to appoint an Inter-Departmental Committee to work out necessary details.

asked the Minister of Health whether any persons, and, if so, how many, made applications to the Public Works Loans Commissioners, under Section 21 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, to construct houses for the working classes; what amount of money was advanced for such purposes: and how many houses were built and their accommodation in relation to the number of bedrooms provided?

Subsequent to the enactment of the Section referred to provision was made in the Housing (Additional Powers) Act for the private builders subsidy scheme. The advances of the Public Works Loan Commissioners were limited to cases where it was not proposed to obtain the subsidy, and in fact advances were only made in four cases, and amounted to £6,350.

asked: the Minister of Health whether, in view of the diminishing number of vacant spaces immediately in or about London, he will consider the desirability, in at least a percentage of cases, of recommending to local authorities engaged on housing work to consider the erection of block flats instead of small houses, since such a policy would probably place cheaper accommodation at the service of the working-class and also enable them to live nearer their work?

A number of such dwellings have been provided in London under the former assisted scheme, and the new grant to local authorities will be available for dwellings of this type. I understand that the London County Council are contemplating the erection of further tenement buildings. I would point out, however, that dwellings of this kind have always been more expensive to build than cottages.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes in any legislation which may be introduced to give effect to the housing proposals of the Government to deal with the existence of rings of building materials operating to force up prices against the interests of the taxpayer?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply yesterday to a question put by the hon. Member for Tottenham North (Mr. R, Morrison). I hope it may not be necessary to introduce legislation to deal with this matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the sum of £382 6s. 8d. is due to the Northallerton Urban District Council under the late Government's housing scheme; and when the amount due will be paid to the Council?

The District Council have been asked to prepare a statement of account, but have not yet done so. As soon as this statement is received, any sum found to be due will be paid.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in connection with the housing proposals of the Government, a complete national scheme will be introduced for dealing with the financing of the housing operations which will be carried on?

As at present advised, I see no necessity for such a scheme, as I have no reason to doubt that the existing facilities are sufficient to enable the housing operations contemplated under the Government proposals to be financed by the local authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Scottish Board of Health whether he is in a position to state the amount of money which the Government is to allocate to Scotland by way of assistance in housing development?

I am not as yet in a position to furnish this information.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health how many one and two-apartment houses there are in the Central Division of Glasgow; how many houses in the same area have been certified as in sanitary and unfit for human habitation; how many men and women in the division arc unemployed; and what does he propose as a remedy for conditions of housing and distress which prevail in the division?

I am informed that in the Central Division of Glasgow there the 2,285 houses of one apartment and 6,382 houses of two apartments, and that in that area there are 1,421 houses which have been reported by the medical officer of health to be defective and unfit for habitation. As regards the steps to be taken for the improvement of the housing conditions, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on the 13th March. I am informed by the Ministry of Labour that on the 12th March there were 9,365 males and 2,604 females (including boys and girls respectively) unemployed in the area served by the Sauchiehall Street Employment Exchange which is practically coincident with that of the Central Parliamentary Division. As regards the general measures which the Government have taken for the relief of distress due to unemployment, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements on the subject made by my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Labour and of Health on the 8th instant.

asked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities which have created schemes for the benefit of the blind under the Blind Persons Act, 1920?

135 local authorities out of 145 have submitted schemes under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and I learn that five other authorities have schemes at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether, it in the opinion of his Department disease is spread, as is alleged, by means of mouthpieces of telephones, he will have those in public call-offices disinfected?

I am advised that there is no definite evidence to show that disease is spread in this way. As the result of bacteriological inquiries made in this country and, abroad some few years ago, it was held that the transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis through the medium of the telephone mouthpiece is practically impossible. In any event, the disinfections of telephone mouthpieces after each individual user would obviously be impracticable.

asked the. Prime Minister whether the instructions of the year 1919 that the Estimates are to be framed on the assumption that no great war is to be anticipated for 10 years from 1919 are still in force in regard to the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Air Ministry?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when the Report will be published of the Committee dealing with the co-ordination of the technical Services of the Navy, Army, and Air Force?

It is not usual for such reports to be published, and His Majesty's Government do not consider that the practice should be departed from in this case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons constituting the Inter-Allied Commission in Sofia at present; the number of persons employed during 1922; and the total cost in salaries and wages in sterling and in Bulgarian currency, respectively, for the year ended 31st December, 1922?

The Intel Allied Commission is composed of three members appointed by the British, French and Italian Governments, respectively, under Article 130 of the Treaty of Neuilly. The Commission at present employs 21 officers of Allied nationality and 34 subordinate staff (including cleaners, etc.) recruited locally. The number of persons employed during 1922 was 33 officers and 40 subordinate staff. The total cost in salaries in 1922 was £32,040 and the total cost in wages 884,096 levas, equivalent to £1,179 at the present rate of exchange.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the amount for which the French have put in a claim to the Reparation Commission in respect of devastation in War areas; and what approximately they estimate to be their loss in revenue since the end of the War owing to this devastation?

The claim submitted for examination by the Reparation Commission was 127 milliard paper francs. The Commission arrived at a total of 132 milliard gold marks for all Allied claims, but have never indicated their assessment of individual items. As regards the second part of the question, I am not aware of any such estimate having been published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received representations of the widespread desire of traders to know the date of his presentation of the Budget; and whether he can now name the date?

I propose to introduce the Budget on Monday, 16th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the initial cost per proof gallon of spirits and the duty now paid on the same?

No official record is kept of the initial cost of spirits, which must necessarily vary as between one variety of spirits and another. The main rate of duty on home-manufactured spirits is 72s. 6d. per proof gallon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will grant exemption from the entertainment duty to the welfare club of the Phœnix Tube Works, Rutherglen, as the profits made go to the common fund, the only payments made being to artistes and for the hire of films?

Inquiry is being made regarding entertainments held in connection with this organisation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what precisely the saving is that is being effected by the debasement of the silver coinage; if there is more bad now than before the debasement; and if he is considering a return to sterling silver?

I presume, though I do not accept the description, that by debasement the hon. Member has in mind the reduction in the silver fineness of token silver coin. The saving resulting from this change depends on the amount of silver recoined, but has already amounted to several million pounds. The answer to the last two parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give an estimate, or approximate estimate, of the decrease in value of the motor lorries and other transport stock now parked, exposed to all weathers, in the open dumps in various parts of the country?

All the motor transport vehicles in the hands of the Disposal and Liquidation Commission for sale (approximately 300) are now concentrated at Earl's Court, so that the vehicles referred to by the hon. Member are not surplus Government property. Depreciation whilst awaiting sale is confined to the paint and body work and is, I am advised, so slight as to be practically a negligible item in view of the rapid sales now being effected.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there are numbers of disused Army huts in Crowborough and Seaford camps still unsold; that there is a constant demand for these huts for purposes of poultry breeding; but that when a poultry keeper applies to purchase a hut lie is informed that there are none for sale; and will he take steps to see that the Disposal Board does not turn away any good customers and allow these huts to deteriorate?

Hutting at these camps has been handed over by the Army to the Disposal and Liquidation Commission on various dates during the past three months, as it became surplus to military requirements, the last occasion being on the 5th instant. All the surplus huts at both camps will be offered for sale by auction on or between the 24th and 26th April next. In view of the forthcoming auction sale, it is not considered desirable to sell individual huts by tender or private treaty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has received a proposal from the Camberwell Borough Council proposing the construction of an arterial road from the Newlands to Brockley; and whether, having regard to the need of work: to be put in hand for the relief of unemployment and for London road traffic, it can be included in the programme of arterial road construction in which the London County Council is collaborating with the Ministry of Transport?

The project mentioned by the hon. Member has been submitted to me by the Camberwell Borough Council. It is very doubtful whether funds will at present permit any extension of the Greater London Arterial Road Programme, but I will give careful con-

Areas Classified.						Number of Unemployed.	Percentage Unemployed.
Surrey County Council (works in various parts of the County						Varies according to site of the works.
Croydon County Borough Council		…	…	…	…	2,258	10·4
Kingston-on-Thames Town Council		…	…	…	…	1,504	11·9
Wimbledon Town Council	…	…	…	…	…	803	10·0
Barnes Urban District Council	…	…	…	…	…	483	10·7
Farnham Urban District Council			…	…	…	304	25·3
Merton and Morden Urban District Council (regarded as a semi-rural area).						290	8·3

Certificates have been refused since the 1st October, 1922, in the following cases:
Areas Classified.						Number of Unemployed.	Percentage Unemployed.
Surrey County Council (work in the Haslemere Urban District).						45	3·3
Dorking Urban District Council		…	…	…	…	60	4·0
Epsom Rural District Council	…	…	…	…	…	91	3·0
Godstone Rural District Council		…	…	…	…	198	3·0

asked the Minister of Labour if he has issued, since 1st January, 1923, any certificates that serious unemployment exists in respect of any areas in the administrative county of Surrey; if he will give a list of the areas in respect of which such certificates have been issued, showing in each case the number of unemployed and the percentage that number is of the male unemployed population, and also classifying the areas into urban, rural, and semi-rural; if, since 1st October, 1922, his Department has refused to issue a certificate in respect of any area in the administrative county of Surrey; and if he will give a list of such areas, giving the same particulars in respect of each area at the time of the refusal as are asked for in respect of the cases in which certificates have been granted?

Certificates have been issued since the 1st January, 1923, in respect of schemes submitted by the following authorities, in view of the Volume of unemployment prevailing as indicated in each case:

asked the Minister of Health if any financial assistance has been given to the West Bromwich Board of Guardians in connection with the relief work provided on the Great Barr Estate. Walsall?

Yes, Sir. A grant is being paid on the basis of 60 percent. of the wages on work completed up to the 31st May next.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will undertake to ascertain through the local Employment Exchanges how many of the unemployed men would be prepared to emigrate to the Colonies for the purpose of accepting employment on the land, under approved conditions?

I have been giving special attention to this matter for some time past, and steps have been taken to bring to the notice of all unemployed men registered at the Employment Exchanges the openings available under the various schemes for assisting men to find employment on the land in the Dominions. As and when other schemes are agreed under the Empire Settlement Act, these will also be notified in Employment Exchanges. I do not think any advantage would be gained by asking unemployed men the general question whether they would be prepared to emigrated, without putting before them details of specific opportunities.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that dependants' benefit is now being refused by the Leyton and Walthamstow Exchange to a married man with two children who is living in lodgings in Walthamstow and is seeking for a house or rooms to bring his wife and two children to from a place outside Walthamstow where they are now living owing to his inability to obtain accommodation for them in the town; and that the man is being treated as a single man, though he has not deserted his family, and is deprived of any benefit for his dependants, a benefit for which he has had to pay contributions; and will he have this case inquired into?

I shall be glad to have inquiries made into this case if the hon. Member will furnish me with the applicant's name and address.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that 20 members of the Lincoln Boilermakers, Iron and Steel Shipbuilders Society, were recently asked by the Lincoln Employment Exchange to accept employment at Ilkeston at 52s. a week; that this was regarded as insufficient by married men who had families to keep, as living from home would cost them approximately 25s. a week, and that in 13 cases there were refusals, and that for the remaining seven who were passed to go to Ilkeston there were only two vacancies; whether the 13 men who refused to go to Ilkeston will be disallowed any benefits; and with what object 20 men were asked to go to Ilkeston for two vacancies, and 13 who refused have been disallowed benefits?

The claims to unemployment benefit of 14 riveters registered at the Lincoln Employment Exchange were disallowed by the Insurance Officer because the men refused to be submitted to two vacancies at Ilkeston which could not be filled by the local or neighbouring exchanges. The question whether the statutory conditions for the receipt of benefit are satisfied in any particular case is determined under the Unemployment Insurance; Act, 1920, by the Insurance Officer, Court of Referees and the Umpire. In 13 of the cases of refusal appeals have been heard, and in three of them the claims have been allowed in view of special circumstances. The other cases have been disallowed by the Umpire whose decisions are final and not subject to review by me. The remainder of the men interviewed consented to the submission of their particulars, and one was accepted and is now in employment. With regard to the last part of the question, I would point out that if a man who is drawing benefit refuses even to be submitted for a job which is primả facie suitable, it is necessary to test the question whether he satisfies the statutory requirement of showing that he is unable to obtain suitable employment.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the amount of grant given to Frongoch lead mines, Cardiganshire; the amount paid in wages to workmen employed; the total amount paid to officials and for management; the number of workmen employed; and the number of officials?

I cannot trace that any grant has been made to this mining company, but if the hon. Member will kindly send me further particulars, I will have inquiries made, and let him know the result.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the only retiring room available for about 800 women telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office is a screen portion of a dining room about 24 feet square, and that the only room available for about 1,900 men telegraphists is similar in size; if he will state what the Post Office Department is prepared to do in order to provide suitable accommodation;(2) whether the Central Telegraph Office refreshment branch premises, now spread over seven floors of a building in Roman Bath Street, E.C., could be replaced by the addition of a fifth floor to the Central Telegraph Office building, thereby saving considerably in floor space, and leaving the greater part of the valuable Roman Bath Street site free for other purposes; and whether it has now been decided not to proceed with building alterations which would have provided suitable accommodation, and for which Treasury sanction has been secured and a Vote of £10,000 by this House given?

It is admitted that the accommodation at the Central Telegraph Office is inadequate, both as regards refreshment rooms and retiring rooms. A scheme was prepared for the construction of an additional storey, but this has been postponed on account of financial stringency. The possibility of adopting other amelioration measures is under examination.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will lay upon the Table the terms of the temporary licences granted to the Marconi Company to send, receive and transmit put lie messages?

As the hon. Member was informed on the 12th December last, no formal licences have been issued, but provisional permission has been given to the company to carry on wireless services with France, Spain and Switzerland. This permission was given by letter, and is subject y to withdrawal, without giving rise to any claim for compensation, if a suitable agreement is not come to between the Government and the company as to the conditions on which licences for such communication will be granted. Any agreement that may be arrived at will be laid before Parliament.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that a registered letter was, on the 22nd September last, posted in Cairo, addressed to Mrs. Hassard Short, of 4, Trinity Rise, S.W.2; whether the said letter was contained in an official envelope for registered letters and was properly stamped; whether such letter was delivered to the addressee bearing signs of having been opened during transit and refastened; whether he is aware that £30 10s. in Treasury notes was said to have been enclosed therein at the time of posting and that the said notes had been abstracted during transit; and whether he proposes to compensate the sender for the loss?

A registered letter from Cairo for Mrs. Hassard-Short, of 6, Trinity Rise, S.W.2, was delivered in the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Member. The registered-letter post, in the service with places abroad, is governed by international regulations, and these provide for the payment of compensation, which in any case is limited to 50 francs, only in the event of entire loss of a registered packet. No compensation is payable for loss of contents. There is an insured-letter service by which the letter in question could have been sent from Egypt insured for its full value against entire loss or loss of contents.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the charges in respect of the public call-office at Abbey St. Bathans are estimated at £20, and that the sum required as guarantee is to make good the difference between the estimated receipts from local fees plus half the trunk fees and the office charges, he can see his way to reduce the amount of the guarantee asked for in this case, namely, the full amount of £20?

I regret that I am not in a position to reduce the guarantee required. The sum which would be collected from the guarantors each year would not be £20, but the difference between £20 and the receipts from local fees plus half the trunk fees.

asked the Secretary for Mines to what he attributes the reduction in the output of coal during the year 1922, as compared with the year 1913, by 36 tons per person employed?

The two salient differences between 1913 and 1922 are, first, that 1913 was a year of exceptionally good trade and regular employment, whereas 1922 was a year of exceptionally bad trade and irregular employment, and secondly, that in 1922 the working day was shorter than in 1913. I have no means of estimating the comparative weight of these two factors as causes of a reduction in the output per person employed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the average wages of miners over 21 years of age, which are stated to have been £3 1s. per week for the two weeks ending 16th December, 1922, in the case of those men who presented themselves for work on each day that the mines were open for work, compare with the average wages paid in the building, shipbuilding, and engineering and agricultural industries?

I have been asked to reply. The information at the disposal of my Department is insufficient to enable me to state the average earnings of adult workers of all classes in the building, shipbuilding, engineering and agricultural industries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, for the convenience of Members, a copy of the Report of the daily proceedings of Dail Eireann could be procured for the Library, as well as a copy of any Acts to which the Governor-General of the Irish Free State may give his assent?

Arrangements are being made for copies of the daily proceedings of Dail Eireann and of Acts to which the Governor-General of the Irish Free State has assented to be procured for the Library.