asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the notices to pensioners announcing variations of their awards, they are told that their pension is granted subject to review during its currency should any circumstances arise which, in the opinion of the Ministry, call for its reconsideration; whether, to avoid the uncertainty and suspense which such a formula causes to many people not too well informed as to official methods, he could indicate on the paper what such circumstances could be; whether the circumstances include action as the result of Parliamentary order as well as medical considerations; and whether, in any case, he will consider the desirability of setting out, for the information of each pensioner, how his or her pension will be affected during the period under review by any steps which the Ministry has to take under Regulation?

The notification referred to merely reserves to the Minister the obvious right to cancel a pension based on incapacity and pecuniary need if it be brought to notice during the currency of the award that these conditions have definitely ceased to apply. I will consider the question of amending the form to make the position clear. In practice, it would be very rare for a need pension to be cancelled or altered during its currency.

further asked whether in announcing to pensioners the reduction of their pensions by the usual red form, any explanation is given to these pensioners as to why their pensions are reduced; and, if not, whether such information will in future be supplied?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry) on the 15th March.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether all pensions granted in respect of injuries sustained in the War are being reviewed by the Ministry, and decisions of Army courts of inquiry and commanding officers on facts relating to a man's circumstances at the time of injury being rejected; and whether it, is contended that a Ministry official is sufficiently acquainted with the evidence taken four or more years ago to reverse the original decision awarding pension for life?

It is not the case that decisions of Army Courts of Inquiry or of commanding officers in the men's favour are being rejected on review by the Ministry, but in a certain number of cases it has been necessary to reverse favourable decisions by the Ministry because adverse reports of courts of inquiry, which were not in the possession of the Ministry at the time of the original decision, have since been received from the War Office.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a chief area office is forbidden to pay any allowance to or in respect of the separated wife or children of a man who is undergoing treatment; and what steps are taken to ensure that the wife and children are not left destitute while the man is incapacitated from work and unable to obey any court order for maintenance should the same be in force?

The purpose of treatment allowances is to enable the man to continue to maintain his home whilst he is undergoing a course of treatment which prevents him from working. Accordingly, when a man is living apart from his family, they are not normally eligible for the grant of treatment allowances. The ordinary allowances in payment to the wife continue at the same rate as before treatment commenced, and if there is a maintenance order for a greater sum the treatment allowance paid to the man himself should assist him in meeting it. Where it is shown to be insufficient for this purpose and hardship arises, I should be prepared to consider the case on its merits.

asked the Minister of Pensions on what basis a final award is given to a man suffering from a disease due to war service and is he aware that medical opinion agrees that it is not possible at any time to say that a man's condition, as the result of disease, has reached a final and stationary condition?

The principles on which final awards are made are laid down in the War Pensions (Final Awards) Regulations, 1922, and the War Pensions (Final Awards) Amendment Regulations, 1923, but I would refer the hon. Member more particularly to Regulation 8. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member will see from these Regulations that a final award is made in a disease case when, taking a reasonably near view, it has reached a condition in which further material fluctuation is unlikely.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the event of a man receiving a final award, and the medical board who examined the man were of opinion that his degree of disablement was 24 per cent., would a pension at the rate of 30 per cent. be awarded?

Under the Schedule to the Royal Warrant, pension assessments may be expressed only in multiples of 10, but in certain classes of case specified in Regulation 7 of the War Pensions (Final Awards) Regulations, 1922, as amended by the War Pensions (Final Awards) Regulations, 1923, they may be expressed in multiples of five. In making their assessments, medical boards adhere to these principles, and the question asked by the hon. Member does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that many men who are successful in their appeal to the pensions appeals tribunal do not receive a further award of pension, and that this is due to the man being reexamined by a board on which a deputy commissioner of medical services sits who was a member of the board that previously examined the man and rejected his claim to be suffering from a disability due to war service; and whether, in view of the grave dissatisfaction that exists among ex-service men that, although successful in appeals against the Ministry decisions, they do not receive a pension, he will make arrangements for a travelling medical board to work in conjunction with the pensions appeals tribunal so that they may assess the claimant's degree of disability independent of any local feeling or prejudice that may exist?

I assume that the hon. Member's question relates to decisions of the pensions appeal tribunals "setting aside" final awards. As I have before explained in this House, such a decision merely implies that, in the opinion of the tribunal, the disablement of the man has not arrived at a point at which it is unlikely within a reasonable time to get either worse or better, and that therefore the time has not arrived to make' the award final. It does not mean that the tribunal consider the assessment to be wrong at the time. It means that the tribunal think it may become wrong later in case of a change in the man's condition, and that they therefore wish to defer a final decision. With regard to the alleged dissatisfaction amongst ex-service men that, although successful in appeals they do not receive compensation from the Ministry, I would point out that it Must frequently happen that a board examining a man shortly after the tribunal have set aside his final award find that the man's degree of disablement is precisely the same as when the final award was made, and that consequently there is at the time no ground for any further award.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can state the estimated cost of the Special Grants Committee and their staff for the year ending 31st March, 1923; whether that Committee acts on the recommendation of War. Pensions Committees throughout the country; and whether he will transfer the duties of the Special Grants Committee to regional and area, committees, the members of which bodies are in personal contact with applicants, with a view to greater efficiency and saving in the public money at present spent on the Committee and their staff?

The amount provided in the Estimates for the expenses of the staff of the Special Grants Committee for the year ending the 31st instant was £42,338. It is estimated, however, that the actual expenditure will fall short of that amount by over 25 per cent. The Special Grants Committee in certain parts of their work obtain the recommendations of War Pensions Committees and they take these recommendations into consideration carefully when considering the facts of cases brought before them. The question of decentralizing the work of the Committee was fully considered by the Departmental Committee of Inquiry, who recommended that, on grounds both of efficiency and economy, this work should remain centralised.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will furnish the names of the persons appointed to. the Central Advisory Committee constituted under Section 3 of the War Pensions Act, 1921; on what dates this body has met during the last 12 months; whether the new regulations for War Pensions Committees were submitted for the Committee's consideration before being laid upon the Table; and whether the other alterations made regarding pensions and allowances during the same period were approved by this body?

Within the past 12 months meetings were held on the 12th April and 13th July, 1922, and on the 28th February, 1923, and during the interim between the second and third of these meetings, when it was impracticable to arrange a meeting on account of the General Election, the advice of the Committee was obtained by correspondence on certain important proposals. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, it has been my policy and that of my predecessor to seek the advice of the Committee freely on proposals of sufficient magnitude or difficulty, and I may say that, amongst other matters, the Committee considered the Final Awards Regulations issued in provisional form towards the end of 1921, the new arrangements in connection with the time limit in Article 11 of the Royal Warrant, and the changes of organisation consequent on the establishment of new committees under the War Pensions Act, 1921The following are the members of the Central Advisory Committee:

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases of officers heard before the appeal tribunals during the two years ending 31st December, 1922; the number of cases of non-commissioned officers and the number of cases of privates heard before the appeal tribunals during the same period: and the number of successful appeals in each rank per cent.?

Approximately 1,400 appeals by officers and 70,000 appeals by other ranks were decided by the Entitlement Tribunal during the period mentioned. The percentages of these appeals allowed were 48 and 26 respectively. The form in which the records of my Department are kept do not enable me to give the figures for non-commissioned officers and privates separately.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Halcrow, of Fladabister, Cunningsburgh, Shetland, widow of Alexander Halerow, No. 4,883, Royal Naval Reserve; whether he is aware that the deceased seaman was before his death in receipt of a disability pension of 13s. 9d. weekly, together with an allowance in respect of three children; that subsequently to his death an award of 6s. 10d. weekly was made to the widow under Article 17 of the Royal Warrant, but that inasmuch as no provision is made for allowances in respect of children under this Article the previous allowance for children was withdrawn, with the result that the widow has had to apply for parish relief, the parish allowing her 10s. weekly for her children; and whether the allowance previously made in respect of her children can be restored?

I regret that no higher award can be made. My medical advisers were unable to regard the acute illness from which the man died as having any connection with his pensionable disability or his service, and the widow's claim to full pension was consequently refused. This decision of the Ministry was subsequently confirmed on appeal by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal and is now, therefore, final.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the widow of the late Private James Thomson, No. 201,089, 6th Cameron Highlanders, was granted a pension of 6s. 10d. per week under Article 17 of the Royal Warrant; that this is inadequate; and if he is prepared to reconsider this case with a view to paying an increased pension?

The late soldier did not die of the disability for which he was in receipt of pension, nor, in the opinion of my medical advisers, was the cause of his death in any way connected with his service during the War. This view was upheld by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, who disallowed the widow's appeal. In these circumstances no increase in the pension already awarded to her is admissible.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the late William Cockburn, No. 9200, Royal Scots, was 25 years 102 days in the Army; that he was invalided from the Army in June, 1918, on a service pension and an invalid pension; that he was drawing 11s. 6d. per week disability pension for his wife and three children; that he contracted pneumonia from which he died, and that since his death no pension has been paid to his widow or children; and if he will reconsider this case with a view to granting a pension or compassionate allowance?

The Pensions Appeal Tribunal having confirmed the decision of the Ministry that the acute illness from which this man died some four years after discharge was not connected with service in the Great War, I regret that the widow is not eligible for an award of pension or other allowance from my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the stoppage of the pension paid to the widow of Private John Richard Hepinstall, E.S.S., sapper, No. 1994, who was enlisted as Al into the Royal Engineers on the 15th June, 1916, and died on the 28th June, 1916, the cause of death being certified as perforated duodenal ulcer; and if he is aware that Hepinstall's local medical man certifies that no symptoms of duodenal ulcer existed a few days prior to his enlistment, and that Hepinstall had been one of his patients for 16 years?

This soldier died after a few days' home service from a disability which in the opinion of my medical advisers was neither due to nor aggravated by service. This decision has been confirmed on appeal by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal and is now, therefore, final. I may add that the certificate of the doctor referred to received full consideration by the Ministry, and was before the tribunal by whom the appeal was heard.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that a pension was granted to the mother of the late Private R. Virtue, No. 352,317, 9th Royal Scots; that the mother is now dead; that the father is now in very bad circumstances, with only 35s. per week to support himself and his four motherless children; that the pension payable to the mother has not been transferred to the father; and what action, if any, can he take to have the pension previously paid to the mother transferred to the father?

Pensions to parents can only be granted if incapacity for self-support and pecuniary need exist. In this case the application made by the father last August had to be refused as he did not fulfil the conditions mentioned. If at any time his circumstances should change for the worse a renewed application would be sympathetically considered.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will introduce at an early date an Act to amend the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, as amended in 1919, to provide for the reduction of the present age limit, and for the increase in the amount of the pension to be granted to 15s. weekly?

The Government are not in a position to re-open the settlement embodied in the Old Age Pensions Act of 19]9.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a meeting of men discharged from the Ministry of Labour offices at Kew on the grounds of relative efficiency, or because, being home-service men, they had to make room for the retention of overseas men, was recently held outside the Pensions Issue Office to protest against the employment of women there while these men remain unemployed; whether he is aware that an assistant branch head at the Issue Office presided; that appeals were made to the men to vote against every Government candidate put before the electorate, and statements were made reflecting on the civil servants responsible for preparing answers to questions in the House, arid asserting that most of the women remaining in the Issue Office were there to earn pin-money and had comfortable homes; whether it is in accordance with the rules of the Civil Service for a Government official to preside over a meeting advocating an electoral campaign against Ministers of the Crown; and whether steps will be taken to see that this officer will not he placed in charge of women whom he has openly attacked for retaining their employment?

I think the Noble Lady must have been misinformed. A meeting of discharged ex-service men was held outside the Ministry of Pensions premises at Acton on the 16th instant, and was addressed by an officer of this Ministry in his capacity as Chairman of a branch of the Association of Ex-service Civil. Servants. I am assured that he did no more than express the sympathy of the branch with them in their difficulties and congratulate the discharged men on the orderly way in which they were carrying out their protest. He did not preside at the meeting, nor did he make any attack on the staff of the Civil Service or on the Government, neither did he make any reference whatever to the employment of women in the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, whether he is aware that the site of the Farlington racecourse at Portsmouth, at. present. being used for shell breaking, will shortly be vacant; and whether he will consider its advantages, both as regards situation and space available for utilisation, as an air station and take steps to acquire it for that purpose?

I am aware that the Farlington racecourse will become available for disposal during the current year and its possible use as an aerodrome will hr considered, but, as at present advised, I doubt if it will prove to be suitable.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, whether it is proposed to take any steps to amend the Rules of Field Punishment, so as to render it no longer permissible to inflict what is known as Field Punishment No. 1?

The answer is in the affirmative and the necessary amended Rules for Field Punishment will be laid before the House in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, what were the distances that the troops recently sent from Bagdad to Mosul travelled by train and -on foot; what was the state of the roads that had to be traversed on foot; and whether any of the troops died or fell sick on the journey?

It is not known how far the troops marched by road, or how far they travelled by train. There is a railway available for 175 miles, and then 60 miles by road. The road is only partially metalled, and is heavy after rain. No reports have been received showing that there was any sickness or that troops died on the road. I am communicating with the Air Officer Commanding in Iraq to inquire whether there is any foundation for the rumour referred to by the hon. Member in his speech on the 21st March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Safeguarding of Industries Act only tends to encourage the importation of Belgian and other glassware at the expense of German and fails entirely to protect the manufacture of British glassware, he can see his way to cancel the glassware order under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

The facts at my disposal do not support the views expressed by the hon. Member, and I am not prepared to take the action which he proposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large percentage of unemployment amongst British printers, be will consider the question of recommending that circulars, price lists, etc., printed abroad for British firms should be made the subject, where applicable, to an order under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921?

There is no power to make an Order under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, unless an industry has established a case for reference to a Committee to the satisfaction of the Board of Trade and the Committee has reported in favour of the applicants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount paid to the Central Importing Agency by way of commission or otherwise under its agreement with the Board of Trade; whether any and, if so, what additional sum has been paid to the agency; and on what grounds this sum was paid?

The amount which has been paid to the Central Importing Agency on account of expenses and commission is £46,137. A further amount will be payable as soon as the accounts with the agency have been adjusted. The decision to pay an increased remuneration was taken because the agency satisfied the Treasury and the Board of Trade that the original terms were insufficient to cover the cost of the work undertaken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that in order to send British goods to Cologne an import licence must be obtained from the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission at Bad Ems; that the German Government also demands that a licence from Berlin must be given and German Customs duties paid: that the French exact a further 10 per cent. duty, as English goods for Cologne must pass through territory occupied by the French; and that the German Government has notified that it will punish any firm that pays the 10 per cent. French Customs or obtains a licence from the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission at Bad Ems; and what he has arranged about the removal of these clogs upon British export trade?

I have been asked to reply. Goods exported from this country to Cologne require a Bad Ems licence, and are subject an entering French occupied territory to the duty prescribed by the German Tariff of April, 1922. The German Government have hitherto ordered their nationals not to accept delivery of goods which have complied with these requirements. Negotiations are proceeding with the German Government with a view to facilitating the course of trade.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that 500 tons of coal shipped from Leith in the middle of January last, destined for a, factory at Mannheim exclusively owned by British nationals, has been seized by the Franco-Belgian authorities at Duisburg and is still detained, with the result that the works have had to close down; that particulars of the case were forwarded to the British authorities in Germany on the 1st March; and, if so, will he take steps to secure the immediate release of the lighter "Lorely," containing this consignment of coal, which is the property of British nationals and destined for a British factory?

I have no information regarding this case, and am having inquiry made.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that shipments abroad have taken place, from Cumberland ports, of coke and pitch; if so, what quantity of each has been sent abroad; what were the prices per ton realised; and what are the prices per ton for the same products when sold to consumers in this country?

Exports of coke and pitch from Cumberland ports registered during the two months January and February amounted to 1,876 tons of coke and 1,551 tons of pitch. I regret that. I am unable to give the other items of information referred to in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Report of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee on Life Saving Appliances has yet received consideration, and, if so, when he will be in a position to say whether any action will be taken upon it?

The Report by the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee on Life Saving Appliances, which will be published in a few days, is being considered, and I hope to be able to make a statement about it after the Recess.

asked the Home Secretary the reasons which necessitate the maintenance of an armed special police force in Northern Ireland at an expense this year of 1,500,000 to the English taxpayer; and whether it is anticipated that this will be an annual charge, and, if not. the reasons which led the Government to offer this sum this year, which, it is anticipated, will not prevail next year?

The maintenance of a special police force in Northern Ireland is necessitated by the possibility still existing of a recurrence of the serious disorders which until recently prevailed in that area, a possibility which, in the absence of such a force, would necessitate a large increase in the number of troops stationed in the area. I trust that these conditions will have materially changed before next year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information showing that the Irish Free State Government is inaugurating a system of tariffs at an early date and, if so, whether he has made any representations to that Government for a preference to be given to the United Kingdom?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the question of the revision of the Ceylon Constitution has recently been considered by the Governor in Council; whether any Report of the proceedings has yet been received; and whether the final decision will be communicated to this House before it is brought into operation?

Despatches on the subject of the revision of the Constitution have been laid by the Governor before the Legislative Council. No report of the proceedings has yet, been received from the Governor. As regards the presentation to the House of further papers I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Central Aberdeen-shire (Major M. Wood) on the 20th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Persian Oil Company has been given a monopoly for prospecting oil in Iraq; and whether the King of Iraq has the power of giving oil concessions to American companies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With reference to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to Article XI of the Treaty with King Feisal, published in October, 1922, as Command Paper No. 1757.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether at any time the cost of the upkeep of the Persian Cossack brigade in Teheran was partly or wholly met out of funds directly or indirectly provided by the Treasury; if so, what official was responsible for this expenditure; and had his action received the sanction of His Majesty's Government?

His Majesty's Government found it necessary in the interest of peace in the East to contribute during the War and for some time later to the cost of maintaining the Persian Cossack Division, which was the only force available for the defence of Persia against the very serious menace of invasion by the enemy, and for preserving order in the country. The responsibility for the expenditure rests solely on His Majesty's Government who sanctioned it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, while preparing his Budget statement, he will bear in mind the desire, widely expressed among the business community, for a reduction in the Stamp Duties on cheques and receipts?

My hon. Friend will not expect me, in a matter of this kind, to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Stamp Duty on new capital issues by limited companies was raised during the War from 5s. per £100 to £1 per £100; and, seeing that this increased Stamp Duty has a deterrent effect on the provision of capital for industrial undertakings, will he reduce the Stamp Duty to the pre-War amount in his forthcoming Budget?

The duty on the share capital of limited liability companies registered under the Companies Acts was increased from 5s. to 20s. per £100 on the 20th April, 1920. As regards the second part of the question, my hon. Friend will not expect me, in a. matter of this kind, to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether excise-able liquor produced in Ireland will contribute duty to the British Exchequer at the rates applicable to liquor produced in Great Britain; and whether such liquor is imported into this country under bond?

On and after 1st April next excisable liquor imported from the Irish Free State into Great Britain or Northern Ireland will be chargeable with Customs import duty at the rates in the Customs tariff, and not with the Excise rates of duty applicable to liquor produced in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Pittman Act in the United States of America is terminated?

So far as I am aware, no definite time limit is imposed to operations under the Pittman Act, which authorised the melting of United States silver dollars, and directed the subsequent purchase of silver (produced in the United States) to an amount sufficient to recoin the number of dollars melted. I understand that approximately 209,000,000 ounces of fine silver were produced by dollars melted under the Act, and that up to 31st October, 1922, just over 140,000,000 ounces had been purchased for re-coinage purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the expenditure, respectively, on the Navy and Army in 1913–14 and the estimated expenditure, respectively, on the Navy, Army, and Air in 1923–24?

The net expenditure is as follows:

1913–14 (actual)		£
Navy		48,732,621
Army		28,366,102
1923–24 (estimated)
Navy		58,000,000
	£
Army—
On Army Vote	52,000,000
On Middle Eastern Vote, including Indian troops	2,489,000
		54,489,000
Air Force—
On Air Votes	12,011,000
On Middle Eastern Vote	5,040,800
		17,051,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government are entitled, under the profit-sharing provision in the agreement with the Slough Trading Company, to share in the sale by that company of the British Government's surplus mechanical transport in Ireland, declared surplus about the end of the year 1921 or the beginning of the year 1922 what number of vehicles were declared surplus; whether any sales of those vehicles have been made by the company; and, if so, what is the Government's share in the receipts?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hulme on the 7th March and to my Noble and gallant Friend the Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon) on the 13th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the sum which became payable to the Government on the sale last autumn by the Disposal and Liquidation Commission to the Surplus Lorries Disposal Company, Limited, of 462 war surplus Thorny-croft motor lorries; whether the whole sum has been paid and, if not, what is the balance owing; and what were the expenses of the Commission or the Disposal Board in connection with the disposal of these lorries?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my Noble and gallant Friend the Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon) on Tuesday last. The Disposal and Liquidation Commission received payment in the form of bankers' drafts and bank guaranteed post-dated cheques, which have now been converted into cash with the exception of one cheque, representing less than one-third of the purchase price, which does not mature until August next. Apart from a small sum for the travelling and subsistence allowances of an official sent to Cologne to hand over the vehicles, the Disposal Board did not incur any special expenses in connection with this sale.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in the sale of the locomotives manufactured at Woolwich?

None of the locomotives manufactured at Woolwich has yet been sold, bat particulars have been very widely circulated to probable purchasers, and negotiations for sale are at present in progress.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury approximately the amount that the recent judgment of Sutton v. Attorney-General is likely to cost the Exchequer?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject given to a question by the Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. W. Graham) on the 21st March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the names of the infantry units of the Territorial Army which are commanded by officers on the active list of the Regular Army; the reasons for such appointments; the dates on which they were made, and probable duration; and the total annual cost to the State?

The 4th Battalion, the Somerset Light Infantry, is at present commanded by a Regular officer who was appointed with effect from 18th April, 1922. The appointment is purely temporary, pending absorption of the officer concerned in his Regular regiment, to which he is at present supernumerary. The reason for the appointment was that no suitable Territorial Army officer was available. No additional cost to the State is involved.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has yet informed the troops at Cologne that, as regards the purchase of goods priced in sterling from the canteen, they may pay for these in marks at the same rate per pound as that paid to them for Army pay, and that this rate will hold good till next pay-day?

No, Sir; the question is under consideration in accordance with my predecessor's promise, but there are difficulties.

asked the Under-Secretary of State fur War the cost in francs and the size of the French Army and Air Force in 1913–14 and at the present time, and the corresponding figures for the British Army and Air Forces?

The French Army, including Air Force, in 1914 cost 1,923,476,000 francs and had a Budget strength of 917,000 men. The corresponding figures for 1923 are 4,191,060,324 francs and 732,248 men. This does not include the Colonial Army stationed in the Colonies which amounted to 64,700 in 1914 and 52,000 in 1923. The French figures include no pensions. The, British Army in 1913–14 cost £27,700,000 and had an establishment of 182,300 exclusive of the Territorial Army. The corresponding figures for 1923 are £52,550,000 and 160,300. The British figures include service pensions, but nothing for aviation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether it would be possible next year to do away with the registration books for motor-cars, which have been proved to be not only useless in preventing the theft of motor-cars, but also a source of annoyance and worry; and is he aware that a sum of £300,000 could be saved by their abolition?

An efficient system for the registration of mechanically-propelled vehicles is essential for many reasons. Pending the receipt of the Report of the Committee now sitting to investigate alternative methods of taxation of road vehicles, I do not think it desirable to consider any alteration in the existing machinery for taxation and registration. The figure quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend in the last part of his question represents approximately the total of the costs incurred by local authorities in the administration of the whole of the present system of taxation and registration. I am doubtful if any appreciable reduction would be effected by the abolition of the registration book.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he can give the approximate date by which the Tooting Junction line will be electrified; whether he is aware that this line was formerly jointly operated by the London and South Western Railway Company and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company, and that the proposal to include it in the South Eastern and Chatham Railway system of the Southern Railway is not in accordance with local desires; whether the electrification scheme includes the establishment of a new station or halt at Streatham Road, as has been frequently requested; and whether, pending electrification, it is possible to reopen this line by employing steam haulage?

As regards the first part of this question, I cannot give an approximate date by which the Tooting Junction line may be electrified, and I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on the 20th March. As regards the second part, I am aware that the line was formerly operated jointly by the London and South Western and London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Companies, but I would point out that the lines of those companies and of the South Eastern and Chatham Company now form part of the same undertaking. As regards the third and fourth parts, I am informed by the Southern Railway Company that the suggestion that a new station should be established at Streatham Road will be considered in connection with the electrification scheme, and that it is not intended to reopen this line by employing steam haulage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will arrange for the First Annual Report of the Railway Rates Tribunal, presented on 19th March, to be printed and circulated to Members?

I understand that this Report will be printed early this week, and I have arranged that copies will then be placed in the Vote Office, where they will be available for hon. Members.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the recommendations of the Board of Trade, made after the Ais Gill disaster in 1913 (Cd. 7153, Sec- tion VI., Clause 2 (d), pages 20 and 21), that all timber or other material utilised in the bodies of all coaching stock on main line or express services should be rendered non-inflammable, and repeated after the Gretna disaster in 1915 (Cd. 8114, page 29), and again in 1916 after the St. Bede's Junction disaster (Reports to the Board of Trade—Railway Accidents) are still in force; and whether he will bring these recommendations again to the notice of the railway companies so that no new rolling stock may be constructed without effect being given thereto?

A recommendation to the effect stated was, with other recommendations, made in the Report of the Officer of the Board of Trade who inquired into the Ais Gill accident in 1913, and these recommendations were referred to in the reports on the other two accidents mentioned in the question. I find, however, that in subsequent correspondence with the companies concerned, the Board of Trade did not press that this particular recommendation should be rigidly complied with. The present attitude of the Ministry of Transport on the subject is indicated in the answer which I gave on the 6th March 'to a question asked by the hon. and learned Member for the East Grin-stead Division (Mr. Cautley), of which I am sending the right hon. Member a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has received a letter from the Mid-Scotland Ship Canal National Association, dated the 13th March, setting out that evidence and estimates were submitted to the Canal Commissioners in 1909 of the cost of construction of the Mid-Scotland Ship Canal, and that in 1913 a detailed description was lodged with His Majesty's Treasury; whether he is aware that the scheme was considered during the War by the Admiralty; that at the request of the Admiralty in 1916 Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth and Company prepared complete plans and estimates for the canal, and that at the request of the Board of Trade in 1919 a reasoned estimate of the traffic likely to use the direct route was submitted; and whether his Department has considered the evidence put before other Departments during the last 10 years, and is now in a position to undertake any more detailed survey required and to decide whether credit facilities should be given to enable the canal to be constructed forthwith?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. Various schemes for cutting a canal between the Forth and the Clyde were considered by the Royal Commission on Canals and Inland Navigations and by the Admiralty, and in 1918 the Ministry of Reconstruction, in conjunction with the other Departments concerned, examined the proposals and came to the conclusion that the estimates of the cost of constructing such a canal, prepared by Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth and Company and others, could not be satisfactorily tested until a more detailed geological survey of the route had been carried out. As stated in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 12th March on this subject, it is for the advocates of the canal to make any necessary survey of this nature. I understand that the Board of Trade were not able to accept the estimates of traffic submitted by the Association and were not satisfied that there was any prospect of receipts from the use of the canal being sufficient to cover the working expenses and the loan charges likely to be incurred on its construction. I do not consider that the evidence so far put forward by the advocates of the canal is such as would justify the Government in taking any action.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, if he will endeavour to arrange with the various railway companies facilities for Members travelling between their constituencies and London at least on the same favourable terms as those offered to holders of traders' tickets?

A traders' season ticket is only issued to a trader when the carriage account of such trader with the railway company concerned for the conveyance of merchandise amounts to a specific sum, and is granted with a view to development of trade. In the circumstances, I cannot see my way to approach the railway companies as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what is the total estimated aggregate amount that the railway companies of England and Wales have been relieved of in local rates by the reductions in their assessments made under the agreement entered into between the assessment committees and the railway companies for the year ending 31st March, 1923, and the figures for each company separately?

I have no information upon which to frame the estimate for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to a recent accident which occurred in the city of Hull, when an express train dashed through level-crossing gates and only just missed a motor omnibus crowded with passengers; whether, in view of the prevailing state of unemployment, steps can be taken to do away with level crossings over the more important arteries of traffic; and whether he can indicate what the policy of the Ministry is towards the question of level crossings in general?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second and third parts, existing railway level crossings have been constructed, and are being worked under specific authority given by Parliament in each case. With regard to the future, I should certainly oppose the construction of new level crossings over important arteries of traffic, save in cases where exceptional reasons could be adduced. I may say that no powers for new level crossings are being sought in the Railway Bills of this Session.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport in the case of all municipal motor omnibus powers which are granted either by Provisional Order or Bill to municipal corporations, why a Clause is inserted providing for a contribution by the corporations towards any cost which may be incurred in any adaptation, alteration, reconstruction, or strengthening of roads or bridges to which the powers apply; and why, seeing that the Roads Act taxes all motor vehicles in the same way, an additional charge is put upon municipal motor omnibus undertakings?

The Clause referred to relates only to the use of roads for the maintenance and repair of which the corporation are not liable, and which usually lie outside their area. Further, a contribution is only payable where the Minister of Transport determines that it is necessary to adapt, alter, or reconstruct the road or bridge in order to provide for the running of an omnibus service under the powers of the Act or Order. Municipal corporations are unable to operate omnibus services without Parliamentary sanction, and Parliament has always imposed this provision since 1914.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether, seeing it is the practice of his Department in assessing compensation to allotment holders evicted in an emergency to take into account the interest of allotment holders in their land in accordance with their agreements, he will state why the offers of compensation to allotment. holders dispossessed at Red Bridge Lane, Wan-stead, by his Department have been based entirely upon the value of crops at the time of dispossession, whereas these allotment holders, who were evicted at one week's notice, had an agreement providing for three months' notice; whether it is his intention to amend these awards to provide compensation in respect of the interest of the allotment holders in their land for three months, of which interest they were deprived; whether he is aware that in addition to compensation on the above basis these allotment holders are entitled to compensation for disturbance, which amount would be not less than one year's rent, and, further, compensation for labour and manure applied to the land in anticipation of their season's crops, of which they were deprived; and whether, as the whole, matter has been outstanding for nearly a year, he will take immediate steps to have the case settled?

I have received representations on the compensation offered to certain allotment holders at Red Bridge Lane, Wan-stead, from a deputation of the National Union of Allotment Holders. I am causing the assessments to be investigated afresh in consultation with officers of the Valuation Department, and am doing what I can to expedite a decision.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that delay, averaging five days, is occasioned at many ports in the United Kingdom in the loading of coal into ships waiting to transport it to other British ports for consumption in the United Kingdom; that coal is not forthcoming for consumption within the United Kingdom on account of the large quantities booked for export to Germany; and that coal is sold for foreign destinations at enhanced prices, whereby the buyer for home distribution is cut out of the market; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to secure adequate supplies for the home market?

I am aware that there has been considerable delay to vessels at many of the coal-loading ports in the United Kingdom, and I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Labour has appointed a Court of Inquiry

" to inquire into the necessity of putting on a third shift for Coal tippers and trimmers in the South Wales coal exporting district."

As regards the last part of the question, I am unable to accept my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion that there is any such shortage of coal for home consumers in consequence of export to Germany, as would warrant the intervention of His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of tons of coal exported from this country to Germany during the months of January and February 1923, and the number of tons exported to the same country during November and December 1922?

The quantities of coal exported from the United Kingdom to German ports during the mouths of January and February, 1923, were 521,854 tons and 1,000,097 tons respectively, and during the months of November and December, 1922, 735,153 tons and 500,769 tons respectively.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware that a firm in Old Bond Street recently sent out 5,000 circulars properly stamped, and through a mistake in the post office, which has been admitted by them, many of these circulars were surcharged, thereby causing considerable annoyance to the recipients, who vented their displeasure on the firm in question, who have lost much business as a consequence; and whether there is any redress for the said firm?

The case referred to has not been brought to my notice; but I will cause inquiry to be made if the hon. Member will furnish me with the name and address of the firm, and particulars of the date of posting and of the post office concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether tenders have recently been invited for the construction of parts of a high-power wireless' station; if the date at which these tenders were invited was previous to the decision of the Government as announced by the Prime Minister; whether the tender were invited by public advertisement; if not by public advertisement, what firms were asked to tender;(2), whether tenders will be invited for the construction of the whole or any part of the high-power wireless station which is to be owned and operated by the State in accordance with the announcement of the Prime Minister; whether such tenders will be invited by public advertisement or only from selected firms; and, if only from selected firms, will the names of the firms invited be made public?

Invitations to tender for the construction of the masts, eight hundred feet in height, required for the high-power wireless station, to be owned and operated by the State, were issued on the 1st November last to 15 approved firms, namely:

• Sir W. Arrol and Co.
• Messrs. R. W. Blackwell and Co.
• Messrs. Braithwaite and Co.
• Messrs. Bullen Bros. and Co.
• Messrs. C. F. Elwell, Ltd.
• Messrs. Alec. Findlay and Co.
• Messrs. Head, Wrightson and Co.
• Messrs. Horseley Bridge and Engineering Co., Ltd.
• Messrs. E. C. and L. Keay, Ltd.
• Messrs. Motherwell Bridge Co.
• Messrs. Powers and Deane Ransome, Ltd.
• Messrs. Stewart and Lloyds.
• Messrs. Tees Side Bridge and Engineering Works, Ltd.
• Messrs. Joseph Westwood and Co.
• The Widnes Foundry Co.

The tenders have been received, and are now under consideration. Tenders have not yet been invited for the construction and equipment of the remainder of the station, but it is proposed to issue invitations to tender to a number of approved firms, according to the class of material or plant required. There will be no objection to the names of the firms being made public after the tenders have been received.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the economies at present being effected in Post Office administration are calculated to produce a substantial saving in superfluous expenditure; the estimated saving of such economies in the present financial year; and whether such saving is to be devoted to reductions in postal and telegraphic charges?

I regret it is not possible to analyse the savings which will be realised in the current financial year in such a way as to discriminate between specific economies and reductions in expenditure due to the drop in the cost of labour, material and transport. I may say, however, that the Post Office Estimates for 1923–24 show a reduction of £2,948,950 as compared with 1922–23, and £13,047,500 as compared with 1921–22, the Irish Free State being excluded in each case. I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to a reduction in charges.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of widespread inability to understand the existing Regution in regard to the sending of five words of conventional greeting on picture postcards, he can see his way to abolishing this wartime restriction.

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Under the Regulations governing the printed paper rate, the inclusion of a conventional phrase in manuscript not exceeding five words in length has been permitted for many years. No new restriction was imposed during the War or subsequently. The printed paper rate is now lower than the postcard rate, and postcards complying with the Printed Paper Regulations can still pass at the lower charge. I regret I cannot establish a rate for picture postcards distinct from the ordinary postcard rate, nor can I abolish the restrictions on the written matter admissible under the Printed Paper Regulations without seriously encroaching upon the revenue derived from the letter post.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the practice of posting abroad, in countries of depreciated currency, circulars of British origin for circulation in Great Britain is still continuing; and whether he will put into effect the promise of his predecessor to introduce legislation to counteract this unfair imposition on the British taxpayer?

I am having a Bill prepared, which I hope to introduce at an early date.

asked the Postmaster-General what procedure, after 1st April, will be necessary in sending parcels of a non-dutiable nature, such as butter or eggs, between this country and Southern Ireland whether the rates for parcels are going to be increased; whether every parcel, on arriving in this country, will be opened and examined by Customs officials, as is the case in France; and what the delay is likely to be?

The new procedure will be introduced on the 31st of March. On and from that date parcels for the Irish Free State must be accompanied by Customs declaration of the kind generally in use for parcels posted to the other Dominions and Colonies. This will apply whether the parcels contain dutiable articles or not. The alteration does not involve a change in parcel post rates. All parcels arriving from the Irish Free State will be subject to Customs examination, but it is not anticipated that there will be any serious delay.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of employés of the Post Office who are of Southern Irish extraction; and whether he will consider replacing these employés with ex-service men of English, Scotch, Welsh, and Northern Irish extraction?

I have no information available to enable me to answer the first part of the question, and I see no reason for taking the action suggested in the second part.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state how many retirements on superannuation were granted during the week ending 20th February, 1922; how many of these were for ill-health; whether any retirements during or prior to this period were certified on reports of the medical officer, dated after 16th January, 1922; if so, how many; and what were the salaries of the officers concerned?

The information asked for by the hon. Member cannot be furnished without much labour and expense, but I am communicating with him on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give, approximately, the number of pillar-boxes throughout the country and whether he will consider the advisability of letting them for advertising purposes as a means of revenue?

The number of pillar-boxes throughout the country is about 12,000. The possibility of using them for advertising purposes has been considered many times, and has quite recently been under review. The proposal is open, however, to substantial objections, and I do not propose to pursue it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to accelerate the mail service to and from Northern Ireland?

This matter is at present under discussion with the Government of Northern Ireland.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of Continental cities which are directly connected with London by air post; and to what extent does he propose to extend this service?

Mails arc sent to and received from the Continent by three air routes: (1) London-Paris, (2) London-Brussels-Cologne, (3) London-Amsterdam-Rotterdam. If and when any of these routes be extended, arrangements will be made for through air mails from London to the more distant termini.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the inhabitants of the village of Distington, Cumberland, are suffering great inconvenience owing to the late delivery of the morning mail; that prior to 1914 the mails were delivered at a suitable time; and can he make arrangements so that the grievance complained of can be removed?

I am having inquiry made and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether it is in contemplation to set up any inquiry into the allegations of illegal trawling at various points on the Scottish coast; and whether, having in view complaints that patrol vessels are inferior in point of speed to many of the new trawlers, special attention will be devoted to this aspect of the question?

It is not proposed to set up any special inquiry. The Fishery Board are fully alive to the situation and have recently published a notice reminding fishermen and others of the importance of promptly reporting specific complaints to the Board or their district fishery officer in order that the patrol vessels may give special attention to the parts of the coast which require it at any particular time. The cost of replacing the existing patrol vessels with speedier craft is at present prohibitive, but it is not the case that they are inferior in speed to many of the new trawlers. Special attention is being devoted to increasing the efficiency of the patrol by all available means.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of teachers employed in Scottish schools in the years 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922; the number of pupils in each of these years; the number of classes in elementary schools in Scotland at, present exceeding 45 pupils on the roll; the number of classes exceeding 60 pupils on the roll; and the number of extra teachers which would be required to staff the schools if the maximum number of pupils on the roll was reduced to 45?

The number of teachers in grant-earning day schools in Scotland in 1919 (excluding secondary schools) was 21,740, and the number of scholars 837,923, giving one teacher to 38 scholars. In 1920 there were (including secondary schools) 24,792 teachers and 870,372 scholars, one to 35; in 1921, 23,668 teachers and 869,376 scholars, one to 36. For 1922 the provisional figures show 24,710 teachers and 861,715 scholars, being one teacher to 35 scholars. The particulars asked for in the remainder of the question are not in the possession of the Department, and could only be obtained by means of a special return from education authorities and other managers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the local Scottish education authorities or the Scottish Education Department inspect and pass as fit for the purposes of education the necessary buildings?

The maintenance of the great majority of school buildings is in the hands of the education authorities, but grants are paid only on a certificate from His Majesty's Inspector of Schools that the premises are suitable, or on an undertaking that improvements required by the Scottish Education Department will be carried out.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing from the issuing of the Board of Education Circular 1297; and, having regard to the effects it will have, especially upon the education of mentally and physically defective children, including the blind, will he consider the withdrawal of the Circular or its drastic modification?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 1st March last to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison). As I stated in my reply yesterday to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson), I will consider any objections or representations that may be made on the draft of the Revised Regulations relating to Special Schools.

asked the Minister of Health what will be the average approximate annual cost to the taxes and rates of the 176,000 houses which the local authorities and public utility societies have been authorised to build; and what is the average amount of the subsidy to 39,164 houses built under the private builders' subsidy scheme?

The annual charge in respect of the 176,000 houses is estimated at about £8,760,000 to taxes and £800,000 to rates. The average amount of the subsidy to the 39,164 houses built under the private builders' subsidy scheme is £242.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of introducing a Clause in the Rent Restrictions Act making it an offence for a landlord to refuse to let a house or rooms on the ground that the proposed tenant has children?

I do not think I can adopt the suggestion. It appears to me that such a Clause, even if desirable, would be out of place in a rent restrictions Measure.

asked the Minister of Health if the subsidy of £6 per house will be retrospective and to what date; will it apply to both public and private enterprise; and if he will take into consideration the three rooms down and three rooms upstairs house?

It is proposed that the subsidy should be paid to local authorities in respect of A.3 houses, and that it should be available either towards meeting losses on municipal schemes or to assist local authorities in making arrangements for house building with private enterprise. Assuming that the Housing Bill becomes law, the subsidy will be retrospective in respect of schemes of either of the above classes submitted by local authorities and approved by me. The precise date to which it will be retrospective is under consideration. I cannot undertake to extend the subsidy to larger houses.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether, in view of the finding of the Royal Commission on Housing in Scotland that the shortage of suitable houses for farm servants is acute in the counties on the north-east from Elgin to Fife and also in the county of Ayr, he can state what steps have been taken to carry out the recommendation of the Royal Commission that a complete detailed survey of rural cottages should be undertaken at once?

Following upon the Royal Commission's Report the Housing, Town Planning, etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, was passed. Section 1 of this Act requires all local authorities to consider the housing needs of their districts and to prepare and submit schemes for the approval of the Scottish Board of Health. As a preliminary measure the local authorities concerned would necessarily undertake surveys of their districts.

asked the Minister of Health the number of men and women, respectively, who were treated for venereal disease in hospitals and other places during 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922?

The following table shows the numbers of persons dealt with at the treatment centres for venereal disease in England and Wales during the years in question. These numbers include persons who applied for treatment but were found not to be suffering from venereal disease. Separate figures for males and females are not available for 1918 and 1910:

—	Males.	Females.	Total.
1918	—	—	58,000
1919	—	—	128,692
1920	103,567	40,367	143,934
1921	114,692	48,808	163,500
1922	114,632	47,684	162,316

asked the Minister of Health whether, as all the nurses who are heads of the general Nursing Council office staff are members of the College of Nursing, Limited, he can state if it is intended that all the highly paid posts shall, with his approval, be kept exclusively for members of that limited liability company, or whether other registered nurses who do not belong to it are to be allowed to participate in the work of the council in some of the remunerative posts created from time to time?

Except as regards the appointment of registrar and as regards members of staff and scales of salary, I have no jurisdiction over appointments to the staff of the General Nursing Council, nor any information as to the intentions of the council in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in consideration of the fact that in October, 1922, the registered nurses of England and Wales were paying the salaries of a staff of 30 persons in the General Nursing Council offices, including a registrar at £550, an assistant registrar at £300, a registration clerk at £260, and a registrar's secretary at £250 per annum, and this although less than 7,000 names are included in the first register, he will state what necessity there was for calling in an expert to set the General Nursing Council office in order after it had been running nearly one and a half years; how long did this gentleman take for this work; and what was the cost to the nurses?

I am informed that the expert was called in as the result of a unanimous decision of the council at the end of last September. The report was received on the 24th November. The cost was £83. The matter was wholly within the powers of the council, and it is not for me to express, any views as to the necessity of the step taken.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Excise Authorities have granted a licence for the sale of wines and spirits in the public market at Liverpool without any magistrate's certificate being obtained; and whether he will initiate legislation to prevent this practice in the future?

I understand that the Excise Authorities were advised that no magistrate's licence was required in this case. It appears to be a particular instance of the general question put to me by the hon. Member three weeks ago, and I have nothing to add to the answer which I then gave him.

asked the Home Secretary if he is willing to consider the question of introducing legislation making compulsory the setting up of welfare departments in all factories and workshops employing over 50 workpeople?

I fully appreciate the value of welfare departments, and consider it very desirable that in all large works there should be a special officer or department dealing with welfare questions. The usefulness, however, of a wel- fare organisation must to a large degree depend on the spirit in which it is created and worked, and a welfare department which owed its establishment, not to the employer's desire to secure the best possible conditions for his workers, but to legal compulsion, could not be expected to meet with the same success.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the Metropolitan Police Authority required a month's notice from those officers with 28 years' service and over who had availed themselves of the option to retire on pension in 1918, he can explain why the retirement of Inspector John Richard Stone Carter was announced in Police Orders on 18th December, 1918, before that officer had given the required notice of his intention to resign?

Inspector Carter gave notice on 21st June, 1915, of his intention to retire, for the purpose of securing his pension under the Police (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1915. In ordinary circumstances, a month's notice would have been required by the Commissioner before this notice of retirement could be allowed to take effect, but I am informed that in this case the Commissioner decided in 1918 to waive any question of further notice with a view to the retirement taking effect forthwith.

asked the Home Secretary if he is prepared to grant a Return showing statistics of countries in which the death penalty has been abolished for a period exceeding 10 years, and statistics relating to crimes of violence to which the death penalty was applicable for 10 years before, and five years subsequent to, the abolition of the death penalty, respectively?

A Return of the nature suggested would be difficult to collect, and might be misleading, as it is difficult to distinguish between countries where sentences of death cannot be imposed and those where such sentences though passed are not executed. But I will consider whether statistics on the subject can be collected.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the men who were on the jury during the inquest and inquiry that was held at Working-ton into the deaths of the six men and boys who were killed at the Siddick pit by an explosion were granted special fees by the Cumberland County Council on the recommendation of the coroner; and the reason why the men have not been paid?

I am informed that the delay in paying these special allowances was due to a doubt of the legality of such a payment from county funds, but in fact they have all now been paid.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent judgment of Mr. Justice M'Cardie in the case of Callot v. Nash, and to the present position of the law as to the liabilities of husbands for the torts of their wives and for the maintenance of wealthy wives and other matters; and whether, in view of the fact that the position of married women in status and in property has undergone a complete change in recent years, he will make proposals for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the state of the law on this subject and to report what changes, if any, should be made?

I will consult the Lord Chancellor upon my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of promoting legislation to restrict the number of aliens employed in any one business or establishment in this country, in view of the condition of the unemployed British people?

A proposal to this effect was considered when the Aliens' Restriction Act, 1919, was before the House, and was found impracticable. A somewhat similar point was dealt with by the Minister of Labour, in answer to questions on 21st February and 6th March, and I do not contemplate legislation in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether consideration has been given to the representations made to him in February by a deputation from the general council of the Trades Union Congress regarding the position of aliens resident in this country for many years, and whether any decision has been reached as to the period of domicility which will entitle aliens to receive the un-covenanted benefit?

This is one of the matters discussed when the Un-employment Insurance Bill was before the House, on which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour promised consideration. No decision has yet been reached, but there will be no avoidable delay dealing with the matter.

Districts in which work is situated.			Number of Unemployed.	Percentage Unemployed.
Barnes Urban District	…	…	1,576	17·7
2. East and West Molesey Urban District	…	…	189	9·0
Esher and the Dittons Urban District	…	…
3. Walton-on-Thames Urban District	…	…	529	11·0
Weybridge Urban District	…	…
4. Beddington and Wallington Urban District	…	…	486	11·0
Carshalton Urban District	…	…
5. Kingston-on-Thames Borough	…	…	1,587	12·1
Surbiton Urban District	…	…
The Maldens and Coombe Urban District	…	…
6. Wimbledon Borough	…	…	803	10·0
7. Merton and Morden Urban District	…	…	803	10·0
8. Mitcham Urban District	…	…	2,645	12·3
9. Epsom Rural District	…	…	133	4·8
Epsom Urban District	…	…
10. Caterham Urban District	…	…	127	8·1
11. Egham Urban District	…	…	313	6·3
12. Farnham Rural District	…	…	304	25·3
Farnham Urban District	…	…
13. Frimley Urban District	…	…	198	8·4
Windlesham Urban District	…	…
14. Leatherhead Urban District	…	…	94	6·1
15. Godalming Borough	…	…	176	8·4
16. Coulsdon and Purley Urban District	…	…	2,645	12·3
17. Frimley Urban District	…	…	161	9·4
18 Guildford Borough	…	…	523	8·3
19. Ham Urban District	…	…	1,395	15·7
Richmond Borough	…	…
20. Sutton Urban District	…	…	442	10·0
21. Chertsey Urban District	…	…	456	9·5
Chertsey Rural District	…	…
22. Woking Urban District	…	…	317	9·5
23. Guildford Rural District	…	…	462	7·3

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed and the percentage of unemployed to the total male insured population in each of the areas in the administrative County of Surrey in respect of which certificates that serious unemployment exists have been issued since 1st January, 1923, to the Surrey County Council; whether the certificates were issued to the county council direct or through the borough urban or rural councils concerned; and, if to the Surrey County Council direct, whether there is any precedent for issuing such a certificate to a county council other than the London County Council?

Certificates have been issued since the 1st January, 1923, in respect of schemes submitted by the Surrey County Council for work in the following areas in view of the volume of unemployment prevailing as indicated in each case:

asked the hon. Member for Cheltenham, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he can give the number of foreigners employed by the Kitchen Committee of the House of Commons and their nationality; and whether the Committee find it impossible to obtain the, services of British subjects to perform the duties now being discharged by foreigners?

In reply, I have to say that out of 111 persons in the employ of the Kitchen Committee only eight are of foreign extraction. Of these eight, all but one, rejected on medical grounds, served during the War in the French or Italian Armies. The duties of these eight persons are culinary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of the local rates levied on the agricultural holdings in England and Wales for the year 1921–22?

According to the information available it is estimated that the rates on agricultural land in England and Wales amounted to £6,500,000 in the year 1920–21. I am not at present able to give a corresponding estimate for the following year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government is aware that, owing to its recent declaration, the responsibility for repaying the twopences illegally exacted from the farmers of Somerset, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall rests upon the shoulders of the licence-holders who purchased the milk, and that up to now these twopences have not been returned to the farmers; and what steps the Government promises to take?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my predecessor on 2nd August last. With regard to the second part, the Government are unable to pay the claims of licence holders until the assent of Parliament has been received to the Clause relating to milk contained in the War Charges (Validity) Bill which is now before the House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the gross estimated rental of all the agricultural holdings in England and Wales for the year ending 1921–22; the average rent per acre of all such holdings; and the total acreage under cultivation?

The total area under crops anti grass in England and Wales in June, 1922, as returned lay occupiers of agricultural holdings exceeding 1 acre in extent was 26,026,000 acres. I regret that I am unable to furnish the other information desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will furnish information as to the total acreage of land under cultivation in England and Wales for the years 1910, 1913, 1919 and 1922; what is the total product of cereals and roots for each of the years mentioned; whether he will give the total acreage of land which has gone out of cultivation for the last 10 years and which is now under grass; and whether he will provide the necessary information separately for Wales?

The figures are as follow:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will furnish a Return showing the number of agricultural workers employed in England and Wales for each of the following years: 1908 to 1914, inclusive, and 1919 to 1922, inclusive;

NUMBER of Workers employed on Agricultural Holdings above One Acre in extent, in England and Wales, as returned by the Occupiers in June, 1908, 1913 and 1921.
1908.
—				Regular Workers.		Casual Workers.		Total.
				Males.	Women and Girls.	Males.	Women and Girls.
England	…	…	…	478,000	54,000	106,000	30,000	668,000
Wales	…	…	…	30,000	14,000	8,000	2,000	54,000
England and Wales			…	508,000	68,000	114,000	32,000	722,000
1913.
England	…	…	…	481,000	34,000	72,000	21,000	608,000
Wales	…	…	…	27,000	9,000	6,000	1,000	43,000
England and Wales		…	…	508,000	43,000	78,000	22,000	651,000
1921.
England	…	…	…	574,000	62,000	120,000	50,000	806,000
Wales	…	…	…	38,000	11,000	11,000	3,000	63,000
England and Wales			…	612,000	73,000	131,000	53,000	869,000
NOTE.-The figures for 1908 and 1913 do not include members of the occupier's family; those for 1921 do not include the occupier and his wife, but include other members of the family working on the holding.
Returns of the number of workers employed on agricultural holdings have not been collected by the Ministry in any years other than those shown above.