asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the temporary women clerks who are being demobilised from the Civil Service at present, or have been demobilised during the past years because of the substitution of ex-service men, are in the main those who have been retained on grounds of relative efficiency, as well as hardship, until now?

Temporary women clerks now, or recently, discharged from Government Departments with a view to their substitution by ex-service men, were retained in the main on grounds of efficiency, though in some cases consideration of exceptional hardship entailed by discharge has contributed to their retention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the highest figure reached in his Department for the employment of women prior to 1920 in the following civilian grades: temporary typists and shorthand typists, temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over?

The highest figure reached in the Board of Trade (excluding Department of Overseas Trade) for the employment of women, was in April, 1919. The numbers in the following civilian grades were

Typists and shorthand typists	746
Temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant	1,796
Temporary officers of junior administrative assistant rank and over	82

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of women temporary employés in his Department who sat for the special writing assistants examination in 1920, but have not been hitherto regarded as qualified for establishment positions?

The number of female temporary staff employed in my Department who sat for the writing assistants' examination in 1920, but failed to reach the qualifying standard, is 932.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the highest figure reached in his Department for the employment of women prior to 1920 in the following civilian grades: temporary typists and shorthand-typists, temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over?

The particulars are as follow:

Grade.	Highest Number.	Date.
Temporary Typists and Shorthand Typists.	126	1st April, 1919.
Temporary Clerks below rank of Junior Administrative Assistant.	487	1st Sept., 1919.
Temporary Officers of Junior Administrative rank or over.	40	1st April, 1919.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what was the highest figure reached for the employment of civilian temporary women clerks in regimental record offices prior to October, 1920; whether at that date there were any uniform men employed on similar duties who had never seen overseas service; and what proportion of these men and women, respectively, are still employed on clerical, as apart from typewriting, duties for his Department?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what was the highest number of temporary woman clerks who were employed in industrial establishments and as civilian subordinates or in other clerical capacities with the Army Pay Corps, Forage Corps, Motor Transport, and other detachments with the Army Service Corps, and in other military detachments serving at home apart from enrolled members of the women's services; how many of these civilian women clerks were enrolled for the duration of the War or in other ways debarred from enrolment in the women's services and whether any section of women concerned were eligible for such gratuities as were paid to Army Pay Corps and other non-combatant men who served beside them in uniform?

I regret that the figures asked for are not available at the War Office, and could not be compiled without much labour, the cost of which under present conditions would not be justified. Some soldiers medically unfit for service overseas were employed in Record Offices during and after the War, but. I could not say without inquiry how many, either of them or of the women employed before October, 1920, are still employed. The members of enrolled Women's Corps received certain demobilisation benefits, namely, 28 days' pay if mobile members, and 7 days' pay if immobile members, but did not receive the gratuity payable to enlisted soldiers.

asked the Minister of Health what was the highest figure reached in his Department for the employment of women prior to 1920 in the following civilian grades: temporary typists and shorthand typists, temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over?

The greatest number of women temporarily employed in my Department prior to 1920 was 2,336 on the 1st September, 1919. Of these, 58 were temporary typists and shorthand typists, 2,260 were clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and 18 were officers of minor administrative rank and over.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present annual cost of the Employment Exchanges throughout the country in establishment, salaries, and cost of buildings?

The estimated cost of the employment exchange service in 1923–24 is £4,214,357. This includes salaries, premises and all other charges, whether borne on the Vote of the Ministry of Labour or not. £4,064,792 (or all but about £200,000) out of this total is in respect of the administration of unemployment insurance, including the offer of employment to those claiming benefit; it amounts to 8·3 per cent of the revenue of the Unemployment Fund and it is recovered in full from the Fund.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the urgency of increasing housing accommodation for women civil servants and writing-assistants employed at Acton, Kew, and West Kensington; whether he is aware of the rejection by the Public Works Loan Board of schemes submitted by the Association of Women Clerks and Secretaries for effecting this purpose by converting large houses into small fiats; whether such rejection was based on financial or other grounds; and if he will have the question reviewed?

asked the Minister of Health whether a large number of women writing assistants are to be transferred from his Department to the buildings now occupied by the Pensions Ministry at Acton; whether he is aware that many of these women live in rooms which they removed into on account of obtaining employment in his Department, from which it will be very difficult to get to Acton; whether he is aware of the difficulty women writing assistants already employed in Acton have in finding local accommodation; and whether, under these circumstances, he will endeavour to induce the Acton Council to encourage the provision of housing accommodation for these women?

I am aware of the difficulties to which the hon. Members refer. I understand that the Public Works Loan Commissioners are advised that they have no power to lend money for a scheme of the kind submitted to them. Clause 5 of the Housing Bill will enable local authorities to advance money to persons proposing to build houses, including flats. I shall be willing to consider whether the Clause should be amended to enable local authorities also to make advances in cases of conversion such as the hon. Members have in mind.

asked the Minister of Health the number of private dwelling-houses in Great Britain of a rateable value under £20 a year for the last year for which figures are available?

I regret that there are no available returns from which this information can be extracted.

asked the Minister of Health whether, considering the marked improvement in the condition of lepers that has been obtained as the result of treatment and research in the leper asylums in India, he will consider the question of taking steps to ascertain how many cases of leprosy there are in this country and what success has attended their remedial treatment?

The treatment and research referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend are being carefully studied in my Department, and I understand that they will be fully discussed at the forthcoming International Conference on Leprosy at Strasbourg, at which this country will be represented by one of the medical officers of the Ministry. I am advised that information is already available as to the approximate number of cases of leprosy in this country, and that the treatment referred to in the first part of the question is being used in some of these cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the growing resentment amongst registered nurses that the authority of their governing body, i.e., the General Nursing Council for England and Wales, has been usurped by medical men; that the nurses' certificates of registration are signed by two medical men alone, not having the signature of one registered nurse member of the Council upon them; that medical men are chairmen of the Council, finance, mental, and registration committees; that although the nurses supply all the money for the administration of the Nurses' Registration Act, 1919, the medical man appointed to the chair of the finance committee was elected by the casting vote of the chairman of the Council, himself a medical man, in spite of the fact that the nurse on that committee nominated for the position has special experience of finance; and whether he will make representations to the Council on this matter?

There is no evidence of any such feeling in the nursing profession, and the marked increase in the number of recent applications for admission to the register seems to me to negative the suggestion contained in the hon. Member's question. The nurse members form two-thirds of the Council, and it is within their power to control the selection of committee. I understand that the chairman of three out of six standing committees are doctors, but I have no information as to the other points in the question and I am not prepared to make representations to the Council on matters which are wholly within their discretion.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that certain members of the General Nursing Council for England and Wales are appointing personal friends to lucrative posts in the General Nursing Council offices; that a lady who is a close personal friend of the matron, who is chairman of the general purposes committee, which committee was appointed by the Council to interview and appoint a suitable person, was appointed to the post of interviewing officer at a salary of £250 per annum without the full committee being summoned, thus making the appointment ultra vices; that, while this lady is already in receipt of a pension of £250 per annum from public funds and has no special qualifications for the post, many working nurses who have been incapacitated through war service from undertaking heavy work but who have fitted themselves for secretarial posts are needing employment; why, as all registered nurses are paying for the upkeep of the General Nursing Council offices, the nursing posts are not advertised so that those belonging to other societies or to none can share in these appointments; and whether he will see that this is done with regard to the post of interviewing officer?

The General Nursing Council have not notified me whom they propose to appoint to the post of interview officer nor are they under any obligation to do so, the selection being entirely within their discretion. This appointment is a temporary one for four months and it is not customary to advertise for candidates to fill temporary posts of this kind.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the water supply of the Orrell urban district council is insufficient to meet the needs of the township; that arrangements have been made for a further supply, and an application for sanction to this arrangement was made to his Department more than a year ago, who have not yet sanctioned the scheme; why this has been withheld for so long; and if, in view of the great shortage, he is now prepared to give his sanction to the scheme, so that a sufficient supply of pure water may be secured?

The scheme of this urban district council involves the taking of water from a colliery shaft, and the proposed source of supply has necessitated careful investigation. I am now prepared to sanction the scheme subject to certain modifications in the agreement proposed to be made with the colliery proprietor.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the medical officer for the City of Newcastle-on-Tyne, for tuberculosis, stated that 80 per cent. of cases treated were dealt with at the homes of the people; and will he inquire why they were not treated in sanatoria provided for that purpose?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this statement, but I am communicating with the town council in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that relief work is being found for the unemployed by the West Bromwich Board of Guardians on the Barr estate; that the employment is for three full days in a fortnight; that they receive in payment 21s. 4d. for the three day's work, and are refused relief by the guardians for the remaining 11 days; and will he have the matter investigated?

I am in communication with the guardians on the subject of this question and will let the hon. Member know the result of my inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the West Bromwich Board of Guardians are providing relief work on the Great Barr estate for the unemployed; and whether, seeing that the men, being employed for three days in a fortnight, are held to be not entitled to unemployment benefit for the remaining 11 days or any portion thereof, he will inquire into this case with a view to rendering these men entitled to benefit?

I understand that, in general, these men have received benefit for their periods of unemployment. It is possible that some of them may be disqualified for special reasons or may be temporarily suspended from benefit during the gap, but without particulars of specific cases I am unable to say definitely why, in any instance, benefit may have been withheld. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars I will have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that men are being refused unemployment benefit in Clayton Moor, Cumberland, because they have not proceeded to work at a Partick sewage scheme 150 miles away, and that a large number of men within the area of Partick are idle; and will he see that the local men who are unemployed are given this work?

I am making inquiries locally, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that there are at the present time many thousand unemployed women workers who are not suitable for or whose home circumstances do not permit of their undertaking domestic service, many of them having a skilled trade or occupation in which they expect to be reabsorbed on the revival of industry, who in the meantime at best are struggling to exist on 12s. a week unemployment benefit, while in many cases even this inadequate allowance has been stopped, he will take immediate steps to see that a grant is made from the Ministry of Labour for an extension of the homemakers' training centres of the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment to assist these women and alleviate the severe hardship and deterioration to which they are at present subjected?

I recently discussed this question with a deputation from the Trades Union Congress and the views then expressed are receiving my careful consideration. As at present advised, I am not proposing to recommend state assistance for the purpose of providing domestic training for women who are unprepared to pledge themselves to enter domestic service when trained.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will make inquiries into the case of George Arthur Lumb, 14, Sidebottom Square, Smithies, Barnsley, who enlisted into the Labour Corps on 26th September, 1916, and served in France from 13th November, 1916, to 30th October, 1918, during which period he contracted myalgia, stiffness, cramp, and pain in muscles, and is still suffering therefrom; if he is aware that a medical specialist decided on 28th October, 1921, that Lumb's disability was myalgia; that the pensions appeal tribunal on 21st November, 1921, decided against Lumb; that communication had been opened up with the Prime Minister, and Lumb received an intimation, dated 14th and 27th March, 1923, stating that the case was receiving attention; and, seeing that at divers dates medical specialists have determined Lumb as suffering from myalgia 20 per cent. to 30 per cent., will he again have Lumb re-examined?

This man has received a final award under the War Pensions Act, 1921, in respect of his disability, myalgia, which was accepted as attributable to service. The award has been confirmed on appeal by the pensions appeal tribunal whose decision is final.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will have inquiries made into the case of Stephen Naylor, No. 202,472, of 4, Avon Street, Barnsley, Royal Highlanders, who was discharged in 1918 suffering from neurasthenia (shrapnel wound) in the forearm; if he is aware that he was awarded a pension of 11s. per week, subject to an annual examination; that his pension was afterwards increased to £1 a week, and on leaving the hospital decreased to 8s. a week, and so paid to lath May, 1922; that about this period of date Naylor appealed for a pension increase; that on 14th August, 1922, Naylor received £10 by post, with a notification of a final award paper; that on 6th December, 1922, following Naylor's appeal, he received a final award paper disallowing his appeal; that since the date of receiving his wounds Naylor has been continuously suffering, and was ordered to Beckett's Park Hospital, Leeds, then to Beckett Hospital, Barnsley, and thence to Leeds for re-examination; that at Leeds Hospital Dr. Fleming stated that Naylor ought to receive a pension, as his Army wounds were serious, and advised Naylor to appeal against the decision of the pensions board; and that Naylor accordingly applied locally, and was told it was impossible, as his case had been disposed of?

A final award having been made and confirmed on appeal by the independent Pensions Appeal Tribunal, there is now no right of further application for pension in respect of the accepted disability. The man is, however, at present receiving medical treatment, together with full allowances.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that G. E. Witcombe, 138, Strada Reale, Casal Balzan, Malta, was granted a pension of £18 8s. per annum last year; that he presented a D.1,993 certificate to the cashier at the dock and a request for payment; that the cashier informed Witcombe that Admiralty authority had not been received to authorise payment; and will he cause this authority to be given without further delay, so that this ex-service man can receive his pension?

The necessary instructions for payment of this pension have now been issued to the cashier at Malta, and payment, if not actually already made, should be effected within the next few days. The delay, which was due to an oversight, is regretted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many chests of opium have been sold by auction at Calcutta during each of the past three years and the places to which they were exported?

The number of chests of opium sold at the Calcutta auctions in the years ending the 31st March 1921, 1922, and 1923 was 1,550, 935, and 2,890, respectively. Detailed information as to the places to which this opium was exported is not available at the India Office, but I will obtain information from the Government of India.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether honey is to be included among the items of produce covered by the Merchandise Marks Bill; and, if not, will he, in response to the wishes of the Beekeepers' Association, so include it?

I have been asked to reply. Notice of Amendments to include honey within the scope of the Bill have been given, and will, in due course, be considered by the Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the cost of electricity for lighting should be 1s. and 11d. per unit in Twickenham and Teddington, while at Fulham and Wandsworth it is only 5d., and at Richmond, Surrey, 7½d.; and will he take steps to lower the cost of electricity in Twickenham and Teddington to a more reasonable figure?

I have been asked to reply. The authorised maximum prices at the places in question are as follow:

• Twickenham and Teddington, 1s. per unit.
• Fulham and Wandsworth, 8d. per unit.
• Richmond, for any quantity up to 100 units, £3 10s., and for each unit over 100 units 7d.

Owing to the differences in the conditions under which the supply of electricity is given in different localities, there is no necessary relation between the prices charged in such localities. There is machinery under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1922, whereby the Minister of Transport is authorised to revise maximum prices on the application of the undertakers, the local authority (where that authority is not the undertaker), or an appropriate number of consumers, at recurring intervals of three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to take power to restrict the export of metallurgical coke, or whether he is satisfied that this export is not delaying the recovery of the steel industry in this country?

My information certainly does not indicate that the foreign demand for coke is having any such adverse effect on the steel industry in this country as would warrant my asking Parliament for power to control export.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of ex-service tempopary civil servants employed in his Department on clerical duties are home-service and overseas, respectively; and how many are men who did not sit for the recent special establishment examinations?

My right hon. Friend is obtaining the information asked for by the hon. Member, and will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it is available.

asked the Minister of Labour if a preference on employment will be given to ex-service men on all schemes guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. and gallant Member for Reading (Major Cadogan) on 18th April.

asked the Minister of Labour when the ex-service men who received instruction in diamond-cutting and are now unemployed will be put to remunerative work again?

The men in question are unemployed because the National Diamond Factories (Bernard Oppenheimer), Limited, have gone into liquidation. I am in communication with another firm as to the conditions under which the Government could give them financial assistance with a view to their re-opening the workshops.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give, so far as he can, the number of persons assisted by the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department who are now carrying on the business for which they were assisted?

Complete statistics are not available, but a recent investigation into a series of grants made from nine to 15 months ago showed that about 80 per cent. of the recipients were successfully carrying on the businesses for which the grants were made.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Committee appointed to inquire into the conditions affecting domestic service will commence its investigations?

I am glad to be able to say that the constitution of this committee is now complete. The first meeting will be held at an early date.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what steps will be taken in the near future in regard to the provision of adequate accommodation for officials, advocates, and the public at the Edmonton County Court?

Several minor alterations are being considered for improving the conditions at this Court. Financial considerations preclude heavy expenditure on the extension of the building.

asked the First Commissioner of Works on what date the reparation of the roof of Westminster Hall was commenced; and what has been the cost?

The work of reparation was commenced in May, 1914. The cost will not exceed £110,000.

asked the Attorney-General what steps he intends to take to restore to the subject the right to trial by jury in common law actions of which he was deprived as a result of the wording of Section 2 (1) of The Administration of Justice Act, 1920?

This matter is dealt with in a Bill which was introduced by my right hon. Friend The Lord Chancellor on Thursday last.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware that great hardship is being caused to judgment debtors by reason of executions being issued for instalments of a judgment debt and costs whereby the same goods are being seized over and over again, with consequent recurring costs of executions and possession fees; and if he will cause to be inserted in Order 25, Rules 8 and 10, of the County Court Rules, 1903 to 1914, instructions governing the granting of leave to issue execution for a less amount than the judgment debt and costs, and also governing the granting of leave to issue execution after two years have elapsed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the latter part of the question, no complaints have been received of an abuse of the present procedure, and I am not, therefore, prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to frequent complaints of the delinquencies of gangs of gypsies, especially in the south-eastern counties, involving loss to farmers, damages to allotments, and theft of the produce grown thereon; whether he is aware that branches of the National Farmers' Union in other parts of England have passed resolutions complaining of the nuisance; and whether, seeing that the police are unable to protect the public against the depredations of these people, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation for the accomplishment of that purpose?

Complaints have been received from time to time about damage done by gypsies, but none very recently. The question is a very old one which has been often considered, but none of the proposals which have been made for dealing with it by fresh legislation have been free from objection or difficulty. No fresh facts have been brought to my notice which call for reconsideration of the question at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Mrs. Taylor, of Hope Cottage, Bishops Waltham, widow of T. Taylor, was told, 5th April, 1923, by the dockyard authorities, Portsmouth, to attend to receive the Imperial Service Medal awarded to her husband on 28th July, 1922, and that on 13th April Mrs. Taylor was informed by the Home Office that as Taylor died before the date of His Majesty's approval of the award the award must be considered to have been made in error and must be cancelled; is he aware that on 14th April Mrs. Taylor received a letter from the dockyard to the effect that the medal could not be presented; and if, in view of the long delay in obtaining His Majesty's approval, the matter can be reconsidered and the medal given to Mrs. Taylor?

I am aware of the facts stated. Imperial Service Medals cannot be granted posthumously, and if it had been known at the date of the award that Mr. Taylor had died, it would not have been made. It is regretted that the award could not have been made sooner, but some delay is unavoidable. I am afraid the matter cannot be reconsidered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on a plot of land situate at Ashfield Road, Leytonstone, there is embedded an unexploded shell or bomb which struck the plot on Whit-Sunday, 1918, during the last air raid on London; that it is now proposed to build upon the plot a mission hall; that there is considerable anxiety on the part of those proposing to build and attend the mission hall as to the danger of the shell or bomb exploding during the building operations or after the hall has been erected; that there is a doubt as to which Government Department is responsible for removing the shell or bomb; and whether he will cause an investigation and excavation to be made so that the shell or bomb may be removed and the building of the mission hall proceeded with without further anxiety?

Representations to the above effect have been made by those interested in the site, and I am in consultation with the War Office on the subject, and hope to be able to give a definite reply shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the great divergence of opinion in the industry, he will accord representation on the proposed Committee on Wireless Broadcasting, not merely to the British Broadcasting Company, but also to the British Radio Manufacturers' and Traders' Association, which includes nearly all the manufacturers and traders who have refused to join in the membership and policy of the former company?

I regret that in order to keep the personnel of the Committee within workable limits, it has not been possible to meet the request of this and other associations for membership, but it will be open to them to tender evidence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British refugees from Asia Minor are at present being cared for partly at the public expense in Malta and elsewhere; and what cost is likely to fall on British funds?

According to the latest figures available there are 272 British refugees from Smyrna distributed between Malta, Cyprus and Mitylene. The total cost to public funds of their relief is about £22 per diem.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the annual cost of the British Mission to the Vatican; and whether, in view of the fact that the original reason for the Mission (inquiries on behalf of war prisoners, etc.) no longer exists, it is intended to bring the Mission to a close?

The present annual cost of the British Mission to the Vatican is approximately £6,530. In regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply made by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for West Belfast (Mr. Lynn) on the 22nd February last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the Peace Treaty under negotiation with Turkey, it is proposed to extend to that country the provisions of Clauses 296 and 297 of the Treaty of Versailles charging the property of an enemy subject in this country with reparations; whether, having regard to the non-extension to Asia of the European doctrine of political nationality, he has considered the difference in effect of such provisions attaching to the property of Turks in this country according to the side of the Bosphorus on which Turkish owners may have been born; and whether it is proposed to take any and what steps to equalise the incidence of the charge?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The remainder of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is at present time any difficulty in securing suitable candidates for the vacancies in the Colonial medical services, more especially those in the West Indies; what steps, if any, he has taken, and proposes to take, to secure action in the direction recommended by the Report of his predecessor in respect of the medical services in the West Indies; whether, pending amelioration of conditions of service along the lines recommended in the Report, the Colonial Office proposes to continue recruiting for these services in this country; and, if so, what steps are being taken to advise intending candidates of the difficulties with which they will have to contend if they take up these appointments?

There is no serious difficulty in securing suitable candidates for vacancies in the Colonial medical services, except as regards appointments in West Africa and a few other posts for which it is only possible to offer small salaries. Effect has already been given to many of the recommendations regarding the medical services in the West Indies made by the President of the Board of Education when he was Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, but financial exigencies have prevented the realisation of some of his proposals. I know of no grounds for thinking that the conditions of service in the great majority of the Colonial medical services are not satisfactory. Recruitment for these services is being continued in this country, but has been discontinued in the case of a few posts at low salaries in some of the poorer Colonies. As full information as possible with regard to the terms and conditions of service is given to all intending candidates.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the economic development of the West Indian Colonies is severely handicapped by the prevalence of disease and the high rate of mortality; and what steps are being taken to develop health services adequate to the needs of the communities concerned?

I am aware that the incidence of disease and the rates of mortality in some of the West Indian Colonies are capable of considerable reduction with great economic advantage. The Colonial Governments have given much attention lately to medical and sanitary matters; several have appointed committees of inquiry, and several have lately reorganised their public health services. In this work the Colonies are hampered by commercial depression and by the indifference of sections of the public which do not yet fully realise the profound importance of domestic sanitation from the economic and social points of view. As pointed out in my predecessor's report, co-operation of all sections of the community with the public health authorities is essential to progress.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Amendments to the forced labour ordinance in Kenya Colony have been approved; and, if so, at what date did they become effective?

The Ordinance amending the Kenya Native Authority Ordinance was assented to by the Governor on the 30th of December and came into operation from that day.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to state when the reference to the judicial committee will be made of the Northern Rhodesia land case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the latter part of the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on 27th February, to which at present I cannot add anything.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the naval recruiting office, Cowley Road, Oxford, is being used as a political propaganda station and centre by exhibiting in the windows and on boards posters of Conservative meetings; whether the revenue benefits by this assistance; and whether he will stop this practice or, alternatively, give equal facilities to the Liberal and Labour parties, who have given support to the Royal Navy, in Oxford?

My attention has been called to the exhibition at this recruiting station of a poster advertising an "At Home" on behalf of the local Conservative organisation. The action of the recruiter in permitting the exhibition of this poster was most irregular, and steps are being taken to prevent a repetition of such procedure in future.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will arrange for elementary school children attending school at the hours operating up to Friday, 20th April, 1923, wherever the local education authority can carry out such order, seeing that such continuation as hitherto is essential upon the grounds of health and sleep to young children?

I am afraid the hon. Member's suggestion is impracticable, and I do not agree that it is essential on the grounds suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware that John Gallagher, 1, Duncruin Street, Maryhill, Glasgow, has resided at that address for the past two years and did reside there at the time of his arrest; that the police now state his address to be 22, Argyle Street, Maryhill; that his house at Duncruin Street was not visited by the police till they actually arrested him; that he has not stayed at any other address during the past two years; and, in view of the doubt here shown on the part of the police, will he state if he is satisfied that the person arrested is the person for whom the warrant was issued?

I am aware that the address named in the Order of Internment of John Gallagher was 22, Argyle Street, Maryhill, and that he was actually arrested on the 10th of April at 1, Duncruin Street, Maryhill. I understand that the police entertain no doubt that the Gallagher arrested is the person named in the Internment Order.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware that the warrant on which Denis Breslin, 17 years of age, of 6, Clarendon Street, Glasgow, was arrested was made out in the name of Michael Breslin, 22 years of age; that on the occasion of the general raid of 11th March this youth was seen and questioned by the police, and declared not to be the person they wanted; that he was born in Greenock; and that his father has been over 20 years in Scotland; and will he cause inquiries to be made with a view to the release of Denis Breslin?

The Order of Internment on which Denis Breslin was recently arrested was made out in the name of M. Breslin. No age was stated in the Order. Further inquiries are being made into this case, with particular reference to the points mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the proposed Order dealing with the importation of cows and heifers from Canada will preclude the possibility of any importations; and why the conditions are not the same as apply to Ireland?

As the Order in question is still under consideration, I am not able at the moment to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the inequality as between employers and workmen entailed by Section 13 (4) of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887, whereby colliery managers are enabled to apply to a Court of summary jurisdiction for the removal from office of any checkweighman appointed by ballot of the workmen to check the weighing of coal on their behalf, he will undertake to introduce legislation to so amend the Act as to make applicable to checkweighers Section 101 (1) and (3) and Section 102 (5) in cases where proceedings are taken under Section 13 (4) of the Act?

I am not aware of any reason which would justify the alterations in the law that the question suggests.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he would be willing to arrange for the loan of colliery safety films to be shown at local cinema houses in mining districts, in order to bring them before many miners who otherwise would not see them.

Yes, sir. A film on coal dust explosions has already been prepared and I shall be glad to lend it free of charge wherever its exhibition in mining districts can be arranged. In several districts this is already being done. I hope it may be possible, with the help of the Safety in Mines Research Board, to extend this valuable method of publicity to other safety questions of mining.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the old-age pension to Frederick Pinn, of Burnt Oak, Sidbury, has been recently stopped on the ground that he is in receipt of 6s. from the Master Bakers' Society, and of 14s. as a voluntary allowance for his lodgings from another source; if this latter allowance is to cease from the 28th when Frederick Pinn will have to go to the workhouse; is he aware that this aged pensioner is 81 years of age; and can he see his way, under the circumstances, to continuing the old-age pension to Frederick Pinn for the few remaining years of his life?

I am informed that Mr. Frederick Pinn's old age pension was revoked by the central pension authority because his means, as stated in the question, were in excess of £49 17s. 6d. per annum, the statutory limit for an old age pension. I have no information whether the allowance of 14s. per week is to cease on the 28th April, but if it is, Mr. Pinn should make a fresh claim for an old age pension on the form obtainable at any Post Office and forward it to the local pension officer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the nature of, and with whom, correspondence is going on with reference to grants given by the Development Commission to the Village Clubs' Association; and whether he is aware that the said association has already decided and intimated that restriction of expenditure involves restriction of operations of the association?

When I stated on the 10th April that correspondence was going on at present about this grant, a letter from the Village Clubs' Association to the Treasury was still unanswered. The reply was sent on the 16th April. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand, however, that the Development Commissioners, after careful and sympathetic consideration, are of opinion that information and advice as to the formation and carrying on of village clubs can be adequately dealt with by a central office working in conjunction with the friends of the movement throughout the country, and that the efficiency of the organisation will not be endangered by the abolition of the existing staff of salaried organisers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the returns to the Registrar of Friendly Societies show that the secretary of the Provident Co-operative Collecting Society is Mr. C. L. Payne, of Cardiff, and that the annual return of this society for the year 1921 shows that the contributions received were £10,866 and the management expenses £8,546, representing over 78 per cent. of the contributions; what, is the total amount received in contributions, as shown by the returns rendered since the society was registered; and what amount has been paid in respect of management expenses in the same period?

The answers to the first two parts of this question are in the affirmative. The Provident Co-operative Collecting Society was registered on 22nd March, 1918, and the annual returns for the years 1918 to 1921, inclusive, show that the total amount of contributions received was £27,525, and the amount spent in management expenses £22,066, a percentage of 80·2. The return for 1922 has not yet been received.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the annual return of the United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society shows that the contributions received or credited in the year 1921 amounted to £7,859; that the amount charged to the management fund during that year was £4,444; and that the benefit fund was stated by the returns to amount at the end of the year to £4,229; what part of this sum was represented by actual investments and cash in hand, respectively; under what heads is the remainder (if any) entered in the balance sheet; how far do the several items making up the total appear to constitute security for the policy holders; when was the society last valued; and what was the result of the valuation?

The return of the society named for the year 1921 shows that the contributions brought into account were £7,859, but the amount actually received appears to have been only £7,576, the difference representing the increase during the year in the item "Outstanding Premiums." The expenses of management were, as stated, £4,444. The benefit funds are entered in the return at the total of £4,229 11s. 0d., but there were no investments, the only tangible assets being £19 4s. 3d, balance at the bank, and £195 7s. 9d. cash in hands of head office and superintendents, and even these small sums were subject, apparently, to deduction of £119 0s. 2d. for sums due to sundry creditors. The "assets" entered in the balance sheet consisted, otherwise, of (i) outstanding premiums £959 7s. 1½d., (ii) stationery £150, and (iii) management fund debt £3,024 12s. 0½d. There is little or no security for members (policy holders) in the first of these items, and none at all in the second and third, which represent expenditure on management in excess of the large sums authorised by the rules. The last valuation was made as at 31st December, 1919, and showed a deficiency of £36,985, the assets being equal to 11s. 9d. in the pound after taking credit for the management fund debt as though it were a realisable asset.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the estimated value of the site of Wombwell, 3,850 acres, excluding the value of minerals and mineral rights, according to the valuation made under the Finance Act, 1909–10?

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to Subsection (2) of Section 30 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, which provides that particulars of valuations made under the Act can be furnished only to persons interested in the land or to persons authorised by persons interested. Any application made under that Section should be addressed in writing to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of private dwelling-houses in Great Britain not assessed to Inhabited House Duty because their value is under £20 annual value for the last year for which figures are available?

An analysis of the numbers and annual value of premises in Great Britain (excluding farm houses) exempt from Inhabited House Duty for the year 1914–15 is contained in Table 33 of the 59th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Cd. 8425 of 1917). Similar statistics have not been collected since; it has, however, been ascertained that the number of new dwelling houses (including flats, separate dwellings and almshouses), residential shops and hotels, inns, coffee houses and lodging houses, of a gross annual value less than £20 which have been brought for the first time into assessment to Income Tax between the 6th April, 1919, and October, 1922, was 53,400.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the raising of the limit of Inhabited House Duty, under which a tenant does not pay, from £20 to £30; whether he is aware that the increases in assessment are throwing the payment of this duty on the very poor and are greatly adding to their burdens; and whether he can, in this matter, follow the example of the upward movement in respect of the Income Tax limit of exemption?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is still of the opinion, which he expressed in the reply to my hon. Friend on the 27th November, 1922, that there is no sufficient ground for a revision of the charge to Inhabited House Duty. In the type of case to which my hon. Friend refers, the rate of duty on dwelling-houses is 3d. in the pound, giving an annual charge of 5s. on a £20 house, rising to 7s. 6d. on a £30 house.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can, without inconvenience and expense to the Treasury, amend the form of weekly Exchequer Returns so as to show separately the interest on Debt and the payments into the various Sinking Funds?

This will be a matter for consideration when the Finance Bill has become law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a resolution from the joint committee representing the Actors' Association, the Musicians' Union, the Variety Artistes' Federation, and the National Association of Theatrical Employés, urging the necessity that all aliens engaged in the entertainment industry be compelled to pay their quota of Income Tax on their salaries before leaving Great Britain, irrespective of the period of their engagements in this country, and that their departure from ports of embarkation here be prohibited until they have complied with regulations imposing such taxation; whether he is aware that such regulations exist in America and other countries; and, if so, what steps he intends taking in this matter?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to by the hon. Member. Individuals not residing in the United Kingdom are liable to Income Tax in respect of income earned by them on visits to this country under the general provisions of the Income Tax law. I do not consider it necessary to adopt the suggested measures for enforcement of payment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the names of the present holdings of the British Government in concerns registered under the Companies Acts; and will he state the total amount received on revenue account by way of interest or dividend during the period April, 1922, to April, 1923, and the aggregate market or estimated capital value of such holdings, and similarly the capital value and income on the Government's holding of Suez Canal shares?

The information which I promised to my hon. Friend in answer to his question of the 12th April is as follows:

Department.	Name of Company.	Particulars of Investment.	Interest or Dividend (Gross) received in period 1st April, 1922, to 1st April, 1923.			Present Market Value.
			£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Board of Trade	British Dyestuffs Corporation, Ltd.	850,000 £1 Preference Ordinary Shares.	—			743,750	0	0
		850,001 £1 Preference Shares.
	Turkish Petroleum Co.	40,000 £1 Ordinary Shares.	—			Not quoted.
	British American Nickel Corporation (of Canada).	$3,000,000 "A" Income Bonds.	—			Not quoted.
		$2,625,000 Common Stock.
	Munster Flax Development Co., Ltd.	£22,000 "B" Debenture Stock.	—			Not quoted.
		£11,000 "C" Debenture Stock.
	Chepstow Water Co., Ltd.	330 £1 Ordinary Shares	26	8	0	Not quoted.
	Monmouth Shipbuilding Co., Ltd	£490,000 6% Mortgage	14,700	0	0	—(See Note).
Treasury	Suez Canal Co.	160,101 Actions de Capital.	919,753	10	4	19,206,334	15	0
		16,501 Actions de Jouissance.
	Cunard Steamship, Ltd.	£650,000 Debenture Stock.	21,012	2	11	687,400	0	0
		1 £20 Ordinary Share
	Anglo Persian Oil Co., Ltd.	5,000,000 £1 Ordinary Shares.	820,030	0	0	21,281,059	0	0
		1,000 £1 Preference Shares.
		£199,000 Debenture Stock.
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.	Home Grown Sugar, Ltd.	250,000 5s. Ordinary Shares.	—			70,000	0	0
		£124,950 Second Mortgage.	—			—
	Flax Cultivation, Ltd.	£331,000 First Mortgage.	—			—
	Wessex Flax Factories, Ltd.	£32,000 First Mortgage	250	0	0	—
Disposal and Liquidation Commission.	British Cellulose & Manufacturing Co., Ltd.	£500,000 7½% Cumulative Participating Preference Shares.	—			400,000	0	0
Foreign Office.	Commercial Bank of Siberia.	45,263 Ordinary Shares	—			Not quoted.
NOTE.—In addition the Board of Trade hold 300,000 £1 ordinary shares (fully paid) and 300,000 £1 ordinary shares (5s. paid) in the Standard Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd., and two subsidiary companies. These shares are of nominal value only as the entire assets and liabilities of the companies are vested in the Shipping Controller, and the greater part of the physical assets have been included in the sale to the Monmouth Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The shares do not therefore produce any income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Mr. Wadsworth, of the United States Debt Funding Commission, has been assisting British officials in London on the charges to be made in Anglo-American debt debenture; and whether the final draft will be submitted to this House before the conclusion of this agreement?

Advantage was taken of the presence of Mr. Wadsworth in London on a private visit to have a brief informal discussion with him on certain technical points now under discussion between the two Governments. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The terms have already been published of the agreement which resulted from the conferences between the British Mission and the American Foreign Debt Commission. The present discussions are confined to technical points arising on the preparation of bonds to give effect to the terms of that settlement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent the powers of Section 11 (1) of the Development and Road Improvement Act, 1909, which enable the Board to buy the land adjacent to the proposed road, have been used; how much land has been acquired; and if such land is still held by the Board?

I have been asked to reply. The Road Board themselves did not at any time acquire land for the construction of roads. Since 1919 when the powers of the Board were transferred to the Minister of Transport, the Minister has himself acted as principal in the construction of certain of the arterial roads in Essex. In the case of the rest of the arterial roads now under construction in the neighbourhood of London the local authorities concerned are acting as principals. In the exercise of his own powers the Minister has had occasion to acquire small plots of land which have been severed by the new roads. About 10 acres of land have been so acquired, and the bulk of this property is still in the possession of the Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that many of the second-class carriages on the suburban lines of the London and North Eastern Railway do not provide a standard of space and comfort equal to that provided for third-class passengers on other railways; and whether he will take steps to secure that in future railway companies shall not be permitted to charge second-class fares to passengers by merely calling certain carriages second-class and without regard to the accommodation provided?

I have no power to prescribe a standard of accommodation for second-class railway carriages, but, if the hon. Member will give me particulars of his complaint, I will bring it to the notice of the railway company concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what was the approximate highest number of men clerks and other non-combatant ranks employed by his Department solely at home service stations prior to October, 1920; what was the highest number of women employed on similar uniform duties, and what proportion of these, respectively, were still employed in a civilian capacity at the end of 1922 and 1923; whether any gratuities were granted to the men and women concerned on demobilisation from their respective forces; and, if so, the amount in either case?

The highest number of Royal Air Force personnel employed before October, 1920, on the kind of duties to which, although they are not classed in the Royal Air Force as non-combatant, I think that the hon. Member is referring, was 54,200, and the corresponding figure for women was 14,700. The numbers of civilian subordinates employed on 31st March, 1923, were; men, 1,300; women, 195; but it does not follow that these individuals were included in the former figures. As regards gratuities, every airman who served during the War, which ended for this purpose on 3rd August, 1919, and had completed six months' service, received on demobilisation a war gratuity of an amount dependent on the length of his service and his rank, and varying from £5 to nearly 240: and every airman serving on an ordinary engagement (other than "duration of war") received, in addition, a service gratuity of £1 for each year of service up to a maximum of £12. Airmen serving on "duration of war" engagements were also given 28 days' pay and allowances on demobilisation. The demobilisation benefits of the Women's Royal Air Force were two months' pay for officers, 28 days' pay and allowances for mobile and seven days' pay and allowances for immobile members of that Force, provided that such officers or members had enrolled before 11th November, 1918.