asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the names of all the sugar refining firms in Great Britain?

I am unable to furnish a complete list of all sugar refiners in Great Britain, but am sending the hon. Member a list of the firms which carry on the business of sugar refining in bonded premises under the supervision of the Department of Customs and Excise.

Will the list appear in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the total weight or value of cotton manufactures exported for the year 1922, and say how that compares with the export of previous year?

The total values of cotton manufactures produced in the United Kingdom and exported in the years 1921 and 1922, were as follow:

	1921.	1922.
	£	£
Cotton yarn	23,925,000	26,437,000
Other cotton manufactures	154,740,000	160,446,000
Total	178,665,000	186,883,000

In comparing the values for the two years, it should not be overlooked that average prices of goods in this Group were somewhat more than 25 per cent. lower in 1922 than in 1921, according to calculations made by my Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, seeing the slowness of promotion now existing, he will explain why lieutenant-colonels of the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps are not obliged to retire after four years' service in that rank, as is the case in the infantry, artillery and other branches of the Army?

No fair comparison can be made with the combatant branches, where conditions are different. The combatant officers in question are not retired, and the fact that they go to half-pay does not deprive them as a class of adequate opportunities of further employment. No opportunities on a similar scale would be available for the Departmental branches.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the total number of recruits for the cavalry, infantry and artillery during the last six months; whether the recruiting is satisfactory for all branches of the Service; and, if not, what steps are being taken to remedy this?

The total number of recruits raised in Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the cavalry, infantry and artillery, during the six months ending 31st March, 1923, was as follows:

Household Cavalry	…	64
Cavalry of the Line	…	548
Infantry of the Line	…	14,520
Foot Guards	…	1,201
Royal Regiment of Artillery	…	1,338

Recruiting is satisfactory for all branches of the Service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the hardships to the soldiers of the Rhine Army, due to their being paid in marks instead of sterling, and in view of the difficulty of paying these men in sterling Treasury notes, he will instruct the War Office to pay these soldiers at their option in sterling vouchers of suitable amount, which can be used to pay for sterling purchases at the Army canteen, thereby avoiding loss to the soldiers, to the British Government, or to the canteen?

The hon. and gallant Member's scheme would involve considerable loss to the taxpayer. I think the power recently given to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief to pay the troops and fix the official rates twice a week, whenever he considers it desirable, is amply sufficient to prevent hardships to the soldiers.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment of the House, on a suitable occasion.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he is aware that the recording of a simple transfer of a cottage in the General Register of Sasines in Edinburgh involves a delay of four or five months and of the great inconvenience thereby occasioned; and if he intends to take any and, if so, what steps to expedite recording?

My Noble Friend is aware that the work in connection with the registration of writs in the General Register of Sasines is in arrear. Arrangements have recently been made with a view to the more effective co-ordination of the work of the staff, and an addition to the number of typists has been sanctioned. It is hoped that these steps may enable the arrears of work to be overtaken in the near future.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether, having regard to the experiments carried out under the direction of the Minister of Agriculture in the months of October and November, 1921, and March, 1923, off the east and south coasts of England for the purpose of locating shoals of fish by observation from aeroplanes, and the statement of the Minister of Agriculture that further experimental flights are in contemplation, it can be arranged that these further flights be made during the summer herring-fishing season off the north coasts of Scotland and the Shetland Isles?

The possibility of making arrangements for such experimental flights off the coast of Scotland during the coming summer is at present under discussion with the Air Ministry. My Noble Friend will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as further information is available.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he has held any inquiry since the publication of the remedial measures for agriculture which has led him to suppose that the establishment of conciliation committees is still undesired by the agricultural community in Scotland: and, if not, will he institute an inquiry before finally deciding not to adopt that recommendation of the Agricultural Tribunal?

No special inquiry has been recently made or is considered necessary, seeing that it is open to the Scottish Farm Servants' Union or to the National Farmers' Union of Scotland at any time to approach the Board of Agriculture if they decide to modify the attitude which they have hitherto adopted as to the formation of conciliation committees. I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the Agricultural Tribunal excepted Scotland from their recommendation regarding the establishment of wages boards.

May I ask whether, in the hon. and gallant Gentleman's opinion, Scotland should be excluded?

Is the Conciliation Committee not a wages board?

The point is that neither the employers nor the employés requested that these arrangements should be made. If they have changed their opinion and now wish such arrangements to be made, it is open to them at any time to approach the Board and intimate their change of opinion.

Is it not a fact that the tribunal suggested certain remedial measures for agriculture, and, at the same time, suggested that the agricultural labourer should participate through the conciliation boards?

If the agricultural labourers in Scotland consider that they would obtain better terms by direct negotiation, it is obviously not the duty of the Board of Agriculture to interfere.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that the refusal of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland to supply seed oats and seed potatoes, in view of last year's bad harvest, has occasioned hardship and distress to numbers of smallholders, especially those round the coasts of Caithness and Sunderland; in what respect their case differs from similar cases in previous seasons when, after bad harvests, assistance has been granted by the Board of Agriculture; and whether any money has been set aside in the Estimates of the Scottish Office for the current year in case another bad harvest should occur and the need arise for making grants under Section 4 (b) of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897?

My Noble Friend has no evidence to show that the scarcity of seed is greater in parts of Caithness and Sutherland than in other outlying parts of the congested districts, and he is not aware that any hardship or distress can reasonably be attributed to the refusal of the Board to give financial aid towards the purchase of seeds. The Board are not in a position to grant assistance for this purpose from their limited resources unless the need is exceptionally great, and the circumstances of the present year did not justify expenditure for the purpose. No money has been specifically earmarked for this purpose to meet the possibility of an exceptional emergency next year, but consideration of the question would not be precluded if necessity arose.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the difficulty we are up against is that we are told there is no money when fishermen or crofters are in distress? Is it not, best to earmark some of this money before the distress actually arises?

I understood the hon. and gallant Member's position to be that distress had arisen in these cases.

Certainly, but may I draw attention to the last part of the question, asking the hon. and gallant Gentleman to set aside some money in case of a bad harvest this year?

If we set aside money for this purpose and it was not expended, it would have to be returned to the Treasury and Scotland would lose the money.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health what sum of money out of the grants made by Parliament to the Board of Agriculture was distributed by them during the year ending 31st March, 1923, in terms of Section 4 (e) of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act of 1897, in aiding the fishing industry during the present depression, and in what way it was spent; and what sum of money will be spent with the same object during the year ending 31st March, 1924?

The total amount of the Board's expenditure and commitments in terms of Section 4 (1) (e) of the Act of 1897 during the year ended the 31st March, 1923, was £4,252, most of which was in respect of loans for the erection of fishermen's dwellings. It is not possible at the present time to state what will be the amount of the corresponding expenditure and commitments during the year ending the 31st March, 1924.

Would it not be possible to make some payment out of this fund in order to help fishermen to replace their lost and damaged gear?

The position in regard to security is very different in the case of a loan upon a building, and in the case of a loan upon nets and gear, and there is a very difficult legal position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to take steps to alter the Law to enable parents, resident in Scotland, who have invested in War Stock on behalf of their children, to negotiate such stock in order to meet liabilities incurred in connection with expenditure on the education of the children; and whether the difficulties experienced by Scottish holders of War Stock will be removed, thus placing them in a similar position to that held by holders of stock resident in England?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension: Scottish holders of War Stock are in this respect in exactly the same position as other holders, which is that stock in the sole name of an infant cannot be dealt with until the holder attains the age of 21.

If I submit a case of this kind to the right hon. Gentleman, will he give it his consideration?

I shall be pleased to look into any case submitted to me.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the description in the Press of the departure from Stornoway of 320 emigrants to Canada, 300 men and 20 women, after being examined by the Board of Trade's medical officer; and whether arrangements can be made to send a more equal number of men and women?

My attention has been called to the departure of migrants from Stornoway, and I am aware that in this, as in many other cases, the number of male migrants largely exceeded the number of female migrants. I invite my hon. and gallant Friend's attention to the Report of the Oversea Settlement Committee for 1922, Command 1804—especially pages 13 and 14 from which he will see that the Committee are fully alive to the importance of female migration, but that special difficulties attach to it. I can assure him that every effort has been and will be made to increase the number of women migrants.

Is it fair to send 300 of the best men from the Highlands, and leave behind all the girls forlorn?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is as good a judge as anyone of that.

In view of the official statement in the Canadian Parliament that from 15 to 20 per cent. of the Canadian farmers went out of business owing to failure during 1922, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider reducing the number of male emigrants to equalise with the females?

That does not arise out of the question.

May I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman whether the Government will give any indication that should there be any of these women who desire to go to Canada in order to marry these emigrants when they are established, that the Government will give them their first consideration in regard to passage money?

Oh, certainly!

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he has any information as to the difference in cost and construction between the housing scheme built by the method of direct labour under and by the Glasgow Town Council and the housing schemes built and completed by private enterprise under contract to the aforementioned town council?

The estimated average difference in cost per house as between the direct labour scheme and a private contract scheme entered upon at approximately the same date is brought out at £42 in favour of the former, but the actual difference cannot be ascertained until the contracts have been completed. As the two schemes were tendered for on a different basis, it does not follow that the above difference will be actually realised. The construction is similar in both schemes.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman be prepared to take steps to have that obnoxious Clause in the Housing Bill altered so that an authority might proceed directly to erect houses?

I have been struck by these figures and will look into them.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that building by direct labour is always more substantial than that which is done by contract?

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware that very large numbers of Glasgow tenants are being brought before the ejection Court there weekly; that decrees are being granted in many cases, while others are continued on the understanding that the tenants make certain payments towards the arrears; that in nearly every case the persons sued have been unemployed for long periods and are in destitute circumstances, and consequently unable to pay from their meagre incomes current rent, much less arrears; and will he consider what steps can be taken to avert wholesale evictions?

With regard to the first part of the question, I am aware that a considerable number of applications for summary removing are being made in the Glasgow Sheriff Court. As regards the remaining parts of the question, I understand that in cases where the tenants are unemployed decrees are not granted if the rent is not more than nine months in arrear or if destitution is proved. I am satisfied that the utmost discretion is being exercised both in granting and in putting into force decrees of evction for non-payment of rent.

Is the hon. and learned Member aware that nine months' exemption is merely the period that is supposed to be covered by the recent Bryde v. Kerr case? May I take it from the reply that the proving of destitution in itself by an unemployed man will be sufficient to protect him against an ejectment warrant being granted?

Decrees are granted only in cases where it is clearly put forward that the tenant is in a position to make some payment, or in cases where decrees in absentia are given and where the tenant has made no objection to that course.

Is the hon and learned Gentleman aware that decrees have been granted against people who were destitute, and that they have been evicted from their homes despite their destitution? In view of the Bill now before the House that problem will become aggravated. What steps does the hon. and learned Gentleman propose to take afterwards?

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he can state the names of the various Scottish bodies, associations or committees from whom representations have been received by the Scottish Office or the Scottish Board of Health in favour of a separate Housing Bill for Scotland?

A copy of a resolution of the nature mentioned was submitted to the Secretary for Scotland by a committee of the Convention of Royal Burghs. Apart from this, no representations on the subject by Scottish bodies have been received by the Scottish Office or the Scottish Board of Health.

Has the hon. and gallant. Gentleman not received representations from the special committee appointed to advise the Scottish Office on the housing question and in regard to separate treatment for Scotland?

Is it not the case that the largest corporation in Scotland, that of Glasgow, asked the Scottish Office to give a separate Bill?

I have notice only of representations which have been received by the Scottish Office or the Scottish Board of Health, and we have not received these representations either at the Scottish Office or at the Scottish Board of Health.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman had no representation from the conference which met at Dundee on the 24th?

No, Sir.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that these representations have been made, whether they have reached the Scottish Office or not?

Yes, but there is a difference between representations addressed, as the question puts it, specifically to the Scottish Office, and representations addressed to individual Members.

May we take it, then, that the representation addressed to the hon. and gallant Gentleman as Under-Secretary for Scotland is not a valid representation and that of it no notice is taken?

I have no such office, and, consequently, no such representation could be made, but in general the hon. and gallant Gentleman, who has held office himself, must be aware that representations to a Department are made officially to the Department.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he can state the total number of houses allocated to Scotland under the Housing and Town Planning, etc. (Scotland), Act, 1919, and schemes approved thereunder, in respect of which the liability of local authorities as regards the deficit arising was restricted to four-fifths of a penny rate; the number of houses still to be provided under the 1919 Act; the total amount of the liability undertaken by the State in connection with the provision of the houses allocated to Scotland under the 1919 Act; the amount which represents the outstanding liability of the State as regards the houses not yet provided in Scotland under that Act; and the proportion which the total amount of the liability undertaken by the State for Scotland bears to that undertaken by the State for England and Wales?

The number of houses allocated to local authorities and public utility societies in Scotland under the Housing, Town Planning, etc. (Scotland), Act, 1919, is 25,550. While the Board's approval to schemes under that Act extended to a larger number of houses than 25,550, such approval under the Act and relative Regulations was, for subsidy purposes, limited to the number of houses that were completed before the end of the subsidy period, namely, August, 1922, which, however, was subsequently extended by two years in order to enable local authorities to complete houses for which tenders had been approved. Up to date about 16,600 houses have been completed and 8,950 are in course of construction or are not yet contracted for. In the circumstances it is not at present possible to state what the amount of the State liability will be, but it is estimated that it will not be less than £1,000,000 per annum. I understand that information regarding the liability of the State in respect of the provision of houses in England and Wales is being furnished to the hon. and learned Member in reply to his question addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Will the hon. and gallant Member reply to the last part of the question, as to the proportion of State liability for Scotland compared with that for England and Wales?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to enable Members of this House to fully appreciate the size and amenities of a house containing from 650 to 750 superficial feet, he will endeavour to arrange for the erection within or adjoining the precincts of this House of a temporary building containing a scullery, living room, parlour, bath room, and three bedrooms, and for such rooms to be furnished in a simple but suitable manner?

My right hon. Friend would refer the hon. Member to his reply to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Sir T. Bennett) on the 26th ult.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses allocated to England and Wales under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc., Act, 1919, and schemes approved thereunder; the total number of houses provided in England and Wales and the number still to be provided under the 1919 Act; and the total liability undertaken by the State in connection with the houses provided and yet to be provided, respectively?

The State-assisted housing schemes of local authorities and public utility societies in England and Wales were limited to 176,000 houses, of which 159,000 had been completed on the 1st April last, and 16,998 were either in course of construction or had not been commenced. It is estimated that the total Exchequer charge in respect of the 176,000 houses in England and Wales will amount aproximately to £8,750,000 per annum in the early years. It is hoped that a reduction will be secured on this charge in later years as loans are reborrowed at, lower rates of interest. The houses not yet completed are in the majority of cases included in larger contracts and it is not practicable to make a separate estimate of their cost.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health whether, before moving the Report stage of the Housing (Money) Resolution, he can see his way to receiving a deputation of the Rural Housing and Sanitary Association and other representatives of rural interests?

There will not be time to receive this deputation before the Report stage of the Housing (Money) Resolution, which my right hon. Friend is afraid cannot be postponed. He will, however, he happy to see representatives of the association at a very early date.

But does not the Noble Lord realise that once the Report stage of this Resolution is taken the question is settled. Why, therefore, could not the Minister arrange to-day or to-morrow morning to see the authorised spokesman of this deputation?

I am afraid the engagements of my right hon. Friend will not permit him to do that.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the fact that 2,292 of the ponies employed in the mines of Great Britain in 1921 either died or had to be destroyed in consequence of injuries received, and that 1,933 either died or had to be destroyed owing to disease, and that 6,102 received non-fatal injuries, he will give directions that the recommendations made by His Majesty's Inspector of Mines for the Northern Division shall be carried out, namely, that no inexperienced person shall be allowed to take charge of a pony underground; that there should be a more rigid supervision of pony drivers so as to ensure attention to the details which make for the safety and comfort of the ponies; and that the condition of the roadways shall receive careful attention, so that when it is found that more height is required for the pony, this should be made in a proper manner, and not by merely digging holes between the sleepers?

I would draw my hon. and learned Friend's attention to Section 45 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, and paragraph 15 of the 3rd Schedule, which deal with the points mentioned. Inspectors of Mines keep these requirements prominently before those responsible, and no further directions, as suggested in the question, should be necessary.

In view of the special recommendations of His Majesty's Inspector of Mines for the Northern Division, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman give directions that these provisions of the Act should be more strictly enforced?

Instructions have already been given that the provisions of the Act should be fully enforced, but the recommendations of this inspector were merely suggestions as to how the general provisions of the Act should be specially carried out—they were not a request for new legislation or regulations.

Will these recommendations he given effect to?

Yes, Sir. As far as I can secure it, they are being fully given effect to.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is mechanical haulage in use in some pits in place of the ponies?

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman explain why, if there is more rigid supervision over pit ponies, 1,000 of them died of disease?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the statement by His Majesty's Inspector of Mines for the Northern Division that in that division mechanical forms of haulage are not employed in cases where it would be an advantage to do so, he will instruct His Majesty's inspectors of mines for the divisions to consider and report whether mechanical forms of haulage could to some extent be advantageously employed in substitution for haulage by ponies; and whether he will state to what extent mechanical haulage has been adopted in mines in Great Britain during the last few years in substitution for haulage by ponies?

No precise data as to the relative extent of mechanical haulage and horse haulage are available, but it may be inferred from the annual statistics as to the number of pit ponies employed that mechanical forms of haulage have displaced nearly 10,000 pit ponies during the past 10 years. The substitution of mechanical haulage; for horse haulage is still going on, and it is the general opinion of the inspectors of mines that it can be carried much further with advantage. I have already issued an announcement that Mr. Charles Markham has placed at my disposal a sum of £1,000 to be offered as a prize for the best storage battery locomotive for use underground. Details of this competition will shortly be announced, and I hope that its result will be further progress in this direction.

In the meantime, may we not look to the humanity of the British miner to look after the ponies as well as possible?

Yes, Sir. I am quite sure that many of these rumours of ill-treatment of pit ponies are much exaggerated.

May we not also look to the humanity of the British colliery owners?

The pony drivers love their ponies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether, having regard to numerous fatal accidents recently reported and the recommendations made by coroners that rear lights on bicycles are essential as a protection for the cyclist, he will now issue Regulations compelling the use of rear lights on all vehicles, including bicycles and tricycles?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 19th February to a question from the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Hill) of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the very strong feeling of cyclist clubs on this question, on the ground that a cyclist, not having eyes in the back of his head, cannot see whether the rear light of his machine is alight or not?

More than one deputation has been received, and I think the Department is fully seized of the facts in regard to this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if, in view of the anticipated rush of visitors to Richmond during the coming summer, he will make representations to the District Railway to increase the service of trains to Richmond?

I have no doubt that the railway companies concerned have this question under consideration, but I am forwarding the hon. Member's question to them.

Will adequate police arrangements be made to protect the residents of Richmond?

Is there any possibility of the District Railway engaging the services of Mr. Winter of the British Empire Exhibition for this purpose?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, if he is aware that it has been reported to the Glasgow Corporation Tramway Committee that his Ministry has made it a condition of grants for road schemes that the work should be done by contracting, whereas the tramways department has hitherto supervised its own extension schemes; and will he state under what authority the Ministry has enforced this condition?

My Department have not attached any such condition to grants made from the Road Fund. Local Authorities were, however, advised that the view of the Government was that the contract system should be adopted to the utmost possible extent, in connection with works expedited for the relief of unemployment.

Will any difficulty be placed in the way of an important and efficient corporation like that of Glasgow doing its own work, if they should find it cheaper to do so, by direct labour?

My view is that contract labour is more economical.

Rubbish!

Supposing the Glasgow Corporation from their long experience think otherwise, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman put his opinion before theirs?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport why they have refused exemption to the Renfrewshire Education Authority from the annual licence of £25 for their motor ambulance attached to Ahercorn (Special) School, Paisley, seeing that this vehicle is used solely for the transport of defective children?

As I stated on 16th April, in reply to the hon. Member for the Peebles and Southern Division, the question whether or not a particular vehicle can properly be termed an "ambulance" is a matter of law to be decided on the facts of the case. The Minister of Transport has no power to grant or refuse exemption, but in order to secure uniformity of administration, it is found desirable that the Department should offer advice on cases where there is diversity of practice.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for Adjournment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing congestion of the London traffic consequent principally on the repair of roadways, increase of general traffic, use of the busiest arteries by heavy horse-drawn traffic, etc.; whether he is now prepared to adopt and put into force the recommendations of the Committee on London Traffic or, alternatively, to adopt such of their recommendations as will afford immediate relief; and whether the Ministry can immediately do something to co-ordinate the programme of the repair work of the various local authorities so as to avoid parallel main arteries being blocked at the same time?

I am fully aware of the general increase in the volume of London traffic, but I am not in a position to initiate legislation for the setting up of the London traffic authority recommended in the report of the Advisory Committee on London Traffic. In answer to the last part of the question, I may say that, within the narrow limitations of my present powers and staff, I am doing all I can to promote the co-operation of local authorities with a view to mitigating the inconvenience caused by road repairs.

Do I understand the hon. and gallant Gentleman to say he can do nothing; and, in regard to the first part of the question, is he not aware that the state of London traffic is becoming increasingly difficult, and cannot he do something to carry out the recommendations of the Committee on London Traffic?

My Noble Friend must realise that legislation would be required, and that since the Report of the Committee to which he refers there has been the Report of the Committee presided over by Lord Ullswater, which not only deals with traffic, but also with town planning and drainage, and it is very difficult to disentangle these questions.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the appointment of a new Committee to investigate the results of these other Committees and Commissions?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the constant complaints of business people at the inadequacy of the present sub-post office at High Cross, Tottenham; and when he intends to take definite steps to provide adequate premises?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on this subject, yesterday, to the hon. Member for South Tottenham (Major Malone).

In view of the dissatisfaction existing on this matter, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a deputation?

Certainly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make arrangements that quarterly telephone and telegraph accounts should be submitted to private subscribers in greater detail than at present, particularly as far as trunk calls and telegrams are concerned, in order that subscribers may maintain a closer check upon the use of their telephones?

The present system of accounts seems to meet the requirements of the general body of subscribers. To supply all subscribers with particulars of each trunk call or telegram would cause considerable delay and expense. Any subscriber, however, can be supplied with fuller information on payment of a fee proportionate to the clerical work involved.

Could the right hon. Gentleman do away with the payment of this fee, and would he consider it a businesslike method of rendering an account in the case of a shop or other private business?

I am afraid I very often do receive accounts like that from shops. The supplying of all these particulars to everybody who does not want them is really costing the Department very large sums, but to anybody who does want them we supply the figures.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider a division into two parts, at any rate, so as to show in the account whether the sum comes under trunk calls or telegrams? That would be helpful.

I will consider that suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what are the Regulations in force governing the grant of wireless experimental licences, and upon what grounds the application for such a licence of Signalman W. C. Newman, No. 2,555,814, of the 56th Divisional Signals, Territorial Army, was refused in February last;

(2) whether officers and other ranks in the Royal Corps of Signals, Territorial Army, are given preferential consideration in the granting of wireless experimental licences; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of making such provision in the interests of His Majesty's service?

Experimental licences are issued to all applicants who satisfy the Post Office that the object of obtaining the licence is to conduct experiments in wireless telegraphy and that they are qualified to do so. The application made by Signalman Newman cannot at present be traced, but if the hon. Member will write to me supplementing the particulars he furnished I will have further inquiry made. Applications for experimental licences from officers and other ranks in the Royal Air Corps of Signals, Territorial Army, who desire to carry out experiments in connection with their Army duties, are given preferential consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that outward mails to the United States of America are carried on fast British ships, and inward mails are carried on slow American ships; and whether he will take steps to accelerate the mail services between this country and the United States of America?

The mails despatched from this country to the United States of America are conveyed across the Atlantic by the fastest ships available, and in that respect it does not appear that any improvement is attainable. The mails from America are sent by ships selected by the United States Postal Administration.

Could we have the mails sent from the United States of America on English boats, which are fast and up-to-date?

That is entirely a matter for the American Postal Department. We cannot control that.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Comptroller and Accountant-General of the Post Office has made Reports to the Treasury on the Post Office wireless telegraph stations, as promised in an answer given in the House on 19th July, 1921; and, if so, whether copies of these Reports can be circulated for the information of Members of the House?

The Financial Reports prepared by the Comptroller and Accountant-General of the Post Office in respect of the Post Office wireless services during the financial years 1920–21 and 1921–22 were included in the Post Office Commercial Accounts, issued as Parliamentary Papers on the 9th February, 1922 (No. 7), and 19th February, 1923 (No. 14), respectively.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will circulate a statement giving particulars of the high power wireless telegraph stations worked either by the Governments or commercial enterprise in the United States, France, Germany and this country?

I will have a statement, giving the particulars desired by the hon. Member, prepared and circulated, as soon as possible, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has recently received a communication from the owner-drivers' branch of the motor-cab trade, asking that taxi-cabs, imported from France, should be placed in the same category as commercial vehicles and omnibuses; and whether he can see his way to make any concession on this matter?

I have received the communication referred to, but I regret that I do not see my way to accede to the request contained therein.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has had submitted to him any more satisfactory method of motor taxation than that now in vogue; and, if so, whether he will agree to revise the present system?

I have been asked to answer this question. Any schemes submitted have been referred to the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles for their consideration, and I am awaiting their Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the proposed tax of 10s. per quarter on imported malting barley will add six-pence per gallon to the cost of making whisky; and will he consider giving distillers a relief from the present duty in spirits similar to that which has been accorded to brewers?

I have received representations in the sense indicated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I have been unable to include any relief from the Spirit Duty amongst my Budget proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the public revenue was derived during the year 1922–23 from Scottish sources; and what proportion of the estimated revenue of the current year he expects to derive from the same sources?

The information asked for is not at present available, but I shall be glad to see whether an estimate can be made at a later date, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in the works of the Scottish Oils Company, in which the Government have a large holding, a dispute is in progress as a result of which bricklayers are being paid less than the district rate; whether steps will be taken to induce the firm to comply with the Fair Wage Clause; and whether he can state the rate paid at the works of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company at Swansea?

The Government has no holding in the Scottish Oils Company, but through the Anglo-Persian Oil Company has an indirect and comparatively very minor interest. I am informed that bricklayers employed in the oilworks are members of the Oilworkers' Union, and their wages are regulated through that union by reference to the wages of other workers in the oil industry. In reply to the last part of the question, I understand that the bricklayers at Skewen are paid the district rate.

Is it not a fact that the Scottish Oils Company is part of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, and that, therefore, the Government have an interest in the Scottish Oils Company?

I said so.

In view of that fact, will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that the bricklayers are paid the rate paid to bricklayers in the district?

I have no power in this matter, because the Fair Wages Clause, to which the hon. Member alludes, holds good only with regard to direct contractors with the Government and to men in direct Government service. It does not hold good with regard to the few instances in which the Government happen to be shareholders to some extent in companies. That is the difficulty.

Is it not the case that the Government are represented by two directors on the Anglo-Persian Oil Company?

That is so, but that is for a special reason and on special terms, which I think my hon. Friend has heard debated in this House before.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that malting barley is largely used in the making of yeast for bread-making, and that the proposed tax of 10s. per quarter will add very considerably to the cost. of this important product and make it more difficult for the home producer to withstand the competition of Continental makers; and whether he can see his way to exclude yeast manufacturers from the operation of this tax, or, alternatively, to place a countervailing duty upon yeast imported into this country?

Regard will be had to this and all other relevant points when the relative legislation is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to whom the buildings at Renfrew aerodrome have been disposed of; if he can state the purchase price; and whether the sale was effected by private treaty or by public auction.

The Renfrew aerodrome has not been disposed of. I assume the hon. Member refers to Inchinnan airship station, adjacent to the Renfrew aerodrome. This property was declared surplus in 1920 and since then has been extensively advertised for sale. It was sold in February last to Messrs. Murray McVinnie & Company, the offer of that firm being the highest received. It is not desirable, in the public interest, to disclose the price obtained.

May I ask why the price which was received for material which was the property of the Government should not be disclosed to Members of this House?