asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health what action the Government intends to take to adjust the dispute between education authorities and parish councils concerning Circular 51, which has prevented the supply of free meals and clothing to the necessitous children of unemployed parents; is he aware that there is considerable resentment at the delay which has occurred in this connection to the injury of the children concerned; and will he ask for a report from the Stirling school management committee regarding the death of a boy from want, and who had been refused relief because of Circular 51?

My Noble Friend does not admit that Circular 51 prevents the wants of every necessitous child being met either by the education authority or by the parish council. He is making inquiry as to the case referred to in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether there is any Regulation of the Board which would prevent a teacher in a secondary school maintained or aided by a local education authority from serving in Parliament?

The Board of Education have made no Regulations on the subject, but they would, of course, be unable to recognise for grant expenditure on the salary of a teacher who was unable through other preoccupations to perform effectively the duties he was engaged to perform. Reference should also be made to Section 84 of the Local Government Act, 1888, which provides that no paid clerk or other paid official in the permanent employment of a county council who is required to devote his whole time to such employment shall be eligible to serve in Parliament.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the total number of teachers employed under the Glasgow Education Authority in the year 1919, and the number employed in the present year; and how many of these were university graduates, certificated teachers, and uncertificated teachers in each year?

The particulars desired are as follow:—

	In 1919.	In 1923.
1. Certificated Teachers:
(a) University Graduates	958	1,093
(b) Non-Graduates	3,857	3,522
2. Uncertificated Teachers	26	15
Total	4,841	4,630

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the total quantity of fish, game, and other foodstuffs destroyed in Glasgow during the past 12 months as unfit for human consumption; is he aware that much of this waste was due to merchants holding up stocks because of lack of sale; and what remedy does he propose to prevent this destruction of food?

I am informed that the quantity of game and other miscellaneous foodstuffs destroyed in Glasgow during the past 12 months, exclusive of meat seized in the City, is negligible. The quantity of fruit destroyed in Glasgow during 1922 was 8 tons 13 cwts. The quantity of fish destroyed during the 12 months ended 31st March as being bad on arrival in Glasgow was 9 tons 16 cwts. 81 lbs. The, amount destroyed owing to deterioration in storage was 8 tons 12 cwts. 47 lbs. The amount destroyed owing to depreciation while being held over for sale was 54 tons 8 cwts. 50 lbs. The Scottish Board of Health are in formed that the proportion of fish held over for sale during a fortnight when records were kept was only 1·8 per cent. of the total supply, and that only 5 per cent. of this amount, or less than one-thousandth part of the supply, had to be destroyed. In these circumstances, Government action in the matter seems unnecessary.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health wheher his promised efforts to control or prevent the growing pollution of the River Nith are meeting with any success?

I am not aware that I gave any promise such as is suggested by the hon. Member. I stated in reply to his question on the subject on the 20th March that information regarding this matter was being collected by the Fishery Board and the Scottish Board of Health. The returns asked for by the latter Department from the authorities of the areas drained by the River Nith have not yet been furnished in all cases. I understand, however, that Dumfries County Council are in communication with other local authorities concerned with a view to remedial measures being undertaken where necessary, to reduce the existing pollution of the river.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been called to the case of Patrick Connolly, No. 0,890, of 59, Red Row, Plean, Stirlingshire, Royal Scots Fusiliers; if he is aware that this man has 18 years' service, and was discharged in July, 1916, certified by the invaliding board as unfit for further military service; that the medical authorities at Bellahouston Military Hospital certified his disability as genuine on 9th June, 1922; that his family doctor certifies that he has been unable through rheumatism to follow his occupation for the past two years; and why this man has been refused a disability pension?

This man is in receipt of a life pension of 8d. a day, granted in respect of service and disability. The last two medical boards which examined him found only slight disablement remaining from his accepted disability, myalgia, and the award made represents the most favourable compensation for which he is eligible. I may add that the award has recently been confirmed on appeal by the Assessment Tribunal as a final award.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Private Fred Irgham, of 28, Inliet Street, Ashington, Northumberland, No. 16276, Northumberland Fusiliers, was suffering from rheumatism at the time of his discharge from the Army as not being likely to become an efficient soldier; that every year since his discharge this complaint has come back again; that he has been certified as unfit to follow his employment; and that Ingham has applied to have a P.A.T. for pension, but has been informed by the local war pensions committee that it is over the seven years' limit; and can this ex-service soldier have an appeal to the Appeal Tribunal?

It would appear that the man referred to was discharged in June, 1915, as not likely to become an efficient soldier. The Ministry have no knowledge of his subsequent medical history, but no claim to pension was apparently made by him before March of the present year, namely, seven years and nine months after his discharge. No appeal lies to the Appeal Tribunal in such a case.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of persons, men and women, respectively, over the ago of 21 years in the United Kingdom at the time of the last Census?

Complete 1921 Census returns are not as yet available, and no Census was taken in 1921 in Ireland. On an approximate estimate, however, the total number of persons aged 21 years and over in Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 1921 Census date may be taken as approaching 30 millions, comprising about 13½ million men and over 16 million women.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the circumstances in which 60 women voters in the Bloxwich Ward of the Borough of Walsall were prevented from recording their votes in the recent election of guardians; whether those voters were waiting in the Elmore Green polling station 10 minutes before the doors were closed, and that they and other voters outside the doors were unable to vote owing to the dilatory way in which the voting papers were issued; and whether he will have inquiry made into the facts with a view to a repetition being prevented of such an occurrence by which the poorer class of voters are mostly affected?

I have been asked to reply. I understand from the Returning Officer at the election referred to that the arrangements for the poll were precisely the same as those adopted at the recent municipal elections which had then been found to work satisfactorily. The presiding officer and poll clerks were experienced officers, and the Returning Officer is satisfied that they issued ballot papers as rapidly as possible. Obviously, if a considerable number of voters do not attend the polling station until the last few minutes of the poll, there must be a risk of some not being able to vote. I do not consider that I can usefully take any further action in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated aggregate cost of the 176,000 houses built under the Housing Act; and what will be the estimated annual charge to be borne by the taxpayer?

It is estimated that the capital cost of the 176,000 houses (which includes 4,500 erected by public utility societies and trusts) will approach £190,000,000, and that the annual charge to the Exchequer will be approximately £8,750,000 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.

asked the Minister of Health the actual expenditure by way of grants on housing schemes under the 1919 Housing Acts for each of the financial years 1920–21, 1921–22, and 1922–23?

In the years referred to by the hon. Member expenditure in England and Wales by way of grants on housing schemes was as follows:

—	Private Builders' Subsidy.	Grants towards Deficits on Housing Schemes.	Total.
	£	£	£
1920–21	2,528,552	525,728	3,054,280
1921–22	4,537,884	4,533,229	9,071,113
1922–23	2,423,267	7,226,327	9,649,594

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, considerable dissatisfaction exists on the assisted housing scheme estates at Woodside and Norbury (Corporation of Croydon) on account of the decision of a recent housing tribunal, in consequence of which exclusive rents of the houses have been fixed at amounts alleged to be grossly inflated as compared with the rents of comparable houses; that this is due to the inclusion of charges for so-called amenities greatly in excess of their actual value; whether he will institute a further inquiry with a view to meeting the claims of the tenants; and whether he will issue a statement showing the exclusive rents on all similar estates?

The rents, exclusive of rates, for the houses on the two estates referred, to were the subject of an award by the Independent Rents Tribunal set up under the Local Authorities (Assisted Housing Scheme) Regulations. I understand that the tribunal inspected the houses and comparable houses in the neighbourhood and heard evidence from the representative of the Tenants' Association. Under the Regulations the awards of the tribunal are conclusive and final as regards the amount of Exchequer subsidy payable to the Corporation for their schemes and I have no power to depart from them for that purpose. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the return published in the OFFICIAL REPORT in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on 21st February last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether temporary men and women clerks employed during the War by Messrs. McGrigor who had personal accounts with the bank, and in consequence lost the greater part of their savings, are being refused the ex gratin payment; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that their service with the bank was essentially war service, this decision can be reconsidered?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. These clerks were the private employés of Messrs. McGrigor, and were in no case employed by the War Office. Their case was fully examined by Lord Askwith's Committee, and I regret that I cannot hold out the hope that the decision will be reconsidered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the payment of 10s. in the pound, which is being made to certain sufferers through the failure of Messrs. McGrigor, is refused in the case of regimental funds for charitable and other purposes which were entrusted to that firm; and, if so, what is the reason for this refusal?

In view of the very varied nature of the accounts classed as regimental funds, it was decided by the Government that the grant of 10s. in the pound should be given only in cases where the loss involved serious hardship to individuals. The application of this rule in particular cases has been referred to Lord Askwith's Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will consider the advisability of inserting in future contracts, especially in building work, a schedule of the wages to be paid to the workmen under such contract, and either make arrangements for an inspection of the contractor's wage book himself or arrange that if such wages are questioned those challenging the wages paid shall be given the full details of the wages paid in order to ensure that the wages stipulated to be paid, as fair wages, are in practice paid?

All contracts already contain the Fair Wages Clause, and I am prepared to investigate, as usual, any evidence that that Clause is being infringed in any particular case. I do not think, however, that the suggestion contained in the question could be adopted with advantage.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what proportion of ex-service temporary 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?

The numbers are

Home service men	…	…	108
Overseas men	…	…	695
Total	…	…	803

The number of these men who did not sit at the recent special examinations was 294.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any of the non-combatant Army Pay Corps men employed on clerical duties, who received gratuities on demobilisation from the uniformed corps, were subsequently transferred to the civilian staff employed in similar duties; and whether on dismissal from the civilian staff, owing to shrinkage of work, any further gratuity is available for them?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, these men received a gratuity as soldiers on discharge from the Army. They will not be eligible for a further gratuity on discharge as civilians until they have completed at least seven years' service after the end of the War. If then discharged owing to abolition of their employment, they will be eligible for gratuity under the Superannuation Act of 1887.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of the ex-service temporary 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?

I am obtaining the information which the hon. Member desires and will communicate it to him as soon as it is available.

asked the Postmaster-General 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 records of temporary staff employed in the Post Office are not such as to enable me to reply to the hon. Member's question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of ex-service temporary 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?

supplied the following figures in accordance with his answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 25th April; col. 490]:Temporary ex-service staff engaged on clerical duties at 25th April, 1923, in the Board of Trade (excluding Mines Department

and Department of Overseas Trade):

		Number.	Per cent.
Home service	…	147	10·4
Overseas	…	1,270	89·6
Total	…	1,417	100·0

755 of the above staff did not compete for permanent appointments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the rules of the Civil Service relating to retirement are applicable to temporary officers of Government Departments; and, if so, whether Treasury authority has been obtained for the appointment and retention in the Ministry of Pensions of persons over BO years of age who are receiving pensions of £800 to £1,000 per annum for service in other Departments in addition to salaries of £780 to £875 in their present posts?

Temporary officers employed in Government Departments are discharged when their services are no longer required. They are not subject to the age limits prescribed by the Order in Council for the permanent Civil Service, but to such limits as may be laid down for particular cases or classes of cases. Treasury authority is not required for filling a temporary post by the appointment of the individual who appears to the responsible Minister to be most capable of discharging the duties required, merely because he has attained the age of 60 or because he is in receipt of a naval, military or Air Force Pension.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many men are employed by the Inland Revenue who receive £3 2s. 6d. per week or less; and how many temporary men are employed by the Inland Revenue?

The full-time male staff of the Inland Revenue Department includes 5,449 persons receiving not more than £3 2s. 6d. per week. The number of men employed full time by the Department on a temporary basis is 4,948.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons employed on 31st March, 1914, on the permanent and temporary staffs, respectively, at the Stationery Office,

31st March, 1914.*		31st March, 1922.		31st March, 1923.
Permanent.	Temporary.	Permanent.	Temporary.	Permanent.	Temporary.
197	271	515	2,893	529	2,654
* There were no State Printing Works on this date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in reference to the Suez Canal shares owned by Great Britain of a market value on 25th April of £19,206,335, whether he can state the amount paid since the original purchase by the company to the British Government for ordinary shares which have been drawn?

The present holding of Great Britain consists of 160,101 original shares and 16,501 Actions de Jouissance which replace drawn original shares. The estimated market value of this holding is, as stated, £19,206,335. When an original share is drawn the holder receives in addition to an Action de Jouissance repayment in cash. 16,501 original shares held by Great Britain have so been drawn and over a period of years the Exchequer has received in repayment of these drawn shares £292,451 8s. 8d.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will lay upon the Table the correspondence between the Treasury and the Rumanian Minister of Finance of August, 1920?

I have already given the relevant passage with regard to the oil wells in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 19th March. The remainder of the correspondence related to purely technical details about the temporary renewal of Rumanian Treasury Bills.

The figures are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons with holdings in war loans of all kinds of £100,000 and over, and the number, in categories, of holders for every £100,000 upwards?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a list of all State pensions now being paid on account of services rendered prior to 1700 and state for what services the original pension was granted and the relationship of the present holder to the original pensioner?

The only existing State pension which was granted in respect of services rendered before 1700 is that granted by King William the Third to the Duke of Schomberg. The services rendered by the Duke are recited in the Act 1 George I, No. 78. The only portion of the original pension which now remains is £360 per annum, the title to which was acquired by purchase in 1792 by the ancestors of the present holder, who were not, so far as I know, related to the original grantee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now state the name of the secretary of the Anderson Committee; what will be its procedure; whether it will sit in public; whether witnesses will be heard, and in that case whether evidence will be invited or considered if offered and thought to be desirable; and whether it is anticipated that its work will be concluded this year?

I understand that the questions raised by the hon. Member are now being considered by the Committee.

—				Home-made Spirits.	Imported Spirits.	Total.
				£	£	£
Budget Estimate for 1922–23	…	…	…	46,700,000	10,300,000	57,000,000
Amount received in 1922–23·*	…	…	…	45,082,000	8,569,000	53,651,000
Budget Estimate for 1923–24	…	…	…	41,000,000	7,000,000	48,000,000
* The receipts in 1922–23 are subject to correction when the accounts for the year are finally completed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, seeing that it was understood that when the duty on beer was reduced 20s. per barrel of 36 gallons that the brewers would reduce the price to retailers so that the price to consumers would be reduced 1d. per pint, he is aware that Messrs. Whitbread and Company have only reduced their price by 10d. per dozen pint bottles, thereby leaving the retailer to provide the other 2d. necessary to reduce the beer by 1d. per pint; and will he inquire into the matter?

The object of the rebate of the beer duty was to enable the price of beer to consumers generally to be reduced by 1d. per pint. I am not aware of the financial arrangements between different sections of the trade, which are matters entirely for themselves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the sum of £310,000,000 set aside in the current year for interest, etc., upon the Public Debt represents interest exclusively; how much represents administrative charges; and how much, if any, represents capital repayments in connection with terminable annuities?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was estimated to be received in the last Budget for the year to 31st March, 1923, from home-made and foreign spirits, respectively; how much revenue was actually received in respect of each; and how much revenue is estimated to be received from each during the coming year to 31st March, 1924?

The information asked for is as follows:

Of the £310,000,000 referred to £1,500,000 in round figures represents management and expenses of issue. The remainder is interest.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state, approximately, how much of the total sum payable in the current year for the annual cost of the Public Debt, apart from capital repayments, goes back to the Exchequer in the form of Income Tax; and what is the net charge remaining to be met by the Exchequer?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on the 14th December last to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley. I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that certain landowners are demanding greatly increased ground rents on renewals of leasehold property; and if he will consider the matter of raising revenue by securing a percentage of such increases for the National Exchequer?

This proposal appears to resemble closely the Increment Value Duty which was imposed by Section I of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910—a duty which owing to the difficulties referred to in the Budget statement of 1920 was repealed by Section 57 of the Finance Act for that year. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statements made on that occasion by my right hon. Friend the Member for West Birmingham (Mr. A. Chamberlain).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state for each of the years 1913 to 1922, the total number of receiving orders and deeds of arrangements made in the case of farmers; and the total liabilities involved?

The total number of receiving orders and deeds of arrangement made in the case of farmers in each of the years 1913 to 1922, and the amount of liabilities for each year, are as follow:

Year.		No. of Cases.	Liabilities.
			£
1913	…	326	340,018
1914	…	189	208,283
1915	…	132	104,765
1916	…	78	69,673
1917	…	65	67,844
1918	…	30	53,820
1919	…	33	60,263
1920	…	44	108,139
1921	…	285	826,792
1922	…	404	768,561
			(approximate)

asked the President of the Board of Trade what instructions have been given to the representatives of His Majesty's Government on the executive committee of the British Empire Exhibition in relation to the general question of side shows and amusements at the exhibition?

No special instructions in regard to the general question of amusements, etc., have been given to the representatives of His Majesty's Government on the management committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many claims for compensation in their various classes have been dealt with by the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action; and how many remain to be dealt with?

The number of persons whose claims are covered by the First Report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action is 29,017, 21,150 payable orders have been issued to such persons down to the end of April. In addition to the balance of persons whose claims are covered by the First Report, claims by 12,000 persons in respect of damage to property remain to be dealt with, and these latter will form the subject of a further report of the Commission. These figures do not include belated claims which are at present under examination.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that goods, the property of British firms, lying in Germany in the area occupied by the French, cannot be exported to England except under the licence of the French authorities, for which a payment of 10 per cent. of the value of the goods is required by them, and that if goods are exported under such licence, the German Government refuses to refund the 26 per cent. reparations duty which has, in the first instance, to be paid by the British firm to the British Government; that as a consequence British firms are penalised by being compelled to pay the 26 per cent. Reparations Duty themselves, instead of the German Government, or to leave their goods lying in Germany, and that great and irreparable loss has been, and is being, sustained; whether he will take steps to remove this abuse, and to allow such firms in the meantime to bring their goods to England, with liberty to defer payment of the 26 per cent. Reparations Duty until such time as the German Government again agree to refund the same; and whether he will request the French authorities to allow English goods to be exported by their owners without any interference, or the imposition of a tax of 10 per cent., or any tax?

Goods subject to export licence requirement cannot be exported from any area of the occupied territory except on payment of export duty to the Franco-Belgian authorities. From the 1st May the uniform export duty of 10 per cent. is superseded by the rates of the German export tariff as it stood in October, 1921. No specific cases have been brought to my notice of the German Government having refused to refund the 26 per cent. reparation levy in respect of goods exported from the occupied territory to the United Kingdom, and the question of allowing British firms to defer payment of the reparation levy on goods imported from the occupied territory does not at present arise. I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the question, and the hon. Member will realise that the position is now different from that indicated by him.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the serious apprehension entertained by agriculturists that the Empire Settlement Act may lead to further rural depopulation, he will take steps to secure the accredited representation of organised agricultural interests on the Overseas Settlement Committee?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware that there is any evidence that the Empire Settlement Act is leading, or is likely to lead, to rural depopulation, and in these circumstances, I do not think there would be any advantage in adopting the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend. I may add that the Committee, which is in close touch with the Ministry of Agriculture, includes members who may be relied on to ensure that due consideration is given to agricultural interests in this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that official Canadian statistics show that emigration from Canada during the past 50 years has represented 77 per cent. of the total immigration to the Dominion; and whether that fact will be borne in mind by the Overseas Settlement Committee when considering any schemes for further depopulation of the rural areas of Great Britain?

I do not wish to traverse the statement contained in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, though I believe that statistics relative to emigration from Canada have never been published by the Dominion Government. As regards the second part of the question, I think my hon. and gallant Friend has misapprehended the intention of the Empire Settlement Act. The basis of all schemes of migration is the mutual benefit to be derived by the migration of suitable persons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the pre-War pensions paid to ex-officers of the Indian Army will be increased, as a result of the recent decision of His Majesty's Government to introduce legislation with the object of improving the scale of pre-War pensions; and, if so, what steps Indian Army officers ought to take?

The case of retired officers of the Indian Army will, of course, not be overlooked in any improvement of the scale of pre-War pensions paid by Indian revenues which may be decided upon as a result of the contemplated legislation here. It is not necessary for such officers at present to take any steps in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been directed to a speech at Bagdad on 26th April instant, reported to have been made by Sir Percy Cox, the High Commissioner for Iraq, stating that perhaps in four years' time British responsibility would end in that region; and whether that is the view of the Government?

I have seen a newspaper report of the speech in question. I hope very shortly-to be in a position to make a statement to the House on the subject of the policy of His Majesty's Government in Iraq.

asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. Clayton, late Assistant Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary, is a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary Tribunal now sitting in London, and was appointed to represent the interests of the Royal Irish Constabulary on that Tribunal; is he aware that Mr. Clayton has been for some months past unfortunately prevented from attending the meetings of the Tribunal owing to severe illness; and has any other person with special knowledge of the Royal Irish Constabulary been sitting on the Tribunal during Mr. Clayton's absence in his place?

On the creation of the Royal Irish Constabulary Tribunal Mr. Clayton was appointed a member and duly acted as such; but I regret that he has recently been compelled to resign owing to ill-health. His place has now been taken by Mr. G. B. Heard, who, until the disbandment of the force, was Commandant of the depot. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing the thanks of His Majesty's Government to Mr. Clayton for his services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement as to the arbitration proceedings which were promised by the Irish Free State for dealing with the cases of Poor Rate collectors in Southern Ireland who were deprived of their positions under duress by local bodies or by the Irish Republican Army in 1920 and 1921; who the arbitrators are; where they will sit; and what is the course of procedure?

I regret that I am not yet in a position at present to add anything to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to a similar question by my hon. and learned Friend. I hope, however, to be able to make a comprehensive statement when the expected reply has been received from the Free State Government in regard to this matter.

asked the Home Secretary how many judgment summonses have been dealt with at the Nottingham county court, respectively, for the years ending December 1913, 1921, and 1922?

I have ascertained from the County Court Department that the figures are as follow:

• 1913.—Issued 9,301, heard 6,004.
• 1921.—Issued 1,872, heard 1,229.
• 1922.—Issued 2,864, heard 1,932.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the doctrine of perpetual allegiance has ceased to operate in this country since the passing of the Naturalisation Act of 1870; and if he will give directions that the alteration in the Law effected by that Act affecting the status of the individual of foreign birth in this country should be observed?

I regret that I am unable completely to apprehend the purport of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. But if he could give me some clearer indication of the difficulty to which he desires to call my attention, I will endeavour to give him an answer.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons in receipt of remuneration for services in connection with the special constabulary in London and the provinces, respectively; the nature of the appointments; and the scales of remuneration?

In the case of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary the particulars are as follow:

	Weekly Remuneration.
	£	s.	d.
At the Head Office.
1 Staff Officer	12	10	0
1 Finance Officer	12	10	0
1 Clerk	5	0	0
1 Assistant Clerk and Telephone Operator	4	0	0
1 Typist	3	5	0
1 Girl Messenger	0	15	0
1 Girl Messenger	0	14	0
	38	14	0
At Divisional Offices (22).
1 Clerk at each of the 22 offices, at sums varying from £1 to £4	62	0	0
Total	£100	14	0

asked the Secretary for Mines whether a bore was kept going in front of the men at work at the coal face of the pit in Staffordshire where serious flooding took place causing loss of life last week?

Owing to the damage done, it has not been possible for the Inspectors of Mines to make a thorough inspection of the workings at Shut End No. 5 Pit, where four men lost their lives on 21st April through an inrush of water, but they are informed by the management of the mine that no bore-holes were driven in advance of the workings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that a private company is about to be formed with a view of constructing one or more great roads in this country exclusively for motor-vehicle traffic; that revenue is proposed to be raised by tolls based on mileage and tonnage traffic; and, if so, will he state the attitude of the Government towards such proposal?

I have heard in general terms that some proposal of this nature is under consideration, but I have no details, and I am not in a position to express any opinion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has received from the Kingsclere Rural District Council an appeal that the revenue raised by the taxation of mechanically-propelled vehicles should be adequate to cover the additional cost of road maintenance attributable to motor traffic; whether he will consider an increase of grants to road authorities accordingly; and whether the grants can be extended to all rural roads, whether classified or unclassified?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 24th April to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Dr. Chapple), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the estimated surplus on the Post Office commercial accounts for the year 1923–4?

£3,600,000, but the liability under the Sutton Judgment is not yet determined.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is still receiving protests from trade organisations, and, if so, of what nature, against the observance of the strict time limit by which halfpenny postal packets must be posted to ensure their being included in the first delivery the following morning; and whether he will now do away with this restriction?

Suggestions that the time limit for posting ½d. packets should be entirely withdrawn are still received occasionally from trade organisations. I cannot see my way to relinquish the substantial savings and administrative benefits which have resulted from the introduction of the arrangement. The hon. Member is probably aware that the hour for posting was made later throughout the country on the 19th March, to the public advantage.

asked the Postmaster-General the names of the members of the Post Office Advisory Council, the business firms with which they are connected as directors, partners, or managers, the interests which they represent on the Post Office Advisory Council, and the number of meetings of the council held in 1921, 1922, and this year?

Members.	Business Firms, etc.
The Right Hon. The Lord Ashfield	Chairman, Underground Railways.
Arthur Balfour, Esq., J.P.	Managing Director, A. Balfour and Company, Limited.
Sir C. C. Barrie, K.B.E., M.P.	Partner, Charles Barrie and Sons, Dundee.
F. J. Blakemore, Esq.	Edwin Blakemore and Sons.
The Viscount Burnham, C. H.	Managing Proprietor, The "Daily Telegraph."
Godfrey Cheesman, Esq., F.R.G.S., F.S.S.	General Secretary, National Union of Manufacturers.
The Right Hon. The Lord Daryngton.	Director, Messrs. Pease and Partners.
Sir John Dewrance, K.B.E.	Chairman, Babcock and Wilcox, Limited.
Sir George Lawson Johnston, K.B.E.	Chairman, Bovril, Limited.
Sir E. Manville, M.P.	Chairman, Daimler, Limited.
R. Holland Martin, Esq., C.B.	Director, Bank of Liverpool and Martins, Limited.
Lieut.-Colonel Rouse Orlebar	Member, Council of Chamber of Agriculture.
Sir W. Peter Rylands	Managing Director, Rylands Brothers, Limited.
Colonel E. Satterthwaite, C.B.	Secretary, Committee for General Purposes, Stock Exchange.
H. Gordon Selfridge, Esq.	Selfridge and Company, Limited.
Sir Edwin Stockton, M.P.	Proprietor, Messrs. Abbott and Stockton.
J. Walter, Esq.	Chairman, "The Times."
Sir I. Thomas Williams	Director, London, Midland and Scottish Railway.

The members of the Advisory Council are appointed in view of their individual qualifications, and not as representing particular interests. The council held seven meetings in 1921, five in 1922, and three up to 30th April, 1923.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the Post Office policy to let space on the interior walls of Post Office buildings, he will consider the advisability of giving more publicity to Post Office services?

The possibilities of giving publicity to Post Office services are kept constantly under review, and the scheme admitting commercial advertisements in the interiors of post offices would not be allowed to prejudice the question. If the hon. Member has any concrete suggestions to

The answer is as follows:make for increased publicity, I shall be happy to consider them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that men working for the Port of London Authority in the day are being employed on temporary work in the Post Office during the evening; and whether, having regard to the number of men totally unemployed, he will issue instructions that temporary work shall not be given to persons already employed?

The practice of engaging for part-time work in the Post Office men who are in full employment during the day has been discontinued for some time past, and will not be revived during the present industrial depression. I have recently received a deputation from Members of this House regarding the men mentioned in the question and am inquiring into the case.