asked the Attorney-General if he is in a position to make a statement with reference to the position of landlords and tenants in England who have, respectively, given and received notices to quit at 24th June next in view of the extension of the Rent Restrictions Act to 31st July?

This is a question of law. I can only state my own view of the legal position. In my opinion, tenants of houses to which the Rent Restrictions Acts apply, and to whom notices to quit have been given, are only entitled to remain in possession of those houses as long as they are protected by the Rent Restrictions Acts.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have taken action, under Section 9 of the Housing and Town Planning Act of 1919; what is the total acreage of areas so acquired; what is the total number of houses involved; and how many houses have actually been demolished?

32 local authorities have submitted 37 schemes comprising 91·46 acres and 3,889 dwellings. Of these schemes 18, comprising 52·86 acres and 2,022 dwellings, have been confirmed. Information as to the total acreage actually acquired and the number of houses actually demolished is not available. In addition to the local authorities who have submitted schemes, 36 have promised to proceed with improvement schemes and 37 have the matter under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent judgment in the United States, under which heavy penalties have been imposed on many directors and firms of the Sanitary Potters' Association, which produces most of the bathroom fixtures used in America, for conspiring, under the Anti-Trust Law, to restrain trade and fix prices in a commodity vital for proper housing; and whether he is prepared to enact similar legislation in this country in the immediate future so as not to impede the efforts which are now being made to relieve the housing shortage?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, as at present advised, I am not prepared to introduce legislation, but the Government will keep the situation under review in the light of the Reports received from the Committee on Prices of Building Materials.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the action taken by a landlord, at Chippenham, who, in the absence of the tenant, who was searching for work, and in the absence of the tenant's wife, who had just been confined, entered the house by the bedroom window, removed the upstair and downstair windows, the outer door, the inner kitchen door, and the door leading to the stairs; whether he is aware that the tenant, Mr. Harold Howell, who was invalided out of the Navy through losing an eye when H.M.S. "Lion" sank the "Blucher," had occupied the house since April, 1922; that, although given notice to leave six weeks ago, he had been unable to find other accommodation; and that no proceedings had been taken by the landlord to obtain an ejectment order; and whether he will introduce provisions into the new Rent Restrictions Bill imposing penalties on landlords who take such action?

My attention has not been drawn to this case, and, before expressing any opinion upon it, I should require to have further information as to the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the total rateable value of each English county and borough?

I am sending to the hon. Member a statement containing the information referred to.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Emily Deacon, at present an inmate of Colney Hatch Asylum, cannot be proved to be dangerous and unfit to be at large, and that her husband has applied for her release (under Section 79 of the Lunacy Act), and is ready to undertake the responsibility prescribed in said Section, to provide her with a suitable woman companion of experience, named Mrs. Bird, and to give her a comfortable home and every care, he will have investigations made into the reason why this patient should continue to be detained at the expense of the ratepayers?

Full inquiry has been made into this case and it has been carefully considered by the Visiting Committee. The patient was granted a long period of absence on trial, the results of which were far from satisfactory, and I see no ground for supposing that she is not at present properly detained. The Commissioners of the Board of Control, however, expect to visit the hospital in the course of the next few weeks, and will pay special attention to the patient, unless in the meantime an improvement in her mental condition should have justified the Visiting Committee in allowing her to leave.

asked the Minister of Health for what reason Miss Florence Hall is being detained, while not dangerous and unfit to be at large, in the lunacy ward of Guildford Workhouse at the expense of the ratepayers, while her sister and brother-in-law are willing and anxious to give her a comfortable home and undertake all responsibility in regard to her in accordance with Section 22 of the Lunacy Act?

I am advised that this patient's mental condition and habits are such as to necessitate constant supervision, and that she is unfit for discharge from institutional care.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a Report of the Ambulance Committee of the Metropolitan Asylums Board respecting the ambulance service in London; and whether the question of co-ordinating the ambulance services of London is under consideration by the Ministry?

I received this Report yesterday, and it will receive consideration. As regards the latter part of the question, I can add nothing at present to the answer which I gave on the 2nd instant to the hon. Member for Lambeth North (Mr. Briant).

asked the Minister of Health, whether he is aware that two cases of small-pox were recently removed from a street in Doncaster, three weeks after vaccination had been performed in each case; and whether any other smallpox cases at Doncaster, or elsewhere, during the past two months have developed after recent vaccination?

The answer is in the negative. I am informed by the medical officer of health that in no case has small-pox occurred in Doncaster after recent vaccination where the interval between vaccination and the development of the disease has exceeded 14 days; and I am not aware of the occurrence of any such case elsewhere during the past two months.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now make any statement for the guidance of local authorities as to the reasonable standardised minimum salary which should be offered by them to health visitors?

The salaries of health visitors cannot be considered without reference to other analogous occupations and the general question is still under my consideration. I am arranging that a deputation on the subject shall be received at my Department shortly when I hope that the situation will be further elucidated.

asked the Minister of Health whether the water supplies of the Country are now sufficient to meet requirements in the event of another dry summer this year; and whether any national survey of water resources has been completed?

The situation generally is such as to give no ground for anxiety at the present time. A survey of the water resources of the country is now being made and is proceeding as rapidly as is possible having regard to the staff available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Joseph Burton, 1, Eagle Street, Toll End, Tipton, has been refused relief by the West Bromwich Board of Guardians and the Dudley Board of Guardians respectively; that he resided for a period of nine years within the jurisdiction of the West Bromwich Board of Guardians; that the Dudley Board of Guardians refuse relief on the ground that he has not resided in the Tipton parish for a period of six months; and, seeing that in consequence of the decision of these boards he is now destitute, will he take steps to ensure relief being given to this man from one or other of these authorities?

My attention has not previously been called to this case, but I am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the possibility of issuing instructions to each board of guardians throughout the country to prepare tables showing the numbers of disabled men who have been afforded by them shelter and relief during the past six months, and how many of such men were receiving assistance on 21st April, 1923; and whether he is aware that boards of guardians work on the case-paper system, which would furnish without difficulty the information desired, and that they would respond with alacrity on such a matter?

I have been considering this matter, and I should be glad if my hon. Friend would give me an opportunity of discussing with him the practicability of obtaining a reliable return.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of ex-service men who have been trained by, or have received financial assistance towards their training through, his Department; whether the total sum expended on training has amounted to £21,600,000; and what further sum has been expended on financial assistance toward such training?

The total number of ex-officers and men who have been trained by, or have received financial assistance towards their training, though my Department, including those now in training, is approximately 151,000, at an expenditure up to 31st March last of £21,600,000. During April a further sum of about £310,000 has been expended. The Board of Education, the Ministry of Agriculture and other Departments have trained in addition about 52,000 ex-officers and men, at a cost of about £13,500,000. These figures exclude cost of administration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Secretary of the King's Roll National Council threatens to publish a statement to the effect that the Burgh of Coldstream has failed to qualify for inclusion in the Roll; that the burgh employs in all six men: the town clerk, depute town clerk, burgh officer, and three scavengers; and that of these the town clerk is an ex-service man, the depute is in receipt of a disability pension, the burgh officer served as a volunteer in the South African War, and one of the scavengers is an ex-service man, while the other two have been in the burgh's service for many years; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to protect the Burgh of Coldstream from misrepresentation?

The hon. and gallant Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The King's Roll National Council has issued no such threat. I have been repeatedly pressed in this House to publish a list of local, authorities not on the King's Roll. I referred the matter to the National Council, who decided that, before they could make a recommendation to me, they must make a final appeal to all local authorities. The present protest arises out of this appeal, which naturally made reference to the suggestion of a "black list," but without in any way expressing an opinion as to its advisability. I am glad to be able to say that on examination the Coldstream authority would appear to be eligible for enrolment, and have been so informed.

asked the Minister of Labour if facilities are still open for training disabled soldiers for a trade so that they may have an opportunity of earning their livelihood; and, if so, will he enumerate the trades for which training is given?

Facilities for training eligible disabled ex-service men are still open. The last date for receiving applications for training was 30th September, 1921, but my right hon. Friend still has authority to accept disabled men for training in exceptional cases. Men have been trained in over 600 trades and occupations, some of which are now closed. The question whether a man can be trained in a particular trade depends in large measure on the present and prospective state of employment in it, which varies in different localities.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the unemployment benefit of William Elwell, Little Hill, Church Street, Wednesbury, was stopped over a month ago; whether the manager of the Employment Exchange at Wednesbury acted on receipt of an unsigned letter; and if he will state when the investigations will be completed so that Elwell may again receive benefit or be put in possession of the evidence upon which his benefit has been disallowed?

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

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mr. G. M. Bates, of Swinton, near Rotherham, has received no unemployment pay since 11th November, 1922; that he applied for work at 28 firms in January, 1923, but was unsuccessful; that the names of these firms have been sent to the Mexborough Employment Exchange, who refuse to re-open the case; and will he have inquiries made with a view to re-instating this man's unemployment pay?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the unemployment benefit of J. E. Holder, 1, Horton Street, Darlaston, was recently disallowed on the ground that he was not endeavouring to find employment; that he stated he could produce satisfactory evidence that he had been seeking work, but the committee declined to adjourn the consideration of the case pending this evidence being produced; and whether, seeing that Holder has now produced letters from well-established firms proving his statement, he will have this case reconsidered?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Edward Dobson has been refused benefit on the ground that he is not genuinely seeking employment, and that he produced certificates from various firms where he had applied for work; whether this man was informed by the exchange officials that he cannot be credited with looking for work unless he gets not more than six weeks' continuous employment; and whether he will take steps to have payment of benefit restored?

I shall be glad to have enquiries made into this case if the hon. Member can furnish me with the address of the applicant and the exchange at which he is claiming benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that James W. M'Roree, 167, Queen Street, Govan, who was employed by Harland and Wolff for three years, and was paid off on 23rd October, 1922, has been refused further benefit on the ground that he has three sisters who are working; and that this man's father is also unemployed; and whether he will take steps to have benefit paid?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons who have been refused benefit at the Govan Employment Exchange on the ground that they are not genuinely seeking employment, during the months of January, February, March, and April, respectively?

The number of persons refused uncovenanted benefit at the Govan Employment Exchange in the months mentioned on the grounds of not genuinely seeking employment are as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the unemployment benefit due to Edward Carpenter, 35, Millom Road, Millom, has been suspended on the ground that he is not unemployed and that the sole ground for this pretext is the fact that he and his wife each week sell 25 dozen copies of the "Millom Gazette" and eight dozen copies of the "West Cumberland Labour Gazette," their joint earnings being 10s. 6d. per week; whether he is aware that this man, when in constant work, had the agency for the "Millom Gazette"; and what are the reasons for the suspension of his unemployment benefit?

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 of the total number of unemployed workers registering at the Turton Employment Exchange in the Division of Darwen, Lancashire, some 75 per cent. are from five rural districts which are distant from one and a half to three miles from Turton, involving a walk of three to five miles in all weathers at least three times weekly, and that, upon arrival at the Exchange at Turton, the Exchange being housed only in a small cottage, they have to queue up in the road outside with no protection whatever from the weather, and that this is causing sickness, expense, great distress, and loss of time in the above-mentioned five districts, he will authorise the local representative at the Employment Exchange at Turton to send out a representative three times weekly, or as often as may be considered necessary, to Bromley Cross, which is one of the five districts in question, so as to admit of the unemployed workers registering themselves and drawing their money either at the Post Office or at the mill of Messrs. J. and S. Garnett, at Bromley Cross, which is a more suitable and accessible centre for these five districts than the Turton Employment Exchange?

I have called for an immediate report on the position, and will communicate the result as soon as possible to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a resolution passed by delegates of the National Citizens' Union, representing more than 300 branches, that he should appoint on the Domestic Service Committee one or more members representing householders who are only able to employ one or two assistants for domestic service; and what answer has he been able to make?

I have received a copy of this resolution and have sent a reply to the National Citizens' Union. The appointment of the members of the Domestic Service Committee has been in a personal capacity and not as representatives of particular organisations. The Committee has now begun its work and I cannot see my way to add to its membership. I feel sure that the members are fully competent to examine the problem in all its bearings and they will be prepared to hear evidence from every point of view.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that for large sections of the community any increase in rent is allowed for in the cost-of-living figure on which their wages or salaries are based, thereby making the cost of living higher for those other sections of the community whose assessments for Income Tax on their houses is about to be increased with no compensating rise in salary or income; and is it his intention to remove rent from among the items on which the cost-of-living index is based?

The official index figures are designed to indicate the average increase in the cost of maintaining unchanged the pre-War standard of living of working-class families, and the exclusion of so important an item as rent would seriously impair the validity of the statistics for this purpose. I do not know whether the hon. Member realises that as the percentage increase in rents is less than the general average for other items, the effect of excluding rent would be to raise the final index figure.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the figures showing the number of ex-service men employed in each Government Department; and if he will state in each case what the percentage is?

I have been asked to reply. Particulars of the number of ex-service men employed and of their ratio to the total staff are given for each of the larger Government offices in the monthly White Paper presented to Parliament, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. These offices constitute more than eleven-twelfths of the whole.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any decision has yet been reached on the question of payment of arrears of war bonus claimed by men in various Departments of the Civil Service who served with the forces during the War, under the recent judgment of the House of Lords in Sutton v. Rex; whether he is aware that there are a large number of Post Office servants who served under precisely similar conditions as the claimant in the case, namely, full civil pay and military pay and allowances; and whether he is now in a position to admit the liability of the Crown for arrears of war bonus to these men, without prejudice to the claim of any other civil servants whose terms of enlistment may involve further consideration under the House of Lords judgment?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. D. Somerville).

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what proportion of the ex-service temporary civil servants employed in the Customs and Excise 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 information asked for by the hon. Member in the first part of the question is not readily available, and could only be obtained at great labour. As regards the second part of the question, approximately 450 did not sit at the recent examinations.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if, in connection with the Return of the Staff of the House of Commons, recently supplied to the Member for Bow and Bromley, and the salaries paid them, he will give a description of the work carried out by the various officials, since the designations of their offices, having been settled many years ago, in no way represent in many cases the actual duties performed; and whether, in the Return specified, the dates given at which the salaries were last fixed are to be assumed as meaning the dates when the respective salaries were introduced or the dates at which the most recent appointments were made to the different positions carrying such salaries?

A schedule is attached giving a short description of the work carried out by the officials mentioned in my reply of the 5th March, and the dates given in that reply refer to the dates when the respective salaries were introduced. These grades are common to all districts under the control of the Department, and are not peculiar to the Houses of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of medical officers in the Ministry of Pensions who served in uniform overseas, who served in uniform at home, and those who were never in uniform; are there any medical officers who served in uniform in the northern area who are at present unemployed; and how many who were never in uniform are now employed?

The number of whole-time medical officers in the employment of the Ministry is 511, of whom 374 served overseas, 104 served at home, and 33, or 6·5 per cent., have had no military service. Of the 35 whole-time medical officers in the northern region only three have never served. I regret that I am not in a position to supply the information asked for in the second part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to appoint any further Committee to inquire into the pay of the police who are not dealt with by the Anderson Committee; and, if so, whether he can make any statement on the subject?

The question is under consideration, but I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in Liverpool one police constable is provided for each 355 persons and in Sheffield for each 922 persons; and whether the Home Office advises any standard of strength for the police forces of large cities?

The figures quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend are not comparable, the strength of the respective forces having been reckoned on a different basis in the two cases. Reckoned on the same basis, the disparity would not be nearly so great. The strength of each force is settled by the local police authority, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. The Home Office has not laid down any fixed standard for the large cities, and I do not think it would be practicable to do so, on account of the great variety of local conditions.

asked the Home Secretary if he will consult the employers' and employés' associations of the great industries of the country before he introduces his Workmen's Compensation Bill, that full and proper protection be afforded the workers without unnecessary Departmental interference with the various industries concerned?

In view of the conferences which my predecessor at the Home Office had with employers' and workers' representatives last summer, and of the very full Debates which have taken place in the House this Session on the subject, I do not think any further consultations are necessary at this stage. I am as anxious as the hon. Member can be to avoid any unnecessary Departmental interference, and I am confident that the Government's proposals will not be open to criticism in this respect.

asked the Home Secretary what action he proposes to take upon the findings of the Industrial Fatigue Research Board that there is a relative importance of fatigue and speed of work as factors in accident incidences; and whether he will consult the masters' federation and trade unions of the cotton, woollen, and allied trades on these matters before he introduces his proposed Workmen's Compensation Bill?

The findings to which the hon. Member refers are provisional only; the Board points out in the last Annual Report that much further investigation will be necessary before any final conclusions can be reached, and it does not appear that any basis for practical action has yet been arrived at.

asked the Home Secretary if he will cause to be circulated or placed in the Library of the House of Commons details of investigations in the United States of America, France, and Germany, as to productiveness of pre-breakfast spells in the two-break day, and also productiveness under specified different forms of electric lighting and gas lighting in this country; and any statistics bearing upon the eyesight of the workers in such specified industries and lights?

I am not aware that any researches have been carried out abroad into the efficiency of the pre-breakfast spell, but if the hon. Member can refer me to any, I shall be glad to consider his suggestion. He is no doubt conversant with the investigation made into this question by the Industrial Fatigue Board in the case of the Lancashire cotton industry. As regards the effects of lighting on the output and health of the industrial worker, practically all the information at present available is to be found in the Reports of the Departmental Committee on Factory Lighting, which have been presented to Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Sarah Macdermott, an interned Irish deportee, asserts that she made application to appear before the advisory committee on 6th March, and again on 24th March, without result; that a solicitor's letter forwarded to her several weeks ago has not been delivered to her; whether he has seen an extract from a letter sent by this person to her sister containing charges of ill-treatment, and intimating that she can produce witnesses to substantiate her statement, and that she is also prepared to swear an affidavit; whether he will make inquiries into these allegations; what steps he proposes to take to protect persons deported under his orders; and whether he will take the necessary steps to secure that the person concerned shall be enabled to appeal before the advisory committee?

As Miss McDermott was not arrested until the 11th March, I do not understand the reference to an application of the 6th March. I have received an application dated the 25th April, and this will be considered by the Advisory Committee on the 11th instant, when Miss McDermott will be allowed to appear in person. I have not previously heard of the solicitor's letter, but if the hon. Member will furnish further particulars, I will make inquiry. I have seen the extract referred to, and have already made inquiries which satisfy me that the charges are either unfounded or grossly exaggerated. Nothing has come to my notice either in connection with this incident or otherwise which suggests that the internees are not being properly treated by the Free State authorities.

asked the Home Secretary the number of applications for naturalisation which have been refused within the last six months and indicate how many of these were put forward by residents in this country for over 30 years and who are householders, taxpayers and ratepayers?

The number of applications for naturalisation refused within the last six months is 46. I cannot give the details of the cases in answer to the last part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that in 1922 the Infanticide Act was passed providing that a woman charged with the murder of her infant child may, under certain conditions, be convicted of manslaughter, he can state how many women are now in gaol for offences which, had this Act existed at the time of their conviction, would have come under it; whether he will give the average term of imprisonment they have collectively suffered; whether the Home Office has reviewed all such cases; and, in that event, how many women have been released, how many have had their sentences reduced, and how many have not been notified of any concession whatever?

Only one woman convicted before the passing of the Infanticide Act and sentenced to death for the murder of her newly-born child is now in prison. She had served a previous sentence of 18 months for the manslaughter of another child. She has now served 26 months under her present sentence. Further interference with the sentence cannot yet be recommended.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the death at Ecclesfield, South Yorkshire, on 6th May, of a young man who climbed a pole carrying an electrified wire from a colliery and was electrocuted; whether there is any obligation to make such poles inaccessible or whether a minimum height is prescribed; and, if not, whether he will take steps to enforce safeguards?

I am making inquiry as to this case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he would be prepared to meet to some extent the grave objections to the assessments which have been made for Income Tax, Schedule A, purposes in districts outside London by representatives of the Inland Revenue Department, by permitting an appeal to the assessment committees of the unions who are likely to be better apprised of local circumstances and rental values, so bringing these proceedings into closer accord with those usual in London?

No, Sir. In those cases in which a personal hearing on appeal is necessary—and I do not anticipate that the number of these cases will be much larger than in former re-assessment years—I have no doubt that the local Commissioners of Income Tax will deal most competently with the matters committed to them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make provision for the State to refund the expenses incurred when an appeal is made against assessment and the decision is given in favour of the appellant?

The law makes no provision regarding costs in proceedings before the local or Special Commissioners of Income Tax and I see no reason to disturb the present position under which the Crown neither receives nor pays costs in these cases. In proceedings in the Courts, the Courts themselves make any proper order as to payment of costs. The same course is prescribed in Estate Duty appeals heard by a referee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the feeling prevailing in the country that many parts of the London area are under-assessed and that by continuing under the quinquennial system until 1925 they will be receiving preferential treatment, he will take steps to bring about uniformity and allay the existing sense of injustice?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given on this subject to the hon. Member for Finchley (Colonel Newman) on the 20th March. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the present controversy regarding re-valuation, his attention has been called to the fact that in Scotland the Exchequer has had the benefit of an annual valuation, and that for this reason the Scottish people have paid substantially more in proportion in Income Tax within recent years owing to the valuation being kept up to date; and whether, in any inquiry into English conditions, the Scottish position will be taken into account?

I am aware that up to 1919–20 the annual valuation, to which the hon. Member refers, formed the basis of the Income Tax, Schedule A assessment, and I agree that this would be a material fact in any comparison between conditions in the two countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that notices of assessment of annual value of property for the year ended 5th April, 1923, for purposes of assessment of Income Tax and Inhabited House Duty for the year ending 1923–24, have been made at increases in some cases of over 100 per cent. without any intimation having been given to the owner or tenant; that this is causing serious discontent and hardship; and whether he will consider waiving the whole matter for 12 months until the facts of the case, as between tenant, owner, and the assessor of Income Tax, have been considered?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. Becker), and I am sending him a copy of that reply. With regard to the absence of notice, to which my hon. Friend alludes, I should add that the issue of notices of re-assessment is not yet completed. Where in an exceptional case rent has increased over 100 per cent., it is proper that the assessment should be correspondingly raised in order that the landlord may be charged to income Tax on his actual income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the short period allowed for appeals in the case of re-assessments under Schedule A (Income Tax); and whether, in view of the complaints made, the time can be extended to give all who have the right of appeal better opportunity to do so than is now provided?

As has already been stated in reply to other hon. Members, the Inland Revenue Authorities do not propose, unless in any case there is some special reason to the contrary, to object to an appeal against an assessment of annual value on the ground that notice was not given within the time limited therefor.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue instructions so as to secure that the description of the property on the notice of assessment forms for the new valuation shall be sufficiently full as to render identification easy?

Every effort has been made to secure that the notice of assessment shall sufficiently identify the property concerned, and I was not aware that any difficulty had arisen in this respect. If, however, my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, and cares to send me particulars, I will have the matter looked into.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue instructions that a copy of the notice of assessment under the new valuation shall be sent to the owner as well as the occupier of the premises concerned?

The notice of assessment is in conformity with law served upon the person assessed who is normally the occupier, but in certain cases, especially the cases of weekly properties and flats, the owner. Apart from such individual notices, the law provides for a general notice which is affixed in a public place in each parish and for inspection of the assessment by the person interested. The owner of property equally with the tenant has a right of appeal against an assessment. It would, I fear, be impracticable to issue a particular notice of assessment to every owner, but where through absence of such a notice an owner is prevented from appealing at the proper time, the Inland Revenue authorities have no intention of objecting to an appeal on the ground that notice was delayed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the indignation in the country at the manner in which property has been re-assessed; whether a separate valuation, as required by law, has been made in each case; whether he took into consideration in framing his Budget the large amount this would bring into the Exchequer; and whether, as a grave legal question has arisen as to whether the action taken by the Commissioners can be justified, he will give instructions to suspend the whole matter till a decision has been taken in the Courts?

I think that the hon. Member is inclined to exaggerate the public feeling in this matter. I do not know to what grave legal question he refers, nor am I aware of any reason for suspending the re-assessment which has been carried out in the same manner as previous re-assessments over a long period of years. Account has been taken of the re-assessment in framing the Budget Estimates for the current year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the object of the assessment under Schedule A of the Income Tax is to secure Income Tax in respect of income from property on the basis of the income actually derived from the property or on the basis of the annual value of such property?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which were given on this subject on the 3rd May to the hon. Members for East Surrey (Mr. Galbraith) and Guildford (Sir H. Buckingham). I am sending the hon. Member a copy of those replies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with the object of reducing taxation in other respects, he has considered the advisability of imposing a tax on all advertisements in the daily and weekly newspapers, in magazines and other periodicals, and on advertisement hoardings and public and private buildings; and, if so, whether he can give any estimate of the revenue likely to be derived from that source?

The suggestions made from time to time as to the desirability of imposing a tax on advertisements have been noted. I am not in a position to give any estimate of the revenue which might be derived from this source.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the total amount now outstanding of public loans to Governments of the Dominions and the Crown Colonies, with the rates of interest payable thereon?

The total amount owed by Dominions or Crown Colonies to His Majesty's Government on 31st March, 1923, was £148,718,000. Interest and in some cases sinking fund is being only paid at rates varying according to the interest rates of the War Loans from which advances were made. Details are given in the Annual Finance Accounts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the amount of stock of various kinds and Consols held by Government Departments and the public, respectively, on the termination of the last two financial years?

I regret that these particulars are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the proposals in the Finance Bill for the increase of penalties in respect of the fraudulent return of Income Tax statements, he can inform the House of the number of such attempts at fraud in each of the last six years and the number of cases in which prosecutions have been instituted?

The information desired by the hon. Member in the first part of his question has not been assembled, and could not be obtained without laborious and costly investigation, which I could not authorise. Apart from other considerations, no exact division could be made between cases in which there was an element of deliberate evasion and those of mere negligence or mistake. As regards the second part, the number of cases in each of the last six years, in which criminal proceedings have been instituted, is as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Income Tax, Super-tax, and Corporation Profits Tax estimated to be due to be paid but not paid on 31st March, 1923?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 24th April to a question by the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he will be in a position to announce the decision of the Government in reference to the claims put forward by the deputation from the Hungarian Government?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the appeal recently made by the Hungarian Government to the Reparation Commission. The appeal is now being considered by that body, and I am not able to say when a decision will be reached.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will call for a full Report from Mr. Hodgson with regard to the persecution of the Christian Church in Russia; and whether he will instruct him to make every effort to save the Patriarch Tikhon?

His Majesty's Government are already in possession of full information on the subject received from time to time from the British Agent at Moscow. The Soviet Government is well aware of the sentiments that would be excited throughout the civilized world if the Patriarch were executed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the action of a British company in purchasing Russian oil products from Arcos, Limited, proceeding from nationalised property of British and foreign oil producers, has created indignation, not only among the rightful owners of these products, but also among shareholders of the purchasing firm; and whether any representations have been made to him protesting against the company's action?

Representations have been made to the Foreign Office against the action of the purchasing company, but I do not know to what extent these represent the feelings of shareholders.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a portion of the oil products sold by Arcos, Limited, to a British company, proceeds from properties rightly belonging to Belgian and French companies; that this action of a British company is liable to lead to international ill-feeling; that of the 500,000 shares in Arcos, Limited, 98 per cent. are held by Messrs. Krassin and Vlishko, who are representatives of the Soviet Government; and whether he will make inquiry into the facts?

I have no information as to the sources from which the oil referred to was produced, and I can express no opinion on the second part of the question. I understand that the issued and paid up capital of Arcos is 100,000 £1 shares, of which roughly 94 per cent. is held by the persons named

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of retired warrant and non-commissioned officers of the Royal Marines who volunteered for service during the Great War, and subsequently attained commissioned rank, and were assessed for pension on a minimum scale of £250 per year plus £6 per year for every year of commissioned service?

Retired warrant officers and pensioner non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines were not in a position to volunteer for service during the War as they were called up for such service under the Naval Enlistment Act, 1884. Of the total number thus called up 90 were granted temporary commissions in the Royal Marines and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and on reversion to civil life were awarded, in lieu of the pensions they had hitherto drawn, retired pay at the minimum rate of £250 a year with an addition of £6 for each year's service in commissioned rank.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the life pension of 24s. per week granted to Thomas Ward (2/MW/398), of 2, Albert Square, Whitehaven, was altered to a pension of the same amount for 52 weeks only when he applied to have the original amount of pension increased; if he is aware that the pensioner in this case is completely broken up and unable to do any sort of work; and will be, in the circumstances, restore the pension to its original permanent basis and increase it to an amount that will at least be equal to the subsistence level granted by the board of guardians to a man with a wife and two children?

A final award of pension at the 60 per cent. rate was made by the Ministry, but was set aside on appeal by the independent tribunal on the ground that the case was not, at the time, suitable for a final award. The case was therefore restored to the conditional list, a pension at the same rate being awarded for 52 weeks and the man informed that if he considered that the condition of his disability had grown worse he could apply for an increased pension on that ground. This, however, I understand he has not done. The case will be again considered, in due course, for a final award.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that ex-service men suffering from paranoia at present have their pensions fixed for a period of three years, and are then subject to re-examination, and having regard to the fact that medical authorities are agreed that this illness is practically incurable and re-examination by medical boards causes excitement, reaction, and great suffering to the patients, will he take steps to make pensions permanent in cases of over four years' standing where he is satisfied that the pensioner's family is in a position to assure his proper care?

There is no general rule that ex-service men suffering from paranoia are to have their pensions fixed for a period of three years, although an award for this period may have been made in an individual case. It is, however, the practice to consider every case of over four years' standing, whatever the disability may be, and to make a final award if the case is suitable for it. Thus any man who has been in receipt of pension for paranoia for over four years, and is unlikely to become better, would receive a final award. If my hon. Friend has a case in mind, I shall be glad to inquire into it if he will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether inquiries are proceeding with a view to revising the pensions of aged poor dependants of men who died on war service; and, if so, whether he will direct that all such cases in which any reduction in current rates is recommended by Ministry officers shall be referred to war pensions committees for their observations before a final decision to reduce is reached?

A limited review has had to be undertaken of pensions granted to parents of deceased men on the score of pre-War dependence. Pensions of this class (which were given without regard to age or financial circumstances) were commonly granted on the basis of statements made for the purpose of separation allowance and in some instances these statements, which were not always fully verified, have been found to be seriously incorrect. It is an express instruction to officers that existing assessments are not to be disturbed unless the award is proved to have been clearly wrong on the facts of the case, and arrangements have been made to enable any dependant, whose pension is reduced on review, and who is in need and infirm or aged, to claim at once a pecuniary need pension if more to his or her advantage. It would not be practicable to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question, but any pensioner may appeal to the war pensions committee, whose representations, after consideration of the case, will receive immediate consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether men attending limb-fitting centres get no allowances for loss of time entailed by such attendances; and whether, in view of the hardship involved for men who have to attend several times for the fitting of a limb, he will take steps to get some alleviation?

Where a pensioner is required to attend as an out-patient at a limb-fitting centre, compensation for loss of remunerative time is paid on the usual scale. If the hon. and gallant Member has a particular case in mind, I shall be glad to inquire into it if he will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Pensions what compensation he proposes to give to John M'Leod M'Lean M'Intyre, 117, Alexandra Parade, Glasgow, in view of the fact that he has been denied emigration to Canada under the scheme because he is by profession a clerk; and, since M'Intyre was accepted on Form C.S.I., what additional pension can be given?

I have been asked to answer this question in the absence of my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade. Mr. M'Intyre has no claim to compensation owing to the fact that he was refused a passage to Canada under the Government free passage scheme. This privilege was refused him by the Canadian Government with whom the decision lay, because he had had no agricultural experience.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give the number of Canadian cattle already imported, and if he has any information or estimate of the number likely to be imported in the near future?

The number of Canadian cattle landed in Great Britain since 1st April last is 1,943. The only information I have at present as to the number likely to be imported in the near future is that a cargo of 629 cattle is expected at Manchester on the 13th May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the report of the Medical Officer of Health for the Manchester port sanitary authority states that the first batch of Canadian cattle were not altogether free from pulmonary tuberculosis; and, that being so, will he take immediate steps to trace the cattle in question with a view to their isolation?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to the report of Dr. Dearden, Medical Officer of Health for the Manchester port sanitary authority, wherein it is stated that the first batch of Canadian cattle were not altogether free from pulmonary tuberculosis; and whether any steps have been taken to trace the cattle in question with a view to their isolation?

The Report in question has been brought to my notice officially by the medical officer of health for the Manchester Port sanitary authority, but as I stated on Monday last in reply to the hon. and learned Member for Londonderry, the cattle referred to were described as "very healthy." I have no power to order the isolation of the cattle in question and I do not therefore see that any useful, purpose would be served by attempting to trace them. I would remind my hon. Friends that a notable proportion of the cattle of all countries are affected by tuberculosis and that it has been found possible to deal with tuberculosis in British cattle only within the narrow limits prescribed by Section 5 of the Milk and Dairies Amendment Act, 1922.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any official notification of the report of the medical officer of health for the Manchester port sanitary authority that the first batch of Canadian cattle landed in this country were not altogether free from pulmonary tuberculosis; and whether it is intended to take any steps to trace the cattle in question with a view to their isolation?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the similar oral questions addressed to me to-day by the hon. Members for Lincoln (Mr. A. T. Davies) and Brecon (Mr. W. A. Jenkins).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Canadian Government has agreed to a tubercular test on all Canadian cattle entering this country; and why the British Government is now trying to impose an additional milk-record test as well, which is contrary to the original agreement?

As regards store cattle imported from Canada, no tuberculin test is imposed. The conditions regulating the import of breeding animals are now under discussion, and I am endeavouring to frame such Regulations as would confine the admission to the high grade stock to which alone the agreement with the Canadian representatives referred.

asked the Minister of Health whether, since much land now occupied by allotment holders will inevitably be used for building purposes under the provisions of the Housing Bill, he will use his influence with the local authorities thus acquiring such land to see that alternative accommodation is provided for these men?

I have been asked to reply. The duty of providing allotments for their residents rests with the local allotment authority, and they possess ample powers under the Allotments Acts to acquire land for this purpose. I have no reason to suppose that the authorities will not carry out their duty and acquire alternative land to satisfy the requirements of those allotment holders who may be dispossessed on account of the land being required for housing, but in any case, which is reported to me, of failure on the part of the local authority in this matter I will gladly undertake to make suitable representations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the number of livestock in Great Britain under the heads of horses, sheep, pigs, and cattle, respectively, for the years 1920, 1921, and 1922?

The, numbers of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs returned by occupiers of agricultural holdings of over one acre in Great Britain in June, 1920, 1921, and 1922, were as follow:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Kew Gardens close one hour before sunset but never later than 8 o'clock; and whether he will arrange to extend the time of opening until 9 o'clock in May and until 9.30 in June, July, and August, in order that city workers may be enabled to visit the gardens after their day's work is done, thus obtaining some of the benefits for which summer time was introduced?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the hours at which Kew Gardens

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many cases now remain to be settled in the Settlement of Claims Department with reference to the corn-milling trade; and when it is expected that the last of these claims will be settled and the Department disbanded, having regard to the fact that Government control was taken off more than a year ago?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of the following commodities imported from the British Empire under preferential rates of duty, and retained for Home consumption, in the year 1922, showing in each case the amount of duty remitted under preference; cocoa and cocoa preparations, coffee, dried fruits, spirits, sugar (refined and unrefined), articles of food containing sugar, tea, and wines?

The quantities of the articles in question duty paid at the preferential rate of duty and retained for home consumption in the year ended 31st December, 1922, and the difference in duty between the full and the preferential rates thereon are as follows:

There are 53 unsettled claims in connection with flour milling control, of which four are marked for the decision of the appeal tribunal and nine for reference to the Finance Committee. It is anticipated that the remainder can be settled in the Food Department; such settlement, however, can only take place when the millers have supplied the Board of Inland Revenue with all information necessary to determine the computations required for purposes of Excess Profits Duty. Many of the claims referred to have been notified quite recently and, although two years have now elapsed since the termination of control, claims are still being received by the Food Department. Apart from specific claims, the distribution of the balance of the decontrol grants is awaiting the concurrence of the millers in the proposed basis of distribution.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to grant War medals to members of the St. John Ambulance Corps who were called up for War service in 1914, and served in home hospitals during the late European War; or whether it is proposed to recognise in any way the services which these men rendered to their country during the War?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. War medals were not granted to anyone for home service except service in coast defence batteries when actually engaged with enemy warships.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if, in view of the heavy burden now resting on local authorities in respect of the maintenance and upkeep of byroads largely used for motor transport, he will take steps to introduce legislation to provide grants towards the cost of upkeep of such roads on the lines of grants now made for classified roads?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24th April to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Dr. Chapple), of which I am sending him a copy. The resources of the Road Fund are limited, and provision for any substantial extension in the scale or scope of the grants could only be made by an increase in taxation.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state for the South Wales district the number per week of men who have disqualified themselves by absenteeism from receiving the subsistence wage; and if he can give the number of men who have similarly disqualified themselves in other districts?

I have no official information on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether the entry of Iraq into the League of Nations will imply in any way the guaranteeing of its independence and integrity, and, if so, by whom; whether this step will entail our withdrawal from Bassorah and the head of the Gulf; and whether, discussing the preliminaries of agreement between the high contracting parties, our representative will be instructed to oppose any alienation of railways to foreign Powers which might reproduce the pre-War menace of the Bagdad railway scheme?

The entry of Iraq into the League of Nations implies full and complete independence, as I stated in this House on the 3rd May. As a member of the League, Iraq will, of course, be in a position to invoke the sanctions of the Covenant. With regard to the last two parts of the question, it would be premature for me to make any statement at this stage, as they relate to future negotiations with the Iraq Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Jews in Palestine have actually obtained, under the pretence of self-defence, 1,200 rifles and ammunition; that these arms have been distributed amongst the Jewish colonists who support the Jewish Labour party under the leadership of Mr. Ben Swi; that there exists in Palestine a Jewish secret force, known as Hagana, that was formed last year and is now 3,000 to 4,000 strong; that this force is smuggling arms into the country; that British police officers are reported frequently to visit the Jewish colonies for the purpose of training young colonists; whether, in view of the danger to Palestine as a whole from the accumulation of large quantities of arms and ammunition in the hands of the Communists under Mr. Ben Swi, he will prohibit the further supply of arms and ammunition to Jews in future; and will he have investigations made into existing secret supplies of such arms with, where considered necessary, powers of confiscation?

As the House were informed by the late Secretary of State on the 21st February, 1922, 900 rifles had at that time been distributed among the Jewish colonies in Palestine for use in self-defence against sudden and unprovoked attack. These rifles were stored in armouries which could be opened only on the express orders of the British District Governor concerned. I know of no further supply being issued. There are no grounds for the suggestion that the Jewish Labour party, or those of the Jewish colonists who support them, have received exceptional treatment; or that large quantities of arms and ammunition have been accumulated in the hands of Communists, who form an insignificant minority of the Jewish Labour party. Every possible step is being taken by the Palestine Government to prevent the smuggling of arms. The whole question of illicit associations and of the smuggling of arms is engaging the close attention of the Government of Palestine.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to state when the rural telephone facilities for the Black Isle and Easter Ross are likely to be put into effect?

As regards the Black Isle, if no unforeseen difficulty should arise, an exchange will be opened at Munlochy within the next fortnight and exchanges at Cromarty and Fortrose should be completed early in June. I am inquiring as to the position in Easter Ross and will communicate with the right hon. Member on the subject as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to complaints from emigrants to Australia of the non-receipt of parcels addressed to them; whether, seeing that the loss of these parcels may be due to the fact that such parcels have to bear on their outside cover a full description of the contents, and in view of the liability to theft which this encourages, he will arrange with the Australian postal authorities to abandon this practice, and require only a description of the contents on a separate form?

Complaints of loss of parcels addressed to Australia appear to be very few in number. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me have any information in his possession. There is no reason to suppose that risk of loss is increased by the fact that the contents of the parcels are fully described for Customs purposes.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of providing improved postal facilities during the summer months for seaside resorts in Cardigan Bay?

Perhaps the hon. Member would be good enough to let me have some particulars of the facilities which he has in mind.