asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that allotment holders at Quarry Pit, Shotton, Chester, have received notice to quit contrary to the agreement held in regard to these allotments; and whether he will take action with a view to these notices being withdrawn?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but inquiry will be made and the result communicated to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a demand for allotments in Ammanford; that the tenure of present allotments there is regarded as unsatisfactory; that application has been made to the urban district council to put into operation The Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, to provide plots; that this application has been ignored by the council; and that no action has been taken by the council to exercise its statutory powers; and whether he will represent to the council the urgency of their carrying out their statutory obligations?

Enquiry is being made as to the position at Ammanford with regard to allotments, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the action of the Birmingham parks committee in terminating the tenancies of 16 allotment holders at Wheelwright Road, Erdington, by seven days' notice on Friday last, notwithstanding that they had paid for their holdings up to the end of the present year and appear to be equitably entitled to reap their crops; and whether he will take such steps as he deems proper to secure them full justice in the matter?

I am informed by the Corporation of Birmingham that the land in question is required immediately for building purposes, and that, in the circumstances, it was necessary to dispossess the allotment holders. They will, however, receive compensation in respect of the growing crops and the labour expended, and manure applied, with a view to a future crop before the allotment holders received notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether it is proposed to spend £79,350 on equipping 661 acres, or £120 an acre, for settlement by ex-service men in the county of Surrey; if so, how many men it is proposed to settle for this sum; in how many cases will houses have to be provided; and what is the estimated average burden on the State for each man settled?

The Ministry has approved the expenditure of approximately the amount mentioned for equipping small holding properties acquired by the Surrey County Council. The area of land for which this equipment has been approved is 342 acres on which 101 market garden or cottage holdings are to be provided. The number of new houses to be erected is 98 and the average annual loss per holding is estimated to be £41.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the Ministry were recently negotiating the purchase of 4,000 acres of land in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and the isle of Ely for the settlement of ex-service men; whether they consulted any of the respective small holdings committees as to the suitability of the land or the price to be paid for it; whether the scheme is now abandoned; and, if so, why?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The negotiations for the acquisition of the land in question were terminated as the Ministry was unable to accept conditions which the vendor desired to attach to the sale of the property.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that distress exists amongst supplementary teachers caused by the low salaries paid and the high cost of living; that many of them have devoted their whole life to teaching and have done splendid service; and whether he can take any steps to see that their salaries are increased on somewhat similar lines to those of teachers who come under the Burnham scale?

The Board have only recently obtained from the local education authorities returns as to the present salaries of these teachers. Before I make any statement on the subject, it is desirable that these returns should be tabulated and their results considered.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can say when the proposed new branch post office at Golders Green will be opened; and whether in the meantime he will take steps to improve the service at the existing post office so as to afford residents proper facilities for despatch of parcels during the day?

Negotiations for the acquisition of premises for a Branch Post Office at Golders Green are well in hand, and the office will be opened as soon as the purchase has been completed, and any necessary alterations have been carried out. A definite date cannot be given, but the matter is being expedited as much as possible. I am having enquiry made in order to ascertain whether, in the meantime, the existing service can be improved.

asked the Secretary of State for War what communication has been made to Colonel Douglas regarding the purchase of the Brambles, Lee-on-Solent, and the date and wording of such communication?

No written communication has been made to Colonel Douglas regarding the purchase of "The Brambles." On the 6th March last, at art interview with a representative of the Department of the Director-General of Lands, he was informed that it was proposed to purchase this station, including "The Brambles," but that official sanction had not then been received. The proposal to purchase has now been officially approved, and communications are being addressed to Colonel Douglas and other owners of property at Lee-on-Solent.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the financial position of the London Hospital; whether he is aware that Lord Knutsford, as chairman of that institution, announces that there are only sufficient funds in hand to pay the bills for eight weeks; and whether, in view of the financial straits to which this and similar beneficent institutions are reduced, the Ministry of Health will at once consider the question of assistance, especially in the poorer districts of the Metropolis?

I am fully aware of the position of the London Hospital, and am considering what steps can be taken to assist this and other hospitals similarly circumstanced, without prejudicing the voluntary principle.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to introduce legislation this Session to carry out the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Dentistry which reported in February, 1919?

Yes, Sir. A Bill is now in course of preparation.

asked the Minister of Health if he is in a position, approximately, to announce the amounts taken up by the public in housing bonds in the metropolitan and provincial areas, respectively?

So far, the returns received to date show £4,500,000 has been raised outside London by the issue of Local Bonds up to 31st May. I understand that about £300,000 has been raised in London, but I have no information of the amount raised outside London since 31st May. The next return will be made up to 30th June.