asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to transfer the command of the two London Territorial Divisions from the London district to another command; whether any considerable economy will be effected thereby; and, if not, whether, in view of the long-standing associations between London Territorials and the Brigade of Guards, he can arrange for the present system to remain in force?

This matter is still under consideration; but my right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement on the subject very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for War bow many British soldiers, sailors, aeroplanes, tanks, armoured cars, and vessels were made available to cope with the situation in Egypt following upon the arrest of Zaghloul Pasha last December; and what is the total cost involved?

The whole of the forces in Egypt were available to cope with the situation in question, and proved sufficient to do so. I am not in possession of figures as to the cost of such minor movements as took place, but they would be inconsiderable.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate cost of the Army in Egypt since the Armistice up to the present?

I regret that the form in which the Army accounts were compiled before the year 1920–21 does not enable me to give the figures asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the possibility of reconstituting a regiment from the six famous Irish regiments, now about to be disbanded, under the title of the Royal Regiment of Ireland, that being the first title conferred upon the oldest of the six regiments, the present Royal Irish Regiment?

The practical effect of my hon. Friend's proposal would be to raise a new regiment which would have to be recruited from Northern Ireland. This recruiting area has already to maintain such of the North Irish regiments as are to be retained, and in justice to the latter we cannot raise an additional regiment in that area. Nor should we be able to realise to the full the economies which have to be effected in the present circumstances of financial stringency. My right hon. Friend regrets, therefore, that the proposal is one which he cannot entertain much as he deplores the necessity for the disbandment of these distinguished regiments.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of the wives and children of non-commissioned officers of the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, are still in this country; whether the battalion was sent out in November, 1920, from Redford barracks, in Scotland; whether, as far back as March last year, the belongings of these wives and children were sent out, including their clothing and excepting only practically what they stand in; whether promises were made by the War Office that these wives and children would be sent out last November, when some of them went, but others were left behind; whether these poor people are under the impression that the trooping season is to close at the end of March; and whether any satisfactory assurance can be given as to when these wives, with their children, will be able to join their husbands?

The families of this unit could not accompany it to Egypt in November, 1920, as no accommodation for them was available in that country. Since accommodation became available 33 families in all have applied for passage. Of these, 30 were provided by the first opportunity and were sent out with very little delay. Of the three remaining, one could not accept passage owing to illness and has not since applied, and two, whose delay was necessitated by shortage of second-class accommodation on board, will embark next month. I am making inquiries as to whether there has been any misunderstanding, as suggested in the question, regarding the clothing and other belongings of any of the families, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend further in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Joseph M'Loughlin, No. 21800, 16, Circus Street, Liverpool, joined the Dublin Fusiliers on 3rd June, 1915, and served in the Dardanelles, Egypt, and France, served a period of detention for absence without leave, afterwards joined a labour corps in Nottingham, No. 407,587, was demobilised at the end of 1919, and is entitled, notwithstanding the detention period, to a gratuity of £23 3s.; and whether this sum will now be paid to him?

Joseph M'Loughlin was sentenced to one year's detention for desertion in 1918. On conviction of desertion all prior service is forfeited, and such service is not allowed to count for the purpose of war gratuity. His claim is therefore inadmissible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to his letter of 24th August, 1921, he is yet in a position to give some assurances on the subject of making the promotion of senior officers reasonably equitable as between the Royal Field Artillery and the Royal Garrison Artillery; whether he is aware that the minimum of promotion to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Royal Field Artillery is now 20 years and two months, whereas in the Royal Garrison Artillery it is 24 years and four months, and as respects the rank of major in the Royal Field Artillery it is nine years and one month as against 14 years and two months in the Royal Garrison Artillery; whether he is aware of the continuing sense of injustice felt by the senior officers of the Royal Garrison Artillery in this matter; and whether he is prepared to take any, and, if so, what steps to remedy what is felt to be almost an intolerable injustice?

I am aware of the facts as to length of service which are indicated in the question, but in view of the pending reductions in the commissioned ranks generally, to which I referred in the answer to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Melton on 21st February, I regret that I am not in a position to give assurances of the character referred to. The rate of pro- motion in the Royal Field Artillery has recently been rapid, but that of the Royal Garrison Artillery, in comparison with other arms of the service, has not been slow, and I do not think that the officers in question are being dealt with unjustly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of amending the King's Regulations so as to render it permissible for officers, non-commissioned officers, and men to wear their medals in khaki service dress?

This matter is already under consideration, but I am not in a position to make any statement at the moment.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some of the important proposals in the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure do not relate to the reduction of expenditure at all, but only to a transfer of the charge from the National Exchequer to the local rates; whether he will supply an estimate of the amount by which, if the proposals are adopted, the rates will be increased; and whether he will present a Return showing for each county and county borough the number of pence in the £ that will be added to the rates by the proposals of the Committee?

I am certainly aware that some of the proposals of the Committee on National Expenditure will transfer charges from the National Exchequer to the local rates. If my hon. Friend will put down a motion I will consider whether I can make the return for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state definitely what steps he has decided to take up to the present to give effect in his Department to the recommendations of the Geddes Report?

I am anticipating that I shall be able to obtain the entire saving suggested on my Estimates for 1922–23 as recommended by the Geddes Committee mainly on the proposals submitted by me.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is his intention to issue any memorandum commenting on the findings of the Geddes Committee?

I do not, as at present advised, intend to issue any special memorandum, but I may have occasion to refer to the Committee's Report in my usual memorandum explanatory of the Air Estimates when issued.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is intended to circulate a memorandum showing the views of his Department with regard to the economies suggested in the Geddes Report?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on the 16th of this month to the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord II. Cavendish-Bentinck).

asked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention to issue any memorandum commenting on the findings of the Geddes Committee?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much of the £528,000,000 in the provisional Supply Estimates is attributable to the liquidation of war agreements; and, if no such amount is included, if he can anticipate the Estimates by indicating the approximate amounts which will come under the heading of liquidating of war agreements?

If I am correct in assuming that the £528,000,000 referred to by my hon. Friend is the total "ordinary" Supply expenditure contained in the original Estimates for 1921–22 (£602,751,000), less the reduction of £75,000,000 promised by Government Departments in reply to the Treasury Circular of the 13th May last, then the answer is that, as indicated on page 4 of the First Geddes Report, no part of the £528,000,000 is in respect of liquidation of War agreements. As regards the second part of the question, I fear that I am unable to anticipate the Estimates.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before he takes any action with respect to the future of the Department of Overseas Trade, he will consult the big commercial organisations of the country to ascertain their views as to the merits or otherwise of the Department?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, before the Department of Overseas Trade is more or less abandoned, as suggested by the Geddes Report, he will make inquiries as to the increased extent to which assistance is now being given by the German Government to German trade and convince himself that if this step be taken by the British Government it will not prejudicially affect British trade in what is proving to be very acute competition;(2) whether, before he modifies by drastic reduction the activities of the Department of Overseas Trade, he will inquire as to its value from the various authorities capable of expressing such an opinion, especially in the industrial districts of Yorkshire?

My hon. Friends may rest assured that before reaching a decision on this matter the Government will take into account the views of commercial and industrial organisations throughout the country as well as all other relevant considerations.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the proposal of the Committee on National Expenditure to abolish the system of percentage grants to local authorities in connection with education, police, and other services will have as its effect not the reduction of expenditure, but merely the transference of a larger proportion of the cost of these services from the taxpayer to the ratepayer; and whether, in view of the defects of the existing system of rating, he is prepared to suspend action upon this recommendation pending a public inquiry into the relation between central and local finance?

I propose to make a statement next week on this and other matters arising from the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has read the statement in the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure to the effect that children whose mental capabilities do not justify a higher and much more costly education are receiving it; whether any evidence was submitted to the Committee proving that statement; and, if so, whether he will see that the evidence is published at the earliest possible date?

I am not in a position to state upon what evidence this statement was based. It is not intended to publish evidence submitted to the Committee on National Expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the figures which have been put forward of savings on current Estimates of £40,000,000 and of further savings promised by the different Departments, prior to the Geddes Committee, the Irish settlement, and the Washington Conference, of £90,000,000 are savings on gross expenditure or savings on net expenditure after appropriations in aid have been allowed for?

The savings are in either case on net expenditure, but the figure of £90,000,000 ought, I think, to be £75,000,000, unless the hon. and gallant Member is including reductions proposed after the sketch Estimates were submitted to the Treasury in July.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children in the public elementary schools are under six years of age; what financial saving would be secured during the coming year by their exclusion; and what would be the effect on their future educational training by such exclusion?

asked the President of the Board of Education what, in the event of the school age for children being increased to six, is the estimated number of children who have hitherto been in attendance at school and would in future be excluded; and what reduction in the number of teachers would be effected?

The number of children under six years of age on the registers of Public Elementary Schools in England and Wales on the 31st March, 1920—the latest date for which figures are available—was 738,148, but owing to the decline in the number of births in 1917, 1918, and 1919 the number of these children may be expected to decline in the ordinary course to 650,000. It is possible that the complete exclusion of that number of children might enable Local Education Authorities to dispense with some 12,000 teachers. On the basis of these figures the Board have estimated that, in respect of a financial year in the whole of which no children tinder the age of six attended school and in the whole of which the number of teachers was reduced by 12,000, the, saving to the Exchequer might amount to £1,938,900, though in the first full year only 90 per cent. of this, or £1,785,000, would be realised. This estimate is necessarily conjectural, and it must not be assumed that it would be at all applicable to the year 1922–23 if legislation were introduced to exclude children under six. Any saving from this source in 1922–23 would depend both upon the form of legislation and upon the date on which it became effective. It is not possible to discuss the educational considerations involved within the limit of question and answer.

asked the President, of the Board of Education how many schools there are in England and Wales where there are less-than 100 children on the roll; how many children are in attendance; and whether there is at present available in other larger elementary schools sufficient school places for the children in the smaller schools if the latter were closed, as suggested by the Committee on National Expenditure?

The number of public elementary schools in England and Wales with an average attendance during 1919–20 of less than 100 was 12,618. The average attendance in these schools was 711,916. Whether it would be possible for the children who attend these schools to attend other bigger schools depends largely upon geographical considerations, and it is impossible to make any general statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many nursery schools, recognised under the Regulations of the Board, have been opened since the passage of the Education Act, 1918, and how many children are at present in attendance?

The number of new nursery schools opened since the passing of the Education Act, 1918, and recognised by the Board is 19. In addition, there are some nine schools which were in existence before the Act was passed and which have since been recognised by the Board. Of this total of 28 recognised schools, three have been closed. The latest figures relating to the number of children in average attendance refer to the year ended the 31st March, 1921. During that year 22 schools were open, with an average attendance of, approximately, 620.

asked the President of the Board of Education the precise terms of the agreements embodied in the Burnham scales, the period during which such agreements were to run without revision, and the extent to which they have been put into operation?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Report of the Standing Joint Committee on the Salaries of Teachers Elementary Schools, which sets out the agreed recommendations of the Committee. I cannot summarise these recommendations within the limit of an answer, but it was agreed that the scales, if adopted, should run till 1st April, 1923, in the London area, and till 1st April, 1925, in the Provinces. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 16th of this month to the hon. Member for the Thornbury Division of Gloucestershire (Mr. Rendall).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the proposal of the Committee on National Expenditure relating to the closing of schools below 100 pupils will involve the closing of a large proportion of Roman Catholic schools in districts where there is no practical possibility of the Roman Catholic children thus excluded being found accommodation with-in convenient distance in other Roman Catholic schools; and whether, seeing that the proposal involves the massing of Roman Catholic children in council schools, he will take these matters into account before deciding to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee?

I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. I do not find in the Report of the Committee any definite proposal which would involve such consequences.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the annual cost of all kinds of inspection of elementary schools, and in what proportion is this inspection directed from Whitehall and by the local authorities, respectively?

The annual cost of the inspection by the Board of Elementary Schools in England is at present rates £210,200. I am unable to state separately what is the cost of the Board's inspection of elementary schools in Wales; the staff engaged on this work is also responsible for the inspection of secondary and technical schools, etc., in Wales. The total annual cost of the Board's inspection of all grades of education in Wales is at present £24,400. The expenditure of local education authorities upon inspection forms part of their general expenditure on administration. I have not the details which would enable me to answer this part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) what steps he has taken strictly to limit State-aided secondary education to the children whose parents cannot afford to pay for it;(2) what steps

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Members for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) and St. George's (Mr. Erskine) on Monday last, 20th February.

asked the President to the Board of Education whether he can give the figures of the relative cost of public elementary education and salaries of teachers in Switzerland and in England; and whether, in view of the excellence of the results obtained by the Swiss system, he will consider the desirability of substituting it for the system of elementary education now prevailing in England?

The information in the Board's possession relating to the cost of public elementary education and to the salaries of teachers in Switzerland is not sufficiently recent to afford a basis of useful comparison with present expenditure and salaries in this country. As regards the second part of the question, I do not know what the hon. and gallant Member has in mind. Each of the 25 Swiss Cantons has control of the education in its area, and the system varies considerably from Canton to Canton.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether reports have been called for from local education authorities as to the effect of the summer-time period in recent years on the health of school children; and, if so, whether, in view of the probable consideration by the House at an early date of the Summer Time Bill, he will cause the Reports to be laid before the House as soon as possible?

In May last year the Board requested the local education authorities to ascertain and report to the Board what had been the effect of the Summer Time Act during 1921. I will have the replies of the authorities summarised and lay a Memorandum on the subject before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether Samuel Drake, late No. 402,290, private, Labour Corps, has been told that he is not eligible for reassessment under Army Order 325 of 1919; whether he is aware that when Drake re-enlisted it was under the terms of the Royal Warrant, 1914, and consequently any subsequent changes should not make the soldier worse off than he would be under the terms of the Warrant under which he joined; whether this man re-enlisted on 18th August, 1914, and served 4 years 249 days before he was demobilised in 1919; and whether, in view of these facts, he can reconsider the decision made?

I have been asked to answer this question. Private Drake has received the full pension to which his service entitles him under the Royal Warrant of 1914. He is not eligible for re-assessment of pension under Army Order 325 of 1919, as on his re-enlistment in August, 1914, there was an interval of more than five years since his discharge on termination of his previous engagement. I am therefore unable to reconsider the decision which has been conveyed to him.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Gunner G. S. Charlesworth, late of the Royal Field Artillery, now residing at Darley Dale, near Matlock; whether he is aware that this man's disability has been assessed at 70 per cent., though he is totally incapacitated from wounds in addition to suffering from acute neurasthenia; and whether, under the especial circumstances, he will order a further medical board to thoroughly examine this man with a view to a revision of the percentage of disability arrived at by the previous board?

The award of 70 per cent. is in respect of both wounds and neurasthenia, and is based on the assessment of a special neurological board which examined the man last June. At present he is undergoing treatment for neurasthenia, and is in receipt of full treatment allowances in lieu of pension, and when the course of treatment has been completed a further medical board will be held.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Andrew Currie, No. 117,006, late private Machine Gun Corps, is having 4s. per week deducted from his pension of 8s. per week; whether he is aware that regional headquarters state that the deduction is to effect recovery of advances made by the War Pensions Committee; whether he is aware that during the period for which the deductions are being made this ex-service man was on treatment at the town hall. Govan, and the money received was paid as treatment allowance; whether the Ministry are deducting from this money paid his treatment allowance; and, if not, whether he can state why this course is being pursued in this case?

The deductions, which are now being made at the rate of 2s. a week, are in respect of recoverable advances on account of pension made by the local committee. I understand that the man never received treatment or treatment allowances from my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a service pension of 1s. 3d. per day for life, to take, effect from the 20th July, 1918, has been awarded to, Mr. William C. Clark, late No. 14,430, Scottish Rifles; whether he is aware that this man is at present on treatment and is in an advanced stage of tuberculosis; that this pension is being withheld from him; and whether he can slate the reason for this pension not being paid together with arrears?

This man has been receiving treatment allowances at the corporal's rate in lieu of both disablement and service pension, but as it now appears that it is more favourable to him to draw his service pension together with treatment allowances at the private's rate, instructions have been given for the payments to be adjusted from 84s. 10d. to 90s. 3d. per week.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Edward Haggerty, late No. 16694, Royal Scots Fusiliers, has been refused a pension on the ground that the tribunal find no aggravation; that his discharge certificate states discharged having suffered impairment since entry into service; that this man served 4 years 12 days with the colours; and whether he is prepared to reconsider the claims of this ex-service man?

Pension was granted to this man until it was found that the aggravation by service of the accepted disability had passed away. The decision of the Ministry was confirmed on appeal by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, and I have, therefore, no power to re-open the case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received several requests from Thomas Foley, No. 242032/6294, late Seaforth Highlanders, for commutation of his pension; whether each request has been met with a demand for his regimental particulars, which he has always supplied; and whether he is now prepared to consider the request?

I regret that the application to commute cannot be granted and the man was so informed on the 8th February. I understand that he wishes to go abroad, and he has been told that an application for an advance of pension for that purpose will receive favourable consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Thomas McCormack, No. 260167, late Royal Field Artillery, was imprisoned for 21 days, during which time his pension ceased; that a claim has been made upon him amounting to £12 12s., which is being deducted from his pension at the rate of 4s. per week; and whether he can state what is the reason for this deduction being made?

During imprisonment pension is forfeited, but in this case payment for that period appears to have been made to the man in error. I am having inquiries made as to the exact amount of the overpayment, and if any adjustment is necessary it will be at once effected.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the function of a Pensions Appeal Tribunal or a Medical Appeal Board; whether it is their duty to decide whether the disability is attributed to or aggravated by military service; and whether they have any powers to assess the amount of pension or percentage of disability?

The function of Pensions Appeal Tribunals established under Section 8 of the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1919, is to hear and determine appeals against decisions of the Ministry refusing entitlement to pension. In the case of final awards made under Section 4 of the War Pensions Act, 1921, Pensions Appeal Tribunals, modified in constitution for that purpose, hear and decide appeals based on dissatisfaction and have power to vary the amount of the award. I have no control over these bodies, which are established on an independent statutory basis under the jurisdiction of the Lord Chancellor. Medical Appeal Boards, on the other hand, are Ministry institutions under my control, their duties being to deal with appeals based on dissatisfaction with the assessment of disablement by a previous Ministry Survey Board where entitlement has already been admitted and the award is not final.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of his statement that the ground of retention of the non-service personal assistant to the Director-General of Supply and Research was that he had been exempted by the Departmental Substitution Committee, and in view of the fact that the ex-service representative who was sitting on that Committee has since definitely stated that such exemption was provisional only as regards substitution from outside, and that genuine ex-service men are at the present moment under notice of discharge in this Department, he will now dispense with the services of this gentleman and of another also similarly provisionally exempted and cancel the notices of the two technical officers?

I have recently recently reviewed the two cases to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and, although prepared to review them again in a short time, I feel bound at present, in the interests of the Department, to retain them, by the exercise of my discretion under paragraph 9 of the Third Lytton Report. I may add that the cases of the two gentlemen whom he proposes that I should substitute—if I am correct in identifying them—are not very strong from the service point of view, as I shall be happy to explain to him privately if he so desires.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many non-service men and how many women are employed in the Overseas Trade Department in a temporary capacity; and what steps he is taking to secure that the posts held by such personnel shall be filled by ex-service men who have been discharged from Government Departments and are now awaiting re-allocation?

Forty-three non-service men, of whom 15 are under notice of discharge, and 106 women, of whom 10 are under notice, are employed in the Department of Overseas Trade in a temporary capacity. Of the 106 women, 69 are typing staff and seven are girl messengers; the remaining 30 are engaged on administrative and clerical duties. Excluding the staff of 69 engaged on typing work, which it is understood is regarded by the Lytton Committee as peculiarly appropriate to women, 63 per cent. of the present temporary staff of the Department of Overseas Trade are ex-service men. During the past six months the temporary staff of the Department has been reduced by 109. Of the total number discharged, 43 were women and 21 non-ex-service men. The possibility of substituting ex-service men for non-service personnel has been constantly under review, and I have, in accordance with my promise in this House, given special attention to the observance of the principles contained in the Third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that an advertisement appeared recently in the "Rhos Herald" inviting applications to be sent in to the Employment Department of the Ministry of Labour, Cardiff, for the position of branch manager of the employment exchange at Rhosllanerchgrugog, and in which it was stated that ex-service men would have the preference; whether he is aware that amongst the applicants for the post was an ex-service man of the name of J. Arthur Thomas, a Welsh-speaking Welshman, born at Rhosllanerchgrugog, and who was for a period of about 18 months in charge of the branch under the supervision of the late manager, Mr. T. D. Jones; whether he is aware that this young man lost a leg in the War, and that he was passed over in favour of a man from an adjoining parish, not a Welshman, and who is not incapacitated by the loss of a limb: and what he proposes to do in the matter?

The new branch manager was born in the neighbourhood and has always resided there; further, he served for over four years with His Majesty's Forces, was invalided home in October, 1918, and granted a temporary disability pension of 70 per cent. The appointment was made on the recommendation of the Civil Service Commission after an impartial comparison of the qualifications of the candidates.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the result of his inquiry into the subject of ex-service men employed in his Department as part-time auxiliary sorters for three nights a week, amounting to 12 hours altogether, who are, by reason of the fact that they are employed on alternate nights, unable to qualify for unemployment insurance benefit, although they are compelled to pay insurance contributions; and whether, in view of the fact that the law provides for the payment of unemployment insurance benefit to part-time workers, he will now make the necessary arrangements to enable these men to qualify?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any announcement in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the contract between the Disposals Board and the Aircraft. Disposals Company expires in the middle of March; and whether the Air Ministry has been consulted as to its renewal?

I understand that the Disposal and Liquidation Commission are considering the revision of their agreement with the Aircraft Disposal Company. The Air Council have given their views to the Commission on the points which concern the Council. The matter is now in the hands of the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, and any further question on the subject should, therefore, be addressed to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if the dockyard apprentices on completion of their indenture will be given employment by the Government, even if there should be reductions in the dockyard staffs?

Ex-apprentices are given preference for employment over other workmen, provided other things are equal; but in present circumstances it will be impossible to retain every ex-apprentice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that large quantities of fish are being made into manure at Grimsby, in a great measure owing to the high charges made for transport to industrial centres; and will he endeavour to promote measures to secure this valuable food to relieve the distress amongst the unemployed?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the destruction of fresh fish and not to fish which has been condemned as unfit for human consumption. I am aware that occasionally considerable quantities of fresh fish are used at Grimsby for conversion, not, as a rule, into manure, but into meal for cattle or poultry when there is a glut and the demand of the ordinary buyers fails. I think the slackness of the market for fish is attributable mainly to the general industrial depression and consequent unemployment in the country, though high railway charges and the requirement of the railway companies that carriage should be paid for in advance may be contributing factors. I shall be happy to consider any suggestions which my hon. Friend may be prepared to advance for using surplus fish for the relief of distress amongst the unemployed, provided that such measures do not involve the expenditure of public money.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that 28 store cattle, which were bought at York on the 26th January, were taken to Cattal Grange the same day and put in a field by themselves, but on 29th January were found to be affected and reported to the authority the same day; that nothing happened for eight days except that the cattle began to improve, and were eating again on the 6th February when slaughter-men arrived at Cattal Orange and said that they had orders to slaughter the lot; that the slaughtered cattle were left laid in the field and worried by foxes and crows, and that it was not until the 11th February that they were all buried; whether he is prepared to take such action as will prevent a repetition of a similar occurrence as being likely to aggravate the spread of infection; and whether he will explain the delay between the 29th January and the 6th February between the outbreak being reported and the slaughter of the cattle?

Some delay was inevitable in dealing with outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Yorkshire owing to the fact that the Ministry was suddenly called upon to deal with a very large number of outbreaks, numbering at one period as many as 100 a day, and there was consequently difficulty in obtaining the services of a sufficient number of slaughtermen. Disease was reported in the case in question on the 29th January, and after examination of the stock by one of the Ministry's inspectors its existence was confirmed on the 3rd February. Slaughter and burial could not be commenced until the 6th February, owing to lack of slaughtermen. Operations were suspended by nightfall, but were resumed and completed on the morning of the 7th. It is incorrect that the carcases left unburied overnight were worried by foxes and crows. I would point out that the important factor in cases of foot-and-mouth disease is to have the animals killed, so that they are no longer capable of producing the virus of the disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the export trade in aged horses from Weymouth; and whether such horses have been and are being regularly inspected by the inspectors appointed by the Ministry for the purpose?

The Ministry is not aware of the existence of any trade in aged horses from Weymouth to the Continent. Any such horses would have to be examined under the provisions of the Diseases of Anmals Act, 1910, and the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914. Horses shipped from Weymouth to the Channel Islands, however, are not required to he examined by Inspectors of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated consumption by the United Kingdom during the year 1921 of wheat, barley, oats, beef, mutton, bacon, butter, and cheese; and what are the proportions of these products imported from overseas and produced at Home, respectively?

The following table gives the information desired by the right hon. Member. Certain returns relating to foodstuffs which were formerly collected have been discontinued, and the estimates are based on such data as are now available.Estimated consumption in the United Kingdom of certain classes of agricultural produce:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the recent increase of the price of flour by 9s. per sack of 280 lbs.; if he will state the corresponding increase in the price of wheat during the last six weeks; and whether the price of bread has been raised?

I have been asked to reply. I have had my attention called to the fact that the price of London made straight run flour, which was quoted at 43s. per sack from 13th January till the end of the month, has been since raised on several occasions and was quoted on Tuesday of this week at 52s. The prices of various classes of wheat have been advanced, though not in the same degree. No. 1 Northern Manitoba, quoted in London at 55s. per 496 lbs. ex ship on 13th January, was quoted at 67s. on Tuesday of this week, while the advances in the prices of English wheat and of Australian wheat were about half that shown for Manitobas. I am informed that the price of bread was advanced in Liverpool at the beginning of last week from 8d. to 9d. per 4 lbs., and in Leicester and Nottingham this week from 9d. to 9½d., and from 9½. to 10d., respectively. It is reported that bakers who had been charging 8d. per 4 lbs. in London have, in some cases, advanced their price to 9d., but that where 9d. had been previously charged the price has not yet been raised. An increase of the price from 9d. to 10d., to take effect from Monday next, has, I understand, been announced.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in reference to the Government proposal made last October to assist local authorities in the repayment of interest and sinking fund on loans for works of public utility, he can give details as to the schemes so far approved and the amount of employment directly provided by those schemes?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Up to 16th February, 1922, the position was as follows:—

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the acute difficulties of the Rural District Council of Clutton in respect of unemployment following the closing of the local coal pits; whether he is aware that one out of every 14 of the population of the Union is receiving Poor Law relief in addition to those having unemployment benefit, while the rates for the present half-year are 21s. in the £; that the amount of National War Savings Certificate business in the district is insufficient to qualify for a Government loan towards the two schemes of road improvement at Paulton and Litton which have been passed by the Unemployment Grants Committee and sanctioned by the Ministry of Health; and whether, in these circumstances, a loan can be granted from the Public Works Loan Board so that doles and Poor Law relief may be turned forthwith into wages upon useful public works?

I am aware that unemployment is severe in this district and have recently sanctioned loans for £10,930 and £325 for works of road improvement. I understand that the council are experiencing difficulty in finding the money, and I am in communication with them with a view to seeing whether it is possible to assist them.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the extent to which sanction has been given by his Department for loans to public authorities for the relief, direct or indirect, of unemployment?

Since the 1st September last loans to the amount of £12,829,000 have been sanctioned for public works (other than housing) by local authorities. Loans to the amount of nearly £600,000 have been approved for the execution by boards of guardians of work undertaken by them during recent months for the provision of employment, and temporary loans or overdrafts amounting to £4,745,000 have been sanctioned to enable boards of guardians to meet abnormal expenditure on the relief of unemployed persons.

asked the Minister of Labour what further provision the Government proposes to make for those unemployed whose total period of benefit, including the extension of six weeks contemplated in the Act of 1921, will become exhausted from 5th April next onwards?

The situation which will arise at the termination of the present extension is engaging my most careful and anxious consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to a statement in the Press, made by Mr. Herbert Smith, President of the Yorkshire Miners' Association, in respect to a decision of the local unemployment committee not to grant unemployed pay to the men thrown out of work by the closing of the Woolley Colliery; and if he will cause investigations to be made with a view to see that these men receive pay in accordance with the Unemployment Insurance Act?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of men have been given notice at the Woolley Colliery, near Barnsley, owing, it was alleged, to the pits not proving a paying proposition; that the men had no other alternative but to accept the notices; that at the end of the notice they were asked to work on day-to-day contracts, which the men readily agreed to; while this was being done, the management put up notices that the colliery could only be worked at very substantial reductions in wages; and will he make inquiries into this case and see that unemployment pay is given to the men thrown out of work?

As my hon. Friends are aware, the decision whether unemployment benefit is payable in any case rests with the insurance officer, with a right of appeal to the Court of Referees and the Umpire. The insurance officer, and subsequently the Court of Referees, found that the workpeople in question were unemployed in consequence of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute, and were, therefore, disqualified for benefit under Section 8 (i) of the Unemployment Insurance. Act, 1920.

asked the Minister of Labour the present recorded number of agricultural unemployed workers in South Oxfordshire as compared with the total on the 1st October, 1921; and how many of such men have, in any form, been employed on relief works to date during the present winter?

I am unable to state the number of agricultural workers on the Live Registers of Employment Exchanges in South Oxfordshire, but the total for the whole county at 10th January was 371, compared with 100 at 7th October, 1921. My hon. and gallant Friend will, of course, realise that, as agricultural workers do not register for unemployment benefit, these figures cannot be taken as representing the full extent of unemployment amongst such workers. I cannot say how many of these 371 had been employed on relief works.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases in South Oxfordshire in which unemployment pay has been refused in consequence of the applicants, although normally by their occupation entitled to it, having done a few days' work on agriculture, an uninsurable occupation?

Applicants who are normally employed in insurable work do not become disentitled to benefit merely because of having done a short period of work in agriculture or some other uninsurable occupation If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars of any cases in which it is alleged that such applicants have been refused benefit, I shall be glad to make an inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the serious effect of the high postal rates upon employment in the printing industry; and whether he can give the figures relating to unemployment in the industry immediately before the last increase of postal rates and at the present time?

on 10th June, 1921, immediately before the alteration in the postal rate for primed matter, the number of workpeople in the printing, publishing, and bookbinding trades registered at Employment Exchanges as unemployed was 20,757. The corresponding figure for 7th February last was 17,545. I am unable to say what the present figure would have been had postal rates not been increased in June last, nor am I in a position to confirm my learned Friend's contention.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that workmen formerly employed either by private firms or the county council in Zetland have been disqualified for unemployment benefit because they were tenants of crofts, although they had paid the contributions laid down under the Unemployment Insurance Acts; and whether this decision has been approved?

The decision in these cases rests with the Insurance Officer, from whom an appeal may be made to the Court of Referees and, in certain circumstances, to the Umpire, whose decision is final. The principal question with regard to crofters is whether they can be considered to be unemployed having regard to Section 7 (2) (a) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. If a claimant normally carried on his croft in addition to his main insurable occupation, and outside the ordinary working hours of that occupation, benefit would, generally speaking, be payable, provided that he did not earn more than 3s. 4d. per day from the croft. Otherwise, he could not be deemed to be unemployed. I am making inquiries with regard to the position in Zetland and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has received any communications from the workers engaged in the cloth hat, cap and millinery trades with regard to sweating in the Manchester district and the inadequate number of Trade Board inspectors in the northwestern area; whether numerous complaints in this area have not been investigated owing to the lack of inspectors; and whether the appointment of additional inspectors is being considered so as to enable the proper carrying out of the Trade Boards Act in this district?

I have received complaints of the kind mentioned in the first part of the question; and it has not as yet been possible to investigate a number of them. The point raised in the last part of the question will come up for consideration when I have received the Report of Lord Cave's Committee of Inquiry into the work of the Trade Boards.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the seven sorting clerks and telegraphists at Chester, who made application to the postmaster to receive them as a deputation on the selections to be made for promotion, were men who are senior to the officer concerning whom dissatisfaction exists, as the branch of the Union of Post Office Workers felt that there was no point in asking junior members of the staff to join in such a deputation; whether he is aware that eight members of the telegraph staff, in addition to the men who saw active service during the War, were employed in military camps and were subject to the hardships incidental thereto; and whether, having regard to the assurance which has been given to the senior competent officer at Chester, that if he should not secure the existing vacancy he would be certain to get the next, he will personally examine the relevant papers with regard to appointments at Chester in order to satisfy himself that no injustice is contemplated?

I am aware of the facts in this case. No such assurance was given as that suggested in the last part of the question, and the filling of the vacancy will be proceeded with in ordinary course.

asked the Postmaster-General how many town sub-offices there are in London at which the emoluments at the basic rate exceed the figure of £500; and whether, having regard to the delay which has taken place in the process of converting these offices into branch offices, he will do everything possible to expedite the change in the interests of the public and the staff?

The number is 50. The circumstances are still too abnormal to admit of the general re-introduction of the pre-War policy of creating branch offices, but individual cases which present special features are dealt with on their merits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the annual clubbing and destruction of grey seals on the Hasker rocks in the Outer Hebrides was stopped for five years, from 1914 to 1918, by the Grey Seals Protection Act, but that, owing to the lapse of that Act, this destruction has recommenced; what was the reason for allowing this Act to lapse; and whether he will introduce a new Bill on the subject?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Grey Seals Protection Act, 1914, has been continued in force under the provisions of successive Expiring Laws Continuance Acts. I have no information regarding the destruction of seals referred to, but I am having enquiry made into the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, owing to the repeal of the Corn Production Acts, offerers for farms in Scotland, with entry at Whitsunday, 1921, have sustained very serious loss in respect that the rents offered by them were made on the faith of the prices of grain being guaranteed for four years at least, and in most cases exceeded the outgoing tenants' rent by from 30 per cent. to 50 per cent.; and is he prepared to introduce a short Bill restoring to tenants the right which they had under the Corn Production Act of 1917 to have the rents payable to them fixed by arbitration?

I understand that some tenants entering farms at Whitsunday, 1921, offered increases of rent, but I have no confirmation that the increases were as much as from 30 to 50 per cent. in excess of previous rents. The increases in question were not confined to arable farms, and it is not conclusive, therefore, that they were attributable to the provisions of the Agriculture Act, 1920, in relation to the prices of grain. I am afraid I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what was the number of appeals considered by the Scottish Land Court for the year 1921; how many of these were finally decided; what was the total of the rentals fixed; what was the total inclusive cost of administration of the Land Court for the same year; and what is now the total number of employés in connection with the Court?

The number of ordinary applications considered by the Court during the year 1921 was 853, of which 843 were finally disposed of. In addition, applications at the instance of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland relative to 156 new holdings and 17 enlargements were dealt with, and 38 appeals were heard under Sub-section 5 of Section 25 of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911. In 563 cases the fixing of fair rents and equitable rents was involved, and the total of the rents fixed by the Court in these cases was approximately £3,853. The audited expenditure of the Court for the year 1920–21 was £13,337 4s. 9d., and the number of persons employed, including messengers, is 15.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has recently received representations from the Society of Procurators of Midlothian, the Society of Procurators of Forfarshire, and other bodies representative of solicitors in Scotland, drawing attention to the hardship in existing arrangements far the remuneration of agents for the poor in Scotland; and whether, in view of the admitted injustice of the present position, he will introduce legislation to provide a remedy?

I have received representations of the nature mentioned in the first part of the question. My right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate has also received a deputation on the subject. I am not prepared to undertake to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the pledge given by the Government during the period of food control, he can give an assurance that the necessary legislation to give permanent statutory effect to the provisions in the Sale of Food Order, safeguarding the consumer with regard to the sale of bread by weight, the sale of tea by net weight, and the labelling of imported produce, will be introduced without delay?

I am not yet in a position to give my right hon. Friend the assurance for which he asks. Consultations are taking place between the various Departments concerned with the difficult questions arising out of any contemplated amendment of the Bread Acts of 1822 and 1836. Careful consideration is also being given to the question of legislation with regard to the other provisions of the Sale of Food Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the new Spanish Customs dues on agricultural machinery which, particularly as regards portable steam engines, are an enormous advance on the former dues; whether he is aware that such increased dues renders it practically impossible for British firms to export portable steam engines and agricultural machinery to Spain; whether the Board has protested or has considered the question with a view to protesting to the Spanish Government for a modification of these new Customs dues; whether, in the event of a refusal to modify these abnormal dues in favour of British manufacturers of portable steam engines and agricultural machinery, it is proposed as a reprisal to increase the Customs duties on all goods which Spain may export to this country; and, if not, what are the reasons for taking no action in a matter vitally affecting these important home industries?

My attention has been drawn to the matters referred to by the hon. Member. His Majesty's Government are at present in communication with the Spanish Government in regard to the effect of the new Spanish tariff on British trade. It is not possible for me to say at present what action His Majesty's Government may take should these communications not lead to a satisfactory result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to state the result of his communication with the Royal Commission on Fire Prevention regarding the fire at the Hartlepools recently, when over 60 families were rendered homeless?

I am not in a position to make any statement at present. I understand that the Commission will deal with this matter in their Report on questions of Fire Prevention generally, and this cannot be expected for some time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the stock of wool held at present by the Government; and what is the amount sold it 1921?

I have been asked to answer this question. The stocks of wool owned by the Government and now in the hands of the British Australian Wool Realisation Association for sale amount to 1,226,578 bales. The Government-owned wool sold in 1921 amounted to 471,334 bales. The above figures are exclusive of the Australian-owned wool under the control of the Association.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether commercial representatives of foreign countries on their arrival in England are accustomed to place themselves in touch with his Department for the purpose of facilitating business; and, if not, whether this aspect of the Department's work can be developed?

Yes, Sir. Commercial representatives of foreign countries and foreign firms very frequently place themselves in touch with my Department on their arrival in England for the purpose of facilitating the business which is the object of their visit to this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the names of his Advisory Committee and inform the House of their views on the activities of the Department on its present lines?

The Advisory Committee reviewed the organisation and work of the Department last May, and their considered opinion is set out in a Resolution dated 1st June, 1921, and published (together with the names of the Committee) on pages 46 and 47 of Command Paper 1461, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. The Advisory Committee have recently had under consideration the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure. On the 15th February they passed the following resolution, which they requested me to forward to the Chancellor of the Exchequer:

"That this Advisory Committee views with apprehension the proposals of the Geddes Committee which have apparently been put forward without full knowledge of the important assistance which the Department of Overseas Trade is affording to the industry of the country, and requests that a deputation be received by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in order to explain the serious effect on industry which would result from the adoption of the proposals."

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the Usworth Colliery, County Durham, has been idle for six months owing to a dispute between the owners and the men; whether his Department has been approached with a view to bringing the dispute to an end; and what he proposes to do in the matter?

I am aware generally of the circumstances at Usworth Colliery and that work has been suspended for some months owing to the fact that the terms of employment offered by the owners are not acceptable to the men. I have been asked by the Miners' Federation to intervene, but after making inquiry into the facts I was obliged to inform them that I regretted that I did not see my way to intervene effectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines the tons per month of coal exported from this country to France for the six months prior to August, 1914, and the tons per month for the last six months, 1921–22, for which he has returns?

The quantity of coal exported from this country to France in each of the six months prior to August, 1914, and in each of the six months prior to February, 1922, was:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state how many non-service men and how many women are employed in the Scientific and Industrial Research Department in a temporary capacity; and what steps he is taking to secure that the posts held by such personnel shall be filled by ex-service men who have been discharged from Government Departments and are now awaiting re-allocation?

I have been asked to answer this question. There are 70 non-service males and 118 women. Fifty-nine males, of whom 36 are juveniles, engaged on industrial work, and fall outside the scope of the question. Seven are boy clerks in process of being replaced Four of these are under notice. One hundred and nine women are not replaceable by service men. They are clinical thermometer testers, typists or charwomen. Two are women clerks under notice. Eleven men and women have specialised qualifications not possessed by the ex-service men referred to.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the last Return on municipal trading was published in 1909, he will grant the Return standing in the name of the hon. Member for the Spen Valley?—[Municipal Trading (United Kingdom),—Return showing, for the London County Council, the Corporation of the City of London, the council of each Metropolitan borough, county councils, city councils, and county borough councils in England and Wales, and the Corporations of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Aberdeen, the nature and extent and, for each of the years 1909 to 1914, inclusive,the financial results of reproductive municipal undertakings, including for each undertaking, separately, a short description thereof, date and terms of original acquisition or establishment or subsequent extension, how managed, capital employed and how obtained, value of the undertaking, capital paid off and outstanding, loan charges, provision for depreciation, gross income and expenditure, net profit or loss, how profit is allocated or loss met, amount of relief or burden to rates, number and salaries of the chief paid officials, number of workpeople, rate of wages paid in chief classes of labour, and prices charged for products or services supplied or rendered (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 171, of Session 1909).]

The return which was issued in 1909 extended to over 1,000 pages, and entailed great cost and trouble in preparation. The return now asked for would be considerably longer than the previous one and the cost of preparation would be very much greater. So far as England and Wales are concerned, I am afraid I could not agree at the present time to the preparation of a new return on the lines suggested. I may, however, draw the attention of the hon. Member to the particulars which are contained in the published Local Taxation Returns for the year 1909–14 with regard to the principal classes of municipal trading undertakings.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the letter, dated 20th January, sent to his Department by the National Asylum Workers' Union to the effect that the union had advised its members not to submit evidence before the Committee on Asylum Administration because representatives of the Medico-Psychological Association predominate on the Committee, and that the charges made in Dr. Lomax's book are, in the main, charges against the administrative methods and capacity of members of that association, he can give the grounds for his statement that the union had refused to submit evidence because it was refused representation on the Committee?

The first communication from the union was a verbal request through a member of its Executive Council for representation on the Committee. It was only when I was unable to accede to this request that the union refused to give evidence and sought to justify the refusal on the grounds indicated in the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any information as to a donation by the Rockefeller Foundation towards the establishment of a school of hygiene in London?

Yes, Sir. I am happy to be able to announce that the Rockefeller Foundation have informed me of their readiness to provide a sum not exceeding $2,000,000 towards the cost of providing and equipping such a school of hygiene, on the understanding that the British Government accept the responsibility for finding the cost of staffing and maintaining it, estimated certainly not to exceed £25,000 per annum at the outset. I do not anticipate any actual charge on the Votes for, say, two years. I may explain that the foundation of such a school was recommended by the Committee on Post-graduate Medical Education in London appointed by my predecessor early last year. I presided over an expert Committee which went further into the question, and finally, in view of the financial difficulty at present of carrying out this recommendation, valuable and timely as it is, I thought it well to put the whole case to the Rockefeller Foundation, as one which they might think it well to support in the interests alike of the British Empire and the United States of America and, indeed, from the widest standpoint of world progress in public health. In the result, they have made the generous offer which I have announced, and I have been authorised as Minister of Health to accept that offer and am now engaged in the preliminary steps towards establishment of the school. The House will no doubt agree with me in heartily welcoming this evidence of common interest and co-operation between ourselves and the United States of America in furthering education and research in preventive medicine.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the recent fatalities in Liverpool, where a family of four have recently died owing to gas-poisoning, any steps are going to be taken with regard to the use of water-gas in that city and elsewhere to protect the lives of the public?

I have been asked to reply. In accordance with the recommendations of the Carbon-Monoxide Committee, an Order was made by the Board of Trade on the 16th February prohibiting the supply for domestic purposes of gas containing carbon-monoxide unless such gas possesses the distinctive pungent smell of coal gas, and the Board are carefully watching the position. There has, however, been no marked change recently in the proportion of water-gas supplied by gas undertakings.

asked the Home Secretary whether experiments on the results of gas poisoning are being conducted at Porton, near Salisbury; and, if so, what animals, and in what number, are being used?

I have been asked to answer the question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The animals employed have been rabbits, rats, and goats, and the total numbers used to date are 26, 23, and 2, respectively. The experiments are of the same nature as those carried out with animals in the course of general medical research at universities, hospitals, and other recognised institutions, and they are conducted under the same Statutory safeguards.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the enforcement of the Shops Acts is a Statutory duty of local authorities, he will, having regard to the recent action of the Nottingham magistrates in dismissing several fairly proved charges, consider the advisability of addressing a communication to all magistrates, calling their attention to the law on this ques- tion, in order that local authorities may not be discouraged in the discharge of their duties?

I do not think any such communication is necessary. I believe that magistrates generally are well aware of the duty laid on local authorities to enforce the Acts, and, excepting the Nottingham City Council, I have received no complaint from any local authority.

asked the Home Secretary whether it has been decided to disband the women patrols division of the Metropolitan Police; and, if so, in view of the long training, character, and experience of this body of police women in the duty of safeguarding public morality, whether he will reconsider this decision?

The disbandment of the Metropolitan Police Women Patrols has been recommended by the Committee on National Expenditure, and the recommendation is one which I feel bound to carry out.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a letter from Lord Lambourne in the "Daily Mail" of 9th February referring to a case of great cruelty to a horse; and whether he will consider the advisability of altering the law so that heavier penalties may be inflicted in this and similar cases?

The law allows much heaver penalties to be inflicted than the fine of £5 imposed in this case. The offender may be fined £25, or imprisoned for three months, or suffer both penalties; but the penalty to be imposed in the individual case must depend on the circumstances and be left to the discretion of the justices. I cannot interfere with that discretion.

asked the Home Secretary whether there is any intention to force cyclists to carry a rear light on their bicycles in addition to a front light?

I have been asked to answer this question. I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on 15th February to a similar question from the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley (Colonel Newman), of which I am sending a copy to my Noble Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of persons that have been deported in Egypt since the Armistice, and the number of newspapers suppressed during the same period?

I have no statistics relating to these matters.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of Egyptians that have been killed and wounded through various disturbances since the Armistice, and the number of Europeans killed and wounded, and how many Egyptians have been executed and how many imprisoned, and for what terms, for offences arising out of disturbances?

I have not the information enabling me to answer these questions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the exceedingly small cost to the State of the maintenance of the British Vice-Consulate at Bruges, and having regard to the large amount of British shipping making use of this port and that of Zeebrugge, His Majesty's Government is prepared to consider the re-establishment of this post; and whether the net cost of this establishment for the year 1921, including the takings in fees and charges, was only £70?

As regards the first part of this question I have nothing to add to the reply given on the 9th inst. to the hon. Member for the English Universities (Sir M. Conway). The net cost of the post in 1921 was approximately £70, but that sum will not represent the net saving to His Majesty's Government by the closing of the post, as a considerable portion of the fees previously collected at Bruges will now be diverted to other posts in Belgium.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statement that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies announced at a meeting of the Associated West. Indian Chambers of Commerce in Trinidad on the 29th January that the British Government had decided to make a trade arrangement with the West Indies guaranteeing the continuance for the next 10 years of the existing rate of preference; and whether he has any announcement to make on this subject?

I have seen the report of the announcement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, which represents in substance the policy which His Majesty's Government propose for the acceptance of Parliament, namely, an undertaking to the West Indian Colonies that the preference on goods at present entitled to preferential rates on importation into the United Kingdom shall be continued for 10 years. The undertaking would be that the Customs Duties on such goods, other than spirits, shall bear to the duties on similar goods imported from foreign countries the proportions prescribed by the Second Schedule of the Finance Act, 1919, and that the Customs Duties on spirits shall be lower, by not less than 2s. 6d. per proof gallon, than the duties on foreign spirits of a like kind.His Majesty's Government do not consider that it will be necessary to make any formal agreement with bile West Indies. They assume that the West Indian Colonies will continue to accord preference to goods of the Mother Country throughout the period. The proposal for an undertaking to the West Indian Colonies is due to the representa- tions made to His Majesty's Government that the introduction of further capital is necessary to maintain and develop the main industries in the West Indies and that the raising of this capital will be greatly facilitated if the producers can be guaranteed that the preference which they enjoy in the United Kingdom market will be assured to them over a definite term of years.Although the hon. Member's question relates solely to the West Indies and has been answered accordingly, I ought to make it clear that there is no intention of giving less favourable treatment to goods imported into the United Kingdom from any other part of the Empire during the 10 years in question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to Lord Rawlinson's speech at Delhi as to the need for armies of greater strength in India; and whether the Government has complied with all the Commander-in-Chief's requirements?

My attention has been called to Press reports of Lord Rawlinson's interview with some journalists. The military policy of the Government of India has the concurrence of the Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will afford the House the opportunity of expressing its opinion, apart from the control of the official Whips, on the desirability of considering thrift as a factor to be taken into consideration in the assessment of old age pensions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for the Consett Division of Durham (Mr. A. Williams) on the 13th instant by my hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. In view of what was stated in that answer, I am not in a position to adopt the suggestion contained in the question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when it is proposed to take the Vote for the Middle East; whether he will undertake that the Palestine mandate shall not be finally submitted to the League of Nations until discussion has taken place in this House; and whether he will arrange for a second day for the discussion of all other Colonial questions?

I hope that it will be possible to take this Vote in the week after next. With regard to the second part of the question, the draft mandate for Palestine, as I think the House is aware, was submitted to the League of Nations many months ago. So far as the Government are concerned, there is no objection to discussion of its terms in this House. In view of the large amount of business to be got through by the end of the financial year, I am afraid it is not possible to give another day for the discussion of Colonial questions. My hon. Friend will, however, have an opportunity of raising these questions on the Appropriation Bill.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can arrange the business on 28th February so that this House may rise at 7 p.m. to enable the officials and attendants of the House to celebrate the Royal wedding?

I refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which I made to-day, after Questions, in regard to the Business for next week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the total Excise beer and other duties on spirits, beer, and stout receivable from the territory to be occupied by the Irish Free State; and what arrangements are being made to meet the deficiency of revenue which will arise during the present financial year and for subsequent years?

My hon. Friend will find in House of Commons Paper No. 207 of 1922 a statement of the beer and spirits revenue contributed by all Ireland during the last financial year. I am not in a position to carry that statement further at present, and so far as concerns the last part of his question, I must ask him to await my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a new Order has been issued to surveyors of taxes instructing them in future to tax sums of money given as benefits to employés of professional cricket and football clubs; if so, can he state from what date it is proposed to put the Order into operation; on what grounds are these benefits regarded as regular income; and, if such an Order has been issued, can the matter be reconsidered with a view to its withdrawal?

Professional footballers and cricketers are in the same position as other taxpayers. They are chargeable with Income Tax on the total emoluments arising from their employment, and benefit money—if a player is entitled thereto, under his contract of service—forms part of those emoluments. I may add that the proceeds of a public subscription, or of a collection made at a benefit match for a player, would not be regarded as liable to Income Tax assessment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the Excise receipts during the present financial year from the holders of each of the four kinds of licences for private brewing, including the duty paid by any of them?

The latest available figures of Excise receipts during the present financial year from the holders of each of the four kinds of licences for private brewing are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount and value of land surrendered in payment of Death Duties under the Finance Acts of 1909–10 in respect of each year since that date?

Acting in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee appointed in 1911, to consider the lines on which Section 56 of the Finance (1909–40) Act, 1910, should be administered, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue do not accept real (including leasehold) property in satisfaction of Death Duties, but act as intermediaries for its transfer to some other public department or authority who might desire to purchase it. Particulars of real estate dealt with under this arrangement are as follows:—

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent the deficit on the German budget will be increased by the lowering of the German Income Tax to the new rates under the law of 21st December, 1921?

I know of no estimate of the financial effect of the reductions, but owing, no doubt, to the depreciation of the mark, there is a large increase in the estimated yield in paper marks of the Income Tax for the coming year.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks made on 15th February by the right hon. Member for Central Glasgow to the effect that the real hope of recovery of trade was in trade with countries which produce raw materials, and that the best market of all was the Colonies; whether it is now proposed to eject from certain exhibition galleries of the Imperial Institute some of the samples of Colonial raw materials placed there for assisting imperial trade and replacing them by exhibits from the War Museum; and, if he dues so propose, whether he will reconsider his policy of saving rent for the housing of War Museum exhibits, seeing that it will injure trade generally and in particular retard its recovery at the moment?

The question of my hon. Friend raises large issues of Imperial interest, on which I offer no opinion; but it is hoped that the proposals made by the Office of Works will in no way impede the development of British trade and industry.