asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the German Republic has deposited any gold or bullion with the Bank of England, and, if so, what is the amount and if any interest is given on the deposit?

The Bank of England is a private institution, and transactions between the bank and its customers are not within the province of the Government.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the opinion expressed by the Committee on the Employment of Women on Police Duties, that in thickly-populated areas where offences against the law relating to women and children are not infrequent, there is not only scope, but urgent need, for the employment of policewomen, and also of the fact that there is undoubted evidence that the conditions of streets in which the patrols have worked have greatly improved, he will very carefully consider the matter before deciding to adopt the recommendation of the Committee on National Expenditure to abolish women patrols?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will publish a paper containing a full report of the work done during the past 12 months by the Department of the Controller of Civil Aviation?

The reports of the work done by the Department of the Controller-General of Civil Aviation are published half-yearly. The report for the period 1st April to 30th September, 1921, was presented to Parliament last month (Cmd. 1559).

asked the Secretary of State for Air the mileage flown by service aircraft, by classified types if available, during 1920 and 1921, showing what part of this mileage was flown in the British Isles and what part was flown on active service?

Figures for 1920 are not available. For 1921 the total mileage flown by Service aircraft was, approximately, 5 million miles, of which 53 per cent. was flown in the British Isles and 47 per cent. overseas. I cannot give figures for the various types.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the numbers and types of aircraft (landplanes and seaplanes) in flying trim now in possession of the Air Ministry, showing how many are situated in the British Isles?

There are 1,938 machines on the establishment of the Royal Air Force, of which 773 are actually in active use in squadrons and training units, and are supposed to be serviceable. The remainder are held as reserve. Of the 773 in active use, about 70 to 75 per cent. may be reckoned upon as serviceable, that is, in flying trim but the number varies, of course, very considerably, from day to day and from hour to hour.The types are as follow:

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that disabled ex-service men feel very strongly regarding the proposed closing of the Orthopædic Hospital, Shepherds Bush; whether, in view of this, he will approach the Hammersmith Board of Guardians with a view to their modifying the original fee for rental, having regard to the fact that the present arrangements at Ducane Road are extremely satisfactory, and that the hospital's costly electric plant for orthopædic treatment is most efficient and up to date?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Tonbridge (Lieut.-Colonel Spender Clay).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport who are the promoters of the proposed Torrington-Hallwill Railway; who invited tenders for the work; to whom were they sent; how many contractors were asked to tender, and what are their names; what is the date of the tenders; whether costs of material and wages have considerably diminished since that date; and whether he will represent to the promoters the desirability of obtaining fresh and a larger number of tenders before his Ministry sanctions the loan which the Government propose to make?

The promoters are the North Devon and Cornwall. Junction Light Railway Company, incorporated by the North Devon and Cornwall Junction Light Railway Order, 1914. The responsibility for inviting tenders and placing the contract lies with the company, who must, however, satisfy the Government that the contract is fair and reasonable. I am informed that tenders were invited from three firms of good standing. The commencement of the work at an early date is urgent, as it is intended to relieve unemployment. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many classes there are in public elementary schools in England and Wales containing 40 or more scholars; how many classes there are containing 50 or more scholars; and how many containing 60 or more scholars?

The total number of classes in public elementary schools in England and Wales for the year ended the 31st March, 1920, was 150,559. Of these—