asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to close down the explosives factory at Waltham Abbey in accordance with the recommendation of the Geddes Committee?

My hon. Friend will realise that it is difficult for me at present to answer in detail questions on individual recommendations made by Sir Eric Geddes' Committee. The Debate on next year's Army Estimates will afford an opportunity for dealing with them, and I do not think it can be conveniently anticipated by question and answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War the principles on which Army schoolmasters have been promoted to commissioned rank in the Army Education Corps; whether experience in trading has been regarded as a qualification for promotion, and, if so, why so many junior men have been promoted; whether athletic distinction has been counted a qualification; whether war service has been taken into account; and how many commissions have been offered to men stationed abroad and how many to men stationed at home?

The warrant officers in question have been promoted by selection, due regard being also paid to their relative seniority. Educational experience and qualifications have been regarded as of primary importance; but war service, athletic distinction, and other qualifications have also been taken into account. In regard to the last part of the question, the numbers are eight and 88 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many war service medals are still undistributed to those entitled to them; and what steps are taken to trace those entitled to be recipients whose addresses are unknown?

On the 28th January last the number of British War and Victory Medals remaining undistributed was approximately 2,850,000. This number is being reduced at the rate of 130,000 a week. As regards recipients whose addresses are unknown, numerous advertisements have been inserted in newspapers requesting men to apply for their medals, and further advertisements will be published in future.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a decision has yet been reached as to the payment of compensation for damage done to property at Aveley, on the 22nd May, 1921, by Irish soldiers from Purfleet; and, if not, when a decision may be expected?

The matter is still under consideration, and I am not in a position to say when a decision will be given.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any statement of accounts or balance sheet has been published by the Navy, Army, and Air Force institutes during the past four years; if not, what is the reason for this failure to submit accounts; when it is expected that a statement of accounts and balance sheet will be published; and whether the sum of three millions advanced during the War to these institutes has now been repaid to the Treasury?

In regard to the first part of the question, I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 13th February to my hon. Friends the Members for Camarthen (Mr. Hinds) and the Drake Division of Plymouth (Sir A. S. Benn). The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total loss which it is anticipated will be incurred as a result of the Government decision to take supplies of Australian zinc concentrates for a period of 10 years following the conclusion of the War?

For reasons already given to the House, I am unable to state whether or not a loss will finally result from the purchase by the Government of Australian zinc concentrates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the State still retains the services of the individual who was responsible for concluding the contract under which the Government buys large quantities of Australian zinc concentrates for a period of 10 years following the conclusion of the War?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given him yesterday on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made for the disposal of the Australian zinc concentrates purchased by the Government for a period of 10 years after the conclusion of the War; and what remuneration or salaries are payable in respect of such sales?

The following arrangements have been made for the disposal of Australian zinc concentrates, namely, in respect of resales in Australia and east of Suez, the Zinc Producers' Association (Proprietary), Ltd., act as agents for the Government. In respect of resales in Europe and all countries west of Suez, the British Metal Corporation, Ltd., have been appointed agents. The remuneration payable to the agents varies according to the services rendered, and ranges from 4 to 5 per cent, on the business passing through their hands. This figure includes the cost of assay. No separate salaried staff is employed by the Government.

asked the President of the Board of

— No. passed. No. qualified. No. failed. No. Total. No. who applied for reconsideration No. recommended. Shipping Department. 14 30 88 132 57 6 Food Department 12 19 92 123 44 7

asked the Secretary of State for India how many ex-service men employed in a temporary capacity competed at the recent examinations for the clerical class; how many passed, qualified, and failed, respectively; and what number of those who failed applied to appear before the Investigating Board under paragraphs 36–39 of the Lytton Committee's Third Interim Report, and how many were recommended?

The answer to the first part is 91, of whom six were successful, 14 qualified, and 71 failed. The answer to the second part is 47, of whom 15 were recommended.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many ex-service men employed in a tem

Trade how many ex-service men employed in a temporary capacity competed at the recent examinations for the clerical class; how many passed, qualified, and failed; what number of those who failed applied to appear before the Investigating Board under paragraphs 36–39 of the Lytton Committee's Third Interim Report; and how many were recommended?

458 ex-service temporary clerks in the Board of Trade, excluding the late Ministries of Food and Shipping, competed at the examinations in question. Of this number, 50 passed, 41 qualified, and 367 failed. 193 of the last-mentioned category applied to appear before the Investigating Board, and 19 were recommended by the Department for consideration. I regret that I am unable to furnish exact figures in this respect as regards the staff of the late Ministries of Food and Shipping which were not under the control of the Board of Trade when the examinations were held, but the approximate figures in these cases are:—

porary capacity competed at the recent examinations for the clerical class; how many passed, qualified, or failed; what number of those who failed applied to appear before the Investigating Board under paragraphs 36 to 39 of the Lytton Committee's Third Interim Report; and how many were recommended?

One hundred and forty-five men employed in a temporary capacity in the Ministry of Argiculture and Fisheries competed at the recent examinations for the Clerical Class; 22 passed, 18 qualified, and 105 failed; of those who failed 79 applied to appear before the Investigating Board, and of these, 35 have been recommended by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on whose authority the officer commanding at Ascot suggested deciding the order of discharge of ex-service men by drawing lots; what is the name of this officer; has he been reprimanded for his attempted evasion of the Lytton Report; whether he is aware that this procedure was only averted by strenuous protests from the Ex-service Men's Association; whether a Substitution Committee is in active operation at this station; what is its composition; and how was it appointed?

A Substitution Committee was not appointed because the whole clerical staff was ex-service. As regards the determination of the order of discharge, the procedure laid down in the Lytton Report has been followed, as I stated in the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull on the 16th instant. The suggestion referred to was, as I said in the same reply, merely tentative, and I see no reason for taking any serious notice of it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether France, Begium or Italy collect reparation duties on German goods when entering their respective countries; if not, can he explain by what process these countries collect these duties; and will he consider whether a saving could be effected if we collected our reparation duties by a similar method?

The Governments of France, Belgium and Italy have not put into force any legislation similar to the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, and do not collect a reparation levy in any form.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can give the approximate value of articles imported from Germany into Great Britain upon which no Reparation Duty is paid?

I regret that the information required is not available. The statistics of goods consigned from Germany make no distinction between those on which the levy is paid and those on which it is not paid, and any calculation based on a comparison between the total value of the imports and the amount of levy paid would be unreliable, owing to the alteration in the rate of levy from 50 to 26 per cent., and the fact that the declared value for statistical purposes is the c.i.f. value, while the value on which the levy is assessed excludes freight and insurance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether an official notice was issued from the Customs House, London, on 2nd January, 1922, adding the following posts to the establishment: Six superintendents of the second class; nine chief preventive officers, upper section; three chief preventive officers, lower section; and 16 preventive officers; how much their salaries in each case cost; and what is the reason for thus adding to the numbers of the service?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The scales of pay of the posts in question, exclusive of bonus, are: Superintendent, 2nd Class, £450–£550; Chief Preventive Officer, Upper Section, £320–£400 (plus allowance of £32 10s.); Chief Preventive Officer, Lower Section, £240–£300 (plus allowance of £27 10s.); Preventive Officer, £l20–£200 (plus allowance of £22 10s.). The additional Superintendents and Chief Preventive Officers are required to take over the supervision of the water-guard staff at certain places from another and a higher paid branch of the Customs and Excise Service, the numbers of which are being reduced, and their appointment will therefore effect an economy on balance. The additional Preventive Officers are necessary to strengthen the revenue guard in certain places on the coast. In considering the number of posts to be added, due regard has been had to the necessity of economy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether examinations are still being held for admission to the Civil Service; and whether, as it is clear that the numbers of the Civil Service will have to be considerably reduced as it is, he will consider the advisability of refraining from adding to the already existing numbers of officials?

Examinations for certain classes in the Civil Service are still being held or are contemplated, but for the greater number of classes examinations are in suspense for the reasons suggested in the question. Such examinations as are being held are for subordinate positions in which, having regard to the large number of posts covered by temporary personnel, there is no fear of redundancy, and in which the conversion of some temporary into permanent staff leads to efficiency in administration, and to economy of force. Certain of the examinations are being held in fulfilment of the Government's pledges to ex-service men.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to rumours circulated in the Press to the effect that various sections of the permanent Civil Service are organising with a view to carry out strike methods, with a view to a complete disorganisation of the public service, as a means of protest against the postponement of reconstruction schemes and alleged ineffectiveness of the Whitley Council; and whether disciplinary action will be taken against any members of the Service in the event of their adopting any such methods?

My attention has been drawn to certain statements in the Press of the kind referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's question. I need hardly say that any attempt to disorganise the machinery of Government would be promptly dealt with. I am confident, however, that the Civil Service as a whole remains true to the high tradition of loyalty and integrity that has always characterised it, and that the great body of civil servants, so far from sympathising with such methods, would most strongly condemn them.

asked the Home Secretary whether, if a certificated civil servant, being a workman, has in the first place signed and agreed to come under the Government's scheme of compensation decides afterwards to contract out of the scheme and come under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, he will when he retires from the Service be entitled to claim compensation from the Government establishment for an injury that may have been caused whilst covered by the Government scheme, during the period of his temporary incapacity caused by the injury he had received pay by way of compensation from the Government Department under their scheme?

A workman wishing to withdraw from the Government Scheme of Compensation framed under Section 3 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, must give notice in writing on the prescribed form, and the withdrawal will take effect as regards any accident happening after the receipt of the notice by the duly authorised officer. Compensation in respect of injury sustained before that date will continue to be dealt with in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has in his Department a civil servant by the name of C. F. Rey; if this gentleman is holding a responsible post; and whether, before appointing him to his present position, his capabilities and record in commercial affairs had been examined?

Mr. Rey has been a permanent civil servant since December, 1903, and was appointed after temporary service by the President of the Board of Trade. He became general manager of Employment Exchanges under the Board of Trade in 1909, and was transferred to the Ministry of Labour with the rest of the staff of the Department in December, 1916. He also served under the Ministry of Munitions, Ministry of National Service, and Ministry of Food. In 1919 Mr. Rey was granted a period of special leave without pay in order to take up commercial work. In May, 1921, on his return from leave, he was appointed secretary to the Committee presided over by Viscount St. Davids which deals with the consideration of applications by local authorities for grants in aid of work undertaken in relief of unemployment, for which work he has been seconded. Mr. Rey has performed the duties of this office in a way that has afforded me (and, I feel sure, others who have come in contact with him) considerable satisfaction.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why provisional exemptions against substitution from outside accorded to certain non-service personnel by the Substitution Committee which ceased to function 12 months ago are now considered as permanent exemptions; and whether, in view of the completely changed conditions and the expressed view of the ex-service association that these exemptions can no longer apply now that genuine ex-service men are being discharged, he will set up a Committee containing an ex-service representative to review all these cases?

The cases referred to are covered by my answers to the Noble Lord the Member for Hornsey (Lord Ednam) on the 15th instant, and to the hon. and gallant Member for the Torquay Division (Colonel Burn) on the 23rd instant. I cannot agree to their being referred to a Substitution Committee, but I am prepared to review such cases after a suitable interval.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Committee which recently reviewed all cases of non-service personnel retained as indispensable included an ex-service representative?

When my hon. Friend brought the deputation to see me in November last, I made it clear that I could not remit to a Substitution Committee the question of indispensability on which the discretion is explicitly reserved—as, indeed, must be the case—to me as head of the Department, by paragraph 9 of the Third Lytton Report. What I promised to my hon. Friend was to review personally these cases. This I have done, with the results which I stated in the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Torquay (Colonel Burn) on the 16th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a force of constabulary for the Middle East is being raised; what is to be the strength of this force; what is its estimated annual cost; for what countries is it required; whether its cost will be borne on British funds or on the funds of the territories where the force operates; whether the personnel is to be European or whether natives of Asia and Africa will be enrolled; and whether aliens will be permitted to enlist in this force?

A force of British gendarmerie is being raised at the present time for service in Palestine. Its total strength will be about 700 of all ranks. It is estimated that its recurrent cost will be about £280,000 per annum. The question of the incidence of this expenditure is still under discussion. The personnel will be exclusively British.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the position of pre-War pensioners in Ireland, whether of the Royal Irish Constabulary, Dublin Metropolitan Police, Civil Service, national school teachers, Navy, or Army, specifying those pensions for which the British Treasury will still be responsible?

This matter is still under consideration between the two Governments.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, men who are being discharged from the Royal Irish Constabulary will be entitled to unemployment benefit; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that many of these men are being thrown out of employment, provision will be made for them?

In the reply given to the hon. Member for Lambeth (North) (Mr. Briant) on, Thursday last, I stated that the Unemployment Insurance Acts apply to the members of the temporary forces auxiliary to the Royal Irish Constabulary, but not to the regular members of the constabulary. From further inquiry it appears that the auxiliary division were not insurable, while there is doubt as to the insurability of the temporary members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and also as to the extent to which they would in any event be entitled to benefit in view of certain payments being made to them on demobilisation. A test case has been referred to the Umpire for an authoritative decision on the last-mentioned point. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the decision as soon as it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has read the agreement between the members of the Irish Provisional Government and the republican members of Dail Eireann; whether it provides that Dail Eireann shall continue to function in all its Departments as before the signing of the articles of agreement with Great Britain; and whether His Majesty's Government is now prepared to recognise this republican body which is to take the place of the Provisional Government?

I would refer to the full statement which I made yesterday in reply to a Private Notice question by the right hon. Member for Peebles (Sir D. Maclean).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in regard to the estimated saving on this financial year's net estimates of £40,000,000, and a further net saving promised for the next financial year by the Departments prior to the Geddes' Committee of £75,000,000, whether he can state what the estimated savings were in gross estimates in both cases so as to include appropriations-in-aid?

It would not be possible to give gross figures without a considerable amount of guesswork, which would, I fear, make the information of little value.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the casually employed dock labourer is assessed quarterly for Income Tax and on that basis expected to pay on any good quarter without regard to the bad ones which more than account for the earnings of the good quarter by arrears of liabili- ties which he has to meet; that in some cases warrants have been issued for the men's arrest for non-payment; and if it is the intention of his Department to execute them?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. In making the assessment to Income Tax for any quarter, due regard is had to the previous quarters of the year of assessment and the charge is limited by reference to the liability on the earnings for the whole period. Moreover, as soon as possible after the fourth quarter's earnings have been ascertained the assessments for the earlier quarters are reviewed and any repayment due is made without waiting for any application by the wage-earner. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply (a copy of which I am sending him) given to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones) on the 13th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if his attention has been called to the case of A. Leyland, of 10, Merton Bank, St. Helens, who is debited with £10 Income Tax, and who is being pressed to pay it, notwithstanding the fact that he has been out of work since March of last year; is he aware that he is an ex-service man, with three years and six months' service overseas, and was invalided home with malaria; if, under these circumstances, it is the intention of the Department that the payment should be made;

(2) if his attention has been called to the case of Mr. A. Leyland, of 10, Merton Bank, St. Helens, who has been served with a notice to pay £10 Income Tax, notwithstanding the fact that he has been out of employment since last March, and deprived of unemployment benefit owing to his being a miner and participating in the miners' dispute; and whether, as an ex-service man of 3½ years, invalided home from overseas suffering from malaria, it is his intention, under the circumstances, to press for the payment of the £10?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is having inquiry made into this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many clubs have written to or communicated with him or his Department protesting against the taxes levied on clubs, and requesting a reduction of the same?

I am unable to give the precise number, but it is between one and two hundred.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that on 7th February, 1922, a repetition of the Shandaweel incident took place at Alshouhada, district of Shebin-el-Kom, when the police, acting upon the instructions of those in authority, fired 130 rounds on the inhabitants, killing one and wounding four; that this took place in spite of the fact that the inhabitants had chosen Tuesday as their market day in order not to clash with the British company's market day, which was Monday: and that the action of the police was taken to compel them to return to the British company's markets which they were boycotting; what steps His Majesty's Government proposes to take in regard to this incident; and whether an undertaking will be given that the inhabitants, so long as they act in a peaceful manner, shall remain unmolested?

The market at Sirsina, a village adjoining Esh-Shuhada, was boycotted on 6th February. The next day, when people collected in the fields to hold a separate market, the police and watchmen intervened. In a riot which ensued one person was killed and four wounded. The Egyptian sub-governor proceeded to the spot, and when the last report from the Acting High Commissioner was received, an inquiry was being held, but the facts had not then been established. It is not for His Majesty's Government to take any action in the matter, nor to give an undertaking of the nature suggested by the hon. Member?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that 10 Egyptian daily newspapers have been suspended or suppressed during the past 10 months; whether this action was taken with the approval of His Majesty's Government;

(2) whether he is aware that the newspaper "Almahrousa" has been suppressed indefinitely; if so, can he state the reason; and whether this is part of the new policy in Egypt?

As I informed the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills) on 16th February, I have no material with which to furnish a statement of the nature requested without reference to Egypt I will supply a full answer respecting the suspension of newspapers in Egypt as soon as particulars have been obtained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the state of Egyptian finances reveals a deficit of many millions; what reasons are given by the financial adviser for this deficit; and whether the Legislative Assembly has any control over finance?

In June, 1921, it was estimated that the financial year would close on the 31st March next with a deficit of about £4,000,000. The reasons for this deficit were fully explained in the note of the Acting Financial Adviser published last May, and were mainly attributable to the fall in the price of cotton. The Legislative Assembly, when in session, approve the Budget.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British officials in Egypt, who are servants of the Egyptian Government, are allowed to take part in Egyptian politics; and whether he is aware that Egyptian officials in the same position are prohibited from doing so?

British officials in the service of the Egyptian Government are bound by the same disciplinary Regulations as their Egyptian colleagues.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British military authorities in Egypt have forbidden the Press, on pain of suppression, to publish anything emanating from any members of the Egyptian Nationalist Delegation, from Madame Zaghloul, or from the Native Bar, or medical or commercial associations; that circulars issued by these persons or organisations are confiscated by the police; and whether this policy has the acquiescence of Sarwat Pasha?

I have already given the information in my possession in my reply to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan) on 13th February. I have no knowledge of the light in which Sarwat Pasha may regard the measure taken by Lord Allenby.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state what was the total loss realised by the National Health Insurance funds under the control of his Department (or of the Joint Committee) in respect of the conversion or sale of Consols and/or other securities purchased on behalf of such funds previously to 31st. December, 1921; what were the securities in which such funds stood invested on 31st December, 1921; what was the extent of the depreciation in such securities at the same date on the basis of mid-market prices; what, approximately, has been the amount of interest earned by the investment through the National Health Insurance Fund of moneys standing to the credit of approved societies as at 31st December, 1921; what, also approximately, is the proportion thereof which has been credited to societies up to the same date; and whether, in view of the substantial rise in the market value of British Government securities, he can now see his way to credit societies with a rate of interest more closely approximating to that earned by the securities held than the 4 per cent, at present allowed to them?

The total loss realised by National Health Insurance Funds in respect of the conversion or sale of Consols and other securities purchased on behalf of such funds previously to 31st December, 1921, was approximately £1,800,000. A list of the securities in which such funds stood invested on the 31st December, 1921, is given below. The extent of the depreciation of such securities at 31st December, 1921, on the basis of mid-market prices, was approximately £2,100,000. The amount of interest earned by the investment through the National Health Insurance Fund of moneys standing to the credit of approved societies, as at 31st December, 1921, was approximately £10,000,000 and the proportion thereof credited to societies up to the same date £7,500,000. With regard to the last part of the question, the hon. Member will appreciate that while the improvement in market prices obtaining for the moment goes far to meet the losses and depreciation above referred to, it renders it the more difficult to maintain the existing average yield, since new moneys accruing to the funds have to be invested on less favourable terms. In view of the present trend of money rates I am of opinion that it would be unwise to disturb the present rate of interest prescribed for moneys in the Investment Account, which I would remind the hon. Member is substantially greater than could have been anticipated under pre-War conditions. I am anxious as far as possible to avoid frequent variations in the prescribed rate and should prefer to reserve any small excess earnings there may be in order to maintain the existing rate as long as possible.

Statement of Securities held for National Health Insurance Funds on 31st December, 1921. Description of Security. Amount held. £ Local Loans 3 per cent. Stock 1,741,573 Guaranteed 2¾ per cent. Stock 2,706,833 Guaranteed 3 per cent. Stock 4,371,070 5 per cent. War Stock 17,235,296 4 per cent. Funding Stock 687,000 3½ per cent. Conversion Stock 1,826,940 3 per cent. Exchequer Bonds, 1930 456,900 5¾ per cent. Exchequer Bonds, 1925 6,267,800 5 per cent. National War Bonds, 1927 11,456,900 5 per cent. National War Bonds, 1928 (April) 4,822,000 5 per cent. National War Bonds, 1928 (September) 10,818,300 5 per cent. National War Bonds, 1929 475,000 Treasury Bills 215,000 Ways and Means Advances 1,590,000 Cash uninvested 18,696

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received any protest against the decision of his Department to abolish the Ilkeston Area War Pensions Committee; and, if so, whether, in view of the reasons given for the protest, he will reconsider this matter?

Representations in this sense have been received and will be carefully considered before a decision is taken.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the death of Maud Moore in the cells at West Ham Police Court and the subsequent attempted suicide of Margaret Swain in the West Hampstead Police Court, he will now grant permission to the women justices of the peace of London to inspect the cells attached to the Metropolitan Police Courts and to inquire into the conditions under which women are detained there?

Both these women were detained in cells at police stations and not police courts. In each case the facts were fully investigated by the coroner and no blame whatever attached to the police, nor was any fault found with the conditions of detention. As regards cells in which female prisoners are detained, my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider any application that may be made for permission to inspect them by women who are interested in such matters whether they are Justices or not.

asked the Home Secretary under what Statute the police have any statutory power to take the finger-prints of prisoners prior to conviction?

The police have no express statutory authority to take the finger-prints of persons in their custody against their will; the statutory provisions for the compulsory taking of fingerprints come into force only after the accused has been sent to prison on remand or otherwise.

asked the Home Secretary what fees have to be paid by applicants for naturalisation; and what is the approximate cost to his Department of making the inquiries into the accuracy of the statements made by the applicants in question?

The fee payable in respect of the grant of a certificate of naturalisation to a woman who was a British subject previously to her marriage to an alien is 5s. In all other cases the fee is £10. The work of making the inquiries and dealing with the applications is carried out by officers who perform many other duties, and no exact estimate of the cost is possible; but I am satisfied that the fee of £10, while it covers the cost, is not excessive.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is able to state the names and the number of canals in England which are owned by railway companies; and whether he is in a position to state if the financial assistance given by certain railway companies to certain canals has saved the latter from becoming derelict?

My hon. Friend will find full information on the points he raises in Volume IV of the Reports and Returns issued by the Royal Commission on Canals, 1906 to 1909. The number of canals in England and Wales owned or controlled by railway companies is about 45. I think it is the case that the money required for the upkeep of some of these canals would not have been forthcoming if the canals had been in independent ownership.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the number of outbreaks per annum of foot-and-mouth disease from the year in which they are first recorded separately to the present

Years. Counties. Outbreaks. Animals attacked. Cattle. Sheep. Swine. Other animals. 1877 … 55 858 5,640 7,405 2,099 — 1878 … 45 235 912 8,609 245 — 1879 … 29 137 261 15,681 5 — 1880 … 38 1,461 20,918 9,572 1,886 2 1881 … 49 4,833 59,484 117,152 6,330 80 1882 … 49 1,970 23,973 11,412 2,564 1 1883 … 75 18,732 219,289 217,492 24,332 32 1884 … 56 949 12,186 14,174 1,860 1 1885 … 10 30 354 34 30 — 1886 … 1 1 10 — — — 1887 … — — — — — — 1888 … — — — — — — 1889 … — — — — — — 1890 … — — — — — — 1891 … — — — — — — 1892 … 15 95 1,248 3,912 107 — 1893 … 2 2 30 — — — 1894 … 3 3 7 261 — — 1895 … — — — — — — 1896 … — — — — — — 1897 … — — — — — — 1898 … — — — — — — 1898 … — — — — — — 1899 … — — — — — — 1900* … 9 21 214 50 2 — 1901 … 3 12 43 626 — — 1902 … 1 1 2 118 — — 1903 … — — — — — — 1904 … — — — — — — 1905 … — — — — — — 1906 … — — — — — — 1907 … — — — — — — 1908 … 1 3 112 — — — 1909 … — — — — — — 1910 … 1 2 13 — 2 — 1911 … 5 19 102 312 73 — 1912 … 16 83 512 40 93 — 1913 … 2 2 73 — — — 1914 … 8 27 141 — 25 — 1915 … 3 56 557 5 140 — 1916 … 1 1 24 — — — 1917 … — — — — — — 1918 … 1 3 14 — — — 1919 … 12 75 †1,548 †1,199 †708 †8 1920 … 22 93 †2,376 †8,283 †l,000 ‡6 1921 … 12 40 778 1,526 387 ‡3 * The figures in 1900 and subsequent years relate to outbreaks confirmed. † Slaughtered as diseased or as having been exposed to infection—the number attacked cannot be stated. ‡ Goats.

day; and what number of cattle, sheep and pigs respectively have been annually affected?

The following statement gives the information required:

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of any calculation that has been made in his Department showing the loss to the postal revenue in consequence of the postage abroad of circulars and other printed matter and of the loss to the Exchequer consequent upon the unemploy- ment in the printing trade caused by the increased postal rates?

As I stated on the 13th instant in reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Sir H. Norman), it is estimated that the loss of revenue due to postings abroad is under £1,000 a month. The second part of the question should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.