asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to restart the Militia?

It is proposed that part of the Militia should be reconstituted this year, but it is not possible at present to name a definite date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Joseph William Alcock, of 20, Lyddon Grove, Garratt Lane, Wandsworth, late private, No. 6135469, East Surrey Regiment, was discharged from the Army on 4th March, 1922, on the grounds of physical unfitness and has since been refused any compensation whatever; that Alcock enlisted in the Army on 11th November, 1921, after full and proper medical examination; that within a short time he was found to be suffering from nephritis and was admitted into the Millbank Hospital; that he became an out-patient there and was finally discharged; and that before enlistment Alcock was healthy and had always been so; whether, if it is alleged that his disability was not caused during Alcock's five months' service in the Army, inquiries will be made as to the adequacy of the medical examination of recruits, seeing the desirability of having only fit men; and will he take steps to have the case inquired into?

This man was discharged on the 4th March, 1922, as no longer physically fit. He had gone to hospital on the 5th December, 1921 (less than a month after joining the Army) and the medical board which examined him prior to discharge reported that his disability was in no way connected with his service in the Army. In these circumstances the Chelsea Commissioners had no power to make any award in his case. Inquiry will be made as to the adequacy of his medical examination on enlistment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many, if any, of the 39 captains promoted to the rank of rear-admiral during the period 1st April, 1920, and 31st March, 1922, retired at their own request on, or shortly after, promotion; and how many, if any, retired within three and six months after promotion?

Fifteen of these officers retired at their own request on or shortly after promotion to rear-admiral, and one at his own request within three months after promotion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now state what is the total sum which has been paid in connection with the four abandoned battleships of last year's programme; and what will be the total amount spent for this Service?

The total payments to the 10th April amounted to£935,218, of which sum all but about£60,000 is in connection with material which will be required in any case for the two new ships to be built in substitution. I am not at present in a position to state what further liability will fall upon the Admiralty, as the negotiations referred to in my reply of 8th March are still proceeding.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, inasmuch as the special list mentioned in Admiralty Monthly Order 3,802/18 and the appointments in connection therewith have now been in existence for rather more than three years, and the allowance for which has now been embodied in King's Regulations, 13, Appendix I, and that schoolmasters have been continuously carrying out the duties of these appointments, he will now cause steps to be taken to ensure that such officers are paid the special list allowance of 1s. per day as from the date of its institution, observing that the advance course mentioned in the same Order has never materialised, and that these officers are doing the work notwithstanding the fact that they are still prevented from passing the advanced course?

The special allowance referred to has been under consideration in conjunction with revised conditions of pay and promotion for the Schoolmaster Branch. It is hoped to make an announcement on this subject shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will furnish a statement showing the pay and emoluments received by the naval officers who are employed on the Naval Board of Management of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes; whether such pay and emoluments are borne from public funds or by the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes; and to what branches of the Royal Navy such officers belong?

The only naval officer on the board of Management of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes is a paymaster captain, who will shortly be relieved by a paymaster commander. The emoluments of the paymaster captain are: £ s. d. Full pay of rank, which is paid out of Navy Votes 1,003 15 0 Allowance for lodging, subsistence, and servants, which is paid by Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes 220 0 0

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been drawn to the case of C. Bennett, 6, Royal Terrace, Hebburn-on-Tyne, whose appeal was disallowed by the pensions appeal tribunal on the ground that it was neither attributable to nor aggravated by War service; whether he is aware that this man served over four years during the War and was passed medically fit on enlistment; that he has only been able to work nine weeks since his discharge owing to the nature of his complaint; and that he states that the medical evidence submitted to the board was not correct; and whether, in view of these facts, he will have inquiries made into the matter and the case reheard?

The full facts of this case were placed before the tribunal whose decision is final and binding on both the man and the Ministry. My right hon. Friend has no power to reopen the case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, since the decision of attributability or aggravation of dis- ability by War service, in the cases of post-War naval invalids, is now a matter for the Admiralty, he will, in view of the recent termination of the Great War, recommend that all cases of invaliding for the next 12 months, at least, shall be automatically reviewed by his Department?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to accede to the hon. Member's request. Arrangements have been made under which the origin of the man's disability will be enquired into by Naval medical boards, and when the man claims that his condition is due to service in the Great War his case will be considered by the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Higgins, widow of the late Driver T. W. Higgins, of the Royal Army Service Corps; whether he is aware that she was married before her husband's discharge from the Army; that the disability from which he died was due to service; whether his being alleged to have suffered from that disability before the marriage disqualifies the widow from obtaining a pension; if so, under what Regulations; and, if so, whether he will, in view of the obvious hardships caused by the Regulation in this and similar cases, take the necessary steps towards getting it modified?

Marriage having taken place after the soldier's removal from duty for the disability which caused his death, the widow is excluded from the benefits of the Royal Warrant under the definition of "widow" in Article 24 (2). This restriction has been generally accepted as reasonable, and I am not prepared to recommend any amendment of the Warrant in the sense suggested.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the contradictory statements prevalent in responsible quarters as to the number of houses needed to meet the existing shortage, he will call upon local authorities to make a fresh return as to the houses required in their respective areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Myers) on this subject on the 29th March.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the serious state of overcrowding in the area covered by the Hinckley Rural District Council, where two families are occupying small houses, necessitating small children sleeping on the floor downstairs; whether he purposes taking any steps to remove this state of things;

(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the Barwell, Leicestershire Parish Council that there are in that area five cases of three families living in one house, and 72 cases of two families living in one house; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of things;

(3) whether, in view of the bad housing conditions in the area of the Hinckley Rural District Council, where houses judged to be unfit for human habitation cannot be closed owing to the great shortage of houses, he will take steps to secure the completion of the further 20 houses asked for by the authority in the Barwell area; and will he have an inquiry made with a view to other houses being erected to meet the needs of the people in the district?

I am aware of the housing position in the Hinckley rural district. In addition to the 180 houses which have been built, or are in course of erection, in the district under the Assisted Scheme, I have authorised the council to obtain tenders for the erection of a further six houses in the parish of Barwell.

asked the Minister of Health the aggregate number of cases in which he has sanctioned the charging of reduced rents for houses built by local authorities and with the Government subsidy; what is the principle on which his Department proceeds in giving this sanction; and whether the reduction means any increase in the financial liability of the State?

Up to the present time, I have agreed to a reduction of rents already fixed in 131 cases. Such reductions receive my sanction only where it is clearly demonstrated that the rents originally charged by the local authority were excessive. There is no doubt that a general reduction in the rents charged by a local authority increases the Exchequer liability, but it is difficult to say precisely what effect on Exchequer subsidy any particular reduction has, as to some extent it depends on the amount of rent actually collected.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the reconstitution of the standing committees of the General Nursing Council expert nurses have been taken off and lay-women of title with no knowledge of nursing, education, or registration have been elected in their places; and whether he will make representations as to the desirability of replacing upon the Education Committee a representative fever nurse?

The nurse members of the Council seem to me to be fairly represented on the new committees, and I must demur most strongly to the hon. Member's reference to two ladies who have given much time to the work of the Council during the past two years. Of the nurse members who have ceased to serve on the Registration and Education Committees, the only one now in active practice represented fever nursing, and I find that this branch of nursing is already represented on both Committees by the Superintendent of an important fever hospital. The appointment of committees is wholly within the discretion of the Council, and I do not propose to adopt the course suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the matter of dealings with applications for the dis- charge of patients from asylums, the question is decided by the local visiting committees sitting fortnightly at the asylum and in touch with its inmates, or whether any influence is exercised in this respect by the central London County Council committee sitting at Arundel Street; and what are the functions pertaining to the latter body?

Under the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1915, all the duties of a visiting committee under the Lunacy Acts, 1890 to 1911, in respect of the County of London, are transferred to the London County Council, but stand referred to the Asylums and Mental Deficiency Committee which meets, not at Arundel Street, but at Spring Gardens. All applications for the discharge of patients from the London County Mental hospitals are considered and dealt with at each hospital by the members of visiting sub-committees appointed by the Asylums and Mental Deficiency Committee for the management of that hospital, and by them alone.

TOTAL RECEIPTS BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES. —— Year ended 31st March. 1919. 1920. 1921. £ £ £ (approximate). (estimated). (i) From rates 84,700,000 105,590,000 148,750,000 (ii) From Government grants (including grants out of the Local Taxation Account). 28,900,000 48,280,000 62,450,000 (iii) From other sources not being loans 81,200,000 104,390,000 Information not yet available. (iv) Total receipts other than from loans 194,800,000 258,260,000

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to give effect to the recommendations of Lord Newton's Departmental Committee on coal-smoke abatement?

Yes, Sir. A Bill is being prepared, but I cannot yet say whether it will be possible to find time for its introduction.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has laid down any Rule or Regulation as to the provision of clothes for casual visitors to the workhouse?

Yes, Sir. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the Regulation in question.

asked the Minister of Health the total receipts by local authorities in England and Wales, separating the amounts received from rates, and the amounts received from Government grants, for each of the three years ending 31st March, 1919, 1920, and 1921?

The following statement gives the information desired as far as it is available:

asked the President of the Board of Education what legislation, if any, will be necessary in connection with the proposed contributions of teachers to the superannuation fund; and, prospectively, on what date will such contributions begin?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, before putting into operation and enforcing the proposed economies suggested by the Geddes Committee, as modified by the Cabinet, in relation to the cost of education, he will consider the desirability of appointing a Select Committee before whom the teachers' views may be placed, and who may report to Parliament; and whether, if, in view of the serious financial position of the country, it is considered necessary to put these recommendations into effect without delay, he will give an undertaking that the position will be reviewed at the earliest possible opportunity?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 27th March to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. T. Griffiths). As regards the last part of the question, the hon. Member may certainly assume that the position will be reviewed if the financial position of the country improves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to give the names of the members of the Committee which is to investigate the method of making grants to local education authorities?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet in a position to announce the composition of the Committee, but he hopes to be able to do so after the Recess.

asked the President of the Board of Education the cost or approximate cost to the Board of Education of the education of blind and deaf children under the Act of 1893 during the last financial year, and the number of such children in residential schools and in day schools, respectively, during the same year?

Complete returns as to the number of blind and deaf children in certified special schools, and of the cost of their education for the year ended on 31st March, 1922, have not yet been received by the Board. The number of children in certified special schools for blind and deaf children during the year ended 31st March, 1920, the latest year for which complete figures are available, was as follows: —— Number of children in Residential Schools. Number of children in Day. Schools. Schools for the Blind. 1,424 1,520 Schools for the Deaf. 2,465 1,583

Allowing for a small increase in these figures, and using the last available figure for the average cost per child in these schools, it is estimated that the cost to the Board of educating these children in the last financial year was, approximately, as follows: £ Blind children … … 85,000 Deaf children … … 135,000

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received an application for an order under the Safeguarding of Industries Act to impose a duty of 33⅓ on imported heavy leather goods; whether, after several months' delay, the application has now been withdrawn; and, if so, on what grounds?

I doubt the desirability of giving information regarding the nature or scope of any particular complaint unless such complaint is referred to a Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that grave injustice is caused to importers who have paid duty on articles upon which no duty should have been payable, and that such importers are severely prejudiced as against other importers whose goods now come in free of duty; and, as this arises through no fault on the part of the importers penalised, is he prepared to take steps to give redress?

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to cases arising under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, and I would refer (him to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough East (Colonel P. Williams) on 3rd April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had an opportunity of perusing the pamphlet giving the full reports of the decision of the Referee, appointed under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, relating to santonin, cream of tartar, and sugar of milk; whether he realises the disturbance to trade occasioned by these prolonged hearings, the uncertainties as to the result, and also the position of traders who hold stocks upon which duties have been paid as against those who can now obtain their stocks without payment of such duties; can he state what technical advice his Department took before inserting these commodities in the dutiable list; and, in view of the very large number of substances whose inclusion is challenged by the trade, will the Board of Trade obtain further technical advice to ascertain if some other procedure could be devised to avoid the present costly and prolonged proceedings?

I am aware of the judgments of the Referee regarding the articles mentioned. The hearings before him in two out of the three cases could hardly, I think, be described as prolonged, but there is naturally some temporary disturbance to trade and uncertainty in connection with such cases. The Board obtained technical advice from the Government Laboratory, the Patent Office, and other sources, and the relatively small number of complaints to be dealt with by the Referee seems to indicate that the lists of commodities which they issued were based on adequate technical information. There seems to be no occasion for adopting the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the German Government are granting fees to the German consulates in Russia for securing Russian orders for German markets; whether this has resulted advantageously to both countries; if so, is he prepared to communicate and confer with the British consuls in Russia as to what method should be adopted to counteract such policy; and if he will consider the adoption of some similar or alternative scheme in order to increase British trade with that country?

I have no information on this subject, but if the hon. Member will give me further particulars I will make inquiries. There are at present no British Consuls in Russia, but only official agents appointed under the Trade Agreement. I am not, as at present advised, disposed to think that a system of the kind suggested would prove desirable in practice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the refusal to grant a licence for the importation from Germany of certain dyes used for tinting and colouring cinematograph films is driving the industry abroad to those countries where German dyes are readily procurable; and will he inquire into this matter?

I understand that some manufacturers of cinematograph films in this country are utilising British dyestuffs for tinting and colouring purposes, with satisfactory results. But, as I have already informed the hon. Member by letter, the attention of the British dye-makers has been drawn to the question of the requirements of British film-makers, and it would be well for them to furnish the dye-makers with specific statements as to the precise respects in which, in their opinion, the British-made dyes appear to them to be unsatisfactory.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the amount of advances under the exports credits scheme which have been advanced for the 12 months ending 31st March, 1922?

The amount of advances made during the year ending 31st March, 1922, is£1,078,109. During the same period applications for guarantees were sanctioned to the value of£8,572,629. Of this sum, guarantees have actually been given for£686,520. As regards the balance, the drafts have not yet come forward.

asked the Postmaster-General what number of women clerks at the Post Office Savings Bank were absent through illness during the month of December, 1921; how many of these clerks applied for exemption from overtime on medical grounds on their return; and how many wore granted exemption on medical grounds and otherwise?

I am having inquiry made and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster - General whether, seeing that 10 months' compulsory overtime was required during the last 12 months, the position at the Post Office Savings Bank as regards arrears of work is any better than it was at this time last year; and, if not, what steps are being taken to cope with the situation?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that progress has been made in clearing off the arrears of work, and that, although the process is necessarily somewhat slow, the position in this respect is appreciably better than it was twelve months ago. No efforts will be spared to clear off the arrears at the earliest possible date.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any official figures are available which show the effect of night work and irregular hours of attendance on the health of the staff of sorters in the Post Office; whether in practice it is found that the late evening and night duties lead to a higher average sick rate that is the case with the clerks who attend during ordinary business hours; and whether, if no published figures are available, he will supply a brief summary giving this information?

I am having inquiry made, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General when it is proposed to put into force the reorganising and regrading scheme of the Post Office engineer chief's office, which was agreed to on the 20th December last between the official and staff sides of the Departmental Whitley Council?

I hope that it will be possible to carry out the reorganisation in the near future, but I cannot at this stage fix a definite date. Certain details of the scheme are still, under discussion with the Treasury.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is taking any steps to comply with the request for installation of telegraph and telephone facilities at the post office in Elham, Kent; whether he is aware that the delivery of telegrams from Elham Railway Station has been discontinued, and that telegrams now have to be sent from Lyminge, a distance of over two miles, for which delivery fees are charged; whether a promise was given in 1919 that, when war conditions had been removed, consideration should be given to the supply of the facilities asked for at Elham; and whether he can now say that the telegraph and telephone will be installed there as soon as possible?

The delivery of telegrams from Elham Railway Station was withdrawn at the instance of the railway company, who were unable to provide the necessary messenger service. I am reconsidering the question of extending telegraph and telephone facilities to the sub-post office at Elham, but I am afraid that the cost will be heavy, and that a substantial guarantee against loss will be required. Delivery fees are not chargeable for telegrams delivered at addresses within three miles of the delivery office.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can hold out any hope of instituting in this country, for the convenience of telephone users, a system of reversal of trunk telephone charges, such as has been in force in the United States of America for the past 15 years?

I understand that the arrangement referred to is in operation in the United States only in connection with "person to person" calls. It has not been practicable as yet to introduce a service of "person to person" calls in this country, but when the numerous trunk lines now in course of construction are completed further consideration will be given to the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the great injustice which occurs through the working of the system of calculating the rate of exchange, upon which the income from foreign possessions is assessed on the mean rate for each of the three years of average, having regard to the phenomenal drop in the exchange in so many instances; that a retired Indian official, for example, would be compelled to pay on income now received from India at an exchange of 1s. 3d. tax calculated on the income he spent in past years in India at an exchange ranging up to double that rate; and that this position is still further aggravated in the case of income derived from many Continental countries, so that in many cases the tax payable greatly exceeds the income for the year; and whether, in order to effect a more equitable method, he would be prepared, by means of legislation, to strike the average in the foreign currency and to convert that average into sterling at the rate ruling on the first day of the year of charge, having regard to the fact that the Income Tax Acts do not deal specifically with this point?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given on the subject to the hon. Member for Finsbury (Lieut.-Colonel Archer-Shee) on the 14th and 23rd June, 1921. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend copies of those answers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury Minute authorising the Bank of England to make a public issue under the Trade Facilities Act will allow the borrowers latitude in the selection of such brokers as could place the issue on the most advantageous terms, or whether it is the intention of the Government to confine the issue to the Government broker?

The Bank of England will naturally employ the Government broker, but every endeavour will be made to place each issue on the most advantageous terms.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the first class clerks in the Ministry of Health who have been removed from work in the Navy and Army Fund, now performed by higher clerical and lower executive officers, and who have been assimilated to the lower clerical grade, will require a promotion to become lower executive or higher clerical officers; and, if so, whether there is any other case where an officer requires a promotion to continue on work considered proper to his or her grade for the last five years?

As regards the Ministry of Health, I would refer the hon. and gallant Members to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the hon. Member for Chelsea (Sir S. Hoare) on the 2nd and 27th June last. Transfer of lower clerical officers to higher clerical or executive posts on reorganisation depends on this, as in other cases, on the allocation of such officers to vacancies in the reorganised complements. The last part of the question does not appear therefore to arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a first class woman clerk now assimilated lower clerical will require a promotion before she is appointed to the lower executive grade; if so, whether he will explain why this condition has been made, in view of the provisions of paragraph 67 of the Reorganisation Report, which provides for the transfer of women clerks to that grade; and whether in any other case covered by the Report the word transfer has been interpreted as referring to assimilation on a lower grade, with subsequent promotion if there were any vacancies in the grade to which the transfer was to be effected?

Transfer to the executive class of a woman clerk assimilated to the clerical class will depend on the allocation to her of an executive post in the reorganisation complement. This is in accordance with paragraph 67 of the Reorganisation Report which provides that women clerks not transferred to the executive class will be appointed to the clerical class. In the case of a number of other classes, further advancement, in addition to the increase, if any, granted on assimilation, similarly depends on the existence of vacancies) in the new complements.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, as a consequence of the reorganisation of the work of the Public Trustee Office, lower clerical men as well as women are redundant in their own sections, but that only the women are being transferred from the Department, work in other sections being found for the lower clerical men; and whether the principles of the Lytton Committee are being loyally carried out in this and other respects?

No permanent male officers were redundant to the Public Trustee's Department as a whole, nor was any permanent female clerk declared redundant until all the temporary women clerks had either been discharged or given notice of discharge. I am not aware of any reason for supposing that the principles of the Lytton Report are not being carried out in this Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any redundant second division clerks, have been asked to complete a transfer form similar to that which the redundant lower clerical women at the Public Trustee Office are being required to sign?

The answer is in the negative. The form which was intended for applications for voluntary transfer is not appropriate to the case of transfer of redundant officers, and its use in connection with the transfers from the Public Trustee's Office was due to a misunderstanding.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Employment Exchange officials are on the permanent staff; how many are temporary; what salaries are paid to the temporary officials; and what are the conditions under which their engagements may be terminated?

There are 4,168 permanent officers and 8,582 temporary officers in the provincial offices of the Employment and Insurance Department. The rates of salary of the temporary officers are fixed according to the town in which the officers are employed. In the case of male clerks they vary from a maximum of£5 a week in London to a minimum of 61s. a week in the provinces, and in the case of women clerks from a maximum of 72s. a week in London to a minimum of 44s. a week in the provinces. The appointments of 2,310 of the-temporary officers are liable to one month's notice of termination on either side; the remaining 6,272 are employed on a casual basis, subject to one week's notice of termination.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what grounds compensation was refused to Miss Ellen Ringsell, who was injured in an air-raid explosion in a Southwark factory in 1917 and who is still incapacitated from following her employment; and whether further inquiries will be made with a view to avoiding a possible miscarriage of justice 1

Since the air raid in question, which took place in June, 1917, Miss Ringsell has for long periods earned in regular employment more than she earned before the raid. The case has been investigated repeatedly and has not been found one suitable for assistance from the Vote for the Ministry of Health. I see no sufficient reason for re-opening the decision.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the various friendly societies are strongly protesting against the introduction of the charge of 10s. for each annual financial return sent to the Chief Registrar, and a like sum for each valuation return; and if he will take action in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the question put by the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson) on the 30th ultimo.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the combine formed by the firms controlling the importation of South American meat into this country to restrict the quantity of these imports with the object of raising prices; and whether he will be able in any way to stimulate home production with a view to benefiting both the British farmer and the consumer?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Gilbert). I cannot add anything to this reply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any objections have been lodged by agricultural ratepayers in connection with the Welland drainage scheme; whether the local inquiry into the scheme was conducted by the gentleman who was responsible for the drafting of it; what other drainage schemes have been prepared by the same individual; and how many of them are likely to be put into operation, stating the approximate cost to the taxpayers and to the ratepayers in each case?

1. Memorials have been presented by owners of approximately 5,000 acres of agricultural land out of the 100,000 acres affected by the Order, which will consequently have to be submitted to Parliament for confirmation.

2. The Commissioner who held the public inquiry was responsible to my predecessor for the preparation of the original draft of the Order, but his responsibility in the matter ceased about 18 months before the draft Order was first deposited, when he ceased to be a whole-time officer of the Ministry.

3. Numerous Drainage Orders were prepared while this officer was in charge of the Ministry's drainage administration, and have since become law. Two Orders have, however, been dropped, namely, the Loddon and Blackwater Order and the Yorkshire Ouse Order, owing to other action being taken locally, while two further Orders, namely, the Welland and the East Norfolk Rivers, will, I hope, become law during the present Session. These Orders are being proceeded with in response to petitions or requests received from county councils and other public bodies.

4. The preparation and making of Orders involves no ultimate charge on public funds beyond the cost of such staff as the Ministry is bound to maintain for the performance of its statutory duties under the Land Drainage Acts.

5. The cost to the ratepayers arising out of the operation of any Order cannot be stated, as it is entirely within the discretion of the Drainage Board, who have a free hand in that respect, subject to the sanction of the Ministry being obtained to any borrowing on the security of the rates which they are empowered to levy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to the percentage of unemployment which at present exists in agriculture; and, if not, whether, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, his Department will inquire into the question?

No official statistics exist as to the percentage of unemployment in agriculture, but I have no reason to suppose that the proportion of regular agricultural labourers who are unable to find employment is abnormal at the present time, though, owing to the existence of unemployment in other industries, casual workers are in excess of the demand. General inquiries in regard to this subject are made by my Department from time to time, but an inquiry which would show accurately the percentage of unemployment would present great difficulties, and I do not think the expense involved would be justified.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men who have been working short time in the engineering trade and drawing unemployment benefit for the alternate weeks during which they were unemployed have been notified that those men who went on short time after 6th March have to have their unemployment benefit stopped pending a settlement of the engineers' lockout; whether he can state if this action is taken by the local Exchanges on the instructions of the Ministry of Labour; and, if so, what are the reasons that have led to such instructions being issued?

As indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 5th April, workers previously on short time, who lost their employment owing to a stoppage due to a dispute at their place of employment, are disqualified for unemployment benefit in accordance with decisions given given in similar cases by the Umpire. Such cases are referred to the Insurance Officer under the standing instructions given to the Exchanges. It is of course open to the applicant or his trade union to appeal against the disallowance in any particular case.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Thomas Jackson, a man in receipt of unemployment dole, who attempted to save a young girl whose clothing was in flames and thereby incapacitated himself temporarily for work; whether Jackson has been refused unemployment benefit, but was referred by the Employment Exchange official to the National Health Insurance people, who also declined to recognise his eligibility to receive health insurance benefit; and whether, in view of the circumstances in which this man acted with great promptitude, he is prepared to waive any techni- cal regulation which is calculated to prevent this man drawing his allowance?

There was no interruption in the payment of benefit in this case. The facts were given in my reply to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. W. Thorne) on Thursday last. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that men who are working short time are being denied an extended period of State unemployment benefit; whether the officials of the Employment Exchanges are acting upon instructions from the Ministry of Labour; whether he can state the reasons for this action;

(2) whether he is aware that Employment Exchanges are intimating to single men who are living at home with their parents that they are not entitled to the extended allotment of State unemployment benefit; whether the Employment Exchange officials are acting upon the instructions of the Minister of Labour; and, if so, whether he can state the reasons that have led to the issue of such instructions?

For reasons which I have explained to the House, the conditions laid down by me for the six weeks' extension of benefit—that is to say, uncovenanted or free benefit—limit the grant of this benefit in the case of short-time workers and single men and women, amongst other classes. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the further instructions issued last Saturday with regard to boys and girls and to single men and women. In the case of short-time workers, the local employment committees are asked to pay careful regard to the average weekly earnings, and not, as a rule, to recommend the extension of benefit to short-time workers who are earning on the average half or more than half the normal earnings for a full week.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make it clear in the Unemployment Insurance Regulations that the younger brother or sister of an unemployed person is to be allowed the dependants' grant as an adopted child when dependant upon such unemployed person?

There is no doubt that, if otherwise eligible, a younger brother or sister, if formally adopted, is entitled to the dependants' grant. The existing Regulations make that clear.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received information as to the congestion at the Employment Exchange at Goswell Road; whether he is aware that unemployed men, poorly clad, ill-shod, and half-starved have to wait an hour and sometimes two hours in the street in all sorts of weather, and that on Friday last one man dropped dead and another was carried off in a swoon; and whether he will take whatever steps are necessary to prevent such incidents in future?

On Friday last, I greatly regret to say, a man dropped dead before 9 a.m. He was 75 years of age. The Exchange does not open till 9 o'clock. Normally there is no delay. There are two pay days (Thursday and Friday), and all applicants are timed half-hourly and dealt with at their proper times. Last week, owing to the introduction of the new Act and additional signatures required, there was some delay, the maximum delay being from 50 minutes to one hour. It is not anticipated that there will be any delay this week, or in future.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of trade unions who are acting as distributing authorities under Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920; the amount of unemployment benefit distributed by the Ministry of Labour and the unions, respectively; the amount the unions have received by way of remuneration for their services; and how the cost of distribution by them compares with the cost of distribution by the Ministry itself?

The number of trade unions and other associations who are acting as distributing authorities under Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, is at present 170. In the period 8th November, 1920, to 18th March, 1922, the amount of unemploy- ment benefit paid direct to applicants by Employment Exchanges was about£61,000,000, and the amount paid through trade unions and other associations was about£9,500,000, while the sum of£560,000 was paid to these trade unions or other associations by way of remuneration for their services. The data necessary to make a precise comparison of the kind suggested in the last part of the question could not be obtained without a laborious and costly investigation, but I may say that the total administrative cost to the Department itself for each week of benefit paid through a trade union or other association, exclusive of the payment made to these bodies, is probably at least as great as if the benefit were paid direct. In view of this and other considerations the scale of payment to these, bodies is now being revised.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is a controversy between the Ministry and the clerk to the Ledbury Union as to whether application forms for exemption from the Unemployment Insurance Act of 1920 were despatched by the Ministry to the clerk in December, 1920; whether he is aware that the clerk maintains that on the 10th February, 1921, he sent a form of application for exemption to the Ministry; whether the Ministry acknowledged this letter by postcard; whether on the 22nd March, 1921, the Ministry wrote saying that there was no trace of the receipt of the application forwarded on the 10th February, 1921; and, seeing that the Ministry have no trace of an application which they had previously acknowledged, showing inaccuracy and lack of business methods, whether he will take this into account in assessing evidence as to the despatch of the form in 1920 and grant the application for exemption of the union officials as from the date when the clerk first wrote for the form?

The facts in this case are as follow. The clerk to the Ledbury Union applied for forms of application for exception from Unemployment Insurance on 6th December, 1920. These forms were sent by the Ministry on 10th December, 1920, but no application for exception was in fact made by the union at that time. On 30th December, 1921, owing to a visit by an inspector, the Ministry wrote to the clerk pointing out that contributions are payable up to the date of issue of a certificate of exception, and enclosing further copies of the form of application for such a certificate. In reply the clerk stated that he had made application for a certificate of exception or for forms of application on 6th December, 1920, and claimed that contributions should only be payable up to that date. Further correspondence followed, and a formal application for exception was made by the clerk on 10th February, 1922 (not 10th February, 1921, as stated in the question) which was unfortunately mislaid by the Department for a time. It should be observed that the whole of the correspondence, apart from the original request for forms of application, has taken place between 30th December last and the present date. The clerk to the union bases his claim on the ground that the forms of application were not received by him in December, 1920. Strictly speaking, this does not absolve him from his responsibility for securing a certificate of exception, but in all the circumstances I have decided that a certificate may be issued with effect from 6th December, 1920, provided, of course, it is found on inquiry that the conditions for the grant of a certificate are in fact satisfied.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the advisability of setting up a court of inquiry under the Industrial Courts Act, Part II, with a view to avoiding the dislocation of trade and the suffering involved by the prolongation of the present industrial dispute?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the disputes in the engineering and shipbuilding trades. In the case of the former, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Pennefather), a copy of which I am sending to him. In the case of the latter, an informal meeting between the parties took place last Friday, at which the whole position was, I understand, discussed. Representatives of the trade unions reported to me last evening the result of their consideration of the points raised at that meeting, and I have invited representa- tives of the employers to meet me to-day. I do not think that it would be advisable in these circumstances to make a statement now as to the action to be taken.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the resignation of Councillor Lawrence Flood from the; Ministry of Labour Committee in Manchester, accompanied by a protest against the Establishment Branch of the Department giving posts in Employment Exchanges to persons who have retired from business, whilst ex-service men are out of employment; and whether he will inquire into this matter with a view to removing the cause of the protest if well-founded?

I understand that a letter of resignation in these terms was under consideration at the last meeting of the Manchester and District Local Employment Committee on the 3rd April, and that the chairman of the committee is seeing Councillor Flood with a view to obtaining from him precise particulars of the cases to which he wishes to draw attention. I will communicate, the result, to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will state for each of the years 1919, 1920 and 1921, the acreage under poppy cultivation in India, the total amount of raw opium produced, the quantity exported, and the revenue derived by the Indian Government from opium?

The following are the latest revised figures: The area under poppy cultivation in British India was 177,124 acres in 1918–19; 163,125 acres in 1919–20, and is estimated at 143,750 acres for the year 1920–21. The area under cultivation in the Indian States has been estimated at 24,871 acres in 1918–19 and 56,934 in 1919–20. In neither case are total figures available for any later period. The total amount of raw opium produced from the area under cultivation in British India was 2,247,081 lbs. in 1918–19; 1,876,114 lbs. in 1919–20, and is estimated at 1,645,714 lbs. in 1920–21. No information is available regarding the total production of the Indian States. The amount of raw opium exported from British India was 14,828 chests in 1918–19, and 10,509 in 1919–20. The gross revenue derived by the Central Government from opium was£3,289,111 in 1918–19;£3,037,480 in 1919–20, and is estimated at£2,415,466 in 1920–21.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if, in pursuance of the Secretary of State's despatch of the 9th February, it will now be open to any member of the Indian Civil Service who applies after 31st March, 1924, to retire on proportionate pension, or whether that right is still to be understood as ceasing on the 31st March, 1924; and, in the latter case, will he re-open the whole question, with a view of relieving the serious anxiety as to their future which prevails in the Service, and has been in no degree removed by the despatch of 9th February?

The despatch of the 9th February was intended to correct certain misapprehensions, and especially the erroneous idea that an officer who did not voluntarily retire before the 31st March, 1924, would by the terms of the Government of India's Resolution be debarred from any compensation if compulsorily retired after that date. It did not attempt to settle the question whether officers who wish to retire in consequence of the changes introduced by the Act of 1919 and now in operation should be allowed a longer time for decision than is afforded by the Resolution. My Noble Friend realises the uncertainty that exists on this point, and will announce his decision as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has received any information showing that the Gandhi agitation has been popularised with the promise that no taxes need be paid under Gandhi's rule; and, if so, what steps have been taken to deal with this propaganda?

The refusal to pay revenue has throughout been a leading feature in the programme of mass civil disobedience advocated by the non-co-operators, and some adherents of the doctrine have certainly held out hopes that the attainment of Swaraj would bring freedom from taxation. The most effective steps to show that these teachings are illusory have been the measures taken in those areas where land revenue was being withheld to enforce payment. The latest reports show that in all of them revenue collections are now better than usual.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Grand Orange Hall, in Dublin, which was forcibly entered and taken possession of some days ago by armed men, has yet been restored to its owners; whether the caretaker was taken prisoner; if so, whether he has yet been set at liberty; and, if not, what steps it is proposed to take to secure this man's release?

I am informed that this building has not yet been restored to its owners, but that the caretaker has been released.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a motor van belonging to Messrs. Lindsay, Brothers, Limited, of Belfast, valued at£1,050, containing samples valued at£620, was held up on the public road between Kilkelly, county Mayo, and Ballaghadereen, county Roscommon; that several shots were fired at the car; that the driver of the van was compelled by armed men to drive it to Kiltimagh, where he was ordered to get down from the car, which was then driven off and has not since been seen; what steps does the Government propose to take to compensate Messrs. Lindsay for the loss of this car; and what steps the Government proposes to take to put an end to cases of highway robbery of this description?

I have brought this outrage to the notice of the Provisional Government. As regards compensation, as I have previously stated, the Provisional Government accept the position that the local authorities are responsible for malicious injuries in Ireland as from the date of the Truce, namely, 11th July last. In reply to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the Noble Lord the Member for Finchley on the 10th instant.

THE QUANTITIES and declared values of milk in various forms registered during the three months January to March, 1922, as imported into the United Kingdom distinguishing the principal countries from which the goods were consigned. Countries whence Consigned. Non-Dutiable. Dutiable. Milk Cream. Milk condensed, not sweetened. Milk Powder, not sweetened. Milk preserved, other kinds not sweetened. Milk condensed, sweetened, whole. Milk condensed, sweetened, separated or skimmed. I.—QUANTITIES. cwts. cwts. cwts. cwts. cwts. cwts. Norway … 1,179 26 — — 18,743 6,695 Denmark … 97 4,726 1,205 12 6,194 69,245 Netherlands … 398 296 1,629 288 45,533 199,818 France … — 661 400 1 2,249 — Switzerland … — 40 1 1 20,030 226 U.S. of America … — 38,153 1,688 349 14,141 188 Australia … — — 7,126 7,413 20,326 — New Zealand … — — 17,498 56,081 1,266 — Canada … — 3,473 508 — 16,770 2,058 Other Countries … — 11 1,490 — 1,681 — TOTAL … 1,674 47,386 31,545 64,145 146,933 278,230 II.—VALUES. £ £ £ £ £ £ Norway … 11,901 93 — — 101,303 24,624 Denmark … 446 11,289 8,435 70 21,845 190,132 Netherlands … 3,708 1,041 7,980 503 178,481 608,126 France … — 1,723 960 3 12,395 — Switzerland … —. 200 11 2 112,708 1,051 U.S. of America … — 136,836 8,161 905 61,371 734 Australia … — — 43,079 58,700 102,385 — New Zealand … — — 55,071 453,678 5,129 — Canada … — 12,043 1,226 — 74,358 5,086 Other Countries … — 41 10,280 — 6,062 — TOTAL … 16,054 163,266 135,203 513,861 676,037 829,753

NOTE.—These figures are provisional, and subject to slight amendment on final examination of the returns.

During the period to which the statement relates no imports were registered of ( a ) Milk, Fresh; ( b ) Milk, condensed, slightly sweetened, whether whole, separated or skimmed; or ( c ) Milk Powder containing added sugar or other sweetening matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the latest available figures of the imports of fresh milk and preserved milk in various forms, showing countries of origin?

The information desired is given in the following statement:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the statement in the Press that the authorities of the Ottoman Public Debt have protested against the sequestration by the Hellenes of the funds in the coffers of the public debt administration in the regions under Hellenic occupation; and, if so, what steps will be taken to compel the Greek Government to refund the money taken by them?

I have not seen the statement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but the question is clearly one which will have to be dealt with in the final Treaty of Peace.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what respect the legal status of Egyptians has been changed by the recent proclamation of Egyptian independence; whether they are still amenable to martial law imposed by the High Commissioner; and, if not, under what authority Zaghloul Pasha is now detained in the Seychelles?

Egyptians have ceased to be British protected persons, but until martial law is withdrawn in the manner prescribed in the Declaration to Egypt, it remains applicable to all inhabitants of that country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is the intention that the new British gendarmerie recruited for Palestine shall take the place of the present Army of Occupation, or is it to be a supplementary force to keep order; and will he consider, in order to preserve the rights of the Palestiners, some arrangement by which the rank and file of the gendarmerie should be recruited from the local population with British officers in command?

The functions of the new British gendarmerie will be to maintain order. Its presence will enable the Army of Occupation to be reduced in strength. There is already in existence in Palestine a local gendarmerie of similar functions and status. This force is recruited entirely from the inhabitants of the country and is commanded by Regular officers of the Army. In these circumstances the second part of the hon. Member's question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the case of Dr. J. M. Colles, until lately Registrar in Lunacy in Dublin; and what security Dr. Colles will have for the continued payment of his pension now that the Lunacy Fund upon which the pension is charged has been transferred to the control of the Provisional Government?

Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to this case, and in the improbable event of Dr. Colles' pension not being paid by reason of any neglect or default on the part of the Provisional Government or of the Government of the Irish Free State he would be entitled to rely upon the assurance given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal in their House on the 19th of December.

asked the Home Secretary the number of accidents, serious and otherwise, which have recently occurred at the works of the Isle worth Rubber Company, Limited, Middlesex; whether the ambulance room at the works has been converted into a cost office; and, if so, what provision now exists for first-aid treatment?

Thirteen accidents have been reported at these works during the last 12 months. The room referred to has been partitioned, and one part of it is now used as a cost office, but the other part continues to be used for first-aid treatment. It is supplied with first-air requisites and is in charge of a welfare superintendent who has had considerable experience of first-aid work.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that in the instructions issued to members of the constabulary forces throughout the country it is distinctly stated that members of the force are not allowed to be members of any political or secret society, and that this is being construed as applying to registered friendly societies, and members of the constabulary are thereby being compelled to resign their membership; and, if this is so, will he issue instructions to remove this disability?

I am not aware of any case where any Regulation has been misconstrued in the manner suggested; but I shall be glad to make inquiry if my hon. and gallant Friend can furnish me with any particulars.

asked the Home Secretary the number of convictions for murder and manslaughter in England and Wales and Scotland for the period 1st June, 1921, to 25th March, 1922; in how many cases capital punishment was carried out; whether the number is in excess of a previous similar period; and, if so, whether he has been able to arrive at any conclusion as to the probable cause of this increase in capital crime?

During the period 1st June, 1921, to 25th March, 1922, 16 persons were convicted of murder in England and Wales, of whom seven were executed. The figures for the corresponding period ending the 25th March, 1921, were 24 and 12; and for that ending 25th March, 1914, 29 and 17. It will be seen that there has been no increase in capital crime. The figures of convictions for manslaughter cannot be carried up to 25th March last, but in 1921 42 persons were so convicted; in 1920, 55; and in 1913, 63. The figures for Scotland are not yet available.

asked the Home Secretary if any circular has been recently issued to modify what is known as the silence rule in prisons; if so, can he state the number of hospital nurses that have been charged at Parkhurst Prison for allowing patients to break this rule; and whether a fully qualified medical officer or an Army officer is in charge of Parkhurst Prison Hospital?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the circular. As regards the second part, I am informed that one hospital officer at Parkhurst was admonished not long ago for neglect of duty while conversing with a prisoner, but that no other recent cases have occurred. The hospital at Parkhurst is in charge of a fully qualified medical officer, and the whole establishment, including the hospital, is under the control of the Governor.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to grant a certificate of naturalisation in respect of Philip Wise, 13, King's Parade, Fallowfield, Manchester, a resident in this country since he came from Russian Poland 12 years ago, who has been established in business in Fallowfield for over nine years, who rendered voluntary services in the Red Cross Society during the period of the War, and whose application was lodged with the Home Office over three years ago?

The number of applications for naturalisation awaiting consideration is very large, and I cannot say when it will be possible to proceed with that of Philip Wise. It was lodged in August, 1919, not over three years ago.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Alfred Slesher, of 2, Spray's Buildings, Chapel Street, Stratford, Albert Regnier, of 20, Beck Road, Stratford, and John Condon, of 15, Disraeli Road, Forest Gate; whether he is aware that these men were arrested on 26th August, 1921, as suspected persons, loitering with intent to commit a felony, and were detained in custody all night and sentenced next day to hard labour on the evidence of Detective-sergeant Schwabe as follows: Slesher three months, Regnier and Condon each one month; is he aware that Condon appealed to the Quarter Sessions and had his conviction quashed by the Recorder without his lordship calling upon the prisoner or his witnesses; that the Recorder stated that there had been a miscarriage of justice; seeing that Slesher was liberated by order of his Department after serving 62 days of his sentence, as the three men were together at the time of the arrest, is he still satisfied that Slesher and Regnier were guilty of felonious intent; and is he prepared to grant compensation to the three men for wrongful imprisonment?

I have had these facts under my careful consideration, but have come to the conclusion that they do not afford sufficient ground for a grant of money from public funds to the three men concerned.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in the matter of the International Corporation, which is one of the subjects for discussion at the Genoa Conference, the views and recommendations of leading business men in the United States have been asked for or received by the Government or any representative thereof?

The British representatives are in informal communication with business interests in the United States.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a committee to inquire into the whole question of the upkeep and repair of roads, having special regard to the division of responsibility therefor between the State and local authorities, and to the equitable apportionment of the necessary taxation between various classes of road users?

I have been asked to answer this question. The question of the incidence of the cost of the maintenance and repair of public highways was considered by a Committee, over which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary presided and which reported in 1918, and is constantly receiving consideration. I doubt, however, whether the time has come for another formal inquiry.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware that, in the case of Trust No. G.2,088, the Public Trustee, on being asked to accept payment of the principal and interest due from a borrower of the deceased and to hand over certain deeds which had been deposited by way of security, sent the deeds from his office in London to a firm of solicitors at Bromley, who now claim payment of an additional sum for their charges, although no reconveyance or other legal work is required; whether these solicitors usually act for the Public Trustee or any other Government Department; and whether it is the practice for the Public Trustee to employ solicitors to receive moneys and hand over documents in cases where a private trustee would act personally without charge?

I understand that the facts are not sufficiently stated in the question and that legal work was required. The deeds have been handed over by the Public Trustee. The operations in this case were such as to require the employment of a solicitor and the costs demanded were for the preparation of a legal mortgage which the mortgagor agreed to pay. The solicitor employed by the Public Trustee has an office in London and the transaction was carried out there and not at Bromley. The solicitor has no special connection with the office of the Public Trustee or with any other Government Department.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the hobby of photography is forbidden Li the London parks without going through the formality of obtaining a written permission; whether there is any particular reason for this Regulation to continue at the present time; and, if not, whether he will see that it is withdrawn?

The whole question of photography in the Royal parks is under reconsideration.