asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the great importance proved during the War of industry having a greater knowledge of field engineering than was possessed in 1914, he will make arrangements for some, if not all, infantry officers to undergo a course at the School of Military Engineering at Chatham?

Arrangements already exist under which officers of all combatant arms, including infantry, undergo courses at the School of Military Engineering.

asked the Secretary of State for War if officers who wish to retire now, and have not been selected for compulsory retirement, can have the advantages of the recently issued scales of retired pay and compensation?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given yesterday to questions on this subject asked by the hon. and gallant Members for Chertsey (Sir P. Richardson) and Aldershot (Viscount Wolmer).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether men who served as gunners on defensive armed merchant ships are entitled to share any Prize Money on equal terms to men who served on ships of war at sea?

Service in defensively armed merchant ships does not qualify for Prize Money, the award of which is limited to those who served in His Majesty's ships of war and consequently could have had an opportunity of participating in captures resulting in prize proceeds payable to the Prize Fund. This fund is the source of Prize Money, which is not in the nature of a general War gratuity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the firm of Messrs. Thomas Cleeve and Son, whose milk factories in Mallow, Limerick, Kilmalloch, and elsewhere in Munster, have recently been communised, hold contracts for the supply of condensed milk to the Admiralty; and, if so, are the contracts still in force?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the terms under which the various naval stations in Ireland outside Northern Ireland have been handed over to the Provisional Government of Southern Ireland; are the buildings and fortifications to be transferred as a gift; and under what terms have Haulbowline, County Cork, and the defences of Cork Harbour been handed over?

No formal transfers of any of the Admiralty property in Southern Ireland has yet taken place. The coast guard stations, a large number of which are held on lease, have been, or are being handed over to representatives of the Provisional Government, together with all their liabilities as from 1st April, 1922, subject to a formal transfer being arranged later. The question of the terms for the transfer of Haulbowline are now under consideration. The fortifications connected with the defences of Cork do not concern the Admiralty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the total number of men employed at the Royal Naval Cordite Factory at Holton Heath; what number of disabled men this includes and what number of fit ex-service men; and whether it is their Lordships' intention to retain any non-ex-service men so long as ex-service men are being discharged?

The total number of men employed at Holton Heath Cordite Factory is 537. Of these, 68 are disabled men and 115 non-disabled ex-service men. No further discharges are being carried out at the present time, but efforts are being made to substitute ex-service men where practicable for non-service men on work which is not of a specially skilled character. I may add that the matter has been discussed with representatives of the British Legion who have expressed agreement with the steps which the Admiralty are taking as regards substitution.

asked the Secretary of State for War why an officer wounded, and for that reason placed on retired pay four months before hostilities ceased, should receive only £120 per annum service retired pay, whereas had he not been wounded he would have received £150 per annum service retired pay; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is looking into the matter in connection with the individual case which I understand from a communication received this morning my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind and will communicate with him at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the wound pension awarded by the medical appeal board to Lieut.-Colonel C. M. G. Rudkin, D.S.O., in May, 1919, has now been stopped, although Colonel Rudkin considers that he has had no opportunity of having his case reconsidered by a further medical appeal board; and will he make inquiries?

The withdrawal of this officer's wound pension followed the considered opinion of my medical advisers, formed after a period of hospital observation and an examination by a board of selected specialists, that the existing disability is not due to the wound. Colonel Rudkin has, however, been informed that, if he so desires, he will be given an opportunity of being reexamined by a Special Wounds Board after a further period of hospital observation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the complaints of ex-service men regarding the way in which paragraph 37 of the third interim Report of the Lytton Committee is being interpreted by heads of public Departments; whether in many cases they have applied to the Civil Service Commission for permission for ex-service men who have failed by a few marks in examinations, frequently due to their ill-health arising from war disablement, to appear before an investigating board, merely because they had a doubt whether the men would be able for the whole of the duties of the clerical class; whether appearance before a board of investigation has been granted to numerous men who actually obtained fewer marks in examinations than the men who have been refused such appearance; and whether, in view of the desirability that disabled ex-service men should not be exposed to this risk of departmental error and anomaly, he will direct that in all cases where the men can present a fair case as to their disablement and qualifications they shall have access to such boards?

I am satisfied that the paragraph referred to is being interpreted in the manner intended by the Lytton Committee, who recommended that applications to appear before the investigating board should be submitted by heads of Departments only in respect of candidates who, in their opinion, were specially competent to carry out the whole of the duties likely to he required of members of the clerical class, and whom they were prepared to employ, if declared successful, in their own Department. I see no reason to modify this procedure.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the case of Trevor Daniel, 287, Moorland Road, Cardiff, a student in training at the Government Instructional Factory, Cardiff, who has been suspended for alleged bad conduct; whether he is aware that the application of Daniel immediately on suspension for an interview with the local technical advisory committee was only granted after nine weeks had elapsed; that his alleged bad conduct was limited to his having acted as spokesman for the whole of the class, of which he was a member, in electrical engineering in the matter of complaint to the manager; and whether, in view of Daniel's exceptionally good record as a student, and the certificate as to character and conduct which he holds from the principal of the technical college, an inquiry can be held into the circumstances of his suspension, with a view to his reinstatement?

I have given this case my careful consideration, and, while I am not prepared to reinstate Mr. Trevor Daniel in training at the Government Instructional Factory, Cardiff, arrangements are being made for him to be placed in a factory in another area, for the completion of his institutional training.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the widespread desire among members of the Civil Service for the re-establishment of the Civil Service Arbitration Board or the creation of a similar body; and whether, in view of the obvious disadvantages of the abolition of this Board, the Government proposes to take any steps in the direction indicated?

Representations have been made to me on the subject referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. His Majesty's Government do not propose to re-establish the Civil Service Arbitration Board. Provisions for contribution by consent of both parties is already made by the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, which applies to civilian employés of the Crown; and it is not considered that further provision is either necessary or desirable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now say if any reports from the Seychelles concerning Zaghloul Pasha's health have been received; if so, how many reports have been received; and what are their dates and exact contents?

A report on Zaghloul Pasha's health was telegraphed on 12th May by the Officer Administering the Seychelles, stating that the chief medical officer on the island saw no reason to believe that the ailment from which the Pasha has suffered for a long time was being adversely influenced by his residence in the Seychelles, and that Zaghloul Pasha had telegraphed to his wife on 11th May to the effect that he was in good health.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British military authorities in Egypt ordered the Egyptian Press not to publish anything concerning the decision of the Commission appointed to draft Egypt's Constitution that the Sudan is Egyptian territory; if so, why, and by what right, was such an order issued to the Press of an independent country by our military authorities in Egypt; and if he will order an inquiry into the incident and supply this House with the necessary information?

I am unaware of the steps actually taken by the competent military authorities on the action of the Sub-Committee of the Eyptian Constitution Commission regarding the Sudan. As the Leader of the House informed the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Pennefather) on 15th May, the Egyptian Government share the view of His Majesty's Government with regard to this incident. I see no reason to take any action in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the appointment of a Commission, instead of an elected national assembly, to frame Egypt's Constitution was at the instance of His Majesty's Government during the negotiations between Lord Allenby and Sarwat Pasha prior to the latter assuming the post of Egyptian Prime Minister?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it was with the approval of His Majesty's Government that Lord Allenby should, during his recent visit to the Sudan, address the Sudanese and communicate to them the British Prime Minister's declaration on 28th February last?

His Majesty's Government entirely approve of the language held by Lord Allenby during his recent visit to the Sudan.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the minorities in Egypt whom His Majesty's Government have reserved the right to protect include the Coptic population in that country; whether the Copts insist, like the Moslems, on the liberation of their country; what is the reason foe such discrimination between different elements of one race; whether Italians. French and Americans in Egypt are included among the minorities; whether the Italian and French residents in Egypt have addressed notes to their respective Governments protesting against the intended protection of them by His Majesty's Government; and whether the United States of America have already refused to have their subjects in Egypt protected by His Majesty's Government?

The British authorities in Egypt have on several occasions in the past afforded protection to minorities, and they will continue to do so in the future to those in need of it. Whatever the attitude of the Copts to-day, they were very anxious for British assistance in 1907, and I am unaware that His Majesty's Government exercised, or are exercising, any discrimination with regard to Copts or Moslems. I am aware that some foreign communities in Egypt, misapprehending the meaning of the declaration of His Majesty's Government to Egypt, addressed communications to the representatives of their respective countries. No official representations have, however, been made to His Majesty's Government by the Powers concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British refugees from Russia, now living in a state of semi-starvation on outdoor relief or else in the workhouse, are now being pressed by the Foreign Office to refund the cost of their repatriation; and, if so, will he discontinue these demands which it is impossible for them to meet?

Under the regulations the Foreign Office is hound to recover, if possible, the sums expended on the repatriation of distressed British subjects abroad. In the case of refugees from Russia, no claim has been pressed where inability to refund has been proved or serious hardship would result. Difficulty has been experienced in some cases in ascertaining the financial position of the persons concerned, but an arrangement has recently been come to with the General Council for the assistance of the British repatriated from Russia that all cases will be referred to them before a claim is made for a refund, the Council having kindly consented to furnish the Foreign Office with full information as to the ability or otherwise of the repatriated persons to repay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what necessity, if any, exists for compelling British subjects returning from abroad via Ostend, Boulogne, Calais and Dover to fill in cards containing details already embodied in their passports; what becomes of these cards, are they ever examined, and, if so, is any action ever taken against those who fill them in incorrectly; what is the cost involved in collecting and filing them; and, if it he absolutely essential that these cards should be filled up at Dover, why is it that British subjects are not obliged to fill them up when landing at Southampton from Havre or at Croydon aerodrome when arriving from Paris by air?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply. British subjects are not compelled to fill up these cards. Cards have hitherto been handed to British subjects, on the routes referred to, as well as to aliens, because the railway companies concerned did not find it possible to distinguish, when issuing them, between nationalities. There has been no cost to public funds. Arrange ments are now being made which will, I hope, bring the issue of these cards to British subjects to an end at an early date—perhaps 1st June.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider, in connection with the concessions he is making to telephone subscribers as the result of the recent Report of the Select Committee, an arrangement whereby the night rates for trunk calls shall come into force after 8 p.m. on the first five weekdays, 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and all day on Sundays?

The night rate for trunk calls operates from 7 p.m. and not 8 p.m. As my right hon. Friend has already announced in the House, reduced rates, approximately 25 per cent. less than the full rate, will be applied from the 1st July to trunk calls made between 2 and 7 p.m. In view of the considerable sacrifice of revenue involved in these concessions I regret it is not possible at present to make any further reductions.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to a Post Office Form No. 206, which is used to ascertain the salaries of provincial head postmasters; whether this form contains over 1,000 figures; how many people are employed in this work of drawing up and checking the form; and will he see whether a more simple method could be devised?

The data from which the form in question is compiled have in any case to be obtained for statistical purposes. The form is normally only pre pared once in three years for each office, but I have no record of the time spent in drawing it up and checking it. If postmasters' salaries are to be based on the amount of work performed under their control I do not think the procedure could be greatly simplified.

asked the Postmaster-General if the National Federa- tion of Postal and Telegraph Clerks has now been officially recognised by his Department as a properly constituted postal association; how many branches has it in London and the provinces; and what is its membership?

The National Federation of Postal and Telegraph Clerks is not an officially recognised body, although certain of its branches in London are allowed to discuss matters with the local postmasters. I have no information as to the total number of the branches: I understand the total membership in January last was about 6,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the sending of gambling advertisements and lottery tickets by persons in Dublin; and whether he will take any steps to put a stop to this growing practice?

I am aware that lottery tickets have recently been posted by persons in Dublin. Such lottery tickets or any advertisements relating to lotteries, if observed in the post, are withheld from delivery.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he can indicate the results of the experiments undertaken by the Midland Railway Company and the London and North Western Railway Company with regard to the establishment of wireless communication between the more important points on their railway systems;(2) what progress has been made as the result of the extended trial of wireless communication in connection with the British railway system, which was undertaken by the Marconi Company with his consent?

Permission was given in 1920 to the Midland Railway Company to establish wireless communications between certain points on their system and to the Marconi Company to conduct tests of such communications on the system of the London and North Western Railway Company. The Marconi Company pro- posed last year to supplement the preliminary tests on the London and North Western Railway by a more extended trial, and they were offered a licence for the purpose, but the proposal was not proceeded with. So far as I am aware, no experiment in wireless communication on railways have since been carried out.

asked the Prime Minister the present duties of the Under-Secretary for Health for Scotland; whether they are sufficient to occupy him for any reasonable amount of time; and whether he will consider the desirability of abolishing the position to save public money?

In terms of the Scottish Board of Health Act, 1919, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health is responsible under the Secretary for Scotland for the administration of the Scottish Board of Health in the exercise and performance of their powers and duties under the Act, and he is Vice-President of the Board by virtue of his office. In view of the position as regards housing, the duties of the office are not now so onerous as was anticipated when the Act was passed. Instead, however, of abolishing the office, the better course may be to extend the range of the duties of the

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury have intimated to the General Board of Control for Scotland that it is not able

asked the Secretary for Scotland the chief reasons for the increase in fees in the Sasines Office, Edinburgh, and the total amount paid in fees in any recent period; whether the Department is self-supporting; how many writs have been presented for registration during the last five years; the number of staff employed, and the amount paid in salaries during the same period; and whether any representations have been made to him regarding the delay in returning recorded deeds?

The chief reasons for the increase in fees in the Sasines Office were the increased cost of administration of the office and the necessity of placing it on a self-supporting basis. The total amount paid in fees, the number of writs presented for registration, the number of staff employed and the amount paid in salaries, etc., in each of the last five years are tabulated below. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative, but, as my hon. Friend was informed in reply to his question on the 10th of November last, every endeavour is being made to overcome the delay referred to.to consent, on the grounds of economy, to any increase in the existing accommodation for mental defectives in Scotland, and that local authorities have been requested to satisfy themselves that only urgent cases are dealt with under the Act; whether for many years the provision for the care of the mentally defective in Scotland has been quite inadequate; whether the local authorities have protested that there will be no true economy in allowing mental deficiency to increase by the restriction of necessary expenditure on institutions; and whether, in view of these facts and recent reports of His Majesty's inspectors on schools for mentally defective children, the Treasury decision will now be reconsidered?

I have been asked to reply to this question. In connection with the Estimates for the current year, the Treasury intimated that they could not contemplate a large increase in the amount to be annually expended from Government funds towards the provision of accommodation for mental defectives, and it was therefore necessary to limit the activities of local authorities in regard to this service, the importance of which is recognised by the Departments concerned. Certain local authorities have urged the necessity of making some further provision for the care and treatment of mental deficiency in their areas. In two cases special arrangements have been made which will not prejudice the re-requirement that large, fresh commitments must be avoided in the present state of the national finances. My right hon. Friend is considering, in consultation with the Treasury, whether within the limits of the Vote for the current year certain further provision can be made to relieve the present situation.

asked the Prime Minister whether Article 18 of Annex 2, of Part VIII (Reparations) of the Treaty of Versailles is interpreted by His Majesty's Government to mean the giving of liberty of action to each respective Government to apply sanctions separately against Germany in the event of the alleged voluntary default by the German Government in the payment of reparations or the carrying out other portions of the Treaty?

Paragraph 18 must be read with paragraph 17, which relates to the right of the Reparation Commission to notify each of the interested Powers that Germany is in default, and to make such recommendations as to the action to be taken in consequence of such default as the Reparation Commission may think necessary. Paragraph 18 is understood by His Majesty's Government as conferring upon the individual Governments the right to take action independently, but the action taken must be of the nature contemplated by the paragraph, namely, economic and financial prohibitions and reprisals, and in general such measures as it is proper for Governments to take individually. I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that by paragraph 12 of the same annex, the right to interpret the provisions of the Reparation Section of the Treaty is conferred upon the Reparation Commission, and that the views of His Majesty's Government on the subject have, therefore, no binding character.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the acknowleged hardship to many individuals in the country, he will reconsider the decision not to introduce legislation to relieve members of local authorities, or those who are aspirants for such offices, from the penalties of poverty consequent upon no acts of their own?

No, Sir, I cannot undertake to introduce the suggested legislation.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received protests from the Urban Councils of Crayford and Dartford regarding the dumping of house and other refuse within one mile of occupied houses, and asking for administrative powers to prevent such dumping; how many councils have similarly protested; and whether or no the Ministry will respond to these requests at an early date, in view of the probable hot summer and the danger arising from insect and other pests?

I have received resolutions on this subject from the Urban District Council of Crayford, the Rural District Council of Dartford, and 10 other authorities. I do not consider legislation practicable at present, but administrative measures are being taken with a view to reducing the evil.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many temporary exhibitions have been held at the Victoria and Albert Museum during the last 10 years: what has been the cost of them; what, if any, receipts from them could be set off against such costs; what amount of time have members of the museum staff been called upon to devote to the work of these exhibitions; and is he aware that the arrangement, cataloguing, and labelling of objects comprised in the museum's permanent collection have been interfered with during the periods when these temporary exhibitions have been held?

During the last 10 years about 40 temporary exhibitions have been held in the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is impossible to estimate their cost, as the work in connection with them has been done as part of the ordinary work of the staff, who have also devoted a great deal of their private time to them. The museum is open to the public free and there has been no revenue from the exhibitions, apart from receipts from sales

asked the President. of the Board of Education whether a number of plaster reproductions in the Victoria and Albert Museum, especially those of monumental sculptures, are very dirty and in consequence are much depreciated in appearance for purposes of study; and will he give instructions for this neglect to be remedied?

While the Square Court in the Museum containing the plaster casts was being repaired and redecorated, advantage was taken of the opportunity to wash some of the more important casts and to clean others as far as possible without washing. This has, of course, accentuated the discoloration of the casts which have not been cleaned. More casts will be cleaned as opportunity offers, but the expense in money and labour involved is too heavy to allow this work to be proceeded with immediately.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the comparative figures for England and Belgium under the following heads, namely, total area, percentage under grass, percentage of arable, head of livestock,i.e., cows, beasts (excluding cows), sheep, and pigs, respectively, per 100 acres of total area under crops and grass?

The following statement gives the information desired:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, last November, six horses out of a cargo of 38 were so injured on a voyage from London to Rotterdam that they had to be killed; and whether he will inquire into the matter?

The Ministry has no record of the cargo in question, but I will have inquiries made into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the attention of the Overseas Trade Department or the Board of Trade has been directed to the schemes of electrification in the Duchy of Luxemburg; whether British engineers will be in a position to quote for plant, machinery, and equipment in the Duchy; whether the Departments, separately or in co-operation, are able to supply information and facilities for tendering to British firms; and, if not, seeing the present state of unemployment, whether the Departments will be prepared to make any effort in this matter?

Tentative suggestions have been put forward from time to time for the electrification of the Luxemburg railways, but I have no information that any definite scheme has been formulated. With regard to the last part of the question, the Commercial Secretary at Brussels in whose area Luxemburg is included keeps the Department informed in the ordinary course of his duties, of any developments likely to be of interest to British industry, but I will gladly have a special inquiry addressed to him on the matter and will communicate again in due course with my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can, and will, take such action as will prevent the drivers of chars-a-bane being permitted to drive from a seat which is used by passengers; and whether, as London omnibus drivers have a separate seat apart from all other passengers, it is considered any more unnecessary for a driver of a char-a-bane to be crowded on his seat when steering a heavy vehicle often on a road with bad gradients and congested with other traffic, and frequently unknown to him?

I have been asked to answer this question. A Departmental Committee has recently been appointed to consider the whole question of the licensing and regulation of hackney vehicles. The point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend will be within their terms of reference, and pending the receipt of their Report, I do not think it is desirable to promote any special Regulations upon the lines suggested. I may add that I am advised that it is doubtful whether any powers exist to make such Regulations, at any rate, in the provinces.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Metropolitan Police or any county police have power to refuse licences for public motor vehicles that do not correspond to certain requirements; what are those requirements regarding brake-power, width, weight, loaded and unloaded, length, and visibility by the driver of overtaking traffic; and whether local authorities have power to fine the owners of such vehicles if they proceed over roads notified as unsuited to such traffic?

I have been asked to answer this question. All public motor vehicles must comply with the general law as laid down in the Motor Car (Use and Construction) Order, 1904, the Heavy Motor Car Order, 1904, and the Heavy Motor Car (Amendment) Orders, 1907 and 1921, in so far as they bear on the matters referred to in the question. The Metropolitan Police, and in the provinces, the Hackney and Stage Carriage Licensing Authorities, also have discretion to refuse a licence for a particular vehicle on grounds relating to its fitness. As regards the last part of the question, it is an offence under the Roads Act, 1920, for a vehicle to be driven over a road on which its use has been prohibited by an Order under Section 7 (4) of that Act.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether, having regard to the increasing number of heavy motor vehicles and the check caused to traffic by them, he will issue Regulations that all such heavy vehicles shall carry side reflectors so that the drivers may see when smaller vehicles behind them are endeavouring to proceed?

The Minister of Transport has no power to make Regulations requiring heavy motor vehicles to carry mirrors or other devices whereby drivers can be made aware of overtaking vehicles. I would, however, refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the recommendations contained in paragraph 189 of the recently issued Second Interim Report of the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles. I am send-

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give consideration to the question of amending the law with regard to appeals from decisions of magistrates; and, in view of the fact that when the question involved is one of imprisonment or trifling fines, the expense of such appeals at present is anything up to £80, will he, at an early date, introduce a Bill to remedy the anomaly?

I do not know how tile costs involved in an appeal to Quarter Sessions could be limited by Statute any more than the costs of other legal proceedings, in which counsel are employed, and my right hon. Friend does not see his way to initiate legislation on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will supply a statement indicating the number of summonses granted under the Motor Car Acts in regard to taxi drivers in London up to the end of April of this year and the corresponding period of last year?

The following list gives the desired particulars regarding summonses issued against motor-cab drivers in the Metropolitan Police district for the periods indicated:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the conditions that are being imposed at Employment Exchanges acting through juvenile advisory committees on mistresses of households desirous of engaging domestic help through an Employment Exchange; that, at the Brixton Employment Exchange, the employer is required to sign a form which lays down, amongst other things, a minimum wage, time off and holidays, hour of bedtime and kind of bedroom, and to agree to submit to a periodical visit of inspection from the Exchange for what is known as after care; that these advisory committees are actingultra vires; and what immediate action does he propose to take in the matter?

I thought I had made it abundantly clear to my hon. and gallant Friend that the Employment Exchanges are in no way responsible for the advice given by juvenile advisory committees to young persons under 18 seeking situations—with whom, though the fact is not stated in the question, the juvenile advisory committees are alone concerned. I gave my hon. and gallant Friend, on the 4th August last, a copy of an Order which, in the most explicit terms, defined the duties of the Exchanges in this matter. As regards the second part of the question, suggesting the necessity to sign a form as described in the question, the statement is incorrect; the employer offering the vacancy is not now asked to sign any such form. But it is possible that in this case the instructions which I gave in response to my hon. and gallant Friend's representations, and those made by others, last June, July and August have not in fact been clearly understood. I propose, therefore, to go into the matter and will write further to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of persons insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts who were resident in the area of the Irish Free State on the date on which the administration of the Acts, so far as that area is concerned, was taken over by the Provisional Government?

The number of persons in the Irish Free State insured against unemployment at the date of transfer of administration of the Unemployment Insurance Acts was about 245,000.